I would like to revamp a wardrobe.

By on March 21st, 2008

As a carcass to build a fantastic pantry for my kitchen. only thing is, it will need sturdy shelves inside and the carcass is mainly thin ply wood (i think thats the type of wood). Do you have any suggestions. I don’t mind fixing it to a wall but the top of the wardrobe bevells out and i want it flush with the wall.

Any help or links really appreciated. Thank you one and all.

Sorry about all spelling errors- the spell check on here is not up to scatch and neither am i.

Designing a kitchen and notice my fridge won’t be flush with the pantry next to it.

By on March 16th, 2008

I’m going to be putting in a 8ft pantry. The supplier that I’m getting it from only makes them up to 24″ depth. However, my fridge is 31″ depth. What is the best way to deal with this situation. The fridge is going to be in the corner and I want to put the pantry between the wall and the fridge. You will almost have to reach in to get to the pantry.

Atheists: What volunteer work do you do and where do you donate.

By on March 13th, 2008

I’ll start. I donate money to the soup kitchen in the town I used to live in every 6 months or so. (I used to volunteer there, but obviously since I moved I don’t anymore.) I also donate food to a local charity food pantry every time I go to the grocery store. I volunteer for Habitat For Humanity every few months. And I volunteer with Turtle Watch when I can.
Turtle Watch is a program that tracks turtle nesting data and tries to increase the number of hatchlings that make it safely to adulthood by educating people in costal areas about their habits and needs.

Tags: appliances, remodeling ideas, cabinets, Kitchen Design Articles, cabinetry, certified kitchen designer

Can someone help me solve this algebra problem I’m clueless on how to approach this.

By on March 12th, 2008

A kitchen pantry area as shown in the figure is to be covered in floor tiles. What will it cost to tile the floor if each square tile whose measures 6” costs $.82.

A picture of the shape can be seen here with the dimensions: http://i0.tagstat.com/images/user3/00/18/06/1806563-65782775.jpg

What kind of kitchen cabinets should I get based onthis picture.

By on March 10th, 2008

I did everything backwards, got the floor, backsplash, appliances, sink, faucet put in with a new quartz countertop.
then I thought I could reface the cabinets because they were solid wood, not particle board. Or paint the boxes and get new doors.
What do you think would look good with these.
I just moved in and had the floors replaced with dark maple and a dark tile, with the quartz countertop, so I can’t remove that now (backwards, I know)
http://www.home-see.com/kitchy.JPG
http://www.home-see.com/kitchy2.JPG

I’d also like to get those pull-out cabinets for my pantry instead of louvered doors.
What color wood or what color paint perhaps with glazing would look good.
It’s a 70’s split level that I’m trying to get to look more craftsman styling. Thank-you
btw I don’t have enough points to give you all thumbs up but thank-you, it really helps me to think it through.

Tags: kitchen sinks, kitchen photos, kitchen faucets, kitchen interior, Kitchen Remodeling Advice, remodeling

I think I have mice. I bought this air conditioner and it stopped working and the repairman told me it was.

By on March 5th, 2008

mice. There is no evidence of them in the kitchen or pantry but now I have heard them. I dont like poisoning becuase it can poison wild life and I dont like traps. Ideally I would like to catch them alive. Does anyone have any sugestions .

Tags: kitchen planning, kitchen cabinets, cabinets, kitchen interior, kitchen remodel, Kitchen Appliance Trends

Apartment flooding due to melting snow. what to do.

By on March 4th, 2008

I woke up to a soaking wet floor in the bathroom, kitchen, dining room, pantry, and part of the living room. I found it came from the apartment next door and their patio on the opposite side of us. Their entire apartment is soaked. I called in and took a half day off to deal with it. I am wondering if others have experienced this and what you did. Did your apartment building owners compensate you in any way. How did you ask for money back, etc. I had to move everything out of those areas for them to clean it up and let it dry. All this because we have had a lot of snow and it rained last night. Help is appreciated in anyway.
They’ve contracted out someone to clean/dry the carpet but I still have a mess and potentially damaged furniture.

Tags: long island kitchen designer, kitchen remodeling ideas, kitchen furniture, kitchen design, kitchen photos, Kitchen Remodeling Advice

Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks: No Contamination Here Stainless

By admin on January 11th, 2008

Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks: No Contamination Here

Stainless steel kitchen sinks come in many styles and price ranges. Most manufacturers of sinks will offer at least one model for your home. The easiness of cleaning, stain resistance and utility of these sinks have made them one of the most popular of kitchen sinks. Most new homes come with stainless steel kitchen sinks. The variety of styles available will fit into any dיcor you choose for your kitchen. The simplistic appearance of stainless steel kitchen sinks and the modern utility they add to your kitchen will never go out of style.

