Michelle Mallett is an interior designer, but with a specialty: kitchens and bathrooms.

And to prove it, Mallett has been certified through the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

Were tested rigorously that we have the knowledge to design kitchens and baths while keeping in mind the local codes and the welfare of the people using the rooms, said Mallet, owner of Mallet Design Works. Can we move the plumbing and what would that entail for my clients?

Currently, hers is the only firm with NKBA certification in Flagstaff.

Mallett started her company four years ago after graduating from Northern Arizona University with a degree in interior design. She has an administrative assistant. She clarifies the difference between interior decorators and interior designers.

There are a lot more interior decorators than designers, Mallett said. The designer has a degree from an accredited university and has to pass a test. The decorator picks colors, window treatments and furniture, the icing on the cake. The designer does that, too, but also much, much more. The designer starts from the beginning and looks at the functionality of a space.

Mallett explains designers consider a clients needs, building codes and how much space is needed for different activities when taking on projects. Designers might help with building construction or a remodeling project.

She has noticed an increase in clients since she has started focusing on kitchen and bath design.

Clients hear about her through referrals, advertisements or on the Internet.

I have several projects in various stages, Mallett said.

Excerpt from:
Business: When the kitchen is too small

Forty Fort, PA (PRWEB) July 11, 2013

In preparation for its new kitchen department, Rome Enterprises and ReBath Northeast have entered into a partnership with Merillat Cabinets, a brand of Masco Cabinetry.

In the past, ReBath Northeast worked with Aristokraft to provide quality vanities for full bathroom remodels. While they had a great relationship with Aristokraft and liked the quality workmanship on the vanities, Rome Enterprises president, Rich Rome, decided that Merillats wide selection and quick turn-around time was what the company needed as it moves toward kitchen remodeling.

Rome believes that working with Merillat is a great opportunity because the Merillat brand is part of the Masco Corporation, a well-known company that has been around for in some form for over 70 years. Being a part of such a strong, well-known company helps small, local businesses become more successful, by giving them the chance to offer quality products.

The Masco Corporation is comprised of more than 20 companies, including Delta, Masco Bath and Brasstech.

For bathroom remodels, ReBath Northeast will be offering Merillats Classic line to its customers. Customers can choose from 19 different door styles, 5 wood species and 29 finishes. With the enormous variety that the Merillat Classic line offers, homeowners will have no trouble finding a vanity to match their style.

Merillat will be providing vanity cabinets, mirror trim and other types of bathroom cabinets for ReBath Northeast.

The vanities and other cabinets in ReBath Northeast's Forty Fort Design Center have already been swapped out and replaced by Merillat Classic cabinets so that customers can touch and feel Merillats quality craftsmanship.

In preparation for the 1 Week Kitchen showroom, a Merillat kitchen display has also been set up, using many different cabinet and drawer styles, a laminate counter top and stainless steel fixtures. The kitchen showroom will be finished within the next few weeks and estimators will begin visiting potential customers around the same time.

ReBath Northeast offers more than vanity installation. Their installers can complete a full bathroom remodel, including a tub or shower replacement, toilet, wainscoting and the vanity in as little as two days.

See more here:
ReBath Northeast Enters into Partnership with Merillat Cabinets

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --New Old, LLC, a Charlotte area custom home builder, was selected by Cultivate.com, an online resource for kitchen inspiration that is produced by Williams-Sonoma, as their national kitchen of the week for the week of June 26th-July 3rd. Homeowner, designer and builder Mary Ludemann creatively used storage ideas in the relatively small kitchen and caught the interest of Cultivate.com as kitchen remodels in the industry remain popular.

Cultivate.com selected New Old as kitchen of the week because of their innovative approach to remodeling. Ludemann and team took a basic tract home kitchen and transformed it into a functioning yet charming cottage kitchen without changing the imprint of the home. "I wanted to incorporate vintage details but focus on function and storage so the kitchen would meet my family's needs, and I think we accomplished that," said Mary Ludemann of New Old Homes.

