Most Affordable and Stylish Bathroom Tile

What’s going on, pros? I hope business is well and thriving underneath the warm weather we’ve been having. It’s about time, right? So, if you have a bathroom remodel coming up then you’ll really appreciate this blog post. We’re going to go over a few of the most affordable and stylish bathroom tiles that we have to offer at Builders Surplus. You can legitimately get everything, without spending everything!

Golden Honey Ledger Stone Bathroom Tile

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus

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Ledger Stone has made a major impact in the tile industry, in my opinion. If you’ve noticed, “look-alike” products continue to gain popularity, and Ledger Stone gained its varsity letters before any of them. The one featured below is a fan-favorite, for sure. It’s gorgeous in any setting, but especially bathrooms and, oddly enough, fireplaces, too. Simply stunning. While it does LOOK amazing in the shower, do let your customers know that it is difficult to clean. It needs to be completely waterproof behind the tile or you will get mold.

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus
So, you can get this stylish, trendy bathroom tile for only $5.99/piece, right here at Builders Surplus. Now, this is one of the priciest product to make this list, but for good reason. If you’re a fan of texture in aesthetics, then this product is for you.

Black Penny Round Mosaic Bathroom Tile

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus

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I’m a huge fan of contract in a bathroom, and the Black Penny Round Mosaic bathroom tile is perfect for setting up that kind of style. I’ve always imagined a white floor tile with this product used as a backsplash. It’s timeless. It’s classic. And so eye-appealing. Plus, I’m a huge fan of curvature during any kind of design, so this pattern hits me right in the feels.
bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus

Right now, you can get this contrast-maker for only $4.99/sq. ft. One more thing about this, though, is its versatility. Where I’m more inclined to install this bathroom tile as a backsplash, it’s fine for a shower floor, too!

Legend Blanco Large Format Tile

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus

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I enjoy the movement in this tile. And it’s a subtle gray, too, ya know? Not too deep, not too light. Just right. Now, this is a Large Format Tile, so the possibilities are pretty much endless, in terms of install. Personally, I think this color belongs on the floor, maybe with a dark vanity top or something of that nature.

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus
As we proceed, you’ll see that these prices really are unmatched, y’all, starting with this one. You can get this Legend Blanco bathroom tile for ONLY $1.99/sq. ft. Heckuva deal, right? Stylish, moderately-neutral, and all for a good price. Come in and seriously get everything without spending everything.

Portland Beige 18×18 Bathroom Tile

Another large format tile, Portland Beige is another one of my favorites due to its tone and color. But, what’s really attractive about this piece is its price. Right now, you can get this tile for only $0.69/sq. ft! That’s less than three quarters, everyone.

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus

CLICK TO SHOP!

 

 

Whisper White 3×6 Subway Bathroom Tile

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus

CLICK TO SHOP!

This classic, tried-and-true still does wonders in establishing that a traditional look. Honestly, folks, what’s not to like about it. Remember me talking about contrast earlier with the Black Penny — well — this is its counterpart.
bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus subway tile

But once again, the most attractive trait here is the price, everyone. Only $0.22/piece. Yeah, you read that right. LESS THAN A QUARTER. That’s exceptional. Come scoop this up.

These are just a few choices from our vast collection of bathroom tile, everyone. If I’ve piqued your interest, and you’d like to poke around a little bit more, please feel free to head right here! It’ll break our selection down by category, and you can see for yourselves how great these deals are. Hope to see you in one of our stores sometime soon! Until then, stay safe and be blessed!


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets.
In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

Home Value: 5 Easy Ways to Increase It

What’s going on, everyone? I do hope you’re well and enjoying the much-anticipated warm weather. Where it seemed like it was a rather mild winter, it felt like ages to me.  If you’re a summer baby like yours truly, then you literally countdown the days until April or May, where you can enjoy a nice drive with the windows down and music up. Plus, now that it’s warm, we can all start working on the most important asset we have — our home. In this blog post, I’ll discuss five ways to easily increase home value. May the warmth inspire and spark creativity, y’all. Let’s begin!

The Best Ways To Increase Home Value

Focus on the Entry Door

So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that curb appeal is a monstrous factor when it comes to home value. The front door simply further emphasizes this incredibly significant factor. Essentially, it pulls the eye in and acts as a main focal point to the entire house. Think about it, when you have guests over, what is the first course of action? Walking through the front door. So, naturally, that’s what the eye is going to be attracted to.     home value   Don’t be afraid to get a little quirky when it comes to your front door, either. Want to make it a crazy-cool color? Do it. Want to splash some sort of design on it? Go ahead. I encourage you to make it your own and let it standout. Because, honestly, it’s going to anyway.   home value  

Upgrade the Kitchen

Now, listen, I know those three words can seem a bit vague, and even once it’s broken down, it can still be a bit overwhelming. So for all intensive purposes, I’ll just name two components of a kitchen. Also note that your kitchen is arguably (but who would argue) the most important room in the entire house. Because of this, simply renovating a few things will no doubt increase home value. For sure. Cabinets: You may be surprised to know that simply switching out the cabinets in your kitchen will do wonders as far as aesthetics. Maybe you’re tired of the type of cabinet and color, or you’re like me and get antsy when you’ve staring at the same scenery for far too long. I encourage you to take a good, hard look at your cabinets and see if you’d like to make some changes. Remix it up. home value   Countertops: In my opinion, countertops can make or break a kitchen’s overall look. With this in mind, if you’ve been preparing your meals over, say, formica countertops then I think you’d really enjoy a granite or quartz countertops. They’re both sleek, modern-looking, and the characteristics for both are far more superior — in strength, durability, accident-resistance, and maintenance.   home value  

Beautify your Bathroom

Kitchens and baths, y’all, that’s where it’s at for value’s sake. These rooms allow a person to express themselves artistically and make a style their own. Like I mentioned before, don’t be afraid to go above and beyond. After all, IT IS your home. Do what you will. However, if you’re going to be selling in the near future, keep the style one that will appeal to a broad range of buyers. Vanities: A bathroom doesn’t call for as much space as a kitchen does, sure, but I’d be lying if I said that these pieces aren’t essential to your bathroom design. Take the same advice I gave you about your kitchen cabinetry and recreate a different design — use interesting colors, textures, and styles and make things harmoniously blend. home value Vanity tops: Much like your kitchen countertops, a vanity top can make or break the design. Now, if it were me, I’d take a look at our cultured marble tops, in addition to our large selection of vanity tops. We truly have some beautiful colors that will blend nicely with any design. I promise you.    

Watch your Windows

Windows may seem like a small aspect in home design, but I’m telling you, replacing the old with the new will greatly increase your home value. At Builders Surplus, we carry Silverline by Andersen windows, and they’re true beauties. Available in different designs and styles, these babies will quite literally make each room brighter.   home value   Another thing I kinda like about windows is that they’re two sides of the same coin. We talked about the importance of curb appeal before, and windows sort of add to that enhanced focus, but they’re also very endearing on the inside, as well.   Plus, if you’re kinda crafty, you can enrich the look and put a beautiful set of moulding around each window, achieving that ‘craftsmen’ style perfectly. Just a little food for thought if you want to really increase home value.     home value  

Spruce Up the Outside

This probably goes without saying, but a well-maintained, neat, and even colorful yard is going to get some looks. If you want to increase home value, this is definitely an area I’d focus on. Curb appeal, remember? If your grass is as green as a golf course, there’s a nice blend of trees, flowers, and bushes — all neatly clipped — and everything looks proper and perfect, don’t be surprised to see a car come to a slow crawl, peeking in.   home value     Having a yard that’s pleasing to the eye is going to get you those seriously-this-just-went-on-the-market kind of offers, and who doesn’t want to be in that driver’s seat, no pun intended. Just don’t make it TOO busy, you know what I mean. Keep it nice. Keep it neat. Keep it complete.   home value     I hope these five things gave you a bit of insight and, hopefully, some inspiration to make some renovations to increase home value. Change isn’t all bad, people! Remember that, and keep on enjoying this weather! Hope to see y’all in here soon, but until then be safe and stay blessed!  
Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written By: Chris Chamberlain

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Eco-Friendly Flooring Ideas That Get the “Green” Light

There are many eco-friendly products that are made throughout the world that people choose to buy simply because of its roots, that the product they chose shied away from causing the world harm. Plastic bottles, food wrappings, and now, even vehicles have become a part of the side of consumerism that maintains an environmentally-conscious mind. Well, that also extends to home renovation products, as well! Today, I’m going to discuss three eco-friendly flooring options, including CORK, that are apt in both style and functionality, providing a classically unique look. Let’s dig in!

