Remodeling Tutorial Site

Many do it yourselfers have utilized online tutorial sites like, AsktheBuilder or About.com but I found a site where users can submit their own tips for kitchen remodeling where users can rate the quality of articles submitted. The site is located at: http://www.tutorialhow2.com/index.php?id=view&cat=Kitchen%20Remodeling

While we do not endorse this site, free information can sometimes be worth more than gold.

Starting a New Kitchen Remodeling Project?

As I was browsing the web, I came across a blog owner that is going to detail their kitchen remodeling project from day one. If you think your kitchen is small, imagine only having "3 feet of counter top space, yikes! Armed with a 15,000 budget lets watch the progress here at the Legacy Real Estate Group in San Fransisco.

Dream Kitchen Concepts

Richmond American's Home Gallery of Tuscon Arizona dreamt up and created this dream kitchen, of maple cabinets with chocolate glaze, emerald-green quartz product on the counter and lass-inset doors for cabinets. Enjoy and consider some of the features for your next project.

Americans spend $15B annually on kitchen appliances

Its no wonder every kitchen is unique. Whether you are like me and paid $850 for your ice box or more than $8500 for your sub zero, every kitchen has its own story. The Chicago Tribune features a The American kitchen has been an aspirational space ever since electricity and post-World War I prosperity commingled in a nifty new appliance called the refrigerator.

"There are scads of ads from the 1920s showing people in tuxedos and evening gowns literally adoring their fridge," said Victoria Matranga, a historian of industrial design and the design programs coordinator at the International Housewares Association in Rosemont. Then, as now, Matranga said, owning the right appliance flagged your social status by showing off your understanding of technology and progress, not to mention your prowess as a breadwinner. The kitchen also has long been not just a place where we tell stories about who we are, but also a highly functionalook back and forward to the world kitchen design. Full Story

Urban Homes, Inc. Wins Remodeling Award: 2007 Best Project - Bath Remodel Under $40,000

While your bathroom may not win any awards, its always rewarding to have the home that you love to come home to. Take a peek at this winning bathroom design from Urban Homes in New York.
Continuing to set new standards of professionalism, 70 remodeling companies from the Northeast (11 States) Region of the US will be honored at the fourteenth annual Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence on June 20th at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. The awards will be presented during the Southern Building Show.

(PRWEB) June 23, 2007 -- Judged by editors and writers of Better Homes & Gardens, Woman's Day, Southern Living and The American Institute of Building Design, the winners were selected from over 271 entries from 50 states. The entries were judged on overall design, the creative use of space and materials, and the degree to which the project enhanced the original structure.

This year, Urban Homes, Inc. of New York, NY won the award for:
Best Project - Bath Remodel Under $40,000

The project required a complete master bathroom renovation. The existing space resembled that of a 1980's hotel bathroom, consisting of stained marble walls, low lighting, and one large mirror above the vanity. The process began with the selection of cabinets from the Luxor Collection. All existing tiles and plumbing fixtures were demolished and disposed of. The ceramic tile floor and walls were furnished and installed. Plumbing fixtures were furnished and installed. To complete the project, the cabinets, countertop, and light fixtures were furnished and installed.

"This is the second consecutive year in which they have won an award, which demonstrates their ongoing commitment to excellence," says Ken Kanline, Director of the Awards.

The Chrysalis Awards program, begun in 1994, recognizes the nation's best work in seventeen categories of residential remodeling.

Pictures of the 2007 award-winning projects can be seen on the internet at www.chrysalisawards.com beginning June 15. For more information about the Chrysalis Awards, contact Ken Kanline at 800-854-7736.

When Kitchen Contractors Go Bad

While attaining a dream kitchen would seem to be a matter of having the financial resources to do it, sadly money can not always buy you cherry wood. In fact, far too often the process of having a dream kitchen installed is a very challenging event. Dealing with contractors false promises and defaulted time lines is enough to turn even the most patient home owner into a frustrated person.

An opinion piece in the Orange County Register discusses one such mishap.

Dear Scott:

I am writing to you because I keep waiting for you to call, and I can't figure out why you won't call me back.

I keep going over it in my head, wondering what went wrong with our relationship. Did I ask for too many changes? Was I too picky? Or did you just get bored?

