Kitchen Colors That Stand The Test Of Time

By Gretchen Roberts

From ruby-red refrigerators to handpainted tile murals, colors in the kitchen can range from kitschy to classic. How do you know which colors will outlast trends? "A classic color is timeless, associated with elements of nature that we think of as ever-present: rock, stone, pebbles, marble and granite," says Leatrice Eiseman, author of Color Messages and Meanings and director of the Pantone Color Institute. "There is an implied quality to anything so long-lasting, which would certainly translate into appliances, cabinets and other kitchen areas you hope would have longevity."

But choosing colors that will stand the test of time doesn't mean sacrificing style. "Neutrals aren't the only classic colors. Color can be rich and intense, like terra cotta or bright red, and still be classic," says Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, principal of Mary Jo Peterson Inc. and a columnist for Kitchen & Bath Design News. "You can create interest in a timeless design by taking color inspiration from an Oriental rug or a bright fabric, and using intense colors in small, replaceable amounts."

Here are classic color ideas for five areas of your kitchen:

CABINETS
You can't go wrong with wood — or can you? Even wood shades and types go in and out of style, says Paul Dybdahl, CKD, president of Dybdahl's Classic Kitchen in Middleton, Wis. "Light maples have run their course. People are asking for darker stained woods right now," he says.

Your best bet is to choose a finish somewhere between blonde and brunette, Mary Jo says. "Well-built cabinetry will last much longer than the finish will stay in style," she says. "Pick a simple door style and a medium finish, and if you want a new look just change the hardware every five years."

Considering painted cabinets? A shade of white is always classic, Paul says.

If you're pining for a specific shade: Just go for it, Mary Jo says. You can always paint the cabinets white if you have to sell. "At some point you have to give up on a color staying in style and choose it because you love it. I did my kitchen in a dark mahogany stained cherry. I still love it, because it matches my personality."

COUNTERTOPS
Bright custom countertop colors — such as red, yellow, turquoise and plum — are hot today, Paul says, but the bold look may not wow you tomorrow. Instead, look to the classic color trio of white, green or black for lasting color if you're choosing laminate, solid surface, tile or marble. "Laminates and solid surface aren't considered classic materials, but they can be very durable and, if you choose your color well, will last quite some time," he says.

Materials such as granite, quartz, ceramic tile and butcher-block-style wood come in naturally enduring colors, even though some choices are dramatic (think Zebrawood's exotic stripes or blue-and–green patterned granite). "Colors found in natural materials never go out of style, because we see them in nature and are comfortable with them," Mary Jo says.

Still stumped? Try looking around the rest of your house for inspiration, suggests Peggy Deras, CKD, CID, owner of Kitchen Artworks in San Francisco. "My inclination is to take cues from the rest of the house. The kitchen should not look like it dropped in from Mars." In other words, a deep brick shade that complements your Victorian decor is bound to stay in style longer than a random manufactured pattern released as fad of the year.

If you're set on a trendy countertop: Cover the island in boldly patterned granite, Mary Jo says. "It can become the piece of art in the room."

BACKSPLASHES
"Backsplashes are all over the board, as unique as each homeowner," Paul says. Lately he's been using wood that matches the cabinetry, while Mary Jo has seen backsplashes used as intense splashes of color in the room.

White subway tiles are the go-to classic backsplash, Peggy says. She often uses them in small kitchens, since light colors recede and make the space look bigger. Other time-tested options include a custom-made mosaic reflecting other colors in the room, and organic, natural choices such as the muted, neutral colors in tumbled marble or limestone.

If you want to make a big splash: Install the backsplash on a removable board instead of directly onto the wall, Mary Jo says. "You'll have something that says 'This is a really sharp kitchen,' but is easily replaceable."

APPLIANCES
Burnt orange, fire-engine red and eggplant are just a few shades you could select for your stove and fridge, but even more popular is stainless steel. "Stainless steel has always been around, but we don't think of it as timeless since it's taken over the market and we'll likely see a resistance to it in the future," Mary Jo says.

Instead, think monochrome when it comes to appliances. "I have never seen a white appliance date anything," Paul says. Mary Jo favors black, since it blends well with wood. Even better than white or black is letting the appliances recede and disappear with panels that match the cabinetry.

If the kitchen is your stage: "A cobalt-blue commercial range is entirely appropriate as a focal point," Mary Jo says.

FLOORING
Ceramic tile and wood are the go-to floors for kitchens. "A few years ago, light maple wood floors were very popular, but they've given way to warmer tones," Paul says. "Colors are in for hard-surface, natural stone. I haven't seen a white-tiled floor for years."

