One of the big decisions you are faced with making while designing your new kitchen is what size, shape and out of what materials do you want your new kitchen sink to be?  There are so many choices, you can become lost in them and end up with a need to refocus your attention to other aspects of the new kitchen.  To help you sort through the choices, we have composed a checklist, each followed by a recommendation of our own!

1.  Stainless Steel:   Durable if you buy the thick gauged SS and it will resist water spots and dents, as well as scratches.  If you get the thin gauged type, you get what you pay for which is a product that will do exactly what the thicker gauged will not do — in other words, you can count on dents, scratches, and water marks.  You can see the difference between the thick and the thin SS sinks if you compare them side-by-side.  So our advice, if this is your choice, is to go for the thicker gauged sinks if you must have stainless.

2.  Enameled Steel:   Resembling enameled cast iron, these sinks will look good initially and yes, they are quite affordable and low maintenance and they come in many colors.   They are also much more lightweight than cast iron, thus not requiring as heavy of a countertop and cabinet to hold it.  Unfortunately, they are thin and prone to flexing and chipping and it is not recommended to use a garbage disposal unit as those cause too much vibration and thus too much noise with this material.  We generally do not recommend this type of sink, but if you are sold on them despite their cons, just be aware that you will probably be replacing them in the future.

3.  Enameled Cast Iron:   Very durable, these sinks come in multiple colors and sizes and shapes.  They retain heat very well, so they’re excellent sinks to have if you do a lot of handwashing of your dishes.  The white ones are even quite affordable!  They are prone to chipping, though not everyone is rough on their sinks, so it is possible to get away without chips for a very long time, but it could take some effort on your part.  Because they are so very heavy, they do require countertops heavy enough to support their weight.  If  your family consists of children, young or teen type, you will want to use sink protectors to save your glasses and dishes because these sinks are not forgiving. 

4.  Copper and Pewter:  These sinks are by far the most beautiful and the most durable.  They are nearly indestructible if you buy the heavier gauged American made sinks.  Do beware of the ones made out of country as many of those are thinner material.  There is a small company in Florida, (Rachiele),  that makes their sinks of thicker copper, and they also make thicker gauged stainless steel, as well, and both are offered in hammered or smooth varieties.  They work well with both modern and traditional decor.   Their only cons are that they are more expensive then other sinks and if shiny is what you are after, copper ages to a fine patina and does not stay shiny unless you put a lot of effort into keeping it that way.  If you enjoy the natural changes in color that copper shows with age, you will love these sinks and they will be maintenance free and last at least into the next several generations of your family.  They are, in our opinion, an investment worth making!

I’ve said it many times before and will continue to harp on this point: We get what we pay for. We can either have really great design and great quality new products in our kitchens and baths (and other areas, for that matter), or we can take the low bidder, get a really pretty kitchen or bath for a lot less money, then watch it deteriorate within a relatively short period of time and put out even more money to have it done right this time. How many times have you heard the story? I cannot begin to count how many kitchens and bathrooms we have ripped out of a customer’s home that were not nearly old enough to warrant it, but had broken down so badly, had worn with time so poorly, that the customer was sick of having this little thing and that little thing fixed.

Where was their warranty? you ask. Standard warranty on products can vary from as little as 6 months to lifetime warranties. The key to success is knowing that you are working with a professional who will explain the differences in types of products you are selecting, and also knowing that if an issue were to arise, that same professional will help you get things back on track.

Another component of long-term happiness with your new kitchen and/or bath is the workmanship that goes into installation. It goes (or should go) without saying that a really good designer will only use a really good construction team and I say this because part of being a designer par excellence is having the ear to listen to what you really want, the eye to see details for your design that perhaps you never even thought of, and the heart to carry through and manage your design choices from the beginning to the very end, coordinating details with her/his construction project manager to assure that you have a quality product that has been quality built and quality installed.

Quality should be the key word to the entire project then, from the designer down to the laborer hauling materials and everyone in between. So how do you discern a quality team from one that just sells in quantity? Reputation of the company they work for is the litmus by which you can test them. Of course, there’s always a sour customer here and there who can never be pleased and every company, no matter how great they are, is going to have one or two, so when we say look at their reputation, not only do we mean past customers, but other professionals, as well. When a companys referrals are made up of not only past customers, but other vendors and other companies, as well, that has to be one’s determining factor in making a decision about who to use for one’s remodel.

Just as life has no guarantees, neither does anything else in this world, but hopefully you can use the information given here to at least help you make a more informed choice.

Naples DreamMaker does meet all this criteria — we have award winning designers, a quality project manager overseeing construction, a long-time reputation as a good company to use and our number one source of new customers is referrals from past customers. Our number two source is other vendors and companies with whom we do business. If you’re in the Naples area and need a remodel, we are one of the few companies in this area who is praised by local condominium associations for the efficiency of our construction teams.

