Monday, December 31, 2007

Be Creative With Your Kitchen Decor

If you're going to be spending a lot of time in your kitchen you want to make sure that you have the right kitchen d?r. There are so many fun ideas that you can choose for adding a little bit of spice and joy to your kitchen. This article will throw out a few ideas that you may not have thought about before.

Probably one of the most popular themes is the cows and barnyard animals theme. One of the advantages to going with a popular kitchen d?r theme like barnyard animals is that there are so many choices that you can find. They will usually be very inexpensive, and they're fun too.

If you like barn yard type animals like chickens cows, pig's, horses, and that type of look - You may consider doing something slightly different to spice it up. You can often find the same type of items that are from the 50s, 60s, and 70s that are quite cute. Yet they have that touch of class to them from another era.

If barnyard animals aren't your thing, you may want to go with the more outdoorsy type kitchen d?r theme.

Some suggestions you might think of would be wheat fields, forest, and ocean beaches. You can find many wallpaper items that you may trim along the top of your kitchen wall, and then at a few nice d?r items to finish the touches off.

You can find many wonderful items online by shopping with the various auction sites and such and save a tremendous amount of money. For kitchen, she never want to spend too much as the value really should go into the appliances and other items that are in the kitchen. Regardless of the kitchen d?r that you choose, be sure to enjoy the process.

If you need more helpful Home Decor information try visiting http://home-decor-helper.com, a website that specializes in providing helpful home decor tips, advice, and resources to include Kitchen D?r

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Sunday, December 30, 2007

Save Money - Kitchen Remodeling Projects on a Budget

Kitchens are very expensive rooms because they contain a lot of specialist equipment. Completely Renovating your kitchen can be particularly expensive. However it is possible to create a much nicer and more inviting space by redesign and update your kitchen. Your kitchen gets a lot of use, updating it can make it a much nicer space. Upgrading your kitchen can also add to the value of your home and make it more desirable.

To renovate your kitchen on a budget there are some things that you can do. We'll look at some fairly inexpensive ways of updating your kitchen without spending a fortune.

A coat of paint

Paint is very cheap, no really it is! It's also a great way to breathe extra life back into your kitchen. It only takes a day, or at most a weekend to complete a painting project. You could use paint on the walls, or even to change the look of your cabinets. Paint is a great way to tie all of the colors in your kitchen together. When looking to remodel your kitchen on a small budget, then paint could be the right way to go.

Before you consider painting anything you must make sure that everything is in good condition. There's no point painting the wall if it's going to flake off as soon as you complete it. This is even more important with your cabinets, you need a very good surface so the paint can key onto the surface. If your cabinets are in good condition then it's worth spending the time to repaint them.

Small things count too!

You don't have to spend a fortune to make changes to your kitchen, even small little things can change how your kitchen feels. Small things can actually have a huge impact. Take a look at lighting fixtures, they're not overly expensive but they can completely change the look of the room. If you add lighting below your cabinets it can make your kitchen look much more spacious.

An alternative to replacing cabinets is to simply replace the handles, it changes the look without having to spend money purchasing new cabinets. There are hundreds of different options available when choosing handles that can suit anyone on a budget.

Flooring

Flooring in kitchens takes a lot of battering over time, and so you may need to replace the flooring. Problem is that flooring can be extremely expensive, but it is possible to do this on a budget too. Instead of getting flooring fitted professionally look for flooring which is suitable for DIY installation.

You can also take a look at discontinued lines of flooring as these will be cheaper. However make sure you buy enough extra in case you make mistakes!

Before you do rush out and buy a new floor have a look under your current flooring. It could well be that you have a solid wood floor underneath which would be better and cheaper!

Remodeling your kitchen doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, it is possible to do it on a budget but still get a good job. It's important to use the assets that you already have.

Being specifically passionate about faucets, Ken Morris was writing various short articles on the topic. You might find out more about his observations on best kitchen faucet over at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/faucets.html and many different sources for best kitchen faucet information.

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Saturday, December 29, 2007

Energize Your Kitchen With Color

Somehow, once the rush of Christmas is over, we have time on our hands. But usually at this time of the year, it has to be indoor time, so how about a low-key face lift for your place, specifically to 'brighten' your kitchen?

Even if you are on a limited budget (like most of us after Christmas!) there are still ways to improve and really brighten up your kitchen. The biggest way to change the look of a kitchen (and give yourself an instant psychological lift) is to change the color scheme. Certain colors are known to give a cheery boost, particularly yellows, oranges, turquoises and pinks.

