The months of October, November, and December are special as they feature a bevy of holidays. October is the spookiest month of the year as people attend Halloween parties and watch monster movies all month long. December features the joy of goodwill towards men with Christmas, which is followed a week later by the ringing in of a new year. Sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas is the holiday that is near and dear to most Americans’ hearts – and their stomachs – Thanksgiving.

Last year, an estimated 54.3 million Americans hit the road over Thanksgiving weekend to be with friends and family. Every year, a staggering 46 million turkeys are processed to feed the hungry mouths of those celebrating the holiday. (1) An interesting fact about turkeys is that they have grown larger over the years while the price per pound has dropped. As compared to turkeys in 1915, the turkey of today has more than doubled in size while the price per pound has plummeted from $7 per pound down to under $2. (2) Overall, the average cost to fix a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people is $48.91. (3)

All About Bathrooms and More loves Thanksgiving as it features the heart of the home, the kitchen. Our design experts have undertaken many kitchen remodeling projects that included the installation of the latest and best ovens that are essential to fixing holiday feasts. Therefore, we offer some interesting oven options to cook the Thanksgiving turkey.

Of course, we recommend that everyone follow the proper safety precautions to help combat the spread of COVID-19. Remember to exercise the proper amount of social distancing and to wear masks. A household can sit together with no problem, but it is recommended that people from other households stay 6′ feet away from others. This means that homeowners will likely have to set up several tables for the holiday feast. Hosting the meal is best done outside, but if this is not feasible, then make sure the indoor space is well-ventilated.

One oven type that the design experts at All About Bathrooms and More love is the double door oven. This type of oven features two ovens in a single range, with one oven being larger than the other one. A good double oven is the GE Slide-In Double Oven Electric Range with Steam Cleaning Oven in Stainless Steel. This oven features a fast preheat option, glass touch controls, and a 6.6 cubit feet double oven that lets you cook a turkey in the larger oven while cooking other dishes in the smaller oven. (4) This oven is also a convection oven. A normal oven uses a single heating source while a convection oven adds a fan and exhaust system, which circulates the heat and cooks the dish from all sides. The result is that food is cooked more quickly and evenly. Being able to cook multiple dishes at different heats more quickly sounds like a blessing for the holidays.

Many of the ovens being made today take full advantage of the latest technology. All About Bathrooms and More loves ovens that allow you to get cooking just by using an app on your smart device. One such oven is the Samsung 6.0 Cu. Ft Front Control Slide-In Gas Range with Smart Dial. This oven features a large 6.0 cubit feet convection oven that can easily handle the largest turkey you can cram into it. (5) You can adjust the temperature and cook time of your oven through an app on your Android or iOS device. Even better is that you can just use your voice to control the oven via your favorite voice assistant, such as Alexa, Bixby, or Siri. Probably the best feature of this oven is the built-in temperature probe. There’s no longer the need to open the oven, pull out the bird, and stick in a meat thermometer to find out if it is fully cooked. Now you can actually check the internal temperature of the turkey, ham, or roast by just checking the app on your Android or iOS device.

An oven type that all of us at All About Bathrooms and More are really crazy about is the steam oven. Thermador makes a line of steam ovens that are truly magnificent. These convection ovens use steam to provide heat without having to sacrifice moisture or flavor. These ovens use a 1.4 quart water tank that is filled and inserted into the oven prior to use. Steam allows food to be cooked at lower temperatures as the steam carries latent energy that is released when it contacts the food. The power of convection design with steam results in a 14 pound turkey to be cooked in only 90 minutes. (6) Thermador produces a line of single and double door ovens that allow you to cook your dish any way you wish: broil, steam, true convection, or steam and convection. The Home Connect app allows you to control your Thermador oven with remote and voice control. The app also features a child lock if you wish to make sure your young children cannot turn on the oven themselves.

Cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving is a lot easier than it used to be when using a modern oven. You can wake up in the morning, grab your smartphone, and have the oven preheat as you get showered and dressed. Many oven models feature internal cameras and/or a built-in temperature probe, which allows you to check the progress of the turkey from anywhere in the house or from the car if you’re making an extra supply run. These modern ovens allow you to no longer be tied to the oven all day as the turkey cooks. Instead, you can mingle and have fun with your family and friends while occasionally using your smart device to check on the cooking process.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact All About Bathrooms and More today.

