Residential Designed Solutions and Jimenez-Haid Do It Again!

Residential Designed Solutions and Jimenez-Haid Custom Builders do it again! The latest issue of Housetrends features a gorgeous home in Dublin that we designed from all of the clients’ requests, photos and detailed design ideas. Jimenez-Haid Custom Builders brought it all to life. 

We lovingly call this home Magnificent Modern! It features contemporary details and curved walls and soffits. An oval landing and center opening in the foyer, with a great deal of steel needed to make it work, creates quite the statement. In keeping with the curves inside the home, we designed curved stairs to the outdoor living areas. 

Have we piqued your interest in the home? Read all about this Magnificent Modern home in the latest issue of Housetrends Magazine.

All of the details and photos will have you saying, “Wow!”

We’d love to design a “Magnificent” home for you. Contact us at 614.430.0027 or email us at info@rdshomedesign.com to start the process.  

Concrete Floor Finishes - A New Look!

Stunning concrete floors

As you walk around your home, do you look at the concrete floors you might have in your garage, unfinished basement, or patio and wonder what you could do with them? Do you like what you see or could it use a little something? When we design homes, we talk with clients about flooring and what to do with concrete floors. We’ve done the research and have some perfect solutions with regards to the types of finishes available to use on your concrete floors. From DIY to professional work, the sky’s the limit with concrete flooring and what you can do to make it your own!

If you’ve never considered concrete floors for more than your garage and basement, maybe you should! It would certainly be different and an interesting and bold choice. Concrete floor finishes can be colored or stained almost any color or can have finishes added that appear to look like marble, slate, or tile. Borders can be added or areas embellished with different designs. The benefits might just have you doing some thinking. Concrete floors are durable, tough, and resilient. It is fairly low-maintenance, depending on the chosen finish. Some may require occasional sealing. Concrete floors wipe clean easily and are resistant to most chemical and water spills. Typically used in garages, basements, and patios, people are also installing and finishing them in kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas.

Top Finishes to Ponder

Perfection with Paint:

Are you just looking for a color change? Painting the concrete might be a smart choice. While not too difficult to do yourself, you do need to know how to prepare the surface before you paint and use the right kind of paint-one designed for masonry. Paint can be used on the whole floor or just to provide some decorative touches (or paint games or designs on the floor for your kids-hopscotch or checkers anyone?).

Stupendous Stains:

Concrete stain is a popular choice. It works well on both interior and exterior surfaces and is a fairly easy application. The stain penetrates the surface so the concrete needs to be new or thoroughly cleaned. It won’t hide cracks or imperfections and as beautiful as it looks, it doesn’t provide a great deal of protection to the floor so it should have a sealant applied to prevent the floor from fading.

Types of Stains:

• Acid-based stains give a bold, stunning look. It has a variegated and mottled look. Acid stains only come in colors like blue-greens, browns, and tans,  which may limit their appeal for you. Acid stains tend not to fade and won’t chip or peel.

• Water-based stains are a great DIY project as they are easy to apply. Colors are muted but there are many more color options available. 

• Fast stains are eco-friendly and fast drying. It is flecked and variegated in appearance. This is a perfect choice for polished concrete floors and can be used with both acid or water stains.

Exciting Epoxy:

Searching for shine and extreme durability? Look no further than epoxy.  This shiny surface can have color or aggregates added for color and unique texture. This is a great solution for high-traffic areas, like your garage! It will protect the floor from oil stains, grease, ad tire marks. It is harder to apply, so do your research or hire a professional to do the application. 

Types of Epoxy:

• Standard epoxy is used in high-traffic indoor areas. The finish is shiny, durable, and one color.

• Granite epoxy is a unique look, adding texture and durability to your floors. Color chips are added, giving you a wide variety of color and texture. 

• Quartz Sand epoxy is perfect for garages. It’s smooth, slip-resistant, easy to clean and withstands water and chemical spills.

