A Townhouse Update

Not surprisingly a 19th century home often has had numerous kitchen and bath incarnations during its life. It’s not unusual to update a kitchen or bath every 20 years or so. The technology and fashions surrounding kitchens and baths change the quickest. Most homeowners remodel their kitchen or bath because the equipment and materials wear out, or the new modern products are so tempting that they choose to upgrade.

Our example home, a four level townhouse built in the 1890’s, was remodeled in the 1970’s in a way that was, then, considered up to date. Although the 1970’s design was not ideal, the concept was good because the lower two floors were set up as an income rental unit, and the upper two floors were dedicated to the owner’s residence. For 15 years this served well. Fast-forward to 2004, and the desire for a more stylish and modern home sent the homeowner hunting for a design/build team to make a transformation.

Like many townhouses remodeled in the 1970s the living space was compartmentalized. The living room was at the front, kitchen was in the middle, and a dining room at the rear. It was not well suited for entertaining. The small kitchen was placed within a walled off cube (about 11’x 8’) not suitable for entertaining, and required carrying food around to the sole dining area; so small it could only seat six.

On the upper floor, the front space, designed as a bedroom, was used as a home office. A rear master bedroom with insufficient closet space, opened onto a rear roof deck. Wedged in between the front and back bedrooms were a compartmentalized bathroom and several closets all inefficiently arranged and unattractive.

The goal for the overall design was to create a functional and stylishly modern living space for a work-from-home woman. The homeowner was open minded about having a design that was a bit ‘edgy’ as a way to express her desire for a more hip urban look. We also discussed her willingness to explore designs that were open and loft-like.

The living space was gutted and opened up. The old partitions came down. Instead of walls defining space, the new kitchen space is zoned by the placement of cherry cabinets and a lowered ceiling. The new kitchen is larger than the old, and is the visual and working hub of the living space. A new island accommodates the sink, dishwasher, ample cabinets and seating for four, and creates a visual working centerpiece. Honed black granite countertops provide a sculptural statement and pendant lighting highlights the stone. The dining room, no longer limited by walls, ebbs and flows to accommodate entertaining and the new island is often used as a central buffet. Oak floors flow uninterrupted from front to back to unify and visually expand the space. Nifty features like a stainless steel backsplash, frosted glass cabinet doors, and a column painted red give pizzazz to the design.

The upper floor bath and bedroom complex make a strong departure from the 1970’s design, toward a loft-like solution. Again, the entire floor was gutted and reconfigured. The design concept treats the new bathroom as a sculptural element placed within the larger space. Or, as some designers would say, “A room within a room.” The design scheme has two walls forming a point where they meet which is located at the top of the stairs. The pointed wall is further embellished by a vertical glass panel that admits natural light into a circular shower stall. The angled walls visually direct people toward the rear sleeping area or toward the front space used as a home office. The new design flows beautifully while having defined functional spaces for work, sleeping and bathing.

The new bathroom was cleverly laid out with a cylindrical shower stall tiled in a mosaic glass to enhance the sculptural form. Symmetrically opposite the shower stall was placed a large granite vanity flanked by cherry storage cabinets. A large wall mirror, framed in glass mosaic, visually enlarges the space and reflects the unique shower. A unifying feature is the large-scale porcelain floor tile chosen to complement the other finishes and minimize maintenance. For visual privacy a full height sliding barn door was custom detailed to screen the office space on those rare occasions when needed. However, from the master bedroom side it was agreed that no door was required to screen the bathroom.

With the many custom features, beautiful materials, and thoughtful planning the new open and loft-like spaces met the goals for the town home. The homeowner was so thrilled with the result that she hosted a party in her newly remodeled home to thank all involved.

What do a butterfly roof, an island, and a banquette have in common?

Growing families need more and better space. Such was the case for a couple in Bethesda, Maryland with a young child and a baby on the way. Their 1960s Carderock contemporary was attractive, but lacked the modern conveniences that homeowners expect today. In general, it was felt that the kitchen, dining area, and family room were smaller than they needed to be and lacked quality materials.

