Custom Cabinets Are a Home Chef's Dream

If you are ready to turn your kitchen into a chef’s paradise, it is time to consider installing custom cabinets. Many people are getting hooked on cooking. If you are one of them and can’t stop watching the Cooking Channel or you look up recipes non-stop on your phone, then it is time for a kitchen remodel. Adventures in cooking can absolutely be fantastic, especially if you like to spend your mornings rolling out dough for a quiche or frying up hot sausage for brunch while thinking about how you’re going to make scratch pasta. However, the more creative and intense you are as a cook, the more cabinet space and counter space you will need.  We can give it to you by installing beautiful and unique custom cabinets.  This will provide you with the flexibility you need to take your cooking to a new level.

You Need Room to Spread Out

Things like making homemade pasta require a large workspace, and if you use a pasta machine, you will need a cabinet to store it in. Simultaneously, if you are into making homemade bread, cakes, and pies, you will need an industrial-size mixer and that will require storage as well. For the average cook, a few pans and mixing bowls may suffice, but for the homemade expert, there are specific tools you will need for each job. Fortunately, all of your tools can have a home if you remodel your kitchen with custom cabinets.

Your Custom Cabinets Can Include Storage for:

• Baking supplies. Any baker knows that you cannot have only one type of flour and sugar. You need pastry flour, all-purpose, bread flour, and even specialty flour like coconut for certain cakes and cookies. This requires far more storage space than a traditional cook would use.
• Unique cooking tools. If you are experimenting with making certain dishes or even doing things like making your own sausage, spices, and pasta, you will probably use additional tools that few other cooks do. If so, you will need significantly more cabinet storage and we can create room for each item while fulfilling your plan.
• If you do not have a set pantry in your home, we can give you one with custom cabinetry. This will give you plenty of space to store all your daily food and your unique ingredients.

It is important to work with a professional who can help you create a plan for how to design your kitchen. When it comes to ordering custom cabinets, there can be a space for every single item you use on a daily basis and those you only use once a year. The key is to create a customized plan that allows for the specific dimensions you need to store everything properly. This way, you can store with ease rather than having to force large objects into small spaces or ending up with a great deal of wasted space. We can help you design your dream kitchen, so call today for a consultation and begin living a home chef’s dream.

A General Contractor Can Give You a New Bathroom

As a general contractor, we understand how critical bathrooms can be to the functionality of a home. While this is a room that does not get a lot of attention, and most people don't spend time talking about, your bathroom is one of the hardest-working rooms in your house. If you have a large family and only a couple of bathrooms, this room is working double duty and is probably very rarely empty. With the amount of people needing to brush their teeth, take a shower, get ready for school or work, and use the restroom, your bathroom never stops doing its job. But what if your bathroom is simply too small for all of the demands that are placed on it? What if your bathroom is too crowded or simply too outdated? In this scenario, it is highly likely that your family is undergoing undue stress due to the inefficiency of your bathroom.  The good news is that we can remodel your bathroom, expand it, and even give you a new one so that your family can get ready in style.

Remodel Your Bathroom to Increase the Efficiency of It

If you do not have the budget or the space to do an extension, it is possible for you to remodel your bathroom and to make it more efficient in the process. When we visit your home we will look at your space, discuss what your needs are, take measurements, and come up with solutions. We are solutions-oriented and as a general contractor, there is nothing that we cannot do.

Some of the easy ways that we can improve the efficiency of your space is to replace a single sink and vanity with a dual sink vanity combination. While you may be losing a little bit of counter space, you will be gaining the ability to have multiple people brush their teeth or get ready at the same time. This alone can make the morning routine go much faster and more smoothly. Another way to improve the efficiency of your space is to rearrange everything. Sometimes, for example, there's enough space for us to make a toilet closet. By placing the toilet into its own little room you can have someone going to the restroom in privacy while someone else is doing their hair or brush their teeth without them ever physically being in the same place - this may not require an extension.  In some cases making your bathroom more efficient is as simple as updating everything and adding more storage solutions. Regardless of what is required, we can help to create a plan that is going to make your life easier.

