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Budget Friendly Renovation Ideas For Your Kitchen

November 13, 2014adminhome remodeling, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Renovation Ideas: Budget-Friendly Concepts for Your Small Kitchen

Have you been thinking of cunning and economical kitchen renovation ideas you can put to good use?

While choosing the right concepts to pursue can get tricky, it’s reassuring to know you can dramatically transform the look and feel of the area given you choose the right ones.

Get your transformation project off to an amazing start by keeping the following savvy ideas in mind.

Photo credit

Open the shelves

Open shelving has earned quiet a following over the years, and with good reason.

Able to create the illusion of bigger space, open shelving will give area-challenged kitchens a more expanded feel.

To pull this idea off, consider removing the doors of your cabinets and painting the interiors. Also, invest in some colorful mugs and plates and display them in your open cabinet to add more charm and personality to the area.

In addition, you can also use the open shelves as a handy compartment for your everyday kitchen tools and utensils. Not only will you be able to keep things organized, you will also gain easy access to kitchen items you need on a daily basis.

Install kitchen lights

When it comes to clever kitchen remodel ideas that add value to your home, the list can be lengthy.

However, without doubt, the right lighting fixtures can do wonders for your kitchen however small.

Fortunately, you need not spend a fortune or pick costly lighting alternatives to create a kitchen you can be proud of.

A hanging chandelier or a colorful table lamp from the flea market will actually suffice. Not only will it make the kitchen look cozy, it will also greatly enhance its visual appeal.

Refinish the cabinets

Sometimes, subtle changes like painting kitchen cabinets with a glossy latex or semigloss can create a huge impact.

Cheap and easy to do, refinishing your cabinets can easily transform the area into the space of your dreams.

Depending on the look you are going for, you can also consider ditching the traditional hues and opt for a bright coral red or a glossy black to create a more modern feel.

Consider repainting

Sometimes, all a small kitchen needs is a change of color scheme or a new coat of paint to appear warm and visually attractive.

A thrifty and straightforward way to give your small area the much needed facelift, painting just might be what is needed to make your kitchen look new and different.

Search for ideas online especially if you are clueless as to ideal color choices you can try.

Add a backsplash

Undeniably one of the hottest kitchen additions to have been introduced, a backsplash was initially designed to protect walls against grease and stains associated with cooking.

Nowadays however, it has also been used to help enhance the look and overall visual of the space.

If you are not ready to spend money on a tile backsplash, consider its cheaper alternatives like vinyl, ceramic, pegboards, porcelain and glass.

Renovation ideas can be infinite. However, as long as you keep the mentioned tips in mind, you have the battle half won.

Ready to transform your kitchen? Give us a call or send us an email today!

5 Tips To Create Space In A Small Kitchen

August 13, 2014adminHome Improvement Tips, home remodeling, Kitchen RemodelingDIY projects, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchensLeave a comment

Tips for creating space in small kitchens by using large tiles and other tricks

The kitchen is the heart of the home; where families gather in the morning and where they eat at night. Unfortunately many a home suffers from a small kitchen, making it difficult for the room to live up to its potential as one of the interior focal points of life and activity. For this reason, DIY-ers, decorators and designers have long tried to discover ways to enhance the space of a small kitchen, making it more suited to its needs and a much more pleasant place to be in general.

Today, there is a whole host of ways that homeowners looking to decorate their kitchen can try to increase the appearance of space in their small interior rooms, ranging from floor laying techniques to colour schemes. Here is a collection of some of the most popular and effective:

Large tiles are best

Time and time again we’re told that large tiles help to create a sense of space. Granted they minimize the amount of visual joins in the room, allowing for a sense of continuity between wall and floor, but they do have to be installed correctly for this to happen. Make sure you pick a tile that’s not too large or too small, because if you end up with one single grouting line down the centre of your room then things could end up looking a little odd and no bigger at all! Try to opt for a tile size that will give a good coverage of grouting lines, while ensuring these are kept to a suitable minimum. Afterwards, these can be hidden by grouting them in a suitable and similar colour tone. To see some examples, check out Direct Tile Warehouses Large Floor Tiles

Laying large tiles the right way

Believe it or not, the way we lay tiles on the floor can have a profound effect on the finished impression of space in a room. Opting for a diagonal pattern tends to be the most effective method for creating room, as it forces the human eye to follow the longest possible patch across the surface. Other methods include actually making use of visual divides in colour, tone or grout (the very ones we tried to avoid in part one) in a horizontally laid pattern across the room’s narrowest part. This can help increase the illusion of length in a room, making it a great choice for longer, narrower kitchens.