Of course, I had heard horror stories of construction projects going unfinished and contractors just disappearing, but Scott, I never dreamed it would happen to us.

I look back fondly on our first meeting. I got your number from my friend Natalie. My husband and I needed a kitchen remodel, and she said we would "just love you."

And we did love you, Scott. I could tell immediately that we shared a vision for our new kitchen. You seemed so enthused and eager to please. You didn't care that we wanted to convert from electric to gas. You weren't put off by our request to add a window. You said all the right things.

Remember shopping for granite? I can still picture you in the store (oddly, in slow motion) sharing your expertise and so wisely talking us out of the "cheap stuff." Full Story

A UK Restaurant Kitchen Design Challenge

Rarely do we get insights into how gourmet kitchens are laid out, but today we are in luck. Caterersearch.com discusses what the all inclusive food location will look like.

The site

A 60-seat Italian restaurant offering lunch and evening meal service seven days a week. The menu provides a wide choice of starters, pasta, fish and meat dishes together with six choices of dessert.

The kitchen operates on a daily delivery of all produce - except Sundays.

Problems

The original kitchen is 22sq m in total and is split into three very congested areas: cooking and preparation, dessert preparation, and dishwash and coldstore. The space available for each of these areas is limited, the main cooking area is too small for both cooking and preparation and the amount of available worktop is minimal.

The main cooking and preparation area is separated from the dessert preparation area by a non-load-bearing wall.

The existing ventilation system is not operating efficiently and does not comply with the current gas regulations, which now require the fitting of a gas solenoid valve so that, in the event of either the extract or supply air fans failing, the gas is automatically shut off. This is now a requirement, even when changing one item of existing gas equipment within a commercial kitchen. Full Story

Kitchens of the future, Bigger and Badder

Can you imagine the day when kitchens are 700 square foot familial meeting places with a small but quaint family room anchored next to it? What about the day spa that is your bathroom? It seems that Americans more and more are living their prime hours in the kitchens. Its only a matter of time before the kitchen and the home theatre merge! HAHA! Who knows. I have personally seen some kitchens twice the size of my college dorm. In a recent article in the Boston Globe, we are allowed a peek into the future of the home that has the kitchen as the crown jewel.

The American domicile is changing, like the American family, responding to a whole new constellation of accelerated social realities.

The home of the future will be more open, integrated, green and casual.

"The formal living room is an endangered species," says Lisa Casey Weiss, a Long Island-based consultant for the International Housewares Association.

Walls will come down, formality will vanish, and "you'll no longer have the separation between what is public and what is private," predicts Hansy Better, an architecture professor at Rhode Island School of Design, and principal of Studio Luz Architects in Boston. Look for more one-story homes, she says, "almost like a ranch-house typology. It's more versatile for the elderly and better for the young professional in terms of quickness and expediency. " Full Story.

Kitchen Remodeled with Stlyle and Function in Mind

A quick peek across the country and we can look in awe (not always a good thing) in just how small New York kitchens can be. Don't get me wrong making due with what you have is fine, but its just amazing what some people call kitchens across the country. Its probably the same feeling that people in Texas get when they get a glimpse of what we in Orange County refer to as a backyard.

“The kitchen was designed using a modern theme,” Husni explains. “Being a busy investment banker, the client was looking for an updated kitchen that followed the latest trends. Since the rest of the condo presented a modern and sophisticated appearance, the kitchen had to be remodeled to blend in with its surroundings.”
She continues: “The major challenge was to design a space that incorporated all of the client’s high expectations while eliminating all of the wasted space and dysfunctional organization. And, that had to be done while remaining within the presented budget.” Full Story

Filling the space between cabinets and ceiling

Designer David Breitenbeker of ABC4.com provides us a creative alternative to fake ivy and plastic greens when considering how to fill the space between the top of the kitchen cabinet and the ceiling.

David uses his intuitive sense of creativity for unique as well as tried-and-true home interior design ideas!

For that bare space between the top of your kitchen cabinets and your ceiling, think organic. David recommends taking down the dusty ivy and the rest of the forest and use artificial berries, asparagus, artichokes and other items that say "delicious kitchen!"

