Technology for most of us has become an integral part of our lives through entertainment, news, communication and even time management therefore it should have a consideration for your future kitchen.   Even if technology has not driven your life personally it has for potential buyers so if you do intend on selling apply some basic inexpensive options and instantly set your home apart from the rest.

 Are You Wired?

 Let’s first start with the power since it provides the backbone to all we will discuss in this article.  Of course, it’s best to obtain the professional service of a licensed electrician but make sure you have enough power in your kitchen to add the necessary lighting or appliance changes.  Keep in mind that appliance electrical work tends to be more expensive than say standard lighting.

An entire article is planned on the topic of lighting alone due to the overwhelming influence in a kitchen renovation project however, for the purpose of this article allow me to briefly point out what lighting options should be considered. 

1. If upper cabinets do not extend to the ceiling consider over cabinet lighting with dedicated switch.  This makes for great party impact to have a soft glow above the cabinet area not to mention Christmas light installation.  Lighting should be considered for all upper cabinets and can be added quickly with rope lighting hidden behind the crown molding at the top of your cabinet run.
2. In addition, under cabinet lighting is almost a given with every kitchen project so research this option well.  At the time of this article I suggest Xeon lighting since it can be hard wired to a switch, it’s generally dimmable but most importantly it’s fairly inexpensive.  Until LED lighting comes down in cost this remains the best budget conscious choice in my opinion.
3. Last but not least – recessed lighting over every 4 feet of kitchen counter space, placed directly above the counter area.  You cannot go wrong with recessed lighting unless you don’t plan on placing it directly above your counter tops.  If you simply create lighting additions in the room center shadows will be viewable on the counter when you stand to work unless under cabinet lighting is turned on.  We always recommend to clients to add lighting over the counters and in the general room area and consider switches on both groups if you can afford the nominal increase.  At the time of this article the going rate for recessed lights is about $125.00 per light with everything included.

Wiring a Kitchen for the Future

When you consider what life was like less than twenty years ago and what it’s become today, most of us wouldn’t have had a clue that DVDs, CDs, LCD readouts, the Internet and cell phones would be as common.

Dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers and much more are ruled by high-tech advances. Overall, families have adjusted quickly to these changes. But what will the next wave bring? If you’re going to be remodeling your kitchen, you’ll want to ensure that your new cooking area is as ready as it can be for the next wave of high technology which is why I want to point out the following.  Networking.

Don’t just think of the internet as a source of information.  Consider it the avenue to control your appliances.   Is this hard to believe?  Currently, various cable and satellite companies are advertising the ability to program your receiver to record your favorite shows.  This is done through the use of the internet.  Although not yet cost effective but coming down in price in the not so distant future is the ability to turn on/off coffee makers, check temperatures within the refrigerator or even turn the household HVAC system down to the desired vacation setting after you’ve gone to the beach.  All this and more is here and is coming down in price as more people turn high-tech.

That being said, consider running several CAT6 network cables within your kitchen and do so in pairs.  Meaning, run two cables not just one for each “drop” location.  High Definition television can now be transferred from your main living room to another room simply through CAT6 network cable (when run in pairs).. but the networking cable offers other options too.

Two other smart kitchen innovations, both of which are paperless, include a digital calendar that displays on a large screen and accessible remotely.  Ever through about a recipe projection device that downloads recipes off the Internet and projects the image onto a selected surface?

In closing, if you are renovating your kitchen, then the best time to prepare for the future is when the walls are exposed. Run Internet cables with Internet outlets. Also, it’s more proactive to run a conduit or two through which you can fish additional wires or cables.

Hard to know for sure what tomorrow brings.. but we do know that multimedia, internet, and communication will be integrated very soon.  Visit us at www.lyndencraft.com

Both the popularity as well as the increasing materials available to the “do it yourself” community both suggest you should seriously consider hardwoods for your own home and we hope to address a few of the reasons for our position as well as provide some pointers for those of you looking for a hardwood contractor.  Please read carefully if you are thinking about doing this yourself because you could waste the entire amount spent if you do not install hardwoods correctly… More on that shortly.