The all-important colour scheme

Choosing the right colour scheme is another of the most important features of decorating a small kitchen for space. The general consensus is that monochrome, light hues, help to reflect light, eliminate visual divisions on both the wall and floor and create an air of cleanliness that’s pleasant throughout. This means whites, off-whites and light shades of other colours, while decorators will have to make sure their chosen scheme works well with their kitchen fixtures as well!

Clever storage solutions

Being creative with your storage solutions means much more than just getting the newest and most advanced cupboards from IKEA. It also means thinking about how to maximise space by replacing opaque boards with glass, leading peoples’ eyes into the depths of your units and giving them the impression of increased room. It also means making cleaver use of lighting on the fixtures to increase the illumination both above and below the units. This can help turn a simple cupboard or extractor fan into another source of that much-needed light, adding space and airiness to an otherwise dark and tight-knit corner.

Built in appliances to boot

Today, built in appliances are all the rage. They are used in big kitchens for convenience, but can help create much more space in small kitchens by maximizing floor space and square footage greatly. This means concealing your fridge beneath a fixture, placing your microwave in an alcove, and removing any additional appliances to a different room, if possible (the Europeans even put the washing machine in the bathroom, if you’re feeling continental!).

Ready to enhance the space in your small kitchen? Give us a call or send us an email for a free in home estimate!

Kitchen Renovations To Boost Your Home Value

July 23, 2014RezaHome Improvement Tips, Kitchen Remodeling, Tips to sell your homehome improvement, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tips3 Comments

It’s common knowledge that when buyers first enter a home, one of the first areas they evaluate is the kitchen. For this reason, kitchens have to be capable of making a great first impression if sellers want to be successful. A beautifully renovated kitchen has the power to secure a much higher sale price for a home than one that is under equipped and out of date. Kitchen renovations are excellent investments for homeowners, especially since they have a potential payback rate of close to 100%!

(Source: Downtown Toronto Properties Blog)

(Source: Home Design Bee)

When renovating your kitchen, you should focus on adding features that are most attractive to future buyers. These include extra counter space, islands, bars, windows, new cabinets, stone countertops, and stainless steel appliances.

(Source: Lone Star SA)

A minor kitchen remodel averages a $20,000 boost in resale value, while a major kitchen remodel averages a boost of $50,000. And that’s only for midrange quality. If you go for an upscale renovation, you can look forward to even higher numbers.

(Source: Landmark Services)

Because kitchen renovations provide such big opportunities for adding value to homes, they should be done with skill. Hiring professional contractors to plan and construct your renovation will go a long way toward increasing the value it creates.

Visit the VGC team to read more great home improvement articles.

Author Bio: Although he is not one of our talented designers, he can be mistaken for one due to his fashionable taste. Though arguably the best dressed in our office, Reza is known best for his work ethics, his professional demeanor, and his ability to always stay on top of thing and still lend a helping hand. Reza joined VGC because he truly believes that VGC’s Design & Build process is unparalleled when it comes to custom build homes and residential renovations. His position as Marketing Manager allows him to build relationships with clients to improve their experience with VGC.

Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Kitchen Island

June 3, 2014adminHome Improvement Tips, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchens3 Comments

A kitchen island is a sure shot way to completely overhaul the look of your entire kitchen. Unlike other home remodeling choices, this one stands out completely. If you tend to spend a lot of time in your kitchen and have enough space, a kitchen island can be the perfect makeover that you have always wanted. Here are 5 tips to remember to help you choose your perfect kitchen island.

1. Balance Your Needs With The Look of Your Kitchen Island

If you install the kitchen island properly, you will realize that the functionality that your kitchen previously offered has grown exponentially. It is not just a work surface but can turn you into a chef overnight. Thus, before choosing your perfect kitchen island, evaluate your cooking needs. Do you cook for a long time? Are you more into baking? What do you think you need in your kitchen to cook more comfortably? For instance, bakers would find marble countertops extremely helpful for their dough. In case of limited space, choosing a kitchen island having a faucet and a huge sink would be the best option.

