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March 31, 2015
Kitchen remodeling ideas on a budget
Budget Kitchen Remodels 3 Great tips - 1 Bad idea I've been searching online for good ideas to remodel a small kitchen on a budget. Not necessarily a full redo, but just a few things that might help perk up the room. Below are three of my favorite tips, and one that I really don't like much at all. 3 Great Tips Paint can solve a lot of problems. Need some contrast or brightness in a drab kitchen?Want your backsplash to stand out? Visit a paint store. Take photos of the kitchen and bring in samples. I really prefer the freestanding paint stores over the big box stores. These guys really know paint, and can give you good advice. Of course, if your working with a design professional she or he will be your color expert. Cabinets dominate the space in your kitchen, but replacing cabinets can blow your budget. Think about painting those wood-stained cabinets. White is very popular these days, and will give your kitchen a bright, updated look. Here are some other ideas that can add some drama to your kitchen. If you can spare the storage or move it elsewhere, consider removing some or all of your upper cabinets. It's amazing how much volume your kitchen will gain. For many of us who are...ahem, vertically challenged, those upper cabinets aren't practical anyway. Consider installing some shelves in the free space or even wall brackets to hand pots on. Another idea is to just remove the cabinet -
March 25, 2015
4 Tips on appliance care and usage
Myth or Fact? The truth about caring for your appliances. Here are 4 "Truths" that are widely circulated about appliance care and usage. See if you can guess which ones are factual and which ones are false. 1. You don't need to bother with replacing the water filter on your refrigerator on the recommended date. Manufacturers push the replacement date up so that they can sell more filters. Myth There is no doubt that appliance manufacturers like selling add-ons such as refrigerator water filters. However, there is also no evidence that they recommend premature replacement of filters. It's amazing how many folks think so. The only excuse for not replacing your filter regularly is if you have RO (reverse osmosis) water piped to the refrigerator. In that case, you should consider removing and replacing the filter with the plug that originally came with your refrigerator. 2. It's not necessary to self-clean your oven whenever you have a spill or smudge that's bigger than a quarter. Fact If you have a self-cleaning oven, it's really a matter of personal preference, and usage patterns how often you should clean it. We don't do a lot of baking, and our oven stays clean for quite a while. Therefore, my preference is to clean it soon after the holidays. There's usually enough accumulated grime in the oven at that point to warrant running the self-cleaning cycle. 3. Dishwasher pods are more effective than dishwasher powder. Fact I've fought this, and I've not been a -
March 17, 2015
Update on Dwell on Design
Nation's Largest Design Show - A Los Angeles TreasureUpdate from our previous blog post:Dwell on Design 2015On May 29th through May 31st Dwell on Design will be taking over the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center with exhibits, workshops, presentations, and CEU educational sessions for the design trade. While events begin on May 21st and end on May 31st, the exhibit itself opens on Friday, May 29th with a day reserved exclusively for the trade, and continues on May 30th and 31st. Early Bird Registration expires March 31st. Save money by registering now.Exhibitors Here is a list of just some of the Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center brands that are exhibiting at DWELL. Best BrizoDacor Duravit Hansgrohe Miele Sub-Zero Wolf True Professional Victoria + AlbertEVENT INFORMATION:Dwell on Design Show Hours:Friday, May 29 10:00am-7:00pmSaturday, May 30 10:00am-6:00pmSunday, May 31 10:00am-5:00pmDwell Design Week Events:May 21 – May 31Dwell Home Tours:Saturday, May 23, Saturday May 30, and Sunday May 31For the TradeDwell on Design is an unparalleled opportunity to meet colleagues, learn about new design developments and new products, as well as earning continuing education (CEU) units (see below).Professional EducationA range of professional and trade associations such as AIA, ASID, NKBA, and NAHB choose to have an exhibit presence, host member events, and offer continuing education at Dwell on Design Los Angeles.Trade DayOn Trade Day, Friday, May 29, and the weekend of May 30 and 31, DWELL will host special design trade programs and presentations onstage, including CEU programs.And remember: For -
March 08, 2015
Color in your Kitchen
