To truly stay safe during a kitchen remodel, you should probably move into a different home. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that luxury. Safety issues during a remodel are plentiful and it’s hard to recognize all the potential dangers. As hard as it might be, you will have to trust that the construction crew in your home is taking the necessary precautions to keep the work area and surrounding areas safe.
While you may trust yourself to stay out of harm's way, if you have young children or pets, you'll need to be vigilant about their safety. When Candice Gilhooly remodeled her kitchen in 2006, she frequently discussed the issue of child safety in a her blog. “One of the hardest things is that our house is no longer childproofed (i.e., the refrigerator sits next to the furnace, and there are construction materials in the garage), which means I'm all eyes when it comes to my little ones,” she wrote.
Making sure your children feel safe and comfortable with the various workers coming in your house, and the various work zones is also important. Therapist and mediation specialist Erin Johnston says that children should be introduced to everyone working on the project, and have a good sense of work area boundaries. “It is a good idea to introduce the kids to workers who will be in the house on an ongoing basis, both for safety and comfort factors," she says. "Kids should know the rules about who is allowed in the house, where they are allowed to go, and what they are allowed to do.”
If you have pets you’ll need to restrict their access to the construction area, especially during work hours. If it is difficult to keep work zones sealed off, or if your pets are easily frightened or upset by loud construction noises, consider finding a sitter or care-taking facility for them, at least during work hours.
Whether you have a family the size of the Duggars or you’re living on your own, it’s a wise idea to inspect and clean the work zone and surrounding areas at the end of each day. Yes, the remodeling crew should pick up after themselves everyday, but small things like shards of glass, nails and loose wires could get overlooked during the initial cleanup process. See our keeping clean article for more advice on staying tidy and safe.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Planning - Surviving a Remodel; Keeping Clean
The amount of dust and dirt that accumulates during a remodel can be alarming. You cannot stop it completely, but you can prepare. Here are a few tips:
Protect what you can’t remove; floors should be covered, dust curtains hung and a pathway defined for workmen to enter and exit the workspace. Use plastic sheeting and tape to seal off doorways into other rooms and cover bookshelves, furniture, and electronic equipment. Some contractors will do this for you.
Turn off the central air or heat when the workers are sanding floors. Keep extra air filters on hand.
Ask that the construction area be "broom cleaned" (swept) at the end of every day to minimize the mess.
If necessary, prepare a storage area in the garage or in another room near the kitchen for holding appliances, cabinets, and other items until it’s time to install them. Or rent a storage space for a month or two during the construction phase.
Sometimes it will be necessary to rent a large Dumpster (like the one in the above photo) so the construction crew can get rid of large amounts of debris. Whether you use a large dumpster or not, if the construction crew is going to take debris to the outside of your home, you should set up some ground rules for where trash is put, as well as some rules about how construction workers should exit your home.
The inside of your home will be in disarray during a remodel, but the outside of your home doesn’t have to have a trampled lawn and random piles of garbage. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recommends the following rules to preserve landscaping and curb appeal:
“Ask that all lumber and materials be stored on paved surfaces, not your lawn.”
“If that is not possible, designate a path across your lawn with stakes and string - allow several access points and try to keep the path as direct as possible.”
“You may want to lay down temporary plywood sidewalks - they distribute weight and will prevent ruts in your lawn. Standing the plywood up at the end of each work day will help preserve the grass. Be sure to remove the plywood as soon as the work is done.”
Protect what you can’t remove; floors should be covered, dust curtains hung and a pathway defined for workmen to enter and exit the workspace. Use plastic sheeting and tape to seal off doorways into other rooms and cover bookshelves, furniture, and electronic equipment. Some contractors will do this for you.
Turn off the central air or heat when the workers are sanding floors. Keep extra air filters on hand.
Ask that the construction area be "broom cleaned" (swept) at the end of every day to minimize the mess.
If necessary, prepare a storage area in the garage or in another room near the kitchen for holding appliances, cabinets, and other items until it’s time to install them. Or rent a storage space for a month or two during the construction phase.