Video: Click Here

How to Love a Closed Kitchen

Can you imagine that there are people, moreover American citizens that relish in the fact that their kitchen is closed to the rest of their home? The nerve! In reality, not all people feel that the kitchen should be a focal point of the home and some even prefer to cook in solitude. A recent SF Chronicle special contains a letter from one such, closed kitchen fan. Here is an excerpt:

"So, let's tear down this wall between the kitchen and the breakfast room," said the contractor, pointing to the wall with the beautiful Chinese carved cabinet doors, "and then we can open up the living room to the kitchen, and you'll have one great big space instead of all these little dinky rooms."

His enthusiasm was not infectious.

"Thank you," we said. We didn't ask to see him again.

It was true: Our house, at least the kitchen end of it, was a warren of dinky rooms. The half bath (toilet and tiny corner sink) was so small that when you sat on the toilet, you couldn't open the door. That room opened off the little room that held the refrigerator. That one opened off the kitchen, where homemade standard-and-bracket shelves substituted for nonexistent cabinets. Something had to be done.

The breakfast room, though, was inviolable.

What my husband, Fred, and I finally decided on was as follows:

-- Get rid of the half bath (I'm sure we were the only people in the Bay Area ever to eliminate a bathroom), put a washer and dryer in that space, and consolidate it with the refrigerator room.

-- Full Story

Want to Increase Value: Bigger is Better

Many sellers and landlords often overlook the simple things, such as great lighting and simple design tips like paint colors that match their property. A recent FOX article discusses more ways of creating value and or beauty in your residence

Ever wonder how to make your home more attractive to potential buyers?

Besides the curb appeal and upgrade suggestions that most Realtors tell their clients, there's a lot to be said about making a room look larger.

If a room is well lighted, de-cluttered, and tastefully decorated, it will appear larger and be more appealing to a potential buyer than the same size room that is dimly lit, contains too many personal items such as pictures, books, etc., and has outdated decorations and furniture.

Remember, as a potential buyer tours a home that is for sale, they not only look at the overall appearance of each room but they mentally visualize their furniture and personal belongings fitting into each room. A properly prepared room can often make the difference between a sale or a rejection.

Here are some tips that will help make a room appear larger:

• Get rid of clutter and CLEAN the room from floor to ceiling. Full Story
  

Kitchen Cabinet Terms You Should Know

1. Kitchen Cabinet Doors

If a homeowner desires to change the mood or atmosphere of their kitchen, a quick way to accomplish this change is to replace the cabinet doors on all the kitchen cabinets. It is amazing the amount of difference it can make in a kitchen where nothing has been changed other than simply having new doors on the cabinets. If the cabinets are made from a dark, somber wood, giving the kitchen as a whole a dimmer and more oppressive feeling, a complete transformation can occur when the doors are replaced with a fresh, bright blonde wood. Suddenly the kitchen feels open, airy, and inviting. Conversely, if the cabinets are all pressed white fiberboard, making the whole room feel like a motel kitchen or a child’s dressing room, then a darker, rich grained oak or maple can transform the room into an altogether more elegant place.

2. Refacing vs. Repainting Cabinet Boxes

While pretty much everyone understands what it means to repaint old cabinet boxes, so the boxes will match better with new doors, not everyone is familiar with the idea of cabinet refacing. Kitchen cabinet refacing is simply taking strips of a self adhesive refacing material and applying it to the outside of the old cabinet boxes, again with the intention of matching the old cabinet boxes to the new cabinet doors. Do it yourself (DIY) kitchen refacing has many advantages over more traditional painting of the old cabinet boxes. For one thing, the process is less messy and almost always quicker than painting the cabinet boxes, as there is no need to wait for paint to dry in between coats and nothing to spill or accidentally drip on clothes or countertops. Also, because refacing supplies are generally made out of the same material as the new kitchen cabinet doors (assuming that they are ordered from the same place), there is no need to search for precisely the right color to match the new doors.