Now this need not mean change all your kitchen cabinets and appliances. You will have to work around the expensive items if you are on a budget. These days, most of us have replaced the avocado green stoves and mustard yellow fridges with white or almond appliances, and these neutral colors are easy to incorporate into most color schemes.

Before we get started, a word about kitchen cabinets, the two most popular choices are wood doors or laminate doors - usually white or cream. Ideally, for the sake of your wallet, you will want to stick with what you have got. Ensure that your choice of paintwork will complement the specific color of your wooden cabinet doors.

Kitchen cupboards are a very expensive outlay which can be cleverly avoided in most cases. They can be painted or revamped using an intense color stain gel. Also, many companies advertise that they will replace your cabinet doors (ONLY doors) for a very modest fee.

If you feel you have to have new doors, this is the most reasonable option. These new kitchen cabinet door fronts can be as reasonable a $20.00, although an oak door can start nearer to $30.00. This idea will considerably lower the cost of a new look for your kitchen.

However, this is about brightening up, not renovating, so back to the prime mood changer of your kitchen - the color. If you paint all the walls in one color, be sure that the color is not too intense. Four walls that are intensely or darkly colored will appear to reduce the size of your room.

If you want intense color, try to put it on one wall, preferably the wall that houses the window. This is because that wall will not reflect any light coming into the kitchen from that window.

As white walls or very pale walls will reflect the most incoming daylight, the direction of the sunlight should be taken into account if you are a 'natural light' buff!

If you have no sunlight coming into your kitchen, then be sure that your artificial lighting picks up on pale areas. Small under-the-cabinet fluorescent lights can be bought very cheaply, and are also extremely easy to install.

Another way to brighten your kitchen if you have no natural light is to hang a string of colored lights, perhaps along the top of your kitchen cabinets. These will not give light but will give an atmospheric glow.

Strings of little lights can be found these days in red or green chili peppers, or baby yellow pumpkins, of course, you can only add these if they go with your color scheme, or otherwise you are stuck with the cream-colored baby garlic bulb lights!

It is probably under $100.00. to treat yourself to a quick coat or two of paint, some inexpensive lighting and perhaps new drapes or blinds. If you feel really extravagant you can buy a new set of kitchen canisters, or paint the spice rack to match and feel cheery in your kitchen, even on a gray day!

Eric specializes in Bellingham WA real estate. If you're looking for Bellingham condos for sale, visit Eric at http://www.bellingham-realestate.net

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Friday, December 28, 2007

The Beauty Of Country Kitchen Design

The kitchen is the heart of most homes. This is where family members are drawn together as they prepare dinner, or grab a quick bite before heading to school or work. That is why country kitchen designs are one of the more popular designs because of the warm, cozy feeling that this kind of kitchen gives.

A country kitchen is incomplete without wood. Cabinets, shelves, coffee tables, chairs, and flooring are usually made of wood. Whether distressed or not, wood must be natural-looking. Cabinets made of oak, maple, pine or knotty alder, in tones of tan and yellow, is the focal point of a country kitchen. There may also be open cupboards or shelves where pots and earthen ware can be stored. A hand painted shelf mounted on the wall can also be used to display antique plates and jars.

Another element of country design is the use of wrought iron pieces. Plant holders, fruit baskets, cabinet knobs and drawer pulls are usually made of wrought iron to give a rugged, rustic feel.

Countertops are usually made of marble or ceramic tiles, although some would still use granite countertops. Whatever the material is, the color must blend well with the color scheme of the entire kitchen. Interesting decorative tiles may also be used in some areas.

To give warmth, walls are usually painted with earth colors. Some prefer lighter shades like yellow and cream. Visualize the colors of a sunset. These are the colors that the walls usually have.

Tables and other kitchen furniture must contribute to the rustic feel. That is why it is common to see a small round table in dark brown or maroon shades. Wicker chairs may also be used. Tall counter stools, also made of wood, are also present in a country kitchen.

For the floor, brick or terra cotta stones may be used. For others who do not want a concrete floor, wood is preferred, which can be solid hardwood or wood laminate. Dark or redwood continues to be a popular choice. Like the cabinets and furniture, the floor must also have a natural finish.

Lastly, use accessories to complete the country look. Place curtains and chair covers in deep blue, green and plum tones to bring out the earth tones of the walls and floor. Plant and flower pots may also be placed anywhere - near the window, in an open shelf, on top of the table, or hanging. Daisies may also be placed on a vase to give more color.

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Thursday, December 27, 2007

Improve your Kitchen Without Spending a Fortune!

Everyone spends a long time in their kitchen, even if you don't cook it's still used to congregate! This is why everyone wants a beautiful and stylish kitchen. Kitchens can however be extremely expensive which can make them prohibitive for many people. If you have a small budget but still want to refresh your kitchen then be on the lookout for companies that offer low cost remodeling packages for kitchens. You don't need to spend all of your hard earned cash on your kitchen.