2. Choose the Right Material

You need to choose a good quality material which would not only last for a long time but would also be durable on the surface. You don’t have to choose the material that you are currently using in your kitchen because with a kitchen island, you have the luxury to choose whatever you want. Choose complementary materials. For instance, rustic wood and concrete go well with granite. Keep the complete look of your kitchen in mind when you choose the material.

3. Multipurpose Kitchen Island

If you have the vision for it, your kitchen island can provide a lot of features. It can provide you a separate space to have breakfast, you could offer brunch service, it could consist of a second stove, you could have an additional sink, you can store your cookbooks and sundry dishes in it, you can store you silverware and china in the drawers, you could feed your pets there, your kids could cook in that area, you could use it as extra cooking space, you could hang storage pots over it, when you have company you could entertain them there, and so many other uses.

4. Amazing Storage Space

As mentioned in the above point, your kitchen island can become an excellent space for storage. Add various cabinets and drawers on the sides so that things can be stored easily in your kitchen island. Convert one side of the island into a bar for entertaining friends and the drawers would still serve a purpose. Always utilize the space that is offered to you.

5. Make Room for Hobbies and Specializations

If you are a wine connoisseur, you can have an embedded cellar for wine storage in your kitchen island. Showcase your lovely collection of wine bottles with the help of proper lighting and good temperature maintenance.

Most importantly, look around for great kitchen island ideas in home improvement magazines and blogs, and you will surely find something that would make you go “this is my kitchen island!” Check out these kitchen island photos for some inspiration.

Written by Tim Smith.

Create a traditional kitchen full of personality and style

April 25, 2014adminHome Improvement Tips, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, home remodeling, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchensLeave a comment

Kitchen Remodeling Tips:

The kitchen is the heart of the home … the place where memories are made while cooking, eating and sharing stories around the table. Since so much time is spent in this room, it’s important to have a kitchen that fits your personality. There are many styles to choose; but traditional remains one of the most popular because of its timeless, classic look. If you’re updating your kitchen, here are some tips to create a space that reflects your personal style.

Color matters. The right paint colors are integral to achieving the traditional look. Select paint colors that are warm and inviting like cream, taupe and gold. Light colors are popular in the kitchen because they provide a feeling of cleanliness and make the space feel larger. Infuse your room with a few stylish touches by incorporating accents in darker or richer shades, especially in the furniture, wood trim or flooring.

Quality fixtures. When designing your new kitchen, don’t overlook the faucets. They get used many times during the day – needing to withstand heavy usage and tie into the overall design of the kitchen. Growing in popularity are motion-activated faucets, like Moen’s easy-to-use MotionSense technology. The Brantford pulldown faucet adds timeless appeal as the spout enhances the curvature of the faucet body and handle, giving any kitchen a beautiful look with the ultimate convenience of hands-free technology.

For an even more elaborate style, the new Weymouth collection offers an enduring, Victorian design with functional details, such as its high-arc spout. Signature styling elements include a decorative top finial and a refined shepherd’s spout. The detailed design of both faucets will provide extra luxury and serve as the perfect focal point at the sink.

Storage with flair. Replacing cabinets is usually the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel, so take your time and choose carefully. First, think about the color and the type of wood. White painted cabinets with intricate details and raised-panel doors are a popular choice for traditionally styled kitchens. Adding eye-catching details also goes a long way. Be sure to finish the top of the cabinets with decorative molding or swap wood-fronts with glass panels. And, since it’s all about the details, choose decorative knobs and pulls, as well as a towel bar or towel ring that match both the style and finish of your faucet to add fashion and function.

Luxury countertops. Granite, Quartz and butcher block are great choices for countertops. According to the National Association of Home Builders, granite is the most desirable, must-have kitchen feature. This is likely because it’s scratch- and chip-resistant, not to mention this material is a classic design choice that withstands the test of time.

Butcher block not only adds a warm look to your kitchen, it’s also functional as it provides an ideal area for chopping food. Plus, these countertops are easy to clean – just use soap and water. For added appeal, use two types of materials, one on the main countertop area and another on the kitchen island.

