Mission Kitchen Cabinets

Mission style cabinets hearken back to an earlier era, pulling it into modernity utilizing a clean, geometric look with just a hint of sumptuousness and a rich, warm feel. Many great designs emerged from the Arts and Crafts movement of the 1900s – it is where famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s simple yet inspiring lines originated – and Mission style cabinets are definitely one of them.

A New Era in Cabinet Design

This movement changed the face of modern design, moving away from highly decorative and detailed excess to a stylish simplicity that works perfectly for home kitchen cabinetry. Mission style cabinets say a lot by saying a little, which is one of the many reasons they have become even more popular today.

Here are a few reasons homeowners are choosing Mission style cabinets for their kitchens:

• Unique design without being too busy
• Timeless – Will not seem dated after just a few years
• Fit with multiple styles of interior decorating
• Warm up the space and makes it feel well thought out and homey

Although “Mission” style can refer to more than one type of design, it is generally considered to be part of the Craftsman style, which in itself is a movement that has grown and changed over the years. At the heart of the Craftsman identity, however, is a desire to celebrate the beauty of handmade items over anything that is mass-produced. People who buy Mission style cabinets are looking for this more thoughtful type of design.

With Mission style cabinets, you get the look and feel of something that has been carefully crafted with great attention to detail. Your cabinets will not look like boxes with doors on them, or, in the case of some kitchens, an afterthought.

Kitchen cabinets are one of the main focal points of not only the room, but the house as a whole. Along with countertops, they are also one of the biggest investments when one is remodeling or designing a kitchen. With Mission style cabinets this is money well spent since they will last a long time and look good doing it.

Cabinetry is a decorative element which also has the job of being utilitarian as it is usually used every day. With Mission style cabinets, you get the best of both worlds no matter which way you slice it – they are highly functional yet also visually appealing.

Construction

One of the main aspects setting Mission style cabinets apart from other styles is in their construction. Because the design is moderately complex, only carpenters who are well versed in their skills and who are trained in recreating the style are engaged to construct them. They use building techniques and joinery skills with a high level of competence and proficiency. The result is a finely crafted cabinet.

There are numerous design elements that mesh very well with Mission style cabinets, celebrating both the kitchen and the era, which is another reason they are an appealing choice for homeowners. Mission style cabinets often favor darker tones of wood, although they can also be designed using lighter colors. When completing the kitchen, often homeowners eschew modern, recessed lighting for elements more suited to the era using wood, bronze, or even stained glass. Some people use lamps in the Tiffany style, or art-deco wall sconces or chandeliers.

Conclusion

Sophisticated yet simple, Mission style cabinets are a warm and aesthetically pleasing element to incorporate into a kitchen design. They set the tone without overpowering the rest of the room or house and are a beautiful way to complete a kitchen.

Undermount Sinks and Granite Countertops – Attractive Combo

Undermount sinks are actually mounted underneath granite countertops. The granite’s cutout will outline and envelope the carefully crafted curves of an undermount sink. Numerous people, both homeowners and professionals, find this very attractive once they see it for themselves.

Most people find that undermount sinks without granite countertops, and vice versa, are still very attractive and trendy. By purchasing a stainless steel undermount sink best rated for your stylish granite countertop, you will produce a very appealing, picture perfect image.

Undermount Sinks and Granite Countertops – Saves Space

Undermount sinks and granite countertops not only look good together, but they can also save space and increase the total amount counter space.

Because undermount sinks are located underneath a granite countertop, the sink is taking up space that would otherwise never be used by the homeowner. These leaves more space in the places that the homeowner actually utilizes.

Besides being attractive and freeing up space, undermount sinks and granite countertops also have other advantages.

1. Undermount sinks require waterproof counters and granite is a very waterproof material.
2. Low maintenance, as stainless steel and granite countertops are easy to clean.
3. Homeowners can just sweep food particles on the granite countertops into the undermount sink.
4. Undermount sinks are available in a variety of colors and themes, allowing you to easily find a stainless steel undermount sink best rated for your granite countertop.
5. Installation of the undermount sink is very quick and easy.
6. Undermount sinks come in a vast variety of sizes.

If you are a homeowner looking to redo your kitchen, keep these advantages in mind when purchasing a sink that’s perfect for your granite countertop.

The kitchen is one of the rooms in the house where food is prepared and where much time is spent cooking or eating. You can transform your kitchen into the design and the décor you love. The cost of remodeling your kitchen may be higher if you have to do a complete remodeling. There are ways that can help you reduce the cost you incur and get a friendlier cost that fits your budget. Before you do this, it is essential to know the cost of remodeling a kitchen.

