Stand-in Kitchen
Remodeling your kitchen is a daunting prospect. There are many choices to be made, including (foremost) the budget, designer and design, finishes, appliances, colors, contractor, start date, and the list goes on.
Another prospect may stall homeowners who are considering a kitchen remodel: How do you prepare your meals while the work is going on? How do you keep a semblance of normalcy in your daily food storage, cooking and serving activities?
Solutions to this quandary range from eating out all the time (expensive) to microwaving everything (limited and not appealing). There is an alternative that is both inexpensive and far more functional than those ways. Have your contractor set up a makeshift kitchen by moving the refrigerator, microwave, toaster, and range into the dining room. A used sink can be installed at an existing plumbing line. Cabinets can also be installed in available areas. Then you can settle in for an adventure while your old kitchen becomes fabulous.
Warrine Coffey and Bill Young in their dining room-as-a-makeshift kitchen set up by On The Beam Remodeling.
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Cork It Up
Consumers looking for eco-friendly flooring can turn to cork. Where does cork come from? There really is a cork oak tree that is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. It is a fast
grower with a thick bark that is the cork.
It can be peeled from the trunk without killing the tree, and is harvested every 10 to 12 years. The harvesting is done entirely without machinery. The trees live about 150 to 250 years.
There are pros and cons to this material. It is not as durable as porcelain tile or hardwood flooring. It resists moisture but can become stained and warped by liquids over time. It dents easily and must be sealed with wax or polyurethane. On the pro side, it is soft and yielding and therefore easy on the body. It wouldn't emit toxins if there were a kitchen fire. It offers a beautiful finish. It provides excellent sound insulation.
We recommend cork as a flooring material in rooms that are moisture-free and will not be subjected to hard usage. Stay away from cork flooring in kitchens or bathrooms, and relegate this material to a bedroom, den or studio.
 Cork Oak Tree
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