Kitchen Designers Increase in Upscale Projects

Form or function? Style or luxury? Stainless Steel or Sub Zero? Worry no more, as kitchen designers are on the rise in upscale homes across America. The Chicago Daily Herald has the details:

Homeowners remodeling their kitchens in upscale houses constructed 15 years ago might dismissively say, "Oh, it was just what the builder put in."

No more.

Builders of upscale homes - even townhouses and condominiums - work with kitchen and bath designers these days.

Stone countertops, stainless steel appliances with prestige names and fancy cabinets are now part of the kitchen landscape.

The change over decades is easy to explain, said Steve Kunzweiler, president of Cabinets Plus in Palatine.

"Thirty years ago, a kitchen was more the room the food came out of, and it's an entertainment center now," he said.

Full Story

Keep or Replace Decent Kitchen Cabinets?

Deciding the fate of kitchen cabinets is a classic debate as old as carpet versus tile? If you need some insights on whether to replace, refinish or reface cabinets, here is a great article from the Arizona Daily Star.

"Cabinets: Should they stay or should they go?" is one of the first questions homeowners ask themselves when remodeling the kitchen. Recycling the old cabinets is smart from an environmental standpoint. It's also a good way to save thousands of dollars.

The July issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine shows one way that existing cabinets can be modified to update their look.

Full Article

Want to be on My House is Worth What? San Francisco

Pie Town Television Productions: My House is Worth What? - Show Info
³MY HOUSE IS WORTH WHAT?²
Is Coming to San Francisco!!

My House Is Worth What? is a top-rated series on HGTV that began airing in
August 2006.

Finally, viewers will get the information they¹ve always wanted:

How much is my house worth?

With the current ebb and flow of the real estate market, many homeowners
want to find out the value of their home. Is it beneficial to sell or
renovate? Did that past remodeling project really increase the home¹s
worth? My House Is Worth What assesses home values all over the U.S. and
educate homeowners about their home¹s potential worth. Along the way you¹ll get a whirlwind tour of cities and towns across America and find out about the different housing markets.

In each city real estate experts will provide homeowners with their
expertise and evaluate each home¹s worth by looking at the local market and community. Homeowners will invite viewers and a local real estate expert into their homes and show us around, explaining why they bought the house and their plans for it. Best of all, we¹ll learn what the house is worth and the considerations that affect its value.

We are currently looking for homeowners who are interested in finding out
the value of their home and sharing their story with viewers. We¹re looking for homeowners who¹ve lived in their houses at least 1 year, and who have made some renovations to the home since moving in. Homeowners chosen to appear on the show would receive a free evaluation of the current market value of their home by a local real estate expert. Homeowners would be needed for one day of taping between the week of August 13, 2007.

For more information, please contact Claire Feeney at
claire_feeney@pietown.tv or apply online at:

http://www.pietown.tv/shows/myHouseIsWorthWhat.html

What is a Certified Kitchen Designer?

Certified Kitchen Designer

A certified kitchen designer is referred to as an individual who has achieved a significant popularity status for his / her kitchen designing prowess. Going back in history, the term “certified kitchen designer” became existent during the 1990s. And together with this existence was also the start of the booming number of kitchen designing programs in television and other types of media.

More often than not, a certified kitchen designer does not really make an immediate impact on the kitchen designing industry. Instead, they engage in activities that gradually propel them towards the high level of popularity. These activities include the numerous appearances in kitchen designing demonstrations and kitchen designing development.

However, the roles that a certified kitchen designer play is not limited to a kitchen designing demonstrations. Activities such as educating the public and other social responsibilities are often related with a certified kitchen designer. A great deal of emphasis lies on the efficiency and effectiveness of these roles. Therefore, understanding certified kitchen designers includes the analysis and management of their significant roles.

It is interesting to know the basic innate characteristics of certified kitchen designers which contribute towards the development of their effective image.

• Mental Stability

Mental stability is crucial especially in the pursuit of the correct decision as well as the management and development of the processes accompanying it. It is important for a certified kitchen designer to remain updated with the latest developments to be able to stay aware and knowledgeable in all issues.

