Currier Kitchens

Tip: Choosing the Right Countertop

bob@simplesitecompany.com (Bob Hansen) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:23:03 GMT

Choosing a kitchen counter is an important part of your kitchen design. It is important to choose something that you like, can handle the stress of your household’s activity and that you can afford.

Here is a list of popular kitchen counter top materials, their strengths, weakness and pricing.

How to Prepare for a Kitchen Remodel

bob@simplesitecompany.com (Bob Hansen) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:06:15 GMT

In order to make your home improvement or remodeling project process a little easier we have provided you with a few hints and guides to a kitchen remodeling.

In addition to the tips below, we encourage you to fill out and bring the Kitchen Planning Questionnaire with you to the first visit to Currier Kitchens. The Questionnaire will help us better judge your needs and requirements.

Before work begins:

* In the weeks before the work begins, keep a list of all those restaurants you’ve been meaning to try. When the microwave gets old, your list will come in handy for a quick escape!

* Before the cabinets arrive – decide on a safe enclosed area for the cabinets and appliances to be delivered to. Usually the garage is a good location.

* Pack up the kitchen (or bathroom) well before the remodel. While it’s a great time to “spring clean” your shelves, don’t forget to label the storage boxes well. This will make the unpacking process a lot easier and a lot more fun! Items that are fragile should be marked accordingly and stored in an area away from the construction.

* Plan a location outside of the area where the remodeling is being done to act as your temporary kitchen.

During Construction:

* Plan a way to keep food cool if your refrigerator is removed or unusable during the remodel. Coolers in the garage work well as does moving the refrigerator there during construction.

* You maybe able to temporarily move everything you need…except the kitchen sink! Consider where your “water source” will be in relation to your temporary kitchen.

* Microwave (and a freezer stocked with microwavable meals!)

In a fond farewell to you old kitchen, spend some time in it, cooking. Make family favorites and throw them in the freezer. We promise you…you’ll thank yourself later!

* Coffee Maker (don’t forget to put the filters and coffee close at hand too!)

* Utility utensils, such as: can opener, bottle/wine opener, sharp knives, and microwavable dishes

* Toaster

* Keep the basics handy: butter, salt & pepper, favorite spices

* Dining area/table

* Tell the kids you’re picnicking…use paper plates & napkins as well as disposable silverware.

* Cleaning supplies and dishtowels

Other things to think about:

* If it’s a bathroom remodel, pretend you’re packing to go on a trip. Remember the hairdryer and curling iron!

* Don’t forget about Fido & Kitty! If there isn’t an area in your home to keep them safely away from construction, especially during certain phases – it maybe a perfect time to treat your pet to a vacation at the kennel or a play date at a friend’s home.

* Decide in advance where you’d like the installers to store their tools.

* Dust…there’s just no way to avoid it! If there is a fish tank or electrical equipment in close proximity to the work – remember to keep them well covered!

How do I get started

bob@simplesitecompany.com (Bob Hansen) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:04:07 GMT

When people visit our showroom for the first time, they frequently ask, “How do I get started”

Start with setting a realistic budget for your project. This should include everything, floor, window, cabinets, appliances, plumbing, painting, etc., everything you need to complete the project. The least expensive remodel is to keep the same floor plan as your existing kitchen. This is upgrading your cabinets, appliances, and countertops. Adding under cabinet lighting and recess cans will add to the price, as well as new flooring, a new window, and changing the plumbing.

Keep a file with pictures of things you like. Sometimes it’s not cabinets, but might be a paint color counter top, or a light fixture. There are many design idea sites on the internet to inspire you. This helps to move along the process and keeps you focused. Make this file part of your wish list.

No matter the size of your project, lighting is very important. Under cabinet lighting is the best task lighting. Fluorescent fixtures are obsolete. LED is the future now for under cabinet, recess can fixtures, all lighting. Don’t skimp on the lighting budget, it’s a very important to add and bring your lighting into the 21st century.

A kitchen designer is very important. The designer will measure, consult with you, and draw a floor plan that meets you and your family’s needs as well working within your budget. Answers to questions like do I have room for an island, is there room for wall ovens, can I add a bigger window, will be addressed.

The next step is design preference. The designer will advise you on door and cabinet styles, considering the design of your home and furnishings.

Planning a project?

bob@simplesitecompany.com (Bob Hansen) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:03:01 GMT

Now that you have set a budget for your project , visit kitchen and bath showrooms. You will see many different displays of not only cabinet door styles and finishes, but countertops, sinks and faucets. Try to focus on one thing at a time. It can be overwhelming. Ask for brochures from the different cabinet companies. Start a file of what appeals to you. The brochures often have photos of complete kitchens with appliances, lighting , tile splashes, and paint colors. You can supplement your idea file with downloads from design sites, such as Houzz, Pinterest, HGTV, to name a few. Don’t forget the interior accessories that add conveniences to your kitchen.

Shop for appliances. Don’t purchase yet, just decide on the finish of the appliance, the sizes, as well as the function. Do you want a professional style range or a cook top and wall ovens. How do you use a microwave? Are French Door refrigerators right for you.