Stainless steel kitchen sinks are available in either undercounter or overcounter models from most manufacturers. Single, double and triple basin versions with depths from five inches deep to 8 inches deep are available from most dealers. The double basin versions of stainless steel kitchen sinks are available in equally sized rectangular basins of various depths and in unequally sized basins with different depths for each basin. You can also find double basin versions with rounded basins rather than rectangular basins. This style adds a sleek modern appearance to your kitchen. One version even comes with both basins being at right angles to each other to have the utility of a double basin sink in less than normal sink space on your kitchen counter. Most of the triple basin versions have the third basin being a sink to rinse vegetables complete with a full basin sized strainer for ease of use. The styles of stainless steel kitchen sinks available for your selection will amaze you.

These stainless steel kitchen sinks are also a lot healthier for you and your family. Stainless steel does not hold contaminants such as bacteria that cause illnesses and diseases as well as porcelain sinks. For this reason, many health codes require a stainless steel sink for restaurants and public dining establishments. This is one of the added benefits of installing a stainless steel sink in your home.

In addition, stainless steel kitchen sinks are available by almost every home dיcor retailer at a varying price range. Of course, the price will have a lot to do with the features you choose for your future sink. Since there are so many possible options, the sinks can range in price from extremely affordable to extremely expensive. Most home dיcor retailers will offer a wide variety for you to choose from. Should you have special requirements, you may be able to have your sink specially made. If your local home dיcor retailer does not offer special orders, you may find it necessary to visit an online retailer store. Often, these retail shops will indeed special order a stainless steel sink to meet your requirements.

Tags: remake kitchen, kitchen photos, kitchen cabinets, kitchen appliances, kitchen remodel

Restaining Kitchen Cabinets: Step by Step Have you

By admin on January 7th, 2008

Restaining Kitchen Cabinets: Step by Step

Have you been thinking that it’s time to update your tired old kitchen? Kitchen renovations are among the most popular projects commonly undertaken by homeowners. One of the reasons this is such a popular project is that so much of our time is spent in the kitchen. Kitchen renovations are also one of the best ways to increase the value of your home. Whether you’ve got a hefty budget or hardly any budget at all, restaining kitchen cabinets can revitalize even the most exhausted kitchen dיcor.

First things first; before we can add a fresh coat of stain, finish or paint, we must remove as much of the old finish as possible. Unless the old finish is completely removed the new stain will not be able to penetrate into the grain the way it is supposed to.

To strip kitchen cabinets of their old finish, use a wood stripping solvent. These can be found in any home improvement or hardware store. Simply take a little time to compare the different products. For the most part, wood stripper is wood stripper, but there are some specialty products that may or may not be more effective for the particular type of wood or finish that you’re working with.

You’ll want to pour the wood stripper stuff into bowl type of container if it doesn’t already come that way. Apply the stripping solvent to the kitchen cabinets using a paint brush. You’ll soon notice that the solution becomes rather thick and even a bit bubbly. This is the finish dissolving and coming out of the wood.

Here’s what makes restaining kitchen cabinets so much fun: Now you must remove the stripping solvent and finish mixture using any means necessary. You’ll want to scrape the flat surfaces with something flat and metallic, but you will probably need to use some flexible scouring pads or cloth to get into the crevices and remove all the goop.

You may very well have to apply and scrape off the wood striper more than once. Especially with very old wood whose finish has been touched up countless times over the years, it is possible that some old finish will remain after one stripping session. Of course, the longer you leave the solution on, the more finish it will remove in a session.

It’s not a bad idea to rub down the wood with some mineral spirits or even soapy water where the stripping goop remains. Then allow the cabinets to dry thoroughly before even thinking about moving on the staining portion or your project.

When the cabinets have dried completely, begin to apply your stain. Only application and your own eyes can tell you if you’ll need more than one coat of stain. If you want the color more vibrant, apply more stain. Unlike finishing materials, you don’t have to wait for stain to dry completely before adding more, but it is a good idea to let it soak in all the way before deciding if it needs more stain.

Wipe excess stain from the wood with a clean cloth. Be sure to finish your creation off with a good finish or other wood protecting material to keep your new kitchen cabinets looking great for years to come.

