Flair After Flaw With Before And After Kitchen Tales
If one is brave enough to write in to a reality show paying homage to ugly kitchens, there is a high possibility of scoring a free kitchen renovation in the event one’s nook is able to boost ratings for the show. Man’s obsession with the unappealing and unattractive never fails to draw in the crowds despite the gloominess of the subject. Perhaps the sight of others worse off than oneself brings a skip to one’s step. Whether it is due to one’s ominous nature or just bad taste, before and after kitchen tales never fail in the home network.
Able to portray comedy and tragedy within the same script, this certainly makes the producer’s life much easier as he or she gets double value for one price. Many a time, the core question going through the minds of the crew and audiences is why or how a household can subject its kitchen to such a state. Mismatch of colors and patterns are the norm, easily fixed with a fresh coat or tiles so as not to add further visual torment to its residents and visitors. Fixtures, on the other hand, pose more a challenge as it may not be a simple matter of shifting things around. As pieces on a chess board have a place, so do appliances in a kitchen. Those plugged into permanent spots test the designer in finishing the project within the span of time allowed by the show. Whether it is a makeover within a day or a week, the expert never fails to literally flip the kitchen around without breaking a sweat.
Other than the entertainment arena, real-life situations are overflowing with before and after kitchen makeovers. These tend to focus on the more serious nature of things by detailing work done as well as materials and tools used. Coupled with actual timelines, this allows interested individuals to count the costs before embarking on such a project. Many an expert advises that kitchen renovation works need to be carefully worked out as some take on more than they can handle. Contractors of the less scrupulous nature are ever willing to make promises in hopes of securing jobs. When the truth is revealed, the home owner is left with ashes of promises.
If the kitchen only needs a mini makeover, perhaps a fresh coat of paint suffices. Recruit willing family and friends to help out. By having more hands to make work lighter, savings can be channeled to a party to celebrate a new beginning.…
Important Remodeling Don’ts
Important Remodeling Don’ts
Don’t Overestimate Your Own Abilities
Yes, you may be able to save some money on the total cost of your remodeling project by doing a bit of good old fashioned do-it-yourself work. However it is important that you look at the big picture. The most important thing about any home remodeling project is the end result, not how much you spend to get there. If you end up with a remodeled bathroom with wonky tiles, a new shower stall that leaks and a floor that is far from even there was never much point in starting the project at all.
Be realistic about your D.I.Y. skills and, unless you are 100% sure you can get the job done right, hire a professional instead. There may very well still be parts of the job as a whole you can do yourself, like agreeing to clean up the debris at the end of each day yourself rather than have the remodeling crew stay and do it, to get a little money taken off the final cost of your project.
Don’t Remodel The Wrong Feature
You have a limited remodeling budget. Your kitchen and your bathroom could both do with a facelift. However your bathroom is perfectly functional and does not look too bad, you’d just like a little more luxury. On the other hand your kitchen is a disaster area full of outdated cabinets, vintage appliances and lino that went out of style in your grandmother’s day. Yet you choose to remodel the bathroom because it’s cheaper.
Yes, a bathroom remodel is going to probably be cheaper but why not upgrade the room that needs it most? If you ever come to sell up and move on your horrible kitchen probably means that buyers never even bother to go upstairs to see your nice new bathroom.
Don’t Go With The First Contractor You Meet
The rule of thumb in the remodeling industry is that the best thing to do when considering hiring a remodeling contractor is to get at least three different bids and then evaluate them all before making a final decision. Even if you really like the first contactor you meet – and having a good rapport is important – you should still keep those appointments with the others on your list, just to be sure.
On a related note do not let price alone be the deciding factor when choosing a remodeling contractor. In most cases the contractor bids you receive will be fairly similar so if one is significantly lower than all the others you really need to start asking yourself why that might be before you sign on the dotted line.…
Custom Kitchen Cabinets – Choosing the Right Wood
As you are looking for custom kitchen cabinets, you’ll quickly find that it’s not as easy to choose as you may think. There are different types of woods to choose from, and you will need to carefully consider the pros and cons of different types of wood before making your decision.
When you are choosing those cabinets, durability, how they accept stain, and cost can be important. You need to consider cost, but remember durability is going to be even more important. The right choice of wood is essential because you need wood that is going to hold up in a kitchen, and not all types of wood do well as kitchen cabinets.
Some of the best options in wood choice for the kitchen cabinets include pine, cherry, maple, and oak. All of these wood types are great for the kitchen, but which one will work best for your kitchen? Which type of wood will fit your budget or which will meet your style requirements for your kitchen renovation? Here is a closer look at these wood options you can consider when you pick out those cabinets.
