Owner: The Kitchen Designer URL:http://www.thekitchendesigner.org Join Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:42:58 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Susan Serra, CKD offers tips and guidance on surviving a kitchen remodeling project. Sharing insight and experiences on all things kitchen design related, product resources, and more... Site statistics:Click here
Sparks Are Flying! 2007-02-27 01:56:57 I couldn't resist the title, but, sorry to disappoint, no juicy gossip here, this topic is, drum roll, electricity related! Nonetheless, I promise riveting information.A kitchen I'm working on has revealed surprising electrical issues, in terms of additional circuits needed to serve the backsplash lifestyle (you didn't know you had a backsplash lifestyle, DID you??) of the homeowner. It's a small kitchen. I initially assumed the existing wiring would serve the electrical needs in this kitchen along the backsplash, yawn, fairly easily. I was very wrong. (I TOLD you it would be riveting!)For one thing, I noticed the client has a fancy Dualite toaster which, gasp, draws 17 amps. That's a lot! The toaster draws 6 amps more than the microwave! The microwave should be on a separate circuit anyway, (although by code, it doesn't have to be) yet, it makes you wonder if an appliance like this toaster should be too. Also in this small kitchen is an instant hot/cold water tap, which comes wi Read more:Sparks
, Flying
Everyone ends up in the kitchen 2007-02-19 12:20:31 Our daughter and son in law are out for the weekend, along with their dog, Max. We're trying to introduce our new cat to their dog, and we can't figure out who's scared of who. The cat hissed once, the dog barked and barked (but his tail wagged, so did he want to play?) This was the weekend's excitement. Luckily, the dog is a small 25 lbs so they're on fairly equal territory. Random kitchen images follow (not of this weekend).I think the best times of the weekend are definitely centered around meals and cooking. Cooking dinner, we break out the wine, always. Someone is at the (indoor) grill, someone is chopping something, and someone else is hanging out at the table chatting, casually on a laptop, whatever. The music is on. After a super busy week of demanding jobs and obligations of various sorts, I'm convinced that there are pieces to our kitchen design that help dissolve those working stresses real fast.See family and friends VERY relaxed! &n
Tiii-iii-ime is NOT on your side 2007-02-17 19:39:24 How many materials are involved in your kitchen project? Let me say that another way....how many different categories of materials are involved? Let's take a quick inventory:cabinetrycountertopssink(s)faucet(s)sink accessoriesfaucet accessorieslighting, more lightinghardwarehardwareappliancestilethat all encompassing "OTHER"I'm sure I'm forgetting some smaller types of items. I have a project going on right now where I advised my client to make a decision on her countertops in a timely manner. In this case, the countertops did not have to be templated, they could have been ordered well in advance, to be present at the time the cabinetry was installed and could be installed immediately thereafter.Time just went on. And on, and on some more. My client finally made a decision on the countertops at the time the cabinetry was being installed. The order was put in for the tops, and unfortunately, they now have to wait a month for the countertops to arrive, with the kitchen finis
The Color Purple, No, Green 2007-02-14 14:03:28 The green text on this page is the tiniest bit too blue, it doesn't match the other greens on this page, which are more yellow. (Trust me, there's a connection to kitchen design...)But, I LIKE this green text - it looks crisp on the white page. I like crisp. The voices in my head are in conflict over this. My love of this green text is winning over my analytical voice, which tells me that it doesn't match the other greens. (Or, is that my mother's voice!?) I had an olive green text color in its place and it matched beautifully, BUT, it just didn't pop on the page like THIS green does. It didn't speak to me. Even the orangey titles...not a color you would really FIND in the top image, to tie it in directly, it's more a combination of many colors in the image, something I liked, also, against the white page.On to KitchensI have one particular kitchen in mind where the paint color of the window and doorway, and baseboard casings match nothing in the kitchen, there being a blu Read more:Color
, Purple
, Green
