Kitchen Remodeling

Family Friendly Kitchens

Debra Tan (True North Custom Cabinets...'Kitchens for Life') — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:00:34 -0800

As a kitchen designer I put my personal experience to use when planning family friendly kitchens. Many things can be done to make kitchens safe, functional and fun for families starting with the layout.

As a mother of two, I have mopped up my share of spilled milk and cleaned up after more than a few cooking experiments gone wrong. From the time I carried them as babies in snugglies while chopping vegetables for dinner, my children have spent a lot of time in the kitchen. They have serenaded me as toddlers on pots and pans, helped decorate cupcakes for class parties, hung out with their friends after school, reluctantly made dinner and done dishes on their chore night and more recently hosted a dinner party for college friends.

The floor plan should be divided into zones and traffic patterns set to allow for good flow. This will not only make it more fun to work in but will also make it safer. A child running through the kitchen to reach the back door should not cross the path of a cook carrying a pot of boiling water from the range to the sink. That’s a recipe for an accident.

If you want to encourage children to participate in cooking and clean up, make it more workable. Choose finishes that canbe easily maintained and are durable. Children are experts at making messes and spillsare inevitable. A child’s body and mental maturity is constantly changing as will their ability to handlecooking tasks so you need to supervise closely and decide what they are ready to handle. Allow for enough counter space to spread out. A child should be able to pull up a stool beside you to see what you are doing and participate in simple tasks to start with like rolling out cookiedough. As they become more accomplished, you can encourage independence by storing dishes and food in low cabinets. Keep milk & snacks on the lower shelves of the refrigerator and lunch bags close by so that as they mature children can help make their own lunches for school. I often plan a servery area in the kitchen near the fridge where breakfast foods and snacks are kept along with counter space for a toaster, coffee maker andmicrowave. Family members can easily help themselves to a quick snackor drink without disturbing the cook.

Although you want to foster independence, there are some things that should be kept out of reach. Sharpknives andappliances as well as toxic cleaners should be kept in cabinets with childproof locks. Teach your children to be respectfulof electrical appliances and careful around hot surfaces. Even teenagers need to be reminded to keep an eye on the chickennuggets in the oven instead of the most recent text message on their phone. The kitchen should have a fire extinguisher andsmoke alarm nearby. Teach your children what to do in case of a fire.

Don’t forget about the furry members of your family. You don’t want to be tripping over pet bowlsbecause you forgot to plan a place for them. If you don’t have an out of the way floor space for them, bowls can be built into pull out drawers. I have even planned a feeding station with pocket doors for a family with several cats and a small dog.

Many open plan kitchens are now integrated with informal living areas inviting more activity than just food preparation. Children’s play and homework can take place in the space often including access to a computer and TV. The kitchen table often ends up as a place for homework but if you have space, you may want to work in a desk area with a message center. A phone and/or recharging station for cell phones can be placed here. You should also have a spot for a calendar & message board to keep track of everyone’s schedule. This is also a handy area to file school papers and household bills. And yes, don’t forget about the ‘junk’ drawer for pens, paper and other odds and ends.

I have encouraged and yes, often nagged my children to participate in the kitchen. Now that they are 16 and 20, they are reaping the benefits. They have become quite accomplished cooks and even proud of their skills. I know when my children are ready to leave to set up their own homes, they will take many fond memories and valuable skills with them.

Debra Tan is a kitchen designer based in St. Lambert, Quebec

tel. 450-923-9559

Replacing Old Appliances

Debra Tan (True North Custom Cabinets...'Kitchens for Life') — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:03:44 -0700

If you have not gone appliance shopping for a while, you are in for a surprise. There have been very many advancements in cooking technology that you may leave you feeling a little overwhelmed. This month we will look at induction cooktops.

Induction is completely different from all other cooking technologies...
it does not involve generating heat which is then transferred to the cooking vessel,
it makes the cooking vessel itself the original generator of the cooking heat.

How it Works-

The element’s electronics power a coil that produces a high-frequency electonmagnetic field
The field penetrates the metal of the ferrous (magnetic-material) cooking vessel and sets up a circulating electric current, which generates heat. (But see the note below.)
The heat generated in the cooking vessel is transferred to the vessel’s contents.
Nothing outside the vessel is affected by the field. As soon as the vessel is removed from the element, or the element turned off, heat generation stops.

