How can I incorporate a glass block design into my kitchen addition?

Glass block, or acrylic block is very versatile. It comes in prefabricated sizes that can be windows or doors. The blocks also come individually, in various sizes to allow for some creative custom work. There are finished end pieces, corner pieces and curved pieces available. It can be used to add light, but not "sight". If your addition faces your neighbor’s junkyard, but you would like some natural light, consider doing a wall panel to create visual interest and let the sun shine in. You may want to use glass or acrylic block as your backsplash between your cabinets on the outside wall. It will let the light in and be easy to maintain. You could use blocks as the center support for your island or snack counter and even add colored lighting behind it. Glass and acrylic blocks can be used as room dividers (walls).

What are the hot appliance trends in kitchens?

For a country that loves oversized things, we have a new fascination with small items as well. Small, under counter appliances are finding there way into kitchens of all sizes. Under counter refrigerator drawers designed into projects at the point of use instead of one big refrigerator. Dish drawers are also popular instead of the conventional dishwasher. They use less water and are more accommodating to smaller loads. Sharp makes a very cool 30" wide under counter microwave with a smooth glass-ceramic cook top or just a stand alone microwave. All of these mini-size appliances can be installed in islands and tight spaces, offering great versatility. Another plus, as we age we don’t want to bend too low or reach too high and these products accommodate those physical needs.

How do I decide on stock, semi-custom or custom cabinets for my new kitchen?

Your budget will be impacted by your selection as well as the look and function. Differences in materials, construction and availability are also part of the equation. There are some basic assumptions about each, although there will be some crossover. Stock cabinets will be the least expensive. They are mass produced, standard sizes without modifications. There will be nice selections of door styles, color choices and a few wood species. What you see is what you get. They are a good choice if you don’t want a fancy finish or need custom sizing. Usually, stock cabinets are available the fastest. Semicustom cabinets, the next most expensive are usually more flexible with some sizes. The construction of the box is usually a higher-grade material and there will be more choices for door styles and finishes. There will be more accessories offered. They will take longer to get, especially if you do some customization. Custom cabinets are made to your exact specifications and are the most expensive. You can have anything you want. They can be built by a local cabinetmaker and built in his workshop of or by a larger custom-cabinetry company that will produce the cabinets in a factory. The hardware will be substantially better as well as the box itself. Your choices and combination options are limitless as you consider wood species, door style and finishes. They will resemble quality furniture.

Does everything in my new kitchen have to match?

NO! Today’s kitchens are full of interesting shapes, textures and colors. Adjust the heights and depths of the upper cabinets. Take some of them to the ceiling and add crown molding to the rest. Drop some cabinets to the countertop to make them more accessible for kids. They don’t have to line up perfectly like British soldiers anymore. Add a glass door with mullions if you have some pieces you wish to display. You can combine cabinet colors- have some painted cabinets and some stained or glazed cabinets. Possibly add a furniture bottoms or make base cabinets free standing instead of using the standard a toe kick for a different look. You may want to lower a section of base cabinets to accommodate children or someone in a wheelchair. You can also have 2 different countertops in the same kitchen-perhaps granite on the island and laminate on the balance of cabinets. If you choose wood flooring and wood cabinets, they don’t have to be the same species or color. My only caution is to not do it all in the same kitchen-you may end up looking very helter-skelter. Use an experienced designer to help you create a functional and comfortable space that has character.

What are the hot trends in kitchen design?

It’s more of an attitude than a trend. Consumers are expressing themselves which is resulting in a fun mix-and-match eclectic use of surfaces, finishes and cabinet types. Mixing cabinet door styles adds punch to a kitchen. Add a glass door or change the wood species on the island. Wood butcher block counter tops are becoming popular again-maybe just add a small section next to your sink or cooktop. There are enough choices in hard surface counters that range from granite to quartz to man-made composite products that will make your head spin. You may want to use ceramic tiles, leather or glass tiles as a backsplash to accent a particular theme. Who says everything has to be the same! Have the courage to put your personalized stamp on your home.

My kitchen is dark and dreary as it is in the center of the house with no windows. How can I make it seem lighter?

If there is an attic above the kitchen, consider adding a skylight or a Solatube to add natural daylight. If not, try working with color and texture. Use lighter colors and smooth, shiny surfaces to reflect light. Use a monochromatic color scheme versus a contrasting color scheme, especially on horizontal surfaces. Create continuous light by using small fluorescent fixtures and pendants or recessed lighting spaced closely together to prevent a 'spotlight' effect. Use under cabinet lighting to avoid creating shadows.

What are some of the new ideas for Kitchens this year?

Concrete counter tops are popular-they are durable, versatile, natural and earthy. You can create you own texture, color and edges. Another popular concept is "Point of use" water sources, now being added to the traditional water sources. Water purification water faucets to provide filtered water are being added at the sink. Instant hot water systems are great for that 1 cup of hot chocolate. Pot filler faucets are being installed at the cooktop to eliminate carrying a heavy pot of water across the kitchen. If adding additional window areas not an option, add a Solatube to the ceiling for additional daylight. Mix and match heights and depths of cabinets to create interest. Add a smaller second sink or cooktop for the second cook.

I'm remodeling my kitchen and need a new oven. Can you make any recommendations?

