How to Choose the Right Depth for Your Sink

It’s good to have a nice, wide kitchen sink that offers enough space for food prep and cleanup. But if you think bigger is always better, think again.

Kitchen sinks these days offer a variety of options. The average depth today is 8 to 10 inches, some even go 12 inches deep; repurposed vintage sinks are usually on the shallow side. To avoid back strain, sore neck, and cluttered space, consider how you use your existing sink. For an instance, a deeper sink can keep splashing to a minimum but if it’s too deep, chances are you and your kids might be uncomfortable using it.  

If you are in deep thoughts, these easy tips will help in selecting the correct bowl depth for your needs:

When to Go Shallow

A shallow bowl depth of less than 8 inches is a comfortable depth for those who are shorter (5’4” or less in height) or taller (6’2” in height). A shorter person can work well in a shallow sink without having to lean too much to wash dishes in the bottom; taller folks won’t have to hunch over or crouch down.

Because they take up less space, shallow sinks also give you more storage space. It is easier to install and costs less than deep versions.

When to Go Deep

If you need more space in prepping meals and hiding dirty dishes, a deep sink is ideal. A sink depth of at least 10 inches will allow you to wash larger dishes and pans without splashing water all over the surrounding surface. Those who are fond of baking or who are washing large pots, sheet pans, and cutting boards will also love a functional and durable deep sink.

Choosing a properly designed kitchen sink is all about finding one that’s just right for your height and your needs. Explore showrooms that have a wide range of sizes on display and see what depth feels comfortable.

Visit www.milanstoneworks.com today to see how we can help transform your living space.

Home Remodeling: Kitchen, Bath, & Living Room

Creative home remodeling can be a fun and fulfilling venture. By working on these projects now, you and your family will truly enjoy all the comfort and convenience of a brand new home.

We recently worked in partnership with Orlando Construction, Inc. for this project in Vancouver. See how the renovation team transformed the family room, kitchen, and bathroom. Head over to their Facebook page for more photos.

Living Room

Before -- Needs a new fireplace façade

After -- A perfect spot to gather with family and friends.

Kitchen

Before -- Pristinely white kitchen

After -- The stunning semi-gloss floor provides just enough sheen to reflect light around the kitchen

It’s amazing how a new countertop can give the kitchen a fresh new look!

One of the kitchen trends today is making the kitchen island highly functional. In this case, the stove is integrated into the work station.

With this kitchen island, the wonderful homeowners can enjoy a clutter-free space.

Laundry Room

Gone are the days of unfinished loads in the dark basement. Who wouldn’t love doing laundry in this space?

Bathroom

 

Before -- Needs a little bit of color accent to revamp this bathroom

After -- A cozy retreat to enjoy each time you walk through the door

     

Improved lighting, updated fixtures.

       

Classic yet functional. The renovation is perfect for this home!

The vanity paired with crisp stylish accents gives the room a good contrast of vibrancy and classic simplicity.

As you can see from the photos, the remodeling project turned out beautiful which is always an exciting part of our job! We can help you plan and customize your dream kitchen, bath, or living room. Our extensive network of professional contractors will come in on time and on budget. Learn how by visiting our website at www.milanstoneworks.com

2014 Kitchen Trend: Open Shelving, Glass-Front Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets used to be a place to tuck away dishes and hide boxes behind solid doors. But this year, the latest kitchen trend is open shelving, according to the Zillow Digs Home Design Trend Report for 2014. If you don’t want to be left out, here are some tips from Kerrie Kelly, the principal designer and owner of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab in Sacramento.

Match your kitchen style

The glass-front cabinets aren’t just for modern spaces; they work well in any kitchen style. According to Kelly, you should focus on using only one or two materials and be creative in your installation with whatever materials you choose. Painted cabinets with glass fronts and statement knobs would look great in traditional or country-style kitchen, while sleek, flat-front cabinets will make a contemporary space stand out.

Display kitchen items

Aside from picking cabinets to match your kitchen, choose accessories and kitchenware that will go with the overall look. Since glass-front cabinets will showcase your items, Kelly suggests you curate statement pieces and let your collection grow with you and your space. Try spices, olive oil, cookbooks, and glass jars filled with oatmeal or dried fruits.

Try experimenting with DIY shelving

Updating your cabinets to match these trends could be an easy do-it-yourself project that can be done over the weekend and provides great versatility. Kelly recommends removing doors on one of your cabinets, and painting or adding wallpaper inside the open-shelf walls to create a unique touch.