Decorative lighting. Since the kitchen is the place you chop and dice, not to mention socialize with loved ones, you need both ambient and task lighting. For ambient lighting, consider a chandelier. Hang it over the kitchen island or the dining space to add a sophisticated touch. Task lighting should be brighter: use pendants and recessed lights over workplaces like countertops, the sink and stove.

We specialize in Kitchen Remodeling & Renovations! Give us a call or contact us via email to schedule your free in home consultation.

Turn a Small Space into the Best Kitchen

April 12, 2014adminHome Improvement Tips, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Tips To Transform Your Small Kitchen

Have you been planning to transform your small space into the best kitchen there is but don’t have an inkling where to begin?

A small space does not have to hinder you from creating an eye-catching and impressive kitchen. With just a bit of ingenuity and a whole lot of creativity thrown in, you can easily turn a small space into an area that is both functional and fun.

Transform a small space into an aesthetically-pleasing and functional kitchen by taking the following tips in mind.

Make use of illusion. Make your kitchen look longer by installing floor tiles diagonally.
Install more counters. Since storage is of vital importance, make sure to place adequate counters to make room for more appliances and work space.
Make use of the centre area of your kitchen. Place an island in the middle (that should be convenient from any area in the kitchen) to supply additional storage space.
Provide the entire area with adequate light. Painting your kitchen with dark colours might make it look compact, however with light beams coming in, it will definitely appear bigger than it seems. Keep window treatments to minimal to make room for sunlight.
Use downsized and compact appliances. Many appliance suppliers provide more space-saving appliances to help small kitchen designs easier to implement. They provide 24 inch deep refrigerators rather than 30 inch deep ones. Also, it is advisable to place your microwave underneath the cabinet to save more counter space.
Use proper lighting. Most kitchens appear too compact and small because they are often filled with inappropriate lighting. Create an illusion of space by putting fluorescent lights under the cabinets and pendant lights on the ceiling to expand the entire space visually and make it appear more pleasing.
Ditch the solid cabinet doors. And replace it with glass ones instead. Glass fronts help lighten the appearance of cabinetry. They allow the eyes to see right through the back thereby making your kitchen appear more spacious.
Make use of a pullout cabinet. Pull out cabinets come as double purpose storage. They can be drawn towards the centre if you need to use them and put them away afterwards when not in use to save more space.
Get rid of the mess. Avoid cluttering the counters, cabinets and shelves. They make your kitchen appear compact. Display only a few necessity and standout items and remove the rest.
Direct the eye upwards. Pick patterns and colours that make the gazes go towards the ceiling. Create vertical lines on the wall and ceiling boards to create an illusion of greater height.

Small spaces might come as a design challenge. But with a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll definitely know how to make an impeccably efficient, functional and eye-catching kitchen.

Author bio of Isabelle Clibborn

Isabelle Clibborn works for Authority Specialists as a content writer for over three years. She has a penchant for writing about SEO, social media and blogging.

When not busy typing on her computer, she’s probably playing her favourite instrument – the piano. She likes sharing advice and experiences she’s learned when she was still working at a psychiatric facility. Being a wife and a mother of two beautiful daughters, she always spends quality time with her family every time the weekend rolls around. She currently resides in the beautiful city of Melbourne. Get in touch with her at IsabelleClibborn@authorityspecialists.com.

Isabelle Clibborn for Able Doors – Able Door Services is the trusted name when it comes to domestic and commercial roller shutters. They’ve just about seen it all from designing smart access points for new facilities to replacing outdated commercial roller doors or automated car-park systems.

Ready to update your kitchen? Call Bruzzese Home Improvements and ask about our current special offer for kitchen renovations!

10 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Kitchens

January 22, 2014adminHome Improvement Tips, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Just because you don’t have room in your kitchen for a six-burner stove, double-bowl sink or Sub-Zero fridge, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice function or style. Here are 10 ways to max out space in your kitchen, from chic small-scale appliances to innovative storage options and details that make all the difference. We hope at least one of them inspires you.

Amy Sklar Design Inc

1. Small but mighty appliances. Revamped vintage appliances, like the stove shown here (a 21-inch vintage O’Keefe and Merritt), and vintage-look ones, like this fridge (from Elmira Stove Works), can be found in smaller sizes that don’t sacrifice style. High-end makers like Bertazzoni and Viking also make small-space models, so even serious cooks can find something that fits the space and works hard.

