Inspired Remodels, Author at Inspired Remodels

Open Concepts FAQ by Orange County Remodeling Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Rooms that flow effortlessly from one to another. Spaces that incorporate the indoors and outdoors seamlessly. What do they have in common? The open concept in action. Inspired Remodels, an Orange County remodeling contractor, answers common questions about open concepts.

What is an open concept? In design, open concepts feature few interior walls and rooms flow naturally from one to another. The British refer to it as “open plan” design.

Is the open concept new to architecture? No, while it is currently highly popular, it has it’s roots in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Home, first published in February 1901 in the Ladies Home Journal. As the modernist design of the 1930’s brought indoors and outdoors together, spaces became less defined in an effort to bring more light indoors. Post-war homes were smaller and less expensive and servants and housekeepers were less common. Fusing the cooking, dining, and living places brought economy of space and efficiency together.

Is creating an open concept difficult? Designing an open concept area is easy. Executing the design isn’t always a walk in the park. If load bearing walls must be removed, maintaining the integrity of the home is a challenge. This is not a do-it-yourself job, and requires the skills and knowledge of a licensed general contractor.

Open Concept Pros

Do open concepts make spaces look larger or smaller? Small spaces feel even more confined with walls. By removing walls, you trick the eye into thinking there is more space. Conversely, if you already have a large space with high ceilings, an open concept can make a space cavernous.

Aside from visual appeal, what are other benefits of an open concept? Not all families make regular use of formal living or dining areas. A thoughtful open concept design takes this unused space and incorporates into more heavily trafficked areas. This maximizes use of square footage under the roof.

Kitchen and Informal Dining

Open Concept Cons

Are there downsides to open concepts? When the living, dining, and cooking areas share space they also share their messes. One cook recently ranted in the pages of The New Yorker that their open concept kitchen lacked boundaries and places to hide dirty dishes from guests. So, embrace the open concept with eyes wide open. Cooking also creates heat and smells. An open concept shares both of those freely with adjoining areas.

Is an open concept right for me? Only you can answer this. But, sitting down with a designer and discussing your wants, needs, and dreams for new space in your home can help you decide. Use a design/build Orange County remodeling contractor like Inspired Remodels. A remodeling contractor that also provides design services is well-equipped to deal with issues like load bearing walls.

Inspired Remodels is an experienced Orange County remodeling contractor with extensive experience with open concept design. Call (949) 716-1938 to schedule an appointment today.

Kitchen Renovation Company Explains Differences in Kitchen Flooring

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Wood, tile, and other hard surfaces have made a comeback with a vengeance. And hard surfaces are great for kitchen flooring. When it comes to kitchen flooring, you want surfaces that stand up to moisture and are not easily scratched or dinged. If you are worried about damaging wood, then consider wood-look tile. It comes in many colors and sizes. Laminate flooring and luxury flooring are also popular in the kitchen. But which one is right for you? Inspired Remodels, an Orange County kitchen renovation company, explains the differences.

Hardwood

This flooring never goes out of style. It adds warmth and beauty. It lasts for years and can be sanded and refinished.

Hardwood flooring stands up to spills if they are wiped up right away. However, because it is so hard, it can be uncomfortable to stand on for hours at a time.

Cooks that spend considerable time standing in the kitchen will want to add padded mats for lower back and leg comfort. It is generally the most expensive kitchen flooring but it is also the longest lasting.

Tile

Ceramic or porcelain tiles are great for the kitchen. While porcelain is less impervious to water by definition, both can stand up to common kitchen spills. Since kitchen floors take a lot of abuse, look for tiles where the color permeates the tile. Otherwise, one dropped knife can mar the look. If you want the look of wood but want the durability of tile, look for wood-look tile. Tile requires the use of grout. To keep floors looking fresh, keep grout sealed.

Tile can easily last for up to 20 years, so it wins in the long-lasting category. It is generally less expensive than hardwood. Like hardwood, it is tough on the back and legs if you stand for long periods of time. Dedicated cooks will want to use padded mats for comfort.

Laminate Wood

Pergo is probably the most recognizable laminate brand. Their products made laminate flooring popular. Laminate flooring is also called wood composite flooring. That’s because it’s 99% wood byproducts. The name laminate also refers to it’s construction. Imagine layers of rigid, high-density fiber boards laminated together to make planks. The finished appearance comes from a photographic image that sits under the resin layer. It looks like stone or wood.

Install laminate over an existing floor without glue or nails. It usually floats. Just snap or click over an existing floor. You can glue to a subfloor if desired. Laminate wood can be applied over padding for comfort. It is an affordable alternative to hardwood.

