by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans, Cabinets, Contractors, Countertops, Flooring, Lighting and Electrical, Tile |
Kitchen Remodeling Can Be An Emotional Rollercoaster Ride
Preparing for, and living through a kitchen remodeling is similar to a roller coaster ride. You’re waiting with excited anticipation and some trepidation, preparing to get on the ride. You’ve heard from others that it’s scary; it’s even made some of them physically sick. But none of them can tell you details about the ride. All they can tell you is how they felt.
The Roller Coaster Ride
It feels like an eternity as you move ahead slowly toward the loading area, step by step. Then you get seated, strapped in, and you’re ready to move forward. But instead of rushing ahead fast, the roller coaster goes up a steep, never-ending climb. You think, “When will we get started?” Then, WHOOSH! you’re propelled down the first of many exciting dives at break-neck speed. You’re jerked around, back and forth, through every sharp turn. You never know which way the ride is going until you’re there.
Without warning, you’re upside-down, going through a series of surprising loops, G-force that makes it hard to breathe. You’re screaming your head off, but no one can hear you. Part of you wants to get off, but another part wants to stay, hoping that the ride will get less scary before it ends. You know it’s over when your cart pulls back to where you started and comes to an abrupt stop, jerking you forward. You’re dizzy, a little nauseated, but exhilarated. “That was fun!” Later, someone asks you how soon it will be until you get on another roller coaster ride. With a weak smile, you reply, “It’ll be a long time until I do that again!” (more…)
by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans |
Sustainable Bathroom Remodeling Will Benefit You In Many Ways
Sustainability = Healthy. When you create a sustainable bathroom, you’re building a healthy home environment, and a healthy planet. Sustainable bathroom remodeling is choosing:
- Plumbing that saves water
- Water heating and room heating that saves energy
- Ventilation that cleanses the air
- Surface finishes that are safe and easy to clean
Plumbing That Saves Water
The major water-waster in your bathroom is the toilet, followed by the bath tub. A leaking toilet flapper valve can waste 300 gallons in one day. A 3.5 gallon-per-flush toilet uses 27% of the water for your home. The average deep soaking or hydrotherapy tub requires a minimum of 80 gallons every time you bathe. A leaking faucet can waste up to 50 gallons of water every day. What are your options?
- Toilets made by all major manufacturers must comply with EPA regulations, a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). Toto, Kohler, and American Standard are the top three manufacturers having a wide range of options for water use (.9 to 1.6 gpf, single or dual flush), and style. They also provide bidet toilet seats (there are many other manufacturers of bidet toilet seats). For the ultimate in water-saving and space-conserving toilets, Sinkpositive introduced a toilet that has a sink on top of the tank that recycles gray water when you flush the toilet. (more…)
by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans, Cabinets, Countertops, Lighting and Electrical |
Sustainable Green Kitchen Remodeling Has Many Benefits
You may or may not believe in global warming, but I hope you agree that choosing to remodel your kitchen sustainably makes sense. Agreed, sustainable green kitchen remodeling is good for our planet, but it can also save you money and create a healthier home environment for you and your family.
“Green” Products for Sustainable Kitchen Remodeling
Many companies are manufacturing products that save precious resources. There have also been reports of companies that do nothing more than use sustainability buzz words to trick us into buying their not-so-green products. The best way to protect our environment and your bank account is to do some research before you buy anything. Here is information about companies and products with proven positive “green” track records:
(more…)
by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Additions and New Homes, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans, Cabinets, Colors and Decorating, Countertops, Flooring, Lighting and Electrical, Tile |
Your Kitchen Style Must Complement Your Home and You
Whether your home is traditional, transitional, Craftsman, contemporary, or some other style, your kitchen must have 
architectural integrity with your home. Why? Because your kitchen is the heart of your home, it needs to blend with and complement the surrounding rooms. You may like many different styles, but you chose the style of your home because it represents and fulfills you. With emphasis on ROI, it makes sense to have your kitchen style be consistent with your home, so you can sell it faster and for a higher price. Can you imagine how out of place the kitchen project featured in this tip would be in a traditional home — or as out of place as a cat at the Westminster Dog Show!
Generally speaking, the cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, and flooring determine your kitchen style. Accent lighting can also be a visual cue. Here are some characteristics of different architectural styles, and features that will help your kitchen style blend with your home, with links to show examples: (more…)
by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Additions and New Homes, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans, Lighting and Electrical |
Accessible Bathrooms Should Whisper “I’m Here To Help You In Every Way Possible”
The major purpose for creating accessible bathrooms is to help people perform daily health and personal-care needs without minimizing their personal value. What’s the 
important feature in a great accessible bathroom? Humanity! There are required features, of course, but they don’t have to be a reminder that the person who needs them is in-valid. Quality of life, and personal esteem are too often the lowest-priority features. Other terms used synonomously are barrier-free design, aging-in-place design, and lifetime livability.
Here are features that accessible bathrooms should have:
- Doors:
- 32″ wide, minimum. There are offset hinges to make the net opening of 32″ wide doorways more accessible.
- Pocket doors are good, but have limitations regarding location, and pulls may be hard to grip.
- 36″ wide doorways are better.
- Easy-to-grip lever handles.
- Wheelchairs and walkers:
- 5′ turning radius (without a lot of “back and forth” maneuvering).
- Floors:
- Same level on both sides of a doorway.
- Slip-resistant hard surface that will allow wheelchairs and walkers to glide effortlessly.
- No area rugs. (more…)
by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans |
Do You Want Multiple Microwave Ovens In Your Kitchen?
New Tualatin kitchen with 2 microwave ovens
Most of us have a microwave oven that we use regularly. So why would multiple microwave ovens help the function of our kitchen? If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, this article may help you think about and plan for an additional microwave.
The History of Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens have been a popular convenience in residential kitchens since Amana started selling them in 1967. Homeowners liked the ability to quickly thaw frozen food and bring liquids to a boil faster than a tea kettle (more…)
Page 4 of 10« First«...23456...10...»Last » 