The location of your home could impact this next statement but generally speaking hardwood floors in any room generally add value and beauty to your home but adding hardwoods in the kitchen, even if carpeted rooms are adjoining, will set the kitchen apart as a centerpiece room.

There is another factor to consider.  If your family utilizes the kitchen for more than just quick stop in and grab a snack moments.  Meaning, you actually cook, clean up the dishes, and spend time sitting at the table… then you might want to closely look at the main differences between tile and wood floor.  If tile is not an option for you, then please skip this article but for those of you weighing the two options as equals, please understand they are not. 

• Wood floors hold the warmth better in the winter.
• Wood floors are “softer” to your feet and ultimately for some… the back.
• Wood floors are more durable than vinyl tiles.
• Tile floors can actually cost more when you add up the installation and ALL the materials needed to properly install.
• Wood floors will not chip or break if something is dropped and can actually even “absorb” the bounce of a glass or dish.  This is not a guarantee nothing will break rather it is generally accepted as a rule of thumb that wood floors absorb the fall better.

This is why the wood floors create value in most homes since the popularity has increased tied directly to many of the points listed above.

What about spilt liquids?  Excellent question!  There have been several advances in sealing the wood and in coating with a durable finish to prevent moisture damage to hardwood floors.  This being said, it is still possible to damage should a leak occur in the dishwasher, sink, frig, etc.  However, if the finish is applied properly spilt liquids can remain on the surface for a short period of time until you are able to clean up the spill.

For our custom cabinets, we actually utilize a material that protects the wood from over 20 stains from Acetone to Wine… and the same advances are available to hardwood floor installers as well.  Beware, there IS a difference in the finish so study this carefully if you decide to do this yourself.

If you have visited a home improvement store recently you may have noticed that hardwood flooring options are becoming as extensive as tile and vinyl.  In fact, in most stores hardwood floor options have exceeded vinyl options.  Options related to plank length, width, finished or unfinished, stain colors, etc.

When you review, make sure you also look at the product from the side.  Is this a solid plank of say red Oak or a piece of plywood with a solid wood veneer on top referred to as “engineered wood floors”.  Nothing wrong with either but research the differences and compare that to the length of stay you anticipate in your home.  Believe it or not, in some cities you can obtain solid cherry wood floors for the same cost as oak… but in larger formats.  There are so many options out there to choose from and we recommend getting the option of an interior decorator to assist.  The goal is to allow the floor to compliment the room as a whole not become the center of attention (unless you plan on some appliqué technique.)

Finish Options:  If you plan on doing the hardwood floor project yourself I would highly recommend you purchase pre-finished flooring.  Please don’t get distracted and gravitate toward unfinished because it costs $2.00 less per square foot.  Finishing hardwood floors is not only a very physical job it will absolutely create a wood dust mess in your entire home and this is not an exaggeration.  Unless your home is vacant  and you can absolutely tent off the area and turn off your HVAC systems and not sleep there overnight… consider pre-finished.

Finishing a wood floor requires more technique than say just installing a pre-finished floor and they look very similar when done.  No one will notice that you used pre-finished unless it’s another “do it yourselfer”. 

Finishing is not like painting where you can just slap it on, avoid runs, and wait for it to dry.  (I’m speaking from experience here.) There are sanding preparations that must be done with caution so not to create ruts from a rogue sanding machine or should I say a rogue operator.  Sanding stages are required between each step not to mention a high filtration vacuum to remove all dust between these stages.  I’m just getting started.  The fumes alone will drive you out of your home. 

Consider pre-finished.  They look great and will be uniform in appearance.  I have not addressed the actual installation process since this is not an article on the step by step method of installation but I will mention the MOST common mistake among the DIY community, in my opinion.  Not letting the wood sit in your home for ONE WEEK doing nothing but acclimating to the temperature of your home could be the biggest impatient move you have made in your life.  I’ll let you research why this is important in other articles.. but I had to at least identify the major pitfall here.

