Kitchen Myth's: Part 5

Myth: The ceiling has to be white

 

Fact: We all know that white is the typical color for a ceiling, but there's no decorating rule that says it has to be. Painting the ceiling two shades lighter than the wall color can help smaller rooms feel more airy and spacious. But if the room is already cavernous and you want to give it more of a cozy feel, choose a darker color to give the illusion of bringing the ceiling down.

 

Myth: White Rooms look bigger

 

Fact: White rooms are popular for a couple of reasons. They complement a modern, minimalist aesthetic, and they don't compete with other bold design choices. Clean is the buzzword most people use when opting for white, but it's a myth that white walls make a room look larger. Color creates depth and interest, and our eyes tend to move from darker colors to lighter colors. This is what allows us to judge the distance between two walls and what creates the illusion of space -- or the lack thereof.

 

Myth: Everything has to match

Fact: Everything in a room does not have to match, but you do want pieces to coordinate for a cohesive look. An elegant Louis XVI chair isn't a good complement to the clean lines of a mod Parson's table, but this doesn't mean that your entire living room has to be decorated with Victorian antiques. If you're mixing styles, it's important to choose pieces that visually balance each other. For example, a roomy sectional with big, deep cushions is best paired with a chunky coffee table, while a smaller scale couch with tailored cushions will coordinate better with a spindly, mid-century modern coffee table.

 

Next time we will explore some other kitchen myth's. If you have any you would like added to the list or questions regarding some we have already discussed, don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Kitchen Myth's: Part 4

Myth: “I want what she has.”   

Fact: It’s tempting to follow the latest trends, but it pays to be practical. Do you really want your friend’s painted cabinets when they risk water damage near your sink? Will you tire of that popular granite color? Will you still love antique glazed cabinets in 10 years? Will that funky kitchen featured in that glossy magazine really work in your house?

Considering the scope of a kitchen renovation, it’s best to proceed cautiously. Homeowners get carried away when they see someone else’s home or a kitchen showroom. They go bounding off and buy things without thinking of the rest of the house. Usually the kitchen is the first room they do during a home renovation and it dictates the colors for the rest of the house—for what seems like forever. It’s a huge investment.

 

Myth: Solid  cabinet doors last longer than veneer doors.

Fact: Solid wood doors have a higher tendency to warp and the wood separate than veneer doors.  Veneer doors can actually be quite durable depending on the quality of the veneer and edge tape. When making the decision, make sure you have a high level of trust with the manufacturer and they have a strong warranty.

 

Myth: Big box stores are always cheaper.

Fact: This really depends on the design of the kitchen and the type of cabinets you want to purchase. Typically, high levels of customization can cost a lost more with big box store cabinets. Once you have decided on your layout and style, it's important to obtain estimates from a big box store and a custom cabinet company.

 

Next time we will explore some other kitchen myth's. If you have any you would like added to the list or questions regarding some we have already discussed, don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Kitchen Myth's: Part 3

Myth: “I’m not going to have any clutter in my new kitchen.”
 

Fact: One homeowner recently ripped out her crowded pantry to make room for a lovely butler's pantry area with glass front cabinets. Now she doesn’t have a pantry—and no place to store everyday dry goods and cereals. She thought she could adapt, but how can she when there’s insufficient storage space?

         

Whether we like it or not, life is messy—in kitchens both new and old. That’s why adequate space to store it is essential. One of the most common mistakes among homeowners is that they want kitchens that open into other rooms, and they don’t plan any upper storage for china and glassware. There needs to be a balance between function and style.

 

 

Myth: Bigger is always better

 

Fact: Like so many homeowners, Ms. Doe finally got a massive kitchen for entertaining, but now she walks endlessly from one appliance to another. This is one mistake that homeowners have to live with for a long time, since kitchen renovations are done only once every 15 years or so. While you’re still in the planning stages, consider adding a task or bar sink next to your refrigerator, on a central island or near your cooktop to reduce the need to cross those distance. Because kitchens are such a large investment and not remodeled very often, it's important to choose quality over quantity.

 

 

Next time we will explore some other kitchen myth's. If you have any you would like added to the list or questions regarding some we have already discussed, don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Kitchen Myth's: Part 2

This week we will continue with our kitchen myth series. I would love to know if you have any you would like to add to the list. Email me at the address below.

 

Myth: “I don’t need a designer.”

 

Fact: Not every kitchen project requires a designer. But many of us need someone to help us see the big picture and oversee the entire project, including coordinating the efforts of the architect and builder or contractor. They also help see potential problems and are able to come up with solutions or navigate through potential changes at may need to be made. These experts earn their keep by saving you money in the long run, and save your time and sanity by keeping your project on time and under budget. Even if you have a very clear picture of what you want, a designer can hone in on how to best realize your remodeling dream.

 

 

Myth: “I can add that easily at a later time.”

 

Fact: One client insisted she didn’t need a microwave, but when her husband was transferred and they had to sell the house, the missing microwave was a big issue among potential buyers, even those who admired her gorgeous cabinets. It's best to add features to your new kitchen during, not after, renovation. Even if you’re not ready for a flat-screen television in the kitchen now, it’s best to prepare for their future installation by running cable and electrical lines. Just because you don't use a microwave today, doesn't mean your needs wont change in a year or two. Keep your options open.

