Author: Eldon Harris

How to Plan a Successful Kitchen Renovation

Eldon Harris

If you’re working with a tight budget, consider keeping existing cabinet doors and repainting them for a significant design overhaul at a fraction of the cost. Or add storage elements like pantry drawers or sliding shelves for a more customized look. kitchen renovation

The kitchen is the hub of your home and where much of your family’s daily activities occur. So, ensuring your kitchen layout is functional and efficient is important. You might need to make some changes to correct the flow and floor plan if it isn’t. Visit Us for more information.

Cabinets and appliances are fixed to a single wall in this space-saving design found in lofts and condo spaces. Putting everything in a single corridor eliminates the work triangle and prevents cabinets from blocking windows. However, it’s not ideal for families with large numbers of cooks and can feel cramped.

A popular choice for many homes, the versatile L-shaped layout features countertops on two adjacent walls that form an “L.” This design eliminates traffic and makes it easy to add a dining area. It’s also perfect for incorporating an island.

If you entertain large groups of friends and family, the U-shaped layout might be right for you. With the island as your central gathering point, you’ll have enough room for casual seating so guests can hang out while meals are being prepared. You can even set up a pass-through to serve hors d’oeuvres and drinks during parties.

Appliances

The kitchen appliances you choose are one of the most important decisions during a remodel. They impact almost every other aspect of your design – layout, plumbing and electrical, countertop cut outs, cabinets, backsplash and more. Be sure to start shopping early in the process so you can take your time and find the best fit for your home.

Energy efficiency is a key aspect of any kitchen renovation project. By upgrading to energy efficient models, you can reduce your monthly electricity bills. You’ll also be helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is good for the environment and the world.

Newer appliances are often safer than older ones, which can be a fire hazard or cause electric shock. A remodel is the perfect time to update your cooking tools and make them safer for you and your family to use.

A kitchen remodel is a great way to create a happy go-to space for your home. By choosing finishes that reflect your personal style and working with a Kowalske designer, you can create a kitchen you love to spend time in. Plus, a well-designed kitchen will increase your home’s value and marketability when it comes time to sell.

Cabinets

The cabinets are one of the biggest showpieces of a kitchen, and they can set the design style for the whole space. The right choice of wood, stain color and door styles will have a huge impact on the overall look of your kitchen.

While cabinets are usually the most expensive part of your kitchen remodel, it’s important to choose wisely. Avoid buying cheap melamine-coated particle board cabinet boxes and drawers with flat panel doors and opt for solid wood frames, dovetail joinery and high-quality finishes.

When choosing your cabinets, think beyond the color and finish of the doors and consider the trim details that will go with them. Crown molding, for example, can add a touch of luxury and help your cabinets look more custom.

You can also choose to change the height of your upper cabinets for a more custom look. Special units such as tall cabinets with appliance storage and corner cabinets can make the most of your space while adding visual interest.

Countertops

Countertops are one of the most important components in any kitchen. They define the room’s style and function, while supporting the cabinets, backsplash, appliances and other features of the space. When considering countertops for a renovation, keep in mind how you plan to use the kitchen, the level of functionality and aesthetics and your budget.

Kitchen countertop materials can be made of a variety of natural or synthetic materials and come in many different styles and finishes. Your choice will depend on how you plan to use the kitchen, what kind of look you prefer and whether you value a surface that’s easy to clean or resistant to heat damage.

Wood is a classic countertop material that can be used in a wide range of styles, from rustic to elegant. It offers visual depth on par with stone and can last a long time if well-maintained. It is, however, prone to heat and knife damage. Stainless steel is another popular option in commercial kitchens, and it’s now a trendy choice for residential ones as well. It is highly durable and shows fingerprints and water spots less than other surfaces, but it’s not an ideal choice for a family with young children.