Tags: Kitchen Design Articles, kitchen cabinets, long island kitchen designer, kitchen planning, kitchen sinks

Basic Dishwasher Installation Tips Installing a built-in dishwasher

By admin on December 13th, 2007

Basic Dishwasher Installation Tips

Installing a built-in dishwasher requires basic mechanical, electrical, and plumbing skills, so the average handy person can install a dishwasher in 1 to 3 hours depending on if it is a new installation or a replacement dishwasher. If you are replacing an existing dishwasher, it will take less time.

New Installation

1. Prepare the cabinet area in which the dishwasher will be installed. The opening should be 24 inches wide for most models, 24 inches deep and 34 1/2″ from the floor to the underside of the countertop. The back wall can not have pipes or wires on it. The power and water supply lines will come into the cabinet in the 4″X4″ area at the bottom back of the cabinet through a 1 1/2″ hole. Make sure the floor is level and the cabinet is squared.

2. Choose your drain method based on your local codes and height of the drain tee. Some codes require an air gap. If the drain tee is less than 18 inches from the floor, you must use an air gap. If an air gap is not required and the tee is over 18 inches from the floor, you can use the loop method for the drain connection. If the drain hose will be connected to a garbage disposal, you have to remove the knock out plug so that the dishwasher will drain.

3. Inspect or install wiring by making sure there is a 120V, 60Hz dedicated circuit with a 15 or 20-amp breaker or time delay fuse. Wiring has to be 2 wire with a ground and rated for 75 degrees Celcius or 176 degrees Farenheit. The wiring can come into the cabinet from either side in the rear bottom area. The hole should be a maximum of 1 1/2″, and it can be the same hole used the the water supply line and drain hose if its being hardwired. If it is a flexible power cord, it must have a separate hole. Hardwiring cable will come up the right side along the bottom 24 inches of the cabinet to the right front electrical connection on the dishwasher.

4. Prepare the water supply line that enters through the 1 1/2″ hole in the rear bottom of the cabinet. Turn off the water to install a hand shut-off valve under the sink. The water connection is on the left side of the dishwasher. Use 3/8″ O.D. copper line to extend a minimum of 19 inches from the rear wall. The water heater should be set between 120 and 150 degrees (closer to 120 if children are in the home to prevent scalding accidents) and the pressure should be between 20-120 PSI.

5. Prepare the dishwasher by checking the door balance and adjusting the spring tension if necessary. If the legs have to be attached, do that close to where it will be installed.

6. Connect the drain hose to the dishwasher’s drain port if it did not come factory-installed. Position the electrical wiring and water supply lines so that the base of the dishwasher will not catch them. Slide the dishwasher in front of the opening so that you can feed the drain hose through the hole you drilled for it.

7. Inch-by-inch slide the dishwasher into the cabinet as you fee the drain hose through its hole. Stop with a few inches left and make sure nothing is kinked or pinched. If all is in good order, push the dishwasher all the way in so that the edges of the door are behind the cabinet frame. Test the door for smooth opening and closing.

8. Level the dishwasher front to back and side to side by adjusting the leveling legs.

9. Align the brackets and secure the dishwasher to the countertop according the manufacturer’s instructions.

10. Through the access panel, connect the water supply line and electrical supply. Also connect the drain hose under the sink. You are ready to do a wet test with the “rinse only” cycle. Check for leaks and proper draining.

Replacing an Existing Dishwasher

You will not need to drill the holes since they will already be there from the existing dishwasher. However, you do need to inspect the wiring and plumbing to make sure they are capable of servicing the new dishwasher. Once that is established you should turn the power off at the main and turn the water supply off before beginning the removal of the old dishwasher. All lines and wires must first be disconnected. Take the drain hose off the garbage disposal or drain pipe under the sink. If the dishwasher has a power cord, you need to unplug it. If the dishwasher is hardwired, you have to open the access panel and electrical junction box. Remove the wire nuts and disconnect the black and white wires. Also remove the ground screw to disconnect the green ground wire. Use a catch pan while disconnecting the water supply line. Once all of these lines and wires have been disconnected, you can take out the screws and brackets that hold the dishwasher in its place and carefully pull out the old dishwasher.

Then follow the same procedures to install the new dishwasher with the exception of drilling the holes and running the wiring and water supply lines.

Once you have installed your new dishwasher and tested it for leaks, you are ready to start cleaning.

Tags: appliances, kitchen islands, kitchen cabinets, kitchen planning, Kitchen Design Firms