These days, consumer tastes lean toward a more transitional or contemporary aesthetic, and technology has enhanced virtually everything we buy. This holds true for the new kitchen and bathroom products that were introduced by manufacturers at this years Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas.

New debuts included sleeker cabinets and hardware; counters and tile that are more durable than ever; and technology so finely tuned that we can ask a faucet to give us 8 ounces of water at 100 degrees or command a toilet to flush without ever touching a knob.

Everyone was talking about integrating technology, said Agha Mo, a Houston tile and marketing consultant. How products in your home will recognize its you and what time of day it is and what your mood is and turn on lights and music accordingly. Then when you leave the room the lights go off. The idea is super amazing.

Mo, as well as designers Diana Walker of Diana S. Walker Interior Design and Melanie Heinrich of TriFection Remodeling and Construction, attended the trade show and reported back on top trends they spotted.

New products are utilizing voice technology in more refined and responsive ways.

Kohlers 2.0 version of its fancy Numi toilet is so sleek you barely know its a toilet. With a $7,000 price tag, it senses your arrival and lifts its lid automatically and has built-in Alexa voice controls, so the virtual assistant can call up your favorite music, create ambient mood lighting and flush on command.

Simpler examples come in other plumbing fixtures, such as touchless faucets that deliver water at certain temperatures and in any quantity you want, from a tablespoon to a cup or more.

Everything can be done by voice. Technology is taking over everything, Walker said. Dont be afraid of it, its coming, and it will be the way everything happens in the future.

Gray and white arent going away completely, but theyll surely take a back seat to warmer neutrals and more color overall, the designers said of the variety of colors they saw in cabinets and appliances.

I noticed a lot more color a lot of mixed-use bright colors across plumbing and appliances, Heinrich said. Blue is big this year, and what I saw for next year is a deep green. Those natural colors are really trending as we get out of the gray and white age.

Appliance makers already jumped on the blue wave prompted by Pantones announcement of Classic Blue as its 2020 Color of the Year, with GEs lineup soon to include blue, joining companies such as Viking, Thermador, BlueStar, Big Chill, La Cornue, Lacanche and Bertazzoni, all of which offer appliances in a variety of colors.

Wolf, Thermador and Gagganeau came out with more color two years ago, but this years exhibit was really out of the box, Walker said.

The trend toward contemporary design affected cabinets in a big way, with Heinrich noticing more installed flush with walls an installation more common in modern design.

European cabinets are made in modules and installed in removable sections, and Walker marveled at the Nobilia brand that billed its cabinets as a forever kitchen that you could uninstall and take with you when you move provided you could find a home buyer who wants an empty kitchen.

That method could come in handy in flood-prone areas, she noted. Imagine if you had something like a Harvey incident; you would take them out, clean them up and put them back in your house. Thats how they do it in Europe, and its a game changer if you like contemporary style.

For another take on appliances, we might be more likely to see appliances blending in with cabinets as matching panels cover up our dishwashers, microwave ovens and even our refrigerators.

I saw a lot of panel-front appliances, with wood and other materials, Mo said. I saw some covered in fabric that looked like a sofa cushion. People are really taking it to the next level.

Mo noted ongoing trends in the tile industry, where improvements in porcelain tile and slabs have made it look better and be more durable.

Plain white subway tile isnt likely to ever go out of style, and Mo said he saw new versions of it in glassier materials, as well as a number of booths using Moroccan tile in bold colors and patterns as backsplashes.

Manufactured stone continues to grow in popularity, for its improved appearance and tough exterior. Cosentino and Cambria made a good showing in Vegas, with both launching numerous new patterns. Cambria launched 20 new designs as well as a new collaboration with furniture manufacturer Room & Board that uses Cambrias man-made stone on tables and other items.

Cosentino added more patterns to its Dekton, Silestone and Sensa collections, including some that mimic popular types of quartzite and onyx.

Never before have our passions and our indulgences been showcased so much in our homes.

For our pets, KBIS showed a fancy glass-enclosed shower and refrigerated drawers for use in utility/pet rooms for those who feed their pooches fresh food and want to keep it separate from human food.

