Are You Ready for a $6,000 Toilet?

Recently, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was in the news for awarding grants to select universities to reinvent the toilet. Their vision for "Toilet 2.0" would use less - or no - water, convert waste to bio fuel or fertilizer, and perhaps generate electricity.

Or, for just over $6,000, you can choose a toilet/bidet combo with a built-in stereo, heated seat, adjustable rear drying pressure, an automatic lid, and a floor heater.

Welcome to the era of the smart toilet, now making inroads into the U.S. market. Are you ready to buy? read the article...

Award Winning Kitchens, Part 2

In a different category, Tenhulzen Remodeling was also recognized with a 2011 MBA Remodeling Excellence Award for this outstanding kitchen. Congratulations to both companies – as well as the homeowners – for your beautiful, award winning designs!

Chermak and Tenhulzen were also recognized in the Outdoor Living Category, with some pretty fantastic entry/deck solutions...read more...

We're Part of an Award Winning Kitchen!

Congratulations to Chermak Construction for winning a 2011 MBA Remodeling Excellence Award! Check out our Facebook page for a link to the article...

Turning Old Wood Into New Art

We love stories about recycled, repurposed and reclaimed products - especially when those products are beautiful and useful! Profiled on the 7x7SF website, two talented woodworkers from San Francisco turn pieces of driftwood and scrap wood from demolition sites into furniture and lighting. When you see it, you'll understand why we say they're turning it into art - this stuff is cool!  Read the article

Art Studio, Graffiti Den or Music Room?

This may be one of the coolest rooms we've seen in a while - on a number of different levels!

• It takes the idea of self-expression to a whole new level.
• Drawing on the walls - without getting in trouble! Awesome.
• It completely trumps those "secret" rooms kids love to build with a couch, some chairs and a blanket!
• Look at the scale of the entrance on the left - this is a much smaller space than it first appears...

Take your Tile to the Wild Side!

K+BB highlights a new line of animal print ceramic tiles from Imagine Tile - fun stuff!!

Eco-Friendly Ways to Stay Cool

Of course eating ice cream is a great way to stay cool on a hot day, but what do you do with the rest of the day? While there are times you need to crank up the a/c to keep vulnerable family members safe, there are a number of eco- (and budget!) friendly things you can do to help beat the heat. Read the article

Bring on the Color!

Here in the Northwest our summer really kicks in after the 4th of July, and that often gets us thinking about throwing open the windows and bringing bright, cheerful colors inside. Accessories and decor are a great way to get temporary color, but what if you want to make a more permanent color statement?

We found a good article that offers tips on how to make a color decision that fits your lifestyle, the design of your home and even the neighborhood.

Speaking of the 4th of July, Canyon Creek will be closed on Monday - have a safe and enjoyable holiday!