There are good ways and bad ways to renovate a home. For the sake of adding value to a home for resale, not every type of renovation will increase the asking price of a home. For a successful resale, stick with basic remodeling practices that are important to all home buyers. The front of the house is the first impression, like the cover of a book, of your home when potential buyers walk up to it. The curb appeal should be inviting and comfortable, not over the top. Mowing the lawn, planting shrubs, or installing a new front door can… read more →
More homeowners these days are planning kitchen remodels around a new island. These are functional pieces of cabinetry for kitchens of all sizes for several reasons. At first glance you’ll notice islands create a certain shape to the room that is very pleasing to the eye. Usually built with beautifully stained wood and a marble counter top that matches the rest of the kitchen color scheme, they help to break up the room and designate each zone. It also helps to direct traffic going in and out, allowing the cook to work in peace. Under the counter top is a… read more →
Activity-based, or zone, kitchen designs are a new approach to a simpler kitchen layout. They are an expansion to the traditional essential work triangle of sink, stove, and refrigerator created with the idea of convenience. They cater to homes with larger families, homeowners who entertain, and people who spend most of their time in and around the kitchen area, making it the focal point. The first three necessary zones include the cooking zone, storage zone, and washing zone. The cooking zone includes the stove and its adjoining spaces. You will most likely find cooking and baking prep counter space, smaller… read more →
 With all the information available on the internet, many homeowners have decided to plunge into remodeling their kitchen DIY style. Although many dreamy home-and-garden magazines may break it down into easy steps, much of the creative process isn’t laid out in these mini-guides. Before you take a hammer to the wall, here are three tasks we find many people forget to consider. 1.Find specific inspiration. Organize photos you find and categorize them by what strikes you the most, such as the countertops, backsplashes, cabinets, lighting, etc. If they’re from a magazine, circle it, or write a small description if it… read more →
Backsplashes are quick and effective additions to kitchen remodels and refacings. Their main purpose is to provide an easy-to-clean surface for after-cooking cleanup, as well as to add some style to the stove top. Materials such as tile, ceramic and stainless steel are primarily used for that reason. They can be designed with any color palette to match an existing or future kitchen. Having a hand-crafted piece of artwork is an excellent centerpiece for a fabulous new stove.
