Remodeling Your Kitchen in a Recession

The article below is about a couple who decided that now was the best time to remodel their kitchen. It you decide to the same, give us a call at (480) 998-0244 and see how we can help you.

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Is a recession a good time to give homes a new look?

CTV.ca NewsToronto — Mark and Lisa Abernethy have an older, detached Victorian-style house in Toronto. Lisa, who is pregnant with the couple's second child, says it's the right home for their growing family.But "we've got to do something about our kitchen," she told CTV.ca during a visit to the Interior Design Show (IDS) in Toronto in the first weekend of February.

She and Mark were there hoping to get some decorating and interior design ideas. But like many of the people at the IDS and other Canadians from coast to coast, they say they're "certainly aware" of the tough economic times.

However, they note that when it comes to their interior design plans, they're thinking of their costs as an investment, not as a frivolous purchase in recessionary times.

"It's not like we're buying BMWs," Lisa says. "It's equity in our home."Mark adds: "Our kitchen plan is high priority. If we don't go on vacation, so be it. But we have to get our kitchen done."

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Top Kitchen Design Trends

The article below about kitchen design trends features my national award winning kitchen. See the photograph below.

You can see another article about this kitchen design contest here:

THERMADOR Freedom Collection Design Contest.

Thank you,

- Johan Bolle

Top Kitchen Design Trends

August 26, 2008

(ARA) – Incorporating current trends into your kitchen design not only helps you create a stylish and updated room, but also increases functionality. From the latest colors to the newest materials, good design can ensure you enjoy your new kitchen.

A recent national survey of kitchen designers conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and luxury appliance manufacturer Thermador identifies several trends influencing today’s kitchen design -- from popular colors and finishes, to new materials, and even new technologies being incorporated by designers.

Style and Color
More than half (56.8 percent) of the kitchen designers surveyed said “traditional” was their most often requested type of kitchen design. However, designers identified contemporary and clean, simple lines as kitchen design trends to watch for.

For cabinetry, the top two most used finishes in kitchens are cherry and maple, while paints and exotic woods tied for third. This is a departure from the once-dominant oak cabinetry. Moreover, designers identify stainless steel as the top color scheme in today’s kitchen designs, followed by beige and bone colors.

Appliances
Stainless steel continues to lead the way as the most popular finish for appliances. However, appliances with custom paneling to match cabinetry are more commonly incorporated into today’s kitchen designs. The appliances that most often receive paneling are dishwashers and refrigerators.

Designers identified modular refrigeration, along with induction cooktops and speed-cooking ovens as one of the most exciting kitchen technologies. “Modular refrigeration like the Thermador Freedom Collection is gaining popularity because it provides designers and their clients greater flexibility,” says Michael Traub, president and CEO of Thermador. “With Freedom, they are liberated from having to design the entire kitchen around traditional and bulky refrigerator/freezer combinations while being able to achieve truly flush integration with cabinets.”

Countertops and Backsplashes
The countertop material used most frequently is granite, and with unlimited stone colors and designs, it’s highly customizable. However, another stone material -- quartzite, noted for its durability -- comes in a strong second. Additionally, the top three backsplash materials are tile, followed by granite and glass.

Functionality and Layout
Today’s households often function with more than one cook, so kitchen designs frequently incorporate multiple cooking stations such as a range and a wall oven, or a range and a cooktop. Appliances are also occupying islands to add cooking space. Additionally, prep sinks are showing up on islands or other locations in the kitchen for increased functionality.

“Kitchens are more commonly becoming a household’s hub,” says Ed Pell, manager of marketing research at the NKBA. “With multiple cooks working in the kitchen, and more entertaining and family activities conducted there, designers want to fulfill their client’s desire for increased functionality with efficient work areas.”

Consumer Attitudes
When it comes to appliances, designers indicate that homeowners believe high-end options are a good home investment. In fact, designers say premium appliances are the top “dream” item amongst their clients -- winning over custom cabinetry and special countertops.

Upcoming trends
When designers were asked to name new trends to take note of, many identified new color applications. Specifically, greater use of color in cabinets was cited as an up and coming trend, as was the use of two colored cabinetry and molding, and the overall bolder use of color.

For more information, please visit www.thermador.com or call (800) 656-9226 to request a catalog.

Courtesy of ARAcontent