References:

1) https://www.wqad.com/article/life/want-to-impress-your-family-at-the-thanksgiving-table-heres-some-facts-and-stats-about-the-holiday/526-c7a4285a-5cf8-4ff7-a1e3-0db288211cc7

2) https://www.izenda.com/thanksgiving-facts-statistics/

3) https://www.statista.com/statistics/208104/average-price-of-a-thanksgiving-dinner/

4) https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-6-6-cu-ft-Slide-In-Double-Oven-Electric-Range-with-Steam-Cleaning-Oven-in-Stainless-Steel-JSS86SPSS/313241172

5) https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-6-0-cu-ft-front-control-slide-in-gas-range-with-smart-dial-air-fry-wi-fi-fingerprint-resistant-stainless-steel/6411911.p?skuId=6411911

6) https://www.thermador.com/us/products/ovens/steam-ovens

For many people, the kitchen represents the heart of the home. It is where parents or grandparents teach young children how to cook, where the events of the day are discussed while washing and putting away the dishes, and where families congregate as the eternal question of what’s for dinner is always brought up. A growing mainstay in the modern kitchen is the island, that glorified freestanding cabinet that New York apartment owners with their tiny, cramped kitchens look on with envy. The design experts at All About Bathrooms and More have some suggestions on how to build the perfect kitchen island.

The island has gathered considerable interest from homeowners doing kitchen remodeling projects. A recent study found that roughly 50% of homeowners are adding an island or upgrading their existing one when remodeling their kitchen. 52% of kitchen islands house appliances, such as a microwave, and 98% of all kitchen islands feature storage. The modern island is pretty big as well. 39% of kitchen islands measure six to seven feet, while a third are larger than seven feet. (1)

So, what makes the perfect kitchen island? The answer is entirely up to you. All About Bathrooms and More can show you a huge array of options to make your island a true centerpiece of your home. One design idea is to install an electrical outlet with a USB charger. People today always need to charge up their devices, be it their phone, tablet, or laptop. Children can do their homework while sitting at the island and have the ability to look things up online if need be, all while under the watchful eye of a parent or sitter. Of course, there are quite a few different types of outlets/chargers to choose from. One popular style is a pop-up charger, such as the Lew Electric PUR20-S-USB. This power outlet remains hidden under the surface of the island when not in use and popped up when needed. It features two power outlets and two USB ports. The outlet is IP54 spill proof rated when closed and ½ gallon spill rated when open. (2)

Stools are the norm when it comes to sitting at an island, but they can get in the way. An innovative idea is to install swing out seats. When not in use, these seats can be pushed back, laying flat against the island and not cluttering up the space. 1stDibs has an impressive line of cast iron swing out seats. The seat itself is wood, upgradeable to mahogany, while the support structure is premium ductile iron. (3) Of course, All About Bathrooms and More will ensure that the island has the internal integrity needed to support people using such seats.

Many homeowners like to use their kitchen island for cooking as it allows them to more easily converse with friends and family, as well as keeping an eye on wayward children or watching the TV. There are quite a few options when it comes to a cooktop for the island, such as gas, electric, and induction. Of course, having a cooktop means proper venting needs to be installed as well. Other cooking appliances, such as stove or microwave, can be installed in the island if desired. If needed, a sink can be installed in the kitchen island as well. A great design feature that All About Bathrooms and More recommends is to have a raised eating counter if you use the island for cooking. The eating counter can be anywhere from six to twelve inches higher than the cooking area of the island, thus protecting the diners from cooking hassles like steam or open flames.

Choosing the proper lighting fixtures for your kitchen island is important. All About Bathrooms can show you the almost dizzying amount of options available. There are a good number of styles, such as pendant lights, track lights, recessed lights, and chandeliers, and each style has a multitude of options to choose from. Looking at pendant lights for example, the Poleis 5-Light Brushed Nickle Pendant is a row of five lights that are affixed to a single fixture. (4) By comparison, the Barnyard II 1-Light Bronze Indoor Ceiling Warehouse Barn Light Pendant is just a single light affixed to a lighting fixture. (5) The good news is that there is a lighting fixture system that will fit the style you’re looking for.