Luxury Vinyl

Luxury vinyl isn’t the rolled flooring you remember from the 70’s and 80’s. This new stuff is awesome. It’s available in planks or tiles and is constructed of many layers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and then coated with urethane.

Luxury vinyl planks can look like real hardwood flooring. Look for smooth or textured. It can also mimic other materials such as stone or tile. Install by gluing or floating. Luxury vinyl is installed over padding for comfort.

Luxury vinyl tiles are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. So, they mimic wood, stone, and concrete. In addition to gluing and floating, you can peel and stick these tiles.

Ask the Kitchen Renovation Company that Knows Flooring

Still not sure what flooring is right for your kitchen renovation project? Ask the kitchen renovation company that knows flooring. Ask Inspired Remodels.

Joe Mueller will help you pick and install the kitchen flooring that fits your style and budget. Call (949) 716-1938 and schedule an appointment today to discuss your options or Contact us online with your questions.

Take a Peek Inside Cabinets with an Orange County Kitchen Cabinet Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / custom cabinets / Comments Off

Thinking about a kitchen remodel for your Orange County home? Cabinetry makes up one of the most expensive elements of a kitchen remodel. From stock cabinets at the big box store to semi-custom from Waypoint or KitchenCraft, options abound. Let Inspired Remodels, Orange County’s premier kitchen cabinet contractor, clear up the confusion and teach you what to look for in kitchen cabinets.

kitchen cabinet contractor adds valance to hood to give a custom look to kitchen

Stock Versus Custom Versus Semi-Custom

Semi-stock, stock, and custom refers to the manufacturing method used to produce the cabinet.

Stock cabinets are mass-produced at the factory and ship fully assembled. Sometimes, you must do the Ikea thing and put them together. With stock cabinets, what you see is what you get. You might have a few options when it comes to door style and finish, but you cannot customize these cabinets. These stock cabinets are usually the least expensive choice. Not only are they cheap, you can get them quickly. If it’s in the big box store, all you need to do is drive over and pick it up. Stock is perfect when time is short and the budget is tight.

Custom cabinets live on the other end of the spectrum. They can be built on-site or off-site at a shop. These cabinets are completely made to order. Talk about labor-intensive! That’s why custom cabinets are the most expensive option and take the longest time for delivery. However, this is the route to go when you want unique and one-of-a-kind kitchen cabinets. They are also perfect if you have an odd-shaped space that needs a cabinet. The carpenter can measure and make your custom cabinets to fit.

Semi-custom cabinets are the perfect compromise between stock and custom. Think stock cabinets with all sorts of detailing options. You can change the finish, change the door, or change the hardware. That’s just the beginning. Semi-custom cabinets allow you to resize the cabinet drawers and door fronts and increase or decrease the cabinet depth. You get individual input into the cabinet design without laying out the cash for custom cabinets.

Kitchen Cabinet Contractor Favorites

Have a favorite sweater you turn to when you need to get warm? You can always trust that sweater to deliver exactly what you want when you want it, right? Well, every kitchen cabinet contractor has a few companies they can turn to for an excellent experience the way you turn to your sweater. For Inspired Remodels, these cabinet companies are Waypoint Living Spaces, Decora, and KitchenCraft. Let’s take a closer look.

Waypoint Living Spaces. Waypoint cabinets are made in the USA upon order. They are semi-custom cabinets with the look, feel, and personalization of custom cabinets. Each cabinet is made by a craftsman and then inspected for flaws before it leaves the factory. Because they are made from high-quality products, Waypoint cabinets last for years. Pick from a wide selection of molding choices to give your cabinets a finished look.

Decora. Decora builds cabinets from oak, hickory, cherry or alder woods. You pick the finish, door style, hardware and more. It’s like getting custom cabinets with the convenience of stock. Add cabinet feet, valances, and corbels for a finished look. You can even add pull-out inserts, recycling bin inserts, and pantry inserts to maximize your space. Accessorize your cabinet doors with glass, acrylic, and gloss inserts.

KitchenCraft. If you are looking for quality and versatility, look at KitchenCraft. These cabinets are manufactured by one of the largest cabinet makers in North America. They focus on quality construction and on-time delivery. They deliver because KitchenCraft cabinets are available only through their dealer network. Inspired Remodels is an authorized dealer. We handle all measuring. We will even help you pick the cabinet, door design, and accessories that bring your vision to life.

Ready for New Kitchen Cabinets?

When you’re ready for new kitchen cabinets, you’re ready for Inspired Remodels. Joe and Joe Mueller will work with you to create a kitchen design that is functional and looks fabulous. Need space-saving ideas? Want to create dine-in areas? Is a kitchen for multiple cooks key? Then, make the most of your space and your budget and call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us and schedule a consultation.

Author: Inspired Remodels