Kitchen Sense | Patrick Jordan

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SUMMER 2014

KITCHEN SENSE INVESTING IN YOUR HOME CONTINUED

by : pat r i c k j o r da n

T

he kitchen is the heart of the home. Guests and family tend to congregate here, and with good reason; it’s where those tasty treats and refreshing drinks come from. Moreover, the kitchen is the one place in our homes that kindles the fondest memories of hearth and home.

Kitchen renovations add more value to our historic homes than any other upgrade. Your investment here is the biggest bang for your buck, provided you choose wisely.

Many homes will benefit from removing a wall separating the dining room and kitchen and all will likely profit from an upgrade of any sort. If you can squeeze in or add in any seating in your kitchen redesign, do it. If your budget is limited, go with a counter top replacement first.

Below are some of the key elements of any kitchen renovation and my take on countertops, flooring, and appliances. These suggestions might be helpful to increase the enjoyment of your space and will likely add value to your home.

Countertops The choice of materials seems unending; granite, marble, quartz, engineered stone, concrete, stainless steel, and butcher block are just some of the options. Laminate countertops are making a comeback now that the materials offer improved durability and artful designs that mimic stone or wood. Laminate tops are a good option for the budget conscious.

Butcher block offers a cozy warm feel and stainless steel can be great if you favor an industrial look. Quartz tops are very durable but can cost as much as natural stone. If you are thinking of resale, most buyers, still prefer, and indeed expect, stone countertops.

These durable materials and will stand up to heavy wear. Plus, many owners and buyers just enjoy the natural variation of color offered by granite.

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Flooring Anyone who has seen HGTV is familiar with the “flowing hardwood” that runs from the living and dining rooms, right into the kitchen. It looks wonderful to have one floor surface running through multiple rooms. It makes a smaller space look bigger and marries one room to another. However, I am not a fan. Kitchens are where spills and water happen. Moisture and wood do not get along. Even a wellsealed wood floor or a wood / laminate product will have gaps where water can get in. Over time, the wood may warp and you will find yourself wondering how much it will cost to refinish or replace the floors. If you are not messy, and don’t have kids or dogs, you may be just fine. But, if you are as messy as I am (Yes, I DID drop and break a whole bottle of olive oil), skip the wood installation. In my opinion, the proper flooring for a kitchen is tile. Here again, there are plenty of choices. Choose a tile you like and one that complements the other components of the kitchen. Consider a placing tile on a diagonal or a staggered pattern to break up the square-on-square look.

Ovens and stoves Plenty of folks like the smooth top electric stoves that are easy to clean. An electric range

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and stove can be a good choice, but there are some who just want gas. If you have been cooking on a gas range and switch to electric you may end up with some burnt meals. Electric stoves can be much hotter than a gas unit and sometimes it is difficult not to overcook some items. If you have a vintage gas unit, consider yourself blessed, even it needs some work. A restored vintage unit will add value and charm.

Do not forget the range vent hood. The hood needs to be properly sized for your kitchen and your lifestyle. If you have a stove-top wok working every night, or cannot resist a pan seared steak, opt for a larger model. If you have the budget, select a range hood that is vented all the way to the roof, and skip any filtered or non-ducted units. A nice range hood also makes a focal point for the kitchen and evokes that hearth and home feeling.

Refrigerators Bigger is better when it comes to the ice box, but be sure to measure twice. You don’t want the unit jutting out too far beyond your cabinets, or impeding the work flow. Choose stainless steel if your budget allows it. These add a bit of light and “bling” to your workspace. The newest thing in refrigerators is the French door model.

This style provides easy access and the shorter doors may help getting in and around the unit easier. Some come with an additional drawer between the fridge and freezer. These are great for storing items like cold drinks or snacks that are frequently accessed.

Whatever your kitchen is like, vintage or modern, large or small, keep those tasty treats and refreshing beverages coming, and remember to share with your Coronado neighbors!

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