Kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular of all home improvement projects. Even though it does deliver a high return-on-investment, the main motivation for a new kitchen is because it’s the heart of the home, and a reflection of how we wish to live.

Being such an important and involved remodeling project, it’s crucial that you work with the right designers and builders so you actually get the kitchen you’ve longed for. Along with a new kitchen, you will build a relationship with these professionals, so choose wisely.

There are hundreds of elements that go into creating your perfect kitchen, and Adrienne Nienkamp (above), a National Kitchen & Bath Association Certified Kitchen Designer with St. Louis remodeling firm Mosby Building Arts, shares the steps that should be followed – from start to finish – to get a kitchen remodel that is beautiful, durable and safe.

Interview with the Designer – “To create your perfect kitchen, a designer should ask a lot of questions and really listen to your answers. While talking about what you need, you usually reveal what you really want, as well. Your answers provide the foundation to build upon.”

Inspection of the Home – “There needs to be a big picture understanding of the project because remodeling can have a snowball effect. What rooms or areas surround the kitchen, on the same level as well as upstairs and in the basement?  Are any of these areas going to be affected?”

Inspection of the Utilities – “Where are the current electrical and plumbing lines? Will they need to be upgraded or moved for the new plans? These are the utilities that power the kitchen, so the designer should make sure they are up to code and will handle the new loads.”

Document the Existing Kitchen – “Every aspect of your existing kitchen needs to be measured and photographed. The measurements are used to document the existing floorplan, which is the basis for creating a new plan. The photos are continually referred to while working up a new design. Plus, when the project is complete, it’s fun to compare the before and after photos.”

Design the New Kitchen – “All of the details go into a drafting program and your new kitchen is designed in 3D. This is where all the conversations about your likes and dislike, needs and desires come into play, guiding the design. Many times a designer looks for inspiration from magazines, art, nature – whatever  may excite you.”

Write a Scope of Work – “Once a first draft design is complete, all of the material and construction details are written out. This list is known as a Work Scope, and this is what passes to an estimator who comes up with the general budget amount needed to bring the concept to life.”

Present the Design – “Once the plan is in place and priced, you meet with your designer to review the concept. This is very much a working meeting, where you ’walk through’ the 3-dimensional plans of the kitchen, and talk about what you like, what you don’t like, and discuss the initial budget.  This is the time to make any changes you want, because it’s much easier (and cheaper) to make changes on paper rather than during construction.”

Go Shopping – “Now you and the designer head out to select the right materials for the new kitchen. It’s a huge benefit to shop with the designer so that she or he can keep track of what you fall in love with and make sure that it will work within the plan.  Together, you’ll try to pick out everything at once – appliances, cabinets, hardware, countertops, backsplash, flooring trims, paint colors – everything! This way, the designer can coordinate as you go along, keep everything organized, get accurate prices and make sure there are no surprises later.”

Walk-Through with Subcontractors – “Once you agree on all the pieces and a plan, it’s time for a plumber, electrician, HVAC specialist and a project manager to come to your home to go over every detail of the project. The trade partners discuss the steps to see if there’s anything that has been missed or spot potential problems that need to be addressed now to avoid surprises later. They should also supply the real price quotes to replace the original estimate.”

Agree on the Final Design – “Now that the designer has your final selections, and all the construction experts have weighed in with valuable information, it’s time to determine the final project cost and put together a realistic construction schedule.  Once that’s complete, it’s time to present to you the final design and budget, and pour over the details. When you’re in full agreement and you feel good about the goal, you sign a final contract that starts the ball rolling.”

Hand-off to Production – “Your designer now reviews every aspect of the project with your project manager and construction crew so everyone is on the same page and ready to go. There is a final review of the plans so that all your questions are answered, along with a run-down of logistic such as what time the construction crew will arrive each morning, where they can park and such. Your designer wants to make sure there will be no surprises for anyone involved, and that everyone is working toward the same goal.”

Construction Begins – “You’re now in the hands of your construction team, though the designer should visit the job site from time to time to watch your plans come alive. He or she should also be available to answer any questions from you and the production team, and follow through on any new details that may pop up.”

