kitchen cabinet refacing french design

Let’s face it, the cost of kitchen cabinet refacing in New Orleans is very appealing when compared to purchasing brand new kitchen cabinets.  By simply replacing doors, adding new knobs and a little elbow grease, you can easily save thousands of dollars over the cost of a bran new remodel.  So I wrote this article to show you how to reface kitchen cabinets in new orleans.

Step 1: Clean before you reface your cabinets.

Before you reface your kitchen be sure to thoroughly clean your kitchen cabinets.  Set up is key.  Protect your cabinets and floors, use rubber gloves and also if you are earth conscious use a cleaner that has low or all natural chemicals.  Use a wet cloth and give the cabinets time to dry.

Step 2: Sanding and Refinishing before you refinish your cabinets

There are countless sites that focus on how to sand and refinish the base of your cabinets, so read them first.  But if you are comfortable talking to your local home depot or lowes rep, you will find that sanding has come a long way. In fact there are liquid sanders that do the same job.  The key to a great new orleans kitchen cabinet refacing project is to keep some type of French connection and sand properly.

Step 3: Pick your Cabinet Doors and Knobs

Finally we come to the best option of all.  Selecting the best cabinet doors and knobs for your job.  The best place to start is not at Lowes or Home Depot or Costco, but rather on Google Images.  do a search of kitchen cabinet doors or modern kitchen cabinet knobs to find the style you want.  There are literally thousands of images you can see before you buy.  once you have determined what works best for you.

There are many task that will give you the professional look you want.  Before you begin Emeril styled dinner parites, be sure that you have a kitchen that is up to the task.  Until then see you at your next kitchen cabinet installation job.

kitchen cabinet refacing new orelans

I’ve often been asked if kitchen cabinet refacing is the best way for the residents of New Orleans to save money on their home remodeling budget.  Well to that there are two schools of thought.  But before you take the drive to your local home remodeling big box warehouse, such as Home Depot, Lowes or Costco here are the things to consider before you go forward with your kitchen cabinet refacing project.

I.  How old are your cabinets?

The age of your kitchen and kitchen cabinets in particular is paramount to whether you will decide to start fresh or simply opt to reface your cabinets.  Age is important for many reasons, but not of least to mention that building standards across the country tend to increase for the better.  Many builders used lead based paint and materials contaminated with asbestos.  So deciding to buy new or simply reface your cabinets is a decision that has more to do with the health of yourself than a simple financial decision.  What is the cost of your health?  Priceless I presume.

II.  Desired Styling

Simply put, adding new cabinets finishes are a great way to add life to an old kitchen, but what happens when the look you want can not be achieved by simply replacing doors and knobs?  This may be a case to consider going forward and opting for a new kitchen cabinet purchase.  Many modern kitchen cabinet styles can not be attained through simple refacing.

III.  Warranty

Are your current cabinets under warranty?  Will your warranty be compromised if your cabinets are replaced?  It is possible.  IF your cabinets have wear and tear due to poor craftsmanship, you may be able to get your cabinets updated and not have to consider a kitchen refacing job or new kitchen.  In New Orleans, with kitchen supplies so expensive, this could be a windfall.

In conclusion, be sure to consider all the costs before you decide to reface to save a couple of dollars when the same and often better outcome could be achieved for less money.  Do the entire math before you make a decision.  Kitchen cabinet refacing in New Orleans is a great option to saving money but not always the best option.

Think Twice Before You Remodel New Orleans Home Yourself

The Remodelers Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans reminds you to only trust your dreams for your home to a qualified professional remodeler!

Despite the popularity of home remodeling do-it-yourself (DIY) television shows, New Orleans home owners should think twice before tackling a large remodeling project by themselves, cautions the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers Council. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, homeowner DIY projects account for 20 percent of all remodeling and industry experts say that between 25 percent and 30 percent of their work comes from fixing DIY disasters.

“With the popularity of all of these shows dedicated to projects that home owners can do themselves, it is important that home owners understand that these shows hire professionals to do the work and make it look easy,” says Remodelers Council Chairman Don Novak, CGR, CAPS, CGB of Novak Construction Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “Embarking on a home project without the needed planning and expertise can be very expensive and can have a negative effect on home equity.”

While a motivated, skilled DIYer may do a remodel as well as a professional remodeler, you should ask yourself these questions first: • Have you ever done this before? • How much money will you really save? (To get a true sense of actual costs of a project, take what you think it will cost in time and money and multiply by three.) • Will you know what to do when something goes wrong?

If you are willing to put the time and energy into a do-it-yourself home remodel, the Remodelers Council advises:

• Follow product directions
• Get a detailed, illustrated home repair and maintenance book
• Do very careful and thorough preparation: Set everything up and protect surrounding surfaces
• Practice with the tools
• Follow safety procedures and use proper safety equipment.

