Materials, Finishes, Appliances & Fixtures

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer One of the most exciting and challenging parts of the remodeling process is choosing the finishes, fixtures and appliances. While selecting asphalt shingles, furnaces and the type of insulation that will go into your project is very important, it is nice to get to the part where you can…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Remodeling can be an overwhelming process. There are just so many options. Take windows for example: There are hundreds of shapes, sizes, styles, colors and features to choose from. These doors and windows open the pool to the patio, creating a great entertaining space. Windows can vary so dramatically…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer A fireplace is one of the most satisfying, romantic and rewarding aspects of a home, especially this time of year. It should be the focal point of a room and reflect the style of the whole house. Aesthetically, some fireplaces are timeless classics, while others are eyesores in need…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer There are few things worse in the winter than stepping on a cold tile floor. A heated floor is one of those luxuries that is becoming more common with the push for energy efficiency and better indoor air quality. Radiant heating is a more efficient option compared to electric…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Snowmelt systems are designed to take the sting out of Utah winters. Last week we discussed permanent systems to keep snow and ice off your driveway. These systems, which can be expensive, feature electric cables or hot water pipes running under your driveway. Today we’ll discuss some other options…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Heating your driveway is one of the most popular outdoor heating applications with obvious advantages, especially in the midst of a Utah winter. There are two basic choices for driveway heating — electric cable or hot water systems. You cannot add such a system to an existing concrete driveway…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer The fireplace: We hang stockings from it, roast chestnuts in it and cuddle in front of it. (OK, maybe we don”t do the chestnut part.) Anyway, with so many reasons to gather around the fireplace this time of year, we thought we would discuss options to remodel yours. The…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Many homeowners express a desire to add skylights to their homes during a remodeling project. Perhaps it is the same psychological attraction as the sunroof in your latest car. We all know that light cheers us up and makes a space more pleasant. The question in these days of…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Flooring is one of the most inexpensive and least invasive renovation options. For the past two weeks, we have devoted columns to carpet and hardwood floors. This week we are focusing on another popular floor covering: tile. Tile has a natural, handcrafted look that is durable and has easy…

By Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer Last week we started a flooring theme by focusing on the most commonly used flooring material — carpet. This week we continue the discussion with one of our favorite flooring options: wood. Wood is among the most beautiful types of material available for residential floors. Besides being visually…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon If you are ready for a new look but not ready for a major project, flooring is one of the easiest and least invasive ways to renovate any room. Flooring comes in all shapes and sizes — from carpet to tile to bamboo to cork — and each choice…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Snowmelt systems are designed to take the sting out of Utah winters. Last week we discussed a permanent system to keep snow and ice off your driveway. The system, which can be expensive, features electric cables or hot water pipes running under your driveway. Today we’ll discuss some other…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Did you ever hear your dad say, “Shut that door! Are you trying to heat the whole outdoors?” Well, today a whole industry has sprung up with just that goal in mind. Several factors contribute to the rise of outdoor heating technology: First, we are living outside more these…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon If you’re working on or thinking about a remodel, you’ll find there is no end to the choices of materials you can use to finish off your project. Here are some new options for wall finishes and tiles that we find particularly interesting because of their versatility and style…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we may have made you nervous with a discussion about mold. Of course, one of the biggest causes of mold — and many other woes — is too much water around your home. So keeping water well away from your house is one of the most important…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon A skylight is pretty simply defined: a hole in the roof that lets in light. The “light” part is great; the “hole in the roof” part is not so great. You might have heard (or experienced) horror stories of leaking, dripping, cracked skylights that add nothing but trouble to…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and four out of five people who die in a fire die in a home. Fortunately, we have access to devices designed to give early warnings of a fire and other hazards. Whether remodeling or not,…

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon If you are ready for a new look but not ready for a major project, flooring is one of the easiest and least invasive ways to renovate any room. Flooring comes in all shapes and sizes — from carpet to tile to bamboo to cork — and each choice…