Colors:

Getting ready to have the concrete poured? Stop and think about color now! Adding a color to the concrete will create the look you want. This is a perfect option if you are planning to stamp the concrete to look like tile, brick, or stone, or if you just want something other than “concrete” color.

Stamp That Concrete:

If you have planned ahead, stamping the concrete, especially for walkways and patios, creates a beautiful finish. The stamp (think leaves, flowers, or geometric designs) is stamped into the concrete as it cures. You’re only limited by your imagination for this type of finish.

Score!

No not your favorite football team, but the concrete! Existing concrete slabs can be turned into “tile” by using a saw to etch the concrete into whatever pattern you desire. You can even stain it after the etching is completed. This is a good option for walkways, driveways, or patios. Would you DIY it?

Seal it Up:

Sealing is always an option if you’re just trying to keep water out and give the floor a glossy surface. With any of the above options, you might want or need to seal your newly designed concrete floors. 

Do we have you thinking differently about concrete now? Watch our Front Porch Friday video, Concrete Floor Finishes, to see this blog in action. Here at RDS, we can design your new home or help you create the remodel of your dreams. Let our designers help you create something new! or

Backsplash Thoughts

How many times have you wandered into someone’s kitchen or bath, or have been watching the DIY and Home shows on TV, and thought, “Wow, I wish I had a backsplash like that!”  As designers, we are always on the hunt for the best and most innovative backsplash ideas, designs, and options.

Our latest Front Porch Friday Video Series DIY Backsplash talked about different aspects of a do it yourself backsplash, but we also wanted to make sure you knew a couple things before you got started. Whether you DIY it or have the professionals do the installing, making a final selection can be overwhelming. The professionals at a reputable local tile distributor can help you. Designing and selecting the right tile is what they do!

What to think about:

What should you think about when planning to install a backsplash? There are several things to consider when making the leap into backsplashes. Your home’s personality will most certainly be reflected through your choices. 

The main goal is to showcase the cabinets, countertops, theme, and flooring in your kitchen or bath. It can serve as a focal point and a place to be as creative as you want. Use it to draw attention or just to unify the space.

If you’re not installing upper cabinets, then the backsplash choice becomes a much bigger design decision. Cost, function, and form need to be determined when choosing materials. 

Style:
Backsplash materials are available in all kinds of styles, finishes, and materials, so take time to research all options and choose what it is that you’re trying to accomplish in the space. Are you making a statement,  adding some color or texture, making it the focal point, or using it to complement the other features in the room? 

Learn what you’ll need to do to keep it looking its best. Does it need to be sealed every year, is it hard to clean, will it scratch or discolor?  

Color:
The color may be somewhat determined by your countertop color. Go bold for some drama. Add pops of color without committing to color everywhere. Choose a neutral color if your countertops are full of color. Whatever you choose, it needs to complement the countertops, flooring, and paint used in the room. 

Size and Shape:
If you are using tile, don’t just think normal rectangular pieces of tile as your only option. Tiles come in sheets with a built-in pattern or they can be octagonal, hexagon, square, and more. They range in size from very large all the way down to about an inch square. They come in individual pieces or sheets. What size and shape you choose will be determined by the size and space you want to fill. 

Decorative and Primary Tile:
If you are going to use several types of tile, do some research before purchasing. The primary tiles should be thicker than the decorative tiles so that you don’t have to build up all of the tiles, just the decorative ones. 

Options:
The options are endless! Spend time in stores just looking around. Visit some model homes and ask what was used. Search online and read about some of the options that we’ve listed for you. Remember-it doesn’t have to be tile. There are many other materials and styles that you could use! 

Subway tile
Tiles made from 100% bamboo
Recycled glass or plate glass
Glass pebbles or sea glass
Stainless steel sheets
Metallic tiles
Natural Stone
Ceramic
Porcelain
Bead Board
Soapstone
Resin Panels
Laminates

One point to keep in mind is the grout. Don’t use a cheap grout, or you’ll be replacing it within a few years. The grout is the cohesive piece in this design, so invest in the good stuff. 

