Bay Cities Construction Blog

In the past ten years or so people have been pushing eco friendly and energy efficient trends. This year we will be experiencing the biggest eco-friendly boost ever. Prepare your new bathroom to be upgraded and up-to-date.

 We have been scoping out the bathroom remodel trends for 2012. Next year will be all about going green, spa like bathrooms, chandeliers, and art. Here are a few examples of how these four things will function in your bathroom remodel.

      Well dedicated blog subscribers....I am finished with the Limestone bathroom remodel in Hermosa Beach, CA. Looking back from when we started this bathroom, it has come along way. If you recall this limestone was imported from Portugal. The design goal for the shower was a search for Hermosa Beach elegance. Since the house is close to the ocean we wanted a "beachy" look not a cheesy look.   The Limestone is green with some taupe. This stone is truely special. It houses thousands of fossils. Yes, the true beauty of the stone is that it is a time capsul of sea life. Take a look at some of the close up shots and you can see the little snails and other cool custacians captured time. It is truely natures artwork!

Are you bored with travertine in showers? I am...it seems that over the last 5 years travertine has been the dominate tile installed in bathrooms. I know we have installed our share of travertine tile in bathrooms. A new wave of materials have hit the market and it is time to get with the new!  

This year I have taken on the interest of working wood with traditional hand tools. Yes, hammer, chisel and wood plane. My friends in the construction business ask me, “what are you crazy, you can’t make any money building things with a hammer, hand saw and nails?” What can I say they are right! But the truth is that a power saw is a very impersonal tool. My fascination with wood working circles the realm of artistry. A tree, its grains, the true beauty of its existence is best discovered by a chisel, mallet and plane. I have found that working with wood and hand tools is inspiring. A wood’s grain pattern has various utility; Hard tight grain, chopping block, tight burl, furniture. Wood’s versatility is only bound by the creativity of the woodworker. My friends’ pragmatic views have done little to quell my drive to pursue woodworking as a tangible artistic expression of my client’s vision of a space. Everyone is doing the Home Depot, Ikea cookie cutter crap. Let’s not do that! Ikea furniture (by their own admission) is designed and built to last 3-5 years.  I want to build something that the client will pass on to kids and grandkids, a true thing of beauty!

We have been doing a lot of bathrooms this year. These bathrooms are sporting hand built wooden vanities. This is really our opportunity to showcase our skill and artistic expression. In wood working joinery is paramount. Wood workers express themselves and their skill through the joinery they produce.

Lighting is basically the most important element in any room, especially in the bathroom. Bathroom lighting distinguishes how you’re applying your makeup, how well you shave, and keep you from slipping in the shower. The lighting in your bathroom will change the look of the room, its fixtures and the countertops. It will bring out your bathroom character and ambiance.

Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom cabinetries are known as vanities. People don’t make as big a deal about it as the kitchen cabinets but they are very important. Bathroom vanities are all about functionality. It’s important to plan enough storage for everyone who will be using the bathroom and be careful the doors/ draws do not interfere with the bathroom door.

This Los Angeles bathroom remodel was done with love for a very special person! When Mrs. Laster first called me to price out her bathroom she was very concerned about safety.