Advantages - It uses energy more efficiently than gas or electric. Cooking times are significantly reduced; a pot of water can boil in as little as 3 minutes.

The cooktop itself stays cool to the touch which means you are less likely to get accidentally burnt by an element and the kitchen stays cooler.

Spills are easy to clean up on the flat surface.

Disadvantages - your old cookware may not be compatible with an induction cooktop. Pots and pans must be made of ferrous metal and be completely flat on the bottom to work.

Prices are higher than electric cooktops but comparable to gas.

Debra Tan is a kitchen designer based in St. Lambert, Quebec

tel. 450-923-9559

Illustration for this article was taken from the website How Induction Cooking Works. Follow link below for more details.

http://theinductionsite.com/how-induction-works.shtml

Making the Home Renovation Tax Credit Work for You.

Debra Tan (True North Custom Cabinets...'Kitchens for Life') — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:16:41 -0800

The recent introduction of the Canadian Government's Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) is good news for homeowners about to embark on a remodeling project but not all work qualifies and it must be completed on a house, cottage or condominium owned for personal use. The credit applies to work completed by February 1, 2010.

Renovation costs for projects such as finishing a basement or remodeling a kitchen or bath will be eligible for the credit up to the set limits. Routine repairs and maintenance and purchase of furniture or appliances does not qualify, however installing new carpet or hardwood floors does.

The credit is calculated as 15% of eligible expenditures up to $10,000 but there is a $1,000 minimum threshold meaning the maximum credit that can be received is $1,350 per individual or couple.

$10,000 expenses - $1,000 deductible = $9,000 x 15% = $1,350

Some exceptions apply where property is co-owned.

The HRTC is claimed on your 2009 tax return.

For more information and a complete list of eligible deductions, visit Revenue Canada's website http://cra.gc.ca or call 1-800-622-6232 to order an information pamphlet.

If you live in Quebec, you may also qualify for a tax credit from the provincial government. The minimum threshold is $7,500 and eligible expenditures of up to $20,000 qualify on work completed by January 1, 2010. You must use a lincenced contractor to qualify. Call 514-644-4545 for more information.

Debra Tan is an internationally recognized kitchen designer based in St. Lambert, Quebec

True North Custom Cabinets

Kitchens for Life...

Phone: 450-923-9559 Fax: 450-923-9229

http://debratandesigns.com

Kitchen Planning

Debra Tan (True North Custom Cabinets...'Kitchens for Life') — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:48:04 -0800

Just like a well made meal, a gourmet kitchen needs a balance of carefully measured ingredients. A serious cook requires proper equipment, room to work and extra storage space for special ingredients, gadgets and utensils. Commercial grade appliances are often prominent features of gourmet kitchens and need to be placed carefully to allow for proper flow in the floor plan. Manufacturers such as Wolf, Subzero and Miele provide techinical information which must be followed carefully to build in their appliances to provide proper clearance and ventilation.

A work triangle layout may work for simple kitchens but for serious cooks and busy families, work zones function better. With zoning, appliances, storage and counter space are designated for each task; Preparation, Cooking, Cleanup, Storage and Eating. When properly laid out, everything needed to prepare and serve meals are within a few steps of where it is used most often and interference between activities is minimized. Not only is the cook not run off their feet, it makes it easier to have help in the kitchen or for guests to visit with the cook without interfering with meal preparation.

Zones may overlap, but the larger the kitchen, the more distinct and task specific the zones become. Aside from the 5 main zones, recently I have been adding Breakfast Serveries, Message Centers and Wet Bars to fit the demands busy families are placing on the kitchen which truly has become the hub of the home. Computers, televisions and built in coffee makers are becoming common place in today's kitchens. Additional outlets and circuts are often required to take on the extra load making planning ahead more important than ever.

Debra Tan is an internationally recognized kitchen designer based in St. Lambert, Quebec.

She founded True North Custom Cabinets with her husband Michael. tel.450-923-9559

http://debratandesigns.com

Kitchen with center work island

Pot drawer under rangetop

Storage for Mixer and Accessories

Breakfast Servery between two pantries

Questions To Ask Before Renovating.