Construction Ends – “And this is the moment you’ve been waiting for! The last pieces are in place, the crew cleans up, you receive your warranty binder and you begin moving your stuff into the new kitchen. The heart of your home is beating once again.”

Adrienne also noted that actually designing the kitchen is the shortest part of the process: “Coordinating all the details and logistics is where good designers invest most of their time, because once those are in place, you’ll have a smooth project. Plan the work and then work the plan – it’s a guarantee for a successful kitchen remodel.”

When you’re ready for the kitchen of your dreams, Adrienne and the Planning & Design team at Mosby Building Arts are here for you.  To get started, call the office at 314.909.1800, or contact them here.

When you want to expand your outdoor cooking beyond wheeling out the Weber, an outdoor kitchen awaits you. This remodeling project can be as simple as a grill and dining table on a concrete patio, or you can create an outdoor room with a full kitchen and a full suite of furnishings for lounging and dining. Outdoor living options are endless, so let’s consider the following areas that help determine what type of outdoor kitchen would satisfy your vision.

Creating An Outdoor Kitchen

Do you need a simple cooking area or a full kitchen? A grill and counter space are the essentials of outdoor cooking, while a refrigerator and sink make it a regulation kitchen. Adding these fixtures requires adding water and electrical hookups, and it can boost your home’s value because you’ve created a second kitchen. So, consider how long you will be in your home, and let then let your cooking and entertaining desires frame the scope of your outdoor kitchen.

Cooking Preparing meals for family and friends is the basis of an outdoor kitchen, and choices include gas or charcoal grill, or would you like a wood-burning pizza oven with a separate stove top? Should the cooking fixtures be portable or permanent? If you want an outdoor kitchen that can be rearranged or taken with you to a new home, choose a grill on wheels. If you desire is to enjoy the kitchen for years to come, then go with built-in appliances just as you would for an indoor kitchen.

Prep Area Preparing food and storing cooking utensils informs outdoor kitchen design. A simple countertop with drawers and shelves underneath may be all that’s required. For the gourmand, the plan may have the same items as the indoor kitchen: refrigerator, wine chiller, warming drawer, double sinks and plenty of countertop for multiple cooks working together. How you wish to cook and entertain is how simple or extensive the kitchen could be.

Weather-Friendly Materials Everything needs to be waterproof and low maintenance, so the materials that fill this requirement are stainless steel, enamel, red woods and teak, stone veneers, concrete and brick. For flooring, avoid slick materials like glazed ceramic tile or marble to reduce slipping, and  choose countertop materials that are durable and easy to clean, like concrete, which can be cleaned with the garden hose.

Construction An outdoor kitchen is, essentially, an outdoor room, so professional remodelers consider this project a room addition. Typically, building an outdoor room won’t disrupt household routines, which can make it a pleasurable project to undertake. This is a significant home improvement, so it is important to build to local zoning codes, follow proper building methods and obtain proper building permits. Use licensed plumbers and electricians so the space is up to code.

The kitchen can be built on an existing patio if it is in good condition and take the extra weight and use. Existing decks can also be used, but may require additional support because of the extra weight being added. Whether expanding what exists or starting from scratch, ensure that areas directly underneath grills and stoves can withstand high heat and sparks from embers that fall.

Another consideration is how many months out of the year you want to use the space. The outdoor cooking season extends into deep fall with the inclusion of gas patio heaters or a fireplace, and a gazebo or other shelter can buffer the elements.

Placement An important decision is where to place the kitchen. Placing it on level ground near existing utilities is ideal. Placing it off to the side of the yard is better than smack dab in the center, as it provides more privacy and can improve a spot in the yard that needed attention, anyway. What views you want to capture is an aesthetic consideration, as well.

An attached kitchen let’s your home’s exterior wall act as a weather buffer, and makes it easy to tap into the kitchen’s existing utilities. Ventilation for an attached kitchen is very important, as smoke-producing appliances must either be out from under roof eaves or have an exhaust system to avoid trapped smoke.