All in all, All About Bathrooms and More understands it is up to the homeowner to decide what is the perfect kitchen island for them. A family with school-age children will be happy with an island that features a lot of storage space, an area to sit down and do schoolwork, and has an electrical outlet/USB charger to keep all the devices up and running. A true foodie will probably opt for an island designed to help them prep and cook their gourmet meals, such as a lower counter area for kneading dough, a sink to wash off vegetables and fruit, and a state-of-the-art cooktop. The best thing about a kitchen island is that each one can be unique to its homeowner’s needs.

If you have any questions about creating your own perfect kitchen island, give us a call today.

References:

1) http://st.hzcdn.com/static/econ/KitchenTrendsHouzz2020Final.pdf

2) https://www.kitchenpowerpopups.com/products/lew-electric-round-pop-up-usb

3) https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/stools/cast-iron-wood-swing-out-seat/id-f_5025063/

A homeowner faces a lot of options when it comes to a bathroom remodeling project. What amenities can they install or upgrade, depending upon the space available and the budget? What is the overall goal of the remodeling project itself? Is it to just modernize the fixtures? Is it to make the bathroom a friendlier place for those with special needs? In many instances, homeowners are looking to up the luxury factor as they spend so much time in the bathroom and are looking to make it an oasis of peace where they can relax and cast off the worries of the outside world for a time. All About Bathrooms and More has helped many people achieve this goal, and one proven method is installing a sauna or steam shower in the bathroom.

There is a good reason why saunas and steam showers are becoming more popular as a bathroom component – health. There are proven health benefits for using such facilities on a regular basis. Harvard Medical School reports a study that followed Finnish men for 20 years. The study found that regular visits to the sauna kept the heart healthy and resulted in a lower death rate. Over the course of 20 years, 49% of the men who went once a week to the sauna died in comparison to just 38% for men who went two to three times a week. For men who went four to seven times per week, their date rate was only 31%. (1)

The Mayo Clinic also reports the health benefits of saunas. It notes using a sauna reduces stress and produces the same physiological responses as moderate exercise. In addition, sauna bathing reduces the risk of vascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary diseases, such as the flu, as well as providing beneficial treatment for headaches, certain skin conditions, and rheumatism. (2) All in all, a sauna is relaxing but also provides a lot of health benefits, as long as the sauna is used for the appropriate period of time.

All About Bathrooms and More recognizes that one of the benefits of a sauna when it comes to a bathroom remodeling project is that they don’t need much room. Take, for example, the Clearlight Sanctuary 1 model. Its exterior dimensions are only 48” in depth, 43” in width, and a height of 77”. (3) Like many modern saunas, the Clearlight Sanctuary 1 comes with a host of features. It offers digital controls, optional medical grade chromotherapy lighting, full spectrum infrared heating technology, a built-in charging and audio station, optional smartphone control, and a reservation mode where one can set the sauna to turn on up to 36 hours in advance – which is perfect when you know when you’re coming in from a cold day skiing on the slopes.

There are options when it comes to saunas for your bathroom remodeling project. Saunas can be purchased as a whole unit or built on-site. Wood is the chosen component as it does not absorb the heat, unlike tile, allowing the homeowner to relax in comfort. White cedar, pine, hemlock, and eucalyptus are popular wood choices. There are different ways to heat the sauna up to the desired range between 150º and 190º: infrared heat, gas, electric, or the traditional stone-and-coal heater. Price and space availability does play a role in choosing the heat source, such as infrared heat is the most expensive. All About Bathrooms and More can show you the many options available to create the sauna that is absolutely perfect for you. Placing a sauna next to the shower is a popular choice as it allows the homeowner to quickly cool off in the shower after using the sauna.

Another option for luxurious relaxation is a steam shower. Steam showers offer the same health benefits as saunas, and a normal shower can be adapted into a steam shower. An additional benefit of a steam shower is that it takes less time to generate heat than a sauna. Steam is generated from a steam generator that usually holds a gallon of water, which is then piped into the shower enclosure. The water expenditure is minimal. Many steam generators can produce steam for 20 minutes by just using 2 gallons of water. This water use is far less than using a water-saving showerhead. Such little water use means you can relax for as long as you wish with a guilt-free conscience. The design experts at All About Bathrooms and More can show you the different steam generators that will be just right for your needs as the size of the shower enclosure and structural components (tile or stone) will have to be taken into consideration.

