Month: December 2018

We know that many of our blog readers will make New Year’s resolutions to either improve their health, lose weight or both. There are numerous reasons to make weight loss resolutions. Losing weight makes you healthier, gives you more energy and helps to reduce fat and build muscle. If you subscribe to a particular diet or simply elect to eat healthier, there are certain kitchen tools that can help guide the way and make dieting easier.

One of the first appliances that people turn to when starting a diet is a blender. We prefer blenders with high-torque motors that can quickly and easily convert solids into liquids to create healthy shakes, smoothies and other drinks that the entire family can enjoy.

Emersion or hand blenders enable you to mix, chop, whisk and blend, at the stove, countertop or anywhere else in the kitchen that you prepare meals. If you don’t already have a hand blender, look for one with multiple speeds.

A food processor can slice, dice and chop foods in a matter of seconds. Food processors are great for making healthier snacks and appetizers such as fresh hummus or homemade granola.

An air fryer gives you the taste and crunch of fried foods using approximately 75 percent less oil than a conventional fryer. An air fryer is a convection oven that circulates hot air around food to cook it. Air fryers come in a variety of sizes. The largest of which can cook a meal for a family of four looking to reduce fat and calories.

Another cool gadget for dieting is a spiralizer that takes vegetables such as zucchini, squash and carrots and turns them into spaghetti.

Cooking beef, duck and chicken in a rotisserie convection toaster oven will help reduce fat and calories.

A slow cooker prepares food as its name implies slowly. Slow cooking preserves nutrients in food thereby making your meals healthier, tastier and easier to digest.

A good quality kitchen scale can help with portion control. Portions are based on weight and not size. To get in the habit of eating the right portions, you need to weigh your food.

A brand new kitchen will make meal preparation easier and more enjoyable. We can help with that as well. Please call us at (401) 257-6610 or visit us at 2949 Hartford Avenue Johnston RI to determine how a new kitchen for your home can help you live a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Kitchen design typically begins with cabinet selection. There are an almost unlimited number of options, and there is unique nomenclature that manufacturers and designers use. Here’s a guide to some of most popular cabinet terminology.

Cabinet Construction

Framed Cabinets

Framed cabinets have rails and stiles that form the face frame at the front of the cabinet box. The frame is attached to the door front giving the cabinet extra strength and dimension. Common door types found on framed cabinets include standard, full overlay, partial overlay and inset.

Frameless Cabinets

Frameless cabinet construction is popular among those seeking simple, more contemporary cabinet designs. This construction eliminates the cabinet face frame, and a denser box is used to achieve necessary stability. With frameless cabinets, only full overlay doors can be used with hinges attached directly to the sides of the cabinet box.

Cabinet Door Types

Overlay Cabinet Doors

Overlay refers to how much of the cabinet door covers the face frame. Cabinet doors come in full or partial overlay versions.

Full overlay doors cover the entire cabinet box and create a nearly seamless and streamlined look. When space is a premium, we recommend full overlay frameless cabinets, because they provide the maximum amount of storage space and easy access.

Double door full overlay doors provide even more flexibility because they do not have a vertical face frame stile between the two doors. We recommend this approach often if our clients need to store larger items such as serving platters and cookware.

Partial overlay doors cover part of the cabinet box, with a small portion left showing, providing a more traditional cabinet look. The doors and drawers of a partial overlay cabinet will overlap the cabinet box evenly around the opening of each cabinet. This type of cabinetry door style is one of the most traditional and common, and it is also typically a cost-effective style.

Inset Cabinet Doors

Inset cabinet doors fit inside the cabinet face frame openings, making the door flush with the front of the cabinet instead of on the top of the cabinet box. Decorative hinges are used to fit the door precisely into the frame opening. We often recommend inset cabinets for larger kitchens as inset cabinets offer less usable interior space with the door sitting inside the frame. The clean lines and elegant look of inset cabinets more than compensate for the loss of a little interior space.

Panel Types

Recessed Panel Cabinet Doors

Recessed panel cabinet doors have a center panel that is lower than the rest of the door and a higher outer edge. We often specify recessed panel doors for modern designs.

Raised Panel Cabinet Doors.

