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Thinking of a kitchen remodel?

I would love to help with your project!  Did you know kitchens stay at the top of the list when it comes to most popular room to renovate?  Kitchens are the heartbeat of the home, the center of attention, and a worthy investment.  It's a big job, so before you start demo, there are some important things to consider.  Check out these beginner tips if you want to remodel a kitchen.

Set A Realistic Budget.

  • Do your research. Talk to professionals and visit home stores to learn about the cost of items and then figure out what you want, what you need, and what you can afford.
  • Prepare for the unexpected. Set a budget and then add another 10% for unplanned expenses.
  • Consider "hidden" costs. Remember to factor in the cost of labor and materials, as well as taxes and any shipping or delivery costs that might come up. These add up very quickly, so it's important to consider them when you're setting the budget.
  • Quality is #1.  Always buy the best you can afford. When it comes to kitchen renovations, you want to have high-quality, functional items because they are being used daily.
  • Be practical and don't buy unnecessary items. It is tempting to buy gadgets and fancy appliances, but it's better to go with the reliable basics that you know you'll use and get your money's worth out of.

Product Selection.

Knowing what is available in the market can be daunting!  I sell several different lines of cabinetry because not every manufacturer fits every project.  Hiring a professional to help with selections of cabinetry, appliances, and stone materials will help make your remodel enjoyable.

  • Cabinetry.  Talking to a designer about types of cabinetry available will help you decide which product is best for you and your budget.  Cabinetry is available in various price ranges and quality levels.
  • Appliances.  Appliances come in a multitude of finishes, sizes, and performance levels.  Do your research, compile a list of wants & needs and then talk to your designer about working those into your budget and design.
  • Tile & Slabs.  A back splash and counter top can make or break a beautiful kitchen.  Be sure to visit lots of showrooms before making a final decision.  Never select a counter top based on a sample - take the time to view the entire slab!
  • Lighting & Hardware.  I consider these to be the "jewelry of the kitchen".  You can easily change the look of a simple white kitchen with the addition of a modern metal chandelier or a rustic iron fixture.
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Smart Space Planning.

A good designer will make sure things are laid out properly to ensure safety and convenience. Here are a few basics to remember:

  • Counters: Plan to have at least 36" of counter space for food preparation, with 24" on each side of the sink. If you can fit more, do it!
  • Appliances: Leave adequate floor space in front of appliances so the doors can be opened and you can still walk in front of them. 36" to 48" should be sufficient.
  • Walkways: Leave enough room for traffic flow.  There should be 42" between the counters and the island (if there is one) so that people can easily pass by. 
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Once you know what you want, and what you can afford, you can hire a contractor and get started!  Be sure to ask friends for referrals and don't be afraid to ask questions!  You will be working with your contractor and designer for a few months, so having a good working relationship is the key to success!

Try your best to stick to your plan and try not get caught up in the excitement!  There will be lots of ups and downs along the way, so prepare yourself mentally for some setbacks.  Remember, in the end, it WILL be worth it!  

Selecting Great Hardware

Selecting hardware is like deciding which jewelry to wear to compliment your little black dress. Hardware isn't cheap, so making the burden of making the best choice can be stressful as you become overloaded with images of pulls, knobs, and finish options.  You may be dizzy because the choices seem endless... and they are!  A designer will help narrow the selection.

First, start with the cabinetry finish and style.  Do you want the hardware to blend or make a statement?  Do you need a contemporary or traditional style?  What other metal finishes are being used in the room (appliances, lighting fixtures, doorknobs, windows)?  Now consider size and scale.  If you have 54" high wall cabinets, don't use a tiny knob in the bottom corner of the door.  Large drawers need either one wide pull centered or two smaller ones.  Don't be afraid to mix styles and finishes - this makes the cabinetry look more custom and interesting.

Here are some great vendors to check out:

      Liberty Hardware  |  Hardware Resources  |  Top Knobs  |  House of Antique Hardware                                                        Amercok  |  Richelieu  |  Eclectic Ware

Easter is More Yummy with Carrot Cake.

I'm a sucker for carrot cake... throw in some cheesecake and I call it perfection!  This recipe for Bakery Style Carrot Cake Cheesecake Cake from Wicked Good Kitchen looks AH-mazing.  

Of course, this recipe is going to be much more fun to create if you have a Kitchen Aid Mixer that pops up out of your cabinetry for easy use and storage!

Hello, Pennville!

I am so excited to offer a line of beautiful, fully custom, luxury cabinetry to the Houston area!  Say Hello to Pennville Cabinets. I can't wait to help make some dreams come true!

Eating at the bar.

If you have a family on the run, you probably grab a lot of quick meals at kitchen bar.  

A counter bar is at the same height as the countertop (36 inches high).  "The Rules" recommend giving each person 24 inches width and 15 inches depth minimum to eat comfortably.  I'm not big on minimums, so I prefer to add 3 inches to both those because there’s often other stuff happening like surfing the web on your laptop or doing a bit of homework.  

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Hiring a Kitchen Designer

You're not a 1960's housewife and your kitchen was probably designed for one by a builder trying to get the best looking kitchen for the least amount of money.  Typically, there was little or no thought given to ergonomics, workflow, lighting or storage. If for no other reason than this, you should consider hiring a kitchen designer to help you plan the best possible new kitchen.

A new kitchen is more than installing cabinets and modern appliances.  Although the core functions of a kitchen have not changed that much, the things inside the kitchen have changed a lot.  In fact, improvements in materials and technology change substantially every couple decades. Without the help of an expert, you're likely to omit some key elements from your plan, without even knowing it.

A kitchen designer's focus is making a kitchen beautiful and work efficiently. Kitchen designers know about what works and what doesn't.  Designers learn from new and past clients what they do and don't like about their old kitchens. We can help you to choose and incorporate features that are right for your particular needs and how to avoid pitfalls in kitchen design. A kitchen designer will draw plans that help you to better visualize the space and provide necessary documents to obtain a permit and plans for your contractor to work from.

How Much Does a Kitchen Designer Cost?  There are many different ways to hire a kitchen designer, and fees will range from "no charge" to $150 per hour. The expense depends mostly upon whether they are selling you their design service or if the service is bundled with something else, for instance your kitchen cabinet purchase.  Personally, I like to separate my design fees from my product cost so all numbers are transparent for my client.

An architect may seem like the obvious choice, but may not be your best option for kitchen work.  Architects have excellent technical abilities, but not all have the specific knowledge to help you achieve kitchen nirvana.  Most architects do not keep up on kitchen products and trends, nor do most have the critical insights offered by a specialist in kitchen design.

Whatever the cost of your kitchen designer, they may very well end up saving you money by helping you get the very best prices on the cabinets, appliances and contractor services.