7 Uses for Rubber Cabinet Bumpers

Cabinet Bumper- cab∙i∙net bump∙er – noun- typically a round rubber adhesive disk for use on wood, vinyl or metal cabinet doors to significantly reduce the noise of cabinet door closings and other uses. Can be purchased at any big box hardware store.

 

1. Quiet Cabinets-Place bumpers on the corners of your cabinet doors and drawers to allow them to close a little softer instead of slamming.
2. Square Pictures-prevent marks on your walls by placing a bumper on the four back corners of the frame. This will also keep it from sliding around and stay securely square on the wall.
3. Vases-Avoid scratches on your table by putting a couple of bumpers on the bottom of a vase. It won’t slide around and no more scratches.
4. Laptop- Place bumpers on the bottom corners of your laptop to prevent it from moving around on a desk or table.
5. Cutting Board-To steady a cutting board while you are cutting it, place a bumper on all four corners.
6. Stacking Glass-To keep pieces of glass from sticking together when in a pile or stored, place rubber bumpers between them.
7. Angled Plates- Do you have a plate or frame standing upright in your china cabinet or on a shelf? Keep it from sliding down by placing 2 bumpers on the shelf to capture the plate or frame in that location.

Spice it up!

            Do spice bottles come tumbling out when you open a cabinet door? Do you even know what is in the back of that cabinet? How old is that spice? Spices are one of the most difficult items to store in an organized fashion in your kitchen. Each brand has their own size bottle and some spices you just don’t use that often. What is a person to do?

 

            There are several solutions for storing spices in a more organized and easily accessible fashion. If you are considering new cabinets, there are dedicated pull out spice racks that can be incorporated in the base or wall cabinets, most commonly near the range. If you are working with existing cabinets, you can mount narrow racks on the inside of your wall cabinet doors. This may require cutting off some depth of the shelves inside that cabinet. Another solution would be to use a 10” round, plastic, lazy susan turntable, found at Target or Wal-Mart. This low profile contraption is great to put on a wall cabinet shelf and place your spices on it. Simply spin the turntable to find the spice you are looking for. If you want to get really organized, place them in alphabetical order on the turntable.

 

            Don’t despair! There are several ways to make your life a little more organized and your spices a little easier to find. If you have a unique storage solution for your spices, I would love to hear about it. Shoot me an email or call me. Best of luck on your path to better organization.

Chalk It Up!

Reader, Amy, asks, “I would like to paint the back of a cabinet that faces my breakfast room with chalk board paint to write out my children’s spelling words, verses and other reminders. My husband doesn't think I will end up liking it, doesn’t believe chalk paint really works and thinks it could permanently damage the cabinet. Please advise!”

 

Well, Amy, I have used chalk board paint on several occasions and found it to work well.

RustOleum makes a paint that can be found at Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart.

It should not permanently damage your cabinets, but you may have to paint over it a couple more times to cover up the black, if you decide to switch back to white cabinets. Make sure your read and adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations on how many coats are needed and how to properly apply it.  Chalk board paint can also be mixed in different colors. Consider a soft gray or even red! Martha Stewart and Real Simple always have unique ideas for different ways to use chalk board paint.

 

While you are at it, consider using a magnetic paint as well underneath the chalk board paint. RustOleum also makes this product. Multi-tasking at its best! As always, you want to check the manufacturer’s recommendations and perhaps even try a sample board first.

 

Can't wait to hear how it turns out!

The Cart Before the Horse

Have you ever gotten the cart before the horse? Your cabinets were in fine shape, maybe not what you dreamed of but would work for several more years. Your countertops were a different story. So you decided to keep your cabinets and just put in new countertops with a new tile backsplash. That looked great for a while, but then you started to wish you had replaced your cabinets before you put those expensive granite tops on. Do you have to live with that decision forever?

 

Thankfully, the answer is no. Perhaps the long term result was not thought through entirely, but if the layout of your kitchen suits you, you can have new cabinets without wasting the brand new countertops. The countertops can be removed, new cabinets installed under them and the existing tops reinstalled. There is always the possibility that the tops could crack or break or some tile backsplash may chip or break. Before you jump into this project, do your homework.

 

Do you have extra backsplash tile that could be used to replace any chipped or broken pieces? Or can you still purchase it? What about grout? Is your countertop material still available in the same color in case you need another piece cut? Keep in mind that this is not an easy project and some people may balk at doing it, but it can be done. Don’t let one backwards decision keep you from enjoying your kitchen.

The “Good” Ice

How many times have you gone through the drive thru of a particular restaurant just to order a drink so you can get the “good” ice? Can you name all of the restaurants in town that serve the “good” ice? The formal name for the “good” ice is nugget or pellet ice and it is now available for your household consumption.

 

Scotsman is the first manufacturer of a residential under the counter ice machine that produces nugget ice. The Brilliance model will fit in a 15” opening and is outdoor approved. It can produce over eighty pounds of nugget ice in 24 hours. That is enough “good” ice for all your consumption needs! Before you run out to buy one, check the price tag. This gem comes in at about $3,000. Small price to pay for the “good” ice, right?

 

If this model is not a viable option, keep your list of restaurants that serve the “good” ice up to date. It’s nice to dream about on a hot summer day, though. If this is an appliance you would consider, you can learn more information at www.scotsman-ice.com Stay cool and enjoy the small things in life, like the “good” ice!

A Project in the Life of a Kitchen Designer-Week 4

We have progressed through three weeks in the life of a kitchen designer. Let’s wrap it up with week 4.

 

Day 16: All of the numbers and selections have been finalized and today I am meeting with the homeowners to go over everything with them. We talked about their budget at our first meeting so they are prepared for the bottom line number. Thankfully there were some rebates on the appliances that were a welcome surprise. We also discuss timing and they are ready to begin.

 

Day 17: Call all of the trades and give them the go ahead. Order tile, faucet, cabinets and other supplies. We know it will be about 4 weeks before all supplies are in hand and cabinets are ready. We do not want to demo their existing kitchen until everything else is ready. This will help shorten the time they are without a kitchen.

 

Day 18: The faucet was an in stock item so I pick it up and will store it at my office where we are stockpiling things.

 

Day 19: The tile arrives and I pick it up and make sure I have a copy of the design with it to simplify and clarify communication with the tile setter. This is also stored at my office.

 

Day 20: Free Day! I am headed to the mountains with some girl friends for a little R&R. See y’all after the 4^th!

 

The design process is winding down but some would say the real work is just beginning. While the work is actually being completed, I will spend considerable time at the jobsite making sure each item is delivered, laid out and installed correctly. Being onsite also allows me to answer any questions that arise and keep the process moving along. As always flexibility is key! This should be a fun experience. Roll with it and enjoy the ride!

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.