What I Would Change

As a designer currently living in a rented apartment, there are lots of things I would change about my living space if given the chance. Perhaps unsurprisingly, most of these things are in the kitchen. My guess is that it's the same for a lot of people out there-whether renting or not. And, being a designer, I get to see the possibilities for what could be on a daily basis. Here are five, fairly basic things that I would change about my current space if my lease (and budget!) allowed:

Drop-in on the left, undermount on the right

1. The sink. Our current sink is a drop-in, stainless steel sink. Nothing fancy. I would love to be able to make the switch to an undermount sink. We would gain precious counter space (even inches matter in a small space!), and not have to deal with cleaning the unsightly top lip of stainless steel. An undermount sink also provides a cleaner, seamless look.
2. Soft-close drawer glides and door hinges. No more rattling drawers and banging doors? Yes, please.
3. More drawers. Speaking of drawers... I could use more of them! I only have 3 measly drawers right now, which is hardly enough to hold all of my dish towels, flatware and miscellaneous cooking utensils. Plus, I would much rather pull open a drawer than be digging in the depths of a cabinet every time I need a pot, pan or mixing bowl. 
4. The layout. Okay, this is not actually a minor change. However one of my biggest frustrations is not being able to open the refrigerator door when the dishwasher is open (or vice versa). Why? The appliances are located directly across from each other, with minimal clearance between. It's impossible to have both appliance doors fully open at the same time. This would be a big change that would save myself and my husband a lot of time and irritation. 
5. The hardware. The knobs on all of the doors and drawers are a bright, shiny brass. While I don't personally care for brass, what's more annoying is that they show every fingerprint, mark, and drip they come in contact with. Switching out the existing knobs would give the kitchen space a little more personality, and be easier to take care of, too. 

Ready to make some changes to your own kitchen? Call us at (608) 271-8241 or stop in our showroom to set up your consultation today!

What Time Is It? It’s Remodel Time!

With a sluggish real estate market, are you staying in your existing home longer than you anticipated a couple of years ago? If so, take heart, you’re not alone. Many homeowners across the country are realizing that their current home may be called home for a while and thoughts of moving to a dream house placed on indefinite hold.

Take comfort knowing that now is a great time to invest in your existing home. It’s remodel time, a time to renovate your space to make it tailor-made for you, your family and all the activities that take place in your home.

And, the kitchen is a great place to start.

I can think of no other investment that offers a good ROI (return on investment) and offers instant gratification; the joy of using a well designed and functional space immediately. Smiles are free when you are truly enjoying your new kitchen.

A common quote from homeowners who have gone through a kitchen remodel process is this:

“ Why did I wait so long? I should have done this earlier, so I could be enjoying the space sooner!”

Why wait any longer? The SEN Design Group, a national consortium of independent kitchen and bath professionals offers several real advantages to remodel now.

1.   Weak Resale Market: Houses for sale are sitting on the market longer and prices are depressed. As a result it may be a while to find a buyer for your home at a price you want or need. So, instead of sulking, survey your current space and call a kitchen design professional to partner with you on a new project.

2.   Lower Labor Costs: Labor sources are readily available from all trades involved in the remodeling process. In most instances homeowners are seeing labor cost reductions in the 10-25% range compared to several years ago.

3.   Wider Selection: The kitchen industry has become fashion oriented and today there is a bevy of products to chose from designed to suit any style or taste.

4.   Lower Product Prices: As a member of a national buying group, we have access to preferred vendors and their products at very competitive prices. In addition, many cabinet manufacturers desire to keep their skilled labor force in tact and are offering substantial discounts to accomplish that.

5.   More Responsive Service: It wasn’t that long ago people complained about not being able to schedule a project in a timely fashion. Homeowners were placed on a waiting list, at the mercy of the contractor, not fully knowing when their project would begin. Today you can schedule a project on your terms, handled by professionals delivering first class service.

6.   Lower Borrowing Costs: There are more dollars available for remodeling at attractive rates than ever before. Financing a kitchen project may never be cheaper.

7.   Updated Kitchens (or Baths) Sell Homes: It’s the kitchen that makes the rest of the house shine. When the real estate markets rebounds, your chances of selling your home quickly and at top dollar are excellent when the kitchen has been remodeled. 

Start dancing in the kitchen! Your dream home may be closer than you think, in fact with a little remodeling you may already be living in it.

Choosing the Right Countertop

This past week, I was on vacation in North Dakota for a couple of family reunions. From my previous post Aging in Place: UniversalDesign, you found out my grandmother is doing a little remodeling to help her and grandpa get around the house. This past winter grandma decided it was time for new countertops. This upgrade may not help them get around easier, but it does boost the spirits and make the house more livable. The previous countertops were an old white laminate with gold flecks throughout the top.

With this light surface, it was very easy to see any crumbs or drink stains that were left behind. I will never forget those white tops and all the memories made in that kitchen.  It was time for a change!

Grandmas choose a laminate surface again, but with a lot more color and movement. The color blends well with the cabinets and surrounding materials. This is a color that will not show scratches easily or those drink stains. It is amazing how much the kitchen changed with just new countertops.

When I saw the tops for the first time, I immediately asked grandma how she liked them. This is what she said, “Oh they are very nice, but I can’t see the crumbs.” So the debate is on, to see or not to see the crumbs. What do you think?

The Answers

Here are the answers to Monday's quiz
1. Granite
2. Solid Surface
3. Laminate
4. Quartz
It is amazing how well laminate and solid surface materiel can match the natural look of stone. 

Guess the Counter Top Material

     This past weekend, my son and I packed up the car and took a road trip to Minneapolis, MN for a visit with my sister (aka Auntie). The main agenda was sister time, visiting a cousin and delivering a 12x12 granite sample that my sister would place her coffee pot on. Sunday morning after the coffee was poured and we both had a few sips, we started talking about replacing her counter tops (how could we not talk kitchen design). She asked about color, price, material and best place to buy.

  I have chosen 4 colors for her and I want to see if you can determine what type of surface each color is.  

The choices are solid surface, granite, laminate and quartz. Place your answers in the comment section an Ii will reveal the answers Wednesday morning.

Sample 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

Sample 4