Update your kitchen for less than $200.00

Under $200 Kitchen Design Ideas From the Pros

We asked and they answered. Six of our favorite interior designers share their best budget-savvy kitchen updates.

By Chelsey Bowen and H. Camille Smith

Add Texture With Tile

Brian Patrick Flynn, decordemon.com:
To add architectural interest to any kitchen, carry the same tile used on the backsplash up onto the rest of the walls. Hardly a budget-buster, 12\" x 12\" sheets of penny round tile average just $10 per square foot. Image courtesy of Brian Patrick Flynn

Stylish Storage

Anisa Darnell, Milk & Honey Home:
Open shelving is a great way to wake up a bland kitchen while creating a functional place to display your favorite dishes. Rip out a few upper cabinets and replace with unfinished pine at least 12 inches deep for plates, add wood or iron brackets, and paint everything the same color for a custom look. Image courtesy of Anisa Darnell, photo by Jennifer Kesler Photography

Add Personality

Brian Patrick Flynn, decordemon.com:
A small backsplash can quickly be personalized by having a favorite photo printed onto commercial-grade billboard vinyl, which is easily wipeable and flame retardant. A standard 18\" x 6' print will cost approximately $200 and even a small section will add a lot of visual impact. Image courtesy of Brian Patrick Flynn

Pendants With Panache

Anisa Darnell, Milk & Honey Home:
At its heart, the kitchen is a workspace making task lighting, like properly placed pendants, essential. Add style and illumination to your island or peninsula with unique pendants. Try vintage lanterns or depot lights, basket lights, hurricane pendants or even mini chandeliers. Image courtesy of Anisa Darnell, photo by Jennifer Kesler Photography

Cover Up With Carpet Squares

Brian Patrick Flynn, decordemon.com:
Easily (and affordably!) disguise dated tile floors by applying carpet squares over the old tile. You'll save the cost and effort of tearing out and replacing each tile, plus carpet squares add cushion underfoot and a cheery punch of pattern. Image courtesy of Brian Patrick Flynn

Focus on the Backsplash

Rouzita Vahhabaghai, Ita Design:
The backsplash is where you can add a lot of style for a little cash. Chalkboard and whiteboard paints come in an array of colors and will create a noteworthy background in any kitchen. Wallpaper is available in an assortment of patterns and finishes like vinyl for easy cleaning. Laminates include a brushed stainless steel finish to mimic the look of metal without the cost. Porcelain tiles can be cost-effective and come in a range of patterns and textures.

Make a Statement With Lighting

Don Raney and Jaymes Richardson, Civility Design:
Consider swapping a boring flush-mount ceiling fixture for a chandelier. Modern chandeliers are available in clear and colored crystals. If you prefer the look of a vintage piece, visit local resale shops, antiques stores or architectural salvage stores. Your new lighting will change the look, energy and drama of any kitchen while providing an immediate wow factor.

Work With What You Have

Amy Bubier, AB Design Elements LLC:
If your home is on a slab, update your kitchen by simply tearing out the existing flooring. Rent a concrete sander/grinder to prep the slab and use a soy-based concrete stain, like Soy-Crete, to give the concrete a nontoxic, easy-to-apply coating of sheer color. The freshly stained surface is a perfect complement to contemporary or modern kitchens and is a snap to keep clean.

Go Glitz With Lucite Knobs

Don Raney and Jaymes Richardson, Civility Design:
One of the quickest updates is to change your cabinet hardware, but instead of the ubiquitous steel pulls, choose a fashion-forward option like Lucite knobs. Set them off by spray-painting a large-diameter washer chrome or a complementary color to create a decorative backplate. It creates a very glam effect and makes the cabinetry look more like furniture pieces.

Declutter for a Fresh Look

Amy Bubier, AB Design Elements LLC:
For a free kitchen update, clean out the clutter. Remove everything from the walls, countertops, windows and tops of cabinets so you can see the kitchen as a clean slate. Accessorize with a few well-proportioned, carefully placed items to reinvigorate the room with a fresh style.

