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December 27, 2014
2014 Kitchens
3 Kitchen Trends in 2014 Here's what has been trending in kitchen design: Contrast A little more than a decade ago appliance manufacturers called it white-on-white. White appliances with chrome trim had been de rigueur for years, so the early movement to solid white was a big deal in the beginning of the last decade. Kitchen cabinets, countertops, sinks and even faucets contributed to the solid white kitchen. Even today, an all-white kitchen is not unusual or out of place. However, for several years, we've seen the ever popular white kitchen complemented with contrasting yet subdued colors, in particular grey. Now, contrast is becoming more bold with black showing up in islands and base cabinets, stainless steel sinks, and chrome, or even gold faucets. Color Along with non-white cabinets, sinks, and faucets, 2014 saw more solid contrasting colors on kitchen walls not just gray or black, but also bright colors and pastel shades. Thanks to specialty appliance manufacturers such as Smeg, BlueStar, Bertazzoni, and even Viking, many appliance color options are now available even though stainless steel continues to dominate. Changes in upper cabinets and islands. Upper cabinets are sometimes being replaced by shelves, and occasionally disappearing entirely. See the limited use of upper wall cabinets in the photo above. Islands have been around for a long time, but we're seeing more use of islands for seating, and even tables and chairs as substitutes for islands. What can we expect in 2015? There will be more of the same as -
November 17, 2014
Robern for the bathroom
Robern Products at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterUniversal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) carries the full selection of Robern products for the bathroom in their Calabasas and Studio City showrooms. UAKC has a fully-stocked and attractive plumbing fixture department in each location. Here are a few examples from the Robern collection with descriptions by Robern:CabinetsWith exceptional design and unmatched functionality, M Series transforms your daily routine into moments of beauty. These modular cabinets let you customize your styling space with adjustable accessory trays and magnetic storage area as well as upgrade features including interior electrical and USB outlets, gentle nighttime illumination, and a mirror defogger.High-Tech and Hidden: Robern Introduces TViD --A Mirrored Bath Cabinet with a TV in the Door.With its clean aesthetic and smart design, M Series with TViD makes connectivity in the bathroom a convenient part of the daily routineLightingM Series Reflexion Frosted glass and warm, fluorescent light make a striking statement of taste. Integrates seamlessly with the smart, minimal design of M Series cabinets. Opaque front panels cast light sideways to facilitate.MirrorsReflexion Full Function bathroom mirror with task lights and integrated defogger is perfect for the bathroom. Perfectly positioned task lights for an evenly distributed warm glow. Built-in defogger to keep the mirror from steaming up. A sleek, stylish mirror that coordinates well with the M Series medicine cabinets.VanitiesAmple space and artful organizational solutions for items large and small. The -
October 03, 2014
Rangetop vs Cooktop
Choosing the right cooking surface unit Buying a New Rangetop vs a New Cooktop What?? Aren't rangetops and cooktops really the same thing? No, they're definitely not! For sure, if you ever try to replace a rangetop with a cooktop or vice versa you're going to find out very quickly that they are substantially different. In short, think of a rangetop as the upper portion of a range, including front facing knobs in the cabinet front. Think of a cooktop as a surface unit only, with the knobs on the countertop surface.Though you could find an electric rangetop if you looked hard enough (I think Viking and Electrolux make them), rangetops are most likely to have gas burners rather than electric elements. On the other hand, both gas and electric cooktops are commonly available in nearly all brands. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Well, since rangetops have the knobs in the front, they are very accessible, and make sense in a universal design, or for anyone who might have a difficulty reaching knobs that are on the countertop, especially the knobs in the back. Similarly, you might want to have knobs on the top to keep them away from small children. Remember though, all knobs require a push-and-turn movement to operate regardless of where the knobs are located. Also, If you're trying for a Pro-Style look, the rangetop is going to have more of this professional,restaurant type look. But, -
September 23, 2014
Checking Appliance Dimensions