Things to Try:

Set some samples up on the wall after the countertops and cabinets have been installed, or at least are set up in the kitchen. What might have looked amazing in the store might not work with your lighting and other design choices when everything is actually installed in the kitchen or bath. 

If you’re going with a solid color and the same shape tile for the area, play around with the pattern. Try a herringbone pattern, a diagonal, a staggered look, or the standard stack style. 

Do you have an area above the range or sink that is larger than the rest of the areas to be tiled or covered? Use a different tile or pattern to create more visual interest. In a shower, use a different tile running vertically or horizontally.

You might want to install a backsplash yourself like we discussed on the video or have professionals complete the install. Whatever you do, adding a backsplash will create a stunning look. Let our designers help you create the perfect spaces in your next new build or remodel.  

How to Prepare For Your First Design Appointment

You’ve decided you’re ready to build a new home or maybe you’re ready to redesign a room or rooms in your existing home. Our designers here at RDS are very skilled when designing rooms and new homes, but there are some things we would love for you to do before meeting with us for your first design appointment. 

Start With Measuring:

When you meet with us and say, “I want a large Master Suite, or Bathroom, or Great Room”, we’re going to ask you what large means to you. So start by measuring your existing room(s) to see what we have to work with, and how much you might want to add or change (if possible). If you’re starting with a new home, go outside where you have space and measure out what you’re thinking, or go into that room you love in your friend’s house and measure the room. Having an idea of the size of your current rooms, or what your dream sized room or home might be will help us understand your vision.

We Love Photos:

“Every picture has a story to tell” and while we love seeing photos of your children, we really want to see photos of the rooms you want to change and photos of rooms you’ve fallen in love with for a new home or redesigned space. When you meet with us the first time, having photos of the rooms in your home that you want to redesign, gives us a first look. In the same vein, having those inspiration photos from Houzz, Pinterest, your favorite sites, and actual photos, helps us to understand your vision. The more photos the better, they give us more insight into your dreams, making it easier for us to make them your reality. 

Our First Meeting:

If you’re planning a new build, we’ll meet with you at the office so we can get to know your needs and wants, answer and ask questions, and check out those inspirational photos. If you are remodeling, we typically first meet at your home, giving us a first-hand look at the space and your vision for transforming it.  

Our designers can’t wait to meet with you, see your photos (including the ones of your kids!), and get the process started to redesign your existing rooms or help you create your new home.

Check out our Front Porch Friday Video - How to Prepare for Your First Design Appointment 

The Demo and Remodeling of a Kitchen

Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Do you know what is involved, or do you only have HGTV as your guide? At RDS, one of our clients is in the thick of a kitchen remodel and we thought we’d keep you updated and involved in the remodel. Knowledge is power, and our designers can help you navigate this process.

If you’ve been following our Front Porch Video series on FB this is the first of three episodes about the remodeling of a kitchen and what to expect during the process. If you haven’t seen our Front Porch Video series, we’re excited to have you start watching!

There are many ways to remodel or update your kitchen. Cabinets can be refaced, doors replaced, simple hardware updates can be made, or the cabinets can be completely removed, and new ones installed. In this home, everything has been removed and they’re starting over!

What You Might Find (And We Did):

In this home, the original kitchen had an illuminated ceiling like many homes from the 1980’s. A lot of light but a low ceiling of plastic panels. Removing this along with the soffits will open up the room visually. Since the lighting will change over to can lights and undercabinet fixtures, the wiring and switches will have to be reworked.

Removing soffits comes with its share of problems. Very often, plumbing lines and HVAC ducts are hiding within, so they must be relocated or at least moved so that they are very close to the ceiling. 

