A powder room is a great example of one space you can tackle while keeping track of your budget.

You should first focus on how much you are willing to spend. Fixture costs for a toilet, tub, and plumbing make a bathroom remodel more expensive than you might have thought. Set aside anywhere between $5,000 and $8,000. Tiles, vanities, and lighting can vary in quality and price and depending on your taste, can increase the cost of the project significantly.

While a complete bathroom overhaul may be your end goal, there are many simple things you can do to change the look of a bathroom without flushing a lot of cash down the drain.

First – Paint. A fresh coat of paint gives you the biggest bang for your buck. Shades of white are not the only options for a bathroom, but I do recommend picking lighter colors because most bathrooms do not have a lot of natural light. Lighter shades also give you the impression of freshness and cleanliness.

Second – The Vanity. Vanities can also be painted by first applying a good layer of primer then using a semi-gloss or eggshell paint over it. I also recommend using a sealant over the paint to prevent water damage.  If you have an old pedestal sink instead of a vanity, consider buying a new one. You can buy a good pedestal sink for about $200 – $300 at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s store.

Third – Storage. Consider replacing an old medicine cabinet with a new surface mount one. They are very easy to install and won’t sacrifice your bathroom’s storage space. There are also unique storage solutions, such as open shelving, stackable drawers, etc. The Container Store and IKEA have some nice, inexpensive options. I suggest buying everything in white so you get a nice contrast to whatever color you decide to add to your walls.

Lastly – Accessorize. Accessories make all the difference. Consider buying a few new things such as wall art, a shower curtain or a toilet paper holder with a matching towel bar.

TIP: Tiles can also be painted. Re-tiling can be expensive and time consuming. The right products and preparation can make old tiles look new. Make sure you do your homework and use oil based paint and primer. You may need to sand down the wall tiles inside the shower; however, your hard work will pay off. This is a perfect option if you are preparing to sell your house. Bathroom upgrades score high on a homebuyer’s list!

With Mid-Atlantic Builders’ luxury Spa Bath, you are afforded the opportunity to decompress daily.

Let the day’s stresses bounce off you and down the drain with our Kohler Luxury Shower Package, including three WaterTile body sprays and a multi-function handshower jet. If you’re in need of a calming soak, enjoy a quiet moment alone in one of our Kohler Soaking Tubs with whirlpool jets.

We strive to think of everything, from the radiant ceramic floor warming system to the heat lamp outside the shower area that allows your body to adjust naturally.

Our specialized curved glass block shower designs have won awards, but only because we recognize your creature comforts come first. Treat yourself right. It’s just one more reason buying a Mid-Atlantic Builders home makes sense.

Please give me a call to reserve a time for a VIP tour of our unique, luxurious Spa Bath. You are welcome to call me directly on my cell phone at (301) 674-2837 or send me an email.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Before getting your hands dirty with interior designing get inspiration from magazines and personal items, know the purpose or mood of each space and spend time thinking how your family lives. Knowing these things will help you create an atmosphere in your home that will feel comfortable for years to come.

Here are a few elements you should consider before investing your time and money on the interior design of a room.

Function – Decide the purpose of the room up front. As an example, a family room should have furniture that is both durable and comfortable as you will likely spend a lot of time in that room. The function of the space will help determine fabrics, furniture placement, lighting and what color scheme to use.

Scale – Fitting properly sized pieces into the appropriate space helps to bring out naturally beautiful features of your home. Most Mid-Atlantic Builders’ homes have natural focal points such as beautiful floor to ceiling windows and fireplaces in the family rooms. A room that is designed with scale in mind will have the right size furniture and a fitting amount of wall treatments with a noticeable focal point. In rooms with natural focal points, the furniture should be oriented in a way so as to accentuate those features.

TIP:
• Use graph paper to decide on furniture arrangement and size before investing in new pieces.
• There should be enough room for traffic to navigate between the furniture.
• Avoid placing many small pieces of furniture in an oversized room. Instead use two larger pieces complimented with a few smaller pieces such as side tables or accent chairs.

