Update your kitchen without a complete remodel
January 18th, 2012
You may love your existing cabinets, but be looking to change something in your kitchen. Maybe you want to make your kitchen more functional without redoing the whole room. Take for example the couple from Bucks County who recently came into our Sycamore Kitchens design studio at 123 N. Sycamore Street in Newtown. They have custom cabinets that are lovely, but they want a new island for their kitchen. We can’t match their cabinets because we didn’t make them. And, any cabinets that are more than five years old will be faded by natural light, discolored by wear and tear and difficult to match, anyway. But, we can do one better – and for less money than it would cost to make them a new island to match their existing cabinets. We can create an island that has all the function and beauty they want in a completely different color cabinet to create a sense of drama. The island can have the same or different granite counter top. An island in a different finish than the wall cabinets has a rich look that is all the rage. The look is more custom. And appears like the pieces are furniture rather than stock cabinets. The kitchen has a unique look that won’t be found in all the neighboring homes. If you want a new island or want to turn a knee-wall into a bar for added serving and storage – we can add beautiful, highly functional space to your kitchen at an affordable price. And the look will be the hottest style in kitchens. Our designer will customize the cabinets to your needs so the added space will literally change how you live in your kitchen. Call us today at 215-968-8985 to find out how small changes can make a huge difference in your kitchen. Or, stop by our design studio at 123 N. Sycamore Street, Newtown, PA to see our beautiful new kitchen displays.
Short Cut To A Great Kitchen Renovation
October 4th, 2011As an interior designer, I help busy people from Princeton to Philadelphia create stunning homes they love to live in each day. I work with them on every room imaginable, from ideal family rooms and sunrooms to sanctuary conservatories and master bedroom retreats to home office havens. When we design and touch any room, great and happy things happen. But the single room that causes the greatest delight AND angst for clients, from CEOs to “Presidents of Home” is…yes – kitchens! This heart-of-the-home room is the one that inspires knocking knees and sleepless nights for people more than any other. And it need not be so. So – here from the suburbs of Philadelphia and in the seat of the County of Bucks – are this designer’s secrets to keep you on the delight side of the scale when it comes to redoing your kitchen.
Five Shortcut Tips to a Great Kitchen Renovation
1. Get yourself an excellent kitchen group. In today’s world, what “separates the women from the girls” is expertise and customer service. Let the big box DIY stores do what they do best – sell building materials and lawnmowers. Kitchens are one of the biggest return on the dollar investments you can make on your home. Be wise. Find an expert kitchen group who will bring you great value by way of their understanding of layout, planning and customer service. So should something go wrong – and in design, it can in shipping – you must find an outstanding kitchen group to watch your back in all ways. One of the reasons I always love working with Bruce and Kristen at Sycamore Kitchens is that their understanding of functional design is matched by their outstanding client service.
2. Know thy budget and do not deviate. Sure you can always upgrade a corbel, a tile or a counter. There is always bigger and better. But, don’t play that game. Stunning kitchens are created by the artful blend of many materials beyond just cabinetry or counters. By project’s end, nobody will know that budget required that we eliminate four glass doors if I do my job right as a designer. Your kitchen in total – for its absolutely yum factor – is the sum total of not just cabinets, counters and tile – but, also the floor, the ceiling (yes – it’s a wall!), wall treatment, light fixtures, furnishings, window treatments and accessories. A client lamented recently that her favorite cabinet pulls for her large kitchen were simply too far over budget. I told her that if anybody ever walked into the new kitchen and noticed the cabinet pulls first, then I’d be the world’s worst designer and I’d fire me myself. She smiled and ordered the lower priced cabinet pulls. (The kitchen is a stunner, by the way.) It’s the sum total of all the elements in a kitchen design plan that makes for “spectacular.” If we have to trade down in one area for budget reasons, a good designer knows how to compensate with some artful design someplace else. Budget is to be respected. Always.
3. Understand and respect the order. Here’s your installation order: floors, cabinets/appliances and sinks/fixtures delivered but not installed, counter templating & electrical, hardware, installation of counters and plumbing. You cannot reverse or fight it. You cannot be templated for counters until your sinks are delivered. You can delay your backsplash as well as painting the kitchen if you are budget-pressed. You can do those a year later! Respect that there is a clear logic and process to kitchen renovation. Follow it and you will be in easy waters.
4. Expect to be frustrated by the size of your kitchen at least once in the process. I smile as I write this, but it’s true. No matter the size of the home I work on, when it comes to kitchen design, everybody at some point wishes for as little as 6”-18” more space somewhere in their kitchen. So I’ll comfort you with this: there is a solution to all things (that’s why you have a great kitchen design group and interior designer!). With or without those extra inches, we will get you your fabulous kitchen. It may take a little re-jiggering on the design end, that’s all.
