Watch What You Wish For, Dream First
My mother always reminded me when I was young; “Timmy, watch what you wish for.” I never quite grasped at that age how important that one line would be as I matured in years. That line reminds me of many related things in my business. Being a kitchen designer/salesperson now for over 34 years, (I started my business in 1979) I have come across many lines from clients and perspective clients. I could probably fill a book with these and become a best seller. One of the most noticed line that comes to my mind is when a client tells…
Remodeling Your Kitchen: Pleasant Experience or Disaster?
If you talk to 10 different people and ask them how the remodel went on their kitchen, you would hear 10 different stories. Most would think that that the fault would lie with the places that they bought from or hired to do the project. Unfortunately, the blame points more towards the consumer and their buying habits. Why is this most ask me? When we go to do or buy anything, the first thing we think of is; “how can I save some money and do this for less money.” We ask around to family and friends for their advice or…
Gardening: Fresh Air and So Relaxing
~$ses.pdf2 Now that the spring is finally underway, I find myself in the garden. Isn’t it wonderful to “play” in the dirt? I remember as a little girl making mud pies and helping my mother in the garden. Although she didn’t grow vegetables, she did have the most spectacular roses. We had a fence on the back of the yard that was thirty feet long and was covered with climbing red roses. It is a sight that I have yet to recreate. It seems as though my little plot will not support roses. It is just too shady. Isn’t that quite…
Dream First (Enjoy Creating the Exact Living Space that you Desire)
There are so many different products to choose from when you are building a new home or remodeling your kitchen, bath, home office or family room. Most people look around and get 2-5 price bids for their project, getting more confused as they go from store to store. Being product focused can bring on confusion and anxiety. Product driven companies will match you to product first every time to make sure they hit their quotas. These practices become a big problem for the client who needs help and guidance through the beginning stages of their project. It is tough for…
Freedom To Choose (Independence Day)
The one thing that we have been secure with over the years because of our forefathers and the men and woman that have fought for us all over the world is our freedom to choose. I think we take it for granted sometimes that we have that right. With government slowly getting their way into our lives, let’s hope we still have that right for many more years and not taken away from us. With the 4th of July coming upon us again soon, we can’t help but think of the freedoms we do have in our lives. We have…
Fathers Day (The Juice Man)
With Father’s Day just 12 days away, I can’t help but think of my dad. It’s also funny how since I have been married, my father in-law pops in my head also as my other dad. My father in-law has been gone 3 years now and my dad has been over 40 now. I have become the focus of “The Dad” now. The name Grampa has entered my persona also around 7 years ago. Time goes so fast! Whether your dad is here still or not, how could we ever forget the man in our lives that helped in the…
Jack of all Trades
I’m sure we all have heard someone say this at sometime in our life; “I know someone who can do that for you cheaply.” I get shivers when I hear the word cheaply. Cheaply unfortunately brings pain and suffering to the table. “He knows how to do anything. He’s a Jack of all Trades.” I don’t know about you but I have never met anyone that knows how to do everything well. I had a friend a few years back shyly tell me that he had done his kitchen over and was sorry that he had not called me in…
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…
Food-A-Holicks
I think everyone has to be a food-a-holic in some ways. Eating is definitely one of my favorite pastimes. There is something about food that seems to warm a soul. There are so many ways food can enter our lives. The Food-A-Holick that I am referring to today is something different though. I am referring to my new food radio show on Friday mornings from 11:00 to 12:00 noon time on WVBF 1530 AM. It has been a passion of mine for many years now to get back on the radio with my own show. My last encounter was co-hosting The…
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…