Manage Your Dollars and Sense by Using a Professional

Taking on a home remodeling project of any scale can be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, experiences a homeowner will undertake. With countless design choices, layers of dust and a revolving door of workers, just thinking about it can send even the most laid-back person to bed with a mind-numbing headache. Whether it’s truly your blood, sweat and tears going into the remodel or just in theory letting professionals take the lead, there’s no doubt about it, remodeling is complicated. The silver lining, however, is the sense of accomplishment and homeowner pride once the project is complete and your design dreams are realized.

One of the best ways to keep stress at a manageable level is by working with a professional. This especially holds true when planning for a kitchen or bathroom remodel — two of the most trafficked areas of your home with the highest potential for return on investment. Working with a professional can make the remodel process much smoother by avoiding budget pitfalls, schedule delays and a crushed design dream.

Here are just a few of the ways a professional kitchen and bath dealer can help:

Visualizing the possibilities

Most reputable kitchen and bath dealers have a showroom to best showcase their work and the products they specify. As a customer, you should expect a neat, organized showroom with friendly staff to listen to you, help get some of your upfront questions answered and show you your options. Kitchen and bath dealers specialize exclusively in these rooms and have knowledge of the latest trends. They have the tools and experience to walk you through the design process, set the budget and troubleshoot to meet your goals for aesthetics and function. In fact, many kitchen and bath dealers and their designers are certified by leading industry associations such as the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) or the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), among others.

Setting the budget

Nowhere will using a professional pay off more than in setting the budget. If you’ve never done a major remodel, you probably don’t know how much to budget for. Or, perhaps you have a budget in mind and need help knowing where to save and when to splurge. Your dealer and design team will make this process much easier for you. Throughout the design and installation, they can work within your budget parameters, specify the best products and alert you of potential overages before it’s too late.

Doing the legwork

We’ve all heard the old adage, “measure twice; cut once.” Knowing how to take the right measurements is imperative in a successful remodeling project. The wrong measurement can set off an unfortunate chain reaction of very costly events. Professionals are skilled in this area and will get the job done right the first time so there aren’t delays in the schedule. Once the measurements are taken, a dealer will put the plans to paper and manage the ordering and installation steps.

Realizing your dreams

Eventually your remodel will be complete and you’ll no longer have to make do with your makeshift kitchen in the family room or fight with family members for time in your only functioning bathroom. After the dust has settled, the end result will be a beautiful space you and your family can enjoy for years to come. And, if you worked with a knowledgeable professional, you are left with both your dollars and your sense.

Sinks: Stainless Steel, Granite, Porcelain--What Are the Differences?

When purchasing a new sink for the kitchen, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the many different materials and choices available.  Should we choose stainless steel?  Granite?  Fireclay?  Porcelain?   Let's look at the pros and cons of some very popular options.

•  Stainless Steel:  The most popular material for kitchen sinks, stainless steel is durable, hygenic, rust free and will last a long time. It is available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and depths to suit any situation.  There are even stainless steel apron sinks. One can choose between very straight lined designs with sharp, crisp edges which blend well with contemporary looks, or curvilinear designs with radius edges for a softer look.  For a good quality stainless steel sink, look for one that has at least 18-gauge thickness and with at least an 18/8 percentage of chromium and nickel in the steel.  The chromium provides the luster, and the nickel gives the strength.  A thicker gauge stainless steel is also quieter. The best stainless steel sinks will also have sound-deadening material on the bottom.  Stainless steel can scratch, however, and will develop a patina of tiny scratches over time.  A sink grid can help minimize scratches.  Stainless steel is very easy to clean, but harsh chemicals should be avoided, and the sink should be wiped dry after use to prevent water-spotting.  Some manufacturers are offering water-spot and fingerprint resistant finishes on some of their top-of-the-line models.

  

  Blanco #516213 Precision

  
  
•  Granite: Granite sinks are available two ways--one can have a sink made out of granite slabs, which are beautiful, but very heavy, and expensive--or one can have a composite granite (or quartz) sink made of granite dust, combined with acrylic resins in about an 80/20 ratio and molded under high pressure in one piece.  They are very hard and durable, heat, stain and scratch resistant and are available in many different shapes, sizes and colors.  

