Small Kitchen Designs

Can anything be done for a small kitchen?

Our client came to us with a small kitchen in his condominium. He liked the condo's location and didn't want to move yet the kitchen was cramped and did not flow very well. He wanted to update the look, too.

Our solution: We designed and built a small U-shaped kitchen within the footprint of the original kitchen. The new design incorporates a taller bar area as well as new, up-dated appliances and a better traffic flow (see first photo above). The design provides better efficiency and more organization in a small space.

The client chose Kraftmaid Belmont cabinets in a toffee finish topped with laminate countertops in Willow Springs. The laminate has the look of granite but at a much lower price. Dal-tile's Ridgeview tile layed on a diagonal finished off the floor. The diagonal pattern of the 12" x 12" tile helps to elongate the feel of the area. And Denim Blue paint completes the walls.

The small, cramped kitchen is now open and functions better. And our client loves his new kitchen!

If you'd like to see what we can do for your kitchen, just give us a call at 703-369-4446 or e-mail us at info@grecoremodelers.com.

Take Advantage of the Sales Tax Holiday and Buy Emergency Preparedness Supplies

Between May 25th & May 31st, Virginia residents can purchase emergency supplies for their homes without paying sales tax. It's the May Sales Tax Holiday and it specifically targets Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Equipment.

Items that qualify for the tax exemption include generators valued at under $1,000 and smaller items valued at less than $60 like ice packs, batteries, flashlights, two-way radios, tarps, and first aid kits. Check out the full list of qualifying items.

Want to learn more? Go to the Emergency Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines and Rules page.

This is a great time to stock up on supplies and get your home ready for any emergency.

Home Remodeling Contractors - How to Select One

In honor of National Home Improvement Month, here are some great tips from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Check out their brochure, How To Select A Remodeling Professional.

Kitchen Remodeling Made Easy

A kitchen remodel does not necessarily mean that everything must go and be replaced with new. Sometimes, one or two changes is all that is needed to re-fresh a tired kitchen into something much more exciting and workable.

Take, for example, our client who came to us with a request to update her kitchen cabinets. The existing wood cabinets were showing some wear. Everything else had been replaced over the past five or so years and she was happy with the kitchen's layout. She wanted to keep her existing appliances as well as the countertop. And she wanted to keep the cost lower. Could she do that?

Absolutely! We replaced her old wood cabinets (see "before" second photo above) with brand new Merillat Spring Valley oak cabinets (see "after" first photo above). We re-installed her existing dishwasher, oven, microwave, sink, faucet and countertop. She was thrilled with the outcome!

It's not always necessary to completely tear out the old and start over in order to remodel a kitchen or bath. If some of the room's elements are still serviceable and fit into the scope, we can easily incorporate them back into the project. This can be an environmentally responsible solution as well as a cost-saving way to remodel.

If you would like to discuss what can be done in your kitchen, just give us a call at 703-369-4446 or shoot us an e-mail at info@grecoremodelers.com. We would love to show you what we can do for you.

Bathroom Remodel Ideas

Here is an excellent choice for a bathroom countertop when the budget is a bit tight - the two-tone cultured marble top. The color is almond granite with a solid white oval bowl.

The one-piece construction is perfect for easy cleaning and the two tones come in a variety of color combinations.

May is National Home Improvement Month

If you are thinking about remodeling your home, May is a great time to begin the process. But how do you find the right contractor?

Outside of buying your home, remodeling it may be the single biggest investment you make. You need to know that the remodeling contractor you choose is a full-time, dedicated remodeling professional.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry can help. NARI's screening process offers this assurance, and what's more, NARI Members voluntarily follow a strict Code of Ethics. You can be assured that when you hire a NARI Member, you are hiring an individual who has made a strong commitment to the professionalism of the remodeling industry and to his or her business.

As long-time NARI members, Greco Remodelers has made this commitment to our industry, our business and our clients.

NARI has some quick tips to get you started on your next project.

Bathroom Remodeling Pictures

Our client wished to remodel a master bathroom in their home in South Riding. They liked the layout but wanted to update the materials and get rid of that "builder white" look.

Because the existing tub and vanity were in great shape, we kept both intact and in position. This helped to keep some of the remodeling costs down.

The client chose a white fiberglass shower pan to match the white tub and vanity. Dal-Tile's Castle de Verre tile in 10 x 13 on the walls and tub and 13 x 13 on the floors added some color and depth to the room along with the beautiful coordinating decorative border on the tub skirt and in the shower.

We built a niche into the shower area so that the client had a place to store shampoos and such. The faucets and hand-held shower units are brushed nickel, a very popular color right now. Notice the hand-held shower head in the tub - a great idea for aging in place. All glass shower doors and fixed panels finished off the room.

Our client is very pleased with their new bathroom.

Interested in a bathroom remodel in your home? Just give us a call at 703-369-4446 or e-mail us at info@grecoremodelers.com to set up your free, no obligation, no pressure appointment.

Do-It-Yourself Electrical Dangers

May is National Electrical Safety Month, and Greco Remodelers is teaming up with the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) in warning homeowners about the dangers of attempting to perform home electrical improvement and repair projects without hiring a qualified electrician.

“Working with electricity requires thorough planning and extreme care, and cutting corners can be a costly mistake,” cautions ESFI president Brett Brenner. “Whether you are a first-time do-it-yourselfer or a ‘weekend warrior,’ practicing safe habits can prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities when it comes to home electrical projects.”

The U.S. home improvement market nearly doubled in size between 1995 and 2005, reaching a high of $280 billion a year, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. Over the same period of time, emergency rooms reported ever increasing numbers of visits due to injuries from home workshop equipment. Many of these homeowners were critically injured while attempting to perform home electrical work themselves.

“May is National Electrical Safety Month, and a great time to review electrical safety practices,” says Brenner. “Many electrocutions and home electrical fires can be prevented simply by understanding basic electrical safety principles and adhering to safe practices.”

The best way to protect your family and your home against the risk of electrical fires or electrocution is to hire a qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home.

If you do decide to undertake a home electrical project yourself, consider the following important safety tips to help ensure your safety and the safety of those around you:

• Never attempt a project that is beyond your skill level. Knowing when to call a professional may help prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities.

• Always turn off the power to the circuit that you plan to work on by switching off the circuit breaker in the main service panel.

• Make an effort to learn about your home electrical system so that you are able to safely navigate and maintain it.

• Test the wires before you touch them to make sure that the power has been turned off.

• Use a GFCI with every power tool to protect against electrical shock hazards.

• Be sure to unplug any lamp or appliance before working on it.

• Never stand in a puddle or on a damp floor when working directly on or near electricity.

• Always have your work inspected upon completion to ensure that it has been done correctly.

For more information about ESFI and National Electrical Safety Month, visit www.electrical-safety.org.

Do You Need Our Handyman Services?

We can handle those pesky little jobs that you’d like to get to but just haven’t had the time to tackle. Or those nagging little repairs that need attention now before they turn into a full blown problem.

Here’s what we can do:

Maintenance:
Install lock or deadbolt
Hardware
Caulking
Replace light switch
Replace tub and shower caulking
Grout and tile repair

Repairs:
Drywall repair
Wall tile replacement
Stained ceiling & wall repair
Door repair
Leaky toilet repair
Window repair
Wood rot repair

Carpentry and odd jobs:
Shelving
Ramp
Closet
Pet door
Painting
Hang interior door
Molding
Install grab bar
Install storm door
Install shower door

. . . and more . . .

Give us a call today at 703-369-4446 or shoot us an e-mail at info@grecoremodelers.com to schedule your handyman work.