Making Your Kitchen Stand Out with ColorWe see a lot of monochromatic or duochromatic (is that a word?) kitchens these days. White-on-white. White and gray, white and black, etc. Kitchens are likely to have stainless steel appliances, but still there's not much color. Here are some ideas that might help you find a color solution that works best to make your kitchen sparkle:AppliancesIf you'd like to add a splash of color, there are opportunities in appliances such as the Bertazzoni and BlueStar ranges as well as Viking appliances (ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, etc.). We've written about them in previous blogs. Click the links below for more info:Red Bertazzonis and Ferraris from ItalyAppliance Colors for 2014Bluestar Range ColorsArtworkIf appliances aren't the right option for you, consider artwork to brighten the room. Here's a stunning print from Kaye Menner, that I found on fineartamerica.com. Click the link below to find out more.ColorfulKitchenCollageThis image can also be purchased as a horizontal collage upon request.BacksplashA popular choice for introducing color into a white kitchen is the backsplash. Look at the yellow blacksplash and notice the other yellow accents that bring it all together.Credit: ChrDAUER Architects / Bruce Damonte PhotographyAccent WallAnother option is paint or wallpaper on an accent wall. Pick a wall where there is enough space for the color to make an impact, and go bold.AccessorizeI've been hearing designers talk about "pops" or "splashes" of color for a long time. But when I started paying attention to the photos showing this phenomenon at work, -
March 04, 2015
How Your Dishwasher Works
3 Ways Dishwashers Get Your Dishes CleanThere are three processes that contribute to your dishwasher getting your dishes clean. They are: Mechanical, Thermal, and Chemical actions. These processes work together to assure you the best possible cleaning results that will make your dishes shine.MechanicalThe motor and pump of the dishwasher force water through the holes in the spinning spray arms, creating powerful streams of water that peel stuck on food particles from your bowls, dishes, glasses, pots, pans, and silverware. Dishwasher insulation, and quiet, smooth-running motors and pumps enable your dishwasher to powerfully scrub your dishes with a minimum of noise.ThermalDepending on the cycle selected, water is heated to 120-140 degrees (even more for a sani-cycle). Hot water not only breaks down the detergent (see below), it also helps loosen and remove food particles from the dishes, and carries the debris through a filter and down the drain. During the rinse cycle, fresh, clean water leaves your dishes sparkling. If selected, an NSF sanitizing cycle adds more heat; 155-160 degrees for a prescribed time. A drying cycle, usually heat assisted, finishes the job. ChemicalDetergent, and rinse agent are released into the dishwasher at the proper times in the wash or rinse cycles to mix with the hot water. The hot water and detergent mix together enabling the water to "scrub" stuck on food particles from the dishes, glasses, and silverware. In addition, the detergent helps suspend the dirt in the water so that it does not redeposit on the dishes, -
February 19, 2015
Dwell on Design 2015
America's Largest Design Event: Dwell on Design 2015Right Here in Southern CaliforniaWhat is Dwell on Design?Dwell on Design has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings in San Francisco in 2005. One decade and several cities and venues later, the largest design show in the United States, drawing more than 31,000 visitors annually, takes over the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. During the weekend of May 29–31, 2015, on a show floor encompassing 240,000 square feet, Dwell will host architecture, design, landscape, and building industry leaders for three days of discussions centering on four key concepts influencing the way we live in the modern world. It's great to have such a huge design show as Dwell on Design taking place right here in Southern California, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. On Friday May 29th, the show will focus on hosting the design trade, and include educational events specifically created for industry members. On Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31st the show will be open to the design trade as well as interested members of the public. In addition to the three day exhibition and conference on site, there will be several home tours.Here's a recap of what you can expect: 400+ Exhibitors presenting 2000+ products 250,000 square feet of Exhibition space to explore 250+ Speakers on 3 stages 3 days of Continuing Education Seminars 450+ registered Press 5+ Full-scale prefab homes 2 days of Ride and Drives International & Cultural Pavilions Student Design Gallery and MoreProfessional -
January 28, 2015
Luxury Appliance Brands Show Colors at KBIS/IBS 2015
New Appliance Color Shown at KBIS/IBS 2015 Marsala Displayed on High End Appliance Brands Pantone Color Institute® annually designates a color of the year. Last year's color was Blue Orchid. For 2015, the color is Marsala. Appliance brands that feature color in an array of colors to supplement the traditional stainless steel finish have announced that they will be offering appliances in Marsala, and in fact have shown some Marsala appliances at KBIS/IBS 2015 in Las Vegas this past week.BlueStar ranges are often made to order at their factory in Reading, PA. BlueStar claims to offer the largest selection of colors of any appliance manufacturer, 750...now we can say at least 751 different combinations of colors and finishes. Viking ranges, made in Greenwood, Miss. has long offered a wide-selection of colors, and has recently pared it down to about 12 colors. Nevertheless, Viking, also showed a Marsala range as one of its colors in their exhibit at KBIS 2015. Bertazonni, an Italian made cooking brand, has made a big splash with some of their bright colors, and they'll also be adding Marsala to their color selections. Finally, Dacor, a Southern California based appliance company known for its innovation, had a Marsala range on display in their booth at KBIS 2015. See the Marsala Dacor oven pictured below. It certainly looks like the color of this year, Marsala, might be an appliance hit in 2015. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comment section. -