Paul recommends medium-dark wood flooring paired with slightly lighter cabinets to give the whole room a classic look. For tile floors, any earthy, natural color is a good choice. Just make sure you stick with one color. "You can get into trouble if you use a tile pattern on the floor, because it might date itself, though an all-over pattern is more timeless than one with focal points," Mary Jo says.

If you're going for drama: "I love hardwood floors in a medium- to light-golden tone that run diagonal toward a view or focal point," Deras says.

The 10 Must-Have Features In Todays Homes

by Steve Kerch For Market Watch

The Kitchen Is Still King!

Americans want smaller houses and they are willing to strip some of yesterday's most popular rooms -- such as home theaters -- from them in order to accommodate changing lifestyles, consumer experts told audiences at the International Builders Show here this week.
"This is a traumatic time in this country and the future isn't something we're 100% sure about now either. What's left? The answer for most home buyers is authenticity," said Heather McCune, director of marketing for Bassenian Lagoni Architects in Park Ridge, Ill.
Buyers today want cost-effective architecture, plans that focus on spaces and not rooms and homes that are designed 'green' from the outset," she said. The key for home builders is "finding the balance between what buyers want and the price point."
For many buyers, their next house will be smaller than their current one, said Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group in San Antonio, Texas. Large kitchens that are open to the main family living area, old-fashioned bathrooms with clawfoot tubs and small spaces such as wine grottos are design features that will resonate today, she said. "What we're hearing is 'harvest' as a home theme -- the feeling of Thanksgiving. It's all about family togetherness -- casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces," Lavender said.
Paul Cardis, CEO of AVID Ratings Co., which conducts an annual survey of home-buyer preferences, said there are 10 "must" features in new homes:
1. Large Kitchens, With an Island
"If you're going to spend design dollars, spend them where people want them -- spend them in the kitchen," McCune said. Granite countertops are a must for move-up buyers and buyers of custom homes, but for others "they are on the bubble," Cardis said.
2. Energy-Efficient Appliances, High-Efficiency Insulation and High Window Efficiency
Among the "green" features touted in homes, these are the ones buyers value most, he said. While large windows had been a major draw, energy concerns are giving customers pause on those, he said. The use of recycled or synthetic materials is only borderline desirable.
3. Home Office/Study
People would much rather have this space rather than, say, a formal dining room. "People are feeling like they can dine out again and so the dining room has become tradable," Cardis said. And the home theater may also be headed for the scrap heap, a casualty of the "shift from boom to correction," Cardis said.
4. Main-Floor Master Suite
This is a must feature for empty-nesters and certain other buyers, and appears to be getting more popular in general, he said. That could help explain why demand for upstairs laundries is declining after several years of popularity gains.
5. Outdoor Living Room
The popularity of outdoor spaces continues to grow, even in Canada, Cardis said. And the idea of an outdoor room is even more popular than an outdoor cooking area, meaning people are willing to spend more time outside.
6. Ceiling Fans
7. Master Suite Soaker Tubs
Whirlpools are still desirable for many home buyers, Cardis said, but "they clearly went down a notch," in the latest survey. Oversize showers with seating areas are also moving up in popularity.
8. Stone and Brick Exteriors
9. Community Landscaping, With Walking Paths and Playgrounds
10. Two-Car Garages

Another Year Older, Closer To Grab Bars

   As the Aging-In-Place Technology Watch reminds us, 2010 is the last year that 100% of baby boomers can declare themselves not to be seniors. Which means that this market segment, and others, are (or need to be) planning changes to life and home around the "decision-points along the continuum of care." These include a release from a hospital, move to a new location, change in life or income status and the onset of a physical condition.
   Whatever decision-point you're approaching, keeping safety and accessibility in mind is always AK's policy. Bathrooms that pose hazards from slipping and falling because of wet floors and accessibility issues can be remodeled to a safer standard. Kitchens can be remodeled with ease of use, sanitation and improved lighting in mind. Ranges with stove controls at the back may be dangerous for an older person with limited mobility who must reach over a hot cooktop to turn off a burner. Your safety is AK's first concern when analyzing home modifications for aging-in-place. As a CAPS remodeler, we are fully qualified to handle home modifications on a need basis, from ramps for wheelchairs and motorized scooters to multiple features for making everyday activities easier.

