Kitchen Designs by Ken Kellys focus is on DESIGN, and this is what sets us apart when creatingbeautiful kitchens. Our design process is intentional and customized to your specific needs, your desired aesthetic, and the architectural integrity of your home. Our design team has created some of the most beautiful custom kitchens onLong Island and in the surrounding areasthat aretrendsetting inthe industry. Our owners, Ken and Grace, sit on industrydesign councils and travel throughout America and Europe finding the best products andtechnology available on the market. When browsing the project gallery, please note that large kitchens are easier to photograph; althoughwe do high-end custom kitchensfor those whohave that kind of budget,our specialty and expertise truly helps those on abudget as well. It gives us tremendous pleasure knowing that we can give youthe highest quality possible and the best design for your investmentno matter how large or small of a project.Enjoy the kitchen design gallery. If you prefer to flip through photos only, scroll down to the photos only section.

Read the rest here:
Custom Kitchens | Kitchen Designers | Long Island | New ...

My husband and I really did our homework when it came time to remodel the entire first floor of our... read more house (kitchen, bath, dining room, living room, windows, doors, and floors). We spent numerous time researching and meeting with contractors for ideas and estimates. With a flexible work schedule, we had time to meet with many. The moment we met Robert from Royal Kitchens and Baths, we knew he was the one. Robert showed the patience and understanding of what my husband and I were trying to accomplish and he had wonderful ideas for those details that we were indecisive about. To make the decision process even easier for us, his pricing was extremely fair and attractive. Once we signed and the work began, his crew was outstanding. They were professional, clean, and talented. Another thing we were impressed about during the construction was that Robert was often at our house monitoring the work and, at times, even performed some tasks. The project was completed in a timely manner as Robert explained to us prior. The quality of work was beautiful. My husband and I are so happy with the results and was fortunate to have no issues. Robert remained patient with us and accommodated us throughout the project as, at times, we requested some changes in the original plans. Our friends and family that were familiar with how our house looked before the construction can't believe it is the same house. And for all our friends and family who came to our house for the first time after the construction, each and everyone of them made compliments about its beautiful looks and design. Thank you, Robert!!!

See the original post:
Kitchen Remodeling - Royal Kitchens & Baths

SEATTLE (AP) A man, who federal prosecutors label a cheat and a bully, will spend time in prison for tax crimes.

Brent Meisner, who was found to have left about $170,000 in income off his 2009 tax return, was sentenced Friday to 1 years prison, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.

Meisner, a former executive with an Alaskan Native corporation subsidiary, was convicted of the tax crime in February.

Though Meisner was acquitted of conspiracy and extortion-related charges in Tacoma, Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Reese Jennings and Siddharth Velamoor maintain Meisner defrauded Doyon Ltd., a Fairbanks corporation wholly owned by Alaska Natives.

"Meisner was not merely a tax cheat," the prosecutors said in court papers. "He was a bully, a narcissist, and a white-collar gangster. He felt entitled to things to which he clearly was not. He took things from others, justifying the theft with an oversized sense of self-entitlement and self-worth."

Doyon was established in the 1970s to protect the land rights of Alaska Natives who were In danger of losing their property when Alaska became a state in 1959.

In 2008, Doyon bought Cherokee General Corp., a construction company that specialized in government work. Meisner was hired as president of the company, which was renamed Doyon/Cherokee.

As president, Meisner selected subcontractors. He was able to boost the business of other firms by picking them for lucrative government jobs awarded to Doyon/Cherokee.

In 2009, Doyon/Cherokee was the prime contractor on large projects at several Seattle-area military installations. According to prosecutors, Meisner had "tremendous power in deciding which subcontractors would get work, who would supply materials, and who would not."

Jennings and Velamoor accused Meisner of taking a $200,000 kitchen remodeling job in his home in Gig Harbor as a kickback from Department of Defense subcontractors. Meisner was convicted of tax crimes after he failed to report the remodeling work to the IRS.

Port Angeles Defense Attorney Karen Unger, who represents Meisner, asked that her client be sentenced to probation.

"Mr. Meisner has spent his entire life as a responsible and hard-working individual. He managed to serve his country, find a career, without the benefit of a college education, and earn the kind of income that he would never have knowingly jeopardized."

Meisner is no longer allowed to obtain government contracts due to his involvement in the matter.

