Bathroom Remodel Archives - Page 2 of 33

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General Contractors that Design and Build

From initial inspiration to the last construction detail, Inspired Remodels provides full general contractor and design services for Orange County remodels and renovations.

One room or the whole house, our customers enjoy extraordinary craftsmanship, laser-focused attention to detail, and dedication to customer satisfaction with every interaction.

Here’s what sets the design-build model apart.

Reimagining General Contracting

In a traditional general contractor (GC) role, the GC hires and manages the subcontractors, ensures the job site is safe, and installs the materials purchased by the homeowner. In some instances, the GC may also purchase the necessary materials, alleviating some of the work of the homeowner. They visit their client’s homes, check the quality and progress of the work, and update the homeowner, as necessary.

If a problem arises throughout the process, the homeowner serves as the liaison between the designer(s) and the general contractor. For example, if the contractor is in the middle of construction and finds something unexpected in the wall that cannot be moved, or is costly to do so, that impacts the design put into place by the designer, the homeowner would need to coordinate with both parties to determine the best path forward.

With the design-build approach to general contracting, the homeowner hires one firm to do all the work involved in the renovation or remodel. The project starts with the designer listening to the client’s unique needs and understanding their vision and goals for the project. Then the designer turns ideas into plans and component specifications.

Next, the plans become reality under the direction of the general contractor, working hand-in-hand with the designer along the way.

Bringing Designers and General Contractors Together

Better Communication + Coordination = Less Homeowner Stress

Ask any general contractor if undergoing a home remodel adds stress and strain to their clients’ lives. The honest ones will tell you yes, then explain how they try to make it better.

Putting the design and build functions under one umbrella gives the homeowner a single point of contact – typically the firm’s Project Manager or Site Supervisor. That improves communication, and in-turn reduces stress.

Unlike the typical general contractor and designer scenario where the homeowner is acting as the point person, in the design-build scenario, a Project Manager oversees the coordination of work on the homeowner’s behalf. This reduces the risk of miscommunication and errors (and headaches).

A unified team shares the vision and goals of the project, leading to smoother collaboration and faster decision-making – reducing stress on the homeowner!

Improved Outcomes = Better Customer Satisfaction

The collaborative nature of the design and build approach fosters stronger client-designer-builder relationships. This results in highly tailored renovation, remodeling, and renovation projects satisfying outcomes for clients and general contractors, too.

Because homeowners received coordinated expert guidance throughout the process, their vision becomes a reality effectively and efficiently. If problems come to light during the demolition process, for example, the designer gets notification and begins work on alternatives to solve the problem. Instead of getting bad news, the homeowner gets notification of the situation and proposed solutions. This collaborative approach improves customer satisfaction, even when problems arise.

Inspired Designers and General Contractors

Inspired Remodels offers design and build services to Orange County homeowners. With over 20 years of experience in home remodeling, Joe Mueller takes on the role of both General Contractor and designer. From the initial meet and greet at the design center, Joe gets a feel for the wants and needs of every client and helps them bring their visions to life. Whether a homeowner comes in to the process knowing exactly what they want, or if they need help in their decision making process, Joe can guide them each step of the way.

Joe brings an added element of expertise as a real estate broker, helping clients evaluate their renovations not just for aesthetics and function, but for long-term value. Through the eyes of a broker, he’s able to guide homeowners in their decisions taking into account how long the client intends to stay in the home and ensuring the improvements made are appropriate for the neighborhood they are in.

With all of the materials needed to complete a remodel available at the design center, Orange County homeowners can avoid the stress of having the track down materials on their own. From tile, countertops and cabinets, to plumbing fixtures, accessories, and lighting, see everything come together all in one place!

Choosing Floor Tile Size: Advice from a Flooring Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel, Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

When it comes to remodeling your Orange County home or adding on a new space, selecting the right floor tile size means more than just making a design choice. Consider this decision a strategic one. Ask any experienced flooring contractor, and they will tell you that the tile size you select affects room appearance and even how easy the floor is to maintain.

Use the advice from Inspired Remodels, an Orange County flooring contractor, to help you pick the best size tile for your home. Learn the many ways tile size impacts your flooring project.

Common Floor Tile Sizes

Porcelain and stone tiles come in a wide range of sizes. Here are the most common formats available for Orange County homes:

Small tiles: 2″x2″, 4″x4″, 6″x6″ are great for mosaics, shower floors, or detailed patterns.
Standard tiles: 12″x12″, 12″x24″, 18″x18″ offer versatility that makes them popular for residential floors.
Large-format tiles: 24″x24″, 24″x48″ work well with the open-concept spaces so popular in Southern California and enhance modern designs.
Plank-style tiles: 6″x24″, 8″x48″, 12″x36″ come into play when you opt for wood-look porcelain floors.

