In a recent article I read in USA TODAY emphasizing that “Americans are moving on up to smaller, smarter homes”. I am finding that assessment so very true– you don’t have to tear down your house. you don’t have to increase your square footage, and the best part you do not have to spend an incredible amount of money.
You can stay-put and remodel your existing house incrementally while saving time and money to achieve a quality project through small less expensive approaches.
I will explain in more detail in my next post. I can be more specific to your needs if you’d like.
Email me if you have specific areas of your home you are looking to improve. linda@villagehomeremodel.com
It’s when you’ve spent good money on cabinets, but the drawers and doors cannot be aligned to operate without rubbing together. And your kitchen source cannot or will not right the problem, that you may be left living with EVERYDAY.
You should look at a kitchen remodel in a comprehensive approach- the project as a whole, not just the components that make up the kitchen.
These are some guidelines that will reduce the risk of error and can make or break your project’s success:
- Your kitchen source should be able to offer you multiple design concepts and consultations that include a home visit
- A Cost Analysis System for quick and accurate budgeting so you can direct where your dollars go
- Cost Option Schedule of 10%-15% so you can have maximum flexibility in the project as a whole
- Experienced Craftsmen trained and equipped with the best tools, assuring a fine “fit and finish”
- A Client Communication System between all trade partners on your project which can ensure a well organized project flow that can produce the best possible performance of your kitchen over it’s 20-25 year life
- For the best design solutions- look for a kitchen designer with expertise, training and creativity. It will save you time and money running kitchen showroom to showroom searching for and paying for multiple design ideas
The value of a good kitchen design is in the daily performace it delivers… before, during and after the installation .
A CABINET IS A ONLY BOX MADE OUT OF WOOD–
It’s really the people that you hire to design, fabricate and install your project that will ultimately bring you the value and a source of enjoyment you expect from your new kitchen for many years.
Weird question, you might think. Stay with me a moment and I will share with you a designers tip. When remodeling, designing or re-purposing an under-utilized space, you really need to consider the following to get the everyday WOW out of the space:
Will this be a multi-purpose room, and can it all transition room-to-room with ease
- Your Inspiration- color palette, art work, interests and your lifestyle should all be considered
Tip: Draw color from nature’s palette, it’s a secret that many designer use to create continuity and flow throughout a room and home, it creates a visual serenity.
Think of your friends and family members when they come to visit, can they easily access and move throughout your home with ease, and comfort.
In pointing theses few factors out I hope it assists you in looking at your home projects not just as a room addition or renovation that costs X amount of money, and in-turn should add value to your home.
But instead– as gaining the most value for the cost of your projects in the broader sense by considering your lifestyle and interests.
I know everyone has a budget even if they’re not quite sure what it should be. No matter what the project or product everyone wants the best they can afford. It’s really up to who you choose to work with that will help you realize this early on— and assist you in developing the budget along-side you.
There are so many excellent modern kitchen designs that can be accomplished– you would be surprised how sophisticated they are in design and better yet, lower on cost.
Modern kitchens tend to have several elements of design that ultimately will lower the cost of cabinetry compared to the traditional kitchen.
Some of these cost saving features are:
- Cabinet doors are usually veneered wood, unlike the more costly solid wood doors
- Door styles are usually slab or (flat) which in some cases are less costly than a traditional five piece solid wood door construction
- The cabinet construction is typically more modular with more selection in overall construction material, even more variety within drawer construction. Most often the base cabinets are designed to level with adjustable legs that can be concealed on finish with a toekick cover, and the walls cabinets are hung on rails, the benefit in cost savings is not only in the product but in the time saved on installation.
- Seldom is the use of any moulding either on top of wall cabinets or beneath. For example: One 8 ft. Molding lenght in many cases can cost as much as one cabinet in traditional kitchen design elements.
- Seldom do the cabinet designs go all the way to the ceiling, maintaining that open modern feeling.
So my end notes to you are—if modern styling and design appeals to you don’t be afraid to ask—it sometimes only looks expensive.
Valentine’s Day has come and gone— but I was determined to “keep the love” by adding to the spa experience in my master bath. I don’t think anything is quite like a cozy bath with a warm towel to wrap myself in. It’s an affordable luxury, and cost less than a Spa Day. I promised my husband a towel warmer someday—and in keeping that promise he installed one on Valentine’s Day, with me micro-managing the install (of course)! If you consider yourself a weekend warrior, or even a 3 hour mini-warrior you can easily install one too, it can be hardwired or plug-in model available.
It’s funny, though I’ve had the pleasure of creating so many beautiful bathrooms and kitchens for clients, that you would think my home had the latest and greatest in every nook and cranny. Well, almost, I’m always testing out new product before I offer the suggestion to my clients. This latest addition not only treats me every day to a warm towel—here on coastal Cape Cod where I live it appears everything is damp—so whether it’s winter and it’s cold outside or summer when it’s humid we will always have a dry, and warmed towel waiting.
Make your Every day- Spa Day.
