When revamping your kitchen, there are several different aspects to consider. Overall, a functional space is key after all, you want your layout to work well for you. You should carefully consider where to place your stove, refrigerator, island and cabinets to ensure plenty of space to cook, eat and entertain. Next, you should keep storage in mind. Kitchens contain a lot of utensils, pots, pans and small appliances, so be sure to have enough space to store all your favorites nearby. Finally, your space should look nice and welcoming to guests who visit. Using high-quality, colorful materials will help bring personality and vibrancy to your space, which is important when trying to avoid a cookie-cutter look. How do I determine my kitchen layout? If you're starting a renovation, now is a great time to create exactly what you want. With the help of a kitchen designer, even a small space can have spacious storage and a nice flow. For small spaces, a galley layout is a great option. Since horizontal space is limited, think vertical; stack counters and shelves high up on the walls, and try to find innovative storage containers and double-duty pieces. For larger layouts, try an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen with a large center island or peninsula. It provides plenty of cabinet and countertop space, and you can add a bar-height counter to the island for an instant eat-in space. In the end, it's important to think about what your family uses the room for and then cater to those needs in your design. How can I add more kitchen storage? In order to store all your utensils, pots, pans, dishes and small appliances, you need cabinets, drawers and shelves to spare. To make your space work, use every square inch of space: include cabinets in your island, buy spice racks and hanging pot racks, and invest in a cart. Place frequently used bulky items on the countertop, and free up some space by storing less commonly used items in your storage room or basement. And most of all, get organized! Well-organized accessories take up less space, so taking the time to properly store them will be a lifesaver. What materials should I use in my kitchen? Because the layout and storage options are pretty standard, picking interesting materials is key for helping your kitchen stand out. When it comes to countertops, granite, wood and marble are elegant options, while concrete, limestone and stainless steel are a little more trendy. For a bit of color, add a bright mosaic tile backsplash or pick out a vibrant wood floor finish. You can even mix up your cabinetry! Frosted cabinets are great for a modern feel, while painted cabinets are an easy, inexpensive way to revamp your current design.

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Kitchen Design Ideas, Pictures, Remodels and Decor

Breckenridge, Colorado (PRWEB) October 23, 2013

Devigne Developing, a custom home builder won the People's Choice Award, Best Interior Finishes and The Overall Best Home in this year's Summit County Builders Association Parade of Homes.

"Honestly, when we first met with our client, they stated, 'We need a place for the pool table,' and our job began. We could not be happier with the results of the home and it takes both the owner and the builder to get it right, together. The homeowners have allowed us to flourish and build exceptional homes and I think that's why we just continue to win, win and win again," stated Jules DeVigne of Devigne Developing of Summit County.

The Summit County Builders Association (SCBA) presented the 19th annual Summit County Parade of Homes, September 21-22 and 28-29, 2013. The builders in the Summit County Colorado mountain community have produced an incredible array of homes to showcase in this years parade, from outstanding single-family dwellings to dazzling multi-family units to remarkable remodels that demonstrate what can be achieved when reimagining an older home.

"The residence that won the People's Choice awards boasts exquisite mountain contemporary finishes with a very open floor plan. The 34 foot entry welcomes you in, and as your eyes look upward you will see the sky above though a ridge of glass. These windows flood the entry with natural light. The homes hand hewn timbers are accented by the clean lines and smooth finished walls. The bleached walnut floors draw you through the home and into the open living, kitchen, and dining room. The large stone fireplaces with stainless steel accents stands among the walls of windows giving you the feeling of being outside. The custom kitchen continues to excite the senses with wood panel appliances, leather finished granite, and complimented by gorgeous glass backsplashes and stone walls. Windows surround a spectacular main floor master bedroom with custom stone fireplace and fully automated shades," said Justin Nelson of Devigne Developing.

