CONSUMER'S VOICE BLOG
Why a Kitchen Designer’s Product Knowledge Matters.
The phrase “knowledge is power,” was coined by Sir Francis Bacon in 1597. While that was over 400 years ago, the phrase still rings true today and is prevalent in the remodel industry. Yet, we still come across them: salespeople that go blank thinking of ways to...
A First-Hand Look Into a Kitchen Designer’s Own Kitchen Remodel – Part 3 of 3
Earlier this year, my husband and I decided to take on our own kitchen remodeling project. Since then, sanity has returned to our kitchen and we have been able to enjoy the fruits of our labor! Part 1 and Part 2 of this series discuss tradeoffs and setbacks… both of...
Make Your Tiny Kitchen Space Appear a Larger Place
Not every home comes complete with a large kitchen, so if you have one, consider yourself lucky. For the rest of you tiny kitchen dwellers, there are ways to make the most of your space during your kitchen remodel. Maximum Counterspace Make sure you install your...
Don’t Take Granite for Granted
If you’re looking to redo your kitchen, I’d be willing to bet you’ve heard of granite. If you haven’t, you may be living under a rock (instead of using it for your kitchen countertop). The use of granite dates back as far as the creation of the ancient egyptian...
Kitchen Makeover Ideas for Homes on the Market
"The kitchen just needs too much work.” – Words you don’t want to hear from potential buyers of your home. We all know that the kitchen is a HUGE selling point for home real estate. Especially in this economy, it is important to make sure yours looks as hassle-free...
Butcher Block and Bamboo, too
We’ve previously mentioned concrete and stainless steel as unique options for your countertop remodel, but if you’d like a “warmer” look to your kitchen, you might opt for one of the following two options: Butcher Block For a natural – or perhaps even laid back look,...
Not So Typical Countertops
At this day in age, there are few limitations in the way of style. That goes for fashion, as well as your kitchen countertops. With so many options within reach, we are free to go in any direction our budget allows. Take a look at these two not-so-typical...
Plan Ahead to Minimize your Kitchen Remodel Stress
As the saying goes, "the kitchen is the heart of the home." When that heart must undergo an emergency transplant, it is only natural to feel stressed. However, simple planning ahead can help minimize tension. Here are some ways to avoid unnecessary anxiety during...
Are Your (Floor) Plans Concrete?
From floors to countertops, concrete is finding it’s way indoors, and no longer staying hidden beneath other materials. Rightfully so, as it comes packed with many benefits. Are you considering concrete for your kitchen remodel? If so, here are some things to think...
Are You REALLY Ready to Remodel?
Ready? Set? …Wait, don’t go yet! Are you sure you’re ready for your upcoming kitchen remodel? Kitchen remodels require a lot more than hammers and nails, so make sure you have prepared for everything before actually going through with your project. We’ve laid out...
Make Mine a Double…Basin Sink
If you're not sold on the single basin sinkfor your kitchen remodel project, you may opt for a double. In case you haven't made up your mind or need additional convincing, we've listed out some of the many benefits of having more than one basin. Double Basin A double...
Single (Basin) and Loving it
If you are planning to install a new sink during your upcoming kitchen remodel, you may have already noticed, it isn’t as simple of a decision as one might initially think. Aside from deciding whether to get a drop-in, under mount or apron sink, you must also decide...
Include the Kitchen Sink
Kitchens are so customizable these days that you can update literally everything – including the kitchen sink. The kitchen sink is not usually the first thing people seem to want to update, but the right sink can make all the difference in the world. In case you are...
Designer At Your Fingertips – Part 2 of 2 Interview
In case you missed Designer at Your Fingertips - Part 1, we have asked designer and author, Kelly Morisseau, to share some of her expert information regarding kitchen design. Here are some additional things to think about before beginning your upcoming kitchen...
Designer At Your Fingertips – Part 1 of 2 Interview
It’s finally here - time to create the kitchen of your dreams. Many homeowners long anticipate the day when they get to turn their kitchen into the official favorite room of the house. However, there are some things to think about before embarking on this journey. ...
Don’t Forget to Thank These Kitchen Stars
Doesn't it always seem to ring true that you don't know what you have until its gone? For years I have been spoiled with certain simple luxuries in the kitchen, but got to thinking – these little extras don’t always come standard. What would I ever do without them? ...
Things to Remember When Preparing for a Kitchen Remodel
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” were brilliant words spoken by Benjamin Franklin. Undoubtedly, he was referring to a kitchen remodel. All joking aside, kitchen remodels are smart investments, but only if you plan things through and seek...
Reclaimed Wood Floors – Beautiful and Guilt-Free?
As the saying goes, “nature never goes out of style.” Undoubtedly, this is why hardwoods, granite, bamboo and cork often find their ways into the home. Nature in the home is beautiful, but even more so when it is attained in an eco-friendly way. Now, more than ever...
Pros and Cons of Bamboo Flooring
Are you trying to be eco-friendly with your new kitchen floor? You’ve probably heard of bamboo floors by now, but have you done your research? Bamboo floors are eco-friendly in theory (just ask the pandas), but make sure you know all about yours before making the...
Where to Find Money For Your Kitchen Remodel
Kitchen remodels tend to get a little bit pricey. Does no time seem like a good time for your remodel? Perhaps you keep putting it off because you're always strapped for cash. It is the same with children – waiting for the perfect moment will lower your chances of...
