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Ron Blase of Blase Carpentry stopped by this weekend to give us a brief primer on remodeling trends in Park City. Ron is finding his jobs are very often kitchen and bathroom remodels.  That in itself is nothing new; those 2 rooms typically see the most change. What’s different, he says, is a gravitation towards some different materials and styles.

penny tile

White penny tile floors and custom-made shiplap walls both in a warm cream

In the bathroom:
Ron is putting in a lot of free-standing tubs, both antique and acrylic and free-standing vanities.  For bathroom tile the classic subway tile caught on about 5 years ago and is very popular right now in Park City according to Ron.  They come in different sizes.  For a large area a 5″ x 18″ tile in a neutral color, like grey or white, works well.  For a small space the smaller 3″ x 6″ tile is recommended and is a chance to use more color.   Shiplap tiles are trending too.  “Shiplap” is a kind of wooden board that’s often used for constructing sheds, barns, and other rustic buildings.

“And everyone wants warm bathroom floors,” says Ron.  If you are not inclined to put in radiant heat throughout (a retro fit is a major undertaking), you can do Sun Touch® warm floors using electric coils underneath the tiles.  People are really gong for this.  The materials are the pricey part, but if you only do one or two rooms it’s worth it.  For a 10′ x 10′ bathroom, after paying for materials, labor and an electrician, figure on about $1,000.

Wet room bathrooms are another new idea.  A wet room is a space fully constructed with materials designed to get wet with a central drain in the floor.  Sometimes this means outfitting an entire bathroom in water-friendly materials.  A wet room can be a luxury design preference or a space-saving move.  Combining the tub and shower into one area allows you to include all desired elements in a tight space.  When it comes to bathroom fixtures, hand held showers are in demand.  Depending on the size of the shower Ron says people want anywhere from 1 to 9 shower heads in a single shower!  Check out Retrospect Water and Light for quality lighting and plumbing fixtures – 68 East, 700 South downtown SLC.

Put the bath in the shower with a wet room.

Put the bath in the shower with a wet room.

In the kitchen:
More Parkites are switching to brighter, whiter kitchens. They are going with white cabinets and adding splashes of color with the choice of countertop, pendant lighting and home accents. That may explain why custom wainscoting is having a resurgence, as it goes well with white. Granite is no longer an automatic upgrade or higher end choice for counter tops. Many people are now opting for quartz. It offers a number of pluses. Compared to granite, quartz is:

• more durable
• more scratch resistant
• no sealing is required
• can be repaired more easily
• many color choices

 

Matte mosaic tiles backsplash with polished quartz counter

Matte backsplash w/ polished quartz counter

The trend towards contemporary styles may be helping to drive this switch to quartz counter tops.  Having more color selections lends itself better to contemporary color schemes.  People are mixing up finishes, for example, using a matte, tile back splash in muted colors with a shiny quartz counter top creates a nice contrast.  Other requested kitchen fixtures include farm house, under mount sinks.  “People really like the look more than the function,” says Ron. “Cook tops are popular too.  By relocating the oven to a nearby wall you gain valuable cabinet space underneath the cooking area.”  There’s always something new to do.  You can even add a USB port to your island so you can plug in your laptop!


If you’re a real estate client of Tom’s you’ve likely met Ron Blase.  I often tell people no job is too large or too small for Ron. We refer all our clients in need of remodeling or repairs to him with confidence.  He is highly professional, competent, efficient and affordable.  Ron is a former Chicago special education teacher, retired ski instructor and licensed Utah contractor.  Ron oversaw the major addition to our home in 2006, and single-handedly completed many other projects too numerous to count.  He has become an indispensable asset to our business and has always been a great friend.  

Ron with his faithful companion, Faith!

Ron Blase with his faithful companion, Faith!

Blase Carpentry
Licensed Utah Contractor
Park City, UT
435-640-1337
[email protected]

 

Related post
Volume 2 Issue 1: January 2017
Who Do I Call For…?
Whether you are selling your property or just need some assistance with its maintenance, we know it is helpful to have a referral. Park City Neighborhoods has a trusted network of preferred Park City vendors, tradespeople and property managers….full post here.

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