Over the past 29 years, BOWA has made a significant investment in continuing education for all employees and all aspects of design, architecture, and construction. I take great pride in working with a company that is this committed to staying abreast of the latest developments and is well known throughout the industry for setting the bar for construction best practices. Of course, this allows us to better serve each and every client.

Recently the BOWA team attended the Architectural Digest Show in New York and the Remodeling Show in Baltimore. There we learned about up and coming products and materials that are sure to influence our future renovation projects. From retro trends to universal design products, we found interesting solutions that can deliver both beautiful design and value for our clients.

Zero-Threshold at Great Cost Savings

With so much attention on universal design these days, we're always on the lookout for new products that help us to create safer, more accessible spaces for our clients without sacrificing beautiful design or value. That's why the zero-threshold prefab shower foundations we found at the Remodeling Show really grabbed our attention. These pre-sloped foundations can be finished using your choice of stone or tile material and are appropriate for both classic stall and linear showers. The real beauty is they can be installed and ready for framing and finishing in a fraction of the time of traditional methods. What this means for homeowners is a beautiful, custom shower at a great savings. As showers are a common source of household leaks, BOWA's Doug Horgan, Vice President of Best Practices, strongly recommends scheduling a consultation with an experienced professional to discuss what solutions are best for your home.

Porcelain Slab Gaining Interest

While porcelain has long been a popular choice for tiles and flooring, it is seeing increased interest for counter tops and other slab applications. Porcelain is durable, heat and scratch resistant and requires little maintenance, making it an ideal material for today's more contemporary or transitional kitchens. Another nice benefit is porcelain is also rated for outdoor use, which can help to create continuity for indoor/outdoor living spaces.

Great Wood Ceiling Options

We also found an interesting new ceiling option, perfectly suited for the demands of barns and indoor pools, yet elegant enough for the finest interior and exterior residential spaces. Available in a variety of flat and curved wood panels, as well as accent beams, in dozens of standard and custom finishes, these products make a stunning architectural statement. The manufacturer also offers polymer strip options, available in 11 colors and 8 woodgrains, that provide a virtually maintenance free, durable solution. Installing on a grid or rail system, these products provide beauty and time savings at a highly competitive price.

Retro Appliances Make a Great Focal Point

This year the funky, new trend we saw at the Architectural Digest Show was retro chic kitchen design and appliances. Colors like bright orange and pastel blue were popular for refrigerators and oven ranges. Incorporating fun appliances like these can make a great focal point or conversation piece in your home's kitchen. We love sharing the latest trends and best practices with homeowners and colleagues, and always welcome the opportunity to do so. If you have any questions about these products or others you've seen, or would like to discuss a project you're considering, let me know at askbowa@bowa.com.