Have you seen Citibank’s hilarious advertising campaign featuring a contractor chatting with his homeowner clients in their kitchen? (If not you can check it out here.) I chuckle every time I see it, not just because it is so funny, but because it confirms everything homeowners (and contractors!) fear about the home improvement process.
But the reality is, if those scenarios played out in your life, you wouldn’t be laughing. Because for most of us, our home is not just where we spend the majority of our lives, it also represents our single biggest investment. So, it makes sense to make sure the folks you have working on that investment are reputable and the right fit for you.
Here are our top five recommendations of things to ask when choosing a contractor for your kitchen remodel or any home improvement job: (more…)
Lighting is an integral part of architecture and room design – it is necessary to see and perform tasks, it creates a mood or ambiance and can even make a space seem larger and airier. No where is this more important than in the kitchen. A kitchen is first and foremost a work space so you’ll want ample lighting at all the work areas. But a kitchen often is an entertaining space too. So you’ll want to layer in options for softer lighting for parties. Choosing your kitchen lighting will have a big effect on the overall feel of your space – so we’re breaking it all down for you. (more…)
There are a number of factors to consider in selecting those kitchen appliances that work best for your home and family while not busting your budget. Before window shopping, first know your budget for all your appliances. Having an overall budget and a price range for each respective appliance will help keep you on track. It’s all too easy to fall for the new, deluxe model and want, in that moment, to throw caution to the wind and the budget with it. If you decide to splurge on one or even two appliances, then you may likely have to make concessions elsewhere.
(more…)
The kitchen is usually the hardest working room in the home and the floor the hardest working surface. Your kitchen is the place where family and friends come together to celebrate life’s big and small moments. It is the space in which you nourish your family, where you welcome them in the morning, and reconnect with them in the evening. The kitchen floor is the backdrop for all these goings on; it need be functional and dependable. It need tie together each of the design elements you’ve agonized over: Cabinetry, Countertops, and Backsplash. It need be inviting, a place that encourages gathering, not just looks the part. Finally, no remodel conversation can take place without consideration of the budget. Each kitchen flooring material presented below is thus graded accordingly, measured by Durability, Style, Comfort, and Price.
(more…)
One of the most important decisions you’ll make during your kitchen remodel – both aesthetically and financially – is choosing kitchen cabinetry.
Kitchen cabinets are the workhorses of the kitchen. They store our tableware, pots and pans, as well as dry goods and pantry items. In my house, they are in constant use – kids reaching into the pantry for the cereal box, me getting pots to cook a meal, everyone opening the silverware drawer over the course of the day for the needed utensil. With all that activity, you want to make sure you buy the best quality cabinets you can afford, make sure they function well for your lifestyle and, last but not least, look beautiful, because they really form the cornerstone of your kitchen design. So, let’s take a look at the three big considerations to keep in mind when choosing kitchen cabinetry. (more…)
