Category Archives: Bathroom Design

Right-Sizing Your Home Addition

December 19, 2019 Jen Kain Defoe

As premier custom builders on the Cape, the experts at C. J. Riley handle many Cape Cod home addition projects. Building an addition on your home is a popular, cost-effective alternative to a whole-house remodel or relocating to a new home altogether, and an addition that is customized to meet your family’s specific needs can truly transform your space. Planning an addition can be challenging, but the team at C. J. Riley Builder has decades of experience navigating the process, and we know how important it is to right-size your addition so it works seamlessly with your existing home.

Of key importance is figuring out the must-have elements of your addition — the updates or embellishments you absolutely need from the process. This list could include a luxurious new living space, a spa-like guest bath, a playroom where the kids can roam free, or anything in between. Determine what you can’t live without, and the planning phase will move more efficiently.

Also crucial is knowing how much space you want to (and are allowed to) create with your addition. Depending on the zoning regulations in your town, you may be able to build an addition that doubles the size of your home. Otherwise, the allowable addition is typically calculated by cost, usually maxing out at 50% of your home’s assessed value. “Setbacks” — the minimum amount of space between a dwelling and your property line, or adjacent environmentally sensitive areas — must also be considered. Our team is intimately familiar with zoning regulations across the Cape, and we can create a gorgeous addition to your home within any given parameters.

If your family has outgrown your home, but you are attached to it and your neighborhood, or you have a sentimental attachment to it because it’s been in your family for generations, consider building an addition that “maxes out” zoning regulations. With a two-story home addition, you can both increase the number of bedrooms and add common living space such as a family room or larger kitchen. Should you own a one-story home, adding an entire second story can address zoning regulations that prohibit increasing its overall footprint.

With a mid-sized addition, you can create a first-floor master suite, a move that’s incredibly important if you plan to spend your retirement years in your Cape Cod home. Even if you may be spending your golden years elsewhere, a first-floor master will do wonders for your home’s resale value. A mid-sized addition can also allow the creation of an open floor plan. Many homes on Cape Cod were constructed before this concept became so prevalent — in some cases centuries prior — and, because an open-floor-plan main living area that includes the kitchen is perfect for spending time together as a family and for entertaining, this is one of the top requests from clients who are considering building an addition.

If, on the other hand, your home is nearly perfect as it is, yet it’s missing an essential element or two, a smaller addition may be all that is needed to transform and upgrade your space. A small “bump-out addition” can add a key room to an existing area of your home, such as giving a first-floor bedroom an en-suite bathroom, installing a luxurious walk-in closet, or carving out an intimate dining area to create an eat-in kitchen, perhaps with custom-built banquette seating.

Whether you’re looking to vastly increase the size of your home, or simply want to make some thoughtful upgrades using limited space, the team at C. J. Riley Builder can bring your Cape Cod home update to life.

Ready to expand your Cape Cod home? We’re ready to make it happen. Contact us today for a consultation.

Bathroom Design, Cape Cod Custom Builder

Renovating a Bathroom with Aging in Place in Mind

August 28, 2019 Jen Kain Defoe

It’s not much fun to think about getting older, but for homeowners, making aging-in-place preparations early can save you a lot of worry down the road. If you plan to someday retire to your Cape Cod home, or you’ve already settled down on the Cape for the long haul, you can make thoughtful home renovations that will simplify your golden years without sacrificing your design aesthetic.

Aging-in-place considerations are particularly important when it comes to bathroom design, and the expert team at C.J. Riley Builder can renovate your home so it’s ready for the years ahead.

First-floor accessibility: First things first: If your master bath isn’t currently on the first floor of your home, you may want to consider a change. Climbing the stairs could become overwhelming as you get older. If your children recently moved out on their own, now is a great time to reconfigure where your master bedroom and ensuite bathroom are located in your home. Making the transition to the first floor now could spare you a lot of work later on.

Zero-threshold options: While it may seem like no problem currently, there’s a possibility that stepping over the lip of your shower or edge of your tub could become trying in the years to come. With a zero-threshold walk-in shower, the problem is solved. If you’re more a bath person (and who could blame you?), there are also bathtubs that allow for walking in, providing a watertight seal when the opening is shut behind you. With these options, you can make spa-like bathing a lifelong experience.

Slide and grab bars: Bars that will help with mobility in the future are one of the easiest elements to install in your bathroom right now. Slide and grab bars in the shower, and near the tub and toilet, can be stylishly incorporated into your bathroom design. (We promise, your space will not look like a public restroom with these safety elements.) An adjustable shower head that can accommodate a seated bather is a helpful addition as well.

