Okay, it is actually the ‘Year of the Snake’ and the Chinese New Year isn’t actually celebrated for another month, but as we rolled into 2013, the housing industry received some encouraging news about finally being on the mend. It has been a long road back, so 2013 is a time to splurge and give your kitchen a facelift.
If you are going all in, then let’s start with countertops and cabinets. There are a number of excellent options with regards to countertops. You should no longer be satisfied with the basic laminated countertops. Yes, there are many options for colors, but the kitchen is about diversity. Granite countertops are still an excellent option, because you can get amazing contrasts of color and fleck with each slab.
Go bold with some red
Or play it cool with blue
or play it safe with a neutral color
No matter what color, you go with, part of the fun is inspecting each slab for the incredible variation. Granite requires a bit more TLC than other countertops, so make sure that you clean up spills quickly, use trivets or hot pad for hot dishes, avoid harsh cleaning products and protect with a sealant.
Concrete countertops have become a favorite choice of designers and high end builders. The major reason behind this is that these countertops are very unusual in construction. The best part is they can conform in almost every shape.
Countertop done by Jeffrey D. Girard, P.E., President of The Concrete Countertop Institute
Acid staining for contrast and design
and it comes in that bold red as well.
Like granite, concrete has special care needs as well. Don’t cut on it, avoid those hot pans and get longer life by using a sealer. Now that we looked at one surface, let’s look at the subtle workhorse of the kitchen: the cabinets.
Okay, perhaps workhorse is a bit of an exaggeration, but they carry a lot of weight and cover most the surface area in the kitchen. Cabinets can be customized, semi-custom and stock. Custom cabinets are made by hand to fit almost any standard you require. Semi-custom cabinets are built after your order is placed, so you can choose from certain sizes and styles. Stock cabinets come in standard sizes and shapes, and are usually available to take home from the store the same day or just a few days later.
Kraftsmaid Kitchen Cabinet
A contemporary look from Wellborn Cabinets
Bertch - a favorite of the Ultimate Bath Showrooms
With two surfaces covered, let’s turn our attention to faucets and sinks. Check out these options:
Grohe Alira
Symmons Carrington™ Two Handle Kitchen Faucet
Sigma Sancerre Bridge Kitchen or Bar Faucet with 482 Handle
Elaky Avado Undermount Sink
BLANCO SILGRANIT® II Sinks
Rohl Allia Fireclay 2 Bowl One Hole Kitchen Sink
So, go all in this year and give your kitchen a new look, because after all, 2013 is the ‘Year of the Kitchen.’