There is lots to choose from, so try to get a handle on your families needs before you go shopping. First decide which fuel you want to use-gas or electric. The size would be the next consideration. How big is your current oven? What kind of space has your kitchen designer allocated for the oven? Sizes range from 24" to 36" wide. Do you want a single or a double oven? There are some great combination units available also. You may want to add a microwave or convection unit to your oven unit. How much electrical power you will need will be determined by whether you select a single or double unit a gas oven will need a dedicated fuel line. Convection cooking is the newest technology available to consumers at an affordable price point. In today's 'fast forward' world, convection-cooking can save you time and produce fabulous tasting food. For ease of maintenance, shop for a self-cleaning unit with a light bulb that is easily accessible for you to change when it burns out.

Can you make any recommendations on building an outdoor kitchen?

For those of you that enjoy outdoor living and have run out of LP gas in the middle of a BBQ one too many times, an outdoor kitchen is your answer. A one-wall layout helps keep costs down and consolidates space. You can locate them anywhere there is a structurally sounds deck or patio. These areas are highly concentrated weight loads. A natural gas unit can be directly connected to the gas line and you will never run out of gas again! A stainless steel finish on your grill will hold up the best. Make sure the unit you purchase can be built-in, which means it is designed for zero-clearance installation. I would suggest ceramic tile or concrete counter tops on a weatherproof set of cabinets or open shelves. Available now, are outdoor stainless steel slide-in refrigerators, icemakers, beer tappers and wine coolers. You might want to consider and outdoor stainless steel sink and faucet to make clean up easier.

I would like to use wood painted cabinets in my new kitchen, but I've heard the paint cracks at the joints. Any recommendations?

Hairline cracks are unavoidable, as each piece of wood expands and contracts at its own rate, Each style and each rail and each panel is subject to changes in the humidity and will move on its own. Every wood species behaves this way, although maple is probably the most stable. The hairline cracks are less noticeable on dark colored cabinets than on light colored cabinets. There are some other options you might consider. They are low maintenance and not subject to the hairline cracks you see in paint over wood. Thermofoil cabinets can give you a highly decorative door style through a process that molds a vinyl-compound sheet to a cabinet surface. A polyester finish is a synthetic compound that is sprayed onto a medium density fiber- board. It's tough, but it can chip and is not easily repaired. A high- pressure laminate cabinet can give you a large variety of colors with a tough finish but not a lot of choices in door style other than flat. A melamine finish is a low cost, low- pressure laminate, usually available in white or almond with a flat door style that is not quite as durable as the other choices.

I’d like to remodel a very small kitchen-could you offer some design solutions?

With smaller kitchens more attention must be paid to what is being stored, how it’s being used and who is going to use it. Focus on what is being used the most. Drawers are being used to store everything from the traditional silverware and junk to utensils, dishes, pots and pans. Use drawer inserts to customize each drawer and keep things organized. Choose taller upper cabinets-eliminate the 12"soffit above your 30" high cabinets and take them to the ceiling. Use tall storage cabinets with full extension pull-out trays. Choose smaller appliances or ones that incorporate 2 different appliances into one. Single dishwasher drawers or counter depth refrigerators are a great space saver. Instead of trying to fit a full size table into your kitchen, downsize to a bistro style table of attach a counter eating space to a row of base cabinets. Lighter colors, with dark accents will help visually enlarge space. Good lighting as reflection also helps. Try a light color glass tile back splash or stainless steel appliances to help reflect light. Task lighting, lights inside cabinets, under cabinet lighting and pendants are all important and add to the ambiance. One can never have too much light when working in the kitchen, but don’t for get to add dimmer switches for those times when you don’t need quite so much light.

I am having my kitchen remodeled this spring-do you have any helpful hints on surviving the process?

Survival is the key word. Plan ahead. Think about where you can put a temporary kitchen laundry room, an extra bedroom or the basement. Use a hotplate or an electric frying pan for a stove, a crockpot for an oven and a grill for your meats and veggies. A mini microwave is helpful. Perhaps you can even find a temporary hook up for your refrigerator. Cook your family’s favorite meals and package them for the freezer-store them at your neighbors. It will relieve the frozen pizza syndrome. A George Foreman grill and Schwann’s frozen foods have saved more than one family from remodeling trauma. Stock up on disposable plates, silverware, cups and paper towels. It will save a lot of time washing dishes in the bathtub!

How do I get my 8 glasses of water every day and help avoid sending millions of plastic bottles to the landfill every hour?

It looks like its back to good old American tap water. Cheaper than buying "purified", "filtered", "artesian" or "spring" waters from a supermarket arguably better for the environment, tap water itself has gotten a bad rap for mostly aesthetic reasons, namely the taste. However, the bottom line is that water isn’t supposed to have a taste. If it tastes like something, there probably is something in your water that may be considered a contaminant by the EPA. The solution is an in home water purification system. They can be easily installed in a new home or an existing home. It can be installed to treat the whole house water system or just at the point of use (i.e. the kitchen or bathroom sinks). There isn’t one filter that will be good for every situation, so be sure your consultant is familiar with your areas’ water or have your water tested to find the appropriate system for your needs. The systems generally have very little maintenance other than changing the filters regularly. Costs vary widely depending on which system you select, but the convenience, cost saving directly related to the purchased bottles and a conscious effort to stop throwing away plastic bottles is worth looking into, This is a great example of how each one of us can help the environment.