Mood and Personality – Each room should be a reflection of your individuality. The mood of a room comes together by the color scheme, style of furnishings, fabric textures, patterns and accessories. An inspiration piece such as an antique sofa or painting can lead the way for the rest of the room’s design.

TIP:
• Make sure all the fabric patterns in a room have at least one color in common.
• Resist the urge to be trendy. Trends come and go, and not every trend will fit your personality or your lifestyle.

If you think you don’t have the time, eye or energy to design your own spaces, hire a professional interior designer. Most designers will work with a variety of budgets and can help you select carpet, paint or just select accessories.

In the Post’s published Q & A segment, Dodson explains why, as of Nov. 30, one of his fund’s 10th largest holdings is in one of the nation’s largest builder of luxury homes.

“Housing stocks haven’t done that well in 2010, but I think that by the end of the year, housing will be much improved. I’m sticking with it, and it’s one of the sectors I’m emphasizing in 2011.”

In 2010, Dodson’s fund outpaced the S&P 500 by 22 percent, focusing heavily on the telecom industry and companies he found to be “misunderstood [and] undervalued…” In the Post’s story, Dodson defends his decision to stand by what the Post calls a “tepid” housing industry.

“Housing inventory is why the stocks [of home builders] are so low. Investors think people will not be building new homes, but think that some new homes will be constructed. Some of those foreclosed homes are in bad condition. A lot of people would rather buy a new home than worry about fixing up damaged goods.”

Dodson is buying in now. Do you think it’s wise to wait?

At the moment, interest rates are still hovering around 4.5 percent, but they are projected to rise with the economy’s recovery. If you are thinking about a new home, perhaps waiting isn’t in your best interest.  Visit one of our models at Savannah, Beechtree, or Woodmore North to find out how you can afford your new home.

At the moment, bathroom design is heavily focused on a fusion of simple calm elegances (warm colors and traditional stylings) while incorporating European-inspired elements such as wall-mounted faucets and sleek lines. The fusion is being called “Soft Contemporary” because it is a blend of warm colors and modern styles such as stainless steel.

Designing the bathroom that fits your personality and budget requires some balance. Here are some tips:

-These days people are steering clear of gold finishes and opting for stainless steel or brushed nickel. Oil-rubbed faucets are also gaining popularity.

-More people are opting for under mount sinks. They are more practical and more people are moving away from vessel bowls because of their difficulty to maintain.

-While granite countertops are still tremendously popular, manufactured stones and concrete (yes, like from your driveway) are gaining in popularity with the eco-sensitive and price-conscious crowd.

-For flooring, porcelain is still the popular choice though natural stones such as marble and travertine are simple ways to add “pop” for a small expense.

-While other builders may steer clear of expensive glass blocks in their showers, we love it. It not only adds natural light, but it gives showering a new level of seduction.

-As for appliances, just like in the kitchen, high efficiency faucets and toilets are the way to go.

If you have some ideas or questions on designing your new spa bathroom please stop by one of our models (Savannah, Beechtree, or Woodmore North) or contact me via email or call me directly at 301-352-5363 to schedule an appointment.

Mid-Atlantic Builders has always been about building homes with the highest degree of comfort possible. From luxurious spa bathrooms to your own gourmet wonderland, we have always looked for ways to make our homes stand out.

Sometimes, though, comfort goes beyond sight. Mid-Atlantic’s indoor air package insures that your home has cleaner and healthier airflow. By using high quality building materials we are able to reduce sources of pollutants and improve air quality in our homes. Additionally, our heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems are top of the line resulting in more efficient air circulation and lower monthly utility costs. Your home is safer, too. With moisture control features and a combustion-venting system your home will have fewer harmful pollutants like mold and combustibles.

Start breathing cleaner air and join our green movement. Stop in to any one of Mid-Atlantic Builders’ five communities in Southern Maryland to find out more about our Energy$mart program. Visit us at Beechtree in Upper Marlboro, Woodmore North in Mitchellville or our new Villages of Savannah in Brandywine.