Welcome to Kitchen Views’ Designer Blog

Kitchen Views is a kitchen & bath design company with eight unique design showrooms. From contemporary to traditional cabinetry, countertops, decorative hardware and more, our designers will even come to you. We serve the Greater Boston area and all of New England. This blog has been dedicated to offering you the best kitchen remodeling advice from our design experts here at Kitchen Views.

If you’d like to keep up with the blog via email, you can easily subscribe using the box at the right. Also, if you have any feedback, questions or concerns, be sure to leave a comment!

Keep the Wiggle Room In Your Remodeling Budget

Keep the wiggle room in your remodeling budget

Do you know what vital part of a kitchen remodeling plan is often overlooked? People try to do without consulting an experienced design professional. It’s fun to watch experts on television making everything come out perfect in an hour, and you can get some great ideas. But all the televisions shows and online research can’t take the place of a trained kitchen design professional.

You figure out a budget based on the most you think you can afford. But when your finances don’t offer a lot of wiggle room for unexpected developments, working with an experienced designer will make a huge difference in the outcome. When you start opening walls to work on the plumbing or electrical, you might be surprised by what you discover. Even if your favorite home remodeling show includes problems found behind the walls, somehow many people think “That won’t happen with my house.” You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches and expense by having experienced guidance. Find someone who has the ability to anticipate possible obstacles and the know-how to work on reevaluating your budget to overcome the problems. Such a designer will prove to be an invaluable resource.

Today’s economy, although improving, still has a majority of homeowners in a conservative spending mindset. Luxury and wish items take a backseat to the must-haves. Our fondness for home remodeling television shows and online videos has also raised our expectations of what we “must” have in a new kitchen. Also, people are putting more thought and planning into the overall sustainability of the new design. One way that I try to stretch my client’s budget is to recommend cabinetry that isn’t painted or highly customized. Veering away from items such as appliance cabinets and appliances that take matching panels may save a substantial amount of money.

As an experienced designer, I find creative ways to include all the necessities and sometimes even a wish item. The best piece of advice I give my clients is to never be afraid to like what you like. Your kitchen should meet your needs and reflect your style so you enjoy it for years to come.

Lee Turner, Designer

Kitchen Views at National Lumber

Newton, MA

Defining Your Style with Cabinetry

There are many ways you can dress your home to create your dream space. Your home is a reflection on you through your style and what makes you feel happy. When you have guests, you want everyone to feel welcomed, relaxed and just as happy as you are to be there.

Contemporary style living room shown using custom cabinetry

Cabinets aren’t just for the kitchen anymore.

Before you start the project, hire an expert; someone to guide and assist you throughout the entire process. We have talented designers on staff here at Kitchen Views. Their knowledge of products is unparalleled and their foresight into potential issues makes them extremely valuable to have on your remodeling team. Once you have a designer you are comfortable with, you can then begin to weigh out your options and start creating your budget and timeline. The most prominent style defining item in your new space will be your cabinetry.  With so many options available, whether they are custom made, semi-custom or stock cabinetry, you have the opportunity to create your dream home. Working with your designer, you will determine which option will be the best fit for your budget, timeline, and most importantly, your home. Below we summarize the differences between these types of cabinets.

The most economical option is to use stock cabinets. They come in standard sizes and finish colors, and offer little to no modifications. There are options available to spruce up their functionality such as pull out baskets to hide the trash receptacle, or pull out shelving to keep items like spices neatly organized. These cabinets are usually readily available, making it easier to keep your remodel timeline on track.

Stylish bedroom showing multiple cabinets in contrasting colors

The neutral color scheme in this bedroom allows contrasting cabinets to be used as decoration as well as storage space.

If you want to tailor your space closer to your own style, you may look into adding semi-custom or custom cabinets. The addition of semi-custom products allows you to add more personal touches to make your kitchen more unique to fit your lifestyle. Features such as soft close doors and large drawers for storage can be included. You will find more door styles and color options, and the finish on these is better than the finish on a standard stock cabinet. If you choose to use semi-custom cabinetry, you’ll want to plan your timeline accordingly as these may take 4-8 weeks to be delivered.

Sometimes, the most desirable option for your particular remodel would be the choice of having your cabinets’ custom made, whether it is a custom size or finish. In this category you will get the most impeccable quality of cabinet. There are more wood species to choose from. You have the ability to choose the color, the finish and finish techniques to ultimately define your space your way. Some manufacturers even have color matching ability to give you exactly what color you are looking for. The cabinet can be created in any size and to fit any configuration. Choosing this option is the most expensive, and extends the timeline, because these cabinets can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to deliver.

