September 25, 2020

Finally.....Finished

September 25, 2020/ John Colaneri

So we have finally come to the end of the Colaneri Home Project! Wow it was a fun ride and to think we got it done through one of the largest Pandemics the world has ever seen. Thank you 2020 for keeping us on our toes LOL! I knew from the moment I walked through the house there was so much potential to make this a home. The basement is what sold me when I saw the condition it was in. It is always my first stop when looking to renovate a home. I knew we could open up all the walls and make so much more out of the footprint. The Family Room, Dining Area, Kitchen, and Sun Room are the main components of the home so lets take a look back on how these 4 rooms became 1.

Screen Shot 2020-09-25 at 10.39.53 AM.png

The one thing I loved about the home was the mid-century style and the property it was on. With 1 acre of property my house is secluded and my kids have so much room to play and enjoy themselves. The center piece of course is the kitchen. We all know that most of the memories and life moments happen within the kitchen. My goal of the kitchen design was to make my wife happy (The most important goal) and to have a design that followed great form and function. We all want to have a beautifully designed space, but at the end of the day it needs to function properly for your family. This space does exactly that and I would not change a thing about the layout.

The cool part about the kitchen area is that it is open concept, but it is also by itself since it is behind the family room with access out to the rear yard. Putting in the sliding doors and windows throughout the entire home by, Renewal by Andersen, was a game changer and has made the home more energy efficient and stylish with the black windows. My goal was to have all the rooms easy accessible, but also to make sure they were individualized by furniture and lighting.

The 11’ island in the kitchen gives our family enough seating for 4 and also a large prep space that allows to cook easily and entertain with ease. The design is all in the details of this space and I wanted to make sure that it was unique as possible. First we start with the island sink by Elkay that is just about 48” and it allows me to place cutting boards, drying racks, and colanders inside of it. There is so much we can do at this sink and that fact that there are 2 faucets, by Elkay, allow me and my wife to use the sink at the same time making cleanup very fast! The counters are SapienStone, Fior Di Bosco on the island and Basalt Black on the back counters. I love the 1/2” thickness giving it a more streamlined design along with the 2 different colors that individualize the space. The veining of the island is perfect and the monochromatic look of the back counters allows the backsplash to stand out. On top of this, the fact that they are porcelain means no stains and no maintenance over the years! The appliances by Monogram and perfectly on point and make cooking a breeze. We went with the 36” range, 5-1 oven, 30” wall oven, 36” custom panel fridge, and custom panel dishwasher. It is nice mix of SS and custom panels to hide some of the appliances. The 5-1 oven has been a game changer for me and is the most convenient appliance I have every used inside of a kitchen. I literally can cook anything and it is done in the blink of an eye. Not to mention it comes out perfect!

Monogram Appliances, 36” range, 5-1 oven, 30” wall oven

The backsplash, by Walker Zanger, is one of those tiles you just fall in love with when you first lay eyes on it. The hexagon pattern plays along with the mid-century modern style and the different textures make the tile look they are moving to create a lot of depth in the space. The lighting and hardware from Buster and Punch again are unique items that really set the kitchen apart. I have 2 different style hardware options with the black and brass along with pendant lights and wall fixtures above the open shelves. I wanted the space to have the proper lighting, but also the ability to set the mood when entertaining.

Walker Zanger Moon Rock hexagon backsplash

Buster and Punch hardware with Medallion inlay door

The kitchen cabinets by Medallion, installed by Certified Kitchens, are just gorgeous and give us plenty of storage throughout the kitchen. The back section is in a light gray Cherry wood with black undertones. The island is painted in the same color as all the trim and doors throughout the home. I wanted this color to be the theme that was seen throughout the home. The color, Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron, has a mix of black, brown and gray. All the doors and draws are inlay giving it a much more custom and refined look.

The last area of the home is the Sunroom that brings in incredible light, but also acts in so many different functions for us as a family. We use it as a play area for the kids, a place to put on shoes and jackets, and just a relaxing environment to have our morning coffee.

I am so excited to finally be moved into the home along with having great memories with my family. The question now is when we are going to be starting our next family project! If I were a betting man, I would say sooner than later LOL :)

View from sun room into main part of the home.

