CY-FAIR HOMES. Written by Laurie Roddy. 32 CY-FAIR MAGAZINE Visit CyFairMagazine.com for Cy-Fair jobs, events, news and more.

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1 CY-FAIR HOMES Cy-Fair sbeautiful Written by Laurie Roddy 2 CY-FAIR MAGAZINE Visit CyFairMagazine.com for Cy-Fair jobs, events, news and more.

2 The marble back splash, counters, and chef s island add drama to this otherwise simple kitchen KITCHEN Trends To advertise, call or sales@cyfairmagazine.com CY-FAIR MAGAZINE

3 Connie Heath s bar allows for extra seating in her kitchen Photo by Deb Colson Kitchens have become the gathering place for family and friends.why not make this room incredible or at least a bit More Up-To-Date? The best kitchen in the world would be in the center of the house with a big bar around it and stools at the bar, says Kayla James, Realtor for Cottage Properties. While we won t all be moving our kitchens, it is possible to update your kitchen with only a few minor upgrades. Current Trends Current trends lean toward expensive but long-lasting products such as granite countertops, wood or tile flooring, and slate backsplashes. Updated, refurbished, or refinished appliances are also popular. People are paying more attention to their cabinets, adds LeeAnne Denny, Designer for Keystone Carpets and Interiors. There is a lot more detail in cabinets now with specialty storage and moldings. At this year s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, the top five kitchen trends are: green or earth-friendly products, colorful surfaces, healthy food preparation areas, high-tech products, and convenient yet multifunctional work areas. Kitchens are now treated like any other room in the house with mood lighting, elaborate molding, nice surfaces, and well-thought-out flooring. Choosing Materials If you are watching your budget, you can still upgrade with quality products. The easiest and most economical thing to do is paint to refresh the cabinets, says Denny. According to Denny the biggest bang for the buck 4 CY-FAIR MAGAZINE Visit CyFairMagazine.com for Cy-Fair jobs, events, news and more.

4 A unique light fixture enhances the chef s island in this kitchen To advertise, call or sales@cyfairmagazine.com CY-FAIR MAGAZINE 5

5 is to put in a new floor while the biggest impact upgrade is to update the countertops and appliances because it is what people see and touch. Countertop laminates are very economical and much better now with all the different colors, adds Denny. Don t forget granite as an economical way to upgrade countertops. Shop the price on stones because it is so competitive you can still get the stone you want at a good price. Adding Your Personal Touch Denny believes one of the benefits of updating your kitchen is that each homeowner can streamline a kitchen to their own personal needs. Make sure you have the amenities at hand that suit your entertaining lifestyle, says Denny. Connie Heath, owner of Eye for Design, did just that. She designed her own kitchen using custom cabinets and a circular bar in the middle of the room. The flow of the kitchen is very important, stresses Heath. Everyone wants to be in the kitchen. I wanted people to feel they were in the kitchen but not under my feet. That way they can feel they are part of what is going on. This light, colorful kitchen compliments the dark, dramatic floors The more open the kitchen, the easier it is to be a part of the daily family activities. The kitchen is now the homework station for the kids, a gathering place for friends, and a work zone with a computer, television, and internet access. Open it up. Pull out upper cabinets if necessary and make the kitchen easier to work in so that it is easier to be with friends and family, suggests Denny. Increasing Value Remodeling a kitchen not only brings homeowner satisfaction but can also help sell your house. Houses in this area can sell in a week if the kitchen has been updated, says James. According to the Remodeling Cost vs Value Report 2007, expect to recoup 81% of the cost on a major kitchen remodel and 88.% on a minor kitchen remodel. Before remodeling, consider calling a neighborhood realtor for advice on how much your home is worth and what value a kitchen remodel will add to it. Also, study kitchen and remodeling magazines to get an idea of what you like. It can be difficult deciding what you want by simply looking at products on shelves or stacked on racks. Also consider finding a designer to give you some tips on color matching if you re redoing more than two elements. A designer can also help keep your project on budget by suggesting the appropriate materials at the cost you re willing to spend. In all the hubbub of picking out stones, tiles, slates, and paint, don t forget the smaller, less-expensive upgrades, such as lighting, sinks, faucets, and door handles. The smaller items may not seem like much but they can have a big impact on the look of your new, trendy, 21st century kitchen. CFM LAURIE RODDY, a writer from Cypress with over 25 years experience, recently updated her own kitchen. 6 CY-FAIR MAGAZINE Visit CyFairMagazine.com for Cy-Fair jobs, events, news and more.

6 A variety of colors and textures were used in this family-friendly kitchen To advertise, call or CY-FAIR MAGAZINE 7

7 KITCHEN REMODELING RESOURCES The Heath family s kitchen has granite counters, accent lighting, and detail in the cabinetry Simple Tips for Inexpensive Remodeling For large impact and little money employ some of the techniques below to update and brighten up a tired kitchen. Replace lighting with new, trendy fixtures Paint cabinets, walls, or ceiling Refinish older appliances Install new molding, flooring, or countertops Add a bar or island to your kitchen Incorporate a theme, such as bistro or country Photo by Deb Colson Bolfing Brothers Marble* Telge Rd., Cypress bolfingbrothers.com Girard Interior Design, Inc.* girardinteriordesign.com Interiors by Decorating Den* decdens.com/cdavies Countertops, Cabinets, Floors & More 6127 FM 1960 Rd. W., Houston Eye for Design eyefordesignbyconnie.com Keystone Carpets & Interiors 1225 N. Eldridge Pkwy., Cypress Visit CyFairMagazine.com for more local resources. *denotes Cy-Fair Magazine Advertiser 8 CY-FAIR MAGAZINE Visit CyFairMagazine.com for Cy-Fair jobs, events, news and more.