    All these modifications fall under a universal term known as "Universal Design" - universal design is a relatively new paradigm that emerged from "barrier-free" or "accessible design." It is a design focus that describes designing and building a home to accommodate its owner's physical needs for today and into the future. However, universal design and new home construction are not mutually exclusive terms. Some of the industry's strongest universal design advocates say they have been inspired either through their own personal experience coping with life-altering disabilities or by clients with special needs; and many of these clients had a strong desire to stay in their current family home!
   If you're interested in more universal design tips for your home or remodeling project, find a quick upload of them on AK's site: Universal Design Tips

Are You Ready For The Comeback?

Slow economy.
Bad market.
Fewer leads.
Less clients.

Get ready for it ALL to change!

The economy's not completely back from the brink yet, but it's moving. Even at a snail's pace the movent is evident. It's the news you've been waiting for. But are you ready? Everyone's intial answer is "YES! Of Course!" But think beyond that, are you really ready? If you're like most companies you've had to cut staff, space, budgets and more. How will you handle an influx of customers running at your current capacity?

According to Remodeling Magazine, keeping a project competitively priced and on schedule is tougher with both trades and suppliers overstretched from the uptick in leads. With all the projects AK is looking at right now one thing we're seeing is the difficulty of our vendors to support our needs in a timely fashion. Everyone wants more business, and has been waiting for this moment, but many companies are finding themselves overwhelmed trying to complete work that pays the bills and quote new business.

Remodeling Magazine talked to contractors around the country who said that it’s tough to adjust production schedules because the delays from vendors are inconsistent. In addition,  many companies are finding their clients do not understand the delays because they think that if business is slow, manufacturers have staff ready to produce items.

"Lynne Gallant, vice president of sales and marketing for Spivey Construction, in Indianapolis, says that delays on window and cabinet deliveries have increased as existing supplies have dwindled. Entire orders are delayed, or she only receives partial orders. Since Spivey Construction collects payments from the home­owner based on key work completions, the delays are affecting the company’s cash flow. “For a large window installation,” she says, “we had to wait six weeks for the grids to get the last $8,000."

Gallant says that she has also noticed a drop in service due to layoffs at supply companies: “I used to get a good turnaround on quotes, but now it’s taking several days to get a quote back and several days for a question to be answered.” The aim in managing this “juggling act” she says, is “not to have our customers see any difference."'

So, blogosphere, how are we all to prepare for this upcoming influx of work? We would like to share & publicize your tips or best practices, as fellow remodelers or construction suppliers. In the end, probably much like you, AK is commited to their clients' complete satisfaction and whatever back-bends we have to do to keep our schedules and get our products are worth it in the end!!

10 Ways To Save Money On Home Improvement

  We came accross a widely "dugg" post on Digg.com this morning and found it interesting and worth sharing. It comes from "The Family Handyman" a website/magazine from Reader's Digest with tips and articles on everything from appliance repair, decks & patios to wallpaper and weekend projects. While a handyman's advice may not always be the same as that from a design/build remodeling firm we found that we agreed on a lot of what this one had to say!
   While we don't necessarily recommend everything that The Family Handyman endorses, like stockpiling carpet, plumbing & lighting fixtures in preparation for a remodel (remember, your time is money too!) We do like their advice for planning projects ahead of time, putting money into energy saving items, hiring a professional and engaging in phased remodeling.

So you don't always have to take our word for it, we present The Family Handyman's secrets to help you save when you're planning that big remodeling project.

Maximizing Shower Space

Have you thought about water pressure, body sizes, drain ventilation, ceiling height or ceiling angle?

You should.

Shared From Qualified Remodeler / By Jeffrey Holloway

The kitchen and bath industry has provided architects, builders and remodelers the components to assemble a spa-like experience in the shower. Included in these components are numerous thermostatic valves, volume controls, body sprays, rain heads and hand-held shower sprays. With so many components it is easy to make a mistake while specifying, ordering and installing them. A hiccup during the installation of these items can cause expensive remedies that prolong the length of the project and steal profit.

Careful planning along with multiple jobsite visits can prevent problems. Planning begins with a survey of the clients’ wants and needs. The client is the central component of the system, so be mindful of their budget and the space they have to work with. Prepare a script for questioning your clients about their needs, and approach this survey with a sense of humor. Questions about the number of people sharing the space at one time often raise eyebrows and cause blushing. Asking where grab bars can be placed can be challenging as well; many “Boomers” can get defensive when we suggest they place stability aids along shower walls.

After determining the number of people sharing the space, we make each user stand straight and tall as we take measurements of specific points on their body so we can properly position components within the shower space. We measure from the floor to the back of the knee; the small of the back; the top of the shoulders; the centerline of the eyes; and the top of the head. We also measure from the finished floor to the wrist while standing with their hands to their side. These measurements must be made for everyone who will use the shower. We have found that many families share the master bath, and it’s important that everyone’s body size be taken into consideration.

