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 If you want to show your DIY prowess, you can transform outdated appliances including your fridge, dishwasher, and oven using cabinet fronts, specialty appliance paint, and stainless steel films.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?

Build a Wine Cellar You Can Be Proud Of

Do you keep a wine chilling in the fridge or leave bottles stacked on the counter? If not, then you are a true wine enthusiast. You know that everything about wine is an art - from making it to packaging, and storing it. Whether you are a wine newbie or a seasoned connoisseur, these tips and design ideas will help you showcase your growing wine collection.

Make use of the space you have. No matter how big or small, a carefully selected location can unleash the connoisseur inside you. This is the most important aspect to consider when building a wine cellar. Basements or a corner space that has no direct sunlight are recommended. When selecting a location, you should understand the basics. A properly built wine cellar will make the space functional and appealing.

Control the climate. Install a wine cooling unit that also controls humidity and removes excess moisture. There are many products available in the market today from the simple through-wall unit to a wine-room specific HVAC system.

Ensure proper insulation. Interior designer Mark Cravotta of Cravotta Studios recommends treating the shell by creating a moisture barrier on the outside of every wall plus the floor and the ceiling, as well as adding closed-cell foam insulation to prevent condensation buildup and mold.

Choose proper lighting. You can make storing wine truly an art with the lights on. The type of light you choose will not only protect your wines from exposure to excessive heat but also create a stunning effect. LED lighting is a great choice over the normal incadescents and halogen bulbs. LEDs can give emphasis on arches and add a comforting glow to the display racking and are widely-used because of its energy efficiency, low-heat emissions and versatility. Having LED based wine room lights can be pretty expensive but because of the amazing life span, you will save money in the long run.

Don’t forget the doorway seal. Consider the need to create a seal in the doorway. Glass doors allow the best viewing into your wine cellar. To ensure optimal wine cellar sealing, an insulated door equipped with weather-stripping is recommended, such as an exterior-grade, insulated door or a dual paned glass.

Consider a tracking system. For those who have larger collections, a tracking system will assist you with your wine inventory. There are easy-to-use wine management software programs available today and they make wine cellar management a lot more fun.

Create an artful storage. The secret to a classy wine cellar is how you store and display your wine. Before storing your bottles, decide how you want to admire your collection. Do you prefer a custom racking system or a bulk storage and display? Or maybe you want something that fits your budget like ready-made metal or pine racks? Keep in mind that the best cellar showcases the finest wines while allowing you to enjoy the pleasant aura.

If you are interested in building a wine cellar that meets your standards, we are happy to help. Contact Milan Stoneworks today!