home-kitchen

Experts in remodeling.

We have the education, experience and team for your dream project.

Posts Tagged ‘Appliances’

Spring Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase

by admin, 2:16 PM on March 7th, 2012, Comments Off

We are featuring two beautiful homes in the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase this month!  Be sure to stop by these two locations and experience the results our creative design team delivered for the happy homeowners.

5132 W. 29th Street
St. Louis Park

Type of Project:
Multi-room, Room Addition, Deck/Patio/Porch, Lower Level, Bathroom, Kitchen, Exterior, Garage, Mud Room/Laundry

Scope:
Some well-needed space here! We took a mid 1950’s home and practically doubled the square footage while maintaining its architectural charm along with some much needed exterior tweaks. Come visit and see a beautifully open floor plan complete with large expansive kitchen and dining room design, along with a welcoming front room. This remodel also includes a mud room, powder bath, and two-car garage addition with finished square footage below. Some great solutions for any home of this era.

Get directions to this showcase home.

 

220 Oak Grove Place
St. Paul

Type of Project:
Multi-room, Room Addition, Main Level, Kitchen

Scope:
We designed and built an addition with a mud room/kitchen/hearth room. We used the existing space to create a large mud room with custom lockers. We then designed, built, finished and installed a custom kitchen to flow from the remaining space and into the new space. We completed the design with a humble sitting room with fireplace along with access to the deck. All millworks and moldings are from our own shops and are from the period the original home is from. Adding the flair of modern amenities, we challenge you to find the seams in this build!

Get directions to this showcase home.

 

Green Remodeling Tips

by admin, 3:26 PM on December 2nd, 2011, Comments Off

Going Green is easy and cost-effective.  By choosing products carefully and including energy-savings goals in remodeling plans, we can help you dramatically improve the energy efficiency in your project.

Install an under-the-counter water purifier

Under-counter water purifiers have about 10 times the filtering capacity of a faucet-mounted version. A model with a top-quality activated carbon filter will remove heavy metals, bacteria, and pesticides. Expect to pay $150 to $200 for an activated charcoal purifier with a replaceable cartridge, which is peanuts compared with the total remodel and easy to do while the project is under way.

Install energy-efficient lighting

Fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps use up to 75% less energy than comparable incandescent lamps. In fact, according to EnergyStar.gov, a single CFL bulb will save $30 to $40 during its expected lifespan of 10,000 hours. But make sure you keep task areas well lit: Consider efficient halogen and LED lighting sources anywhere you’re planning to chop veggies or measure ingredients.

Make recycling easy with built-in recycling bins

Most cabinet manufacturers offer options for lower cabinets that include pull-out recycling bins to keep contents organized and out of sight.

Install Low-Flow Showerheads and Toilets

Most older models waste large amounts of water. In fact, more than 30 percent of indoor residential water use is flushed down the porcelain throne.  A low-volume flush toilet uses only 1 gallon of water per flush instead of the 5 gallon flushes common in older toilets.

Also save water and money, and still have ample water pressure, with a low-flow showerhead, which can slash bathing-water consumption 50 to 70 percent. The devices are inexpensive and simple to install. Many styles and features are available, including flow-adjusting dials and a pause button.

Choose Windows and Doors Carefully

Up to 35% of your home’s heating or cooling can be lost through windows. This makes it essential that you increase the thermal performance of your windows. Placement of exterior windows and doors can be optimized to take advantage of natural light and heat and to open up airflow. Double-glazing will reduce heat loss in the cold of winter and louvered windows can catch a breeze in the heat of summer.

Ask our design team how we can help you save money and go green in your remodeling project.

The Dirt on Mudrooms

by admin, 4:16 PM on November 2nd, 2011, Comments Off

Very few people start a home remodeling project with a mudroom at the heart of the plan.  Expanded kitchen?  Absolutely!  Cozy family room?  You bet!  Mudroom?  Not as much!  But most homes could really use a mudroom.  They bring order to the most frequently used entry to the home.

The location of the mudroom will determine how it is finished. By the back door, where mostly family members trek in from the yard, take a simple, utilitarian approach.  If it’s off the kitchen, consider using components of the same cabinetry and counters. This will make both spaces seem larger. Inside the front door, it needs to be welcoming for company.

Regardless of the design style, there are a few key principles that should be considered in any mudroom design.

Size

A key decision in the mudroom design process is the size of the room.  Will you also be doing laundry here?  Will all the hockey gear be stored here?  Will you wash the dog here?  The more “work” being done in the space, the bigger the mudroom should be.

Flooring

Because it will get a lot of heavy traffic, the floor should be durable.  Ceramic or unfinished stone tile make a great selection.  Choosing a dark color for the floor will help keep the floor looking clean longer.

Seating

A comfortable, sturdy place to sit while pulling off shoes or inline skates is important. Benches and stools are more stable than chairs. A built-in bench or window seat, hinged at the top, can help reduce clutter.

Storage

Storage needs vary depending on the users as well.  Kids need quick and easy access.  Child-height coat hooks and open cubby-holes help kids stay organized.  Each family member needs a place of their own – Dad’s cell phone and Mom’s briefcase should be up and out of the way of little ones’ coats and backpacks.

Clothing can require a range of seasonal storage solutions as well. Bulky winter gear takes up lots more room than summer clothes, a factor to remember when estimating wall space. Without a place of their own, shoes tend to end up everywhere. Designate a waterproof area for them.

No matter what size addition you are planning, our design team can help create a practical entry into your home.  And our in-house millwork shop can create practical, attractive built-in storage for your mudroom.  Consider a mudroom in your addition.  It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

Inspired Kitchen Remodeling

by admin, 11:30 AM on July 28th, 2011, Comments Off

Professional Chefs Show The Way

Foodies and aspiring chefs want the most from their kitchens. As you imagine your kitchen re-design, consider how professional chefs organize their kitchens.

Layout

Production kitchens are designed for easy access to regularly used appliances, gadgets and food.  While your kitchen might not resemble the typical “galley” kitchen in a top restaurant, it’s important to lay out your kitchen so that you and your family can work efficiently and comfortably.

Countertops

Professional chefs use durable, low-maintenance surfaces.  They often use stainless steel.  That’s not the most practical surface for a home kitchen, though.  Instead, consider a manufactured stone countertop. Bakers should remember to arrange counter space for rolling out dough.

Organization

Top chefs want their tools nearby. Rollouts next to the range or large drawers below a cook top offer quick access to pots and pans, and for some a pot rack over a nearby island work surface is the solution.  Spatulas, whisks, and spoons can be stored in a dedicated drawer and knives can be organized in a cutlery tray.  Consider spice racks near your cook top for easy access.

Appliances

Professional-grade appliances are available on just about everyone’s budget.  Imagine cooking on a six-burner cooktop and storing food in an extra-large refrigerator!  If you entertain frequently, a wall oven (or two) can be more helpful than a range, which places the cooktop and oven in the same location. A wide variety of high-end appliances follow professional equipment designs but are optimized for the home.

Lighting

Professional kitchens are well-lit. Your kitchen should be, too.  Under-cabinet lights and task lighting make chopping and food prep easy and mistake-free. Multiple lights operated by multiple switches put extra light at your fingertips, no matter where you are in the kitchen.

Contact us today to schedule a meeting with our design team.  Let us help you create your ideal chef’s kitchen.