Eco-Friendly Cork Flooring

This material is relatively new to the world of flooring. Seriously, who would have thought that the thing you pop off to pour champagne or a glass of wine could – or – would ever be used to blanket the floors of a household. Fascinating, really. Anyway, cork is taken from the bark of a cork oak tree, which is commonly found in the Mediterranean forests. The best part about the process is that these lovely trees are not cut down to harvest this material – they are simply stripped. But even then, the bark regrows after three years, making cork a – you guessed it – renewable resource.

eco-friendly

eco-friendly

For this reason, it is undoubtedly my all time favorite as far as eco-friendly flooring options go. Crazy unique, visually stunning, and truly one-of-a-kind. What’s more is of its chemical properties! It has anti-microbial properties that reduces allergens, is fire-retardant, AND it repels insect. Seriously, though, can it get any better? Actually, yeah. With cork, you’re able to stain it, paint it, and make it any color you want so you’re not so limited. Lifespan of this material? It can last for up to 30 years with the proper maintenance, which by the way, is stupid low. Excellent product right here.

eco-friendly

Eco-Friendly Bamboo Flooring

If you know anything about bamboo, you’ll know that it’s strong, intensely durable, and not one of those twigs you can just bust over your knee and walk away happily.  Similar to wood as far as its species, bamboo has been gaining wild popularity as a flooring option. It’s very, very easy to maintain, as easy to install as regular hardwood, and will last you an exceptionally long time. Best thing is, it’s sustainable and only takes a few years to reach its full maturity. Again, much like the above, this material is available in a variety of colors, so you’re not limited to just one design or one style. Options are pretty endless in terms of bamboo’s versatility.

eco-friendly

Along with its color variety, is its grain! You know how would may have a certain grain you like depending on the direction of it, or maybe the pattern of dark knots? Well, bamboo, more or less, acts the same. This is one of the reasons why this type of flooring is on the up-and-up! You’re able to make this flooring your own, customizing it to your wants and needs.

eco-friendly

Eco-Friendly Concrete Flooring

Now, I’ve wrote about concrete flooring before, and I still think it’s crazy (in a cool way) that it has has slowly crept its way from commercial properties and into the confines of residential households. Usually, this sort of material is used as a sub-flooring, in which case people would just put tile or linoleum or hardwood for their floor. But, it’s 2017, and there are all kinds of things happening, so let’s run with the innovative ideas, shall we?

eco-friendly

In all seriousness, concrete can be polish and tinted to make it look completely different than your standard slab of concrete. You can create tiles from it or design a cool pattern yourself using glass and mosaics to really give your style the emphasis you’d like. In any case, this material is extremely eco-friendly. No chopping up trees to lay these floors down. No. Sir.

eco-friendly

It is in my extreme hopes that this post helped you realize that there are in fact some environmentally-friendly flooring options that have been tried and true, proving to be very sustainable, highly efficient, extremely durable in strength, and versatile in style and design to keep the options endless. We also have one of these materials in-store now at any of our two locations in Louisville and Cincinnati! I encourage you to give us a call or stop by soon to check out our Cork Flooring options and see if this eco-friendly material is right for you and your home. Until then, be safe and stay blesssed!


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

Eco-Friendly Flooring Ideas That Get the "Green" Light

There are many eco-friendly products that are made throughout the world that people choose to buy simply because of its roots, that the product they chose shied away from causing the world harm. Plastic bottles, food wrappings, and now, even vehicles have become a part of the side of consumerism that maintains an environmentally-conscious mind. Well, that also extends to home renovation products, as well! Today, I’m going to discuss three eco-friendly flooring options, including CORK, that are apt in both style and functionality, providing a classically unique look. Let’s dig in!
 

Eco-Friendly Cork Flooring

This material is relatively new to the world of flooring. Seriously, who would have thought that the thing you pop off to pour champagne or a glass of wine could – or – would ever be used to blanket the floors of a household. Fascinating, really. Anyway, cork is taken from the bark of a cork oak tree, which is commonly found in the Mediterranean forests. The best part about the process is that these lovely trees are not cut down to harvest this material – they are simply stripped. But even then, the bark regrows after three years, making cork a – you guessed it – renewable resource.
 
eco-friendly
 
 
eco-friendly
 
 
 
For this reason, it is undoubtedly my all time favorite as far as eco-friendly flooring options go. Crazy unique, visually stunning, and truly one-of-a-kind. What’s more is of its chemical properties! It has anti-microbial properties that reduces allergens, is fire-retardant, AND it repels insect. Seriously, though, can it get any better? Actually, yeah. With cork, you’re able to stain it, paint it, and make it any color you want so you’re not so limited. Lifespan of this material? It can last for up to 30 years with the proper maintenance, which by the way, is stupid low. Excellent product right here.
 
eco-friendly

Eco-Friendly Bamboo Flooring

If you know anything about bamboo, you’ll know that it’s strong, intensely durable, and not one of those twigs you can just bust over your knee and walk away happily.  Similar to wood as far as its species, bamboo has been gaining wild popularity as a flooring option. It’s very, very easy to maintain, as easy to install as regular hardwood, and will last you an exceptionally long time. Best thing is, it’s sustainable and only takes a few years to reach its full maturity. Again, much like the above, this material is available in a variety of colors, so you’re not limited to just one design or one style. Options are pretty endless in terms of bamboo’s versatility.
 
eco-friendly
 
Along with its color variety, is its grain! You know how would may have a certain grain you like depending on the direction of it, or maybe the pattern of dark knots? Well, bamboo, more or less, acts the same. This is one of the reasons why this type of flooring is on the up-and-up! You’re able to make this flooring your own, customizing it to your wants and needs.
 
 
eco-friendly
 

Eco-Friendly Concrete Flooring

Now, I’ve wrote about concrete flooring before, and I still think it’s crazy (in a cool way) that it has has slowly crept its way from commercial properties and into the confines of residential households. Usually, this sort of material is used as a sub-flooring, in which case people would just put tile or linoleum or hardwood for their floor. But, it’s 2017, and there are all kinds of things happening, so let’s run with the innovative ideas, shall we?
 
 
eco-friendly
 
 
In all seriousness, concrete can be polish and tinted to make it look completely different than your standard slab of concrete. You can create tiles from it or design a cool pattern yourself using glass and mosaics to really give your style the emphasis you’d like. In any case, this material is extremely eco-friendly. No chopping up trees to lay these floors down. No. Sir.
 
eco-friendly
 
It is in my extreme hopes that this post helped you realize that there are in fact some environmentally-friendly flooring options that have been tried and true, proving to be very sustainable, highly efficient, extremely durable in strength, and versatile in style and design to keep the options endless. We also have one of these materials in-store now at any of our two locations in Louisville and Cincinnati! I encourage you to give us a call or stop by soon to check out our Cork Flooring options and see if this eco-friendly material is right for you and your home. Until then, be safe and stay blesssed!
 


