Monthly Archives: January 2020

Last Updated on May 17, 2021

Tiny homes are becoming a big idea, especially for millennials who wish to embrace a debt-free lifestyle by owning a home to call their own without the burden of a mortgage to pay. This niche market is popular among those under the age of 35 who may have experienced life the hard way as they watched their parents struggle to keep their homes during the recession.

Is a tiny house right for you?

With an estimated 10,000 tiny homes in the U. S., the younger millennial generation is learning to live within their means by adapting to a pared-down lifestyle. But not everyone is suited to “living tiny.” Most of these homes range from 150- 400 square feet, which leaves little space for anything aside from the bare essentials.

Do you have what it takes to live in a tiny home? Before we get into the advantages and disadvantages of tiny homes, here are some interesting statistics about current owners:

  • 89% have less credit card debt than the average American
  • 60% have no credit card debt at all
  • 55% have more savings in the bank than the average homeowner

Check out some of the advantages and disadvantages of tiny homes, and then decide for yourself:

Advantages:

  • Mortgage-Free: If you are a millennial who is focused on keeping your debt to a minimum, it’s no surprise you are gravitating toward tiny mobile homes. The catch is that you must have enough savings to finance and build your own home, since most lenders typically won’t give loans for such small structures. Read here to learn about different financing options.
  • Flexibility and Mobility: Your tiny home could easily become a tiny mobile home so it can be moved easily, thus giving you, the homeowner, the freedom to pick up and go – wherever and whenever.
  • Customized Options: Depending on how fancy you want your home, these small spaces can be customized with kitchen and bath materials such as granite, recycled glass, quartz or mosaic tile for a fraction of what it would cost to build in a traditional home. Luxury tiny homes are way more realistic than luxury homes.
  • Low Utility Costs: Electric, water and gas bills are minimal, since you’re living in such a small space. You can reduce or eliminate your bills completely if you choose to install solar panels.GT Kitchen Counter with Faucet in front of windowDisadvantages:
    • Limited Living Space: Although builders are getting creative with making the most of the space, living tiny means having just enough room for you and your family to live comfortably – which means you might find yourself enjoying the outdoors if you need a break from your spouse or children.
    • Limited Storage: If you have 50 pairs of shoes or are someone who hoards books or video games, a tiny home may not be right for you. Living within your means and streamlining your possessions to only have what you use is key to “living tiny.”
    • More Chores: Living in a tiny home brings added household chores – such as emptying a composting toilet, hauling water, and buying fuel for a gas heater, to name only a few.
    • Difficult to Entertain: Hosting large parties or even having a few friends over for dinner may prove challenging in a tiny home. Your best option is to create an outdoor living space for entertaining guests.

    Looking to renovate or build a tiny home? Granite and TREND Transformations can help! We offer a beautiful selection of etherium®  by E-Stone surfaces, mosaic tile backsplashes and cabinet refacing for your kitchen and bath. Schedule your free in-home consultation today!

Last Updated on August 23, 2021

Kitchen trends for 2020 are all about a new vision and setting your sights on a realm of beauty and convenience. And you can’t enter a new decade without some hi-tech surprises to keep today’s technology gurus on the edge of their seats. This year’s trends are sure to have them doing a double take.

Granite and TREND Transformations prides itself on keeping its finger on the pulse of the latest trends in kitchen and bath designs. This month, we are highlighting some of the hottest kitchen trends for 2020. (And we threw in one cool bathroom trend, too.)

Cool Cabinets

GT Kitchen with White Waterfall Island and Light Wood Contemporary Cabinets

Cabinets take up a good part of your kitchen real estate and can make or break the look and dynamic of this room. This year, cabinets are front and center with the following kitchen cabinet trends that are fun and functional.

  • Colored cabinets—White kitchens are timeless and are here to stay but this year’s trend is all about breaking this look up with pops of color. Colored cabinets are on the rise. Yes, homeowners are facing color head on by adding colored cabinets to the mix in their kitchens.
  • Glass-front cabinets—What’s old is new again, as glass-front cabinets are making a comeback in a big way. This year’s trend is toward simplicity and organization. Glass-front cabinets have homeowners rethinking their collectibles as they scale down their essentials by keeping it simple while showcasing their favorite collections.
  • No-handles—It used to be all about the hardware, but this year’s trend is to lose the handles and opt for a no-handle look. Or, better yet, cut-out handles in favor of touch release options. (If you’re someone who does need a handle, brass is the way to go this year.)

