BENTON HARBOR, Mich., March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Apartment-dwellers and owners of cramped kitchens rejoice! Space constraints will no long limit style and function in the kitchen. Whirlpool brand has introduced a 30" French Door Bottom Mount refrigerator that will fit into a standard top-mount refrigerator opening.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110404/NY75862LOGO)

This means you don't have to remodel or spend a dime on new cabinets, but can still get that stylish look you've been craving. The new model fits in a space the same width as a traditional top-mount model but is still large enough to hold wide items like party platters and birthday cakes. It's the perfect solution for those who want to upgrade their kitchen without a complete overhaul.

But it's not all about style. This new refrigerator is also functional. It includes Whirlpool's patented Fresh Flow Produce Preserver. The Produce Preserver will extend the freshness of produce for up to four days longer than their lifetime in standard crisper drawers, saving money and trips to the grocery store. And it doesn't just save money. The Energy Star-qualified French door bottom mount uses less energy than a 50-watt light bulb each year. And the Adaptive Defrost will sense and adapt to save 12% more energy, providing improved food preservation by running the defrost cycle only when necessary.

The 30" French Door Bottom Mount refrigerator is available in a variety of models (WRF560SEY, WRF560SMY, WRF560SFY) at retailers nationwide and comes in black, white or stainless steel with an MSRP ranging from $1,499 to $1,799.

The experts at Whirlpool have a few additional tips on how to redefine your kitchen without remodeling:

With 100 years of innovation, Whirlpool Corporation knows a thing or two about making the refrigerator fit the whole family's needs. Visit the Institute of Kitchen Science, an informational hub about everything kitchen that will provide you with simple tips, advice and best practices for your home. To learn more about the Whirlpool brand please visit http://www.whirlpool.com or on our Facebook page.

*This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Whirlpool Corporation from May 18-20, 2011 among 2,407 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact media@whirlpool.com.

About Whirlpool BrandWhirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2011, 68,000 employees, and 66 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Whirlpool brand recognizes that consumers lead busy, active lives and continues to create solutions that help consumers optimize productivity and efficiency in the home. In addition to designing appliance solutions based on consumer insight, Whirlpool brand is dedicated to creating ENERGY STAR qualified appliances like the new Duet washer and dryer (model 9750), the industry's most resource efficient laundry pair, overall efficiency based on equal weighting of cycle time and energy usage. Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest corporate partners, donating a refrigerator and range to every new Habitat for Humanity home built in North America.

Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com. For more information on Whirlpool brand please visit http://www.whirlpool.com or find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/whirlpool.

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Capacity That Fits, Freshness That Lasts

With three teenage kids and two dogs, Kris and Jeff Westall have a lot of activity in their Edina, Minn., home. But their kitchen wasn't keeping up.

"It was so ugly, and there was no place to sit," said Kris. The Westalls, who had lived in the 1964-built rambler since 1996, had outgrown a minor kitchen-remodeling they'd done years earlier. Kris was eager to make the space more appealing and up-to-date.

She wanted a complete overhaul someday, but for starters, she thought she'd just warm up the plain-vanilla kitchen with new paint colors and accessories. "I wanted it cozy and warm," Kris said. "I am not a winter person, so that was a big deal to me."

But she realized that warm-colored walls would still leave the kitchen with stark-white cupboards and countertops. "Then, I thought new cabinets would be nice," she said.

The kids urged their parents to renovate the entire kitchen now rather than later, so they could enjoy it while all were still living at home. "They said, 'You're not going to fix it after we go to college,' " Kris said.

So the couple agreed to a total makeover, with the goal of making their kitchen more functional and family-friendly. To help with the project, Kris enlisted designer Sue Hunter of Home for a Change. "She had worked with a friend of mine, and I had been hearing about Sue forever," Kris said.

Kris was leaning toward an Italian-style makeover. "Tuscany was my muse," she said, but Hunter nudged her toward a lighter French look. "I was trying to pull her away from wine colors," Hunter said.

And Kris ultimately agreed. "It's the dark side of the house, and we knew we needed light."

But that didn't mean Kris had to abandon her dream of warm, rustic colors. Copper is the dominant accent hue; the light-painted cabinets were antiqued with copper glaze and finished with copper-finish hardware, and a ceiling medallion was painted copper.

The long, narrow kitchen (about 11 by 23 feet) posed several challenges. To make the most of the space visually, Hunter decided to cover the appliances with wood panels to match the cabinets. "It gives it a consistent look, which helps it look bigger," she said.

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A French-inspired kitchen renovation cooks up some fun

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So, your house is dated and needs a little sprucing up. It's 2012, but walking into your kitchen is like stepping back in time to 1976. This week's "Your Home" focuses on renovations and remodeling.