June 11, 2020

The Master Bath

June 11, 2020/ John Colaneri

The Master Bath was one of the areas my wife was so excited about! Our last bathroom we went with a very dark brown tile and in the end she did not like it. For this one she wanted a Carrara Marble style and that is what I gave her! The original bathroom was your classic 1960s-1970s tile was very common for the age of this home. Off of the master my wife’s walk-in closet is adjacent to the bathroom with access through the pocket door. First thing was to get the Walker Zanger tile installed so the other finishes could be completed. We used a porcelain tile in a matte finish that looks just like a Carrara Marble, but without the maintenance. I love the look of marble, but since it is a real stone it constantly has to be sealed especially where there is water. If not its starts to yellow over time and look very dirty. This tile was the perfect solution for the bathroom. We used 12x24 for the walls and 3x12 for the floor and detail areas that we laid in a herringbone pattern.

Check out the BEFORE PICS!!!

Shower floor and main area of the shower match in the 3x12

The master bath shower is just about 7’ in length by 40” in width.

The rainfall shower head was a must for me.

With all the white in the bathroom I knew that I wanted to pair it with black fixtures. The black really stands out and makes a big statement in the bathroom. For all the fixtures I used Brizo by Delta. I could not be happier with how they look and the functionality of the product. We have a main shower head, handheld, and rainfall shower head that was something I really wanted. Jenn does not use the rainfall, but that is all I use when I am in the shower! I LOVE IT! Since we were going with all the black fixtures I had to match the drain as well in black. Infinity drain makes custom drains that are just gorgeous and gives the detail that makes the bathroom really come together. I went with the 5” Weave VD 5-2 standard kit. This also comes with a strainer that catches hair and other items you do not want to go down into your waste line. The 5” Weave is a very heavy stainless steal and has a great contrast against the white porcelain. It is easy to take out and clean as well since I am so OCD and love to clean the bathrooms!! I really like the look of the basket weave when you get up close to it. I cannot stress enough how these details make the difference when you are designing spaces.

5” basket weave by Infinity Drain in matte black

Now with the fixtures and tile complete I was ready for the glass door. Since I had a large opening and wanted to show off the tile I wanted to go with a frameless door. This was difficult for me because I was a looking everywhere for a glass product that was really going to stand out. When I was at the NKBA/IBS show I found a product called Dreamline shower doors. I did not want to spend a ton of money on a custom shower door and needed to find a semi-custom alternative. This company was my answer! I knew I needed to find a frameless option so the gorgeous tile I installed was not blocked. I went with the Unidoor-X 61 1/2-69 Hinged Frameless Door. I also chose the black matte finish to match the rest of the fixtures and it came out perfect. The install was done in 45 min. and it could not have been any easier.

The DreamLine Unidoor-X is a frameless shower door, tub door or enclosure that features a luxurious modern design, complementing the architectural details, tile patterns and the composition of your bath space. Unidoor-X showcases sleek, clean lines to enhance any shower space, creating a stunning appearance. DreamLine exclusive ClearMax water repellant and stain resistant glass coating adds superior protection from stains and is nearly maintenance-free. Unidoor-X is part of DreamLine Unidoor collection, the most versatile line of shower doors and enclosures on the market.

When looking to purchase your glass door make sure you are doing this during the rough framing stage. Certain areas inside the shower need to have 2x4’s in specific locations for the installer to attach. It will also allow you to make sure your dimensions are correct and you have enough tolerance since this a semi-custom product and you have to meet dimensional guidelines. The good part is they have so many choices for you to choose from!

The next large design was the sink that was custom designed by myself and my installer from Faithful Counters out of West Paterson, NJ. I always knew I wanted a trough sink, but this was going to have an infinity drain that made the water disappear. The slit in the rear is 1/8” and below it is the drain that hooks up to the waste line. If you are looking for a design out of the box this company is the best and can do whatever you need! I chose to use a porcelain material since I did not want any maintenance and went with SapienStone. The entire sink is made out of this in Bianco Lasa, which is a highly trendy marble with delicate veins that go perfectly with kitchen furnishings in any color. Bianco Lasa is available in both natural and polished finishes. The pictures do not do it justice and this is something you have to see in person!

