Despite black granite, remodel a success

May 27, 2006 By

It has been over a year since my home remodeling project was completed. The four months of disruption have become a distant memory– I hardly remember the dinners in the garage, the cold temperatures in the family room and the dust! Well, okay, I do still remember them. Quite well, actually. Especially the dust. But anyway, that part is long over. Faithful readers of my column will recall that my husband and I spent quite a long time in the planning phases of this project, and, in general, I am thrilled with the results.

One of the best things we did was eliminate the “step-down” family room. Raising the floor to the same level as the kitchen added several usable square feet of living space. Another good decision was to add skylights and solar tubes. Having so much natural light is wonderful. We installed dimmers on most of the incandescent lighting fixtures, giving us a lot of flexibility.

While most everything went smoothly and according to plan, I do have a few regrets. I regret not having a lighting designer create an official lighting plan for the kitchen. As a result, there was some miscommunication with the electrical contractor about the fixtures. For example, my husband wishes we had specified smaller recessed can lights. We got six-inch cans, which are fine, but smaller ones would have been more stylish. He also would have liked to see more dramatic accent lighting.

I regret the selection of white carpet in my office. I love the look, and I thought I could keep it clean. Wrong. We are just not the “take your shoes off in the house” type of family. Next time I’ll know better!

Also, I have a love-hate relationship with my Absolute Black granite countertops. While they look great, they require a lot of elbow grease. If you want to see every fingerprint, every smudge, and keep track of exactly how much grease accumulates on the counters while you cook, get the black granite.

Most of the regrets I hear from people who have remodeled have to do with choice of materials and money. For example, one person wishes she had gone with higher quality materials in her children’s bathroom. She thought she was saving money, but because of the high use of this room, what she chose is already starting to look worn.
Another wishes she had chosen less expensive kitchen appliances and put that money toward hardwood floors. A third wishes she had not gone so “neutral” with her selections. Her kitchen is lovely, but she feels it is too ordinary.
The moral of the story is this: Make your decisions carefully, do your homework and spend time talking with friends, contractors and design professionals.

Shortly after my kitchen was completed, I submitted before and after photos to a design magazine. Women’s Day Specials Home Remodeling Magazine selected my kitchen for an upcoming edition and photographed it last July. The magazine will hit the stands on June 7th.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on May 13, 2006.

Filed Under: Color, Remodeling

Budget extra money, time, patience

March 19, 2005 By

I have an exciting update on my own remodeling project: We are done! Well, that’s not entirely true—there are still a few last details that need to be taken care of, but basically it is done. The new kitchen is very comfortable, with plenty of counter space, cabinet space and lighting. My new office is wonderful, with lots of windows and a large built-in desk. And the new bathroom is a welcome addition as well. I am delighted with how it all turned out. I love the cheerful color scheme—yellow walls with accents of blue and red. I love the sunlight streaming through the new skylights and windows. I love the gleaming black granite and cobalt blue glass tiles. The house is colorful and inviting, ready for family and friends to enjoy.

As you may recall, I began planning this project in January of last year. Construction began in October, and in March we are just about complete. Even with a great general contractor and no major setbacks or surprises, the project still took a long time, with some challenges and added costs. For those of you embarking on your own remodeling projects, I offer the following points to keep in mind:

  • When the contractor estimates he will be done in 3-4 months, add at least another month to that deadline. This delay can be the result of several things including: weather conditions; busy subcontractors trying to squeeze you into their schedule; parts that have to be ordered; changes that you decide to make to the project; unforeseen problems with plumbing or wiring; or any number of other small issues that come up.
  • Apart from the construction costs, there are a host of other costs you should bear in mind: Because our kitchen was out of commission for about 2 months, we ate out a lot. In addition, we had to live in a hotel for a week while our wood floors were being refinished. Also, unbeknownst to us, our heating ducts were left disconnected for several weeks, sending all our heat under the house. Along with the increased electricity usage for all the power tools, the result was three huge PG&E bills.
  • Don’t do any landscaping until everything is done. The yard will take a beating, as the construction crew brings tools, equipment, lumber and debris through the yard.
  • Just when you think you are done, you’re not—the new plumbing has a leak; a worker tracks mud on your new carpet; an electrical outlet does not work.
  • If you want to reuse cabinets or light fixtures, be sure to let the crew know before demolition. Our crew was pretty good about asking us what we wanted to keep but even so, a light fixture was inadvertently thrown away and our mailbox was damaged.