He continued, "As you go upstairs you find no space unused. Each bedroom has its own distinctly designed bathroom. The girls room is accented by a wood finished wall that hides a secret door. The game room upstairs is where you will find a room made for entertaining. A granite tile wall is the focal point of the room with a modern stainless fireplace and a big screen TV. Take a break from playing pool in the family room saloon that is finished with zebra wood cabinets and black granite countertops. The family room also opens up to a roof top deck. The deck includes an outdoor fireplace sure to keep you warm while enjoying your mountain views year round. At the end of the upper level is the bunk room, capable of sleeping eight. Custom built alder bunk beds each with personal lighting and USB charging stations make for personal comfort in each bunk."

"The lower level of the home is built for the performance and entertaining family. Tucked behind double alder doors is a 16 person theater. The state of the art theater includes a stage for your big act, theater style curtains, karaoke system, and fully automated lighting system. No need to get up and turn off the lights as this theater is fully controlled by a single remote. The gym is also located on the lower level. Walls of mirrors, solid cork floors, and a big screen TV make this gym a comfortable work out place," continued Nelson.

This home is designed and built with the highest level of quality and finishes and is a must see in Breckenridge. To find out more about Devigne Developing, log-on to their website: http://www.devignedeveloping.com or give them a call at: (888) 550-4198.

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Devigne Developing Wins The People's Choice Award, Overall Best Home at The Summit County Builders Awards

Huntington Beach, Calif. (PRWEB) October 23, 2013

Fisher & Paykel Appliances, Inc., a global design innovator and manufacturer of indoor and outdoor home appliances, has introduced a new 30-inch range platform to meet the demand for the most specified dimension in the North American market, as well as deliver the premium cooking experience and design aesthetics of the companys complete line of kitchen solutions. The new line of 30-inch ranges will be widely available in North America in November 2013.

The 30-inch range is the most specified cooking dimension in North America, says Scott Davies, marketing manager for Fisher & Paykel. Because of our ongoing commitment to this market, we introduced our new 30-inch range platform to meet this demand while delivering a premium cooking experience that further enhances our kitchen solutions.

According to Davies, the new product lineup of 30-inch ranges from Fisher & Paykel offers four different models ranging from gas-on-gas to induction, includes the consistent fit and finish of the companys complete line of kitchen solutions and provides a premium offering for high-end remodels and new homes.

"With large ovens and choice of gas, ceramic, or induction cooktops these ranges are finessed with clean lines in glass and stainless steel that will complement any modern kitchen," says Davies.

Fisher & Paykels 30-inch range offering comes in four different models:

Fisher & Paykels 30-inch ranges feature fast heat-up times, immediate response and precision cooking with the following cooking zones:

At 3.6 cubic-foot capacity, Fisher & Paykels 30-inch ranges include full-functionality ovens consisting of convection bake (N/A gas oven), bake, fan bake, broil, convection broil (N/A gas oven), self clean (N/A gas oven), warm (N/A gas oven), defrost (N/A gas oven) and light. On all models, the bottom drawer is a warming drawer, except on the gas oven where it serves as a storage drawer.

Fisher & Paykels new lineup of 30-inch ranges includes premium fit and finish of black glass and stainless steel that is consistent with the brands complete line of premium kitchen solutions.

About Fisher & Paykel Since 1934, the Fisher & Paykel design heritage has been founded on a pioneering spirit and culture of curiosity that challenges conventional appliance design to consistently deliver products tailored for human needs. Incorporating outstanding performance and user-focused innovation, Fisher & Paykel and DCS by Fisher & Paykel appliance brands inspire people through indoor/outdoor kitchen and laundry products designed with real life in mind. Our brands incorporate innovative technologies driven from a passion to produce the most technically advanced, efficient and contemporary styled appliances. As pioneers of the worlds first drawer dishwasher DishDrawer Fisher & Paykel continues to pave the way for appliance innovation. Since the 1980s, DCS has defined cooking appliance innovation for the commercial food industry and designs commercial quality appliances for the home. Fisher & Paykel Appliances is a global company operating in 50 countries, manufacturing in the United States, Mexico, Italy, Thailand and New Zealand, employing over 3,300 people with revenue of more than $1 billion annually. For more information, please visit: http://www.fisherpaykel.com.

