Outdoor kitchen options are increasing as companies offer more durable appliances that will withstand the temperature changes. Refrigerators and wine coolers are options to consider with the sink, the bar area and the grill. Add a pizza oven or a Big Green Egg! Either can be used alone or integrated into a kitchen. For great cooks the result may be fine dining!
What’s up with roofing? Most people don’t think about their roof until it leaks or the home inspector tells the buyer there are problems! Properly done, a roof in Arizona (This varies greatly by climate.) can last 30 – 40 years with proper maintenance. Check for cracks or other damage every year and repair when necessary.
When remodeling take every ceiling and door way to a least 8’ and raise as many ceiling above 8’ as you can afford. I tour luxury homes every other week and hear the feedback of the realtors selling luxury homes. They recognize low ceilings as older sections of the house that have not been remodeled. Use 9’ – 10’ feet for secondary rooms and 10’-14’ for larger areas. Continuous 8’ ceilings are boring and too low to add ceiling details like beams.
The main entertainment/living area should have at least 10’ ceilings. Ten to fourteen feet for rooms that are in excess of 20’ x 20’ A high ceiling in a small room has an uncomfortable feel. An overly high ceiling in a large room needs attention to detail in the upper half of the room that adds another cost factor and reduces the feeling of intimacy that many people find appealing. Hire the best professionals available to get the right guidance as proportion and scale are the most important factors in a room feeling finished and comfortable.
Can a designer save you money? That’s a resounding yes! As the quote warns “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” Throwing money at all details does not always create the defined focal points that separate a great look from a confusing one. Scale is so important! Great architects have it as do great designers. But a lot of input on interiors, especially remodels, come from other resources and may never achieve the room’s potential regardless of the money spent.
What a dilemma! An appliance is failing and needs to be replaced immediately! Recently, a client’s built-in refrigerator was doing just that. The replacement got here before the old one died but that was just the beginning of the work! New wood panels had to be made and anew handle for the door secured that was 12” or longer to ensure the client could open the refrigerator. (By the way, the client had been told that it was not possible to open the refrigerator handle being attached to the wood panel. It was awkward but not difficult.) Some cabinet makers will work from the spec sheets and others want to measure the actual appliance. We got the wood panels started and found handles in stock. However, once it was all together, the doors would not open wide enough for the drawers to slide out! The countertop was designed 15 years ago with a bullnose extension to the old refrigerator/cabinet edge. This bullnose was removed at a cost of $200+/- so the refrigerator door would open wider. A notch was also made in the baseboard on the opposite side for the same reason. All totaled, the new refrigerator and customization totaled $10,000. Now the kitchen is good for another 15 years.
When appliances start to fail, a total kitchen remodel is a consideration. If you like your cabinets and countertops and everything is in good condition, there is no reason to change everything at once. Check your warranties for replacement times when considering your best options. Trim kits allow for new microwaves. Ovens are standard sizes. Dishwashers can usually be made to fit it. Often in luxury homes, dishwashers have wooden panels so your cabinet maker and perhaps a longer handle will be needed for functionality. Factory authorized repair companies give good advice as your appliances age. Most of the luxury appliance brands prefer that you work with an authorized dealer as they prefer repairs done by a company that knows the product line.
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