  

Lighting is another element that often gets overlooked in a remodel. Opt for a variety of kitchen lighting fixtures throughout the kitchen, especially under-cabinet lighting, since it illuminates counter top space far better than overhead lighting alone.

 

If you prefer to tackle your kitchen renovation in stages, one aspect or area at a time, just make sure to plan carefully so everything fits together harmoniously—both stylistically and functionally--when your space is finally complete.

 

I look forward to dispelling more myths with you next time. As always, don't hesitate to contact me with any questions at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Kitchen Myth's: Part 1

Over the next couple of months, we will discuss and dispel many common kitchen and bathroom myth's that I hear from friends and clients.

 

Myth: It's less expensive to reface or redo my existing cabinets than to get new ones.

 

Fact: If your current cabinets are in bad condition, have water damage or extensive wear, re-facing or refinishing them is not the best option. You will need to spend money repairing your old cabinets before they can be re-faced or refinished. Also, re-facing won’t allow you to make changes to the layout. If you want to make your kitchen layout or arrangement better or add in some customized options, you may be better off getting new cabinets. Either way, it's important to compare estimates for both options.

 

 

Myth: Solid back cabinets are stronger than 1/8” back cabinets

 

Fact: This is not always true.  The strength of the cabinet is determined mostly by how they are constructed and how well the parts are joined together.

 

 

Myth: More expensive drawer slides are always better.

 

Fact: There are times when less expensive slides could work better depending on the application. Consider the use of the drawer when making a drawer slide selection. Hinges and drawer slides are the most used pieces of hardware on cabinets and its important that you have a quality that will withstand the wear you will put on it. This is one item I don't like to scrimp on.

 

Next time we will explore some other kitchen myth's. If you have any you would like added to the list or questions regarding some we have already discussed, don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Bathroom Myth's

Myth: Don't use dark colors in a small bathroom

 

Fact: Using dark colors in a small bathroom, especially a powder room, can lend an elegant, sophisticated look to the space. It is important to still maintain good lighting, but don't be afraid to experiment with dark colors.

 

 

Myth: A pedestal sink is the best choice for a small bathroom.

 

Fact: Current design fads notwithstanding, a sink in a well-designed vanity cabinet will not only provide far more usable countertop area, but also a good bit of storage below--a feature that's even more important in a small bathroom than in a large one.

 

 

Myth: The best time to figure out where toilet-paper holders and towel bars go is when you're almost done, and you can see what you've got to work with.

 

Fact: This is why the pencil was invented --to figure out such things ahead of time. You should know exactly where every towel bar, toilet paper holder and robe hook is going to be installed long before you ever pick up a hammer. Fail to do so, and you may end up with your toilet-paper holder screwed to the side of your bathtub.

 

 

 

Myth: The best place for a bathroom lighting fixture is directly over the sink.

 

Fact: This is a silly architectural custom that won't die, though it sure deserves to. Having the light source over the sink guarantees that no matter how you turn your head, some part of your face will always be exasperatingly in shadow. Take a tip from what Hollywood makeup pros have done since the 1920s: Place the lighting on either side of the sink, roughly level with your face, and not above it. It's the only way to get even, shadow-free lighting. But when you don’t have room for sconces either side, a light above is better than no light at all.

 

 

Thanks for joining me on this myth dispelling journey. I hope it has been helpful for you. If you have any you would like added to the list or questions regarding some we have already discussed, don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

No slip and slide here!

Recently, I attended a seminar on tile and the speaker was from the Tile Council of North America. While listening to his introduction, I thought, “Oh, no! This could be boring.” But it wasn’t! In fact it was quite enlightening and interesting. Let me share with you what I learned about the “slipperiness” of tile. No floor tile is "slip proof", but it is important to know what tile is the best to use in wet situations. Slippery conditions can be minimized by limiting foot traffic in wet conditions, prompt removal of contaminants (hair conditioners are the worst!), effective drainage, and proper maintenance.

 

What does "COF" mean? The Tile Council of North America defines coefficient of friction (“COF) as the relative slip resistance of tile. The COF test is a laboratory or field test established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to provide its customers comparable slip resistance values for each of its floor tiles. The measurements disclosed are designed to be one important factor to consider in evaluating slip resistance. Other factors can affect slip resistance, such as the degree of wear on the shoe and flooring material; presence of foreign material, such as water, oil and dirt; the length of the human stride at the time of slip; type of floor finish; and the physical and mental condition of humans.

 

Outdoor tile typically features non-skid finishes designed for safety when wet, sometimes installed on patios, walkways, or around pools. Unglazed ceramic tiles are very hard and dense. They come in various surface treatments and textures. Unglazed tiles do have good slip resistance, however please note that they do require sealing to help prevent staining. High gloss finishes can be more slippery and scratches can become more visible, while matte or textured finishes help with traction and scratches, and dirt is less visible.

 

It's important when choosing tile for a floor that you have good information on the COF. It's best to work with a knowledgeable professional such as Traditions in Tile to help you select the best tile for your space.

 

If you have any questions regarding issues we discuss, please don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com.