Add Texture to the Walls

Luis Caicedo, Luis Caicedo Design:
Paint is the fastest and easiest update, but for this kitchen I used Venetian plaster instead. It's roughly the same price as a gallon of paint but creates a luxurious feel that is pretty easy to clean. Tiny mosaic tiles placed in a dramatic way maximize the visual impact. Shop around at tile outlets for leftover lots of tile to save money. The combination of plaster and glass tiles is timeless and luxurious, yet simple, modern and elegant.

Freshen Up With Paint

Don Raney and Jaymes Richardson, Civility Design:
Painting the cabinets will create a dramatic change, even on basic stock oak cabinets. Clean the surfaces well to remove any cooking grease or dirt, and for best results, use a small foam roller rather than the one you would typically use to paint walls. Dark paint, such as black or deep brown, especially when paired with new hardware, results in a very sexy kitchen with a high-end look and lounge-like feel.

Start With a Plan

Amy Bubier, AB Design Elements LLC:

Get the Look of Stone Without the Cost

Luis Caicedo, Luis Caicedo Design:
The countertops in this kitchen are quite small but could have been expensive to replace. I wanted a natural-looking surface, something like a huge slab of rough stone. To achieve the look on a budget, I created a faux-finished texture of concrete and plastic wood over rough wood, finished with many layers of protective varnish and wax.

I hope you enjoyed these ideas from HGTV.  We spend so much time in and around the kitchen.
It's fun to think of ways to make our kitchen look amazing without breaking the bank.

Think of buying or selling a home this year?
Let me help you stretch your dollars.  I want to make sure you get the most for your money.
Pat Hensley
919-469-6530
www.TriangleNC.com

Have a great week!  Pat

Spring Cleaning ...when is your home "clean enough"?

Setting Standards for the "Clean-Enough" Home

Establish a standard for household cleanliness that suits your family composition, cleaning style and personal preferences.

Excerpted from Houseworks, by Cynthia Townley Ewer

Set the Right Standard for Yourself

Some families, such as those with crawling babies or immuno-compromised elders, will need to reach for a very high standard of cleaning. Others, such as a clan of healthy young adults, can live quite happily in a home with a more relaxed cleaning style. While nobody advocates ignoring cleaning to the point of health and safety problems, a realistic view of your family’s cleaning standard prevents frustration and helps get the work done faster.

Reach for family agreement on the issue of a cleaning standard. If most household members fall on the "relaxed" side of the equation, there’ll be cleaning trouble if one member pushes for higher standards.

Negotiate a common-sense compromise. Food preparation areas require a high level of sanitation, but a teen’s bedroom poses fewer health and safety concerns. Better to pick cleaning battles carefully, with an eye to general well-being, than fight it out over every speck of dust.

Clean Smart

Clean smart by setting a realistic cleaning standard for your home. Schedule chores to keep a clean house every day.

Houseworks ©Dorling Kindersley Limited 2010

Be Realistic

Be realistic about where to insist on a higher cleaning standard. Children’s rooms and kitchen areas demand a higher level of clean.

Houseworks ©Dorling Kindersley Limited 2010

Go Easy

More relaxed cleaning standards are appropriate in less-used areas. Go easier on the chores in guest bedrooms or utility areas.

Houseworks ©Dorling Kindersley Limited 2010

Excerpted from Houseworks, by Cynthia Townley Ewer
Text Copyright © 2006, 2010, Cynthia Townley Ewer, extracts from Houseworks, reproduced with permission from Dorling Kindersley Limited

 

Buying or Selling a home this year?

Give me a call for fast friendly advice.  

919-469-6530

Outdoor fireplaces for home and vacation homes

I love sitting by the fire even on summer nights.  To me it's very calming to look at and makes for fun and friendly get togethers.

Here are a few ideas from HGTV I found.
I hope this gets you inspired.  Pat


Expand your outdoor space and add warmth with an outdoor hearth.