Detail shop drawing of our design for the sink

One of the last features I did for comfort are the heated floors by Nuheat. The radiant floors by Nuheat give the comfort to the space and heat I needed in the bathroom. They are also very economical and easy to install. I needed to add an extra luxe look to the thermostat and I found Luxestat that sells matte black covers for the thermostat.

The master bath is now complete and ready for us to use!

May 18, 2020

The Exterior Lights

May 18, 2020/ John Colaneri

As everyone knows I love lighting and it truly makes the home. When you have unique lighting that really stands out it catches the eye of your family and friends for when they come over. When I was looking into our exterior lighting I knew that I wanted to to have a farmhouse/industrial feel and also energy efficient lighting. I turned to a company I have been using and working with for years now, Barn Light Electric. The craftsmanship of the product and the fact that is hand-made in America is something that is very personal to me. Outdoor lighting needs to be able to withstand taking a beating by sun, rain, and snow. Since I leave in the Northeast I have all these elements that are constantly causing problems. With the exterior of my home being painted white and the trim and detail black I knew I wanted to find industrial black fixtures that would really stand out, but also feel like they have always been there. First we must start with the before pictures of what was on the house. Get ready for this!

The before and after is so dramatic that sometimes it hard for me to believe! The great part about these lights is that they are LED and will save me a ton of money. The LED bulb is integrated into the fixture itself so that means I will not have to change out any bulbs. This will give me peace of mind knowing there is nothing to worry about.

The porcelain finish on the lighting is something that really sets Barn Light fixtures apart from other brands. Porcelain enamel is their signature finish, it is celebrated for its protective properties and unique, high-gloss surface. Every porcelain shade is fired in a special oven. To relieve the pressure that builds up in these high temperatures, a vent hole is included in the shade's design. This hole is later sealed with silicon to prevent any chance of moisture intrusion that could damage the shade. When you see the seamless view of the porcelain is really catches your eye when you are looking at the fixture.

The front entry is very important to me and this had to be something that was going to stand out. For the front door I went with Dominion LED Wall Sconce in black. I installed 12” by the front door and 14” over the garage. In the rear I did two 12” as well.

The front of our home actually has two entrances. The second entrance is closer to the garage and it is the entry into the sun room. I had to find a light that would go under the eave and also stood out since the eaves are painted black. I wanted this light to have an industrial feel to it and was white as well. I found the Industrial Loft LED Double Pendant light for this area. It gives off great light and makes a nice statement since it features die casted guards and a customizable jelly jar glass.

The last of the lights is for the driveway post lights. These are the first thing my neighbors and guests see when they drive down the street. I knew I wanted an industrial light that had a very classic look to it. I immediately fell in love with The Original LED Industrial Guard Post Mount in black. It lights up the entry of the home perfectly and is a great fixture to see when coming into the home. I mounted these on brick columns that are original to the home, but you can also mount these on posts as well.

The Original LED industrial Guard Post Mount

The light that comes off from the exterior lights is warm and inviting and not over powering. All of the lights are dimmable and give a nice warm glow. The picture below I took back in February since the sky had such a great shadow effect with the clouds. The new windows and doors were not installed yet, but the light coming off the fixtures made me feel at home. Now that we are moving into the home I am thrilled that I chose The Barn Light Electric lights. If you are looking for something that is going to make a statement and transform the way your exterior looks then a company like this is a must for your next project.

April 16, 2020

The Kitchen Sink Reimagined

April 16, 2020/ John Colaneri

This post is sponsored by Elkay®, but all opinions are my own.

The kitchen sink is the most used item inside of the kitchen, and a lot of times, it is overlooked by many homeowners. It is a crucial item that needs to adapt and function in a way that it helps you navigate through your kitchen space, especially since all things considered, this is where many families, including my own, are spending time these days. Over the years, kitchen sinks have changed quite a bit in terms of the material they are made out of, the shape and size, and their placement within the kitchen. When looking for a sink within my own kitchen, I turned to the one company that has been delivering these innovative products for the past 100 years! Elkay has been an American-owned family business since 1920, providing products for your everyday life, including kitchen sinks, faucets, and water filling stations.