Lighting

As you consider your kitchen remodel, be sure to include a budget for the entire project. This includes everything from plumbing and electrical to cabinets, appliances, and countertops. It also covers any structural changes you may be making, such as moving walls and installing new flooring. Your renovation plan should also address any specialized features you want to include, like a steam oven or wine fridge.

During the planning stage, it’s important to evaluate the current condition of your kitchen and assess whether it needs to be gutted. This will help you determine the scope of your renovation, which can range from a simple cosmetic refresh to what Ariana Lovato of Honeycomb Design calls “a total gut,” which would involve tearing down walls and reconfiguring the layout.

Adding decorative lighting is an easy way to bring a fresh look to your kitchen. But if your budget doesn’t allow for a complete fixture overhaul, Randall Whitehead of Lumilum suggests installing the infrastructure (the junction box and/or recessed box in the ceiling) early on during the renovation so that you can easily add fixtures later. This is particularly helpful for kitchens with angled ceilings, which can be difficult to light properly.

Flooring

A kitchen remodel is never complete without a new floor. Flooring is a big investment and can have a dramatic impact on your kitchen’s look. The flooring material is also important in terms of durability, water resistance and other special considerations. The best way to select the ideal flooring for your kitchen renovation is to work with a professional flooring and remodeling specialist who understands these specific considerations.

Durability: Kitchen floors have to work overtime, enduring spills, foot traffic and dropped items. Make sure you choose a durable material that will hold up over time, and that resists heat, moisture and staining.

Cost: A kitchen flooring renovation can easily go over budget, so it’s essential to establish your budget before you begin. Look for affordable materials, like vinyl and linoleum, that are easy to maintain, or consider engineered wood planks, which have a top veneer of real wood backed by plywood, making the planks stable and less susceptible to humidity and temperature.

Hardwood flooring is a classic choice for any kitchen and offers warmth and comfort underfoot, as well as beauty that can be updated over the years through refinishing. Concrete flooring might seem harsh for a kitchen, but it can be stained and sealed to look like stone or tile, while being durable and inexpensive.

Hardware

During your kitchen renovation, you’ll need to source various types of hardware for your cabinets and other fixtures. Fortunately, there are plenty of options in terms of style, finish and price point. Generally speaking, you should aim for cohesion by selecting hardware that matches throughout the space. This helps create a unified look and makes your kitchen feel new and fresh.

Cabinet hardware can also be a great way to introduce a pop of color or design pattern. A lot of homeowners opt for knobs that complement their new countertops and backsplashes. However, some walls are less “hardware-friendly,” so it’s important to consider what type of knob or handle will work best in your new kitchen.

Another great option for upgrading your kitchen is to reclaim any unused spaces or corners. For instance, a nook beneath your stairs could make for a perfect spot for a wine bar. In addition, you can rethink your storage and add more in or reconfigure existing cabinets to make the most of your available space. One easy and practical upgrade is to convert any lower base cabinets into drawers instead of basic shelves. Drawers are much more functional than standard shelves, as they allow you to access and view everything in your cabinet.

painting

How To Paint The Interior Of Your Home

Eldon Harris

Painting your home’s interior can make it feel refreshed and clean. It also hides cracks and dents and helps with light reflection.

Before an interior painting project begins, painters will inspect the space to determine its square footage and look for areas that need repair or other work. They will also consider the type of paint to use. Talk to Thompson & Boys LLC to make sure you get your money’s worth.

paintingWall Stenciling

If you’re looking to add a little extra pizzazz to your walls, wall stenciling is a great option. Stencils can be used to create patterns, borders, or even whole walls if you want to go big! You’ll need to prep the wall, use a level to ensure that your pattern is straight, and then carefully apply the stencil.

A spray adhesive is a good option for holding your stencil in place while you’re painting. It removes cleanly and doesn’t leave any residue on the wall, so it’s better than painter’s tape (which can easily take off or smear your paint). If you choose to use a roller, a foam one works best. It’s a little more expensive than a standard nap, but it helps you get a smooth and crisp finish. Dab the roller lightly on a piece of paper towel before applying it to the wall, and be sure to use very small amounts of paint. Too much can create globs, bleed under the stencil, or smear the design.

