ASID Winner: Specialty Design — Green

John Mills Davies recently won the ASID for Specialty Design. An excerpt from the award comments is below, but read the full report here.

Bamboo flooring, Caesar Stone and Terrazzo were brought in for solid surfaces, and all of the home’s cabinetry was custom designed and built using FSC-certified or eco-wood products. Dual pane energy efficient windows, tankless water heaters and no-VOC paint selections complete the home’s green infrastructure. Strategically placed central skylights provide the residence with stunning natural lighting while simultaneously acting as thermal chimneys to either warm or cool the home. The landscaping was designed to provide drought resistant and energy efficient outdoor living, keeping in theme with the home’s environmentally conscious roots.

Bathroom Remodeling Trends

The days of depending on a luxury resort or hotel for pampering are being replaced. Homeowners are trading this occasional extravagance for permanent innovations in their very own homes. Currently, creating sanctuaries are the new bathroom remodeling trends. Consumers can now enjoy opulence in the privacy of their own homes.

There is no question that kitchens and baths sell homes. Consumers place significant value on large open kitchens and bathrooms with modern conveniences and high-end fixtures. Currently, however, a new trend in bathrooms has been occurring which focuses on the latest and greatest technology in bathroom conveniences.

Previously marketed multiple-head showers have now evolved into elaborate multi-functioning appliances. One of the hottest trends is the steam shower which offers reclining seats, remote controlled massage, electronic temperature and steam generator, and surround sound. This trend is especially important in remodeling because it immediately updates an older bathroom, and additionally provides the homeowner with the convenience of a spa along with the privacy of home.

For added pizazz, there is another new innovation known as the tanning shower. This product allows the consumer to incorporate a tanning unit into an existing or new shower. The unit comes complete with lamps, reflectors, and a double UV filter for optimum tanning. Also included is a high-intensity infrared light marketed to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, aiding in skincare.

Bathroom Remodeling and Rock?

Bathroom remodeling provides an opportunity to go for an entirely new look. For some, bathroom remodeling is a time for an unusual look - something unique.

Bathroom remodeling with rock and other natural materials can give you that unique look. It can give you the feeling of being in a natural retreat, far from the busy city life.

Achieving the Look

Begin your bathroom remodeling project by designing, or finding a design of the finished product. How do you want the bathroom to look when you are done?

For example, suppose you want a relaxing, peaceful hideout. What elements will achieve that look? What tasks will your bathroom remodeling project include?

1. Walls: Picture grasscloth wallpaper in green and tan tones. Grasscloth wallpaper is made of natural grasses, and green shades are not bright. The woven wallpaper has a horizontal line, and will set the mood for your project of bathroom remodeling with rock and natural materials.

2. Floor: A floor of slate or marble, real or imitation will fit your theme and be easy to clean. Use natural hemp or grass mats.

3. Sink: Purchase a rock sink. These sinks are hewn from river rocks, and hollowed with a polished cavity. They have a standard drain hole. Deep or shallow: choose a rock sink to enhance your bathroom remodeling.

4. Vanity: Continue your bathroom remodeling with rock and natural materials by choosing a bamboo vanity on which to set your rock sink. These vanities come in various sizes, and will carry the outdoor theme well. Hang a bamboo mirror / cabinet above the vanity.

5. Faucets: Bamboo shaped faucets will complement your sink well. The type that have an open top at the faucets end will look as though they came right from an oriental garden into your bathroom remodeling project.

6. Bathtub: Yes, you can get a "boulder bathtub" for your natural bathroom. You could probably find a standard bathtub with a marble-like finish, but an actual boulder would be natural. This calls for a large bathroom, and will look cramped in a small space. Add bamboo faucets to match those at the sink. Caution: Please make sure your floor will hold the weight before you order a boulder bathtub.

7. Toilet: You may not be able to go this far with your project of bathroom remodeling with rock, but you can camouflage the toilet to make it fit your theme. A dark green or black toilet would blend well.

Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas for Your Home

Small bathroom remodels are available all over the internet. Most designers jump at the chance to renovate a small bathroom because it offers a great opportunity to test their skills at utilizing space. Making a small room look bigger is a challenging prospect. But with the proper ideas and creativity, a small bathroom can turn into a giant space filled with opportunity.



The most important aspect of remodeling a small bathroom is storage and organization. Careful planning in this area can literally double the space of your bathroom, and add to its unique design in the process.



