Natural stone finishes add style and elegance to a Chicago kitchen remodel, but not all stones are created equal. And, for that matter, slabs made from the same stone aren't created equal either. Because stones are made in nature, rather than fabricated in a shop, there are no regulations or standards that govern things like thickness, pattern uniformity or the number of pores present.
Houzz.com has become the go-to resource for most people interested in building or remodeling their home. We've written about those Houzz wizards before in our blog about The What and Why of Houzz. So, odds are that if their surveys report that something is trending, our Kitchens & Baths Unlimited clients will want to know about it.
While we wouldn't say that the backsplash is frequently an afterthought (quite the contrary since it's often a major feature or highlight of a kitchen remodel), we will say that clients often wait a liiiiiiittle too long before choosing which type of backsplash they want. There are a few problems with this:
Early each year, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) hosts a mega-event, called the International Builders Show. Among other events and showcases taking place during the week is Design and Construction Week, which includes a "Concept Kitchen" designed and built by an applicant chosen by NAHB. This year's Concept Kitchen installation was created by Jonas Carnemark, CKD, CR, and owner of Bethesda, Md.-based companies Carnemark and Konst.
If you're like most homeowners, you have a refrigerator in your kitchen, a back-up fridge in the garage and you may also have a deep freeze for storing your garden's bounty or the frozen meat from a great deal at your local market. Wish there was a way to condense and make things a little more efficient? There is: The Frigidaire Convertible Fridge and Freezer.
English writer Gilbert K. Chesterson said, "There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds." The same can be said for your Chicago kitchen remodel in the clouds. However, once you bring those dreams down to the three-dimensions of planet earth, you have to play by the rules again. Here are some of the most important of those rules:
Follow the hyperlinks for Numbers 1 and 2 to read more on those subjects. Today, we're going to talk about Rule Number 3.
You want a Chicago kitchen remodel you'll love. Unfortunately, it's easier than you think to end up with a kitchen remodel you hate without a conscientious approach to the process. Many times, our clients come in with their priorities atwitter over countertop and cabinet selections. While these are certainly important decisions, they are actually a smaller piece of the process.
Not every kitchen or bathroom is in need of fully-custom cabinetry. In many cases, a client's needs for Chicago quality cabinets are easily met using semi-custom options. These cabinetry lines are made in bulk - similar to stock cabinetry - but they are completed using higher-quality materials and craftsmanship than their stock counterparts, and they also offer a wider range of finishes, accessories and embellishments.
If you feel semi-custom cabinets are the best route for you, you'll want to meet KitchenCraft, one of the highest-quality manufacturers of semi-custom cabinets on the market.
If we had a single piece of advice to give Chicago kitchen remodel clients, it's this: Be thoughtful about storage solutions to enhance your kitchen's design, function and flow. This covers a lot of ground because if you adhere to it, you'll be taking layout and cabinet selections into consideration as well.
Designing an upscale kitchen or bath remodel? Custom or semi-custom cabinets - that is the question. Fortunately, with Omega Cabinets, you won't have to decide until it comes down to the nitty-gritty.
For the past several weeks, we've been introducing the blogosphere to some of the top-quality manufacturers of Chicago custom cabinets, as well as a couple of semi-custom lines. Omega got their start as cabinet makers but also offer the Dynasty line, which also offers attractive cabinet options.