  

  Blanco IKON 30" Silgranit apron sink

• Fireclay:  Fireclay sinks are molded from china clay under high pressures, dried, then coated with a porcelain glaze under very high temperatures (1600-2000 degrees) to make a hard, non-porous surface.  They are resistant to acids and other stains, and resist scratching and chipping (though they can be chipped).  They are not available in as many sizes and colors as composite granite sinks.
  

  

  Franke Orca sink, white

• Porcelain:  Long a classic in the kitchen, porcelain sinks have a cast iron core and are covered with a porcelain glaze and fired under high temperatures.  The result is a smooth, glossy finish and a timeless look.  They are available in drop-in and undermount models and in a wide range of colors.  Porcelain sinks are very durable, and with proper care last a very long time.  Harsh abrasives and chemicals should never be used to avoid wearing away the glaze, and care should be taken in placing objects in the sink to avoid chipping.  The sinks are very heavy and do require additional support for their weight.

  

  Kohler Riverby equal bowl, white

  
  
  
  
  
  

2017 Kitchen Cabinet Trend

In contemporary kitchens, all-white cabinetry has been a popular pick. Homeowners are drawn to white because it’s a neutral color and neutrals are timeless. All-white cabinets are popular because they give the space an open, clean, simple, and practical concept.

This trend will go on for some time while, slowly, another style is emerging in popularity.

All-white cabinetry is being combined with other cabinetry surfaces such as wood grains, steel, concrete, etc.

There are many reasons this is becoming the trend. Connection to the outdoors and uniqueness are just a few reasons homeowners are marrying the two.

Some homeowners like to include natural elements to feel connected to the outdoors.  Each outdoor element has characteristics that convey particular impressions. Wood is natural and organic, concrete is sturdy and heavy, steel is sleek and strong, glass is smooth and light, and so forth.

Collaborating with different colors, textures, materials, and finishes with their white cabinetry will make the space look unique and feel special while maintaining timeless design.

Different surfaces, worktops, accessories, and lighting can make the design more interesting. Leicht offers variations in all those categories.  Check out more designs at  leichtatlanta.com 

MODERN VS. CONTEMPORARY

INTERIOR DESIGN

MODERN VS. CONTEMPORARY

Modern and Contemporary designs are growing more popular these days. Both styles have their own unique characteristics. However, many times, it is tricky to distinguish between a modern interior and a contemporary interior. It is difficult to differentiate because they are so similar and we assume they are the same. 

MODERN INTERIOR

Let’s talk about Modern design. Modern design denotes a period in time during the 1920s-1950s. This was a time of new inventions and machination. Modernists were forward thinkers and challenged traditional views. Technology and social norms were reflected through art and design, thus, new artistic forms emerged. Some of the common characteristics of a modern design would include materials of the time, geometric shapes, and artistic trends including minimalism, surrealism, cubism, etc.

Materials that are common in this style includes: natural woods, plywood, plastic, linen, and leather. Furniture is made simplistic with elegant shapes. A modern space will look and feel simple, airy, and clean with colors that are monochromatic and neutral.

CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR

While Modern design is about the 20^th century era, Contemporary design integrates Modernism with today’s trends and movements. This means that Contemporary design is always changing. Today’s contemporary materials will be in lacquer, glass, stone, steel, cork, etc. Currently, sustainability is in demand, so there will be a lot of materials that are eco-friendly and designs will have the indoor-outdoor feel.  Contemporary interiors are also minimalistic, simple, and clean-lined. 

Check out more designs from the Leicht website!
http://www.leicht.com/en/kitchen/modern-style/

TEXTURE, MATERIAL, AND COLOR

You are remodeling your bathroom and you’re not sure how you want your bathroom to look. First of all, pick an inspirational piece and use your design ideas around that inspirational item.

Look at several elements such as texture, material, and color.

When considering texture, you should think about scale, light, and visual weight. These features determine how something feels, whether it’s tactile or visual. Rough textures usually add weight to an object, making the item feel more dense and cozy. While softer textures create a lightweight, smooth impression.

A key component to consider is material. A material can mimic some of the special characteristics of another. A good example is the wooden-like tile floor in the image which is actually made of porcelain made to look like wood. You can say you have wood for your bathroom floor!