For those who cant be too far from their favorite cold beverages, Thermador showed a vignette with a refrigerated drawer built into a bathroom makeup vanity, Heinrich said.

One of Walkers favorites was the Plum wine dispenser, a small, self-cleaning refrigerated unit that holds two bottles of wine and dispenses the beverage through a needle to prevent oxidation. Its technology scans the bottles label to identify the varietal, vintage, region and winery.

GE and Monogram both have come out with a machine that can make clear ice, Mo said, excitedly. Man, I am in love with that. Im not joking, it looked like you had crystal balls in your glass.

diane.cowen@chron.com

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Pet showers and voice-activated toilets: Whats new in kitchen and bath products - Houston Chronicle

Hunting and Recreational Land for sale in Lamar County, Texas. This acreage features a variety of topography, wooded acreage, creek, ponds, game trails, wildlife, open pasture, and hunting and country farmhouse located in Powderly, Texas. Great potential for hunting, recreation, open pasture, equine, livestock, fishing, and more.

The 76 wooded acres are available for your enjoyment just miles from Pat Mayes Lake in Northeast, Texas. This expansive property would be great for hunting with its many game trails throughout and a creek running through the middle of it for access to water. Wildlife on the land features deer, wild hogs, coyotes and bobcat can all be found on this wonderful place for hunting and/or recreational use.

A rustic farmhouse sits on high ground overlooking much of the acreage with 2 rooms used as bedrooms, a full kitchen and bathroom with shower. This would make a great hunting camp or a place to stay while building your dream home.

This property provides privacy at the end of a dead-end road with 2 different access points and is fully fenced and cross fenced if you would like to run a few heads of livestock. There are several large open pastures for livestock or game.

There is a decent change in elevation for the area with the entire property being rolling. With high spots and a deep creek in the middle of the acreage, a small lake could easily be put in for fishing and duck hunting.This wonderful property your get-away from it all. Schedule a showing today! 570 CR 45060, Powderly TX 75473

$269,900

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Country home and hunting property for sale in Powderly || $269900 - eParisExtra.com

Black and White Marble are durable and stylish with a sophisticated look, these panels are highly popular due to their alluring qualities and low maintenance characteristics.

LAS VEGAS (PRWEB) January 17, 2020

Fibo Group, a global leader in waterproof wall panel systems for residential and commercial building and remodeling applications, will be introducing its 100% waterproof wall panel system for the kitchen and bath at the 2020 International Builders Show Jan. 21-23. Featuring new designs and styles for the U.S. market, Fibo will be hosting product installation demonstrations for builders and remodelers.

Were thrilled to showcase our Fibo waterproof wall panel system applications to the U.S. market at the 2020 International Builders Show, said Anders Carlson, CEO Fibo Group. The Fibo waterproof wall paneling system is a durable, low maintenance alternative to kitchen backsplashes, shower enclosures and wet room wall coverings for both residential and commercial buildings. Since 1952, weve led the European market with our innovative designs, and now were expanding distribution in the U.S. where demand for cost-effective and durable wet room wall panel applications is increasing.

Manufactured in its newly expanded, state-of-art plant in Norway, Fibo waterproof wall paneling system offers an eco-friendly, durable and cost-effective alternative to wall systems that guard against water, mildew and other moisture-related problems. The product features a unique Aqualock click system that simplifies the installation process and minimizes joints lines for a seamless look.

Standard wall panels are sized 23.62 x 15.74 inches and can be mounted directly onto wood or steel studs, existing walls or over ceramic tiles. The Fibo waterproof wall panel system does not require a water vapor barrier or waterproof membrane behind the panels, helping builders and remodelers save on labor and material costs. The strong laminate surface can withstand direct water exposure and large temperature fluctuations and features a 15 year warranty when installed and maintained correctly.

Fibo waterproof wall panel systems typically install five times faster than traditional ceramic tiles, said Carlson. Offering a valuable proposition to builders looking to decrease labor costs.

The new introductions to be showcased at the International Builders Show are complemented by an expanded range of Fibo products.