Another benefit of refacing instead of painting the old cabinet boxes is that, because refacing is so much less messy and there is no danger of getting paint onto the dishes, cabinets only have to be emptied, if the homeowner who is completing the projects feels that it would be easier to do so. This means that the remodeling project can be completed over the course of a couple of weekends, and the kitchen is still usable during the time when the project is unfinished. Projects which would have seemed impossible to do just by repainting the cabinet boxes, such as kitchens where the homeowners would like to go from an old, dark wood to a lighter oak or other blonde wood, become simple jobs of doing a little refacing. The old materials do not show through the new, refaced surfaces, so there is no need to apply coat after coat of paint trying to hide the old wood. For the customer who feels that painting in and of itself is something of an enjoyable process, or who wants to have a more custom feel to the kitchen, there are unfinished doors available which the customer can then paint to his or her exact specifications.

3. Replacing the Major Kitchen Appliances

If a kitchen really needs a whole new update, especially if the home is a couple of decades old and very little has changed in the years since it was built, a couple may decide to replace some or all the major kitchen appliances. This is becoming more and more common for two reasons. First, there have been great advances in energy efficiency over the past several years, and updating appliances to these more efficient models can save homeowners significant amounts of money on their energy bills, and second, in a fluctuating home buying market, modern appliances can be a concrete way to add value to a home. New appliances can include a dishwasher, a stove, a refrigerator, or even a toaster oven, convection oven, or microwave oven. All these appliances are available in a variety of finishes, so the homeowners doing the remodeling can decide upon a finish that perfectly matches their style, whether it is a simple white finish or an ultramodern stainless steel finish.

Of course, changing the look of all the major appliances in a kitchen can drastically change the overall appearance of the kitchen. Most people who are planning on changing their major appliances are also planning to do a more complete overhaul of their kitchen, so it is a good idea to select the new appliances first. That way, the new cabinets can be chosen specifically to match or to go along with the new appliances.

4. Small Changes can Make a Big Difference

Homeowners who would like to update their kitchen cabinets, but do not want to significantly change the color of the cabinets, or do not have time to attempt a kitchen cabinet refacing project should be pleased to know that there are ways to give their kitchen cabinets a fresh new look. Changing the door handles and drawer pulls is one small step that can make a surprisingly big difference in the overall look and feel of the kitchen. Additionally, the homeowner can choose to hang new doors on the existing cabinet boxes. Choosing new doors that are the same or a similar color as the current doors eliminates the need for repainting or refacing the existing cabinet boxes, and simply by changing the style of the doors, the kitchen can get a whole new feel. Cabinets can be given a streamlined and contemporary feel with straight edged Shaker type doors, or made to feel more elegant and luxurious with the simple addition of a routed cathedral arch in the door. Alternatively, cabinets which house fine china or other attractive household wares can be replaced with glass fronted cabinet doors, turning that section of the kitchen into a display area.

5. Finding Resources for DIY Remodeling and Refacing

Homeowners who do not necessarily have the time to complete a full kitchen remodeling or cabinet refacing job can nonetheless still make small changes which can improve the overall look and feel of their kitchen. In addition to traditional, stand alone home improvement stores, there are many excellent websites available to assist the DIY home remodeler. Some of these are sites designed specifically for the kitchen area, or for cabinet replacements or cabinet refacing, and these can be great resources for DIY information. Also, sites which are designed to sell a selection of cabinet doors, refacing supplies, drawer pulls, and other kitchen remodeling necessities can be the perfect place for homeowners thinking about remodeling, but unsure about the expense or time involved.

6. Easing in to the Remodeling Process

The best option for consumers who have not yet made up their minds about whether they should remodel their kitchen is to determine their dream kitchen. The customer should look through catalogs and websites to think about what they would do if they had an unlimited budget and ample amounts of time in which to complete the remodeling process. The “dream kitchen” can then be considered as a blueprint for the actual kitchen remodeling project. Once the homeowners begin research on what is actually entailed in a do it yourself kitchen refacing project, and what the real costs are, they are likely to be pleasantly surprised by its low cost and relative ease of completion.

Customers who are still unsure about whether they can afford the time or money to remodel their own kitchen can do a quick project to determine what a big difference a small change can make. The homeowners can do this by purchasing the door handles and drawer pulls which they would want on their dream cabinets. These items are generally very inexpensive and can almost always be installed throughout the entire kitchen in less than an hour. This simple change of kitchen cabinet hardware can make such a huge and positive difference in the appearance of the kitchen that in almost all cases, the homeowners decide to go through with the entire cabinet remodel. Once that first step has been completed, and the consumers have had a chance to browse through the website to see how well other peoples’ projects have turned out, and how simple and inexpensive DIY cabinet refacing can be, there is no stopping them.

