Storage Solutions in Larger Kitchens

Today lets talk about some very convenient storage solutions for your larger kitchen.

Spacious Kitchens are a  wonderful luxury. They make us feel pampered, blessed, and excited about all the people who can easily gather in the heart of our home! So are there any negatives?
Well, the answer is yes. Maybe the sink counter area or cooking prep area is way across the room from the Professional sized Sub Zero Refrigerator. ( or other high end brand ). It is time to make sandwiches or dice veggies for dinner. There is a creative solution.

Remember the pots and pans drawers we explored a few weeks ago? I bet you may not know there are refrigerator drawers that can be installed in your island next to a prep sink. Storing your vegetables in one of these drawers is perfect. They are massive compared to the normal crisper drawer. Produce remains fresher because it is not subjected to continual changes in temperature caused by the opening of the main refrigerator doors. You can select drawers to stack vertically or horizontally. How about one for the produce and the second dedicated to sandwich ingredients?

Right next to these drawers is the perfect place for a couple of other handy practical cabinets. A pull out 15 to 24 inch wide Double Trash Container Cabinet makes life easier.  We talked about pull out 3 to 6 " filler width units perfect to hold spices, vinegar, or oils to store, last week. If more space is needed for the same items, they are also available in 9 to 18 inch pullout cabinets. The larger ones are food items needed on a daily basis.  

In the baking area near your ovens, tray cabinets are perfect! These cabinets come slotted to protect your serving platters or trays from banging into one another. They are also great to hold cookie sheets etc. Again, you may only have room or need for a 6 to 9 inch wide tray cabinet. However if you have multiple platters or baking trays you can utilize 12 to 24 inch, or wider to secure whatever space you need. Pulling out  a single platter or tray is so much better than trying to access one stacked inside a cabinet. Doesn't it always seem like the one you want is on the bottom of that stack?
                                                                      

It is very convenient in a large kitchen to have a wall of tall cabinets for food storage that may supplement a walk in pantry. Or you may add that wall of tall cabinets "in" the pantry area. Cabinets with roll out shelves are perfect for pantry food storage. Plus once again the "Pull Out " or " Sliding Pantry" Cabinet option is available in Tall Cabinets as well. These cabinets pull straight  out and everything on the shelves is seen and accessible quickly from both sides. The inner hardware used guarantee pulling out the entire door attached to the shelving happens smoothly. Surprisingly so!
   

Last but certainly not least is interior dividers you can add to all the drawers in your kitchen. The configurations can be custom designed creating a place for every item. Then "every item in its place" is a snap.

We have lots of drawings and pictures with all the details if you are excited about the MOST organized functional kitchen you have ever dreamt of! We are here to listen to your specific and personal needs and wish list!

Open Counter Tops with Plenty of Space

What exactly is an Appliance Garage Cabinet?

It is a cabinet that extends down to your counter top. It is typically 18, 24, 27, even 30 inches wide if you have enough wall space. The average is 24 inches wide and 15 to 18" deep. Your mixer, toaster, blender, food processor, etc "park " in this great space when not in use. There can be roll up doors or two full overlay doors to close all of these tools away and out of view!

If your kitchen is large enough to include one of these, you will love the convenience of tucking all of the small appliances cluttering your current counter top. Oh, I would love one of these!

There are other "to the counter" cabinets that add design as well as function to both your kitchen and bath project. They may be a taller cabinet with one to three drawers resting on the counter. The cabinet above the drawers is a perfect application for a focal point in the room. It makes a great statement with a glass door. Then it is perfect as a display cabinet with a finished interior. Most people do not need the old fashioned China Cabinet in the Dining Room our mothers treasured. In fact displaying a full set of china dinnerware and matching serving dishes is rarely seen these days.
However, a 18, 24, or 27" to the counter cabinet is perfect to store those "special place settings " used occasionally. The drawers below can be accessorized with special dividers perfect for fine silver cutlery. Another possible space , though not as easily accessed for your Holiday finery is 12 to 15 " high cabinets stacked on top of the 30" to 36" wall cabinets you select. Yes, you will need a step stool to access the dishes. However if you like the drama of lighted cabinets , these are a good source of light for function as well as drama.  

