Eight Kitchen Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

1.      Stainless gauge: the thickness of the stainless steel; the lower the number (16 gauge is the best), the thicker the material and the higher quality of the sink.

 

2.      Undermount sink: A sink that mounts underneath the countertop allowing for a smooth transition from the top to the sink. Unlike a drop in sink which lips over the edge of the countertop.

 

3.      Recessed light: Also known as a down light or can light. This light is mounted in the ceiling cavity with only a small trim ring protruding down from the ceiling making it virtually flush with the ceiling.

 

4.      Glazed: Also known as antiqued. The process of placing a darker or lighter substance similar to a thick paint all over a cabinet door or any piece of wood, then wiping it off until the desired look is achieved. The glaze will remain in the profiles of the door or wood giving it an aged look.

 

5.      Pull Down: An arch top or gooseneck faucet where the actual sprayer pulls down eliminating the need for a separate sprayer. The pull down sprayer is kept in place by a magnet.

 

6.      Raised Panel: A door where the center panel has been shaped to provide a three dimensional effect. This is the most traditional style of cabinet and interior door.

 

7.      Convection: The process of circulating hot air around the oven cavity with one or two fans to evenly cook the food and shorten the required cooking time.

 

8.      Custom: Cabinets made to the sixteenth of an inch to exactly fit the space. Cabinets can be made in any length, depth or height and are not limited to 3” increments or “standard” sizes. Any design or idea can be reproduced and there is no limit to the imagination. Specialized finishes and colors can be reproduced to match anything.

 

Send me an email at Jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know if you have any additions to this list or any term you have wondered about.

Home Office

            Most new homes are still built with a large, formal study. The wood paneled room most commonly found to the left or right directly inside the front door. The room that is hardly ever used.

 

            Many homeowners today are choosing to eliminate the formal study and incorporate that space into the master suite or kitchen and family room. In doing so, you are incorporating that square footage into spaces you use every day and. With the predominance of laptops, iPads and other wireless devices a formal study with an oversized desk is often a thing of the past. Instead homeowners are designating a small nook off of the kitchen.

 

            This space should include file storage, a work surface, and adequate lighting that can be used as a bill payment center and for organizing general household paperwork. Also consider incorporating a corkboard to pin up invitations, frequently used menus and pictures. It should have a door so that you have the option of closing it off while entertaining. You don’t have to look far for many cute and affordable ideas for this space. This is a great area to add color and accents that highlight your personality.

Laundry with Ease

            Busy, busy, busy! That’s what this time of year is. School is winding down and traveling is starting to crank up. Your home is a revolving door for visitors and your kids are constantly off to the next big adventure. It’s amazing how much laundry all of those comings and goings generates!

 

            One of the hot design trends right now is direct access laundry rooms. Connected to the master closet or bathroom, this location provides easy access for getting those mountains of laundry done. If you are considering repurposing your space to add a closet near the master bedroom, here are a few things to consider.

 

• Use a pocket doors instead of a traditional hinged door. It can be left open and out of the way for everyday use or closed to hide a messy space.
• Insulate the room so that any noise caused by the washer or dryer doesn’t keep you awake. Who doesn’t do laundry at night?!
• Ensure you have adequate lighting so you can tell the darks apart from the lights.
• If this isn’t your main laundry, a sink is not a requirement, but a folding surface is.
• Upper storage cabinets are a must to store detergents and extra linens from the master bedroom and bathroom.

 

            Whether you are remodeling your home or building a new one, stop and consider if the main laundry or secondary laundry room should be connected to the master closet or bathroom. This summer you are going to need a break and who couldn’t use a little easier way to do laundry.

Kitchen ROI

            Last week we discussed the ROI value of bathroom remodels and additions. This week we will focus on kitchens. After all, they are the heart of the home. Or as I like to say, your kitchen is where life’s most important conversations take place.

 

            Remodeling magazine’s cost vs. value report for 2011-2012 shows that if you spend between $5,000 and $25,000 on a kitchen remodel, you can expect to recoup 75% of your investment. If you spend $25,000-$100,000 on your kitchen remodel, you could expect to recoup 71.1%. These are great numbers! Even with the shape our economy has been in, it is good to know money invested in your kitchen is not lost, but highly valued.

 

            Now is the time, with interest rates holding at their low rates, to take the plunge and make the investment into your kitchen. Your family will thank you, you will thank you and you will have an enjoyable space to enjoy over the months ahead. I would love to hear how your project goes.

Bathroom ROI

            It’s springtime! The yellow film of pollen covering every surface is a sure sign. Warmer weather brings more action in the real estate market and more people are considering changes and updates to their home. Maybe you have considered updating a bathroom in your home but wondered if you would really be able to recoup your cost if you decided to sell your home down the road. Today we are going to take a look at the return on investment of a bathroom remodel.

 

            Remodeling magazine recently published their findings of a cost vs. value survey they conducted. They found that if you spent between $5,000 and $25,000 on a bathroom remodel in our region, you could expect to recoup approximately 70% of your investment. Now that’s not 100% but it sure is a great percentage. The same survey found that if you spent $25,000-$100,000 to add a bathroom to your home, you could only expect to recoup a little over 50% of your cost.

 

            So take the plunge! Get an estimate on remodeling a bathroom in your home and decide if the investment is worth the return. I don’t think you would regret doing it. I’d love to hear how your project goes.

Personal Valet

            A few years ago, I remodeled my closet adding lots of hanging space and pull outs. Sure, the extra shelves, full length mirror and pull outs are nice, but my favorite feature, hands down, is the pull out valet rod. It’s a small metal rod that pulls out from the face of a cabinet or shelf. I use it EVERY DAY to hang my outfit for the next day, an event or assist in packing for a trip.

 

            This small $20 part by Rev-a-shelf sure makes my life easier and more organized. No longer do I have clothes laying over a chair, on the bed or on the floor. If you could use a little more organization in your life (can’t we all?!), take a look into this product. You can find it online or at your local Lowes or Home Depot. It is inexpensive and easy to install yourself with just a few screws.

 

What’s your favorite feature about your closet? Or one thing you would definitely add if you had the opportunity?

Tangerine Tango

            The 2012 Pantone Color of the Year is Tangerine Tango. A spirited reddish orange, this color provides the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

 

            That’s great and all, but what does the Color of the Year have to do with me? Or better yet, how can I incorporate it into my life? There are many ways you can add this fun color to your home and life. Paint your front door. This is a low cost way to change the look of your home. Add this color to your kitchen with new towels, mixing bowls or vases. Add some throw pillows to your couch. Swap out your table runner for one in this bold color. Little black dress with a pop of Tangerine Tango shoes? Yes! Perfect color for summertime nail polish. A cute clutch can really add pizazz to any outfit. Paint one wall in your home. Maybe the powder room? Add two lamps to your bedroom or living room in this great color.

 

            There are many simple ways to incorporate this color into your life and home. Take the plunge and try something new. I bet you will be glad you did. I would love to see what you come up with and where you decide to add this color, so please send me a picture!