• Performance and Credibility

The production of their best kitchen design outputs comes as a result of impressive research management and development activities. The strong performance of their kitchen designs and outputs in the market could also be linked to the effective strategic planning and resource mobilization of the certified kitchen designer. Thus, a certified kitchen designer’s credibility increases as his / her performance becomes better.

• Planning and Strategy Formation Capabilities

Planning and strategy formation nowadays has created the need for certified kitchen designers to become aggressive especially in the area of marketing themselves. This is because the access to strong distribution channels is critical for their continued popularity.

• Kitchen Designing abilities.

Upon arriving at the correct kitchen design, the certified kitchen designer now gains confidence in his / her ability to make critical decisions or choices especially when his / her integrity is on the line. Thus, this certified kitchen designer will now search for even more challenges and opportunities where he / she could further enhance his / her kitchen designing abilities.

• Holistic Mindset of Issues

Through the exposure to various puzzling issues, the certified kitchen designer along the process is able to develop a holistic mindset regarding the issues surrounding him / her. The certified kitchen designer now becomes a keen observer of the truths and lies surrounding the issue being tackled, instead of relying on mere hearsays. The continuous pursuit of the truth behind the puzzling issues enables the certified kitchen designer to consistently practice and enhance a healthy and holistic mindset which makes it difficult for detractors to give influence. Because of this holistic approach, the certified kitchen designer is able to effectively select the right choice and continue to maximize this potential for future use.

Lets hear it for the backsplash

While back splashes are a small detail they go great lengths to make a big difference between a good kitchen and a great kitchen. I personally prefer a back splash that extends from the base to the bottom of the counter, but thats just my opinion. The Los Angeles Times gives a great insight to making the perfect splash in your kitchen::

THE backsplash is a small area that can make a big difference in your kitchen's personality. Although cabinets are often the first concern — and where most of the money goes — the backsplash is "a wonderful opportunity to do something fun, colorful and unusual," says designer James Swan of Beverly Hills-based James Swan & Co. With so many options, the process can be confusing. How to decide between glass or ceramic tile? Solid color or pattern? Here, Swan explains how to make choices that will work for your home:

Planning: Before revamping a kitchen, Swan advises asking yourself three questions: How do I need the space to work for me? What do I want it to look like — and is it appropriate in the context of this home? How am I going to allocate my resources to achieve the result? "Lay it out. Plan your space wisely," Swan says, before quickly adding, "Then move on to the fun."

Research: You must educate yourself, Swan says. Look through design publications. Take material samples home from the store. Full Article

Glossary of Kitchen Remodeling Terms

The following information was sourced from SuperKitchens.

ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act. Federal law governing issues of accessibility in public facilities. Used as guidelines for multi-housing and home modifications for disabled persons or homes for "aging in place".

ANSI - American National Standards Institute. A federal agency which sets standards for quality, function and durability of materials used in manufacturing, building, etc.

Appliance Garage - A common name for a roll-up or single door unit placed under a wall cabinet. Roll-up doors are sometimes called 'tambours".

Appliqué (onlay) - An intricately carved decorative element installed on the surface of a cabinet.

Batten - A strip of thin, narrow lumber used to cover or reinforce the joint between two pieces of lumber.

Bead - (Beaded) A small double groove routed out around the perimeter of a cabinet frame or door giving the appearance of an added rounded, narrow molding. (Beaded panel - a panel with a vertical double groove routed at intervals across it's width). (Beaded inset - a style in which the cabinet door closes within the frame which has a double groove routed around its perimeter.)

Bevel - The slant of a surface, as on a beveled edge door.

Butt Joint - Joint formed by butting the ends of two pieces of wood together. Usually attached by glue or staples or both.

Capital - An architectural term for the crown or top element of a column.

Classic Crown (molding) - A wide, intricately carved piece of molding usually used on top of wall cabinets or furniture.

Concealed Hinge - A hinge that is attached to the door and the inside end panel of a cabinet, making it not visible from the exterior of the cabinet.

Continuous Pull - The door handle is an integral part of the door style and runs the full width of the door. The handle is not a separate piece of decorative hardware.

Conversion Varnish - An element of a finishing process, used as intermediate and/or top coats. This sprayed-on chemical material is bonded to the wood when heated in special ovens.