Sometimes it will be necessary to rent a large Dumpster (like the one in the above photo) so the construction crew can get rid of large amounts of debris. Whether you use a large dumpster or not, if the construction crew is going to take debris to the outside of your home, you should set up some ground rules for where trash is put, as well as some rules about how construction workers should exit your home.
The inside of your home will be in disarray during a remodel, but the outside of your home doesn’t have to have a trampled lawn and random piles of garbage. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recommends the following rules to preserve landscaping and curb appeal:
“Ask that all lumber and materials be stored on paved surfaces, not your lawn.”
“If that is not possible, designate a path across your lawn with stakes and string - allow several access points and try to keep the path as direct as possible.”
“You may want to lay down temporary plywood sidewalks - they distribute weight and will prevent ruts in your lawn. Standing the plywood up at the end of each work day will help preserve the grass. Be sure to remove the plywood as soon as the work is done.”
Labels:
Remodel
Planning - Surviving a Remodel; Managing Stress
A kitchen remodel can cause tempers to flare and create overwhelming stress. Remodeling setbacks can manifest in ugly and unfortunate arguments with significant others, family members, and even your pets (who are surely not to blame and can't even talk back). Remember, a behind-schedule remodeling project is not a metaphor for the lack of control you have over your life; it’s just a remodeling reality.
Still, even the most rational people can lose it. Jack Gilhooly remained calm throughout most of his 2006 kitchen remodel, but displayed an uncharacteristically testy attitude by day 72: “...we have hit the wall! Patience is running thin. We are ready to have the project over with and get on with our lives.”
Therapist, licensed clinical social worker and mediation specialist Erin Johnston—who, along with her husband, recently endured a kitchen remodel—offers some sound, sane advice for dealing with the stress a remodel is sure to bring along:
“I would recommend that the owner ask as many questions and clarify issues as much as possible as things occur, even if the contractor appears dismissive and annoyed with the questions. Addressing your concerns and assessing your options along the way is going to reduce the stress and frustration you experience during the remodel. Issues not addressed, but noticed by the owner during the process, are likely going to become the focal points in living with the space, resulting in a feeling that things are not complete or done poorly.”
“Arguments with significant others should be expected. The best thing to do is to remind one another that the arguments are most likely stress related and not personal. Waiting to address the issue until tempers have cooled and each person has had a chance to understand the issue will help prevent escalation in the argument. Sometimes there is no issue to be discussed; it is simply an occasion when everyone is testy and the circumstances cannot really be changed.”
“Try and steer away from an emotional decision or argument. Focusing on the use of space, reasons for the design preference, personal priorities, project timeline, etc. will assist couples in keeping away from the emotional arguments and indecision.”
“Parents should consider and engage children in the planning process. Giving kids a chance to express their opinion and take ownership of the process helps them deal with the disruption. Having kids look at the remodel as an adventure and posting a kid-friendly timeline can be helpful. Giving kids age-appropriate remodel responsibilities is also a good idea.”
Kitchens.com - Planning - Surviving a Remodel; Managing Stress
Still, even the most rational people can lose it. Jack Gilhooly remained calm throughout most of his 2006 kitchen remodel, but displayed an uncharacteristically testy attitude by day 72: “...we have hit the wall! Patience is running thin. We are ready to have the project over with and get on with our lives.”
Therapist, licensed clinical social worker and mediation specialist Erin Johnston—who, along with her husband, recently endured a kitchen remodel—offers some sound, sane advice for dealing with the stress a remodel is sure to bring along:
“I would recommend that the owner ask as many questions and clarify issues as much as possible as things occur, even if the contractor appears dismissive and annoyed with the questions. Addressing your concerns and assessing your options along the way is going to reduce the stress and frustration you experience during the remodel. Issues not addressed, but noticed by the owner during the process, are likely going to become the focal points in living with the space, resulting in a feeling that things are not complete or done poorly.”
“Arguments with significant others should be expected. The best thing to do is to remind one another that the arguments are most likely stress related and not personal. Waiting to address the issue until tempers have cooled and each person has had a chance to understand the issue will help prevent escalation in the argument. Sometimes there is no issue to be discussed; it is simply an occasion when everyone is testy and the circumstances cannot really be changed.”