The original kitchen was a boring box with a door opening to the dining room and one window overlooking the back yard. There was no visual link to the family room. Worn oak veneer cabinets, plastic laminate counter tops, and torn vinyl flooring completed the 1960s era package. The home’s only table space was a small formal dining room barely able to seat six, which prompted their request for a new informal breakfast room. The tired home needed to be updated.

Kitchen Design
A design challenge was to maximize and integrate space in the kitchen with the family room, which required that an existing masonry wall between the kitchen and family room be removed and new structural steel beams/columns installed to open the space. The new enlarged kitchen layout accommodates an island with bar stools and maximizes the remaining space. A new 42” high built-in cabinet with frosted glass doors was installed that provides storage at the dining room side. Throughout the kitchen flush-front teak cabinets provide a modern lean look with a color contrast provided by the black-honed granite countertops. At the client’s request, a palette of earth-tones colors were selected for the glass tile backsplash. Three pendant light fixtures with orange tinted glass were installed above the island.

New Breakfast Room
A new breakfast room addition was designed with floor to ceiling glass on three sides that maximizes sight lines from lawn to tree top views. The new roof slopes upward toward the trees forming what is called a “butterfly” roof. The butterfly roof fits beautifully with the 1960s contemporary style architecture. The lady-of-the-house had a desire for a banquette, which was satisfied by a custom upholstered “L” shaped bench and table. We specified a special Crypton fabric which is impervious to staining. A simple table clad in Formica is lit by a large hanging fixture with a fabric shade, which forms a cozy space with a sense of closure and ample garden views.

Expanded Family Room
The clients felt that the existing family room was too small and that it was important to enlarge the space. Fortunately, the house had a 4’ wide roof overhang running along the rear wall of the family room. Capturing this additional 4’ of space for the interior made it possible to enlarge the existing family room without altering the roof. A new structural beam provides the roof support the former wall provided, and it allows for the new opening into the breakfast room addition.

Oak Flooring
It was agreed that using oak flooring throughout the remodeled space was important to unify the design. The existing family room had wide plank & peg oak flooring, but the other parts of the house had standard strip oak flooring, and the integration of the two proved tricky. To solve this problem, the design team chose to run a wide walnut border around the existing plank & peg floor that defined it and offered an honest transition to the standard oak floor used in the addition and kitchen. An added benefit of the walnut border was the ghost-like outline of the original wall locations (a respectful nod to the past structure).

Media Center, Dry Bar, and Mud Room.

A focal point of the new family room is the custom bookcase with media center, flat screen TV, and bookshelves. Equipment is housed within the lower portion of the bookcase and, when the TV is not in use, it blends unobtrusively into the surroundings. The new bookcase is centered on the family room wall opposite the kitchen. Flanking the bookcase, and somewhat tucked behind it, are the new dry bar and mud room. Unobtrusively nestled into a leftover corner of the family room is the new dry bar. Dark espresso cabinets provide storage for the owner’s barware collection and a stone countertop harmonizes with the kitchen. Located at the opposite end of the built-in bookcase is a new mudroom that efficiently acts as a hub leading to the rear garden, basement stair, and garage. The new mudroom was fitted-out with bench, cubbies for storage, and hooks for coats. A tile floor accommodates wet feet and the space was maximized for a family with children.

The new design brings together a butterfly roof at the new breakfast room with a custom banquette, and a new kitchen island to create a whole new home environment. The new remodel and addition fit seamlessly into the older home and is successful functionally and aesthetically. Every detail was considered, while every problem was solved and beautifully executed, resulting in happy homeowners and clients.

photos by Ron Blunt

Maximizing space in your townhouse

When you have a small townhouse and a growing family, it’s important to maximize your space. Homeowners often assume they need to add space to their homes when, in fact, more intelligent use of their existing space can satisfy their needs. That was the case for our client, an attorney with a DC firm, who recently welcomed their second child to their three-story, 13’ wide, townhouse. Like many townhouses, the formal living room is located on the second floor, and they felt it was too remote from their kitchen/dining for a growing family. Eager to replace their outdated kitchen, the clients challenged our design/build team to reconfigure their space to accommodate living, dining, and kitchen on one floor allowing the existing second floor living space to be utilized as a child’s playroom.