When Remodeling Is Not an Option
For those of you who have chosen an entire kitchen remodel – this is the best decision that will prove as a great investment five years from now. If you can financially do this, there is no better time. However, for those who are cash strapped and remodeling is not...
Ventilation Hoods For Your Remodel
There is nothing quite like the mouthwatering aroma of garlic and onions cooking. But, when the last plate has been cleared and the leftovers retire to the fridge, wouldn’t you prefer the crisp scent of a clean house? Sure, you can open a window, but who wants to do...
Is a Kitchen Island a Beneficial Option for Your Remodel?
Where is your closest island destination? If you didn’t answer “in my kitchen,” then maybe you should think about incorporating a kitchen island into your upcoming remodel. Benefits There are obvious benefits to having an island in your kitchen, but first you need to...
Creating a Kitchen Vision Board
"One look is worth a thousand words.” The phrase was published by Fred R. Barnard in a 1921 advertising trade journal Printer’s Ink. Incredibly, ninety years later, it is still used in its slightly altered modern form, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The...
The Naughty List of Germs – Kitchen Contenders
A 2011 study done by the National Science Foundation International (NSF) spotlighted 10 of the most germ-laden places in homes. After studying 22 families who each swabbed 30 specific items in their home, they discovered that 6 of the 10 most contaminated spots...
New Consumer Kitchen Remodeling Options
As you prepare to transform your kitchen from the old to the new, there are some current trends worthy of consideration. This year, it seems that all the new gadgets and kitchen remodeling features are smaller, faster, sleeker and greener replacements to previous...
Factors That Influence the Average Cost of a Kitchen Remodel
The cost of your kitchen remodel is directly influenced by the choices you make and your decisions as a homeowner. Cabinets & Appliances The majority of your kitchen remodel budget will be spent on finished products (cabinets, appliances, etc.), so making wise...
Where on Earth are Your Kitchen Cabinets Coming From?
Remodeling can be an overwhelming project. Everyone has heard the horror stories from friends and neighbors about a home renovation project gone bad. Soaring budgets, never ending projects and unforeseen setbacks can turn any renovation into a nightmare. Kitchen...
A Kitchen Remodel Checklist is a Good Idea
A kitchen remodel is a huge undertaking, no doubt about it. However, careful planning will reap rewards. Remodeled kitchens not only help pay for themselves by increasing home value, they’re also an investment in homeowner enjoyment. Follow this checklist and embark...
Where To Find Ideas For Your Kitchen Remodel
So you’ve decided that you’re not happy with your old kitchen? Excellent. Now for the fun part…deciding what your masterpiece will look like. If you’re looking for inspiration, it is around every corner. In fact, there are so many choices on the market that you...
Is Your Green Cabinet Manufacturer Actually Green?
If you are looking to renew your kitchen with environmentally friendly cabinets you’ll be excited to see all of your “green” options. Unfortunately, I hate to break it to you…it's simple for companies to call their products green without actually qualifying for an...
Hidden Meanings in Your Kitchen
There is a certain guilty pleasure that forms while sitting on the couch watching home and garden shows. Sadly, this may not be quite as large as the one that comes from watching the over-tanned under-punished cast of the Jersey Shore, but it is there. There’s just...
A First-Hand Look Into a Kitchen Designer’s Own Kitchen Remodel – Part 2 of 3
There are plenty of warnings on the Consumer’s Voice and other sites about scheduling a remodeling project right before a big event in your home or around the holidays. Trust me, that’s really good advice! There’s always going to be a delay of some sort. I have a...
Four Common Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
While homeowners may try to plan ahead, hire the right contractor and stay on budget with their kitchen remodel, many don't have enough remodeling experience to cover all their bases. This lack of know-how can be costly and may derail seemingly solid remodeling plans....
A First-Hand Look Into a Kitchen Designer’s Own Kitchen Remodel – Part 1 of 3
Three years ago, my husband and I bought a 13 year old home. With a Bachelors in Fine Arts and 8 years experience designing kitchens, I am blessed (and cursed) with the ability to see a kitchen for its potential. The blessing for my husband was that he knew before...
How to Pay for Your Dream Kitchen
Kitchen remodeling projects come in all sizes, ranging from “simple” countertop replacement to complex projects with structural work, revamped lighting and plumbing, and elaborate cabinetry. With the typical price for a complete remodel between 10 and 20% of a home’s...
How Long Will My Kitchen Remodel Take?
It seems like a simple enough question, and one you would expect your designer or salesperson to be able to answer quickly and with confidence, right. But often times the answer comes loaded with hesitation and doubt. You think to yourself, “I just want to know what...
The New Look of Today’s High-Tech Laminate Countertops
Throughout the housing boom of the early part of this century, natural stone countertops like granite became the fashionable choice for high-end kitchen projects. The cool, smooth, polished surface of granite gave designer kitchens a distinctive look which easily set...
Kitchen Design Issues – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Kitchen designs are part art and part science. But sometimes, they might not be a whole of either. In this article, we look at some common design issues in three ways - the upside, the downside and the ugly truth of the matter! Blind cabinets – These cabinets are...
Choosing a Countertop Edge Profile
Countertops hold a unique position in the kitchen remodeling realm. In some cases, they are the sole remodeling activity, representing a relatively easy and inexpensive way to give a fresh look to an otherwise functional kitchen. Of course, they are often part of a...
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