Nothing makes a bathroom look smaller than clutter. Such things as towels on the counter, a magazine rack next to the toilet, statues, and bulky pictures should be reserved for larger rooms in the home. This also includes the bathtub itself. Shampoo bottles and soaps should be kept off the showers edges and instead stored in an accessible place that's out of view.



One of the best solutions for storage is cabinets, especially recessed cabinets that are imbedded directly into the wall. This gives the bathroom extra space because it utilizes the area behind the bathroom itself. Cabinets and vanities that stick out are huge space wasters, so replacing those alone will do wonders for the perceived spacial elements of your bathroom.



Adding a small closet can also help. For example, if you can store your towels in the closet rather than hanging them on a towel rack it will make the bathroom seem more open and accessible.



This also applies to the actual amenities of your bathroom like the toilet and sink, whose sizes can vary widely depending on the home owners personal tastes. Selecting a smaller sink and toilet will do wonders for the width of a bathroom. When working in small spaces like this, little differences here and there can really add up. Remember this when selecting your amenities.



Mirrors can literally double the perceived space of a room, so a big mirror is absolutely essential for a small bathroom. This is the only case where bigger is better, so look for a mirror whose size borders on being excessive to the space allotted to it.

The Right Flooring for Your Bathroom

While many homeowners believe that flooring is more for aesthetics than anything else, your flooring services multiple purposes in the bathroom. When you're getting ready to do bathroom remodeling you need to put careful consideration in the type of flooring that you'll install. Very specific factors come in to play with the bathroom, from water retention and absorbency, stain resistance, safety when wet, overall durability, cost, how it fits with the design. Here's a look into the different flooring options to consider while you prep for bathroom remodeling in your home.

Carpeting: While it might not seem like the best idea in an environment that is perpetually exposed to moisture, carpet is actually a great option for the bathroom - you just have to make the right purchase decision and do your homework on the carpet you want. You need to install carpet that is stain-resistant as well as milder-resistance.

Ceramic Tile: Ceramic tile for bathroom flooring is designed a little differently than the ceramic tile you would use on a countertop or backsplash. While those surfaces are smooth, ceramic flooring tiles are made with a textured surface to prevent slipping. It's a favored option for floors because of the custom designs, shapes and more that are available - lending an opportunity to create a truly unique floor in your bathroom.

Laminate: Laminate is made of layers of material that have been bonded together for strength and durability, including resin and wood fibers. The final pieces are formed together into compressed planks with an image that's imprinted on the surface. This allows a custom design in various material styles and colors, most commonly wood. It's durable and easy to clean, making it an affordable and great option for many bathroom remodeling projects.

Hardwood: It's an added expense, but it's difficult to replicate the beauty and character that comes from a hardwood floor. It lends a great deal of warmth and comfort to the bathroom environment, which is beneficial if you're the type to rely on your bathroom for relaxation after a long day. Even older wood floors can be easily refreshed and to ensure safety you can apply a no-slip finish in the bathroom.

A Bathtub for a Bathroom Remodel

When planning a bathroom remodeling project, it used to be that you didn’t have many choices of bathtubs, but today there is a bewildering array of tubs in different shapes, sizes, and materials. How do you choose which kind of tub is right for you? Here are some of the factors to consider when selecting a bathtub.

Ergonomics
If you are particularly large or tall, you might be more comfortable in a wider or longer bathtub. On the other hand, if you’re petite, you probably don’t want an extra deep soaking tub. If you like long soaks, you might prefer a tub that has contoured armrests and back support so you can rest easy.

Safety
If someone in your household has trouble maneuvering, or if you’re planning to retire at your home, take these factors into consideration during your bathroom remodeling project. Install grab bars in the bathtub area and think about installing a walk-in model, which permits you to enter the tub through a door rather than stepping over the rim.

Style
How are you planning to decorate your bathroom? If you’re going for an old-fashioned look, a claw-footed cast iron tub might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you want a pampered, spa-like environment, you probably want the luxury of jetted or soaking tub.

Bathroom
Configuration depending on the layout of your bathroom, it may make more sense to have a free-standing tub in the middle of the room or an alcove tub set into the wall. Jetted tubs often need a platform that raises them above the floor.