Kitchen remodels remain one of the most attractive home investment projects in the industry. Ludemann says that half of her company's business is remodels and additions. "Regardless of new or remodeling, kitchens are the heart of every home where the most time is spent and one of the most important areas to do right," Ludemann said.

About New Old, LLC Whether contemporary or traditional, formal or informal, the homes of New Old are known for their impeccable quality, genuine originality and serious architectural ambition. New Old strives to make each home they build a piece of art that reflects the homeowner not the builder.

Press Contact: Shana Shivel shana@newold.com 704-293-4250 http://www.newold.com

See the article here:
Smart Storage Ideas Land Charlotte Custom Builder National Recognition

Published: Monday, July 1, 2013, 12:01 a.m.

By M.L. Dehm, The Herald Business Journal

The Designer of the Year Awards recognize outstanding achievement in residential interior design among Interior Design Society members across the nation. Barnecut has also been honored by the Central Washington Home Builders Tour of Homes and was a Reader's Choice award Best of the Northwest Silver Winner last year.

The project that won an award from the Interior Design Society was a speculative remodel for a Seattle firm that flips homes in the $500,000 to $1 million range. The project house was a dated 1950s-era home that had been trashed by the previous occupants.

"The existing floor plan presented fundamental challenges and was in much need of an up-to-date final design," she said.

Barnecut was chosen for the job based on her reputation as an interior designer and her willingness to get the job done quickly. She completed all of the layout drawings, color palettes and plans for the finishes within two weeks.

Barnecut really enjoyed this finished kitchen, she explained, because, although it was in a high-end home, it had elements that people could do in their own homes on a tighter budget. The old kitchen was gutted and a wall removed to offer a more open feeling. The original hardwood flooring was salvaged, but the cabinets had to be replaced and a kitchen island was added.

The finished kitchen caters to today's lifestyle with a much more modern feel, Barnecut said. She offers pictures of the completed work, along with other before-and-after photos, on her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/tannabydesigninteriors, and website, http://www.tannabydesign.com.

Barnecut has been an interior designer for more than 20 years, although her business is officially just reaching its seventh year. She has been interested in interior design all her life but was advised against it as a career due to financial considerations. Instead, she earned a business degree and spent 20 years working as division director of marketing for a staffing agency and dabbling in interior design on the side.

"That was back at a time when Microsoft was hitting and there was a lot of 'young money' with condos downtown. All of a sudden it had turned into lucrative moonlighting and I didn't have time for anything else," Barnecut said.

View original post here:
Why a small Snohomish design firm thrives

(PRWEB) June 29, 2013

HomeThangs.com the Online Home Improvement Store has made their goal to deliver the right product to the consumer. With that in mind, shopping and home design tips, as well as special product selections are being introduced.

Adding a second sink is starting to show up on a lot of kitchen to-do lists. Having a second sink, whether a small prep sink or a second full sized one, can solve a whole host of common kitchen annoyances, but the convenience doesnt come without a cost. HomeThangs.com has introduced a simple guide to which kitchens could use a second sink and which ones would be better without.

A secondary sink isnt right for every kitchen, and in some cases can be a lot of trouble and expense for something that might not get a lot of use. Because even small sinks will need both a water supply and a drain line, this is a project that should only be undertaken as part of a larger remodel. A consult with a contractor to determine the cost (and feasibility) of plumbing the area in question should be done very early in the planning stages.

If plumbing the area is feasible, the next important step is to determine what the sink will be used for and whether or not the existing kitchen sink can do the job on its own. Second sinks work better the bigger the kitchen; even in a moderately sized kitchen, it isnt a big trip from one end to another. While a secondary sink might save a few steps, if there isnt much space between the two sinks, it might not be worth it. Placing two identical sinks side by side seems unnecessary at best, but very large kitchens with two obviously separate prep stations almost demand two separate sinks.

Where a two-sink set up really shines, though, is in kitchens that are frequently used by more than one person at once. For a family that cooks together or a couple that entertains, having only one source of running water can be a pain. Adding a second sink can allow two people to work comfortably in the same space without rubbing elbows. Though, again, this really works better the bigger the kitchen, as even a small sink can monopolize the counter space in a too-small kitchen.

