By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Striving to find a flooring product that would appear more hand-crafted and worn than engineered, Rosensteel chose reclaimed Australian jarrah. Malouf tapped Paul Newman, president of Phoenix-based Premiere Wood Floors and a 21-year veteran of the flooring industry, to install the 1,500 square feet of solid unfinished wood flooring. The ¾-inch thick, 3-inch-wide flooring came in random lengths up to 12 feet; in its previous life it served as flooring joists. Newman says the 12-foot-long pieces were difficult to work with at times—in general, he says, reclaimed jobs can be more difficult because the product is usually longer—but were worth the trouble because of the jarrah’s unique variety and color. “With reclaimed flooring, there is no duplicating,” Newman says. “We can have [similar floors], but—depending on where exactly this wood came from, whether it was exposed or inside, how old it is, how it was cared for—every reclaimed job is unique.” To accommodate jarrah’s exceptional density, Newman allowed the material to acclimate in the Carpenter’s home for about one month. In Scottsdale, material typically should have a 6 to 7 percent moisture content, Newman says, and it is rarely near this level upon entering a job site. After installing and sanding the jarrah, Newman’s crew finished the floor with a water-based finish. It took a crew of three workers about three weeks to complete the project. As any wood flooring contractor knows, moisture is one of the biggest hurdles when installing a wood floor. This house had both extremes: Scottsdale’s arid environment and a water feature adjacent to the floors. Carpenter knew she wanted a water feature in her house since day one. She remembered one in a house from when she was young. “I said to myself, ‘Oh, my God, that would be my dream,'” she recalls. Not only does the water feature fulfill one of Carpenter’s dreams, but it also gives the home’s driveway, walkway and foyer beautiful continuity. The water originates from scuppers in pools that wrap around the front of the home and converge next to the walkway to the front door. Fire bowls—another request of Carpenter’s—sit between the scuppers, providing a primordial contrast of fire and water. Two times a day the scuppers erupt and send fresh water racing toward the front door. Just as people pass from the outside in, the water flows inside to narrow channels flanking the jarrah entryway. The jarrah has an overhang of two inches; it feels as if one is actually treading another bridge in the home’s foyer as water flows alongside. Carpenter likens it to the sound produced by a small waterfall. “We penetrated what is normally a very rigid boundary,” Bacon says, “and we did that with the continuity of water. When you approach that front door there is water on both sides, and when you go through that front door there is water on both sides.” As the water goes underneath the front door, it passes through a very fine filter, lessening any chance of bugs or snakes entering the home. To ensure the water is clear, it is treated much like pool water. For safety, the channels are narrow and only about a foot deep. For the wood floor’s protection, a vapor barrier designed for basement walls lines the concrete pools so moisture cannot seep into the concrete and then into the floor. For additional protection, Newman added extra finish around the edges of the jarrah near the water. This continuity between outside and in is always important in design and architecture, but one could argue it’s even more important in Arizona because of its wide open spaces, deserts and mountains that provide breathtaking views and a great environment for entertaining outdoors. “Everything in Arizona is about the outdoor lifestyle, so the materials really have to flow inside and outside—that’s just how we live out here,” Rosensteel says. “We like to have spaces where all the doors open up. When you entertain, people are moving inside and outside, so you like to have that experience of the materials just continuing through, and that’s how we approached the house.” With tactful precision, Bacon made the Carpenter’s dreams come true, and “he got into our heads deeper than we realized he would need to be,” Carpenter says. “There isn’t a day that I drive up to my home and I don’t—honest to God—say to my husband, ‘This is the most magnificent home around.'” Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Porcelain is a great option in home surface and flooring design. Because it is virtually indistinguishable from natural stone when installed properly, porcelain offers countless design capabilities. Its durability also clearly shines through since it is one of the world’s most resistant materials against staining and chipping, which will keep your flooring looking better for longer. Porcelain is also moisture resistant, making it a great choice for kitchen areas indoors and pool areas outdoors. It will stand up to wear and tear better than any other surface and repels household chemicals more efficiently than nearly every type of natural stone floor tile. If these amazing qualities are not enough to convince, you can buy porcelain for less than most natural stone options, despite being technically superior in performance and virtually identical in appearance. Porcelain is truly a remarkable material that would be a great addition in any area of your home. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team A vegetable garden is an ideal addition to any landscape, but the success of it all depends on your region and climate. In Arizona, there are a handful of months out of the year where it seems impossible anything can grow outside because of the extreme heat. Surprisingly, many vegetables can grow in the Arizona desert—you just need to plant them at the right times. Also, some vegetables grow better from seed while others should be transplanted.