If you are not in this area, you can utilize the suggestions in this article no matter where you are located to find the right design team for your new project! Just remember, simply put, that quality is your goal.

Whether we like it or not, the light bulb industry has been working towards becoming completely compliant with federal regulations regarding light bulbs over the past many years.   The now considered “old-fashioned” incandescent bulb has been replaced, folks, and while many people squawked and squirmed over the changes — many people hate change of any kind — turns out that the “new” LED lights are actually more efficient and can be used in such a way as to give off as much light as the old incandescent lights did. Yes, they still cost more then the old ones, but they last many years beyond them,  and in the long run are much more cost efficient than the old bulbs.

How does this mean anything at all to you the customer?  Good question and it demands a good answer.

Incandescent bulbs are the cheapest bulbs.  You’ve used them all of your life, so I won’t waste this time and space telling you things you already know perfectly well. I will say this: their life expectancy is anywhere from 750 to 2000 hours.

Halogen lights were and still are fairly popular, though more expensive in comparison, and give off a more natural sunlight type atmosphere.  They must be handled, even while cool, with a cloth or gloved hand as oils from the skin can damage the bulb.   If you don’t mind such pampering care for your light bulbs and you don’t mind the expense, you might like these the best.  In dog talk, think poodle versus labrador.   Life expectancy is 2,000 to 5,000 hours.  Warning — these bulbs get very hot, much hotter than the old-fashioned incandescent bulbs!

Fluorescents are ones you are also probably familiar with if you have ever set foot in a school or a store.   Fluorescent bulbs last longer than the incandescent bulbs or  halogen bulbs, so in today’s green world, perhaps they are a step in the (b)right direction?  They use up 40% less electricity and last 15-20 times longer than the incandescents or the halogens and there’s much to be said for that.  Also, manufacturers have worked hard to offer softer lights from the fluorescent than we experienced in school, so they’re not all that bad really. Many people even prefer them above all others.

Stepping into the ring is one more contender! The LED (light emitting diodes) bulbs are already used in digital clocks, appliances and even traffic signals!  They do not get very warm which is a huge plus in my book! They do not have a filament that burns out — another huge plus!  They are tiny light bulbs that are bunched together to fit an electrical circuit.  They depend on electrical charges of electrons for illumination.   They are  expensive, but will likely last throughout your life in the house, so they are perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.  They have a life of 30,000 to 50,000 hours.   They are highly energy efficient, putting all the rest of the above-mentioned bulbs to shame in that department, especially considering they give off just as much bright light as anything else on the market.

So when you are considering the lighting in your kitchen or bathroom, do take into consideration all the different types of bulbs, their long-term cost efficiency in both purchasing them and in using them,  and make your decision based then on your knowledge of what is available in this day and age.

Here’s hoping you have a (b)right day!

HydroTherapy by Kohler

Kohler has topped themselves this time.  Not only are their tubs and faucets and sinks and toilets some of the prettiest and most well-functioned objects on any designer’s list of wants and musts, now they are offering us sound in our bath water!  Technology continues to grow and as it has grown, it has reached into every crevice of our lives.  Now not only can you enjoy your iPod, MP3 player, Tablet or other device on the way to work or while you work and play at home or elsewhere, but you can also plug it into your bathtub and play it.  The catch here, the difference here, the ultimate luxury here is that the sound comes through the water in your tub and resonates throughout the water and into your body as you soak.

Here is what Kohler has to say about it.

How does it work?

“VibrAcoustic panels broadcast sound waves that travel through the water and gently resound in the body. Strategically positioned throughout the bath to provide the most beneficial effects to the entire body, these panels are concealed under the shell of the bath for a smooth, uninterrupted bathing surface. Music and chromatherapy are choreographed to work in unison with the VibrAcoustic panels for a holistic approach to profound relaxation.

Special speakers hidden behind the shell of the bath emit sound waves that travel through the water to both envelop and gently resound within the body. Each speaker is strategically positioned throughout the bath to provide the most beneficial effects to the entire body.”

For those who might like to see Kohler’s video on this, you can link to their site through our FaceBook page at  FaceBook.com/DreamMakerNaples.

According to the latest news from Kitchen and Bath manufacturers and designers, there is a growing trend in America for nostalgic sinks and fixtures in kitchens.   Farm sinks are the rage at the moment for kitchens.  In case you do not know the difference between a farm sink and a regular sink, the farm sinks are large, usually made of cast iron, and extend across the front of the cabinet.  Regular sinks are dropped down into the cabinet and are fronted by the cabinet itself.