Secondary kitchen sinks are great for a second prep space, but its important to figure out ahead of time where the prep space is and why its needed. For example, having a second sink on the far side of a large kitchen island makes sense it allows the space to be used for prep and easily be cleaned up without walking all the way around to get back to a sink. Separate prep spaces can also be nice if for kitchens with a dedicated baking station, making it simple to add water or wash hands without crossing the kitchen. Second sinks are also ideal for butlers pantries that are physically removed from the main kitchen (and sink).

For those considering a second sink to eliminate the problem of carrying heavy pots of water across the kitchen, installing a second sink might actually not be the best option. To streamline the process of making large quantities of soup or pasta, installing a pot filler into the backsplash above or counter alongside a kitchen range is a much more efficient solution, as it allowing pots, pans, and kettles to be filled directly on the stove. For a faster, simpler way to brew coffee or tea in the morning, installing a second sink near a espresso machine or coffee setup can work, but adding a drinking water faucet to the primary sink, combined with a point of use water heater and an undercounter water filter can actually produce better water thats hotter, faster.

For frequent entertainers, adding a second, wet bar style sink can make it easier to sit and serve drinks without repeated trips across the kitchen. Though this is a feature more commonly associated with a home bar than a kitchen, in a sufficiently large kitchen either with a large kitchen island with multiple seats, or a kitchen with a separate eating nook even a relatively small sink can add significant convenience for entertainers.

To see a few designer kitchens with secondary sinks, read the full article here.

Read more here:
HomeThangs.com has Introduced a Guide to the Pros and Cons of Installing a Second Kitchen Sink

Provided by Networx.com

Okay so its a funny title, and hopefully it hooked you, but its really no laughing matter. Fireworks are fun and iconic and beautiful and thrilling and it's undeniable that they're culturally important to Americans around this time of year. So yay, fireworks! Independence!

But fireworks are also dangerous, in a very real way. Thousands and thousands of people are injured every year (over 9,600 individuals from June 2010 to July 2011) with casualties including major burns, loss of fingers and limbs, and even decapitation. Yes, 4 people were killed by fireworks in the same time period mentioned above (June 2010 - July 2011).

So I hope you'll take your firecrackering very seriously. Should you abstain completely? Of course not! You know, baseball and apple pie and all that Americana goodness. Participate but please do so consciously and carefully (and of course, soberly). Here's how to make sure your firework fiesta is a safe one:

Keep it legal. Buy only legal fireworks from licensed fireworks vendors. Use said fireworks according to the laws of your state. (I know, the illegal ones are so much cooler. They're also illegal for a reason.)

Adults only. Fireworks are, you know FIRE. Children should not participate in the lighting or operation of fireworks. This goes for sparklers too (I know, so sad).

Sober operators only! I know, I know, its the 4th of July! BBQ! But listen, just like you should have a designated driver, you should designate someone to stay sober until sundown and act as the fireworks operator. Friends don't let drunk relatives light fireworks.

Wear protection - goggles or other eye safety gear (I know). Thousands of contractors, from electricians in Baltimore to roofers in Cincinnati, wear safety goggles every day at work. You won't look like a dork; you'll look like a skilled worker.

Light fireworks in a clear, flat area free of debris or any other flammable material (including other fireworks!). Look up make sure there are no overhead obstructions (like tall trees or telephone wires). Keep a filled bucket, a garden hose, or ideally a fire extinguisher nearby. Think ahead!

Always read the instructions and safety precautions for each type of firework before you light it. They're all different so you need to read them all. (I know you'll just skim it but seriously read it!)

View original post here:
How to light fireworks at home without getting dead

Indianapolis, Indiana (PRWEB) June 27, 2013

A kitchen remodel project is a big decision and a big investment. The average family remodels a kitchen every twenty years. Therefore making sure to get the best design tips, best quality and the best price is important.

Holly Denihan is the kitchen designer for DirectBuy of Indianapolis with an Interior Design degree from Ball State and she has given some tips and trends for remodeling a kitchen.