Cool Season Vegetables

Cool-season vegetables should be planted in late fall to early winter. These vegetables are hardy and can germinate in cooler soil. They include broccoli, beets, onions, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, turnips, peas, potatoes, radishes and spinach. In order to get the maximum quality from your vegetables, it is necessary they mature in cooler air rather than hot summers.

Warm Season Vegetables

Warm-season vegetables are those that need to be planted in late winter to early spring. These can’t tolerate frost and need warm air to help mature. These vegetables include beans, eggplant, cucumbers, melons, corn, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkin, squash and sweet potatoes. On the other hand, they usually can’t survive temperatures that can sunburn the vegetables, which will reduce their quality.

Transplants

The vegetables that you should transplant into your garden include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, lettuce, onion, tomatoes and pepper. You can transplant, carrots, celery, squash and okra, but they may have some difficulties.

Planting Seeds

Vegetables that ideally can be grown from seeds include asparagus, lettuce, beans, beets, leeks, brussel sprouts, parsley, parsnip, peas, radishes, spinach, cucumber, rutabaga, endives, kale and watermelon, to name a few. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Eating sushi is a lot like dating. “Think about the first time you went out for sushi – and a typical first date,” says Stephen Stromberg, executive chef at Sapporo in Scottsdale. “Both take a little courage at first, but the adventure is (usually) well worth it.” So, it makes sense that sushi is a top dining choice for first dates of all ages. But how does one plan the perfect sushi night?

Dare to discover

Sure, California and Las Vegas rolls are staples for many of us. But, why not show your date you are open to new things by stepping outside of the sushi comfort zone? “Always look for items that are custom to the venue,” says Stromberg, whose own menu includes the MT Roll, a salmon soy paper roll invented by, and named after, their own sushi chef, Mikel Tan; along with a signature Scottsdale roll bursting with spicy scallops.

Make it hot, hot, hot!

Not all first dates are created equal – some are certainly hotter than others. Sushi is the same way. While adding a dollop of spicy mayo or wasabi to your favorite roll can certainly spice up the date, why not indulge your taste buds, together, in a culinary adventure by really turning up the heat? “Be her renegade Romeo by ordering your Juliet a roll with jalapeño and spicier versions of standard ingredients like tuna and yellowtail,” Stromberg says. Sapporo carries more than half a dozen hot options, including the Surf’n’Turf roll, which marries crab, filet mignon and tabasco sauce into a mouth-watering menu stand-out. Also popular is the Fuji roll, which is topped with spicy yellowtail, making it as visually hot as it tastes.