“Try and steer away from an emotional decision or argument. Focusing on the use of space, reasons for the design preference, personal priorities, project timeline, etc. will assist couples in keeping away from the emotional arguments and indecision.”
“Parents should consider and engage children in the planning process. Giving kids a chance to express their opinion and take ownership of the process helps them deal with the disruption. Having kids look at the remodel as an adventure and posting a kid-friendly timeline can be helpful. Giving kids age-appropriate remodel responsibilities is also a good idea.”
Kitchens.com - Planning - Surviving a Remodel; Managing Stress
Labels:
Remodel
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Miscellaneous Hardware Sale
We currently have miscellaneous Cabinet & Bath Hardware in the showroom that we are offering at 40% off list price. Knobs and Pulls from Top Knobs, Towel Rings and Hooks from Franklin Brass, and more... Stop in to update your kitchen or bath at a fraction of the cost.
Labels:
Cabinet Talk,
Design Ideas,
Promotions
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Top Design Ideas
Kitchens are the New Family Rooms
More and more, kitchens are incorporating dining rooms and sitting rooms into a unified space. Consequently, kitchen cabinets are looking more like fine furniture, and counters and islands are becoming dining tables. Banquette seating can offer comfortable seating for people who congregate in the kitchen for more than food.
White Cabinetry
Beautiful and timeless, white cabinets are a versatile choice for any kitchen. One attraction of white cabinetry is that it works with multiple architectural styles -- from traditional to country chic to contemporary. White cabinetry opens a room to a number of decor choices and color palettes that have no boundaries and turns the kitchen into a backdrop that can be embellished as much or as little as you'd like.
Stainless-Steel Appliances
Stainless-steel appliances bring a sophisticated and rich feel to the kitchen and work with a variety of styles. The sleek silver lines bring a polished look to refrigerators, stoves, and even trash compactors and waste bins. And no more worrying about fingerprints smudging the surface of stainless. Manufacturers offer fingerprint-resistant steel that eliminates this issue.
Work Zones
Specialty workstations are cropping up in kitchens across the country and range from elaborate to utilitarian. Popular examples include baking centers, coffee bars, wine-tasting nooks, and pizza-making stations.
Walk-In Pantries
A walk-in pantry is the perfect solution for families who require must-have kitchen items in quantity. All necessities -- snacks, canned goods, baking supplies, and even surplus goods such as paper towels and aluminum foil -- are hidden behind closed doors. Space for items used on a daily basis, such as silverware, dishes, glassware, and cooking gadgets, is reserved for kitchen drawers and cupboards.
Save-And-Splurge Strategy
Kitchen island or farmhouse sink? Professional range or granite countertops? By choosing to splurge on one item versus another, consumers are sticking to their remodeling budgets and saving money. This mentality has always been considered by remodelers, but when the state of the economy is shaky, this trend rises to top of mind.
Technology in the Kitchen
As people become increasingly tech-savvy, kitchens and bathrooms are being accessorized with electronics rather than traditional decor. Popular electronic items, such as wall-mount televisions, sound systems, and computers, are showing up in all rooms of the home. Another hot trend is making the home "wireless."
Eco-Friendly Products
Products made from sustainable materials are increasingly popular. Eco-friendly cabinetry, made from bamboo or wheatboard, are often manufactured with low- or no-formaldehyde glues, which protect the home's indoor air quality. Shown here is all-bamboo cabinetry from Laguna Bamboo.
Water-conserving faucets and Energy Star-rated appliances help homeowners save money on energy bills and reduce the use of natural resources.
Integrated Appliances
Refrigerators have become ever larger, but new technology and techniques make them virtually invisible -- a big leap forward in built-in refrigeration. The same is true for dishwashers. Cabinetry panels discreetly hide these appliances, allowing the room's style to take center stage.
Layered Kitchen Lighting
Many functional and comfortable kitchens have a layered lighting approach. A series of recessed fixtures provide ambient light. Chandeliers and pendants are popular products for task lighting over an island or seating area. Accent lighting above and below cabinets -- or in a glass-front cabinet -- highlight special areas of the kitchen.