We often use raised panel cabinet doors for more traditional styles. They have a center panel that is raised from the rest of the door and often feature a contoured edge that gives it a specific style.

Cabinet Styles

• Shaker design is characterized by clean lines that add depth and interest without being visually overpowering. The most basic shaker style is a five-piece door with a recessed center panel and no additional edge detailing.
• Slab doors do not have panels, molding or detailing to produce a clean minimalist look.
• Arched doors have a curve at the top that is either recessed or raised within the door panel. Cathedral arch doors a medieval arch at the top. This style is almost always limited to wall hung cabinets.
• Beaded cabinets feature decorative wood paneling with vertical grooves on the interior panel.
• Glass inset cabinets feature a clear or frosted piece of glass that allows you to see the contents of the cabinet.
• Mission-style cabinets are usually made from oak and stained to highlight the grain of the wood. They employ a square frame molding to produce a simple elegant style.

Considering giving your kitchen an upgrade? Maybe you would like your kitchen to be more efficient, functional, or just more aesthetically pleasing.

Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Where family meals are prepared with love and where you run to for that late night snack or after work libation. So why not give it a little extra love right back, all while increasing the value of your kitchen (and home).

This is especially important if you happen to be preparing your home for sale. A kitchen remodel is a great place to start, with kitchen renovation projects providing (on average) the highest return on any investment made into updating your home.

Read on and follow these tips to increase your kitchen’s value without spending all the profit.

1. Cabinets & Hardware

Cabinets and hardware are key components of any kitchen, meeting the eyes of every person that steps into the room. Cabinets are also one aspect that can be either fully updated and replaced, or simply given a little extra flair and character with a cost-effective facelift or new hardware.

Consider the following options:

• Refinish, reface or replace the doors and faces of the drawers if the cabinet boxes are sound and don’t need replacing. Veneer finishes are made to match existing surfaces.
• A change of hardware to nickel-plated or pewter finishes can give cabinets a fresh look for little cost.
• Full tear-out, if needed, can be expensive, so plan to do research before your purchase.
• Keep the overall cost of the home in mind when choosing the type and wood species for your cabinets.
• Solid oak or cherry cabinets cost a lot more than composite wood or mid-grade painted styles.

2. Paint or Wall Finish

You can add value to your kitchen by painting or refinishing the walls. This simple yet impactful update is sure to give you that “wow” factor without hurting your wallet.

Consider the following options:

• Today’s popular shades include white, ivory or gray. Color accents can be added for contrast or to match appliances or other room components.
• Add a backsplash on the wall space behind your countertops. Kitchen backsplashes are both trendy and focal points of the room. It will also protect walls from splatters and stains.
• Eye-catching materials like wood, metal, glass, ceramic tile and stone add texture.

 

3. Countertops

Consider upgrading your kitchen countertops. New natural stone or quartz countertops can increase the value and functionality of your kitchen like no other.

Consider the following:

• Surfaces that resist stains and scratches like Caesarstone and quartz surfaces resist scratches and stains.
• Choose countertops to complement your kitchen from a wide variety of colors, patterns and edge treatments.

 

4. Light Fixtures

A little light can go a long way. Improved lighting can give your kitchen a bright and cheerful look.

Consider the following:

• Add under cabinet lighting that can be activated alone as an evening light or in addition to overhead lighting to illuminate the workspace.
• Consider vintage chandelier lighting or using brightly colored stained glass in windows or mirrors.

 

5. Flooring

Consider updating that old laminate flooring with tile that matches your kitchen, laminate flooring or real hardwood.

Consider the following:

• Exotic, wide plank, and Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring is trending today.
• New laminates are also very durable and easy to install. They come in a wide variety of styles that mimic real wood or ceramic tile for half the price of the real thing.

6. Appliances

Appliances can really make a kitchen “pop”, while also providing improved use of space and functionality. But if you don’t have the money to spend, there’s no need to replace costly kitchen appliances when you can give the ones you have a facelift.

Consider:

• New doors or face panels to go with your kitchen’s new look.
• Replacing appliances with more efficient or more aesthetically coordinated models.
• Upgrading to energy efficient, space saving, stainless steel or “stow away” appliances

 

Update your kitchen and increase its value today.