Lastly, choose the perfect color scheme. Anticipate how you’d like to feel towards the space or object. Choosing color temperature is choosing warm or cool colors. Darker tones such as grays and blues tend to feel cool, fresh, and relaxing. While red, orange and yellow are professed as warm, vibrant and energetic.

Look at the image of the tile back-splash. There are a lot of fun patterns and textures, different materials, and complementary colors all in harmony. The rough surface of the porcelain represents sand on a beach, while the reflective glass is perceived as the ocean. The tile has subtle hues of cool colors consisting of greens, blues, greys, and white.

You have an awesome tile, but what are you to do with it? Make sure to pair it with something complementary. The hues of the tile are quite subtle, so my next step is to match it with a contrasting and bold finish.  For instance, metal, oil-rubbed bronze faucet would warm up the space a little bit. 

What's New for 2017?

As 2016 comes to an end, we look forward to an exciting and prosperous 2017.  If you  have been holding off on that kitchen or bath renovation, now is a great time to go forward and make it happen. 

We at CSI are seeing some very interesting and innovative developments in our industry that makes us very excited about kitchen and bath design possibilities for the coming year.

One trend we love is the use of textured woods for cabinets. Yes, oak is back, and in a big way; but not your grandpa's oak! today's oak utilizes different sawing techniques like quarter-sawn and rift-cut to change the appearance of the graining pattern.  We are seeing rougher textures that include the natural knots and blemishes in wood to create an interesting surface.  The wood may also be wire-brushed to give it a weathered, old barn wood look, and combined with stains and glazes to further enhance the texture.

The other big trend we see in cabinets is in painted finishes.  Grays, whites, and creams are hot, and the combinations of painted finishes with the textured woods are very appealing.  We also see a surge in other colors, like blues and greens, to put a personal stamp on a kitchen or bath.

Lighting is the other major trend we see in kitchens now.  Lighted cabinet interiors are being requested more and more. Glass-fronted cabinets can be lit traditionally with halogens in the ceiling, but advances in LED technology also allows unobtrusive narrow strip lighting down the sides.  There are even glass shelves that can include LED lighting.  And how about lighted drawers and base cabinets to make it easier to find items?  Pendants, chandeliers, and ceiling fixtures have also become major design statements in the kitchen with the bold new designs that are available now.

So, we are very excited about about the new looks and trends that are coming on the market, and we invite you to visit our showroom to see what the future has in store for your next project! 

KITCHEN WISH LIST

What does your ideal kitchen look like? What would you include in your dream kitchen? The answers are different for everyone, but there are certain features that everyone agrees are must haves.

1. Plenty of storage: The ideal kitchen has plenty of space to store all of your cooking equipment. The best way to add storage if you lack square footage is to go up. Take advantage of all the ceiling height you can by installing tall wall cabinets. If you have a high ceiling you can create a dramatic look with stacked wall cabinets that may have glass in the upper portion perfect to display your favorite decorative pieces.

Get creative with custom cabinet features that maximize storage. A blind corner cabinet, for instance can have one of several devices that make it easier to access items. One is a “magic corner” which is a chrome wire pullout with baskets. Another popular one is the “Le Mans” unit which as two kidney-shaped sliding shelves. Tall pantry pullouts make the most of a narrow space, and rollout shelves in base cabinets make accessibility easy. Don’t forget customized drawer accessories like cutlery trays, spice and knife inserts. Don’t forget to provide special shelving for that cookbook collection.

2. Appliances: You, of course, will want your ideal kitchen to have the latest in appliances. One trend, especially if you entertain a lot, is to have two dishwashers to make clean-up a breeze. A professional-style rangetop with a built-in griddle is a feature most cooks would love to have. Double ovens and a warming drawer are a must when cooking for a crowd. And don’t forget specialty appliances like steam ovens, built-in coffee systems, and extra refrigeration space like under counter refrigerated drawers, beverage centers or wine storage units. An extra ice maker is also handy for entertaining.

3. Lighting: Great lighting can make the difference between a good kitchen and a “Wow” kitchen. Lots of natural light from large windows is a must. Of course, you need general ambient lighting, specific task lighting and lighting for atmosphere. Be sure to include under-cabinet LED lighting, recessed ceiling cans for general lighting and pendants or fixtures over islands. If you have glass-fronted cabinets you will want to have interior lighting to sparkle off crystal and china. For special lighting consider rope lighting above the cabinets as well as below the toekick area. Dimmers on most of the lighting are the best way to create atmosphere and set a mood when entertaining.

