Nicely Done Kitchens Blog

Just like bellbottoms made a comeback thirty years later as flares, the butler’s pantry is gaining popularity again.

The butler’s pantry. It’s no novel idea. In fact it goes back to our Colonial past, and even before then, in Europe. But it might as well be new again as it is quickly slipping itself into the list of new trends in kitchens. The butler’s pantry was originally used to store food, cooking tools and the family China dish set. It worked double duty as an area to prepare food and clean up after the meal was done. Essentially, the butler’s panty was a clever way to hide the parts of the kitchen that get your hands dirty.

Why is it the butler’s pantry and not the cook’s? Simply because that is where the butler often slept. Not as punishment, but as a guard for the valuable objects inside. The butler was charged with cleaning and counting all pieces of flatware and silverware every night, then sleeping on the floor guarding them from thieves. After all, there were no high tech locks or security systems back in the Medieval days of Europe (much less in Colonial America).

Over the years the butler’s pantry faded out of style for many reasons. Homes got smaller; people could no longer afford to have a butler; fine china was lost over time; new technology changed the way people did, well, everything. The role of the butler’s pantry was merged with that of the entire kitchen—no need for an extra room. But that’s not to say that the pantry died out forever. Pantries are still common today and just as useful for storage as it was since its invention.

So why bring back the butler’s pantry? From a design point it’s a nod to history; going back to the lifestyles of our ancestors. Another might be that today’s kitchen is getting larger and grander than ever before. It needs that extra room to cleverly disguise the utility area so as not to take away from the beauty of a lavish kitchen. Yet another point is that kitchens have become an increasingly social area of the house, thus increasing the demand on the host(ess) to impress. Entertaining and throwing dinner parties is always in style, and a butler’s pantry can help you take on a tall order, and do it with style. So whatever your reason (nostalgia, disguise, necessity) the butler’s pantry is definitely a feature to consider including in your new kitchen.

Recently, in The Economist there was a ten page special report on aging populations and what that means to the world.  The article details employment, health care, and what impact having a larger older population will have on everyone.  The large gap in age population is clearly a looming problem in the coming decades.

Over the past few decades, remodeling has taken on a life of its own.  Baby boomers have remodeled their homes to make a personal statement.  Additionally, they have purchased second homes as either weekend get-a-ways or retreats for extended family reunions and get-togethers. The trend has been to personalize and customize a home to fit the lifestyle and mood of the household.  Where will you live as you grow older?  If you are like most Americans, you would prefer to stay in your current home: 89 percent of people 50 and older who were surveyed by AARP in 2005 stated they would like to remain in their homes as they age.

Now, due to the rapidly changing housing market of the past two years, more people of all ages will stay in their current houses longer.  Renovations will still take place and may even increase.   People want to remain active, vital and independent as they age.  So, how do we address these concerns when it comes to housing?  One way is to look at your current house and identify quick and easy fixes such as taping down a loose area rug.  Secondly, examine ways to make changes as you remodel such as adding blocking for a grab bar that can be added at a later date. Finally, determine if moving to a new residence would make the most sense.  Maybe the three level colonial in Virginia would be better suited for a younger family and a ranch style home or single level condo would be a better housing option for an aging couple.

Two years ago, I became a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist thru certification with NAHB (National Association of Home Builders).  The course outlines specific design principles that apply to housing and kitchen design when thinking about aging in place.  These same principles would apply to a person losing mobility with MS or a person with a sudden change due to an accident.  I have had two projects using these CAPS design principles: one project with the wife in a scooter and the second project for a family of four whose son had MS.  In my next blog, I will discuss both projects and some of the elements that I was able to incorporate into the designs.