What about the microwave? Maybe you prefer a separate unit rather than the Microwave Hood mounted over your cook top. If you want to get it off the counter top too, a Drawer Microwave tucks in with your base cabinets. They have soft close technology, just like the drawers to your cabinets. They are very easily accessed and perfect for use by kids.

Other cabinets that are very practical and also add a pop of design as an accessory are great places to tuck away cooking utensils, spices, medications, oils and even some smaller cleaning supplies. Often 3 to 6 inch fillers are necessary to help your base or wall cabinet runs fit mathematically. You can use just a filler. If you select that the space behind it has no function. You may want to have your designer add pull out fillers to creatively store items that will make the function in your space complete.

These hidden away jewels are also available as special decorative accessories. Called Pull Out Fillers or Posts they really make your kitchen "pop". Another 6" selection are spice drawers> I love these! If your taste is traditional , country, or rustic these very functional cubical looking drawers are wonderful. I love to place them next to a sink base to hold dish towels, supplements, or medications.
If next to a stove, they are perfect for cooking spatulas, spoons, knives, and whisks. Small items like Baking soda, baking powder, spices that get hidden behind larger food items fit in these drawers perfectly.

The pull outs are also available with two shelves. Next to the cooking center, stove are of your kitchen, they hold oils, spices, and  cooking utensils tucked into special buckets that fit in holes drilled into the top shelf. Other practical storage ideas are tray cabinets close to the oven/ baking area of your kitchen. You will probably find a minimum of  a 9 to 12 " cabinet is best to hold trays and baking sheets.

Are you salivating dreaming about all the wonderful ways of adding both beauty and functionality? We love to help you discover what works best for your life style. Come brainstorm with us.
            

Dedicated Cabinets and Accessories

Remember the pots and pans drawer we talked about last week? In my opinion, as a designer for twenty plus years, Pots and Pan Drawers may have impacted changing the functionality of kitchen's! I know there have been many innovations. However, this type of cabinet has simplified life for countless homeowners.   Here is why I love them.

Historically pots and pans were tucked into those blind corner cabinets. Usually these dysfunctional
cabinets were the largest, yet most impractical use of space. They were typically placed next to the stove and extended around the corner to the sink.  Then this scenario happened everywhere, " Where is that pan?  I know I put it in here! " As an adult, you needed to get one of your young kids to crawl in looking for whatever was lost inside. Or, you had to be a contortionist with a flashlight to find the pot or pan needed!.

There are internal accessories called "swing-out shelves" now that make the blind corner cabinet a little more functional. However, in my opinion, a corner cabinet with a full base and an upper half shelf or a corner Lazy Susan cabinet is superior. Both can be utilized for food. The second option is perfect to store pots and pans. However, my vote for the best goes to the Pots and Pans drawers! They are either two deep drawers or a three drawer model with a top shallow drawer and two deep drawers below. The top drawer is a wonderful place to  store cooking utensils, hot pads, & cutting boards. Interior accessories are available to divide the width and depth of this spacious drawer. That creates defined categories to hold everything you need in one convenient drawer!

The typical base cabinet with stationary shelves works fine. Or you can add roll out shelves to the interior of the base cabinet. However, to access what you need requires opening the cabinet doors and pulling the shelves out. Why not reduce the effort to one movement, just opening the drawer

The bottom drawers are deep enough to store big deep pasta pots, every size pot or pan you need, and heavy skillets. It is surprising how much weight these drawers manage and still operate with soft close features. The construction on glides is strong and purposely designed for weighty items.
There are two other options as well. These drawers are strong enough to hold dinnerware if you choose. There are plate holder accessories designed to stack all your dishes too. Storing your dinnerware in the base cabinets allows the wall cabinets to be available for more creative use. Glass doors with lit finished interiors are beautiful focal points as well as functional. Would you like to display favorite family heirlooms or special trays, glassware or specialty dishes?  Storing breakfast foods close to your refrigerator for convenience is great when there are some wall cabinets free from storing your everyday dinnerware.

