"The Kitchen Experts"
Open Floor Plans • Structural Engineering • Innovative Design
The Kitchen Island
What is the most requested Kitchen renovation option? I want an “ISLAND” in my kitchen… Well let’s discuss some Kitchen Island ideas. Today we are adding islands to our designs more than ever and the larger the better! I think the big trend towards islands is people...
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The Ease of Remodeling with a One-Stop-Shop
When stopping by the Evo Design Center showroom, Josh and Tami, both doctors, fell in love with the idea that Evo Design Center is a one-stop shop. With their busy schedules, they would be able to find everything for their project within the massive four floors of the...
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Super Showers – Get Wetter, Better!
Did you ever want that incredible showering experience? Well here are some tips, tricks and ideas to making sure the new shower you build will give you the ultimate showering experience. Shower Heads: Today I find a great shower has two shower heads. A rain or...
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Decisions, decisions – Picking the Right Countertop
One of the toughest and most important decisions you will have to make for your kitchen renovation is the countertop material. This is the most used and abused piece of the job, but also the most satisfying. It will help you keep clean and actually protect your...
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To Heat or Not To Heat, That is the Question
One of the biggest trends today in Residential construction is something we don’t see but definitely makes us feel good, radiant heating. From our Bathrooms to Kitchens to the Entire Home is has become the most requested type of primary and secondary heating today....
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The Highs and Lows of Island Seating
I think most of the kitchen design that I do and teach is that most good design comes from the people it is being designed for. You and your husband both probably have good reasons for wanting either choice so I’ll just give you some general rules I use to help guide...
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Appliance Shopping – High End or Not?
A lot of clients come to me questioning the higher end appliances and service issues. I think the first thing to remember is all mechanical items will require service calls, hence warranties. From my experience all levels of appliances have their issues I think that...
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Window or Wall – Placing Your Kitchen Range
I don't have a definite answer on all the codes, and they do vary from town to town but I don't believe there would be any code restricting except for the flammability of the trim or frame. The other issues that could be of concern would be, does the window open? If...
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Pool House Plan – Go Big or Go Home
First you will need to check with your local building department as to your zoning for size, height and setback (distance from property lines) restrictions and if planning to have a bathroom and/or kitchen what septic requirements you will have. That aside I would...
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Choosing An Outdoor Countertop
First if in direct sun this top can become very hot so if that is the case than look for a lighter color and under trees will have a tendency to always have dirt and leaves that can stain on them. As far as conventional outdoor stones are concerned (e.g. Bluestone,...
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Losing Your Marbles Over Tile
I think a marble look whether Crema Marfil or Carrera or others is a great timeless look. The real question here is not how it is maintained but are you and whoever else will be using this room be able to be a bit more careful. Marble scratches easily and can stain if...
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Why to Choose An NKBA Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer
I am proud to be involved with the NKBA for decades, a board member for 7 years and now I am moving into a national position of Chapter Representative. Why I tell you this is because I am proud of what this association does and stands for. You the Homeowner and...
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Cabinet Talk – What Does It All Mean?
I’m going to try to keep this very simple. 1. Stock, usually available 0-2 week lead-time, limited door and colors available. 2. Semi-Custom, usually 5-6 week lead time, made to order, increased door styles in all of their finishes, minor modifications to cabinets. 3....
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Gunite or Vinyl for Your Pool?
Well this is a little bit of a loaded question and I can probably write an entire book on the subject. I think the main parameter of this question would be budget. A gunite pool will generally cost double the comparable vinyl pool installed. There are also long-term...
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Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire
There are a few things first to consider; gas, real wood burning or both using gas to start the fire. I find the latter is one to consider for someone who doesn’t have the time, skill or patience to get it started. As far as gas, these can be extremely easy to install...
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Wood or Wood Tile for Your Floor?
One of the things that really help us decide on that question is “How much traffic is in your home?” Sometimes a wood floor can really give a really good continuity between rooms and a nice warm feel to the Kitchen but when there are younger kids or your home is “the...
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10 Steps For Planning Your Kitchen Remodel
“I have no idea where to start!”, “I’ve just started looking.”, “Isn’t this what everyone’s doing?” These are some of my favorite quotes people say to me when I first meet them in my showroom. My reply is, “It’s not so hard, a good Kitchen Designer will get you right...
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Kitchen Design Trends
It’s a common topic, Kitchen and Bath Design Trends but a great deal of these discussions covers the entire country and they really change from territory to territory. I find that even comparing Manhattan to central Long Island to the East End of Long Island differs...
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Choosing A Kitchen Designer
What’s the first thing you do when setting out to build new or redesign your existing kitchen? Look on the Internet? Travel from showroom to showroom? Buy magazines featuring Kitchens? Well maybe the answer is all of the above. But during this process the one thing...
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Keep Your Cool – Designing Refrigeration In The Modern Kitchen
When setting out to design a Kitchen I always start with the Refrigerator/Freezer, the cornerstone of your kitchen. The refrigerator is usually the largest and most intrusive appliance in your kitchen when looking at layouts, esthetics and flow patterns in your...
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