5. Be Patient (Chew Gum). Kitchen design is not a fast process because there are many moving parts, all of which have lead times (the time it takes to fabricate things and deliver them to you)…from your cabinets to your tile to your barstools. Furthermore, once our economy got “funky” a few years ago, manufacturers began stocking less inventory. This means that chances are better than ever that your faucet of choice will be out of stock or that your entire tile order will not exist in a single warehouse. Be a good trooper and unwrap another stick of gum to chew away your frustration as you hum that happy kitchen renovation tune, “Waiting is A-OK with me.”
Kitchens equal family, home and hearth. It is here that you cook up all things good and delicious – from shared time with family and friends to making tasty plans, to cooking up pots full of the memories that make for a richly spiced life. Yes, there is an art to kitchen design, best left to the experts. But, if you understand the arc of the process, embrace the right attitude and set your expectations in order, I promise that you can enjoy the process of having your dream kitchen become a reality. Cross my back-splashed heart.
Donna Hoffman
Interiors by Donna Hoffman
www.interiorsbydonnahoffman.com
Sycamore Kitchens – The Busiest Kitchen Remodelers in Yardley, PA
April 28th, 2011This week, Sycamore Kitchens is making over a 14-year-old kitchen in Yardley, PA. The homeowners wanted a kitchen that is more functional, has more storage and is perfect for entertaining. We took out the old kitchen. It had soffits which housed a lot of pipes – which we moved to accomodate 39 inch high wall cabinets. Our designer Kristin created an island that incompasses the area of the old breakfast room space and provides seating for six people. The island also houses the microwave, a wine refrigerator and a warming drawer. And if that weren’t enough, it also provides storage for pots and pans and kitchen utensils. We took down the half wall between the kitchen and the family room and installed narrow base cabinets to provide even more storage for homework and office supplies and the tablewear used when eating out on the homeowners back porch. “We do about 20-25 kitchens a year in Yardley.” said Sycamore Kitchens Owner Bruce Roth. “Although all those details and layout changes sound expensive, this kitchen is totally unique for the homeowners needs and fell within their budget.” Comment on this or any of our blogs on our Facebook page, and while you’re there, LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
Remodel your kitchen or your whole “sand” castle at the Jersey shore
March 24th, 2011The e-mails and phone calls are pouring in … requests for more details about Sycamore Kitchen’s expansion to provide kitchen and home remodeling at the Jersey Shore. Bruce Roth, Owner of Sycamore Kitchens and John Schragger, Owner of Mercer Commercial Construction announce that they have joined forces to offer new construction, full service home renovations, expansions and additions - including kitchen, bath, laundry room, bar, basement and bonus room remodeling – to all of Stafford Township, Beach Haven West, Manahawkin and Long Beach Island. Roth says, “We’ve always worked with contractors down the shore by selling them cabinetry. We are excited to provide our personal touch and level of service to the whole beach house building and remodeling process.” Schragger, whose family has owned homes on Long Beach Island all of his life, brings a unique understanding of the Jersey Shore home renovation process. ”We are looking forward to providing Jersey Shore homeowners with the same high level of construction quality and detail that we have been providing for over 20 years in Mercer and Bucks Counties. We offer complete project management services at affordable prices.” Both companies have outstanding reputations for bringing projects in on time and within budget. Roth and Schragger have enjoyed success working together on many Mercer and Bucks County home and office remodeling projects. To schedule a design consultation call us, today! 215-968-8985. Visit Sycamorekitchens.com & Mercercommercialconstruction.com to learn more about us. Comment on this or any of our blogs on our facebook page.
Sycamore Kitchens is Down The Jersey Shore
March 16th, 2011If you have a beach house that needs a new kitchen, Sycamore Kitchens is at the shore! Our Beach Haven West showroom will feature kitchen displays and vanity displays. We already have our first whole house remodel in the works! Clients will see a 3-D design of their room, just like when you come to our Newtown, PA design center. All installations will be done by a special Sycamore Kitchens Shore Crew. To make an appointment for a consultation at the Jersey Shore, or in Bucks County, call (215-968- 8985) or e-mail (info@sycamorekitchens.com) us in Newtown and we’ll schedule the meeting in either location. Comment on this or any of our blogs on our facebook page.