Updated tech: There are many design upgrades that incorporate helpful technology to facilitate aging in place. You may want to install a toilet that includes bidet-like features, making it easier to stay clean in case of limited mobility. Kohler and other luxury bath design brands offer toilets that make sitting and standing easier as you age, faucets that don’t require too strong a grip, and more.

Height considerations: Many bathrooms cannot accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, and in the event you may someday use one, you’ll want to be sure there’s enough clearance built into your bathroom design. Consider installing a lowered or cantilevered vanity, with appropriate space beneath so a wheelchair can be rolled right up to the appropriate spot. While we’re renovating, we can also determine if your bathroom door could be widened to better allow for wheelchair or walker access.

Safe flooring: You may love your marble bathroom tiles, but your older self may find that the risk of slipping isn’t worth the visual appeal. We can retile your bathroom with a material that’s less likely to become slick, such as vinyl, greatly decreasing the risk of a fall.

Helpful lighting: While your bathroom may already be effectively lit, overhead lighting can become more difficult to manage as you age. Consider adding sensor lights that turn on when you enter the bathroom. And lights that are positioned lower, like those on either side of a vanity, are much easier to reach for cleaning or replacing bulbs.

When you work with C.J. Riley, you can renovate with the future in mind without sacrificing your home’s distinctive style. Contact us today to get started on your own bathroom renovation.

Bathroom Design, Cape Cod Custom Builder, kitchen design

New Year, New Style: Homebuilding Trends for 2019

November 30, 2018 Jen Kain Defoe

With 2018 winding to a close, now is the time to plan your Cape Cod home’s 2019 transformation. Resolutions don’t have to revolve around dieting or bad habits—why not focus on revamping your space instead? With the current tight real estate market, renovating a Cape Cod home is more appealing than ever. If you’re ready for something new and fresh, take a look at these trends the experts are predicting will be big in the coming year.

Unique Fixtures

Source: Decor Aid

The fixtures in your home in 2019 should tell a story. Artisanal, local pieces are going to be big. Whether it’s a bold lighting design or sleek chrome cabinet pulls, the new year is all about sustainable picks that work as grounding elements in your home.

Metallic Accents

Source: Gates Interior Design

According to Décor Aid, copper and brass are the metals to watch in 2019, but metallic in general is having a moment. Kitchens and bathrooms will both benefit from an eye-catching touch of metal in what can often be an otherwise-bland landscape. Elle Décor, too, advocates for mixing metal accents in the upcoming year. It’s never a bad idea to add some thoughtful shine to your surroundings.

Bold Geometry

Source: Decor Aid

Make a strong statement next year with bold geometric patterns. The tile trend isn’t going anywhere, so make it your own with some shapely inspiration. Whether it’s revamping your bathroom flooring or reinventing your beloved kitchen backsplash, adding some dimension will transform your tile game.

Rustic Sinks

Source: Decor Aid

Could your space use a homier, farmhouse feel? Look no further than bucket sinks. These rustic pieces stand out and enhance comfort, often while saving you space (especially if you do away with a bulky bathroom sink/cabinet combo). As for the sink’s look, Gates Interior Design says the more intricate and metallic, the better.

Black is Back

Source: Elle Decor

Okay, black never truly left, but if you prefer sleek and spa-like over farmhouse rustic, there’s no need to worry. Luxurious black bathroom fixtures are making a comeback, according to Elle Décor. Embrace the dark to give this room a sophisticated, elevated vibe. Same goes for the kitchen, where black fixtures will lend a sharp contrast to the very light, very white trends of the past few years.

Light Wood Flooring

Source: Elle Decor

Wood flooring will be lightening up in 2019. Avoiding darker wood tones will help to make your rooms more airy, open and bright without sacrificing coziness. Think birch, hickory, red oak and the like for your floors next year. And good news: lighter wood flooring is much kinder than its darker counterparts when it comes to showing dirt.

Warmed-Up Countertops

Source: Elle Decor

Speaking of cozy, sterile, cold countertops are officially out. In the new year, countertop tones will be going warmer and darker, giving kitchens a more inviting, friendly feel. Whether you’re sticking to old favorite polished granite, branching out with laminate or wood, or mixing it up with a combination of materials, warm, rich tones are the predicted MVP next year.

Colorful Appliances

Source: Gates Interior Design

It looks like it’s finally time to bid farewell to stainless steel. Colorful fridges with rich finishes are stealing the show in 2019. The same goes for stoves. Appliances no longer need to be exclusively sleek and shiny. A pop of color and warmth is just what many kitchens need.