Visit link:
Man accused of cheating Alaska Natives sentenced to prison - Native Times

Renovation (also called remodeling) is the process of improving a broken, damaged, or outdated structure. Renovations are typically either commercial or residential.[citation needed] Additionally, renovation can refer to making something new, or bringing something back to life and can apply in social contexts. For example, a community can be renovated if it is strengthened and revived.[1]

The renovation process can usually be broken down into several processes:

Technology has had a meaningful impact on the renovation process, increasing the significance and strength of the planning stage. The availability of free online design tools has improved visualization of the changes, at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional interior designer. The decision regarding changes is also influenced by the purpose of renovation. In case of a fix and flip objective, an ROI (return on investment) can result from changes to fix a structural issue or design flow yield[2] or to use light and color to make rooms appear more spacious.

Many people renovate homes to create a new appearance for their home, or so another person can live in the residence.[3] Builders often renovate homes because it is a stable source of income.[4]

Wood is versatile and flexible, making it the easiest construction material for renovations, and wood buildings can be redesigned to suit changing needs. Few homeowners or professional remodellers possess the skill and equipment that is required to alter steel-frame or concrete structures.

Forest certification verifies that wood products have been sourced from well-managed forests. Most certification programs provide online search options so that consumers can find certified productsthe Certification Canada program includes a search option for all of the certification programs that are in use in Canada.[5]

In North America, most structures are demolished because of external forces such as zoning changes and rising land values. Additionally, buildings that cannot be modified to serve the functional needs of the occupants are subject to demolition. Very few buildings on the continent are demolished due to structural degradation.[6]

The Athena Institute surveyed 227 commercial and residential buildings that were demolished in St. Paul, Minnesota, between 2000 and mid-2003. Thirty percent of the buildings were less than 50 years old, and 6% were less than 25 years old. The four top reasons for demolition were area redevelopment (35%), buildings physical condition (31%), not suitable for anticipated use (22%), and fire damage (7%). Lack of maintenance was cited as the specific problem for 54 of the 70 buildings where physical condition was given as the reason for demolition.[6]

Most builders focus on building new homes, so renovating is typically a part-time activity for such tradespeople. The processes and services required for renovations are quite specific and, once plans are signed off, building a new home is relatively predictable. Renovations usually require all of the sub-trades that are needed for the construction of a new building. During renovation projects, flexibility is often required from renovation companies to respond to unexpected issues that arise. Projects involving renovation require not just flexibility, but a plan that had been agreed upon by multiple parties. The planning process will involve feedback from financial investors of the project, and from the designer. Part of planning will also entail the collection of data for the completion of the project and then the project plan will be revised and given consent before continuing with renovations.[7]

Renovation has several impacts, including:[8]

Requirements for renovation include property or site to reconstruct; structural plans; knowledge of sewage disposal, water supply, and flood zones; project plan; funding; and builders.

Go here to see the original:
Renovation - Wikipedia

WACO, TX--(Marketwired - May 16, 2017) - DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen's home improvement franchises saw big gains in average sales last year. In 2016, average gross sales reached $952,153 for franchises open the entire calendar year, 14.28% higher than 2015. High-quality service and efficient systems are driving tremendous home improvement franchise performance that outperforms the rest of the industry.

Growth outpacing the industry

It's a great time to get into the remodeling industry, and an even better time to get into DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen. Since 2011, average sales at the franchises have improved 92.15%, more than three times the overall industry growth of 28%, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen franchisees are getting a bigger share of an expanding market, thanks to the processes and cost-cutting efficiencies owners can utilize.

The experts back up the numbers by declaring DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen a leader in the remodeling industry. Franchise Gator recently named the company to its Top 100 Franchises of 2017. Validation from franchise industry experts like Franchise Gator helps show that DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen is an excellent opportunity for investors.

Long-term growth trend

It's that long-term performance that really proves the worth of DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen as a franchise investment. It hasn't just been one good year; there has been consistently strong growth in franchisees' sales over five straight years.

Those long-term trends make the investment opportunity more appealing by showing how the business can grow and continue adding value over the years, building the franchise into a profitable asset for owners.

Stronger margins add more value

With streamlined systems and established vendor relationships, DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen helps franchise owners keep costs down. That makes it a great choice for established remodelers looking for ways to cut costs and get better deals with vendors, without squeezing margins too tightly or sacrificing the quality of their work.

DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen's systems are also designed to enable custom work. The franchise isn't built around remove-and-replace or prefabricated solutions. Franchise owners create the bathrooms and kitchens their clients truly want, leading to great client satisfaction, strong word-of-mouth and better business results.