Builder Jim Sasko said, People will splurge on what we call the "wet rooms." Their bathrooms, their kitchens. They're putting some serious money in that.

We all know that a new kitchen or bathroom is going to add value to your home and help sell it, especially if you're bringing it up to par with the 21st century. But, Sasko said, a lot of his clients are having work done simply to satisfy a want.

Sasko said, Selfish reasons. More than anything else, I've got to say. There's a flurry of magazines and TV shows on how to improve your house. It's the excitement of seeing these luxury items and people want them in their own homes. You know besides just the bathroom it'll be custom closets, built in entertainment centers, home entertainment centers.

Sasko said the majority of remodels nowadays, selfish or not, are the result of a poor housing market. Realizing they may be staying in the same house for a lifetime, homeowners are choosing to build their dream house.

People have lived in their home for a 10 or 15 year period, recognize they still have some equity in the house and rather than sell it and try to upgrade to something new, they stay where they are and improve their current space, said Sasko.

Aside from the popular kitchen and bath make-overs, Sasko said master suites are in high demand right now as well. And he reminds you that if you can dream it, he can build it.

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Your Home: Remodeling and renovations

By Jim Weiker

The Columbus Dispatch Sunday March 4, 2012 5:43 AM

Good is in, tubs are out, and steam is seeping into kitchens and baths.

As the Central Ohio Home & Garden Show wraps up today, we look at the latest in remodeling trends and products, many of them featured at the show.

Much of the remodeling industry continues to focus on baths and kitchens, especially kitchen makeovers that involve removing the wall between the kitchen and dining area. Kitchens overall are lightening up, with cleaner, brighter lines replacing the ornamented dark designs popular in the past.

Elaborate outdoor spaces are also powering the industry, with expansive patios and outdoor kitchens.

But financial caution is still the order of the day for many homeowners.

I think it will be a good year in all, but people will watch every dollar they spend, not only the size of the job but the materials they select for the job, said Bill Owens, president of Owens Construction in Powell.

Here is a closer look at some of the trends and materials catching on in central Ohio.

Granite, with a wider variety of colors and finishes, still rules kitchens, with quartz gaining steam and newcomers such as glass and copper making some headway. But, surprisingly, countertops landing in many central Ohio kitchens and baths are the old standbys of wood and marble.

See the article here:
Trends for remodeling kitchens, baths highlighted at Home & Garden Show

Alina Keebler's renovated 1915 Arts and Crafts-style home in Morningside includes cabinets from IKEA and low-maintenance Silestone quartz countertops.

The kitchen is the heart of a home, so little wonder it remains one of the nation's most popular remodeling projects. Between cooking, eating, socializing and simply hanging out, it not only gets used (and used and used) but also abused over the years, requiring the occasional upgrade.

Adding fuel to the kitchen renovation fire is the never-ending supply of cool products dished up by designers and manufacturers that promise to make our culinary lives more efficient, more comfortable and more fun. This was demonstrated by several finalists' projects in this year's 2011-12 Renovation Inspiration Contest.

Co-sponsored by the Post-Gazette and Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, the annual competition sets the bar high for homeowners and the older homes they've reimagined. In addition to projects that feature age-appropriate materials and great construction, judges look for practicality and functionality. In short, the updated spaces have to truly work for the families who live in them and not just be showpieces.

The best of the best also ooze with creativity -- in essence, rooms that inspire admiration along with a touch of envy. We want to walk away thinking: "If only I'd thought of that in my kitchen!"

Kevin and Alana Kulesa's remodeled kitchen in Ross, winner in the small category (less than $50,000), was one such project, wowing with its clever mix of repurposed items and unusual finishes. The vintage steel hospital cabinets that jump-started the renovation and mandated its design (everything had to be customized to fit around them) were salvaged from Construction Junction. The island counter is similarly eco-friendly. Mistaken for natural stone, it's actually Eco by Consentino, a manmade surface utilizing 75 percent recycled materials. In the office area, a half-inch-thick piece of tempered glass serves as a desk. Tying it all together is the bright splash of red on a hand-painted glass backsplash above the cooking area.

The homeowners of a mid-1800s rowhouse in the Mexican War Streets chose a more subtle color scheme for their sleek new kitchen, opting for creamy white concrete countertops crafted by Outlaw Studios in the Strip District to play off the custom chocolate-brown cabinetry and reclaimed wood floors.

What makes this ultra-modern room designed by architect Heather Wildman Figley of Moss Architects really "pop" is the natural light that floods it through a dramatic glass opening at the rear. Originally a brick wall, the 14-foot-wide expanse of glass effectively blurs the line between inside and out. The major project also included removing a wall between the dining room and kitchen to create one large open space, and a deck with a west-facing pergola that steps down to a small garden.