Despite any frustrations along the way, I am very happy with my house, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. We will enjoy the added space for many years to come. Next: the landscaping.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on March 19, 2005.

Filed Under: Home Decorating, Remodeling

Survive a remodel with sense of humor

December 11, 2004 By

Well, we are about half way through our remodeling project. The addition is framed, the roof is on, the doors and windows are in, most of the plumbing has been done, and the electrician comes this week to start the wiring. It has been very exciting to see the two-dimensional designs come to life before our eyes. My husband and I have been do-it-yourselfers for years, and this is the first time we’ve let a contractor manage a project. It has been an interesting learning process, as well as a lesson in patience. Don’t get me wrong—the contractor and all of his subs have been great, and we are lucky that there have not been any major problems or delays. Still, during a remodeling project, one needs patience and, above all, a sense of humor to get through the process.

I offer these Remodeling Survival Tips to my readers:

1. Try not to stress about how long it is taking. Have realistic ideas about time schedules, especially this time of year when holiday vacations cut into work time.

2. Expect delays. There are only so many hours in a day, and you may have to wait for inspectors, parts to be delivered, custom items to be made.

3. Remember that you are not your contractor’s only job. When the workers are at your house, that means someone else’s project is waiting.

4. Be prepared to live with dust. It is everywhere! Invest in lots of plastic sheeting and remove anything you don’t want to get dusty.

5. Laugh when it starts raining right after the skylights are cut in. Be very grateful and say thank you to your contractor when they don’t leak.

6. Laugh when you have to wear coats (and even hats and gloves) in the house because the heating ducts are not connected and all the heat is staying under the house.

7. Try to laugh when you get your PG&E bill.

8. Laugh when you’re washing dishes in the bathroom.

9. Thank your neighbors for living with the noise and the collection of huge trucks in front of the house.

10. Be amazed at the variety of microwaveable dinners available. It has been hard to get motivated to cook when your kitchen has been reduced to a microwave and toaster oven. We’ve been trying lots of restaurants and eating lots of convenience foods.

11. Thank your kids for being good sports. Our Christmas decorations are minimal this year, much to their dismay, and their space has been invaded. The TV is in the cold family room (with no walls or ceiling), and it is hard to cuddle up together on the kitchen chairs.

12. Try not to complain—I feel so lucky to be able to have my new kitchen, office, bathroom and improved family room. Feeling grateful and thankful keeps me in good spirits.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on Dec. 11, 2004.

Filed Under: Remodeling

Remodel starts as a small paint job

October 16, 2004 By

It all started with a desire for a new paint color. My client decided that he was tired of the white walls he’d had forever and that he’d like to try some color. He called me to choose colors for his open floor-plan living room, dining room and kitchen. When we were done, we had changed all of the flooring, refaced his kitchen cabinets, replaced his counters with beautiful granite tile, added window treatments, removed the “popcorn” ceiling, installed crown molding, and of course, painted all of the walls.

You know how that goes; one thing always seems to lead to another. “As long as we’re painting, why don’t we get new flooring?” Everyone I know seems to have a similar story. The results in my client’s case were remarkable. We added a stylish and cohesive look to the space. We added warmth and elegance. We even added functionality by removing a wall dividing the living and dining areas.

At our initial meeting, we did talk about paint colors, but his view was that if he was going to go through the trouble of painting, he might as well do a few other things too. He wanted a warm, inviting home to entertain his family and friends. To make his living room feel cozier, we installed crown molding at the eight-foot ceiling height, which visually brought the high ceilings down. By removing the wall between the living room and dining room, we created a much larger entertaining space. To tie the two rooms together, we painted them in the same color– rich, earthy terracotta. A faux finish painted below the crown molding added depth and interest. We used the same terracotta in the entry and up the stairwell.