To learn more about starting a DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen home improvement franchise or converting your existing remodeling company, visit dreammakerfranchise.com.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/5/16/11G139034/Images/WIREDMModernKitchen-5e302ccc5da6a9a2b1379fa891b8fd6f.jpg Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/5/16/11G139034/Images/WIRE-DMMerrillatKitchen-4342d5ceb771b5d0b2170b2a30ae2fa9.jpg

Go here to see the original:
DreamMaker(R) Bath & Kitchen's average sales up 92% over past 5 years - Markets Insider

Dallas Fort Worth Texas, MAY 12 2017 The customers have spoken and the results are in, Cowboy Remodeling is simply the best remodeling company in the Dallas Fort Worth area!

The good news is that Cowboy Remodeling has launched their new Website! The Dallas Fort Worth area is lucky to have the quality top notch home remodeling services that Cowboy Remodeling brings to the table.

You might be feeling like its finally time for that much needed bathroom remodeling project? Dont forget about your dream kitchen! If you are looking for a quality re-modeler that wont break the bank, you have found your remodeling company.

Whether the job is big or small Cowboy Remodeling can help you. Perhaps youre just in need of some new hardwood flooring? Whether you need new counter tops, cabinets or flooring, Cowboy Remodeling can service all of these needs for you and more.

What breaks apart Cowboy Remodeling from the rest of the guys is that they really want to do the best job they can for their customers. They want to contribute to your home and they do this by addressing all of your needs. Their seasoned professionals are not only experienced but they value listening to their customers. While many re-modelers just get in and rush to get the job done, you will find that Cowboy Remodeling will take their time to do the best job possible. Cowboy Remodeling doesnt just do bathroom remodels, kitchen remodeling and hardwood remodeling, they also do interior remodeling, outdoor remodeling and floor remodeling. Did I mention the huge selection of products they have to choose from? They offer different types of materials for your counter tops. You can choose from natural stone, ceramic tile, and plastic laminate. Doing your kitchen cabinets? You can choose from prefabricated or custom made. This is just mentioning a few of their options. Check out Cowboy Remodeling for more options to fit your needs.

Remodeling can be a dreaded time in any homeowners life. Between picking colors and different assortments of tiles and hardwood flooring and counter tops you can begin to find yourself on overload. This is good reason to go with a company that prides themselves on customer support and satisfaction. Building long term partnerships is just what they want to do. Remember to pick Cowboy Remodeling for your kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and other remodeling needs.

Contact Cowboy Remodeling Phone: (469) 518- 7573 Website: https://www.cowboyremodeling.com You can email them on through the contact form on their website. You can also follow them on social media through Facebook and Twitter

Read the original post:
Cowboy Remodeling Announces Their New Website Launching! - MilTech

Remodeling or completely renovating a kitchen can be a big task, but it also has the best return on investment of any home improvement.

But these improvements dont come cheap. A 2013 U.S. Census Bureau report noted the cost of an average kitchen remodel was $5,000, with the price tag for complete renovation at $27,353.

Given these costs, remodeling experts say there are ways to save in order to have money to splurge on key items.

Begin with a detailed floor plan, said Ariel Darmoni, managing partner at 123 Remodeling, a general contractor firm which was featured in Houzz and on HGTV.

Its going to be so much more if you dont have a floor plan that works for you because making changes later costs more. You can also save money if you dont have to move plumbing and electric, even if youre taking down walls, he said.

Dont skimp on important life-safety improvements like mold remediation and ventilation, said Beverley Kruskol, owner of M.Y. Pacific Building, a general contractor who has worked with high-end renovations, including for Mario Batalis restaurants in Los Angeles.

Tile, flooring and lighting can be both economical and beautiful, Kruskol said.

Tile is a great place to save money. There are thousands of styles, and theyre so amazing, she said.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles can be used on both floor and in kitchen backsplashes, said Suzanne Falk of Suzanne Falk Interior Design, a ghost designer on HGTVs Kitchen Crashers.

Tile is cheaper than hardwood flooring, and Darmoni prefers tile floors in kitchens because wood floors can be easily damaged by water leaks from dishwashers.

Big-box retailers sell attractive tiles for a fraction of the cost versus whats sold at designer showrooms, Falk said. For people who have their heart set on high-end tile, she recommended highlighting it in a specific area, like in a backsplash around the range, and then framing it with subway tiles, which Falk said are her go-to tiles.

Distinctive, affordable lighting options are available at retail stores versus paying up at a showroom, they said.

Compared to what was available four or five years ago, you can get beautiful lamps at a fraction of the cost, Kruskol said.