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

2017 Tile Trends You’ll Go Crazy For

We’re three months into 2017, everyone, and I hope it’s going as well as you’d hope thus far. Winter is nearly behind us, and pretty soon, we’ll be setting our eyes upon the beginnings of one of my favorite seasons – Spring. And with a new year, new trends begin to pop up, and that doesn’t exclude designs and styles in the home renovation industry, right? Today, I’d like to specifically discuss tile trends for 2017.
Now, at Builders Surplus, we have a plethora of designs for your tile flooring needs, including, but not limited to polished porcelain, large format tile, and our lovely Daltile line. Not to mention, my personal favorite, wood-look tile. Elegant sleek feel of tile with the genuine appearance of wood. Exceptional. Alright, let’s look at what’s hot right now! Oh, look, this first one looks familiar…

Wood-Look Tile

A hot topic, indeed. But, honestly, no surprise here. Wood-look tile has been gripping homeowners across the nation for quite a few months now, and for good reason. It’s incredibly durable, maintaining the ability to withstand cracks, warps, dents, scratches, and chips. Perfect for those clumsy relatives you may have or turnt-up toddlers want to see what happens “when this glass meets that floor.”
Whatever the accident may be, wood-look will have you covered. What’s more is that you can install this tile anywhere. Yep, anywhere, including bathrooms. The material used in wood-look actually repels liquids. No more stains. No more mold. No more warping. That alone makes this style one of the finer tile trends of 2017, you know what I mean?


Hexagon-Patterned Tile

There’s just something about this design that has sparked a near insane interest in flooring departments everywhere. And, I get, ya know? When it comes to any designs, you must stick to what appeals to the eye. Sometimes regular patterns go amiss because of their standard square patterns, no matter how colorful or intriguing the tile is itself. But, you throw a bit of geometrical curvature down on the floor and you end up with something truly mesmerizing, extremely hard to miss, and downright jaw-dropping. Definitely makes the list for most exciting tile trends of the year.

Dark Tile

You know as well as I do that color is a primary element in any design. That statement continues to reign true through 2017, and now we’ve begun to see a piqued interest in darker tiles. If used correctly given the other elements in the room, a darker tile can exude relaxation and solace in a luxurious fashion. One of the more popular tile colors that we’ll see through the year is gray. It may seem like an ordinary, mundane color, but when used with other rich colors, you can get that relaxing, tranquil feel you’ve been looking for. Sidenote: Darker tiles are also obviously easier to clean. Just a plus on top of a plus.

Brick-Look Tile

Listen, I love the cobblestone look. Love it. It’s probably because of weird fascination with all things 18th century London, but there’s just something about walking across cobblestones that visually takes me across the Pond, holding a coffee, wearing a peacoat, and looking down the lines of cafes, wondering where I’m going to for a sip of tea and a crumb of a crumpet. But then again, maybe I’m not so weird because brick-look tile is one of the hottest tile trends to date and it exhibits the same feel.
People love this look because it’s different. It is far from your usual flooring. It’s a bit quirky, which for some is all the more reason, but it’s also a design that continues to amaze people. With that said, this design is not going anywhere fast. Expect it to be a hot commodity for some years to come.

Cement-Look Tile

Honestly, the all-encompassing hottest trend is flooring that looks like something it’s not. Wood-look, Brick-Look, and now, Cement-Look tile. It’s extremely endearing, folks. I’ve talked about it a few times in previous blog posts, but it’s just interesting to me that a material that is widely known for industrial purposes had made its way into people’s living room and hallways – in a glorious fashion.

Herringbone & Chevron Patterns

Another one that shouldn’t be much of a surprise. These patterns continue to “wow” people because of the inevitable. It WILL get your attention and nine times out of ten, you WILL like it. Now, yes it’s going to continue well into 2017, but I don’t expect this trend to last forever, honestly. It’s a pattern and once people start looking at the same thing for a long, extended period of time, well, they get bored. And then it’s onto the next attractive, more appealing design or pattern.

Well, everyone, keep your eye out for these colors, designs, and patterns for the months to come! I’m sure you’ll find that there’s a reason these characteristics continue to amaze everyone in the industry. What’s your favorite one of these 2017 tile trends? Feel free to leave a comment or let me know by sending me an email! And if you’re in the industry or you’re looking to install some new floors, come on into one of your two locations in Louisville or Cincinnati! Until then, be safe and stay blessed!


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

2017 Tile Trends You'll Go Crazy For

 
 
We’re three months into 2017, everyone, and I hope it’s going as well as you’d hope thus far. Winter is nearly behind us, and pretty soon, we’ll be setting our eyes upon the beginnings of one of my favorite seasons – Spring. And with a new year, new trends begin to pop up, and that doesn’t exclude designs and styles in the home renovation industry, right? Today, I’d like to specifically discuss tile trends for 2017.
Now, at Builders Surplus, we have a plethora of designs for your tile flooring needs, including, but not limited to polished porcelain, large format tile, and our lovely Daltile line. Not to mention, my personal favorite, wood-look tile. Elegant sleek feel of tile with the genuine appearance of wood. Exceptional. Alright, let’s look at what’s hot right now! Oh, look, this first one looks familiar…
 

Wood-Look Tile

A hot topic, indeed. But, honestly, no surprise here. Wood-look tile has been gripping homeowners across the nation for quite a few months now, and for good reason. It’s incredibly durable, maintaining the ability to withstand cracks, warps, dents, scratches, and chips. Perfect for those clumsy relatives you may have or turnt-up toddlers want to see what happens “when this glass meets that floor.”
Whatever the accident may be, wood-look will have you covered. What’s more is that you can install this tile anywhere. Yep, anywhere, including bathrooms. The material used in wood-look actually repels liquids. No more stains. No more mold. No more warping. That alone makes this style one of the finer tile trends of 2017, you know what I mean?
 

 
 


 
 

Hexagon-Patterned Tile

There’s just something about this design that has sparked a near insane interest in flooring departments everywhere. And, I get, ya know? When it comes to any designs, you must stick to what appeals to the eye. Sometimes regular patterns go amiss because of their standard square patterns, no matter how colorful or intriguing the tile is itself. But, you throw a bit of geometrical curvature down on the floor and you end up with something truly mesmerizing, extremely hard to miss, and downright jaw-dropping. Definitely makes the list for most exciting tile trends of the year.
 
 
 

 

Dark Tile

You know as well as I do that color is a primary element in any design. That statement continues to reign true through 2017, and now we’ve begun to see a piqued interest in darker tiles. If used correctly given the other elements in the room, a darker tile can exude relaxation and solace in a luxurious fashion. One of the more popular tile colors that we’ll see through the year is gray. It may seem like an ordinary, mundane color, but when used with other rich colors, you can get that relaxing, tranquil feel you’ve been looking for. Sidenote: Darker tiles are also obviously easier to clean. Just a plus on top of a plus.
 

 

Brick-Look Tile

Listen, I love the cobblestone look. Love it. It’s probably because of weird fascination with all things 18th century London, but there’s just something about walking across cobblestones that visually takes me across the Pond, holding a coffee, wearing a peacoat, and looking down the lines of cafes, wondering where I’m going to for a sip of tea and a crumb of a crumpet. But then again, maybe I’m not so weird because brick-look tile is one of the hottest tile trends to date and it exhibits the same feel.
People love this look because it’s different. It is far from your usual flooring. It’s a bit quirky, which for some is all the more reason, but it’s also a design that continues to amaze people. With that said, this design is not going anywhere fast. Expect it to be a hot commodity for some years to come.
 