Using one type of flooring throughout helped to unify the space, as well as make it feel larger. In this case, we selected gorgeous cherry wood floors for the entire downstairs. The upstairs bedrooms were left carpeted.

The kitchen cabinets were finished in a dark merlot stain, providing contrast with the relatively lighter cherry floors. The granite tile for the kitchen brought all of the colors together, with its flecks of red and terracotta. New light fixtures in the entry and dining area updated the rooms, and my client was surprised at the huge difference made by removing the acoustic ceilings. New honeycomb shades at the windows allowed my client to have privacy when closed, but a full view of his lovely garden when open.

When all the construction was done, my redesign partner and I rearranged all of his furniture, artwork and accessories. Our arrangement took advantage of the new open space between the living and dining areas and created a cozy conversation area around the fireplace. The warm wall color provided a beautiful backdrop for all of his artwork, and his interesting collectibles were proudly displayed.

It took a few months to complete, but in the end, my client was very happy. “I love my new house,” he shared with me. Music to my ears.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on Oct. 16, 2004.

Filed Under: Color, Remodeling

A Primer for Planning Your Dream Kitchen

August 7, 2004 By

Q. Our kitchen is outdated and inefficient, and we’ve decided to remodel. Where do we start?

A. Congratulations! Since we spend so much time in our kitchens, it makes sense to create an efficient, beautiful space that we can enjoy everyday. Even small changes to a kitchen require a good deal of planning and thought, so take your time and do your homework.

Your first step should be to create a design file. Your file should include photos, clippings, brochures, notes, lists, color swatches, anything related to the project. Look through magazines and design books for inspiration. Talk to your friends and family members about things they like about their kitchens. Visit kitchen showrooms to see what’s available and to get an idea of how much things cost. Have a realistic budget in mind as you plan.

Next, you’ll want to take a good, long look at your existing kitchen. Write down your answers to the following questions and put these notes in your design file. What are your goals for this remodeling project? Do you want more storage space? More counter space? An eating area? New appliances? A bill-paying area? Be specific. What bothers you about your existing kitchen? Perhaps your kitchen doesn’t fit your lifestyle because it is designed for only one cook. Perhaps your food storage is inadequate and you’d like room for a pantry. How long will you be living in your house? If you will be moving in just a few years, you probably will want to focus on cosmetic rather than structural changes. How convenient is it to work in your kitchen? When you open the dishwasher, does it interrupt the traffic flow? Is there enough space to walk comfortably? What kind of cook are you? Do you fix full-course meals often or do you rely on convenience foods? What do you like about your kitchen? Maybe it’s the stream of sunlight through the window. Or the U-shaped layout. Again, be specific.

After you’ve done this analysis, create a wish list. Pretend that money is no object and make a list of everything you would like to have in your new kitchen. Perhaps it is a 42” built-in refrigerator and granite countertops. Or pull-out shelves in the cabinets and a warming drawer. Later, when you review this list, you will prioritize and select those items that are most important to you. This list will help you decide where to splurge and where you can cut back.

You’ll want to spend some time really thinking about what you want and why you want it. As you visit the design centers and kitchen showrooms, you may become overwhelmed at the unbelievable array of choices available to you. In the beginning stages of planning your project, go ahead and look at everything. It will be fun and you’ll have lots of options to consider. As you proceed, keeping in mind your design file and all of your notes, it will be easier to narrow down your choices and make decisions.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on August 7, 2004.

Filed Under: Kitchens, Remodeling

Remodeling? No such thing as too much attention to details

April 3, 2004 By

As you may remember, I am planning my own kitchen remodel, which has evolved into a 340 square foot addition including a small bathroom and guest room/home office. The remodeling plans are coming along nicely, although we have not begun construction yet. There are so many decisions to make that the process is taking a little longer than I wanted. However, the extra time has been well spent. I want to make sure not to overlook any important details, and so I have been thoughtfully going over every inch of the plans.

Along the way I have made a few changes to the original design: my cook top will now be in the island in order to create a more convenient work triangle, and also so I can face people while I am cooking; I moved the fireplace in the family room to the corner to create more floor space for furniture; I increased the number of upper cabinets because I don’t think you can ever have enough storage.