Lean and Clean

While enormous hearths have their charm, not everyone has the room to accommodate those structures. A contemporary, gas-fired alternative like this module unit from Spark Modern Fires is more environmentally friendly than wood burners and can be modified for custom designs. What's more, it turns on with the flick of a remote. Photo by Spark Modern Fires.

The Hearty Hearth

With a sophisticated style and a large, square firebox, this hearth will have no trouble keeping your guests warm on a frigid evening. The fireplace is designed to blend in with the brick but distinguishes itself with stone texture. Its heft makes it large enough to huddle plenty of chairs around it. Photo by Melody Saunders Brenna; Stirling StoneWorks.

An Intimate Firebowl

A beautifully-shaped firebowl, such as a Greek urn, is an attractive and portable alternative to traditional outdoor hearths. This bowl, designed by Ian Knepper, is a sculptural work of art that provides a safe and clean flame and is small enough to be positioned anywhere. It offers a wonderful opportunity to nestle chairs around for an intimate gathering. Photo by Ian Knepper.

Warmth Under a Pergola

It's nice to have a backyard entertainment space set apart from the main living area. You can gather around the blazing fire, look up at the stars and pretend you are far away from civilization.
This standalone fireplace from Stirling StoneWorks sits under a garden pergola on a stone patio. A raised hearth adds seating for outdoor entertaining. Photo by Melody Saunders Brenna; Stirling StoneWorks.

A Food Enthusiast's Fantasy

Chicago Brick Oven offers a pleasant twist from the ordinary. Their classically-designed, wood-burning hearths are not just patio centerpieces, but functional appliances for your outdoor kitchen. Photo by Chicago Brick Oven.

A Wall of Fire

Modern, modular gas-fueled fire ribbons offer enormous design versatility. A fire wall is used as a dramatic enhancement to the outdoor architecture. This unit is constructed from stainless steel with waterproof internal components, a remote control and an electronic ignition. Photo by Spark Modern Fires.

The Circle of Flames

Whether you live in the frigid North or are more accustomed to warm breezes and rustling palms, there's no better way to enjoy the company of friends than around a blazing fire as the night descends. Today's fire pits come with all the conveniences of modern life. Photo by Snassek.

Bringing the Indoors Out

A classically-styled stone mantelpiece will be the center of attention, whether it is in your living room or on the patio. With the right seating arrangement, your backyard becomes a natural extension of your home. Choosing materials that complement each other and considering lighting options, materials and furniture are key components in creating a comfortable outdoor entertainment hub. Photo by Winston Furniture.

Fire-Breathing, Green Monster                                                                                               

The awesome power of nature is on display around this mossy, monster fireplace that has been consumed by the elements over the years. The hearth is pure, natural and built from rough rock, a tribute to rustic life. Photo by Tom and Susan Vance.

Buying or Selling a home in Cary or Raleigh this year?    Give me a call for fast and friendly advice.

919-469-6530

Painted Kitchen Cabinets are a new hot trend...

Are you tired of your old kitchen cabinets but the thought of a complete
tear-out or remodel is just too overwhelming?
Well, you might enjoy giving them a colorful coat of paint.
You can do it yourself to save money, but for me, I will have to hire it done.
Deep blue sounds like a nice idea.

Here are some photos of painted cabinets to give you some inspiration courtesy of HGTV:

 

 

 

It's the New Black

 

Play up the contrast of white walls by painting kitchen cabinets black. By taking off the doors and adding inexpensive moldings, RMSer laylapalmer creates a sophisticated and versatile kitchen.

Add Comfort With Warm Beige      

Warm beige adds a relaxed feel to this gourmet kitchen. Paired with gray countertops and walls, the soothing cabinet color keeps the space charming instead of drab.







Go Bold With the Island

One of the hottest trends in kitchen cabinets is an island featuring a dramatic hue. Surrounding white cabinets set the scene, but an onyx island brings high style to this traditional kitchen. Design by RMSer myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.

