Secrets for Choosing the Right Range Hood for Your Kitchen

Selecting the right appliances - including a range hood - is an essential part of any kitchen remodeling project.

Your kitchen stove or range is an integral part of your kitchen. Most likely if you’re an avid cook you use it several times a day and for the novice cook a few time a week.  Regardless of the frequency, your range hood above your stove helps filter out smoke, grease, moisture and odor.  The decision on how to choose one for your cooking lifestyle and the style of your kitchen could be a hard decision.  Here are tips on how to choose the perfect range hood for your kitchen and for your family. [read more]

How to Choose the Perfect Range Hood for your Kitchen by Ronique Gibson

A Pro's Guide to Painting a Floor Medallion

Many home remodeling projects contain the challenge of transitioning two types of flooring. A painted floor medallion is one way of accomplishing this.

When two types of flooring meet, a painted pattern can ease the transition. Here, an existing oak floor abuts an addition's heart-pine floor whose boards run perpendicular to the oak. An open cloverleaf, squared off and anchored by painted borders and solid circles at the center and in all four corners, softens the area's angles and echoes the curve of the arched passageway. In a longer rectangular space, a row of circles or smaller cloverleaf designs would work equally well. [read more]

How to Paint a Floor Medallion by Deborah Baldwin (This Old House magazine)

How To Increase The Value Of Your Home

At the end of the day, interior design and remodeling is all about increasing the value of your home.

In the this recent economy of falling house values and unstable housing market statistics, every home owner should know how to put more value back into their homes. Although making home improvements is not a sure-fire way to increase the value, it will at the very least make you more competitive against your competition.

1) Update kitchen appliances: The most sought after room in your home is the kitchen. It is worth the most per square foot and will make the difference of your home appealing to buyers or not.  If your appliances are more than 3-5 years old consider updating them to the comfortability of your wallet. A newer model, a more designer finish, or more features will help home buyers take a second glance at your kitchen.  For top of the line appliances consider stainless steel and professional series lines.

2) Kitchen cabinetry makes the look: When you walk into a kitchen the first thing you notice is the cabinets. Cabinetry is at the top of the percentage of kitchen costs, but also shows the most return.  Opt for wood over laminate surfaces and add custom features like crown molding, wine racks, glazing, and custom woodworking to set your kitchen apart from your competition. Reface cabinets and add door and drawer hardware for less expensive updating.

3) Add value by upgrading your countertops: Any room you have countertops – kitchen, bathroom, bars, or utility rooms the more money you can spend into a higher end countertop the better. Plastic laminate countertops are considered the lower end grade, solid surfacing, concrete and granite is considered to be the higher end grade. Consider overlay countertops that are made from composite granite/resin combination for the look of granite at a fraction of the cost.

[more tips on how to increase your home's value]

15 Best Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home by Ronique Gibson

More Secrets of a Successful Kitchen Layout

Space planning is such an important part of any kitchen remodeling project. This is the continuation from a wonderful article by Ronique Gibson.

The way your kitchen is laid out will make a difference in how you enjoy and use the space.  If you find your current kitchen isn’t efficient, try to layout another option, it may not be difficult to alter your existing plan.  If you are in the process of moving, think of these tips when looking at kitchens.

Here are the pros and cons of each type of kitchen layout:

1. U Shape

• PROS: This plan offers three sides or walls for the work triangle to be efficient. The cook can maximize their time in the kitchen and won’t get distracted by traffic walking through the kitchen.
  
• CONS: Multiple people working in the kitchen at one time may be difficult.

L Shape

• PROS: This plan allows for more space saving because two of the work triangle functions are on the same wall. This plan is also easier to entertain from, since it is open up to the adjacent room on one side.
  
• CONS: Ample counter space room should be given in the crook of the L for maximum usage.  If not, the kitchen will work less efficiently due to less room to prepare and cook the food.

Galley Shape

• PROS: In this plan the walls are parallel with all of the work triangle functions. It is very efficient due to less area to travel and is ideal for space saving.
  
• CONS: This plan isn’t ideal for a lot of people in the kitchen because the traffic area is also the cook preparation area.  This plan can also be difficult to entertain from, unless one wall is open to an adjacent room with a seating bar for example.

How to Layout an Efficient Kitchen Floor Plan by Ronique Gibson

Secrets of a Successful Kitchen Layout

Space planning is such an important part of any kitchen remodeling project.

The kitchen is the space that most people like to entertain in and enjoy spending time with family.  The aesthetics are important, but the function of how your kitchen works is even more important.  The way your kitchen is laid out will make the difference in how quickly and efficiently you use the kitchen.  A poor layout can result in retracing your steps and spending more time in the kitchen can be a turn off to enjoying cooking.

• Layout work surfaces: A work surface, or countertop area should ideally be located between each of the work triangle areas.  Therefore, between the refrigerator and sink, and between the sink and stove/oven, a countertop area is ideal. In smaller kitchens, a work area in each space may not be possible due to space.  The more working areas you can provide yourself, the better. Consider using multifunctional work areas if space is an issue. For example a raised countertop adjacent to a dining area, can serve as a seated bar for eating as well as a preparation work surface for cooking.
• Kitchen islands: In large kitchens a kitchen island can cut down on excessive travel to each part of the work triangle.  Consider placing one or more of the work triangle functions at the island. Having a sink in the island will prevent you from walking from the refrigerator to another remote area constantly. Kitchen islands for a small kitchen can be on casters or wheels for temporary use.  An island can be used for storage below, and also serve as an additional work surface.  Consider using a movable kitchen island for convenience and roll out of the way when more people need to fit in the kitchen.

How to Layout an Efficient Kitchen Floor Plan by Ronique Gibson