The Classics: Black and White Marble

Durable and stylish with a sophisticated look, these panels are highly popular due to their alluring qualities and low maintenance characteristics. Part of the Marcato wall panel collection the largest and most varied and the Kitchen Board collection, these versatile options are available for bathroom and kitchen applications in a silk finish. The Marcato applications come in a variety of tile patterns, and are also offered without grout lines.

Bring Out the Best in Your Kitchen

Fibo Kitchen Boards are a stylish option for kitchen backsplashes. The easy-care and maintenance-free panels are water resistant, providing a safe and durable solution for any residential kitchen design. The Kitchen Boards are supplied in packs of two panels that are 23.6 x 22.8 and can be mounted directly onto studs, existing screw-fixed walls or over ceramic tile.

A Contemporary Take: Grey Sand

The Adagio Collection, with its smooth surface and no grout lines, introduces Grey Sand, a distinctive, matte grey tone that is a little more sophisticated, yet still delicate and soft. Grey Sand complements other designs in this collection, which have been used in thousands of bathrooms and wet rooms over Northern Europe for decades. These panels create a sleek and modern feel throughout the room.

A Touch of Color: Dusty Blue

With its matte finish, Dusty Blue is part of the Color Collection. A sophisticated shade of blue, this wall panel pairs well with other colors, and can liven up any bathroom without going overboard on color. Dusty blue is available with 0.07 white grout lines or without.

Return to Natural Roots: Olive Green

Also new this year to the Color collection is Olive Green, a subdued, arboreal shade that evokes nature. This panel has undeniable appeal that can both tone down or jazz up a space. Olive green is available in an extra matte finish with 0.07 white grout lines or without.

About Fibo GroupFibo Group is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality waterproof wall panel systems. Established in 1952 and based in Lyngdal, Norway, the company serves residential and commercial customers across the new construction, repair and remodel, and manufactured housing market throughout Scandinavia, Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Its 100% waterproof wall panel system for kitchen, bath and other wet room applications has been lauded for its eco-friendly, durable and easy to install features and can be seen in numerous high profile buildings. The product was introduced to the U.S. market in 2018 and is sold through distributors. For more information about Fibo and its products in North America, please visit: https://fibosystemusa.com/.

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Fibo Systems to Introduce New Decorative Waterproof Wall Panel System to the North American Market at the 2020 International Builders Show - PR Web

Through the Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Company, people can quickly seek out a wide range of remodeling and construction services.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Henderson, NV -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/13/2020 -- Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Company is a well-established firm that offers a wide range of services related to building renovations, remodeling, and construction. Through them, people can seek out the assistance of the most experienced and trained remodeling contractor in Las Vegas and Henderson Nevada. The Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Company has more than thirty years of experience in working on bathroom and kitchen renovations and is widely trusted by the people of Nevada. All the professionals belonging to the Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling try to use the best possible quality of materials for their diverse renovation projects, to make sure of the best quality of end-product.

The Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling is staffed with specialists who have the competency to work on custom-designed kitchens and baths. These dedicated professionals have the know-how and experience needed to take the vision of their clients, and subsequently, develop a design that both maximizes their space and delivers stunning aesthetics that appeal to everyone. Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling takes a high level of pride in providing premium quality of products to their clients that offer a perfect amalgamation of what their clients desire and the performance they deserve. The installers of this company are known for providing highly meticulous attention to detail. They go through extensive training and education as well to stay up-to-date with industry trends, requirements, and standards.

Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling is renowned for making remodeling projects worry-free and simple for their diverse clients. They are the one-stop-shopping centers for countertops and custom kitchen cabinets in Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada.

To get in touch with the Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling, people can easily give them a call at 702-826-2999.

About Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom RemodelingLas Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling majorly serves the people belonging to Henderson, Paradise, Spring Valley, and many of their nearby areas.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/las-vegas-kitchen-bathroom-remodeling-company-is-the-place-to-look-for-remodeling-contractor-in-las-vegas-and-henderson-nevada-1270241.htm

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Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Company Is the Place to Look for Remodeling Contractor in Las Vegas and Henderson Nevada - Press Release -...

