The Kitchen's newest appliance

Just when you think there couldn't be anything new, technology throws you a curve ball. If you are renovating your kitchen or building a new one, you need to consider adding this newest appliance to your space. What is this new fangled appliance? It's a flat screen tv.

 

People spend more time than ever in their kitchens and they are demanding to stay in touch with the news, weather, play music and surf the Internet. A flat screen tv, whether small, under a wall cabinet, or large over a table or fireplace, is a necessary addition to today's space. Why not catch up on the news while fixing breakfast or tune into a Pandora station while entertaining or allow your kids to watch cartoons while enjoying their Saturday morning pancakes at the kitchen table. Syrup is no fun to clean out of that seagrass rug in the living room.

 

When wiring for your tv location, you will want to have electricity, cable and a telephone jack. This will allow you to be prepared for today and whatever future technology comes your way.  If mounting your tv to the wall, you will want to ensure that adequate blocking is in the wall to mount the tv to. Don't want to have a tv in your kitchen? Consider wiring for it anyway. It will be an excellent perk for resale down the road.

 

What do you think about tv's in the kitchen? Love it or hate it? Let me know your thoughts.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA): Celebrating 50 Years

The NKBA is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, marking half a century of dedication to industry education, networking and raising the professionalism of their membership. Founded in April of 1963 by a small group of kitchen dealers, the association’s goals included education, standards and advertising and public relations.

 

Since its founding, the NKBA has developed certifications, such as “Certified Kitchen Designer”, to ensure that a kitchen specialist is a valued and recognized profession and to encourage people to make kitchen design a career. The NKBA hosts the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) annually. This show, initially a very small gathering, has grown to be the largest professional kitchen and bath industry show in the world. In 2014, the International Builder’s Show and KBIS will host simultaneous shows in Las Vegas, NV.

Today, the NKBA is the premier association for kitchen and bath professionals, with nearly 60,000 members.

 

So why should you care about this organization? If you have had a bathroom or kitchen designed or remodeled, you may want to have consulted the NKBA. Their guidelines for these spaces are known throughout the construction and design industry to be the standard to design to. Make sure whoever you are working with is aware of and adhering to the standards.

 

Is it really that important to work with a NKBA certified designer? NKBA designers have many years of experience under their belt, have passed exams and must have annual continuing education credits. This knowledge and experience will only serve you better to ensure that your project turns out the best it can be.