Barbara Corcoran Answers Questions about Kitchen Improvements

Here’s a roundup of the questions she’s most often asked about kitchen improvements. Whether you’re looking to buy or hoping to sell, the condition of the kitchen will have a big impact on the final price. A new kitchen, complete with fancy upgrades, will add thousands of dollars to the value of a home. On the other hand, an outdated kitchen will not only lower the value of a home but will also make it much more difficult to sell. What to do? If you’re looking to sell, Barbara’s got some great advice about where you should spend your money on kitchen upgrades. If you’re looking to buy, you’ll find great advice about what upgrades add real value to a home and which ones aren’t worth the money.

Q I purchased a two-bedroom apartment in Harlem two years ago. I plan to stay at least another 10 years. I’d like to replace the cheap countertops, but can’t decide between granite and Silestone. Will it make a big difference in resale value?

A As far as your return on your investment, you can get two bucks out for every dollar you spend on your kitchen — but spend your money wisely. Granite countertops are already out, and those new [quartz countertops], like Silestone or CaesarStone, are more popular for a few reasons. [Quartz countertops] offer the look and feel of real granite but are both stain- and scratch-resistant and, unlike granite, don’t need to be resealed every few years; that makes it almost maintenance-free. Silestone and CaesarStone countertops also come in a wide range of colors, but pick a neutral shade so your kitchen will still look fresh 10 years out.

Before you sell: Kitchen improvements to make now:

• Refinish the backsplash. You can add color and contrast above the counter with inexpensive paint, tile, glass or ceramic. The area you need to cover is small, but changing it makes a big difference.
• Buy old, not new. You can buy new or slightly used countertops, flooring, cabinets and appliances at salvage shops like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores. You can even get them free at freecycle.org and freesharing.org.
• Revamp, don’t replace, cabinets. You can give cabinets a fresh coat of paint, or sand and stain them. If the cabinet doors are old-fashioned or worn, you can keep the cabinet boxes and replace just the doors for about half what it would cost to put in new cabinets. Adding new knobs or drawer pulls can also update your kitchen.
• Add or update your island. Built-in and free-wheeling islands add both workspace and storage space to your kitchen, and most buyers love them. If you want the island to look like permanent furniture, add a baseboard.
• Upgrade your appliances. One fancy appliance can make an entire kitchen look modern. Appliances with the Energy Star label use the least energy, and you’ll usually recoup the cost of the appliance through lower energy bills in less than five years.
• Resurface your countertops. Laminating your countertops can cost as little as $500 for an entire kitchen. No need to pull up your countertops, just apply the laminate on top. And today’s new laminates look high-end.
• Replace floor covering. Bamboo or engineered wood floors are inexpensive, long-lasting and sustainable, and the cheapest tile flooring has a lot more appeal than the most expensive linoleum.

View the entire article here.

Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Featured Home: Global Fusion

The Goncharenkos are a well-traveled family. Galina and Vadim, who are originally from Russia, moved to the United States nine years ago & frequently travel overseas. Though they have seen much of the world, home is where their heart is.
The Goncharenkos’ home is a 1,850-square-foot condo in downtown Bellevue—a simple and stylish space with perfect European flair. It was purchased in 2005 by Galina and Vadim, who needed a designer who could bring their worldly ideas into one cohesive design. That is when they found Lena Fomichev of LF Interior Design.

“I tried to unify every single area to have the same feeling,” says interior designer Lena Fomichev, who made several changes in the kitchen to achieve this goal. To allow more light into the room, she removed a row of hanging cabinets that blocked views out the windows. She also incorporated colors and materials used in the rest of the condo: sand-colored CaesarStone quartz countertops, teak cabinets and drawers, and blue glass tile for a watery shimmer on the backsplash.

The entire home gives a very earthy feel, inspired by three elements of fire, water, and air. Tan floors, sandy countertops, warm wooden surfaces and ice blue ceilings create a pleasant beach-like feeling.

“We are so happy that this was made into reality with Lena’s help,” Vadim says. “All of our friends and guests feel so comfortable here—when we invite someone over for tea, they end up staying three or four hours.” The Goncharenkos enjoy their home so much that sometimes they too find it hard to leave. After moving in, Galina told Fomichev, “I don’t want to go anywhere. This place is heaven for me.”