 

Cement-Look Tile

Honestly, the all-encompassing hottest trend is flooring that looks like something it’s not. Wood-look, Brick-Look, and now, Cement-Look tile. It’s extremely endearing, folks. I’ve talked about it a few times in previous blog posts, but it’s just interesting to me that a material that is widely known for industrial purposes had made its way into people’s living room and hallways – in a glorious fashion.
 

 
 

Herringbone & Chevron Patterns

Another one that shouldn’t be much of a surprise. These patterns continue to “wow” people because of the inevitable. It WILL get your attention and nine times out of ten, you WILL like it. Now, yes it’s going to continue well into 2017, but I don’t expect this trend to last forever, honestly. It’s a pattern and once people start looking at the same thing for a long, extended period of time, well, they get bored. And then it’s onto the next attractive, more appealing design or pattern.
 

 
Well, everyone, keep your eye out for these colors, designs, and patterns for the months to come! I’m sure you’ll find that there’s a reason these characteristics continue to amaze everyone in the industry. What’s your favorite one of these 2017 tile trends? Feel free to leave a comment or let me know by sending me an email! And if you’re in the industry or you’re looking to install some new floors, come on into one of your two locations in Louisville or Cincinnati! Until then, be safe and stay blessed!
 


 
Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain
 

PRO: Additional Options to Impress Your Clients

How’s it going, professionals? I hope business is well, and that you’re so slammed with jobs, you honestly don’t know what to do with yourself at the moment. It’s better to have an abundance of jobs than to be stressing where your next one will be, am I right? Today, I’d like to discuss a few options, quite literally, on how you can maintain repeating customers in your queue. You’ll do this by simply impressing your clients in a way that shows off your finesse as a master of your trade.
In essence, you’ll suggest options that may have been overlooked in the initial design and will hopefully having your customers so satisfied with your expertise that they’ll go to no one else but you during their next renovation. To do so, I’ll break it down by a number of categories – kitchen, bath, flooring, tile, and doors – and provide a suggestion that one, enhances the look of the design, and two, will make your customer very happy that they called you. Cause that’s what it’s all about, right?

Kitchen Options – Crown Moulding

It’s no secret that cabinets are a significant factor in any kitchen design. They’re essential for the appearance of the kitchen style, but also for functionality as well. Typically, larger families require more kitchen space, from both the countertops and cabinets. The trick is to blend both together, using aesthetics as well as how functional the cabinets are to produce a design that gives you the best of both worlds. Those two words in bold, two lines above are yet another way to enhance the look of the kitchen without your customer’s digging too deep into their wallets.
The Crown Moulding option is one that can COMPLETELY change the look of a kitchen. Yes, it’s that drastic. It makes the difference of your standard cabinet look to something more elegant, elaborate, and sophisticated. At a pretty low cost. There’s a wide variety of options, too. Everything from extremely intricate designs to simple, smooth beveled edges. Just throw it out as a suggestion, and let your customers determine if they like the look or not. But – and I’m willing to bet – they’ll appreciate the tip.

options

Bath Options – Backsplash

Ah, talk about an enhancement. A tiled backsplash in a kitchen is almost mandatory once you’ve installed a couple during bathroom renovations. It’s simply a lovely feature, and I have a theory on why that is. Bear with me here, but a design is only as good as the components that it’s made of. Let’s take the color aspect of it all. If the colors do not work, the design does not work. But if the colors mesh well with another then it becomes appealing to the eye. So, when it comes to a backsplash, it’s just another asset, or component, that helps blend in the colors in the design.
Plus, look at the materials you’re dealing with, vanity alone. You have the color of the vanity, the color of the countertop, the wall paint color, accessories, and so on…and then when you add a backsplash, it just pulls everything together to make something quite extraordinary. Once again, low on cost, relatively easy on install, and tremendous on appearance. I love this option. Your clients will, as well. Take a peek at our backsplash tile options on our website. We have a wide variety of styles and finishes that will accommodate a number if designs!

Flooring Options – Quarter Round

In the remodeling industry, as you know, you hear the phrase “finishing touches” multiple times in conversation. Putting in quarter round after you’ve installed the floor and finished trimming the room is simply one of those things you can do to really “complete” a room. That God awful gap between the base boards and the floor is simply not a good look, and yes, I know that some people are fine with it to lower costs, but the look is ten times better when it’s taken care of. Maybe twenty.
I’d definitely suggest this option if you’re renovating a wide, open area like a basement or something of that nature. Closets and storage rooms aren’t as important, but in rooms where there’s going to be a flow of traffic, where your clients will entertain their guests, and so on…this is an excellent option. It’s the dot on the ‘i’ and the cross on the ‘t’.

options

Tile Options – Decorative Mosaic

Out of all the options that I’ll list in this post, this is the one that I’d highly suggest. Especially if you’re installing a tiled shower or a backsplash. My father likes to call them “decos,” for short, and we’ve installed quite a bit of them for a number of clients. They absolutely love the look. To me, personally, I think it’s best exemplified in a stand-up, tiled shower. Placing them about eye level, the color blends (or contrast, if you prefer) just make it truly legit design.
Honestly, that’s as best as I can say it. It’s just a 100%, cool-as-all-get-out, bad@$$ design. Straight up. I implore you to at least suggest “deco” tiles when on your next tile job. It’s stunning. Simply stunning. Again, we have a vast amount of some of the finest design and trends in decorative mosaic tiles that one can ask for. Go take a look right here!

[bscolumns class=”one_third”]12 x 12 Silver Grey Mixed Glass Mosaic Decorative Tile at Builders Surplus in Louisville KentuckyBamboo Storm Porcelain & Glass at Builders Surplus in Louisville Kentucky

options

Door Options – Custom Paint it

You have many of your standard colors out there to work with, it is true. But, if you want to really make a lasting impression, suggest to your client that they purchase a custom paint to finish of their door. It may seem a bit…quirky, sure, but I’m telling you, it’s effective. Last summer, one of my father’s longtime clients had us install an exterior door for them. The lady of the house wanted the front door to “pop,” so we went with this Canary Yellow color.
\And I’ll tell ya what, if I wasn’t almost blinded while about 50 times as I applied the paint. Super bright. Vivid. Distinct. At first, I thought these characteristics were faults, but once we installed it, and drove up on it for the first time, I began to appreciate its vivacity. It drew the eye, and to me, that’s what mattered most. Suggest a custom paint color, urge your client to think outside of the box, to have a one of a kind feature in a home that will make it entirely their own. Suggest these options, and watch the effects unfurl.
options


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are one of the leading providers of  kitchen cabinets, tile, flooring, windows and doors in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design comes as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients, home improvement pros & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written by: Chris Chamberlain

Why Waypoint Cabinets Are Fan Favorites

    waypoint cabinets   At Builders Surplus, we feature some of the finest cabinetry lines that your money can buy. One of these lovely lines is Waypoint Cabinets, and they’re very much sought after in both kitchen and bathroom designs. Today, I’d like to discuss the many reasons why these cabinets are such a fan favorite and continue to be one of our best-sellers in store.  

The Variety

Hey, when it comes to refinishing your bathroom or kitchen, you can never have too many options. Indecisiveness out the window, having an excellent variation of options makes the whole process easier instead of being limited to only two or three choices. So, when it comes to people loving Waypoint Cabinets, having a variety is definitely one of the more redeeming qualities. The company has five collections to choose from – the 400, 500, 600, 700, and Thermofoil series – and that’s just where the choices begin. You’re also able to pick from a variety of door styles, stain colors, and finishes including Auburn Glaze, Espresso, Honey, Cognac, Silk, Linen, and Stone. And that’s just to name a few. Seriously, folks, endless possibilities here.      