A General Contractor Can Complete an Addition

If you have the space to add on to your home we encourage you to do so. We can give you a new master bathroom or guest bathroom that will make your morning and evening routine much easier. The additional space can really alleviate a lot of stress and complications that can come from juggling schedules.

If you want to learn about the options available for your bathroom call our office to speak with a general contractor today.

Add Southern Charm with Kitchen Remodeling in New Orleans

Homeowners trust us for kitchen remodeling in New Orleans because we are focused on quality and high-design. We believe that the services we provide are more than that of a contractor. I understand that the kitchen is often the heart of your home and as such, you should love being in yours and using it. When we speak with a homeowner about the design that they want for their space we incorporate functionality items that make it easier to access what you need when you need it, make it easier to clean up after the job is done, and turn your kitchen into an all-purpose space or the kitchen of your chef's dreams. Regardless of what you need in your kitchen, we have the creative design ideas that can turn it into a truly beautiful space and one that is full of southern charm.

Ways to Add Southern Charm to Your Kitchen Remodeling in New Orleans

#1 Add Beadboard

We can add white beadboard to your ceiling and your exposed walls to give it southern charm that is reminiscent of a Mark Twain cottage. Entirely Southern and entirely charming, beadboard can transform your space and give it historic character and charm at the same time.

#2 Install a Ceiling Fan

Warm spring and fall weather and hot summers have made ceiling fans a fixture in the south. While air conditioning has made it unnecessary to have ceiling fans, if you are someone that likes the cool breeze that comes from a fan rather than the crisp breeze from an air conditioner, a ceiling fan is still going to bring you enjoyment. Additionally, it will add southern historic charm to your space well helping to push away the smells from dinner.

#3 Try Black and White

Give your kitchen some Big Easy sophistication with a black and white decor. This is an easy way to add southern charm to your kitchen that is simultaneously sophisticated and dramatic. When paired with natural wood tones your space can look as though it has been around for a hundred years while still entirely modern and sophisticated.

#4 Merge With the Outdoors

It wouldn't be New Orleans without outdoor dining. We can incorporate indoor-outdoor spaces into your home that make it easy for you to seamlessly move guests between the exterior and interior of your property. We have found that by simply opening up the kitchen it can turn your indoor space into one that serves your needs all year around regardless of whether your guests are dining in or out. Simple touches like windows that open up like an accordion can make an outdoor bar easily accessible by the chef.

#5 Add French Touches

There are certain ways that you can decorate your kitchen to bring touches of the old country. For example, we can add fleur de lys patterns to your backsplash. We can also add black and white tile floors which can create a dramatic look. However, if you prefer to go French country, we can certainly incorporate exposed brick that looks aged while incorporating things like butcher block countertops and distressed cabinetry that makes it appear as though you are cooking in an old French chateau. You can even get creative by turn old wine barrels into stools or bistro tables. These simple touches go a long way in adding New Orleans and southern charm to your kitchen space.

Call us for kitchen remodeling in New Orleans today!

We will be happy to help you create your dream kitchen.

Go From Retro to Glam With Our Kitchen Cabinet Installation Services

You know that you need kitchen cabinet installation when your cabinets have a 1970s retro vibe — in a bad way. Ugly brown cabinets that are hung too low and have very little depth seemed to have plagued the 1970s and are still in many homes today. While they were built to last, their functionality and aesthetics are more than lacking. We have gotten calls from many homeowners who simply can no longer take having to stack cereal boxes sideways or keep syrup on the counter because none of the cabinets are tall enough to fit them. This is on top of the serious inconveniences caused by not having enough storage for pots, pans, or virtually anything. Since the cabinets from this decade happened to be incredibly shallow and short, they really don’t work for modern families. The good news is that you can kiss the 70s goodbye by having us remodel your kitchen and install functional kitchen cabinets.

Signs Your Kitchen Is a Little Too Retro

#1 - Your Lazy Susan is masquerading as a pantry.

If you have a tiny corner cabinet pretending to be a pantry, it is time for a remodel. These Lazy Susans take up too much space, and the older ones don’t fit much at all, certainly not enough for the modern family.

#2 - You can’t see under your cabinets.

