Bath Crasher's Matt Muenster is in Birmingham this weekend for the Birmingham Home & Remodeling Show. He appears at the show daily to share behind-the-scenes stories from the popular series Bath Crashers and Bathtastic and to provide tips and answer fan questions.
He will be on the Fresh Ideas stage today at noon and 4 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
I recently got to ask him a few questions. Check it out below...
What made you go into design and remodeling?
MUENSTER: I took an architectural history course in college. Had a great professor who made me care about design. Enrolled in the interior design program the next semester.
Favorite tool? What tool should every DIYer have in their tool bag?
MUENSTER: KregJig Jig pocket hole jig. I couldn't build 1/2 of the stuff you are me build on TV without it. Best $100 you'll spend. Best tips for families on a budget with remodeling plans?Plan your work, work your plan. And, know your limitations. It may seem expensive to hire a plumber, but imagine how much it will cost to do the job twice. Plus, if you plan your entire project well before you start, it will help to avoid painful and expensive missteps - which is where you lose value.
What's the most expensive item in a bathroom redesign? Now tell me how to save money on it?
MUENSTER: Moving plumbing from one side of the room to another. It costs money and sometimes space to make these changes. My recommendation is to approach your renovation with minimal relocation of your fixtures. The extra creativity involved with making these existing locations work will allow you to spend your $$ elsewhere.
How has the economy affected home remodeling in your opinion?
MUENSTER: It's changed people's transient mindset. Fewer people are moving on from house to house. Making small cosmetic improvements and flipping. People are actually doing more meaningful and personalized renovations. Thinking more long-term and putting the emphasis back on quality work vs quick fix.
How can frugal or thrifty families still achieve gorgeous bathrooms similar to the ones featured in your show?
MUENSTER: They can't. :) Our bathrooms aren't meant to showcase the thrifty remodel. I'm trying to blow your doors off with every remodel. Materials only, we average about a $35k renovation on every show. I'm trying to inspire and show viewers the latest products, techniques, finishes and amenities available. I'm hoping the viewer can cherry pick a few things they like from each episode and put them together themselves when they approach their remodel.
What will you share with show-goers who attend your sessions at the Expo this weekend?
MUENSTER: We'll talk my philosophy on bathroom design, what I've learned over 200 bathroom renovations over the past 6 years or so, but mostly I want to answer your questions about your bathroom, about what it's like to do TV, about crazy stuff behind-the-scenes - stuff like that makes it fun for me!
What are the latest color, design and decor trends for bathrooms? How can we replicate those trends on a budget?
MUENSTER: I know it's fun to talk trends, but I try to avoid that word at all costs. I strive for timelessness in design. A trend implies that the idea will cease to be a good idea at some point. I would encourage people to ask themselves what amenities would make their bathroom an amazing getaway within their own home - and educate themselves on those amenities to find the least expensive avenue to implement them into their budget. Telling someone to paint a wall bright blue because it's a 'hot' color right now feels irresponsible to me as a designer. Choosing color for someone else is like choosing artwork for someone else's walls - it's presumptuous and it it's a very personal thing. I would instead encourage someone to make a bold choice on something because is speaks to them personally - and worry a lot less about what other people would think.