Warming Up a Winter Retreat

A canal-front getaway gets a warm up

Not long after purchasing their Anna Maria Island getaway, the owners of this Holmes Beach project gave me a call because they felt the kitchen was in the need of some attention.

The Before: dated, nondescript, and cold

I worked with these clients previously. Actually, I have worked with them frequently: On separate occasions, we remodeled a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a wet bar in their previous home; we also remodeled the kitchen in their parents’ home. You get to know a person after 4 or 5 projects, so discovering what she wanted out of this new remodeling project was much simpler. The kitchen was dated, nondescript, and cold.

Since this was going to be a retreat not only for the owners, but also a vacation getaway for family and friends, the goal was to warm it up, give it some character, and bring it into the present. Everything in the previous projects were done in a heavy, traditional look (it went with that particular home). My client still liked that look, but we agreed that a canal-front home needed to be a little brighter and more transitional – but still with a firm foot in the traditional.

We anchored our palette with a warm cherry cabinet from UltraCraft in an Amber finish. The Dennison doorstyle has a contemporary design, and adding the cherry finish really warms it up. The other traditional aspect was a granite countertop – there really was no other option as far as the homeowner was concerned (what can I say? She likes granite).

Proper lighting and stainless steel appliances play against the warm cherry cabinets

The cherry cabinets and granite counters gave us the traditional part of our Transitional feel – now we had to weave in the contemporary components. Stainless steel was the desired finish for the free-standing appliances and a mixed media backsplash of glass and stone was the perfect backdrop for the more traditional granite surface. Taking elements of two different styles and blending them together can really produce a nice result when it’s done correctly.

Mixed media back splash of glass and stone with under cabinet lighting

The lack of natural lighting was tackled with a two-pronged attack: we kept the horizontal surfaces very light (and very neutral) by selecting a granite in Kashmir Gold and a porcelain tile that picked up the subtle earthy tones evident in the granite; we also strategically planned the lighting design to provide both functionality (with under cabinet works lights) and ambiance (with display lights behind upper glass doors). After dinner, the display lights can be lit to provide an appealing backdrop for after-dinner conversation from the adjacent dining area.

These repeat clients couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. I’m just sorry we don’t have any other rooms that are ripe for additional projects. Then again - when I left, they were starting to talk about an outdoor kitchen…

Taking a Mt. Vernon Condo From Blah to Aaahhh

The once isolated kitchen is now part of the living space

When the owners of this Mt. Vernon condo in Bradenton began considering a new kitchen, they did their research. They looked online; watched HGTV; checked out the design magazines; and took a trip to the local home show – which is where I met them.

Before #1, from the living room

Before #2, the fridge

Before #3, the sink corner

Before #4, the range

Before #5, the bar

They were sick of the small, 70’s era kitchen they inherited when they bought the unit, and had definite ideas about what they wanted in their kitchen remodel: light finishes, a traditional look, plenty of storage, and a bigger feel. These folks also had an issue to work around: the tile floors continued through the entire house and couldn’t be matched – reusing the existing floor was essential to their tight budget.

The first design goal to tackle was a bigger feel. If you can’t match the tile floor, then you can’t remove walls. How do you make a kitchen bigger without removing walls? Our solution was two-fold: remove the old, dated, domed-ceiling, to free up another 12” in ceiling height; and greatly expand an existing pass thru to the dining area. 

Sliding the fridge allowed for a pantry. Can you see the patched the floor? Me neither.

Expanding the pass thru gave us an easy solution to another of the clients’ desires – a better breakfast bar. By wrapping the breakfast counter around a wasted corner, it not only gave them more eating space, but it visually increased the size of the kitchen without actually increasing its size. And with 12” more clearance in the kitchen ceiling, we were able to increase the height of the cabinets, thus adding thirty-three percent more storage by including another shelf in each.  More storage, bigger feel, same space – done!

Lazy Susan corner & hidden dishwasher (left)

After looking at a variety of cabinetry options, the homeowners opted for the budget-friendly Venezia doorstyle in Buttermilk finish from UltraCraft Cabinetry. (Venezia is part of UltraCraft’s unique Vision Collection which utilizes Eurotek veneer, a micro-woodfiber technology that is combined with baked-on, industrial-grade, catalyzed-conversion varnish, giving the Vision Collection a color fast, durable finish.) The great part is that the Buttermilk finish comes with a Caramel patina. My clients received the look of a painted and glazed door - without any of the upgrade costs!