Trends in all remodeling projects are coming to consumers quicker because of social media. Two popular sites to explore would be houzz.com and pinterest. Houzz gives professionals an area to share their past projects and pinterest is a great source for the DIY person. With the numerous online options the consumer is more educated for quality, look, function and price, also looking for products that are long lasting.

Trends actually start with fashion, for colors, patterns and styles. Those trends then flow into the home furnishings area and then to the home decor and the long lasting items like tile, flooring and cabinetry.

The kitchen is still the hub for the family. It is where homework is done, family gather to talk and share as well as prepare meals. As the heart of the home, the family is looking for a comfortable place, clean lines and multi functioning space.

What is the latest and greatest? With the finishes in cabinetry, Holly is seeing more paints; white or cream with gray glazing, black paint or gray paints and selecting custom paint colors to crate a more personal style. For those who are choosing wood colors there is more opened grain woods especially rustic oak and rustic hickory with a modern gray stain that highlights the grain. This is the same trend with wood flooring.

The kitchen includes a lot of natural elements like reclaimed woods and metals. Especially for the back splash and hardware. Combining natural stone with glass, mosaics, joining rustic and industrial.

Todays kitchen is looking for less maintenance, therefore counter tops are moving away from the granite that requires being sealed yearly to quartz which has no maintenance and a variety of finishes available like natural stone.

The kitchen layouts itself is changing. The triangle work flow of the 50s is no longer in existence. Now the kitchens are designed with work zones and more function. More accessories are being used for the cabinetry; double trash cans, one for trash and one for recycles is very popular. Space is being designed for the technology that is being used, including charging station and storage areas for electronics. The desk space has been replaced for the open island for the all usage space; homework, preparation, serving.

Read the original:
DirectBuy of Indianapolis Shares: Trends in Kitchen Remodeling

San Diego House Plans
San Diego Autocad Drafting Services company is an alternative to an architect for home additions, bathroom remodels, and kitchen remodels. Derek Berg helps c...

By: MADesignandDrafting

See more here:
San Diego House Plans - Video

CHRISTINA MIRANDO - WOMEN DESIGN BUILD
Christina Mirando - Women Design Build ; founder http://www.womendesignbuild.com in Austin, Texas | http://www.StructEnv.com Office 512-809-1609 ; http://www...

By: 1cyberone1

More here:
CHRISTINA MIRANDO - WOMEN DESIGN BUILD - Video

Provided by Networx.com

Not all remodels are created equally when it comes to return-on-investment. Over the years, we have published great advice for increasing home value. The latest trends are not always the best investments! Simple, sound remodels seem to be the ticket. Have a look at these eight ideas.

Kitchen trends to avoid if you want to sell: Vessel sinks, pull out racks, hanging pot racks, and stainless steel appliances all might not provide the return-on-investment that you are looking for.

Our guide to the super cheap bathroom remodel: The "super-cheap bathroom remodel", introduced to us by a DIY remodeler in Minneapolis, can offer a surprising return-on-investment. Do the work carefully, and you can transform your bathroom into something that buyers will love.

Storage features that buyers want: Buyers want closets, and lots of them. Having a carpenter add or revamp closets is a remodel that could land you with higher bids than you expected.

Renovations with the best return-on-investment: An interior designer discusses aesthetic choices that will pay off when selling your house. Bottom line: Choose simple, classic, high quality styles. Avoid anything too "artsy" or too "personal".

Best home renovations to prepare for selling your house: A realtor talks about the best renovations to invest in. His picks: Roofs, kitchens and baths, basements, flooring, and insulation.

Four worthwhile home energy retrofits: Not all retrofits offer great returns-on-investment. A green building experts says that insulating the ceilings and floors, sealing attic knee walls, sealing ducts, and installing shade screens on windows are sound investments.

Making the right landscape choices for curb appeal: Improve soil grading, fix exterior concrete problems, maintain your lawn, and make your landscape similar to that of the rest of the neighborhood to improve home value.

Fix municipal problems that lower home value: Problems like smelly sewers, cracked sidewalks, and broken street lights all can drive buyers away.

More here:
8 tips for increasing home value