I knew I was designing a kitchen with a HUGE island that was almost 11’ long. In past design projects, I have put double sinks in the island, no sink in the island, and the range in the island. This time around, I wanted to do something that many people have not seen before that will reimagine the way you look at kitchen sinks. That is Elkay’s Circuit Chef stainless steel sink! I was first introduced to this product in 2019 at the Kitchen and Bath Show and was blown away. From the first time I had the opportunity to use it and see it’s functionality, I knew this was something that I had to design into my next kitchen.

There are 3 models to choose from, which are the CS30, CS45, and CS60 models. I went with the CS45, which is 45 1/2”x 20 1/2” x 10” in a 16 gauge stainless steel. Think about this - the length is 45 1/2”, which is almost 4’ in length with a 10” depth!! This is by far the largest sink I will have ever installed in any of my designs. You might say “Why go this large? Is there a need for a sink this size?” I want everyone to think of your current sink inside your kitchen; you all have been there during family dinners and of course holidays with the sink overflowing with dishes, pots, and pans. It can be very frustrating to see them start stacking up when there is literally no place for them to go. These times make you wish your sink was larger, deeper, maybe had a drying area to start putting items as you are washing, and finally had an area for another family member to help you wash everything. Circuit Chef does all this and more!

From this picture you can see the interior tier and upper tier.

As you can see from the picture above, you can have cutting boards on the upper tier and internal tier. You can change it up with a colander, drying rack, and grids, as well. The real beauty of this sink is that two people can be working at the station at the same time. One can be prepping and cutting items while the other is washing a dish or vegetables and fruit. This is a true multi-function space that allows you to do so many different things at the same time.

Another smart design feature is the drain placement. Instead of placing it in the middle of the sink, it is on the end, allowing the cabinet below to be utilized for storage. When the drain is placed in the middle of a sink, it makes it very difficult to use the cabinet below since the rough plumbing gets in the way and takes up most of the cabinet.

From this angle you can see the depth which is 10”.

Now let me explain how this sink actually works and does everything I described above. Both the interior tier and upper tier allow the sink to become a multi-use space with custom-fit cutting boards, grids for kitchen tasks, and colanders. You are able to interchange these items with ease and slide them back and forth within the sink so it transforms into the needs you want. No longer do you have to take up counter space with all these other items; they fit right into the Circuit Chef area. I know what you are saying right now: “If you have a sink this large, you are losing all that counter space.” WRONG! You can put the cutting boards across the sink and have them blend in with your counter so you can use the area for prep or a staging area of food.

The cutting board can go on the upper tier to create a seamless transition with the counter.

Drain is at the very end o the sink on the right hand side.

You can interchange these items however you please to cater to your everyday uses inside the kitchen. The different options allows Circuit Chef to transform for your personal use. One design idea that you can also use is to add two faucets. I was going back and forth on this a couple of times, because I have never done it before. After using the sink and seeing the size of it, I decided that two faucets would allow more people to be involved in the sink area. Now, my wife and I can stand next to each other and tackle our dishes together. No longer does it have to be just one person at the sink. Since I am the one that loves doing the dishes in the family, it gives me the opportunity to have a helper, which I will take any day.

Elkay has also launched their new Avado Single Hole Kitchen Faucet with Semi-Professional Spout in matte black. All of you know black is my go-to color, and after seeing this faucet, I knew it was a must for the kitchen. The faucet has a steady stream for everyday use, and the powerful spray for heavy duty cleaning. It can rotate 45 degrees and is lead-free compliant. Having two of these faucets is not only going to look incredible, but it gives double the washing power inside of the sink.

The Avado single hole faucet with semi-professional spout in matte black and chrome.

The last must-have for me is the Avado Wall Mount Single Hole Pot Filler. This model is also the Avado model in matte black. It will match the Avado faucets that are in the island and also give me the sleek design in a matte black finish. Being Italian, pasta is made every week in our house, and this will allow it to happen with a lot more ease.

Avado wall mount single hole pot filler in matte black.

Now that all these items have arrived, we’re looking forward to finishing the kitchen and cooking in the new house! As a person that enjoys doing dishes on any occasion (every family has someone like this LOL), I truly cannot wait to put these products to the test!