Installing a sauna or steam shower is the right choice when you’re looking to transform your bathroom into a peaceful retreat from the demands of a harsh world. There are numerous options available to fit all budget levels, and the health benefits have long been proven. Even better is that installing a steam shower or sauna enhances the value of your home. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us today.

References:

1) https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/sauna-use-linked-longer-life-fewer-fatal-heart-problems-201502257755

2) https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(18)30275-1/fulltext#sec8

3) https://infraredsauna.com/sanctuary-1-1-person-cedar-full-spectrum-sauna/

In the past, there were far fewer options available when a homeowner wanted a kitchen remodeling project done. The choices to be made were usually a tile color, whether to have stainless steel appliances, the make and color of the cabinets, and whether to go with electric or gas-powered appliances. The last few decades have seen an explosion of choices in all areas of the kitchen, and quite a few luxury items can now be had if the homeowner is willing to pony up the money. For those with a fat bank account and a desire to make a statement, All About Bathrooms and More offers up a few high-end kitchen items you’ll definitely covet for your kitchen.

The central piece in any kitchen is the refrigerator. One refrigerator that stakes a credible claim to the peak of refrigerator luxury and technology is the La Cambusa from Italian manufacturer Meneghini. This piece of art costs nearly $41,000 and comes in a wooden frame that can be painted in over 500 different colors. The La Cambusa is fully customizable and comes with a freezer, coffee maker area, steam oven, ice maker, multi-function oven, and a dry storage pantry. The three-door option contains a staggering 26.6 cubic feet of storage space, as well as weighing 1,100 pounds. (1) Popular options include brass handles, glass shelving, flat screen TV sets, and the Miele coffee system, which is about $3,000 in of itself.

Who doesn’t love pizza? The kitchen remodeling experts at All About Bathrooms and More can suggest an option better than slapping a frozen pizza on a cooking pan and sliding it into the oven. The ultimate pizza luxury for a homeowner is having their own wood-burning pizza oven. One such option is the Prima 120 from Mugnaini, which boasts an impressive full 48” cooking surface. The Prima 120 is a commercial-grade oven that offers extra thermal mass due to the oven’s thicker dome and floor. There are plenty of design options available, which can boost the cost from its basic $9,950 price to $16,000. (2) The Prima 120 can be used for more than just pizzas as it is ideal for baking bread as well.

Wine lovers will enjoy the Discovery WineStation from Dacor. Coming in at a cool $5,299, the Discovery WineStation features automated pouring from four different wine bottles. The entire system is temperature controlled, and its argon gas preservation system will keep wine fresh for 60 days with no loss in taste or aroma. The homeowner can, with just a touch, have the system pour the perfect amount of wine, either a full glass (6 ounces), a half glass (3 ounces), or just a taste (1 ounce). (3) This item is something that most of us at All About Bathrooms and More would love in our own kitchen.

A high-end cooking range that will make foodies drool is the BlueStar 48” Platinum Series Gas Range. Handcrafted in Pennsylvania, this gas range features eight 25,000 BTU burners (with an interchangeable griddle/charbroiler), integrated wok cooking, 1850° infrared boiler, European convection oven that can fit an 18” x 26” baking sheet, and a gentle 130° simmer burner. Customization options include color (over 1,000 available), burner configuration, trim, knob colors, and backguards. The base model starts at $12,695. (4)

Of course, All About Bathrooms and More understands that not every kitchen item needs to break the bank to be great. One example is the Lita 2-Handle Pot Filler Faucet, which retails for $633. (5) This faucet can be installed above your cooking range. This setup allows you to fill pots with ease and get rid of the hassle of filling up pots in your sink and carrying them to your stove, making it perfect for those with disabilities. The high arch spout gives you the extra reach and clearance you may need when cooking. The faucet features 1-hole installation and conforms to the “lead-free” plumbing requirements in the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act.