Getting Appliances that Fit Your Space Measure Twice - Install Once When buying new appliances it's a good idea to double check dimensions and openings. Width, height, and depth are just the beginning. Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) can help you get appliances that fit in your space. Here are a few tips to get started: Refrigerators In the case of a refrigerator, consider also how much clearance you will need for air circulation. Will the doors open fully without banging into a wall or cabinet? Even if the refrigerator door will open 90 degrees with an adjacent wall, make certain the refrigerator door swings out wide enough to enable you to open the crisper drawers. Some 72" tall counter depth refrigerators could have a clearance issue with upper cabinets. Not only does the refrigerator case need to slide in the space, but the hinges need to clear if the upper cabinets extend forward to the front of the refrigerator Dishwashers In tight spaces, avoid putting dishwashers with handles near a corner. You'll quickly find that adjacent cabinet drawers cannot open because they are blocked by the dishwasher handle. The same problem could occur with other appliances so make sure that there is sufficient clearance when appliance doors and cabinet doors open into each. Cooking Appliances Ranges and cooktops should not be placed at the end of a cabinet run. Placing cooking surfaces against an adjacent wall is a fire hazard. A wall oven next to a refrigerator -
June 01, 2014
Kitchen Remodeling Advice from UAKC
Three kitchen remodeling tips that can save you money Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) is not just Southern California headquarters for major appliances and plumbing fixtures. Their professional staff will help you avoid costly mistakes by assisting you in purchasing appliances that will fit in your kitchen and work with your surrounding cabinets and countertops. Here are three remodeling tips and some advice on saving money by getting the right appliances for your kitchen remodel: Tile under your dishwasher. If you are installing a new floor in the kitchen make sure that you install flooring underneath the dishwasher. Installing flooring in front of the dishwasher, but not under it will likely mean that you won't be able to remove the dishwasher without pulling up the floor in front. This is a common problem that can be avoided if the flooring is installed under the appliance. This advice holds true for other undercounter appliances such as trash compactor, refrigerator drawers, etc. Double check appliance clearance dimensions. It's not enough to determine just the width and depth of your appliances. Review door swings and clearances to make sure that the appliance will open fully without hitting adjacent countertops, cabinets or walls. If your refrigerator has an adjacent wall, make sure that the refrigerator door will swing wide enough so that you can fully extend any interior refrigerator drawers. Be aware of corner cabinet drawers. Many cabinet drawers these days are full extension. Since most kitchen cabinets are at least 22 inches -
April 15, 2014
Hide your Refrigerator vs Display your Refrigerator
Refrigerators Can Strut or they can DisappearMake your choice at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterUniversal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) is your best choice in Southern California for refrigerators of all styles and colors. Take a look at just a few of the different configurations of refrigerators available today at UAKC.Refrigerators that disappearSome refrigerators can be hidden from view with cabinet panels so that they blend into the surrounding cabinetry. When even hinges, grills, and toe-kicks are invisible the refrigerator qualifies for the designation of "integrated".The photo below depicts a GE Monogram Integrated refrigerator and wine storage unit.Non-integrated refrigeratorsIt's a matter of degree since some refrigerators have cabinet panels that match, but parts such as hinges or grills are still visible. These built-in refrigerators are not integrated, but still match existing cabinetry. The photo below shows a Sub Zero built-in refrigerator with cabinet panels that is not integrated because the hinges and toekick are showing.A refrigerator doesn't have to be built-in to accept cabinet panels. The french door refrigerator below from Jenn-Air is a cabinet depth model. While it isn't going to be flush with surrounding cabinets it does blend in nicely, and is much less costly than a built-in refrigerator.Refrigerators that show-offThere is also a school of thought that a refrigerator should be a showcase and the center of attention in the kitchen. No refrigerator does a better job of calling attention -
March 10, 2014
Getting Cooktops and Ovens that Fit
Finding a cooktop or oven that fits your cutoutUniversal Appliance and Kitchen Center is Headquarters for Built-In AppliancesIf you're remodeling an older home, and using existing countertops and cabinets, you may encounter difficulty finding just the right size cooktop or wall oven to replace the existing appliance. In Southern California there are many nice homes in mature neighborhoods that could use an appliance update. However, in some cases there are some older appliances that need replacing, but may take a bit of work finding replacement models that fit. Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) can help. Here are some suggestions for odd sized ovens and cookotps.Gas Double Wall Ovens24" wide double gas ovens are common in some neighborhoods. While 24" cutouts are not used much in new construction these days, it does appear that both Maytag and Frigidaire still make 24" double gas wall ovens. First measure your existing appliance dimensions. Then check with the folks at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) to review your options.Believe it or not, there were some 30" wall ovens that required a 33" cabinet. If you are replacing one of these wall ovens, you may find that another 30" wall oven will be too small for the cutout. In this case, you'd need a filler or trim kit of some kind.Trim KitsSpeaking of trim kits, Micro-Trim makes trim kits specifically for ovens, microwave ovens, and cooktops. They may prove to be indispensable if you can't find -
