Category Archives: Countertops

Quartz vs Granite Counter Tops; How Do I Choose?

One of the most popular questions that I hear daily in our showroom is; “what kind of counter would you choose in your kitchen Tim, quartz or granite?” It’s really an easy answer when you break it down to these questions. Is it important to you to have a counter top that has no maintenance? Are you aiming to be as green in your kitchen as you can be? How important is color? If you answer no to the first 2 questions then the third question is answered. Color has to be important so that is how I would decide…

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Solid Surface vs Quartz

It doesn’t surprise me that a majority of people are re-doing their counter tops in their kitchen and baths. The recession not only beat people but it also made us antsy to do some projects around the house. I know that has been my focus for a few years now with changing colors of my walls and adding some built-ins. My office built-ins have been my latest project after waiting to do it for 14 years. There seems to be a gratifying feeling with accomplishing something that you have been dreaming about for so long. It’s not like I am in the…

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Butcher Block in Your Kitchen

I love when I hear people talk about butcher block as a bad thing in the kitchen. So many feel that wood is not a sanitary material for the kitchen and how bacteria will grow if you cut on them. I’m here to tell you that butcher block and wood are not as porous as you might think. Why is it that all of the meat butchers over the years used butcher block as their cutting surface? The reason they have is because it’s the best material to cut on and keep their knives sharp. When Corian entered the market…

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Understanding the Kitchen Remodel Process, Part II

So, you have gone through the first stages of the kitchen remodeling process. It’s time to move on towards getting the final decisions and ordering going. Making sure that you decide on what is right for you is a very important step in the process. As I say in my book Dream First, the decisions that you make at this stage are so important to your happiness over the many years ahead living in your space. Too many people make bad decisions here because of costs so they end up going with less quality products and or options that they…

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Granite and Quartz Counter Tops

There are so many mis-interpretations about re-doing your kitchen counter tops over. It’s looked at as an easy do-over. I guess if you don’t care about the end result being right then yes, it is a simple procedure. Let’s talk about all of the things that can go wrong. There are three ways you can have your tops replaced with granite or quartz. One being right from the stone fabricator direct. This will ultimately be your least cost option. The second way is from a home center business. This will be your next cheapest option. Third is from a kitchen…

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Granite vs. Quartz Counter Tops

Stone has become the craze in most of the kitchens across the nation. Whether people are putting in lower-cost cabinets or going all the way up to the more expensive cabinets, stone by far is the most chosen material for counter tops. How have we arrived at this, you might be asking? Natural materials are taking over our thoughts and homes over the last ten years. The richness of natural stone can be replaced by nothing, even the newer finished laminates. Americans want real, and there isn’t much holding them back anymore. Even if it is just on the island…

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Replacing Your Old Counter Tops in Your Kitchen

It never fails that in the first months of the year, we all get the itch to do a project or two in our home. In the beginning of the year, we have many clients walking into our showroom to add an island, a vanity or replace their kitchen counters. You can count on it like the seasons. Counters are the #1 item that they want to do. With all the options of different materials these days, it’s no wonder the first words asked are: “what is the best choice for me”? This is where Dreaming First and the listening…

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Backsplashes: Make A Splash!

A kitchen backsplash can really add drama to your kitchen. The backsplash is the space in between the wall cabinets and the countertop that can feature ceramic tile, stone, custom scenes and painted glass. The choices are quite incredible. Take a look at the various splashes shown. There are small mosaics in the contemporary kitchen that are black with a light grey grout. The geometric shape really lends itself to the contemporary vibe. There is a lot to be said for using a tile that is the same color but in different shapes or put on a different angle to…

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What does it take to design a kitchen?

I think I am going to need a book for this one! Here are a few things that are necessary: Budget An idea of the “look” you want What type of appliances Time frame Let’s take this one by one. First, the budget: for most people this is the scariest part of the process. Why? Many people feel if they let the designer know this figure they will spend all their money. Truth be told, that is a guideline for us. We need to know where to start. Let me give you an example. Let’s say you want a new…

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Granite vs Engineered Quartz Countertops

How do you choose between Granite vs Engineered Quartz countertops for your kitchen???? Are you thinking of updating your kitchen by replacing that laminate countertop? With more than a dozen surface choices in countertops, Granite and Quartz are the two popular choices. “What is the difference?” “How do I decide which one is best for me?” These are the most common questions I hear from homeowners that are looking to replace their countertop. I will start with the fact that they are both made with the hardest natural stone, quartz. Granite is 40% – 60% quartz and engineered quartz is…

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