Kitchen Remodeling - Truth

Hey All!

I hope 2011 is off to a great start for you! It is for me! I am so excited about how things are starting for me. I was checking my email and linkedin this morning...I came across this in one of my industry colleagues websites. I know everyone thinks they can do kitchen design by themselves...it is extremely more involved than you will ever imagine. I have copied two pieces of Justin's advice, mostly, because I agree with him...check them out...

Here is what colleague Justin has to say...

I want to renovate my kitchen...where do I start? Follow these great kitchen design tips and you'll be well on your way to creating your dream kitchen!

Budget - Here is a great tip...the first thing you need to decide is how much you have to spend on your kitchen renovation. So many clients come to me and tell me what they want without thinking about the cost. Then they receive the estimates and it's a rude awakening. A good rule of them is to assume that everything will come in higher than expected.

What should I budget for?
Well, it all depends on how large or small you plan your kitchen renovation to be. Let's assume you are planning a full kitchen renovation. Use these kitchen remodel cost percentages as a guidline:

Appliances	10%
Cabinetry	30%
Countertops	10%
Electrical and Plumbing	10%
Flooring	10%
Backsplash and Painting	10%
General Contractor - Labor	20%

Always add 30% to the bottom line to compensate for any product and labor increases.

I know this seems like a lot but, you'll be happy you did!

Justin also says this, and this is an extremely important part...

Hire An Architect/Kitchen Designer - This is an extremely important step. You need to have kitchen floor plans drawn up in order to move ahead. Not only will they help you to decide what products, materials, and sizes to use, but they will also act as a precise blueprint for your contractor, electrician, plumber, tile installer, and countertop fabricator to follow once your renovation is underway.


Important - Only hire an architect if you are going to be adding an addition on to your kitchen or moving any load bearing walls! If you are not doing any of these things, an interior designer will do just fine...and will cost you less!

This is one of the best kitchen design tips I can give to help you keep down your kitchen renovation costs!

I am not trying to dis-credit the cabinetry departments in the big box stores...however, they are not usually the most experienced. They are hourly employees just like every other department in the store. Most of them have NO formal training...if you are lucky, you might come across one that has years of experience...and knows the design end from doing it for so many years. I encourage you to hire an interior designer...they are knowledgeable in Kitchen and Bath design and they are usually less expensive than an architect.

Hope you found some good advice here. See you all soon. Could you do me a favor? If you are reading this...would you please add yourself as one of my "followers" on my blog homepage please? I appreciate it!

So long 2010...Hello 2011!

It's hard to believe that 2010 is just hours from being over! WOW! I look back and ponder the things I am thankful for. My health (of course), my wonderful husband, my 2 amazing children, my family, (who is ever so supportive), and my wonderful wealth of friends. God has blessed me with many things in 2010. All of them I am thankful for.

For 2011...I look forward to the many more blessings I will receive. My goal for 2011...well...I have many.

Things to come for BrynnAlden:

A new website...with the close of the store in 2008, we shut down the website. It is time again to get a site up and running along with my blog. Wish me luck!

Design in a box...I have to come up with a new name. A professional decorator by the name of Windsor Smith has developed this concept. I think it is brilliant...this is something I plan to incorporate as a service to my clients.

Event & Pary Planning...Design is more than pillows and curtains. I know you are all shocked, but it is true. I will be adding event and party planning to our service list in 2011. From kid's birthday parties to corporate holiday parties, we will offer planning services for your special events.

New-Park Lions are also on my agenda...I will be joining the New-Park Lions Club. I haven't been part of professional community service organization since Key Club in high school, but I have volunteered my time as much as possible at the kids' schools. I think it is important to help in your community. There is always someone in need!

Watch for all these exciting changes in 2011...they are sure to keep you in the loop!

I would love your feedback. If there is something you need help with, there is something you would like to read about, or just plain chat...let me know.

I want to wish you all a blessed, healthy, and prosperous New Year! You deserve it!

Happy New Year!

