Kitchen Remodeling

Reflecting Upon The Hundreds Of Kitchen Remodeling Consultations I Have Done…

As I reflect upon the hundreds of kitchen remodeling consultations I have done, and the many kitchens we have remodeled, they all started with a phone call to book a visit. We believe that if we can get you to express what is wrong with yours, then discover what you feel comfortable investing to fix it, that the odds are good that we can make it happen.

The best solution is always one we come up with together. Your desired kitchen full of functionality and grace is what we can provide once we meet and figure a few things out. Here are a few things that will help us focus on what makes sense in your home.

How will you be using your Kitchen?

The lights of the kitchens of America are coming back on! This was the headline of a trade journal article while Levco was being established. The encouraging synopses was, despite our ever busier lives, convenience food is just not the same as a home-cooked meal. The investment of time in cooking and baking at home is worth it from a social and health perspective.

It is no mystery that cooking or baking will be a lot more enjoyable if we create a space and have the equipment conducive to this endeavor. Entertaining while you do your thing in the kitchen is better done with adequate elbow room. The answers to these questions will help start guiding you into a design that works.

Design

Have a professional help design the space. What seems like your only option may be hiding some great opportunities. We work on paper to ensure a great outcome. Carmen Lundstrum, an expert designer on my staff, can help you enjoy the process of decision making.

We handle everything, down to the tiniest details like hiding your backsplash outlets just below your cabinets. Levco also specializes in Universal Design (that which is functional for people of all ages and abilities). We will share ideas and gladly incorporate any of our innovative features into your home.

Colors & Textures

Colors and textures must complement each other. In the interior design world we examine how these colors and textures work together in a mood board (A mood board is a type of collage consisting of images, text, and samples of objects in a composition). Sure, we make bold statements on occasion but clashing or confusing things in your presence causes emotional confusion just like feng shui promotes calm.

Cabinets

There are more fancy gizmos than you can imagine for space saving, ease of operation, and access to your stuff. Our commitment to local cabinetry manufacturing encourages creativity and provides semi-custom work at a great price.Cabinet layout is king! New things are becoming available all the time. Quick turnaround of high quality cabinets is just what we have come to expect. Even things that you may not have thought of, like putting your dishwasher higher than on the floor to make the act of loading and unloading less of a chore, are possibilities in today’s kitchens.

Lighting

Who wants to work in the shadows? Let’s get some light on your working and display surfaces. LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lighting is coming on strong. Standard can lights have come a long way too. Skylights and solar tubes are very popular as well.

Be sure to let us show you some lighting options that are easy on the eyes and pocketbook. Ideas include up lighting, down lighting, and general lighting. The goal is to have adequate lumens to be able to handle the task at hand. Dimmers are also a great option for total control of the mood. Don’t forget natural lighting as an important element.

Back Splashes

Again we find all sorts of ideas from tile to custom glass, a montage or something classic. Do we put in an accent or leave it all the same? Lots of questions to be answered. This is where photo galleries on websites come in handy, or a visit to the tile store showroom.

Appliances

We expose our “contractors pricing” for materials to our clients and work with our trusted showroom sales people. There is no specific brand we endorse, and encourage you to choose wisely with our tips below.

Ovens

I like to sit in front of the oven and watch stuff bake, so for me, the bigger the window, the better. Convection is the bomb and I highly recommend it for “most” baking needs. Gas ovens now are better designed and can hold high temperatures well.

Dishwashers

Quiet is king. If you are going to spend more than $400, you can get into some quiet machines. Energy efficiency and decreased water usage also enters the equation the more you spend. I have been into several homes that are using two of them in the kitchen set.

Microwaves and small convection ovens

Microwaves have inserted themselves into our lives, as some kitchens have two of them. Small convection ovens have not caught on as well just yet. Those that own them and have experimented say that these are a better fit when just cooking for one or two people.