You can look at the cost based on the part of kitchen you are considering working on. On average, 16 percent of the budget is spent on labor and the rest is spent on buying the necessary materials. The average cost of remodeling a kitchen can be obtained from local professionals. You can also get the estimates from the website for the various projects performed in the kitchen. These provide the price levels that can help you in planning for the budget you are supposed to work with.

You should not get these estimates and use them as the ultimate price or budget. This is because the cost of materials and labor vary and are dependent on various factors. The lowest average cost of remodeling a whole kitchen is $7,000. You can get a 12 percent overrun on the overall cost. Having your budget higher than the expected cost helps you to keep within the limits and avoid the inconveniences that can be caused when the final costs turn out to be higher than what you had budgeted for.

The average kitchen remodeling costs range from $15,000 to $45,000. This is according to various cost versus value reports stated by remodeling magazines. These costs are distributed on the cost of purchasing and fixing the different parts of the kitchen.

The cabinet style and finishes are about one-half of the total cost. The stock cabinets cost $50 to $200 per linear foot, semi-custom cabinets cost five times more. The sinks range from enamel to steel materials which cost $100 to $200. The stainless steel costs $200 to $2,000 and the cast iron cost $200 to $1,200. For the refrigerator you can choose the freezer-on-top or the built-in model. The freezer-on-top costs $500 to $600 while the built-in costs $4000. The ceramic tiles and laminate cost $10 to $50, solid $100 to $200, and natural stone like marble or granite cost $150. Stainless steel and concrete countertops range from $10 to $130 per square foot.

When you choose materials, consider the ones that are beautiful, durable, and environmentally friendly. There are determinants of the cost your kitchen can consume when remodeling: The current layout, size, and the condition it is in, and the products you prefer will also affect the total cost. Choose colors, fixtures, appliances, and flooring. You can save the cost of facelifting your kitchen by choosing cost effective materials that last longer, getting discounted home fixture professionals and shopping online for the variety of options you have before you settle for one. Plan in advance and give your kitchen that elegant look you want.

For many people, the focal point of any house is the kitchen. In this light, it is no surprise that the kitchen is one of the most popular choices for a remodel. The first step in a kitchen remodel is the design plan, and it is also the most important.

Your Kitchen Design Resources

Kitchen plans can be acquired through several means. There are three ways to obtain a kitchen design:

1. The best option is to visit a cabinet store that will design your kitchen for free. Our company has expert kitchen designers, and we will be more than happy to design your kitchen. You can be as involved as you like.
2. Another option is to design the kitchen yourself. Available for a small fee, there are many architectural software solutions that are built with the average homeowner in mind, easy to use and understand. The only drawback to designing your own plan is the time involved.
3. The third way to obtain a kitchen plan is through a spec drawing reseller. Many websites exist that sell premade plans for a fee, but the customization options are limited. The last option is to hire a professional architect. This is the most expensive option, but is also the easiest and will often get the best end result.

Creating your kitchen plans with personal software allows complete transparency of the entire process. For example, you will be able to see the plans as they develop and print them out for future reference. During the process, you will be able to add visual enhancements to the kitchen plans, such as color and tile design.

Your Plan of Attack

Before you make any decision on how you want to create your plan, make sure you have a clear objective to the remodel. It is dangerous to begin without a definite initial purpose, go off track, and go over budget, all resulting in an unsatisfactory outcome.

With concern to the purpose of the remodel, make a list of primary needs. This can range from an entirely new layout, to something as small as new countertops. Then, draw up a budget and remember to stay focused on it. By making a budget and creating the plan around it, you will find it harder to lose focus and overspend.

Your Dream Kitchen is Detailed

Lastly, when creating a kitchen plan, remember that it is also possible to design the items that go into the kitchen as well. Look into carpentry plans to build personalized furniture, e.g. tables, chairs, and cabinets. Also, proper timing will ensure that the furniture is constructed at the same time as the remodel, enabling a seamless transition.

Have you ever gone to a kitchen showroom, found the perfect set of kitchen cabinets, only to have to double check the dimensions of your kitchen? Walking into a kitchen showroom without the necessary information can be a real time sink. Here are four simple things that all kitchen designers need to design your perfect kitchen:

Ceiling Height

Knowing the ceiling height is important because it will determine what the height your wall cabinets are going to be. If you have a lower ceiling height, you have to have shorter wall cabinets in order to have enough space from the countertop to the bottom of the wall cabinet. This ensures that you have enough space to work with.

Back Wall Dimensions

Back wall dimensions are important because it’ll allow your designer to know what size kitchen cabinets can be fitted along your wall or walls.

Appliance Sizes

Appliance sizes have standard sizes, but many of them vary depending on manufacturers, brands, etc.

Window Size and Placement

Knowing where the window is will allow the designer to omit wall cabinets where the window is, ensuring a more accurate estimate.

