If you could change one thing about your home this year, what would it be?
This month, we’re spotlighting a Chula Vista primary bathroom remodel designed around bold statement tile, complete with a freestanding soaking tub, floating cabinetry, and brass accents. Learn the difference between design-build and hiring a designer and contractor separately, get a tip on planning your budget while you plan your design, see why statement tile is becoming a starting point for bathroom design, and join us for our July design seminar.
From the Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling newsletter, June 2026. Seminar dates and event details were current when this issue went out.
A note from Sergei
Sergei KaminskiyFounder and CEO
San Diego Homeowners,
If you could change one thing about your home this year, what would it be? That question sticks with people. Most homeowners know exactly what they would change. The kitchen that never quite worked. The primary bathroom that still looks like the day they moved in. The room that holds them back from inviting friends over.
They know. They just have not started yet. Life is busy, and a remodel can feel like a big leap. But the projects we are proudest of almost always start with one honest answer to one simple question.
One change. One decision. One room that finally becomes what you imagined. So this year, I want to ask you directly: what would you change about your home?
Sergei KaminskiyFounder and CEO
Free design seminars
Ready to Start Planning Your Remodel?
If Sergei’s question has you thinking about the one thing you would change in your home, our Design Seminar is a great place to start. We talk through what homeowners should know before beginning a remodel, including how to think about design, budget, timelines, planning, and the importance of having the right team involved early.
Bring your questions, your ideas, and even the project you have been thinking about for years.
Project Spotlight with AndreaAndrea Short, Kitchen and Bath Design Specialist
A Chula Vista Bathroom Designed Around Statement Tile
This Chula Vista primary bathroom remodel is a beautiful example of how one strong design element can shape an entire space. The homeowners wanted a bathroom that felt more elevated, more functional, and more reflective of their personal style. The existing bathroom was outdated and no longer gave them the comfort or visual impact they wanted in their daily routine.
Statement tile became the starting point for the design. From there, the space came together with a freestanding soaking tub, floating cabinetry, brass accents, detailed tilework, and a refreshed walk-in closet flooring upgrade. The result is a primary suite that feels polished and personal, while still being practical for everyday use.
It is a great reminder that a remodel does not always begin with a full vision. Sometimes it starts with one material, one finish, or one feature you love, and the right team helps build the rest of the design around it.
BeforeOutdated bathroom with limited comfort and styleAfterStatement tile, floating cabinetry, and brass accents
From the Field with JeremiahJeremiah Skelton, Production Manager
Why the Right Remodeling Team Matters
Design-Build vs. Hiring a Designer and Contractor Separately
When planning a remodel, one of the first big decisions homeowners face is who to hire and in what order. Should you start with a designer? Call a contractor first? Or work with one design-build team that manages both the design and construction process?
In this month’s featured blog, we break down the difference between the traditional approach of hiring a designer and contractor separately and the design-build model, where your design, pricing, planning, and construction team work together from the beginning.
For many homeowners, this approach can help create a smoother process, clearer communication, and a better connection between the design you love and the budget, schedule, and construction details needed to bring it to life.
If you are in the early stages of planning a remodel, this is a helpful read before you start comparing options.
Remodeling Tips with SeanSean Garland, Project Designer
Plan the Budget While You Plan the Design
One of the most helpful things you can do early in the remodeling process is talk about budget while the design is still taking shape. It is easy to fall in love with beautiful ideas, but those ideas need to be connected to real construction costs, material selections, and the scope of work.
When design and budget are discussed together, homeowners can make better decisions from the beginning. It helps prevent surprises later, keeps the project grounded, and allows the team to guide you toward choices that support both your vision and your investment.
Design Trends with HaleyHaley Chavez-Overlund, Designer
Statement Tile as the Starting Point
Tile is no longer just a background finish. More homeowners are using it as the design element that sets the tone for the entire room. In bathrooms especially, a bold tile choice can define the mood, color palette, and overall style before anything else is selected.
Whether it is a dramatic shower wall, a textured vanity backdrop, a patterned floor, or a beautiful tile carried throughout the space, statement tile gives a bathroom personality. It can make the room feel more custom, more intentional, and more connected to the homeowner’s style.
Connect with Kit
Meet Kit, Your First Step Toward Getting Started
We are excited to introduce Kit, our new Client Care Specialist. If you reach out to Kaminskiy with a question, a project idea, or to reserve a seat at one of our Design Seminars, Kit may be one of the first people you hear from. Her role is to help homeowners feel welcomed, answer early questions, and make sure each inquiry is connected with the right next step.
Have a project in mind or want to attend our next seminar?
When Sergei asked the question, “What is the one thing you would change about your home?”, it made me think about what usually happens after that first honest answer. Most homeowners know what they want to change, but they are not always sure where to begin. Should they talk to a designer first? A contractor? How early should they think about budget?
That is why this month, we focused on the beginning of the remodeling process, from choosing the right team to planning your design and budget together. Those early conversations can make a big difference, and they often help turn a wish list into a real plan.
I hope you enjoyed the read, and I hope it helps you feel more prepared as you think about your next remodel.