Rather that providing a laundry list of ways to adapt your home on this blog, here are additional websites that have valuable information on this topic: www.nahb.org, www.aarp.org, agingbeautifully.com, www.cs.wright.edu/bie/rehabengr/kitchens/kitchint and www.naipc.org

I always tell my potential clients, “its fine to shop around… just think about how much time it takes to decide which pair of shoes to buy!”  I’m sure not everyone spends as much time as I do purchasing shoes, but they usually get my point.  I actually don’t have a lot of shoes, contrary to popular belief, so when I buy them it’s a big purchase for me.  I need them to be comfortable and last a long time; they are a bit of an investment.  Quality is important to me, as it is to anyone spending some money on something they will have for a long time.

The same theory applies when buying a kitchen.  Finding the right kitchen requires a bit of shopping.  Quality is important both in the products and in the customer service.  Quality customer service can help you survive the most stressful remodels!  Here are some things to look for when shopping:

Good Design: It does not matter if the project is big or small – a good designer needs to create that “Wow!” kitchen that you just can’t get from a big box home improvement store.  Communication is key:  your designer needs to listen to your wishes and help bring them to life.  Your project will require a lot of attention – make sure you find someone that will give it to you!

Project Management:  Hiring and scheduling contractors requires a lot of coordination.  A schedule should be created at the beginning of the project to let the client know what is happening when.  It should be modified whenever adjustments need to made if issues arise.

Speaking of “issues,” how are problems solved?  Sorry, there is no “perfect” job!  There will always be bumps in the road.  What matters is the manner in which they are handled.  Good communication from the designer and project manager will help resolve things quickly.

Completing the job:  I have heard too many horror stories about a half-completed kitchen.  The “final walk through” meeting is important – ask the firm if they do this as part of the remodeling process

Finally, finding the right kitchen design firm requires building a relationship.  You should be able to trust your designer.  You don’t want anyone that’s too “pushy,” you just need some experienced guidance.  A lot of decisions will need to be made, and making those decisions with someone you trust is important.  Don’t be afraid to ask for references; a good reference from an old client is the best testament to a job well done.  All these things are signs of quality customer service… look for them when you are shopping!

An example of an excellent testament is listed below.  We just received this one last week (about me!) and are pretty excited about it!

July 9, 2009

Evelyn and Kip Nicely
Nicely Done Kitchens
8934 Burke Lake Road
Springfield, Va.  22151

Mr. and Mrs. Nicely,

I wanted to let you know just how pleased we are with the completion of our kitchen.  It exceeds my original vision and expectations, and amazingly it stayed on schedule while making adjustments as needed.

Having worked in Project Management for many large corporations, I was especially pleased to see that your company provides this level of service for your projects, as well as top notch designer services.  Additionally, the attention to detail was impressive especially in areas like; ensuring the customer’s budget remains a top priority in all aspects of the project, order placement, coordination of contractor schedules, overseeing the entire installation, providing a single point of contact to the customer, new requirements, and a sincere effort to meet the customers final phase punch list items.

Of course none of these areas alone would make your company stand out from other competitors, however you do have something the others don’t; Sarah Clark.  I found everyone in your organization to be professional, but I really want to express my sincere appreciation for the services and efforts that Sarah provided.  I use to manage a staff of 22, and I could tell right from the beginning that could entrust Sarah to manage my kitchen install.

As I look back over this experience I believe I choose Nicely Done Kitchens primarily for Sarah’s services.  She impressed me from day one and she continued to impress me throughout the entire project.  At one of the initial meetings I provided Sarah Clark with all of my input on things that were most important to me; removal of an island, combining the kitchen and dining area, opening up the kitchen entry, a movable island, a small cabinet area on the opposite side of the kitchen, cabinets that went to the ceiling, a small pantry, etc.  I joked with her that I want the “WOW” factor for my kitchen, not just a kitchen upgrade.  Sarah made sure that every one of my requirements was met.

With years of project management experience I can see when someone possesses the perfect skill set.  Sarah not only has that perfect blend of skills and expertise, but you can tell just how much she loves her job and how she loves the work she does.  She is experienced enough to handle whatever issues come up and she makes what the customer perceives as “Big Issues” seem small as she works through a suitable resolution.