Remodeling Your Bathroom Is a Wise Investment

Whether you are a home buyer looking to renovate, have an investment property or you are a home owner there are many benefits and reason to look at investing in renovating a bathroom.

The most appealing aspect of renovating a bathroom is the ROI (return on investment), the bathroom has the highest ROI of any other room and is the most popular choice when it comes to renovations. If you decide to or are leasing the property out a bathroom renovation will increase the rental return as well as the value of the property.

The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in a house so it is important to have good usability and comfort and these can be easily attained from renovations. Your guests will appreciate a nice bathroom as well. You also have the option to upgrade your bathroom fixtures to water saving ones. There are many water saving fixtures on the market today and you can upgrade your shower and vanity spouts to water saving ones. Upgrading your toilet to a dual is also a good decision and newer toilets require less water per flush.

The most exciting part of renovating your bathroom is that there are so many different styles to choose from like Modern, Traditional, Contemporary, French, European, Vintage, Ranch, Pan-Asian, Lodge, or even creating your own unique style. Overall renovating your bathroom is a wise decision you will increase the value of your home, rental return, your bathroom will be more inviting and comfortable, you will save water and money and best of all it will be just the way you want it.

Bathroom Renovations Are Definitely Worth It!

Renovating your bathroom can end up being a very costly project, and for that reason many people venture nowhere near full renovations, and often stick to surface repairs and improvements. However, in some cases, superficial renovations are simply not enough, and the homeowner must sometimes go for a full makeover, which basically requires the tearing down and rearrangement of all the bathroom's elements.

This process is usually a very expensive one and of course it depends on the size and type of your bathroom. Naturally, it also depends on the types of materials you're planning on using (expensive, fancy and ornate materials, or sturdy and reliable ones), the different and new accessories and fixtures you'll need to buy and install (a new sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower all come with a full-scale bathroom renovation), and of course your contractor's fees. Also remember that you'll also need money to pay not only your hired help, but also the people hired by your contractor, such as the plumbers.

Once the core repairs and renovations have been completed, only then should you concentrate on your bathroom's surface. By concentrating on the surface, I mean repainting, and rearranging the lighting in the room... if you can afford it, you can also choose to install some granite or marble counter-tops to add that luscious finishing touch to your masterpiece. Also remember that you can repaint much more than solely your walls; for example, you could have some intricate patterns painted on some of your accessories such as the sink or the bathtub and really customize your bathroom to your tastes and turn it into your little private sanctuary.

Green Ideas for a Bathroom Remodeling Project

Bathroom remodeling appears to be one of the most well liked home remodeling projects today. Remodel projects can go from total demolition and remodel all the way to changing out a few decorative items. No matter what you choose to do, it does not have to be a difficult or expensive process. What's really exciting about remodeling today is that you have a number of eco friendly furniture and home decor remodeling options.

Once you have determined the budget for your project, move on to measuring the space. Keep those measurements with you while you shop. For eco friendly decorative items, like bathroom vanities, you will want to do your shopping online. That is where you will find the largest selection of eco furniture. You'll also find good retailers that are willing to help you to ensure that you are finding top quality eco products.

Once your new floor plan, concept, and needed tools and equipment are established you may begin the actual bathroom remodeling process. Make sure you review all of your design concepts with your contractor, if you're hiring one, prior to starting the remodeling project to ascertain everything will be accomplished the way you want it.

People utilize and waste more water in the bathroom than any other area in the home. Throw in all that water utilization with shampoos and soaps and the power employed to heat the water, and your bathroom could be causing a lot of harm to the environment. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be the case.

The Design-Build Steps to Success

Marrokal Design and Remodeling uses a six-step design-build process to carefully assess the client’s needs and ensure that the project is run smoothly so that the end result exceeds their expectations. It’s this unique strategy that puts Marrokal Design and Remodeling ahead of the competition.

Here are the steps: 1. Project Programming/Budget Development, 2. Field Measure/Inspection of Existing Conditions, 3. Preliminary Design Meetings, 4. Construction Agreement/Building Specifications, 5. Product Selection/Design of Finish Materials, 6. Building Permit Phase. For a detailed look at these six steps click here.

An excellent indicator that the design-build process is working comes from clients who’ve experienced it. “This is our second major remodel in 20 years with many smaller remodeling jobs in between. We have followed the history of the other major contractors in San Diego and interviewed many over the past years and no one even comes close to what Marrokal can design and deliver... no one!,” write La Mesa clients, Mike and Mary Marmolejo, in a letter expressing their thanks to the company.