While careful attention to detail and directions can help a DIYer with a successful remodel, the Remodelers Council warns against non-professionals attempting certain jobs because of the damage and life-threatening risk these projects can create. Think three times about these projects:

• Electrical – unless you are a licensed electrician do not attempt to rewire their home. If done improperly you can burn down your house.
• Structural Changes – removing or adding any walls or cutting holes into the roof, can compromise the structural integrity of your home and leave you with a really big hole in your roof.
• Plumbing – moving or adding pipes incorrectly can create a swimming pool in your home.

Remember, DIY should be fun. If you don’t see it as fun then DDIY (don’t do it yourself), hire a professional.

Cabinet Selections:

Mattix offers a variety of cabinet choices including Quality Cabinets, Woodstar Cabinets, Sequoia Cabinetry and more.

Website Review:

Their website is good, not great. I would like to see more chances to interact with their company like a Facebook or Twitter link.  There is a contact form so that you can get a quote without having to write a seperate email.  Overall the site presents a good face for the company and people of Mattix Cabinet Works.

Locations From their site:

New Orleans
415 N. Solomon St.
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 486-7218 • (504) 486-7518 Fax
Showroom
Monday—Friday 10am–5pm
Saturday by appointment
Warehouse Pick-Up
Monday—Friday 7:30am–4:30pm
Closed for lunch from 12pm–12:30pm
Map it

Mandeville
68425 Hwy 59 Suite 1
Just North of I-12
in the Alamosa Business Park
Mandeville, LA 70471
(985) 893-2355 • (985) 893-2348 Fax
Monday—Friday 10am–5pm
Saturday by appointment
Map it

brushed gold kitchen faucet

The following is a quick list of kitchen design trends that residents of New Orleans will soon talk about.

1. Disney’s Princess and the Frog - Many a young girl will have their request for Tiana inspired walls, bedding and accessories.  Also in the kitchen, sippie cups, plates and aprons will don the walls of many homes.

2. Eco-Friendly - Of course staying and going green in kitchen cabinets, carpet and flooring is a trend that will soon become a staple.

3. Budget Conscious Design and Do it Yourself- Expect Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart and the dollar stores to see their numbers grow in 2010 as many an ambitious do it yourselfer sprints out the gate to spruce up their kitchens.

4. Retro looks: What is more fun than finding a $1 cast iron skillet a the local thrift shop to give your kitchen the look that is uniquely you.

5. Finally, Hometown Chefin’ - Expect to see lots and lots of fresh produce in homes throughout, NOLA?  Why, because so many of us are getting our “Rachel Ray” on!  Expect to have the small cafe fell throughout the neighborhoods of every ward in the N.O.

new orleans kitchen cabinets companies

During an unprecedented construction boom in New Orleans, spawned by Katrina, several remodeling companies are popping up throughout the city.  Here are some tips to consider when looking for the right kitchen cabinet company in New Orleans.

Shopping for new cabinetry is an incredibly exciting thing. It probably means that your finances are in a good place and that you’re in a home you love enough to begin to remodel. Maybe you’re fixing something up for someone else or to sell later on down the line. Whatever reason is behind your shopping, there is no doubt that you are very excited to get started.

Many people don’t know where to get started. The two best ways to get started is with 1) online research and 2) in-store research. Researching online is probably the better option because there are no sales people talking in to your ears about this fancy upgrade or that necessary accessory.

Sales people are there to get you to buy their product, and many of them make commission. Therefore, if you opt to do in-store research before you buy, you will want to be very clear with any store associates that you are really just looking and that you do not need any help. Let them know that you will find them if you have any questions.

The two most important things when shopping for cabinets are quality of the material and staying in your budget. Researching online beforehand can help you be a more informed consumer and can help you be knowledgeable when you go in to the store to buy. In Sarasota, cabinets are of higher end quality.

You need to always opt for such products and be wary of the cabinetry companies that try and dazzle you with beautiful door faces or small details (like pull handles or decorated wood), but don’t actually use the best quality material. You’ll want to know what your cabinet is made of as some of the lower quality material is prone to moisture damage and other things.

Anyone who goes to a home improvement store will undoubtedly encounter a whole section devoted just to bathroom design ideas. The bathroom is now a very popular room to redesign and many homeowners are making the investment. It used to be that bathrooms consisted of just a shower, toilet, and sink with not much more thought put into the room. Now though, you can upgrade you bathroom and make it as fancy as you want by adding any number of additions.

So when deciding exactly how to complete your bathroom remodeling job, exactly where does one start?  Color of course.

bathroom-remodeling-new-orleans

Start With Color

Before you begin any bathroom remodeling project you should have a sketch or rendering of what you want the completed project to look like. Just by choosing the right color schemes, you can turn an ordinary room into an exceptional one. But before dashing off to buy paint, be sure to do choose colors that will work well for each room.