The challenge in Paul Gould and Lori Boyle's Sewickley kitchen was how to make a small room with four doorways, three windows and a chimney that couldn't be moved into something that didn't just look good but also wouldn't break the bank. Architectural designer (and good friend) Junko Higashibeppu came up with hit on both cylinders. An awkwardly placed center island was removed, along with part of the wall leading into the dining room to allow for more counter and storage space. She also wrapped open shelving around the chimney and replaced a badly deteriorated linoleum floor with radiant heated ceramic tile.

Complementing the white Vermont granite countertops and subway tile backsplash is rift-sawn red oak cabinetry handcrafted by master furniture designer Arthur Reitmeyer, who just happens to be married to Ms. Higashibeppu. Other updates include a radiant-heated porcelain tile floor, recessed LED undercabinet lighting and stainless-steel Bosch appliances, including a new-fangled induction cooktop. The result is a kitchen that feels fresh and modern, but also looks like it's always been there.

Read more:
Renovation Inspiration Contest cooked up tasty kitchen renovations

In another sign of an improving economy, residential remodeling is picking up in the Bay Area after several lean years, helped along by homeowners who are deciding to fix up places they can't sell because of the housing crunch.

"There is an awakening," said Rick Evans of Bauman Builders in San Jose. Last year "was like a switch that flipped."

Fueling the upward trend is growing confidence in job stability and a booming tech stock market that helps pay for new kitchens, bathrooms and landscaping. Few homeowners are borrowing for the work, builders say.

"It's all cash, nobody's borrowing anything. It's savings or stock money," Evans said. He said his clients "are employed someplace in the tech sector --

The Bay Area and coastal cities up and down the state are having what is "among their better years in the last five," said Mike Winn of the California Building Industry Association.

Jennifer and Julien Schreyer are remodeling the kitchen of their Oakland home, paying cash from savings and investments for the job.

"The economy is getting a little bit more stable, we are feeling a little more secure, and the stock market is going up a little so we could sell some stock," said Jennifer Schreyer, a real estate agent whose husband works for Pixar. "The economy

The Schreyers have been waiting for the right time to redo the kitchen of the home they bought seven years ago.

"It was a little scary to take those steps to do something substantial," Jennifer Schreyer said, but a new kitchen was a lifestyle essential. "I love to cook; my husband is French; our two boys were born in Paris, and they love to cook."

Jim Tibbs of HDR Remodeling in Berkeley, which is doing the Schreyers' kitchen, said some of his clients are remodeling instead of moving up. "People seem to be staying in their homes longer, opting for improving the home they're already in as opposed to selling and taking on a heavier mortgage at a larger home," he said.

See more here:
Bay Area home remodeling picks up as economy mends

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 01, 2012

With spring being a popular time for people to complete home renovation projects, Palatin Remodeling is offering discounted prices on all full kitchen and bathroom remodels. Palatin Remodeling has serviced Southern Californias home remodeling needs for years, and with the coming of spring look to ramp up kitchen and bath remodeling at a popular time of the year for home renovations.

We are very excited to bring Southern California homeowners their dream bathrooms and kitchens, said Palatin Remodelings owner and founder, Gil Palatin. With the current economic climate, it is important to stay competitive and offer homeowners an affordable solution to transform their home.

Everyone wants something changed about a particular space in their home, this is especially true for older homes that are in dire need of kitchen remodeling in Southern California and bathroom remodeling in Southern California. At Palatin Remodeling we are offering our customers the chance to make their dream bathrooms and kitchens an affordable reality, while also connecting with a contractor who is there to meet all of their needs, said Palatin Remodelings Head of Marketing, Brandon Dillon.

Palatin Remodeling has been servicing all of Southern Californias home remodeling needs for over 20 years. Palatin Remodeling offers roofing services, room additions, foundation repairs, driveway paving, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling and more with a proven track record of high quality and timely finishes. For more information on what Palatin Remodeling can do for your home, as well as home improvement tips and suggestions, visit http://www.palatinremodeling.com/ or call toll free at 888-434-2303.

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Palatin Remodeling to Offer Discounts on Full Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels

Dear Dave,

My husbands company recently told everyone that massive layoffs are coming, and they should start looking for other jobs. Right now, all of his options are out-of-town. A real estate agent told us wed have to remodel our kitchen in order to sell the house. Weve got $3,500, but remodeling would take about $2,000. Should we get a second mortgage to get the work done?

-Pamela

Dear Pamela,

You might want to get another opinion. Sure, a new kitchen would be nice, but is that the end-all, be-all? Either way, theres no way Id go into debt to make this happen. Your house isnt even on the market yet. Theres no reason to fix up a house thats not for sale, especially when you only have $3,500 to your name!

There is, for sure, a financial storm brewing on your horizon. Start right now living on rice and beans and saving up piles of cash to build a bigger umbrella.

