How Granite Countertops Can Increase Your Home’s Value
Mar 22nd
To add a distinguished new look in any kitchen, homeowners may want to consider replacing their existing countertops. Ceramic tiles and laminates are two popular choices, but for the ultimate in luxury, it’s hard to beat the quality and appeal of granite countertops. Though they may be the most expensive option available, they are designed to provide long term durability accompanied by genuine aesthetic appeal. Those considering granite will be please to learn that countertop maintenance is low, requiring only regular wiping, as well as occasional sealing and polishing to keep them looking their best. Various grade stone choices are available in thousands of colours to compliment any décor and colour scheme desired. Read the rest of this entry »
Five Design Secrets to Increase Your Home’s Value
Mar 5th
Increasing the appeal and value of your home when you are preparing it for sale or just giving it a face-lift is not as difficult as some people think it is. Here are five design secrets that will revamp your home and significantly increase its value. Read the rest of this entry »
Top 4 Green Products for Your Kitchen
Dec 20th
With more and more homeowners looking to go “green”, it is no surprise that more companies are making green products for the kitchen. If you are looking to do a bit of remodeling in the kitchen, or just want a more planet-friendly kitchen in general, the following list of must-haves will help you get started in the right direction: Read the rest of this entry »
Kitchen Cabinets: The Essential Ingredient For Kitchen Style
May 7th
Take a moment to think about your kitchen’s design. Hold that picture in your mind. Now think about how you would like your kitchen to look after redecorating and remember that picture as well. What kinds of things came to mind? Probably quite a few, but for many people cabinets are the very first thing that comes to mind when considering a kitchen decorating project. Cabinets are a dominant feature of the kitchen. They are not to be taken lightly and really affect the way your kitchen is perceived. Replacing them can be expensive and a bit difficult, but the finished project will turn any kitchen into a brand new room. Here are a few simple things to think about for your next kitchen cabinet project.
Designing Your Dream Kitchen, Without Breaking the Bank
Apr 29th
Like it or not, your kitchen is a reflection of who you are. No other room works as hard as the kitchen. From preparing food, eating meals, and gathering with your family and friends, the kitchen is the one room in your house where form and functionality come together. You want your kitchen design to reflect your personality, to be comfortable, and welcoming. You also want your kitchen to be organized and easy to work in. Here are some tips on how to strike this important balance in your kitchen.
Set the Mood With Details
Your kitchen doesn’t have to be decked out with the most expensive furniture and appliances. In fact, it’s the little details that make a kitchen memorable and stylish. Add some new curtains for spring to shed a whole new light on your kitchen. Few things make as much of an impact as new curtains. Once you’ve added some new colours with the curtains, follow suit and accentuate the curtains with a new tablecloth, throw rugs, and linens that match. Hanging a few kitchen towels in the right spots can really make your kitchen design come together. Just a few small things can make an impression that you will be amazed with.
Get Organized for Efficiency
While you want a cozy kitchen, you need to keep efficiency in mind too. Find the areas of clutter that exist in your kitchen and empty them out. It’s easy to come up with organizational methods that keep your kitchen clutter free. Hit the yard sales and find some old flour bins. These bins make perfect holders for all of your large kitchen utensils. Instead of keeping everything in a drawer, bringing them out into the open in a nice bin brings a sense of charm and style to any kitchen. Don’t worry if you can’t find the right colours either. A little ceramic paint in the right shade can turn any piece into the right piece for your kitchen.
Keep your kitchen humming at peak efficiency without ruining the coziness of this all important room. Adding a few details like curtains and throw rugs can revitalize your kitchen. Adding some containers for organization and a shot of country comfort will put the toppings on your recipe for kitchen fashion.
Kitchen Counter-tops – Quartz or Granite?
Apr 29th
There is probably no surface area in your house that works harder than the kitchen counter-top. Think about all you do on your kitchen counter-tops, from preparing meals to stacking dishes to put away, the kitchen counter-top is definitely a work-horse. In addition to being a hard working surface, the kitchen counter-top is also one of the most noticeable things in your home. You could have a beautiful kitchen, but if the counter-tops are drab or beat up, everyone will notice. Doing a kitchen redesign that looks really good hinges upon attractive counter-tops. Two of the most popular types of counter-top materials are granite and quartz. Here’s a brief rundown on each.
