Home Improvement Trends For 2014

Bell Mirror & Glass, Inc.

1702 S. Seneca Street, Wichita, KS 67213

316-262-8642

www.bellmirrorandglass.com

Taking on a home improvement project can be stressful.  Deciding on the right theme or additions for your home can be difficult.  Stay up on the latest interior design trends with the following top trends for 2014. 

1. Get rid of your tub.  Less and less people are finding a bathtub necessary.  Why not get rid of it completely? Installing a curb-less shower with glass shower doors is a great way to increase the elegance of your bathroom.
2. If you just can't part ways with your tub, why not make it more extravagant?  A free standing tub makes for quite the bathing experience and takes up less space.
3. Install floating shelves.  Ample cabinet space is necessary in any kitchen.  Rather than having a long running slew of cabinets, break it up.  Including floating shelves provides more wall space to hang art and brighten the room.
4. Bright colors are "in".  Avoid using earthly browns and opt for a pop of color, like cobalt blue!
5. Using stone, metal or wood are materials in home structures is a popular trend that will not die in 2014.  However you will see a change in design.  Rather than the industrial look that was so popular in 2013, a rounder design with the use of more earth tones and shades will create a more relaxed and modest feel.
6. Express your personality.  Unique frames and layering will be common methods of self-expression in the new year.
7. Eco-friendly trends are on the rise.  Cabinets with no added formaldehyde and non-toxic glues will be in high demand.  Join the trend!

For more home improvement trends in 2014, click here. 

Bell Mirror and Glass can help you in your home improvement projects. We offer custom shaped mirrors in a variety of colors.  Our craftsmen are skilled in all areas of mirror creation and are trained to provide services for commercial and residential customers.  Contact us to learn more about our services.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more home improvement tips for the new year. 

Keep Your New Year's Resolution: How To Get Fit At Home

Bell Mirror & Glass, Inc.

1702 S. Seneca Street, Wichita, KS 67213

316-262-8642

www.bellmirrorandglass.com

Did you resolve to get fit in the new year? Joining a gym and maintaining a workout regime requires motivation and dedication.  The last thing anyone wants to do when they get home for a long day at work is head back out to the gym.  Similarly, who wants to wake up an hour early to drive to the gym to workout?  There's a simpler solution.  Make your resolution possible by bringing the gym to your home. 

It's easy to transform a spare room into a home workout haven.  Check out the following tips:

• Add mirrors.  Adding floor length mirrors is essential to any gym.  Working out in front of a mirror allows you to practice proper form and helps you track your progress and see results!  Bell Mirror and Glass can help get your home gym ready with such mirrors. Contact us to learn more.
• Add a television.  The t.v. will allow you to watch workout videos or help pass the time by watching your favorite show or movie. 
• Buy the equipment.  Depending on the results you desire, a home gym requires very little gear.  Purchase resistance bands, some free weights, and a medicine ball and you've got yourself a heart pumping workout.  If yoga is more your speed, purchase yoga matts. 
• Paint the room bright colors.  With one wall already covered in mirrors, the other 3 should be an inspiring color; one that will make you happy to be in that space.  Working out requires motivation so the home gym should entice you.  Feel free to personalize the space by adding your own creations to the walls.  All it takes is a paintbrush and paint!

If you're looking to add mirrors to your home or business, Bell Mirror and Glass can help! We offer custom shaped mirrors in a variety of colors.  Our craftsmen are skilled in all areas of mirror creation and are trained to provide services for commercial and residential customers.  Contact us to learn more about our services.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more tips on how to incorporate mirrors in your home.

5 Easy Tips For A Cleaner Bathroom

Bell Mirror & Glass, Inc.

1702 S. Seneca Street, Wichita, KS 67213

316-262-8642

www.bellmirrorandglass.com

For most of us, cleaning the bathroom is a daunting task that requires toxic chemicals and can be a workout in and of itself.  You shouldn't have to dread keeping your space clean, even if it is a room guests rarely see.  Your bathroom should be a welcoming place as it is a personal space for you and your family.  We've gathered 5 easy tips to keep your bathroom clean without using harmful cleaners!  You'll be surprised by what these everyday materials can do!

