Bath Inspirations | Key Residential

In creating our Houzz Bathroom Ideabook, featuring spaces from remodels and custom homes constructed by Key Residential over the years, we've come across a few commonalities that make for the perfect bathroom retreat. 

1. A Great Soaking Tub- sit back, relax, and soak away the cares of your day

2. Glass Enclosed Shower- increase the feeling of spaciousness with a glass shower enclosure

3. Lighting at the Mirror- (especially side lighting) provides the perfect illumination for your daily routine 

4. Ample Storage- whether a vanity, tower, or furniture piece, storage for linens and toiletries is a must

Click to see the full collection of  bathrooms in our Houzz ideabook for a little renovation inspiration.

If you found some ideas for a stunning bathroom oasis, contact us to discuss your project today!

Key Ingredients for a Luxury Outdoor Kitchen

At a recent local NKBA chapter meeting, the topic of discussion was Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Design. Trends are leaning towards blended living spaces, which seamlessly transition from indoor to out, expanding your livable area for entertaining or family events. These outdoor spaces need to include space for cooking, cleaning, and food prep as well as sufficient storage and ambient lighting to ensure your outdoor events are a success. A few key points to remember when dreaming of an outdoor oasis- material durability, appliances specifically rated for outdoor use, low maintenance,  and coverage/weather protection. 

COOKING

If being grill master is on your to-do list for the coming summer, consider Custom Home Online's recently featured fold-away grill, perfect for a modern and compact outdoor kitchen or patio. This grill is designed for either wood or charcoal grilling and the 21-1/2" wall-mounted steel fire bowl folds away into a discreet disk when not in use. The creative Sigmafocus barbecue grill by Focus is easily mounted to the wall  at your desired height with two screw-in anchor points and the ash basin is designed to tip downward for easy cleaning. 

Feel like branching out from the standard grilled fare? Viking has recently updated it's commercial style Wok for outdoor use.  This 27,500 BTU unit allows you to simmer, saute, and stir fry, for outdoor dining events ranging from a traditional Asian stir-fry dinner to hosting a crab boil. The removable, stainless steel pull-out drip tray and grease pan also make clean up a breeze. 

STORAGE

Lack of storage for dishes, party platters, and silverware can result in a stunning outdoor space that is never fully utilized. And as wood cabinetry generally doesn't perform as well outdoors, especially if the space is partially covered or uncovered, Danver's line of outdoor kitchen cabinets can provide the ultimate solution. Made of stainless steel and then powder coated for a paint or wood grain finish, these durable and attractive cabinet solutions will elevate your outdoor kitchen to luxury status. 

LIGHTING

Any outdoor gathering worth its salt is going to spill over into the evening hours, which means your space won't be complete without lighting. Task lighting is especially important in cooking/prep areas while ambient lighting will bring an element of drama and sophistication to entertainment and social areas. Bocci's surface mounted Sconce luminaire is part of their 14 series. The 4”-high-by-2”-deep cast-glass hemisphere generates a subtle glow which is enhanced by grouping multiple sconces into clusters along the wall or ceiling surface. 

See other great outdoor living furnishings in a collection of 7 must haves by Residential Architect. 

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Have an idea for an outdoor kitchen or living area of your own? Contact us to discuss your designs today.

Kitchen Renovation Inspiration | Key Residential

Blomberg 4-Door Refrigerator

Remodeling magazine recently debuted a new product designed for the kitchens of the future but available today. The Blomberg Appliances' Four-Door French Door refrigerator offers a two-door upper refrigerator as well as a lower two-door freezer unit that is divided into 6 drawer compartments. 

A few unique and high-tech features are the Flexi Zone compartment, that can be adjusted from -10 degrees (F) to 50 degrees (F) for flexibility in food/beverage storage, and the Blue Light technology, allowing fruits and veggies to continue the photosynthesis process during refrigeration for increased freshness and higher nutrient retention. 

If this fancy fridge sparks your interest like it did ours, perhaps it's time to consider a kitchen update. Check out our Houzz ideabook with kitchens of all sizes and styles for a little renovation inspiration. 

Click to see our full collection of  kitchens on Houzz.

If you found some ideas for a stunning and functional kitchen, contact us to discuss your project today!

Professional Remodeling Certifications | The ABCs

We've had a few posts lately referencing the CotY Awards and professional remodeling organization, NARI. And while Key Residential did not take home the gold at this year's National CotY Awards for our whole house renovation, we are proud to be NARI members and to have been included for consideration with such great remodelers and quality projects.  

A special congratulations to fellow DFW area remodelers, BRY JO Roofing and Remodeling and Traver Construction, for their nationally award winning projects!

So now that the fun part is over- goodbye Evening of Excellence, fancy dinners, glistening awards- what ever is a remodeler to do with the rest of his/her time? (Because we all know remodelers have LOADS of free time). Luckily NARI offers continuing education and a certification program that recognizes excellence within specific groups of professional remodelers. This is one reason why you can feel extremely confident in a NARI certified professional working on your home. 

Continuing education, code of ethics, certifications- these are all well and good, but when you're looking for a NARI certified professional, you may find yourself asking - "What do all those letters after a person's name actually MEAN?" Well ponder no further, check out the simplified list of acronyms, meanings and some of the requirements below**.

NARI- National Association of the Remodeling Industry (just in case you didn't know)

CLC- Certified Lead Carpenter- must have 5 yrs continuous experience in remodeling, 2 as lead carpenter with hands-on experience, job supervision, written exam, & more
CR- Certified Remodeler - must have 5 yrs continuous experience in remodeling, 16 hrs continuing education, written exam and other requirements
CRA- Certified Remodeler Associate- must have 5 yrs continuous support of the remodeling industry through professions such as architect, designer, manufacturer, etc., CE, examination, etc.
CRS- Certified Remodeler Specialist- similar to CR, but specializing in a specific area or trade in which they've established technical expertise (ex: masonry)
CKBR- Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler- must have experience, special training, and work almost exclusively in Kitchen and Bath renovations
CRPM- Certified Remodeling Project Manager- must have experience specific to overseeing every aspect of a project in the field, CE, and more
UDCP- Universal Design Certified Professional- must have experience & training in all aspects of Universal Design including client needs assessment, construction techniques, & project design
GCP- Certified Green Professional- must have 5 years continuous experience in remodeling and specific training in building science, indoor air quality, renewable energy, and more
MCR- Master Certified Remodeler - must maintain CR certification for 10 consecutive years, plus another NARI certification and many other requirements

** All contingent upon adhering to NARI's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

Contact NARI Certified Lead Carpenter, Kevin Key, to discuss your upcoming home renovation project. Call 972-755-3045 or email us today!

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About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry.  The Association, which represents member companies nationwide—comprised of 63,000 remodeling contractors— is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”™ To learn more about membership, visit www.NARI.org or contact national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Ill., at (847) 298-9200.