Northeast Kitchen and Flooring has the materials and hardware you need to renovate your kitchen and increase the value of your home today. Our experts are ready and able to help map out your design, options, goals and work within your budget to find you the perfect setup.

Selecting kitchen cabinets is one of the most important decisions to make when planning a kitchen renovation. We find that there are four factors that homeowners and builders need to consider when selecting kitchen cabinets:

• Budget
• Quality
• Functionality
• Form (look)

Budget

Cabinets are the largest expense in a kitchen renovation, representing approximately 50% of the cost of a kitchen remodeling, according to industry surveys. Cabinet budgets are affected by a number of factor. The type of drawers, finishes and options selected will affect costs. We work with every client to help assure that the budget is sufficient to minimize surprises and to help achieve their goals.

Factors Affecting Cabinet Quality

There are three types of cabinets offered from a kitchen and bath showroom:

• Stock (good)
• Semi-Custom (better)
• Custom (best)

Stock cabinets are pre-manufactured in set sizes, usually in 3-inch increments. Stock cabinets do not have many custom features or options and come in a limited range of styles.

Semi-custom cabinets also are pre-manufactured but generally offer more sizes and options than stock counterparts.

Custom cabinets are built to order without restriction on size, features, finishes or materials.

Another factor influencing quality and price are the materials used to manufacturer kitchen cabinets. These include particle board, medium density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, solid wood and laminate/melamine which is laid over a substrate. Particle board is the lowest quality material, and we do not often recommend it because particle board is not moisture resistant.

Additionally, quality is influenced by the type of construction techniques used to manufacture the cabinet and the durability of the finish which we explain the differences during the selection process.

Functionality

A well-designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. A great first step to create an organized kitchen is to write down everything you like and don’t like about your existing kitchen. Most semi-custom and all custom lines provide an array of storage and organizational options for most commonly used kitchen items from food stuffs to cutlery.

Form

There are two types of cabinets: framed and frameless. Framed cabinets have a wood frame that outlines the front of the cabinet box. Hinges and door runners attach to the frame.

Frameless cabinets don’t have a frame. Hinges and door runners attach to the inside walls of the cabinet box. There are benefits to both cabinet types. Frameless cabinets provide more storage area and generally are associated with modern design motifs. Framed cabinets are typically associated with more traditional or transitional designs.

If you would like additional guidance on the factors that influence a kitchen cabinet’s style, cost, durability and functionality, please give us a call at (401) 257-6610 or visit our showroom at 2949 Hartford Avenue Johnston RI.

The kitchen often acts as the base of operations for most homes, from preparing meals to readying for the day and settling down after work.

With that much time spent in the kitchen, most of us want it to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.  But given the wear and tear we put out kitchens through on the daily, it’s one of the first rooms of the home that often needs a makeover.

The good news is that money invested in kitchen makeovers is also one of the best in terms of potential returns if you ever decide or need to move and sell.

If you’re considering a makeover, renovation or remodel for your kitchen in 2019 and beyond we have good news for you. There have been a number of exciting new trends and technology options that can be used to bring a fresh and modern look to your kitchen.

If your kitchen needs a sharp new look or you’re hoping to upgrade your appliances with new technology, these kitchen makeover ideas may be able to help. Read on to learn more…

1. Upgrade your countertops

Countertops can often be upgraded to a more durable material, or a material that better matches your kitchen colors. Quartz and caeserstone resist scratches and stains and remain a popular choice, along with granite, which is a golden standard and should stand the test of time as far as design trends go.

Installation of under-cabinet lighting can also be utilized to cast a bright glow on your workspace.

Another option growing in popularity is to install a composite sink made from the same material as the countertop, creating a cleaner and more uniform look.

2. Change the paint and flooring to a fresh new look

Replace old laminate flooring with new durable laminate or replace with hardwood or luxurious tile. Laminate can be found in many designs, sizes and styles and is very cost effective. Want the look of hardwood without the hefty bill? Laminate flooring mimics hardwood, and while less durable, is a great middle of the road option.