1. Go Independent

The best way to get cheap kitchen cabinets is to choose an independent cabinet store that doesn’t merely carry brand names. Do you want to pay brand name prices for the same cabinet? Chances are, many independent cabinet stores are can get you a great price, sometimes as little as 20% the price of Kraftsmaid or Mill’s Pride cabinets. You can, many times, haggle at these stores and get close to their wholesale price, so definitely try to get a better deal.

2. Know Your Quality

The main thing to look for is the cabinet box. Although Kraftsmaid offers 100% wood cabinets at an high cost, most cabinets have the wood frame and door, while the rest of the box is 1/2″ plywood (aka “5-ply”). Avoid getting MDF, a type of compressed wood backing for the cabinets, since these can sag after a while.

Some cabinets come from China, but the wood is still top quality because it’s gathered from their respective countries and is shipped to China for manufacturing. Many of these cabinet factories keep up-to-date on the latest innovations by Kraftsmaid, such as soft-close or fully extend-able drawers. Be sure to check them out and see what things they use, such as their new hinges or dove tails.

3. Ask for a Discount

Discount kitchen cabinets are usually shipped in containers and require assembly. The cabinet stores will assemble them before they sell or install them, but some stores will give you a discount if they sell you the cabinet before assembly. An experienced contractor can put these cabinets together.

4. Find These Stores

Look at the classifieds, the Yellow Pages, or a local advertising paper. “The Advertiser” is a popular advertising journal in San Francisco.

If you aren’t sure of the kitchen you want, head over to our gallery to learn about cabinet styles and other accessories you can get.

So, what do you do? Do you run to every department store that you can and price shop? Do you stick to one trusted store and let them decide for you? Or, do you do a bit of research beforehand so you walk into the store fully aware of what you’re looking for? Regardless of what you do, the experience can still be fun and exciting!

Here are a few ways to get the most out of your appliance shopping experience:

1. Make a list of what you must have.

Perhaps you want a fridge with a TV attached, or maybe you’re looking for an in-counter stove. There are literally thousands of different appliances for you to choose from, so make sure that you know exactly what you’re looking for.

This will save you a ton of time at the store as well as headaches down the road. Rather than have the salesperson sell you on your appliances you may find yourself happier to approach the sales staff with an idea of what you want and the reasoning behind it. It could turn a three hour process into a matter of minutes.

2. Visualize everything.

My wife went crazy when we were appliance shopping. She even went so far as to post pictures of the various appliances in their future locations. At first I thought that she had finally fallen off the deep end, but I then came to realize that she was simply visualizing what the new appliances would look like.

This can be great for determining whether or not you want to use brushed aluminum or tinted glass as your material of choice, or it may form your decision about multi-level ranges.

3. Don’t be afraid to spend.

So long as you don’t break from your overall budget, don’t be afraid to spend a bit more money than you normally would. These appliances will be part of your home for at least the next several years, so you might as well at least like the ones that you’re buying.

Generally, if you feel that you cheaped out, there’s a good reason to believe that you won’t be terribly satisfied with your appliances when they make their way into your home. Sometimes it’s better to eat the cost difference and really be happy with the purchase that you made.

4. Don’t buy what you think you want.

Buy what you really want! If you’re in the market for a gas stove, why would you buy an electric one? Get what you want or you’ll wind up regretting it later!

The Different Types of Hardware

See hardware as the necessary compliment to your cabinets and main kitchen items as opposed to small nuances and additions to your kitchen. Small details, such as cabinet handles or towel racks, can completely change the look and feel of a kitchen. It’s just like if you were to change the wheels on your car it would make a very noticeable difference, yet it’s still the same car.

The most prevalent types of hardware are:

Handles

Handles for your cabinet doors, drawers, and even the doors in or near the kitchen are very important. You also have a lot of choice here- you can get everything from handles shaped like cutlery to contemporary designs to art deco. There is definitely something out there for everyone, so don’t be afraid to look around until you’ve found a design that you like.

Towel racks and hooks

Your kitchen needs washcloths and towels readily accessible. These towels will need to be hung on something, and that something can help shape the look of your kitchen. Again, you have many options here: stainless steel, brass, contemporary, plain… the options are literally limitless.

Spice racks

Adding a spice rack is a really cool way to add a certain amount of flair to a kitchen without having to spend a ton of money. $200 or so (including the cost of the spices) can get you a unique spice rack that not only shows off your mastery of the culinary arts, but also acts as a unusual centerpiece within the kitchen.

Light fixtures

This is probably something you’ve thought of. Light fixtures are very important in shaping the overall ambiance associated with your kitchen. Along with the physical appearance of the light fixture there will also be the type and amount of light that it gives off.