The existing conditions were not ideal because the first floor was inefficiently arranged in the 1980’s remodeling. The first floor entry hall was 54” wide and ran parallel to a 12’ long enclosed kitchen. Giving up space to a large entry hall, and preparing meals in a walled-off kitchen was not conducive to their family’s lifestyle.

Just beyond the kitchen, at the center of the house, is a staircase that links the three floors. Unfortunately a 7’ x 8’ space devoted to circulation was wasted in front of the stairwell. In a larger home the space could be called the “stair hall” but in a small house every bit of space needs to be functional. In the 1980’s the home’s staircase had been poorly remodeled with stair risers that were not equal, loose treads, and an inferior railing. Our carpenters completely rebuilt the stair with new oak risers, treads, and a handsome new oak railing. As the centerpiece of the home it was important to make the stair safe and attractive.

Beyond the stair hall, overlooking the garden was a “sunken” dining room, one step-down. The step-down into the dining room made it difficult to place furniture, was not flexible in terms of its use, and was a potential tripping hazard. These were the conditions that faced the design/build team.

To maximize space the entire first floor was gutted and reconfigured to suit the new design and accommodate living, dining and kitchen on one floor. The existing compartmentalized kitchen was replaced with a new open plan that is more efficient and attractive. The new kitchen is arranged with all appliances and pantry on an exterior wall. Because space is limited a stack washer and dryer were accommodated in the kitchen along with the range and refrigerator. A new kitchen island accommodates the sink and dishwasher, and acts as a food prep area. The island’s elongated shape terminates in a custom built-in dining table with a drop leaf that normally seats four but can seat six when expanded. The island, combined with the custom built-in dining table, form a sculptural unit that is both aesthetic and functional. Removing the interior walls provided extra space which also allowed our designers to place a row of 12” deep, floor-to-ceiling, storage cabinets. A chalkboard surface is framed by the wall of cabinets where the family can leave messages or the children can practice their drawing skills. Black honed-granite countertops, maple cabinets, and bamboo flooring set an elegant and spare tone for the first floor. A glass tile backsplash of bottle green, in a brick pattern, provide a dash of sparkle.

The rear portion of the first floor was an under-utilized dining room, one-step down from the kitchen, and difficult to furnish. The design/build team raised the floor to make it contiguous with the existing floor level. The former dining room became the new informal adult/media/family room. To maximize the space custom built-in storage was designed for both sides of the room. One wall is equipped with a flat screen TV and speakers that are set into a wall niche. Electronic equipment is easily accessible and tastefully placed on open shelving in a recessed niche with a cabinet below that conceals additional equipment. The opposite wall has a custom crafted bookcase with closed storage below, and open, adjustable, shelving above. The Wentworth interiors group was able to utilize their design skills by specifying custom furniture for the new family room. Although the space is small, it accommodates two upholstered swivel tub chairs, and two upholstered slipper chairs, each with side tables, that provides a comfortable space to relax.

With thoughtful design, and attention to detail it is possible to maximize your existing space. By carefully planning your home’s space arrangement, utilizing built-in units for storage, and keeping your possessions minimal your home can be attractive and functional. After this recent remodeling the home will suit their growing family for years to come.

photos by Ron Blunt

Curb Appeal

The homes along the North Quaker Lane area of Alexandria are beautiful and spacious. This was the case for our clients whose property is gorgeous and has a wonderful interior; the one exception being that their home lacked curb appeal. Our design team recommended focusing the effort and dollars to upgrade the entry porch and improve the home’s street presence. The existing covered porch was uninviting, narrow and felt like a back door. Exposed brick walls at the porch looked rough and unrefined, old stone paving was cracked and loose, and a pair of glass patio doors served as the front entry but lacked ‘front-door’ status.