My family and I would personally like to thank the entire staff of Nicely Done Kitchens for a job well done, but most importantly we want to thank Sarah for her efforts from the beginning to the end.  Her extra hours and dedication to every detail did not go unnoticed by us.  Sarah, gave us the kitchen of our dreams.  It has the “WOW” factor I was looking for.  No way do I want take away anything from the others who contributed so successfully, but in my eyes Sarah was our “Designer All Star.”

Sincerely,

Annette Winward
Springfield, VA

I don’t mean money, avocados, limes, or any other color green, but the one that lasts – environmentally green.  Recently, I had a very “environmentally friendly client,” who wanted to remodel her kitchen with as many green products as possible.  She had done a lot of research on the internet, but was having a hard time finding the right products. That is, until she found us.  We are Certified Green Specialists according to the National Association of Home Builders and are more than willing to help your remodeling project go green.

The options for environmentally friendly choices for kitchens and bathrooms are endless now a day, especially since it is a rapidly changing field with new and improved materials coming out on the market daily.  Let’s look at the “everyday choices” we are faced with and how we can help the environment:

1)    Oil Resources:  Proximity – Choose products that are made close to home.  Products coming from overseas travel the furthest.

2)    Oceans and Dumping areas:  Recycled, or renewable materials that don’t end up in our oceans or the dumpster are great choices.  We donate on our client’s behalf what can be donated by charitable entities.  Especially newer appliances and cabinetry.

3)    Water resources: use products that offer “low flow” devices in toilets and faucets.  Instant waterless tanks save water and energy.

4)    Energy resources:  The obvious choice is energy efficient appliances – Refrigerators are the biggest culprit since they are always “on” – Newer refrigerators by far use significantly less energy than the older ones.

5)    Energy efficient light bulbs – these last a lot longer than regular light bulbs, and don’t produce as much heat.  At minimum install dimmers for your existing lights at home

6)    Washing dishes without using the drying cycle—off time washing

7)    Dishwashers with independent top rack washing, or double drawers

8)    Include a recycling center in your home – preferably the kitchen—we recommend a double waste basket – one for trash and one for recycling.

9)    Cleaning Supplies

10) Countertops with recycled materials in it such as glass.

While that list may seem long, there are plenty more that I didn’t mention.  Kitchens and bathrooms are no different when selecting products.  Countertops can be made out of recycled goods, reusing glass and other materials to help reduce the impact we make on the world.  Everyone wants a pretty kitchen, but to have a pretty kitchen and reduce the amount of waste is even better.  In addition, the wood from the cabinets can be reused.  Oddly shaped pieces can be used for cutting boards, finger joints, animal bedding or landscaping materials.  There is no such thing as too many cutting boards!

Another important thing that green kitchens have to deal with is meeting the standards for formaldehyde levels.  California sets levels each year that are acceptable for formaldehyde output and still be considered green products.  I, Evelyn Nicely, order every product personally to ensure it meets with, not just California standards, but yours.  We don’t just tell you it’s a green product and then give you whatever we have lying around.  We do the nitty-gritty research to make sure that we can offer you a custom line of cabinets that even the adhesives used on them are formaldehyde free as well. Granted, these custom cabinets are by far not the cheapest, but if you’re willing to go green, they’re exactly what the doctor ordered.  We are here to help select the correct environmentally friendly products for your kitchen or bath.

It appears that Kermit the Frog never worked with us when he said, “It ain’t being green.”  If you select Nicely Done Kitchens, not only will your kitchen be a work of art, but going green will be as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Last week I did a final walk-thru with a client.  She was very happy with her beautiful new kitchen and I was extremely happy with the outcome.  When I returned to the office, I upload the photos I had just taken and compared them with the before photos.  Talk about a shock!  I’d forgotten how far we’ve come in such a short period of time.  Yes, it’s the client’s kitchen, but without the hard work and dedication of all the people who had a hand in it, it would not have come to pass.  At the final walk-thru, as long as the client is happy I’m proud of the work we did and I can’t help thinking about all the many people involved to get a project completed.