1. Battle soap scum with baby oil.  Baby oil helps to soften the soap scum that accumulates on the side of your tub.  Mix 1 part baby oil with 4 parts water in a spray bottle.  Try to avoid spraying the floor of the tub when applying to the sides.  Let the solution set for a few minutes and then wipe it away using a damp cloth or sponge.  If the floor of your tub is slippery from excess oil, wipe it down with some vinegar. 
2. Sweep away soap stains with stockings.  A paste made from cream of tartar and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide helps to remove soap residue from the bathtub, sink or surrounding tiles.  If you don't have a bristle brush, an old pair of nylon stockings works fine!  Roll them into a ball to form non-scratch cleaning scrubbers.
3. Clean the toilet bowl with cola.  You heard correct!  We said soda!  Empty a can of cola into the toilet bowl and let it sit for about an hour.  Then scrub and flush.  Any sticky drops left over can be wiped up with white vinegar. 
4. Banish toilet bowl rings.  Sprinkle borax around the inside of the bowl and into the water before you go to bed.  In the morning, take a brush and whisk the stains away.  White vinegar and baking soda can also get the job done. 
5. Unclog the drain with foam and fizz.  Hairballs and cosmetics are just some of the reasons your drains clog up.  Help unclog a slow drain by pouring 1/2 a cup of baking soda down it, followed by 3/4 cup of white vinegar.  These two substances tend to fizz and foam when combined so stand back after pouring.  After 20 minutes, flush the drain with hot water.

Voila!  Your bathroom will be spotless in no time! See more cleaning tips here.  For more serious bathroom improvements, such as installing glass shower doors, contact Bell Mirror and Glass.  Our experienced craftsmen are skilled in delivering the highest quality glass and mirror services.  Visit our website to learn more about your home or office improvement options!

From Your Home To Your Business- How To Improve Your Space

Bell Mirror & Glass, Inc.

1702 S. Seneca Street, Wichita, KS 67213

316-262-8642

www.bellmirrorandglass.com

January has been a month of improvement.  We've provided a bunch of tips and ways for you to improve your home and create a more relaxed environment.  Why not extend those tips to your business?  Bell Mirror and Glass understands that looks are important when it comes to a business.  You want your customers to feel welcome and ready to buy.  Our skilled technicians are experienced in helping proprietors enhance their business' appearance. 

Check out the following tips to help you enhance your store's appearance and generate more sales:

Layout.  Provide a neat; clean layout that allows customers to easily navigate through your business.  No one likes having to sift through items and shelves to find what they're looking for.

Lighting.  Lighting is an important part of a business ambiance.  Lighting is unique to each business.  For example, a romantic restaurant will have dimmer lighting than that of a retail store.  Dim lighting creates a more intimate experience.  When we shop for clothing, we expect brighter lights because we want to see what we are buying.

Sound and color.  Similar to lighting, both of these factors are unique to a business.  Music and décor colors effect the mood of customers.  Softer tunes will be used in a restaurant to create a romantic environment.  Red walls are common in food establishments as studies have shown seeing the color red triggers a hungry sensation. 

Attractive storefront.  A glass storefront allows passersby to catch a glimpse of what your store has to offer.  Decorating your storefront window may entice people to enter the shop. 

For more tips on how to improve your business, click here. 

Bell Mirror and Glass provides glass services for store entrances, door glass, and display cases for commercial customers.  Find out how we can help you improve your business by contacting us.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more home and business improvement tips. 

Fun Friday: Get To Know Your State! Kansas In The Spotlight

Bell Mirror & Glass, Inc.

1702 S. Seneca Street, Wichita, KS 67213

316-262-8642

www.bellmirrorandglass.com

Bell Mirror and Glass is proud to be a part of the Kansas business community! How much do you really know about this great state?  Check out some of these fun facts!

• Kansas was the 34th state to enter the union on January 29, 1861.
• In 1803, the United States purchased Kansas from France in the Louisiana Purchase.
• The state nickname is the Sunflower State/ Jayhawk State.
• The state animal is the buffalo.
• The state bird is the Western Meadowlark.
• The state song is "Home on the Range.
• The state motto is "Ad astra per aspera," translation, "To the stars through difficulties."
• Pizza Hut restaurants opened its first store in Kansas. 
• Helium was first discovered at the University of Kansas in 1905.
• Dodge City is the windiest city in the U.S. with wind speeds of 14 miles per hour.
• Kansas was the first city to ratify the 15th amendment which gave African-Americans the right to vote. 
• Famous Kansans include: Walter Chrysler (Auto manufacturer), Amelia Earhart (The 1st woman to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean), Dwight D. Eisenhower (President), Robert Dole (Senator), Jess Willard (Boxer), and Stan Kenton (Jazz musician).

To learn more about Kansas, click here.

Bell Mirror and Glass has been a Kansas established business since 1963.  We offer comprehensive glass and mirror services to commercial and residential customers.  Contact us to find out how we can help improve your home or business!