The farm sinks that first reappeared on the market were rather dull, to be honest.  The newest ones, however, are beginning to show creativity to the moon and back! Colors, designs, patterns — all are growing in number where selection is concerned.  Kohler is one of, if not the top manufacturers of kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks, as well.  Their products have been around for quite some time and have rightfully developed the reputation of high quality and being worth the money spent on them.  This is true of their entire line of sinks, baths and faucets.  One can buy a basic sink or faucet from them and fancy is not a requirement, but if you do have a couple of extra dollars to spend in  your kitchen after buying your appliances and cabinetry,  certainly topping it all off with the best and prettiest sinks and faucets you can find is worth every penny.

Some men seem to have a hard time understanding why women oooh and aaah over things like dishwashers and sinks and tubs, but think about it.  Men normally care more about the faucets because that is what they use most often.   Honestly, how many men do the dishes? How many soak in the tub? How many do more than rinse off their plate at the sink after dinner?  Exactly!  So of course, women care more about those items they see the most of and use every day.   So now you can get that big farm sink in red enamel over cast iron and it perfectly matches the new Viking red stove! Or maybe it just matches the curtains over the window above the sink?  Either way, it is not dull and it is gorgeous and after all, would you rather stand at a plain stainless steel sink every night or a beautiful red sink every night?  I know which one I would choose!

Nevertheless, whether you choose a colored sink or a stainless steel one, be sure to pick out one that is quality in design and function and know that whatever you spend on it then, your money will be well-spent.  After all, if you’re going to break open the piggy bank for a new kitchen, you might as well make it count! It is the quality, after all, that allows you to fill that piggy bank back up again in the future.  Poor quality equals money spent later, no matter what you buy.

Probably the least expensive room to remodel is undoubtedly the powder room and/or a small guest bathroom.  This is not to say it is cheap to do, but only that it will cost you less than remodeling an en suite bathroom or a full kitchen.  By all means, the kitchen and the en suite upgrades will be worth every penny in terms of added value to your home or condo, but once those are finished and payments behind you (if you had payments to make),  by all means attack that powder room or guest bathroom with the same fervor and enthusiasm that brought you to remodel the other rooms originally.  After all, a guest’s (or future buyer’s) first opinion of your home could very well be cemented with the look of the powder room in the hallway.   I can verify that by the fact that I myself bought a home long ago in which the powder room off the entrance to the house was so impressive,  everything else in the home automatically looked better to me than it probably actually was.   A little extra zing and luxury in the powder room can have some amazing results impression-wise.   The cost may be a bit higher than one might normally expect for such a tiny room, but the pay off is suprisingly large.   Consider such elements as marble (glossy black or white comes to mind) for the floors and for the countertops,  glass mosaic tiles for the walls, a statement piece of art or better yet, a small crystal chandelier for lighting! Imagine the impact of such a room.  Maybe your taste runs more towards beachfront living or farmhouse decorating.  That, too, can be utilized in a dramatic powder room with cool colors or stark whites,  an antique wood-framed mirror or an old wood-framed window with fading paint as the statement piece.   Beadboard is a very popular wall treatment for beachy looks and try old barn wood for a statement wall in the farmhouse look.   By all means, keep this little room in line with your own taste and it should be an indicator of more to come throughout your home, as well.  If you have an elegant living room and kitchen, a beachy powder room or farmhouse powder room would certainly be out of place.  Keep your theme throughout.  No matter how you decide to decorate your powder room,  one thing is for certain: use only high quality fixtures and long-term elements.  Kohler makes a vast array of beautiful sinks and fixtures that will stand the test of time.  Make this your “for sure” investment in the small room.  If it is a guest or hall full bathroom,  same should hold true for everything from the faucets to the toilet to the tub or shower.  Remember:  you can always switch up your decor, but you only want to replace the expensive elements once, if possible.   So invest in pieces that will last a lifetime or near to it.   While you are planning these rooms, large or small, be sure to use a good remodeler with a designer, one who will listen to you and incorporate your desires and most of all, have fun!  You can make it a project you will enjoy, if you maintain realism and remain flexible as the project progresses toward the finish line.

When the thought first hits you, “Hey, it would be great to remodel our house!”, you may be under the impression that this was your first thought of it, but in reality, the seeds for this exclamation have been planted slowly and methodically along the road of time.  Perhaps it began as long ago as the day you moved into the house, accepting decor decisions of past owners and thinking that it suited your taste, when  deep in your heart you wanted something entirely different.   The reality of your true feelings may not show up for months or years, or could show up the day you first see the house before you even buy it.  Perhaps remodeling has been delayed due to budget concerns or health mishaps have caused delays.  There can be all kinds of reasons for a remodel being delayed.  The Aha! moment of announcing it to be  a great idea to remodel, however, is a culmination of many ideas you have gathered along the way which have just now surfaced into a conscious decision to proceed.   If you are like most people, your newfound “want”  is your starting point to sharing this with people outside of your immediate home.   Now you feel ready to “begin” your search for what it is you truly want your kitchen (or bath or bedroom, etc.) to become.