Add the look elsewhere

Open shelving is not exclusive for the kitchen; you can have this throughout the entire home especially in the bathroom vanities. Kelly reminds homeowners to get creative with shelving units and try incorporating vintage pieces with sleek colors for a chic storage solution in any living space.

Would you try this out in your own kitchen? We’d love to know!

Get Your Kitchen Ready for Christmas

Christmas is coming soon! This is the time of the year when life gets a lot busier. You may be thinking of potlucks and dinner parties and start to feel the giddy anticipation of hosting a festive-get together. Despite our high expectations, holiday stress often comes uninvited. But keep in mind there is a better way to make Christmas enjoyable and less stressful. The secret: plan ahead.

Your guests will be spending more time in the kitchen so it’s important to get organized and clean every nook. Here are some of the ways you can make your kitchen ready to take on guests while preventing major cleanup later.

Remove clutter from countertops. Get rid of mail, bills, and recipe books lying around. Keep paperwork off your kitchen and make sure all surfaces are sparkling clean.

Clean the microwave. Some of your guests might offer to help you warm up food. we’re pretty sure you don’t want them to see a food-splattered microwave.

Check your refrigerator. Your fridge will be opened and closed continuously and will soon be filled with heavy dishes. The door handles and gaskets should be tight, cold air vents must be clean, and lights should be working properly.

Stock your kitchen properly. If some of your guests have allergies or are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, take these into consideration and prepare dishes accordingly. Aside from alcoholic drinks, make sure to offer other beverages as well.

Create a cooking schedule. Prepping ahead of time will help you keep things organized during the holiday celebration. You can chop some of the veggies and store them properly. Potato dishes and casseroles can also be put in a baking pan ahead of time.

Disinfect trash cans. Clean them before your expected holiday party. Wash them with a garden hose and dish soap and disinfect with a cleaning spray. Keep extra trash bags, too.

Check your dishwasher. Aside from your fridge, the dishwasher will also be used a lot after the dinner party. Make sure it’s running efficiently and the drain is free of any residue. Check if there are broken glasses or lost utensils at the bottom. Remove any gunk by wiping off the rim of the door.

Get your serveware ready. Take an inventory of supplies you need - cookware, serveware, cooking oils, canned goods, and other pantry necessities. Have your knives sharpened for the honey-baked ham so you can serve it to your guests in an instant. Get your plates, utensils, and cloth napkins ready.

Take precautionary measures. Make sure everything is childproof. The kids may hang around and play. Plugs should be covered, lamps and other fragile items must be put off the table edges. Double check your smoke detector and CO2 detector batteries, and replace them if necessary. Have a fire extinguisher ready, too. Complete your first aid kit so you're always ready to respond to minor medical emergencies.

Did we miss anything in the list? Share your best holiday tips in the comments below.

From everyone at Milan Stoneworks, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. We hope you're all having a fantastic holiday!

Simple Kitchen Makeovers

The kitchen is definitely the busiest room in the house as it serves a lot of function - from cooking to eating, entertaining, and family gatherings.

Although a kitchen remodel is one of the most expensive home improvement projects, it is a great way to give dull kitchen a new life. Many homeowners choose to repaint walls, change cabinet hardware, and upgrade appliances to freshen the look. Here are more options for simple upgrades:

Redesign the work triangle
Creating an efficient kitchen mainly depends on layout options for a perfect work triangle. The kitchen work triangle connects the three main work areas - the sink, the range, and the refrigerator. You don't want these cramped, blocked, or too far apart.

Read more about kitchen layouts and work triangles

Create a space for your kids
Consider adding a few stools in the kitchen where your kids can have an informal place to eat. Make sure you keep snacks and beverages within their reach.

Modify existing cabinets
Sturdy wood cabinets go for a long run. You can also replace the knobs, pulls, and hinges and consider a fresh coat of paint to brighten up old cabinets. For a brand new look, refacing can be done or you can change the doors if possible.

Make appliances look new
You can simply replace worn-out stove knobs, burner plates, and glass cooktops which can be ordered from the manufacturer. If you want to show your DIY prowess, you can transform outdated appliances including your fridge, dishwasher, and oven using cabinet fronts, specialty appliance paint, and stainless steel films.

