Being a homeowner is a big part of the American Dream – the hard evidence that you’re really, truly, rocking this whole adult thing. But real estate is also viewed as an investment, one that every owner hopes will pay off when they choose to retire, downsize, move up, or relocate.
With a potential resale in the future, as an owner, you want to ensure that the money you’re spending on upgrading your home results in something that appeals to the largest number of future buyers – no faux-wood paneling or harvest gold toilets, please.
And since kitchens can make or break the sale of a home, it follows that many homeowners choose to invest in creating the perfect modern kitchen.
You know the one I mean. It’s in every HGTV show. It’s sleek AND chic. Neutral yet bold. Open concept, soaring ceilings, white cabinets with tasteful granite counters. Stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, and pendant lighting round out this Pinterest-approved design.
It’s a great kitchen. As a Realtor, I’ve been in more variations of it in the last five years than I can count! It’s luxurious, yet accessible, sure to please even the pickiest of home shoppers.
But for those of you who want your kitchen to feel less like a showroom and more a reflection of your unique personality, this can cause a bit of a disconnect. If you’re not planning to move for another five or ten years – or ever! - why not have the kitchen of your personal dreams?
Good news! High-end kitchens are trending towards incorporating vivid, daring, even dramatic colors, so it’s only a matter of time before this becomes more popular with the masses, as well.
Even without a sky-high budget, here’s how you can make your kitchen feel totally customized to you:
– Captivating Cabinets : love a specific color family or hue? Go for a colored cabinet to make an undeniable statement. Two-toned cabinets are trendy right now, so if you’re unsure, split the difference and do a color for your bottom cabinets and white or a similar neutral for your upper cupboards.
– Arresting appliances : Smeg, Big Chill, and other companies now make fridges and ranges in a ton of eye-catching colors. Because the only thing better than baking cookies is doing it in a SKY BLUE oven.
– Daring details : Not ready to take the plunge into that bold color life? Take the first step by selecting a bright backsplash, kitchen island, or accessory like chairs or dishware, for all of the drama with less of the commitment.
Voila! A kitchen that truly feels like home to you – and one that you’re happy to spend time in, even if you’re washing dishes.
And, should you end up putting your home on the market sooner than anticipated, or just want to change the look, you can neutralize any of these changes without a major renovation.
A unique and colorful kitchen that suits you perfectly? Now THAT’s the dream!
Beyond the monetary distinctions, what separates cabinet lines? Four features in particular: Door styles, Modifications, Box Construction, and Warranty.
Door styles are just as the name implies - the shape, color, and profile of the door itself. This is one of the biggest decisions that needs to be made in a kitchen, being the most visible part of the cabinetry and setting the style for the rest of the room. Shaker tends to be our most popular door style at present. The hottest colors are White and Gray.
Soapstone is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock. It contains varying levels of talc, with low-talc soapstone utilized to make countertops, sinks, floor tiles, and other "architectural-grade" items. High-talc material is used in carving and artwork. Talc gives the stone a "soapy" feel, hence its name.
The standout feature of soapstone is that it is completely nonporous. Unlike granite and marble, this material is impervious to staining and highly bacteria-resistant. This also means it does not have to be sealed. Soapstone is heat-resistant, allowing hot items to be placed directly on the surface. It has a warm feel and lends itself equally to a rustic kitchen, a modern cooking area, and everything in between.
Soapstone has a variety of uses. Whether it's an entire counter top, a statement-making sink, a vanity application, a sturdy hearth surround, or for outdoor entertaining, this hardy surface will stand up to the wear and tear of daily life. Some homeowners choose to oil their soapstone to even out the darkening that time causes. Others opt to leave the stone in its natural state. Whether the surface is oiled or not will not affect its stain-proof, etch-proof, bacteria-resistant properties. It cleans easily with soap and water.
Occasionally, soapstone can nick, dent, or scratch. This is remedied with a light sanding of the affected area. As it is a more unique surface, and quarried in smaller slabs than granite, this material tends to be more expensive than other counter top choices. Unlike those choices, however, soapstone is a timeless option that will last for decades to come.
In becoming more familiar with soapstone, it would certainly be one of my considerations should a kitchen remodel opportunity arise. With its durability, unique characteristics, and wide range of uses, soapstone sets the bar very high!
Check out our soapstone supplier's gallery here: https://doradosoapstone.com/gallery/
Lastly, quartz generally comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
With such strong and long-lasting attributes, quartz typically comes at a slightly higher price point than most other solid-surface options. But with its consistency and quality, this versatile material is a worthy investment.
Check out the following brands that we carry:
https://www.cambriausa.com/
http://www.caesarstoneus.com/
http://www.zodiaq.com/
http://nustonequartz.com/
https://www.emeraldcityllc.com/quartz
Last year, Shayna had the pleasure of sitting on the United Way's Housing Committee and was honored to be able to see the work started on Cape Cod due to the funds allocated to Habitat for Humanity. These homes were being built in a community for local families in need.
At the job site visit, she had the opportunity to meet a young woman who was there working on what would be the future home for her and her three children. Shayna recalls the smile and pride the woman had while talking about the opportunity the Habitat for Humanity had given to her family. She was actively involved in viewing and helping through the process.
Although it was a time-consuming process, Shayna learned so much about reading grants and the incredible local non-profits that require funding each year to continue their amazing work. She is grateful to have been able to be part of an amazing team and witness firsthand how much the grants make a difference to those in need.
“Unwittingly then had I discovered an Invisible Empire of the Air, intangible, yet solid as granite, whose structure shall persist while man inhabits the planet.” ~Lee De Forest
As I begin my kitchen design blog adventure, granite seemed like a logical place to start.
Let me tell you a little about myself: My name is Katie and kitchen design had never figured into my life plans of law enforcement and the Navy (neither of which happened), nor my eventual degree in accounting. But 16 years ago, I was asked to work for a kitchen designer and jumped at the unique opportunity. After a few years, I left the business to start a family. Three children and 2 moves later, I find myself back in the kitchen business! Life surely has funny and fascinating circles…
But why start with granite, you might ask? The simple answer is that Emerald City started out in the granite business. Long before cabinet lines and flooring options, John and Shayna were all about granite. From selection to fabrication and installation, they did it all!
The most surprising difference I’ve seen, as I return to this business after more than a decade, is the prevalence of granite as a standard part of a kitchen makeover. During my first kitchen design stint, granite was considered a luxury item, only appearing in high-end homes. To see how accessible it has become is compelling. Laminate, that go-to material of yore, is hardly seen anymore, especially as the price points for both material are nearly balanced.
Naturally, the taste in granite has evolved over the years. Just as we are no longer wearing mood rings and jelly shoes, we do not often see the jewel-like tones of Uba Tuba, Butterfly Green, and Sapphire Blue as much as I did back then.
The colors we have most commonly filling our A-frames these days are Fantasy Brown, Absolute Black, and New Venetian Gold.
When picking granite, it is most important to see and select the slabs in person. Color, pattern, and movement can vary wildly, even among slabs with the same name.
Preference is key. But that is the beauty of natural stone - it’s unique and delightfully individualistic - ensuring that most will be able to find something that works in their own space. Rounding out granite’s characteristics: it is resistant to heat, easy to maintain, and durable for years to come.
Whether it is the space-expanding properties of Ice White, the endless design possibilities of New Venetian Gold, the warm, cozy feeling of Baltic Brown, or the sleek sophistication of Black Pearl, granite is a great way to add value and richness to your kitchen, bathroom vanity, or fireplace surround. It’s not just a luxury anymore!