 |
||||
Recipe: Reinvention Follow these expert tips to give your kitchen a new do  Image courtesy GE Got a kitchen that's going stale? Use these designer-made tricks to freshen things up. "Paint out the cabinets in a dark color," suggests Elizabeth Lonseth, owner of Elizabeth Lonseth Interiors in Seattle. "If cabinets are well-made and you like the way they function, you can have new doors put on without the full cost of new cabinets." When doing so, make sure to remove the doors, all the hardware, sand the surface, prime and apply two coats, says Ashleigh Weatherill, principal designer at Halcyon House in Denver. Refinishing your cabinets or replacing your cabinet hardware are other ways to revive your kitchen's look, she says. Kirsten Floyd, owner of Kirsten Floyd Interiors in Hartford, Conn. says the same thing can be done with counter tops. "The prices for certain granites and quartz have come down," she says. "And putting on new tops can add value to your house." Countertops come in so many different materials, Weatherill says. "The options available today are of increased quality and durability over those available even a few years ago." Chefs should consider how they use their kitchens and what they need in a countertop. Different counter tops offer different qualities to match various needs. If you're interested in a warm, eco-friendly option, go with a butcher block or wood surface, says Christi Barbour of Barbour Spangle Design Group in High Point, N.C. She also recommends homeowners shop at some unique retailers to get inspired. "For instance, restaurant supply stores offer great, unique, industrial-type items," Barbour says. "You can find a great kitchen island or a dining table." Another tip from Barbour is to shop inside your own home. "Consider using something from the bedroom in the kitchen. You can give the item and the room an entire new look." Cleaning out your cabinets is another easy way to give your kitchen a new look, Weatherill says. "You might be able to store some of those countertop appliances," she says. "And nothing makes the kitchen look cleaner than a clear countertop." |
||||
|
||||