8 Ways To Use Mirrors In Your Kitchen Backsplash

Bell Mirror & Glass, Inc.

1702 S. Seneca Street, Wichita, KS 67213

316-262-8642

www.bellmirrorandglass.com

We often associate mirrors with bathrooms and bedrooms, but truth is, mirrors can be used in any room of the house!  Adding mirrors to a living room area can help make the space appear larger and its ability to reflect light can make a room brighter!

Have you ever thought about adding a mirror to you kitchen?  Using mirrored tiles as a backsplash is a popular growing trend!  These special treatments are so varied that it's easy to find a style to fit any home!  Check out some of your options:

• A traditional style is simple, straight-forward, and stylish.  Apply a standard mirror along a countertop and beneath cabinets for a remarkable finish!
• Antique mirrors can be aged to look antique and add an accent to your kitchen. 
• Subway tile is a look that is becoming widely popular!  Replacing the standard solid white tiles with mirrors creates a textured focal point and increases the kitchens visual space.
• If you have a more traditional kitchen, framing mirrors can lessen the contemporary look and compliment your overall theme.
• Diagonal mirrors make for a unique backsplash.  Including finials at intersecting corners is the perfect touch to give the mirror more character.
• Mirrored mosaic tiles double as a backsplash and statement piece.  These tiny 1 inch square tiles come on mesh backing, making installation a piece of cake!
• Smoked glass mirrors have a dark bronze or black cast to it and provides a dramatic look.
• If you're feeling apprehensive about adding a mirrored backsplash to your kitchen, start off small!  Try adding a mirror just behind your stove for starters.  Mirrored surfaces are easy to clean after preparing a meal.

For more information on how you can incorporate mirrors into your kitchen backsplash, click here.

Bell Mirror and Glass  can create specialty mirrors for any of your home or business projects.  We custom cut and fabricate all of our mirrors and offer a variety of colors.  Edging and custom beveling are also available.  Contact us for more information on how we can help you with all of your mirror needs!

Fun Friday: How To Stick To Your New Year's Resolution

Bell Mirror & Glass, Inc.

1702 S. Seneca Street, Wichita, KS 67213

316-262-8642

www.bellmirrorandglass.com

By this point you have probably already set your New Year's resolution.  Did you know that 75 percent of people successfully keep their resolution for just a few short weeks?  If you ask us, that's not much of a resolution!  What starts as a good intention rarely has the chance to become impactful.   2014 is going to be different.  We've gathered some tips to change the way you think of resolutions and help you stick to it!

1: Set modest goals.  It is easier to stick to something that you can realistically attain.

2: Resolve to change habits.  Set short term goals to keep you motivated.

3: Believe in yourself.  Visualize yourself a year from now as the person you are working to be. 

4: Expect slip-ups.  No one is perfect.  Sometimes temptation or laziness gets the better of us.  Forgive yourself and move on.

5: Carry a reminder.  Write your goals and steps to achieving them on an index card and carry it in your purse or jacket.  When you need a little motivation, you'll have it.

6: No time like the present.  Stop putting it off.  A year from now you'll be wishing you started today!

Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more Fun Friday posts and the latest information in glass and mirror services.  For more tips on how to stick to your New Year's resolution, click here.

Transform Your Bathroom With Glass Shower Doors

Bell Mirror & Glass, Inc.

1702 S. Seneca Street, Wichita, KS 67213

316-262-8642

www.bellmirrorandglass.com 

If home renovation projects are on your "to do" list for 2014, there's no better place to start then the bathroom.  Many people neglect this area of the house because it is not in plain sight, it is often not seen by guests, and a full renovation can be costly. 

Minor changes can be made to the bathroom that have the ability to transform it from looking old, to looking modern! Removing the clutter from sink and tub counters helps to make the room more relaxed and appealing to the eye.  Weekly surface cleaning will help the tile maintain its shine, and a change of color in floor mats can give the impression you're in an entirely different bathroom!

What really transforms this room to a contemporary oasis is the removal of the dreaded shower curtain and the installation of glass shower doors!  Bell Mirror and Glass is proud to offer custom shower enclosures.  Shower doors can be framed, semi-frameless, and completely frameless.  Our team is highly trained and equipped to provide shower enclosures that meet the comprehensive needs of our customers.  We offer fabrication and installation to ensure you receive the best quality service.

Contact us to learn how we can help you in all of your glass and mirror needs! Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLLOW us on Twitter for more home renovation ideas!