Granite
Granite kitchen counter-tops last a long time. Granite is a very hard material that is very durable. Granite counter-tops are absolutely beautiful and make a kitchen really shine. The vast majority of kitchens feature laminate counter-tops. When a granite counter-top replaces these laminate ones, the results are simply stunning. Be aware though that granite counter-tops while attractive, do require resealing every few years. It is important to be aware of this if you decide to use granite as part of a kitchen remodel. Failing to reseal can ruin these lovely counter-tops.
Quartz
Quartz kitchen counter-tops are really gaining in popularity. There’s little wonder why. Quartz surfaces never get moldy and they resist mildew, which makes these counter-tops perfect for preparing food for your family. Quartz counter-tops are made of an element that is found in granite. These lovely surfaces come in a variety of colour combinations and can really make a kitchen stand out. Quartz is a hard, easy to clean surface and more people are seeing just how great these counter-tops look.
You can choose from a variety of materials for your kitchen surfaces, but quartz and granite counter-tops are guaranteed to bring brilliance to your kitchen that you’ve never dreamed was possible. Both surfaces are very resistant to mold, very easy to clean, and are super-attractive. If you’re looking for a big kitchen project that will result in a completely different look, think about adding these new surface types to your kitchen.
Spruce Up Your Kitchen Counter-tops with Ceramic Tiles
Apr 23rd
Spruce Up Your Kitchen Counter-tops with Ceramic Tiles
Your kitchen is the one room where you need and want to have the best combination of form and function. People spend a lot of time in their kitchens, from preparing and cooking meals to cleaning up, the kitchen is one of the most overworked rooms of the house. Your kitchen counter-tops probably receive more of a workout than any other surface in your house. Ceramic tiles can be a wonderful change to your kitchen that will improve the look and usability of your kitchen.
There are plenty of styles available for your ceramic tile selection. These days the sky is the limit as far as choosing tiles go. Naturally some are going to fall into a pricier realm than others. So, shop around for the best deals on tiles that will go well with your kitchen’s design and theme.
Ceramic tiles are attractive, tough, and very affordable. These three factors make ceramic tile counter tops a great choice. Installation is easy and upkeep is simple. There are quite a few sizes available in ceramic tiles. Everyone will have their own preference, but many tend to pick larger sized tiles to avoid having too many grout lines on their counter tops. The drawback is that these larger tiles can often seem clunky in smaller kitchens. Buy a few samples to take home and see which tiles will add the most life to your kitchen.
Other than size, you will also have to pick a nice texture and colour that goes with your kitchen’s theme. Find the right mixture of colours to keep your kitchen brilliantly subdued in style, as you don’t want it to be too lively, or to somber, If you’re feeling really adventurous, try adding some patterns or designs. This might take some extra time, but the results can be quite dramatic.
Ceramic tile counter tops are functional, attractive and easy to clean. Getting them installed is easier than you think, and by the time you are done, you will have taken huge strides in breathing new life into your kitchen.
The 3 P’s of an Inviting Kitchen
Apr 13th
If you think of your house as a wheel, the kitchen is the hub, or center. The life of home design begins, and finds its inspiration with the kitchen. For too many homes, the kitchen is all about business. These kitchens are made for cooking and cleaning, that’s all. Try adding some personality, playfulness, and pizazz to your kitchen’s design. Follow along on the three P’s for an inviting kitchen
Personality
Don’t make your kitchen all about productivity, there’s another P you should add to the mix – Personality! Your kitchen design should be a reflection of who you are. You don’t have to keep family photos relegated to the living room or family room, add some family photos to the kitchen as well. You can pick up some nice, light-coloured picture frames that are very inexpensive to frame your kitchen photos. Then, add some customization to the frames with floral designs or hand painted highlights. Let your personality shine through in your kitchen.
Playfulness
All work and no play makes your kitchen a dull place. Have some fun with your kitchen decoration. Bring in some cute knickknacks to display on your spice rack. Then put up a simple shelf for knickknacks, but put some spices or old kitchen utensils on it as well. Mix things up and have a little fun in your kitchen.
Pizazz
Too many kitchens are stuck being forever painted white. Throw on a new coat of paint, but add some actual colour. If the thought of doing all your walls is too much, think about doing just one wall or a section of wall over cabinets for a nice contrasting colour. Complement your new paint with some fresh-cut floral arrangements as a centerpiece and you will have a kitchen teeming with new life.
Add these three P’s to your kitchen’s design. Make the hub of your home a reflection of your style that is fun and exciting to spend time in. Don’t let your kitchen get stuck in the past; take some chances and liven things up. It may be a shock to your family’s senses to come down for breakfast to a fun, colourful, expressive room, but they will soon come to love it.
