Renovating in 2011

With the experts claiming the economy is back, many people will feel comfortable investing in their homes again. I believe the kitchen is the best place to put your money in your home.

So in this new year I wanted to share a few of my favorite cabinets and appliances.

My favorite cabinet company is from Italy called Effeti (www.effeti.com). I have been working with them for 7 years now and have been extremely happy with the continuously excellent quality and innovation. One of the best reasons to buy European cabinets is the EU has environmental standards that must be met on all cabinets produced. The cabinets must be made with little to no formaldehyde, reducing harmful emissions in your home and the environment.

These standards and controls are not mandated here in the states, so when you buy cabinets here, if they are not eco-friendly (which is more expensive), then they most likely are emitting all sorts of fumes.

As for appliances my favorite for almost the entire line is Miele (I was told it's pronounced like Sheila).

I often use the Miele pull-out hood which works amazingly well with the re-circulating kit and when vented outside.

The Miele line of dishwashers, while it's one of the most expensive, is THE best I have ever used. I highly recommend saving up and buying this above all else. I love to test mine...in fact, at the moment I have plates with egg yolk stuck to them from this morning and will be in awe once again when they come out completely clean and shiny tonight.

A range that I recently fell in love with is the Lacanche. It's a French range that is amazingly beautiful in many different sizes. The Cluny is one model that has a moist gas oven on the left and a dry electric oven on the right. You can feel like a real professional cooking on this stove Maybe in my next home...

As for refrigerators, I am still in love with Subzero 700 series. I love the styling and the truly integrated design. I only wish more companies would make similar styles and that Subzero would broaden their integrated line...maybe add a filtered water dispenser INSIDE the door.

For less expensive options there really is no match, unfortunately.

I am looking forward to finding new and improved kitchen elements in the coming year and sharing what I find.

Happy New Year!

Benefits of Hiring a Kitchen Designer #1

Many people don't realize that Kitchen Designers even exist. It is assumed if you have a renovation project you start either with a Contractor or an Architect. While some projects require an Architect to file a job with the city because you add on to a home or live in an apartment and want to move the plumbing, most do not.

Please don't start with a Contractor unless they have a design service included in their company. Contractors are not designers and generally do not think of how a space can be better utilized.

Kitchen Designers look to make the best use of your space, specifically for you and how you will work in it. I have a list of standard questions to ask, but I also want to get to know a bit about my clients' lives. It helps me to give them the best possible design.

Kitchen Designers have seen how many appliances work in a space and help you to choose what's best for you and the cabinetry you will be purchasing. For example, I had a client who fell in love with a 30" MasterChef Miele oven and wanted to put it under a cook top. This client also wanted European cabinets. Well the MasterChef is too tall for most European Cabinets and cannot fit below a cook top. We made adjustments to the design and put the oven in a tall cabinet (it was a better solution in my mind anyway). I can't tell you haw many times things like this happen. If they hadn't hired a Kitchen Designer they would have been stuck with an oven that didn't fit!

Getting Started with a Kitchen Renovation

Often I am called by clients who have never taken on a renovation project, let alone the most important room in the home - the KITCHEN.

It is important to first know your budget and what is really possible within your budget.

Prices vary greatly on all materials, but you can always find something nice in your price range.

When it comes to hiring a contractor I recommend asking friends and family about their experiences and if they were happy with who they worked with and the final outcome. Interview at least 3 contractors to compare prices, workmanship and personalities (very important as they will be in your home for 4-6 weeks!).

Shop around a bit to see what appliances, cabinets and other materials are available. If you don't have the time or energy to do this, consider hiring a kitchen designer. They can listen to your needs and narrow your options to keep within your budget. Some, like me, are available online at a reduced fee.

If you plan to live in your home, expect some major inconveniences for a few weeks. But as they say...renovating is like child birth. The joy when it's done/born makes you forget all the pain!