7. Cabinet Refacing Does Not Have to be Expensive

There is a general misconception that remodeling a kitchen is always exorbitantly expensive, and that the cost of even simple steps like changing the kitchen cabinets can be prohibitive. This can certainly be true, especially if the homeowners hire a custom cabinet installer who will tell them that they must completely rip out their old cabinets and replace them in order to get a fresh new look in the kitchen. Meanwhile, all the dishes and small appliances that were previously in the cabinets are scattered throughout the house, and the kitchen becomes essentially off limits for a week or so. However, smart homeowners have learned that they really can do projects like these on their own. Do it yourself cabinet refacing is actually fairly simple, and only a fraction of the cost of having to replace old cabinets with new custom made ones. More and more, people are turning to DIY kitchen remodeling as a way to attain the perfect kitchen without breaking the bank.

8. Other Options for Inexpensive Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Another excellent and inexpensive option for do it yourself refacing is for homeowners to purchase unfinished cabinet doors and stain or paint them themselves. This is a great solution for homeowners who wish to save money on their remodeling project, or those who would like to achieve a custom look for their kitchen cabinet doors without paying custom prices. Unfinished doors can be painted in whatever color or style the homeowner chooses, whether it is to complement an existing kitchen style scheme or a remodeling project in the making. Another fun and creative idea is to purchase a couple of inexpensive unfinished doors and use them for cabinets in a child’s bathroom or bedroom. The child can then paint or draw on these cabinet doors, and when he or she is older, the original doors can be replaced, so the home maintains its attractive appearance. Alternatively, the unfinished doors could be painted with magnetic or chalkboard paint, so the child has these surfaces to draw on and play with again and again. This can be an excellent way to preserve high quality cabinet doors while children are still young and inclined to want to “decorate” every surface within reach.

9. Do it Yourself Kitchen Remodeling and Refacing

One of the most surprising things that homeowners discover when they first begin thinking and learning about remodeling a kitchen themselves is how deceptively easy it is. Companies which sell refacing supplies almost always have resources available for the person attempting a do it yourself cabinet refacing project, and indeed it is probably best to avoid purchasing refacing supplies from companies that don’t make this information available. There are step-by-step instructions, videos, and helpful hints located in many places on the Internet, and lots of troubleshooting resources for anyone who has difficulties during the kitchen cabinet refacing process. One of the nicest things about undertaking a DIY kitchen refacing job is that the cabinets themselves do not have to be removed, and the refacing can and should be done on one cabinet at a time, so the kitchen is still usable while the project remains unfinished. Overall, the process of DIY kitchen cabinet refacing and remodeling is a surprisingly easy one, and more homeowners are discovering every day how quick and inexpensive it is to give their kitchens a makeover.

Kitchen Remodel: Updates on a Budget

Came across a great post for people considering remodeling their homes on a budget. While we recently discussed the importance of trim and fixtures, the greatest kitchens are supported by great accents. The following includes insightful tips for adding accents to a recently completed kitchen upgrade.

Now that you’ve updated the kitchen’s fixtures and finishes, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so make it special! Use the remainder of your $3,000 budget to purchase kitchen accessories that will bring personality into the hub of your home.

• Serve up some art. Decorate your kitchen with dishes that play up your new color scheme. Purchase some plate hangers and create an interesting grouping on the wall. Or feature a unique decorative plate on a plate stand in the corner of your countertop or behind a glass-front cabinet.
• Bring in the outdoors. Brighten the kitchen with indoor plantings placed in brightly-colored pots; a sunny window is the perfect spot for an herb garden. Or arrange a bouquet of flowers cut from the garden or purchased in the floral department at the grocery store.
• Fill the fruit bowl. What could be better than decor you can eat? Use one variety of fruit for a stronger punch of color. Limes, lemons, oranges and green apples have natural deodorizing properties too.
• Fill the canisters. Other food items can be layered in clear canisters for an interesting and inexpensive display. Think coffee beans, dried beans and legumes, pasta, or candies.
• Dress the windows. Designer fabrics can be expensive, but window valances don’t require much yardage, and they’re simple to make. Buy a simple rod with matching rings to clip onto the fabric; then all you’ll need to do is hem the bottom and two sides and hang. If you don’t sew, use iron-on hem tape to finish the edges.
• Dress the table. Kitchen linens are another way to add some pattern and color to your space. Pick out some fashionable placements and napkins to perk up your table setting or kitchen island. Don’t forget to buy new dish rags, towels and potholders to go with the new color scheme.

