planning your kitchen renovation

s
p
d
scribbles...possibilities...& discoveries
november 2009
is your glass half full?
Dear Subscriber,
comings
and goings
Look for our mention in this month’s
Chicago Home+Garden Magazine!
When asked how to dress up a
bedroom on the “cheap” our
sweetpeasdesign advice was to
paint a virtual headboard in a
contrasting wall color!
Our Sweet Swap and Fire Sale held
in mid September was a success
and was even briefly featured
in the Pioneer Press… this was
the first annual- we hope to have
even more “swappers” next year!
We are pleased to be assisting
the American Cancer Society’s
Lake County office in designing
their “Room of Style” for women
being fitted for wigs and prosthetics.
Our goal is to create and provide
a warm, inviting and caring
environment. Look for more on
this exciting project as it develops!
Purchase your tickets in
advance (or the day of) for the
St. Joe’s Holiday Housewalk at
sweetpeasdesign! Don’t miss this
wonderful holiday tradition to be
held Wednesday, December 2nd
from 10 AM-8 PM.
Check out the new portfolio photos
on our website! Thank you to all
whose homes we photographed.
We appreciate the opportunity you
have given us to share your home
with others.
top
10
kitchen
trends
1
counter intuitive
Thicker, “beefed-up”
countertops on islands and
buffets up to 2-1/2” high
are making a statement
whether in granite, marble,
quartz or concrete. Making
a comeback as a countertop
choice is wood for its
warm look and functionality.
With many choices such
as tiger wood, zebra wood,
black walnut and iroko
(environmentally friendly)
wood tops can be used
for chopping and dicing.
2
let there be light
Forget pendants!
Chandeliers and chandelettes
(small chandeliers) are
THE light choice above
peninsulas and center
islands. Larger fixtures
add a fabulous, unexpected
contrast with industrial-style
appliances and turn your
kitchen into another living
space. Plus, an added benefit
is that you need a lesser
quantity of fixtures as they
are bigger in dimension!
So, our September newsletter is a little late. Okay . . . a lot late.
Good thing I’m not a magazine editor. I don’t even blog. How do
people find time to blog, let alone read blogs? Our long overdue
newsletter is due to the fact that we’ve been busy with many new
and returning clients, as well as some interesting new initiatives
for 2009-2010 which we will be sharing with you in this issue and
upcoming newsletters!
Since we always try to maintain a “glass half full” outlook and not a
“glass half empty” outlook at sweetpeasdesign, I’m excited that the
economic atmosphere has become more optimistic with green shoots of
growth and hope. Let’s face it — this year has been one for rethinking
and retooling for all of us — homeowners and designers alike. Everyone
needs a little thrill right now…maybe even a change! The change can be
big or small as long as it propels you forward and makes you feel good.
How do you know when it is time for a change? You just do —
it becomes crystal clear — because even though (like all of us)
you may have less, we all still desire to “live well”.
A year ago, “living well” meant something different than it does today.
Living well is no longer an ostentatious lifestyle, a “having more is
better attitude” or what some call the “out of control acquiring gene”.
Today, “living well” is living within your means. It is about making
smart decisions. It has a sense of enduring quality. It does not
necessarily mean less is more. If appropriate and appreciated, “living
well” should include a home that is practical, comfortable and timeless.
We’ve been observing (and reading) that people are staying home
more, thus putting more time and energy into making their home a
harmonious reflection of who they are and how they live. To be
embraced and comforted by your home, you may need to indulge a bit
as it isn’t healthy to live with things that no longer work for you.
Determine what is working and what isn’t. If there is something that
isn’t working for your lifestyle and the way you want to live, consider
a change or two.
Changes can be big or small and all can make a difference! Large
scale project ideas include kitchen and master bathroom renovations,
additions and lower level build-outs. Medium scale project ideas include
rethinking your living and dining room areas, updating and replacing
interior and exterior doors and hardware, revising floor plans, using
existing furniture in new ways and in different spaces and adding
window treatments throughout. Smaller scale project ideas include
replacing and updating lighting and plumbing fixtures and cabinet
knobs, and rearranging and accessorizing as needed with artwork,
accessories, rugs and lamps. All are fixes that create instant change
and a big impact.
Whatever you do, make sure the changes you make add value to your
home, to your lifestyle and most importantly to you! The more
personal the result, the happier you’ll be…
This month we’re focused on a large scale project — the kitchen!
Read on and decide if a new or renovated kitchen is right for you.
Susan
Susan Brunstrum
Beth
Ann
Beth Kweton
Ann Faith
PS If you forward our newsletter to a friend or colleague, please email
Susan their name, address, phone and email so that we know who our
readers are… Thank you!
planning
your kitchen
renovation
5
the “hands-on”
approach
The historic bin pull is
overtaking the traditional
drawer pull. Easy on the
hands and more noticeable
to the eye, the styles and
finishes are endless – from
sleek and simple to ornate
and geometrically patterned.
