Renew • Colorado's Remodeling Magazine

Party guests congregate here. You read your mail at the table. Your kids do their homework at the counter. Yet with all of the activities that take place in your kitchen, you still have to manage one other duty: cooking your meals. This task requires more than just a comfortable room with good lighting and open space; it demands tools. Investing in quality appliances, from your range and refrigerator down to the toaster, helps ensure that your family will have good food, as well as a place to hang out.

We’ll start with the stove: even though the basic technology remains the same, ranges and ovens have come a long way in the past few decades. Gas burners are still the favorite, though refinements in glass top coils make electric elements a competitive choice, particularly for budget-conscious remodelers. Art Fast, owner of Kitchen Masters in Lakewood, notes a third option. “We’ve seen a resurgence in magnetic induction (which heats the pot directly instead of the stove surface). It’s becoming more popular for families with small children, since the stove surface cools off almost immediately after the pan is removed.” Bosch introduced a pair of induction cooktops last year, noting the inherent efficiency of a heating system that does not waste energy heating the surrounding air.

For many homeowners, however, gas is still the only way to go. “Performance and versatility are the keys to a good stove,” says Fast. “Look for high BTUs, but also the ability to simmer at very low heat.” High-end units by companies such as Dacor, Viking, Sub-Zero and Wolf address versatility in a number of ways, including pairing a classic gas range with electric convection ovens.

Another combination cooking tool growing in popularity is the speed oven. This small appliance uses a three-pronged approach to heating food by adding convection (forced air) heat and a halogen heat lamp to a standard microwave. Explains Fast, “It’s smaller than your normal oven, and not designed to be the only one in your kitchen, but since it’s incredibly fast and capable of browning, we’re seeing more and more of them installed as a secondary oven.”

Stoves aren’t the only appliances doing double-duty. The latest refrigeration technology uses two cooling systems: one for the fridge and one for the freezer. Most refrigerators regulate food temperatures by blowing air from the freezer into the refrigerator compartment. The problem with this design is that air from the freezer is dry. That is great for preventing freezer ice build-up, but not so great for preserving moisture-hungry, perishable foods. Enter the newest fridge from Sub-Zero. Separate cooling units allow the freezer to stay dry while circulating longevity-increasing moist air throughout the fridge. This extends the shelf life of your leftovers by weeks, not days. The company estimates that over the course of 15 years, the food savings alone should pay for the purchase price.

Speaking of price, if one is spending four figures on what is essentially a big metal box, the question arises of whether to showcase or hide that item, be it a fridge, range or dishwasher. Some homeowners prefer unobtrusive functionality while others choose to use the appliances themselves as stylistic elements. The stainless steel exteriors that have grown so popular evoke the practical efficiency (and hopefully the high-quality food!) of a commercial kitchen. The look is now so ubiquitous that it can really be considered neutral: feel free to blend stainless steel into nearly any kitchen design, traditional or modern. Fast suggests looking for models that feature a fingerprint-resistant clear coat finish. It’s a nod to convenience that will slow the daily smudge build-up.

Paneled or “hidden” appliances offer convenience as well as an attractive appearance. “We’re seeing more and more easy-access dishwashers and under-cabinet fridge drawers,” says Fast. “Particularly as people get older, they don’t want to bend down to put away dishes or stretch to reach the far corners of a large refrigerator.” The solution? Cabinet-style installations for dishwashers can raise the unit a foot or more off the floor. The extra height means less stress on your back, and also less likelihood of toddlers or pooches getting noses in the way. Under-the-counter refrigerator drawers are another way to add easily reachable storage to your kitchen while saving some space. Viking’s pair of drawers adds 5.8 cubic feet of extra room placed under 24” of under-counter space.

In order to save room on top of the counter as well, consider a multi-tasking kitchen machine to handle mixing, blending, juicing and even meat grinding. Bosch’s Universal Plus Kitchen Machine combines all of those functions into a compact yet powerful mixer. With fewer appliances cluttering your countertops, the ones that remain will be easier to use and easier to see. Use this opportunity to add a splash of color to your kitchen. Toasters in particular are designed with an eye toward fashion as much as function. Siemens, Krups, Bosch and Dualit all offer products that promise to please the eye as well as the palate.

Ultimately though, the balance between form and function, performance and appearance, is one for each homeowner to approach on his or her own. Just don’t forget that whatever else goes on in your kitchen, it is ultimately built to cook.

Posted on 01 June 2008

Why is it that the more we improve our homes, the more our garages fall into disrepair? We finish our basements, install hardwood floors, paint, put up blinds and completely reinvent the kitchen. All the while the garage collects the remnants — the old paint cans, the leftover lumber, the old foosball table from junior’s college days, the faded University of Colorado seat cushions piled in the corner.

The act of remodeling seems to inversely impact our garages. The familiar process is played out along the Front Range in every neighborhood.