I’ve had people say to me, “Your job seems so fun.”  Yes, it’s true that designing is fun for me. I would respond with, “Yes, and it’s a lot of hard work.”
All that most people see is an entertaining 60 minute remodeling show on HGTV, but the reality is that the design process has countless hours associated with it before, during and after the project.

Initially, there’s the face time and meetings with the client, the design concept, revisions to the plans, cost estimates, knowledge of building codes, and selection products and finishes.  Once a contract is signed, the project management team and the designer order all products and then schedule all the tradesmen who will be doing the labor.

During the installation phase, the project management team is in constant contact with the homeowners and the tradesmen to keep everyone up to date and in the loop.  The mix of people and personalities also shape a project.  It starts with the designer, who has to match the personalities of the client and contractor.  Some clients want hand holding and constant updates and explanations while others work better with less contact with the tradesmen.   All this needs to be managed on a day-by-day basis.   At Nicely Done Kitchens, at least five people will work on a project at any given time internally and at a minimum the same number of people are at the jobsite.

After the final walk-thru of the kitchen, photos are taken and the accounting is done.  This is also the time for the lessons-learned portion, which helps to make each project better than the last.  This can be as simple as when to remove the yard sign at the end of a project, but we are constantly trying to improve our process.

As a kitchen designer, I’ve found the combination of art and business to be a winning combination for me.  Vision, artistry and design combine with the practicality of organizing a project from concept to final reality.  Without these two elements, the project will not be successful.  Without all the wonderful and talented people who facilitate the process along the way, this job would not be quite so fun.

As an interior designer and first time homeowner, I was extremely excited about re-designing my new home.  My husband and I took advantage of the buyer’s market and purchased a bank foreclosure.  It needed quite a bit of work, but luckily it was mostly cosmetic.  The biggest challenge would be the kitchen… and after 9 years of designing kitchens, it was finally time for a custom kitchen of my own!

HER PERSPECTIVE:

I wanted everything; double oven, an island with cooktop and hood, bar seating, huge pantries.  But the more I thought of my design, the more I realized, how much money should we be putting into our town home’s kitchen?  Of course we want to have a great space to cook and entertain.  But this would not be the home we would be retiring in or raising children in for that matter!  We needed a kitchen that fit the home – a “starter” home for newlyweds just like us.  It needed to be functional, comfortable, and practical as it will likely be sold in the next 5 years.  Also, the remodel would have to be budget conscience – and in this economy, a budget friendly remodel makes sense.

A well designed kitchen does not need to come with a high price tag.  The project started with semi-custom cabinets.  Although there are fewer options in semi-custom lines, good color choices and a beautiful countertop can give you that custom look.  Visual interest was added by doing a two-tone color scheme – cherry perimeter and a black painted island.  I chose a stock countertop from my granite fabricator; it came with a lower price tag as fabricator’s stock colors are bought in bulk.  A stock tile was used as the main color in the tile backsplash.  And I only needed one square foot of a mesh mounted artisan tile, which was cut up and scattered throughout the backsplash.  The appliances have basic features – although I did splurge on the stainless steel finish (a good selling point for resale).  For the flooring I chose a wood-look laminate – less expensive than real wood and easier to install, therefore saving on labor costs.  The last touch – a bold yellow paint color for the room, done by myself to help with my tight budget!

After the project’s completion, we threw a party!  Friends and co-workers were invited to “christen” the new kitchen and we found out what a nice space for entertaining it had become.  Many were also impressed that it was a “budget friendly” project.  Based on the compliments we received I believe the remodel was a big success!

HIS PERSPECTIVE:

Well…  I got told that we were going to re-do our kitchen.  I was actually pretty happy with that because I kept hitting my head on the stupid hanging down cabinets and even I could tell that the faux wood was atrocious.  I initially raised an eyebrow when my wife told me how long it would take, but fortunately I was going overseas and my sole responsibility was to get out of the way.  This I could handle.