Mix and match all threeknobs, pulls and bin pulls
to add a little “snap, crackle
and pop” to your cabinets.
Or choose more than one
finish for your bin pulls.
6
the kiss principle
Keep It Simple, Sweetie is
the trend in kitchen
cabinetry. Remember, your
eye needs a place to land
so less is more with cabinets.
Clean lines for cabinets allow
for more exciting details on
your tile backsplash, lighting
fixtures, countertops,
cabinet hardware and
plumbing fixtures. Transitional
and contemporary cabinet
styles are catching up to
traditional selections and
white is the color of
choice . . . again.
7
something to
wine about
Are you a wine connoisseur?
If so, add a wine bar with
built-in bottle storage, glass
racks and wine chillers to
your kitchen. Wine rooms
are being added to new
kitchens and wine “centers”
are “cool” in renovated
spaces. Refrigerators with
beverage drawers and
dishwashers designed for
glassware are also being
installed in the wine bars.
8
dish it out
Want to show off your plates,
mugs and glasses? Remove
heavy upper cabinets —
and replace them with
open shelving. The result
is a lighter look. Floating
shelves take up less space,
yet can hold the same
amount of “stuff”. You can
see everything instantly
and can create eye-appealing
groupings of your
kitchenware and collections.
Add greens, artwork and
some personal collections
for a unique, personal look.
9
know when to “filter it”
Water filtration systems are
becoming popular “add-ons”
in kitchen installations.
The filtration system
selection is determined by
the quality of the water
coming into your home, the
smell and taste of your
water, and a test of what
may be present in your pipes.
10 chalk it up
Forget technology, the chalk
board is back as the family’s
instant message center
in the kitchen. Appearing
on refrigerator doors,
backsplashes above desk
areas, the front or back of
pantry doors, and in picture
frames hung on the wall
—chalkboards are popping up
everywhere with reminders to
take out the garbage, walk
the dog and call your designer
for the latest kitchen ideas!
Remember,
you want a
beautiful and
functional
kitchen as the
end result!
suggestions
& insights
light up your life...
and your dinner!
Want to SEE your kitchen
renovation? Don’t overlook the
importance of lighting when
updating. Good lighting
allows you to work better
and smarter, enhances the size
and ambience of your space,
and it adds an element of style.
double your pleasure
Do you have space for two
islands? Designate one
island as the prep island
located near the range,
frig and sink and the second
island as the conversation/
entertainment island. Sit
comfortably at counter
height, bar height or even
table height with a glass
of wine or a cup of coffee.
Other duos to consider
include two dishwashers,
two sinks, two ovens, two
stove tops . . . and of
course two cooks in
the kitchen!
steel yourself away
Kitchen countertops,
backsplashes, cabinets and
even toe kicks are being
fabricated in stainless steel
because it is antibacterial,
has wonderful reflective
qualities, and compliments
existing stainless appliances,
faucets and hardware.
Consider having a local
sheet metal fabricator cover
your existing countertop
in steel — an overnight
new look!
Jennifer Cioni Tarello
The sweetpeasdesign Team
3
4
Jennifer
Under cabinet lighting is
inexpensive and easy to install.
It flatters your countertops
and adds light to your prep
surfaces. LED cabinet lighting
allows you to light up deep
drawers, corner cabinets and
pantries. Add lighting behind
glass and translucent materials
used for backsplashes to
accent your walls and create
a fabulous effect. Remember,
no dark corners.
The kitchen is becoming the “new” living room.
It’s the gathering place for family and friends and
is THE hub of activity for many of our daily tasks.
No longer just for food preparation and consumption,
kitchens are being used for computer work, reading,
TV viewing, scheduling of activities and crafting.
Impacting new kitchen designs is the quality time and quantity of
time being spent in the kitchen and the reality that cooking is really
enjoyable — the instant microwave meal has finally been replaced!
The more time you spend with your family at the dinner table
conversing the more cohesive a family you will have.
Kitchen rehabs are the most costly remodeling project in a home…
so to accommodate all the activities you anticipate will take place
in your kitchen and to plan your space accordingly, consider the
guidelines below before leaping into a kitchen renovation project.
examine your lifestyle
How do you and your family use and share the kitchen? And what
features do you like and dislike about your current kitchen?
At sweetpeasdesign, we have developed a kitchen /breakfast room
assessment journal to help our clients gain a better understanding
of their space. A few of the questions we ask and capture in writing
include the following.
1.
Observe existing traffic patterns. Are there areas that
are congested? How would you change the traffic pattern?
2.
Do “piles” accumulate? Where?
3.
Is there a landing spot where everyone drops whatever is
being carried?