Debra Tan (True North Custom Cabinets...'Kitchens for Life') — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:23:18 -0800

During these challenging economic times, many people are considering their options carefully before purchasing a home. You may find a house in the perfect location in a neighbourhood you love that doesn't quite suit your family's needs. Before purchasing to renovate, here are some questions to ask yourself:

How long do I plan to stay in this house and will the neighbourhood provide suitable amenities for my family's needs for that length of time?

Is the house structurally sound and is it in good general repair or will a major overhaul be required?

Can the floor plan be reworked or do we need to add on?

How much can we afford to spend?

Can we put up with the inconvenience of living through a renovation?

As a rule of thumb, if you are planning to stay for more than 5 years in your current home and you like the neighbourhood, it is worth considering making some significant improvements. But don't spend more than 25% of the value of your home if you want to recoup the expense when you sell.

Although a kitchen renovation is one of the more costly fix ups you can do, it can have the biggest impact on the quality of your life and the long term value of your home. No longer just a utilitarian room shut off at the back of the house, the kitchen has become the hub of activity in the home. Besides the traditional cooking and dining activities, it also functions as a playroom, home office, gathering space and entertainment area. With this many demands on one area, it is important to take the time to plan it out properly.

Meet with a designer to put your ideas on paper and get some budget numbers. It is easier and less costly to rethink your layout and make changes during the planning stage than it is during construction. The designer should take time to get to know you and understand what you want to accomplish. You are making a big investment of time and money in this project, so be sure you feel comfortable with the person you choose to work with.

If you can rework your space within the footprint of the house, it will be cheaper than adding on. This can be done by removing walls to join rooms or reassigning rooms to a new use. Consider the flow of traffic through the house and access to exterior doorways. Avoid creating areas of congestion or interference. Sometimes there just isn't enough space to work with and the extra cost of an addition is justified. Just consider your options carefully. Here are some ideas and pointers:

Open up to adjacent rooms - Removing walls between the kitchen and family or dining room is a popular way to create a great room. If you can, avoid removing load bearing walls. It can be done but you'll pay extra to install support beams and columns. Be sure to consult a professional and get an idea of the cost involved before proceeding.

With an open plan, it is important that the colors and finishes flow from room to room so allow for some redecorating in the budget. A fresh coat of paint or matching window treatments may be all that is needed but plan for it in advance.

Add interior pocket doors - An open concept might suit your day to day life and more casual family gatherings but if you'd like to have the option of screening the kitchen from view during formal dinner parties, consider installing double pocket doors instead of removing walls.

Shuffle the space you have - Reassigning existing rooms can improve the flow or function of the entire floor area. For example, an enclosed porch adjacent to the kitchen might be incorporated to make a suitable pantry or dinette if it is winterized. Also think about views and orientation, i.e. an underused sitting room on the east side of the house could be opened up to the kitchen creating a breakfast room flooded with morning light.

Minimize mechanical changes - Moving a sink a few feet may not be a problem but try to avoid relocating the main water supply or plumbing stack. The same goes for duct work. A branch duct can be easily moved or extended but relocating a main feed will be costly.

Add natural light - Most older homes could benefit from additional natural light, but try to stick with standard sizes when replacing windows and doors. They are cheaper and more readily available. Also, it is easier to enlarge an existing window or door than to relocate it completely.

Take an inventory - In the kitchen, think about the placement of appliances and activities that will take place in each area or ‘work zone'. Make a list of all the appliances, features and accessories you want. Detailed cabinet drawings should be prepared to make sure everything is covered in the budget.

Don't forget the electrical requirements - Make sure you plan ahead to allow enough light fixtures and electrical outlets. Some appliances have special requirements and you may need to upgrade your panel. Light switches should be placed in convenient locations and allow for flexible control of light levels.

Be realistic - Know going in that it is likely to cost more and take longer than you expect. Allowing for it up front will make the whole experience less stressful. If you have done your homework and know what you want, a 10% contingency should be enough.

Renovating your home can be challenging but the rewards are long lasting and worthwhile if you plan ahead to make sure you get what you really want.

Debra Tan is an internationally recognized kitchen designer based in St. Lambert. She worked for many years as architectural technician and project manager before establishing ‘True North Custom Cabinets' six years ago with her husband Michael. Many of her kitchens have been published in magazines such as ‘Kitchen and Bath Design News', ‘Better Homes and Gardens' and most recently the fall issue of ‘Connecticut Home and Garden'.

Tel. 450-923-9559 website:debratandesigns.com