4. One feature that most people would include in a dream kitchen is a large island with seating. The island incorporates many functions. The large surface is great for food preparation, it can double as a buffet for serving, and it contains lots of storage. It is perfect for creating a convivial atmosphere for chatting with friends and family and to keep an eye on the kids as they do their homework.

5. Style: Everyone’s idea of what the perfect kitchen looks like is different, but there are some elements that will elevate your kitchen above the norm. The cabinetry you choose is the furniture of the room and sets the mood. Hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen and adds extra flair. Color is essential in creating mood and making the kitchen a pleasant place to work. Add special touches like barn doors for the pantry, open beams, marble countertops or a special tile pattern for the floor to individualize the space.

Whether you are planning to build a new house, or remodel your current one, plan your dream kitchen for comfort, storage, functionality and beauty and make it as individual as you are.

Remodeling and the Lead-Based Paint Factor

We all want to make sure that we are living in a safe, healthy environment.  One area where we do have control is in our own homes. 

Lead is one of the most dangerous elements that can be present in a home, and young children, especially under two years of age, are the most sensitive to lead poisoning.  Lead was frequently used in paints prior to 1978, and flaking, peeling, and cracking paint create dust that can be breathed through the air, or ingested by inquisitive children by chewing on or touching painted surfaces such as window sills, stair railings and door frames.  Though some lead is naturally present in the outdoors, lead-based exterior paint can flake off and contaminate the soil around the home and be tracked indoors so it is important to remove shoes at the door and wash hands. 

The risks of lead exposure to young children include lower IQ, slower growth, learning and behavior problems and anemia.  Unborn children are at risk also as lead is stored in the mother's body and can be transferred to the fetus and via breast milk to the infant.  Adults are not immune either, and high levels of lead in the body can lead to cardiovascular problems, hypertension, kidney and reproductive issues among others.

The good news is that lead poisoning is entirely preventable.  For one thing, lead-free paint was banned for residential use in 1978, so if your home is newer than that, there should not be cause for concern.  According to the EPA, houses built between 1960 and 1977 are 24% more likely to contain lead-based paint than newer homes; between 1940 and 1959 69% more likely; and before 1940 87% more likely.   But even if your house was built prior to 1978, if the paint is in good condition; i.e., not peeling, cracking, or flaking, and sealed under layers of newer paint, then there may be no cause for alarm.  Frequent wiping down of painted surfaces and vacuuming with a HEPA filter are good practices.  But if in doubt, it is wise to test for the presence of lead.   

However, if a home is being remodeled, and was built prior to 1978, it is likely that paint will be disturbed in the process.  It is important to have the paint in the home tested for lead content.   The EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) "requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and pre-schools built before 1978 have their firm certified by EPA (or an EPA authorized state), use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers and follow lead-safe work practices".  In Georgia, that means that a Certified Renovator must be licensed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to supervise all RRP-regulated projects and to perform lead testing on all surfaces that will be disturbed. 

The removal of lead is a federally mandated process.  A lead test must be performed on any home from 1978 or older by a certified renovator.  The certified renovator must wear very specific protection gear and properly secure the area being affected with multiple layers of protection.  If the paint involved is outdoors, the soil or immediate area must be properly covered.  One area which is generally overlooked is in window replacement.  Windows in homes from 1978 or older may contain lead and can contaminate the area outside and inside the house if it does contain lead and areas are not properly protected. 

If your home was built prior to 1978, and you are planning to remodel, be sure to use a certified renovator to test for lead. 

For more information from the Environmental Protection Agency on how to keep your home safe and lead-free visit  http://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family#sl-home

CSI Named #2 Atlanta Residential Remodeling Firm

CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio has been named the #2 Atlanta residential remodeling firm in Atlanta Business Chronicle's annual list of the Atlanta's Top 10 Residential Remodeling Contractors based on figures for 2014.

