Southern Maryland Kitchen, Bath, Floors & Design

California, MD Home Remodeling

Southern Maryland Kitchen Bath Floors & Design

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It’s easy for someone to verbalize a stereotypical New Year’s resolution.

We all do it every single year and tell ourselves, “this will be the year that I accomplish (insert resolution)!”. The best way to defend against those empty promises is to really invest in that resolution. Nothing worth doing is ever easy or fast. That same value goes with our pesky New Year’s resolutions. If the result of the resolution is not something worth it to us individually, why bother?

A New Year’s resolution we run into quite often here at Southern Maryland Kitchen, Bath, Floors & Design is that our customers want to be more organized in the coming year. And honestly, who doesn’t? Whether it comes to being more organized in the kitchen department or the closet department, it is such a freeing feeling to have a place for everything. Have you ever been late to work because you can’t find the shoes you’re looking for? Believe me, I’ve been there (more times than I care to admit). Now, imagine… a custom closet that has a place for all your clothing articles because your thoughtful designer counted all of your dresses, suits, purses, shoes, ties, pants, etc. and how you like to organize them. A beautiful and functional place to keep all my clothes and shoes and what nots? I’m in.

Now on the other hand, kitchen organization can (and usually is) a higher priority than a custom closet because a kitchen is often referred to as the “hub” of a family home. You want to make sure you have place for all of the pots, pans, utentsils, even a junk drawer so counters don’t become cluttered. If you’re anything like me, I have coffee pots and blenders and other small appliances that maybe overestimate the word “small”. Those appliances just eat up countertop space and can make a little amount of clutter look like a tornado slammed through your kitchen. Nowadays there are so many storage solution options when it comes to cabinetry in the kitchen. Cabinet boxes that were designed to hold spaghetti pots or, my favorite currently, a cabinet box designed to house the precious yet cumbersome Kitchen-aid mixer (unless you have one of the new pastel colored Kitchen-aids then leave that out on display because those are beautiful). From two-tiered cutlery dividers to entire tables that can be hidden in a cabinet, a kitchen remodel can make it almost too easy to stick with your New Year’s resolution of getting organized.

A final idea to consider when compiling your (seemingly ever-growing) list of resolutions for 2018, is how something as simple as some kitchen renovating in your home can easily bring a number of your New Year’s resolutions to, dare I say…a resolve.

Another year circling around this Earth makes us little humans think about how small we really are and how important our relationships are. An extremely popular resolution is spending more time with loved ones and cherishing “family time”. As I mentioned earlier, the kitchen is a popular place in any home. It’s such a central location that also serves important functions. Giving the kitchen some spatial thought with communal activity in mind can give you a kitchen design that embodies the whole idea of family time, making the resolution an afterthought because a simple idea of a kitchen remodel created that space where those interactions could easily proper. And with food? Heck yes.

This actually brings me to my last point on how a kitchen remodel can change your 2018 for the best. Americans eat out so much. In a recent Zagat survey on American eating trends, the national average of eating out came to 4.5 times a week, not even including breakfast (good thing because I’m not even going to divulge how often this girl brunches out). The cost of eating out that much definitely adds up very fast. How much more inclined would you be to cook if you had a kitchen designed around your own cooking habits with a personal aesthetic? I know I’m asking for a lot of imagining in this post but bear with me. Imagine a kitchen that flows with your house style and colors, this kitchen has the perfect amount of functionality you need because it was designed around your “power spot”, and the layout coupled with the finish hues create an air of calm and ease. A kitchen remodel pays for itself in that aspect compared to the added prices for eating out. I’m going to throw another added bonus resolution in there, weight loss! If you have a beautiful kitchen that makes it easy to get cooking, making healthy meals will be a breeze.

The verbal promises we make to ourselves at the start of every new year always seem so unattainable and foreboding; and if you don’t invest in these promises (monetarily or physically) than of course they will be unattainable. But if you think outside the box and invest some time and elbow grease, you will no doubt kick your resolution’s butt and make 2018 your year.

If you want a little help getting your New Year’s resolutions to come to fruition, give us at Southern Maryland Kitchen, Bath, Floors & Design a call. We offer completely free, no obligation design consultations that get your project going on the right foot with the right people. Our showroom number is 301-945-8353, or you can visit us online at www.SoMDKitchenBathFloors.com. Have a fun and safe New Year 2018!

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Is one better than the other? Not necessarily. Here are a few facts about each material that will help you find the right countertop for your home.

What Is Granite?

Granite is 100% natural stone mined from quarries around the world. Because of its naturalness, granite can come in variety of styles. Sometimes the coloring and style will look a bit different from the sample you choose since it is not a man-made product.

What Is Quartz?