Clean open expanses of your counter top makes your kitchen look bigger, cleaner, and more inviting!
Small appliances, docked charging stations, dish drainers, and other various kitchen necessities can dramatically minimize counter space needed to prepare and cook. I find a clean clear counter relaxes me when I enter my kitchen. I happen to have a smaller kitchen. One of the inconveniences of that is needing to combine "charging areas" for our electronics with either the cooking  or cleaning centers of my counter top. Ugh!

One of the newer innovations addressing this issue, is another favorite. It is called a Docking Drawer. This great functional cabinet drawer will eliminate unsightly clutter. How many devices end up being charged on your kitchen counter now? Probably a few, correct? Docking Drawers  are a popular addition to our remodeling projects. They completely eliminate the headache of electronic clutter and endless tangled cords! This practical choice takes all your devices, tucks them neatly into a tidy drawer. Your counter space can be completely free for food prep  and cooking.

Having a place to "park " mixers, blenders, food processors frees up counter space as well.
It can also become a unique and beautiful focal point in your kitchen. Next week we will discuss these efficient cabinets and other specialty selections that make your kitchen truly organized!

Function and Storage in Smaller Kitchens

My kitchen is so small! How can I get the most storage space possible?

This is the challenge many New England homeowners face. New home construction has typically increased the size of kitchens and their functionality. Yet, that is not always the case. However, a huge percentage of  population still live in neighborhoods filled with Capes, smaller Ranch or Raised Ranch homes. Even Victorians and New Englander home's often have a very small amount of square feet devoted to the kitchen.

What is the solution? Kitchen additions are ideal if you have the capitol to invest. It is a good investment that does add value to your home. However, that is not realistic for many. Thinking creatively and strategically is imperative when remodeling your kitchen in the same space the old one is in. This is where innovation in the cabinet industry steps in to solve so many issues.

Let's begin with discussing what is available in cabinets:

Every square inch of space can be useful. You need to think about utilizing all your vertical space as well as the horizontal run of cabinets along the walls of your kitchen. If you are fortunate to have tall ceilings you have great potential storage space you may not have considered before. All of us have those items we need for holidays and special events. Only items used daily or multiple times a week need to be within your immediate reach.

Vertical storage space is accomplished by maximizing the height of your wall cabinets. Installing these cabinets all the way to the ceiling adds valuable storage. You can accomplish this by stacking cabinets or  utilizing those tall enough to reach your kitchen ceiling. You can add a beautiful design touch too if you add lighting to the top wall cabinet stacked on the main lower cabinet.

I know what you are thinking. "How inconvenient! I can't reach those top cabinets!" Keep in mind we are brainstorming to create storage within your kitchen footprint so that you do not have to go to your basement or other house "storage " area to get the dish or pan you need. Step stools are your friend and very useful to retrieve anything stored over your head. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter platters and special dishes are perfectly stored in these ceiling height cabinets. Anything you need to store that is not used on a regular basis is perfect to be put in these cabinets.

Typical walls cabinet range in the 30, 33. and 36" high category. However, with our custom lines 39 to 60" cabinets are available. Storing the items used often in the lower part of the taller wall cabinets leaves storage room for the items needed occasionally. If you include a peninsula in your kitchen adding a tall cabinet reaching to the ceiling with one to three drawers at the base of it is perfect for cutlery for eating on the peninsula. Or storing supplies to do homework or bill paying is optimal as well.

If you do not have a dedicated pantry, there are tall cabinets of various styles you can utilize as your pantry. Similar cabinets are also available for broom closets if needed.

There are two very important changes in kitchen cabinet design, especially for corner cabinets or drawer base cabinets. These two innovations have dramatically improved function in small kitchens.
The old "Blind Corner Cabinet" has been reinvented." Blind " is the perfect word to describe this cabinet. Typically it is the black hole where anything placed in it gets pushed back so far it is irretrievable. There are some interior accessory solutions. We will cover that topic next week.