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Fisher & Paykel Appliances Introduces 30-inch Cooking Ranges Designed Specifically for North America's Modern Kitchens

Its a small room that gets a lot of use.

The hall bathroom represents a design challenge: How much style can you fit in 40 square feet?

But that little room also could be an appealing starting point: a remodeling project small enough to be affordable and still look stylish or even luxurious.

The hall bathroom also can be a test of DIY skills without overwhelming the family handyman. (Just remember that its OK to enlist a professional when needed, and some things need city permits.)

Bathroom remodels continue to be a hot item, report industry experts. As the economy continues to recover, homeowners keep up the trend of updating their houses instead of moving.

All the [remodeling] business is really coming up, says Harry Headrick, owner of Expert Design & Construction in Rancho Cordova, Calif. The last four years, bathroom [projects] really became a lot more popular as peoples budgets obviously were a lot tighter.

The reason people are tackling the bathroom especially the powder room or small hall bathroom is its manageable, says Sarah Fishburne, Home Depots trend and design director. Its a weekend project or a couple of weekends that you can tackle yourself. Products are ever-evolving to make it simpler, too.

But these little rooms represent a design challenge namely, size. Its small and cant get bigger. Often, the hall bathrooms position in the house, squeezed between other rooms, prevents expansion.

A typical hall bath with shower measures 5 feet by 8 feet; with a bathtub, its a few square feet more. Throw in the toilet and vanity, and thats one cramped space.

The trick is to make the room look more spacious without knocking down walls.

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Small bathrooms offer big payoffs

Cincinnati, Ohio (PRWEB) October 17, 2013

Shawn Dillon worked as a project specialist for Lowes before becoming one of the newest entrepreneurs to join the House Doctors handyman and home improvement network. The franchise is one of America's fastest growing business opportunities today.

Dillon, 39, knows a bit about professional home repairs and improvements as he began working for his uncle in a remodeling business when he was 9 years old. His goal with House Doctors is to bring affordable reliable handyman services to residents in Fremont, Perrysburg, Oregon and other nearby areas in Northwest Ohio. Dillon said, "Homeowners can have difficulty finding a reliable contractor. That's where House Doctors comes in. Our handymen are trained to provide excellent customer service and are insured and screened. We only hire experienced handymen so homeowners can be confident that the work performed on their home will be completed to the highest level of professional quality. That's the House Doctors guarantee."

Shawn Dillon is enthusiastic to service his local community through building a trustworthy and reliable home improvement and handyman company. Dillon continued, With the aging housing stock and more and more homeowners deciding to stay in their homes longer there is a growing need for repairs, improvements and modifications. From deck repairs and door repairs to light remodeling projects like bathroom remodels and kitchen remodels, we can do it all.

Dillon also sees a growing need for aging in place products. He added, The need for home modifications and improvements to help people live safely and comfortably in their homes is growing everyday. House Doctors also offers a guarantee on every job we perform giving our customers confidence and peace of mind."

About House Doctors: For more than 15 years, House Doctors, a 90-plus-unit professional handyman service, has brought commercial property owners and homeowners high standards of customer service, reliability, and quality workmanship. Every House Doctors handyman location is independently owned and operated. Today, House Doctors continues to expand throughout the United States by offering franchise opportunities. For more information on House Doctors, visit http://www.housedoctors.com.

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From Lowes to House Doctors Franchisee

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

For kitchen remodels, bigger is not necessarily better, but open spaces are in high demand, according to the Fall Houzz Kitchen Remodeling Survey of more than 7,500 Houzz users who are in the midst of, or are planning, a kitchen remodel. Houzz (www.houzz.com), the worlds leading platform for home remodeling and design, found that only a third of those renovating a kitchen are increasing the square footage of their space, while three quarters are opening up their kitchens, typically as part of a great room. Consistent with the open concept approach, three in five respondents are incorporating an island into their new or updated kitchen.