For more information on this design visit the original article here. For more information on CaesarStone Quartz Countertops please visit here.

Sneak Peek at the 2009 Showtime House

Metropolitan Home and Showtime have teamed up again this year, following the success of last year’s Showtime House with even bigger and better plans for this year’s installation. This time, 14 renowned designers will transform not one, but two New York penthouses into the ultimate multimedia showhouse with rooms inspired by Showtime's 6 Original Series; Californication, Dexter, Nurse Jackie, The Tudors, United States of Tara and Weeds. Each piece of the rooms, from flooring to countertops to furniture to window treatments, will be inspired by elements of the 6 shows.

One local blogger gave the public a sneak peek at the designer’s sketches and intended designs straight from Metropolitan Home. While last year’s centerpiece muse was Dexter, this year’s seems to be Hank Moody (character played by David Duchovny) of Californication. The hit show fuses Hank’s hometown of NYC with his latest place of residence, Hollywood, and all the sinful temptations that come with it. With Hank, Hollywood, sex, and bad habits as their inspiration, designers Markus Dochantschi, Susannah Drake, and Joannah Kornak for Holly Hunt each interpreted the sinful plotline as fuel for their stunning spaces.

For Dexter, who’s been leading a much different and conflicted lifestyle in recent plotlines of the show, designer and former TV Producer Marie Aiello created a Foyer/Gallery, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen and Terrace to capture the many sides of this complex character played by Michael C. Hall. Whether Dexter is passing through the foyer, hanging out in the living room with the kids, or thoughtfully cutting vegetables on the kitchen countertops with a newly sharpened knife, Marie Aiello has designed a space to accommodate the many sides of Dexter. “I want my space to speak to Dexter’s conflict and inner torment but be rendered in not so obvious ways. Each room is sophisticated and seductive but not too pretty,” says Aiello.

From Showtime’s Press Release: Building on last year's success, Showtime is incredibly excited to once again partner with Metropolitan Home for this one-of-a-kind experience," says Len Fogge, Showtime Executive VP, Creative & Marketing. "The combination of the latest in innovative modern design and Showtime's cutting-edge programming forms an organic environment where consumers can physically experience and explore the Showtime brand. The house allows visitors to get a deeper insight into the characters and storylines that solidify Showtime as the premiere destination for compelling programming.”

This year's line-up of incredible design talent includes Marie Aiello, James Biber, Christopher Coleman and Angel Sanchez, Markus Dochantschi at Studio MDA, Susannah Drake, Francine Gardner, Holly Hunt and Joannah Kornak for Holly Hunt, Andrew Kotchen and Matthew Berman of Workshop/apd, Paul Latham, Piero Lissoni, Kara Mann, Richard Mishaan, and Surfacedesign. Each designer has been assigned a room and an inspiring Showtime series, such as Californication, Dexter, Nurse Jackie, The Tudors, United States of Tara, and Weeds. Interior designers from the Savannah College of Art & Design are also creating an innovative entryway for the showhome.

Today’s top brands will integrate their products within the house including premier sponsor Time Warner Cable and preferred partners AKO, Alessi, Benjamin Moore, Blanco, CaesarStone Quartz Countertops, Crystallized - Swarovski Elements, Elica, Flou, Kraftmaid, Miele, Molteni & C, Napoleon, and Swarovski Crystal Palace.

Original blog post: http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com/2009/08/sneak-peek-of-2009-metropolitan-home.html

Austin Home Achieves Top Ratings in Three Green Building Programs

House earned LEED-Platinum, NAHB-Gold, and Austin Energy Green Building 5-Star Certification, plus Energy Star qualification.

EcoHome Magazine’s latest Case Study is about as green as you can get - a home in Austin, Texas that was designed and constructed from head to toe, from roofing, to countertops, to windows, to flooring, in such a way that earned top-level certification in four different green building programs.

For such an incredibly complicated project, it’s no wonder that the home’s verifier Chip Henderson compiled a simple three-page spreadsheet that included the mandatory requirements of each program to help him get organized.

“We took a look at the four programs and folded them into one to-do list,” recalls Henderson, of San Antonio-based Contects Consultants and Architects. “We realized that if we stuck to this one to-do list, at the end of the day we’d cross the finish line with all four of the programs.”

