Remodeling and You: Don’t Reuse Those Old Appliances

October 31, 2007

Old appliancesYou bit the bullet and had it done. Every aspect of your kitchen, from the floors to the ceiling, was completely refinished. You have beautiful countertops, a gorgeous ceramic tile floor, and your new blinds are absolutely wonderful. Everything is finished in the perfect shade of dark grey, with colorful accents and highlights.

Everything, that is, except for your old appliances: the cream beige fridge, matching microwave and stove, and the pale yellow dishwasher. True, these old appliances have served you well and may still function, but ask yourself: am I really happy with these old machines?

[Read more]

A Word of Warning: Cost Cutting Doesn’t Save You Money

October 24, 2007

Cost cutting doesn’t save you moneyI was talking with a friend of mine who’s been a contractor for nearly 25 years now and the topic of kitchens and kitchen remodeling came up (of course). We talked a lot about cool new design trends or projects that he’s seen and I must admit that there are some cool things happening. In-cabinet pot lights, LED illumination at night, speakers built in to the countertops (complete with a plug in for your iPod), and other cool innovations are just a few of the cool design trends that are gaining momentum.

I inevitably had to ask him about cost. Specifically, is it possible for someone to experience all of these cool new trends without having to spend a ton of money to get there? He laughed – at first I didn’t quite understand why – but after a few minutes he realized that I was serious.

The resulting conversation was one that made complete sense once I realized what he was trying to say.

[Read more]

Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets: A Short How-To Guide

October 17, 2007

Dirty Kitchen Cabinets

Dust. Mold. Grime. Bacteria. Fungi. Things collecting in your cabinets, in the corners, nooks, and crannies- the places that your eyes don’t see and your fingers don’t touch. The very places where you place your food, dinnerware, and plate ware. This is the cause of illnesses, infections, and poor health. And, unless you’re prepared to get down and dirty, it’s not going anywhere.

If you’ve decided that the time has come for you to clean your cabinets it’s probably not a moment too soon. The amount of bacteria and other microscopic infestations that can flourish in your cabinets is nothing short of sickening, and without proper warning you can become ill as a result.

So, what can you do?

[Read more]

Kitchen Countertop Shakedown: The Top Three Countertops Money Can Buy

October 10, 2007

Giallo Veneziano countertopYou’ve dutifully sat down and assessed all of your options. Your floors will be done in ceramic tile, the paint will be a rich earth tone, and the kitchen cabinets are being installed on Thursday. You’ve ordered new appliances (that are due to arrive tomorrow), and the windows and blinds have been replaced as well. Without question, your kitchen is brand new.

Well, almost. Now you’ve got to sit down and determine what your countertops are going to be. Brace yourself, as the sheer number of options and varieties out there can get pretty intensive. Save yourself a bit of frustration and take our advice- you’ll be thanking us later.

[Read more]

What You Need to Know Before Buying Kitchen Cabinets

October 3, 2007

Birch kitchen cabinets

What do you know about these kitchen cabinets?

Your home is a representation of you, and in it you have probably spent thousands of man hours and thousands of dollars to make it the home that you’ve always wanted. Many people focus on their bedrooms and basements before turning their eye to the kitchen, but when the inevitable comes it is almost certainly a home-changing event. The kitchen, as you can imagine, is the most popular room in your home. Yes, the kitchen and the main bathroom are the two rooms that will be the most trafficked. Your kitchen, of course, will be used by all members of the household, and the bathroom will be as well. These two rooms should be the two that look the best, even if it’s just for appearances sake.

When it comes down to choosing kitchen cabinets that suit your needs there are a few things that you should know beforehand:

[Read more]