Renew • Colorado's Remodeling Magazine

Nearly every day, somebody leaves a warehouse home-improvement store empty-handed and finds Kim Foutz. She is a designer and salesperson at Caruso Kitchens in Wheat Ridge, where she has been helping homeowners create and remodel kitchens for nearly 30 years.

Caruso is one of several dedicated kitchen showrooms in the Denver area. Instead of looking for the cheapest product or the latest modern trend, homeowners are increasingly looking to such specialty outlets for durable appliances and simple, elegant designs.

According to a manufacturer survey by Kitchen and Bath Design News, customers are looking for values in the current market, but are willing to pay more for high-quality products that last. Kitchen upgrades are now about doing more with the same space — more convenient, functional appliances, and cabinetry with more creative storage space.

Specialty stores offer a range of appliance sizes to fit existing spaces, rather than designing kitchens around standard appliances. This also makes a standard fridge or other appliance look like a customized, built-in model.

Simple stainless steel appliances will stand the test of time, and can match other similar appliances even if they are not the same brand or product line. Energy-saving appliances are also popular because they offer on-going savings through lower utility bills. According to a recent National Association of Home Builders survey, 75 percent of homeowners would spend more to go green, but only if they can expect a solid return on investment.

A panel of kitchen design experts at the International Builder’s Show this year said smaller and more accessible appliances are the new trend. Homeowners are no longer paying to expand kitchens and add oversized appliances. Smaller fridges are replacing the oversized, industrial-size fridges installed during the housing boom. Also, drawer-style dishwashers and counter-level microwaves are more accessible and convenient for children, disabled or elderly residents. The standard microwave and hood combination over the stove is going out of fashion as it can be inconvenient and even dangerous for kids to use.

For cabinetry, classic and simple styles are more popular than trendy, ornamental looks, according to the manufacturer survey. Less millwork and customization makes basic cabinetry cheaper, and the style will last for many years.

Jacque Parry, a designer at Showplace Kitchens in Parker, said her customers are focusing on storage and functionality. In this economy, most people are remodeling an existing space rather than buying new homes or creating expensive additions. Pull-out storage shelves and other added organization features are popular, allowing customers to fit more in a smaller kitchen space.

Foutz said her customers are shifting toward dark woods, including cocoa brown and espresso finishes.

Maple is possibly the most popular color in cabinetry, but bamboo and lyptus are also popular sustainable options. Showplace Kitchens carries lyptus, a fast-growing eucalyptus variety. It looks similar to mahogany and is as hard as maple, but it matures in 15 years rather than the 70 or 80 years often needed to grow the other woods.

Foutz said she carries some sustainably harvested woods, but customers’ interest typically wanes when they see the extra cost. Unlike energy-saving appliances, sustainable woods don’t bring obvious long-term financial benefits.

Long-term payoffs and durability are the keys to today’s kitchen remodels, and specialty showrooms are the best source for high-quality appliances and fixtures that fit your home and lifestyle.

Steve Graham is a freelance writer from Fort Collins.

Posted on 24 September 2010

Blame technology. Home improvement experts report technology has changed the way we remodel every space in our homes. From the extra bedroom to the garage and closets, we’ve found new ways to comfortably use our space and store our possessions.

Garages

With 400 feet of space in the average two-car garage and up to 750 feet in a three-car garage, most homeowners can create storage that fits their individual needs. The handyman and the gardener might need benches and pegboard, while the active sports enthusiasts might need cabinetry, shelves and suspended hooks.

Bedrooms

Third bedrooms – once popular for collecting anything and everything – are now being converted to offices in record numbers. “We’ve done three offices in the last three weeks,” reports Marty Wehr, owner of Closet & Storage Concepts.

Wehr said the increasing number of telecommuters has reshaped the third bedroom, where a workstation might be set up to accommodate a laptop and stacking trays. Large desks have lost favor to smaller units that are easier to rearrange.

Wehr said homeowners are looking for new ways to store their items. “Some want cabinets below and bookcases above,” he noted.

Closets

Wehr said the “old rod and shelf’ system isn’t adequate to meet the needs in today’s closets. In newer homes and condos, tall ceilings in the closets allow for additional cabinets. “If there are tall ceilings in the closets, we go vertical and maybe put in one wall of cabinets,” Wehr said.

Photo credis: Photos provided by Global Garage and Out of Sight Closets & Garages

Posted on 24 September 2010

Granite still popular, recycled glass counters gaining ground

Scratched, dented and stained countertops can make the whole kitchen look old and shabby. For a relatively small investment, aged laminate can be replaced with a quality stone countertop that will look great, add value to the home and last a lifetime.