In this project, the remodeler, Dave Osmond Builders, had the experience and foresight to leave about 6” of space above the cabinets, allowing drain pipes and ducts to be hidden behind crown molding. This is something to know about and understand when remodeling and pipes and ducts need to be hidden.

Taking everything back to the bare bones of the room makes for a messy, dusty workspace! Doorways to other rooms need to be closed off to keep dust to a minimum. Drywall and trim debris must all be hauled out to the rented dumpster in the driveway.

How does the flooring look? In this home, a tile floor is being removed. There are many flooring options, but these clients chose a site finished hardwood that will be ¾” thick. You could also use a new tile, hardwood laminate, or engineered hardwood, each may have a different thickness and the cabinets must be placed to accommodate that dimension. You don’t want your dishwasher installed and not be able to get it out later when it needs to be replaced.

Keep checking back for more info and photos for this project. This Front Porch Video shows you all the details as this kitchen remodel begins. We’d love to work with you to design your kitchen remodel and help you guide your way through what will be an amazing transformation, no Property Brothers needed!

Kitchen Countertops - What to Choose?

When you are building a home or remodeling an existing home, you have so much to think about when selecting design options. One of the biggest and most visible are your kitchen countertops! There are so many incredible options available. The trends are always evolving, yet some continue to hold their value, charm, and appeal. 

Recently, at RDS, we launched our Front Porch Friday video series. Our first video focused on kitchen countertops and we’d like to continue the discussion in this blog. What do you need to know about the current trending countertops and what is making its way onto kitchen counters? 

Here and Trending:

 Granite:

• Every piece is unique and distinct in its appearance
• It looks luxurious which makes it a very popular choice
• It is resistant to heat, nicks, and normal use
• The larger the piece makes it harder to match
• If sealed properly and routinely, it is very durable
• It is still expensive, but slowly becoming more affordable
• A durable prep surface

Engineered Quartz:

• A manufactured stone product that is almost maintenance free
• Extremely durable making it scratch, heat, stain, and impact resistant
• Available in a wide range of colors and styles
• Being non-porous means it doesn’t need to be sealed

 Butcher Block

• Very appealing as an accent piece
• Creates a feeling of warmth
• Easy to clean, but must be properly sealed
• Sealing properly gives it antimicrobial properties, making it more sanitary for meal prep
• Can be damaged by stains and water, but can be sanded and resealed

 Up and Coming:

 Quartzite:

• A very durable surface that withstands heat
• Appearance is more like granite than manufactured quartz since it is a naturally occurring rock
• High-end look
• Needs to resealed every year or it can stain

Marble:

• Seeing more and more of it
• Natural look is comparable to quartzite and granite, but more subdued in color
• Product is very soft, making it susceptible to scratches and stains
• Needs constant tender loving care and sealing 
• Elegant look
• Expensive 
• Waterproof and heatproof

Concrete:

• Not what you find on your basement floor
• One of a kind, unusual industrial look
• It is versatile, able to cast to your specific size and shape 
• Tinted to any color, mixed with glass or tile, textured, or polished
• While it is porous, it can be sealed
• Custom work makes it a bit expensive 
• Scratch and heat resistant

Whatever you choose, your kitchen will be a reflection of your dreams for the space. Our designers would be happy to meet with you and help you make the perfect choice for your newly designed kitchen.  Do you have more questions about countertop products? Konkus Marble & Granite, one of our trusted suppliers, is here to guide you in your search. 

Should you Remodel or Renovate Your Kitchen?

Why should you remodel or update your kitchen? At RDS, our designers are often asked about kitchens and how we can help our clients make their kitchens more efficient, updated, and current. What should you be thinking about if you are contemplating a remodel of your kitchen?

• Is It Outdated? 
  Your kitchen may have worked for you in the past, but now it appears to be outdated. It might be in good shape, but not for your life now. Maybe the tiles are cracking or worn, the countertops are out of style, or the cabinets are broken or too small. Are the appliances old and not working for your family’s needs? It might need a new patio door, or skylights to add light to the room.
   