A powerful light fixture can let out a ton of light, whereas one that is a bit softer by design may be a bit more subtle. Which one is right for you kitchen? That depends entirely on your design tastes and personal preferences. I personally prefer fixtures that are capable of bright light but are also easily controllable via a dimmer switch or multi-stage light switch.

That being said, here are six reasons why your kitchen is the most important room in your home:

1. Everyone uses it.

Your bedroom, unlike your kitchen, has the advantage of being relatively private. Not everyone uses your bedroom, yet everyone in your household (including guests) will use your kitchen daily. A bit of TLC and some fresh design ideas could really spruce your kitchen up, and if your kitchen looks a little dated perhaps its time for you to inject some lift into it.

2. It’s functional.

Other rooms in the house may have a more general purpose, but the kitchen is only one thing: the kitchen. A bedroom can be a playroom or a workout room, just as a garage can be a car hold or a shop. Your kitchen, however, will always be a place to find food, eat your meals, and sneak a snack every now and then. Where else in your home (besides the bathroom) will you find a room with a clean-cut purpose?

3. It’s a centerpiece.

Have you ever wondered why all of the renovation shows really focus on the kitchen and bathrooms? It’s because they are internationally known as centerpieces for the home. The cleaner, more luxurious, and more modern they are the greater the kitchen’s appeal.

There’s certainly something to be said about the atmosphere that a beautiful kitchen creates within a home. Suddenly you are no longer simply having breakfast so much as enjoying the first meal of the day in the warmth of the morning sun. A simple change, such as new hardwood floors or granite countertops, can make all the difference.

4. It’s a necessity.

Some rooms, such as game rooms or dens, are optional in the sense that they aren’t necessary for the proper function of your home. You can get by without those kinds of rooms, but a kitchen is something that you will always need. Where else will you store your beverages or entertain guests?

Having a kitchen that is modern and well equipped is a godsend when entertaining company. Efficient stoves, a reliable fridge, and an excellent dishwasher can make cooking a pleasure as opposed to a chore.

5. It’s beautiful.

Who doesn’t appreciate the subtle beauty of elegant kitchen cabinets accented by beautiful countertops?

6. It’s universal.

No matter where you go in the world it’s an almost certainty that the homes of the locals will have a kitchen. Consider it an international landmark.

1. It goes great: Everything goes well, nothing gets broken that shouldn’t be, and no one gets hurt. This is the best case scenario when you are playing demolition man.
2. It goes brutally: Someone gets hurt, something gets broken, and generally mistakes are made. The long-term implications of your actions aren’t completely clear, though it was pretty obvious when your kitchen cabinets fell from the roof because the bracing had been tampered with (read: severed by an errant jigsaw).

As you can see, demolition obviously isn’t as easy as swinging a sledge hammer and hoping that you hit a wall. It’s about careful planning, flawless execution, and attention to detail. It’s also about getting the job done without getting hurt.

Having Them Do It vs. You Doing It

Many people opt to do their own demolition because they think that it saves them money. In some cases this may very well be true, but in actuality it simply is not the case. Unless you are a contractor you should let the contractor do the demolition, as there are many variables involved that most people wouldn’t even both to consider. Some contractors will even refuse to allow you to do your own demolition, while others won’t car at all.

* You’re doing it: So long as you are aware of the implications and costs associated with doing it yourself, great! There’s no better way to feel accomplished and satisfied with yourself than by taking part in something big, and remodeling your kitchen certainly falls into that category.

Make sure to allot yourself plenty of time to get in done correctly, and also make sure that you know where to start and where to finish. Homeowners tend to break more than they needed to, and when it comes time for clean up they realize the mistakes that they’ve made. This also brings to light my next point: cleanup is a royal pain in the behind.

Be sure to go through after and pick up any errant nails, staples, pieces of debris, etc. as you probably won’t be a very happy camper if you put a nail through your foot.
* They’re doing it: Allowing the contactor to do the clean up is probably the biggest benefit associated with having the contractor do the demolition for you. Of course, any problems or mistakes that come up are also on their dime, not yours.

I don’t know about you, but it’s definitely worth the extra few hundred dollars to not have to worry about the hassle or labor of doing it yourself.

And, failing anything else, it’s just one less hassle you have to worry about.

Doing It Yourself Does Not Save Money

You may be a do-it-yourselfer, and to be honest that’s an excellent trait to have. However, you are not saving money by doing your own demolition. You are using your time, your resources, and your physical labor to do it.

More importantly, however, is liability. Something almost always gets broken, damaged, or taken a bit too far during the demolition process. If (and when) that happens wouldn’t you rather the contractor have to worry about fixing or replacing whatever was broken?