Granite remains the material of choice for countertops, and prices are dropping. However, there is plenty of competition, whether the question is cost, color or environmental impact. A variety of recycled glass, concrete and rock surfaces are selling fast as eco-conscious consumers try to use fewer resources. Other options include ceramic tile, butcher block wood, marble, stainless steel and concrete. However, soapstone is perhaps the hottest trend in kitchen counters. The dark rock doesn’t have the color range of granite, but it brings its advantages.

Soapstone, a metamorphic rock also called steatite, is less porous and more stain-resistant than granite or marble. The rock is unlikely to scratch and is resistant to chemicals and bacteria, making it popular for laboratory surfaces.

M. Teixeira Soapstone imports soapstone from India and Brazil, where soapstone was used to coat the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. The company recently opened a Denver store that offers custom installations and sales of counters, sinks and wood burning stoves throughout the state.

Soapstone typically comes in shades of grey, but will become darker with repeated application of mineral oil. This extra maintenance work is worth the effort for homeowners who want a different look, said Art Fast, owner of Lakewood’s Kitchen Masters.

“Soapstone seems to be catching fire,” Fast said. “I think people are just tired of seeing granite.”

Still, granite remains a very popular countertop surface, and prices continue to drop, said Pam Cunningham, designer and showroom manager at Kitchen Masters.

“It’s pretty indestructible and everyone wants it,” she said. “It’s gone down in price to where most people who want it can afford it now.”

Kitchen Masters sells granite kitchen countertops starting at $55 per square foot. Colorado consumers can also save transport costs and support local industry when buying granite. Golden’s Resolution Surfaces and other local companies sell top-quality granite quarried in Colorado.

Another way to reduce the environmental impact of a countertop is to buy recycled. Kitchen Masters’ newest countertop product is icestone, a smooth composite stone surface made with recycled glass and concrete.

Granite Transformations, an international company with an Arvada showroom, encourages two kinds of recycling. The company’s newest Trend Glass products are made with post-consumer recycled glass mixed with quartz and stone and finished with a diamond-polished surface. Further, the countertop can be adhered to existing counters or to a plywood subsurface on new cabinet projects.

The same goes for the engineered granite and mosaic countertops at Granite Transformations. The existing counters are simply covered, so homeowners don’t have to work around a kitchen construction zone. Most Granite Transformations jobs can be finished in a day with minimal demolition or dust.

Office manager Cindy Daisley said she has yet to encounter a surface that can’t be upgraded with the firm’s engineered stone and glass products. The firm’s most popular line is Trend Stone, which is 95 percent granite, quartz and other stone, mixed with a polymer designed to add strength and durability and provide a permanent seal.

The company’s prices are comparable to other engineered stone surfaces, with a typical job ranging from $3,500 to $8,000 depending on the size of the job and options, Daisley said.

Steve Graham is a Fort Collins-based freelance writer.

Photo provided by M. Teixeira Soapstone

Posted on 07 March 2009

One of the most common home improvement projects is kitchen remodeling, and according to today’s trends, the kitchen will bring the highest return on investment (ROI) when reselling your home. Whether you do a major kitchen remodel with new cabinets, flooring and slab countertops, or a minor kitchen remodel including new appliances, sinks and faucets, this is one room that will please home buyers and sellers alike.

If you are new to the remodeling gig, a small step, such as upgrading your appliances may be all you need to improve your kitchen. According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, minor remodels, typically ranging from $2,000 to $8,500, have the highest ROI of 85 percent to 100 percent. The study also indicates that from the standpoint of selling a house, new appliances help attract buyers.

There is an abundance of new kitchen appliances on the market each year. From induction cooktops to built-in coffee systems, homeowners can choose from numerous new technologies to fit their lifestyles. This also bodes well for potential home buyers.

Chris Sadaj of Appliance World in Aurora said home buyers often look at appliances when considering a potential home.

“Appliances are the focal point of any kitchen,” Sadaj said. “Most buyers look for a 36-inch range and double ovens. Then they look at the fridge, dishwasher and any other amenities, like panel-ready appliances.”

Panel-ready appliances are a must have for homeowners that want to show off their cooking appliances. Dishwashers, refrigerators and other utility appliances, however, can be camouflaged to blend in seamlessly with the other cabinetry. Sadaj added that cooking appliances, such as ovens and ranges, are big sellers because they are the centerpiece for a kitchen.

“A professional six-burner gas range, like a Wolf or Viking, tends to be the most requested product,” Sadaj said. “But induction cooktops are becoming more and more popular.”