Quartz is about 93% quartz aggregates and 7% color pigments and polymer resins. Quartz has the look of stone but is relatively customizable to your design.

Granite vs Quartz

Maintenance

Clean granite countertops daily with soap and water or household cleaner. Due to granites porous nature, some oils and acids can cause stains. Make sure to reseal your countertops once a year.

You only need to clean quartz with soap and water or household cleaner. It isn’t porous like granite, so spills won’t be a concern. It also does not require resealing due to its solidity.

Cost

Because of the quality of the materials, the cost of shipping (usually overseas), and the cost of installation, granite and quartz aren’t going to be the cheaper choice when considering countertops. But their durability and beauty are worth the investment.

Durability

Granite is resistant to heat and many other kitchen elements.

Quartz is harder than granite, therefore more durable. Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat so make sure to always sure to use heating pads before setting down hot dishes.

Making Your Decision

Now that you are a more familiar with these popular countertop materials, it’s time for you to make your decision. If you like this article and would like design help on your kitchen, bathroom, flooring or other home improvement projects, visit our showroom in the Wildewood Shopping Center in California, Maryland. You can call our showroom at 301-866-0337 and request a FREE (no-obligation) DESIGN CONSULTATION and ESTIMATE with one of our design specialists.

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Replacing flooring in your home is a great way to change the look and feel of any of your rooms this fall. Although carpet, in the past few years, has not been as popular as hard surface floors (hardwood, laminate, or tile); there have been major advancements in carpet technology that can make replacing the carpet in your home an inexpensive, long-term investment.

Types Of Carpet

Saxony (Velvet or Plush)

A more formal cut pile that tends to do well in low traffic areas, such as dining rooms and bedrooms. Saxony is soft under foot but will show traffic patterns and vacuum marks.

Textured

Also a cut pile like Saxony carpet but with a tight twisted yarn placed at different angles that reflect light differently, resulting in a textured, slightly two toned look, appearance. Textured carpets are the most popular style of carpet and are recommended for any room in your home. It also shows no traffic pattern or vacuum marks.

Loop

Often referred to as “Berber” and are generally made of Olefin, but there are also Loop carpets made of Nylon, Polyester, Triexta or a blend of various carpet fibers. Loops are available in solid colors, Berber fleck or pattern. There is also a Cut and Loop carpet, which is the combination of short tight cut pile and looped yarn creating unique patterns (thus patterned carpet). Loop carpets are very durable, fashionable and can be used in a casual or traditional setting. The multi-color and fleck loops are effective in hiding soil and stains in high traffic areas. Loop carpet is NOT recommended for homes with pets, their nails could get caught in the loops injuring your pet or pulling the yarn causing a run in the loop.

Frieze

Frieze: (Not your grandmother’s shag!) Very durable with casual comfort, high twisted, loose pile carpet. Some have flecks of other colors, there’s the barber-pole look, the spaghetti loose twist and solids. Very different from a cut pile carpet, Friezes does not show traffic patterns or vacuum marks. Highly recommended for active families, the multi-color and loose construction carpet hides soil and spills that occur between vacuuming. Frieze performs great in hallways and on steps with the spring back twist.

Carpet Fibers

Nylon

Is the most popular fiber. It was invented by Dupont in the 1930’s and is solution dyed (the color is mixed in the solution, causing the color to dye the fiber all the way through once the fiber is extruded — similar to a carrot is orange inside and out). Nylons are mostly noted for their strength, durability, resists wear and abrasion. With excellent yarn memory twist, which allows the carpet to spring back after being bent and crushed when walked on. Although Nylon is best known for wear, they are not at the top of the list for lasting stain protection. The stain protection is applied on the fiber as the carpet is produced and then applied again topically. The topical stain protection allows spills to bead up and stays on the surface of the carpet and does not penetrate through. There are several well-known stain protections “Wear-Dated with Advanced Repel Technology”  and there are also unbranded stain protection (which makes the carpet a little less expensive). Nylons offer very bright and sophisticated colors with a higher price point.

Polyester

Less expensive than Nylon but also less durable, even though they have improved in recent years. Polyesters are known for their stain resistance mainly because they are made from (some 100%) recycled plastic bottles. The plastic bottles are chipped into pieces, extruded into fibers and made into carpet. Mohawk Industries alone recycles over 3 billion pounds of plastic each year, reducing waste to our landfills. Polyester carpet is also treated with a topical stain protector (branded and unbranded). This fiber is very soft, has exceptional color clarity and is very affordable. Polyester is ideal for bedrooms and actively used rooms, but not hallways or steps.

