The National Kitchen & Bath Association reports the styles for 2010

The results are in from a recent survey of designers conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) to reveal the key design trends for 2010. The results of the NKBA 2010 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends Survey confirmed the continuation of a number of existing trends in the marketplace, but also uncovered others that indicate shifts in the direction that kitchen and bath style will take this year. Below are 2010’s seven kitchen trends and four bath trends.

KITCHENS

Traditional is the New Contemporary

Traditional will continue as the most popular kitchen design style in 2010, with contemporary following closely behind, while the Shaker style is seeing a surprisingly strong resurgence. Shades of whites and off-whites will be the most common kitchen colors in 2010, while brown, beige, and bone hues will also be popular.

Cherry on Top

Cherry will remain the most popular wood for kitchen cabinetry, followed closely by maple, while alder increases in use. As for the finishes placed on those cabinets, medium natural, dark natural, glazed, and white painted will all be common. Other colors of painted cabinetry and light natural finishes are in decline, however, as are distressed finishes.

Floored by Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile, as well as natural stone tile, remain popular kitchen flooring options, but hardwood will dominate the kitchen landscape more than ever in 2010. For countertops, granite continues to be the most popular option, but quartz will nearly catch up in popularity. For backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile and glass will serve as the primary materials

Flexible Faucets

Standard kitchen faucets will become less standard in 2010 in favor of more convenient models. Pull-out faucets continue to increase their market dominance, while pot filler faucets will also become more prevalent. Kitchen faucets will most often be finished in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel, and—surprisingly—polished chrome.

Undercounter Refrigeration

French door and freezer-bottom are the two most popular styles of refrigerators, and side-by-side refrigerators remain a popular option. A surprising trend is the extent to which undercounter refrigerator drawers are being used in the latest kitchen designs. Perhaps even more surprising is that undercounter wine refrigerators have been recently specified by half of kitchen designers.

A Range of Cooking Options

The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Gas will maintain its position as the most popular type of cooktop over electric, although induction cooking continues to gain in popularity due to its energy efficiency.

Dishwasher-in-a-Drawer

Standard dishwashers, with the traditional door that pulls from the top down, will once again be easily the most common type in 2010. However, an increasing number of dishwasher drawers will be installed in kitchens this year for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thereby saving water and electricity.

BATHROOMS

In With the Old, Out with the New

Traditional will be the most popular design style in bathrooms in 2010, as contemporary designs will be a distant second, followed by the Shaker style as an even more distant third. Beiges and bones will be the most common colors used in bathrooms, followed by whites and off-whites, and then by browns, indicating a somewhat subdued color palette this year.

Ceramic and Granite

Ceramic and porcelain tile will be the dominant flooring materials in bathrooms this year, while natural stone will continue to prove popular as well. Though increasingly popular in kitchens, hardwood flooring won’t become common in bathrooms in 2010. For vanity tops, granite will remain king, with quartz and marble also proving popular options.

Simple Fixtures

Perhaps more than ever, the most common color for fixtures will be white. Bisque and off-white will be the only other fixture colors at all common in new or remodeled bathroom. For sinks, simple undermount models will be most popular, followed by integrated sink tops, drop-in sinks, vessel sinks, and pedestal sinks.

A Nickel for Every Finish

Faucet finishes in the bathroom are similar to those used in current kitchen designs, with brushed nickel continuing to lead the way in 2010. Polished chrome and satin nickel will also be incorporated into many bathrooms, just as they had been throughout 2009. These faucet finishes will be followed by bronze and stainless steel.

For more information or to request high-resolution photos depicting each design trend, please contact NKBA Editorial Coordinator Annette Gray at agray@nkba.org.

Luxury Upgrades to Your Deck or Patio

Some say the deck or patio is just an extension of the house, so why not splurge a little bit and add some accessories? Some of these luxury items might not be absolute necessities, but they’ll certainly enhance the time you spend on the deck or patio.

Fire Pits. Nothing better than spending an evening on the deck or patio, next to a warm and toasty fire. There’s just something about a campfire that soothes us all. This item isn’t exactly the real deal but it’s a very safe alternative. The fire pit uses propane to ignite a simulated campfire, all at the press of a button.

Outdoor Kitchen. Okay, this makes good sense. You’ve got the barbeque in full swing but you keep making that trek back into the house because you forgot something from the kitchen. Meanwhile, the burgers are burning because you’re not watching the grill. This way you can prepare the meal, entertain guests, and tend to the barbeque all at once.

Portable Hammock. You can look for several different styles and brands that would work. Make sure it’s got a steel frame and easy assembly. You may also want to look for a 9 -10 ft. sun umbrella to keep you in the shade.

Outdoor Patio Heater. Put an extension on summer with an outdoor patio heater. Most models run on propane and will crank out 40,000 BTU’s per hour. Great item to have as summer turns into fall, these mobile heaters take the chill off a cool autumn night.

