Everything listed under: kitchen renovation

3-D Renderings

Google 3 D-Renderings have been a great tool to communicate our vision to our customers. They also help us design. They're great from room layouts and when it comes to construction, such as complicated built-ins where we have to consider how various plains will come together, they're invaluable. In many way, we find the mistakes in construction on the computer so we avoid them in the field.

Compare these to the finished product in the last posting.

Friday, May 14, 2010 (No comments)
Contemporary Kitchen on a Budget

"Surprises"

I cannot be more thrilled about how this project turned out. I had worked with Chris when she called for our 4-hour Half-day design. She needed a little help making her gorgeous, minimalist's dream of town home more cozy and inviting. Chris also wanted to update her mostly white laminate kitchen but wasn't sure it was going to be within her budget.

Right away, I knew Chris had a good sense of design as her existing pieces were all very harmonious and looked as if they could have been selected by a designer. Yet she had a mix of styles going on and items that seemed to have a bit of her personality or a bit of history, which in my book, adds a layer of richness that you cannot buy. All that was missing was a little punches of color and a few minor adjustment on materials and proportion. During our design session, I gave her advice on what needed to be done. I also,designed an updated version of the kitchen she may later decide to remodel.

Chris had a budget for the kitchen that at first seems impossible, but Mitch worked his magic with our suppliers. After a few revisions, here it is. I am just so happy with the look of it. The best part is that it really was Chris' vision. We just helped her make it happened. I love that it is clean and minimal...but it's warm and the best part is that it looks as if it was the original kitchen. As if it was always part of the original intent...

Thursday, May 13, 2010 (No comments)
Kitchen Renovation -- be prepared
Here’s a few good ideas I learned from Matt Myers on preparing clients for their kitchen renovation in Chicago:

Take everything out of your kitchen: dishes, silverware, food, etc. Don’t forget your pet can’t eat in restaurants – make sure you get their food and bowl sorted out.

If your pets have food or water bowls in the kitchen, move them elsewhere at least 7-10 days before the renovation is set to begin so that your pets will not wander into the work area once it starts.

Find out from your contractor when your kitchen will be out of commission and plan on eating at restaurants and friends and consider moving out to hotel.

Take a vacation but keep your cell phone on you in case there are some questions.

You could also move the microwave and just have microwaveable meals for a few days, add a toaster, a

George Forman grill, a hot plate and a coffee maker and you may get used to cooking meals in your living room.

Here's a few I'll add:

There will be dust. Put up a plastic barrier and make sure your contractor keeps his area as clean as possible. The more dust barriers, the easier the final clean up.

Discuss where the workman will be going. If they have to use a bathroom, make sure you have plastic down or a runner to get there. Put a wet towel and a mat for them to clean their shoes on the way to the bathroom. Have them make sure it’s being used and kept clean enough to be of use.

Make sure that they understand your expectations regarding cleaning before signing the contract.

Hire the cleaning crew to clean the rest of your house when construction ends. There will likely be a think layer of dust everywhere.

Matt also warns not to push your contractor to work faster than he can on your kitchen renovation in Chicago. Be ready for some slight delays because pushing them may result in errors which in long run will be far worse.
Monday, January 18, 2010 (No comments)