Large Corner Cabinets which are very roomy have replaced the blind corners. They are available with stationary shelves and Lazy Susan's. Nothing gets lost in these cabinets. Everything is in view and the storage capacity is ample.

The other great innovation are wide Pots and Pans Drawer bases. I LOVE these! They are the most versatile cabinets. Yes, they are strong enough to hold your heavy pots and pans. They are also great
places to store dishes or food normally kept in the pantry. The convenience of simply pulling out drawers that are fully extended to access anything you need is awesome. Everything in the drawer is visible and easily accessed. Typical drawer bases are 12 to 18 inches wide. The 3 Drawer Bases measuring 24 to 42 inches wide will hold much more than two of the typical drawers.

Sometimes a smaller cabinet dedicated to a particular use can be the most functional space saving cabinet in your kitchen. I am suggesting pull out 3 to 9 inch cabinets.They may be a base or wall cabinet application. These cabinets are perfect for storing those small items that get lost in bigger cabinets. Spices, medication, specialty utensils are items best stored in these unique space savers. The three and six inch wide ones have a multi use if your kitchen needs to utilize fillers. The filler can actually be a storage space.

I hope these suggestions help you realize any kitchen can be improved and made more functional.
It is all about information and choices. Next week we will discuss the accessories available for the interior of the cabinets mentioned today.    
     

Storage in Smaller Kitchens

Last weekend I was overwhelmed with the beauty of our NH Lakes Region. The amazing kitchens I had the privilege of  touring sparked my imagination and envy! The homes were built by members of the Lakes Region Builder's Association. Their annual Home Tour of these exceptional custom homes truly stimulated me, as well as tempting me to be jealous, at least a little. The homes were located all around Meredith, Alton, Wolfeborough, and Moultonborough, NH.

I have to admit my "wanter" became activated quickly. I love my home and I am thankful. However, what woman doesn't envy "new" homes, especially when they have perfect professionally decorated interiors! Are any of us really content? It seems we ladies love to change our nests as often as possible. The question arose in my mind, how can I help our clients maximize the possibilities with in their budget and design a beautiful functional kitchen or bath with what they need and want?

Being a Kitchen and Bath Designer, I love to check out every kitchen and bath for obvious reasons. It is delightful to see how spacious kitchens can be. If one is fortunate enough to live in a large home whose square footage allows ample space, storage and organization is easy.  Some are so large , specialty work centers within the total kitchen create actual hearth cooking areas, baking centers, designated food prep areas, pizza ovens, and convenient office like space for working or studying at home.

What woman doesn't want counter tops for miles to prepare meals on? Beautiful spacious wide floors for family traffic areas between the islands and base cabinets on the perimeter walls are on every one's wish list. How much counter top space would you like to prepare meals on?  However, realistically, most of our kitchens are probably only 200 to 250 square feet. Our homes are more likely to have two walls to hold everything needed to cook, eat, and entertain in our kitchen. So, the question is, "how can I fit in everything I want and need in my new kitchen?

The reality is most of our homes do not have the square footage to hold the spacious all inclusive kitchen of our dreams. The need to prioritize is key. How, you ask? Well I suggest starting by
being mindful every time you enter your current kitchen or bath. There are things you love do not want to give up. Then there are always cabinets or features that you just do not use or like. Start writing down what you love, what you must still have in your new space, and what you do NOT want to take up precious space in the new design.  Just listen to the subconscious conversation you have every time you are in the room.

Next, the fun part! Grab a folder and start your wish list. The really fun part of the is I suggest you brainstorm creatively, as if your budget was not an issue. Yes, I really said that! Write down every feature, convenience, and aesthetically desirable feature you can imagine. Trust me, this will help you. Why, you say?  Remodeling is exciting, expensive, and messy. It is worth the process, once the actual demo and installation phases are past. How will you insure the final product has as many of your "must haves " as possible?  The answer is, by discovering what is possible and listing your preferences in categories.  You will want to maximize your funds to gain what is most important and desirable to you. This is a very personal process filled with many more selections than you can imagine. Those selections and choices drive the cost of your project.  So, write down notes , add pictures to your folder of what you love. You will begin to see a pattern that reveals what style, color, specialty cabinets you prefer. Probably there will be many similar pictures in your folder. Selecting a door style and finish close to them will help you create the kitchen or bath you will enjoy for years to come.