Return to those kitchen/bath showrooms and ask about the construction and finish of the cabinetry.

Almost all American cabinet companies use a catalyzed varnish system on their wood cabinetry. The painted cabinets have a sprayed and baked on finish which improves durability.

Open the doors and use the interior accessories as intended. Do they work with ease or are they awkward and difficult. Are the drawers all hardwood and do the drawer glides offer more space for a bigger drawer.

Showroom displays are to be used don’t be shy. Now you are ready to have an initial consultation with a designer.

Trend or Trendy – Trust designers to know the difference

bob@simplesitecompany.com (Bob Hansen) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:01:03 GMT

Currier Kitchens of Nashua, NH recommends trusting your kitchen designer to place the colors you want in a way that is in keeping with current trends, yet is not trendy. This homeowner might have been happier for years with accents in purple instead of cabinets.

When thinking of remodeling, people always want to know what is trending. Well, grey is the new black and induction cook tops are becoming popular.

But, don’t think that you have to follow the trends. Choose colors that feel comfortable to you. That said, you may adore purple, but use it as an accent.

A kitchen remodel should last many years so select cabinets in neutral shades. If you are choosing granite countertops, remember there are stones that have flecks of different colors, even purple.

There is a difference between trends and trendy. Trendy may only last one year or season ie. leisure suits, mood rings, and the ever popular pet rock. Trends can last decades. The kitchen island and universal design are trends that began in the 90’s and are now almost mandatory in new construction.

Professional kitchen designers guide you through your design process. They listen to your preferences, and understand you may want purple. They know where the trends are headed and will help you decide between what is trendy now and what will make your new kitchen investment last for many years.

Can you name any trends and a few things that are trendy now? Have fun!

Kitchen Trends

bob@simplesitecompany.com (Bob Hansen) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 16:57:49 GMT

Let’s discuss kitchen trends. White or off white is still the most popular choice for cabinets. When your cabinets ( the elephant in the room) are a neutral color, they act as a canvas. Adding paint or accessories defines your style and personality.

Homeowners in the Northeast with the short dark days of long winter months choose white cabinetry to lighten up their kitchens. Adding more light with bigger windows or more windows is also a trend.

An open concept floor plan, with more window space doesn’t allow for much wall space. Pantries are making a comeback to allow for dish and food storage.Grandma did know best. If there is enough space, walk in pantries are the most popular. Food items are displayed on open shelves and dishes are often stored in cabinetry in the pantry. Some pantries are used as dish storage with a sink and dishwasher in them. The kitchen is then used for food preparation, serving and entertaining. With the pantry door closed, the noise and mess is confined and the kitchen is truly part of the family room.

Some kitchens are too small to allow for a walk-in pantry. There are several cabinet storage features in today’s kitchen cabinets. Drawers designed to store dishes are replacing wall cabinets. Tall storage cabinets available in different depths are great for dish or food storage. Base cabinets with specialized features for food storage are gaining popularity.

Our showroom has many of these features on display and our knowledgeable designers can suggest storage solutions for your floor plan. Even though Frank LLoyd Wright didn’t coin the phrase “Form ever follow function”, it’s truer today with the open concept and bigger windows trend. Good space planning is so important for today’s kitchen.

Trends Vary

bob@simplesitecompany.com (Bob Hansen) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 16:55:27 GMT

The most frequent question I get is; what are people selecting for their kitchens now?, is white still in? Often they ask this thinking of resale appeal, not that they want to sell their house now, but maybe in a few years they might and they want to enjoy a new kitchen before they sell.

Trends vary by region. Here are some trends for the New England area;

Transitional styling is gaining in popularity. People don’t want to be defined by a particular style.

Contemporary is coming back, but not the style of the twentieth century. Today’s contemporary is simple clean lines incorporating warm wood tones

Accents of metal such as metal exhaust hoods over ranges, decorative hardware, and floating shelves.

Floating shelves of any material are often requested, eliminating the bulky look of wall cabinets when simplicity and clean lines are wanted. Reclaimed wood is becoming popular for shelves as well as countertops.

Neutrals dominate (ie white painted cabinets) with pops of color. Think how boring a room can be without some interest.

Coffee stations and wet bars are frequently requested. Kitchens are still the heart of the home and where much of the entertaining is done. The desk of the 70s is being replaced with docking and charging stations for all the smart gadgets that are part of our lives now.

Pet friendly features with designated areas for food and water are part of the kitchen for the family pets.

New storage accessories such as dish storage drawers, pocket doors, recycling baskets, and lift up doors on wall cabinets add more usable access and convenience to kitchens.

Lastly, countertop trends. Quartz is now preferable to granite countertops. It is an engineered material that is consistent in pattern and color and requires litle to no maintenance . There is a new product, Dekton by Consentino for countertops, floors, outdoor patios, shower walls, as well as building walls. It is resistant to stains, scratchs, water . Fire, heat and cold. It is the ideal product of the 21 st century.

I have color samples in my showroom and they range from solid colors to wood planks to marble and stone.