Marble Countertops

GT Contemporary Kitchen with Waterfall Island

Marble is timeless, so it’s no surprise it made the cut as one of the top countertop trends for 2020. The look may be in demand, but the maintenance isn’t, which makes engineered marble a top trending material for 2020. With today’s consumer obsessed with convenience, the beautiful etheriumTM by E-Stone surfaces offered by Granite and TREND Transformations are a stellar choice for homeowners who are looking to add marble countertops in their home, without all the worry and upkeep of traditional marble.

 Embracing Your Kitchen Ceiling

Let’s call it the “fifth dimension in your kitchen.” Your ceiling can be considered the fifth wall. But how many of us really pay any attention to it? This year, it’s all about embracing your ceiling with color, texture―or a little of both. The latest trend in kitchen design in 2020 is to create a look that can be as subtle or dramatic as you like. Whether you choose to paint, wallpaper or install wood paneling, the look is all your own.

Kitchen Wallpaper

If you’re going to ask: “Are you serious?” Our answer is: “Yes!” If you’re someone who remembers wallpaper adorning the inside of your home, then it’s likely you remember the hassle of hanging it and worse yet, removing it. The days of these disasters have gone by the wayside, as today’s wallpaper is easier to install and remove. It’s true. The best part is wallpaper is now available in designs that are fun, interesting and elegant. Remember the wallpaper with little pink flowers? Designs have come a long way since then. Worried that wallpaper is too permanent? Put your mind at ease. Kitchen wallpaper is easier to install and less permanent than ever before. Looking for a new look for your kitchen? Consider wallpaper. This year’s trend is graphic designs or ones that resemble the look of tile. Go for it!

Hints of Color

GT Contemporary Kitchen with Red Bar Stool Chairs

Not everyone is a fan of color, but we all have a favorite one. What’s yours? One of 2020’s kitchen trends is about putting it out there. Designers and homeowners alike are embracing color in kitchens in their own unique ways. Whether you add just a splash of color by reupholstering your kitchen chairs or choose to take it up a notch by buying a bold-colored appliance, pretty colored furniture or even painting the base of your kitchen island―keep in mind how color brings life and a sense of well-being to any room.

Hi-Tech Kitchen Trends

Dishwashing Sink

Yes, you read that correctly. Let me repeat―or rather, rinse and repeat: a sink that washes the dishes for you! Before you get too excited, this revolutionary idea works best for smaller households of one or two people. Fotile has designed a tiny sink dishwasher that uses minimal water and can wash about 10 items at once. And all it takes is a few small drops of dishwashing liquid. And speaking of sinks, cleaning your fruits and veggies just got easier with a hi-tech sink that uses gentle vibrations to remove dirt and pesticides―all brought to you by Fotile.

Wireless Kitchen Appliances

GT Red Appliance Toaster on Kitchen Counter

Most of us can relate to not having enough electrical outlets in our kitchens. Imagine never having to plug in your small appliances. Thanks to the latest innovation of hundreds of familiar brands which include Haier, Philips, Samsung and Apple―all forming the Wireless Power Consortium―specially made cordless induction-based appliances are becoming a reality. The wireless appliances operate via an inductive transmitter placed under the counter.

Luxury Bathroom Features

Making a bathroom run in the dark while we’re half asleep? We’ve all done it. We know that flipping a light switch is not a big deal, but today’s innovators are thinking otherwise. Kohler’s Veil products are taking bathroom luxury features to the next level with new fixtures that can detect motion and turn on soft lighting in the bathroom. How cool is that? And U by Moen is on board with voice control in the bathroom to allow you to use Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri to turn your shower on and off, and even adjust the temperature! It all comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s cool technology, nonetheless.

What’s the vision for your kitchen in 2020? Let Granite and TREND Transformations be your partner in watching the latest trends in kitchen designs and helping you create the kitchen of your dreams. Contact us today for your free in-home design consultation.

 

Last Updated on January 14, 2020

It’s time to get inspired!

Updating your kitchen or bath can be just the lift your home needs to bring a renewed sense of originality. Whether you’re looking to kick off the new year with a fabulous kitchen renovation or you want to pamper yourself by creating a serene spa-like bathroom, Granite and TREND Transformations has gathered some of the best resources to inspire the perfect look for your home. And with our beautiful selection of etheriumTM by E-Stone surfaces, we make it easy to design the look you want when you want it.

