Shop 'Til You Drop

Well, it's finally happened: online shopping has come to the Get Together Gourmets website. Anything your little gourmet foodie heart could desire: black truffles; the best olive oils; the finest cheeses; your very own crepe pan; even the latest cookbooks to add to your collection.

If it relates to food or cooking, you can find it at Get Together Gourmets. We've broken it down into three categories for you: Cookware; Gourmet Food; and Cookbooks. Now you have a one-stop shop for everything. Best of all, you never have to leave the house - everything is delivered to your door!

All you have to do is follow the shopping links on the Get Together Gourmets website. It's safe, secure, and convenient.

So join your fellow foodies and broaden your culinary shopping experience with Get Together Gourmets.

Click here, and we'll start you on your way. What are you waiting for?

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.

Merry Christmas!

I just want to take a minute to say Merry Christmas and Happy New year to everyone who reads my blog on a regular basis.

Create More Space Out Of Thin Air

Ever try to hunt down that one item you need right now, only to find what you were looking for last week? The one complaint I hear most from people just moving to Florida is the lack of storage in Florida homes. Without basements and attics, where do you organize all that stuff? Realtors agree, one of the chief reasons to buy a new home is space. Read More

Introducing StarMark Custom Inset Cabinetry

A refined sense of style. Timeless appeal. Artisan quality. These are just a few of the traits you are going to find in the new Custom Inset Cabinetry line from StarMark.

A classic, casual elegance is created with a white painted cabinet matched with sleek, polished subway tiles above the darkly rich soapstone countertops pictured above. The addition of large crown molding and ageless mullion glass endows the whole room with a fine furniture appearance. Who wouldn’t feel empowered to create the perfect holiday feast in a room such as this?

If intense, rustic charm is more your style, then try out the inset cherry cabinetry with old world distressing and a layered finish which is pictured below. There can be no more warm, inviting, and homey a space than you will find in this bucolic room.

Opposite ends of the design spectrum, but both readily available with our new inset cabinetry.
Now, through the end of the year, StarMark is making it even easier to transform your existing room into a fresh, welcoming living area: through the end of the year, StarMark is waiving the usual 20% upcharge for Custom Inset. Even better, this offer can still qualify you for a free vacation as well (see the last post).
Allow the design professionals of Duncan’s Creative Kitchens create the kitchen of your life. But you better hurry – the superb savings on Custom Inset expire at the end of 2008!

Stressless Remodeling and a Vacation Too

How many people can say their kitchen remodel paid them back with time on a Mexican beach, a trip to Vegas, or 5 days on a cruise ship? If the idea sounds interesting, then do we have a deal for you!
Now through January 20, 2009, StarMark Cabinetry is giving away your choice of 3 vacations with your remodeling project. You can: whisk off for a two nights of fun and entertainment in Las Vegas; let your cares melt away in a Mexican paradise with 5 nights in Cancun; or cruise to rest and relaxation with 5 days on Carnival Cruise Lines.

StarMark Cabinetry offers you a little of everything: traditional styles of warm, inviting wood tones; cool contemporary finishes; and classic form with their new Custom Inset line of cabinetry. When you couple that with our Stressless Remodeling approach, you have a combination that can’t be beat.
So what are you waiting for? Call us today for the details. You can be planning your new kitchen or bath and your next vacation at the same time!