The Quality

Above anything else, this is what Waypoint is known for. It’s true, there are many cabinet companies in the market, but this line is known for achieving that beautiful combination of an aesthetically-pleasing cabinet with prime functionality, which allows these stunning cabinets to be at the forefront of any design. The quality is exquisite. They use a sturdy hardwood when manufacturing their cabinets, making them extremely durable. Cabinets are used on the daily – constantly opening and closing – so it’s best if you look for ones that will last in longevity. In knowing this, Waypoint produces a product that is built beautifully AND build to last. I’d say this is one of, if not, the primary reason for Waypoint’s popularity.

The Creation

Waypoint Cabinets are made right here in the U.S.A. For those of you that shop local and know why it’s important to, you’ll understand why this is a pretty big deal. These days it seems like we’ve lost all of our materials and manufacturers to foreign estates, but when you come across a product like Waypoint’s and also find out that they’re right here, on this soil, you take note. Furthermore, they are made with some of the finest woods that God’s green Earth has to offer and cut into many different shapes and styles so as to accommodate a realm of different designs. Yes, they’re thoughtful like that.          

The Promotions

Every month, Waypoint comes through with at least two promotional offers that are designed to give you, the customer, a better bang for your buck. Some of these offers entail a free cabinet from any given series, or a 10% discount on the 600/700 series, and so on and so forth. If you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen or bathroom, these promotions are perfect for you! The promos are activated with orders of twelve cabinets or more, and on some of them, the offers can be combined. They’re serious incentives, and when you take a look at what you’re getting, you begin to realize the benefits of the whole package. It’s very, very difficult to pass up. Take a look at our Promotions page and see what deals you can get this month!           In all, Waypoint Cabinets are truly amazing products, ones that will ensure you of a beautiful kitchen design. It’s because of this that I strongly suggest you come take a look at what we have to offer in store at any of our two locations in Louisville or Cincinnati. Don’t just take my word for it, everyone. If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen or bathroom, and you’d like a bit of advice on styles, on cabinetry or otherwise, then come on in for a FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION! We’d be glad to help you on your way to a dream renovation!  
Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written By: Chris Chamberlain  

Want to learn more about kitchen & bath remodeling?

How to Achieve your Home Remodeling Goals in 2017

New home remodel with new kitchen and diningroom in eclectic style Alright, let me guess. You’ve been itching and dying to get some remodeling done around the house, but something always comes up or you forget about it for a time, or maybe the finances aren’t all in the right spot in the moment, and you simply [think] you need more time. I get it, I get it. it. We all know how life can be at times, but I implore you to wait no longer. Let 2017 be the year you go remodel your kitchen, let 2017 be the year you do gut out the bathroom because the style looks like it’s from the 1870s, let this next year be limitless, the only bounds being your creative limit. But how do you do this? An excellent question that will be followed by a similar answer. In this post, I’d like to discuss what you can do to take action in your home remodeling and quit living in procrastination nation.

Home Remodeling Plan

home remodeling   The very first thing you need to do is take some time to relax and plan exactly what you’d like to do. Include your significant other, lay down, get out a sketch pad, and draw up some designs that you’d like to incorporate. It’s easy to just say, “Yeah, um, we really need to do something about this kitchen,” but it’s quite another thing to detail out why that is specifically. In any case, this is the stage where it’s time to pinpoint exactly what you’d like to do. Want more kitchen space? Then perhaps you need to knock out a wall or two. Need more storage? Then it’s time to think about more cabinets. home remodeling Think your bathroom would be more suitable to your liking if you had a standing shower as opposed to a tub? Figure it in. Let you and your family create a “roundtable” atmosphere, dishing out ideas and make your new remodel functional as well as satisfying. If you make it a fun activity with the whole family or just you and your spouse, then it won’t be a drag or something to just get over with. It can and will be an exciting process.  

Home Remodeling Design

home remodeling Alright, you’ve achieved what you’d like to happen, now it’s time to get serious about your home remodeling ideas. At Builders Surplus, we like to be included in this step in the process, which is why we offer a free design consultation with one of our professionals. They will literally sit down with you and your drawings and go over some design options with you, offering professional advice and suggestions. See, you don’t have to do all of this yourself. We love to and are so willing to help you during this entire process. home remodeling   During this time, it’s time to start talking about the price of your home remodeling. Now unbeknownst to you or not, we have several financing options that will accommodate anyone that wants to make their dream remodels come true. We would be more than happy to go over these with you! Rest assured when you leave your consultation you’ll have a very clear understanding of the design, your budget, and what you can expect during your remodel.  

Home Remodeling Execution

home remodeling   Ah, it’s down to the nitty-gritty now. Remember last year when you didn’t get done what you wanted to get done. This last and final step let’s those thoughts be a part of the past – it’s time to look at the present. Cause it’s here. Now, we 100% understand if you’d like to just take the reigns from here and be on your way. Home remodeling is a crazy, self-fulfilling, self-satisfying process, but I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that we do, in fact, offer installation services. Seriously, everything from kitchen remodels to windows, we have you covered. home remodeling Now, listen, I’ve neatly sorted this process in three, simple steps. Please understand that gaining your dreams can be as simple as following them, and do not hesitate to give us a call or reach out to us. We want to help you reach these goals and see these dreams come true. So, don’t hesitate to call us anytime at any of our two locations. For reference, here’s our contact page right here. Until then, stay safe and be blessed.
  Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written By: Chris Chamberlain  

Want to learn more about kitchen & bath remodeling?

5 Easy DIY Upgrades For Your Kitchen Remodel

kitchen remodel Completely renovating your kitchen is a sure way to put a dent in your pocketbook, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to go that route. At all. In this post, I’ll discuss five simple, do-it-yourself upgrades that can completely revamp your kitchen remodel! These suggestions are relatively quick, requiring minimal time, and are completely cost-effective. Plus, most of these options can be achieved by the help of your neighborhood home improvement store, Builders Surplus! We carry most of the products needed to achieve these awesome upgrades, and we’d love to assist you in any way in making your dream kitchen remodel a reality. Feel free to stop by in any of our Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati locations to check out some of the amazing deals we offer, including top-notch products at absolute money-saving prices. See ya there! FreeDesign

Kitchen Remodel – Cabinet Hardware

kitchen remodel Changing the look of the cabinet hardware in your kitchen is a nice, gentle touch to switch up the overall appearance. It may seem like a small adjustment, but I promise you, once you’ve changed the knobs on each cabinet to a different style or design then step back a couple paces, you’ll see a major difference. kitchen remodel Also, you’re in luck! We carry some of the best lines in cabinet hardware including Top Knobs, Jeffrey Alexander, and Amerock. These lines provide the coolest, sleekest designs to accessorize your cabinets, and are adaptable to any kitchen remodel design! Whichever style you’re trying to accomplish – traditional, rustic, contemporary, or modern – these brands have beautiful pieces of each, making it suitable for all.

Kitchen Remodel – Install a Backsplash

kitchen remodel There’s just something about a kitchen with a backsplash that literally sets everything in motion. This feature gives you the opportunity to make your entire kitchen blend in, even by creating contrast. Bring out the colors in your countertops by accentuation, letting the backsplash push those colors forward. Or, create contrast and play with the lights and darks of your kitchen. kitchen remodel   Tile-Shop-Ad You could also just make it neutral, and let the colors flow around it. Honestly, it doesn’t matter, because it’s going to bring about an appearance that screams “elegant kitchen,” instead of an ordinary, painted back wall. We have brilliant pieces of mesh-back tile in-stock and ready to go. Interested? Check out our mesh back tile options, and find something that suits your fancy!

Kitchen Remodel – Pull-Down Faucet

kitchen remodel When you’re in your kitchen, you want to be comfortable, right? Just like any other room in your household, you’d like the functionality to be bar-none, and everything should be super simple. Well, installing a pull-down faucet covers that entire scope. Not only does it look good, but it feels good knowing that the dreaded chore of doing dishes can simplified by a fixture. kitchen remodel Technology, by definition of usage, is a means of making life easier. Installing a pull-down faucet in your kitchen can ease your daily life, upgrading your kitchen not only be appearance, but in function, as well.

