When approaching a remodeling or a new construction project, there is no better tool than Google SketchUp – a 3D modeling software – to bring a basic concept into reality. The modeling software enables me to build your new kitchen or bathroom in a virtual world, allowing us to walk through your new space even before the first nail is bought. It also adds a great degree of flexibility to try many different designs, colors and tile patterns with ease.
These two snapshots illustrate the first mockup based on the customer’s initial wish for an all-Vermont slate bathroom using 4×4 tiles.
One problem that becomes obvious when walking through the virtual space is the monotonous repetition of the small format tile.
A quick modification with the 3D modeling software instantly transforms the room. The large format tile creates depth, and by changing the axis of the floor tile your eye now sweeps across the room.
The final images illustrate the full transformation: Each surface of the room uses a different size tile, thereby quickly delineating the functions of the space visually. The variation in pattern also has the benefit of making the space appear much larger.
Why use 3D modeling?
— To achieve refinement
3D modeling allows me to determine the optimal tile placement, so that the tile lands perfectly at room entrances, exits, closets and features. This is one aspect that separates good tile setters from the bad. Where the latter just grabs a tile and starts setting, a good contractor will take the time to determine where tiles will fall within the layout all throughout the room. This process requires upfront investment in the planning stage and is often overlooked. It is also what can make even a perfectly technical installation look bad. You’ve seen them before – little widgets of tile along one wall or at an entrance. Working with Concept Tile & Design will ensure you the quality you’re looking for.
— To be eco-friendly
Creating a project in the virtual environment allows for a more accurate calculation of tiles and materials. It will be tailored to your design rather than based on the standard square foot measure. This approach of reducing waste is not only eco-friendly, but it also saves you money.
In this remodel of a historic Burlington Hill Section home our foremost design criteria was staying true to the character of this classic home. This design, as with all my projects, started by spending a lot of time with the clients discussing what they wanted. This is critical as needs, wants, tastes and budgets must all be carefully crafted together in order to achieve perfection. A great help, this client had been researching and saving clips from Houzz and Pintrest which gave us a fabulous starting point. Subway tile, a wing wall and frameless glass were the essentials; now we needed to marry those ideas to the space and the home.
Adding wainscoting or not to this bathroom is an easy decision to make when you can see how it works with all the other design features.
Perhaps the wainscoting should be combined with a chair rail that brings continuity throughout the whole room.
Of course the floor tiling is easily modified in SketchUp allowing us to sample numerous patterns and options.
As you can see mixing and matching ideas from one model to another is easy. This allows us to pick the best option with a side by side comparison. The options become endless when working with Concept!
The models are truly three dimensional. I can talk you through a walk through the space exploring fine details or examining things from a multitude of angles. This is how we can come to easy decisions can be made when looking at some really good options.
Once clients and I review designs we will discuss how different features may affect the budget of the project and then we can craft the perfect match to their tastes and their budget, style and character of the home. The finished model remains a critical piece to the installation as a useful tool to help determine paint color, lay out options for the tile, wainscoting or other features, and in the selection of fixtures to highlight the space.
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