A Project in the Life of a Kitchen Designer-Week 3

Last time we took a look at the behind the scenes events that occur in the second week of a kitchen remodel. We are getting close to the end with week 3.

 

Day 11: A new week starts off with a bang. It is off to the tile showroom to make selections for the backsplash. I have brought the cabinet and granite samples with me so we can coordinate these finishes and colors. The homeowners have brought a few pictures of things they like. This is helpful in narrowing down our options. One could very easily get overwhelmed walking into this showroom. Everywhere you look there is another color, style or design option. After experimenting with several design layouts and different tiles, a decision has been made and the homeowners are thrilled with their selection.

 

Day 12: Paperwork day! Send layout of countertops to granite fabricator for estimate. Figure square footage of tile backsplash and send to the tile showroom. Contact other trades to get estimates. Begin compiling numbers for the cost estimate.

 

Day 13: Most of the new lighting in the kitchen will be recessed can lights, but we do have two pendant lights over the island. Normally we would begin our search at Lowes and then go to Progressive Lighting in Atlanta, but the homeowner has fallen in love with a fixture from Pottery Barn. Layout the placement of the can lights. Make copies for the homeowner and electrician. Order lights from Pottery Barn.

 

Day 14: Answer questions from the granite fabricator on details for the countertops. Follow up with trades that still owe you an estimate.

 

Day 15: Finish compiling and collecting estimates. Schedule a time to meet with the homeowner to go over final numbers.

 

The selection process is winding down and now we are into the detail collection and estimate gathering stage. If there is one thing I have learned by being in this business, it is that flexibility is key! Things may not go the way you planned or happen as fast as you would like. Be flexible and willing to roll with the punches and it will make the process so much more fun.

A Project in the Life of a Kitchen Designer-Week 2

Last time we took a look at the behind the scenes events that occur in the first week of a kitchen remodel. Let’s dive in to week 2.

 

Day 6: Meet trade contractors at project site. Allow a 2-3 hour block of time for this and stagger the times of when each person is coming. Everyone there at one time equals chaos and the potential for missed details.

 

Day 7: Meet homeowners at local granite yard. Get samples of potential selections. Look at stainless steel undermount sinks. Chose an edge profile for the granite tops. The homeowners are not completely satisfied with the granite selection at the local yard. Schedule a time to meet them in Atlanta to walk through a granite slab warehouse.

 

Day 8: Meet homeowners at the granite warehouse in Atlanta. I have made sure to wear comfortable shoes. This is going to be a long day walking on concrete. Wow! There are hundreds of colors of granite, marble, onyx and travertine. Up and down the aisles we roam, pausing to look at many slabs that catch our eye. After an initial once-over, we walk back through to narrow down the most promising slabs. We have narrowed it down to two colors. Thankfully they have small pieces leftover from another slab we can take with us. They will not break a chunk off of a whole slab for you. This will be helpful in choosing tile and finalizing the cabinets.

 

Day 9: Meet homeowners at plumbing supply house to choose a faucet. The technology in faucets these days is amazing!

 

Day 10: Day off!! Well, not really. I am working on remodeling the bathrooms in my office. Today I will nail down selections and design for these spaces. And of course, I am still answering the phone and responding to emails.

 

Making these decisions and selections is fun, but could be overwhelming if you didn’t have a plan. I hope that this insight is helpful to you if you are considering a kitchen remodel and is a look in to the time that is required and the value a professional can be in walking through this process with you.

A Project in the Life of a Kitchen Designer-Week 1

Ever wondered what exactly goes into a kitchen design? I mean, how much work can it really be? Today you will get a behind the scenes look into the first week of a kitchen remodel and what it really takes to pull it off successfully.

 

Day 1: Meet with homeowners and discuss their needs and wants. This meeting is a fact-finding trip and a great time to gauge their color likes and dislikes. Take careful measurements and pictures. Return to office and begin drawing plans for the space.

 

Day 2: Finish drawing plans and gather samples of cabinet finishes and door styles, tile and granite samples, paint colors and inspiration photos.

 

Day 3: Present plans and ideas to homeowners. Schedule a time to return with subcontractors to begin preparing a price. Return to office and revise plans. Schedule meeting times with plumber, electrician, trim carpenter, cabinet builder, painter and tile setter. Make appointments to meet homeowner at different trade showrooms.

 

Day 4: Meet homeowners at the cabinet shop and discuss and select cabinet colors, styles, wood, hardware, trim and interior details.

 

Day 5: Meet homeowners at appliance store. Look at different appliance models, compare brands and pricing and make selections.