Ceramic tiles are also a great option and come in a range of design options, including those that resemble hardwood or natural stone.  Durable, scratch resistant and with plenty of style, design and color options you can’t go wrong with ceramic.

3. Upgrade your cabinetry for efficiency and aesthetics

Minimize used space and keep kitchen items well organized with improved storage space. Use appliance garages for small appliances, pull-outs for spices, roll-out trays and caddies for pots & pans and wastebasket cabinets for garbage.

You can refinish, reface or replace the doors and faces of the drawers if the cabinet boxes are sound and don’t need replacing. Choose a finish made to match existing surfaces and consider swapping out the hardware to a stylish nickel-plated or pewter finish.

Trending kitchen cabinet colors right now include white, gray and dark, but this line is constantly moving so be sure that whatever you go with is an accurate representation of the style, colors, energy and personality you want your space to have.

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4. Give your kitchen a matching color scheme.

Today’s popular shades for kitchen color schemes include classical standards like white, ivory or grays, while bolder approaches include robust and deep colors full of energy.  Choose your wall paint color with your plan for the kitchen’s color scheme in mind, including cabinets, appliances or other room components, as well as your personality and personal tastes.

You can avoid replacing costly kitchen appliances by replacing just the doors or face panels to go with your kitchen’s new look. Refinish or paint cabinet doors and faces to match.

Choose countertops to complement your kitchen from a wide variety of colors and realistic stone patterns. Softer and more neutral colors such as grey, taupe, creamy or white finishes are trending now.

5. Make your Kitchen ‘Smart’.

New technology provides us with the opportunity to upgrade our homes like never before. Think one-touch or motion detection lights, water faucets that flow when motion is detected.

An increasing number of new homes are being built with new technology from the ground up. Upgrades to older kitchens are also rising in popularity, with the term “Smart Kitchen” being thrown around on a regular basis.

Smart kitchens make cooking and cleaning in your kitchen easy. Don’t know which eggs are freshest? Ask your smart refrigerator, which can also alert you when your grocery items are running low.

Program your coffee maker to have your coffee brewed every morning. Program your lighting system from your smartphone. Install a French Door wall oven equipped with Bluetooth to control oven functions remotely. The options are endless.

Is a kitchen that does the work for you out of your budget? Consider upgrading a few appliances instead. Induction cooktops with separate ovens are more efficient than commercial range stoves. Steam ovens cook food fast and food retains nutrients and flavor better than a traditional oven.

Use these tips to remodel or redecorate your kitchen today.

If you’re looking to put your home on the market or to renovate your new home, or just to makeover your kitchen with a new look or better efficiency, at Northeast Kitchen and Flooring you can find the products, materials and hardware that you’re looking for to give your kitchen the makeover it needs.

For more than a century, almost every master and secondary bathroom in North American homes was outfitted with a drop-in bath tub. That’s not the case as we approach the third decade of the 21st century. Given the frenetic pace of everyday life, who has time to soak in a tub? That’s a question many hotel developers are answering by eliminating tubs altogether. Hilton’s Canopy brand has replaced the tub with a barrier-free, walk-in shower. Marriott also is foregoing tubs for walk-in showers at properties that are part of the brand’s Autograph Collection. Both hoteliers are not eliminating tubs completely, however. They are outfitting their suites with tubs to evoke a more luxurious feel and look to the space.

Do you need or want a tub? That’s a question we almost always ask our clients when they are renovating their bathrooms. Tubs serve multiple purposes and should not be summarily dismissed just because of a busy schedule and lifestyle. When designing a bath, the overall goal is creating a room that offers the greatest amount of enjoyment in the least amount of space. Today’s master bathrooms offer homeowners the opportunity to create a personal refuge, represent a space that can promote health and well-being and provide a few minutes to wash away the stresses of the day.

Tub manufacturers have upped the ante. Today’s free standing tubs resemble works of sculpture that give a room a sense of luxury and good taste. Form is only one of the distinguishing features of today’s tubs. Tubs today can be equipped with spa-like jets and air systems or both that offer warm, circulating water to relax tired muscles, relieve aches and pains from overexertion, improve circulation and remove unhealthy toxins from your body. Additionally, properly designed hydro-massage systems provide a personalized massage that invites repetitive use that enhances your health and well-being. You can outfit your tub with light therapy and aroma therapy that helps to recharge your batteries and reduce stress.