Sophisticated Gray                               

Gray is a refined, classic shade, but it also evokes a more modern feel than its black counterpart. Designer David Stimmel chose a hand-applied painted sheen for these birch cabinets, which allows a hint of the natural wood grain to peek through the soft gray tone.







Kid-Friendly Cabinets

Keep an eye on the kids while cooking dinner by integrating their playroom into the kitchen. Designer David Bromstad paints the lower cabinets with chalkboard paint for playtime, while the upper cabinets get a bold red treatment.








Mix It Up

Can't decide on one color for your cabinets? Paint the top and bottom cabinets different colors. Since blue and yellow are complementary hues, they're the perfect combination for this Old World kitchen. Design by Linda Adams.


Enjoy these ideas and let me know what you
decide to do.  I think I will seriously consider dark
blue with a full black island.
I'll let you know how it turns out.  Pat

Buying or selling a home this year?
Let me help you with some friendly advice.

  
  919-469-6530 
www.TriangleNC.com 

Buying a home in Cary or Raleigh this year?

Buying a home can be very exciting.  There are a lot of things to consider.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you move forward in your home search.


Call Pat for friendly,
 no pressure consultation. 
919-469-6530

-Target Your Search, Look at Properties and Choose a Home

Millions of homes are sold each year. There's no shortage of housing options, but with so many choices the challenge becomes finding the property which best meets your needs.

The housing market is complicated because the stock of homes for sale is always in flux. Even if you could have a complete list of every home for sale at a given moment in a given community, such a list would become quickly obsolete as new homes become available and listed properties are sold.

In effect, buyers are looking at a dynamic market. So it is important to know as much as possible about the choices in preferred markets, and the way to do that is by working closely with a local REALTOR^® who is familiar with local markets and current real estate trends. Also, REALTORS^® have access to all homes on the market, including those that have not yet been advertised.

-Determine What You Want in a Home

A home is more than just a collection of bedrooms and bathrooms. Several properties - each with four bedrooms, three baths, and the same price - may well have radically different designs, commuting distances, lot sizes, tax costs, interior dimensions, exterior finishes, neighborhoods, etc.

First, list the features and benefits you want in a home. Consider such things as pricing, location, size, amenities (extras such as a pool or extra-large kitchen) and design (one floor or two, colonial or modern, etc.).

Next, determine your priorities. If you can't get a home at your price with all the features you want, then what features are most important? For instance, would you trade fewer bedrooms for a larger kitchen? A longer commute for a bigger lot and lower cost?
Last, consider your future needs. If you'll need a larger home later on, maybe now is the time to buy a bigger house rather than moving or expanding in the future.
-Target Your SearchBasic targeting measures, such as general location and affordability, can help you refine your search and focus on homes that offer the most desirable features.
-Target your desired neighborhood.

All neighborhoods and communities have a unique character and value. One community may be well known for historic homes while another offers both suburban living with easy access to downtown office areas. Determine which neighborhood(s) will work for you so you do not waste time looking where you would not want to live.

-Look for Homes
I will find you home listings based on your criteria. You can also look for homes online and by driving through neighborhoods that you’ve targeted.
Look at as many homes as possible both locally and online so you can make a sound decision when you choose a home. You may want to keep a file with information on each of the homes you like. I can help you determine the pros and cons of the properties you are interested in.
If you are buying a condo, it is important that you and your agent review the strata minutes to determine whether there are any critical structural or mechanical defects. Also, take a close look at the current financial statements to make sure the finances are sound.

-Choose a Home. A house is shelter. But a home is far more: it's where you live, relax, entertain friends, raise families, and work. A home is where you spend much of your life, so take your time to choose a house you can become your home. Don’t make hasty decisions, especially about financing. Be sure you can really afford the home you choose.

I'm here to give you friendly experienced advice every step of the way.

   Pat Hensley  Remax United  919-469-6530

For a quick response to questions or to get started on your home search today fill out our simple form and we will be in touch.  No pressure. 
           Just good advice.