NARI tour 2015

NARI Atlanta Presents its Fifth Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes

The Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, will present its Sixth Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes Saturday, Oct. 24, 2014 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Eight private homes transformed by NARI members throughout Atlanta’s northern suburbs will be open to the public, with the remodeling teams on hand to discuss each project and answer questions.  Proceeds from the tour will benefit CURE Childhood Cancer (www.curechildhoodcancer.org).  The tour is self-guided and will be held rain or shine.  Tickets are $20 in advance, and $30 the day of the tour, and are available at www.AtlantaRemodelingTour.com, along with a downloadable map showing each home location.  CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio will be showcasing a beautifully redesigned home as part of the tour.  We are very proud to be involved in NARI and to help such a worthwhile cause like Cure Childhood Cancer.

Schrock Makes a Big Foray into the Contemporary Market

Decidedly modern. That's Schrock's fresh take on kitchen design with their new contemporary door styles, Aspen and Derazi. Schrock already had a slab door with their Prestley style--a wood veneer door in maple or cherry in a range of stained or painted finishes.

Schrock's new Aspen and Derazi door styles.

Aspen and Derazi add to the range of slab style offerings by introducing special laminate finishes. 

Aspen is a high-gloss white laminate with a choice of white or metallic edgebanding. Derazi is a textured horizontal grain laminate in Obsidian. These colors pair beautifully with stainless steel appliances. Use Aspen and Derazi together or separately to create a sleek, European look. 

These cabinets feature full overlay doors on a face-frame carcass.  Touch latches are available for a handle-less look, or opt for slim, unobtrusive brushed nickel finger pulls.Specially designed metal brackets, corbels and feet are available for that finishing touch.

Available in Schrock's Fall 2015 product launch at the end of August, and with a quick order time of only three weeks, you can be cooking in your new European-style kitchen in no time!  Call to make an appointment with one of our designers to create your new kitchen today.

3 SIMPLE STEPS TO BUDGETING FOR A REMODEL

It seems like every day at least someone comes into our showroom with a very confused and perplexed look on their face.  Sheepishly and nearly afraid to ask, they approach our designers to inquire about a kitchen or bathroom project.  “What does a kitchen or bath project cost?”  If you are like most homeowners who would very much like to update an outdated or broken space, but are terrified that a job like yours is going to cost much more than the home is worth, let us offer a warm smile and an arm around your shoulder.  Relax, help is here.

It is funny how television and the internet have both enlightened homeowners and petrified them at the same time.  There is no shortage of programs and websites touting the latest in remodeling trends.  Unfortunately, most of them never stop to educate people on the real costs of such an endeavor or explain why they cost what they do.  The price range for a typical kitchen or bathroom remodel project can actually vary thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.  Instead of immediately worrying about what a “typical” kitchen or bath will cost to build, perhaps the best way to start with these three steps:

1.  Decide What the End Game Is.  If the intent of the remodel project is to help with the resale value of your home or to prepare it for a faster sale, than follow the rule “K-I-S-S, Keep It Simple Sweetie.”  If you won’t be there to enjoy the space for at least seven more years, than all you really want to do is spruce it up while keeping costs to a minimum.  You will also want to keep style and color choices to neutral ranges.  Follow the general style of the house and neighborhood.  Play it safe here.

However, if you have no plans to move anytime soon, feel free to insert your own tastes and desires into the equation.  You also can expand the budget and not be overly concerned about resale.  Don’t get hung-up with overspending the value of the home.  Creating a space that makes your life that much easier and enjoyable has value.  Make an honest assessment of the room: are items stored properly and easily accessible; how much walking around the space is needed to get things done; do the appliances and fixtures actually work for how you live; what things could be added or moved that would greatly improve the room; do you actually enjoy being in that space?  These are all great questions to ask and take note of.

2.  Understand Costs and Know Options.  Having an open discussion with a qualified local remodeler will be the best way to truly get a grip on what the expenses will be.  Sit down with someone who can explain what the project costs are and why things cost what they do.  There are many details that go into the remodeling of a space that, while not plainly seen, are necessary.  Also, ask about the various options for updating a space.  Options can range from budget-friendly ones that are purely cosmetic, to full-blown gutting of spaces that customize the room for specific needs and tastes.