When it comes to tackling corners, you can either fold the stencil or cut it. If you cut it, make sure that you’re careful not to rip it. Alternatively, you can line up the stencil with the registration marks that are on your wall and bend it into the corner to pounce or brush the paint.

To help avoid bleed-through, you can pre-paint the area with either your clear or the base wall color first. Let that dry completely and then paint over it with the stencil paint. It’s a little more time-consuming, but it will help reduce paint bleed-through on your final stenciled pattern.

Checkering

A checkerboard look can add a bold accent to a room. It’s especially effective in a dining room or bedroom, but it can be used in any space where you want to add a touch of visual interest. You can use a stencil with just a few letter blocks for a subtle look or a full stencil with a complete phrase to create a bold, eye-catching display.

Before you begin, decide on the size and color of your checkerboard. Then, take a photo of the wall and play around with it in a software program or on printed paper to determine your best layout. Once you’ve decided, it’s time to start preparing the wall for painting. You’ll need to clean it thoroughly, fill holes and cracks, sand it down if needed, and apply a primer.

After the primer has dried, you’ll be ready to begin creating your checkerboard. First, paint the border of your board using a dark shade. This will help you keep your edges straight and tidy when you begin painting the actual squares. Next, tape off the areas where your vertical and horizontal stripes meet. Paint these areas a darker shade of your primary color to highlight the contrast.

Once your checkerboard is painted and dries, you can apply a clear sealant to protect it from scratches or other damage. This sealant is optional, but it can be a good idea if you have young children or pets in the home and worry about them knocking over your handiwork.

A fresh coat of interior paint makes a huge difference in the appearance of your home. A well-done paint job also provides long-lasting beauty and can improve the resale value of your property. However, the results you get will depend on how well you prepare and plan your project and if you’re hiring a professional or doing it yourself. A quality check can save you money, hassle, and headaches by ensuring your decorating project turns out exactly how you planned.

Ombre

This wall painting technique uses the gradual transition of color to create a stunning and eye-catching effect. Ombre is a great way to add a splash of color to your walls, especially in rooms with dark furniture or accents like fireplaces and cabinets. The colors can range from pale shades to darker hues — the possibilities are endless! This look also makes for a unique backdrop for wall art or can be left unadorned for a minimalist aesthetic.

To paint your ombre walls, first, prepare the surface by smoothing and priming it. You should then use a pencil to mark horizontal lines on the wall where you want your sections to be. The lower section should start about an inch below the pencil line. Next, paint the middle section and then the upper section. Finally, apply a light coat of your in-between color to the area where the middle and top sections meet. Use a paintbrush to blend this color into the surrounding sections and create a seamless look.

The colors you choose to ombre your walls will depend on the mood and ambiance you want to create in your space. Soft, muted tones like blues and greens are popular for a calm and serene look, while brighter colors such as yellows and oranges can add a burst of energy and vibrancy.

To achieve the most subtle ombré effect, it is recommended that you use analogous colors (sitting next to one another on a color wheel) or very close in shade and tint. For a more dramatic effect, try blending two different colors that are further apart on the spectrum. For example, a dark violet that fades into a blush pink.

Wall Texture

Wall texture is a way to add visual interest to your home’s interior walls. It can make the room feel more alive and can also hide any flaws or imperfections in the walls. There are many different types of wall textures you can choose from, depending on your taste and the type of look you want for your space. Some popular styles include orange peel, sand swirl, and knockdown.

A knockdown wall texture is created by a brush or sprayer that applies a thick coat of drywall mud and then splatters it in a random pattern. The texture is then sanded down to create an even surface for painting. This style of wall texture can be done with a light or dark color to achieve a different effect, such as creating the look of stucco.