Kitchen Remodel – Crown Moulding

kitchen remodel   Cabinets-Shop-Ad Installing crown moulding on your cabinets is a masterful way to upgrade the appearance in your kitchen. There are many designs to choose from, some more elaborate than others, but one thing is for sure, it makes for instant gratification. kitchen remodel After all, a beautiful design is achieved partly by the resources you use. Installing crown moulding is a quick, inexpensive way to amp up the look of your kitchen cabinetry, a prominent feature in any kitchen remodel.

Kitchen Remodel – Light Fixtures

kitchen remodel The lighting in your kitchen plays in an important part in your kitchen design. Maybe you feel as if there’s just not enough light in your kitchen or you just don’t like the look of the fixtures. Now, during your kitchen remodel, you can change that and add fixtures that not only give you the ample light you need, but look good while doing it. kitchen remodel A couple of weeks ago, my dad and I visited one of our usual customers to talk about the lighting in her kitchen – there just simply wasn’t enough. But instead of rewiring for additional fixtures, we thought of another idea, one that we’ve used before in a bathroom and were mesmerized by the effect. A skylight. We installed a 14-inch skylight that provides the light output of 5 100w lightbulbs! Crazy, right? And it turned out beautiful. In fact, she told us a few days later that she doesn’t even have to turn on the kitchen lights in the daytime. Exceptional.  
Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written by: Chris Chamberlain    

Tile Grout Colors: The Thin Line Between Good & Great

Tile grout can really ruin the perfect image of a kitchen or bath, whether it’s strikingly different from your tile or it’s just plain dirty, and it’s often because grout is treated as an afterthought. It’s not particularly pretty and you kind of need it when installing any kind of tile. Take out advice and consider colored grout to take your kitchen tile selection from good to great!
Tile Grout Colors: Grout Repair

Grout

A Quick Breakdown on Tile Grout:

Cement or Epoxy

Cement grout is the most common that you’ll run into and have installed in your home. Tile grout made form Epoxy is much more expensive and harder to find. However, epoxy grout does offer more resistance to water damage and staining.

Sanded versus Unsanded

Cement grout comes in sanded and unsanded versions. Sanded grout should be used when spacing between tiles would be 1/8″th of an inch or larger. The sand helps to prevent cracking or expansion/shrinkage of the grout between the tile pieces.

Sealing your Grout

You grout needs to be sealed. You can either use a penetrating sealer or opt for one that sits on the top, however the latter might get cloudy – especially when exposed to moisture.
Tile Grout Colors: Our Grout Color Selection

Mastic

Great Grout Colors!

There are plenty of colors to choose from when deciding which kind of grout would be best for your home and project. We carry North American Adhesives cement tile grout and it comes in over 30 colors!
Typically there are 3 ways to choose your grout color. All of them are generally up to you and your specific tastes as well as the overall vision you have for your kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Neutral

It’s neither here nor there. Whites, beiges, and grays are usually a safe bet when installing tile with grout, especially for homeowners who are intending to sell.

Contrasting

This typically lends a more funky, creative look to the space – and that doesn’t mean it can’t be elegant or beautiful. It’s different, that’s for sure. White subway tile is a really popular trend right now and homeowners are cashing in with black or dark grout when installing it! Other times you’ll see contrasting grout is with more decorative tile.

Matching

This is the best option, especially when your tile is really expensive and it’ll work especially well in a smaller bathroom! The matching tile and grout colors make the area look seamless which can make the room appear larger and more open.

Dark versus Light Grout

The debate between these two shades comes down to whether you believe that darker grout is better at hiding dirt than light colored grouts or if it just always looks dirty. That’s really up to you. But often times grout and tile maintenance does require a little more cleaning and upkeep.

No matter what color grout you choose to pair with your next tiling project you’ll be able to find the perfect match (or contrast) to what you’re looking for! It can be a little harder to keep clean, but in the end you’ll have a gorgeous floor or wall tile that compliments your perfect kitchen or bath!


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Kat Flaherty

Small Bathroom: Choosing the Right Vanity & Tile

A small bathroom is one of the worst things on the planet. I remember the one in my first apartment, there was barely any space to move, you had to close the door to open the vanity cabinet but you also had to stand off to the side or sit on the toilet sideways so you didn’t hit your shins! There are many different factors that can keep someone from being able to do much about a small bathroom; whether it be that you’re stuck in an apartment and can’t make any structural changes or you own your own home, but you don’t have the budget to do a full bathroom remodel at the moment.
Small Bathroom: Monochromatic Color Scheme
Updating your tile and replacing your vanity are a couple of the easiest and most inexpensive ways that you can make your bathroom appear more open. We’ve got some tips and tricks on how you can utilize these to make your cramped bath appear “bigger on the inside.”
Shop-Now-Vanities

Be Basic

Simplicity is key when you’re wanting to make a small bathroom feel bigger! Skip the highly decorative and opt-in for more simplistic shapes and styles. In a space like this, less is more.
The subway tile look is super popular, and it’s a really basic look that’s also classy. However, what needs to be remembered with tile is size. Go for larger format tile – the less lines and grout, the better. This creates a longer line that isn’t broken up which makes the space appear larger because the pattern is continuous.
There are two ways to go with vanities her. You can choose a pedestal sink and be really minimal, but if you must have some storage space choose a floating single-sink vanity or one with open shelves instead of cabinets or drawers. A floating vanity will open up the floor space, which breaks up the space less, while an open vanity (shelves instead of drawers) moves your eye through the room and makes you think about what you really need in your bath.
Small Bathroom: Floating Vanity

Color is Key

This goes along with keeping it simple. When it comes to color in a small space you want to choose a single color or monochromatic theme. Brighter colors work best in small spaces, especially whites – plus white is classy!
Select bright, glossy white tile or backsplash that is bigger than the palm of your hand at least (remember go big or go home with the whole tile selection). If you have a light color scheme that isn’t white then keep your tile selection in that hue, it’ll still make the room feel bigger. However, it’s a little more complicated where you already have a dark bath. When you have a dark space that you can’t completely overhaul you can still choose a lighter wall tile or backsplash. Remember, you want to try to break up the colors and patterns as little as possible!
Small Bathroom: Contrasting Vanity
Lighter vanities are often less popular because bathrooms are already pretty bright so a vanity is the perfect piece to contrast lighter colors! This is where you can have some fun if you want to. Keep the vanity white (or whatever single color the rest of your bathroom is) especially if it’s one with drawers and cabinets, this breaks up the space less and makes a small bathroom feel larger. If you think you can spare to have some color feel free to contrast the room with a darker vanity, however, this will work best with an open style shelf vanity.
Shop Backsplash Tile Builders Surplus Cincinnati Newport Louisville
There are plenty of other tips to make your small bathroom look and feel larger, updating your tile and replacing your vanity are just a couple of the easiest and most inexpensive ways that you can make your cramped bathroom space look and feel “bigger on the inside.”
Small Bathroom: Bigger on the Inside Doctor Who


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Kat Flaherty

It's Natural: Color Inspiration from Nature

I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to natural textures and scenes, of old architecture and macro imagery, of my favorite color palettes.  Some of the most gorgeous color palettes can be found outdoors and with a little help, you can come up with an entire scheme for a room.  You’ve dreamed, you’ve built, you’ve remodeled.  The walls are up and the floor is done, so what’s next?  The room’s design!  But where is a good starting point?  I am into design that is centered around color palettes and I use color theory to aid in setting the mood for a room.  Do I want it dark and calming, warm and cozy, trendy and fresh?  There are so many different avenues you could choose, but I think the best way is by taking inspiration from nature.
Today, I have put together four color palettes that utilize the great outdoors as interior inspiration.