And so it seems, Henderson’s organizational skills paid off: The 3,266-square-foot home obtained top ratings by the three most widely accepted green building programs in Austin: LEED-Platinum, NAHB Model Green Home Building Gold, and Austin Energy Green Building 5-Star. The house is also Energy Star-qualified.

Designed by Austin-based Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, the home features advanced framing techniques, spray-foam insulation, high-efficiency air conditioning, energy-efficient windows, low-VOC interior finishes, a tankless hot water heater, CaesarStone quartz countertops, dual-flush toilets, and compact fluorescent light fixtures. A 3-kW solar photovoltaic array on the southeast roofline of the home offsets energy consumption by 25%.

The open kitchen features integrated Miele stainless steel appliances and Caesarstone quartz countertops.

While certifying a home in three major green building programs plus Energy Star may seem like overkill, Henderson says there are marketing benefits to the approach.

“You’re supporting the regional program for the local recognition that your consumers may be familiar with and at the same time combining that with at least one national program,” he says. “Depending on how you’re marketing your company, it has some advantages.”

Those involved in the project said they learned a lot about the programs’ similarities and differences.

“All of the programs have a lot of commonality because the building science community’s consensus of what we need to be doing to really call a house high-performance is very similar,” Henderson says. “So it wasn’t like comparing apples to oranges, it was more like a Fuji compared to Pink Lady--just variations but not radically different.”

Dwyane Wade’s New Chicago Townhouse features CaesarStone Countertops

Dwyane Wade’s New Chicago Townhouse features CaesarStone Countertops, a rooftop terrace, and views of the river.

According to Chicago Magazine, Dwyane Wade, who has always embraced his hometown of Chicago, got a sweet deal on a newly remodeled towhome in Kinzie Park. For those who don’t know, Dwyane Wade, US Basketball Olympic gold medalist and all-star guard for the Miami Heat, played his college ball just up Interstate 94 in Milwaukee and he’s made his South Side roots the cornerstone of his public persona. In fact, rumors fly every year about Wade potentially getting traded to the Bulls. For most people, this kind of trade would make sense.

And so it seems that this new home will serve as the celebrity Chicago native’s (and apparent housing expert) swinging bachelor pad for the times Wade is back in his hometown. What’s more, this townhome had a list price of $1.7 million, but Wade apparently got a great deal, only paying $1.4 million. Find the listing below.

Fabulous 3900+ square foot luxury riverfront, newly remodeled townhome in Kinzie Park. Hardwood Floors in Living room, dining room, kitchen, stairs; slate floors in foyer & family room - opens to fenced yard on river’s edge. Fireplaces in living room and master bedroom; kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, wine cooler & custom wet bar. Balcony with gas grill adjacent to kitchen, river view Master Suite and CaesarStone Quartz Countertops, marble floors, steam shower & soaking tub, closet organizers. Rooftop terrace w/great views. 2 car garage + 2 additional spaces at $40,000 each.

According to Chicago Magazine, the townhouse was built in 2000 and “newly remodeled.” Seems pretty nice for a place to crash in between seasons.

Original Story: http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/dwyane-wades-new-17m-chicago-townhouse-25513

Build a Green Home for Practically Nothing

A recent LA Times Article reported on sponsors occasionally donating thousands of dollars in high-end goods to home builders and designers. In exchange, manufacturers expect owners to open the homes for occasional public touring.

Some savvy Southern Californians have figured out how to get new green homes for practically nothing. An increasing number of entrepreneurs have persuaded companies such as bathroom fixture maker Kohler, quartz countertops manufacturer CaesarStone, appliance manufacturer Dacor and cabinet designer Bazzeo to provide free or discounted materials for newly built or remodeled homes. Nearly a dozen such houses have sprouted around Southern California. Virtually all are in the $1 million-to-$2 million range, though the freebies enabled owners to spend significantly less.

Why would a manufacturer be willing to donate as much as $100,000 worth of products to a home owner? This story is a hint to the answer: publicity. Think of it as swag on a grand scale. Just as a fashion house may give away its latest handbag so it can be seen attached to the arm of a much-photographed starlet, manufacturers of home appliances, countertops, fixtures and finishes are giving away their goods in hopes of being noticed in high-profile modern homes.