How to Pick the right Contractor to do the work

There are hundreds of different contractors on offer, so how can you choose a suitable one? There are lots of reliable contractors that will remodel your kitchen on a tight budget. There are also some contractors that don't know what they are doing, they simply pretend so that they can get your money. You should avoid these contractors, otherwise you could end up with a horrible kitchen.

It can be difficult to find suppliers that really know what they are doing, rather than ones that simply pretend. The best way to find a reliable contractor to remodel your kitchen is to ask for a list of references, if possible phone some of his most recent clients and ask what they thought. If the clients are not impressed with the work, or the contractor is unwilling to give you the information then you should be cautious about using him. Be very cautious if the prices are too low as they may just intend to take your money and run!

If only a couple of people said that they were not satisfied with the work of the contractor then it is up to you whether you use the contractor. Try to find out why they did not appreciate the work. If they get three satisfied customers out of five then it's not really that bad a proportion. Be sure to check the refund terms if you are not completely satisfied with the results. The contractor should be willing to sign the agreement of kitchen cabinets remodeling if they are confident in the service that they intend to provide.

Being very excited about tables, Greg Hansward published different long articles in the field. You might see his comments on kitchen cabinets remodeling and tables at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com

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Tuesday, December 25, 2007

A Kitchen Bay Window - More Than Just a Pretty Face

You may think that the addition of a kitchen bay window would make a lovely accent to your room. You might not be thinking any further than that, but other reasons, apart from looks, are also important in choosing a bay window for your kitchen.

Bay Window Framing is Very Important

The looks are indeed a major reason for your purchase. There are three aspects to the appearance of the bay window. One is the window frame. Bay windows come with different types of frames. Most these days they are metal frames when you buy them in the store, but you can seat them in new woodwork to make them more a part of your home. If you have an older home, you can purchase used lumber to fashion you framework and sill from them instead. Whatever you do, make sure your window will be framed beautifully.

At the same time, you need to consider the glass itself as a feature of your window. When you are deciding how large to make the window, you also must decide how many sides that the bay window will have. This is because a bay window is made of three or more panes of glass joined together at angles. You can have a simple three-pane window, or you can have many panes.

Decide on a Standard-sized or Custom-built Window Pane

Also, you must decide how large each window section will be. You can think about a few different things to make this decision. You will need to estimate how much light you will get from the window. That depends on what side of the house it is on, and land features near it such as large trees or hills that might obstruct your view. You can also take into consideration how large are the window panes you want to handle. You might have to replace a pane and if you do not get a standard size, it might be hard and expensive to get a replacement window.

Getting a View and Plenty of Sunlight from Your Bay Window

The view is of utmost importance with a bay window. You will want to put it on a side of the kitchen that has a stunning view of the outdoors, if at all possible. If you have choices, put your window where it will show the most natural beauty. If you live in rural areas, you might see wildlife clearly through your kitchen window. In the suburbs, your bay window might face the lake of your development. Anywhere you live, you have an opportunity to find something attractive to point your window towards.

Sunlight is a specialty of bay windows. Sunlight streams into your kitchen and breakfast nook areas whenever the sun is in the right direction. If your windows face east, of course you will get morning sunlight and if they face west, you will get afternoon sunlight. The natural light will brighten your kitchen in a way that no lighting fixture can do. Plus, the window are provides a feeling of openness in a room that might otherwise seem too closed off.

A kitchen bay window can be useful and it can look very nice in your room. It can bring a dark, unappealing room into light. There are a lot of advantages to owning a home with a kitchen bay window. Such a window is both practical and attractive.

Ernest Jarquio is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The-Kitchen-Sink.com. He provides more resources on topics such as kitchen bay window, Delta kitchen faucets and interactive kitchen design that you can research on his website even while lounging in your living room.



Oh I found a great article about Ten Mega Marketing Ideas to get your Website Making Money. Recommended Read!

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Monday, December 24, 2007

5 Important Considerations On Dream Kitchen Designs

Many of us have a certain visualization when it comes to our "dream" kitchen. It is important to know and understand that we can actually create the kitchen in the design that we wish. It is also important to consider a few things prior to engaging in the home improvement project of designing the dream kitchen.

The first consideration that must be made when you are in the process of designing your kitchen is to know that it is the main room in the home. Each and every single person that resides in the home frequents the kitchen many times throughout the day. This is where people cook, eat, commune...it is important to respect this area, and make it "family" friendly. When designing this room, remember how many people frequent this room, and the type of activities that take place in this room.

