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Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide

August 11, 2009 By Broadlume Leave a Comment

Cabinet hardware is not just for decoration. Cabinet hardware is designed to prevent the oils on your hands from damaging the finish on your cabinets. Over time, those oils in your hands can weaken the finish on your cabinets. There are many different choices of cabinet hardware available for purchase today. Sometimes it can be overwhelming! Below are some considerations for purchasing cabinet hardware.

Things to consider when purchasing cabinets hardware:

  • If you are replacing cabinet hardware, be sure that you are replacing with hardware that has the same size holes or the new hardware will cover the holes from the previous hardware.
  • Pulls vs. Knobs – Pulls can make it easier to open drawers when your hands are full and take up more space than knobs. Knobs are smaller and can draw less attention. You also have the option to mix – pulls on the drawers and knobs on the doors.
  • Backplate or no backplate – Both knobs and pulls can be used with backplates. Backplates are used to protect the cabinet or cover holes from previous hardware.
  • Finish – There are so many finishes to choose from today. Popular finishes include: Nickel, Brass, Antique Brass, Copper, Chrome, Aged Bronze, Iron, Ceramics and Paintable Wood. Often, people coordinate their cabinet hardware with plumbing fixtures or appliance colors such as stainless steel with nickel.
  • Design – If you are considereing purchasing cabinet hardware with a decorative design, consider how many cabinets you will be placing that hardware on and how many times you will see it repeated in a given space. Often, the extremely decorative items are better left for small areas like bathrooms where there are not so many cabinets.
  • Sine you generally need quite a few pieces of hardware in a kitchen, be sure to buy a few extra pieces in case you need them down the road. Should you find yourself in need of another knob or pull somewhere down the road, it would be a shame to have to replace all of your cabinet hardware  because you only needed one more piece of hardware and couldn’t find it because it had been discontinued!

Think of your cabinet hardware as jewelry or an accessory for your cabinets. Choose wisely because it can imapct the entire look and feel of your kitchen or bath!

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Filed Under: Kitchen & Bath Tagged With: cabinet hardware, cabinet hardware buying guide, cabinet knobs, cabinet pulls

Bath Tile Design Idea

August 5, 2009 By Broadlume Leave a Comment

This use of tile on the wall in this powder room is referred to as wainscoting. Wainscoting can be higher up the wall than this, but in this case it only goes to about chair rail height. It can include tile that is larger, smaller, in different patterns, different styles and more.

This tile does a great job of giving this small bathroom some personality and interest. The particular texture of this tile is its best feature. Not only does this tile install look fantastic, but it serves a purpose as well! The tile serves as a sink splash as well as wall protection.

Because this tile stops below the chair rail it allows a different texture and wall surface to be installed above the chair rail. In this case, the wall above the chair rail is darker than the bottom half of the wall. This keeps a small room from feeling smaller with all of the walls being dark.

Also worth noting, the style and elegance of the toilet and sink. The lines of these fixtures compliments the beauty of the tile on the wall. Also, notice the toilet paper holder is the same finish as the hardware on the other fixtures. It’s all in the details…..

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Filed Under: Ceramic/Porcelain, Kitchen & Bath Tagged With: bath tile, powder bathroom tile, power bath wall tile, tile wainscoting, wall tile

National Kitchen and Bath Association and ServiceMagic Alliance

July 30, 2009 By Broadlume Leave a Comment

ServiceMagic.com and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) announced today that the two organizations have formed a strategic alliance to benefit NKBA members and homeowners looking for the best contractors in their areas.

This partnership allows NKBA professionals to reach more consumers by gaining access to ServiceMagic.com’s targeted lead platform. They choose specific projects and zip codes to connect with homeowners in need of their services.

“In today’s economic climate, being more efficient with marketing resources is critical,” said Craig Smith, CEO of ServiceMagic.com. “ServiceMagic.com’s matching platform brings top-quality professionals right to the doorsteps of homeowners who are looking for someone with their skills.”
NKBA members will receive volume discounts and a waiver of ServiceMagic.com’s standard enrollment fee, which is used to cover the costs of the 10-point screening. With more than five million consumer requests expected in 2009, ServiceMagic also offers the NKBA expanded consumer reach and awareness. Consumers using ServiceMagic.com will gain exposure to the professionalism of NKBA members, who have benefited from the association’s leadership and educational focus for the kitchen and bath industry over the last 46 years.

