BG Decorators, halp. (Home & Garden version)

[Khamsin]

So, I'm going to be remodeling my kitchen with new floor, cabinets, backsplash, appliances, etc. and need your decorating tips!

I need to pick a flooring (thinking tile), backsplash (behind the range), cabinets, counters, and appliances. And color/style for each.

I'm thinking of putting hardwood in the living area adjacent to the kitchen, so probably would not want hardwood in the kitchen, too.

Any tips on the color/style/appliances? I've gone refrigerator shopping a bit, and had my eye on an electrolux, maytag, and kitchenaid I liked, both stainless steel french door with the freezer on the bottom and ice/water dispenser. But whatever I pick, I'll want the rest (dishwasher and range/microwave) to match.

Likewise, any tips on the remodel itself?

Lastly, any budget tips are good, too. I don't have a tight budget, but don't have an endless one, either. I plan on getting whatever is nicest without being ridiculous, but any ways to save money without compromise is great.

halp.

[Brill Weave]

You should have titled it Gay Posters of BG, Halp!









Hardwood floor with kitchen appliances is not a good idea. Unless you plan on putting those little sliders on the bottom of everything you put in the kitchen.

[Avanarius]

I suppose it would be appropriate to post a picture of your current space or else it's basically impossible to help you.

[Khamsin]

I was planning on not putting hardwood in the kitchen. I'll probably go with tile, there. The hardwood would be in the living room adjacent to the kitchen (so there'll be a transition from one to the other).

As for a pic, I can post one later but since everything will change, there's no base point to work off of. I can say there's no window, and it's a small kitchen. I'm in a condo that was built in 1990 (as a condo, not a convert) so layout is basically floor in the middle with counters on three sides and cabinets above and below them. Standing facing the kitchen, fridge is on the left, dishwasher on the right (across from it), and range/microwave are straight ahead.

[Cyn]

If you want stainless appliances, go contemporary and lay black tiles. They make stainless backsplashes too, but that might be overkill. Probably better to just have it done in whatever tile is used on the floor.

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but stainless looks like shit with white tiles.

[Shade]

If you go tile, don't use a light colored grout. It just ends up looking dirty all the time.

[Avanarius]

If you want stainless appliances, go contemporary and lay black tiles. They make stainless backsplashes too, but that might be overkill. Probably better to just have it done in whatever tile is used on the floor.

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but stainless looks like shit with white tiles.

Definitely DO NOT go white, it'll end up looking like a bathroom from the future with all the stainless steel.

If you can afford, lock down a solid DARK (but not black) earthy stone tile. It'll look fucking amazing.

*edit Actually just follow the alternating color rules and you'll be good to go:

Dark Floor / Light Cabinets / Dark Counter Top,

or Light Floor / Dark Cabinets / Light Counter Top.

anything else just looks retarded (with a few marvelous exceptions that are very hard to pull off)

[aru]

Smith & Fong Plyboo: Bamboo flooring and bamboo plywood, paneling and veneer.

For other products an excellant resourse is http://www.4specs.com/. There is a massive listing of manufacturers on that site and is the go-to site, so to speak, for our architecture firm when we need to pick out products.

You might also want to consider using glass tile instead of the typical ceramic.

[Milkster]

You should have titled it Gay Posters of BG, Halp!

Hey there are some straight guys out there with the ability to decorate >.>...... lol I lied.


HGTV and DIY have some nice ideas on redecorating and doing it for cheap check out their websites.

[Khamsin]

Hmm, thanks for the tips. As for counters... granite, some recycle composite thing, something else that looks as nice as granite?

[Brill Weave]

Nothing will end up looking "as nice" as granite except granite. There are however, sheets of material that is basically, for lack of a better term, wallpaper. They make them in all different styles(including granite) and colors. Basically cut them and you apply them with a heat gun. I'm not too sure about their long term durability. So it could be something that would need replaced regularly. Or it could last a thousand years. Here's a link for something along those lines.

Cover Your Existing Counters With Granite - Associated Content

[Electro]

If you don't want to pay the price for granite you could always go with a plastic counter top with granite colors. Although noticeable they still look nice. You can check out Welcome to Wilsonart Laminate's Site for Professionals for a plastic. I also know that that company makes Gibralter (sp) which is granite type but isn't as heavy. I would agree to post pictures of your space currently. It will allow me to envision what could go where. Lol for the record I am not gay. I do enjoy decorating just as much as my fiancee does though.

[Ivve]

So, I'm going to be remodeling my kitchen with new floor, cabinets, backsplash, appliances, etc. and need your decorating tips!

I need to pick a flooring (thinking tile), backsplash (behind the range), cabinets, counters, and appliances. And color/style for each.

I'm thinking of putting hardwood in the living area adjacent to the kitchen, so probably would not want hardwood in the kitchen, too.

Any tips on the color/style/appliances? I've gone refrigerator shopping a bit, and had my eye on an electrolux, maytag, and kitchenaid I liked, both stainless steel french door with the freezer on the bottom and ice/water dispenser. But whatever I pick, I'll want the rest (dishwasher and range/microwave) to match.

Likewise, any tips on the remodel itself?

Lastly, any budget tips are good, too. I don't have a tight budget, but don't have an endless one, either. I plan on getting whatever is nicest without being ridiculous, but any ways to save money without compromise is great.

halp.

Honestly I would probably hire someone knowledgeable to help you out with this large a project. The last thing you want is for your kitchen to come out looking fucked up because you took some bad internet advice.

Some tips I would offer you:

• I strongly encourage you to give some thought to the kind of cooking activities that take place in your kitchen and then do research on the different properties of countertop materials to find what best suits your needs. This article covers some of the benefits and drawbacks of more common options but I'm sure there's a lot more information to be had: http://www.hgtv.ca/articles/articled...144&cat=1&by=1

• Hit up a lot of home decor themed magazines for ideas you like to guide the professional you're going to hire or the in-store assistant you're going to take advantage of wherever you go.

But again, seriously you should consult a professional. There are a lot of things that many people don't even know to consider when they're putting together a kitchen, and it's unfortunate to drop a bunch of money on something that turns out to have less utility than you want.

[Avanarius]

Honestly I would probably hire someone knowledgeable to help you out with this large a project. The last thing you want is for your kitchen to come out looking fucked up because you took some bad internet advice.

Alright, I found the perfect design for you. I know the colors are a little 'out there' but please work with it.

Spoiler: show

http://anniesfamouscookies.files.wor...zy-kitchen.jpg

Just make sure you paint the cap'n crunch box on the wall properly so it looks like it's actually on the table like this.