The next consideration that should be made when designing the kitchen is the potential of selling the home. Many individuals often decide to sell their home for one reason or another. This means that the design should include features and techniques that others are likely to find rather appealing. It is important to remember that you should design your dream kitchen the way that you like, but you should also consider the future purchasing market as well.

The next consideration that needs to be made when it comes to the design of your kitchen is the functionality of the space. Remember, this is the room in which you create your meals, cook them, and do other types of preparations. You will want to ensure that you distance the components so that they are comfortable for you. You may wish to create "workstations" around the kitchen to make meal preparation an easy task. While it is important to go with your own style, it is essential that it is still "functional".

When designing your dream kitchen, it is important to make certain that your space is sufficient and organized appropriately. You should make sure that there is a section in your kitchen for all of the various things that are kept there. There are many creative ways to organize a kitchen. Maximizing the space that you have is a key component in ensuring that the layout and design are appropriate to your needs.

There are many different cabinet options that you can elect to choose from when you are designing your dream kitchen. There are also many different modular kitchen organizers, closet organizers, and other types of organizational systems that can be implemented in order to design the dream kitchen that you want. Many of these units are mobile as well, which means when you want to rearrange, it is quite possible to do so. If you cannot afford to totally remodel your kitchen, using these types of systems can be beneficial.

There are a number of exciting things that you can do when creating your dream kitchen, but it is important to consider the items mentioned in this article. Taking the time to consider these things, and actually taking the time to develop a plan for your design will ensure that you maximize the space and potential of this room in your home. There are many exciting things waiting for you once you complete this home improvement project, so, why delay?

Gaetane Ross is a Home Improvement Consultant who has spent over 4 years focusing helping people remodel and improve their homes. She also specializes in Holiday Home Decorating. Gaetane's mission is to positively transform the lives of people by providing advice on Home Interior Design.

Please visit Gaetane's website for:

Home Improvement Advice or remodeling information

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Saturday, December 22, 2007

5 Important Considerations on Dream Kitchen Designs

Many of us have a certain visualization when it comes to our "dream" kitchen. It is important to know and understand that we can actually create the kitchen in the design that we wish, but it is important to consider a few things prior to engaging in the home improvement project of designing the dream kitchen. Here, you will learn about the important considerations on dream kitchen designs.

The first consideration that must be made when you are in the process of designing your dream kitchen is to know that the kitchen is the main room in the home. Each and every single person that resides in the home frequents the kitchen many times throughout the day. This is where people cook, eat, commune...it is important to respect this area, and make it "family" friendly. When designing this room, remember how many people frequent this room, and the type of activities that take place in this room.

The next consideration that should be made when designing the dream kitchen is the potential of selling the home. Many individuals often decide to sell their home for one reason or another. This means that the dream kitchen design should include features and techniques that others are likely to find rather appealing. It is important to remember that you should design your dream kitchen the way that you like, but you should also consider the future purchasing market as well.

The next consideration that needs to be made when it comes to the design of your dream kitchen is the functionality of the space. Remember, this is the room in which you create your meals, cook them, and do other types of preparations. You will want to ensure that you distance the kitchen components so that they are comfortable for you. You may wish to create "workstations" around the kitchen to make meal preparation an easy task. While it is important to go with your own style, it is essential that it is still "functional".

When designing your dream kitchen, it is important to make certain that your space is sufficient and organized appropriately. You should make sure that there is a section in your kitchen for all of the various things that are kept there. There are many creative ways to organize a kitchen. Maximizing the space that you have in your kitchen is a key component in ensuring that the layout and design are appropriate to your needs.

There are many different cabinet options that you can elect to choose from when you are designing your dream kitchen. There are also many different modular kitchen organizers, kitchen closet organizers, and other types of organizational systems that can be implemented in order to design the dream kitchen that you want. Many of these units are mobile as well, which means when you want to rearrange, it is quite possible to do so. If you cannot afford to totally remodel your kitchen, using these types of systems can be beneficial.

There are a number of exciting things that you can do when creating your dream kitchen, but it is important to consider the items mentioned in this article. Taking the time to consider these things, and actually taking the time to develop a plan for your kitchen design will ensure that you maximize the space and potential of this room in your home. There are many exciting things waiting for you once you complete this home improvement project, so, why delay?

Gaetane Ross is a Home Improvement Consultant who has spent over 4 years focusing helping people remodel and improve their homes. She also specializes in Holiday Home Decorating. Gaetane's mission is to positively transform the lives of people by providing advice on Home Interior Design.

Please visit Gaetane's website for:

Home Improvement Advice or remodeling information

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