Makeover of the Month-July 2012





Before the remodel

 Our makeover of the month for July is a great kitchen project that we did for a wonderful couple in Kennesaw.  They wanted an updated look, new appliances and flooring.  They also had a couple of architectural challenges that we had to take into consideration in the design.  One was a structural column that supported the ceiling at the juncture of several angles.  This could not be moved.  Another was a relative lack of wall space. 

The column had to be integrated into the island.  We designed a large multi-level island that includes the sink, dishwasher, trash pullout and lots of storage.  One end of the island has a raised bar that also functions to hide clutter in the sink area, and the other end integrates a table for quick snacks. 


After the kitchen remodel

Wall space was gained by removing a pair of corner windows and a small closet.  We placed the 42" Miele gas cooktop and large hood on an angle in the corner.  Glass cabinets line the wall to the right of the hood, and tall units (refrigerator, built-in microwave and warming drawer and pantry) are to the left.
The Parker door style from Schrock was chosen for the cabnetry for its traditional ambiance.  We used cherry in a light stain for the "L" of the kitchen, and maple in a glazed finish called Toasted Almond for the island.  Beautiful countertops in Excalibur granite top the cabinets.

Travertine tile makes an elegant statement in the backsplash, and the dark-stained flooring give depth.  The homeowners love the transformation of their kitchen!

European Kitchen Design Trends

Eurocucina, the huge biennial trade show held this year in Milan, showcased the latest trends in contemporary kitchen design.

The trend continues for the increased integration of the kitchen with the living room to promote family togetherness and to function as an open, multiple-use space.

A major theme of exhibitors was the use of natural woods for kitchen cabinetry.  Oak was especially dominant in dark and natural finishes with sharp, crisp edges.  The look is very natural with the wood treated as simply as possible.  Integrated handles were used extensively for cabinetry rather than traditional applied handles.  Open wall shelving was also seen as a dominant trend with most exhibitors.

Another big trend noted was the return of white and black for appliances.  After years of the dominance of stainless steel, white and black are now seen as more sophisticated.  If stainless steel is used, it is in a matte finish or one that is treated to resist fingerprints.

In countertops, quartz, glass and wood are favored materials. Textured and matte finishes emphasize a natural look to go with the natural cabinetry.  Thicknesses were explored as well with both extra-thick and extra-thin materials used.  Also waterfall countertops were used for a more contemporary look with the countertop material extending to the floor as a leg.

A fun trend is the integration of indoor gardens into countertops.  With proper lighting, one could grow herbs and snip them when preparing a recipe.  What could be fresher?

Dryer Safety Tips

In the U.S. each year, about 15,000-17,000 household fires are caused by clothes dryers.  Be safe!  Here are some tips for safe dryer operation.

1.  Clean your lint trap each time you use your dryer.  Lint build-up in the vent and exhaust pipe can cause high heat build up and is one of the leading causes of dryer fires. Good air flow will make your clothes dry quicker and will use less energy. 

2.  Periodically clean your lint trap screen with soap and a brush (such as an old toothbrush) to remove build-up from dryer sheets. 

3.  Metal vents are safer than plastic or foil ones because they don't sag leaving areas for lint to build up.

4.  Do not leave the dryer running when you leave the house.

5.  Keep the area around the dryer free of flammable materials.

6.  Never put anything in the dryer that has any flammable or combustible liquid on it such as gasoline, nail polish remover, wax, or cooking oils.

Miele's New Dishwasher Series

Miele has reintroduced their Classic and Crystal Series of dishwashers.  Not only can you get the most dependable dishwashers on the market (highest ranking dishwashers according to J. D. Power), but they are at new, lower price points!

The trend in Europe is away from stainless steel and towards black and white, believe it or not, so Miele has added black and white models to the Classic and Crystal Series to join their famous Clean Touch Steel and integrated models. 

And, not only do Miele dishwashers have the Good Housekeeping Seal which will refund or replace a machine found to be defective within the first two years, but Miele offers a 90-day money back guarantee.  As Miele says, "Forever Better."  http://www.mieleusa.com/

Miele Dishwashers Win Good Housekeeping Seal

Miele dishwashers have won the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal.  This means that they have undergone rigorous testing at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.  The limited warranty reflected by this Seal means that if a product with the Seal is found to be defective within the first two years of purchase, Good Housekeeping will replace the product or refund the purchase price.  Now that's quality assurance a consumer can be confident about!

Miele's New Countertop Coffee System

Miele, known for their state-of-the-art built-in coffee systems, has introduced a new countertop model with a lot of cool features. This machine grinds whole coffee beans fresh for every cup and makes delicious coffee drinks. The grinder can be adjusted for the strength of brew you prefer. Not only can you make coffees or espressos, but also cappuccinos and lattes with the built-in milk frother and steamer. A nice extra feature is the cup warmer on top of the unit. Available in black or white, this is a great unit if you don't have room to build one in. See the new Miele countertop coffee system in our showroom.

Tour of Kitchens

CSI was proud to participate in the Junior League of Atlanta’s annual Tour of Kitchens, for the 8th year in a row on a beautiful Saturday in March.

Our homeowners graciously opened other rooms as well, so tour-goers got to see the master bath, pool bath and outdoor kitchen as well as the beautiful pool atrium. All the cabinetry for the house was from our Leicht line from Germany, except for the outdoor kitchen which we did in stainless steel cabinetry from Jay Rambo Co. The kitchen features dual islands each with a sink and dishwasher for easy clean up for the homeowners who love to entertain. Four colors of cabinets from Leicht were chosen for a state-of-the-art contemporary look including cherry, Sahara lacquer, stainless steel and oak in a dark anthracite finish.

The master bath was equally spectacular with a barrel-vaulted ceiling covered with glass tile that extends down to the vanity. Leicht cabinets in dark oak anthracite were chosen for the vanity and topped with low vessel lavatories. An oculus window under the barrel vault provides light in the huge double shower, and a relaxing spa tub is set in its own niche. At the other end of the room is a large walk-in closet that we outfitted with Jay Rambo Co. closet components.