Your Remodeling Project

Step 1: Getting Started

One of the things I hear most often from people who walk through the doors of our showroom is "I don't even know where to start!" True- a designer's dream can be everyone else's nightmare! Trying to begin a building or remodeling project is a daunting task, which is why breaking it down into baby steps helps make everything more manageable. Here are a few ways to prepare for your next project today, so you don't have to put it off any longer.

1. Determine project scope. Chances are that there are a few- or many- things you would like to change about your home. However, for most people an entire home remodel isn't feasible, either financially, logistically, or both. Try starting with the more public areas of your home: the kitchen, main living area, and even bathrooms. These are the areas that guests will typically see, and the ones that you will be the most excited to show off! These are also the spaces that you will be using most often yourself, so being happy and comfortable in these areas is crucial. 
2. Figure out your design style. Gather ideas and images from a variety of sources: magazines, television shows, and websites. One of my favorite resources is Houzz.com, which has a treasure-trove of photos from real-life projects done by designers, remodelers, and builders. Once you have a collection of images, you will often notice a common theme. This will help you determine what to look for in furnishings and materials. These images are also invaluable to your designer when you begin discussing your wants, needs, and overall vision.
3. Set priorities. Most people don't have the luxury of an empty, clean-slate of a room to work with. View the space with a critical eye for what can and can't be re-used. Maybe your cabinets are in great shape, and your kitchen just needs a face lift with new countertops, hardware, and fresh paint. Or maybe your kitchen needs a complete overhaul now, while your bathroom can wait a few years. 
4. Create a budget. Too often a budget isn't even considered, and ends up either draining your bank account or stalling the project altogether. Determining a reasonable budget is helpful to everyone involved- you know what kind of investment you are willing to make and so does your designer. This helps your designer further in steering you to the right kinds of products and materials for your specific project. When a budget isn't specified, it often ends up wasting time and resources for everyone involved. 

While your designer can help you with the above steps, these are great things to have considered before your first meeting. It's always helpful to have a general idea and project scope in mind from the beginning, while the details will be worked out later.

Want to take the first step with your design project? Call us at (608) 271-8241 or stop by our showroom to get started!

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!

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis leads to the need for wheelchair accessible features for a Madison area cooking fanatic. "Hammer with a Heart" comes through with the help from Bella Domicile and others.

Project Home started "Hammer with a Heart" 11 years ago and was able to help 8 families this year with home repairs. Bella Domicile was happy to donate the kitchen cabinetry for the home owned by Zanne Gray.

Zanne, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, is only able to move about with a wheelchair. Her home was not wheelchair accessible, which made even cooking a hard task. Because cooking was such a big part of Zanne's life before the diagnosis, we wanted to get her into a kitchen she could use. We worked with one of our manufacturers, Cardell Cabinetry, to donate handicap access cabinets for the whole kitchen. This included a custom cabinet and raised dishwasher for easier access.

For individual who find themselves facing difficult health crisis or a tough financial situation, their home is often the last thing they can think about. "Hammer with a Heart" by Project Home fills this void for area families. Bella Domicile is honored to be a part of it.

We hope to post before and after photos soon.

Cabinet finishes: Follow the trend, or follow your tastes?

In the past couple of weeks, many clients have asked, “What is the color trend in kitchen cabinetry these days?” 

Although many publications are announcing trends for 2012, I’m never sure how to answer this question. I believe that you should decorate or remodel your home based on what makes you feel good, not on what is trendy. 

So my usual response is, “How long do you see yourself living in the house?” If the answer is 10, 15, 20 or more years, I advise them to choose a color they like and feel comfortable with rather than what a magazine dictates. Unless you’re really crazy about what’s “hot” now, you might regret following a trend.

On the other hand, if someone expects to live in a house 5 years or less, it won’t hurt to consider today’s trends, as cabinet finishes generally take a few years to evolve to something new. With good care, your cabinets will still impress homebuyers shopping for the latest thing.

I recently read a great blog post about how to incorporate color trends while keeping classic cabinetry choices top of mind. Karen Wistrom from Dura Supreme cabinetry does a great job explaining how home owners achieve the best of both words. See Full Story >>

Lori's Weekly Bella Bling- Rollout Tray Storage

Base cabinet rollout trays offer convenience, maximal storage capacity

Standard base cabinets produced by most manufacturers have one adjustable shelf at about the midway point. Combined with the cabinet floor, that provides two levels of storage.

To add some “bling” to your kitchen, any adjustable shelf can be replaced with a rollout tray. As you open the base cabinet door and pull out the sliding tray, everything at that level suddenly is within easy reach.

The photo on the left that is rated 1 carat features a standard mid-level rollout from Kabinart. Its sides, front and back are 2½ inches high.

You can install a single rollout tray at the bottom of a base cabinet, allowing the mid-level fixed shelf to remain, or you can install two adjustable rollout trays: one at the cabinet bottom, and one at the midway point. Either option provides better accessibility to stored items than does simply a shelf, whether fixed or adjustable.

Rollouts available in two heights
Now let’s compare a standard rollout with a deep rollout. Dura Supreme’s version of a standard rollout, shown at the photo on the right and rated 2 carats, has one top rollout that is 4 inches high above a deep rollout that is 8 inches high. The higher sides, front and back keep stackables such as bowls, pots and pans or plastic ware from tipping over or falling out.

Whether you choose the standard rollout or deep rollout, any existing base cabinet can be retrofit with rollouts.

If you’re tired of getting on your hands and knees to search for items in your base cabinets, call us today at 608.271.8241 to order rollout kits. 

Next week, we’ll take functionality one step further with specialty rollouts.

Lori's Weekly Bella Bling- 3 Carat Knife Accessory

  Here is my selection for the last knife holder accessory we will be looking at, rated at 3 carats, the pullout knife holder.  I give it the highest rating because it fits in a 3”, 4” or 6” wide space.  Instead of designing a 3” filler, make the space accessible and usable.  The unit is also available as a pull out cabinet – 6” or 9” wide, further stretching the possibilities.  Place a 3” pullout on either side of the cooktop and you have easy access to the knives where they are needed most.

  

Dura Supreme's version of this pullout also offers four front decorative options.  An overlay (plain) panel, a ¾” thick column, an overlay that is styled like the cabinet door, or a pilaster/post.  Their unit is constructed of natural maple and pulls out on a full extension ball bearing system.  There are 18 slots for knives, varying in size, including a square hole for the sharpening file.  An added bonus, there is a small “tray” at top for excess knives, long meat forks, or short spice containers.  Again, all organized in as little room as 3”.

 I’m going to give you 2 disadvantages.  The first is that the slots are predetermined, so if some of your large chef knives don’t work, you are out of luck, unless you cut larger slots.  Second, if you have small children, I do not recommend placing knives in base cabinets that are easily opened.

Next week we will continue focusing on accessories for bases – specifically rollout trays.  

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.