Interior Edge

There are so many details that enter into a successful bathroom remodeling project! Unless you're a professional who does it every day - or a San Antonio homeowner who's been through this a number of times - then all details, processes, options and decisions might be overwhelming. If you're tackling a bathroom remodel project, having some reasonable expectationsof what to expect and what decisions you will need to make can make the difference between a months-long waking nightmare ending in a bathroom that you settle for or an excitingexperience resulting in the room of your dreams.

We all love following the kitchen remodeling trends, and it is tempting to jump into a remodel with the latest colors and textures at the top of our wish lists. Unfortunately, the backlash is that you may end up with a look that is dated down the road and "remodeler's remorse" when the style that you loved this year shows itself to be another passing fad just a few years later. The reality is that most San Antonio homeowners only do a major kitchen remodel one time. Keeping that in mind, you really want to do it right for your style of living and the resale value of your home.

If you thought keeping up with smartphone technology was challenging, what about your gadgets at home? From LED lights that shut off when you leave the room to sensors that alert you to problems with your plumbing, brainy home applications are emerging on the market. Are you ready to tell your washing machine to start and stop from the comfort of your couch? Or light the porch and open the windows to let some breeze in through the use of a free app on a smartphone or tablet? Smart home devices are quickly evolving to provide peace of mind to users.

I hope you caught part one of this series on the design decisions for a timeless kitchen that you won't regret. Here the Carrara marble pairs beautifully on an island with a black ganite on the other countertops. It is a timeless classic that's been used in homes for thousands of years. It'll look as good in the next millennium as it does now. If you don't have the budget for marble, consider compromising with a relatively inexpensive laminate countertop now and then upgrading down the road. Subway tile goes back to the early1900s, when it was used to line New York's first subway tunnels.