Is Granite on its Way Out?

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, granite countertops are in less demand today, while the use of quartz is on the rise.

Why? For one thing, man-made quartz countertops are offered in a far greater range of looks and feels. Reason number two: it’s a bit easier to maintain over the long haul, and it’s deemed a better environmental choice because it emits lower levels of radon—a potentially cancer-causing agent. To be fair, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains the radioactive materials in granite countertops are far too minuscule to pose a health threat.

So what, exactly, is a quartz countertop? It’s made of engineered stone, composed of at least 90% ground-up quartz mixed with a binder (like resin) then molded into a slab. Because pigment is added during the manufacturing process, the sky’s the limit when it comes to color. And quartz is non-porous and fairly resistant to stains, mold and bacteria.

Unlike granite countertops, which require periodic resealing to maintain their beauty, quartz is low-maintenance, needing only regular cleanings with soap and water or a mild detergent.

Quartz can be more impervious than granite to cracking or chipping under average conditions, although it is not quite as heat-proof. Most manufacturers recommend using a trivet when placing scalding hot pots or pans on a quartz countertop.

Apart from durability and maintenance, quartz comes in an infinite variety of designs, ranging in look and feel from sleek solid colors to organic-looking variations that resemble real substances found in nature, like veined marble. It can have a smooth and shiny finish or a softer, brushed feel (almost suede-looking). Choose wisely because the design can make a huge difference in the look and feel of a room.

Quartz counters may be a bit more expensive, up to 10 percent higher in cost than their granite counterparts, but shopping around and resealing over the years can mitigate any cost differences.

So, what side are you on? Natural stone mined from the earth or a man-made variation?

Consider These Features When Buying A Multi-Generational Home

Multi-generational living spaces are seeing an increase in demand. These days, many luxury homebuyers are not just looking for a place to reside with their children, but also extended family, such as parents or in-laws. A suitable home, however, often requires specific characteristics that you might not find in your typical residence. Here are a few such features that lend themselves to multi-generational living. 

Separate Living Areas
While a guest suite is usually adequate when the in-laws come to town for a weekend, you’ll probably want more substantial accommodations for a long-term arrangement. Whether it’s a fully-equipped guesthouse or an in-law suite with a kitchenette, multi-generational living tends to be much easier when there are separate living areas. This helps to ensure that everyone has their own space and privacy, while avoiding the sense that you’re on top of each other.

Flex-Spaces
When you have more than just the immediate family living under one roof, space will naturally be at a premium. That’s why a versatile layout that can be adapted to meet a variety of needs is always appreciated. This can be an extra bedroom that doubles as a study or a library that can also be used as a nursery. A multi-purpose area, or flex-space, allows you to get the most out of your home. 

Two Master Suites
The trend of having two master suites in a single home has grown over the last few years. If you don’t need an entire separate dwelling, this feature can make a huge difference when your parents or in-laws are living at your house. After all, everyone enjoys a luxurious master suite that’s equipped with its own bathroom and walk-in closet.

Adjoining Units
For city dwellers, it might be difficult to find a home that can accommodate a multi-generational living arrangement. One popular solution, though, is to purchase adjoining units in a building and knock down the shared wall. If the perfect space isn’t available, sometimes you just have to create it.

Quick Fixes for Your Front Porch

Do you have a front porch that you’re not using as often as you could be? Or are you planning to list your home on the market this summer? In either case, a quick refresh of your porch will make all the difference—both for your own enjoyment and essential curb appeal. Try one of the following ideas to get started:

Give it a fresh coat of paint. A new paint job for your porch will instantly make it look brand new. Go with a clean, fresh white, a contemporary neutral, like gray or beige, or a colorful shade of blue or yellow to make it really stand out. You can also try painting the floor or ceiling for a stylish two-tone look.

Install a porch swing. Nothing embodies the welcoming comfort of home like a porch swing. Make sure it’s enhanced by comfortable pillows or cushions and a nearby table for a requisite glass of lemonade or iced tea.

Make it lush. Adding greenery and flowers to your porch will create an inviting, natural look…and add a little privacy. You can use potted green houseplants, hanging ferns, containers of colorful annuals, sculptural succulents…or all of the above!

Add an outdoor rug. The wide array of colors and styles now available in outdoor rugs allows you to instantly create a cozy and stylish feel on your front porch. Use it to define a seating area, and look for varieties that you can easily clean with a hose.

Light it up. For the ultimate front-porch ambiance, focus on creative lighting features, from candles in mason jars to string lights to whimsical luminaries. Lighting can create a variety of moods—from festive to romantic—paving the way for many enjoyable hours spent al fresco.