The lack of visibility is fairly common in retro kitchens. While they may have been designed for your four-foot grandma, if you are taller or your spouse is, the low hanging cabinets are likely causing more frustration than they are worth.

#3 - Your cabinet liners are orange and brown flowers.

Perhaps these were changed when you bought the house, but if your cabinet liners look like they took a page from That 70s Show, it is clearly time to schedule a new kitchen cabinet installation. As they say, out with the old and in with the new.

Why You Should Do This

It goes far beyond improving the aesthetics of your kitchen and home (although replacing your cabinets will certainly do so). If you are like most families, you live in your kitchen. Cooking is not an optional activity. It is something you must do a minimum of twice per day and sometimes all day if you have young children. Between cooking, cleaning, making snacks, doing homework, and finally grabbing your cup of evening tea, there is a good chance that you spend hours every day in this room of your home. You might as well enjoy it. Part of that enjoyment comes from the ability to easily access what you need when you are cooking, from everything having a set place in a neat and organized fashion to enjoying what you see and touch. We can make all of this possible for you, plus there are many modern features like internal organization, electrical outlets, and more that can turn a standard kitchen cabinet installation project into something that will actually improve your life.

To learn more or to finally get rid of your old cabinets, give us a call.

Why Granite Countertops Are a Timeless Addition to Your Home

While granite countertops are not as trendy as they were a few years ago, they are still one of the best options available for kitchens, bathrooms, and any other regularly used rooms. Granite has many winning qualities, a few of which we have outlined below.

Granite Countertops Don’t Scratch and Are Heat Resistant

Granite is incredibly hard to scratch. This makes it an excellent choice for the kitchen. Occasional knife scrapes or even using your countertop as a cutting board will not affect granite to any extent, though it may dull your knives. You won’t have to worry about scratches ruining the look of your countertops, and you will never have to re-stain them because they are naturally colored. Granite is also impressively resistant to heat. When you are pulling pans out of the oven or moving pots off the stove, you won’t have to worry about slipping up and ruining your countertops by setting a hot pan on them. Granite can take the heat.

Granite Countertops Don’t Stain

No matter what color granite countertops you get, you won’t have to worry about them staining. With proper sealing, granite holds up to all brightly colored foods and drinks without a problem. Even if the sealant on your granite countertops was poorly done, most colors and patterns of granite are so intricate, stains will not be noticeable if they occur.

Granite Countertops Offer Many Design Choices

Since granite comes in a variety of colors and grains, you will be able to find the right granite for any color scheme, room design, or purpose. Granite comes in well over 20 shades. If you want your countertops to blend in and let your custom cabinets take center stage, granite works. If you would rather your countertops be the statement piece of your kitchen, granite is still an excellent choice. Even though granite countertops are very affordable, they look incredibly expensive and add a certain level of sophistication to any home. They are also timeless, so you won’t find yourself in need of picking out new counters just two years down the road.

Granite Countertops Are an Excellent Investment

If you are remodeling your kitchen, it is time to take it up a notch and add granite countertops. Due to its rich appearance, durable nature, and unique design, you will reap the benefits of investing in this countertop option if you ever decide to sell or rent out your home. Even if you never want to sell your house, granite countertops are still an excellent choice because they will wear gracefully over the years. Granite even stands up to the activities of children without a problem and will look beautiful for decades.

Thanks to the attractive qualities and low maintenance of granite countertops, they are found in many homes of people of all ages. Each slab of granite is naturally unique, meaning you will never find someone else with the same exact countertops as you. This beautiful material is one of our top recommendations for any home.

Our List of the Best Features to Include in Your Custom Cabinets

The best part about getting custom cabinets is the ability to do whatever you want. With carpentry, the sky is the limit, so if you dream up an idea, tell us about it and we will make it happen. Beyond how amazing they look, the options for customization is what makes custom cabinets so much more functional than what you can buy at the local home improvement store. Here is our list of the best features to include in yours.

#1 - Pantry cabinets.

We can install cabinet drawers that open up from the top to provide immediate access to pantry items like potatoes and onions. You won’t need a bag to store them in because you just pour them in for perfect and immediate storage. By adding a clear glass front, you can always see what you have and when you need to head to the store.