Meow....Woof! 2007-02-13 09:54:22 Do you have a furry friend living with you? We do. First, we had Cleo, a white cat. She had to be an aristorcatic cat of some kind, as she definitely owned US. Next, is another cat, Sparky. We don't love the name, but he responds to his name when he is called! We just adopted Sparky about 2 weeks ago. We keep calling him by his name because it's too much fun when he responds to it! We definitely need to be retrained...Pets need to be considered in the design of the new kitchen. Not to the point where they attend meetings, and sign off on the plan, no, but just short of that! Here are some thoughts:Planning - where can your pet eat peacefully without fear of being bumped into or forced to move for a moment?Where do the bowls go so that when they are not eating, they are in a spot where they will not be bumped, resulting in spilling water?Do you have multiple pets? Is it ok if they eat in the same area? Will they know whose bowl is whose and do they or you care?Will the bow
Irrational Fiscal Exuberance 2007-02-12 20:31:36 I received a call today from a potential new client. We chatted about his project, about the logistics of the project, and we even began to go through numbers, which I would not have brought up. But, it is always welcome to begin the money talk sooner than later. I worked backward from what his all inclusive budget figure was, categorizing each cost, and ending up with one sum for the construction (not a lot), which I felt was fairly close to what a labor estimate might be, given what he told me of his project. Of course, that is all subject to change when I see the home, but nonetheless, it's a good start, and I had just done a similar project. He told me that another kitchen design firm quoted him 3 times the amount, in terms of labor, that I estimated to be reasonable, with that firm also not having seen his home, and double the all inclusive budget overall. So, reasonable question, why the wide difference? Of course, I have no idea what all was included in the other &q Read more:Irrational
First Meeting - Dos & Don'ts 2007-02-09 14:31:42 I've had a flurry of first meetings recently, including one I just got back from. It's a dance to get to know one another. I think if the proper steps are followed, the dancing part will soon feel like we are "Dancing With The Stars" (apologies, I could not resist that). It is these intial steps, too, where manners are very important, along with other tips for a successful first meeting. Here are some dos and don'ts for the Kitchen Designer, (first) as I see it:When a client calls, DO hear him/her out, and if the project is not for you, turn the client down gently and diplomatically. That's a biggie!DON'T name drop or go on about all the huge projects you do, it's a turn off. The work you show speaks loudly and clearly.DON'T dominate the conversation, be a good listener!DO have adequate examples of work you've done on hand.DO speak to, and pay attention to, both homeowners equally.DO be on time, respectful, courteous and establish an approximate meeting le Read more:First
Small NYC Kitchen/Big Style 2007-02-07 14:20:58 Here's a picture of my small New York City apartment kitchen, well, one side of it. The other side has the refrigerator and the range. Not being ready to redo the kitchen at this point, I wanted to make it appear larger (of course!) The floor was a busy terracotta lineoleum, so that was the first to go. In its place is another vinyl floor, as we did not want to do something major right now, but wanted something special. Here's what we used: Chilewich Plynyl in the wheat color, not as "green" a product as I had hoped, but they say they are close. It adds function and a big dose of light and calm. Oddly, rather than using a light paint, which was what was in the kitchen, an ivory (ick), I thought I'd experiment with medium to dark shades of paint. The paint chosen is very close to the (granite grained) formica countertop, so there is a flow there. The upper ceiling section was painted this dark color too, with just the lower ceiling section being a near white. This way Read more:Small
, Kitchen
, Style
Timing is Everything 2007-02-06 18:35:29 What time is it? I'm often asked "how long will it take to do a kitchen?" The words "how long" really get everyone in trouble. Make people crazy, make them patient, impatient, anxious, all sorts of things. We want things done either a) fast or b) exactly when we want them done. There are those who understand that a kitchen can have a life of its own. Point being, TAKE CONTROL OF TIMING AT THE START OF THE PROCESS, not just before the construction process, but from the initial process.Talk about timing a lot. With your architect, with your contractor, designer, and anyone else. Keep it in the forefront. Ask for updates (sorry, not every day) from the beginning to the end of the entire project. The client who stays in control and aware of timing will probably get their project done at the most productive (not necessarily fastest) pace possible. Communication is everything. Set up timing goals from the start. Do you have events? School starti Read more:Timing
, Everything
The first journal entry.. 2007-02-05 14:10:58 This blog will be about anything and everything to do with kitchen design and remodeling. It will be purely random thoughts, probably in no special sequence, just as things come up in my day. Let's see what happens today....so far, it's quiet on the eastern front.