6 Steps to a Safer Home

Spending more time at home these days? You’re in good company! Use this extended time on the homefront to conduct a safety check to make sure your dwelling has all the right precautions in place. Include the following six tasks:

1. Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. This is the simplest, yet perhaps most important, safety check you can do. Just press down on the test button until the alarm sounds. If it doesn’t, then you need to replace the batteries. Remember, you should have a smoke detector in every room and a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of the house.

2. Outfit your kitchen for safety. A few simple steps in the kitchen can make a big difference when it comes to avoiding an emergency. Remove any flammable items, like pot holders and dish towels, from the vicinity of the stovetop. When you’re cooking, keep a pot lid at the ready to snuff out any fires that may flare up. In addition, make a nominal investment in a fire extinguisher, another smart item to keep in the kitchen.

3. Unclutter your outlets. With more of your family at home, chances are your outlets are more overloaded than usual as everyone looks for space to plug in their devices. Overloaded outlets, however, can be a fire hazard, so take the time to streamline the situation. Consider a surge protector strip to safely accommodate multiple wires, and do away with any frayed cords.

4. Eliminate tripping hazards. More people at home usually means a little more chaos—and stuff. Do regular strolls through each room to tidy up stray toys, shoes, books and rearranged furniture. Remind your family members to be a bit more focused on putting things back in their rightful place.

5. Improve air quality. Before turning on your AC for the season, dust all the air vents and change the filter. While you’re at it, take some time to properly clean humidifiers, fans and air purifiers as well.

6. Store your cleaning products. Just about all of us have stocked up on cleaning supplies in recent months, and are using them more frequently. But in the wrong situation, cleaning products can be hazardous, so make sure they’re properly closed after each use, and stored in an out-of-the-way spot, such as under the sink or in a closet. If you have curious little ones at home, add a lock to those storage spots.

Smart Home Gadgets That Will Elevate Your Home

Technology seems to mutate with the speed of light, but is your home keeping up with the changes? Smarten it up with a few smart-home electronics that will boost safety, increase comfort and may even save you a few bucks:

Video Doorbell
The VTech Video Doorbell, about $115, lets you screen and even video chat with visitors before you answer the door. And the system takes a snapshot each time the doorbell is pressed, so you’ll always know who came a-knocking while you were away.

Smart Door Lock
The August Smart Lock uses keyless technology to keep your home safe no matter where you are. From your smartphone, you can let guests in, check to make sure you locked up before you left, keep a record of who has entered and exited, and unlock your door from the driveway. Cost? About $220.

Home Automation
You can ease into wireless control of your lighting and appliances with Insteon’s Start Here Kit, about $125, before moving on to automating other household needs, like irrigation control and occupancy sensing.

Water Saver
The WaterPebble Water Saver memorizes the length of your first shower and uses it as a benchmark to measure future shower times. Using a series of ‘traffic lights,’ it reduces your shower time by a fraction each time, helping you save on your water bill without trying. About $12.

Learning Thermostat
For about $250, the Nest programmable thermostat will learn your heating and cooling schedule and program itself. It can even be controlled from your phone and could save you up to 20 percent on energy costs.

Smart Watering
Is your sprinkling system over-watering or under-watering your lawn? Toro’s wireless Xtra Smart Soil Moisture Sensor keeps the moisture level just right. Not only will the health of you lawn improve, but your wallet (and the Earth) will benefit, too. About $115.

4 Luxe Father's Day Gift Ideas for Around the House

Father’s Day is right around the corner, but there’s still time to get the perfect gift. With endless options to choose from, it can be difficult to find something that lets dad know just how much he means to you. For the fathers who already have it all, here are several fun gift ideas that he’ll enjoy using at home.  

Happy Fathers Day!

Gifts for the Home Gym
Everyone’s working out from home these days, but for some, it can be a struggle. If this sounds like your dad,give him a gift for the home gym that’s worth getting excited about, like a Peloton bike or Mirror, a wall-mounted LCD screen that gives you access to professional trainers and endless exercise classes. 

Garage-Inspired Gifts
For the dad who spends his free time tinkering in the garage, get him something that he can use in his happy place. A beautiful new set of tools is always a great choice, but if he’s all set in that department, you can get him a professional-grade tool chest to store everything. A refrigerator for keeping his favorite beverages nearby is another practical option that’s sure to come in handy. 

Something for the Rec Room
Does he need some new activities to enjoy at home? Then get him a gift for the rec room, like a handcrafted chess board or a billiard table. If he’s the type who likes an ongoing project, then a home brewing kit to make his own beer might be the ideal gift to keep him busy and discover a new hobby.

Backyard Gift Ideas
When we think of backyard gifts for dad, a brand new grill always comes to mind. However, if he already has a state-of-the-art grill for cooking his favorite meals, then maybe he could use an outdoor bar cart for crafting his favorite beverages without having to run back inside the house.