By: DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen | 0Shares 17Reads

January 10, 2020 // Franchising.com // ILLINOIS - DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of NE Suburban Chicagoland in Vernon Hills has been named the states Best Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Firm by BUILD, an international online publication covering the global construction and property industries.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the magazine named DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of NE Suburban Chicagoland as the leading Illinois bath and kitchen remodeling firm in its 2019 Home & Garden Awards issue.

This is a wonderful way to start the new year and reflects the skill, imagination and hard work of our design and construction teams, as well as our emphasis on customer service, says Mike Aukerman, CEO of the DreamMaker NE Suburban Chicagoland remodeling franchise.

According to BUILD, the annual awards showcase the businesses and enterprises who provide us with the products and services which make our living environments, not just a place in which we exist, but embodiments of our hopes and dreams.

Discussing the winners, BUILD Awards Coordinator Nathan Angell, praised all of the winners for their hard work and commitment to excellence.

From creative minds in landscaping and interior design, to cleaners and carpenters, this program is designed to highlight those industries that truly make a house a home. I am proud of all of my winners and wish them the best of luck for the future.

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of NE Suburban Chicagoland is located at 1000 Butterfield Road, Suite 1001 Vernon Hills, IL 60061, Phone: 847.327.0203, Fax: 847.973.6699, Mobile: 847.732.2465, Michael@DreamMakerNEChicagoland.com, http://www.DreamMakerNEChicagoland.com

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Illinois DreamMaker Named Top Bath/Kitchen Remodeler by BUILD Magazine - Franchising.com

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Sunday, January 12th 2020, 1:05 PM CST

INOLA, Oklahoma - The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Inola.

Investigators said the incident began after an Inola police officer attempted to stop a vehicle Saturday night. The driver refused to stop and the officer pursued the vehicle to the 4200 block of 620 Road in Inola.

Friends of the man who was shot said his name is Scott Nove, they call him Scottie and said they have known him for months.

Anna Harp said she and her son were trying to help Nove get his life back on track. She said hes a former addict who has been clean for a while.

Scottie has the kind of heart that he will give the shirt off his back to help others because hes been in the trenches so long, said Harp.

Nova helped them around the house, like remodeling their bathroom. He was house sitting and watching her sons dogs.

Well I do know Scottie doesnt have a drivers license or a motorcycle license, but he has keys to the truck, car and motorcycle, said Harp.

She said he was headed to her sons house when the Inola police tried to pull him over. According to the OSBI report, Nova refused to stop, but Harp said he was just trying to get home.

To where he thought if he parked the motorcycle there, he could get ID and show he had permission to be there. I dont think he was running, in my heart thats just not him, she said.

The Inola police officer following him fired his gun as the pursuit ended, hitting Nova in the heel.

Im not here to bash the police, I believe in them, and we must support our police officers to the fullest. But when theres wrong done, wrong must come to the front, said Harp.

She believes the city of Inola needs to pay for his medical bills.

The OSBI is investigating whether the shooting was justified.

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OSBI Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting In Inola - News On 6

A great way to add value to your home, and to increase its usable square footage, is to remodel your basement. Planning the project correctly, and considering all the finishing and decorating options available, will give you a beautiful space that mirrors the style and the feel of the levels above ground. Whether you're looking to create a man cave, additional sleeping quarters for guests, or a large playroom for your children, a remodeled basement can be a terrific solution.

"A basement remodel encompasses a lot of details that some homeowners may not consider in the beginning," explained Lisa Roberts, Marketing Manager for Alexander Lumber. "Attention to detail in the finishes, especially for the cabinetry, trim, and doors, as well as the windows if applicable, can have a huge impact on the finished project."

Just as you would do for an above-ground home remodel, selecting the appropriate trim for baseboards and around the doors will give your basement a more polished look that makes the space feel like the rest of the home instead of an underground room. If you have crown molding or wainscoting on your main level, consider including it in your basement remodel, too. "Doors should match the ones upstairs, if possible," added Roberts. "The cabinetry should also reflect a style similar to what you have upstairs if you're looking to create a beautiful, cohesive flow between the levels in your home."