Pick pairings with passion

“Innovate while you libate,” adds Mike Hanley, bar manager at Sapporo. “Don’t settle for a martini simply shaken or stirred — order it frozen and share tastes!” Frozen Passion Mango Martinis, which are blended with vodka, rum and mango and passion purees and poured atop a raspberry liqueur, and Sapporo Slushes, which are made with vodka, fresh-squeezed juices and simple syrup, are among the most popular drinks for first dates. Also, choose drinks that are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. For example, Sapporo’s Purple Dream is layered by ingredient into a glass and brought table-side so the guest can play mixologist, stirring the ingredients together into a perfect purple blend. One last tip for a sexy sushi night — ditch the chopsticks! “In Japan, it’s customary to use one’s hands to eat rather than chopsticks,” Stromberg says. “A perfect excuse to feed each other!” Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team As you slip deeper into the bubbling, effervescent silky water, warming and moistening your body, your fingers trace the limestone tub. The lights dimmed low, you willingly release the pent up tension of the busy week; with work and kids, you haven’t had a chance to get away. As you fall further into a calming state of meditation, your trance is broken once your mind begins to question when you were last at a spa. A few months ago? A year? Who cares — your bathroom’s your retreat now. Not surprisingly, many Scottsdale residents have been ditching the hotel-based day spa and creating that spa experience right in their own bathrooms — for years, even — and they only continue to do so, especially with bathrooms growing in size. But this doesn’t mean day spas don’t spark inspiration for homeowners just looking for an easier, more accessible means to de-stress and get away from it all — in their bathrooms. “The bathroom is more than just a place to brush your teeth,” says Jeremy Smith of Central Arizona Supply in Scottsdale. “It’s now a place where you can take time to relax. “What has really made it more spa-like and people creating more of a spa experience has definitely been led by people going to hotels,” Smith says, “and seeing these hotels have changed the way they do bathrooms.” Paige Snodgrass, a showroom consultant at the Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery in Scottsdale, has witnessed this trend over the past year as well. “Eight of every 10 clients I work with are trying to make (their master baths) more of a spa,” Snodgrass says. “This is truly a retreat for them.” Both agree that homeowners are now spending the extra cash on themselves, to get what they want instead of merely what they need, to make more long-term goals with their master baths to make it that “special room,” as Snodgrass puts it. “It’s the way of thinking that’s changed,” Smith says. “Now it is much more, ‘What do I want in this bathroom for myself?’ ” Creating the experience can be as minimal as replacing a shower head to a complete, more elaborate remodel. One shower head to consider is the Raindance AIR Series from Hansgrohe, which is an AIR-injected shower that adds one part air to every two parts water. Depending on the head and finish, you can purchase this item from $120 to more than $5,000. “With this new technology, it feels like you’re standing in the rain, which is actually relaxing,” Smith says. Over the past year, one change Smith has witnessed is an increase in freestanding bath sales. He says in the past, 90 percent of Central Arizona Supply’s sales were comprised of regular bathtubs. Now, it has become a battle of the baths with freestanding tubs taking 50 percent of the business. “Freestanding can free up to two or three feet of space, making your current bathroom bigger,” Smith says. “So, that’s the reason you’re seeing this trend — as well as they’re beautiful, so it’s an aesthetic thing.” But the regular bathtubs are fighting back — with the Jason Hydrotherapy tub. “Since (the Jason Hydrotherapy tub) came out four months ago, our tub sales have gone through the roof,” Smith says, “and that has really balanced the freestanding baths we’ve been selling more of.” Jason Hydrotherapy tubs, priced at $14,790, are unique in that they are the only tubs that use Microsilk, which are oxygen-rich microbubbles. These clouds of oxygen penetrate deep into your pores for a more thorough cleansing, moisturizing your skin. They also keep your bathwater warm, so you don’t have to add more hot water. It’s also “a technology they’ve been using to clean clams,” Smith adds. Snodgrass calls bathtubs similar to the Jason Hydrotherapy tub “combination tubs.” These tubs have jets and air bubbles, and the purchaser can have the “best of both worlds,” she says. The No. 1 reason why customers will opt for these tubs in their spa bath? According to Snodgrass, it’s all about the health and stress-reducing benefits. “The main reason people will put combination tubs in their master bath is for the therapeutic reasons to aid in mental wellness and help your mood,” she says. Other unique products Smith and Snodgrass have been selling in their respective showrooms include the Numi toilet, which comes complete with feet warming capabilities, a deodorizer, a heated seat, an integrated air dryer and more. “People love it,” Snodgrass adds. This product is perfect for those who want to spend more time in their bathrooms. On the other hand, there’s the Electric Mirror waterproof  TV. This amenity can be found in luxury hotels and can help complete the spa experience in your master bath, but it can also help those multitasking individuals maintain efficiency in the mornings. A master bath remodel into a spa-like experience can range anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000. It just all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Evolving from a place with a distinct purpose to a lavish escape, home showers are becoming a peaceful getaway and the focal point of the bathroom. Incorporating features such as steam rooms, surround sound speakers, LED chromatherapy lighting, benches, shelving, showerheads that resemble the undeniable sensation of gentle raindrops with the help of air-injection technology and massaging body sprays at every level, home showers are becoming a therapeutic relief in which many homeowners are quickly investing. “Showers have become the epicenter