One of the options you have for those wood kitchen cabinets is pine. This wood is soft and can be found all over the world. Within the U.S. it is Easter White Pine that is usually found and this is often used to make cabinets. This wood is a bit yellowish in color and it has brown knots in it that look very beautiful. Because of the grain of the wood, it is a great candidate for staining and many people choose this option for their kitchens.
Another popular wood choice for kitchen cabinets happens to be cherry word. Cherry can be a light reddish brown or it can be a deeper red color as well. This is one of the more high end options and it definitely a bit more expensive than some of the other wood options that you can choose from. The great thing is that it is extremely beautiful in cabinets. Sure, it will cost you to go with cherry, but the beauty of your cabinets is well worth the money that you put into them.
You will also find that both maple wood and oak wood are popular cabinet wood choices. They are hardwoods that hold up very well in the kitchen, which is why they are so often used. Maple has a light color and the grain is very even. The oak is usually golden to reddish, depending on the oak, and it has an open grain. Both of these options do very well with stain and they are durable, which is important when you are choosing the cabinets for your kitchen.…
Home Remodeling for the Holidays: Why Home Improvement Shopping Can Mean Big Savings This Season
Home Remodeling for the Holidays: Why Home Improvement Shopping Can Mean Big Savings This Season
If you are thinking about home renovations in 2013, then now may be the perfect time to set aside the Christmas shopping for a bit, and tackle those plans head on. Why? Well, when it comes to any home improvement, any professional will tell you that December is generally the slowest month of the year, and many more will tell you that their work flow comes to a near standstill. This means that more contractors are not only available, but probably willing to offer some discounts to push that final job of the year. Furthermore, unless it’s a brand new, shining cordless drill set for dad, most home improvement stores do not see the major rushes that other retailers experience. However, that does not mean the Black Friday sales aren’t there.
Let’s take a popular renovation project as an example. Did you ever wonder on Thanksgiving Day if you could be cooking in a brand new kitchen by Christmas? Well the truth is, with some pre-planning and a little patience, particularly with your fellow holiday shoppers, you cannot only accomplish it but you can save some serious money doing it. Black Friday sales on name brand appliances average anywhere between 30% and 40% or more off regular prices. Consider using ready-to-assemble wood cabinetry to save on time and money, choose a counter top, and you can be sipping eggnog with in-laws and talking about how much you saved on your brand new kitchen.
Digging a little deeper into the holiday sales bonanza, you will find some great pricing on everything from wood flooring to bathroom vanities to huge discounts on tools and hardware for the do-it-yourself folks who like to take matters in their own hands.
Another great area to save on is labor. Many good contractors are sitting on the sidelines during the month of December, as the holiday’s take front and center for almost everybody. Some home improvement professionals may be receptive to offering some discounts during their slow period, particularly if they see that you really are serious about getting the job done before the New Year. Besides cost, hiring a contractor in the month of December will probably put you front and center in the contractor’s list of priorities, helping you not only save money, but also time. However, remember the one place you do not want save time on is doing the necessary research on the contractor you hire. Make sure to check licenses, visit their shops or showrooms and even asks for references. Unfortunately the holidays have a way of bringing the good and bad in people.…
Lighting Tips for Your Bathroom Remodel
No bathroom remodeling design is complete without a plan for improved lighting. Lighting serves many functions in the bathroom, from highlighting the decor to helping you accomplish your daily grooming and hygiene routine to complementing your reflection in the vanity mirror. By installing the appropriate lighting in your bathroom, you can both make the space feel larger and create place for personal retreat.
Here’s a look at the types of lighting you should include in your bathroom remodeling plans:
Task Lighting
Task lighting in a bathroom is one of the most important types of light to include in your bathroom remodel, as it gives you the necessary illumination for applying makeup, shaving, showering and performing other essential tasks.
When designing your task lighting, pay extra attention to the illumination around your bathroom vanity, which is essential for grooming and applying makeup properly. A common mistake homeowners make is placing a single light directly over the mirror, which casts misleading shadows on your face. If possible, surround the mirror with vanity lights or add sconces on either side of the mirror to create more even lighting on your face.