Choose a nicer faucet over a sink, Darmoni said, but look at the faucet construction. Better-made faucets have durable metal cartridges inside, which are the valves that turn on the water and mix temperatures.

High-end appliances might be a worthy splurge; however, Kruskol said homeowners should think about how they use them and how long theyll be in the home.

If youre in a condo, I dont think you need to spend the money to get a Wolf range, but it depends on your lifestyle, she said.

Homeowners who arent doing a gut rehab and really are scrimping can get new doors and hardware for their existing cabinets, Kruskol said, which can quickly update the look. Even refinishing existing doors can refresh a tired kitchen.

The two areas worth a splurge are cabinets and countertops, they said. Consider stepping up to semi-custom cabinets from a local cabinet supplier and avoiding the big-box retailer.

Working with a local cabinet supplier to design creative storage can help eliminate a lot of the wasted space in kitchens, Kruskol said. Upgrades like pull-out shelves and Lazy Susans are useful, but Falk warned about getting carried away with other costly upgrades like appliance garages and built-in spice drawers. These can look nice but may not be practical, she added.

Another benefit to using semi-custom cabinets is they can be designed to fit a homes inevitable imperfections in a way prefabricated cabinets cant, said Darmoni and Falk.

All three said consider upgrading to natural stone countertops versus manufactured styles. Not only do they look beautiful, but they will last for years. Granite has always been popular, but high-end materials like quartz and quartzite are becoming affordable.

The one stone they dont recommend for kitchens is marble.

Its porous and stains easily. For instance, if you put a coffee cup on it, it gets a ring that doesnt go away, Kruskol said.

The rest is here:
Where to save, where to splurge in kitchen remodel - Fredericksburg.com

FULL VIDEO- Video shows Carson School Protesters believe 8-year-old was bullied to death Victims of 1979 Mount Adams balcony collapse Amish buggy and car collide in Adams County Former Campbell County judge Timothy Nolan Is Sheriff Neil too easy on drunken deputies- I-Team- Sheriff ducks questions about WCPO staffers share their best texts from mom Healthy living- Cotton swabs- heroin and Corrections officer forces man into holding cell Testing out Kroger-s new meal kits Traffic mess on I-75 near Linn Street Traffic backs up after semi crash sprays Northbound I-75 reopens after semi crash Mount Adams hillside continues to slip Sister says she tried protecting boy shot in overdose deaths on the rise in Hamilton County overdose deaths on the rise in Hamilton County Car theft suspect falls 200 feet after chase PD- Crews rescue man who fell 200 feet off Crews rescue person from cliff behind Cincinnati Ben-Gals dance auditions Part 1 Ben-Gals dance auditions Part 2 Ben-Gals swimsuit competition Former heroin addict helps people find PD- 10-yr-old boy shot twice in Avondale Sheriff-s deputy choked unconscious at Wes Retherford OVI video contains warning Love triangle blamed for cold case murder High schoolers create a special surprise for Mount Adams hillside has been a concern for decades Retaining wall collapse sends hillside into Engineers trying to determine what caused Victim- Kidnapper said- -You-re mine now- Grocery secrets that get you to spend Prom- Wyoming- Glen Este and Roger Bacon- 1988 AAA recommends roundabouts among ways to Patricia Temke recounts night neighbor Mount Adams residents fear the impact of Families forced from their Mount Adams homes Bride-to-be Ally Kraemer wants your wedding advice

Read more here:
Home Tour: This 1858 house overlooking the Ohio River comes with rich lore and rich trappings - WCPO

By Kelsey Bajada, Morning Star Builders

Photo: Courtesy Of Morning Star Builders

This second service kitchen is both well designed and functional.

This second service kitchen is both well designed and functional.

GHBA Remodelers Council: Make way for the service kitchen

Service kitchens, or second kitchens, are making a way in today's custom homes and remodel projects. There are many benefits to building a second kitchen, such as hiding kitchen messes, limiting food aromas, creating a cooking space that is separate from the entertaining area, and adding twice the amount of cooking space, appliances and storage.

The kitchen is the hub of the home and is used more than any other room in the house. So, it comes as no surprise that homeowners strive to make this space look and feel beautiful, as well as functional. Thus, the importance of a service kitchen becomes evident. With the addition of a second kitchen, the main kitchen becomes the focal point of the home, leaving the "mess" of a well-used kitchen behind the scenes.

It's crucial to point out that second kitchens are not only a viable option for new-construction homes, but also homes in the remodeling process. But, how do you convert one kitchen into two? You might be surprised how far a creative designer/builder and experienced project manager can get you. Often, a service kitchen can be created using unused hallway space, a rarely occupied formal dining room, or even your current pantry area.

