Remodeling and You: Don’t Reuse Those Old Appliances

You 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?

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

I 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.

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Kitchen Countertop Shakedown: The Top Three Countertops Money Can Buy

You’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.

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Eat During a Remodel Like You Still Have a Kitchen

Versatile cookware like the Foreman Grill can feed a family during your remodel.

What would you do if you couldn’t use your kitchen for two weeks?

Imagine you’re in the middle of your remodel and sick of takeout. Most families resort exclusively to takeout during their remodel, but you don’t have to be one of them.

Here’s a few ways you can convert your existing rooms into temporary kitchens:
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