Designer Answers Archives - Eheart Interior Solutions

January 3, 2022September 11, 2023

How to design a bathroom remodel—and when to start.

Ensure the success of your bathroom renovation by working with an Eheart professional.

One of the best ways to maximize enjoying your space and increasing your home’s value at the same time is a bathroom remodel. A good remodel will fix any damage, wear and tear, save you space, increase your home’s value and usher this well-used room into the current decade.

Most people remodel their bathroom every 10-15 years. A good indicator it’s time for an update is when the bathroom is showing signs of damage like grout failing, mold/water issues, or a plumbing issue. That said, you don’t need damage to want a new look—with styles ever changing, we totally understand the desire for a cosmetic facelift.

Regardless of your reasons, our designers can help make your dream remodel a reality.

The best way to start is to reach out to Eheart Interior Solutions for a complimentary in-store consultation to discuss your project wish list and build a budget with one of our expert designers.

We will then set up a time to come to your home to take measurements and begin putting together a quote for your project, with a few different budgetary options for you to pick and choose from.

It’s wonderful to have a beautiful bathroom, but often the things that make up a quality remodel are behind the walls. Using excellent quality waterproofing systems and underlayments beneath your installed surfaces is a great way to preserve the life of your project for many years. Our designers will help you think through things like towel placement, storage, and safety features (such as grab bars). You may also want to include some luxuries, like a heated tile underlayment or bidet toilet seat—treat yourself!

From there, you’ll meet with your designer again to review the design and pricing in our showroom, and set up follow-up appointments as needed to refine the details. Once the details are solidified, orders are placed and the work will begin. Your designer and project manager will be with you every step of the way, coordinating design to installation and beyond.

Working with a design professional streamlines the process of having your bathroom remodeled, so you can focus on the fun parts and leave the heavy lifting to us.

Contact us today to set up your free consultation.

September 20, 2018

Home Remodel Return on Investment Guide

We love a good remodel. Not only does it spruce up your home and update the interior to your liking, it can also add tremendous value. In general, modest bathroom and kitchen remodels see an 80% return on investment. Follow these four tips to protect your remodel return on investment (ROI).

Tip #1: Keep it modest – Follow the 20% rule

Start your remodel planning process by getting a realistic understanding of your home’s value. You can figure this out by comparing sale prices of similar houses in your neighborhood, getting an appraisal, or using a site like Zillow. Once you know your home’s value, apply the 20% rule – spend no more than 20% of your home’s value on a bathroom or kitchen remodel. If you spend over 20%, you’re likely overdoing it and will see a diminished return on your financial investment.

Tip #2: Upgrade with future buyers in mind

When remodeling with a goal of ROI, a project budget should reflect a future buyer’s priorities and not just your own. For example, you might think that your cabinets are good quality and in good condition, but if they are made with a dated wood species, finish, or door style, no matter how many thousands of dollars you put into new countertops and backsplash, you’ll still end up with dated cabinets that aren’t relevant to most buyers. In fact, in some cases, it may make sense to spend less on the countertops and backsplash and prioritize an affordable cabinet replacement.

Tip #3: Design complete – The wow factor

What does design complete mean? Basically, you want visitors to enter your home after a remodel and say, “Wow! Did you just remodel?” If you are missing the “Wow factor,” home buyers will not assign value to what you consider a charming remodel. The key to achieving the “Wow factor” is having the discipline to focus on only the kitchen or the bathroom and allocate a realistic budget. A design complete remodel should fully transform the space. When you try to do too many things, it often comes out looking like the space was updated but not remodeled.

Tip #4: Is it sellable?

Ask yourself the question, “Is this remodel “sellable?” Would a potential buyer happily pay 80% of the remodel cost on top of the normal home price? The goal of the remodel is to create undeniable design improvements with mass appeal, now and in the future. Making remodel choices that are “sellable” can be difficult. Let your designer be your guide to the best, personalized remodel path. At Eheart, our designers provide several remodel paths for your style that all map to financial success.

May 14, 2012

Designer Answers: Carpet

This lovely lady grew up around flooring. She understands both the technical (here’s looking at you, analyticals) and the design sides of carpet, and she values equipping our clients with the information they need to make smart, beautiful selections. Behold, Missy Eheart’s knowledge:

Q: What are the fundamental characteristics of carpet that consumers should be educated on?
Missy: When it comes to carpet, there are four things I would consider:
• The fiber
• The density
• The twist
• The cushion

Q: Can you tell us more about each characteristic?
Missy: Different fibers have different features and benefits:
Nylon is very durable and stain resistant. Nylon performs very well in residential, high traffic areas.

•Stainmaster’s fiber is called 66Nylon. 66Nylon has a tighter molecular structure than “regular” nylon. What does that mean to you? Well, stains have a harder time infiltrating through your 66Nylon carpet. Because of its technology, Stainmaster has some of the best warranties in the industry.