Cup Hinge - Used to hinge full-overlay doors, the hinge is set into a round recessed area routed into the back of the door. The hinge is also attached to the door frame.

Dado - A groove recessed into a board into which another board edge is inset to form a joint, usually with glue to secure it. Used to join cabinet backs to cabinet floors or sides (end panels) to face frame.

Dentil (molding) - A pattern of tooth-like cuts often used on trim moldings.

Diagonal Cabinet - A cabinet used to span across a corner. Other terms for this type of cabinet are WALL ANGLE or LAZY SUSAN ANGLE or CORNER WALL cabinet.

Dovetail - A method of fastening boards together by fitting pieces shaped like a wedge into like opposing cavities. Used most often in drawer assembly.

Dowel - A wood peg inserted into a corresponding glue filled hole.

Engineered Wood - Wood fibers and/or particles that have been bonded with synthetic resins under heat and pressure are formed into panels or boards. Engineered wood is more dimensionally stable and easier to machine than solid wood or plywood, making it the choice of many cabinet manufacturers for cabinet boxes (carcase) and laminate clad door styles. "Grain-free" surfaces yield smoother surface bonding of laminates.

Exposed Hinge - A hinge attached to the door and the front frame of the cabinet, making it visible from the exterior.

Flute - A groove routed into a wood part. Flutes may have a functional purpose, as with fluted dowels, into which glue is disbursed, or a decorative purpose as in fluted fillers.

Fretwork - Ornamental carving or fancywork.

Frieze - Decorative running design or cutout (fretwork) running along the top of a cabinet.

Full-overlay - Door style which leaves very little reveal of the frame or front edge around the perimeter. (In framed cabinet construction, the face frame is concealed.)

Galley Rail - (also spindle rail or gallery rail) A decorative element often used to create a front retainer on a plate rail.

Heartwood - Heartwood is wood that may contain deposits of minerals that may result in streaks of much darker colors than the sapwood portions of the tree area closest to the bark.

I-Beam - A horizontal support member joining a cabinet front frame, end panel and cabinet back of a base cabinet.

Kerf - A saw cut on the surface of a board to relieve stress. Used to create a curve in wood, as with toe kick cover around a base cabinet.

Kiln-dry - The removal of moisture from lumber using a heat chamber (kiln).

Knife Hinge - One of many hinge types for cabinets, the knife hinge is inserted into a slot routed into the side of a door. The hinge is attached to both the door frame and the door with screws which adjust to properly align the door on the frame. Some knife hinges are visible from the front of the cabinet; others are not.

Knot - A naturally occurring whorl in lumber created where a branch extended from a tree.

Laminate - (noun): A surface covering, usually affixed to a substrate with glue. May be any thin surface material. This word does not necessarily indicate "plastic" or "melamine" as is commonly believed. Paper or aluminum may also be a laminate. (Verb): To affix a surface covering to a substrate with glue.

MDF - An engineered wood offering an extremely tight, smooth surface. Exceptionally stable, MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) is favored for laminating with thermofoils.

Melamine - A low pressure laminate thermofused to a smooth substrate.

Millwork - Machined woodwork.

Mineral Streak - Discoloration in lumber caused by chemical oxidation of minerals naturally occurring in the wood.

Miter - Two angles cut and joined forming a continuous profile. (Sometimes spelled mitre)

Mortise and Tenon - A joint between two pieces of wood in which a protrusion on one piece is inserted into a groove or channel in the other. Similar to "tongue and groove".

Mullion Door - Mullion doors have vertical and horizontal wood rails within the frame forming a grid pattern.

Muntin - The short bar extending from stile to stile. As in a tall cabinet door divided by a horizontal muntin.

Nominal - The "rounded" dimension number used in a cabinet order code. Actual dimension may differ by a fraction either greater or smaller.

Nose - Rounded edge on a wood member.

O-gee (ogee) - Edge trim or cut characterized by one 180 degree radius bead extending further out than another below it.

Onlay (appliqué) - An intricately carved wood decorative element installed on the surface of a cabinet.

Overlay - The degree or amount a door overlays the frame or front edge of a cabinet.

Pediment - Low-pitched triangular head or cap. "Broken pediment" is not solid and often contains additional trim in the open area, such as a spindle.

Pilaster - A column. May refer to vertical strips into which shelf supports are inserted.