You can see more at www.elkay.com and follow them @Elkay_USA @ElkayUSA #ElkayPartner #Elkay100 #ElkayEverday

March 04, 2020

Layering Materials Inside Your Home

March 04, 2020/ John Colaneri

When I am getting ready to start a design project I am always thinking how I am going to start layering the different materials within my project. I want to make sure that I am creating something unique and interesting within the space. Dark colors, mixed metals, stone, and reclaimed wood are some of my favorite materials and I knew that this home was going to have an element of each.

The first design element that kicked off the entire process was the color Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore. I saw this color last year and fell in love with it! It is bold and when you see it in person it is a real statement piece. I immediately knew that I wanted to paint the doors, trim, and have the island in the kitchen all in this color. I like that I could carry it throughout the home and have a piece of it everywhere. This color is made up of black, brown, and a gray mixture that gives it a very unique bold look. We are so accustomed to seeing white trim and doors in homes, so when you see a color like this it makes you stop. Doors and trim that are normally forgotten or not noticed now stand out. If you want your home to really pop look into dark trim, it is something that I have seen more and more of and I have fallen in love with it.

Doors and Trim painted in Wrought Iron with a satin finish.

Next I wanted to find hardware options for the doors and light fixtures that were like nothing many people have seen before. I knew the one company to turn to was Buster and Punch. I discovered them 9 years ago and have been following their growth for years now. They originated in London and have recently come to the US just a few years ago. I knew this was going to be my mixed metal that I was going to add to the home. I wanted to have brass and matte black metal throughout the home for the doors, cabinet hardware, and lighting. Buster and Punch is a designer line that will make small elements inside the home become focal points.

Dimmer Switches are round with a machined metal finish in Brass.

Brass door handle for all interior doors.

Hooked 6.0 with Stone shade and brass on the fixture.

Matte black hardware for the kitchen cabinets.

Now that I had my metal finishes chosen I was ready to find my reclaimed wood option. For years I have been using Stikwood products and I knew this would be a great reclaimed product to use throughout the home. I wanted it to be a prominent design element in the home. I have always had the idea of doing an entire hallway out of the product. Since our living room wall flows right into our hallway this would be a great place to try my idea.. I have never seen this done before and I was willing to take the risk. With the dark trim I also knew this would be an opportunity to layer these materials and have them really stand out. Stikwood gave us a new style that has not been released yet. When I received the material I was blown away by the movement and uniqueness the product has. When you run your hand over the product you can feel that is not perfectly flat and gives it dimension that flows into your home. It is like a quarter sawn wood floor where you get much more character in the wood for a unique finished product.

Stikwood laid out and ready for install.

Stikwood starts on the main wall in the Living Room.

I want you to pay attention to the the difference the black trim makes compared to the white you see above here. This is just a primed pine currently and when it is painted black you will see how much more bold the trim becomes and how it stands out against the wood.

The trim is painted black now and it is a game changer when you see the contrast with the Stikwood. The black enhances the wood and it gives it more of a punch!

One of the last elements of layering in our design is the tile flooring that has been chosen. Walker Zanger has very unique tile designs that really allow your home to stand out. Since I knew that I had reclaimed wood, black trim, and brass fixtures I wanted to find a stone that created another element of uniqueness. I went with a hexagon tile that comes in 3 different styles. A gray, black, and white Carrara with inlayed steel were the options I chose for the entrance. As soon as you walk into the home you have a very unique pattern with the tile being laid in a haphazard style and inlayed into wood floors. The color pallet of earth tones is carried throughout the home and you will see it every design element that is scattered throughout the home.

Walker Zanger hexagon tile inlayed into the wood floors.

Layering of the tile, black trim, and reclaimed wood on the walls.

February 23, 2020

It's Getting Hot in Here!