“This is a win-win for homeowners and NKBA members. It is an honor to align with such a prestigious organization,” said Smith. “The NKBA shares ServiceMagic’s commitment to promoting kitchen and bathroom remodelers whose professionalism and quality not only meet, but exceed customer expectations.”

“By working with ServiceMagic, the National Kitchen & Bath Association is able to provide our members with even more value for their membership,” said NKBA CEO Don Sciolaro. “In this economy, it’s critical for professionals to increase their sales, and by taking advantage of the NKBA’s new program with ServiceMagic, NKBA members will be able to find more consumers in their local areas who are looking to remodel their kitchens and baths.”
About ServiceMagic®, Inc.

ServiceMagic®, Inc., headquartered in Golden, Colo., is the nation’s leading online marketplace, connecting homeowners with prescreened and customer-rated home service professionals. Using proprietary technology to match consumer service requests with local service professionals in real time, the company addresses more than 500 different home service needs that range from simple home repairs and maintenance to complete home remodeling projects. In addition, its 58,000 home service professionals are prescreened to help consumers connect with licensed and insured home service professionals. ServiceMagic is an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI). For more information, visit http://nkba.servicemagic.com or contact Julie Madigan at jmadigan@servicemagic.com or 303.963.7859 .

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS®). With over 40,000 members, the NKBA has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide. For more information, visit the NKBA Press Room at NKBA.org/Press or call 800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).

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Filed Under: Kitchen & Bath, News Tagged With: NKBA< national kitchen and bath association, service magic, servicemagic

Cambria Special Request – Reader Question

July 29, 2009 By Broadlume Leave a Comment

Question: I would like to know if you have any information regarding making a farm sink out of the same Cambria countertop material I am using for my counters.

My architect made a farm sink out of the same limestone she used for her countertops. I really like the look and was just wondering if you had any experience with it.

Answer: I contacted Cambria for this special request and was pleased to find out that you can in fact have a farm sink made from Cambria. It is a special / custom order that can be done. Each order is priced on an individual basis. Other information that Cambria will need includes, your location, where you plan to purchase Cambria and an estimated size of your sink.

For more information, contact

Angie Hilgenberg

Director of Marketing Promotions

Angie.Hilgenberg@CambriaUSA.com

If you are not familiar with Cambria – see below for some of the benefits of Cambria:

  • Strength & Durability– Cambria Natural Quartz Surfaces™ are twice as strong as granite. Cambria is a surface that is truly everlasting.
  • Maintenance Free – No sealing, polishing or reconditioning is needed. Simply wash with warm water. It’s that simple. Plus, unlike granite, Cambria will resist stains from common food items such as wine, coffee and tea.
  • Food Safe – Unlike granite, Cambria has been certified by NSF International as safe for use as a food preparation surface. Cambria is nonporous; therefore, food and moisture cannot penetrate the surface — the main source of growth for harmful bacteria.
  • All Natural – Cambria is created from pure natural quartz, an extremely hard stone. In fact, quartz is the hardest non-precious stone that can be found in the earth’s surface.
  • Everlasting Value – With its beauty and performance advantages over granite, a Cambria kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity will add value to your home.
  • Guaranteed – As the only producer of quartz surfaces in the United States, Cambria is covered by a Lifetime Limited Warranty.

The closer you look, the more you’ll discover the benefits of Cambria over other surfaces. With Cambria, you’ll add warmth and beauty plus the strength and durability that can only be found in natural quartz. Your dream home begins with Cambria!

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Filed Under: Countertops, Q & A Tagged With: Cambria, Countertops, farm sink, quartz, quartz countertops

Interview with Kelly Morisseau from Kitchen Sync

July 28, 2009 By Broadlume 2 Comments

The author of the popular Kitchen Sync blog, Kelly Morisseau is a second-generation CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer), and a CID (Certified Interior Designer) for a residential design/build firm in Northern California.  After 25 years in the business, she just wants to give something back – she does this through her blog. Kelly took some time out of her busy schedule to share some thoughts on what it means to be a certified kitchen and bath designer, color trends and how flooring fits into her design process.

