The Love of My Life

For those who know me well, the title of this article probably really grabbed your attention. No, I do not have a secret boyfriend to announce and I have not gotten a puppy. In my kitchen, the love of my life is my pull out trash can!

 

The pull out trash is attached to and hidden behind a door. I simply pull on the knob and out it comes. The sturdy plastic bin that my bag is placed in is easy to wash out and it keeps my yucky trash hidden from view. I love not having an unsightly trash can sitting at the end of my cabinets or maybe tucked under the sink or far away in my pantry. My pull out trash is directly to the right of my sink, within easy reach when I am cooking.

 

If you are not so fortunate to already have a built in trash can, there may be a way you can add one. Choose a base cabinet with twenty-two inches of depth, about twenty inches of height and widths that can vary from eight to twenty inches. It may be necessary to remove the interior shelf. If you are not sure if your space can handle a built in trash can, email me a picture and I will be happy to offer advice. Purchase a high quality, full extension pull out trash can and door mounting kit from your local hardware store or a cabinet company. Remove the hinge from the chosen door and follow the installation instructions with your chosen trash can. It may be a relatively small expense, but one you are sure not to regret. Try it and see if it becomes the love of your life in your kitchen.

Company Coming?

Ready or not, the holidays are upon us. As this realization hits, we start to make a mental or written list of all the things we need and want to do before the holidays are actually here. Is a kitchen or bathroom remodel on your to do list before the company comes? Maybe you just found out that your home will be the location of this year’s Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration or your broken oven just won’t cut it for baking those cookies.

 

Before you start to panic, take a deep breath and let’s take a realistic look at the calendar. Depending on the amount and magnitude of work that you want to do in your kitchen or bathroom, you can expect a remodel to take anywhere from two to four weeks from demo to final cleanup. Knowing this is the amount of time it could take, you probably are not going to make your Thanksgiving goal.

 

But, you are in luck. If you start your planning and decision making now, you can realistically have a new kitchen or bathroom by Christmas. Consult with the professionals who will be completing this work for you and they will be able to give you a better idea of the time needed to complete your project. Whatever you do, DO NOT plan to wrap up your remodeling project the day before company is expected to arrive. Something might be backordered or take longer than expected and then you will really be up a creek without a paddle or eating your Christmas dinner at Waffle House. The holidays are hectic enough without adding that little bit of stress.

 

As you consider who will be doing the work for you, make sure they have a good reputation, are doing what they say and completing projects in a timely manner. Check their references and don’t let the bottom line make the decision for you. Sometimes there is a reason one person is less expensive than another. The holidays are not a time to risk having issues with a contractor.

 

There are parties to attend or host, food to be prepared, gifts to be wrapped and memories to be made with your family and friends. Take time to slow down and remember that this is the most wonderful time of the year.

Every Last Inch

Who has ever lost something in the back of a drawer only because you could not pull it all the way out to see what was back there? Is your had raised? Mine is. We all have shared that frustration at some point in time. When you consider how to best maximize the space you have in your current cabinets or perhaps the best way to maximize space in new cabinets, one are to take a close look at is the drawers and specifically the drawer slides.

 

The base model drawer slide is a side mount, white, epoxy or roller runner that allows the drawer to extend out approximately three quarters of the way. This style is often found on box cabinets and is a great option for a vanity or cabinets in lesser used spaces. It works great if that is all you have and is better than nothing.

 

If you truly want to maximize and use every last inch of your drawer, the full extension drawer slide is the way to go. A full extension slide is available for side mount or under mount application and in keeping with its name, extends the drawer out all of the way. While it is slightly more expensive than the base model epoxy drawer slide, it is the best investment for organization, use, cleaning and sometimes our sanity.

 

So before you just accept what is given to you, ask the question. Do these drawers have full extension drawer slides? Believe me, it will be well worth the time it takes to ask and the added investment. After all, we all want to use every last inch.

Seal the Deal

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is “I really like granite, but don’t I have to seal it a lot?” My answer is an emphatic “No!” Let’s explore some of the reasons to seal your granite and what it takes to complete the simple process and keep your granite investment looking great for many years to come.

 

Granite is one of the hardest stones and not subject to etching by household cleaners or scratches by knives or pots and pans being drug across the surface. According to the Marble Institute of America, both prior to and after the availability of sealer for granite, no cases of food poisoning, radon or food preparation issues associated with sealed or unsealed granite have been reported. Its natural resistance to bacteria makes it a perfect choice for kitchen countertops. If you clean your tops after each meal, you should not have any issues. A mild soap and water is all that is really needed. Keep in mind that different procedures and cautions are needed when you have marble, travertine, limestone or other porous materials for your countertops.