Notes like that one are not the exception but rather the rule. It seems this nationally recognized and award-winning company is constantly receiving praise for its work.

“Our sincere gratitude to Senior Design Consultant, Jim Dyjak, and his design team, Project Designer, Scott Hall, and Interior Designer, April Worrell, who came up with ideas we never thought of. Jim even managed to get us back some of our lost view by moving our kitchen, rearranging windows, enlarging sliding doors, and repairing the adjoining sun deck. The new kitchen is our absolute favorite with its nine-foot island (aka: the sushi bar). We look forward to many get-togethers with family and friends—they'll see firsthand what high-quality work Marrokal Design and Remodeling does,” writes homeowner, Marilou Seki from Point Loma.

See What Our Customers Are Saying About Us!

Notes like this are not the exception but rather the rule. It seems this nationally recognized and award-winning company is constantly receiving praise for its work.  “Our sincere gratitude to Senior Design Consultant, Jim Dyjak, and his design team, Project Designer, Scott Hall, and Interior Designer, April Worrell, who came up with ideas we never thought of. Jim even managed to get us back some of our lost view by moving our kitchen, rearranging windows, enlarging sliding doors, and repairing the adjoining sun deck. The new kitchen is our absolute favorite with its nine-foot island (aka: the sushi bar). We look forward to many get-togethers with family and friends—they'll see firsthand what high-quality work Marrokal Design and Remodeling does,” writes homeowner, Marilou Seki from Point Loma.

And think about this, when is the last time you hired someone to work on your home and you wound up giving them an endearing nickname? You’ll probably have to think for a long while about that. That’s because the home improvement industry ranks high in consumer complaints but Seki had such an exceptional experience that she wrote this.  “Last, but not least, a special thank you to our Project Manager, Pete Hoffman. Frankly, we don't think we could have survived our home remodel without him. His availability for countless calls and questions, his professionalism, unflappable personality and quiet humor had my daughter calling him "Sunshine". Pete single-handedly kept us from panicking over unexpected problems with his calm presence and knowing where to find sensible solutions,” writes Mrs. Seki.

From Lakeside, the Chavarrias write, “It has been a few months since our remodel has been completed. The project was completed on time, no surprises, no flaws, and it absolutely looks great! We are still receiving compliments about how nice it looks.”

President of the company, Gary Marrokal, knows you simply can’t buy this kind of advertising. But he knows that you can earn the praise by doing extraordinary work and running an exemplary company. And, while his company has received many awards for its high industry standards, perhaps the most satisfying indicator of success comes from comments like this one from the Marmalejos.  “Businesses of every sort should use Marrokal as the model for recruiting only the best, retaining a highly professional staff, contracting and outsourcing with the best tradesmen, and setting the standard for customer service.”

So when you’re researching home remodelers, remember to look for an ethical company that makes you their top priority, offers full design/build services, and has a staff that is experienced and responsive. When you search for those criteria you will find Marrokal Design & Remodeling. Count on Marrokal to enhance your home, suit your needs, and exceed your expectations.

Room Addition Trends!

Many people have the tendency or trend of improving their homes by remodeling them by adding rooms such as family rooms, so that their houses can accommodate more guests. This remodeling company offers designs and construction services for addition of rooms to your house. Many people find it ideal to find the space to locate additional family rooms near the bedroom of their children. Once they do this, the children can use the space left for study and other activities. These room additions prove to be very useful in the future.

The other top trend when it comes to room additions to a house is the addition of an additional place where guests can sleep if they will not fit in the spare bedrooms. This is possible if you place the right type of furniture into the family room. You can get a sleeper sofa that two people can sleep in comfortably. The other type of furniture that you can look for is ottomans or chairs, which fold out to become single beds.

You may also find it necessary to add more space to your family room to accommodate a larger dinning area. This is possible if you design the living room to have enough space for a large table. The table is useful for dining especially when you have many guests and will be useful as a study area for children. In order to use the space occupied by such a table efficiently, you can place it against the surface of a wall where you can pull it out when you need additional space.

The other top trend when it comes to room additions is the expansion of the family room to the outside. You can accomplish this through the addition or sliding or French doors. The patio or deck outside the family room will make the room look and feel larger.