Triexta

Better known as Smartstrand is a fairly new fiber invented by Dupont. A unique semi-crystalline (spring like) molecular structure provides Smartstrand with an incredible resiliency, in addition a stain protection built into the fiber (never wears or washed out). As proven in two “Smartstrand Challenges.” The first took place at the Birmingham Zoo, Smartstrand carpet (light beige) was installed in the living quarters of a Rhino for two weeks. After the two weeks, the carpet was vacuumed and cleaned professionally using the recommended hot water extraction method, returning the carpet to its original appearance. The second challenge was at the Dallas Zoo, installed same as before, but his time there was an Elephant, Camel and a Rhino – same two weeks, same cleaning method and again back to its original appearance. In conclusion, Smartstrand promotes the idea that if their carpet can withstand the abuse from several 7500 pound animals, it can certainly stand up to every day traffic and activities of any family. An additional bonus, Smartstrand is inherently soft (some soft as silk) due to the lack of topically applied chemicals for stain treatment (remember, stain resistance built into fiber). Last but not least, the Triexta fiber is a very green product. Its renewably-sourced polymer is manufactured using 37% bio-based corn oil. For every 7 square yards of carpet produced, a gallon of gasoline is saved.

Olefin (Polypropylene)

Olefin carpet is ideal for any room where there could be a moisture or humidity problem, such as basements, recreational rooms or screened-in porch. In addition to low moisture absorption, Olefin is a very strong fiber with many more attributes such as stain, mildew, abrasion, chemical and sunlight resistant. Many Berbers and commercial carpets are made with Olefin.

Padding

Padding is as important as or possibly more important than the carpet fiber you choose. The performance of your carpet is also based on the grade of pad installed under the carpet (base grade pad = base grade performance). UPGRADING your pad is actually more important than upgrading your carpet. I recommend no less than an eight pound density pad, even better is an eight pound pad with a moisture barrier that prevents spills from seeping down from the carpet to the pad. Without the moisture barrier, spills eventually seep down into your pad, you clean your carpet to get rid of the stain. The stain will be gone but will return in a few weeks because the stain went into the pad, became dormant and when you cleaned the carpet the moisture goes down into the pad (activating the stain) causing the stain to wick back up.

Color

When selecting the color of your carpet keep in mind that you might want to change your color scheme or even may be planning to sell your home in the near future, so chose a color that is very versatile and appealing to your possible buyer. We offer a 60 day satisfaction warranty on most of our carpet so if it is not the perfect color, we can fix it!

If you like this article and would like design help on your kitchen, bathroom, flooring or other home improvement projects, visit our showroom in the Wildewood Shopping Center in California, MD. You can call our showroom at 301-866-0337 and request a FREE, no-obligation, DESIGN CONSULTATION and ESTIMATE with one of our design specialists.

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With the holidays approaching, now is the time to plan your kitchen remodel. No other time in the year does our kitchen matter as much as it does than during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Season. Most (if not all) of your holiday memories are formed as you help prepare your holiday meal or while you are entertaining guests around your newly remodeled kitchen. It takes many weeks of preparation (if not many weeks of work and/or lead time waiting for materials to arrive) to create a kitchen masterpiece.

In my many years in the business, I have found that sometimes people have a general idea of what they want their new kitchen to look like or how they want it to function. Other times, they need someone to walk them through the entire process and they want to make sure that they are making good decisions. Although aesthetics are important, this article is designed to help you and your kitchen designer plan out your new kitchen. Here are some general tips and guidelines as you plan out and measure your kitchen:

1) What Don’t You Like About Your Kitchen?

  • Is that blind corner cabinet a waste of space?
  • Do you wish you had extra seating?
  • Do you wish that the cabinets went all the way to the ceiling?
  • Do you hate how your kitchen is so closed off from the adjacent room?
  • Are there accessories that you wish you had (trash can cabinet, lift gate wall cabinets, appliance garages, etc.)?
  • Do you hate having to bend down to look for your most used pots and pans?
  • Is your refrigerator too close to your range or is your dishwasher too close to the refrigerator?

We all have certain quirks that annoy us about our kitchen and its functionality. When you prepare your next few meals, write down things that you don’t like about how your kitchen functions to make sure that you address them.

2) Where Is Your Existing “Power Spot”?

Everyone has the 5-10 square feet of space where they spend the majority of the time as they prepare their meals. Identify that spot. We are all creatures of habit and moving our “power spot” may be uncomfortable. You may want to plan your kitchen remodel and placement around that spot.

3) Measure Your Existing Layout.

