“Best of Both Worlds”
Kitchen Remodeling
When it comes to kitchen remodeling, we enjoy giving our clients the best of both worlds: a predictable process and budget plus a lot of design creativity and experimenting with options.
For the "predictable" part, we start with a contract that defines exactly what we'll deliver at a firm price and on a fixed schedule. But there's nothing "fixed" about the creativity of the remodeling. In fact, our design/build approach opens up tremendous freedom – letting you explore and choose design elements that put your own personal touch on your new kitchen. And when it comes to all the new choices available today, this "personal shopping" is really fun!
  To give you just a taste, let's look at a few of the new trends we're seeing in kitchen remodeling here in our area:
Brighter and Bolder
Fewer clients are choosing traditional cherry kitchen cabinets and granite counters. Even when they do choose granite, they're opting for bolder colors and visible texture and grain. Quartz, polished concrete or even glass are gaining popularity because they give you greater flexibility to add curves, color and even embed decorative elements. For instance, We've seen marbles and glass mosaics added to concrete and then polished into smooth, utterly unique counters. One family even had their handprints pressed into the underside of concrete counters. They could open the cabinets, look up and literally see their family's personal touch. Glass is also a fabulous new countertop option. You can have it fashioned in all kinds of great colors with design elements just like you see in artistic vases.
Where's the Microwave?
Once placed front and center over the stove, microwaves are now getting tucked away in less prominent places in the kitchen. One option we love is a microwave drawer. Plus, making the microwave easier to reach is great for families with children or who want to incorporate "aging in place" accessibility as part of kitchen remodeling. What has replaced microwaves' front-and-center visibility? Gorgeous oven hoods! There are so many styles, materials and possibilities, that these hoods become the kitchen's main focal point. One of the touches we always love is lighting the edges of the hood. Very dramatic!
 Bringing Art to Light
All kitchens need great lighting, but not all light needs to come from the same type of fixtures. It's been a while since kitchen lighting evolved from a single harsh, fluorescent fixture in the center of the ceiling to more elegant – and flexible – recessed lights. Now, we're using those recessed cans and cove lighting and continuous under-counter lighting to put exactly the right quality of light exactly where it's needed. With all this lighting coming from "invisible" sources, adding a stand-out lighting fixture can add real "pop" to the design. An artistically designed pendant, for example, can add real interest over a kitchen island without compromising the quality of task lighting. With all the styles available, clients really enjoy shopping for their "statement" pendants or chandeliers.
And we are back to the fun! Here at Winn Design & Remodeling, we think enjoyment should be a huge part of your remodeling experience. That's why our design/build process works so well to give you the best of predictable planning and budgeting and the best of creativity and personal design. So if you're thinking about a kitchen remodel, let us use our "best of both worlds" approach to create spaces that are beautiful, and beautifully you.
Counting Down...Some Exciting News
We are counting down to the launch of our new company look! Within the next 30 days we will be launching our new logo, new e-newsletter and our new and improved company website. While our company has been growing and adding new services, it's been years since we have updated our logo and website. So watch for our new look coming soon!
Maintenance Tip: Use Your Apps to Save Energy
Energy costs are one of the biggest expenditures of most households. You can take the first step in reducing your energy consumption – and saving money – just by using your Smartphone. Apps are now available that track the energy you use, find the cheapest gas prices or most efficient light bulb, and even remotely adjust your thermostat or turn lights off.
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See you next month!
Mike Winn |