This project was all about the details; the details of the architecture and the details of the arrival experience. Starting your journey at the driveway we constructed low stone square piers to announce the new flagstone sidewalk; each pier capped with thick flagstone for a substantial feeling, and built-in lighting illuminates the step. The sidewalk’s flagstone was laid in a diagonal pattern to create a rhythm as you progress parallel to the front of the house. Arriving at a turning point, the walk widens to a square and the paving pattern changes, designating its time to turn and face the porch. To make the porch feel more inviting the flagstone paving was extended beyond the porch roofline. This extra floor space allows visitors to gather and accommodates porch accessories such as benches or decorative pots.

The new sidewalk delivers the visitor to the center of the porch so that you must walk through the porch to the front door and experience the space. The porch offers a new experience because the brick walls of the porch are covered with wood paneling with panel molding. Three different wall panel designs were proposed, ranging from formal (raised panels) to informal (vertical T&G boarding). Each style was mocked-up life size for the client to examine and the design selected was the flat recessed panel with panel molding which was chosen because it is not too formal and not too informal. The fake shutters were removed from at the porch windows and door to let the paneling do its work. New trim at the door and windows further enhances the details. The old glass patio doors were replaced with an elegant custom door flanked by sidelights that gives the house a new status.

The home’s new curb appeal puts it in sync with the quality of the overall residence and enhances its market value.

photo by Ron Blunt

Washington Spaces Award Winner

Wentworth, Inc. is proud to announce a recent basement remodel won an Outstanding Award in the Washington Spaces 2008 Design Competition: Best of Architectural Spaces. You can see the article in the Fall 2008 Issue on page 74.

Up Scale Condo

During the last decade we have seen a substantial increase in the number of condominiums found throughout the city, many of them on Capitol Hill. The condo collection is composed of existing apartment buildings that were converted to condo, new construction projects, and adaptive reuse of older buildings - such as schools, hospitals, and churches. Many condo owners find themselves with aging kitchens and baths, or a poor-quality fit-out that ought to be upgraded, which makes condo remodeling a growing segment of the remodeling market.

This was the case for a homeowner in the Watergate Condominium which was constructed in the 1960’s. We first remodeled their two-level apartment Watergate residence in the 1990’s. Last year, for health reasons, they moved to a more modest one-level apartment within the same building. We were pleased to provide design and construction services for the remodeling of their new kitchen and master bath. Combining architectural, interior, and construction skills for an appreciative client is always a pleasure.

The apartment’s original 1960’s Watergate kitchen was inefficiently arranged, lacked a kitchen table space, was cut off from the living space, and generally did not fit a modern lifestyle. The old kitchen had poor quality cabinets and appliances and did not meet the homeowner’s high standards. It had to go.

We gutted the existing kitchen to reconfigure the layout. The new design includes space for a two-person bullet-shaped table with stools. An existing hall, formerly an under utilized passageway to the kitchen, was redesigned as a butler’s pantry with 12" deep cabinets, and a new wall opening visually links the living room for natural light. Within the new wall opening we installed hand crafted decorative ironwork to embellish the design.

Custom wood cabinets were painted a buttery yellow because it reminded the client of a childhood home. Stippled glass installed in the cabinet doors obscures the cabinet interiors, and provides the illusion of lightness and space. Crown molding and flat panel doors provide an up-scale transitional look without excessive detail.

Granite countertops and backsplash were selected for their beauty, durability and ease of care. The bullet-shaped table was specified in dark cherry to complement the granite and provide visual warmth. Continuing the theme of hand crafted ironwork, a twisted wrought iron leg was designed to support the table top. Black polished granite floor tile provides contrast with the yellow cabinets and is sympathetic with the mottled color of the granite countertop.

Planning for the long-term, the homeowners insisted upon quality appliances. We recommended a 27" wide Sub-Zero refrigerator along with several separate Sub-Zero under-counter freezer drawers to maximize the storage. For a minimalist look we specified a Miele hood with curved glass because it does not obscure the beauty of the stone backsplash. The dishwasher, also by Miele, was chosen for its quiet operation. The Thermador brand was selected for a cooktop and oven as functional and attractive.