The catch: The homes have to showcase environmentally friendly design. Some manufacturers are going after projects with the U.S. Green Building Council's highest rating for sustainable design and building practices. Others go for green homes with celebrities attached to them. Regardless of who owns the place, manufacturers expect the homes to open for occasional public touring -- sometimes for a whole year -- and owners to discuss the virtues of the products in question, be it a CaesarStone countertop or General Electric appliance.

Such arrangements are nothing new. Traditional show houses, often sponsored by a magazine or a nonprofit organization raising money for charity, call for designers to make over a residence for free, often using products that are donated in exchange for a promotional push. What makes the new green show houses different is not only the emphasis on sustainability, but also the fact that they often are, first and foremost, private residences owned and inhabited by the builders themselves, whose living space essentially becomes a billboard for sponsors.

One recent house like this sponsored by House Beautiful magazine was the Kitchen of the Year, which showcased CaesarStone quartz countertops, Kohler & Viking appliances, and KraftMaid cabinets and boasted celebrity designers Christopher Peacock and Ina Garten. This kitchen had a large opening in New York City’s Rockefeller Center. The publicity was amazing, and it even made appearances on Good Morning America. So if you don’t mind opening your home up to the world, then cruising for sponsors to help build your dream green home may be right up your alley.

Highlights from the 2009 Kitchen of the Year with Ina Garten

Finally, it’s time for the unveiling of this year’s Kitchen of the Year! House Beautiful rebuilt famous chef Ina Garten's kitchen in the middle of Manhattan's Rockefeller Center. Here are some highlights from the most talked about kitchen in America, with tips from the designer Robert Stilin.

Kitchen Island: "I like an island you can work on but that can also be a gathering place for coffee or a casual dinner," says Kitchen of the Year designer Robert Stilin. The kitchen features KraftMaid cabinets, Viking range and hood, CaesarStone countertops, Kohler faucet and sink.

Useful Space: "Bar stools at the island are a must," says Stilin. "I love to have my breakfast and read the paper at the island. And my son, Dylan, and I eat a casual dinner at our island every night. I think this is how most people want to live today."

Simple Kitchen: "People who really cook, like Ina, prefer their kitchens to be simple and efficient," says Stilin. "It's back to basics!" Open shelves keep everything within reach near the stove range and eco-friendly, easy to care for quartz countertops by CaesarStone.

Dishware on Display: "We couldn't do it at Kitchen of the Year because of space, but nothing beats a walk-in pantry," says Stilin. Seen on display are simple and elegant white plates and dishes from Crate & Barrel with beautifully shining Hotel Silver bowls, tray, and coffeepots.

Organized Drawers: "Function, function, function," says Stilin. "Kitchens have to look good, but things have to work." A two-tiered cutlery drawer in KraftMaid cabinets saves space and keeps flatware organized.

Kitchen Sitting Area: "Kitchens are the new living space," says Stilin. "They should have room for cooking, dining, and a comfortable seating area." Seen in the sitting area are a beautiful fireplace and large comfy chairs and ottomans.

Computer Desk: "Don't forget a spot for the computer," says Stilin. Here we have a simple desk with Toshiba laptop.

Dine-in Kitchen: "Today, kitchens are the core of the house," says Stilin. "You have to be able to cook in them, but you also have to be able to live in them." A bright and cheery dining area features Restoration Hardware trestle table, and slipcovered chairs from Lee Industries.

Spice Drawer: The Kitchen of the Year doesn't need a lot of gadgets to keep things organized. "Kitchens are about function, not about all the bells and whistles," says Stilin. Spices are organized and within reach.

Sideboard: Antique console with celadon bowls, platter, and vase from Lucca.

Outdoor Grill: Herbs, vegetables, and flowers on the deck next to the Viking grill.

Rockefeller Center: Overlooking the Rockefeller Center Rink Bar, Sunbrella awnings cover the deck by Trex at the site of the 2009 Kitchen of the Year. Thousands of people are flocking over to see America’s most beautiful kitchen with eco-friendly and elegant yet affordable features such as KraftMaid cabinets, a Viking range and hood, CaesarStone countertops, and a Kohler faucet and sink.