Patio Misting System. Perfect for those blazing hot days in summer. The system is perfect for pool side patios or around the outdoor bar. These misting systems can cool down the ambient air temperature to as low as 30 degrees -- great for a hot summer day.

Gazebo. This could be the main attraction beyond the patio or deck. With the right landscaping as a backdrop, the gazebo can integrate into a rose garden or serve as the central focus of the backyard.

Article courtesy of: http://www.calfinder.com/magazine/decks-patios/luxury-upgrades-deck-patio

Memorial Day BIG BLOWOUT SALE

Don't miss our BIG MEMORIAL DAY BLOWOUT!!

Friday, 5/28 from 8am-6pm and Saturday, 5/29 from 9am to 6pm

10 Home Decorating Ideas To Spice Up Any Room Over A Weekend!

Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you're looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, try these ten:

1. Rearrange The Furniture- Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. For example, a sofa arranged diagonally across a narrow living room will make the room look wider.

2. Paint A Wall- Paint one wall your favorite color and make it the focal point. Hang interesting art on that wall and move a nice piece of furniture there. (Note: Make sure that the color is one that is shared with several other objects and fabrics in the room.)

3. Bring In Plants- Greenery always adds a breath of fresh air to a room. If you don't have a green thumb, try silk plants and trees. The quality has become so good that it's hard to distinguish them from the real thing.

4. Lay An Area Rug- An area rug is a wonderful way of defining a conversation area. Try one that complements the room. Lay it at an angle beneath your coffee table.

5. Hang Pictures or Mirror- Hang pictures that reflect your personality. Try frames that are more ornate. When hanging a mirror, try and position it so that it reflects and nice view or an interesting architectural element.

6. Group Figurines- Pull out your favorite collectibles. Show off your personality. Find a display area and group related objects together, in sets of three or five. Try and vary the shapes.

7. Add Decorative Pillows- The good news about decorative pillows is that they are an easy way to add textures and patterns to a room. Still better, they can be changed to jazz up a sofa or chair before your room is ready for a major makeover.

8. Replace Lamps- Lamps are probably the one thing in your home that will give others a clue that your room is outdated. Seek out new and fresh lamps that make a statement.

9. Add A Throw Or Afghan- Similar to decorative pillows, throws and afghans add texture to your furniture. They come in all kinds of natural and man made fabrics. Find a pattern and style that you like.

10. Eliminate Clutter- Clutter has a way of eliminating the desired mood and effect of any room. Find storage spaces for papers, toys, and other items that take from the personality of a room.

Central Distributing At Central Distributing this weekend you can find paintings, artwork, sculptures, lighting, area rugs, table and floor lamps, tables and accessories to help transform your home over the weekend without hurting your wallet! Come on in and discover what we have just for you! 4250 West Shaw Avenue, Fresno CA 93722 559-276-1500 www.CentralDistributing.com

Michael Holland is the co-author of the book, Awaken Your Interior Designer. His web sites, http://www.home-decorating-made-easy.com/ and http://www.kids-rooms-and-crafts.com/ offer lots of home decorating tips and ideas.

Article courtesy of: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/decorations/weekend-decorating.shtml

Ceiling Fan Tips

Ceiling Fan Tips

Posted on: 05/07/2010 by Josie Lowry

As summer approaches many of us are trying to find ways to cool our living and work spaces effectively but affordably. Replacing an existing ceiling light with a ceiling fan could be the answer. Ceiling fans are extremely energy efficient, using less energy than a 100 watt light bulb, and they can reduce the demands on both our air conditioners and furnaces.

In the summer the air movement created by a fan can make a 79 degree room feel like it’s 72 degrees, and by raising the thermostat you could save up to 30% on your air conditioning bills. According to one energy company the average fan costs 1 cent an hour to operate in comparison to 16 cents for a room air conditioner. Since heat rises in the winter reverse the blades direction to push warm air down which can also help you save on your heating bill. In addition to their economic benefits ceiling fans can add style and design to any room. The design and finish’s they are currently available in are endless and can fit any décor.

Here is a list of tips to keep in mind when selecting a ceiling fan:

The pitch of the blade determines the amount of air that is moved, the greater the pitch the greater amount of air movement. Typically you want the blade pitch to fall between 12-15 degrees. A 14 degree blade pitch will move between 8,000 to 9,000 cubic feet of air per minute. The higher the blade pitch the higher the quality of the motor needs to be. If the motor is not sturdy enough to accommodate the blade pitch the life of the fan will be greatly reduced.

The blades of the fan should be anywhere between 7 to 10 feet above the floor. For projects with high ceilings purchase an additional down rod to accommodate the additional length needed. The chart below gives down rod length suggestions.

Ceiling Height 8' 9' 10' 11' 12' 13' 14' 15' 16'+

Rod Length 3" 6" 12" 18" 24" 36" 48" 60" 72"

Article courtesy of our friends at Bellacor