2. Single-bowl sink. Simply going with a single rather than double bowl for the sink can save you a foot or more of counter space. Small-scale single-bowl sinks come in all styles — a farmhouse style like the one shown here still feels capacious.

Best & Company

3. Undermount sink. If you really want to save every possible inch, go with a small, single-bowl, undermount sink. You’ll eke out a smidgen more workspace on the counter beside the sink, because the edges of the sink will be concealed.Stove: 24 inches, Bertazzoni; sink: Blanco

Stephanie Sabbe

4. Wall-mounted storage. Have a slender bit of blank wall? Don’t just hang up a calendar or artwork — make the most of the available space by mounting rows of racks on the wall from floor to ceiling. Drape towels over a bar, use S-hooks to hang kitchen tools and install a magnetic knife rack.

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

The same idea works equally well for pots and pans — don’t stop at one row; use all of the space you have! And notice that in both of these photos, the homeowners painted the storage wall black (chalk paint would be nice too), which makes the arrangement feel more intentional and hides scuff marks.

Actual-Size Architecture

5. MacGyver-style island. Instead of lining up everything galley style, try opening up the room and putting all of the necessities in a compact all-in-one island. The custom island shown here contains a sink, a stove, a range, prep space, storage for pots and pans, knives, spices and garbage. As if that weren’t enough, the opposite side has space for a few people to perch on stools.

nkba.org

6. Pullout pantry. No room for a proper pantry? A slim pullout one can be tucked into the tightest spaces, and even items way at the back are easily accessible.

post Architecture

7. Minimalist hardware. It may seem like a small thing, but in a really narrow galley kitchen, it’s easy to knock into bulky knobs and handles. Keep things looking and feeling sleek by choosing slender, minimalist pulls. High-gloss cabinets and proper lighting also help open up the tight kitchen here.

emma delon

8. Cabinets to the ceiling. Why stop a foot short when you can take the cabinets all the way up? Even if you can’t easily access what’s in the top cupboards, in a small space it’s still worth having the storage option. Having ceiling-height cabinets also helps visually expand the space.

contemporary kitchen Contemporary Kitchen

9. No door. Removing the kitchen door is so easy and helps a small room feel much larger. Better still, have the opening widened or a wall removed. Opening up the kitchen is about more than style — having extra space to move around in will help keep two cooks from bumping into each other quite so much.

10. Make paring back an art form. Keep the best and ditch the rest. Keep only the best knives, your favorite set of glasses, the most adorable teakettle, the most frequently used kitchen tools and so on. Be ruthless about purging clutter. And it wouldn’t hurt to choose clear glass and acrylic for the items you keep on display — transparent items make a room feel more spacious.

Article courtesy of Houzz.com, By:

Laura Gaskill

I’m a Houzz Contributor, and the blogger behind Lolalina… More

What Countertop Material is Right for your Kitchen?

December 27, 2013adminHome Improvement Tips, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchensLeave a comment

The Workbench Life: Home

Comparing Countertop Materials

By Mindy Pantiel for The Workbench Life

Good looks play a major role in selecting kitchen countertop materials. But when you consider that the average counter endures hot pots, greasy foods, sharp knives and wine spills on a daily basis, durability and maintenance are essential factors, as well. To help you decide what countertop material is right for your kitchen, here’s a guide to some of the most popular options.

Laminate

Thanks to advances in printing technology, today’s laminates mimic stone, metal or wood with ease. Made with layers of paper and melamine resin, laminate kitchen countertop options are highly affordable and stain resistant, but can be damaged by sharp knives and hot pots. In general, the thicker the product, the more long-lasting it will be. Cost: $22–$52

Solid surfaces

Solid surfaces, such as Corian and Staron, also imitate the look of stone, but have the advantage of being colored throughout, so scratches can be sanded away. That said, solid surfaces do scratch easily, but the colors don’t fade with age and there are design options that resemble glass or concrete. Cost: $70–130

Granite

Often considered timeless and elegant, natural granite comes in literally thousands of colors. Heat and scratch resistant, it will repel stains when properly sealed, but is among the most expensive kitchen countertop options and is costly to transport. Cost: $95–225