Wait until he actually lands another job before you make any big decisions. What if something pops up where you are? If you end up moving, then you might take $2,000 from savings to fix up the kitchen and get the house sold. Dont do it unless youre going to pay cash, though! You dont want a second mortgage hanging over your heads, making everything even more difficult.

-Dave

Dear Dave,

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When Does Remodeling a Home Make Sense?

The salons will feature insider kitchen remodeling insights from leading Portland remodeler Hammer & Hand and up-and-coming interior design firm Bright Designlab. Lively exchange with attendees will focus content on participants burning kitchen remodel questions.

Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) February 28, 2012

Today the kitchen is the center of home life, said Daniel Thomas, CEO of Hammer & Hand. Its become a place for feeding, nurturing and communing the heart and the hearth of the home. So kitchen remodels demand elan from both designers and builders.

In the remodeling industry much has been made of the kitchen work triangle of sink, stove and refrigerator, fueled by the notion that the 1900s efficiency and time-motion study movements might be instructive to modern kitchen design. But this approach can ignore the fact that the home kitchen is more than just a place for food preparation. Gone are the days of the solitary cook preparing the family dinner in isolation.

Instead, the 21st century kitchen is the high-traffic focal point of the home. It provides the core functions of storing, cooking, and cleaning. But it's also a bona fide living space in its own right, usually with multiple entry and exit points and inside/outside connections: a convergence of spatial and programmatic forces. It is this new reality that Hammer & Hand and Bright Designlab will explore through their kitchen salons.

After hundreds of remodels for Portland area homeowners, Hammer & Hand has learned a lot about kitchens and the needs and aspirations that our clients hold dear, said Thomas. Were looking forward to sharing our hard-won lessons and presenting inspiring examples of spaces that have really delivered functionally, spatially and aesthetically.

The salons will be held at the Retail Studio, a collaborative space designed by Bright Designlab and built by Hammer & Hand, located at 404 NW 10th Avenue, Suite 101 in Portland, Oregon. The free events will run 6-8pm on April 26, May 22 and July 12. Thomas will co-present with Leela Brightenberg of Bright Designlab, using the Studios show kitchen as an in-context teaching tool throughout the evening. Kitchen remodeling topics will include:

Space is limited, so reservations can be made by emailing hello@retailstudiopdx.com

These salons provide an intimate setting for real, meaningful exchange between homeowners and design/build experts, said Thomas. It's always an honor to engage in this dialogue and provide guidance to folks as they embark on a construction process that can seem pretty daunting at first.

Up-to-date information on the salons can be found by visiting Hammer & Hands kitchen remodel page at http://hammerandhand.com/residential-remodel_kitchen.

Excerpt from:
Portland Kitchen Remodeling Salons to be held at Pearl District’s Retail Studio, Presented by Hammer & Hand and Bright ...

If funds are tight, consider hiring a contractor to build just the exterior "shell" of your addition and then you can complete the interior finishes as funds become available.

Brent Murray

Enlarge photo»

Busting the budget is everyone's biggest fear when it comes to home renovation, and with good reason.

Even if you follow the essential advice we've been doling out for years — build in a 10 percent cushion to cover the nasty surprises, get contractor references and check them, banish the words "while you're at it" from your vocabulary — it's hard not to end up spending more than you want to.

We feel that the most realistic goal is to get the largest portion of your dream at a price you can afford, rather than getting the entire dream and ending up house poor with regrets that haunt you for years.

With the aid of savvy design professionals helping you with strategic design choices, material selection and timing, there are opportunities to cut costs without cutting corners.

While it takes big changes to save big money, the little things add up, too.

Increase efficiency, not size

When you need more space, the first thought is to add on. While some design solutions may actually need more square footage, many problems can be solved by reconfiguring the layout to make the space feel bigger and function better.

Additions cost by the square foot. An addition means incurring the cost of a foundation, exterior walls and roof, which means more labor, more materials and more expensive permits.

Moving interior walls and strategically reconfiguring existing space to accommodate your family functions will save money while potentially providing comparable results.

Take storage for example. Many families struggle with storage issues and think they need to add more space. Sometimes all they really need is some creative, more efficient storage options.

When you see the storage space you gain by replacing kitchen cabinets with fixed shelves with cabinets with fully-extending pullout drawers or shelves, you may change your mind about needing to expand the kitchen.

We have found smaller additions and bump-outs can dramatically change the look and feel of a home without the expensive cost of a larger addition. The key is to work with a professional architect to help you clearly define the problems and to optimize your existing space.

Do your remodel in phases

One way to save upfront costs is by doing your home remodel in phases. Many clients do one project a year working toward their dream home.

Read more from the original source:
Tips to cut remodeling costs without cutting any corners