Polyester often has vibrant colors and a soft feel. It can also be made from recycled plastics. It is a good value for normal amount of traffic.

Olefin has good stain and moisture resistance. It tends to be very durable in a loop construction. Outside of loop construction, and when considering wearability, you may want to look at Nylon or Polyester.

Density:
Density refers to both the amount, and how tightly packed together the fibers are within the carpet. The closer together the fibers are placed, the denser the carpet will be, and the better it will wear and perform.

Twist:
Twist refers to how tightly the fiber (carpet yarn) has been twisted. This is especially important in cut pile carpet because the tips are exposed and can become untwisted, giving the carpet a matted and worn appearance. The tighter the yarn is twisted, the better the carpet will stand up to crushing and matting.

Cushion:
What is under your carpet is just as important (if not more important) than the carpet itself. Investing in a good cushion will pay off!!! Consider the Stainmaster UltraLife rubber cushion; it’s denser, softer, more impermeable to moisture, and adds 5 years to any Stainmaster carpet warranty!

Q: Is carpet an easy-to-maintain flooring choice?
Missy: In addition to regular vacuuming, you should have your carpet cleaned at least every 2 years. When having it cleaned, use professional, truck mounted hot water extraction! Do NOT allow anyone to use soaps or solvents on your carpet; once you have soap in the carpet fibers, you can never completely get it out, and it will end up attracting more dirt. And here’s a fun fact: if you care for, clean and maintain your carpet, it can be a great flooring selection for individuals who suffer from certain allergies. For instance, wool naturally filters the air, whereas hard surfaces—like hardwood—easily and quickly collect dust that’s constantly moving about with the impact of walking feet. Maintaining carpet is easy and healthy, comparatively!

Q: You love carpet! Why?
Missy: Carpet has held its value over time and has so many different aesthetics to offer. It’s a flooring option unique in its wide variety of patterns, loops, friezes, and traditional cut piles in hundreds of colors. Just like with paint or wall paper, you can have a lot of fun designing with carpet. Saving the best for last, let’s not forget how soft and warm carpet is, when you just want to lie on the floor and watch a movie! 🙂

May 5, 2012

Designer Answers: Countertops

Designers field a variety of questions and concerns regarding the seemingly unlimited options available to consumers. Within any category–countertops, tile, hardwood, carpet, furniture, lighting–how does one narrow it down? What options are the best options, when aesthetics, maintenance, durability and value are all factors to consider?

Today, we’re excited to launch our “Designer Answers” series. Eheart designers are interviewed about various interior finishes and product, hopefully answering some frequently asked questions while also giving you insight into their personal style and preferences.

To start us off, Emily shares a wealth of knowledge (and a dose of witty humor) about countertop options.

Q: What’s the difference between granite and quartz?

Emily: Granite is a naturally occurring stone that comes straight from the earth. “Granite” is a fairly generic term that is utilized for a number of stones that, in truth, aren’t really granite. Quartz is made from natural stone, and is combined with a filler of some kind (depending on the manufacturer). Some use resin, some use polyester, some use other fillers.

Q: Is natural stone high maintenance?

Emily: Depends which one you pick. Not all granites are created equal. Some are more porous (typically, lighter colors) and some more brittle (for example, Cosmos) than others. Most natural stones require a small amount of maintenance that can typically be handled with a topical cleaner that maintains the seal on your slab and some require a re-seal every few years.

Q: Can I put marble on my bathroom vanity countertops?

Emily: Go for it, but don’t call me later! You can have your pick of surfaces, but some marbles are more porous than others, and some are quite sensitive. Check the labels on your cosmetics, lotions, and potions and make sure you don’t have a spill with your nail polish remover. That said, I’d put marble in a bathroom sooner than I would a kitchen.

Q: How do you feel about Corian and other man-made solid surfaces?

Emily: I’d rather die than use Corian, but I’m really enjoying the beauty of man-made solid surfaces that have been coming out recently (Cambria, other quartz products, etc).

Q: If you got to design your dream kitchen tomorrow, which countertop surface(s) would you select, and why?

Emily: Almost without a doubt, I’d pick Kodiak granite. It’s beautiful and has a nice blend of whites, creams, taupes, and a touch of black.

Q: What’s the average price point for granite?

Emily: I try my best not to answer this question, because there are so many variables, it usually feels like I’m lying. We can turn a quote around in about 1 day, so give us the opportunity to do it right. That said, most people’s kitchens cost about $5-8,000 and most master baths cost between $1500-3000.

Q: What’s your opinion of soapstone?

Emily: It’s beautiful, but I don’t love it for myself. It looks especially great when you oil or wax it. Also, it is a soft stone, comparatively, so that’s something to be mindful of.

Q: Concrete looks great, but won’t it chip and crack easily?
Emily: It’s fiberglass reinforced, so it’s not an extension of your driveway. It’s a whole new animal. Enjoy it for what it is!