Organizing Tips for Coffee and Tea Stations

For some, the kitchen isn't complete without a place intended for sipping a good ol’ cup of joe. Brewing coffee or getting a quick tea break seem like a no-brainer, but having a cozy nook around will make you enjoy your beverage experience.

Here, you will find hot ideas for enhancing your coffee and tea stations:

• Did you know tea is said to be the second most popular beverage next to water? Purchase a nice teakettle and pull it out in the morning and at night. When not in use, it can be a great decorative piece on your counter. For easy access, keep your water and tea leaves close to the heat source.

• Drawer inserts with dividers near the stove top can be used in storing your beverage ingredients. It’s a great way to organize your tea stash into greens, blacks, herbals, etc.

• Let’s move on to the third most popular beverage – coffee. Aside from tea bags, you can also stock that drawer with coffee beans.

• For those who consider coffee as the only beverage that matters, incorporating a built-in coffee machine in the kitchen is suggested. Ideal placement would be just above counter height, outside the immediate work zone but in close proximity to the seating area.

• If you still prefer the traditional coffee maker and don’t want to see the cords hanging, you can store it in your designated beverage station.

• Just like the teakettle, your cups can be presented in style after use. Undercabinet hooks are a great option.

Are you a tea lover, a die-hard coffee fan, or both? Do you have a coffee/tea setup in your kitchen? Share it with us!

Installing a New Kitchen Backsplash

A backsplash can set a focal point in your kitchen, giving a distinct sense of style and balance between the other elements.

When it comes to material, color, and size, your options for kitchen backsplashes are limitless. But then again, you have to choose what’s best for your lifestyle. If you have a kitchen makeover coming up, here are a few tips to help you navigate through the process of installing a new backsplash:

• Pick the kind of backsplash you’d like to add in your kitchen. Do you want ceramic tile patterns? How about custom murals? Visualize the end result, research quality materials, meet with a trusted contractor, and visit showrooms to help you decide.

• Get the exact measurements to determine the size of the materials you need. A good rule of thumb is to order 10% more of the amount of square feet to give room for breakage or the unlikely mistakes on the job.

• The cost for labor and materials vary. Make sure to ask your contractor to give you a ballpark estimate.

• Installing a kitchen backsplash can either be a DIY project or a task that can be left for the pros. If the materials are expensive, your best bet is to hire a professional tiler.

• The best time to do this project is during or after a kitchen remodel. It can take a couple of days to several weeks to plan and acquire the materials. If your material of choice is in stock, you can get it in a few days but for custom orders, it can take 6 to 8 weeks. Once you have the materials, you can install them within two to three days depending on the complexity of the design.

Are you ready for an amazing kitchen makeover? Contact Milan Stoneworks today! We have a team of skilled professionals to make your renovation a success.