Over time the garage acts more as a storage unit than a part of the house. Mike Wislinsky, one of the owners of Premier Garage in Golden, asks: “The garage typically represents a sizeable percentage of the total square footage of the house, so why not turn that square footage into a more useable and livable space?”

The lazy days of old, throwing items into heaps on the garage floor, are quickly coming to an end. Making up an excuse to get out of doing something about that atrocious garage is harder than fixing the problem once and for all.

There are stacks of literature available that can educate on the countless ways to organize and remodel the garage. One such periodical, Your Garagenous Zone written by Bill West, begins with some pragmatic advice, “When in doubt, throw it away.” Sounds simple, right? Well, that could depend on whether the “pack-rat” gene courses through your veins.

The next step might be to find organizational tools — plastic bins, cabinets and hooks — to help with the cleanup. This may enable you to squeeze at least one car into the garage.

After all the do-it-yourself tips have been exhausted, or the garage doesn’t fit personal needs, it is probably time to find a professional. The Internet is a good place to start.

Wislinsky explains, “Typically the customer will go to (our website) to research the various solutions that we offer. After that they call us or email us via our website, we set up an appointment, and one of our sales people meets with the customer in the garage.”

It is important to have an idea of what the garage’s main purpose will be after the renovation is completed. Will the garage be used mainly for parking the cars and storage, or will it be used as a shop? Consider these questions before picking cabinets, flooring, shelves and other add-ons.

With computer programs like Auto Cad, the consumer can gain a greater comprehension of what the garage will look like when finished. “After the initial meeting, we provide a CAD drawing that shows exact location and sizes of the cabinets, as well as locations of any organizers. A 3-D perspective helps the customer visualize what their garage will look like when the renovation is complete,” explains John Hettich, who along with Wislinsky, owns Premier Garage.

Little preparation is needed to have the garage renovated. A few garage companies will help homeowners clean up and find suitable storage during the upgrade.

“We try and make the process as easy as possible for our clients.” says Scott Denton, owner of Custom Garages in Loveland. “We just need a clean garage, and we can help facilitate that even if it means renting a storage unit and we fill it for them.”

Compared with most other home renovations the garage is quick, easy and inexpensive. Besides being practical, remodeling the garage also serves as a sound investment for the house.

“Upgrading the garage adds value to the home at a very reasonable investment. On a per square foot basis, upgrading the garage is usually much less expensive than upgrading other parts of the home,” says Wislinsky.

On average a two-car garage with flooring, cabinets and organizers will cost between $2,500 and $4,000. If the cash flow in the house is temporarily down to a trickle, the garage renovation could take place in stages, starting with the flooring. Cabinets can be installed later when more money is available.

In recent years, garage flooring and cabinets have been manufactured to be more durable. A floor coating that is spread over concrete protects against car fluids and abrasive liquids that end up on garage floors.

“(To clean the floor) a water hose and a mop are all that’s required,” says Hettich. “Premier Garage’s cabinets are specifically designed for the garage – thicker shelves, mounted off the floor to eliminate potential for moisture damage, and fully finished inside and out.”

There are also companies that can completely customize the garage to almost any personal desire. Denton says, “I like having the flexibility of helping our customers achieve their ultimate garage, whatever that may look like in their eyes.”

The ultimate garage might include track lighting, a car lift, custom colored cabinets, a dog bath and a flat screen television. Those amenities will cost more. Denton said, “We have finished garages that are well over $50,000 in flooring, cabinets and accessories.”

One doesn’t have to go overboard, but before another summer slips by, pay some attention to the garage. Who knows? There could be valuable CU memorabilia piled in the corner. Or at least room might be made to park a car.

Casey Cisneros is a Loveland-based freelance writer.

Posted on 01 June 2008

Project meets cultural needs of family

The purpose of many remodeling jobs is simply to improve an area of the home. But for other projects, the meaning is much deeper.

Such was the case with a Boulder home that Parrish Construction remodeled. A Japanese family needed an addition to accommodate the owner’s mom who had moved from Japan to live with them. Cultural considerations needed to play an integral part in the plans.

Three generations had needs: An aging grandmother, the owners and their daughter. “The three-generation household needed more privacy and more space, plus accommodation for their hectic professional lives and for their aging grandmother,” said Loraine Masterton, customer relations specialist with Parrish Construction.

The grandmother’s bedroom was small and crowded and “she could not enjoy her personal cultural belongings,” Masterton said. “The husband wished his aging mother to feel as comfortable in his home as possible and wanted to add Japanese amenities and cultural touches to the addition.”

With decades of experience behind them, Parrish set out to meet the family’s needs with the help of Terra Verde Architects, also of Boulder.

When it was all over, the family had a home that was functional and culturally comforting.

For Parrish and Terra Verde, a job well done also turned into bragging rights when the National Association of the Remodeling Industry honored them with a regional award.

Of course awards mean nothing unless the client is satisfied. That goal involved an extensive game plan to meet some very specific needs. Among them: a 628-square-foot addition and remodel of the entryway, a master bedroom and master bath built to the Certified Aging in Place Standards; and a walk-in cedar closet. The remodeling of the existing entrance included an additional guest bathroom and the re-positioning of five doors, Masterton said.

