Southern California's Growing Businesses

Tag: remodel

  • Energy-Efficient and Eco-Friendly Kitchen Improvements

    Energy-Efficient and Eco-Friendly Kitchen Improvements

    Functionality and design may have always been top considerations for homeowners, but today, eco-friendliness and energy efficiency are becoming the top priorities.

    From the materials used in the build and design phase to the long-term sustainability and energy conservation of appliances, there are many ways to improve your kitchen to make it more environmentally friendly.

    Low-flow faucets

    Did you know that low-flow faucets can substantially lower your kitchen’s water usage? The best part is that you will hardly notice the difference. When buying faucets, look for “water-saving faucets” or those with an adjustable flow rate. Environmentally friendly models can significantly reduce water usage within your home.

    Smart kitchen appliances

    Not only do old appliances make your kitchen look outdated, but they also consume more energy. Upgrade your dishwasher and refrigerator to Energy Star certified models that will preserve electricity and water. Skylights, ventilation fans, kitchen hoods, and ceiling fans are a few other items you can add to your list of ideas for energy-efficient kitchen improvements.

    Kitchen Remodeling Contractors

    In some cases, changing appliances will require changing the structure of the space. This can be a great opportunity to change the floorplan in a way that opens up space and maximizes your interior square footage. The Best Kitchen Remodel requires the best contractors and designers, and Inspired Remodels has been known for just that. They are licensed remodeling contractors, based in Orange County, California, who showcase proof of their incredible renovations on their website. They offer full interior remodeling and custom carpentry, which is often necessary to change your kitchen into a more energy-efficient or eco-friendly configuration. 

    LED lighting

    There are a few different levels of energy efficiency in home and kitchen designs. One tiny step that homeowners can take towards a greener home is replacing their light bulbs. Make the change today and replace your bulbs with energy-efficient lighting that uses Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lights that can also last longer. Due to the popularity of LED technology, regular light bulbs are in the process of being phased out and likely won’t be available on store shelves in the near future. They also work better for accent lighting, which looks stunning, instead of general or ambient lighting. For a more modern look, consider track lighting on the ceiling or under your kitchen cabinets. If you have any specialized cabinetry in your kitchen, these types of lights can really accentuate the architecture and design.  

    Modern furniture in spacious minimalist kitchen
    Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

    Potted plants

    Potted plants are nature’s gift to homeowners, especially for those days or seasons when we can’t go outside to enjoy nature. As working from home grows more popular than ever before, many employees are finding themselves working from the kitchen table or kitchen counter. The time homeowners can now save without having to commute to work offers a bit of extra time to plan and execute renovation plans. Houseplants can completely transform and refresh any space. If you aren’t an experienced plant owner, be sure to thoroughly research the care requirements for the plants you intend to give a home to. Each plant requires a different amount of water, nutrients, sunlight, and soil. 

  • From Rags To Riches

    From Rags To Riches

    Have you ever seen a shack so beaten down it looks like God himself dropped an anvil on it?

    Secondary question: Have you ever seen that shack turned into a cottage so freaking charming it would give Fixer Upper a run for its money?

    Well I have. And let me tell you, it was one of the most incredible things I’ve witnessed in my entire life.

    Contractor Jim Teller works for an amazing remodelling company. Jim has an incredibly high reputation for bathroom and kitchen renovation throughout the greater Orange County Area. And let me tell you, this reputation is well-earned.

    I had the pleasure of interviewing Jim as his team put the finishing touches on his newest project in Laguna Beach. The project was an utter masterpiece, and it looked nothing like the original photographs.

    “This is the original building. These were taken around four months ago,” he mentioned off-handedly, handing me the pictures while surveying his builders. Calling it a “structure” was flattering to say the least; the flooring was so decrepit you could barely find one square foot of uncracked linoleum. The wallpaper was peeling on all edges, not to mention covered in stripes and roses (ahh, the 70s).

    So “makeover” could not do justice to the piece of art before me. Similar in size and overall structure, Jim had taken the frame of monstrosity and transformed it into pure beachside beauty. The old tile was replaced by vinyl beechwood, blending well with the neutral tones of the cabinetry. Sleek white paint replaced the zig-zag garden wallpaper that had previously terrorized the area, calming the overall feel of the entire kitchen space.

    The bathroom remodel almost outdid the kitchen’s, for he almost tripled its previous size. The dark granite of the countertop complemented the modern-style sink basin, giving a clean look to the vanity area. The shower was made of the same dark granite, walled with glass in place of a curtain rod.

    The most impressive part, in my opinion, was how he managed to get so much light into a room plated with dark, sun-absorbing colors. A short, wide window stretched from one side of the bathroom to the other, high enough to provide both privacy and openness to the space. Instead of a loud fan mechanism, Jim installed a rod to the window so you can easily adjust how much steam escapes the room. The color of the walls matched the light feeling of the kitchen, allowing any unabsorbed light to properly illuminate every corner of the bathroom.

    Although the master bedroom, living room, and entryway also brought tears to my eyes, I can never get enough of a good kitchen and/or bathroom remodel. It’s not easy to bring so many aspects of a room together to form a cohesive theme, especially from room to room. But this is why any sort of house flipping or renovating requires just as much book knowledge as left brain creativity. And given his latest work, I can confidently say that Jim Teller is one of the best artistic rennovators of his time.

    If you’d like to find out about work like Jim’s check out:

    Inspired Remodels, Inc.

    Lake Forest, CA

    (949) 716-1938