Orange peel is a classic texture that gets its name from the dimpled look that resembles an orange’s rind. It is a popular choice because it is more subtle than other types of wall textures, but can still add texture to your walls. It is often used in rentals and commercial spaces and can hide minor blemishes on drywall.

Dragging is another type of wall texture that involves dragging a paintbrush across the surface to impart a textured design. This can be done with a brush that is dry or with the use of a rag. It can create a linear or flowy patterned design on your walls.

Comb texture is a popular option for those who want to add movement and visual appeal to their walls. Using a toothed trowel on a wet drywall compound, the wall can be combed in a variety of designs including waves, stripes, and zigzags. It can add a personalized and stylized look to your walls that can enhance any interior painting project.

Painting A Section Or A Corner

Paint is an excellent way to refresh a room, and it can also be used for a dramatic effect. Whether you are looking to brighten your home or increase its value, painting can be one of the most cost-effective ways to do so.

Interior painting is typically performed by professionals, but you can learn some tips and tricks to make the process easier for yourself. One of the first things that a professional will do is perform a quick overview of your home to determine an estimate for the project. This will usually include addressing any repairs or damage and taking note of the square footage of the rooms and ceilings.

It is also important to choose a high-quality paint for interior surfaces, as this will ensure that the color lasts longer and doesn’t chip or peel away. It is also a good idea to use low or zero-VOC paints, as these contain fewer volatile organic compounds and thus release fewer gasses into the air over time.

The main ingredient in paint is a solvent or base, which can be oil or water. This helps the pigments and additives adhere to the surface. The pigments provide the color, while the additives can add special physical effects like water resistance or UV resistance.

When you are painting a room, it is a good idea to work in sections. This will help you keep your workspace clean and minimize the amount of cleanup required afterward. It is also a good idea to apply tape to corners and edges before you start to paint. This will prevent the paint from smudging and bleeding into the adjacent wall. Using multi-surface painter’s tape is a great option, as it provides protection against bleeding and will rip off easily without tearing the surrounding paint.

Plumbing

What Is Plumbing and Why You Shouldn’t Do It Yourself

Eldon Harris

Plumbing is the set of pipes, valves, and fixtures that convey water, gas, and waste throughout residential and commercial buildings. Plumbers install, repair, and maintain these systems.Plumbing

The work schedule can be unpredictably busy. Plumbers are often required to work evenings and weekends to deal with emergency situations. They must also keep up with new equipment, technologies, and regulations.

Your plumbing system is a network of pipes, valves, fixtures, and other components that deliver hot and cold water and remove waste. Plumbers install, repair, and maintain these systems in homes and businesses. They use their knowledge of codes, regulations, and anatomy to ensure the pipes and fixtures function properly and safely. They also use their experience to estimate costs and timeframes for projects.

In new construction, plumbers may work from blueprints or plans to lay out the piping for a building. They may also be responsible for interpreting these plans and ensuring they meet local, state, and federal codes. They may also be responsible for obtaining permits and inspections.

During the installation process, plumbers must carefully follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for each fixture. This is to prevent misalignment, which can lead to leaks or the failure of the fixture. Plumbers must also be aware of the type of pipe they are using and its capacity, as well as the size of the fixtures they are connecting to.

After the piping is installed, plumbers can install fixtures like sinks, faucets, showers, bathtubs, and toilets. They can also install garbage disposals and dishwashers. They may also be responsible for laying gas lines, which connect to appliances and heating systems.

Regular plumbing maintenance is essential for any home or business. It can help prevent clogs, slow drains, and other problems that may cause inconvenience or health issues. It can also improve the efficiency of a home or business, which can result in lower utility bills.

