MERRY CHRISTMAS! | |
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5 Low Cost Ways To Transform Your Kitchen Before The Holidays |
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 1. Add an Island
Adding an island or hutch into your kitchen can be one of the simplest ways to give a kitchen a new look. Many times we need additional storage space, counter space or serving area during the holidays. Why not create a space you could use year round. One rule to remember when determining the size of your island. You need a minimum of 3 feet on all sides of the island, otherwise it's too tight.
2. Replace Cabinet Knobs
Kitchen cabinet hardware may seem like a small detail in the larger scheme of a kitchen, but old hardware can date a kitchen more than old cabinets. By making a change in knobs and pulls, you'll make an inexpensive update with big results. No worries about how to cover the holes from the old hardware most manufactures have create designer back plates that will cover the old holes for pennies.
3. Paint Your Cabinets
If your kitchen cabinets are solid but dated and dark, a fresh coat of paint can go a long way toward transforming the space without draining your bank account. You can hire a pro to spray-paint them for a thousand dollars or more, but there's a less costly, and less messy, alternative to consider: Use a brush and paint the cabinets yourself. This is definitely going to be a time consuming project, but putting a little sweat equity into a project can be very rewarding. Remember to use oil based paint.
4. New Countertops
Countertops made of natural stone, especially granite, add more resale value to your home than any other material. Second, granite countertops will last you a lifetime, which means that after the cost of the initial installation they never ne ed to be replaced. If you're concerned about the costs there are several ways to lower the cost. Granite is priced based on the origin it was quarried & imported from, the color & the amount of that color that is available to be quarried. So buying granite that is quarried from Italy tends to be the most expensive option, while choosing granite quarried from China can be less expensive. As with any product, as its popularity rises and it becomes widely used, the price often lowers. Level A 1 ˝" thick granite should be priced from $48-$54 per square foot installed, as a starting price point for granite.
5. Add a Backsplash
Backsplashes used to be a standard 4 inches high and were used primarily behind the stove and sink for protection from moisture and grease. Now they are used anywhere there is a counter and have become an important design feature. A variety of materials can be used for backsplashes. Ceramic tiles offer a huge variety of design possibilities. They come in a vast array of colors, textures and finishes. They give the budget-conscious an opportunity to create a custom look and save the dough for holiday shopping. |
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New Arrivals!!! Furniture Sink Chests 50% OFF - Regularly $700 Now $350 |
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Sink Chests 50% Off - Regularly $700 Now $350
Furniture Piece, Granite Countertop & Porcelain Under Mount Sink for $350
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Come by our showroom and let us help you transform your bathroom
into a luxurious space, before the holidays! | |
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Closing the Book on Design Trends for 2009 |
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Kitchen design trends are a reflection of changes in how we use our homes. As our families have become more mobile, and as entertaining has become a regular occurrence, the kitchen has evolved into a multi-purpose space combining function and style. Floor plans have become more open, and kitchens have merged with family rooms and dining rooms, forcing those areas to accommodate each other. The latest kitchen design trends reflect our need for a more livable, comfortable and flexible environment.
Color
Kitchen color runs the gamut from bold reds and yellows, now a bold complement to contemporary décor, to clear blues, neutral grays and warm browns which work well with transitional and traditional décor. Textured finishes remain trendy especially metallic accents in contemporary kitchens and rustic finishes in traditional kitchens.
Cabinets
According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), wooden cabinetry in a furniture style is still the first choice for home owners. Upscale traditional looks use doors of maple and cherry hardwoods with onlays and moldings to create a luxury appearance. However, contemporary cabinetry is gaining in style acceptance with lighter woods, including environmentally-friendly bamboo, ash, beech and birch, as well as lighter finishes, cleaner lines and simple brushed steel hardware.
Countertops
The most fashionable countertops use natural stone including granite, marble and limestone. However, the trend in natural materials is toward quartz which offers a unique elegance and sophistication. Quartz has the strength and durability of granite and marble without the constant need for maintenance and care. In custom kitchens, stainless steel & copper countertops have become a popular pricey option.
Large Appliances
Kitchen appliances are becoming more sophisticated and high-tech as well as attractive. Appliances which have commercial features or a commercial look, especially in stainless steel, lead the market. Regarding stainless steel, "It's still a large part of the market," states Michael Wasson, Chief Technical Officer of Asko Appliance Inc.. Once restricted to higher-end appliances, stainless steel is now available as an option on lower-priced appliances as well.
Flooring
Eco-conscious consumers are opting for bamboo flooring in their kitchens. A more renewable resource than hardwood, bamboo allows the beauty of the outdoors to be brought inside. However consumers are increasingly selecting hardwood for the kitchen as improvements in construction have increased the number of available colors, cuts, finishes and styles. Saltillo tile, glass tile and concrete flooring are also becoming increasingly popular.
For more information on Kitchen Design Trends call Toulmin Cabinetry and talk to one of our designers about how they can translate your taste & budget into a kitchen you will cherish for years, (205) 366-0807.
Give us feedback on what trends and styles are interesting to you. See our discussion on facebook.com.
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Contact Us
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Toulmin Cabinetry
5227 Whigham Circle
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
P: 205.366.0807
F: 205.366.0551
info@toulmincabinetry.com
www.toulmincabinetry.com
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Copyright © 2009 Toulmin Cabinetry. All rights reserved.
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