#2 - Spice cabinet.

If you like to cook a lot, you are probably wrestling with your spices on a regular basis. By giving you a narrow slid-out cabinet with spice storage, you can instantly see and access all your spices.

#3 - Divided pan storage.

Instead of digging for the perfect size pan, you can easily sort and organize with divided cabinets. By simply placing dividers, your custom cabinets will always stay clean and make it easy for you to access pans, lids, and even pots.

#4 - Utensil storage.

Instead of using a plastic divider for your forks, knives, and spoons, we can build one into a drawer that is multiple levels. This gives you the ability to separate daily utensils from what you save for holidays and parties.

#5 - Pullout Lazy Susan.

Corner cabinets can be difficult to access and to clean. By giving you a Lazy Susan that you can actually pull out of the cupboard, you can always see what you are storing and easily access your canned goods, etc.

#6 - Built-in garbage and recycling.

Every kitchen should have a garbage and recycling bin hidden into the cabinetry. This keeps the garbage easily in reach but out of the way.

#7 - Utensil hanging.

If you do not like the appearance of your spatulas being on top of the counter, we can create a narrow cabinet that pulls out, with hooks for all your cooking utensils.

#8 - Built-in and removable baskets.

If you like the idea of being able to keep food in your cabinets but want to be able to clean that area, we can install removable baskets. They will slide into your cabinetry to blend in but can also be removed to rinse out. This makes it easy to store fruit, avocados, and veggies within easy reach.

#9 - Cutting board.

We can install a cutting board that slides into your cabinetry, but to increase the efficiency of your kitchen, we can cut a hole in it and build the garbage underneath. You can chop and toss without any additional effort.

#10 - Cookbook storage.

If you like to cook, why keep your books in the living room or library? We can create cookbook storage so they are always within easy reach.

To learn more about custom cabinets and how they can improve your life, call and schedule a consultation.

Granite Countertops vs. Marble and Laminate

If you are considering placing granite countertops in your home, you may be wondering how they compare with other materials. Granite is incredibly popular and has become the material of choice for many modern home buyers. Replacing both laminate and tile, you are more likely to find granite in new constructions now than in years past. Given the diversity of colors, styles, and design, it is no wonder that designers are also including them in remodels. Still, when you go to remodel your kitchen, you need to select a material that fits your needs, rather than just being a design trend. Here is what you need to know about granite and the comparable options.

Natural Materials

Both granite and marble are natural materials, unlike laminate. As something that is naturally occurring, there is a uniqueness to each slab. They are not manufactured in a lab to your or anyone’s exact specifications. This makes them incredibly interesting, and it can be fun to select your counters from a variety of options. However, if you need it to look an exact way, it could take some time to find the right counters, or you may need to temporarily put in laminate while you hunt for a slab of granite that you are absolutely in love with.

Durability

Granite countertops are the most durable when compared with marble and laminate. They are hardy and less likely to stain, chip, or crack than the other two. For the most part, granite is resistant to foods that are acidic as well. Marble can be made more durable with regular sealing. However, laminate is naturally prone to cracks and chips because of how thin it is. This is more likely to show on the corners or edges of the counters.

Cleanup

All three are fairly easy to clean, but they can also soak in the color of food or drinks that are placed on them. For this reason, you should clean them right away. Granite is the least likely to show stains, but you should still reseal it once every two years. Marble, on the other hand, need to be resealed twice every year. This makes the maintenance cost and time requirement much higher with marble.

Price

When it comes to cost, nothing is as inexpensive a laminate and it looks it. If you want your counters to look high-end or custom, laminate is not a good solution, since it is all about function and not design. Marble, on the other hand, can look very glamorous, but it is the most expensive of the three. Given its ability to chip or become stained, this is a better option for bathroom counters that are smaller and receive less use. For your kitchen, we recommend granite countertops because while they cost far more than granite, the cost is worth it. Your kitchen will look amazing, and your counters will last for years to come while still looking incredible. They stand the test of time, which means less remodeling cost in the future.

To learn more about granite countertops or your options, call us today.