In addition to maintaining pipes and fixtures, plumbers can also perform routine services such as repairing leaks, installing backflow prevention devices, and detecting and fixing water leaks. By keeping up with these regular services, a plumber can prevent costly repairs down the road. Moreover, these services can keep your home or business healthy and comfortable. For example, a leaking tap or running toilet can cause damp areas that can lead to mold growth and poor air quality. These issues can cause itchy eyes and sneezing, as well as difficulty breathing and allergic reactions in some people.

Installing Appliances

Although many people take on DIY projects, if it’s not something you feel comfortable doing, it’s always best to call in a professional. This is especially true for gas and electrical work, where the consequences of an error could be dangerous. Always shut off the electricity and gas supply before beginning work. It’s also a good idea to place plywood, heavy cardboard, or packing blankets on the floor to protect it from damage.

Manifold connections are to plumbing what the consumer box is to electrics; they allow individual isolation of appliances and make maintenance much easier.

Installing drains and sewers

Drainage and sewer systems are usually out of sight and mind—until something goes wrong. Clogged pipes, sewer backups, and other problems can cause serious damage to your home and even health hazards. That’s why it’s important to have your plumbing system regularly inspected by an expert plumber. These professionals have the tools and equipment to diagnose problems and repair them before they become severe.

Plumbing is the practice of installing, maintaining, and altering piping, fixtures, and appliances that supply potable water, remove waste, and vent gases. This includes all components of a home’s water and sewage systems, including the fixtures in the bath and kitchen. It does not include the drilling of water wells or the installation of fire sprinklers.

While most plumbing projects are inside the home, a new sewer line can involve excavation and other outdoor work. These jobs require a greater degree of planning and coordination with local authorities and utility companies. Additionally, sewer line installation is often more complicated than replacing an existing pipe. Because the line extends beyond the property line, it is subject to more regulations and inspections than other plumbing projects.

When a plumber is installing a sewer pipe, they must consider the size and material of the pipe, the load capacity of the adjacent soil, and the depth and grade of the surrounding area. The pipe must also be installed at a suitable slope to generate sufficient flow velocity to carry away waste matter without clogging or accumulating solid debris. A plumber can use a variety of tools and techniques to ensure the pipe is properly sloped, including laser leveling and trenching.

There are several types of pipes used in sewer and drainage systems, including PVC, galvanized steel, and cast iron. The most common choice is PVC, which is durable and long-lasting. It is available in a range of diameters and lengths to suit the needs of each application. PVC can withstand a great deal of pressure and is easily repaired. However, if you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly option, galvanized steel or cast iron pipes are a good alternative.

Repairing clogged drains

Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems and can be very frustrating. They make it impossible to use the sink, tub, or shower and usually cause foul odors. If left unattended, drain clogs can also result in serious water damage to pipes and fixtures. While many clogs require professional attention, there are several things you can try at home before calling a plumber.

Most drain clogs are caused by food waste, grease, hair, soap residue, and other materials that stick to the walls of the pipes. These clogs can be difficult to clear and can often cause expensive damage if not addressed quickly.

One of the most effective ways to clear a clogged drain is to pour boiling water down the drain. The hot water will melt any fats, oils, or grease causing the clog and allow them to pass through the pipe. Boil about eight to 12 cups of water and carefully pour it down the clogged drain, two to three cups at a time. It may take several attempts to fully clear the clog.

Another simple drain-clearing trick is to mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar and pour it down the drain. This chemical reaction will create a foaming action that can break down and wash away most clogs. This is especially effective for kitchen drains that become clogged with food scraps and grease.

For more severe clogs, you can purchase a plastic or metal wire snake at most home improvement or hardware stores. These clog-snaking tools are fed into the drain and pushed into the pipe until they reach the clog. They are also designed to grab and pull clogs out of the pipe, making them much more effective than just plunging or poking around. If these methods don’t work, it’s best to call a professional plumber. Clogged drains aren’t just annoying; they can be dangerous if the blockage forces water back up into your home. A plumber will be able to inspect your drainage system and determine the best solution.