• Do You Need to Change the Space or Function? 
  Counter space, cabinet space, and work space are some of the biggest reasons to update your kitchen. Most of us want more room for cooking, storage, and family work or gathering areas. You might want to increase the area so that there can be more than one cook, or to set up a computer work station. An island so that you can have a quick meal together might be a wanted change.
   
• Are You Dreaming of a Gourmet Kitchen? 
  You love to cook, read and try recipes, and love state of the art appliances and gadgets. Your main reason for a remodel is to create your dream kitchen so that you can prepare great meals and entertain.
   
• Is Storage or Lack of it an Issue? 
  You don’t have room for your appliances, dishes, serving ware, and pantry staples. Increasing your storage space might be the impetus for remodeling. A walk in pantry, bigger cabinets, and reworking your existing storage spaces, are all good reasons to remodel.
   
• Do You Need the Kitchen Open to More Rooms in the House? 
  Everyone ends up in the kitchen when entertaining and if the kitchen is closed off, this doesn’t work. You might need to open up the space, build a large island, rework the flow, and create entertaining spaces.

Whatever your reasons are for remodeling your kitchen, RDS, your leader in kitchen designs and renovation plans, is here to answer your questions and work with you to design your perfect space.

Jim's Tips of the Trade…..Plan Distribution

No one would ever accuse me of being “tech savvy”, but over the past few years, I have learned a few things about PDF plan file sizes, print costs and sharing the files in the cloud. Maybe a few of these ideas could make your daily workload a little lighter.

Up until a few years ago, we printed plans and then had to run them around to subs and tradespeople to get bids and then provide everyone with new sets after the cost-driven changes were made. I know some folks are still doing it that way because “my subs don’t use computers”. They don’t use computers because you haven’t required them to join the computer age.

We find file sizes have continued to grow to the point that Gmail and some of the other servers will not accept the plans without breaking them down into separate sheets. To get around this problem we use DropBox. It is free up to a certain storage size and works like a file folder on your computer desktop. The beautiful thing about it is that you can invite your suns and tradespeople to join the folder. When you add a file to your desktop it appears in theirs. They always have the most up to date file and you don’t have to pay for prints or spend hours running plans everywhere. They’re responsible for printing their own sets for bid meetings or going paperless with an iPad or another device.

Bluebeam is an inexpensive program that PDF plans can be loaded into for use on an Ipad device that allows photographs to be taken on the job site and notes added to them along with adding notes to the PDF plans-no more rolling a set out and trying to write notes in mid-air and trying to read your scribble later. You can also send the file afterwards to everyone who needs it.

Now you’ve found a few additional hours of productive time each week and everyone you work with is instantly up to date with the latest info. Good communication can be a wonderful thing!

The Demo and Remodeling of a Kitchen Part 2

The kitchen remodel is well underway in our clients’ home. If you remember, in our last blog, we were all about the demo of the kitchen. Now the fun work begins!

What has been going on in this home and what could you expect in your kitchen remodel?

This is the second blog in our Kitchen Demo/Remodel series. Our clients began with a kitchen remodel and we’re filling you in on what decisions they’ve made in this project that involves not only the kitchen but the family room, stairway, and floors. 

