News & Updates

If you are getting ready to remodel your kitchen, you undoubtedly have a massive list of items, colors, features, and fixtures you need to choose. From the backsplash to the window treatments, you want to get it right so you can enjoy it for years to come.

It’s those little details that make the biggest impact, and texture is one of them. Texture provides balance, adds dimension, and injects visual interest. It can be a significant element – especially if you’ve opted for a monotonal white, cream, or grey kitchen.

Keep It Interesting

Too much of anything is just too much. If your cabinets and your countertops are glossy, you want to add some texture to lift the overall design a little. Texture draws the eye, whereas sameness blends into itself. You wouldn’t want your beautiful selections to fade into the background, would you?

How To Add Texture In The Kitchen

There are two ways to approach adding texture. First, there is tactile texture – the kind of texture you can feel when you touch an object.

Then, there is implied texture, which is something that is interpreted in a visual sense. For example, if you were to do a tile pattern that created an optical illusion of some sort – that would be implied texture.

Both approaches can be very striking in their own way, but it really depends on what kind of look you’re going for. Rougher textures lend a more rustic look while finer textures suggest elegance and formality.

Whichever way you lean, there are lots of simple ways to add texture. Here are a few of our favorites:

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers are great as accents. You might think about adding natural fiber grass-cloth shades to your over-island pendants or choosing fiber seats for your island stools.

Wood, bamboo, and cork fall into this category as well. Choose a type of wood with an attractive grain pattern. Cork and bamboo have unique grains as well. They can be used as flooring, for your cabinets, on lampshades, or an accent wall to soften the overall look.

Mix And Match

There are no rules that say you have to extend a certain material throughout your entire kitchen. For example, you could do your island cabinet in a wood grain but top it with a glossy quartz countertop. Or, you could choose a glossy enamel for the island cabinet and top it with a butcher block.

Glass, brick, and metal can be mixed and matched as well. If you have brick walls in your kitchen, think about keeping one wall exposed to gain that texture. It will make the glass subway tiles on the backsplash pop all the more.

Backsplash Options

Playing with your backsplash design is another way you can add texture to your kitchen. Tile can be accented with natural stone or stainless steel, or you might choose a contrasting grout color that gives it a three-dimensional look.

Even if you prefer a single color for the backsplash, you could have some fun with the tile pattern itself. Herringbone is very on-trend at the moment, as is stacked tile designs.

Keep in mind, however, if you choose to make your backsplash a little more interesting, you should probably go with a muted countertop. This will ensure that the two elements don’t compete for attention.

Accent Walls

Adding texture to a single wall in the kitchen is another way to go. This allows you to have some fun as there are so many possibilities. You could explore a completely different type of tile, such as soapstone or cement. Beadboard or shiplap is another option, as they add surface texture.

Fixtures And Hardware

Some of the smallest details can make the biggest impact. Your choice of lighting fixtures, drawer pulls, and even the kitchen sink are other ways to add texture. These items generally come in a wide range of finishes from matte to a high sheen. Think about crystal pendants in varying sizes and shapes, or a matte-finish quartz sink in a darker, contrasting color.

Recessed Or Raised Cabinets

Your cabinet doors themselves can provide texture, even if they are a single color or grain. By choosing a raised or recessed style, you highlight the contours of the cabinet details, giving it a more textured look. Adding crown moldings to the tops of your cabinets are another way to obtain this result.

These are just a few of the ways we add texture in the kitchen, but it really depends on your personal style and what you love. If you would like to learn more, reach out today, and let’s start the conversation.

The Master Bedroom Suite is a private oasis, your retreat at the end of the day.  The Master Bathroom is an extension of that room. Expanding the master bathroom is a great idea, especially if you’re looking to add a  little bit of luxury Are you dreaming of creating your very own spa?  Is a soaker tub calling your name? Or maybe, it’s a shower for two with high tech multi jets?  Whatever your dream, Cottage Industries is on the pulse of what’s trending in the world today. 

Splish Splash

So where do you begin in your master bath?

First, let’s look at size. Do you need something larger, more storage, more elbow room with a sink for two?  In that case, maybe we can borrow space from a closet or a hallway nook. Re-creating an existing area is certainly easier on the wallet.  Perhaps though, all you need to do is re-imagine the floor plan and update your features.

Master Bathrooms have become the luxurious eye candy of the homeowner.  Coffee stations, wine coolers and T.V.’s are becoming a common feature sought after by many folks today. The need for speed in this multi-tasking world begins as you do, in your master bath.  So whether it’s coffee ready as you finish your morning shower or wine at night as you soak in your tub, your Master Bathroom awaits your vision. Whatever you’re seeking, it begins here at Cottage Industries. 

Finishing Touches

Think about your needs, wants, and comforts.  Include fixtures, lighting, surfaces, and flooring.  If natural light is in your vision, then more windows are a must.  (No sunglasses required!) Maybe repurpose a vintage bureau for your vanity.  Open shelving for towels is a sleek modern approach while radiant heat adds warmth for your frosty toes.  Luxury and efficiency are no longer an either/or. Now you can have it all – it’s the Cottage way!

Are you preparing to remodel your master bathroom? We’d love to show you how we can help! Reach out today to start the conversation.

If you are getting ready for a remodel on your Main Line home, you probably have lots of questions.

At Cottage Industries, we like to make the process as easy, stress-free, and problem free as possible. We work closely with you right from the start to ensure all your concerns are addressed before the construction begins.

Budget, Budget, Budget

One of the most important issues for anybody considering a renovation project is knowing what your budget is prior to your first design meeting.  This does not mean you need to know what the construction will cost, but rather where your comfort level is regarding how much you would like to spend.  By prioritizing your wish list, we can guide you through the design process in a way that will maximize effect.

Here are three of the most common questions we hear from our homeowner clients:

Are the numbers in a written proposal going to change?

Our proposals are highly detailed and itemized so that it’s easy to understand what all the costs are.  The price will only change if you choose to change the scope of the work.

Is there a time limit to review and make changes?

Absolutely not – you will have all the time you need during the design phase prior to the start of construction. Once construction begins, however, the timing of changes becomes more critical.

If changes need to be made, how will that affect the price?

Once your project has begun, a design change or a material change does have a direct impact on the price. In that case, a detailed written estimate would be provided to you for your approval before any of the work takes place.

A Word On Value Engineering

What is value engineering? Value Engineering is unique to our design/build company. It’s a method we use throughout the design phase, to keep the construction costs in line with your budget.  Basically, it’s a cost analysis from the viewpoint of the construction team, whereby you, the customer, can reflect on the design choices versus the construction costs.

Wrapping It Up

The best kind of customer is an informed homeowner. Confidence and trust in your contractor equal a successful remodel.  You need to know that your voice is not only heard but valued. Time is money, your money, so don’t assume – ask questions!

Are you getting ready to remodel your Main Line home? Reach out today and schedule a conversation. We’d love to talk to you about how we can help.