Overall, there are lots of other luxurious, high-end options available for your kitchen remodeling project. If you have any questions or thoughts on sprucing up your kitchen, give us a call today.

References:
1) https://www.businessinsider.com/41000-fridge-does-it-all-2012-10
2) https://www.mugnaini.com/product/prima-120/
3) https://www.dacor.com/our-products/refrigeration/discovery-winestation.aspx
4) https://www.bluestarcooking.com/cooking/ranges/48-platinum-series-range/
5) https://www.pfisterfaucets.com/kitchen/product/lita-gt533-pf-2-handle-pot-filler-faucet?modelNumber=GT533-PFC

In this day and age, the homeowner has a lot of options available to them when it comes to the design and decoration of their bathroom. No longer does the abode of the commode have to be shackled to the hospital-like sterile conformity of the white bathtub, white tiles, and white walls. A wide array of colors, furnishings, and decorative features provide an almost dizzying amount of choices. The idea of bringing the summer season into the bathroom is a popular choice with quite a few homeowners, and the design experts at All About Bathrooms and More have some suggestions on how to upgrade your bathroom to reflect the joys of summer (and without getting sunburned).

The summer season immediately brings a few things to mind, such as the family vacation, the beach, and pools. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 100 million Americans plan on taking the family on vacation this year. (1) One popular destination for such trips is a water park. There are over 1,000 water parks in the United States, with the top two destinations in 2018 being Typhoon Lagoon, with 2.27 million visitors, and Blizzard Beach, with 2 million visitors, both located at Walt Disney World. (2) Going to the beach is incredibly popular with most people, especially during the summer. 2018 saw an astounding total beach attendance of 340,754,691 visits. (3)

The popularity of beaches and water is a great theme to bring summer into the bathroom. One way to reflect the nautical nature of the season is to use blue and white as a paint scheme. This color palette can be light and airy, helping bring thoughts of the sea into the bathroom. All About Bathrooms and More can help select the perfect shades and composition to make this wish a reality. This scheme can be enhanced by placing some small pieces of art on the wall depicting ships and other facets of sailing life.

Another option in bringing summer into the bathroom is through the use of decorative tiles. There are tons of choices available to bring the beach and the ocean into your home. All About Bathrooms and More can show you tiles that feature sea turtles, crabs, dolphins, seashells, ocean waves, seahorses, fish, ocean colors, and even ship-themed tiles like a ship’s wheel or the classic anchor design done in white and blue. You can also create the visual of a beach by using floor tiles by choosing sand-colored tiles that give way to ocean-colored floor tiles. Another summer-themed idea for the bathroom is having a custom countertop made composed of a frame filled with seashells that are covered with clear resin.

Water is an essential part of summer, be it from rain, the beach, the pool, or playing in the sprinkler with the kids. You can bring the feel of a summer rain or the joy of sitting under a waterfall into your bathroom by upgrading your shower. All About Bathrooms and More can suggest quite a few waterfall or rain-themed shower heads that will greatly enhance your bathing experience. We can install showers with seating arrangements so you can just sit and relax the soothing feel of a gentle summer rain in the comfort of your own bathroom.

Letting in more light is another way to bring summer into your bathroom. Blazing sunlight is a hallmark of the season, and we can provide remodeling ideas to increase the size of your bathroom windows or add more windows. We can provide remodeling suggestions that will increase the amount of light pouring into your bathroom while still providing measures to ensure your privacy.

Finally, there are some decorating choices you can make to bringing the summer season into your bathroom. You can place towels with beach, ship, or other nautical designs in your bathroom. You can hang pictures of your favorite vacation spots, past trips to the beach or a theme park, or seasonal activities like boating or camping. Another small touch is placing a basket of seashells or decorative beach-themed soaps on the sink.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways you can bring summer into your bathroom to brighten and open it up. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call today.

References:
1) https://www.condorferries.co.uk/family-travel-statistics#:~:text=TOP%20FAMILY%20TRAVEL%20STATISTICS%3A,take%20a%20vacation%20this%20year.
2) https://www.statista.com/statistics/194352/attendance-figures-of-waterparks-in-the-us-since-2010/
3) http://arc.usla.org/Statistics/current.asp?Statistics=Current