If you decide to get a professional to install and finish your new hardwoods please keep in mind that the pre-finished is most likely going to maintain a better finish unless this hardwood installer has years of experience and you have checked their references and background.  A good installer could in fact improve on the finish from a pre-finished factory.

Once you’ve made the decision to pursue hardwoods you will need to start shopping both home improvement stores and general flooring stores.  Don’t cut corners by just hiring a cheap installer and go with the wood they recommend.  Builder Grade #1 would be the minimum I would suggest (when selecting unfinished hardwoods) but research this more on your own.

Couple of questions to think about and possibly ask when considering a hardwood store.

1. Does this store specialize in floorings?  Stores that specialize are a great resource because they typically have a knowledgeable sales staff.  A tremendous value if you know nothing about hardwoods and wish to educate yourself.  They can assist in winding through the jungle of hardwood decisions.
2. Do they offer their customers installation? If they have specialized in wood flooring and have a knowledgeable sales staff and a great product selection, most likely they also offer installation.  Since they sold you the product there is a good chance they want to see it installed correctly so this is an option to consider.
3.  Do they have references and pictures from previous jobs?  Boy is this critical.  We do the same with our custom cabinet customers.  References, before/after pictures and more are always available to our customers online.  Anyone that is seriously in business will have. A lack of either type of reference should throw up a red flag and let you know that your search for the best supplier is not over.

Larger companies in the business of making custom cabinets have long been using the robotic cutting systems as a source of reliable manpower.  These machines show up for work on time, they never complain nor ask for more money.  Most importantly they are fast and super accurate.  The cost of this equipment has come down some but truly only a handful of smaller shops are starting to purchase this type of equipment in order to compete with the “big guys” and I interviewed one such custom cabinet shop in Charlotte, NC.  They have certainly increased their equipment but at the same time they strive to maintain a custom service with their custom cabinets.  Unfortunately, not every custom cabinet shop can make such an investment but Steve Oates did.

I wanted to highlight just one small business seeking to set themselves apart by adjusting to the economic change before them by changing the process and utilizing technology.  This article is in support of the small business.  Small cabinet shop going hi-tech in order to maintain a competitive edge and improve on their pricing structure.  When others are looking for ways to increase prices, LyndenCraft is looking for ways to improve their process and decrease their price. 

I believe in the entrepreneur spirit but it’s not very often you come across a story like this.  When a talented shop adds technology to the mix in order to offer a better price for their customers we should take notice. 

Local custom cabinets shop owner, Steve Oates, unfolded this recent example, “My phone rang last week and one struggling Mom called to obtain a verbal quote.  I could tell she was anxious to obtain a quote fast so I asked a few questions.  Reading from a recent quote from “Home Depot” she said, “can you beat $6,700?”  In my mind I’m wondering what they designed that cost so much.  After talking a few minutes I instantly knew the cause.  She was trying to adjust a manufacturer’s standard cabinet to make it customized.” 

“I talked with her a few more minutes then shared that I felt we could save her about  $1,400 and in addition include a granite top.  I even gave her up to 20 granite types to choose from.   Needless to say the client was very pleased and surprised.” 

He shared more.  “Big manufacturers do not have the capability to make cabinet changes to their standard widths, heights, etc. without charging the client a lot of money.  It interrupts their process way too much and the client pays for this.”

I asked how this was different with LyndenCraft.  Steve shared, “Everything we do is customized for the client so it makes no difference to us and that’s why we could offer her a better product for less and include granite.  We don’t have standard cabinet parts laying around the shop for the next job.  We design, manufacture and install the cabinet they want for each and every job distinctly different.  There are no up charges for custom with us.  I use similar equipment and software but the big difference is our service.  My customers are talking to the guy that will put the information into the computer and cut out the pieces for the Master Cabinet makers to finish and assemble.”

