Ten Easy Kitchen Projects to Spruce Up Your Home

For most homeowners, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. It’s a place to cook meals, bond with the family, entertain guests, you name it. This can also mean that there’s a lot of stuff to fix, replace, organize, and clean! And you need to stay on top of what needs to be done. Here are 10 simple projects for your kitchen:

Get a new kitchen sink. This is probably the stuff that gets used the most so it’s very important to get the right one for your space and replace it if necessary. These easy tips will help you choose the right sink

Replace your kitchen faucet or pick a new one. If you have a broken faucet that can’t be fixed, you can replace it or pick a different type to help define the style of your kitchen. Take a look at this guide on getting a high quality faucet

Install a kitchen backsplash. This can either be a relatively simple DIY project or a work with the help from a professional contractor. This is a great way to change the look and feel of your kitchen. Here are a few tips to help you navigate through the process

Add storage to your backsplash. Now that you’ve got a new backsplash installed, you want to make better use of it by adding storage for hanging pans, pots, and utensils.

Reface or paint your kitchen cabinets. Refacing is an affordable way to give your gloomy cabinets a new life. Or if refacing isn’t your style, clean them and brush on some new paint. This is another budget-friendly option than replacing.

Get new cabinet knobs and pulls. There are a variety of styles to choose from and a new kitchen hardware can make a big impact on the look and feel of your cabinets and the entire room.

Organize everything. This is an easy weekend task that you can accomplish. Arrange the pantry, shelves, drawers, counter, and appliances and keep everything in order. That way, you can maximize your storage space.

Clean tile grout. No one enjoys cleaning grout. It can be a tedious work especially when it contains hard-to-remove stains. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. A store-bought tile grout cleaner offers good results, or you can use something homemade.

Make a stand for tablets and cookbooks. If cooking apps and recipe books are a must-have for your kitchen, making a stand or purchasing one is a practical solution. This little accessory can make your life in the kitchen a breeze.

Put a fresh shine to old counter. Give your countertop a new sparkle by cleaning the surface with soapy water and a dedicated cleaner. For an instance, you can keep your granite in tip-top shape with these tips.

If you are looking to replace your countertop, visit www.milanstoneworks.com or give us a call for your free estimate today!

Get the Dream Kitchen You’ve Always Wanted with These Tips

To create your dream kitchen, you should have a clear vision. It all boils down to making smart choices and staying within the budget.

Whether you're redecorating or totally remodeling, these tips will get you started:

Get measurements. You should have a clear idea of the dimensions of your current layout. A tape measure is going to be your best friend.

Weigh the pros and cons. Determine what you like about your existing kitchen features and what you like to improve on.

Set goals. Make a list of all your makeover plans - from simple tasks to accomplish, overhauls, and the decorative elements.

Create a collection of stylish ideas. Save or print out photos of kitchen setups from magazines, websites, or you can even snap a shot of kitchens you come across at you’re the homes of your friends.

Prioritize your goals. Define your priorities while being realistic and keeping practicality in mind.

Decide what you can afford. You should be able to come up with a reasonable budget and make a sound investment. After deciding on the general layout, you’ll need to determine the components that go with it. The choices for countertops, faucets, sinks, cabinets, flooring, lighting fixtures, backsplash, kitchen island, and appliances are many so you need to choose wisely.

Be patient. Remodeling usually takes time so be sure to plan adequately and anticipate the days you are not able to use your kitchen.

Let’s build your new kitchen that feels like home! Visit www.milanstoneworks.com for a free estimate.

Eco-Friendly Quartz Countertops: Quick Facts & Our Top Picks

Does your kitchen look more drab than fab? Consider revamping it with eco-friendly quartz.

Replacing countertops is probably the most enticing kitchen improvement you can make. Whether you are on a budget or can afford something luxe, it’s smart to go green. Plus, making a switch to sustainable natural stone product won’t change the resale value of your home.

Sustainable materials, such as Caesarstone Quartz, Staron quartz, and PentalQuartz, are just as stunning as traditional countertops. Not convinced? Check out these quick facts about natural quartz:

• A Greener Option. Quartz countertops qualify towards LEED certification points. Comprised of 93% quartz stone, they are more environment-friendly than other natural stone.

• High-durability. Being the 4th hardest mineral on earth, quartz won’t crack or chip.

• Low-maintenance. Quartz countertops are non-porous and resistant to stains and bacteria buildup. There are no sealing requirements and special cleaning rules to follow.

• Generous warranties. Depending on the manufacturer, quartz countertops come with 10, 15, and even lifetime warranties.

• Greenguard Certified. Quartz countertops have zero VOCs and are approved to bear the Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified mark. This is one of the meaningful certifications you should seek as you sort through countless choices of materials.

At Milan Stoneworks, we care about the environment while installing only the best products in your home. These are a few examples of quartz products that we are proud to carry:

• CaesarStone Quartz. Comprised of 93% natural quartz, with its stain, scratch, and heat-resistant properties, CaesarStone is the ideal choice for carefree countertops. CaesarStone introduces the first of its kind lifetime warranty - the only warranty that covers your surface for as long as you own your home.

• Staron Quartz Surfaces. Staron quartz is a non-porous product. It is highly resistant to bacterial growth and stains such as red wine, cooking oil, and other spills. Thus, making the product virtually maintenance free, since, it doesn't require sealing or periodic polishing.

• LG Viatera. Unlike Granite or Marble, LG Viatera does not need topical sealing, allowing lasting beauty with very little maintenance. LG Viatera appeals to those who prefer the elegant look of stone, but desire a product that is easy to maintain and like all LG countertop surfacing products, is backed by the industry leading 15 year warranty.

• PentalQuartz. PentalQuartz will complement your home décor for years to come, is easy to care for and requires little maintenance. Highly heat, stain, and scratch resistant, it is designed to withstand whatever life throws its way. Its timeless beauty is suitable for every room in your home -- from kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities to bar tops and tub surrounds. Moreover, it is naturally nonporous which prevents mold and other microbes from growing, without harmful chemical treatments.

Need inspiration for your next remodel? Visit our showroom and we’ll show you how we’ve used sustainable materials in projects with other customers.

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.