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The One Week Kitchen Remodel
March 9th, 2011It might sound too good to be true – a kitchen remodeling job that takes only one week. But it can be done by Sycamore Kitchens. This week at Sycamore Kitchens our team removed the granite countertop in a client’s kitchen, then removed the old cabinets. By the end of the week, new cabinets will be installed around the existing back splash. The granite and appliances will be re-installed. The homeowners thought they could update their kitchen with the new appliances and granite they purchased fairly recently. But new granite and appliances just made the old cabinets look worse, bringing attention to the signs of age. Sycamore Kitchens came to the rescue. By the end of the week, new cabinets will complete the updated look. Sycamore Kitchens owner Bruce Roth says, “Homeowners often think they can get the look of a new kitchen by just installing new granite and appliances, and then are disappointed with the results.” If you’re in that situation, call Sycamore Kitchens at 215-968-8985. We’ll help you pick out the perfect cabinets (and countertops if you need them) to complement your kitchen. We remodel bathrooms, too!
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Hottest Kitchen Design Elements
February 25th, 2011Do you know the most popular kitchen design style elements? A national kitchen remodeling association surveyed designers. The hottest design elements might surprise you. Test your style savvy. (answers below)
Cabinet style: a) Shaker, b) Traditional, c) Cottage, d)Contemporary
Wood: a) Alder, b) Cherry, c) Maple
Finishes: a)Distresed, b) White paint , c) Medium, d) Dark
Countertop: a) Granite, b) Quartz, c) Laminate
Refrigerator: a) Side-by-side, b) French door, c) Freezer top, d) freezer bottom
If you need help determining your own design style, or what works best in your house, call, e-mail or stop in for a consultation! info@sycamorekitchens.com
Answers: Cabinets – Traditional, Wood – Maple, Finish – Dark, Countertop – Granite, Refrigerator – French door
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5 Secrets To An Easy and Beautiful Kitchen Remodeling Job
February 20th, 2011If your hair stylist told you there were 5 things you could do to get the best hair cut or color you’d love to know what they were … wouldn’t you? How about the 5 secrets to having the best vacation ever? Or, the five most important things to do to raise a brilliant and adoring child (oh, if there were only five!). Well, we can’t give you any parenting advice. But we can tell you the five things that Sycamore Kitchens owner Bruce Roth wants you to know before your kitchen remodel.
1) Think about what you like and dislike about your current kitchen.
2) Think about what kind of appliances you want and need.
3) Think about your style – not just what you like, but what you want to live with. The Gallery on our website gives you some ideas and we have hundreds of more pictures in our design center in Newtown, PA. Stop by 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday to take a look. Schedule an appointment by calling 215-968-8985 or filling out the design consultation request form on our website.
4) Create a wish list of features. You might put them in order from most to least important. This will help you make important decisions if you have to prioritize to fit a budget.
5) And speaking of budget … think about how much you want to invest in your home.
If you aren’t sure where you stand on these aspects of kitchen design, don’t worry. Sycamore Kitchens will help you through every step of the design process.
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Expand your kitchen into your dining room
February 16th, 2011If you need more storage space in your kitchen, one popular solution is to remove the wall between your kitchen and dining room to create one large kitchen and dining space. Our Sycamore Kitchens remodelers are doing just that at one Bucks County home this week. When it’s finished, the homeowners will have an open and airy space, a pantry, a bar for eating and serving and a space for their dining table – which they’ll use much more often now that it’s in the main room of the house. The project will be done in about three weeks, and we would love you to come into our kitchen design center in Newtown to take a look at the photographs. Click here to see photographs of some of our other projects. Sycamore Kitchens receives a lot of remodeling requests to incorporate adjacent rooms into the kitchen. If your dining room isn’t an option, how about expanding into the laundry room? Not sure, what your best options are? Submit a request for a design consultation. Some of the testimonials on our website are from clients who expanded their kitchens into adjacent rooms. We are confident you will be as happy with your results as they are with theirs. That’s why we consider our team at Sycamore Kitchens the best kitchen remodeler in Bucks County.
Kitchen Remodeling in Bucks County
February 10th, 2011
2011 brings some exciting changes into the kitchen. It’s definitely not the boring kitchen anymore and anyone will want to stay in there and cook. The kitchen is becoming the focal point of the entire home. With the New Year comes a new change in kitchen design. We are seeing color (vibrant ones at that), shine, gloss, glass, and mixtures of all that will take any kitchen from dull and boring to the showroom quality of gourmet kitchens everywhere. Kitchen appliances are also reflecting, literally. People are realizing that everyone is going to end up in the kitchen, so why not make it the center of the house. It is not a place to hide but a place to shine. You can do the same in your kitchen. If you are considering a remodel, refacing or decorative additive, you can do so. The ingredients for a modern kitchen in 2010 include your own personal style and flair giving you and your guests something to talk about while you are in the room.