Steve went on, “I’ll share just one quick story that happened just last week.  I often go to the client’s home just before putting the design into the computer just to be sure I didn’t miss anything.  When I visited I noticed that the stovetop hood wasn’t fitting properly.  Since they expressed a desire to reuse their hood system I simply jotted down a quick note ‘increase width by one quarter of an inch’.  No extra cost, no extra hassle and they can easily reuse their hood with their new cherry kitchen cabinets.”

 “I share this information with all my customers wanting to invest in custom cabinets.  The process of preparing, designing and installing custom cabinets is equally critical to our final product.  I have heard too many stories about the contractor that sold well and delivered poorly and we work hard to overcome these bad experiences everyday.

Steve said, “We purpose ourselves to disband their conception of a custom cabinet maker.  That effort starts from the minute we take our first step into their residence until we remove our last hammer.  We don’t just want a sale we want loyal customers that will think of us the next time they need to add a bookcase, expand a bedroom, organize a mudroom or garage.  Therefore, we work hard to create an enjoyable process.” 

“The greatest reward for me is to see the look on our customer’s face when they walk into their newly refurbished kitchen.  Even greater the reward when I hear them make strides to invite others over.  Not just to show off their new kitchen but to create opportunities for developing community with all they come in contact with.”

Visit LyndenCraft Custom Cabinets  here.

Written by: Keith Sorinson

There are several avenues to achieve the perfect focal point.  Decoration and design combined with the perfect custom cabinets are the primary ways. 

But first let’s add some more depth to what we mean when we say “focal point”.  Each room has an area of interest.  For most living rooms the fireplace draws our attention, an office may have some built in cabinets or coffered ceiling but the kitchen honestly is up to the designer or home owner.  There are several key areas that could serve as a focal point.

To name a few: the island, stove area and cabinets above, kitchen sink area, cabinets with clear glass and lights to display the pretty stuff as my wife likes to say.  If you go with a gourmet styled top by mixing 42” and 36” cabinets you can also draw attention upward especially when combined with additional three to four piece crown moldings.

When deciding on a focal point it’s crucial that you consider you space, storage, and functionality.  The wrong focal point can make the room look small, out of place, or even odd not to mention it may even impair functional storage.  If the focal point doesn’t add to the response you want to achieve while creating a functional kitchen then it’s a distraction.

For example, in a small kitchen it’s very important to create the feeling of space without loosing functional storage.  We do this often by drawing attention to the kitchen sink.  

I know what you’re probably thinking.  Why the sink?  Sinks are usually in front of a window and windows can offer a sense of space if there is a view of green grass, trees or flowers.  Even if the window was looking onto a brick wall we can still create a focal point there but instead the homeowner could add some material to create a fogged glass look. Allowing the light to come in but offering a more attractive view.

How do we draw attention to the sink?  Often times by just customizing a cabinet that suites the décor of the home and our in house interior designers are great at this.  However, for the purposes of this article the most common ways are deeper cabinets for the kitchen sink and then allowing it to stand out by adding other features such as flutes, columns, or furniture type legs.  Usually the granite counter edge will also adjust with the cabinet by protruding just 1.5” outside the other cabinets counter edge.  This is just enough to create a focal point.

So much more could be said here but I wanted to provide you a taste of what we do to assist our clients with the decision making process.  We just don’t build custom cabinets well, we strive to create the perfect custom cabinets by helping you decide the perfect focal point and in turn create another room where you may want to spend more time.

I’ll never forget one of my clients comments.  After obtaining her new kitchen she said, “I now want to be in this room!”  That is the testimony of well planned custom kitchen cabinets combined with the perfect focal points.
Feel free to give us a call if we can assist.  I tell all my clients that the process is equally as important as the product so we take our time to walk you through each step of the way.

Visit us on the web to see our work. LyndenCraft Custom Cabinets