home-kitchen

Experts in remodeling.

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

Posts Tagged ‘granite’

Keeping Your Floors Clean And Bright

by admin, 10:57 AM on May 10th, 2012, Comments Off

Your new floor is an important part of the investment you’ve made in your newly remodeled space.  Proper maintenance and care will help it give you a lifetime of comfort and beauty.  Here are a few tips for cleaning the most common floor coverings.

Hardwood Floors

Moisture is your floor’s greatest enemy. Wipe spills immediately. If you have wood flooring in your kitchen, put an area rug in front of the sink.  Dirt and dust can scratch your floor. Sweep, dust mop or vacuum regularly, but never vacuum with the beater bars operating. Use doormats at all exterior entrances to trap dirt and clean them regularly too.  Make sure the heels of shoes, especially high heels, are in good repair. Unprotected heel tips or nails can damage a floor.  Use felt glides on furniture and periodically check to see that they remain clean.

Carpet

Regular vacuuming is the most important cleaning activity for carpet, but deep cleaning is required to remove stubborn dirt and stains. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends that carpet be deep cleaned at least every 12 or 18 months. No matter what method you choose, follow the manufacturers’ directions on all cleaning products.

Your carpet’s fiber determines the appropriate cleaning method. Most carpet manufactured today is made with synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester or olefin, and may be cleaned with most cleaning methods.  Natural fibers may require specialized care.  Ask your carpet installer for advice on the best cleaning method for your floor.

Tile and Stone

For regular granite maintenance, use a solution of a mild non-abrasive cleaner or clear non-sudsing ammonia and water. Natural stones (travertine and limestone) can be cleaned using a neutral or slightly alkaline non-abrasive cleaner with a pH between seven and 10.  For routine maintenance of ceramic tile use a non oil-based all purpose cleaner Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of cleaning solution.  Dry with soft white cloth to prevent streaking.

Not Your Mother’s Countertop

by admin, 5:26 PM on February 24th, 2012, Comments Off

Technology has dramatically expanded the range of countertop options in the last few years.  Homeowners are experimenting with a wide variety of countertop materials in their kitchens.  Granite will always be popular, but concrete, glass and even paper are emerging as legitimate countertop choices.  Here are a few of the newer entrants.

Soapstone and slate

Soapstone and slate both come in far fewer colors than granite. Soapstone is usually dark greenish-black, although lighter green-gray slabs are also common. Slate is an extremely dense stone that comes in five subtle colors: green, red, gray, purple and black. Slightly less common are variegated purple and mottled purple slates, which have visible veins and shades of contrasting colors.

Solid surfaces

Solid-surfacing materials–such as Corian, Wilsonart’s Gibraltar and Avonite–are made of 100% acrylic, 100% polyester, or a combination of acrylic and poly.  The material comes in literally hundreds of colors and patterns, many of which resemble natural stone.  Quartz composite, also known as engineered stone, is composed of about 90% quartz and 10% acrylic or epoxy binder.  Engineered stone has a depth, clarity and radiance not found in other solid surfaces.

Concrete

Concrete counters, which closely resemble slabs of natural stone, are becoming increasingly popular.  A variety of colors can be achieved by adding pigments to the concrete during mixing.

Metal

Copper is increasingly finding a place in the kitchen. While it’s not yet mainstream, copper countertops do have appeal for those who enjoy having something unusual. Fingerprints, scratches, and browning are all a part of its natural patina.

Glass

Illuminating, colored, and with textured patterns and different foils underneath, this makes for one of the most striking countertop surfaces yet! Many glass countertops are 1 ½” thick, and some are made from recycled glass which is environmentally friendly.

Recycled paper

PaperStone and a few other companies have found a way to recycle regular paper and cardboard, combine it with industrial-strength resin and manufacture a durable, good-looking kitchen countertop. It comes in a handful of color options, but as the technology advances, the color selection will too.

Whatever your style, the new countertop materials can make an elegant statement as part of your new kitchen.  Contact our design team to see how we can help you incorporate new materials in your kitchen design.

Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase Starts Friday!

by admin, 2:46 PM on September 28th, 2011, Comments Off

We will be featuring two beautiful homes in the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase starting on Friday!  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.

 

Caring for Stone and Tile Countertops

by admin, 3:33 PM on September 8th, 2011, Comments Off

Stone and tile kitchen and bath countertops will last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. Different surfaces require different cleaning approaches.  Here are a few tips for both everyday and heavy-duty cleaning of your stone or tile countertops.

Note: Always check labels on the cleaning product you are thinking of using and test an inconspicuous area first to see what effects, if any, your cleaning process will have.  Both stone and tile can be damaged by poor choices in cleaning products.

Stone:

Immediately wipe up spills!  Some more porous stone products can stain if spills are not removed quickly.

Use pH balanced cleaners and soap for daily cleaning. Mild dishwashing liquid can work well on stone surfaces.  Avoid acidic cleaners that can etch or remove polished surfaces on marble, travertine and sandstone.

Wipe surfaces with a dry towel to remove streaks.

On honed (smooth but not polished) or slate (rough) finish stones, a good scrubbing is required more often.  The texture of the product holds dirt and food particles more securely to the surface.

Tile:

Immediately wipe up spills. Tile grout can stain quickly.

Prior to deep cleaning tile grout, wipe the tiles and grout with a rag to remove any surface debris or moisture.

Spray grout cleaner or all-purpose cleaner with bleach on the grout. Allow the cleaner to sit for several minutes. Then scrub the grout with a grout brush or very stiff scrub brush.

For stubborn stains, apply a solution of ¼-cup bleach and 1 quart warm water. Allow the solution to sit for 10 minutes, and then scrub with a grout brush.  Be sure to open your windows for ventilation.

After the grout has been successfully cleaned, use a spray bottle full of warm water to rinse off any lingering traces of your cleaning solution. Dry with a washcloth or paper towel. Be as thorough as possible – remaining moisture can lead to mold and/or mildew.

Regular care can keep your countertops looking great for years.  With the right cleaners, regular cleaning can be easy and gentle on your kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

Make A Big Statement With A Small Powder Room

by admin, 3:10 PM on July 14th, 2011, Comments Off

When a guest asks you, “May I use your bathroom?” your powder room should let you say, “Yes!”.

A powder room can be a great place to showcase your style.  Intense colors or unusual materials can make this small room a surprisingly fun space.  It’s a place to take some chances and express your personal style.  Some things to consider as you imagine your powder room include:

Layout

There are certain things that have to be included in the powder room.  The sink and toilet are the most obvious.  But the powder room also needs to have room for drain lines, ventilation and lighting.  We can help you make the most of the space you have available with a thoughtful space plan.

Materials

Small spaces are a great place to experiment with unique materials that might require more maintenance or investment.  You won’t break the bank with more expensive countertop material like granite, because they’ll be smaller than in a full-sized bathroom.

Color

The powder room doesn’t need to be bland.  A bold color and interesting lighting can make a powder room a real conversation piece.  Don’t be afraid to think boldly when you’re imagining your new powder room.