The grandmother’s bathroom included a programmable bidet that was set for her specific needs. A feature that is becoming common in Japan, a control panel is programmed to know who is using the bidet based on weight and its controls make it easier for people to wash up, especially as they grow older. The design included a bench and movable water fixtures in the walk-in shower, as well as a heated floor. With the use of the aging-in-place standards, there is room for a walker or wheelchair if it becomes necessary.

Additional consideration was given to the wife, who has a music studio in the basement. She instructs students who are constantly visiting the house, making privacy an issue for the rest of the family. “There is now a powder room in the home’s entrance, which the students can use without disturbing the family,” Masterton said.

The home now has a discreet entryway, part of the Japanese culture, which separates the rest of the world from the privacy of the home, “all designed in a distinctly modern and Japanese style,” Masterton added. “Our cabinet shop made custom entranceway furniture reminiscent of the centuries-old style of a traditional Japanese home. The elegance and usefulness of the new entranceway provides harmony and grace where once there was chaos.”

Overall, “the family has a new level of ease with each other, as everyone’s privacy is assured,” Masterton said.

More awards in the fall

The Boulder project was feted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry in its regional Contractor of the Year competition. The award is highly sought after among remodeling professionals. NARI’s local awards ceremony for its Front Range Chapter is scheduled this fall. Renew, Colorado’s Remodeling Magazine, will provide photos and information on award winners at that time.

Posted on 01 June 2008

Stacey Davis owns Stace’s Spaces, Real Estate Staging & Interior Redesign in Centennial.
303-842-1723
www.StacesSpaces.com

Q. What is home staging?

A. Home staging is using limited funds, practical creativity and extraordinary expertise to professionally prepare a home to sell. A staged home becomes clearly more attractive to potential buyers and sells quickly for more money. Staging is a small investment resulting in greater home sale earnings. Staging can be as simple as a one- or two-hour consultation, after which a detailed do-it-yourself report can be provided. Another option is a half-day of hands-on staging working with what the homeowner already has. It can be as in depth as an entire home makeover or completely furnishing and accessorizing a vacant home for the duration of the listing. Stagers can make recommendations based on a client’s budget. A professional stager can recommend the best service for the home and the client.

Q. When should I stage my home?

A. Ideally, before it goes on the market. Staging a home prior to listing will assure that your photos look great and are going to draw in potential buyers. Statistics show that over 80 percent of potential buyers shop online first. Having great photos of the interior and exterior of the home will attract more interested buyers. Every day that a home is on the market without being staged reduces the chance of achieving the sales goal. If your home was not staged prior to listing, it is time to get it staged. Don’t let another potential buyer walk away.

Q. Can I stage my own home? Should I have a friend help?

A. A home is typically a large investment, potentially gaining thousands of dollars if sold for the highest possible price. A professional home stager is there to be impartial and to help make you the most profit possible in the shortest amount of time. Experts in the industry will have the resources and experience to obtain discounts to stage your home for the least possible cost. Staging a home to sell is way beyond cleaning and de-cluttering. In the least, have a professional come in and give you an unbiased report that you can work from.

Q. Is home staging expensive?

A. No, especially when compared to having to reduce your price, or having your home go unsold for a long period of time. An article published February 2007 by Realtor Magazine Online reported that staged homes sell 50 percent faster than non-staged homes. In the same article, it stated professionally staged homes sell on average for 7 percent more than non-staged properties. Staging a home to sell could mean simply rearranging the furniture to create a better traffic flow or repainting. Professional home stagers will recommend the most cost effective improvements needed to make a home stand out above the competition. A complete staging consultation can be done for as little as $150.

Q. Do I need to buy all new furniture to stage a vacant home?

A. No. Professional stagers will have the resources to completely furnish a vacant home for the time it is on the market. Bringing in artwork, greenery, modern furniture, and accessories will help show buyers what living in that home could be like. Staging can be done for one room or the entire house. An experienced stager will give you their recommendation on what rooms need to be staged to help sell the home. A stager will emphasize the positive characteristics of the home while detracting from the negative features. But an ethical stager will never hide defects!

Q. Does every home need to be staged?

A. Yes. Staging is a marketing tool used to present the home. With so many choices for a buyer in today’s market, a home needs to stand out above the competition and entice buyers. This will help assure you the best price possible in the shortest amount of time.

Q. How do I choose a home stager?

A. Choose a professional, someone with experience in the field. Look at their website, portfolio, and testimonials. Typically, professionals will have personal statistics showing they are result oriented with a reputation to protect. Stagers should have the proper business insurance to cover the home, and merchandise in it. As with most industries you get what you pay for. Don’t go with the cheapest stager in town, chances are they are lacking in experience, but you don’t need the most expensive either. And above all, ask questions.

Posted on 01 June 2008