3.  Be Mindful of the Budget, But Also Be Open to New Ideas. 
Throughout the design and selection process, expect to be guided in the direction of items that fit your established budget.  Also be open to new ideas you might not have been aware of.  These may greatly help cure the pain of the room.  A good designer will help identify those pains, propose possible solutions with explanations, and let you pick and choose what is worth the added expense.  Understanding the cost vs. value of each idea can help you decide if that built-in refrigerator or heated floor is worth it to you.

Look for a licensed professional remodeler in your area who offers a variety of cabinetry and fixtures.  Bring photos of your space and measurements if possible.  That way they can fully understand the breadth of the project and give you some preliminary ideas on what can be done and rough estimates where the budget may fall.  They can also begin to show you products that would best fit within that preliminary budget.  Be wary of anyone willing to give out free estimates in writing or someone who bases pricing solely on “allowances.”  That can often lead to misunderstandings and unrealistic numbers.

CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio,6527 Jimmy Carter Blvd #C2 Norcross, GA  30071                                                         770-729-1999

Rutt's New Morgan Series

Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry has added a new door style to their Regency Series.  Called Morgan, it is a clean-lined classic Shaker style—but with a difference.  Not just a door style, but a complete system of cabinetry, Morgan blurs the line between frameless and framed cabinetry.  Horizontal and vertical members do not meet on the same plane creating shadow lines and an interesting layered effect.  With specially designed components unique to Morgan, such as soffit and base rails, light rails, and end panels, this system is a complete concept.

The local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, will present its Fifth Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Seven private homes transformed by NARI members throughout Atlanta’s northern suburbs will be open to the public, with the remodeling teams on hand to discuss each project and answer questions.  Proceeds from the tour will benefit CURE Childhood Cancer (www.curechildhoodcancer.org).  The tour is self-guided and will be held rain or shine.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the tour, and are available at www.AtlantaRemodelingTour.com, along with a downloadable map showing each home location.  Valerie Hoff of 11Alive is the Tour’s Honorary Chair.

CSI Kitchen & Bath will be showcasing one of it's kitchen remodels in the Horseshoe Bend neighborhood.  Stop by and see this beautiful kitchen transformation.

CSI Kitchen & Bath is awarded 2014 Best of Houzz Award for Customer Service

CSI Kitchen and Bath Studio of Norcross, GA Receives

Best Of Houzz 2014 Award

 

Annual Survey and Analysis of 16 Million Monthly Users

Reveals Top-Rated Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals

 

Norcross, GA., February 4, 2014 – CSI Kitchen and Bath Studio of Norcross, GA. has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The complete design build firm and kitchen & bath studio was chosen by the more than 16 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

 

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2013. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 16 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 230 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2014” badge on their profiles, showing the Houzz community their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz. 

 

“We are honored to have been awarded this distinction by Houzz.com” states Mimi Clausen V.P. of CSI Kitchen and Bath Studio.  “Customer Service is our top priority and to be recognized by Houzz in this category is very exciting.” 

“Houzz provides homeowners with the most comprehensive view of home building, remodeling and design professionals, empowering them to find and hire the right professional to execute their vision,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community for Houzz. “We’re delighted to recognize CSI Kitchen and Bath Studio among our “Best Of” professionals for customer satisfaction as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

 

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like CSI Kitchen and Bath, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and reviewing their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

 

Follow CSI Kitchen and Bath Studio on Houzz at: http://www.houzz.com/pro/csikitchen/__public

 

CSI Kitchen and Bath Studio is an award-winning, full service design and remodeling firm.  We have been providing exquisite kitchens, baths, closets and other rooms throughout the Atlanta area and the Southeast since 1992.  We invite you to visit one of the most exciting, comprehensive and largest kitchen and bath showrooms in the Atlanta area.  Whether you plan to remodel one room or the entire house, CSI has the experienced designers, craftsmen  and remodelers to fulfill your wishes.  We can create any look from traditional to contemporary with our fine lines of Jay Rambo Company, Leicht, Rutt Handcrafted Cabinetry, Schrock and Organized Living.  In addition to these cabinetry options, we also offer high-quality appliances, countertops, and plumbing fixtures too!  We are committed to great customer service; and in turn, great customer satisfaction. CSI is a licensed and insured residential contractor.  “Others promise, CSI delivers^™.”