• Our clients have some important design decisions to make. Where the new work begins and the old house ends is always a tricky one. Are you just going to paint the kitchen or will this new paint color work its way through the whole first floor? Does the stairwell to the second floor get the new paint color? And what about flooring? Is it going to be all new throughout the first floor or just in the kitchen? Our clients decided that the kitchen remodel wasn’t going to be the only part of the first floor to be remodeled…the living room and rest of the first floor is now being remodeled, as well as the stairs and railings leading to the second floor. You know the saying, “One thing leads to another!”
• Under cabinet lighting is important to our clients. This lighting allows illumination of the prep spaces and will show off the soon to be installed gorgeous countertops. Imagine the glow of the under cabinet lighting when you don’t want other lighting turned on!
• When installing cabinets, it’s critical to leave space above the cabinets for crown molding placement, which will cover the ductwork, electrical lines, and plumbing lines. You don’t want to get all of the cabinets up and realize that no room was left for molding installation. This is just one of the many detail decisions we have to think about and share with our clients when designing a kitchen.
• Once the cabinets have been set, it will be time to install the countertops. The true vision of the kitchen will be apparent soon!
• The cabinets themselves have been shimmed up, allowing the extra space needed for the installation of the new flooring. Again, not thinking this piece through beforehand could be disastrous on the day of the floor install. 
• Our contractor, Dave Osmond Builders, working with the client, had the foresight to install outlets (required by code) high on the backs of some of the cabinets so as not to interfere with the cohesive look of the decorative backs of the cabinets.
• What details will you add? Our clients, after seeing the upper peninsula cabinets, decided to install one of a kind seeded glass doors on both sides to let natural light and the kitchen light shine through. This creates warmth, natural and ambient light…and a little drama! We can’t wait to see the cabinets finished.
• Along with the kitchen, the remodel of the family room is underway. The existing built-ins have been updates, giving a much-needed facelift to the room.

No matter what, a remodel is an incredible journey! When you work with our designers at RDS, we promise to understand your vision, help you create the special details you want to incorporate, and guide you through the process. 

To see more of this journey, watch our Front Porch Friday Video…Front Porch Friday Kitchen Demo/Remodel Part 2.

RDS Turns 30!

We’re pretty excited by this number…we’ve been in business for 30 years as of April 1st, 2018! We celebrated this momentous occasion with a small party in the office on March 28th. To say that I was surprised was an understatement! My staff, fellow designers, builders, and clients made this day very special. 

Many people asked me questions during the party so I thought I’d answer a few of them here for all of you. As I said during the party, “It’s been 30 years, one day at a time!”

How did you get your start?
I began my career as a draftsman for a small electronics company and then was able to make a move to work for a residential design firm. After five years I joined Bob Webb Builders where I feel that I received my Masters Degree in construction and basically “how to build the right way”. I worked briefly for another builder prior to starting RDS.

How did you choose Residential Designed Solutions as your company name?
We started out as Designed Solutions but when we incorporated there was another company with the same name so we added the “Residential” to be more descriptive.

Have you always been located where you are now?
The company began in my home study and within a year we moved into our first office on Snouffer Road. Several years later we moved into a larger office in the next building over and in 1999 we moved to our current location.

What is the best part of your job?
There are many aspects that I enjoy but I would have to say that the time I spend designing is my favorite. It’s all about problem-solving, fitting the puzzle pieces together so that they make sense and the spaces flow as we meet our customers’ needs and requirements.

How many homes have you designed/remodeled?
I’ve never stopped to count but as I think about it, it must be over 7500 projects completed to date.

Which design for a new home or remodel has been your favorite and why?
I think the best answer is “the next one”. They’re all “my children” to some extent so it is impossible to pick one as a favorite. The memorable projects are those where we had big challenges to overcome and projects where we broke new ground in terms of design styles.

What have you learned over the last 30 years?
The list is endless. How to run a design business, how to design to meet client needs, how to communicate better, how to be a better person and I am still constantly trying to improve in all those areas.

How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
Given the construction backgrounds that our design associates have, I would have to say that we speak “Builder” fluently. We understand the cost impact of various design details and how to design to a given price point. We know what adds perceived value over just additional costs.

If you could travel back 30 years, what would you tell yourself based on what you know now?
The list is endless here also but I guess the most important thing would be to just continue to focus on the clients and make sure we’re meeting their needs.

We cherish our relationships with our clients, builders and all the trade people we encounter daily. We take our business and our clients’ needs seriously and are honored to be part of this incredible home building profession. Thanks to all of you for letting us be a small part of your life.