Courtesy Novo Drain

Why Tile Size Matters

The tile size impacts everything from the look of the floor to how easy it is to maintain.

Visual Impact on Room Size

Larger tiles make small rooms feel bigger by reducing grout lines. Large format tile like a 24″x24″, 24″ x 48″, or varying sizes of wood-look porcelain tile create a sleek, open feel in a kitchen or living room. Smaller tiles, by contrast, add texture and pattern but can make small areas feel crowded. So, use large tiles in open areas and smaller tiles where detail or traction is needed, like bathroom floors.

Design Goals and Aesthetics

The tile size you pick should complement the aesthetic of the overall design of the space. Whether you aim for a modern, traditional, or eclectic look, make sure the tile and the tile size itself supports your goal.

In general:

Modern spaces thrive on large-format tiles with minimal grout.
Traditional homes may benefit from medium-sized tiles with a warm pattern.
Rustic or eclectic designs often use mixed-size tiles or tiles that create mosaic patterns.

So, don’t ruin your modern design with small, polygon tiles.

Grout and Maintenance

One overlooked advantage of larger floor tiles is less grout to clean. Fewer joints mean fewer places for dirt to settle. Smaller tiles require more grout, and more grout means more maintenance. If easy maintenance is a priority, tile size should be part of the conversation with your flooring contractor. Also, discuss sealing grout or using grout with an integrated sealant to prevent staining and keep grout lines clean.

What Flooring Contractors Recommend

Every space is different, but flooring contractors apply these general guidelines for most Orange County projects:

Bathrooms: Use 12″x24″ tiles to elongate the space or mosaics for traction in wet areas like the shower floor.
Kitchens & hallways: Depending on the size of the space, larger format tiles reduce grout lines and look modern.
Open living areas: 24″x48″ tiles create a seamless, spacious feeling to rooms.

Work with a Flooring Contractor to Get It Right

The right floor tile size balances beauty, function, and cost. Whether you’re going for bold and modern or timeless and classic, tile size plays a central role in the success of your remodeling or renovation project. Work with a trusted flooring contractor and use their expertise to help you make a decision that elevates your space, beautifully and practically.

Travertine is Back for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

By Inspired Remodels / Bathroom Remodel, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Travertine tiles, pavers, and slabs star in modern kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects in Orange County. Why is travertine popular again? That’s an easy question to answer. Travertine’s classic appearance and durability made this stone popular in ancient times, and those characteristics are valued again today.

Natural Materials are a Natural in Kitchen and Bath Designs

In 2025, natural materials and biophilic design dominate kitchen and bathroom remodeling designs. Travertine’s natural properties align perfectly with this design trend.

As a sedimentary limestone, travertine exhibits a unique texture and appearance. Fossils dot certain slabs, tiles, and pavers. Like other stone materials, no two pieces appear exactly the same. Subtle veining gives it a depth of character that’s difficult to replicate.

As designers turn to more natural materials, it is only natural that they turn to travertine. Once sealed, this stone is perfect for use in the bathroom and kitchen. It adds a spa-like vibe to bathrooms and lends tranquility to kitchens.

Earthy Palettes Dominate Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

In Orange County, earthy palettes rule the design palette. Pulling in the natural tones of our desert and ocean landscape, these designs lean into earth tones.

This is where travertine shines. With a wide range of earth tones from which to choose, travertine offers tans, pinks, beiges, camel, and yellow tones.

Travertine backsplashes work with wood floors in the kitchen, while in the bathroom it clads walls, tops floors, and creates beautiful showers.

Because of the natural variation in the stone, travertine brings interest to any tile surface.

It also works well with other stones and tiles. This shower niche utilizes several earth tone materials to create a stunning design.

Durable, Versatile, and Affordable

Designers love travertine because they can use it in many ways. Homeowners love travertine because it makes an affordable choice for stone. Travertine generally costs less than marble, even though both stones are similar limestone-based materials. Everyone loves travertine because it stands up to use for many years.

Travertine can be found in wall tiles, floor tiles, countertops, and backsplash and accent tiles. Its ability to stand up to foot traffic makes it ideal for busy kitchen floors.

Since ancient Greece and Rome, people put travertine to use inside and outside. Few materials can boast the same long heritage.

Inspired Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling in Orange County

For a truly inspired kitchen and bathroom remodeling in Orange County, turn to Inspired Remodels.

From modern to classic designs, Inspired Remodels turns your dreams into reality. Their design/build approach smooths the remodeling process and provides you with a single source of contact at every step. Check out their portfolio of kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects.

Schedule a consultation today.