Houzz

If you haven’t discovered Houzz, you’re in for a real treat! It’s the one spot where homeowners, architects, designers and home improvement companies alike can share photos of their home renovations, along with their favorite products (as well as where to buy them) and design details. Houzz has a great app that lets you easily search either by the area or room you’re renovating, your design style, or for a particular product. Additionally, this app serves up thousands of photos for you to scroll through to inspire your design. Houzz also has a great blog that links straight to the company where you can buy a particular product featured in a photo – with pricing and reviews readily available. Houzz is an absolute must for your next home renovation project.

Check out the Granite and TREND Transformations’ Houzz page for hot new styles, materials and photos to inspire your home’s new look.

This Old House

Homeowners and builders alike have turned to “This Old House” for direction and knowledge on home improvement projects. Here, you will have access to a broad range of topics that include projects of the week, downloadable lessons, curb appeal, and how to design on a budget, among many others.

HGTV

This popular television network has inspired homeowners from all walks of life with creative yet straightforward design projects to beautify their spaces. This website contains an extensive library of home renovation designs for every room (including the closets), along with beautiful ideas for the exterior and outdoor living spaces. The HGTV site includes videos, photo libraries, the hottest design trends and news, seasonal décor ideas, and other features.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a great resource for all your home remodeling needs. Simply search for any topic you’re interested in – and get thousands of articles, photos, videos and additional content to drive your renovation project. Be sure to visit the Granite and TREND Transformations’ Pinterest page for inspiration, products, ideas, and more.

Need more inspiration? Granite and TREND Transformations has you covered. Check out our other social media channels which include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for the latest design trends, news, photos, videos and inspiration for your next home renovation.

Are you ready to turn your vision into reality? Contact Granite and TREND Transformations today to schedule your free in-home design consultation. Since many jobs are completed in one day, and with little-to-no demolition, you can be enjoying your new kitchen or bath sooner than you think.

Last Updated on January 8, 2020

Pantone Color of the Year 2020 is Classic Blue: Embrace the Winter Blues

As we welcome a new year and a new decade, we are also kicking the winter blues to the curb by embracing the blues in an entirely new way—the color blue that is. This year, the Pantone Color of the Year 2020 is just that—Classic Blue (No. 19-4052), a choice which brings the timeless and soothing hue to the forefront of home décor, fashion and everything color.

This month, Granite and TREND Transformations would like to reacquaint you with Pantone and show you how our beautiful blue mosaic tile and stunning etheriumTM by E-Stone countertops can turn your kitchen or bath into a genuine showplace.

Defining color trends

The name Pantone stands alone and is iconic in the world of color. This global authority and provider of color systems sets the standard for more than 10 million designers and producers around the world, presenting a universal language of color for trends which span from beauty and fashion to home décor and graphic design and packaging. This year’s Color of the Year choice of Classic Blue is reminiscent of the sky at dusk. It is reflective of all that’s dependable and stable for a new decade.

Pantone palettes for 2020

As the color authority, you wouldn’t expect anything less from Pantone than a spectrum of Color of the Year palettes featuring Classic Blue. This year, Pantone revealed five palettes with something for everyone, illustrating different tastes, styles and moods. View them here to see how you can incorporate this year’s Classic Blue into your home design, along with Pantone’s picks for the perfect balance of color.

GT Kitchen with blue mosaic back splash

Chasing the blues away

Long winter months can bring on the “blues,” causing us to feel down, sluggish and unmotivated. The good news? Embracing the color blue may be the answer to chasing the “blues” away. Pantone’s Color of the Year choice of Classic Blue is healing for the spirit, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility and helping to ground and center our thoughts for a more positive outlook in our daily lives. Are you ready for blue interior design in your home?

Embracing the blues in your home

Whether you prefer to use touches of color or go all out, Granite and TREND Transformations offers a spectacular selection of blue mosaic tile to embrace this year’s hottest trend that will remain timeless for years to come. Which is your favorite?

Mosaic Tile

GT 3 Blue Mosaic Backsplash TilesLiberty Blue                     Rectangular Staggered                       Hexagon

etheriumTM  by E-Stone Countertops

GT 3 Blue E-Stone Countertop Tiles

 Blue Dream                                Night Blue                               Dark Blue

Are you ready to embrace the blues? Contact Granite and TREND Transformations today for your free in-home design consultation and see how our beautiful etheriumTM by E-Stone surfaces can transform your kitchen or bath in less time than you ever imagined.