Another Kitchen Estimate Story 2007-02-28 14:15:32 Since I promised to offer "useful information", I think it's a good thing to talk about the estimate and how it unfolds in certain situations, really, any situation that I come across (well, maybe not ALL, that would be too boring, although I do have a category entitled "The Estimate
")...I went to see a new client over last weekend. Very lovely people. The husband had a number in his head as to what he wanted to spend. So, what I like to do is take my measurements, calculate my costs based on the room size and our conversation, and come up with a categorized list to plug in on my handy estimate form, which my potential clients can keep, file away, rip to shreds, or burn, as desired. In this case, the client's number in his head was $50,000. I always ask for the client's number after I present my figures.It was a smallish medium kitchen - good They wanted cabinetry with a lacquer finish over an exotic wood and also a painted lacquer finish as well, elsewhere - bad Read more:Kitchen
Nostalgia or Shredder Material? 2007-03-03 12:12:24 I apologize in advance for the rude and (tasteless) reminder of years past, but I couldn't resist! I don't know why I thought of this kitchen catalog that I've had since forever. Before I went out on my own in the very early 90s, the kitchen showroom that I managed had some VERY old catalogs hanging around. When they closed (I swear it wasn't anything I did) I collected a few of these catalogs. I think I may have another few around from other years, but this was the only one I found. I've even made a category just for memorializing these kitchens. I mean, look, after all, orange is back in! Chant with me now: NEVER AGAIN!!Can you guess the year? AND, how many jokes can we make about this kitchen? Read more:Shredder Material
The Next Kitchen Estimate Saga 2007-02-28 14:15:32 Since I promised to offer "useful information", I think it's a good thing to talk about the estimate and how it unfolds in certain situations, really, any situation that I come across (well, maybe not ALL, that would be too boring, although I do have a category entitled "The Estimate
")...I went to see a new client over last weekend. Very lovely people. The husband had a number in his head as to what he wanted to spend. So, what I like to do is take my measurements, calculate my costs based on the room size and our conversation, and come up with a categorized list to plug in on my handy estimate form, which my potential clients can keep, file away, rip to shreds, or burn, as desired. In this case, the client's number in his head was $50,000. I always ask for the client's number after I present my figures.It was a smallish medium kitchen - good They wanted cabinetry with a lacquer finish over an exotic wood and also a painted lacquer finish as well, elsewhere - bad They wanted high en Read more:Kitchen
White Hot Kitchen! 2007-03-06 00:37:40 The last post really hurt me. Everytime I looked at it, and I'm not kidding, I had anxiety! The yellow, the orange, the brown...the pain was almost unbearable. And, I can't wait to do it again!So, now, for something a bit more current. Come with me, mod design fans, back to the future, and take a trip to Europe, (I'm not paying) in design style only, to where modern furniture design, truth be told, has its origins. In Scandinavia, in Denmark, to be specific. Here's my good friend, Lone's kitchen. Lone (pronounced Lona) Bager is the owner of Kobenhavn Design, kobenhavn design, a to-the-trade supplier of modern Danish cabinetry, including wood countertops. Lone is based in New York City, in the east village, and operates out of a fabulous design studio. The philosophy of Danish design is that there is beauty in the "whole", as Read more:White
, Kitchen
, White Hot
one thing led to another... 2007-03-07 20:45:39 ...and I ended up with 4 houses in fabulous urban and resort locations, all mine! How lucky is that? We had the mega millions lottery drawing here 2 days ago, I think it was somewhere around $370 million! I guess I don't have to check our tickets...two people won, one in New Jersey and one in Atlanta. Goody goody for them. Me, I had it spent already...some for me and my husband, some for family, some to give to noble causes, making me guilt free as I turn shopping into at least a part time profession. Oh yes, I guess some should be saved too.As my husband and I dreamed (mostly me) which we like to do just before the "big one", I figured we'd get a penthouse in Manhattan (but where, uptown or downtown?), the house in the Hamptons, the house in Martha's Vineyard, a large apartment in Copenhagen (love those Danish kitchens) and maybe something in California, but that would come later. Let's not forget about the Caribbean!Four new kitchens.. Four different styles,