Dishwasher on the left made room for pots & pans storage near the range

We chose to pair the antique white cabinet finish with Sapporo countertops, an earthy brown quartz composite from Viatera. The new, open kitchen made the dark counter the focal point. The terra cotta accent seen in an otherwise light tumbled stone backsplash was the inspiration for the rust paint tones that really set off the creamy cabinets. Finishing the appliances with stainless steel brings an upscale cohesiveness to the entire room.

More breakfast bar means more counter space

All in all, I think we took care of the homeowners’ desires of a bigger, lighter, traditional space – what do you think?

Mind Games Make This Kitchen Grow

How many room-enlarging tricks can you see?

Once in a while, things just need to be freshened up. That’s exactly what these Perico Bay Club owners thought after living 13 years with the kitchen they inherited from the previous owner. No big remodeling project - just some practical tweaks and a cosmetic shift to match the taste and style they are drawn to. A big concern was the tiny feel of the condo kitchen – it needed to grow, but there was no real room to increase the space.

The 'before' shot #1

The dated 90’s-era cabinets were out, replaced with a warmer, more contemporary look that suited these full-time residents. In a compact kitchen, a lot of planning needs to go into the storage capabilities. Tweaking the sink configuration allowed for accessible storage in the corner, and deep drawers now accommodate pots and pans for easy retrieval.

The 'before' shot #2

Incorporating half of the existing laundry closet into the kitchen was the only real space we added. Their stacked laundry unit allowed us to simply reframe the existing closet and move the pantry storage into the kitchen proper.

Believe it or not, there are visual tricks when it comes to small spaces – take a look at the new slide-in range. Eliminating the bulky controls of the old model lightens up the cooking area and gives the appearance of more space. Black Whirlpool appliances (courtesy of Rice’s Appliances) nod more in the contemporary direction, even though one might think white appliances would make the space feel lighter.

Keeping the horizontal surfaces as light as possible will fool the eye into seeing a larger room. Luckily, we had a great tile floor that accomplished that illusion quite nicely. In turn, the lighter floor allowed the homeowner to add some warmth and dimension in her other finish choices. You can always afford to do darker finishes on the vertical surfaces of a small space, as long you keep the horizontal surfaces light.

Adding some height to the upper cabinets not only increased the usable storage space even further, but it accomplished another visual trick: pushing the ceiling farther away. Cabinetry taken to the ceiling gives the feel of a higher ceiling because your eyes will always stop at the top of the cabinets. If there’s space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling, your brain registers that void as a lower ceiling. Taller cabinets = higher ceiling. Simple.

And how do you make the fridge seem smaller? By making the things around it bigger, of course. Creating a refrigerator alcove in matching cabinetry reduces the perceived mass of the appliance and adds needed storage space at the same time. Perfect: real and perceived benefits at the same time.

So the next time someone tells you that mind games aren’t a good thing, you’ll know better. You just need the right games.

The three S's: Style, Size, and Storage

Dishwashers Recalled

On June 3, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a voluntary recall for several makes and models of dishwashers manufactured under the Maytag umbrella. These dishwashers had a price tag between $250 and $900, and were sold between February, 2006 and April, 2010.

The brands include:

• Maytag
• Amana
• Jenn-Air
• Admiral
• Magic Chef
• Performa by Maytag
• Crosley

It seems that there is a chance that the heating element in the dishwasher could fail and start a fire. To date, the CPSC has 12 reported incidents of such fires.

To determine if your dishwasher has been recalled, first find the serial number. See the photo below to locate it.

Then compare your serial number to the list posted at the CPSC website

If you have any other questions, you should contact Maytag at either (800) 544-5513 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.repair.maytag.com

Sell It In A Little While (3-7 Years)

Most people fall into this category. Even when you don’t have any plans to sell in this timeframe, if you aren’t sure about the length of time you’re going to own your home, these are the tips to follow.

Individualize, But Not Out of the Mainstream
You’re going to be there long enough to put your personal stamp on things, but you want to make sure that it’s not too ‘out there’. Make the permanent pieces (cabinets, counters, and floors) a nice neutral, then you can bring in blocks of color with paint and accessories.