Complete Steps

Subzero launches new website

While I have been a big fan of Subzero for sometime now, there website was never really web friendly. To my surprise, they have recently revamped their website and it looks good. Think about some of the lavish kitchens found in Orange County, for the high end its always been either Viking or SubZero. See the Press Release.

MADISON, Wis., June 11 -- Sub-Zero, Inc., and Wolf Appliance, Inc., leading manufacturers of premium refrigeration and cooking appliances, today announced a complete renovation to their Web sites, accessible at http://www.subzero.com/ and http://www.wolfappliance.com/. The new sites reflect fresh thinking about how people use the Web for product information and ideas and also acts as a virtual showroom igniting visitors' imagination about the possibilities for Sub-Zero and Wolf products.

Enhanced interactive tools and imagery for each of the brands are at the core of the sites' changes. Sub-Zero's commitment to food preservation is demonstrated throughout the sites with delicious images of cheeses, fruits and vegetable. The cooking confidence inspired by Wolf is underscored with customers' own real-life stories about the challenging dishes they successfully executed.

Newly featured interactive kitchen vignettes set these sites apart from any other. With just a few simple clicks, it is easy to visualize design flexibility by changing appliance finishes, cabinets, walls, countertops, trim and floors to reflect personal style and color palette. Additionally, the Appliance Selector is the ultimate shopping tool for viewing and selecting Sub-Zero and Wolf products. Customized for the visitors' dimensions and product interest, it allows visitors to start planning their dream kitchen.

Product pages allow consumers and designers to view appliances in different kitchen environments. The zoom feature brings visitors up close and personal to the pictures, while videos outline key product attributes. The Web sites also extends the relationship with Sub-Zero and Wolf beyond purchase. When owners register their appliances online, they automatically receive e-mail updates on food storage, use and care as well as ongoing tips, recipes, and quick-start videos loaded into their online accounts. This feature educates consumers inside and out about their Sub-Zero refrigerator, freezer or wine storage unit and Wolf cooking equipment.

"Today's affluent consumers are very savvy. They are taking education into their own hands, using the Internet to discover the latest design trends and kitchen appliances," said Christopher Parr, consumer marketing manager of Sub-Zero, Inc., and Wolf Appliance, Inc. "Our goal is to provide the best interactive experience, in which visitors can learn what makes our brands unique and interact with the appliances in ways that are relevant to their needs."

Kitchen designers, architects and builders also benefit from the new Web sites. They can view the online specification library, download CAD or request a trade kit that will supply them with the resources they need for easy planning and installation of Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. The Design Resource Center is another tool created for trade professionals to learn about new and upcoming products as well as view articles and information written specifically for them.

Year after year, Sub-Zero and Wolf's Web site traffic has continued to increase, which is in part attributed to aggressive online and off-line marketing and advertising campaigns. More than 8.5 million people visited the site in 2006, followed by a record-breaking month this March with 893,701 visits. The new Web site has twice as much content as before, including a unique emphasis on area farmers' markets and locally grown food.

From customized recipes to installation specifications, the new site is the ultimate shopping tool and resource guide where owners, designers, builders and consumers all come together. Aside from physically testing the appliances, no questions go unanswered.

For more information regarding Sub-Zero and Wolf, visit subzero.com or call 1-800-222-7820

About Sub-Zero and Wolf

Sub-Zero, Inc., is the leading manufacturer of luxury refrigeration and freezer, wine storage and undercounter units for residential use. Founded in 1945, Sub-Zero is a privately held, family-owned company in its third generation of ownership. Headquartered in Madison, Wis., Sub-Zero also operates a manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Ariz., and employs more than 1,300 employees. Wolf Appliance, Inc., is the premier maker of ranges, ovens, cooktops and grills in the U.S. It offers ventilation products, warming drawers and microwaves to complement its line. Since its inception more than 70 years ago, the company was the first to introduce the snap-action griddle and the Therm-O-Ray infrared griddle. Wolf was also among the first to introduce the convection oven into the market, and its red knobs are now famous. Since March 2000, the company has been an affiliate of Sub-Zero, Inc., and employs more then 450 people. It is based in a state-of-the-art production facility in Fitchburg, Wis.