Bonnie McMillan of Ferguson Bath and Kitchen agrees and said there are multiple benefits to using induction cooking.

Induction cooktops do not heat the surface of the burner. Instead, it essentially turns the pot or skillet into the heating element, allowing food to heat more quickly and evenly. And since the cooktop itself doesn’t create high temperatures, the surface cools rapidly after a pot is removed.

“Induction is huge – and there are so many options,” said McMillan. “You can get a single burner all the way to a full cook top. Or you could mix and match – having four electric burners and two side induction burners, for example.”

McMillan also recommends steam ovens for minor kitchen remodels. Steam oven systems can cook food much faster than conventional ovens because of a consistent supply of moist heat. Most steam ovens come with an easy-access reservoir, so there is no need for an additional water line connection.

“The only drawback some consumers find with steam ovens is that they cannot brown foods,” McMillan said. “This gives baked goods and meats a pale appearance, so using a conventional oven may still be necessary.”

For foodies considering a kitchen remodel, installing a new coffee system may be an added bonus for potential home buyers. Not only will a built-in coffee system clear countertops of clutter, but it will also give your kitchen a sleek and updated look.

“There are quite a few big-name coffee systems on the market right now,” Sadaj said. “For example, Bosch and Dacor make in-wall coffee systems that can brew your coffee, dispense hot water for tea and fit all mug sizes.”

But sleek and sophisticated style is not the only reason people invest in great appliances.

“Homeowners take pride in purchasing high-end appliances,” Sadaj said. “They know the distinct Viking logo or that the Wolf stove has red knobs. Buyers know quality and that investing in these products will be worth the money.”

Whatever the size of the kitchen remodel, homeowners can expect to recoup most of the money they spent. Upgrading appliances is a great way to update the kitchen with minimal hassle, creating an environment that potential home buyers cannot pass up.

Emily Jack is a Longmont-based freelance writer.

Photo credit:
Photo provided by Kohler

Posted on 01 November 2008

While the modern home has all of the standard amenities, most have features that were only daydreams just a decade ago.

High-tech entertainment rooms and home offices have become the norm in many newer or recently remodeled homes. And why not?

With gas prices and time at a premium, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of utilizing the home?

The Office Space

When it comes to home offices, “Everybody needs one,” says Maureen McGuire, who is secretary of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

In fact, families are finding that they need two and many homes end up with his and hers.

As might be expected, the predominant money-maker often has a larger, more developed space, says McGuire, who owns Maureen McGuire Interiors, LLC, in Highlands Ranch.

At a minimum, McGuire says homes have a command center or communication area in which calendars keep important dates. A phone and message board are part of the center, as is space for favorite photos or school papers in some cases.

Today’s larger home offices often have built-in cabinets and book shelves. The desk might be part of a larger, permanent unit that includes file storage.

McGuire worked on a Denver-area project that included a mini-bar, television and fireplace. The room was built adjacent to the family room so mom could keep one eye on the kids and one eye on the job. Balancing career and family is still an issue, but it’s made easier by working at home.

Client comfort also is important, McGuire notes, adding that the drive toward luxurious home offices has shifted into high gear in the past three years or so. “People really want efficiency, she points out. “They want the space to work hard for them and to make sure there is time savings.”

McGuire says wireless technology and the simplicity of email and Internet interaction have allowed people to work at home without missing a beat. The time saved by not commuting also can be used to be productive. And if the water-cooler chatter is missed, turn on the computer camera and go face-to-face with co-workers when necessary.

“The home office is something that people are putting a lot more money into,” she says.

Entertainment today
Home theater is as popular as ever, but McGuire says it is moving away from the isolated, darkened-room experience to the open-ended entertainment area that everyone can enjoy, even if they are not interested in a movie.

Theater, games, wet bar and dining tables provide expanded fun for all ages. The audio and visual experience remains, but there are more entertainment options.

McGuire says the closed-door theaters kept people from interacting, which wasn’t part of an enjoyable family experience. “People are looking for something that is centrally located with all of the bells and whistles,” she says. “It can be state of the art but it’s more open to other functions. It’s a multi-functional space.”

In the past few years, the Home Builders Association’s Parade of Homes has featured fewer separate home theaters. “You don’t want to isolate people, McGuire says.

New entertainment rooms include large TVs and all of the high-tech components, she says, but a pool table or card table might be adjacent, along with a wet bar where everyone can grab a drink.

After a long day at the home office, it’s great to gather with family to watch a movie or play a game, especially when the car hasn’t even left the garage.

Doug Walter Architects included a study in this award-winning Denver-area remodel
Photo provided by Doug Walter Architects

Posted on 29 September 2008

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