I watched a kitchen remodel go wrong.  I was around 12 and my parents were re-doing the kitchen.  Things were going well until the appliances came.  And even after the stainless steel behemoths were in place, everything appeared perfect.  The excitement over having a new kitchen (not a dilapidated hold over from the 70s) was enough to overshadow the fact that some of the contractors had not followed the old carpenter adage of ‘measure twice, cut once.’

Photo Credit: This Old House

Almost a week later the kitchen cabinet buckled up into a strange little bubble shape next to the stove.  The Formica had been the first to visibly suffer the effects of a stove that was too large for the space.  And needless to say, the excitement over the new kitchen was beginning to wane.  There were parties in the house disgruntled enough as well that one morning I woke up to make oatmeal and found a nail driven clean through the Formica bubble to the wood below.  You can imagine the frustration, having spent a lot of money to remodel, and having it turn even a little bit sour could be enough to break any homeowner’s spirit. 

Homework: Not Just For Kids

Are countertops causing you grief? Maybe it’s your whole kitchen. It is never an easy choice to decide to rip apart your kitchen, especially when so many of us have heard the stories, or experienced first hand, when things go wrong.  What we found, however, was that when given the opportunity, the contractor made things right, and it was worth the extra headache to get things straightened out. 

The important lesson to take away from the experience is that no matter how good your contractor is, or how much you trust him or her, do your due diligence as a homeowner.  Make the effort to double check everything you’re able to and even if you think you know the answer, ask the question anyways.  You’ll be glad you did when your remodel is done right the first time.

If you are considering remodeling your kitchen, or at least just updating your kitchen countertops, you may think your choices are limited to a few options such as marble or granite, but you’d be completely mistaken.

Here are some of my favorite eye-catching, innovative, and of course, beautiful options for countertops that will get your guests talking.

Paperstone: While paperstone countertops look like more traditional materials, they are far from it. These countertops are a composite material made of 100% post-consumer waste, consisting mostly of recycled paper products. They are incredibly durable, stain resistant, and of course, eco-friendly.

Recycled Glass: Going green is all the rage, so hop onto the green bandwagon and choose to use recycled glass for your countertops. Just look at how beautiful these are! You’ll find countertops made from coke bottles to royal blue Skyy Vodka bottles.

(Photo Credit: Vertazza)

Finished Concrete: Using concrete as a design element is becoming more and more common as well. Concrete can be manipulated in a number of ways to create a smooth, inexpensive, and unique countertop. You can add colors or stamp a design into your countertop to create a look that will be just right for your kitchen design

Butcher Block Countertops: These wood countertops give a warm, classic feel but add an interesting element to your home. The minute I saw these countertops I was blown away by how beautiful they were, especially when paired with an interesting color of cabinetry work. You can choose a number of wood options, including bamboo, and choose a variety of wood patterns. While these counters are beautiful, they do require a certain amount of upkeep, including wiping them down with mineral oil and disinfecting them to ensure longer life.

 (Photo Credit: HGTV)

I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. Sunday is always reserved for baking at least one treat, and I cook a lot during the week. My kitchen is great in many ways: bright, airy, comfortable for numerous people to congregate when I’m entertaining. But I often dream about creating my ultimate kitchen which would definitely have to involve more counter space, better storage options, and a higher quality stove top.

For anyone having these same dreams of an improved kitchen, it can seem like a daunting task to actually start planning it. So, when I came across HGTV’s simple planning guide on kitchen remodels, it seemed like the perfect resource for any homeowner thinking it’s time to upgrade one of the most used rooms in their home.

HGTV Guide to Remodeling Your Kitchen:

1. Find Inspiration for Your New Kitchen
2. Plan Your Total Remodel Budget
3. Locate Hire and Manage a Contractor
4. Determine Your Kitchen Layout
5. Choose the Right Floor Material
6. Decide Whether to Replace or Reface Your Cabinets
7. Buy Appliances That Match Your Needs
8. Pick a Countertop Surface That Fits Your Lifestyle
9. Select Faucets and Sinks with Style and Utility
10. Complete Your New Kitchen With Proper Lighting

I like how they’ve broken down the large task of planning an entire kitchen remodel into 10 easy to figure out steps. Obviously, there is a lot to decide about each piece of this planning puzzle, but mapping it out in this way will keep you more organized and focused during your planning. Plus, you’ll be more likely to get the perfect results you’ve been dreaming of!

Photo Credit: Domino Magazine

Kitchens, kitchens, kitchens…                                      

Photo Credit: ReliableRemodeler.com

Can’t live with the olive green retro countertops, can’t live without your meal preparation space.  The age old struggle over style and function continues in the most important room in the house. 

A good friend of mine is struggling through a kitchen remodel, and like many others in this circumstance, he’s found himself battling 1960s era cabinet mouldings and some of the strangest color patterns that could only have come from the age of free love and Woodstock.  And time, as you might imagine, has not been kind to these eye bleeding kitchen trends.  If only they could have aged as well as Keith Richards.  

What to do?!?

The problem is that many of us can’t live without our kitchens.  We don’t want to be stuck surviving on peanut butter and jelly eaten around the ironing board while the kitchen is gutted to an unrecognizable shell of its former self. 

There is a solution to get around this problem if you’re willing to take the process in stages.  Set out a game plan to tackle one project at a time, so only your cabinets, or your countertops will be out of commission at any given time.  Granted, your total kitchen remodel timeline will lengthen with this approach, but if having a livable kitchen for the duration of the remodel is a priority, this might be much more reasonable for you and your family.