February 23, 2020/ John Colaneri

The bathroom tile install is underway and that means one thing! The radiant heat for the floors is about to begin! As I talked about before the best heat for your home is radiant heat by far. With this being a renovation I had to find a way that was easy enough to install and would give me the comfort of heated floors in a couple areas of the home. I have the master bath, girls bathroom, front entry, and mudroom. These would all be perfect areas to install radiant heat. The first company I thought of was nVent Nuheat to help me accomplish my goals. I have been installing Nuheat heated floor systems since 2008. The first development project I worked on in Jersey City had the Nuheat system in all of the master bathrooms. We were one of the first developers in the area to really add this to our projects and people were freaking out about it. There is nothing better then waking up on a cold morning and feeling warm tile beneath your feet as you start your day.

Now a lot of people might say it is just too expensive and there is no way I can afford that. YOU ARE WRONG! this system is very economical and runs off of minimal electric output. For my home I went with the Nuheat Cable and Membrane. This was the best fit for my project because of the following:

-Reduces risk of tile cracking because of subfloor moment

-Acts as tile underlayment

-Flexible wire spacing

-On-site flexibility for a space that is unique in size and shape

-Compatible with modified thinsets for tile setting

-Quick install

By installing the membrane I did not have to spend more money on concrete board and made the install of the tile seamless. It also gave me another layer of waterproofing in the bathroom which is very important. Since my home is older I wanted to make sure the tile was protected from movement and the possibility of tile and grout cracking. I knew the cable system with the membrane was going to be the best install for my project.

The install could not have been easier; all you have to do is apply the thinset to the floor and roll the membrane out. Press down firmly with a roller or trowel so it adheres. Next snap in the cable to the membrane. A 2-3-2 spacing is used in smaller areas and larger areas use 2-2 spacing for a larger watt output. Talk to your rep. on what is best for your home before the install starts. Then cover the membrane and cable with thinset making sure it is 100% encapsulated. Let it dry and then you are ready for tile.

Membrane is rolled out with thinset on the subfloor.

A very important detail that cannot be overlooked is to always test the cable as soon as you open the box. Nuheat can provide a MatSense Pro which will make sure there are no breaks in the cable before you install it. It also will tell you if a break occurs while you are installing an alarm will go off. The MatSense Pro will stay connected until the tile is 100% installed and you are ready for the thermostat.

Before you put down your final thinset make sure you run the thermostat wire, which is black, onto the mat and then you are ready for thinest and you tile floor. If you forget to do this the thermostat will not give you the exact reading you want and you will have to keep it in ambient temperature mode for use.

Now that the mat and cable are down it is time to install the tile!

Master Bathroom floor is done in a herringbone pattern.

Now with the bathrooms complete is was time to move onto the entry and mudroom area. As you remember the entry is part of the living room and the mudroom is right off the dining and kitchen area. All of these rooms really have become one since I took down the walls. I wanted to have one large area and have all of these rooms interconnected. With that being said I am sharing my heat with all of the rooms. Since I have put the Nuheat at the entrance and in the mudroom area it allows me to share the radiant heat with the living room and kitchen/dining area.

The membrane aloud me to match up the tile perfectly with the wood. This was a very different install as the tile is inlayed into the wood, not your conventional install. My height had to match up perfectly and the membrane was the perfect solution for me.

The last area is the install of the mudroom. Since this is a large area around 150 sq ft., the wire spacing started in the 2-2 pattern, which gives you 15 Watts per square foot as outlined by my rep. I also have 12’ ceilings in this area so having the extra heat is very important to properly heating this room. After the initial 2-2 spacing, we transition back to the 2-3-2 (12 Watts per square foot) for a gentler transition to the unheated area. This is also the area where the custom step that transitions into the dining room is going to be installed. It is going to feel great under our feet when walking through this room to the rest of the home.

Cable starts with 2-2 spacing and then transitions into 2-3-2 as we get closet to the step.

The final step is installing the thermostat and turning on the heat! The Signature thermostat is North America’s first Wifi-enabled thermostat for floor heating. You can control the thermostat through IOS and Android smart phone app. Something I cannot wait to play around with is that it also works with Alexa, Google Home, and Nest. I will be able to call out to any of these smart home programs and they will turn the heat up, down, or off. This will allow me to control and save money on my energy consumption. With all of my smart home technology syncing together it allows the home to be very energy efficient. If I forget to turn the floors off I can do so while traveling so I am not wasting any energy.

Lilyshea: House Progress

John Colaneri