Irpina transitional entertainment center

This transitional style entertainment room used mixed cabinetry from Irpinia to make a visual statement and provide plenty of storage.

No matter what type of cabinetry you choose for your new living space, there are many options out there to decorate and accessorize with. Your dream space will reflect your personality and your style. When you dream it, we will design it!

Visit a Kitchen Views showroom near you, where the designers are pros and the views are yours.

What “Special Somethings” Would Make Your Kitchen Incredible?

Everyone fantasizes about the ultimate “dream” home. It’s fun to flip through design magazines, pin things you like on Pinterest and add your favorite room ideas to your Ideabooks on Houzz. You can see what styles and amenities others like, and share what you find pleasing and useful.

The real challenge for a homeowner comes when you decide to remodel or rennovate your space. You begin to think about all the different ideas you have seen and wonder how to implement some of those into your very own updated home. While you may have some ideas and likes that are truly over- the-top extravagant, here are a few suggestions that are very practical. Once you have these amenities, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!

Kitchen with plenty of seating space for entertaining and ambient lighting

This kitchen was designed with under the cabinet lighting as an added feature

If you are updating your kitchen, you may want to consider some, if not all, of these items for your new space.

Soft-close hinges on cabinets and drawers: This will help save fingers from getting pinched, reduce noise upon closing and help with multi-tasking.

Large drawers: If you have limited space for cabinets, install large drawers into lower cabinets. It may be easier to pull open a drawer and see what’s in it, rather than peer into a low, dark cabinet and possibly have to move items around until you find what you’re looking for.

Keep your countertop clear: You can install a built-in soap dispenser, eliminating the need to leave out the bottle of soap. Another idea is to build in a microwave with a cabinet door to hide it.

If you dine, or like to entertain in your kitchen, create an ambiance by installing dimmer switches to control the lighting for the occassion. Adding under-cabinet lighting can also add charm to your room. We have some wonderful visuals of lighting in our Kitchen Views Gallery.

For more inspiration, take a journey through our gallery to see some of the wonderful work created by our talented kitchen designers.

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The Kitchen as the Heart of Your Home – John Gendron

John Gendron, Kitchen Views at National Lumber, Mansfield, MA

It happens to everyone at one time or another. It may not happen right away, and it is usually so subtle we don’t even realize what the “it” is that we are referring to. The “it” is that subconscious gravitational pull leading you to one distinct room in any home. This is the place where food resides waiting to be prepared. This is the place where the chef of the house spends beloved time and energy cooking for those who will come to eat. This is the place where you may share a cup of something warm with a good friend. This place is not the living room, or even the dining room. This place is the kitchen.

You’ve heard it a million times; the kitchen is the heart of the home. Have you ever put much thought into why that is? With all the other rooms in a home, why is the kitchen the room where we all seem to gravitate to on a more than regular basis? Aside from the obvious, the kitchen often acts as the central command station. It’s a communications center, a cafeteria, a lounge and sometimes even a resting place. Your kitchen is that special place where everyone in your family can feel included in the happenings of the home, even when you’re not all together.

family of mother and children in kitchen cooking laughing and smiling and doing paperwork or school work at counter image

The kitchen is the one room where everyone gathers. Kitchen Views Magazine article Room to Grow features the kitchen shown above.  Download the magazine here. (pdf)

With a Wall Message Center everyone is able to stay in the know about the happenings of the week. If you like to entertain, having a countertop overhang allows for more seating and a place for guests to share in good conversation more comfortably, while the chef prepares the food. Another option for seating is in the form of the window seat. Not only is it great for entertaining; it’s also a very nice feature for the chef to relax, just for a moment, while he or she is cooking that special meal, or for a child to sit and still be near the action and excitement going on in that kitchen.

A recent customer told me, “I’ve noticed that, even though I have a great living room, and a brand new family room, everyone congregates in my kitchen. They don’t want to leave.

Our talented designers, at Kitchen Views, are here to help you create your dream kitchen.

John Gendron

Kitchen Views at National Lumber
71 Maple Street, Mansfield, MA 02048
Office: 508-339-8020 Ext. 5708
Cell: 617-212-8223
Email: jgendron@kitchenviews.com

Better Safe Than Sorry

hammer breaking through a wall

Have a Safe Renovation Season

With warmer weather and longer days on their way, many homeowners take advantage of the conditions to start the renovations they have been planning for a while. Whether you choose to handle the remodel on your own or opt for professional help, there’s one safety issue that should stay at the front of your mind: asbestos.

If a home was built before the 1980s, it may contain asbestos-contaminated construction products. Renovations may accidentally release asbestos into the air. If inhaled, these fibers can lead to serious diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Once diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, the survival rates are typically low.

