SIMPLY SARATOGA RECENTLY SPOKE WITH CAPITOL KITCHENS AND BATHS AND IT’S TIME…
To Remodel the Kitchen and Bath Do I need to do the whole room? I believe that it is important to clearly define terms first. A RENO or Renovation is typically the complete redesign and re-furnishing of a space. A Facelift is what’s achieved when you change out certain elements to get an altered look. A good and common example of this is installing new countertops and decorative hardware or painting your existing cabinets white. It depends on the situation but as an Interior Designer, I can tell you for a fact that Renovations are more highly requested and more valuable to the equity of your home.
My bathroom tile may be outdated, but it looks to be in good shape – should I keep it? Especially when we are talking about materials like old bathroom tile, the question is not “Is it in good shape?” The actual question is “Is it structurally sound?” Tile was installed very differently in decades past than now. Nowadays we use vetted waterproofing systems and products that ensure that water isn’t getting behind that tile and leaking down the inside of your walls causing structural damage and dangerous mold issues. Safety first! You can’t put a price on the health and wellbeing of your family nor the structural integrity of your home. My best advice is not to be “penny wise, pound foolish.” You will be prouder of the space you created and feel far safer in the knowledge that there aren’t lingering structural issues when you install new tile.
BEFORE
144 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | MAY/JUNE 2020
My kitchen cabinets don’t look too bad, can I just spruce them up? I get this question often and it comes down to these two main factors; practicality and cost versus benefit. FUN FACT: Replacing just the doors and drawer fronts is 75% of the overall cost of replacing whole cabinets. They are the most expensive part of the cabinet to make whether you buy from a national cabinet manufacturer or someone making them out in their garage. Consider the age of the cabinets and the original quality. Do they have soft close door hinges and drawer glides that are standard on cabinetry nowadays? What is the weight bearing limit to your drawer glides? What is the storage capacity of your current cabinets? Is your current layout functional to your lifestyle? These are the important questions to ask when considering replacing your cabinets. Replacing them adds equity to your home with new well-made products. Painting what you have gives you the same old cabinet, just in a new color.
How do I start? A good first step is deciding what your max budget for your project will be. Once you get that figured out, share it with your designer and your contractor. This information is a vital statistic and not meant to be kept a secret from the two people who are trying to help you keep your budget on track. If you do,
AFTER
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