Plywood - Thinly cut layers of wood veneer cross laminated with adhesive between layers.

Rabbet - Rectangular cut of two surfaces.

Racking (wracking) - The twisting out of square of a cabinet door caused by uneven installation.

Rail - The horizontal members of a cabinet's front frame or door.

Reveal - The area of the face frame not covered by the door.

Rout - To hollow out with a tool called a router.

Sapwood - Sapwood contains living cells and performs an active role in the life processes of the tree. The wood closest to the bark of the tree, usually lighter in color than heartwood.

Scribe (verb) - Careful fitting, in exact conformity, of an edge to the adjacent panel or wall.

SKU - Stock Keeping Unit. Each stock model, configuration, size or part is one SKU.

Stile - The vertical members of a cabinet's front frame or door.

Stretcher - A support brace between the two end panels of a frameless cabinet.

Substrate - A manufactured product used as a base for laminates or veneers. Thickness, density, weight and surface smoothness may vary depending on the strength required and the laminate to be applied.

Tenon - A projection at the end of a piece of wood. When inserted into a mortise (carved or dadoed area) forms a "mortise and tenon" joint. Usually joined with glue.

Tongue and Groove - A projection along the edge of a board inserted into a corresponding groove and fixed with glue and /or a metal pin. Other terms for this type of joint include, DADO and MORTISE AND TENON.

Thermofoil - Flexible, 100% vinyl with contact adhesive on its underside. Applied to smooth engineered wood using heat and pressure.

V-groove - "V" shape routed vertical line on a panel.

Veneer - A thinly sliced layer of wood applied to a substrate.

Wainscot - Lower portion of an interior wall that contrasts with the wall surface above it. A wall composed of two different surfaces, one above another. Classic wainscot is vertically beaded paneling on the lower portion of a wall, capped by a decorative molding or 'chair rail'.

Warp - To bend, twist or wrack a piece of lumber from a straight line. Caused by introduction of excessive heat or moisture.

Belwith Keeler Hardware

Topic: Belwith Keeler Hardware

Title: Why you should buy Belwith Keeler Hardware

Belwith Keeler manufactures and produces one of the world’s finest cabinet equipments and hardware that are being used to manage and improve households and establishments. In the advent of modernization, it is important for households and establishments, whether small-scale or large-scale, and individuals to keep themselves updated to the latest trends in cabinet equipments and hardware so as to keep their areas competitive and always looking presentable to the eyes of people. One obvious trend that Belwith Keeler uses in the manufacturing and production of cabinet hardware involves the use of various technologies in order to improve the flexibility and user-friendliness of cabinet hardware functions.

Data and information are critical in helping the management of Belwith Keeler in analyzing their present status in the manufacturing of cabinet hardware in order to cut costs, increase profits, spot market trends faster, and communicate more effectively with customers. However, in order to achieve these goals, the data and information need to be relevant, accurate, complete and timely. In the manufacturing of Belwith Keeler cabinet hardware, only world- class technologies and the application of the science of metal-shaping is applied. This process embraces techniques, processes, materials, machines, tools, information, the cabinet hardware themselves during the course of manufacturing and, ultimately, their subsequent use. The development of technology in the manufacturing process of Belwith Keeler cabinet hardware can be characterized by increasing productivity of labor and capital, new cabinet hardware to satisfy demand, better conditions in manufacturing, improved quality, usability, durability, and, recently, by increased protection of the environment, and conservation of resources to ensure sustainable growth

Since most cabinet hardware of Belwith Keeler nowadays are manufactured using world-class metal-shaping technologies, the customers can choose the proper design and style cabinet hardware for their own convenience. Whether the design and style of the Belwith Keeler cabinet hardware has to amaze the clients in a conference room or the Belwith Keeler cabinet hardware being set up in a distributed meeting, both can be done with ease. Either way, the customers can be assured of getting the same quality Belwith Keeler cabinet hardware and productivity while at the same time having a significantly greater flexibility in terms of cabinet hardware functions.