In Hot Lava Color Palette

Color Palette Inspiration Red Navy Grey

The Great Outdoors Color Palette

Color Palette Inspiration Purple Yellow Neutral

Pink Oasis Color Palette

Color Palette Inspiration Pink Rose Lavender

Into the Wild Color Palette

Color Palette Inspiration Green Grey Brown

It is easy to draw ideas from our surroundings.  We encourage every to take a step outside and snap shots of what you are inspired by.  Tag your photos on Instagram with #builderssurplus and tell us how you’ll incorporate it in your design!

Attic Remodel: Ideas for an A+ Attic

Nowadays, every room in a house needs to be utilized.  With so many unique storage options, home owners aren’t using their attics for holiday decorations and old clothes anymore.  They are turning the top portions of their homes into top priority renovations.  From retreats to home gyms, an attic can be used for multiple purposes.  Gone are the days of a musty, dusty space without insulation and questionable floorboards.  Now is the time for an attic remodel!  Here are some fresh looks for your otherwise ignored space.

Guest Hideaway

Attic Remodel Bedroom Idea

Give your guests peace and quiet with a room all their own, without being attached to the heart of the house.  Allow the structural beams to remain exposed and add a large chandelier to give that five-star feel.  People will be begging to visit in no time!

Mats and Mantras

Who says that you can’t make it your own space to clear your head?  Clean up the clutter and get to meditating by turning your attic into a personal yoga studio.  This can be achieved in a manner of styles: from exotic to minimalist, you’ll never want to leave this inner-calming room.  This is an ultimate attic remodel.

Book Nook Attic Remodel

Attic Remodel Idea Library

Whether you are an avid reader or you have a collection bursting the seams of your home office, this attic idea can will have every bookworm curled up and ready for a text-based adventure.  Short and stout shelves add more storage, and you could even warm up the space with large area rugs.

Kids Create

Most of the rooms in our homes are dedicated to us, the adults.  Well, why not make a space for the little ones to explore, craft, and enjoy without supervision?  And since some attics don’t have the headspace to house us grown-ups, you could spruce up the room for a youthful hideaway fit for kids of all ages!

Like what you are seeing?  Check out more attic remodeling ideas over on our Pinterest!


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Katie Hager

Pantone Color of the Year 2016

A softer take on color for 2016: For the first time, the blending of two shades – Rose Quartz and Serenity are chosen as the PANTONE Color of the Year. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

Pantone Color of the Year: 2016
 
Every year, Pantone, the color authority of the world, releases what they dub their ‘Color of the Year.’ This color (or in this case “these colors”) will affect every aspect of the design industries for the next several years! From fashion- to graphic- to interior design, everyone who is up to snuff on their design trends will be looking to these two specific Pantone colors for inspiration!
While you may think that Rose Quartz (Pantone 13-1520) is just another pink, and Serenity (Pantone 15-3919) like any other blue, that is where you would be very very wrong, my friend! Pantone boasts thousands of colors (some with or without more simple names) with their own special number. You would not be using Rose Quartz if you used any other shade of pink from the Pantone book nor would you necessarily be using Serenity if you used the color picker on your computer! Pantone colors are very specific and any Pantone color booklet will let you know all the numbers you need in RGB, CMYK, or whatever other method your industry uses to select colors to achieve your chosen color!

Rose Quartz
Pantone: Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is a powdery, baby-girl pink. This color is perfect for Barbie and her dream home, although some may harken back to the pink tiled bathrooms from the 70s and 80s with horror and disgust, however, done correctly any pink room can be the perfect place to sit back and relax! Take advantage of quartz sinks and counter tops to really play into the name!

Bathroom Inspiration

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Kitchen Inspiration

 
 
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Serenity

Pantone: Serenity
This cool and tranquil, baby-boy blue is both feminine and masculine if played correctly! It can tie into a beach theme or classic french style bathroom!

Bathroom Inspiration

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Kitchen Inspiration

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Who would have thought of a blue floor? Beautiful![/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third_last”]cvet-goda-6[/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

Sometimes one color theme can be a little much for a room. Play around with color themes – or add colored accents. This blog features some fantastic Pantone accessories for any room in your home! The possibilities are endless!


 
Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Kat Flaherty

Top 10 Interior Design Trends Spotted At KBIS



Week before last, while visiting the Kitchen & Bath International Showcase in Las Vegas, we spotted 10 new interior design trends worth noting. KBIS, along with the National Kitchen and Bath Association is an inspiring showcase that highlights the latest products, trends and technologies in the remodeling industry. KBIS can be a great way to see what is up in coming in the design world, then taking those products to our customers to enjoy! This is an industry only event that we are happy to share with you by highlighting the top 10 trends that we spotted this year.

Our favorite Interior Design Trends For 2016


1. Arabesque  Patterns

Arabesque tile is one of my absolute favorites. It has such a unique shape that can look modern, french country, vintage, eclectic, or traditional depending on the material, color and finish. This is a real eye catcher in an kitchen or bathroom and will make your space stand out from the rest. We will be expanding our selection of arabesque backsplash tile options shortly, so don’t forget to check back to see the new sections!


Click here to view our favorite arabesque tile!

2. Colorful and Unique Appliances


Colorful Appliances - Interior Design Trends



Colorful appliances were everywhere at KBIS! The Suzanne Kasler stove to the upper left is a true show piece. This would be the highlight of your kitchen without a doubt. The colors available are bottom left of this paragraph. The retro aqua appliances are amazing and you can really freshen up a drab space quickly with these pieces!
Colorful-appliances

3. Hexagon Patterns

Hexagon is definitely rising to the top in terms of favorites, as the selection available has expanded greatly in the last year. No matter what your color scheme or style, you can most likely find a hexagon to match. The geometric feel usually works best in a contemporary space, in my opinion, but don’t let that stop you – the sky is the limit!


interior design trends of colorful appliances

Click here to view our favorite hexagon backsplash!

4. Reclaimed Wood

This is my favorite trend, hands down. I absolutely adore the rustic, farmhouse feel, where you mix new pieces with old to give it a nostalgic feel without being outdated. You can use reclaimed wood in a variety of spaces: Light fixtures, open shelves, on your walls, and on a vanity front! the image to the bottom right is an amazing new piece called Stik Wood! It is thinly sliced completely real reclaimed wood, with a sticky back attached to it. It is designed to easily be applied to walls, ceilings, kitchen islands & more! We can’t wait to start carrying Stik Wood Designs in store!

Reclaimed-Wood-Interior-Design-Trends

5. Taking On Technology

Technology has grown immensely in the kitchen & bathroom space. The video below shows an island that can raise and lower at the push of a button. The image below it are cabinets that drop down from the bottom, allowing for easy wheelchair accessibility. There are so many cool options that serve a purpose and will impress your friends all at the same time!





Technology-cabinets

6. Playful Patterns

I love this trend, as life is too short to take it too seriously! These playful, fun patterns just bring a smile to my face whenever I see them. Adding something colorful or unique to an otherwise calm space is a great way to add character and charm without going overboard!


Playful-Patterns

Click here to view decorative tile!

7. Natural Stone

Natural stone is on the rise and the reason is simple – it looks great, it’s durable, and you can use it in virtually any space, with any style. There is a color or shape for modern looks, rustic looks, or traditional looks. Use the pebble style stone on your shower floor, the ledge stone on your home’s exterior, the larger stone on your fireplace and you’ve built a cozy home with natural style!


Natural-Stone-Tile Interior Design Trends

Click to view our large selection of ledge stone!