Marble

“As long as it’s sealed and well-cared-for, marble is a beautiful surface — especially in a traditional kitchen,” says Certified Kitchen Designer Patti Weaver of Creative Design Solutions in Niwot, Colorado. Marble is a porous countertop material and requires regular maintenance and resealing for food safety. Available in white, black, gray, green and pink, it’s another classic material that never goes out of style. Cost: $127–$250

Engineered stone

Formed from quartz and a binder, engineered stones, such as Caesarstone and Silestone, have nonporous surfaces, making them more stain resistant than natural stone, but not necessarily less expensive. “While granite can definitely bring a unique pop of color to a room, I’ve been moving toward more environmentally friendly alternatives like Cambria,” says Weaver. “It’s a great granite look-alike, and it’s made in Minnesota.” Cost: $105–$187

Ceramic tile

Budget-friendly ceramic tile comes in a variety of colors, shapes, textures and sizes, making it easy to coordinate with different design styles. While resistant to heat, scratches, stains and moisture, the tiles can chip or crack, and the grout requires routine cleaning to prevent stains and mildew. Cost: $23–$124

Wood

Nothing warms up a kitchen like wood, and a practical butcher block is an ideal surface for chopping food without dulling your knives. Over time, the long-lasting countertop material also develops a beautiful patina. Properly sealed, wood countertops are sanitary for chopping meat, but they are vulnerable to moisture, heat, acid and stains, so routine maintenance is essential. Cost: $32–$200

Concrete

If you are looking for a good looking complement to other countertop materials like wood and stone, durable, heat-resistant concrete might be the answer. An extremely versatile material, concrete can be tinted and sculpted for maximum design possibilities. On the downside, it requires sealing and regular maintenance to combat stains and water. It’s also extremely heavy. Cost: $75–200

Green alternatives

A number of environmentally friendly options are available on the market. A blend of bamboo, recycled paper and wood fiber EcoTop offers good looks at a reasonable $35 a square foot. Another eco-conscious offering, Fuez, is a mix of glass, fly ash, stones and shells that is more durable than marble but needs to be sealed upon installation. Made from 60–80 percent recycled materials, it is manufactured in Portland using 100 percent wind energy. Cost: $80

Like this article? Get more by following us @WorkbenchLife or friending us on Facebook at The Workbench Life.

Mindy Pantiel frequently writes about home-related repair for design and architecture magazines.

Kitchen Remodeling – What to Consider in Creating an Amazing Kitchen

December 19, 2013adminKitchen Remodelinghome improvement, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

A kitchen is rightly called the heart of a home. It is the most vibrant part of your home, where the family enjoys spending time together while cooking meals and dining. A kitchen renovation not only makes your lifestyle easy but also increases the value of your home. A renovated kitchen enhances the appearance of the entire home. If you are planning to remodel your kitchen, certain factors need to be kept in mind.

Make your Kitchen Spacious so that you can walk around freely

Factors to consider when remodeling a kitchen:

Use good quality materials:

When good quality materials are used to create the hinges and drawer slides, it will prevent the sticking of drawers. Do not choose drawers that are made up of particleboard or are stapled together. Choose wood veneer for the interiors of the cabinets since it has more durability than particleboard, MDF, laminate or melamine.

Determine heights for the cabinets:

In case you have 8 foot ceilings, choose cabinets that reach the ceilings. Such cabinets offer more space for storage allowing you to utilize the extra space in walls for open shelves or artwork. In case your ceilings have a height greater then 8 feet, leave a space of about 15 to 18 inches above cabinets.

Choose between painting and staining:

Though stained wooden cabinetry looks good, most of the finishes do not last long and cannot be altered easily. Painted cabinets present a unique personality to the kitchen.

Choose an attractive countertop:

Stained wood and white Carrara marble present a look reflecting warmth and elegance. Counter-tops also look good when made up of plastic laminate, Wiarton limestone, soapstone and honed Kirk stone slate. They present a sophisticated appearance to your kitchen.

Install a suitable island:

Do not ever place a bulky cube at the center of your kitchen. Islands are better that are open and airy in look. Do not place appliances on the island. However, if you wish to use the island to hold a cook top or a dishwasher-sink combo, try to lend a light look to it.