On the bright side, it’s certainly possible to complete home renovations without creating any asbestos exposure hazards. Because no new kitchen or bathroom is worth a serious health risk, it’s important to take several safety precautions during the process.

How to Avoid Asbestos Exposure During Home Renovations

We know you’re excited to give your home some changes – but don’t be so excited that you overlook necessary safety measures.

These four steps can help you safely renovate your home:

  • Before touching anything, get a professional inspection. You can’t spot asbestos with your naked eye. That’s why it’s essential to have a trained asbestos inspection team take samples of potentially contaminated products, then have them tested in a laboratory. It doesn’t take long, it’s more affordable than you think, and in a best-case scenario, you won’t have to make any adjustments to your remodeling plan.
  • Develop an action plan. If the inspection does reveal asbestos in your home, you’ll need to develop an action plan for each contaminated item. Sometimes this plan is as simple as “leave it alone and tell all members of the home not to disturb it.” However, if the fibers are loose, this plan needs to be more extensive. If an asbestos-containing product in your home is friable (loose), an abatement company will need to come out and seal it off or replace it.
  • Renovate with caution. Even the most basic of construction activities has the potential to release asbestos from a contaminated product. Sawing through walls, tearing up carpet, cutting drywall and replacing tiles can all release asbestos into the air. Never perform construction on any materials that you know contain asbestos, and always have an abatement team address any threats before you begin renovations. If you hire a professional remodeling crew, make sure they’re certified to handle asbestos.
  • Choose asbestos-free home remodeling materials. Sad to say, but asbestos isn’t banned in the United States – even though it’s a known carcinogen. Roofing materials, vinyl tiles, home insulation products, and even potting soils can still contain the fibers. To keep your home free from the toxin, be sure to purchase products from brands that use alternatives.

If you follow these guidelines, you can enjoy your newly remodeled rooms without the stress of an asbestos exposure threat. However, if other experiences in your life have brought you in contact with the fibers, we can help. Our organization offers free information and patient advocate services; if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can work one on one with you to help you find local doctors, treatment centers and support groups.

Faith Franz is a researcher and writer for The Mesothelioma Center. She advocates for alternative medicine and encourages cancer patients to explore all of their treatment options.

Pipes covered with asbestos

Years ago, it was common practice to insulate heating pipes in basements with asbestos. Have you seen pipes like these in your home?

Do It Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

Image of woman's thought bubbles dreaming of a new kitchen.

Want your dream kitchen without the nightmares? Hire a pro.

How many times have you ever thought about remodeling or changing something in your home, but felt a little intimidated? It seems the more you talk about your project idea to friends and family, you get a rainbow’s wide spectrum of “You can do that yourself,” to “I can help you with that,” or “Call so-and-so. They do that kind of work, on the side. You’ll save some money.”

While you may be feeling ambitious and confident with the DIY advice you’re hearing, take time to really think about the scope of the work that will need to be done to complete your project perfectly, as well as the budget you’re going to set aside for it. Everyone offering you suggestions will have the best intentions for you and share your excitement, and will undoubtedly be as anxious to see the finished project as you are to show it.

Hiring a reputable, professional contractor may offer you peace of mind while you are in the midst of your project, and save you money, in the long run. You will need to consider the ability of those you choose to help you, whether it is a professional contractor or someone else. Choosing to forgo hiring a professional contractor may end up more costly than you expected. Click here to read this article from Cultivate about how just purchasing a new stove created costly turmoil for this homeowner.

We, here at Kitchen Views and National Lumber, sell more than just building supplies. In fact, our professionals help you plan out your project and, perhaps, alert you to issues you may not anticipate. We have everything in building materials PLUS the services you deserve!

The Pros and Cons of Under Counter Appliances

Designed to Inspire

Are you planning a kitchen remodel in the future? Do you often find yourself longing for more counter space? While you are planning, and determining your budget, you may want to consider some of these space saving ideas suggested by Shelly Amoroso, a designer in San Francisco. Knowing your spatial and financial limits, you will have the ability to really maximize on your new kitchen’s functionality.

under counter warming draw is great kitchen appliance to include in your kitchen design if you do a lot of entertaining

A warming draw is great option if you do a lot of entertaining

From a modular refrigerator to double duty drawers, the following article enlightens the homeowner on how to make the most of your kitchen using under the counter appliances. As with any design project, there are pros and cons to consider.  While you plan your wish list, think about what matters most to you. Then you can decide to integrate the best system that will work for you.  Click here to read the full article about The Pros and Cons of Undercounter Appliances, by Leilani Marie Labona.

Kitchen Views
1-508-DESIGNS
http://www.kitchenviews.com


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