BALANCE,HGTV BUDGETS AND WHERE TO PUT THE DISHWASHER

There are certain misconceptions in our industry that I see over and over again.  Today I thought I'd take the opportunity to educate and illuminate.  Sometimes you can come up with a much more interesting design if you are not limited by these "urban legends of kitchen design".  As they say "free your mind"!  Think again, leave the box, so to speak.  Here are three big ones to start the ball rolling.
SYMMETRY, WHAT GOES RIGHT MUST GO LEFT? NO!
Not true.  Giving up symmetry doesn’t mean you have to give up balance.  In fact sometimes a balanced asymmetrical wall is  more visually interesting.  It’s okay not to have a mirror image. Sometimes you have to get creative with balance due to the constraints of the architecture your working with.  Check out the following samples from my inspiration stash.
WHY ISN'T IT THE SAME PRICE AS HGTV? Some of my peers have already addressed this but it bears repeating.  Any kitchen budget that I have ever seen on HGTV is completely unrealistic.  Where they obtain these figures is a mystery to me.  Think about it.  They can pretty much say what they want  and they don't even have to be held accountable!  The end result is you, the viewer, are left with a false impression and a budget that lies woefully short.  Please understand that a kitchen remodel is all about details and every kitchen is different.  It also takes a lot longer than half an hour in real life! I must confess that I do love how Candice Olsen seems to pull her design choices  out of her a_ _ , all beautifully coordinated!  Not to mention what she can do with a Sharpie!
THE DISHWASHER ALWAYS GOES ON THE LEFT, OR RIGHT?
This is one issue for which there is no hard fast rule.  Some people think it's a certain way because that's what they've always had or that it's based on your dominant hand.  None of this is true.  Dishwasher location depends on two things which are the space you have and what's comfortable for  the way you work.  The dishwasher is the second most important component of the clean up zone in your kitchen, the main player being your sink.  Except  in rare space challenged cases, these should always be next door to each other.  The third component of the clean-up triad is your garbage receptacle.  If space allows you to include a cabinet with pull out trash/recycle bins it should ideally be located on the other side of the sink, the sink always  in between the dishwasher and the trash.  Think about it, you stand at the sink, scrape your plates, rinse if necessary (but not too much) and load the dishwasher.  It can be right to left or left to right, whatever feels right for you.

 

Dishwasher on the right in this case with sink in the middle and pull out trash on
the left.
If you have your own questions about what is correct, or not, shoot me an email and I will give you my take.

HIGH END FOR LESS, SCAM OR REALITY?

There is a topic entitled "High End for Less" floating around on one of my Linked In groups on line.   As a result of the changing economy, many consumers seem to be under the impression that we in the kitchen and bath industry, are so desperate we will cut them some wild unrealistic deal.    Some of this is in fact due to misleading advertising.  You know the ads, COMPLETE KITCHEN WITH GRANITE COUNTER TOPS FOR $1,500!  Perhaps they think we love our business so so much that the love is enough for us to pay our bills.  Please don't spend a penny without doing your homework.  You can start your exploration using the internet and magazines but the next step is to share your thoughts and research with a qualified professional who you can collaborate with to achieve an end product that will stand the test of time.  This professional is a critical part of your kitchen investment.We don't expect to hire an architect, interior designer, doctor, therapist, life coach, tutor etc. for nothing.  However as a kitchen designer, it is so common to encounter potential clients who expect us to give up all our ideas, for nothing.  It is realistic to expect that for a well thought out professional design that fits your needs you will have to pay for it.  It's only right.  You get what you pay for still rules, even now.  I've often heard a theory that goes something like this: Three considerations on any project are good quality, quick service and low price.  Realistically you get to pick two of those.  You won't get three.  Think about it.  On a lighter note, check out this YouTube video that PERFECTLY illustrates my point. (I can feel you kitchen designers out there smirking;) http://youtu.be/R2a8TRSgzZY

KITCHEN PRICE IS RIGHT, NOT

 I can’t begin to write this post without referencing the inspiration for it, Corey over at Design Kula and Kelly over at Kelly’s Kitchen Sync.  Check out what they had to say after you read my post.Today’s semi-rant is all about the REAL price of a new kitchen. Corey states that so many clients are unprepared and have not done their homework. While I agree that is certainly true for some, I find many consumers have informed themselves about products and design, to a certain extent. The total disconnect, to me, is the PRICE! I don’t hate HGTV. I watch it and I find the shows to be fun and inspiring. The problem is that the “budgets” are so far off, it does a disservice to us all. When a client is faced with real pricing, including all the details they don’t have time to mention on a 30 minute program, we are the bad guys.Secondly, when you decide to venture into the world of kitchen remodeling remember what I always say, the best projects are the result of great collaborations. That means if you have a budget in your head, by all means, SHARE it! I often find that clients, for some reason, feel this is a closely guarded secret that shall not be divulged. We can’t assist you if you withhold information.  These days I expect to hear almost any amount.  Once I know it I can suggest what you CAN do and save time for both of us.  Oh and if you honestly don’t have a clue what anything costs,  then go back to step one and do your homework.