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Renovation Solutions: Remodeling? Here are some survival tips
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remodeling? Here are some survival tips“Renovating is an intense personal experience shared with large numbers of total strangers — not much different than surviving a plane crash.” — An anonymous homeowner. Contractors Jason Runolfson, left, and Jeremy Jackson of Jackson & LeRoy Remodeling spend hours planning and working with clients on home remodeling projects. -Annie V. Schwemmer Even with…
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Renovation Solutions: What to do before remodeling a condo
Read More: Renovation Solutions: What to do before remodeling a condoBeing a condo owner often feels like living in real estate purgatory. On one hand, you’re an owner. The property is in your name, you are responsible for it, pay taxes on it, and have a say on what goes on there. On the other hand, your property is within the confines of a condo…
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Renovation Solutions: Remodeling on the rise
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remodeling on the riseWith the housing market still technically in the doldrums, it is nice to hear some positive housing news. It has been recently reported by BuildFax.com that home remodeling hit its highest level since May 2004, the year the tracking service started monitoring this portion of the construction market. Specifically, home remodeling was up 22 percent…
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Renovation Solutions: Tips on designing an outdoor kitchen
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Tips on designing an outdoor kitchenThis patio project boosted the outdoor cooking space with a custom built-in barbecue. Spring is finally here, just in time for Father’s Day. We can almost hear the steaks sizzling! In honor of the sun and national grilling day (i.e. Father’s Day), we thought we would focus our column today on one of Dad’s favorite…
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Recycling centers, pantries among top kitchen upgrades
Read More: Recycling centers, pantries among top kitchen upgradesBy Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Every quarter, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) surveys 500 architects across the country to discover the latest design trends in kitchen and bath remodels. According to the 2009 survey for the fourth quarter, the five most popular upgrades for kitchens are more practical than ever. Changing the lighting…
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Open design: Kitchen design reignites owner’s love of cooking
Read More: Open design: Kitchen design reignites owner’s love of cookingBy Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer Any man can understand how difficult and frustrating it is to try to complete a project without the right tools or the proper work space. The same principle applies to the kitchen. Martine Smith was sick of cooking in her small, dark kitchen. “Our old kitchen had one outlet…
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Living Room Design: Opening up living space helps entertain guests
Read More: Living Room Design: Opening up living space helps entertain guestsBy Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer After 30 years of marriage, Perry and Linda Cunningham had finally made it to their dream neighborhood. The problem was the 1920s craftsman-style house they bought was not meeting their needs. With just the two of them, they no longer needed multiple small bedrooms, and they needed a gathering…
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How to carve out a better kitchen
Read More: How to carve out a better kitchenBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Thanksgiving wins as the holiday with the most time spent in the kitchen. The celebration centers on a wonderful, home-cooked meal. How did your kitchen handle the four extra cooks, the turkey, rolls, mashed potatoes and yams? It isn’t realistic to design a home to handle a once-a-year event…
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Extra storage makes life easier
Read More: Extra storage makes life easierBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon There is an old adage that says “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” But what if everything doesn’t have a place in your home? Then you need better storage or less stuff (or a little of both). Take advantage of hanging space by adding pegboard storage…
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Remodel to add gathering space
Read More: Remodel to add gathering spaceBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Pat and Kathie Debenham had a problem we see again and again in our business: not enough gathering space. And just like so many others, their gathering centered around the kitchen. So this week we want to introduce you to the Debenhams and their renovation because we know it’s…
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Countertop options are almost endless
Read More: Countertop options are almost endlessBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we started a two-part column about countertop options. Countertops can be a relatively simple way to spruce up your decor if you plan to keep everything else (like cabinets and the layout) in place for a while. Last week we looked at some common options for countertop…
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New countertops can add pizazz
Read More: New countertops can add pizazzBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Here’s a quick and easy way to upgrade your home: install new countertops. In the right situation, new countertops in a kitchen, bath or elsewhere can make a big splash without causing a big headache. Installing new countertops does not require moving walls or making structural changes or imposing…
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Cabinetry is key component of kitchen remodel
Read More: Cabinetry is key component of kitchen remodelBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Nothing impacts the look of your kitchen like the cabinetry, and nothing impacts the budget of your remodel like the cabinetry. Understanding your options will help you choose wisely, so you get cabinets you’ll love for years to come on a budget you can handle today. Cabinets come in…
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Built-in seating expands your kitchen
Read More: Built-in seating expands your kitchenBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon You know how it is these days. The kitchen has become command central. The kitchen is not only a place to store and prepare food, but it has become a place to gather, visit, eat, do homework, sort mail, pay bills, you name it. More and more activities are…
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Sink some time into planning kitchen
Read More: Sink some time into planning kitchenBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Designing your kitchen is most definitely the time to include the kitchen sink. In your “kitchen triangle” — the stove, refrigerator and sink — you will spend the most time at the sink. So it is important to choose wisely for this very functional aspect of your kitchen. Sinks…
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Kitchen Design: Blending function & aesthetics to design kitchen remodeling project
Read More: Kitchen Design: Blending function & aesthetics to design kitchen remodeling projectBy Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Well, how did it go? Was the meal fabulous, the company charming, and your home the perfect setting for a family gathering? Did your kitchen handle the four extra cooks as well as the turkey, rolls, mashed potatoes, and yams? As long as we’re dreaming, were the children on…