I have indicated in the plans all of the light fixtures, outlets and switches. It is important to specify which switch will activate which fixture, lest you find yourself walking across the room to turn on the light. Not only did I add functional lighting such as under the upper cabinets and recessed lights around the perimeter of the kitchen, but I also added decorative lighting in the form of pendant fixtures over the island and wall sconces on either side of a large bulletin board. As I said before, the part I am looking forward to the most is this “central command” area—a counter with my phone and fax machine, and, below, a cabinet with several outlets inside to house all of the electronic gadgets such as battery chargers for the cell phones, digital camera and Palm Pilot. This area will have the bulletin board and large calendar, as well as a bill paying area.

In order to plan for the outlets and light switches, I had to know which items I would be storing in which areas of the kitchen. For instance, I know my coffee maker will be next to the refrigerator, so I wanted to have an outlet there. The toaster and microwave will be next to the double ovens, so there are outlets there as well. I even planned where I will store my dishes—they will be stored in a lower cabinet near the dishwasher and at a convenient height for my children to be able to help themselves.

My point is that you cannot spend too much time attending to these details. Your time spent at this stage will ensure a successful project. Also, I did not do all of this planning alone. I have enlisted the help of an architect, other designer friends, family members, even friends and clients who have undergone similar projects. Even though I happily help others with their design projects, I often find it hard to look objectively at my own house. I welcome the ideas of others and love when they suggest things I haven’t thought of. I’ll continue to keep you posted on my progress.

If you’d like help with your home improvement project, I will be teaching a decorating class in Fremont in May. Please phone or email me for more information.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on April 3, 2004.

Filed Under: Remodeling

Kitchen Remodel Will Make Space More Functional

January 3, 2004 By

After years of living vicariously through my clients, I am now happily planning my own kitchen remodel. I have drawn up a scaled floor plan (which has undergone a great number of revisions as my ideas take shape).

I have pored through design magazines and books and visited several showrooms. I have conferred with a contractor who works with an architect and structural engineer, and have also collaborated with other designer friends. I have spoken to real estate agents about features that will add value to my home and have solicited the advice of friends and family. I have created a wish list based on eleven years of living and working in my current kitchen and knowing exactly what works and doesn’t work.

There are many details to consider when planning a kitchen remodel. The more decisions you make before beginning construction, the smoother the project will proceed. I’d like to share with you some of the details I kept in mind in the design of my new kitchen.

Most important is functionality. My current kitchen is U-shaped. While I do like this functional layout, in my kitchen, however, the U is just too small, and I do not have enough counter space between the appliances to work comfortably.

Because of increased square footage, my new kitchen will be L-shaped, with an island in the center to serve as a breakfast bar as well as a food preparation area.My ovens and cook top will be on the short leg of the L, and the sink, refrigerator and pantry will be on the long leg. I have allowed a generous amount of counter space between each appliance for setting down hot pans and spreading out cooking supplies. I am short, so the placement of commonly used items has to be convenient for me.

I have planned for pull-out drawers in several of the lower cabinets and included a lazy-Susan in the corner cabinet. We have a large extended family in the area, so my new kitchen is designed to seat 10 and allow for guests to help themselves to drinks in the refrigerator.

Food storage is a big problem in my current kitchen, so my new kitchen has a walk-in pantry and a large drawer for spices next to the cook top. I am not a gourmet cook, but I do cook frequently.

High-end commercial appliances are not so important to me, but efficiency is, so my new kitchen has two ovens. The decorator in me can’t wait to create a beautiful tile backsplash over the new cook top.

I have allowed 42 inches of walking space between the island and the counters, which is ample room for two cooks to walk comfortably. I have kept the traffic patterns clear– no more squeezing behind the table to get to the backyard.

The best part of the new design is a separate cabinet with outlets inside to store our cell phone and Palm Pilot chargers. Lighting is placed strategically above the food preparation areas, and pendant fixtures will hang above the island. My style is contemporary, so I have selected sleek, simple cabinetry with granite counters and tile floors.

My next step is to meet with the contractor, architect and engineer to fine tune my design, create architectural plans and obtain the permits. I’ll keep you posted.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on January 3, 2004.

Filed Under: Kitchens, Remodeling