January 14, 2014
Deciding between Stainless Appliances and Cabinet Panels
Stainless vs Cabinet Panels - Pros and Cons Many appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, wine chillers, and ice makers can be purchased with stainless steel fronts or panel ready to accept optional cabinet fronts. In many cases, these are "integrated" allowing the appliance to completely blend in with surrounding cabinets, though adding cabinet panels to your appliances will also add cost. So the question might be, "Do you want your appliances to blend in or would you prefer that your appliances stand out?" Some appliances are just so dominant, that it makes no sense to try to hide them. Look at this Sub Zero Pro 48 Refrigerator. It dominates the kitchen and demands attention.On the other hand, this integrated suite of GE Monogram refrigerator and wine units, tastefully blends into the room and makes a subtle statement of its own.Dishwashers, are appliances that really lend themselves to cabinet panels and can often seamlessly blend into the lower cabinets. Look for a dishwasher that is designed to fit "flush" in a 24" deep cabinet enclosure. Increasingly, we're seeing refrigerator and freezer drawer units, which are great for Universal Design and also nicely lend themselves to cabinet panels. Another great advantage to this appliance category is that they are go anywhere appliances, so they fit in with the design concept of "point of use" appliances. We see them in pantries, rec rooms, and about anyplace -
January 06, 2014
Placement of a Microwave Oven
Where do you locate a microwave? Adding a microwave to an existing kitchen can be a daunting task. There are four places where microwave ovens are likely to be found in a kitchen, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each option. Here is the list of each choice and a discussion of their respective benefits. Feel free to contact the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center for specific models and dimensions. Countertop Placing a microwave oven on a countertop is an obvious choice, and in the early years this is all way microwave ovens were located. The big, hefty Amana Radarange is iconic of this era. Countertop microwaves are convenient and are relatively inexpensive. Nevertheless, this is usually an undesirable solution because the microwave takes up valuable counterspace.Over-the-range GE invented the O-T-R micro-hood combination back in the 70's. The O-T-R microwave has become commonplace and often a standard feature in new homes. While the micro-hood gets the microwave off the countertop, the eye-level location is not ergonomically sound, and the ventilation system is generally considered inferior.Built-In to the cabinets This can be an ideal solution. A microwave oven in the wall located at the perfect height is going to be a homemaker's delight. However, there can be difficulties. Upper cabinets are generally only 12" deep and will only accommodate a very small microwave oven. This means that there must be a full depth -
April 05, 2013
Duravit at UAKC
Duravit Brand Bath Products Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center *Duravit AG is an international manufacturer of bathroom furnishings headquartered in Hornberg, Germany. While it is best known for its products in the sanitary sector, with its growth and expansion Duravit now covers the whole spectrum of bathroom interiors providing products in sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture and the Bathtub + Wellness business area. Here are a few of the product categories from Duravit available through Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center: GUEST BATHROOMS AND POWDER ROOMS PROVIDE A PLACE TO UNWIND. Because of their inherent space limitations, many guest bathrooms and powder rooms face unavoidable design challenges that leave them looking cramped or sparsely furnished. Duravit offers the ultimate solution to these constraints through its wide offering of flexible, design-conscious products. Depending on the available space, budget and personal preferences, Duravit can transform even the smallest powder room into a comfortable place to unwind. MIX OF PRACTICALITY, QUALITY AND COMFORT. The family bathroom has to meet the needs of all generations. It’s the one room in the house where young foam fighters can have great fun and later, as teenagers, go on to create pandemonium in the mornings. All this means that the bathroom's furnishing should meet the highest requirements in terms of durability, practicality and robustness. At the same time, parents see the bathroom as a private, welcoming space for comfort and relaxation. It is a delicate balancing act that Duravit masters to perfection with the Ketho and 2nd
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