Including built-in cabinetry is a way to add storage, elegance, and timelessness to a basement remodel. "We help our customers customize their new basement spaces, and our talented designers have a lot of great ideas to share," said Roberts. "We can include built-in bookcases, a bar, storage solutions, home office space, anything our customers can dream up: Weve even incorporated a murphy bed into a remodel. We offer a wide array of ideas and solutions for every space, style and budget."

If your project will include a kitchen area, bedrooms, and a bathroom, Alexander Lumber can also help you select countertops, fixtures, stair railings, and other items. For more information about remodeling your basement, please contact:

Alexander Lumber Company

4001 Country Club Rd.

Woodstock, IL 60039

Phone: 815-356-8600

http://www.alexlbr.com

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New Year, New Basement! - Northwest Herald

Summer vacation season will be here sooner than you think, making this a good time to start planning that trip and figuring out how to get the most fun and value for your dollar.

The good news for U.S. travelers is that airfares are around their lowest levels since the federal government started keeping track in 1995. The average domestic ticket price is down more than one-fourth over that time, although some of the price drop is offset by fees on everything from checked bags to aisle seats.

Last week, airlines including American, Delta and United were showing round-trip fares between the New York City area and Paris for under $300 for several dates in February and March. Part of the last week in April was available for just a few bucks more. There were deals between the West Coast and Asia for around $400.

"It's a great time to be a traveler now," said Matthew Ma, a co-founder of The Flight Deal. "The seats are tighter, the pitch (between rows) is much tighter, but overall it's a lot cheaper to fly now than say 10 years ago. How long can the airlines sustain that and still make money, who knows?"

Experts like Ma have lots of strategies for saving on flights, lodging, rental cars, dining and sight-seeing.

They all seem to have a theory and data pinpointing the best time to buy an airline ticket before the supply dwindles and prices rise. Most say it's about six to eight weeks before a domestic trip and farther ahead for an international one. CheapAir.com says the ideal is 76 days. Tracy Stewart, content editor at travel site airfarewatchdog.com, said there is no magic time.

"A really cheap fare can pop up anytime, and if you stick to the 6-week rule you may miss out on something," he said. "The best thing to do is set a fare alert and monitor fares along your route."

Sites including Stewart's and Google Flights make it easy to set alerts that will tell you when prices rise or fall. Google-owned ITA is a less visually appealing site for flight searches, but it has an easy-to-use "calendar of lowest fares" and other tools.

Calendars are useful in quickly spotting the days when prices are lowest. Experts advise being flexible in flight dates and length of stay, airlines and airports to get the best price.

Before you click, understand what you are buying. Seats labeled "basic economy" are cheaper but come with restrictions you'll board last, you can't upgrade, and you should count on a middle seat unless you pay an extra fee.

Airlines say they try to keep families together even if they don't pay pay extra for seat assignments, but Consumer Reports says this continues to be a frequent complaint among travelers.

People who haven't flown in a while might be shocked at the explosion of extra fees. Discount carriers such as Spirit Airlines sometimes charge the lowest fares but add many fees even a $10 charge for printing your boarding pass at the airport; do it at home.

"The airlines are constantly finding new fees, and they're constantly upping the existing fees," said Bill McGee of Consumer Reports.

Once you get to your destination, your hotel might charge a "resort fee." While plenty of non-resorts charge resort fees, they are more common and more expensive in tourist-destination cities.

"It's a bogus fee because you're not given a choice it's mandatory," McGee said. "The hotel industry has learned some tricks from the airlines."

The only way to avoid a resort fee may be to avoid the hotel altogether.

Other tips:

Cheap(ish) destinations

The British pound is still looking anything but sterling when compared to the U.S. dollar, making the United Kingdom more affordable for American Anglophiles. Stewart, the Air fare watchdog editor, said flights to and from Canada are coming down they are priced like U.S.-only itineraries as discount carriers such as Swoop add more flights north of the border. Smarter Travel listed countries where the dollar now goes farther.

Breaks on fees

Southwest remains the only major U.S. airline that still lets passengers check one or two bags for free. Potentially more importantly, it doesn't charge to change a ticket than can cost up to $200 on the other biggest U.S. carriers.