Measurements are averaged to locate the heights of thermostatic valves, volume controls, hand-held sprays, rain head sprays and grab bars. Normally, adjustments are required. Sometimes we’ve had clients stand in the shower while we position components during the rough-in stage. Heights vary but some simple averages that apply are as follows: 52 in. to 56 in. off the finished floor to shoulders; 38 in. to 44 in. to mid-back; and 26 in. to 32 in. to lower back and upper thighs.

Size Matters

Remember that big is not always better. Naked bathers require warmth for comfort so do not design the shower too large. In addition, the optimum distance from most body sprays is 30 in., so design with this number in mind. We find that a 48-in. long space is adequate for a single user. If two people are going to use the space at the same time, a minimum of 60 in. has worked well. In any instance a minimum width of 36 in. is required. Ceiling height is also important when determining the overall size of the shower. Eight feet should be the limit. If introducing steam to an enclosure, slope the ceiling about 8 degrees to prevent water droplets from falling on bathers.

When positioning rainhead sprays, remember that the glass should be a minimum of 3 in. above the spray head. We set our shower arms at 84 in. off the finished floor. The floor plan should include a seat or bench in the shower area. Industry standards are about 18 in. off the finished floor and at least 15 in. deep. The bench should not interfere with the minimum floor area. We almost always install a corner seat or bench the width of the shower that is open below. There are many premanufactured products in the market to help accomplish this.

Asking about water pressure is important for remodeling more than new construction and should not be ignored. Most systems require a minimum of 45 psi to operate effectively. Without this pressure, bathers will not be able to operate multiple showerheads and body sprays. Just as important as pressure is water volume. Existing supplies may not have enough volume to supply the thermostatic valves with water to power all spray heads at once. Most of the multiple-spray systems use 3/4-in. supply lines. Some products can accommodate 1/2-in. supply lines, but these systems do not provide as many options for spray heads.

Drainage is another important consideration when we plan for this type of shower. It has been our experience that a 2-in. drain is more than sufficient to accommodate up to 20 gph, which most of these spas are capable of creating. However, it is imperative that you work with a manufacturer’s representative or a licensed and insured plumber to determine the drain size. Some larger multivalve configurations could require multiple 2-in. drains or a single 3-in. drain line. Different styles of floor drains are available from round to trough-style drains with removable grids. Remember, every drain requires a vent. Make sure there is a place to terminate the vent. This is important if you are installing the system in the first floor. The vent needs to run up through any additional floors and terminate at the roof. If an additional vent is required, wall and ceiling repairs will need to be added to the scope of work in a remodeling situation.

It’s important to evaluate the client’s hot water supply as well. In new construction this is easy because an additional water heater can do the trick. On average roughly 75 percent of water running during a shower is hot. With multiple showerheads running at a minimum of 2 to 3 gpm, a 55-gal. water heater will be depleted in about 10 minutes. 

Technical Issues

Once the challenge of accommodating bathers has been met, the installation becomes technical and it requires input from the plumber, project manager and in my case, me. If everyone shares in this responsibility early on, it is much easier to hold everyone accountable if a problem occurs during, or more importantly, after installation. Many builders or architects may be surprised that I supervise installations so closely. They may think once a set of measured shop drawings has been created it is up to the installers to get it right. This is wrong. There are too many variables in the field that require adjustment. The reality is, wall thickness, stud and structural wood placement, finished floor height from wet beds, HVAC ducting and electrical channels create obstacles that need to be worked around. The best planning at the drafting board does not prevent problems in the field.

You might also wonder if it’s worth it from the trade’s perspective. The increased risk, time and exposure may not be what many architects, builders or remodelers want to contend with. I have found that even though these installations require a tremendous amount of time they are highly profitable. As designers and installers we can create revenue through the sale and markup of these shower products. This revenue along with careful consideration of the billable hours involved with installing these products can lead to increased profits along with satisfied clients who are willing to refer us to their friends.

New Kitchen & Bathroom Planning Questionnaires

AK has just updated our kitchen and bathroom remodeling questionnaires. You can find them on our contact page, or by clicking below:

AK Kitchen Planning Questionnaire

AK Bath Planning Questionnaire

These forms are wonderful ways to start thinking about your remodeling project. Once you have completed the forms you may email them to AK and a team member will contact you to set up your complimentary consultation appointment at your home. If you have met, or talked to, any other remodelers/contractors who haven't asked you these questions, how do they know what's really important to you and your family? Hmmm...