Freestanding kitchens give you more leeway with layout, space and style. For instance, most outdoor entertaining takes place in the late afternoon and early evening, so locating the area in a northern area will provide natural shade that keeps everyone cooler. Erecting a pergola, gazebo or pavilion nicely defines space and provides ample shade and protection. Wind and the elements are another key consideration; landscaping can be employed as a windbreak on the perimeter of the space.

Layout The floorplan of an outdoor kitchen follows the same principals as the indoor version. Consider the configuration and spacing of work zones for how many cooks will be attending, and allow for enough foot traffic around the cooking areas to avoid accidents.

People can gather at a counter with bar height seating to watch you cook and keep you a part of the party, or you can create separate areas for entertainment, lounging and dining. These decisions form the basis of what furniture and fixtures are needed to complete your vision. And remember to place seating so that smoke blows away from guests!

From the simple to the elaborate, an outdoor kitchen requires much coordinating and thought. The Mosby Building Arts planners and designers make it easy for you and excel at working with you to create the ultimate outdoor living experience, and the Mosby carpenters will bring these visions to life. Browse examples of Mosby outdoor living projects that have improved the homeowners’ lifestyle, and when you’re ready for your own backyard oasis, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

You’re content with the size and existing layout of your kitchen, but you’re not happy with how out-dated and worn this hub of your home looks and feels. You may not need a complete kitchen remodel to give it a modern and inviting appearance. With just a few cosmetic enhancements to your kitchen, a transformation can be made without the duration and expense associated with a complete kitchen remodel.

We provide many ideas and suggestions to spruce up the look of a kitchen rather than a full remodel. These are the a few improvements we recommend that will substantially update and rejuvenate your kitchen:

1. Revitalize Cabinets

New doors on existing cabinets achieve an instant update. Re-staining, painting, or adding trim to flat panel doors are other options to revive the appearance of timeworn cabinets. New hardware will immediately enhance and distinctively update the look.

Reader Question: Can Formica cabinets be painted?

2. Replace Countertops

After cabinets, countertops are the most prominent focal point of the kitchen. Significant advances have been made in countertop materials. Choices are vast, including engineered and recycled alternatives to traditional granite, tile, and laminate.

Reader Question: Can we paint our white countertop to freshen it up?

3. Install New Faucets

New sink hardware instantly enriches the most functional and essential element of your kitchen. Faucet component style, operation, and task options are limitless.

4. Add Trim & Molding

One of the most effective methods of enhancing the quality of a kitchen is with the addition of trim and molding. Adorning the ceiling with crown molding, wainscoting crested with a chair rail, or the augmentation of existing trim around doors and windows are some of the artful options that add style, elegance and polish to a kitchen.

Reader Question: How do you install base trim over a stucco wall?

5. Refresh the Paint

The most fundamental and cost-effective facelift you can give your kitchen is a new paint color. Paint is the foremost procedure to freshen a kitchen’s appearance. Palette, style and personality options are limitless. Professional design and expertise culminated with skilled prep work and precision application will enhance and rejuvenate a kitchen.

6. Flooring

The floor is usually the largest surface in your kitchen, so changing this surface will make a big impact. Options include refinishing an existing wood floor and applying a new stain color, laying down new ceramic or stone tiles, or simply updating vinyl or laminate flooring by choosing from thousands of new designs available.

7. Lighting

Lighting is an important element of your kitchen that deserves special attention. Consider task lighting for your work areas, overhead light for illuminating the room and ambient lighting to create mood and atmosphere. Lighting also gives you the chance to express your style (some fixtures look like works of art) or harmonize the design elements of your kitchen.

We enjoy working with homeowners on transforming the look of their kitchen, because it’s a fun adventure with relatively quick results. Mosby designers shop with you and help coordinate your new palette of colors, textures and surfaces. Installation tends to be smooth because Mosby carpenters are replacing pieces rather than building new from scratch.

Here is an example of a kitchen update we did within the existing floor plan.

For ideas and help with your kitchen facelift, call Mosby Building Arts at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.