Airline credit cards

If your plans include major spending early in the year maybe you're remodeling a bathroom or kitchen check out the airline-branded credit card offerings, some of which come with big enough points bonuses to pay for a couple round-trip tickets.

To get the bonus, however, you generally have to spend at least $2,000 to $5,000 in the first three months. Make sure you can pay the full balance each month or you will get hit with interest charges.

Card holders generally avoid fees on checked bags, and the card's annual fee is usually waived in the first year. Besides airline cards, there are plenty of general travel-rewards cards offered by major banks including pricey ones annual fees of up to $450 with great benefits that are best left to very frequent travelers.

Who knows, the sign-up bonus and the money you charge to your card for this year's vacation might earn enough points to help pay for your dream trip in 2021.

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On the Money: Start planning to save money on travel in 2020 - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Who would you go to for toothbrush recommendations? A dentist, of course. What about a great file cabinet? A professional organizer. At least, that's what we would do, if we wanted to spend our hard-earned money on a household product that works well, looks good and lasts. During 2019, experts pointed us to dozens of great products worth your coin. Here are our favorites.

1. The best doormats

For a multiseason mat that can handle whatever winter throws at it, try a lobster-rope mat, says Lisa Myers, owner of home-goods store Capers in Seattle. "They work to shed the water and they have a little bit of coarseness to the rope that takes the dirt off," Myers says. She highlights the Rope Co.'s doormats, handmade in Maine by fifth-generation lobstermen ($65-$129, theropeco.com). "They're super durable. I had a similar one for many years and I just hosed it down and it keeps looking great."

2. The best toothbrushes

When people really like their toothbrush, they're more likely to brush regularly, says Mountain View, California, periodontist Daniel Nelson. An expert on the buildup of bacteria and plaque, Nelson uses a manual brush called the Nimbus ($11.99 for five, nimbusdental.com). It's also the one he recommends to his patients. "It has soft bristles that clean under the gum line," he says.

3. The best space heaters

At True Value, the top-performing space heaters meet consumers' three most-important requests, says Tory Tesdal, senior product merchant: They have tip-over switches, overheat protection and a dial to easily adjust temperature. "Ease of use" is what matters, Tesdal says. True Value sells products to more than 4,000 of its individually owned stores across the country, and the top seller is the 81/2-inch-tall Pelonis Compact Ceramic Heater ($33.99, truevalue.com). "It's also energy-efficient, because everyone cares about saving money."

4. The best garden hose

Kelly Smith Trimble, editorial director of HGTV.com and author of "Vegetable Gardening Wisdom: Daily Advice and Inspiration for Getting the Most from Your Garden," has found both basic hoses that kink and special "kinkless" hoses maddening, she says. Last year, she finally settled on her hose of choice: the Dramm ColorStorm Premium Rubber Hose ($50.99 to $60.35, walmart.com). It resists kinking and coils up nicely, she says, plus it comes in "really bright, fun colors like purple, yellow and red" that match the colors of Dramm's watering wands, hose adapters and sprayers. "Quality watering tools can make the difference between watering feeling like a chore and watering feeling a bit like meditation," she says.

5. The best file cabinets

Poppin's 3-Drawer File Cabinet comes in several colors, so you can choose a neutral to blend in or a colorful one that stands out ($249, poppin.com). "I don't think anyone could go wrong with this gray-and-white combo, but I also love the beautiful aqua color it comes in," says Rachel Rosenthal, owner of organizing firm Rachel and Co. in Washington, D.C. "We've put these in tons of different spaces."

6. The best shower heads

Moen's Magnetix has "the appeal of a fixed shower head, but it rests there on a magnet," says Melissa Haas, project designer at Case Design Remodeling in Charlotte ($69.99, bedbathandbeyond.com). "You can pull off the shower head and use it as a hand shower, whether you're cleaning the tile, rinsing your feet off or cleaning the dog." She adds that "it's really popular in a hall bathroom or a kids' bath setup, where you don't need this luxury-spa setup - you just need an all-in-one sort of thing." It comes in chrome and brushed nickel.