For additional task lighting, place a waterproof, recessed light above the shower or tub.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is a stand-in for natural light, enhancing the mood or atmosphere of a bathroom. If you’re fortunate enough to have a window or skylight in your bathroom, take advantage of the natural light as much as possible by removing blinds or curtains and using a thin shade or frosted glass instead. If your bathroom lacks natural light, you can simulate it with a lamp or chandelier on the ceiling. You can also create a soft glow by concealing, rope lights around the perimeter of the room behind molding that sits up to six inches below the ceiling.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is typically used to illuminate an aspect of your bathroom you want to highlight, such as artwork, a unique tile arrangement, a beautiful tub or an interesting sink. To create accent lighting, add a recessed spotlight with a beam aimed at the element you want to highlight.
Other Bathroom Remodel Ideas
Once you’ve designed your bathroom lighting scheme, make it work in harmony with the rest of your decor by using color and decorative elements to enhance the lights. A large mirror above the sink will reflect your bathroom’s light and make the space appear larger. For a small bathroom remodeling project, artistically arrange a collection of smaller mirrors. Adding a soft, light color to the walls and floors will also help reflect your bathroom’s light. You can also include a light-colored rug.
Finally, attach your different lighting elements to various dimmer switches to give you total control over your bathroom’s ambience. This will not only help you create whatever mood you desire, but it can help you save energy and lower your utility bill.
Although bathroom lighting is often neglected, good lighting is essential to any functional bathroom. As you begin plans for your bathroom remodeling project, make sure you include the one element that will help make the space look its best — and make you look fabulous.
~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2010…
Dare to Repair: Can You Handle Your Water Leak Repairs After Reading This?
Want to learn how to handle water leak repairs without calling a plumbing service, or just want to put your new Apollo Precision Tools to good use for small home repairs needed around the house when your husband handyman isn’t around? If you’re interested in putting your ladies’ tool set to good use, then pick up a copy of Dare to Repair : A Do-it-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home.
Written by two CIA wives who’ve had to make do and learn household repairs while their husbands were away on business, this book is an excellent reference to handling small home projects by yourself or with a homegirl.
Give Me the Specs: How is Dare to Repair Organized?
Dare to Repair is approximately 246 pages of content (the index starts on page 247) broken down into several chapters, as follows: Plumbing, Electricity, Major Appliances, Windows, Walls and Doors and Home Safety. Each chapter discusses the most common home repairs you may need to handle in your home, or learn about through a friend’s experience in their own residence.
Repair Name: Each repair is a subsection within the chapters, sans fancy names that confuse you. In other words, you know what the name of the project is or aims to accomplish, because it is clearly labeled at the top of the page on which the project begins.
General Introduction & Story: Small paragraphs about the authors’ experiences with the home project help ease you into getting the gist of what the project will entail.
Introductory Information: Articulate information about the repair and how it will help improve the quality of life (comfort level) of your home are provided as you transition into getting down to the nitty gritty of getting the job done accurately.
Directions & Illustrations: The directions are written in second-person format with basic illustrations to assist you in identifying key tasks. The narrative guides you through each step so that you don’t get lost, and the pictures include captions that allow you to understand the step(s) it references.
Tools Needed: Usually on the second page under the directions, you’ll see a small, approximately inch-long section that’s sectioned off. This section of the tutorial tells you what tools you’ll need – and includes a nifty illustration of the tool as well.
Sidebar Tips: Several tutorials have sidebars which provide an extra helpful tip that can help you get the job done more efficiently.A�
Who Should Dare to Repair?
Dare to Repair is a great book for any woman equipped with the right combination of spunk, guts and wit to take on almost anything that needs to be fixed in her home. This book makes a great gift and cute pick-me-up for the independent lady in your life.…
Kitchen Cabinet Ideas – Important Ways to Implement Organization to Your Cupboards
There are lots of kitchen cabinets ideas that you can find these days if you want to use it to organize your kitchen. In fact, the ways to organize your kitchen can even reach a hundred and the key is to select a style that could help you save money and time. First idea you can implement is to put labels so that you could keep everyone in the family well informed of where everything should be going. For example, the snack cabinet should be labeled so that the children would know where they would get their food.
Some plastic tubs can also be used to make the organization a lot simpler. These tubs are used to segregate various types of food and kitchen stuff. You can store some cereals, chips, and candies in the tubs. You can also place some cooking utensils in the tubs and other baking supplies. Make sure too that the tubs are clear so that you can easily see what you are trying to find.
Another effective kitchen cabinet idea is to organize your cabinets also by items. You can place cans, boxes, and bags in each shelf and cabinet. Some families even draw a map so that you would know for sure what each cabinet has. You can even place your listing right inside the cabinet or maybe in the cabinet doors. You also have the option to place the listing in your refrigerator to serve as a guide for every member of the household.…