Having a variety of lighting options lets you instantly convert your kitchen from a functional work space to an intimate dining space.
Now light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are available for the home. These low-voltage lamps consume less than half as much electricity as fluorescents, and can last 10 times as long. One of the most practical uses for LEDs right now is in undercabinet lighting.
More and more, kitchens are incorporating dining rooms and sitting rooms into a unified space. Consequently, kitchen cabinets are looking more like fine furniture, and counters and islands are becoming dining tables. Banquette seating can offer comfortable seating for people who congregate in the kitchen for more than food.
White Cabinetry
Beautiful and timeless, white cabinets are a versatile choice for any kitchen. One attraction of white cabinetry is that it works with multiple architectural styles -- from traditional to country chic to contemporary. White cabinetry opens a room to a number of decor choices and color palettes that have no boundaries and turns the kitchen into a backdrop that can be embellished as much or as little as you'd like.
Stainless-Steel Appliances
Stainless-steel appliances bring a sophisticated and rich feel to the kitchen and work with a variety of styles. The sleek silver lines bring a polished look to refrigerators, stoves, and even trash compactors and waste bins. And no more worrying about fingerprints smudging the surface of stainless. Manufacturers offer fingerprint-resistant steel that eliminates this issue.
Work Zones
Specialty workstations are cropping up in kitchens across the country and range from elaborate to utilitarian. Popular examples include baking centers, coffee bars, wine-tasting nooks, and pizza-making stations.
Walk-In Pantries
A walk-in pantry is the perfect solution for families who require must-have kitchen items in quantity. All necessities -- snacks, canned goods, baking supplies, and even surplus goods such as paper towels and aluminum foil -- are hidden behind closed doors. Space for items used on a daily basis, such as silverware, dishes, glassware, and cooking gadgets, is reserved for kitchen drawers and cupboards.
Save-And-Splurge Strategy
Kitchen island or farmhouse sink? Professional range or granite countertops? By choosing to splurge on one item versus another, consumers are sticking to their remodeling budgets and saving money. This mentality has always been considered by remodelers, but when the state of the economy is shaky, this trend rises to top of mind.
Technology in the Kitchen
As people become increasingly tech-savvy, kitchens and bathrooms are being accessorized with electronics rather than traditional decor. Popular electronic items, such as wall-mount televisions, sound systems, and computers, are showing up in all rooms of the home. Another hot trend is making the home "wireless."
Eco-Friendly Products
Products made from sustainable materials are increasingly popular. Eco-friendly cabinetry, made from bamboo or wheatboard, are often manufactured with low- or no-formaldehyde glues, which protect the home's indoor air quality. Shown here is all-bamboo cabinetry from Laguna Bamboo.
Water-conserving faucets and Energy Star-rated appliances help homeowners save money on energy bills and reduce the use of natural resources.
Integrated Appliances
Refrigerators have become ever larger, but new technology and techniques make them virtually invisible -- a big leap forward in built-in refrigeration. The same is true for dishwashers. Cabinetry panels discreetly hide these appliances, allowing the room's style to take center stage.
Layered Kitchen Lighting
Many functional and comfortable kitchens have a layered lighting approach. A series of recessed fixtures provide ambient light. Chandeliers and pendants are popular products for task lighting over an island or seating area. Accent lighting above and below cabinets -- or in a glass-front cabinet -- highlight special areas of the kitchen.
Having a variety of lighting options lets you instantly convert your kitchen from a functional work space to an intimate dining space.
Now light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are available for the home. These low-voltage lamps consume less than half as much electricity as fluorescents, and can last 10 times as long. One of the most practical uses for LEDs right now is in undercabinet lighting.
Labels:
Cabinet Talk,
Design Ideas,
Trends
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Display Discounts
On occasion, we have display items at substainaly low prices. Visit us at the showroom to see what cabinetry, fixtures, hardware, and home accessorie items we are looking to sell at deep discounts.
Labels:
Cabinet Talk,
Promotions
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