Many of our clients believe that they need a tub for resale value and therefore elect to place tubs in secondary baths in their home. There is a large slice of the population that want to see a free-standing or system bath in the master bath as well. Consider a tub in your master or secondary bath as comparable to a dining room or fireplace. They are great to have, but are not necessarily used every day.

Designing a dream bathroom that is a spa-like oasis that offers easy-to-use functionality involves choosing materials and finishes that create a warm feel and comfort to a room. Tubs often contribute to that aura. Do you want or need a tub in your master bath? Give us a call at (401) 257-6610 or visit our showroom at 2949 Hartford Avenue Johnston RI and we can help you answer that question and create the bathroom of your dreams.

Great kitchen design combines both form and function to create a space where you can not only cook efficiently, but also enjoy every second of it. That is why it’s not only important to pay attention to the practical side of your kitchen, but also to its aesthetics. So, before scheduling a professional kitchen remodeling in Johnston, RI, take a look at the six useful tips for making your kitchen both incredibly functional and the envy of your neighborhood.

How can I make my kitchen more functional and enjoyable?

If you’re looking to renovate your kitchen to add more functionality, but also boost enjoyment while cooking in it, it’s paramount to research some remodeling ideas. The following advice will not only make your kitchen space more efficient – it will also make it a lot more slick, stylish, and modern. Let’s see what you can do to spruce up your kitchen:

Choose ceiling-high cabinets

Ceiling-high cabinets are a great option for any kitchen, but they work especially well in smaller spaces. Cabinets that reach to the ceiling draw the eye upward, creating the illusion that the space is much larger than it actually is.

Plus, ceiling-high cabinets provide additional storage space for cookware, small appliances, serving dishes and other items that are not used frequently.

Replace existing appliances

Believing that you can save on the cost of your renovation by keeping existing appliances is pennywise and dollar foolish. There are two main arguments for making an investment in new appliances. First, older appliances with new countertops, cabinets, hardware, etc. are likely to stick out like a sore thumb. Rarely, if ever, will existing appliances complement the new aesthetic that you want to achieve.

Second, today’s appliances are more technologically sophisticated, energy-efficient and offer benefits and features that make meal preparation easier and more enjoyable. This is why you should always update your appliances.

Light up your world

Install in-cabinet, in-drawer and under-cabinet lighting. Not only does today’s new LED lighting technology make it easier to illuminate work surfaces, installing lighting in drawers and cabinets makes it easier to find what you are looking for and offers a wow factor that is hard to refuse.

Enhance your kitchen organization

One secret to designing a great kitchen is to account for your storage needs and desires in the initial planning phases. A storage plan will consider how often you cook, entertain and hold gatherings.

A great kitchen must not only look out of this world, it also must incorporate the best functionality that meets your needs. An almost endless array of options is available to store cookware, food, utensils, countertop appliances (blenders, mixers, etc.), recycling containers and so on.

Specifying two-tiered drawers can maximize space in deep drawers. A top layer may be used for cutlery, below is a second drawer for dishes and below that is another drawer for pots and pans. These drawers within drawers slide individually with the top-drawer housing items used most often.

Choose a pull-out pantry

Compared to traditional drawer and cabinet storage, pull-out pantries make it far easier to find what you are looking for. If your pantry is wider than 16 inches, consider roll-out shelves as an alternative because the weight of the pantry may not be manageable.

Forget about buyers’ remorse

Space permitting, opt to install recycling and trash bins in a cabinet or drawer as opposed to leaving them on the floor of your new kitchen. This will contribute to a cleaner, more clutter-free and enjoyable space.

Who performs high-quality kitchen remodeling services in Johnston, RI?

Want to know other secrets for making your kitchen the epicenter of your home near Clemence-Irons House? Thinking of whether or not you should install open kitchen shelving and need professional advice? Give Northeast Kitchen Remodel & Design Build us a call at (401) 257-6610 or visit our showroom at 2949 Hartford Avenue Johnston RI. We’ll help you in any way we can and design and construct a kitchen you’re dreaming of.