4.
Note conversation areas and congregating areas.
Do you need more or less?
5.
What type of work is done? Do you need a computer?
Telephone? Communications area? Desk?
6.
Do you have a pet that likes to be part of the family and
needs a place to sleep?
7.
How many times a week do you cook and dine together
as a family?
8.
Do you have adequate seating?
9.
Where and how do you prep?
10. How often do you entertain?
11. How is the lighting? Do you need more or less?
12. What additional functions do you want to perform
in your “new” kitchen?
wish list — what are your hot buttons?
Create a realistic list of what you want (see the Top 10 Trends).
Start with what’s most important and end with features you want
but could live without. Does function follow form or form follow
function? Keep refining this list.
resale vs. added value
Determine if your kitchen rehab is for your pleasure or for the next
homeowner. If it is for you, it needs to accommodate and be tailored
for YOUR needs. If it is for resale, your selections can be a little
more “generic” and not as detailed. Think about if you can afford to
be trendy or should you follow a safer path?
determine your budget
Create a realistic budget. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
At sweetpeasdesign, we recommend designing your kitchen cabinet
layout and making all your material selections such as countertops,
tile backsplash, cabinet door style and finish, lighting and plumbing
fixtures and appliances prior to having a builder/contractor bid the
project. This way, as each selection is made, you will have
pricing and then the builder/contractor will be able to give you
an accurate estimate.
do your homework
Compile a picture/photo portfolio. Borrow ours or purchase current
design and trade magazines and tear out pictures of kitchens,
appliances and materials that appeal and don’t appeal to you.
Always have a camera on hand to photograph something you might
see in a showroom, a model home or a friend’s kitchen. A pattern
will emerge of things that excite you such as cabinet door profiles,
countertop materials, backsplash designs. We can help you define
your style by looking over your portfolio and choices!
narrow your choices
Get out and “shop around” for appliances. Also look at products
such as sinks, faucets, tile, countertop slabs and light fixtures.
Shopping will also give you information about current prices to
enable you to budget more realistically. We can assist you in filtering
through the limitless choices available.
At sweetpeasdesign, we know of all the best and most
knowledgeable showrooms, suppliers and service providers to
help in making the right decisions.
work with a professional(s)
Put together a team of professionals that includes an interior
designer, cabinet designer and builder/contractor for the installation.
The best team is one that has worked together on kitchen remodels,
can effectively assist you in the decision-making process and help
you avoid costly errors. A good team is essential to interpret your
wishes and create a beautiful, functional kitchen. We hope your
team includes us and of course we would be happy to recommend
our “go to” cabinet designers and builders/contractors based on the
needs of your project.
don’t forget the contract!
Get everything in writing. Make sure you and your team are on the
same page! List all the required work, all the products you plan to
install, and include a timetable. This will help all of us…
create a timeline
Work with your team to identify a realistic timeline. Spend time
planning. Finalize all the details before the start of the project.
Know that there are surprises along the way that can’t be identified
until the walls come down or the
floor is taken up. Be flexible. Let
the team know how long you can
“endure” not having a working
kitchen. Typically, it takes 6-8
weeks to renovate a new kitchen
if all goes according to plan.
look
get the
To update your kitchen
while maintaining your
existing cabinetry, consider these few changes
for a fresh “today” look.
1. Select a new countertop
material – the choices are
endless. Select one countertop
material for your island and a
different one for your perimeter.
2. Enhance your center
island so that it looks like a
piece of furniture. Simply add
architectural details, paint it a
new, fresh color or add an
overhang for barstools if the
space is adequate.
suggestions
& insights
make a splash!
Originally used to protect walls from food and beverage splatters,
today’s backsplash choices allow you to show off your sense of style
and make bolder statements in design. Backsplash materials include
copper, brass, stainless steel, ceramic tiles, frosted or opalescent
glass, tumbled and polished stone, faux tin — the list is endless.
Larger scale subway tiles applied vertically or very small subway tiles
applied either vertically or horizontally are a hot new trend.
Create unusual, unexpected patterns with your backsplash and give
your kitchen a personal touch. To make the outlets in your backsplash
less noticeable, don’t forget to have a specialty painter finish/paint
your electrical outlets to duplicate your backsplash material.
Our recommendation is the fabulously talented Nancy Schnell of
Fairy Dust Creations.
3. Paint or refinish your
cabinets and add new
hardware for an instant
makeover.
4. Replace a few cabinet
doors with glass doors to
show off your kitchenware or
collectibles.
5. Add under cabinet lighting
to show off your countertop
accessories.
6. Don‘t forget a gallon or
two of paint for your walls –
select a color that enhances your
new renovation and reflects your
style...and remember to paint
the ceiling.
Comments? Let us know, email:
susan@sweetpeas-inspired.com