Archive for the ‘Kitchens’ Category

In a previous life of living large, downsizing has now become a necessary part of life for most people. Rather than dwelling on what you don’t have, make the most of what you do have. There are many ways to make a smaller space feel comfortable and inviting allowing you and others not to notice the size, rather notice how nice your space is.

BALCONY/DECK

Decorating a small balcony or deck is much easier than most people realize. There is no reason to leave your space empty considering all you really need are plants and some form of outdoor lighting. Hanging plants are a good option for decorating vertically and adding some color. They may also be used to disguise a bad view. If your view is the backside of another apartment you can hang plants all along the entire top of your balcony. If you’re lucky enough to have a great view, you can hang plants just in the corners to keep your view clear. Also, flower pots can add color and an element of comfort. If you’re interested in furnishing the space here are a couple ideas:

Small Bistro Set - These sets usually include two chairs and a small table and run anywhere from $150.00 up to $400.00+. You can find them at Target, Lowes, Fred Meyer, etc. However, I found them the cheapest at Home Depot.

Chest/Bench – Place a chest against one of the walls or railing, cover the chest with a nice cloth, place a few pillows on the ends and use the wall(s)/railings as the backrest. You could then use this bench not only for seating, but also for storage.

Hang a Hammock – Hammocks come in all different shapes and sizes. You can choose from Brazilian hammocks that cradle your body and can be hung on walls to hammock chairs that hang from the ceiling. Whatever you choose, they come in all different sizes, colors and are super comfortable!

Lighting is another way to make the balcony/deck more inviting. There are multiple options for plug in or solar power lights. If you live in an apartment/townhome solar power wall lights are a good option. Another option, a little more expensive, is to purchase an outdoor floor lamp. These start around $100.00 and go up, but look very clean and classy. Another fun idea is to hang rope light either from the banister, or above on the ceiling.

KITCHEN

The kitchen has become more than just a place to make food; rather, it is a place of migration for friends and family. Interestingly enough, regardless of how popular the kitchen is, it is usually one of the smaller rooms of the home. The key to making the most of your kitchen space is….no clutter! For some of us, this is much easier said than done. However, here are a few simple ideas to help keep your most commonly used kitchen items close by without being in the way.

Hang It Up – One of the most obvious locations for storage that we all have are the inside of cabinet doors. Use this space to hang a spice rack or small shelf. Hanging shelves in any “dead space” will allow you to utilize every inch of your small kitchen while allowing you to keep things off the countertops. Wall and ceiling racks can also be considered for bigger, heavier options to free up some cupboard space.

Illusion – As helpful as cabinets are for storage, they can make a small space feel closed and crowded. Opt for some cabinets and some open shelving (can easily remove cabinet doors for instant open shelving). This will make your space feel more open and inviting. Also, lighting and color are two important factors in creating the illusion of a larger kitchen. The year 2009 is all about colors like yellow, blue and violet for kitchens. Recessed lighting coupled with bright color schemes will brighten up your kitchen and make it feel bigger.

Clear Up Counter Space – As nice as it is to have every single kitchen appliance you own out for display and/or for easy use, it makes for an unnecessarily cluttered space. Displaying the spice rack and fruit bowls are one thing, but that big espresso maker or blender? Some things are better left stored away in a cupboard until they are needed.

LIVING ROOM

The living room is probably the most used room of the entire home for most people. Whether you’re just lounging for the evening, or having company over, the look and feel of your living room is important. Many people often make the mistake of cramming this room with a huge couch, big screen television, and an oversized lounge chair leaving the room feeling crowded and dark. Here are some tips to make this room as comfortable as possible; regardless of the size.

Color – As with any small room color is an easy way to create the illusion of a larger space. Try choosing “cool” colors like blue or green for this room. These colors can create the illusion of higher ceilings and are neutral enough to easily decorate with.

Mirrors – Strategically placed mirrors can create the feeling of a larger room. The idea isn’t so much about the glass itself, rather the light that reflects off the glass. Consider either hanging a wall mirror, or using a piece of mirrored glass as a decorate item on a coffee table or mantle. You can place candles on this mirror for a more elegant look.

Window Treatments – There are many different options here. You can choose ceiling to floor flowing curtains that can make the ceilings appear higher. You can also choose a decorative piece to hang horizontally just on the top of the window. If you go with a horizontally hung treatment, you can hang blinds that can easily fold down for window coverage when you need it. No matter what you decide, window treatments are a great way to add color and texture to an otherwise bland room.

Living in a small space does not dismiss the ability to live large. Often times making small decorative additions can make a big difference in the feel of the room. There are many different affordable and easy options for making the most of your space. Embrace your wonderful space and get creative. Good luck!!