Goodbye, Upper Cabinets

Source: Gates Interior Design

Also according to Gates Interior Design, the upper cabinet is a thing of the past. Minimalism is in, and as a result, eye-level storage space is out. Let your countertops breathe, opt for simple shelving instead of overbearing cabinets, and lower the storage center of gravity in your kitchen. Feel like you can’t give up your precious cabinet space? Consider compensating for lost storage space with a built-in or butler’s pantry.

Open Kitchens

Trends come and go, but you simply can’t go wrong with an open kitchen. You’ll never look back on a spacious, breathable floor plan and cringe the way you may have done with say, shag carpeting or avocado green. Spending time with family and/or actually being able to enjoy your guests’ company while cooking will never go out of style. Trust us on this one.

Aging in Place

While you’re in renovation mode, if there’s a chance your current Cape house will be where you spend your golden years, it’s never too early to begin addressing aging-in-place concerns. Get ahead of the game now by opting for a zero-threshold shower, moving a master bedroom to the first floor, or installing some subtle grab bars and other aids.

The expert team at C.J. Riley Builder is ready to celebrate 2019 by updating your Cape Cod home. Get in touch today to get started with renovations for the new year!

Bathroom Design, Cape Cod Custom Builder

Making the Case for Marble

July 12, 2018 Jen Kain Defoe

While some countertop and flooring materials burn red hot for a few years—or even decades—before fading into home-decor oblivion, none have shown the staying power of marble. Its first known use in architecture was in the Parthenon in 438 BC. Marble has been around that long.

We remodeled the kitchen above, at a historic home in Osterville, several years ago. The marble countertops were a period-appropriate choice, but the overall look felt fresh and new, just as the owners wanted. It still looks fresh, doesn’t it?

Pros & Cons

The pros of marble are many. The material has a classic beauty that contributes to its timeless appeal, plus it’s available in a bright white that can’t quite be achieved with soapstone or granite. The price is right, as well: common Carrara marble makes for one of the least expensive natural countertops. Marble is also widely available, from nearly any stone yard or fabricator.

On the other hand, marble can scratch easily, particularly when something acidic comes in contact with it for a long period of time. A slice of lemon laid down on a polished countertop overnight, for example, can leave a mark in the shape of the lemon slice, duller than the surface around it. Similarly, marble can also stain, with red wine and some fruits being common culprits.

See below for some inspiration featuring this traditional material.

A Classic Approach

A marble countertop with an ogee edge paired with a backsplash in marble subway tile is such an ageless look.

New Takes on an Old Favorite

Yes, marble has been used for nearly 2,500 years in building, but that doesn’t mean designers can’t come up with new ways to use the ancient material. In the photo above, from DecorPad, added depth and a clean edge give the island’s countertop a contemporary twist. The backsplash is slabs of marble, rather than tile, which adds to room’s clean look.

In both of the kitchens below, the designers have used a marble slab for a backsplash that runs all the way up the ceiling. Such a bold look!

Wondering how marble can add to your home? Please contact us to arrange a complimentary consultation. The team at C.J. Riley Builder is here to turn your custom home vision into a reality.

Bathroom Design, Cape Cod Custom Builder

Considering a Bathroom Remodel? Look No Further

December 7, 2017 Jen Kain Defoe

Building Cape Cod custom homes means working with homeowners of all ages and style preferences. A few key upgrades to a run-of-the-mill bathroom can do wonders for modernizing your home. And when it comes to bathroom remodeling, whether you’re improving on your first home or renovating before retirement, we can make your unique vision a reality.

If you plan to make the Cape your forever home, you may want to incorporate aging-in-place considerations into your remodel plans. Even if that time is a long way off, installing a zero-threshold shower like this one from Home Stratosphere can provide peace of mind without compromising style.

If accessibility is required in your remodel, we can help. This handicap accessible bathroom, from one of our recent projects, features a spacious, zero-threshold shower that can be used seated or standing.

Once your golden years are taken care of, you can focus on creating spa-like serenity in your bathroom. We suggest a glass-encased shower for opening up the space and giving the everyday a truly luxurious feel. This corner glass shower from Houzz makes the most of the room’s square footage and still catches plenty of natural light.

To add another elegant touch, consider a sleek floating vanity, like this one from HomeCrux. It, too, takes up less room than its traditional counterpart, if storage is a priority. Because it’s cantilevered into the wall, providing the floating illusion, the vanity has a smaller visual footprint. This vanity’s rich wood cabinetry and granite countertops give this bathroom a five-star look.

Vessel sinks provide another unique spin on standard bathroom design. This eye-catching, curved rectangular piece from Kohler adds a contemporary look and distinctive shape to a traditional vanity.

And no opulent bathroom is complete without a deep, jetted bathtub. This modern slipper tub seen on Houzz helps transform this bathroom into a personal spa.

If you’re ready to get started with a bathroom remodel, we’re here to help.