Make Your House a Home

To cozy up a house and turn it into a home, we often rely on personal style to create an overall aesthetic. However, our homes consist of so much more than furniture. Here are some suggestions to enhance your space and make rooms feel more comfortable.

Practicality
Well-designed homes get everything right, especially from a practical sense. Make sure you set aside space for laundry, a mudroom/entrance area, and other areas that might be accidentally overlooked. If you don’t have a dedicated room where you can keep a washer and dryer, consider putting them in a closet or stacking them to maximize space.

Layout
Spend some time analyzing the way you use and move throughout your home. Establish what is clearly working and what isn’t. Sometimes, interior design can’t remedy an oddly-placed wall, which should be knocked down by a professional. Houses can often gain more space by expanding a kitchen or dining area, for example.

Nooks & Crannies
Sometimes, the most overlooked areas of a space are those awkward spaces such as corners or underneath stairways. Brainstorm how to transform the blank canvas into something more useful, such as designated storage areas.

Lighting
One of the most important aspects of interior design, lighting has the power to change the ambiance with the flip of a switch. Try to balance artificial and natural light to create a warm, cozy, yet welcoming space.

Color
Choosing the right color can make a magnificent impact on a room. Layer your color palette by using accent walls or adding bold accessories or artwork to make them pop.

Personality
Don’t forget the most important part of making your house a home: you! Make sure each and every element in your home is one that you love. Showcase your personal art collection or reupholstered chairs proudly.

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

The Ten Most Popular Kitchen Designs and Features of 2021

Throughout 2021, most homeowners resonated with natural materials, outdoor space connections, wood beams, kitchen islands, soft blues, gorgeous greens, and more. Read on to countdown some of the hottest trends of 2021.

10) Sage Is the Rage: Sage accents were everywhere during 2021. From drawers and cabinets to backsplashes, this soothing color created a peaceful environment for kitchens everywhere.

9) Neat Nook: Breakfast nooks took center stage and served as an informal version of a conventional kitchen table. Sophisticated and no-nonsense, nooks were adorned with brass finishes and backsplash tile in 2021.

8) Island Blue: Kitchen islands were a perfect way for owners to showcase a splash of color different from the rest of the cabinets. Blue seemed to be a popular choice, as it provided a striking contrast to white and grey.

7) Rustic Wood: X-shape beams in coffered ceilings were a big trend, as the wooden material added warmth and texture to the room. Wood accents also made rooms feel more extensive and open.

6) Herb Garden: Whether it was cabinet colors, pendant lighting, custom vent hoods, or quartz counters, shades of green were seen splashed throughout kitchens in 2021.

5) Window Haven: Impressive window banks were installed throughout kitchens in 2021, showcasing the natural outdoors and letting the seasonal changes influence the overall color scheme.

4) Kitchen Hub: Islands in the kitchen can include sinks, dishwashers, trash containers, recycling pullouts, seating, storage, cabinets, and much more. Family members and guests can hang out in the kitchen while seated at islands without getting in the cook’s way.

3) White + Wood: Rich colors in wood tones such as hickory, pine, and oak were seen contrasting with white cabinets, backsplashes, or marble countertops. Kitchens also took on an industrial look with bright lighting, black fixtures, and stainless steel appliances.  

2) Mix or Match: While many kitchens in 2021 were focused on clean, streamlined looks, some utilized the playful alternative by featuring bold accent colors throughout.

1) Gathered Assembly: The most popular trend in 2021 creates a style that is unique to each homeowner. Whether it was glass-front cabinets mixed with raw wood ceilings or blue cabinets and white countertops, kitchens saw a pop of color and life rather than being too sterile.

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Bathroom Design Blunders to Avoid

Remodeling your bathroom is a creative, exciting process that could bring out some stress and pressure. To ensure that your new bathroom will stay up-to-date through time, it’s ideal to find the best design for your lifestyle and budget.

Do you know the best placement for a toilet? Is it best to include windows? Is bigger better? All of these questions are valid – but do you know the answer for yourself? Read on to learn more.

Windows
Dark, damp bathrooms with little- to no circulation are so last season. Bathrooms are best suited for windows or a skylight, where fresh air and natural light can infiltrate the room. By making your space feel more open and lighter, the bright area will feel more comfortable.

Tucked Away
If your bathroom happens to be located in a space near a public area such as a dining room, living room, or kitchen, it might be helpful to create some separation between the rooms. If there is a straight-shot line of sight between the toilet and the kitchen table, for example, consider moving the toilet. By positioning the toilet deeper within the bathroom, rather than the first thing someone sees when they walk in, creates a feeling of a larger space.

Skip the Curb
Showers typically come with a six-inch (or so) curb, which keeps the water in the designated area. However, these curbs cause many trip-and-fall accidents in bathrooms, especially those that are wet and slippery. Curbless showers make bathrooms feel larger and cleaner. An additional bonus is that they reduce the number of tripping accidents.