This is the point that many people make the mistake of thinking their first decision should be all about the decor itself.  The first set and firm decision should be which remodeler to use and the following factors should weigh heavily in that decision:

1.  Reputation amongst past customers:  Is most of their business from referrals by past customers or second and third jobs being done for past customers?  Nobody returns to a bad remodeler.   This is your first sign, though not your only indicator.

2.  Every remodeler you consider should have on staff at least one certified designer with experience in remodeling of kitchens and baths.  Why?  It’s simple:  the designer is the one who will take from you  your ideas and desires for your new room and put together all those elements into a visible possibility that you can see and touch.   She/he will save you hours and days and possibly weeks of searching and looking and comparing, all of which will, believe me, wear you out!  It is possible to be so tired after that kind of process that you no longer even care if the house gets a remodel or not!  So let the designer do his/her job and put your feet up and get ready to make the decisions without quite so much footwork and worry.

3.  Showrooms, while not absolutely necessary, are a good indicator of success for any remodeler.  Just think about it.  If you only have reputation of the general contractor and a good designer, but nothing visible to see what they can do or what products they usually work with, nothing to judge the quality of their past work other than pictures, no place to meet with them outside of your home, wouldn’t you feel it was more than just a little bit of a  fly-by-night organization?  So whichever remodeler you work with, you should have access to samples, displays, and a place to meet that is comfortable and pleasant.

4.  The Production Manager for any remodeler is vital to their work being done correctly and on time.  You can have a reputable contractor with a good designer and a terrific showroom, but if the production team cannot produce what is wanted and in a timely manner, headaches will ensue!   The title of  “carpenter” does not automatically mean that person can build anything.  There are many men/women in this world who refer to themselves as a “carpenter”,  but it will behoove you to use a firm that employs a trained manager-carpenter who oversees all the jobs, making certain details are carried out correctly by all carpenters on the job.  This is, after all, the stage of the project where your dreams + designer’s vision become reality, so you want it to be done right!

In summary, if you choose your remodeler first based on this REST theory (see #1-4 above),  everything else will probably fall into place in a reasonable fashion.  Do expect more time for the contractor to finish if you make changes after your initial order has begun to be put into action or if a shipment is delayed……but that is another article for another day!

When remodeling your kitchen or your bath or any other part of your home, for that matter, having at your disposal the time and talents of a good designer are essential to achieving one’s dream room(s).  Most people understand this concept of designer equals dream-come-true.  What many do not understand, however, is that the greatest design ever created cannot be executed without a really good construction team backing the designer, executing the designs in such a way that they become a reality instead of just a plan on paper.   As a matter of fact, there are so many intricate details involved in designing and creating any remodel,  the average person would feel overwhelmed just looking at the total picture.  

To say that a company has mostly referrals as their customers is saying much more than just “they liked the design”, though that indeed is a crucial factor in overall happiness with any job.   A company whose construction teams follow the rules of the condominiums or homeowners’ associations, who are careful with the surroundings in the home that are not involved in the remodel (cover and protect), and who treat the homeowner and their home with utmost respect, a production manager who communicates with the homeowner and designer readily — these are important factors to consider when remodeling one’s home and I dare say as important as the design itself.   After all, what good is a design if the designer has nobody who can carry that design out for him/her? 

We believe at Naples DreamMaker that we have not only great designers, but great guts to our company, as well, in the construction people supporting them.  Perhaps that is why the great majority of our business comes from referrals.

Gone are the days of pink toilets and aqua bathtubs, you say?  Guess again because companies of prestige in the decorating world, including one of the leaders in the industry — Kohler — are seeking to change the now long-held trend of white fixtures for the bath and kitchen.  I must say that the new fixtures of color tend to be in much more exciting shades of every rainbow color than the ones from the 1960′s that left such an indelible mark on the memories and nightmares of every designer this side of the Mississippi.  As a matter of fact, the shades that are available for kitchen sinks, in particular cast iron farm sinks, are downright gorgeous and will be a source of temptation to every woman with even a tiny streak of Bohemian dare-devil in her decorating taste. 

As for the new shades of tubs and bathroom sinks, perhaps it’s the redesign of the shapes of such fixtures rather than the color that enthralls me, but this writer is not terribly offended by the new trend in color and can actually see  the beauty of having a faint blue tint to the sink and tub.  Just think of the endless possibilities of it all.

Click on the link below to see our advertisement from eBella magazine about the seminar held tonight at Naples DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen from 5 to 7 pm. 

If you missed this one, please call us to reserve a spot in the next seminar!  Give us a call today if you want to attend.

Gerald and Meriam, along with our designers, Lydsey Davis and Nichole Claprood, will greet you with food and information tonight.  I cannot think of a better combination for an enjoyable evening!

gerald@naplesdreammaker.com_20120517_131356