Kelli

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve-

I just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. See you soon!

Kelli

Christmas Decorating...

I can't believe its already December 3rd! Hopefully the time after Christmas goes by as fast as the fall did!

I was reading the December issue of Traditional Home and thought I would share some thoughts...

One of the articles featured the home of New York Designer Christopher Hyland. It is very beautiful. Not my taste all around but beautiful none the less. This is a picture of his Christmas Tree.

He goes on to say, he doesn't leave off ornaments our leave out Christmas decorations because they aren't "design worthy" he uses all ornaments and all decorations because they are the story tellers of years past.








I totally agree! Each crocheted butterfly on my tree reminds me of my Grandma. Each photo ornament of Don and Ruth remind us all of them. Painted pine cones with glitter remind me how fast my kids are growing. The wind up Santa music box I received from my God Mother years ago also tells a story. "Tiny Tim" sits at the top of our stair well waiting for us...he tells the story of Rick's childhood! Although he needs a little sprucing up every once in a while...he still welcomes us home!




Design is an art. Remember "art" has many faces. There are no rules to "art" despite what some people think. It is very subjective. Subjective to ones own opinion. Design is much the same. There are rules and principles of design. But designers do not use them in the same way. That is what makes us unique in our own design solution.



I hope you all create your own Christmas Wonderland at your own homes. I finally, am putting the finishing touches on mine. Although, it never is exactly the same each year, some things are close.

Happy Holiday Season to you all!

Mixing finishes and Colors...

Check out the mix of finishes in this kitchen design courtesy of HGTV.com "Old world"?

The mix of not only materials but also finishes. There is a mixture of stone, the granite countertops, the range surround, the tile back splash, and the floor are all different but compliment each other nicely.

Also look at the two different colors of cabinetry...Black for the island and coffee stained wood for the rest. Also the addition of the wood top on the island is a great addition to make the island seem as a seperate "furniture" piece rather than a kitchen island.

Of course, stainless steel appliances. I LOVE the light fixtures too!

Happy Creating! See you soon

Let's call it "Rich"!

As seen in the July 2009 issue of House Beautiful, Miles Redd has used a very dark blue laquer in the living room shown. He describes it as "rich". I absolutely agree!

Using dark colors on the walls doesn't have to look gloomy and cave like. There is nothing about this room that is gloomy or like a cave. The floors are even dark.

I firmly believe and practice, decorate your home according to your comfort level. My comfort level is a little on the "edgy" side so I am comfortable with dark colors.

Just remember, as I have said before; when it comes to paint, if you don't like it, it's a very easy fix.

See you soon.

Budget Friendly Bathroom Remodel

In one days time and under $100 spent. A small bathroom gets a great makeover.

The client wanted a new look that wouldn't cost a lot of money. Client concerns: Baby blue existing shower tile which is not being replaced at the current time. Black & white existing vinyl flooring which is also not being replaced at the current time.

We removed a cabinet over the commode. This produced a more open feeling. There were too many pieces of cabinetry in a small amount of space and the homeowner did not use the cabinet removed so there was no loss of storage space.

The rustic red wall color was replaced by "Mink" a medium tone gray color. This cooler color complements the black and white existing vinyl flooring. It also better complements the existing baby blue shower tile. The tile is not usually visible with help from a shower curtain.

The new wall color seems to "brighten" the space.

An outdated wooden toilet paper holder was removed, relocated, and replaced with a satin nickel finish replacement on the side of the vanity. The dated faucet was also replaced with a new satin nickel finish. The old brass, cabinet hardware was also replaced with modern satin nickel hardware.

A piece of custom artwork done by the client's son is used over the commode. Existing artwork, rugs, window treatments, shower curtain, and accessories were re-used.

Project Costs

1 Gallon Paint $24 - Faucet $35 - Hardware $14 - Toilet Paper holder $10

Total Project Cost = $83 and one days time. Not bad!

I would love to help you with your remodeling project on a budget.

Email me with your design questions. brynnalden@yahoo.com