Whether you are creating a new kitchen from the ground up, or just want a quick weekend project to update your space, a kitchen backsplash is fun way to make a design statement. There are lots of options for any taste or budget – so, to whet your interest, here’s some backsplash inspiration.

A very common and traditional backsplash material is tile:

(Villeroy&Boch)

(DesignSponge)

(DesignSponge)

For a more modern look you might consider a solid stainless steel surface or tiles:

(HGTV.com)

(Remodelista)

For an easier installation consider these interesting solid surface options:

(Remodelista)

(Swanstone via ThisOldHouse.com)

(DesireToInspire)

Looking for more information on planning a kitchen remodel, check out these posts:

Kitchen Countertop Materials That Make a Statement
Ten Steps for Planning Your Kitchen Remodel with Ease
Hiring a Contractor - A Homeowner’s Checklist

Ever wondered just how much your different home appliances cost you each year in terms of energy costs? Well, now you can.

Energy Star has created a site dedicated to helping homeowners understand the impact of their refrigerator on the planet and their options for lessening that impact. By submitting some simple information about your home’s refrigerator you can find out the annual actual cost.

The site also offers information on state recycling programs, Energy Star refrigerator models and much more. The state by state break down of rebates is helpful. For example, if I upgraded my refrigerator, and recycled my old one, I would get a $30 rebate from the state of Oregon.

A refrigerator is often seen as the biggest electricity culprit in the home. Because of this, some brave people have decided to ditch their fridge altogether. While you may think it’s an impossible task, some claim that it’s not as daunting as one might think. I’m not convinced, and for now I’m keeping my fridge…no matter what the cost.

I grew up with a stainless steel double basin sink, and after I left home and went to college and lived in dorms and college houses I suddenly realized that not everyone had a double basin sink (or garbage disposal).

While I still love the convenience of double basin sinks, the trends in kitchen sinks have been dramatically changing and not as many people seem to go with that option.

Here are some new styles of kitchen sinks that might entice you for your kitchen update.

Trends in Kitchen Sinks

Two large seperate sinks – an alternative to double basin sinks seen on Remodelista

Lima Bean Sink with removal wood cutting board by Elkay.

Sinks aren’t just sinks anymore, they now come equipped with all kinds of accessories to make your cooking experience even more practical, easy to clean and of course, quicker. Great examples are the cutting board in the sink above, or all the accessories in this sink below.

Stainless Steel Sink by Franke

Don’t like all the hassle of lots of accessories, but need some extra sink space? Maybe you need to install a small prep sink. Like this ultra modern example.

Cravasse Prep Sink by Kohler

If you like the ultra modern look, Kohler has lots of other designs that may suit your taste. Like this example with state of the art utilitarian faucet:

Sleek and modern Kohler Seamless Sink

Awesome double spigot farmhouse basin in a shocking charcoal black seen on Remodelista

I love that this has two spigots, a cool and practical new trend. But it also is a twist on the ever growing popularity of the apron front farmhouse basin. While farmhouse sinks are seen mostly in classic white, you can take an original spin on this trend by using a less traditional color like the black shown here, or maybe even blue, green or yellow.

If you’re starting a kitchen remodel, we’ve got lots of other kitchen remodeling tips and trends to share:

Green Kitchen Remodeling
Expert Interview: Kitchen Design with Linda Fennessy of KitchenMagic
Kitchen Cabients: Creative Storage Solutions

Add a breakfast nook for breakfasts, informal dinner or homework:

(Apartment Therapy) 

(Remodelista)

(Domino Magazine)

If you don’t have room for a breakfast nook, you can always add a bar space to your kitchen island, or other counter space.

 (Apartment Therapy)

I love this transition from kitchen space to sitting space!

(Marie Claire Maison)

Welcome to the first post of ReliableRemodeler.com’s new feature: Expert Interviews. I am working to gather a wide range of experts in the home improvement and remodeling field to bring you their insight and experience. There is only so much I know, so bringing in experts and asking them about their specialities will get the best information to you, and hopefully give you some insight into a project you may have been considering.

Today we start with the kitchen, the heart of the home, and one of the most popular rooms to be remodeled by homeowners. I’ve asked Linda Fennessy of Kitchen Magic to lend her 5 years of industry expertise to our site by answering the following questions about kitchen remodeling:

1. What do you think is the most important feature of any kitchen? Why?
The most important part of the kitchen is its style. The kitchen should always reflect the lifestyle of its owners. If there are usually more than two cooks, then there should be ample space for more than one person in the general preparation area. If other tasks are done in the kitchen, (homework and arts & crafts) then there should be seating at the island for these projects.  And finally, the style of the kitchen. This will resemble the style of its owner to a “T”—comtemporary, traditional, eclectic or colorful. –Kitchen Magic has hundreds of color and style combinations to choose from.

