Does Your Kitchen Rate? 4 When considering 2 kitchen remodel, suits your lifestyle, a kitchen profes- ie best place to begin is often with our current kitchen. That's the advice f Certified Kitchen Designer Al attison -of Kitchen Korner in Adergrove, British Columbia. “Studying photos of different ‘itchen designs will give you a good jea of the colors or styles you prefer,” 'xplains Pattison, “but evaluating your Tesent space will kelp you determine ‘xactly what needs to be improved and that doesn’t”: cae " ‘- When rating your current-kitchen,’ 1ere ‘are several things to consider:in™ -rder:to find out how functional and - ashionable. the room is. “You must arefully consider. cabinet ‘storage, : opliances/fixtures, surfaces, counter- ops; lighting: and electrical systems, ad room orientation and space. The following questions, developed y the National Kitchen: & Bath ssociation. {NKBA), are designed. to® zip you evaluate your kitchen: | + Do the cabinets feature timesaving - accessories such as roll-out — shelves, divided drawers and lazy susans? «Is there enough cabinet shelf space? : . ¢ Are the cabinet door style and color up to date? * Js there a place to sort recyclables? When rating your appliances, it’s aportant to consider the following: « Is the refrigerator/freezer large enough? *- ; * Based on the way you cook, are ‘the oven and cooktop located where you want them? « Do you have a microwave oven, conveniently located? + Are all of your appliances in - good working condition? Questions to ask when evaluating faces. and countertops include: ' «Are the surfaces easy to clean? + Is there enough counter space? «Is the counter space located where you need it? ; » Are the counters the right height for you to work comfortably? ‘You must also consider the lighting ad mechanical elements.: * Do you have task lighting above the countertop?) =| * * Do you have enough electrical outlets? .-. es « Is there good ventilation in the “cooking center? Finally, you should think about the verallspace of the kitchen. This tails some of the following ques- ons: * Does the kitchen relate to adjacent _ _« rooms. the way you would like? . «Ts the kitchen arranged 50 that “people traffic” is directed away . from the cook’s activities? * Is there a casual dining/conver- sation area in the room? : . “Fhe list is: quite extensive and yet, it .oesn’t- even cover everything! . uddenly, a kitchen remodel might seem . ke’an impossible project. However, by : -waluating your current kitchen, you will 2t a clear idea. of what items need to be 1anged in order to. create a space that’s _mfect-foryou- According to Pattison, >+ 1 evaluationwill also: be quite useful ... Chen-you take: the next step and visit a ‘" stehen showroom. 202° 2-551 -.“You.will be able to-clearly commu- conal: suchas a member.of NKBA, ‘> -hat-you: are looking to achieve with “jur new space,” says Pattison... “When you meet with an. NKBA > itchen: specialist,.he or she will also nduct an‘in-depth interview, with ou. to. further define ‘your wants and __ zeds. In: order 10 create’a design that © sional will need to know who will serve as the primary cook; what type of cooking is normally done; if the Kitchen will be used for entertaining and socializing: and what type of feel-- ing or style you would like the space to have. The answers to these ques- tions will affect the size, layout ‘and type of equipment you need for your new kitchen. With this information ‘your. kitchen specialist.can plan the shape of:your. kitchen and, together, you can-choose appliances, fixtures, ‘surfaces, etc. a Again, it’s important to use a check- st. Your kitchen specialist can assist -- you in this process, Make a list of vari- ous ‘items that could be included in your new kitchen. ‘The. list should include. features such as new cabinets, a new floor, a new dishwasher, trash “compactor, tecycling bins, etc. When _ the list is complete, review the items to - determine those that you “need™ and those that you “want.” By doing this, you can focus on the features that are most important to you and ensure that they are included in the design. Getting an Over the last decade, innovative : edge treatments for countertops have captured the fancy of homeowners and home buyers. Why? Because they can easily turn an otherwise ordinary room ‘into an exciting statement of personal style and taste. . According to David Embry, design director for Wilsonart laminates and Gibraltar solid surfacing, new products combined with new attitudes about ‘mixing materials make it simple to add flair to any countertop. “The big news is that the ‘brown ‘ine’ often seen on the edge of a lami- nate countertop has been vanquished,” says Embry. New beveled edge mold- “ings in coordinating or contrasting laminate, such’as those found in Wilsonart’s Perma Edge line, not only § hide the brown linc. but enable homec- “owners to create a very personal look. Similarly, solid wood moldings, ™ “matched te cabinets or flooring, can ONE BATHROOM COUNTERTOP, two alternatives: Perma-Edge beveled moldings with contrasting design strips dress up a Wilsonart dress up a dull top. Edge on Countertops ‘Perhaps no single material offers laminate top (right); an alternative t ‘as much opportunity for creating ing with a classical carved edge. ‘one-of-a-kind edge treatments as solid surfacing, which can be tile, wood and even metal, the possi- carved, etched, routed and inlaid to bilities are endless. produce countless beautiful effecis. “There’s no need to settle for the op features Gibraltar solid surfac- Embry. “New options not only make countertops more attractive, they add value to your biggest investment — your home. KB943838 WE ARE THE OF YOUR enone *3D Cad Design «New construction, Renovations, Custom & Multi-Unit Projects ‘to the kitchen design: profes- . Canac Kitchens of Terrace Division of R. PRICE & SONS 4423 Railway ph: 635-2801 = eax: 635-3612 Combined with laminate, ceramic boring old flat-front countertop,”” says What's New? 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