Give an old floor a new life
Refinish hardwood floor and add stenciled borders or stain it with the color of your choice. To bring back the original luster of stone flooring, consider hiring a professional.

Spruce up your counter
There are many ways where we can help revamp your kitchen with new countertops. We can professionally polish your existing solid surface or stone countertop to remove marks or install a brand new countertop you’ll surely love. You can also replace your sink, faucet, and backsplash to complement the overall look.

Do you have a dream wish list for your kitchen? If you can dream it, we can make it! Visit www.milanstoneworks.com today or call 503.232.6206 for a no obligation quote for your new kitchen.

How to Choose the Right Kitchen Faucet

If you’ve been reading our blog over the past few months, you probably know your options for countertops and some great picks for kitchen islands, sinks, and backsplashes. In this post, let’s talk faucets.

Whether you are replacing an old faucet or selecting a new one for your remodeling plan, there are different factors to consider. Because faucets are one of the most frequently used fixtures at home, they should be selected to complement your kitchen sink.

So what constitutes to a good faucet? Before the water starts to flow, take a look at this guide on getting a high quality faucet:

• When replacing an existing faucet, make sure the new one has the same number of holes in the deck of the sink. For faucets with integrated handle and spout, one hole is needed for the handle/spout and another separate hole for a sprayer. Traditional faucets usually have three holes for the taps and spout and a fourth for a sprayer. For a new sink, you can put any holes you need to fit in the faucet of your choice.

• Most faucets have either one handle that you can turn directionally to adjust water temperature or two handles to mix in hot and cold. Other one-piece faucets have a handle attached to the faucet unit or are placed to the side in the same position of the sprayer. A variety of faucet handles to choose from include the classic rounded X-shaped tap and an easy-access lever shape.

• Consider a sink sprayer to wash down any collected food waste from the sink. Some newer models have sprayers integrated right into the faucet itself. You can also add a soap dispenser which is mounted alongside or near the spray.

• A standard kitchen spout rises only a bit higher than the body of the faucet. If you use bulky pots and pans, you should get a tall, curved neck faucet to easily rinse big pots thoroughly.

• You may opt for a water filtration faucet mounted directly to your sink and have it attached to the faucet itself with a built-in filtering mechanism. Think about the maintenance requirements as well.

• Some faucets can be mounted from the top while others are from the bottom. There are different types of faucet mechanism - ball valve, ceramic disk, compression valve and cartridge. Choose whichever appeals to you as it won’t necessarily make a big impact in functionality. Take note that some are easier to repair than others.

When carefully selected, a good faucet can offer exceptional day-to-day convenience in the kitchen. Look for quality features, style and finishes that matches your overall design.

Come and visit Milan Stoneworks today - we’re glad to help you on your next kitchen remodeling project!

How to Create a Halloween-themed Kitchen

Halloween is fast approaching! It’s actually one of the most exciting times of the year. You can dress up in fun costumes, decorate your pumpkins, and enjoy devilishly delightful food. One of our favorite rooms to make over is the kitchen – where the preparation for the Halloween party takes place. 

Here are some ideas to up the spook factor in your home without all the extra clutter:

• Leave your kids in awe by switching out some orange bulbs creating a nice effect on the mirrors and lamps, just like what Vel Criste did. She bought everything else from the Dollar Store on clearance. She wrapped a creepy black fabric around the chandelier and window. Every other piece she either had on hand or bought on sale.

• If you want a nostalgic appeal of old-fashioned Halloween for a vintage party flair, you can add traditional decors like images of black cats, carved pumpkins, and other vintage decor. We also loved this kitchen when we first saw it on Houzz.

• Decorate a small area in your kitchen with piled pumpkins in gray/green and white to create an elegant display, like this countertop.

• Halloween decor is meant to be classy, fun and cheeky. Shelley Smith made almost everything on her own and others were snagged from thrift shops and dollar stores. The tableware is simple white with handmade vinyl decals. You can do that for your dining room, too!

• If you want to transform your outdoor centerpiece, use mini pumpkins that are hollowed out and punched with holes to make dramatic lanterns, like in this patio.

Milan Stoneworks wishes you a Happy Halloween (in advance). We’re as excited as you are! In the meantime, leave us some candy corns, wormy burgers, or blood colored cocktails.

Fall Maintenance Tips for Your Home

As the leaves change and the days get shorter, you have to make sure your home is ready to handle the cold weather. In order to keep your home running smoothly and to avoid costly repairs later, it’s time to start thinking about seasonal maintenance.