of the bathroom,” says Jeremy Smith of Central Arizona Supply. “Homeowners no longer feel they have to have a great bathtub. Instead, there are so many amazing features in showers that are being taken advantage of that are giving the therapeutic aspects that the bath used to give.” As bathtubs are now becoming more of an aesthetically pleasing element than regularly-used items, it’s out with the sunken soakers and in with the spa and sauna-like showers. “What is being done to these rooms today has become more of a place of retreat than just a place to quickly get things done,” says Tim Thacker, owner of COHACO Building Specialties, explaining the changing faces of in-home showers. “The bathroom has become a place to relax, retire and rejuvenate.” According to Thacker, a big part in this maturing trend is the multitude of options in materials and technology available today. From matching faucets and handles to calming tile accents and streamlined shower enclosures, bathrooms have evolved beyond the spa and incorporated a personalized touch to suit a homeowner’s specific needs and wants. Becoming a popular home investment, an added bonus to these upgrades, according to Smith, is that they are now able to reach a wider range of customers due to competitive price markets lowering the cost of such items. As a result, what is considered a lavish upgrade can now be a more attainable addition to any homeowner’s bathroom. With such a large selection of bells and whistles to make your home shower resemble the spa of your dreams, homeowners are urged to test before they buy and explore every option available. Smith strongly suggests working closely with your contractor so every detail is appropriately accommodated to meet both your needs and your body’s needs for the best therapeutic results. For those considering incorporating spa-like features, Thacker says, “Homeowners are finding that the money used in this area is very well spent. It has been proven that in a remodel, the money spent in redesigning a bathroom will always allow you to recoup your expenses when the home is sold or just having it reappraised.” Manufactures are now starting to mix the perks of top-quality, in-home saunas, steam rooms and luxurious showers, manufactures with products that incorporate more sustainable and water-saving technologies. “We see many features such as smart temp-controlled valves and insta-hot water to replace water heaters for more saving attributes,” says Melissa Kale, president of Picasso Tile and Stonework. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Attention shoppers, we have a new space in town for home decor. The innovative luxury brand in the home furnishings, RH (Restoration Hardware), unveiled the Gallery at Scottsdale Quarter on Friday, November 9 with an official ribbon cutting. With more than 30,000 square feet to boast award-winning design and lighting (not to mention a rooftop garden and conservatory), RH will bring Scottsdale Quarter just about everything from bathware to baby products.  Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team Christmas is in the air – can you feel it?  Thanksgiving is only a week away then we’ll be swept up into that hectic yet joyous holiday season.  Why not plan now to make sure you take a weekend away for a magical, special, wonderful family weekend that your family will remember for years to come?  The North Pole Experience, which recently relocated Santa’s workshop from Greer to Flagstaff, is a one-of-a-kind experience that can be found no where else in the United States!  As this is a full experience package, you stay at the Little America Hotel, which is decorated to the hilt with festive Christmas lights, music, and more.   Then – without giving too much away – you take a special trolley ride which transports you to Santa’s workshop, filled with elves and a museum for the toys that have been built throughout the years.  Then, you can check out Santa’s state of the art sleigh, and enjoy snowman soup and cookies inside Santa’s bakery.   Naturally, it just wouldn’t be a proper experience without the big man himself – and your family gets one-on-one personal time and photos with him, instead of being rushed through a line.  It gives your children the chance to ‘warm up’ to Santa and not feel embarrassed or self-conscious in front of a lot of other children and parents.    After visiting Santa, you  are whisked back to your hotel via trolley and end the evening with Mrs. Claus, cookies, and milk.   Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team The Parnian Furniture at Scottsdale Fashion Square is two stores. The 9,000-plus-square-foot space occupies the former Pottery Barn space. The first of the two adjacent stores is Parnian Furniture, featuring the family’s world-famous custom case goods and more than 60 leading European and other furniture and accessory lines in ultra-modern, soft-contemporary and transitional styles.  The second store is the Parnian family’s new Phoenix Contemporary Furniture, with quality modern and contemporary furniture and accessories at prices more affordable for most buyers. Both stores continue the Parnian tradition of excellence, which began in 1977 when Abdolhay and Parvaneh, two recently married architects, opened the company’s first Valley store, a 1,000-square-foot cabinet shop in a Tempe industrial facility. The custom Parnian pieces — including “The World’s Most Expensive Bed” and “the World’s Most Expensive Desk” — are handmade in a 28,000-square-foot north Phoenix studio and sold in the flagship 15,000-square-foot Parnian Furniture showroom on Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in the Scottsdale Airpark. Designed by Abdolhay, these high-end furniture creations will now also be available at Scottsdale Fashion Square. “We are one of the few companies actually manufacturing luxury goods in the USA and exporting them to other countries,” says Ali Parnian, the founders’ son who joined the company in 1999. His sister, Leila, became a member of the business in 2007. “The clients we have in the USA are typically people who have very high standards for quality and design and want uniquely designed furniture that reflects their personal need or styles,” he adds. “They will typically meet with my dad and describe their needs, and he will come up with a design that will exceed their expectations.” One of these designs, the “Sunset