After a couple of months of happy ignorance I came back home.  Upon arrival I couldn’t believe what our new kitchen looked like.  I had no idea that we had that much space.  This is when I really started to contribute to the project by coming up with the idea of having a party.  I have to say that the party really was the pinnacle of the whole project (though my wife may disagree). But, we do continue to enjoy entertaining in our new found space and I must say that the kitchen looks amazing.

In early May 2009, Kip and Evelyn Nicely traveled to Florida to receive their award from the Diversity Council for being a Top 500 Veteran Owned Businesses in the U.S., Top 500 Hispanic Owned Businesses in the U.S., Top 100 Diversity Owned Businesses in Virginia, and a Top 50 Women Owned Businesses in Virginia. While attending the conference, the Nicelys were able to meet Kathy Ireland. It was an exciting day, because a couple years back a Nicely Done Kitchen featured in Signature Kitchen & Bath magazine happened to have Kathy Ireland on the cover! It was quite a honor to receive these awards and to meet her.

Congratulations Nicely Done Kitchens!

To many it may seem that remodeling during these hard economic times is not a wise decision.  People tend to focus on the amount of time or money involved in design.  Especially with the decreased values in homes surely to bounce back in five or six years, now may be the best time to remodel and reinvest in your own assets.

The last 6-8 years have been booming for remodelers.  Simple supply and demand concepts will tell you that as demand increases the price mirrors it.  During the last 9 months in the Northern Virginia area, the demand has been decreasing, therefore designers throughout the remodeling industry are offering better values.

However, the market is an unpredictable beast and changes rapidly.  Presently, we are seeing a higher demand in the last few weeks.  But there are still great values to take advantage of out there before the price spikes upwards again.
In remodeling, several factors have to be taken into consideration in addition to great value:

What should you expect when looking for the company to remodel your kitchen, bathroom, basement, etc.?

- Design: It all starts with great design.  A great design is timeless, it will ensure that the space will be functional, beautiful, and tailored to the end user.

- Trustworthiness: Would you trust the contractor enough to leave your home and go on vacation for several weeks while your home is being remodeled?  Will the contractor be able to make the right decisions in your absence?  Are the workers skilled in the trade they’ll be performing?  How much experience do they have?

- Accountability: Is everything accounted for when you sign the contract?  Will there be any additional or “hidden charges” after the contract has been signed?  There are companies that in the surface give you a “deal,” and in the end will charge extra in order to finish the job.  Take the time to Google “complaints” and type a specific company and city where they are located.  In addition, the Better Business Bureau keeps detailed information online about companies, including complaints.  It never hurts to know too much about a company because making the call.  After all, you trust them with YOUR home.

- Quality: the old adage that says, “You get what you pay for” is true, especially in the remodeling industry.  If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!  The first thing that will suffer with a low price is quality.  Quality doesn’t cost….it pays.

- Value: What is value?  Value is the assurance of knowing that you are receiving not only a reasonable price, but also the services that go along with the project.
For instance, in our company—NICELY DONE KITCHENS– our designers are professional designers, and each has a design degree, in either architecture or interior design.  Yes, folks, four years of arduous university time learning how to design spaces for different needs such as: handicapped accessibility, aging in place population, colors, textures, balance, proportion, ergonomics, traffic patterns, ease of entertaining, etc.  These subjects are especially important when designing the kitchen or the bathroom spaces.

-  We provide the one stop shop concept.  You literally don’t have to set foot anywhere else.  We offer a wide selection of cabinetry, different countertop materials, over 200 knobs/pulls for cabinetry, floors, backsplashes, tile, appliances, etc.

-  Complete service from concept to completion.  Project management, Client service personnel, residential construction superintendant, and more.