The layout of a second kitchen can vary according to your unique, personal needs. It can be as simple as added counter space or storage and a second dishwasher. Or you may be looking for a full second kitchen, complete with a second dishwasher, oven, microwave, sink and more.

Designer and owner of Chairma Designs, Cindy Aplanalp, said, "Sometimes the doorway between the (two) kitchens is fun, like a brightly painted barn door or a cleaver pocket door with an interesting, obscure glass to let light pass, while still hiding the mess". The possibilities are endless.

Whether you are building a new-construction home or remodeling your current home, don't discount the second kitchen. This supplemental space can provide your home with the added convenience, function and beauty you've been looking for.

This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit http://www.ghba.org.

View post:
GHBA Remodelers Council: Make way for the service kitchen - Laredo Morning Times

BY RICH GRISET STAFF WRITER

People are concerned about having the ground-floor master bedroom [as an] option for aging parents. With baby boomers eyeing a future where theyll age in place and millennials renovating older homes, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies is anticipating healthy growth for the U.S. home improvement market through 2025.

The centers recently released report Demographic Change and the Remodeling Outlook also states that boomers will continue to drive the remodeling market, and that the amount spent on improvements and repairs by homeowners and renters reached an all-time high of $340 billion in 2015, eclipsing the previous peak in 2007.

Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the center, says that the study was conducted to see how demographics will shape the future of the countrys remodeling market. For the past few decades, boomers have been the key drivers of the housing and home improvement markets. Baker says that trend will continue for the foreseeable future.

There was some thought that that [trend] was going to wane a little bit, Baker says. It looks like were not quite there yet. The baby boomer generation is still so large, and by and large wants to remain in their current home.

Baby boomers have been refitting their homes in order to care for aging parents, and in anticipation of a future when they themselves arent as mobile. Dan Bawden, 2017 chairman of the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers organization, agrees. There is an ever-increasing demand for aging-in-place work, Bawden says. He adds that boomers often make modifications to their own homes after seeing their parents age. They often take a look around their own home and go, If I broke my leg in a car wreck, could I get into my own house? Could I get into the bathroom?

Bawdens company, Legal Eagle Contractors Co., specializes in remodeling homes for the elderly in the Houston area. As aging-in-place home remodeling is more of a necessity (instead of, say, remodeling a kitchen for younger homeowners), Bawden says his company managed better than most during the economic downturn a few years ago. He adds that hes seen many more intergenerational projects such as adding in-law suites to facilitate having peoples aging parents move back in with them.

Kathy Corbet, owner of Willow Lawnbased Kathy Corbet Interiors, says shes seen this trend take place locally.

People are concerned about having the ground-floor master bedroom [as an] option for aging parents, says Corbet, a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry Central Virginia.

Now that the economy has come back, Corbet says boomers are finally getting around to projects they had been putting off, such as remodeling kitchens and master bathrooms. She says many boomers and millennials are trying to incorporate amenities that theyve seen at restaurants and hotels into their homes, like adding an independent coffee bar in the kitchen.

An increase in the countrys older housing inventory, as much as a million homes a year, is also expected as aging baby boomers move into retirement homes. Meanwhile, as homes appreciate and regain value lost due to the 2007-08 recession, homeowners can borrow against their equity to undertake larger projects.

Bawden says boomers are still trying to keep up with the Joneses, adding features to their homes like outdoor kitchens and living areas, and redoing indoor kitchens. Baker says energy-efficient features are continuing to gain popularity, and that home automation electronic systems that control everything from home temperature to appliances has become popular in the past couple years.

People are just much more used to their smartphone as a way to manage their life, Baker explains.

The Harvard report also states that millennials are poised to enter the remodeling market, but arent quite there yet. Given the cost of land and other factors, new starter homes are expensive to build and are often located in the outer suburbs and exurbs places millennials dont tend to gravitate toward. For both of these reasons, its expected that millennials will buy more affordable, older homes and remodel them.

Still, Baker says millennials have not entered the remodeling market as much as had been anticipated.

They have been so late in forming households, having children, buying homes, Baker says. Were not going to see a ton of growth from younger households quite yet.

Whenever they do start buying homes, Bawden says theres plenty of inventory in need of his services.

Theres a lot of housing stock that needs to be remodeled, and a lot of cities have older neighborhoods that are becoming gentrified, Bawden says.

Read this article:
Boomers fueling uptick in remodeling | http://www.chesterfieldobserver ... - Chesterfield Observer