Question: What does it mean to be a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer?

Answer: Designing for seven years before I could even apply and tests and tears and all-night coffee-soaked study sessions – oh, wait. That’s not what you meant, is it?

Here’s the simplest version: a person who has substantial experience and training in both kitchen and bath design as it relates to construction, ergonomics, and safety.

A master designer is one who has held both the individual designations for a minimum of 10 years.

Question: Why is it important to use a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer?

Answer: I don’t know if important is the term! I’d say we’re design- and problem-solvers who eliminate mistakes before the construction starts. It can be as detailed as researching that the heavy-duty hood fan can be installed in a two-story home (some can’t) or – since we’re talking flooring here— watching for different heights of flooring thicknesses in order to avoid a tripping hazard between transitions or rooms.

Question: What is your favorite aspect about Kitchen and Bath designing?

Answer: Even after 25 years, it’s always interesting. There’s always some new material or design application or electronic advancement or home construction technique to be learned.

And every client is different: even two homes with the same layout will never be the same because each client’s lifestyle will dictate different choices.

Question: What is the most common mistake you find that consumers make when planning a kitchen or bath?

Answer: That all materials and fixtures are compatible with each other. They’re not. Some faucets do not work with the sinks, some appliances do not work with the design, some lighting shades that do nothing for actual lighting. That and assuming that the room is always bigger than it is.

Question: At what point do you make flooring considerations in the design process?

Answer: Throughout! We spend a great deal of time discussing the pros and cons of each flooring material. For example, someone who has bad knees or a sore back may choose a softer flooring, such as cork or wood, over a harder one, such as tile or concrete.

After that, we may tentatively select the color at the beginning and fine-tune it as the rest of the other choices are layered in.

Question: What is your favorite floor type for kitchens? Why?

Answer: I don’t have a favorite – no, let me rephrase that–my favorite is a flooring that offers the most pros and the fewest cons to each client’s lifestyle.

Lifestyle often dictates the best fit. Do they have dogs with long nails who like to chase each other around the island? Do the kids leave spills on the floor? I think any major choice should include maintenance education prior to final selection.

Question: What is your favorite floor type for baths? Why?

Answer: Anything non-slip. I love porcelain tile, because there area so many options for both safety and style. Plus, with a straight-edged tile, we can have a narrower grout joint. (The old-world tiles with the serrated edges which require a wider grout joint.)

Question: What color trends do you see currently for kitchens and baths?

Answer:

Two trends – both warm and cool.

Contemporary design: whites, grays, deep browns

Traditional design: creams, sundrenched tones or more traditional trio of wheat/green/red combination.

Or a combination of both – so perhaps classic white cabinets with sage green walls and chocolate brown furniture pieces.

Question: What trends do you see (in your market) in flooring for kitchens and baths?

Answer: A bit of everything except sheet vinyl. We’re seeing:

Tiles in stone and porcelain in various sizes, such as a 3- or 4-tile pattern. Bigger tiles, such as 12×18 or a 12×24 rectangles which, I should point out, take a very experienced floor setter to lay them perfectly flat and a floor with little flex; otherwise, the tiles will crack.

Woods from oaks to exotic woods, like rosewood or strand bamboo. Definitely wider plank sizes and/or flooring laid in a diagonal or a pattern.

I’m also noticing a slight trend towards glossy floors, perhaps a high sheen on the wood or a gloss white tile. Not my favorite as glossy anything can tend to be quite slippery. There. That’s what the benefit of a CMKBD is: we’re very cautious about safety!

Question: What trends do you see in countertops for kitchens and baths?

Answer: I’m seeing a lot of engineered stone (quartz) and good quality granite for the kitchen. I can’t quite talk folks out of marble for the bathroom (many marbles etch with strong chemicals, such as hairspray or shaving cream.) There is also some interest in recycled counters, whether they are paper-based or recycled glass. Again, it comes down to maintenance and lifestyle.

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Filed Under: Kitchen & Bath, Q & A Tagged With: certified master kitchen and bath designer, kelly morisseau, kitchen sync

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