White Grout and Our Meteoric Rise to International Fame.

Our loyal readers might remember a piece we wrote in 2015 about creating a grout sample board so that our clients could pick the best grout color for their tile installation. We had absolutely no idea that this post would be so popular. Readers in every state have tuned in. The same is true in 22 countries. When my third grade teacher told me I might grow up to be somebody, I doubt she would have predicted this. But here we are, a rather big deal among the grout-curious in Newfoundland and Labrador. High five, Ms. G.

Without fail, the critics will say that white grout is white grout is white grout. It’s just a tile job, c’mon, try not to go ape about this stuff.

Oh, go ape we will. You already knew there are endless kinds of every conceivable thing for sale in your Amazon-induced vertigo. Three hundred shades of white are available at your local paint store. What made you think that all white grout was the same?

We went down the white grout rabbit hole so you don’t have to.

We used an ultra-white subway tile in this sample board to highlight some of the color and tint differences. All of these grout options are widely available at major retailers. Close-ups below:

Mapei Avalanche is a slightly warm off-white grout rather than a pure white option.

Custom Polyblend Bright White is a versatile white grout with a soft milky color and appears “whiter” than the Mapei Avalanche but not as bright as Custom Arctic White.

Custom Arctic White has a subtle grey tint and appears to be the coolest white grout of all under LED lighting commonly found in bathrooms and under-cabinet lighting in kitchens.

Prism Snow White in the right column has the most pronounced beige tint on the board. We would have renamed it “Third Day After a Chicago Snow Storm,” but nobody asked us.

TL/DR: product names can be deceiving. As with any grout color, the only way to be sure of your selection is to test it with the tile you plan to install and in the lighting conditions specific to your space. Fame may be fleeting, but grout endures. Good luck!

Kitchen Clean Up, 2021 Version

We’re kicking off 2021 with a project that we completed a couple years ago and recently revised. Back then, we conducted a Tuscan exorcism in our client’s legacy kitchen that included new backsplash, countertops, lighting, wall repair, and refinished cabinetry. Our kitchen advice: never go full Tuscan. Or full French Provincial. Or full thematic anything. It’s a kitchen, not Disneyland.

A view of the new merger between kitchen and former dining room. We removed the dividing wall between the two rooms and installed new lighting for a bright and integrated connection.

The old dining room, before removing the wall separating it from the kitchen. Joining the two rooms and replacing the crystal chandelier created a less formal floor plan for this family and their guests.

The former kitchen was separated from the dining room. A butcher block top on the island did not accommodate seating.

A new large island increases the prep space in the kitchen and allows for easy entertaining as well as casual dining. It also became the home for the new Thermador ovens.

Easy does it. Six men were needed to install the single slab of quartz with a mitered edge for the island top.

A pic to remember the second largest slab they have installed and illustrate the 10’ x 6’ slab dimensions of the new island.

The finished island with a pair of Thermador ovens. The oven on the left has full steam cooking capabilities, an increasingly popular feature for preparing healthy meals.

Another view of the kitchen and dining connection with a new prep sink in the island.

Custom white oak range hood and floating shelves were installed as part of this update. Shout out to the multi-talented principal of Jordan Scott Photography for quick work in capturing these improvements. Jordan is an accomplished artist, photographer, and more.

Sometimes a project evolves over the years, and this is a good example of making changes at the right time to meet new requirements. There’s nothing wrong with multi-year plans, and we routinely help our clients chart the course. We’re thrilled to know these updates are enjoyed every day by this lovely family!

Light Work in the Kitchen

Ah, the teenage years. If you have one or more of those curious creatures in your house, nothing more need be said. But we do have good news. A teenage kitchen is a nice age for a refresh opportunity as long as the cabinets and appliances are in good shape. A typical refresh includes painting the cabinetry, replacing countertops and backsplash, new hardware, new lighting, and fresh paint.

New quartzite countertops and matte black hardware are paired with the new backsplash in this kitchen. We replaced the old double-bowl sink with a new single-bowl sink for easy cleaning of pans, cutting boards, and cookie sheets.

Keeping the inconvenience factor low matters. Also, the investment in a refresh is much more budget-friendly than gutting a kitchen because new appliances and cabinetry represent a major portion of the total cost.

The original version of the kitchen featured a range of brown and creamy colors typical of 2007. All doors and drawer fronts were removed and sprayed offsite before being replaced.

We’re not experts on teenagers (yet), but we do have a few good ideas for teenage kitchens. This client’s kitchen is an example of what can be accomplished in about three weeks when good quality cabinetry and appliances are already in place. We’re delighted to know that our clients are enjoying their kitchen refresh every day!

Downtime Projects: Win a Bench & Do Some Good

We had some disruptions (ahem) in our work flow recently, and it gave us a chance to rescue a bench before it went to the landfill. It can be yours by sending your winning bid to samantha@afinishedspace.com before noon CST on August 7, 2020. We will notify the winner by email and post the winning bid here. All proceeds go to the Evanston Community Rapid Response Fund. Please share this with a friend who might be interested!

A former Evanston park bench, with new legs and ready for a second life.

Back Story: The City of Evanston was replacing its park benches a few years ago, and a friend diverted these from the landfill. They were in rough shape, missing legs, etc. We used some recent stay-at-home time to salvage them. It seemed like a good idea that Evanston should get the benefit of their discarded benches. That’s why we chose the Evanston Community Rapid Response Fund as the recipient of your charitable donation.

The Details: This bench is 93” long and 19” wide. It is made of red cedar that we cleaned, sanded, stained, and finished with Penofin for high durability. Perfect for a backyard patio or pool deck, and can also be used inside. We purchased and installed four steel legs that received two coats of Ferrous Metal Primer for exterior use and two coats of blue Dutch oil paint. Light weight for the size, but easier to move with two people. This would cost you $$ from a custom fabricator, and yeah, we know this is totally over-engineered for a salvaged bench. It’s a lemons-to-lemonade kind of deal. Let’s do some good.

Please submit your bid for the pictured bench to samantha@afinishedspace.com by noon on August 7, 2020 with your bid amount, name, and best way to contact you. High bidder can mail a check directly to: ECF, 1560 Sherman Ave., Suite 535, Evanston, IL 60201. Winner is responsible for picking up the bench in Wilmette and any paperwork you need for a tax deduction. Let’s go!