 

Whew! Are you tired yet? This is what could be accomplished in one week. Typically the drawing stage takes a little longer and it is rare if not impossible to be able to meet with the client that many times in one week. Most people’s schedule simply won’t allow it. I hope that this insight is helpful to you if you are considering a kitchen remodel and is a look in to the time that is required.

Box vs. Custom

            A question I am frequently asked is “Are “box” or premanufactured cabinets less expensive than custom cabinets?” After doing some research and cost comparison, I was surprised to find that many times custom cabinets were about the same or even less. My perception that because something was made in mass, in a factory, with sometimes lesser quality materials would cost less, was challenged.

 

Don’t get me wrong. Box cabinets have their place. They work great if you have a very straight forward layout, are not trying to maximize space or need something very utilitarian, like for a laundry room or garage. In my experience, it is when you start customizing and adding unique features to a box cabinet that the price begins to climb.

 

With custom cabinets, all of the space can be utilized since you are not limited to 3” increments in cabinet widths and having to fill in space with fillers. Also, variations in height, depth or size of drawers really does not affect the price, but allows for greater customization and utilization. Custom finishes, paint colors, materials and trim profiles are always an option with custom cabinets. This may not be the case with box cabinets. Another benefit of using custom cabinets is that you can often times actually see your cabinets being built, moving through the cabinet shop.

 

Word to the wise-the next time you consider purchasing cabinets, do your homework and compare both box cabinets and custom cabinets. You may be in for a pleasant surprise!

Frequently Asked Questions

A question I am often asked is “Can you match my existing cabinets?” Maybe you have purchased new appliances and your cabinets need some modifications or maybe you want to add a little more storage by adding cabinets on top of your existing wall cabinets. Maybe you want to increase the size of your island or add cabinets to an unused wall. Whatever your situation, the answer is YES! It is usually possible to match your existing cabinets.

 

            With time, wood, stain and paint age and change color, This presents an opportunity when trying to make a change or add something to an existing cabinet. While it is not impossible to match a cabinet with age, it does require a special touch, time and patience. Have a professional look at it to tell you what is and is not possible. If is turns out not to be very economical to match your existing finish, consider incorporating an accent color on the new parts that are installed. It could be an accent stain or paint color.

           

So before you scrap the entire cabinet and start from scratch, reconsider, knowing that it could be possible to match what you already have.

Spring is Here!

            Spring has officially arrived. Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and the pollen is falling. This is one of my favorite times of the year. Thankfully, I don’t have allergies so I can enjoy the beauty without all of the side effects.

 

The arrival of spring, warmer weather and longer daylight hours always draws out of me the desire to get organized, clean out the clutter from winter and gain a new bounce in my home’s step. Maybe for you it is as simple as washing the windows and putting an airy, linen runner on your kitchen table. Or maybe you need to go a step further and really organize your refrigerator, pantry or cabinets.

 

One way I have found to really utilize my refrigerator and cabinets best is to install a turntable. You can pick up inexpensive, small, plastic turntables in various sizes at Target. They are great to put in your refrigerator for all of those small items that get lost on the shelf. Simply give it a whirl and you have what you need right in front of you. This small gadget is also helpful in your spice cabinet. Instead of digging through every spice to get to the one you need in the back, turn the turntable till you find the spice you are looking for. If you really want to get fancy, you can alphabetize your spices. This also works great in a bathroom or linen closet for all those medicines and vitamins. For a very small financial investment, you can enjoy a less stressed kitchen or bathroom.

           

Tackle your organization project now before summer and all of its activities get here. After all, you have got to get ready for grilling, pool parties, homemade ice cream, lemonade and fresh strawberries.

Divide and Conquer

            Party platters, cookie sheets, cutting boards, muffin tins, cooling racks, serving dishes. They seem to multiply and they are so hard to store. Do you currently have yours stacked in a cabinet and you brace yourself for falling items whenever you open it? Don’t worry. You are not alone but there is a relatively simple solution if you have the space.

 

            Tray dividers are one of the best utilizers and organizers of space. They can be added in the deep space over your built in oven, a base cabinet with the shelf removed or a pantry cabinet. Why allow those spaces to be cluttered when you could have more order and organization. This is certainly something you could do yourself with minimal tools or experience and any handyman could handle this project without trouble.

 

Typical construction is one quarter inch, half inch or three quarter inch plywood vertical dividers affixed in a deep cabinet. The space between each divider can be customized to fit your needs and space or evenly spaced to allow for more flexibility. We typically allow three to four inches between each divider. Dividers could also be added to a deep drawer to allow you to pull them out and access them from the top, similar to a spice pull out.

           

Enjoy a more organized kitchen!