FREE Remodeling Ideas

What's one of the best ways to get FREE ideas for your home??? Well, go to those open houses, parade of homes, tour of remodeled homes.....Every city has them and they are usually hosted by the Builders Association. These homes typically will have innovative ideas for ALL areas as the builders, homeowners and remodelers want to put their best foot forward. The people that man these homes will typically answer any questions that you may have. Hey, what do you have to lose?? Plan on spending some of your time touring....You just may get some free advice and have some fun doing it.

Glass Tile Backsplash

Classic Backsplashes

You can simply not go wrong with a glass mosaic backsplash.

Easy maintenance, Beautiful Color and Depth, and a simple WOW factor. Every kitchen needs a bit of BANG. Let's face it, this room is the "heart" of the home. Many activities and decisions cultivate from this room. The family gathers...The women solve dilemmas...The men talk NFL picks...the body is nourished...schoolwork is accomplished...Full tile backsplashes are easy to add to an existing kitchen.

This tone on tone space is anchored by the oak hardwood floor and the birch tongue and grove ceiling.There is a main ceiling light for the room, pendant lights over the sink for the clean up tasks and under cabinet lights to illuminate the counter tops. The under cabinet task lighting really makes the glass mosaic backsplash sparkle!!!

Counter top color decisions

OK so you're on the fence about the color choice of your new counter tops. You have decided on a medium brown hardwood floor and creamy cabinets and a bright golden wall color. You don't want to darken the space. Either you go with a New Venetian Gold Granite or a Tan Brown Granite. Well, don't be afraid of the Tan Brown granite. It will give a POP to the space and it will not darken the area especially with a creamy tile backsplash. Update the room room and add under cabinet lights. The space needs the color POP and will give a beautiful rich look to the kitchen. If you are concerned with a darker counter showing more dust, crumbs and water spots, then the answer is simple.... Wipe the counters dry after you rinse them off. If a "tone on tone" look is what your after, then go with the lighter top, but don't please DON'T be afraid of color. The new space will be warm and inviting, not a dark dungeon.

Master Bath Remodeling Ideas

This was an Inexpensive and Easy Bath Vanity upgrade! New Maple Expresso Cabinetry, New  Tropic Brown Granite tops and Undermounted White Porcelain Sinks, and New Stainless 8" Spread Faucets.
The existing tile floor, light fixtures and soffit remained. The new cabinetry is "back-saver" height. We added a 4 gang outlet in the cabinet tower for the homeowner to store and use her hairdryer and curling iron. There is alson a new outlet in the top drawer of the base cabinet for the electric razor. With the addition of the cabinet tower, the homeowner is able to store all the neccesities and keep the counter cleaned off. It also is a great place to store the handtowels!!
This bathroom went from tired, drab, nonfunctional and outdated to a Rich and Luxurious Space!!

How to start a kitchen or bath remodel

Want to update your existing kitchen or bath space? Confused on where to begin? Let's start with the basics. Make a list of the things you love about the space and the things that you hate about the space.

HATE:                                                                                   
counter tops                                                                              
not enough drawer space                                                           
outdated colors                                                                         
cabinet door and drawer hardware
backsplash

LOVE:

cabinet color
hardwood floors
appliances


Let's start with this scenerio
1. Establish a budget that you can spend.
2. In this budget, identify what type of new counter tops, backsplash and hardware that you can afford.
3. Decide on the new color theme that you want.
4. Build upon this new theme and then go shopping!
5. There are many ways to add rollout drawers behind the base cabinet doors and add drawer accessories to utilize the space more effectively.

With new counter tops, you will want to get a new sink and faucet. Did you know that the sink is the MOST used appliance in your home??????? Pick one that lasts, is functional and works for how will you use it!!!

In your budget, remember that you will need a plumber to rehook up the sink, disposal and faucet. You may need an electrician if you add under cabinet lights or change the ceiling fixtures.

It really is easy to update a space. Whether or not you do a complete remodel  or just change a few elements.

 Message me for more ideas..................................I can make it easy!

Why White Kitchens Yellow

If you have white cabinets, chances are that they are thermafoil. During the 1980's white thermafoil cabinets were extremely popular. Especially with the spec builders. These white kitchens and baths made the spaces light, airy and feel larger. The space also looked CLEAN. However, after a few years nearly all white thermafoil cabinets start to have problems. The spec builders used this product because it was the trend, it was inexpensive and made the house sell quickly. But when the doors start to discolor and delaminate from the substrate, there is really nothing a homeowner can do. If the cabinets were still under warranty, then the manufacturer would replace them. But if not under warranty, the homeowner is faced with the cost of replacement. Today, people are looking for the best value in cabinetry to improve their existing spaces. If you are in the market for white cabinets, then please research the company's warranty policies. If white is the must color, then consider a painted cabinetry. Don't go for the cheapest product, the finish WILL NOT last. Go with a cabinetry company that has good warranties and has good business practices. I will say that white is not as popular as it once was, but for certain style homes, it is the way to go.

From Basic to Modern- Kitchen Remodel

From Boring to Sleek, this basic builders kitchen was transformed. The only two functioning drawers fell out when opened, the interior shelves were delaminating and bowing, and the appliances were on their last leg. The homeowners wanted a fresh, clean and sleek modern look with a place for everything. The remodel consisted of new 18 x 18 ceramic tile flooring laid on the diagonal, a SubZero refrigerator hidden by door panels, a Miele steam oven, a Miele Microwave, a Thermador Induction Cooktop, and Cherry Veneer and Black Lacquer Slab Doors, Full Overlay (European) construction cabinetry with a High Gloss Finish. The electrical was also updated to include recessed can lights, hidden outlets in the backsplash and island for computers and ipods and a lighting control system that allowed the homeowners to access everything from one keypad. The Counter tops are Black Absolute Granite with a Stainless Steel Single Bowl Undermount Sink and a Smoked Glass Half Moon shaped top for the seating area.