January 12, 2015
Kitchen Remodeling Tips #3: Lighting
Ideas for Kitchen Lighting 4 Ways to Brighten Your Kitchen Your kitchen needs lighting. Natural lighting is wonderful, but most kitchens don't have much natural light. Even kitchens with abundant natural light are going to need lighting for dark nights and stormy days. Here's where to start: This kitchen has a combination of natural light, ceiling light, undercabinet lights, and hanging light. None would be sufficient on its own, but the combination works nicely together. Let's take a look at kitchen lighting options. Ceiling Lights It's very common for kitchens to have ceiling lights. However, ceiling lights tend to be harsh and they almost always need supplemental lighting. Undercabinet Lighting Lights positioned under the upper wall cabinets can be used to highlight the backsplash and/or to light the countertop workspace. This can be an inexpensive way to beautify your kitchen and add needed light at the same time. Hanging Lights Pendant or rope lights hanging from the ceiling are eye-catching and offer great spot lighting on work or eating areas. In this instance, the industrial looking hanging lights provide focus to the island and great lighting over the eating area. Appliance Lights Don't overlook the lights on your appliances. A range backsplash usually has a worklight, and a refrigerator dispenser may have a handy light that also can serve as a nightlight. An over-the-range microwave is assured to have lights that shine down on the range surface below. Regardless of what kind of range hood you have, you're almost assured -
January 11, 2015
Kitchen Remodeling Tips #2
Kitchen Island Ideas What can you do with a kitchen island? We're appliance guys. Mostly, we like kitchen islands that provide space to build in kitchen appliances. We like islands with shelves built-in, because there's no such thing as a good place to put a microwave oven on a kitchen counter. We like them even more if we can also put a built-in oven nearby. By the way, both of these ideas make the appliance accessible, and can be part of a thoughtful universal design. We love slide-in ranges. Several appliance manufacturers have recently introduced new slide-in range models. Slide-in ranges work very well in islands. Make sure that you plan for ventilation. Let's concede that islands can serve purposes other than provide room for our precious appliances. This island has a butcher block countertop. Great for food prep. Speaking of food prep, an island sink can be a big help if food preparation is a primary function of the island. At the other extreme, this table in the kitchen is great for meals, and family gatherings, but not so much to chop lettuce on. Here's an island that is really multi-purpose. Sink, appliances, and bar stools that are convenient for an informal meal, or to just visit and nosh. From the above, you can see that kitchen islands can be multi-function. For appliances and plumbing fixtures for your island, count on the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center for the best availability and lowest prices. -
January 09, 2015
Kitchen Remodeling Tips #1: Backsplashes
Kitchen BacksplashesMake your kitchen standout with unique backsplash colors and designsThe kitchen wall space above countertops and below the upper cabinets, is a great place to add color and creative touches, and contrast. Here are a few examples: Subway Tile continues to be very popular. In addition to the traditional white tiles that you see in...well in subways, these tiles are now available in a variety of colors, sizes and finishes. Glass patterns and mosaic tiles can be used to tie-in to other kitchen colors, and provide contrast at the same time. Range backsplashes provide another opportunity for differentiation. If you choose any material other than tile or glass to go behind a range or cooktop, be certain that it is heat resistant. You should also consider if you'll face any special cleaning issues due to smoke coming off the range. The space behind appliances and countertops, can get dirty quickly. On a practical side, glass and ceramic tiles can make cleaning a breeze. Choose materials carefully, and consider sealing your grout.The nice thing about backsplashes is that you get to determine how much contrast and color you wish to add, and where. Even if you're not doing a major kitchen remodel, adding or replacing a backsplash can give you an entirely new "look".Of course, another way to achieve a new look in your kitchen, is with new appliances, or sinks and faucets. For the best availability and lowest prices on major appliances and plumbing fixtures contact the professionals at
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