Splurge Judiciously
It’s OK to go overboard on some things, but narrow it down to the 1 or 2 that you really want. Scale back on those things that are less important. So go ahead and get the Viking range, but maybe you don’t need the triple-upgrade, hand-carved onlays on every door.

Classic, Not Trendy
Stick with a timeless look, and stay away from the trends of the day. That way, if you decide to sell in three months or fifteen years, it will still look relevant.

Proper Lighting Is A Must!
Need I say more?

Move the Walls – If It Makes Sense
Be prudent with any structural changes. Although I’m always in favor of a larger kitchen, it doesn’t always make practical sense, and practicality is the key here.

It’s never easy to determine the correct decision when you are contemplating a remodeling project. But if you follow these simple recommendations, you’ll always know if you’re spending the proper amount, regardless of your situation.

Sell It Soon

It’s a question I get asked all the time, “How much should I worry about resale value while I’m remodeling my kitchen?” The truth is, there isn’t a single right answer for everyone. How long do you plan to live there? How extensive are your remodeling plans? Are your lifestyle needs different than the average homeowner? How important is the return on your remodeling investment?
If you were to narrow it down to one question, I think the most important has to do with the length of time you intend to own the home. For my clients, I break it down to 3 timeframes: Sell It Soon; Sell It In a Little While; Sell It Later (or Never).
This is the first of three sets of recommendation to make sure you maximize your remodeling experience…

Sell It Soon (<3years)

If you’re planning on putting your home on the market within the next 3 years, then return on investment should be near the top of your remodeling priorities. Even in this sluggish real estate market, if sold within 2 years, a homeowner should expect to realize between a 76%-79% return on investment for the Tampa Bay Market. To help you get the most bang for your buck, here are some tips:

Determine Your Target Market
Does your neighborhood cater to the young and hip or is it a more established and traditional area? Either way, you want to adjust your design style accordingly.

Focus on Aesthetics

Go for the most visual bang for your buck. If your budget doesn’t allow for both the all-wood cabinet and the fancy doorstyle, opt for the fancy doorstyle. Remember, looks count. Longevity doesn’t.

Code Beige

Even though you might be turned on by bold uses of color, homebuyers generally aren’t. Skip the color wheel and opt for light wood tones and neutral finishes (most homebuyers visualize better with a blank canvas).

Skip the Extras

His & Hers warming drawers, motorized spice racks, and built-in espresso machines might be just what you always wanted in your dream kitchen. But when it comes to resale value, you’ve just thrown a lot of money out the window. Stick with the basics – pick an appliance line that’s appropriate for your home (too entry-level can turn off a discriminating buyer; too luxurious is a waste of investment) and stick to the basic models. When in doubt, pick the stainless steel finish in a less-expensive line. For storage conveniences – no more than a few well-placed roll out trays and a lazy susan in the corner.

Minimize Structural Changes

Nothing eats up a kitchen budget faster than moving walls and all the mechanics that go with it. Don’t try to make all the design changes that have bugged you while you lived there. You’re not trying to solve your problems, you’re trying to sell your home. If you aren’t sure, ask a design professional if a structural change is a wise idea.

Follow the Trends

If you’re selling your home soon, it pays to follow the latest styles. Right now, simplistic is in – simple lines, warm tones, stone countertops, stainless steel appliances. The more current the kitchen looks, the more attractive it will be to potential buyers.

Proper Lighting is a Must!

Lighting is so often an afterthought, but it needs to be a priority for resale. A good lighting design can change the whole demeanor of a small kitchen. Plan it from the beginning.

Focus on the Negative

If your kitchen seems small, consider reducing the amount of cabinetry you have. Creating a focal point with negative space is not only visually pleasing, but it will cut down on your budget by reducing the amount of cabinetry you require.

If you follow these basic rules, you should end up with a kitchen that potential buyers love – at a price that won’t break your bank!

Appliance Rebates in Silver (Linings)

I received this today as a press release. Seems like everyone is trying to find a silver lining in the Economic Stimulus Plan. (as for myself, I'll take all the silver linings I can get...)

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers is applauding the House Appropriations Committee for its approval of an economic stimulus provision that includes $300 million to provide consumers with rebates for buying ENERGY STAR products to replace old appliances.

This provision would provide the funding necessary to implement a consumer rebate program authorized under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, to be administered by the states.