There are certain metal-shaping technologies that provide Belwith Keeler the incorporation of important cabinet hardware functions of all types through the integration these technologies. These technologies would include applications and implementations of die-cast and forged techniques, stamping, turning using a spinning rod and finishing textures, all of which are incorporated during the manufacturing process of Belwith Keeler cabinet hardware. The integration of all these metal-shaping technologies is made possible through the utilization of a variety of equipments such as molds and spinning rods. A quality control and monitoring system, on the other hand, makes sure that all Belwith Keeler cabinet hardware are able to pass strict quality manufacturing standards for the continued satisfaction of customers. Thus, the excellent image of Belwith Keeler as one of the world’s finest manufacturers of cabinet hardware is maintained and secured.

Kitchen Tip: Use Before Beauty; Of Course!

Have you ever walked through a new home or even a remodeled home that has a kitchen to die for? If you have you are not alone.

Every home builder knows that a drop-dead gorgeous kitchen will sell a house, and the kitchens in model homes always look fabulous. But fabulous-looking kitchens can be impossible to work in. To avoid such a distressing situation in your new house, spend some time in the kitchens that grab you and study them carefully.

Pay particular attention to the sink and appliance locations, the size of the food prep area, the cabinetry and the lighting, because these are the things that will make your kitchen a joy or a pain.

In most new houses, you'll likely find a modified a galley -- an L-shaped counter with an island -- or a U-shaped counter. In smaller town houses, an L-shaped counter with space for a table and chair is common. Whatever configuration you encounter, the organizing principle is the same -- you want the sink and stove to be separated by only a few steps. Full Article

Tile under or to the kitchen cabinets?

A very old remodeling question has been, to tile or not to tile under the kitchen cabinets? While answers and approaches usually vary, here is some common sense advice:

Going under the cabinets is ideal for two reasons. One, less complicated cutting so the end result is easier and a much cleaner look. Two, as you have alluded to, it puts everything on the same level so there are no issues with getting appliances out. Most folks who don't do this think it's because they're saving money. Do the math and you'll discover it just isn't enough to be concerned about, especially if you're doing the labor your self. You can measure out from the wall to determine the location of the toe kick, draw a line where all the cabinets will sit, and then use scraps in those areas that you can. It'll all be covered so it won't matter.

Cabinet Crown Molding: AsktheBuilder

Tim, the askthebuilder.com founder, put together a great video showing just how kitchen cabinet molding is put in place. So whether you are going to do it yourself, or just want to be informed about what your contractor is doing, please enjoy the following video.

Tip: After watching the video, you should have a perceived value of exactly the skill required to install cabinet molding and thus have a working idea of what value you would give to such a skill. In other words, $20 a linear foot is ridiculous, but who am I to say?

Holiday Cheer, Enjoy the 4th of July

For this independence day, I encourage you to take 5 minutes to consider the true cost of freedom. Whether you are a liberal or conservative, a supporter of the war or a strong critic, I would hope that in this day we take a look back and a look forward to all of the many good things that this country offers its citizens. Don't get me wrong we have a ways to go, but I can not think of another place I would rather be.

What Your Kitchen Cabinets Communicate to Others

Kitchen cabinetmaker Merillat surveyed new home buyers and analyzed the results using a statistical clustering program. Four distinct segments of kitchen users emerged:

Luxury Leaders
This group wants all the prestige features because social status is important to them and their kitchen is the star of their home. Appealing accoutrements include an adjoining office, morning room, and wine cellar. Luxury Leaders also like appliances that make entertaining convenient.

Domestic Dwellers
This group sees the kitchen as a family gathering place. They prefer mainstream décor that is low maintenance and able to withstand heavy use.

Busy Bees
Home owners in this segment spend a great deal of time in their kitchens multi-tasking, doing everything from paying bills to folding laundry and helping with homework. They appreciate products that improve efficiency and cut clutter.

Career Builders
These are well-educated people who spend more time working than they do at home. They see their home as an investment and they are more concerned about resale value than they are about usability. One feature they do appreciate is a large island, which can function as a landing zone at the end of the day.

Book Review: Remodel This!

