Maximize Your Kitchen for Less!

How many hours do you spend in the kitchen each day? If you’re like me, the answer is a lot! In many homes the kitchen is the hub, and everything from daily life to entertaining guests stems from this room. Did you know that a kitchen upgrade or remodel is one of the best places to put your home improvement dollars? Though there are plenty of men doing the cooking these days, women are usually the ones who fall in love with beautiful kitchens when searching for a new home.

Since not everyone can afford to completely demo their kitchen and rebuild from scratch, here’s some ideas of how you can freshen up your kitchen for less! When making your choices, think about beauty AND function.

Refresh the Cabinets ~ There are a few ways of doing this, and it all depends on what you’ve got to start with. If you have older cabinets with doors that aren’t very decorative, my favorite advice is to replace the doors and drawer fronts. This is easily done, and provides an instant upgrade. If you can’t match the existing finish on the cabinets (which is likely), then refinish or paint everything to match. Replace the hinges, door and drawer hardware, and you’re done!

I recently finished a renovation on this kitchen, and we kept the existing cabinets in tact. They were very dated (as you can see from the before photo), but in great shape, so repainting them and adding some new hardware gave them a fresh and updated look! We also added a raised bar, to maximize functionality. It cost $3,300 to have the cabinets professionally prepped and painted, and I estimate new cabinets would have been $18,000 and up. What a savings!

Replace the Countertops ~ No surprise here! Though granite has been the desired surface for many years, there’s a myriad of choices for countertops, and it’s an instant upgrade to your kitchen. And, don’t stop there! While you’re at it, replace the sink too. Most kitchen sinks are under-mount (meaning the edge of the sink is underneath the countertop), so now is the time to put in a fresh one.

Upgrade the Appliances ~ We don’t change our appliances like we change cell phones, but if you have appliances that are 20 years old, the money to replace them are dollars well spent, not to mention the new pleasure you’ll find in cooking! Gas cook tops and ranges are usually preferred over electric by avid cooks, and stainless steel has been the favorite finish for several years running. I love it because the color goes with everything, and find that it works well with any design style as well. Look at what a beautiful difference it made in this kitchen! The impact of other upgrades would have been much less, had we kept the old appliances.

Want to maximize YOUR kitchen for less? I’m just a phone call or email away! If I can give you assistance with your other design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Earthquake Preparedness ~ Two Simple Things You Can Do TODAY

Did you feel the earthquake this morning? Each time we have one, most people can’t help but wonder “Is this the big one?”, and if it is, how bad will it be? Though earthquakes are not the only disaster that can strike, there are several things we can do to prepare for the complete loss of resources we may encounter. There are the obvious, such as food and water supplies for you and your family, but also other ways to prepare which you may not have considered.

When disaster strikes, it’s likely you’ll be in one of two places; asleep during the night or away from home during the day. Implementing these two ideas can make a large difference in how well you’re able to survive the situation.

Under-the-Bed Bag ~ If it’s a major earthquake, there will be debris and broken glass to contend with, and being caught in your PJs and bare feet is going to make it tough to get safely through the house. Fill a duffel bag, backpack, etc. with the following items: sturdy shoes that are easily put on, heavy pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a flashlight. These are the minimum items you should have, but you could also add items such as a dust mask, or a whistle for locating each other in the dark. Prepare a bag for every member of your household and tie the bag to a leg of the bed frame with a length of rope or cord. You will easily be able to retrieve the bag and pull it up onto the bed without letting your feet touch the floor.

Car Kit ~ If you’re away from home, chances are you may not be able to get back for a while, so consider what items you may need to keep you sustained. Have both a plastic storage bin and an empty backpack in your car. The bin should contain: sturdy clothes, a sweatshirt or jacket, a light-weight waterproof poncho, comfortable walking shoes, several bottled waters, energy bars, a flashlight, gloves, a first aid kit, and a few hundred dollars in cash (most bills smaller than $20). You could also consider adding other personal needs, such as feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, and a supply of any necessary medications. A battery-powered radio would also be beneficial for news updates. The backpack is on hand in case the car needs to be vacated and you’re forced to pack up some supplies and walk to your destination.

My husband and I have many other ways in which we’ve implemented disaster preparedness in our home, and I’d be happy to share them if you’re interested in learning more. Just send me an email, because you can never be too prepared!

Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips. If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!