The New Year has brought about some exciting changes within the kitchen remodeling process. Vibrant colors are everywhere. Whether it is the kitchen cabinets or the accent decorations, color is taking off. Yellows, Blues and the alike are no longer boring colors, now they are festive, decorative and relaxing. Mixing solid front cabinet doors with glass proves to be a mainstay in the kitchen.. The new trend in kitchen furniture leans towards custom-furniture grade cabinets and add-ons and built-ins. You will see specialized storage, slide-outs, and innovative cabinetry solutions for any need.
Of course, as we have seen in the past, stainless steel appliances are the front runner in the 2011 kitchen design. Stainless steel gives the look of elegance, shine, sophistication, and expensive taste, that everyone is craving. Stainless steel kitchen appliances will give your kitchen a complete new attitude that everyone loves. Black appliances are another color that will add that touch of sophistication you are looking for.
The new kitchen design features of 2011 will completely overhaul kitchens everywhere. The kitchen will not be the most dreadful room in the house for the occupants; it will be the showpiece of the home and no one will want to leave. With all the decorative finishes and classy touches, you can bring any design feature you want into the kitchen. Now, the kitchen will be just as exciting as any other room in the house.
So, what are you going to “cook” up in your kitchen remodeling design? Perhaps you want to mix up the colors and incorporate some of these newer design details into the mix. You can do these things simply and easily. When you are designing remember some basic facts of a great design. The first being the focal point. Are you appliances going to be the focal point, or perhaps your island? It is up to you, just remember that everything should center on this focal point.. The designing is all you; just remember the basic principles of design while you add your special touch to the room.
Kitchen Design & Planning
Research kitchen design well and then plan it thoroughly! It is your kitchen after all! Kitchen design and planning requires a lot of thought, but it′s really worth it when you get it right. There′s nothing quite so good as having your kitchen designed exactly as you want it, so take great care in the planning stages to make sure that you′ll be getting the kitchen of your dreams that will serve you for a long time. Imagine how good it will feel to walk into a kitchen that′s uniquely yours and ready to serve as the center of your own home.
DESIGN
When you′re planning a kitchen design, make sure that you take your tastes and lifestyle into account. You want to make sure you′re getting a kitchen that′s going to be both beautiful and useful to you. Of course you want to consider the layout, designing carefully to make sure that the work flow of your kitchen accommodates the people who will be cooking there, whether it′s the solitary kitchen tyrant or a gaggle of gossiping cooks dishing up a great meal.
Make sure that in planning your kitchen design that you keep an eye on every detail, from counter surfaces to appliance placement. Even the cabinets pull both the look and the usefulness of your kitchen together. But before you′ve decided on appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting and cabinets, you might want to consider what sort of kitchen dècor style is going to suit you and your lifestyle best.
There are 5 different basic types of kitchens that are most popular right now: country, art deco, contemporary, modern and French Country. A country kitchen is great if you′re living in a rural area and want to blend in with your surroundings. The homey feel and classic look of the country kitchen welcomes everyone around your table for lemonade and fresh-baked cookies. When you′re going for the country look, think beautiful slate floors, stenciling on the walls and gingham curtains. Wrought iron is often another look that can work well in the country kitchen. If you′re a bit more eclectic in your tastes, an art deco kitchen might be the right choice for you. The art deco style was a popular design movement from the 1920s and 1930s – typified by its use of stainless steel, aluminum, lacquer and inlaid wood. The stylized forms and smooth lines go well with any modern home, and give your kitchen a futuristic, streamlined look that′s sure to impress.
If you want something a little different, you might try a contemporary kitchen. Like the art deco kitchen, the contemporary kitchen has clean lines and uses modern materials, but form takes a back seat to function, and there is little in the way of stylized forms or colorful enamel. The clean, uncluttered look is a great favorite among many people because it gives a feeling of spaciousness, even where space is limited. Then there′s the modern kitchen design. Heavy on the stainless steel and still emphasizing an uncluttered look, a modern kitchen is a beautiful and functional way to design a great kitchen that will last forever and still be beautiful.
If you′re really excited about a look that will be light, fresh and inviting, you might want to try the French Country look. The French Country kitchen relies on bright color and lots of natural light. The windows will have minimal dressing, so as not to interfere with the natural sunshine that is the hallmark of French Country beauty. Finely detailed woodwork with hand carved details provide an inviting and beautiful way to adorn your kitchen and welcome guests into your home.
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