"A consumer rebate program will result in dramatic savings for consumers," AHAM said, noting that the rebate would offset the cost differential between ENERGY STAR and non-ENERGY STAR appliances.

"Funding this federal-state appliance rebate program will benefit consumers by reducing the cost of ENERGY STAR appliances and providing them with additional discretionary income by way of reduced utility bills," said AHAM president Joseph McGuire.

Is Now the Time to Remodel?

In a word, yes. The current economic climate has created a positive side effect for homeowners: cheaper remodeling prices. At no other point in my 16-year career have I seen so many manufacturers’ incentives at one time. No matter the project, you will find savings in today’s market. Here’s just a short list of savings you can expect to see:


Cabinets
Kitchens, baths, closets, libraries. No matter the project, manufacturers are skipping price increases and giving away free upgrades. They are adding more design styles, color palettes, and accessory options at competitive pricing. I even know of one supplier that has temporarily reduced prices by 10% for everything. You can even earn a free vacation when you purchase from another cabinet manufacturer.


Countertops
I don’t think you can find any better bargain price right now than countertops. No matter the material, you can enjoy great savings.
Granite: you can find the best deals in a decade right now. Pricing for some common granites have been slashed by a third to one half.
Quartz: while not experiencing the same cost savings as granites, the quartz manufacturers are adding free sinks and other incentives.
Solid Surface: Manufacturers like Corian and Hi-Macs have priced select colors to be competitive with lesser materials. Corian is also offering 50% off o select sinks and Hi-Macs is throwing in a free sink at no charge.


Appliances
Package deals, rebates, free delivery. No matter which price point you are interested in, you’re going to see some sort of bargain being offered to you. Every manufacturer and appliance dealer is courting your interest.






Labor
As far as I’m concerned, this is far and away the best deal you can find right now. At one point, homeowners were waiting as much as 16 weeks or more to retain installation labor for their remodeling project, but not anymore. The best artisans are available and willing to work competitively. Bargain-priced materials can be made to sparkle under the influence of a skilled craftsman, making the most out of a limited budget.


Design Services & Project Management
If an individual designer is selling you materials for your remodeling project, chances are good that he or she is willing to reduce or even eliminate fees that would usually be expected for both design services and/or project management work. Even if your designer isn’t selling you any products, negotiating a better fee structure is pretty realistic right now.

So if you’re interested in making your remodeling dollars go as far as possible, bargain season is upon you. Your investments may not be giving you the return you’ve been wishing for – maybe it’s time to invest in your comfort, your family, and your life.

A Good Reason for Not Doing the Dishes

On May 16, 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the General Electric Company (GE) announced a recall of 2.5 million GE built-in dishwashers manufactured from September 1997 to December 2001. Call the GE Recall Hotline to determine if your dishwasher is included in the recall. The affected models were sold under the following brand names: Eterna, GE, GE Profile, GE Monogram, Hotpoint, and Sears-Kenmore. (See a list of recalled models)

Over several years, normal use of liquid rinse aid in some models results in a concentration of rinse aid on the wires inside the dishwasher door. In the affected models, the rinse aid can degrade the insulation on the wiring inside the door, which can cause an electrical short, overheating or fire if the wire comes in contact with the metal door. You should stop using these dishwashers immediately until you obtain more information.

If you have never used liquid rinse aid, and are the original owner of the dishwasher, you will not have this potential problem. To prevent the use of liquid rinse aid in the future, GE recommends attaching the rinse aid dispenser cap offered through the recall.
If you do use liquid rinse aid or if you are uncertain if liquid rinse aid was used in the dishwasher because you are not the original owner, repair of the dishwasher is required.

If you wish to replace your dishwasher with a new model, you can use the rebate of $150 for GE® and Kenmore® dishwashers, or $300 for GE Profile™ or GE Monogram® dishwashers that GE is offering on the purchase of a new dishwasher.

GE has received 135 reports of overheated wiring and 56 reports of property damage, including 12 reports of fires that escaped the dishwasher. Fire damage was limited to the dishwasher or the adjacent area. No injuries have been reported.

If you have one of the recalled dishwashers and want more information, or wish to arrange a free service call, please call the Recall Hotline, or click here.

Recall Hotline1-877-607-6395
Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EDT.
Before calling, have the model and serial number on hand.

This recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, who will also monitor the effectiveness of the recall program.