Some companies offer this as a free service but for those of us that are planners and like to have more control with our remodel, measuring your existing layout may help as you plan your next remodel. As you measure your layout, keep in mind that kitchen measurements should be measured accurately ­– by the quarter of an inch. Being off in your measurements could mean that cabinets will not fit or it could throw the placement (sink center under the window, etc.) off. Everyone knows that walls need to be measured (especially the walls that cabinets are getting installed on) but most people forget to measure for doorways and windows (trim to trim). Although most people have 8 or 9 foot ceilings, double check the measurement of your ceiling height, any existing soffits, lighting, or anything else that may be in the way.

If you like this article and would like design help on your kitchen, bathroom, flooring or other home improvement projects, visit our showroom in the Wildewood Shopping Center in California, MD. You can call our showroom at 301-945-8353 and request a FREE (no-obligation) DESIGN CONSULTATION and ESTIMATE with one of our design specialists.

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Flooring is always the base of any room’s amazing design.

It creates a canvas for all the other items we put in the room. As the holidays loom closer, it is also a relatively inexpensive and quick way to update the look of your home without having to undertake major construction. If you’ve ever visited a flooring or home improvement store, you may have felt overwhelmed with the countless options for flooring and have found it hard to decide what best suits your needs. Do you need a soft and warm floor that creates good sound insulation? Do you want something more resilient and can hold up to traffic? Do you need something pet proof? What is your budget for the size room you are looking to do? Here’s a list of the most popular flooring options out there and the benefits of each.

Carpet

Carpet is one of the most popular choices for homeowners for a variety of reasons, number one being comfort. Stretching out on a hard floor just isn’t the same as relaxing on a plush and inviting carpet covered floor. And let’s not forget the insulating properties of carpet. It stays warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than most other materials. Add to that the fact that carpet absorbs noise, both in a room and between floors, and it’s easy to see why many homeowners turn to carpet to meet their flooring needs. Many people shy away from carpet because of the notion that it stains really easily and can hold allergens. However, with today’s superior carpet technology, like the new fiber developed by Dupont for Mohawk that has stain resistance built into the fiber that never wears off; you have a product that is soft, durable, and stain resistant. Also, with the multiple color and texture options, you can create a “custom” look to any room without breaking the bank.

Tile

Tile is a great option for anyone looking for a low maintenance and beautiful floor. Tile offers a large variety of styles and designs that can fit almost any homeowner’s vision, and it is versatile enough to be used in almost any room of the house. There are also different types of tile: from a ceramic tile to porcelain tile (denser than ceramic) to natural stone like marble, slate, and travertine. Tile in general is very durable and easy to clean (although natural stone should be sealed yearly) and although materials cost similar to other forms of flooring, the labor tends to be higher. Tile also tends to be colder than other types of flooring but with under floor heat (like Schluter’s Ditra heat) it creates the warms floors in the winter and the coolest floor in the summer.

Hardwood

You can’t beat the beauty of a hardwood floor. Hardwood not only adds value to your home but also adds an atmosphere of warmth and class to any room in which it is installed. They are a little less durable than other materials, but the application of a urethane finish will help to prevent the scratches and other blemishes that are inevitable with this type of flooring. Mohawk hardwood applies their “Armormax” (a baked on Scotchguard protection) to variety of their hardwood which makes it 5x’s less likely to abrasion than its leading competitors. Also, a hardwood floor can always be refinished (multiple times if necessary) to look like new, something that isn’t possible down the road with most other materials.

Laminate

Laminate floors are made of pressed, composite wood with a thin layer of veneer appled over the top that can mimic almost any other surface. They are nearly impossible to scratch and stain resistant, making them a popular choice for those who want the beauty of hardwood without the upkeep. Like everything else, there are different price points for laminate and typically, the higher the price, the nicer the visuals. The thickness of laminate may also vary from 6mm to 12mm. The thicker laminate usually has a better locking system although many may argue that Mohawk’s “Uniclic” system is the best locking system in the market.

Vinyl

This isn’t your grandmother’s linoleum! Vinyl floors are very durable and offer a cost effective flooring solution for today’s market. Also, there are many other options for vinyl flooring other than the traditional sheet vinyl. Vinyl tiles like Congoleum’s Duraceramic (a limestone/vinyl composite) gives you the ceramic tile look without the “coldness” of tile. There are also floating vinyl planks that compete with laminate floors but offer superior water resistance.

Specialty Materials

Your flooring options aren’t limited to these common materials. Rubber flooring is tough and long lasting when applied in the right setting while those who are more ecologically-minded might want to consider bamboo or cork floors, which are just as durable and beautiful as hardwood, yet made from a renewable resource. Talk to a flooring professional to get a complete list of the less common materials out there that might meet your specific needs. If you liked this article or would like a FREE consultation on your flooring or home improvement project, feel free to visit our showroom in the Wildewood Shopping Center in California, MD or call 301.866.0337 for a FREE estimate. You can also schedule online at www.somdkitchenbathfloors.com