A too short showerhead, awkward kitchen lighting, an appliance that doesn’t quite fit in with your vision. These are some of the nuances that can really make or break a home remodel. If you are in the market to renovate, how do you get it right to ensure that no detail is overlooked and you’re not kicking yourself for a job not so well done?
Here’s some information from CT Shower & Bath/Captivating Kitchens to help you through the process.
Can you tell us a little bit about CT Shower and Bath?
CT Shower & Bath has been in the Design District of West Hartford for over 30 years. We cater to three separate design aspects in the home – custom glass enclosures, partial to full bathroom remodeling and kitchen remodeling. We are equipped to deliver small or large projects, including design, materials, demo and installation.
What would you say is the most unique part of the business?
The fact that we provide design services, free of charge is a huge benefit of working with us. When it comes to shower enclosures, we see the big picture and provide a custom glass design that will work in your bathroom perfectly. We design, measure and install all of our enclosures around your needs, taking into account how you use your shower, including where the fixtures are mounted, how the door should swing (in, out or in and out), where towel bars are placed and how this will meet your needs moving forward.
Our design service begins with a site visit to your home, along with our contractor, to understand your space and your vision. We then help you with material selection to achieve this vision, working throughout the process as a project manager. The end result is your dream bathroom. This design service extends to full and partial remodels of bathrooms and kitchens as well.
What trends are you seeing that people considering a remodeling project should pay attention to?
While we are still seeing white kitchens, we are also seeing an uptick in painted finishes in our cabinetry. People are using more wall paper accents, bolder paint colors and hardware that complements their personal style. Quartz is still popular as a counter top or vanity. Lighting has always been important in the bathroom but kitchens are getting much more workspace focused lighting to add to the overall ambient lighting, as well as under cabinet lighting.
How about bathrooms?
We see a lot of tubs being removed and replaced with showers. Some of this is for aging in place; some in order to have a large, open shower in order to add a bench and/or multi-function shower heads. We also are seeing requests for steam showers. We typically install at least two water outlets in each shower – the handheld along with the fixed head are pretty standard at this point. As said earlier, there is a lot more wallpaper being added to an accent wall or bold paint. We are seeing a lot more clear, low iron glass so that the shower itself becomes the focal point and can show off some interesting tile work or beautifully colored wall panels.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about a renovation job?
If you are doing glass in a bathroom, don’t wait to order it until after the shower is complete. It isn’t something we keep in stock; it is a custom item that we design around your needs and it must be fabricated and delivered to us before we can install it. Come by when you first begin the project to get some ideas and then we can help you design and order just what you want so that it can be installed shortly after the shower is completed.
Planning is such a crucial part of a project. If you come by the showroom early, we can help you think through the process and make decisions without the stress of a deadline looming. We have a process we follow and will spend whatever time necessary to get you through that process so that the finished product will look like you want it to and give you peace of mind.
You guys have been here for more than 30 years as have a lot of the independent businesses in the Design District. Why should a customer go to you instead of one of the big chains?
We are a one stop shop when it comes to bathrooms and kitchens. We can help you with the smallest of projects or a large, multi-faceted one. We are small enough to give you personal attention but experienced enough to produce a great design and product. We subscribe to the tenant that you treat people as you would like to be treated so we remember your name when you come in, we work with you as if you were our own family and don’t steer you down a road you don’t want to go. We see your whole project and work to provide the correct fit and function that you need.
What do you love about being in the Design District?
There is a great synergy and sense of camaraderie within this community. We are able to meet up to talk about what’s going on in the area and the industry and how people feel about the economy and various trends. There is also a fantastic opportunity to work with local people and collaborate. We can connect our customers with the best tile person or specialty hardware shop; when they go in, they have a name and a referral which feels good. It’s a who different experience than the big box store but with the same local convenience.
CT Shower and Bath is located at 555 New Park Avenue in the Design District of West Hartford. Owner Mike Gezelman can be reached at (860) 236-6500. You can visit their website at www.ctshowerandbath.com.