The master bedroom space contained ample closets and a generous vestibule leading to the bedroom. The master bath was small and opened directly onto the master bedroom.

To increase the size of the master bath, we reconfigured the bathroom and closets. Moving the bath entrance to the vestibule area freed-up bedroom wall space for a dresser. Rearranging the closets enabled us to make the bath larger without sacrificing closet space.

Two large vanities were placed within the bathroom, one for a sink and one for makeup. Both have generous storage. Good lighting and well-placed mirrors keep the space practical. A large corner shower stall with a bench and frameless glass enclosure become sculptural. Marble tile enhances the floor, walls and countertops.

The newly remodeled apartment home is a well designed sanctuary within an oasis called the Watergate.

photos by Ron Blunt

Maximize Your Basement

When you own a small home in one of the many historic districts of the DC, such as Capitol Hill, it is necessary to maximize every bit of living space. Many homeowners who do not have sufficient land area to build an addition to their home decide to remodel their basements to gain additional living space. And this is what we recently did for the basement of a client’s townhouse. The house lacked a family room, guest room, and extra bath. Their under utilized basement was the perfect place to remodel to satisfy their needs. As a positive feature, the existing basement was a spacious 24' x 24', had a triple set of large front windows with a functional 7'-0" ceiling height, all fit for remodeling. On the negative, the basement was a convoluted warren of poorly fabricated rooms; an ancient bath occupied the only front windows, and mechanical equipment (furnace and water heater) took up prime floor space in the middle of the basement. A former rear outside stair areaway (3' x 6'), covered over by a previous addition, was wasted space that we wanted to utilize.

Gutting the old basement allowed our new design to maximize every square inch. New mechanical equipment, both compact and energy-efficient, was selected to replace the old. The new equipment was relocated to the rear where it shares space with a laundry room. Full size washer/dryer units were placed side by side to allow a folding counter for laundry with storage shelves above. The former rear stair’s areaway was reconfigured as a shower stall for the new bath; the old concrete steps clad in tile as a bench for the shower stall. The space remaining between the new bath and laundry room was finished off as a cedar closet. Grouping the laundry, utilities, bath, and cedar closet along the rear of the basement enabled us to open up the space and create an 18' x 24' family room which benefits from the natural light of the front window. Along one wall new egg crate style bookcases accommodate storage and a flat screen TV. An upholstered furniture grouping and area rugs makes the new room the perfect media center. At the opposite end of the space a drop-down Murphy bed provides extra sleeping for overnight guests. When the bed is folded up there is space for the owner’s game table.

Because the new space is located in a basement with modest daylight the new lighting was very important. To make the space warm and inviting custom recessed halogen lights were installed in square pockets recessed between the floor joists. A pair of contemporary wall sconces illuminates a central column. Transparency and reflectivity were achieved with frosted glass cabinet doors on the lower portion of the bookcase, frosted glass pocket doors, and a glass railing at the stair. Two frosted glass pocket doors, symmetrically placed, provide access to the rear utilities and bath and help to visually balance the space. Throughout the space light neutral paint colors at the walls with white trim were used. Large-scale (20" x 20") travertine floor tile in a cream color was specified and the bathroom has pale green penny-round tile.

What was formerly a convoluted space, inefficiently used for storage, is now a fully functioning and attractive living space. The comfort of the space, natural light, symmetry and quality materials provide a restful environment at the end of a Washington work day.

photos by Ron Blunt

Entertain from your Home

It’s a national trend. Americans are remodeling their homes with custom-built, personalized home entertainment spaces. We are nesting. A recent client provides a good example of a full-blown luxury home entertainment trend. The homeowners, a retired business man and his wife, were fortunate to have 2,400 square feet of space on their lower level (basement), along with 9’ ceilings to accommodate their modern home entertainment desires. And, we were fortunate to have clients with excellent taste in a contemporary vein.