Nostalgia or Shredder Material? Kitchen #1 2007-03-03 12:12:24 Each Saturday morning, I will be reintroducing a kitchen from years past, dredging up either a) memories which will thrust you into therapy anew assuming you are from that era, if not, you were thankfully born into a better kitchen era (except for the grays of the 80s) b) give you an urge to don an apron and find a rolling pin (this baby is $43) and probably other unpredictable reactions. Thus, I apologize in advance for the rude and (tasteless) reminders, but I couldn't resist! I've even made a category just for memorializing these kitchens. I mean, look, after all, orange is back in! Chant with me now (preferably with raised fist): NEVER AGAIN!!Can you guess the year? AND, how many jokes can we make about this kitchen? Read more:Kitchen
, Shredder Material
Nostalgia or Shredder Material? #2 2007-03-09 14:43:35 The one thing this kitchen has going for it is that it was secretly made to coordinate with this web page, a project begun 40 years ago in a remote hamlet of western Oklahoma, being planned to later emerge from the kitchen graveyard for the WORLD to enjoy see gape at in March, 2007. What is wrong with this kitchen, let me count the ways: the cooktop is crammed next to the ovensthe dishwasher is way too far away from the sink (the sink is purposely recessed to have the DW next to it, which would function well, but not if it were not recessed, thus no need to be so far removed, a little, sure)the unbalanced left side as opposed to the right, not that asymmetry isn't a good thing, but this isn't even asymmetry I feel like I will enter a cave if I stand at the sink - maybe if I got lucky, I'd go through a time warp and arrive in the future with no memories of where I'd been, an apron having been re Read more:Shredder Material
Blogging The Architectural Digest Home Show, Kitchen Stuff 2007-03-11 17:02:45 Went to the Architectural Digest
Home Show Saturday, at Pier 94, in New York. It's a good show. There are awesome, very cool, and one-of-a-kind things to be found here. I dressed for a client meeting I had in the morning. It was an outfit I got in Norway from a Swedish clothing design company. Gauzy, with a charming print, which went down to the knees and then with some leggings in a close, but different, pattern that went along with it. So far so good. Meeting went well, on to the city to meet the husband who worked that morning. My feet hurt in the shoes I was wearing. I didn't know till after I left for my meeting that we'd be going to the show, so I needed desperately to buy a new pair of shoes before I walked the show. We went to Foot Action on 34th street and 7th avenue. The music was louder than I've heard at any party I've ever gone to, how is that possible? The staff was dancing with whoever walked by. I guess I got in a party mood, my husband's feet were tapping to Read more:Blogging
, Kitchen
kitchen nostalgia or shredder material? #2 2007-03-09 14:43:35 The one thing this kitchen has going for it is that it was secretly made to coordinate with this web page (I swear it did before I removed the yellow from the page), a project begun 40 years ago in a remote hamlet of western Oklahoma, being planned to later emerge from the kitchen graveyard for the WORLD to enjoy see gape at in March, 2007. What is wrong with this kitchen, let me count the ways: the cooktop is crammed next to the ovensthe dishwasher is way too far away from the sink (the sink is purposely recessed to have the DW next to it, which would function well, but not if it were not recessed, thus no need to be so far removed, a little, sure)the unbalanced left side as opposed to the right, not that asymmetry isn't a good thing, but this isn't even asymmetry I feel like I will enter a cave if I stand at the sink - maybe if I got lucky, I'd go through a time warp and arrive in the future with no memories of where I'd been, an apron having been replaced with live-in Read more:shredder
, material
, kitchen nostalgia