A Classic California Kitchen Remodel

They just don't make homes like they used to. Is that better or worse? Depends on your perspective, but there is no doubt that old school durability is unparalleled. Their design and character are to beheld.

From the kitchen window, Judy and Dan Stoner watch equestrians traverse the canyon and horse trails daily behind their Old Town Yorba Linda home.

When it came time to remodel the kitchen, they looked to these open spaces for inspiration.

"I was thinking about how Yorba Linda was once ranchos," Judy Stoner says. "And I wanted to capture that early-California feel."

To achieve this, designer Jeanette Kyser combined an eclectic mix of rustic and natural elements that hint at a Spanish influence with new functional features that accommodate the couple's desire to entertain.

More from the OC Register

Home Clutter can be Fixed

If your car cant fit in the garage because of clutter, then rest assured you are not alone. However help is available.

In the spirit of clutter control, Cooking Light ran a contest to find readers whose pantries needed an organizational overhaul. From hundreds of entrants, we chose two -- Dawn McGreevey of Atlanta and Camille Fargo of Medford, Massachusetts -- to receive full pantry makeovers. Cooking Light Projects Editor Mary Simpson Creel headed a team that included professional organizer Jennye McCreary and recipe developer Cynthia DePersio. McCreary supplied the clutter-fighting know-how, while DePersio created dishes to fit the winners' cooking styles and make the most of pantry items. Read on to find ideas that will help you reclaim your own pantry. Full Story on CNN.com

Outdoor Kitchen the new Luxury

As children, making pies from mud or even Smores by the campfire could feel as though life could not get any better. However, for a few of us, with the right combination of space and resource the addition of an outdoor kitchen could transform ones house from French Vanilla to "Sorbanne de Vanille 1884."

In a new book recently reviewed by the L.A. Times, The New Outdoor Kitchen: Cooking Up a Kitchen for the Way You Live and Play' by Deborah Krasner we are exposed to what most of the worlds most creative chefs can only dream of, the outdoor kitchen.

Nothing beats an outdoor meal with friends and family, says Deborah Krasner, a kitchen designer and cookbook author who wrote her new book, "The New Outdoor Kitchen: Cooking Up a Kitchen for the Way You Live and Play" after building what she calls "the ultimate outdoor kitchen" for herself. Then there's the taste: "You can achieve flavors in outdoor kitchens that you simply can't get from cooking on traditional indoor equipment," she says. And for Southern Californians especially, there's the matter of added living space: "With the right design and equipment, you've added what is essentially another full room, one without walls, that you'll live in much of the year." The newest trend is to reproduce the same level of efficiency and attractiveness outdoors as you have inside the house, she says. New outdoor cabinets, for example, are impervious to weather, and as handsome as the indoor kind. Refrigerators are built to withstand the elements. Full Article

On Craigslist, references are very optional

What would you do if you were in need a contractor on the cheap? If you are like many Americans, I am sure you would turn to Craigslist, where many small budget contractors post their services for sale. While most go through without a hitch, what would you do if you came in contact with the Craigslist poster from hell?

Turning Your Kitchen into Green Effeciency

Good Folks, many of us live in Orange County, not the most liberal place in the world. HOWEVER, as Californians, we are always looking for ways to go green, and I would beat that many of our neighbors, with President Reagan pictures in their home, probably took a peek at Al Gore's, An Inconvenient Truth. Regardless of where you fall on the issue, there were some compelling arguments being presented. So what are some of the ways that we behind the Orange Curtain can get our kitchens a bit greener? The New York Daily News, offers a feature into a Long Island woman took the steps to turn her entire house, a lean green housing machine.