Decorating Your Bathroom With Your Style

There are numerous approaches to treating your bathroom wall. You can combine several types to decorate your bathroom:

Waterproof bathroom cladding - is constructed from uPVC honeycomb section panels that slot into each other using a tongue and groove system. The face of the panel has a vinyl layer, which is available in a number of different: wood grain; marble effect; tile effect or solid color.


Ceramic wall tiles - Ceramic tiles are still the best selling selection of bathroom wall treatment and are available today at very inexpensive prices. By using different sizes ceramic tiles and combining them with other tiles for a border, you can achieve an unusual design.

Custom Waterfall - Installing a custom waterfall in your bathroom is another modern design that is gaining wide acceptance. A waterfall mounted on the wall or set on any surface in the bathroom is a great way to transform your bathroom into a place that is refreshing and calming. A waterfall design in your bathroom is a guaranteed attraction and provide relaxation for the mind, body and spirit.

Bathroom paint or wallpaper - you can easily combine paint and wallpaper to cover your bathroom wall. For example, you may need to use tile inside the shower cubicle but paint or apply wallpaper to the rest of the bathroom, but try not to use lots of different products as your bathroom design might start to look cluttered. It is important is to use colors, textures, and patterns that complement each other.

What to Remember When Renovating Your Bathroom

The method of bathroom renovation should include redoing the structural elements along with surface alterations. You can change the layout of your bathroom. You might even consider a complete remodeling or tear out for totally revamping the moisture patches that have marked the joists and walls.

The basic thing is to have the bathroom renovation well financed. Bathroom remodeling is an expensive affair and this is why you need to specifically understand the requirements of the project. The reason for the high costs is the intensive sub contracting work that might be required. You may require plumbers, electricians and floor tiling experts to handle the job. Expenditure also rolls out from elements like cabinetry and bathroom fixtures. The most common way to get started is with the home equity loan.

Take a good look at the bathroom remodeling project and decide whether you need a contractor for the job. Simple tasks like toilet installations may be handled by yourself, but then for creating a tiled shower, you need the help of a pro. In case you go for hiring a handyman, you need to know about their skills. The contractor should be a licensed provider, although the license does not mean that he does quality work. It is an indication of the fact that the person has fulfilled the basic requirement of the licensing agency. Bathroom remodeling jobs may require building and electric permits. So it is advised that you apply for them early.

Designing the Bathroom of Your Dreams

A lot of people are often apprehensive and perhaps a little overwhelmed when it comes to remodeling the bathroom because of the the dizzying details involved in the selection of the color, materials and other accessories.

The bathroom is one room that takes a small amount of effort to design or decorate. Unlike other areas in your home, the bathroom just needs some paint or wall covering and replacement of the fixtures to give it a different look. The first step to a successful design is choosing the right kinds of materials. Whether it is a complete bathroom remodeling or just adding accessories to existing fixtures, your options are endless and fortunately - the marketplace is well-stock with paint in every tints, tones and shades and accessories for your bathroom at bargain prices.

Selecting the Right Tile and Wall Covering

The floors and walls set the atmosphere for the entire bathroom space. Choose an interesting floor pattern and wall color to create a unique bathroom design. Select a tile that has great pattern or color and coordinate a wall paint or covering that complements with the rest of the bathroom. Combining different tile sizes and patterns adds visual interest to any bathroom design.

Beautiful Bathrooms

It's not a great time to sell your home. We all know that. But some of us don't have much choice, and need to sell our homes now anyway. But how do you improve the value and appearance of your home on such a shoddy market? Perhaps the single most effective way of marking up your home's market value is to renovate or remodel your bathroom, especially with the installation of bathroom vanities.

When you really look at it, your home is a financial investment as well as an investment in your security. When you have lived out your time there, you're going to want a good return on the home you invested so much time and money in. Generally speaking, statistical evidence suggests that the kitchen and the bathroom are responsible for the largest returns on your investment, more-so than any other room on your property. A clean and well-kept but ordinary house won't exactly sell prospective buyers, but an aesthetically stunning kitchen and comfortable, attractive bathroom definitely will. To put it a bit frankly, buyers won't even notice if most of the rooms in your home are "ordinary," so long as your kitchen and/or bathroom stand out; attractive bathrooms, therefore, increase the probability of a purchase.