Have fun with this! Do not edit yourself. Let your imagination create your dream space. This really is the best way to start. Yes, you will need to eliminate some items. That is why you need three categories to separate your wish folder ideas into. The three categories are:
1. Essentials you must have
2. Optional  features and cabinets if space and budget allow
3. Unrealistic items that are not truly practical or needed

Next week,we will discuss the many options available in cabinets these days to maximize storage in your project. After all, isn't that always a priority?

Why Licensing Matters and How to Find the Best Contractor

What is your profession? What area of expertise have you invested time, finances, and great effort to become the best you can be? Was your incentive to be able to serve others to the best of your ability?

There are professions where you can find people of such raw talent, they do not need training or education. A few examples would be artists, writer's, and some craftsman whose natural ability is extraordinary. Yet, even geniuses in these arts seek education to sharpen the gift within them. It is human nature to want to be the best we can be in our field of expertise and profession.

Would you pay an untrained person to cut and color your hair? Would you purposely go to a medical or dental professional you knew had not completed their education? Probably not! However, many homeowners looking for the "best/cheapest" price for a home improvement project will risk the value of the biggest financial investment in their portfolio. Please do not make that big mistake. Unlicensed and untrained contractors do operate in virtually every nook and cranny of America.

Right here is NH licensing is not required. Are you asking why I named this Post "Why Licensing Matters?" Well, there are ways to protect yourself and find the best contractor, even if  NH does not
require they get licensed.  Since New Hampshire does not require a Contractor to be State Licensed, it is up to you to use wisdom, research, and choose the best for your particular project. The industry's low barrier to entry and ability to secure work happens due to a general unwillingness or inability of municipal and State authorities to vigorously create and enforce regulations. "How can this be?", you ask. Maybe it has something to do with our State motto, "Live free of die".  Actually, it boils down to the lack of organization and staffing to create the standards to meet and verify any applicant's financial records, insurance, experience, and background that needs to be policed and administered by contractor boards, business and regulatory agencies, consumer affair departments, or attorneys,depending on the location. Bottom line it is a problem that can create a nightmare for homeowners.

Remodeling takes expertise, experience, and the ability to listen carefully to your clients ideas. It also takes great intelligence combined with creativity. Designers and Builders must possess an unusual balance of mental capacity as well as emotional intelligence to understand what their clients really dream of.  They must be accurate with math, which is right brain activity. They also must be creative which uses their left brain. Only 6 % of the population has that combination of skills.

I am so happy to tell you that Lenny and Lisa , the owners of Apple Wood Construction and Apple Wood Kitchen and Bath function excellently in these attributes. There is literally nothing Lenny cannot build. His reputation is spotless and well known among the building inspectors and
the town office that distributes Building Permits.

 Inexperienced carpenters may promise what they cannot deliver to win your business. There are so many expensive mistakes made by homeowners who only consider the price. Every ethical and professional remodeling contractor has the personal experience of being contacted by a homeowner needing to be rescued from the mistakes of a less than ethical "contractor' who abandoned their job with their money in hand! That makes the entire industry suspect. However, if you do your due diligence, ask for referrals and take time to interview a few Pros, you will avoid being taken advantage of.

Where do you begin? In your family and social circle you are going to become aware of projects completed in homes you are invited to visit. If you are thinking about remodeling in the future, be sure to capture the opportunity to ask what your host liked or did not like about who they awarded their project to. Listen and take notes if possible. Your friends and family will love to talk about their project and welcome your curiosity and questions. In fact, they will probably be flattered and excited you want to know.

One of the key issues about remodeling "value" is finding who you like and communicate easily with. You will most likely be interacting with this person and their crew for months. Select the one who really listens to your ideas and preferences. Ask them what they think about your goals. Ask them if what you want is possible, and what the positives and negatives are. Listen to their explanations and jot them down as notes to refer to while interviewing the next candidate.

