Kitchens Come in all Shapes and Sizes!

You might think that I savor the opportunity to work on large kitchen projects. While being able to design and remodel a big kitchen is indeed fun, some of my greatest challenges, and consequently some of my favorite projects, are actually more modest in size. Being in New England, I get the chance to work on many older homes where kitchens were not seen as the gathering places they are in houses built by today’s contractors. Many homes in West Hartford for example, have kitchens located at the back of the house where they were initially intended to be a minor player to the more formal dining and living rooms located at the front of the home. Remodeling these spaces to fit in with the lifestyle of today gives me a chance to stretch my design muscles and bring special features into the kitchen to give it a unique identity, as well as, modern updates while remaining true to the style of the home’s architecture. Visually opening the space can be achieved through creative use of materials. Setting floor tile on a diagonal creates the illusion of a larger area; color splashes with tile make a bold statement yet are not overwhelming, and an uncomplicated cabinetry style lends a serene atmosphere along with looking clean and crisp. Even small kitchens can benefit from an island or peninsula, especially those that do double duty as a breakfast bar or baking/food prep area. Unique features such as island standoffs provide drama, height and extra usable space. Removing walls, moving doors and/or windows, or adding on to the existing floor plan all can make a huge difference even if the addition is only a few feet. It’s amazing the difference an extra 8 or 10 feet can make without dramatically changing the original footprint of the home. Though these projects may be more conservative in size, the resulting kitchens are truly “great rooms”.

Bathrooms are Hot!

 In the last few months we have been getting a lot of calls from people looking to remodel their bathroom(s). Bathrooms can be some of the most forgotten rooms in a home. But I consider them to be essential elements, with the master bath to be one of the most important, next to, of course, the kitchen. Why? Well, the master bath is the place where we get ready to face the world. It can also be a retreat where we rejuvenate after a long day at work or all day with the kids. What are people looking for? Popular items include hand-held showerheads, adjustable body sprays, heated floors and towel warmers. To create a spa feel, soothing colors, clean lines and hospitality centers are also being requested. Imagine stepping out of your nice hot shower, onto a warm floor and wrapping yourself up in a nice warm fluffy towel, then heading over to your single-cup coffee maker and sipping a hot cup of coffee, or having a night cap from the beverage center-what a way to get ready for your day or wind down for a restful sleep. Sweet dreams!

Turn Over a New Leaf, It's National Kitchen & Bath Month!

With October comes apples, pumpkins and “leaf peeping.”

October is also National Kitchen and Bath Month, (http://www.nkba.org/press_releases_20070813.aspx), a time when families are back from summer vacation stays away from home, are ready to tackle the new school year, the upcoming holidays, and a home renovation project. Why not ponder what your dream kitchen or bath might look like as you drive along Connecticut’s highways and byways? Below are some interesting fall foliage links I have found on the Internet complete with interactive maps on peak foliage and traveling throughout Connecticut and New England to view this season’s color. Take a page from Mother Nature and incorporate some of her shades into your palate.

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2222&q=320738&depNav_GID=1631
http://www.yankeefoliage.com/foliagemap/

http://www.discoveramerica.com/ca/connecticut/

Women and Remodeling

With women making up an increasingly larger portion of the economic buying power, we have seen an increase in the number of women coming to us for their remodeling projects. Kitchen + Bath Design + Construction is a female owned and operated business and many of these clients feel a certain level of comfort with this fact. They don’t feel pressured, or feel like they are being talked down to, we are on equal footing. Also as a female in the home remodeling industry, I understand the importance of a good design for the most sought after home remodels. The kitchen as the center of the home is not only a place to nourish but also nurture, gather, and bond with family and friends. Bathrooms, especially the Master, are no longer purely utilitarian spaces, but our sanctuaries from an increasingly demanding lifestyle and invasive society. These women desire both kitchen and bath to be efficient and beautiful, a reflection of themselves. In coming to KBDC, they have found someone with a listening ear that can guide them through the vast choices and decisions that come with a remodeling project.

KBDC is Once Again Named a Top 500 Remodeling Company

For the fourth year in a row, Kitchen + Bath Design + Construction, (KBDC), has been recognized by Qualified Remodeler Magazine, one of the Industry’s leading publications, as a Top 500 Remodeling Company. The Top 500 list is the longest on-going recognition program in the remodeling industry. Each year Qualified Remodeler acknowledges the leading companies from across the country for their success in the remodeling business based on installed dollar volume, total years in business, industry association memberships, certifications, awards and community involvement. A full service design/build firm, Kitchen + Bath Design + Construction is proud and thrilled to be ranked at number 357 out of 500.

Kitchen + Bath | Design + Construction Offers Remodeling Seminars in September and October, National Kitchen & Bath Month

With the kids back in school and families back from vacations but not yet overwhelmed by the holidays, fall is a popular time of year for homeowners to remodel their kitchens and baths. In recognition of this, Kitchen + Bath Design + Construction is offering residents of West Hartford, Glastonbury, Farmington and Simsbury, CT a series of Continuing Education Seminars on remodeling topics during the months of September and October which also is National Kitchen and Bath month. Topics include Kitchen Planning Guidelines & Trends, Bathroom Planning Guidelines, Green Remodeling and Universal Design. All seminars will be given by KBDC Owner, Lorey Cavanaugh, CKD/CBD, and will take place on Monday or Tuesday evenings, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Schedules are as follows:

West Hartford: Contact # (860) 561-6900
September 15 and 22: Kitchen Planning Guidelines & Trends
September 29: Bathroom Planning Guidelines
October 6: Green Remodeling

Glastonbury: Contact # (860) 652-7253
October 27: Universal Design
November 3: Green Remodeling

Farmington: Contact # (860) 404-0290
September 29: Bathroom Planning Guidelines (in conjunction with West Hartford)
October 6: Green Remodeling
October 13 and 20: Kitchen Planning Guidelines & Trends

Simsbury: Contact # (860) 658-3870
September 21: Universal Design
October 5 Green Remodeling

Contact the Continuing Education Department of the listed towns for seminar locations, as well as to register for these popular and informative seminars. Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis. A member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Kitchen + Bath Design + Construction specializes in understanding today’s lifestyle and the importance of proper space planning to create beautiful, functional spaces which ad investment dollar to your home. For more information on Kitchen + Bath Design + Construction, please contact Allison Harkins at 860-953-1101.

Elegant Style

This Federal style home, located in West Hartford, CT, sits facing a scenic view of Hartford and the surrounding hills. Built in 1991, the home had a large basic white kitchen with black granite floor and walk-in pantry. This project was a major remodel. The only thing kept from the original kitchen design was the floor. Windows were reconfigured as was the pantry area and a large archway was added over the table area.
The challenge of this project was to provide the homeowners, a busy family of five, with the drama they desired and complement their stately home. The solution was achieved through adding a large custom mantle-style hood and unique marble backsplash design that gave the rest of the space a focal point and “WOW-factor.” Cherry cabinets with a Chestnut stain contrast beautifully against golden-beige painted walls. Creamy white trim moldings were also added throughout the kitchen. A new closed soffit over the cabinetry further accentuates the grandness of the room and is accented by large-scale crown molding. By relocating the sinks and range, a more functional layout for the kitchen was created and storage was maximized and brought to a reachable height for easier access. Look for this beautiful redesign in the September/October 2009 issue of Signature Kitchens & Baths Magazine available on newsstands later this month.