 

When we purchase granite from Bella Maria, they install the granite pre-sealed. Yay! This means less work for the homeowner right off the bat. That sealer is good for two to three years. They recommend sealing your tops every two to three years after that. Choose a good quality sealer, which you can purchase from Bella Maria. It is a liquid that can be poured or wiped onto your granite. Let it sit and soak in for a few minutes and easily wipe up any excess. It will dry quickly and be ready for use. If you have any questions on application, always consult the manufacturer of your sealer or the fabricator of your countertops. A benefit of sealing your granite is further reduction of moisture migration into an already moisture resistant material.

 

See, it’s easy and not something to be frightened by. Go ahead. Invest in a countertop that can outlast you and enjoy the beauty that granite adds to your kitchen.

Wallpaper is Back

Someone recently asked me, “How many topics are there to cover on backsplashes?” Well, Amy, this week we will wrap up our series on backsplashes. Over the past weeks we have discussed beadboard, brick, mirror, stone, glass and metal as possibilities for your backsplash. This week we will explore the newest trend, wallpaper. Who thought we would have ever seen the return of the dreaded wallpaper. It conjures up images of large flowers, mauve, stripes and grass cloth. All of the mess, the peeling, the unrepairable nicks. As many things in life do, wallpaper has come full circle.

 

Choose a unique pattern, bold design or contrasting colors for the most impact. As you may remember from the past wallpaper fiascos, the key to a good wallpaper finish is properly prepping the base surface. Talk with Ryan at Custom Color to assess your situation so they can recommend the best materials. For optimum durability, place tempered glass over top of your wallpaper to protect it from splashes, steam and nicks. If you choose not to use the tempered glass, beware that wallpaper is only a short term solution. Especially with its close proximity to steam and splashes it will not provide lasting durability.

 

I hope these weeks of discussion on backsplash materials have been helpful and inspiring. It is amazing what a small amount of tile or other material has on the overall look and feel of your kitchen. I hope that you too will see that it is the cherry on top of the sundae.

Drama with Metal

“Metal?” you say, “For my backsplash?” I say yes. Whether it is simply metal accent tiles, a liner to set off a more decorative area over your sink or range or the entire backsplash, metal tiles are a great way to add drama and make a statement. Typically, metal is perceived as a cold material. With all of the finishes available, metal tile can provide warmth, age, texture, sleekness or a clean feel to your space.

 

Metal tiles come in all shapes, sizes and finishes. From subway tiles to small round accent tiles to pressed metal sheets resembling antique pressed tin. Stainless steel, copper and bronze metal finishes. The options and possibilities are endless. The care and use of metal tile varies with the manufacturer so make sure you ask about oxidation, scratching, cleaning products and sealing.

 

Metal tile installation will vary be each product and manufacturer. They will give you detailed instructions and recommendations and it is always best to follow their recommendations. Special saw blades may be needed to trim and cut metal tile. Again, the manufacturer or supplier can answer that question for you. It is always better to ask before you begin the project than when you are in the middle of it and find out you do not have the correct materials.

 

Drama can be added to your backsplash with metal tile. Use metal tiles for your entire backsplash or just a few for accents. Either way, you are creating something unique for your home and your space.

Get Glamorous with Glass

So far in our backsplash exploration, we have looked at beadboard, brick, antique mirror and tumbled stone. This week we will look at one of my favorites-glass tile. It can come in many different sizes, from tiny mosaics, to 1x1 tiles, to 3x6 subway tile to a 12x12. And the colors? Well, they are endless.

 

Glass tile is a great way to make a bold statement or just used as an accent. Some glass tiles come in predetermined mosaic patterns. Your glass tile accents can blend with your surrounding tile or you can use a mass of glass tile to make a real statement. The colors, sizes, textures and patterns are endless. Glass tile can work in very traditional spaces, modern spaces and all spaces in between if used wisely.

 

Glass tile installation is very different from other tile installation processes. Different setting materials are often needed. And with all the extra grout joints, it is imperative that it be sealed. It is crucial that the manufacturer’s instructions are followed and the surface is prepped correctly before beginning installation. Special saw blades or cutting devices are needed to trim and cut glass tile. While working with glass tile may seem a little daunting, the staff at Traditions in Tile are always willing to give advice on the best way to work with and install glass tile.

 

Looking for a way to add that little extra glamour to your backsplash? Glass tile may be the way to go. Psst! Glass tile looks great in a shower, too. Let your imagination run free, take a look at what there is to offer and you too may find that you are like a kid in a candy store.