Kitchen Remodel with a Twist

The shape a kitchen is in can be a "deal breaker" in many a home buyer's mind. Although the pictures below depict a home that is not for sell, they point out how even a median priced home can be made to have some of the same amenities as their higher priced counterparts.

In our story below, the husband and wife worked closely together in giving the contractor a very clear picture of what they wanted and what they needed to have.

*		The cabinets must be made using real wood. No particle board anywhere.
*		The room needed to be gutted. Torn back to the bare studs.
*		Various electrical appliances and lighting had to be on separate circuit breakers.
*		Several of the floor level cabinets including the large pantry cabinet needed to have strong pull-out drawers. (See pictures near page bottom).
*		Floor must be of ceramic tile even though price dramatically affected final costs.
*		Must knock down wall between kitchen & breakfast nook and combine into one larger, more functional room.

Located on one of the inside walls of this homeowner's kitchen is a unique idea so ingenious that we just had to tell you about it.

Here's the short story. The man of this household is a very creative type person who enjoys getting his hands dirty when the occasion calls for it. So early on during the planning and "tear down" stage of their remodel, this brother decides that he wants to have a way to throw out trash directly from the inside of the kitchen. After making a few measurements and scoping out material, he proceeded to take on the project himself.

In less than two partial days of work, this homeowner built himself a trash chute that is both functional and convenient. In an interview he was heard to say :

"Even with my kids grown and out of the house, I was always amazed at how much trash my wife and I would create during the course of just one or two days. Our normal sized kitchen trash can would need attention almost daily.

I love having the 'trash chute' almost as much as I like the rest of the kitchen. It serves the need of getting old food and trash out of the house immediately. No attraction for bugs and a big elimination of germs, smells etc.

I had the custom door made at the same time as our other custom cabinets. It matches everything else in both style and color. It uses a strong spring to pull the door closed and the outside of the unit is covered with a simple box thats been painted the same color as the house.

We probably open the door to that chute at least a dozen times a day. If we were forced to live without it after the last several months of getting use to it, it would be like not having the remote control to the TV."

In total it cost me under $50. It would have been a bargin at three times that amount.

At first glance many of us wouldn't think that such a simple thing as pull out drawers would cause a change in your life. Well let me tell you, if your hair is turning grey and you are at the point of making this kind of decision, get the pull out drawers.

Listen, many contractors will offer such items and most of us will question-

Well how much more is that going to cost?

Here's a Tip!

Kindly thank him/her for the offer and say -

Thanks for bringing that up, tell you what I'll do. I'll agree on the deal right now if you throw in the pull-out drawers.

Believe in this, the estimation of a major kitchen remodel is so arbituary, to close the deal most contractors will piss and moan in your face, yet if you insist, they'll agree to avoid losing the deal. If they won't agree on the spot, tell them to leave and get back to you if they change their mind.

That's how the black couple (noted above) came to get their wonderful pull out drawers that saves wear and tear on the back and can be part of those "little things" that make you feel like the king and queen you really are!