Bed,” was a multiple award winner in 2011 in the Custom Woodworking Business Design Portfolio Awards for Furniture Design; its 78 meticulously inlaid wood segments are the focal point of the “World’s Most Expensive Bed.” “In the custom Parnian Collection, we are very strong in custom executive desks and boardroom and dining tables for office and home,” Ali says. “We do a great custom table business and we have begun to do some amazing custom kitchens.” The Parnians also carry Savoir Beds, a 100-year-old brand of mattress/bed imported from London which has been purchased by Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, Madonna, the Rothschild family and other elite clients, from $8,000 to $70,000. In addition, the company also sells a $50,000 sectional sofa from DeSede, the world’s top leather company. And, Parnian also offers interior design services in which the furnishings can price out at more than $1 million. The new store, however, will service a wider market than the Parnian family recognized in the past 34 years. “We noticed after the housing market crash, a lot of people who stopped in our store were looking for quality furniture and accessories but not necessarily at the prices of our custom lines,” Ali says. Many of these people were investors and Canadian visitors who wanted to furnish and accessorize their second and third homes here but didn’t want to spend more than $8–$10,000 to furnish a two-bed, two-bath condo. At any price, the Parnian name means the best to buyers throughout the world: “The products we make are produced for the long term, as art, to be handed down to future generations,” Ali says. “We pay attention to every detail and use only the finest materials and best techniques and employ the finest craftsmen to ensure the furniture will last for many years. “More than half of our business is special-order merchandise or custom-designed orders. Our customers want what they want and are not willing to settle on quality or design. We have been fulfilling this level of expectation for more than three decades.” Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team In an era when going away on vacation is not in the budget, many homeowners are finding it makes fiscal sense to turn the master bath into a spa environment with high-end amenities such as soaking tubs, saunas, whirlpools, granite countertops, double sinks, marble and tile flooring, and his and her dressing areas. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), the finishing touch to a redecorated bathroom is complementary lighting that is highly functional and attractive. In response to the increased demand for luxurious bath amenities, lighting manufacturers now offer more high-end fixtures than ever, making this the perfect time to create a splashy bath. “Everything in the bath has been upgraded except the lighting,” says George Chandler of Vermont-based lighting manufacturer Hubbardton Forge. “The right lighting will make the room. Without it, everything you purchased won’t look half as good.” Kellee Hollenback of Savoy House, a lighting manufacturer based in Georgia, agrees. “People are making an investment and creating a retreat reminiscent of a hotel room at their favorite vacation spot,” Hollenback says. “Redoing the bathroom is an economical way to do a home makeover. Even simply installing a UL-listed shower light or a chandelier or spotlight over the tub can enhance both comfort and ambiance.” (UL listed products have been tested and evaluated for safety by Underwriters Laboratories.) There are two must-haves for proper bath lighting: an ambient light source and task lighting. There has never been a better time to buy a decorative ambient fixture than right now. Lighting manufacturers have designed some truly elegant and highly functional fixtures that will set a luxurious atmosphere for the room and make your guests envious. “When selecting a decorative fixture, make sure you’re getting good light from it,” says Todd Phillips of South Carolina-based lighting manufacturer Quoizel. “Overall, soft contemporary styles are leading the pack. We’re seeing the importance of a bronze finish on clean designs. There’s been great growth in vanity sinks, which often have matching hardware. This has led to a desire for lighting fixtures in a complementary bronze finish,” say Phillips. “We’re also noticing a trend in faucets with an antique or brushed nickel finish.” Chrome is also a popular finish choice that will always be in vogue. “Today’s homeowners are looking for something unique and not the same thing they can find everywhere else,” adds Ron Henderson of Nevada-based lighting manufacturer Varaluz. “They are carbon footprint-sensitive, and we use a lot of reclaimed and recycled materials in our bath fixtures.” The most critical area for proper lighting is at the mirror, where the majority of grooming tasks – from make-up application to shaving – takes place. Although many builders and interior decorators install one recessed light over the sink, lighting experts say this is not ideal for putting your best face forward. “The best scenario at the bathroom mirror is a lighting fixture at the top and two smaller wall-mounted fixtures located on either side of the mirror,”explains architect Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA, and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “It is possible to add a recessed light over the sink as a supplementary light source, but it should never be the primary light because it will create shadows on the face. Decorative sconces that either match or complement the over-the-sink light will evenly illuminate both sides of the face. Rey-Barreau recommends a minimum of 150 watts of incandescent lighting per sink, or 40 watts of fluorescent. “An alternative to a compact fluorescent is the halogen IRC by Osram, which is low-voltage and provides 28 lumens per watt. It gives a lot of light and gives good color so that skin doesn’t look washed out,” says Paul Eusterbrock of Holtkoetter International, a lighting manufacturer based in Minnesota. “People need energy-efficient light that helps them look good,” he says. And don’t forget a dimmer. Dimmers are essential for creating a soothing and comfortable environment. Installing a dimmer in your master bath is one of the easiest, least expensive and mood enhancing techniques you can do. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.