What direction does a room face? Does it face east where morning sunlight streams into a window? Don’t use dark colors in rooms exposed to a lot of sunlight. A room facing east won’t appear the same in the evening when viewed with artificial lighting. Rooms facing west may have a warm glow in the morning, but will be dull in the morning. Just take this into consideration when selecting colors.

Also, keep in mind that rooms facing north receive less direct sunlight that those that face south. Therefore, you may want to use sunnier colors to cheer up a northern exposure.

Remember the Basics

Japan has given us toilet seats that are warm and mirrors that don’t fog and these are only a couple of things that you can put into a modern bathroom remodeling project. New high tech gadgets are coming out all the time for all rooms in the house and the bathroom is no different. Before you go spending a fortune on upgrades though, you might remember the purpose of the bathroom remains the same: a place to take a shower and sit on the toilet!

Lastly, flooring.  Remember that flooring combined with the right paint color is just about 70% of the project by itself.  Even if everything were standard, these portions should be given careful detail and attention.  Best wishes with your New Orleans Bathroom Remodeling Project.

Let’s discuss some of the popular French designs at length.

French influences:

In New Orleans, French influences are apparent in many kitchen design ideas.  French country kitchen design conjures up images of the Provence and the French countryside with it’s pastoral elements, lavendar flower fields and rustic French farmhouses. The French country kitchen represents country living that is uniquely French.

In French Design you will find a richness in colors and an importance of food preparation. Good workspace is a premium requirement in good French kitchen design. It allows many people to accomplish small jobs at the same time, gives enough cooking and storage space, and leaves room for preparation and cooling of food.

french kitchen style

Southern Plantation Styles

Uniquely positioned for its wealth of cultural influences, New Orleans is uniquely international and uniquely southern.  The southern plantation kitchen brings images of lemonade and pecan pies.  Additionally you would think of seeing fresh biscuits baked daily laying on an open counter.

Today’s southern homes are big on cooking and presentation.  Expect to see a kitchen no smaller than 300 square feet and a living room that is beautifully presented with fine linen and silver.

You can use New Orleans as a great place to look for kitchen design influences and ideas.  Whether you are looking to remodel a home or bring in pieces from the area to accent your home, you can not go wrong in New Orleans.

The options for finding kitchen contractors for your kitchen remodeling project in New Orleans are endless. Since most families spend a good portion of their time in the kitchen today, it is a good idea to make sure that your remodel is both efficient and to your liking. To accomplish this there are several areas regarding kitchen remodeling in New Orleans which should be considered.

Kitchen lighting is an often overlooked topic when discussing affordable kitchen remodeling in New Orleans. Usually you want to make sure that when you start any kitchen remodeling in New Orleans that you have sufficient fluorescent lighting. Adding strategic lighting is a wonderful option for kitchen remodeling in New Orleans projects.

Kitchen cabinets are usually first on the list when kitchens are being remolded in New Orleans Kitchens. Simply stated cabinets are one of the most noticeable areas in the kitchen. There are a number of different cabinet options available for your quality kitchen remodeling in New Orleans project including complete replacement, painting and refinishing. A contractor experienced in kitchen remodeling in New Orleans will be able to help guide you in determining which option is best for your specific needs.

Selecting your flooring is often another major consideration in terms of kitchen remodeling in New Orleans. New flooring is a great way to improve the look of your kitchen. Possible options you might consider in your next kitchen remodeling in New Orleans project include wood, recycled tile and elegant laminate.

Adding functional work areas is also an important consideration for your kitchen remodeling plans in any New Orleans project.

Of course, no kitchen remodeling in New Orleans project would be complete without updated appliances. Up to date appliances offering the most modern features can help round out any kitchen remodeling in New Orleans project.

NewOrleansKitchenCabinets.com offers great articles for kitchen remodeling in New Orleans projects.

1.  If your budget permits, always work with licensed contractors.  The state of Louisiana has this to stay about licensed contractors:

Home improvement contracting; written contract required
Every agreement to perform home improvement contracting services, as
defined by this Part, in an amount in excess of seventy-five hundred dollars, but not
in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars, shall be in writing and shall include the
following documents and information:

2. If your kitchen cabinet quote is too good to be true, you should be skeptical.  This only makes sense, because there are people out there that simply want to steal your money and not deliver good on their promise of goods and or services.

3.  Craigslist is a two edge sword.  Looking for local kitchen contractors on Craigslist is a great way to find good workers and bad intentioned people.  Always ask for references and call those references.

Here is a partial list of local New Orleans kitchen cabinet contractors that specialize in kitchen cabinet sales and installation.

• Kitchen Cabinet Mart
• All Type Home Improvement, LLC
• French Quarter Cabinets
• Mattix Cabinet Works
• Jackson Cabinetry - New Orleans
• Marchand Creative Kitchens

Your kitchen cabinet contractor should be able to use their expertise to get you the new kitchen design you want.  Remember in New Orleans you have tons of great choices.