Schedule a tune up with a technician. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a scheduled tune-up for your heating system can provide efficiency and comfort. They will ensure there’s no leakage so you’re not stuck with a broken heater.

Reverse the air. This is also the time to reverse ceiling fans. Doing this will help to circulate the hot air, distributing the heat more evenly and cutting down the need to turn up the heater.

Change the filters in your home. If you have a central air conditioning system, make sure you have changed your air filter. For a wall air conditioning unit, you can place a waterproof cover over it to prevent damage.

Fill in the gaps: Check your windows for any leaks that may compromise heating efficiency and ensure the seal and caulking around the frame is in good condition. Purchase a plastic sealing from the hardware store if you feel cold air coming in and place it around the window to keep the heat from escaping. Don’t forget to check your doors too, and fix their weather-stripping.

Prepare your fireplace. Some people prefer to use their fireplace than the central heater during fall and winter days. To allow the air to move freely through the chimney, discard old ashes and make sure the damper is open. If you feel the air is becoming cold, close the damper immediately after cleaning. The handle and springs should be working properly. If necessary, you can hire a professional chimney sweep.

Check the roof for leaks and clean the gutters. Carefully inspect your roof for any missing or broken tiles to prevent damage when it rains. The flashing around your chimney and any openings in the roof should be free from any leakage problems. Make sure to clear gutters from leaves, dirt, and pine needles and check downspouts for damage or loose pieces.

Yard maintenance. Trim trees and bushes away from the house. Rake the leaves into piles and dispose them properly. Drain outdoor faucets, garden hoses and sprinkler systems.

Are there other tasks you incorporate into your fall schedule? Share it with us below!

7 Fall-Inspired Ways to Decorate Your Fireplace

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but when the temperature is dropping along with the leaves, the fireplace becomes a contender. Autumn brings cozy thoughts and makes you turn to the warmth and comfort of a roaring fire. If you’re in the mood for a change, it would be fun to get inspired with these festive fireplace decorating ideas:

• The simplest way to decorate a fireplace mantel is to place pumpkins, wreath, and candles creatively.

• A vintage touch is popular and carries intense fall colors. You can add a board with your favorite quote written on it.

• Use rustic and nature-inspired theme that screams autumn and other antique goodies. For an instance, you can use giant acorn, yarn wreath, and other antique goodies.

• Be more imaginative and expand your horizons to the entire living room to bring out a seasonal spark. Warm draperies and a blanket over the arm chair are a great addition.

• If you’re not a fan of traditional décor, you can appreciate the beauty in the minimal details. You can use glass vases and other items that compliment the fall hues.

• One of the joys of autumn is sitting around a fire roasting marshmallows and sipping cider. But you don’t have to camp out to do that. You can transform your backyard and deck into a cozy haven.

Have you started decorating for autumn? What were your favorite features in these great outdoor spaces? Share it with us!

Design Ideas: 5 Most Popular Kitchen Layouts

Whether you’re designing a brand new kitchen or remodeling an old one, a solid floor plan is the key to a well-functioning space. The first thing to consider is the layout of the kitchen, the shape made by the arrangement of appliances, storage, sink, and countertop. This creates a work triangle – the path formed by the sink, cooktop, and refrigerator.

There are five main kitchen layouts: single, galley, U, G, and L-shaped. Each kitchen can be enhanced with the right accents.

Single Wall. Others love this kind of layout because of its simplicity. Also known as the I-shaped kitchen, this is ideal for small apartments and open lofts.                                                       

Galley. Just like the I-shaped kitchen, this is an efficient and simple pattern but more flexible for modern lifestyles. The work stations face each other in parallel walls. Some homeowners take out the walls to add a table and seating or create a stack storage to maximize the space.

U-shaped. This is the most versatile layout for kitchens of all sizes. For larger kitchens, an island is usually added.

G-shaped. A variation of the U-shaped, it links the kitchen to the dining area with a common counter surface. You can add a small island but a peninsula is a better choice.

L-shaped. This layout is created on two adjacent walls, fits almost any style, and provides an efficient work area making it popular in today’s multi-purpose kitchens.

Now that you’ve seen the options available, you can create a kitchen plan that works for you, your family, and your changing needs.

Tell us: What type of kitchen layout do you plan on using?