Function Over Style
Great bathroom design is based on how it works rather than how it looks. First, ensure you have a more efficient, well-designed bathroom. Style can come second. Larger isn’t necessarily the best route when it comes to bathrooms. Functionality should be at the top of your list.

Do you want to remodel or build a new bathroom? Contact the bathroom contractor experts at JFC Remodeling today.

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

bathroom

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Seven Kitchen Island Features Recommended by Professionals

Kitchen islands are versatile, and the options are seemingly endless. While the advantages might seem straightforward, it can be overwhelming to choose from such a large number of possibilities. Kitchen islands can bring many benefits, including more storage, an extra countertop, a place for seating, improved circulation, another sink, cooking area, or more. Here are a few ideas for yours:

  • Seating: The most commonly recommended use for a kitchen island is seating, as they become a gathering point for family and guests. From homework to snacks, seats can bring cohesiveness to your kitchen. Be mindful of the height of the seat itself, length, and spacing between chairs.
  • Storage: Adding more space to your kitchen with cabinets can be a no-brainer, yet many kitchen islands are not double-sided. To maximize storage, your kitchen island can have cabinets included on the back side (beneath the stools) as well. These somewhat hidden cabinets can be ideal for storing holiday platters and other sparingly-used kitchen tools or gadgets.
  • Outlets: If you use blenders, mixers, or simply want to charge your electronic devices, outlets can be a perfect addition to your kitchen island. You can also consider putting an outlet in a drawer or cabinet to hide devices while you’re rolling out a pie crust or chopping meat.
  • Fridge: Cabinet or drawer fridges are perfect for grabbing a snack or drink without interrupting the overall kitchen workflow. Consider adding a small fridge at the end of the island furthest away from the chef’s hustle-and-bustle.
  • Microwave: Serving a similar purpose as the fridge, place a microwave in an inconspicuous place so people can heat snacks without getting in the way. Additionally, by adding the microwave to your kitchen island, your cabinets or countertops will be free for more work surfaces and limit visual clutter.
  • Sink: Two sinks might seem like overload for a kitchen, but if you designate one as a “prep sink” and the other for cooking or dishes, it eases the congestion around a single sink. Just imagine…no more dripping water between transfers from the sink to the island.
  • Garbage: As with any main work area, it’s essential to have a trash can nearby. You can easily wipe food scraps or crumbs off the surface directly into the bin. Super convenient, this is also a great way to free up space throughout the rest of the kitchen.

Are you dreaming of adding a kitchen island? We can make your dreams a reality – contact us today!

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Cleaning and Caring for Marble Surfaces

Nothing is quite like marble; the appearance of movement created by veining is distinctive to this popular, porous surface, which is notoriously susceptible to scratching and staining. Particularly where hard objects or high acidity is present – think kitchen knives or lemons – marble can easily succumb to etches and pits. Thankfully, caring for marble helps preserve its appearance and prevent surface damage.

Lemon juice, alcohol, or tomato juice all have a high acidic content. When these are dripped, splashed, or spilled on a marble surface and lingers for an extended time, the acid deteriorates the calcium carbonate in the stone, creating permanent damage. The dull, slightly dark rings or spots that result from this chemical reaction are called etchings. In some light, etching is more noticeable, and vice-versa.

Milk, juice, fruit, and alcohol can occasionally cause both etching and staining. To keep your marble looking like new, consider the following:

Avoid acidic solutions: Not only are the aforementioned foods acidic, but certain cleaning products can also deteriorate marble. According to the National Stone Institute, vinegar, lemon juice, and other surfactants should be avoided on marble. Mild soap and water are best, along with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth.

Seal properly: Spray a sealant at least once a month so penetration cannot occur as easily. While certain liquids (red wine) will still stain if left to sit overnight, the sealant will protect the marble if the liquid or juice is wiped up immediately.

Solutions for common stains:

  • Oil-based (grease, cooking oil, cosmetics): Cleanse the surface lightly with a soft liquid cleanser, household detergent, ammonia, or mineral spirits.
  • Organic (coffee, tea, fruit, food): Mix 12 percent hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of ammonia to wipe clean.
  • Rust stains (metals): These might be permanent and are extremely difficult to remove, and will need to be treated with a poultice, a paste-like cleaning agent sold commercially.
  • Paint stains: Lacquer thinner or razor blades can be used to remove small amounts carefully.
  • Smoke stains: Commercial products are available and used to remove these stains.
  • Water spots or rings: Use #0000 dry steel wool to buff these spots out.

Are you interested in getting marble countertops or marble tiles in your bathroom? Contact the renovation experts at JFC Remodeling today!

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.