Kitchen style differs by age group, with younger homeowners more likely to describe their future kitchen as contemporary or modern while those over 55 years old favor a traditional look. Additional findings include:

People renovating their kitchens have to make thousands of decisions about layout, styles, products, the right kitchen designers and remodelers to hire for their project, and much more, said Liza Hausman, VP of Community for Houzz. Houzz provides all the tools homeowners need to make these decisions easier and more fun, and to turn their dreams into reality. Were pleased to share this data to give people greater confidence in their choices, and to give home professionals greater insights into their clients wants and needs.

Overwhelmingly, survey respondents are renovating to make their kitchens more beautiful and to please themselves (80 percent). Other reasons include making the kitchen more functional (59 percent), upgrading features or appliances (52 percent) and improving organization and storage (48 percent). When asked why they are renovating, people mentioned everything from major life changes to aesthetic issues to natural disasters.

You can download the full report at: http://info.houzz.com/rs/houzz/images/HouzzKitchenStudy.pdf.

The Kitchen Remodeling Survey is an online survey of Houzz users conducted in October 2013. n=7,812

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit http://www.houzz.com

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Houzz Study Finds Bigger Kitchens Aren’t Better, Younger Homeowners Going Contemporary

Cincinnati, Ohio (PRWEB) October 13, 2013

Home renovations are one cost that many homeowners like to plan for in advance of hiring a qualified contractor. Locating prices for services is one of the drawbacks that property owners experience when searching multiple companies. The Real Estate News Wire has published its cheap kitchen remodel hotline online at 1-888-366-9838. This national number now links local contractors with property owners at http://realestatenewswire.com/kitchen-remodels-done-right.

According to real estate housing data, one of the most important aspects of selling a home to a new buyer is the design and appearance of a kitchen. Most homeowners who have lived in a home longer than five years often seek ways to improve the value by making upgrades to the interior.

A property owner searching in a local area for a contractor could be disappointed by a lack of specialists available in a certain area especially in rural areas of the country, according to the RealEstateNewsWire.com company.

The renovation number online now established was created to provide an easier way for the average person to ask questions about pricing and construction details prior to hiring a professional.

Some websites online require homeowners to pay a monthly or annual fee to read reviews of specific companies able to provide construction or contracting services. This toll-free hotline is helping to remove these fees.

"Getting expert assistance in the beginning can help any property owner to plan a budget accordingly and lessen the risk of hiring a company that is unqualified or unable to finish a remodeling job on time or on budget," a source from the Real Estate News Wire company said.

The RealEstateNewsWire.com website has introduced a number of different programs and referral services for owners of properties in 2013. This company recently published one of the most comprehensive guides to avoiding foreclosure online for consumers to access. This guide was coupled with a foreclosure assistance hotline.

"We're creating easily accessible solutions for any owner of a property seeking helpful reviews, services or other information during the buying, remodeling and selling process for any home," the source added.

The Real Estate News Wire website now features direct reviews of housing companies and other service providers to introduce services to homeowners as well as provide little-known information about buying or selling properties apart from the traditional chain of using real estate agents in the U.S.

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Cheap Kitchen Remodel Contractor Hotline Added by Housing Company Online

Click here for information about the Bellevue Fall Cleanup Click here for information about Habitat For Humanity's ReStore

It's time to de-clutter in Bellevue where the city is bracing to take in more than a half-million pounds of trash during its annual fall cleanup on Saturday.

Whether it's broken bikes, car parts, old carpets, electronics or furniture, Bellevue residents have a chance to dump it all for free. The city's two street department locations at East 29th Avenue and Hancock Street and Cedar Island Road and Childs Road West will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for folks to drop off all their unwanted items. Trees and brush will be accepted at the old landfill at Cedar Island and Rose Lane roads.

This year for the first time, two thrift stores will also be on site to take any recoverable items to sell in their stores. In past years everything that was dropped off was trashed.

Since it's the city trash fee that helps pay for this event you must prove you're a Bellevue resident to take advantage of this service. Show your driver's license or MUD bill.