 

 

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit www.houzz.com

Holiday Disasters with HGTV’S Kim Myles, 2013

Holiday Disasters with HGTV’S Kim Myles, 2013

A couple of weeks ago, CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio had a very pleasant surprise.  We had the honor of hosting the filming of HGTV’s Design Star's Kim Myles' Holiday Disasters segment.  The filming took place in our very own Norcross showroom and utilized our Ruskin display by Rutt Handcrafted Cabinetry  as the set.  Kim’s segment has already aired on a number of television stations but, in case you missed it, we thought we’d share.

In her Holiday Disasters segment, Kim Myles discusses tips on how to gracefully side-step roadblocks any holiday party might throw your way.  Kim believes that the most common holiday disasters happen around food and drinks.  In her segment she covers 4 main tips to help avoid those looming holiday disasters.

Tip One | Appetizers

The key to kicking off your party right is to keep the appetizers easy…”quick and easy” to be exact.  If your party typically creeps into all corners of your home it’s a good idea to have appetizers guests can take with them.  This will allow people to get in and out of the appetizer zone and help alleviate the congestion that typically occurs around the appetizer table.

Tip Two | Drinks…and their STAINS

We all know the key to a good time is a little bubbly, but Kim suggests keeping it simple.  Your party is not the time for you to become a bartender, so a few bottles of wine and some beer should do the trick…until someone spills their red wine that is! 

Drink spillage is inevitable – it is going to happen.  So be ready.  Kim suggests having an all-purpose stain remover you can use on any surface or fabric so that when that red wine spills on your dress as it makes its way to your carpet you’ll be ready.

Tip Three | Embarrassing Moments

At every good holiday party someone is bound to get embarrassed…that’s what makes them memorable right?  But, funny and embarrassing moments aside, Kim Myles believes there is nothing more embarrassing than being stuck in the kitchen while your guests feast on the food you prepared and enjoy the party you're supposed to be hosting.  So, to help with prep and cooking time (and to make sure you join in your own festivities), go with some premade/precooked items like a Honey Baked Ham you know your guests will love.

Tip Four | Party’s Over – Get Out…please

As hosts, we’ve all been there before – the moment it’s time to call it an evening but you can’t find the right way to tell your guests it’s time to go home.  Though Kim shares a few tips on how to subtly suggest it’s time to go, she believes the sure-shot solution is to ask your guests to help clean up. 

Though Thanksgiving has come and gone, there are still a few weeks of fun and family left in this 2013 holiday season.  So be sure to check out Kim Myles’ tips on how to avoid this season’s most common holiday disasters…especially if you know you’ll be playing host.

Color Trends, 2014

Color Trends, 2014

As the New Year approaches, so do new colors.  Every year a group of people related to all fields of design get together to study the current color trends and to plan and set next year's color and palette.  And, believe it or not, their selections reflect, project, and influence the state of our contemporary lives.  From the world's current political stability to its economical circumstances, consumers, whether or not they are consciously aware of it, surround themselves in colors reflecting their mood towards contemporary society and how they see themselves in it.   So, as we continue heading into more positive political and economical times, the buzzwords around color speak to stability, endurance, and a new sense of neutrality.

In 2014 designers will be utilizing balanced color palettes to help restore equilibrium.  There is an overall focus on establishing a new sense of balance - of creating something grounded in tradition that optimistically looks forward.  The current trend is to combine vivid brights with soft pastels to create colors people can depend on.

Be it our clothes or our home, we all like to express ourselves as individuals and this upcoming season's color palette will allow us to do just that...and do it with confidence.  There is an emerging "new traditional" which mixes "safe" tones with hints of color to create "new neutrals."  These "new neutrals" express an individual's unique style while giving us all a sense of endurance normally attributed to traditionally "timeless" colors.

The "new neutrals" arose from the need to express ourselves as individuals that can endure.  While we all like the new, we still like to keep true to ourselves and this is what the "new neutrals" are all about - using colors to help bring a new sense of harmony and stability to our lives.

Be it a vivid bright mixed with a soft pastel, or a "new neutral" comprised of both, the 2014 color palette is all about harmony, equilibrium, and longevity.  With gray being "the new black" and colors that invite us to look at tradition in a new light, 2014 is going to be all about optimistic conservatism, traditional modernism...transitional colors if you will.

The New Blacks 

Traditions With A Splash of Color