kitchen nostalgia or shredder material? Kitchen #1 2007-03-03 12:12:24 Each Saturday morning, I will be reintroducing a kitchen from years past, dredging up either a) memories which will thrust you into therapy anew assuming you are from that era, if not, you were thankfully born into a better kitchen era (except for the grays of the 80s) b) give you an urge to don an apron and find a rolling pin (this baby is $43) and probably other unpredictable reactions. Thus, I apologize in advance for the rude and (tasteless) reminders, but I couldn't resist! I've even made a category just for memorializing these kitchens. I mean, look, after all, orange is back in! Chant with me now (preferably with raised fist): NEVER AGAIN!!Can you guess the year? AND, how many jokes can we make about this kitchen? Read more:shredder
, material
, kitchen nostalgia
Trending nowhere fast 2007-03-13 10:59:02 I got a call yesterday from a top editor at a top publishing house (do they still call them publishing houses?) who I have worked with before. She's writing a book (yay, I'll be credited!) and wanted to talk to me about my life kitchens. Where the trends are going. She was ready right then and there to plunge in and chat, and it was good timing for me, (to procrastinate) and I think we talked for an hour!What I talked to her about is based on one fundamental feeling I have, but I only connected that puzzle piece later on. What I told the editor is this: I think that trends in the future will not be as strong to pull one into their clutches as they have been in the past. It used to be that a trend would be so blindly followed, really blindly. I see the internet as being responsible for this sea change. The Blogosphere is huge, as we all know. Now, too, there are more social networking sites popping up, like Curbly and Houseblogs.net for those who want to remodel their spaces. I see t
2007 NKBA Design Competition Finalists: "small kitchens" 2007-03-14 23:39:31 Every year the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) holds a competition for the best designs in a variety of categories. Here are the finalists for the "small kitchen category", the winner to be revealed at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (it's huge!) in Las Vegas in May. There are numerous other categories which I will go through in the days ahead. Next up are the "medium kitchens
" category, these are really cool and elegant. And, there is not just the "large kitchens" category left, there are a few more after that, so stay tuned!Which one do you like and why?
"nostalgia or shredder material #3" 2007-03-17 13:44:44 So, here we are with our third installment of "nostalgia or shreddermaterial
", ancient kitchens from the 60s and 70s. This kitchen is "Kansas-in-Oz (see the tilted electrical pole in the window) meets the Jetsons". As much of the design (seen at decor8) blogosphere are tuning into the green color factor right now, (also seen at desire to inspire) and as we are 4 days away from spring (forgetting the ice storm we had last night) it seemed like a good idea (not to mention, it's St. Patrick's Day) to listen to the pulse and go back to a green kitchen, an entirely different definition of green than we live with now!OK, so now to pick apart comment on this kitchen. Here's my take:The microwave seems unnecessarily high, look at all the white space between the oven and the microwave, they should be closer together, that looks awkward to meAs was typical, such a small window over the sink, AND, does the cook not deserve to look out? Wh
Doing the editor's kitchen 2007-03-18 22:26:19 All of a sudden I realized, "hey!", I have something out there in a magazine, right now, that I should tell the world about before it's gone. Why I didn't think of this a month ago, who knows, but it will probably be on the newsstands for another few weeks or so, so go, run, grab the sleeping baby, take off early from work, cancel your date, whatever you need to do, and get a copy before they're gone! This is a project that was brought to me by the regional southern New England/New York metro area Better Homes & Gardens editor, Cynthia Bogart, who has submitted my work to Meredith Corp. for years. I'm particularly honored that Cindy asked me to do her kitchen in Rhode Island because she personally handles all design submissions for a large territory. The project was very interesting. Cindy and her husband purchased a modular addition and joined it to their house, across the street from the bay in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. At first, when we started planning the kitchen
"kitchen nostalgia or shredder material #3" 2007-03-17 13:44:44 So, here we are with our third installment of "nostalgia or shreddermaterial