We always seem to give spring the spotlight when it comes to cleaning, but if we're going to be spending so much time indoors in the coming months we might as well make it nice and comfortable. Here are the top six things to put on your fall cleanup list:

-Open the windows -Clean the kitchen -Clean the floors -De-clutter -Organize clothes -Rotate toys

Groups like Habitat For Humanity's ReStore are always turning what might be trash to us into life-altering new beginnings for others. So before getting too gung ho on de-cluttering, you might want see if that old stuff would be a good fit for these stores. Ninety-five percent of the inventory inside Omaha's two ReStores is donated.

This time of year, kitchen and bathroom remodels are common as are cabinets, sinks and appliances that would provide a solid boost for Habitat's mission.

The funds that we're able to generate for the stores really do a wonderful thing, they help us build more houses, they help us build more community, says Habitats Omaha director David Klitz. This year between the two stores we'll generate enough revenue to build about four brand new houses."

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Bellevue Cleans Up

By Ed Komenda (contact)

Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 | 11:33 a.m.

Call 702-236-4114 or visit

Maybe you fancied that old furniture at the Flamingo. Or fell in love with the lampshades at Planet Hollywood. Oh, and how about those chairs at Caesars Palace?

Well, it might be up for grabs.

Caesars Entertainment today entered a massive inventory of hotel Americana which it has kept stored for years in dozens of dusty warehouses dotting the Las Vegas Valley into a public auction at the Rio.

The inventory features more than 14,000 pieces of furniture, art, tools and kitchen equipment collected from special events, acquisitions or remodels at most Caesars properties.

Collectors will also have a chance to nab a 2007 Mercedes with 34,000 miles on the odometer. Industry folks could win grills, icemakers, ovens and utensils.

Theres an elliptical machine for the gym rats.

Headed by Munari Auctions, the giant sale runs from today through Monday. Doors open at 10 a.m. every day. Guests can attend the live auction or hop on proxibid.com to preview whats on the block.

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Always wanted Caesars properties' decor? Now you can own it

Lexington, MA (PRWEB) October 08, 2013

Homeowners that are planning a remodeling project often have several questions to ask an expert before getting started. Feinmann, Inc. (http://www.feinmann.com/) has been answering these questions for more than 25 years. Feinmann, Inc. is now bringing its expertise directly to the homeowner during free fall workshops. Learn the difference between hiring an architect and custom builder versus hiring a design/build team such as Feinmann. Working with one company tends to provide better target budgeting, less cost overruns, close communications, and the whole bidding process can be avoided.

It is exciting to see homeowners interested in improving their homes and we look forward to helping them understand what the important steps are to renovating ones home, says Peter Feinmann, President and Founder of Feinmann, Inc.

Workshop attendees can find out what they need to know about contracts for design and building. They will receive a design checklist and be able to talk about the importance of proper planning and receive a contractor checklist what questions should be answered by a contractor or design/build firm?

The workshops take place in the Feinmann, Inc. showroom. The Feinmann, Inc. team will introduce attendees to their design center with cabinetry samples, countertop and tile materials and give attendees an idea of how they put a project together.

Finally, they will cover how to survive a renovation with tips from years of experience working with families undergoing home remodeling. The Feinmann, Inc. team will also show workshop attendees projects that they have done from start to finish with before, during and after photographs.

The remaining free workshops, presented by the Feinmann Design/Build team, will be held on Wednesday, October 16, from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday, November 2 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Feinmann showroom, 27 Muzzey Street, Lexington, MA. Registration is required to attend by filling out the online form or by calling 781-860-9800 x 15.

Feinmann, Inc. is an award-winning residential design and build firm that creates smart, beautiful spaces for discerning clients in the Greater Boston area. Feinmann, Inc. specializes in whole house renovations, room additions, and kitchen/bath remodels, and offers clients expertise in all project areas from space planning to the selection of systems, furnishings, and finishes. For the past 26 years, Feinmann has built a reputation for providing timeless, durable designs, outstanding client service and careful and hands on project management. Visit the Feinmann, Inc. website at http://www.feinmann.com/ or call the office at 781-860-9800.

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Feinmann, Inc. Offers Introduction to Home Remodeling Workshops in October and November in Lexington, MA