7. The best coolers

If you think you can't bring ice cream camping, think again. Tyler Malek, head ice cream maker and co-founder of scoop shop Salt & Straw in Portland, Ore., and author of an ice cream cookbook, likes to pack it up in the Coleman Steel-Belted Portable Cooler ($79.30-$166.66 for 54-quart cooler, amazon.com). The retro-looking steel is rust-resistant and the handles have comfort grips.

8. The best beach accessories

Frequent road-tripper and author of the book "The Best Coast: A Road Trip Atlas: Illustrated Adventures Along the West Coast's Historic Highways," Chandler O'Leary of Tacoma, Wash., is often sketching at the beach. She keeps her sketchbooks in a Matador Droplet Wet Bag ($14.99, matadorup.com). "It's super handy and stuffs down into a teeny tiny case that can hang on my key ring when I'm not using it," she says. She also keeps her phone, camera and anything else she wants dry in the bag.

9. The best phones for kids

Sascha Segan, the lead analyst for mobile at PCMag.com in New York, believes the Sonim XP3 flip phone ($189.99, att.com) "is the best choice for kids who aren't ready for a smartphone yet: It has a loud speaker, is super tough and has a three-year warranty."

10. The best dining tables

"People have this romantic idea of hosting a 12-person dinner," says Kaitlyn Payne, founding principal of Basicspace in Brooklyn. But her clients in New York City, especially those without a dining room, generally end up with a table that seats "six to eight people, max." A fan of Ikea, Payne likes the Ekedalen extendable table for seating six ($299, ikea.com). Storing the leaf inside the table means it doesn't have to be squeezed into a coat closet.

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The 10 best household products we saw in 2019 - Cape Cod Times

For a fresh approach to bathroom decor for 2020, we delved into the top posts on Instagram.

Larissa Runkle, provided by

Photo: IStock/KatarzynaBialasiewicz

New Year, New Bathroom: 5 Fun Trends on Instagram That Will Make It Your New Favorite Room

Bathroom trends go round and roundkind of like water circling the drainbut this weeks bright and light decor ideas will have you thinking they should stick around for a while. As we head into 2020, there's a ton of fresh inspiration for new bathroom looks surfacing on social media.

As we do every week, we dug deep into trending decor ideas on Instagram, scouring hundreds (if not more) top design posts. So what did we find? Five fun trends that might just make your bathroom the new favorite room. Keep scrolling to find out what they areand as always, how you can steal the look.

A small bathroom that's big on style! And those tiles?! So dreamy. If you are working with a small space, head to the link in bio for loads more inspiration... . . Photo: @snookphotographHomeowner: @lunaslittlehouse . . #bathroom#interiors#bathroominspo#rolltopbath#bathroomvibes#styleithappy#colourmyhome#myhomevibe#rustichomedecor#diy#renovation#potd#bathroomremodel#bathroommakeover#bathroomdesign#remodelista#inmydomaine#apartmenttherapy#bathroomdecor#bathroominspo#bathroomideas#interiormilk#interior_and_living#houserenovation#styleithappy#ihavethisthingwithhome#sorealhomes#apartmenttherapy

A post shared by Real Homes (@real_homes) on Dec 14, 2019 at 1:10am PST

Theres something to be said for the recent comeback of pastels into just about every room of the houseand the bathroom is no exception. Dont believe us? Just check out this gorgeous peachy-pink tile in the home of @lunaslittlehouse, reposted by @real_homes.

Peachy pink tiles have been on peoples radar for the past few years, says Jim Kabel, president of Case Design/Remodeling San Jose. Many modern bathroom designs have incorporated a splash of this vintage color by pairing it with other light-colored tiles and dark-colored grout. Adding this design element will offer your bathroom a clean-lined, luxurious appeal.

Get the look: Add some peachy tile to your bathroom by shopping the stunning geometric Sol Pink Tile from Riad Tile.

Excuse me human, Im having a Me Day. (via @jaxandgin)

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New Year, New Bathroom: 5 Fun Trends on Instagram That Will Make It Your New Favorite Room - SFGate