", ancient kitchens from the 60s and 70s. This kitchen is "Kansas-in-Oz (see the tilted electrical pole in the window-somehow it reminded me of it) meets the Jetsons". As much of the design (seen at decor8) blogosphere is tuning into the color green right now, (also as seen at desire to inspire) and at Design Sponge, plus Happy Mundane and, as we are 4 days away from spring (forgetting the ice storm we had last night) it seemed like a good idea (not to mention, it's St. Patrick's Day) to listen to the pulse and go back to a green kitchen, an entirely different definition of green than we live with now!OK, so now to pick apart comment on this kitchen. Here's my take:The microwave seems unnecessarily high, look at all the white space between the oven and the microwave, they should be closer together, that looks awkward to meAs was typical, such Read more:kitchen nostalgia
March toward KBIS - LG Electronics 2007-03-19 20:26:54 "March
to KBIS" means it's time again where an influx of press releases are sent to members of the press to either announce or give a tease about their new products, which will be debuted at KBIS in May, a huge show, with approximately 50,000 attendees. KBIS is the Kitchen Bath Industry Show, held this year in Las Vegas. Don't expect me to tell you anything about my trip other than news items...you know what they say about Vegas...So, here is what I got today from LG:"New high-end kitchen series First-of-its-kind Dual Convection Electric Range and LG's first Gas Range offering Unique refrigerator innovations such as a French-door model with extra-tall vertical ice and water dispenser and the world's first high-definition TV Refrigerator Expanded laundry portfolio including new additions to the award-winning SteamWasher line and new designers colors" Once at the show, the press kits will show images of these new items, and of course, I will see all the new produc
2007 NKBA Design Competition Finalists "Medium Kitchens" 2007-03-20 17:23:07 Here are the medium kitchens category, the winner to be decided at KBIS in May. A very strong group. I like them all for different reasons. There is something in each one that appeals to me. But, if I were forced to decide, I'd say the second one down. I really like a warm, contemporary, look. There is also beauty in symmetry, as is shown in the third kitchen down. The first one looks great too, with the different backsplashes and the furniture piece. Nice detail there. And, the last one really seems to be about color, and a cool, sleek, look. I do wonder why they chose black ovens. If not stainless, I think I would have voted for white. So, here they are! Next up, the large kitchen category. Read more:Medium
A stunning kitchen 2007-03-20 12:30:00 I just wanted to share this wonderful image with you that I saw on the "of amity & allure" blog. Isn't it gorgeous? Wouldn't you just love to have that table in your kitchen? I could also see decorative, lidded baskets of different types in the center portion of the table, on the floor, for storage purposes, or left just as is. Of course, I'm sure the design presumes there are glass fronted pantries off to the side (as it's certainly not on the wall!). Here's the website for the furnishings: Lene Bjerre Design
blogging terramia 2007-03-21 19:29:27 Take a look at the post from this cool blog, Terramia, on some fresh, spring, kitchens. I'll leave it to Terramia to provide the sources and credits. This image is from the book: Home Cheap Home. She has a bunch more fun kitchen images. Posted today's date. For later dates, the category on the blog is: "kitchens" Happy Spring!
it's gnarly! Rustic Cherry 2007-03-21 14:19:50 I have a wood species to tell you about, and I bet you haven't heard of it, or have seen it before! When I first saw it, I just loved it. I loved the rustic nature of it, and most of all, I loved the fantastic knots - the deep, gnarled, dark, craggy, open, sometimes with holes all-the-way-through - knots. It's really a great look. AND, it has the elegance and great grain pattern of cherry, with the rustic nature, of, say, pine, but BETTER. In the two images just below, you can see the overall look. The knots are not all over the place, but are spaced a good amount apart. With the knots, there is often exaggerated graining as well. If you want, you can go several steps further, with various types of distressing, square pegs, glazing, cobblestone distressing, splits, worm holes, nail holes and more, really, as much as you want from a lite rustic look to a very heavy rustic look. It's something to consider, whether for one piece or a whole kitchen. What do you think?? Me, I'm really c Read more:Cherry
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