Avoid overdoing the details:

Design accents like plaster moldings on the cabinet fronts and pediments on stoves can prove to be an excess of decoration. An important thing to keep in mind is that your kitchen style should fit the style of the rest of the home.

Avoid materials that need excessive maintenance:

Materials having textured surfaces like tumbled marble, brick, terra-cotta and slate can camouflage the odd spots but are quite difficult to clean. Instead, materials with smooth surfaces coming in light colors like ceramic floors or white laminate counters can be cleaned easily but are quite transparent. You need to keep your kitchen neat and clean so it is better to go with materials offering ease of cleaning and requiring less maintenance.

Conclusion:

These are the basic factors to keep in mind when remodeling your kitchen. The consideration of these factors will help you to build a kitchen with greater functionality as well as enhanced aesthetics. Incorporate unique designs in your kitchen so that it reflects your individual tastes and preferences.

Mary James is an experienced writer about basement remodeling. She suggests visiting Charlotte remodeling or finishing by finelineconstruction.net for more useful information about basement construction and remodeling.

Summary: A renovated kitchen is more comfortable to work in and also increases the value of your home. The renovation should be carried out faster considering the tips listed above.

Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen? Give us a call at 914-576-2572 for a free in home estimate. We’ve been helping families in Westchester County create their dream kitchens since 1957! Gary B.

Chef-inspired tips for a cleaner, more efficient kitchen

March 3, 2013adminHome Organization Tips, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Tips for a cleaner more efficient kitchen:

If cleanliness is next to godliness – as the old adage goes – than a clean kitchen is simply a divine place to be. It’s the room in your home that gets the most intense use, so keeping your kitchen clean can be a challenge. You can make kitchen cleanup a bit easier if you take your cleanliness cues from professional chefs.

In a professional kitchen, cleanliness is not only a vital health issue, it directly impacts the efficient operation of the kitchen and everyone who works in it. Here are five tricks professional chefs use to maximize cleanliness and efficiency in their kitchens:

1. Don’t touch – From the culinary student who chops the onions for the French onion soup, to the chef that cooks the food and puts it on the plate, every team member in a professional kitchen knows that touch spreads germs. Home chefs can reduce the spread of germs in their own kitchens by minimizing the need to touch key tools, like the faucet.

Touch-free faucets, like Kohler’s Sensate Touchless Kitchen Faucet, allow you to control the flow of water in your kitchen sink without ever having to touch a potentially germy surface. A state-of-the-art sensor allows the faucet to respond in 20 milliseconds, and eliminates the need for bare-skin taps or awkward waving to activate the sensor. To learn more about the latest in kitchen faucet design and technology, visit www.Kohler.com.

2. Always be prepared – In professional kitchens, staff use separate cutting boards – and often utensils – for preparing meats, vegetables and fruits. Storing utensils, pots and pans according to their tasks facilitates quick and easy access when preparing food. Mis-en-place (pronounced meez-ahn-place), a French adage and popular chef’s practice, involves gathering all ingredients and implements needed before cooking begins. With everything in its place, you’ll be able to move smoothly and efficiently through a recipe without halting food prep to dig through the refrigerator or pantry.

3. Countertop savvy – Countertop savvy goes beyond just keeping them clean. Just as you use separate cutting boards for meats and vegetables, consider the value of task-specific countertop surfaces. Avid bakers, for example, can benefit from marble countertops because the material helps keep the dough cool. If such an installation falls outside your budget, consider a marble pastry board instead. Place it on the kitchen table to transform your eating area into an impromptu bake station. Bonus: rolling dough on a surface slightly shorter than standard 36-inch countertops provides a more comfortable, ergonomic experience.

4. Work the triangle – You may be familiar with the concept of the work triangle: arranging the refrigerator (food storage), sink (food prep area) and range (cooking space) in a triangle configuration makes the kitchen more efficient. But improving efficiency in your kitchen encompasses more than just the arrangement of these three key areas. Expand the concept to include other items that fall into each of these categories. For example, positioning the pantry beside the refrigerator ensures food is stored in the same general location – and increases the efficiency of your triangle flow. In short, the fewer steps taken to navigate the triangle, the more efficient it is.

Ready to make YOUR kitchen more efficient? Give us a call at 914-576-2572 or contact us for your free in home estimate!

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