2. For a homeowner on a budget, what kind of kitchen project would you recommend for them to get the most change in look and function, and to get the most bang for their buck?
To get the most out of a kitchen budget, cabinet refacing, in wood or laminate, with Corian countertops is the best bet!  Refacing saves up to 50% over all new cabinetry and you generally can’t tell the difference. 80% of what you see in your kitchen is doors and drawer fronts. If your cabinets are sturdy and the layout is staying the same, then cabinet refacing is the answer…The perfect solution for the kitchen.
Now that you saved with cabinet refacing, you can afford to upgrade the appliances or that dated old floor.

Example of kitchen cabinet refacing

BEFORE

AFTER

3. Are there any new products or materials on the market that you really like for the kitchen?
Kitchen Magic has exclusive color and styles of laminate doors not offered by anyone else in their market area. Our new Vintage Glazed series has the look of a designer wood door, priced significantly less. Plus, laminate is more kitchen friendly and easier to clean.

Thanks Linda! 

In the coming weeks look for more expert interviews on topics beyond the kitchen.

I love to cook and bake, so logically, I end up spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I’ve had houses with small kitchens, houses with big kitchens, houses with gas stoves, houses with electric. From all these kitchen experiences, I kind of know what I like from kitchen spaces now. So, when I see a well designed kitchen, I really do appreciate it.

In this Chrysalis Award winning kitchen remodel, KitchenMagic, a custom refacing and cabinetry company, designed a room that made a smart use of space that is not only functional, but livable.

All the custom cabinetry allows for perfect storage solutions, which is essential to the functionality of a kitchen.

Also in this picture, you’ll notice the cool round windows. The window placement was chosen to maximize the natural light. When designing a room remodel, or looking at new houses, natural light should always be a major consideration. Just look how light and airy this kitchen seems…the amount of natural light is a major factor in that.

But perhaps my favorite part of this kitchen is the island. The Zodiac quartz countertops are great, but I like the design mostly because it’s the perfect blend of function and design. The island is foremost a work area, but it is one that also allows for socializing. Having a kitchen island that doubles as a bar is perfect for company while prepping dinner, or for a laid back family breakfast. The kitchen is a place where the family gathers, so making an appealing space that draws people in is a major bonus.

While I have more of a quirky personal sense of home design, this kitchen offers a sleek, traditional look that most homeowners would likely love. It’s a great starting point for considering your own new kitchen remodel. 

Want to see more of KitchenMagic’s custom work? Check out this photo gallery.

It’s starting to get colder, and there might be less sunshine, but it’s still a great time for remodeling projects. Here are my top picks for Fall Home Improvement and Remodeling Projects.

1. Window Replacement
Do you know how old your windows are? Old windows can be a big energy waster in your home. In the fall and winter, when keeping warm air in is important, having old windows that don’t do their job can cause your home to be less than efficient, and definitely not as warm. So why not update your windows before the cold really comes in this winter and keep your house cozy all year long.

2. Kitchen Remodel
With all the cooking and baking that goes on during the holidays, why not spend some time sprucing your kitchen space up. No matter your budget, there are options for making your kitchen feel warmer and more inviting. Try installing new countertops, refacing your cabinets, or adding a kitchen island to create more workspace.

3. Roof Replacement
Fall maintenance is an important part of the season. Having your roof inspected should be one of your top maintenance priorities. The last thing you want going into the colder months is a roof that’s not in perfect shape. If your roof is older, you may find that it lets cold air, or worse, the other elements, leak into your home. If this is the case, it might be time to start a roof replacement before you encounter bigger roofing problems in the winter.

4. Window Seat Addition
One of my favorite ways of enjoying the sun in winter, is to enjoy it from the indoors. Adding a window seat in front of a window that gets lots of sunshine is a great way to still get some sun while staying warm. Any carpenter should be able to create an area for you however you imagine it. Perhaps a bench with built in storage would fit perfectly in your living room.

5. Fireplace Remodel
If you have a fireplace, you’ll likely start using it this winter. Using your fireplace creates warmth, and encourages the family to gather around it. To get your fireplace spruced up for winter, think about giving it a little love this fall. Add a new coat of paint, hire a carpenter to create a custom mantle, or maybe install some interesting tile work around your fireplace. Whatever you choose, adding new life to your fireplace will make it a space to enjoy all winter.

Does anyone else have any winter projects lined up?