Another good question to ask anyone you are considering is , How do you stay on top of new trends and products? Do you continue your education and learning new developments in your field? This question is particularly important if you are interested in contemporary design or need special functionality in a commercial application. In every industry, learning new ways and about new products is good. Especially now with Green Building being emphasized. Green means environmentally friendly using less energy to live. If you get a push back like, "Oh no, this is the way I have been doing this for 20 years", you may want to consider asking for referrals then contacting them to ask for their opinion. Another great positive sign is any tradesman who is active in local Builder's Associations. These professionals tend to be interested in learning from each other, being educated as they seek continued training in their field. Plus, great relationships are forged in these associations. The experts from all the fields get to know each other, often refer one another and create a very cohesive team to get jobs done more quickly and efficiently. The camaraderie adds to each tradesman and the mutual respect built tends to add to each contractors commitment to excellence.    

Why Design Build is the Best Choice!

We  here at Apple Wood Kitchen and Bath are affiliated with Apple Wood Construction.

As a General Contractor, our scope includes custom home construction and everything that includes. There literally is no residential construction project we cannot tackle.

Lenny Santosuosso literally became a Lead Carpenter as a young man. Apprenticed by his father, Lenny Senior, he apprenticed for the Kitchen and Bath business from the ground up. Excellence was a priority then and still remains his primary goal now. Lenny insists every project be done "right" and excellently the first time. His references and referral business due to customer satisfaction is well known. The best compliments any contractor can receive comes from their peers. Lenny is praised by licensed inspectors. They say, "if Lenny built it, we know it was done right." The second best referral is from satisfied client's who recommend Apple Wood to their family and friends wanting to remodel or build.

What is Design Build? What are the pros in selecting a professional that has reached this level of expertise?

1. A Design Build Contractor is one stop "soup to nuts" process from the beginning to the end of a
    project.
2. The client works only with the Design Build Firm who handles every phase and detail.
3. There is no one handing the client a list of sub contractors to call to hire and install any part of
    the project.
4. Design, selection of product, demolition, installation, clean up, and warranty is all handled by one
    company, the Design Build firm.
5. A higher level of quality in every phase is key.

We have all read the horror stories of home owners who tried to cut corners, be their own contractor, and coordinate a build team. There is no continuity or team commitment in this scenario. Typically the money "saved"  results in spending much more addressing unexpected problems no one wants to even think about, much less deal with.

Is Design Build more expensive? It can be. However, it is a bargain when you consider the peace of mind and the appreciation you will enjoy on your property by hiring a truly professional experienced company.

A firm who has reached the status of being in this select category, is typically well known locally in the industry. Their reputation is built and depends on customer satisfaction and referrals.

Here are some things to consider when it is time to award your project to a building professional.
1. Does the Designer "get" your dream and listen to what you want?
2. Do they respond to your concerns?
3. Have you thought about this fact: Your home, belongings, family, children, and pets are going to
    be exposed to whoever you award your project to, for months. Do you trust them? Have you done
    your due diligence to be sure they deserve your trust?
4. Do they respect you and your home's interior? Will they protect areas in your home that are
    surrounding the project area to minimize dust, noise, etc.?
5. Will they clean up the work area daily and carefully store any products or tools so as to keep your
    family safe in the construction process?
6. Do they partner with quality vendors for plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinet, and counter top
    professionals to assure your ability to select the best available to complete your project.
7. Do they follow through with what they promise?

This is one of the most thrilling experiences of home ownership. It has great creative fun times. It also has many challenges and seasons of inconvenience. Who you select to work with truly makes a difference. Getting referrals is extremely important.  

"You get what you pay for!" That is true in the Building and Remodeling world. Sometimes, we have waited so long for our dream home, we can want it done "NOW" for the cheapest price possible. Often, cutting corners creates more stress and problems than working with a true competitive experienced professional from the beginning. When everything is considered, you will be happy you awarded your project to the best, a Design Build contractor.

Please come talk to us. If you are looking for a contractor who is creative, experienced, has great integrity, skill, and is competitive in pricing, you will be pleasantly surprised!