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, 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:
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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, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Cabinets, Countertops, Lighting and Electrical, Tile |
A Multiple-User Guest Bathroom For Everyone Is Challenging!
A multiple-user guest bathroom should be easy to maintain, available to anyone at any time. Practice may be a different reality, especially if your guest bathroom is also a bathroom that family members use every day.
If you’re creating a new guest bathroom, or remodeling an existing family bathroom, here are some tips to make it a multiple-user guest bathroom:
- Design the bathroom for function, comfort, and safety
- Choose easy-to-clean wall and floor surfaces (porcelain tile is wonderful, especially large rectangular tiles for walls and wainscot)
- Use minimum-size non-contrasting epoxy grout joints (the grout will never need sealing, and will stay clean)
- Opt for neutral colors (the guest bathroom doesn’t have to be boring!)
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by Diane Plesset | Archive, Accessibility, Function, Safety, Sustainability, Technology, Additions and New Homes, Appliances and Plumbing, Bathrooms and Kitchens, Building and Remodeling Plans, Cabinets, Countertops, Lighting and Electrical, Tile |
Custom Kitchen Features Can (Will) Make a Big Difference!
Bespoke and artisanal are fancy buzz-words for “custom,” probably because the latter word has been overused to the point where custom-made anything is no longer special, in the same way that “full service” doesn’t have the same impact it once had. In past years, the only way to get custom kitchen features was to pay for custom cabinets. But things have changed, and many modular and custom-modular cabinet manufacturers offer customizable features for a reasonable investment. Some of the cabinet enhancements include: (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, Tile |
Kitchen Islands Are Great, But There Are Other Alternatives, Too
Kitchen islands are the most frequently-requested features, according to statistics. The available space determines whether or not an island is appropriate. But there’s more than just space. Islands do affect the function of a kitchen, and should be carefully planned according to the individual family’s work-flow habits.
Space Considerations
To accommodate a kitchen island, there must be at minimum of 42″ between countertop edges (not cabinets), according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association guidelines. 48″ is preferred, especially if more than one person will be using the space simultaneously. How does this translate? To have an island, a kitchen must be at least 13′-6″ wall to wall in one direction:
4′-3″ (opposing cabinets with countertops) + 7′-0″ (42″ aisleways on both sides of the island) + 2′-3″ (narrow island with 1-1/2″ countertop overhangs) = 13′-6″
A standard kitchen sink or a cooking surface should not be placed in such a narrow island, for safety reasons. The narrow island is a good place for a smaller sink, a built-in microwave below the countertop, additional storage and food preparation countertop. (more…)