8. Colorful Cabinets

As a lover of color, this is another one of my favorites. The kelley green cabinets to the left are part of Wellborn Cabinets’ Color Inspire collection. This allows you to take any color from Sherwin Williams, and have them transform your cabinets with it! This is a very unique option that allows you to have a truly one of a kind kitchen or bathroom.


Colorful Cabinets

Click here to see our cabinet options!

9. Cabinet Illumination

Under-cabinet illumination is that little something extra that makes a big difference. Not only for looks, this trend is also for function. It really makes your kitchen look like something you would see in a magazine, with little expense, depending on the style of lighting that you choose. It is easy to have this installed with virtually any cabinet line.

Under Cabinet-Lighting Interior Design Trends

10. Large Format Tile

Large format tile is one of the biggest trends in tile today. Large format tile is considered anything that is 15″ longer on any side, however, some consider 12″ or more to begin to get into the large format category. Below are two really fun options, but large format tile is becoming available in anything you can image, from polished marble, travertine, and wood look tile, to some of the more “out there options” similar to what is shown below. Make sure to have a professional install your large format tile, as it is much different, and much more difficult, than traditional tile.


Large Format Tile

Click here to see our selection of IN STOCK large format tile




There you have it! Our top 10 interior design trends from KBIS 2016! We hope you learned a lot and got some great new ideas for the future!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!


Written By: Allie Bloyd

Kitchen Design Trends & Resolutions for 2016

Kitchen Design: Trends & Resolutions for 2016: FeaturedB

Kitchen Design Trends & Resolutions for 2016!

Happy New Year everyone! Now that 2016 is in full swing I’m sure that everyone is making some changes in their lives for the better. Here are some Kitchen Design Resolutions to start the year off right and make your space even more functional and beautiful – because let’s face it a cluttered kitchen is so last year. Most trends and resolutions are sticking around from 2015 it seems, but there are also some new and fresh ideas that 2016 is bringing to the kitchen table in kitchen design! We’ll get started off with our top 3 kitchen design resolutions so you can get your space in order and prepare to transform your kitchen into the heart of your home.

Kitchen Design Resolutions

Our kitchen design resolutions are simple tasks to get your kitchen organized, decluttered, and ready to be transformed!

1. Get organized.

The pantry is all over the place, small appliances out in the open to run a muck, you’re digging through the silverware to find the whisk that you may or may not have – but you swear you do. Organizing your kitchen and surrounding spaces isn’t as overwhelming as it seems. In fact, the pantry itself can be done as you go grocery shopping. Utensil organizers and pantry hacks are your best friends in the kitchen! Magazine racks or old soda boxes are great for storing canned goods; and shoe caddies are useful for storing wine! Kitchen Design: Trends & Resolutions for 2016: Pantry Organization    

 2. Declutter

Organizing and decluttering might seem like the same thing to some people, but in reality they’re two steps on the road to kitchen design bliss – think of them as two sides to the same coin. While organizing might mean that you have your stuff together decluttering is getting rid of and hiding away that which you don’t want to be seen. Building a pull out shelf for small appliances or your trash bin is a fantastic way to begin to declutter your counter space. Kit Our favorite organizational products that are the 11 Minutes or Less Kitchen Organization tools. Like their name says, they can be installed in 11 minutes or less and they have so many different products for different uses!

3. Out with the Old and In with the New

Resolve to update your space – however you want. Whether your aim is to sell your home in the coming year or if you just want to make the space more your own. Go ahead and plan to update the flooring, backsplash, cabinets, or the entire kitchen if you want to!
Kitchen Design: Trends & Resolutions for 2016: Update

A great use of mixing and matching textures, and colors in a contemporary style!

  If you are considering selling your home – read on to discover some of the best selling trends and sign up for our Kitchen & Bath University event on January 30th, 2016 to learn more about how to plan, budget and what to expect from a remodel.

Kitchen Design Trends

New year new you, and new kitchen! Whether you’re wanting to plan for the future by updating your kitchen to suit your tastes or if you’re wanting to make it more likely to sell these trends are what you should look our for!

1. The Neutral Color Trend

Grey

You might remember back last June when we had a series of blogs all about the grey color trend. Well, that trend isn’t dying out anytime soon. In fact the grey colors have boomed creating an explosion of neutral color trends. Kitchen Design: Trends & Resolutions for 2016: Grey Kitchen

Black & White

Black and White – whether together or on their own – are classic colors. If you’re thinking of using one of these in your kitchen consider White for a more classic approach, or black for a more daring and bold look! Kitchen Design: Trends & Resolutions for 2016: Black & White

Color Pop – Blue

Pale blues have been on the rise in many traditional kitchen color schemes – pairing it with white shaker cabinets for a chic cottage feel. Other kitchens have also gone for the color pop look – using a basic neutral color and adding an accent wall or accent kitchen cabinets in a bright, fun color. Kitchen Design: Trends & Resolutions for 2016: Blue Color Pop

Natural

Going for the natural color of wood is also a popular trend that we’re beginning to see more of. Especially unfinished wood. Contrasting unfinished cabinets in light and dark woods are becoming very popular. Kitchen Design: Trends & Resolutions for 2016: Wood

2. Materials

Wood

Speaking of wood. Reclaimed wood is an integral part of the modern rustic trend we were seeing last year. It brings age and texture to your space, and can be used to make everything from shelves, to tables, to backsplashes! Other woods are also popular because of the popularity of spaces that feel more natural and take on those natural characteristics. Wood Pallet Shelves DIY

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel appliances are sleek, modern, they go well in almost any space, and they’re easy to clean. Simple stainless steel hardware on wood cabinets updates the space to create a more contemporary finished look while also providing a contrasting element to the look.

Ledge Stone

Ledge stone comes in small single lay tiles and in large format tiles. It can be used over an entire space, as a backsplash, or other accent in you kitchen design. It’s popular for it’s general ease of installation and the impact that it brings to a space. Ledgestone_Backsplash

3. Mix & Match

Everything is moving more and more towards the contemporary styles as far as trends are concerned – but that doesn’t meant that the traditional or the classic have completely fizzled out. People more and more are mixing and matching colors, and textures, and finished to bring a uniqueness to their kitchen designs. Breaking up space with different colored countertops or different materials, pairing modern fixtures with a rustic style can all be used to mix and match a space just for you. Kitchen Design: Trends & Resolutions for 2016: Mix & Match  

4. Styles

Contemporary style on the rise – more and more we’re seeing a want from homeowners for clean, simple lines in their renovations. Modern rustic is also very popular – it’s a great way to work in some mixing and matching above (clean lines with an organic feeling stone wall or brick tile). Modern Rustic is a trend that is still in full swing and pairs well in a mix and match style, your can read more in-depth on the trend here. Consider a transitional kitchen if your selling to compromise between the growing contemporary trend and the popular traditional trends. If you’re wanting to remodel for yourself take the Waypoint Style Quiz to find out where your tastes in home decor and style land!

5. Functionality, Commercial Grade & Specialty Appliances.

Horizontal cabinetry, deep shelving, commercial grade, and specialty appliances are on everyones wish list for things to update their kitchens with! More and more people are looking for the luxury in appliances and how they can make their lives easier and their cooking better. It’s all meant to make the kitchen a more functional friendly space to be in and make cooking an enjoyable endeavor instead of a nightly chore. Kitchen Design: Trends & Resolutions for 2016: Stainless Steel Appliances     Remodeling and updating your kitchen in preparation for the new year is a great way to stick to you own new years resolutions to be a healthier person, do more cooking at home, updating your house, and spending more time with family. We hope that you find these tips just as useful and helpful as we thought they were! Happy New Year and a great 2016 to you all!

What are your plans for you kitchen in 2016?


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written By: Kat Flaherty

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