In the end, you will be happy knowing that the granite in the kitchen is not going to crack later because it was placed on properly installed cabinetry, and properly installed floors.  If a company has never had a complaint filed against it, as is the case of NICELY DONE KITCHENS, there is a reason for it.  Service, service, and service pave our way.
- Timeline/Schedule—the contract should spell out the projected start and completion of the project.  Our kitchens on the average take 3 – 4 weeks of construction from start to finish.  There are companies out there that take months to finish!

- Consumer Sites – Lastly check with consumer sites that provide real feedback (i.e. Angie’s List, ComplaintBoard.com) or ones that provide complaints of companies providing you an estimate.  Researching the company will save you a lot of anxiety as your project moves forward.

Finally, establish that chemistry with your designer as you begin.  They can really help you have that kitchen, bath, or other room of your dreams!

I spent a great deal of my weekend thinking about blogs since I am the first person to contribute to the Nicely Done Kitchens blog.  Let me explain that first, I had to read a blog since I haven’t done so before.  My 14-year-old son can’t believe we are biologically related since his whole world revolves around computers.  As for me, I feel like the Susan Boyle of the blogosphere: a diamond in the rough when it comes to technology.  Now that I have a taste of what’s out there, I think this will be a snap.  I’ve written poems, letters and journals over the years and this will just be an extension of my creative thought process.

As a long time Interior Designer, I had done commercial work but only starting designing kitchens after I decided that I wanted to remodel my own house.  I talked to a couple of kitchen firms, looked at their designs, and realized the world of kitchen design needed my help!  Two years – and multiple plans later – I was ready to set my plans into motion.  My plan was to move the laundry upstairs, cut back a wall, move the refrigerator as well as the range, and add proper ventilation.  I also wanted to add a classic, timeless look to my home.

The renovation process went smoothly (translation: we managed to survive) for the most part and we bonded as a family over the electric frying pan and microwave   We even hosted Easter that year, in the basement, with the help of family and friends.  We were encouraged by the daily work progress and the elimination of our tired, lime green Formica countertop.  Lime green made a comeback a couple of years ago and I had to chuckle – thirty years is a long time to live with a trend.

Eventually, we completed the project and were able to move back into our beautiful new kitchen.  Not only did I get a real sense of the whole kitchen remodeling process, I have used my own experiences repeatedly when working with other people on their projects since then.  My only regret?  Not having the work done two years earlier when I first had the idea.

The words ‘kitchen design’ invoke powerful images in many people.  For some, it’s as simple as granite countertops or Holiday cherry oak cabinets, adding a touch of elegance to their already functional space.  Others think of massive construction projects – workers with chainsaws helping tear out the wall between the kitchen and dining room, opening up the space.  Whatever images come to mind, kitchen design comes down to one fundamental question – how do I want MY kitchen to look?

Designing a kitchen is not an easy process, and many find that their ideal kitchen isn’t as simply done as they had hoped.  The layout of their home may not fit the new kitchen design or the “do-it-yourself” approach was much harder and more expensive than originally thought.  One important part of the kitchen design process is finding the right designer.  The professionals at Nicely Done Kitchens have had their designs featured several times in Signature Kitchen and Bath magazine and have won countless awards for their unique designs.  Each team member brings a different skill set, allowing you to create the culinary preparation oasis that you have always dreamed of and desired.

Once you’ve selected a designer, the process begins to unfold rapidly; with cabinets, faucets, cabinet doorknobs, back splashes, custom hoods, appliances, and much, much more to choose from, the list can seem daunting.  However, with our experienced designers working with you and coordinating every inch of your kitchen, the project is sure to be a breeze.  Whatever look you are going for, be it minimalist, classic, or even exotic tropical, our top-notch designers are eager to help you create a personalized masterpiece.

And don’t think that we’re limited to kitchen design!  Nicely Done Kitchens remodels bathrooms, basements, and any other room in your home that needs a little sprucing up or that touch of class.  Whatever the project at hand, we’ll leave you saying, “That was Nicely Done!”