With so many remodeling books on the market, finding a diamond amongst the many many many rough lumps of coal can be a kingly task. A new book called Remodel This! by Laura Meyer and Robyn Roth choose to buck the traditional tidbits of remodeling insights for a more focused guide for women seeking to "giterdun" by themselves. The Los Angeles Times recently reviewed the book:

DO we really need another book on how to get through a home remodel? I mean, people have been remodeling since they started hanging pelts over cave openings, right? And it's pretty much the same as it's always been: Figure out what you want, find someone to do it, pay a lot of money, rip your hair out when things go wrong, do the final walk-through and live happily ever after (or sue someone). So, what's changed that made us need a book called "Remodel This! A Woman's Guide to Planning and Surviving the Madness of a Home Renovation"? First of all, there are more aging houses that need work. And more women are remodeling than ever before, if only because there are more of us (simple population growth). And the remodeling industry is not straightening up the way it should have after so many decades of valiant effort by the National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry, the remodelers' segment of the National Assn. of Home Builders; Read Full Article

Glossary of Bathroom Remodeling Terms

Bathroom Remodeling Glossary

The following was sourced from the bathroom design guide.

Back to wall toilet - fits tight up to furniture unit or false or stud wall. A cistern concealed within the unit or boxed in the wall connects to the pan by a short flush-pipe which, like the cistern.

Basin - see sink.

Bathscreen - a screen that sits on one side of the bath and is used to deflect water thus enabling the bath to double as a shower enclosure.

Bidet - is an item, similar in appearance to a toilet, however it projects water that is used for personal cleaning.

Ceramic discs - a new tap mechanism which replaces the need for washers, and provides you with a drip free tap which is easier to operate (quarter turn is often all that is required to activate flow).

Chromotherapy - treatment by coloured lights – alternative therapy which uses colours and their energy frequencies.

Cistern - the area in which water is held for flushing of the toilet. Sometimes known as tank or closet.

Close coupled toilet - water sits directly on top of the toilet pan, which is fixed to the floor, and the cistern is fixed to the wall.

Combination boiler - a boiler that provides a constant flow of hot water without the need for a roof tank or hot water cylinders.

Electric showers - draw water from the cold mains domestic supply and heat it as it is used. They do not require a full tank of water.

High level toilet – has a cistern that is mounted high on the wall and connected to the pan by a long flush-pipe, the flush is powerful and operated by a pull-chain and handle.

Hydro massage – massage produced by streams of water.

Hydrotherapy – external use of water in the medical treatment of certain diseases.

Low level toilet – has a cistern, which is fixed above the toilet pan to the wall, and is connected by a short flush-pipe. The cistern is most likely operated by a lever on the front of the cistern, and due to the height of the cistern (and gravity) the flush will probably be more aggressive than that in a close coupled toilet.

Mixer shower - uses a simple shower valve to combine your hot and cold water supplies to produce the showering temperature and flow that you require.

Power shower - combines a mixing valve with a pump in one complete unit. The valve blends hot and cold gravity fed water to achieve the showering temperature that is required. The pump boosts the flow of water to give a powerful, invigorating shower.

Sanitaryware - ceramic or enameled bathroom plumbing fixtures such as toilet bowls, sinks etc.

Sauna - is a bath that uses dry heat to cause perspiration. Pouring water onto heated stones produces the steam.

Showerbath - a shaped bath that is built specifically for containing a shower at one end.

Shower enclosures – are the framework in which you take a shower i.e. a shower tray and door, or a shower tray and door with inline and/or side panels.

Shower Panel - consists of bodyjets and multiple showerheads which can be used over a bath or within a shower enclosure.

Shower pumps - provide the necessary boost to solve your problems of poor shower performance and can be used with any good quality mixer shower or shower panel.

Sink - an item used for containing water that is fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe.

System boilers - a boiler that heats water, which is stored in a hot water cylinder and provides heat to your central heating system.

Venturi Shower - provides optimum performance without the use of pumps or electrical connections. It uses mains cold water and pulls hot water from your cylinder through the suction effect of the venture nozzle.

Wall hung toilet - suspended or hanging toilet - is fixed tight up to the wall but does not reach to the floor. The cistern is concealed within the unit or wall connects to the pan by a short flush pipe.

Whirlpool bath - a bath with an electric pump that circulates water through pipes entering the bath via moveable jets. The water is forced into the bath providing a whirlpool of water that massages you whilst relaxing in the bath. Also provides therapeutic benefits.

Wetrooms - a fully tiled walk in shower room.

Related Articles