Pool Table and Wet Bar
At the very first meeting the man-of-the-house expressed his desire to have a proper space for a billiard table, room enough for guest players, and a classy wet bar. This was a priority for the design. The pool table was given center stage with dramatic lighting, and, along one wall, we placed a ledge where guests can rest their beer, chat, and watch the games. Within the same area, a 15’ long custom bar was designed with a dark espresso wood and a cantilevered glass bar top. The wet bar was fitted-out with sink, ice maker, refrigerator, granite counter top, and abundant storage. A back bar was designed with espresso wall paneling and glass shelves that hold bottles and barware. The back bar features two back-lit eco friendly synthetic panels (3-Form) embedded with bamboo grass. The soft mood lighting provides an evocative bar atmosphere. Stone floor tile is easy to maintain in the bar area, and neutral color carpeting with a subtle circle pattern adds a bit of unobtrusive whimsy to the overall space. Hand-blown glass pendant lighting hangs over the bar and is visually appealing. Guests can observe the billiard game and enjoy a cocktail while perched on a swank bar stool.

Media Center
The adjacent space was furnished with a large leather sectional for small gatherings or quiet naps. A low and unobtrusive stone coffee table makes it easy for small groups to watch the latest sports game or movie. A wall of wood paneling is the aesthetic focus of the space and is fitted with a large recessed flat screen TV. A custom sound system with built-in speakers provides up-to-date technology for entertaining. A closet in the adjacent fitness room accommodates a tall rack of high-tech media equipment. Next to the media center is an alcove with a stone fireplace for cozy evenings of reading. Stone paving sets the fireplace alcove apart as distinct, and floor-to-ceiling drapery contrasts with the hard stone to soften the alcove’s sitting area. A gas log makes it a no-fuss space.

Fitness Room
Behind a private frosted-glass door is the owner’s fitness room which houses exercise equipment and work-out benches. Built-in lockers with cubbies provide storage, a mirrored wall visually expands the space, and a soft floor covering made for health clubs, called “Plynyl”, was installed throughout the fitness room. An outside entrance leads to an expansive swimming pool with patio for maximum entertaining. A new bathroom was created for guests using the fitness room or swimming pool. A large shower stall with a frameless glass enclosure and walls clad in stone make the space luxurious. The bathroom’s unobtrusive location makes it a pleasant surprise to guests.

Home Office
Of course, life is not all play and no work, which required a new home office on the lower level. Two pairs of glass doors visually link the office with the entertainment spaces and allow circulation through the office for those large parties. Two custom workstations, counter tops for office equipment, built-in bookcases, a conference table, lounge seating, storage closet, and ample lighting make this home office a pleasant space for those daily necessary tasks.

Reception Area
No good entertainment space is complete without a reception area to make that first good impression. An oval reception area is the perfect space to meet and greet. The home’s staircase curves gently as it descends toward the lower level and arrives at the new oval reception room. Large-scale stone tile set in a diagonal pattern follows the oval shape and is repeated in the custom oval drywall ceiling design. A decorative hanging light fixture and a wall niche with artwork complete the design of the space.

Although the overall space is large, the design provides distinctive and unique areas focused on different activities and specialized types of entertainment. The homeowners can comfortably entertain large groups of guests or select a single space to converse quietly with one. With sophisticated homeowners, the design evolved as a truly specialized and personalized entertainment space. They may never feel the need to leave home.

photos by Ron Blunt

Green Ideas for Kitchen Remodeling

Knowing which sustainable, eco-friendly products to use when remodeling a kitchen can be intimidating for homeowners. Is the material really “green,” or is it just marketed as such? Will the product hold up to daily use in my kitchen? Am I paying more for a green product? So when homeowners ask how to incorporate green products in their kitchen remodeling, we try to keep it simple and practical.

As the green building industry matures, it will become easier to make these decisions. Many building industry experts predict that in a decade we will no longer call it “green building” because using sustainable, eco-friendly products will be the norm. It will just be the way we build. Until then, here are a few basic tips on cost-effective green products we at Wentworth Inc. have used in kitchen remodeling projects.

Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets faced with a wood veneer from plantation-grown trees is one way to minimize the environmental impact of your kitchen remodeling. For a recent kitchen remodel, we specified cabinets with bamboo veneer – a quick growing, abundant grass material (http://www.plybo.com/) and (www.corsicabinetry.com). Thin layers of veneer, wood or grass, stretch the usefulness of the product.

Another plantation-grown wood to consider is Lyptus, which is the trade name for a hybrid of a Eucalyptus tree grown on plantations in Brazil. Lyptus most resembles maple in appearance and can be treated with a multitude of different finishes. Lyptus trees are harvested every 15 years and are an alternative to precious oak, cherry, mahogany and other trees.

Countertop

Recycled paper products are now fabricated as countertop material. Yes, paper. We recently specified a product called “PaperStone” (www.paperstoneproducts.com), which looks great and functions as though a honed granite. The PaperStone company website reports it is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. PaperStone has two versions of the product: one using 50 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper that comes in five colors, and another using 100 percent post-consumer waste paper in seven colors. Their recycled paper is mixed with a petroleum-free phenolic resin (from cashew nutshell liquid) to manufacture the product in sheets. Large sheet sizes (60-inches-by-144-inches) minimize the need for joints in your counter top, and the product ranges in thickness from three-fourths of an inch to 1 ¼ inch. Time will reveal how well the product performs in a kitchen environment.

Backsplash

Recycled glass is a terrific way to get an attractive, cost-effective, guilt-free backsplash. For a home in Northwest Washington we specified a glass tile made by a company called Sandhill (www.sandhillind.com). The company was awarded a grant from the Alaska Science & Technology Foundation to develop innovative glass-fusing technology that utilizes 100 percent recycled glass normally destined for landfills. Their glass tile fabrication uses half the energy it takes to produce ceramic tile and a quarter of the energy it takes to produce cast-glass tile. Their glass tiles come in a range of sizes, with 36 colors, in a gloss or matte finish. For our client’s kitchen backsplash, we utilized a three color mix, in a 2-inch-by-2-inch tile, set in a diagonal pattern.

Another, more upscale, glass tile company we have utilized is Oceanside Glass Tile (www.glasstile.com). Their website claims to use up to 86 percent recycled glass in their products, and their product line is extensive. A glass tile backsplash offers a lot of visual impact for the cost, and with a professional installation, it is beautiful.

Flooring

Bamboo flooring is an increasingly popular way to have wood floors without cutting down trees. We recently used a product called Preserve Bamboo (www.ToMkt.com) which is available in a variety of pre-finished stains as a tongue and groove boarding. The company’s marketing material says the renewable resource, called Mao Zhu (Hairy) bamboo, is harvested every five years. Beautiful and durable, we have on occasion had reports of surface scratches.

Appliances

Appliances are an expensive part of kitchen remodeling, and the long term effect of their energy efficiency has a financial and environmental impact. To learn more about purchasing an energy efficient dishwasher and refrigerator, visit www.energystar.gov. Cooking appliances – such as ranges, cook tops and microwaves – are not classified by Energy Star because individual homeowner’s cooking styles vary too much to rank.

Dishwasher

An Energy Star qualified dishwasher uses at least 41 percent less energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption and significantly less water than other dishwasher models. The Energy Star website reports that if your dishwasher was made before 1994, switching to an Energy Star qualified dishwasher can save you more than $30 a year in utility costs. Bosch, GE, Kitchen Aid and LG manufacture qualifying dishwashers.

Refrigerator

An Energy Star qualified refrigerator uses 20 percent less energy than most models. Many include automatic ice-makers and thru-the-door ice dispensers as well as top, bottom and side-by-side freezers. An Energy Star qualified refrigerator uses 40 percent less energy than a conventional model sold in 2001. Viking, GE, Amana and Sub-zero are a few examples. A visit to www.energystar.gov will help you make practical choices with your appliances.

If each American homeowner makes practical, eco-friendly choices in the products selected to remodel their kitchen, it will go a long way toward making our world a healthier place.

Let’s remodel.