If you plan to remodel a bathroom, consider installing an energy-efficient tankless water heater, which can save the average homeowner $40 to $100 a year; a high-efficiency showerhead, which can trim the annual water bill by about $15, and a high-efficiency toilet, which can save more than $90 a year in water use. An Energy Star-rated bathroom exhaust fan will save homeowners an average $120 over the product's 10-year life, and a high-efficiency water faucet will save about $60 over the product's 20-year average life. Full Story

Remodeling Project with new Kitchen Cabinets

Oak, Cedar, Redwood even steel cabinets are all cabinet style considerations for new projects.

Just deciding that you want to remodel your kitchen is only the beginning of the process. There are many decisions to be made once you have decided upon a kitchen remodeling. The choices available, and the ways of going about it can be almost too much to decide between. The most logical place to start is your budget allowance for the project. Decide what is the most needed features of your new kitchen and once you figure out the costs of those, you can develop a budget.

Kitchen cabinets are usually the most important feature of a kitchen remodeling project. Today, kitchen cabinets are not viewed as merely storage places, but as a design feature of the home. They are a focal point of a kitchen and, as such, usually comprise the biggest part of the kitchen remodeling budget.

There is a wide range of prices when it comes to kitchen cabinets. The price will vary based on the materials the cabinets are made of, whether they are stock or custom designed, and the quality of construction. Choose the style you like based on your taste or the design style of the rest of your home, and then start looking at the various qualities available in that style. You can choose among many styles including traditional, country, contemporary or modern, and a variety of colors or wood tones.

Now that you have the style in mind, decide upon the layout of your new kitchen. You can keep it the same, or you can rearrange the cabinets and appliances to make a more efficient plan. Choose special features you feel you will need, such as pull out shelves, a wine rack or special storage features. Next, you can choose the hardware to complement the design of your cabinets.
The flooring choice should be based on the kind of traffic your kitchen will have as well as the style you want. High traffic areas need very durable materials or they will show the wear and tear quickly. Make sure you think about both price and quality. A less expensive flooring that has to be replaced frequently is not such a bargain. Hardwood floors, stone floors are durable but expensive; ceramic or vinyl tiling are affordable and durable alternatives. Hardwood requires a great deal of Mantegna, so make sure you have the time for it. Dark grout with either stone or ceramic tile will resist stains more easily.

When you choose your counter tops, make sure they blend in with the cabinets and the flooring. Counter tops vary greatly in price, depending upon material. Granite, slate and marble are expensive but very durable. Corian is a popular choice that is very long lasting. How much wear and tear the counter top will get may help you decide upon the material.

Most sinks are not expensive, unless you choose a very special designer type. The typical stainless steel or porcelain are inexpensive, durable and easy to care for. Enamel over cast iron is durable, but scratches easily. You have a wide choice in faucets of every style and price. Once again, match the style to the overall style of your kitchen and then look at the options available.

About Author:
Clinton Maxwell usually makes reports on subjects related to kitchen cabinets and home improvement. His writings on kitchen remodeling can be encountered on http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/remodeling.html and other websites.

Contractor + Relative + Inspector = Remodeling Coach

For the world of Do It Yourselfers, sometimes going down to the Home Depot for some free advice just wont cut it. Not to mention the frustration of having to hear, "thats not my department", when you need some electrical or plumbing advice. The SF Chronicle details a new hybrid service called "Remodel Coaching" that offer a la carte service assistance.

Paul Rude needs a little help. He works in a multibillion-dollar industry larger than retail clothing sales, legal services or even commercial construction. Relative strangers pay him to make sure their dreams are in line with reality. They trust him to take the reins on something that will affect the value of the largest investment they are likely to make in their lives. Full Article

Keystone Bath Products

An innovation was born in 1832, when entrepreneur Abram Finkel started making and selling bathroom shower doors of utmost quality and excellence in the town of Delaware Valley and Pennsylvania. Today, the Keystone not only offers customized and top-notch quality bathroom showers, it also offers a wider range of bathroom products that are guaranteed and unsurpassed in both value and grade. The business is a proven success story, having now been expanded into four facilities in Pennsylvania, Florida, and California. Keystone is now the world leader in bath products, and offers a wide range of equipments that caters to every customer’s preferences.

One of the most important things that Keystone offers are their lifetime warranties. Every Keystone bath product is of guaranteed quality not seen anywhere else, and Keystone backs their claims up by ensuring that every bathroom stall, cabinet, and sinks they manufacture are the most innovative and the most efficient of their kind.