Do you have a “thing” about clutter? You don’t have to be OCD to appreciate a pristine countertop. Whether your kitchen is large or small, that countertop clutter can sneak up on you. Small appliances are one of the culprits; ask yourself how often do you use that item? If infrequently, store it in a…
You have probably heard the term “functional” thrown around a lot if you are researching ideas for your kitchen remodel. What it really means is just this; are the elements that make up the kitchen arranged conveniently for the cook? Is the faucet easy to use, when you are holding a heavy pot, or your…
We all love our homes, but deep down inside, we know that someday it will be sold. So when planning the next remodel, think about what appeals to your friends and visitors; you don’t want to remodel again, just to make your home sell-able on that future date! Another consideration is, changing tastes . .…
It’s no fun to scrub bits of food off the painted wall behind the kitchen faucet. Sometimes when you work a bit too enthusiastically on that, the paint even comes off in bits! Then what can be done? That would definitely be time to call your favorite contractor and have some backsplash tile installed. You…
Maybe it’s all that sunshine coming through the windows, pointing out any flaws in the walls, floor or counters. It tells us it’s time to paint, refinish and maybe . . . just maybe, have that kitchen remodeled. Wood floors can be refinished, brought back to their initial shine, and walls do need re-painting every…
I had family visiting last fall, and I assumed they would want to sit on the comfy chairs and couch in the living room; but no, they all gravitated to the kitchen (which is tiny) and the dining room, with it’s hard wood chairs! So think about your own experiences with company. Make the best…
Even if your family only consists of yourself and one other person, what did you notice during the holiday? Guests gravitate to the kitchen, and the overflow spill into the dining room! Must be something about wanting to be close to the food . . . or the host! Since this is the way families…
Crown molding on upper cabinets add style to a kitchen, and backsplash tile are not only a great focal point, but are easier to clean than painted walls, and keep the drywall, well, dry! If a completely new custom cabinet set up is not in your budget, new finishes on the cabinets can work wonders…
Everything from food prep to paying bills and charging electronics often happens in the kitchen/ dining area. Today’s homeowners prefer a clean look with small appliances tucked away in drawers and cabinets. Knowing just where to look for any piece of cooking equipment improves efficiency and makes the cooks life much easier! So the cook…
Uh-oh, Thanksgiving is not far away, and right on it’s heels is Christmas! If you’ve been putting off the kitchen remodel you need, and now it’s too late for the full-meal deal. But what can you do? A lot, as it turns out. A new refrigerator can do wonders for food prep; getting all the…
If you like the look of something different, then you may be on the front of the trend to oil-rubbed bronze and yes, even black kitchen faucets. Why are so many faucets chrome? Well, they just are; but now you don’t have to have a shiny chrome faucet installed in your new kitchen, you can…
An open, airy kitchen provides a cheery space for family and guests to congregate before and after meals. Generally, kitchens are becoming less formal and much simpler than in years past. Clean lines and open vistas dominate the modern kitchen, and delineation between rooms is often achieved through ceiling and flooring treatments. Opening the kitchen…
Studies are showing that more and more Americans are opting to eat at home instead of dining out. This means that the kitchen is taking on a more important role for the family. Convenient locations for food prep ingredients such as spices, flours, meat and vegetables are a must. Appliances need to be located in…
This nifty piece of kitchen cabinetry adds countertop space, storage underneath in the form of shelves for cookbooks, drawers and cabinets. The top is usually extended 12 out on one side to provide countertop eating space, for casual meals, and snacking while meals are prepared. Some kitchen islands even have sinks or stove tops installed,…
Unless, of course, you just had yours done! Color, style and built-in conveniences are what make the cabinets, and with constant use, they can begin to show their wear. New cabinets will completely refresh your kitchen; having custom touches that suit the way you use your kitchen will make them more functional. If you find…
If you can reorganize and equip your kitchen for it’s maximum utility, you may not need to expand the square footage. You can start by having the shelves replaced with cabinet height pullout drawers only 8 inches wide, which can contain your canned goods and other small items. Have the most efficient kinds of cabinets…
If your home has aged and your tastes have changed as well, it is time for some modifications and upgrades to breathe new life into your home. A designer stainless steel range hood over that range top will make a statement you will love. Not only will it freshen the air and move cooking odors…
After reading numerous articles on the joys of removing a wall or portion therof, to make a kitchen brighter and open to family, along comes an article telling us the opposite. Isn’t that just like professional advice? Hah! Oh well, homeowners are individuals, as everyone knows, and what one person loves, another will love just…
Ah, there’s nothing like a beautiful countertop to set off a new kitchen or bath! They don’t have to be expensive, but the upside of paying more for a more durable (and let’s face it – gorgeous) material is that you will be happy with it, and it will last as long as you have…
This kitchen was completely gutted, and appliances including the sink were relocated. This involved re-piping gas lines to the stove and water and waste lines to the sink. The results show that it was totally worth it! BEFORE …
The basic types are Stock cabinets, Semi-custom, and custom cabinets. Stock are the basic cabinets that every major hardware store carries. These cannot be customized and must be purchased to fit the existing kitchen footprint. There may be a gap here and there that needs to be filled in. Semi Custom are ordered to size…
Every kitchen has cabinets, but not every kitchen has useful cabinets. Think about it; how many pans do you have to sort through to get the one you want? Is the bowl you need to make cookies in the back of that corner cabinet, requiring you to get down on your knees and pull out…
This homeowner wanted to modernize their outdated kitchen cabinets and countertops. The orginal cabinet doors were a plain white with the method of opening consisted of hooking the fingers under the cabinet door and pulling. The impression they gave was a plain field of unbroken white. The countertops were a bland off-brown color. The upgrade…
You know that old saying “You can never be too rich or too thin”? OK, you can be too thin, but it’s just a saying, don’t analyze it. The analogy for your home is, you can’t have too much counter space. Have you ever heard a friend say, “My countertops are just too big! It’s…
Moving a doorway or removing a wall to improve layout is always a better investment than splurging on high end appliances or even custom cabinets. While your kitchen serves various purposes, it’s important to design appropriately for the way you use your kitchen. You’ve no doubt heard of the “work triangle”; it’s the concept that…