How many bottles of rosemary would you find in your spice cabinet or drawer if you looked right now? If you’ve ever purchased an herb or spice you thought you were out of, only to find that you already had two opened containers at home, maybe the problem is lack of organization.

Whether you have a spice cabinet or a drawer, you’ll find the spices you need more quickly if you just file them—you know, alphabetically?  It will save you from moving things around every time you want a spice or herb. When you put the bottle away, just remember to ‘re-file’ it properly. The few seconds it takes to think about the proper place to put it will save many minutes of time retrieving it when you need it again.

Speaking of rosemary, you’ve got to try the Rosemary Red Potatoes recipe. I’ve tried this and it’s really good and most importantly, it’s very easy and quick.  For more great recipes go to: allrecipes.com

Prep Time: 5 Min

Cook Time: 25 Min

Ready In: 30 Min

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

In a bowl, combine the potatoes, onion, oil, rosemary, garlic and garlic salt; toss to coat. Transfer to a foil-lined 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 425 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender and browned. Longer for larger potatoes.

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• When it comes to heights for bath and kitchen countertops, the standard should be based on the needs of the residents.  The main purpose for remodeling is not just to make it prettier, but to also make it more enjoyable and comfortable, even if you are planning to live there  for only a few years.  We all accept that someone in a wheelchair would want to make countertops at a functional height for their use, and the same should be true for anyone who is either taller or shorter that the norm.

This kitchen remodel features a raised dishwasher for ease of use.

• You won’t be comfortable if you make your bath vanity 30 inches tall and you are over six feet tall, and you’ll have a back ache to prove it.  On the other hand, if you are barely five feet tall you may not be comfortable working at a ‘standard’ 36 inch high kitchen counter and would be more comfortable with 33 inches, but your six foot, six inch wife would be more comfortable at 38 inch counters.  It’s not at all unusual to have counters of different heights in both the bath and kitchen to accommodate residents of different heights.

• If you’re worried about resale, don’t be.  We’ve remodeled several houses multiple times for different owners and they always want to rip out existing cabinets, standard height or not, and install what they like.

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• By Annette Parrish- Vice President

• Who wouldn’t want a beautiful closet like the ”After”  pictured here—large, bright, and ultra organized?  Even the most beautiful closet should be extremely efficient and functional or it will soon become a large, bright, disorganized mess. 

•  As we’re heading into summer, now is the perfect time to take a critical look at what works, what doesn’t work, and to figure out where to store all those fall and winter clothes you won’t be needing for awhile!  You can transform your crowded, disorganized closet into a dream closet by following these simple guidelines for organization, and implementing a few key changes. First, let’s identify the problem before we discuss a solution.

•  The common problems with most closets are:

• Wasted space—usually found up near the ceiling, along the floor under hanging clothes, and in corners or at ends that are partially covered by a standard five foot door frame.

• High shelves—not easy to reach and difficult for stacking clothes without standing on a stool.

• Lack of organization—shelves are linear so items are not grouped together effectively.

• Rod Height- Single height rod is usually too short for formal-length dresses and has wasted space under shorter clothing.

• Solutions Include:

• Removing standard five foot doors and the framing around it to enlarge the opening and replacing with custom, built-in units. Custom isn’t as pricey as most people think.
• If you have room, install pull-down rods to utilize the space close to the ceiling.
• Placing the items you use most frequently at eye level and those seldom-used items either up high or nearer the floor
• Built-in shelving to accommodate more folded clothes and enclosed compartments to keep items from getting dusty
• Labeled shelves or drawers for pajamas, t-shirts, undergarments, etc.
• Placing rods at different levels for shorter items like jackets, shirts, & skirts; and for longer items such as dresses, formal-wear, and other long-hanging items.
• Providing a tip-out bin for laundry and dry cleaning items.
• Enclosed cubbies or shelves to keep luggage, purses, shoes & boots dust free.
• Installing a slide-out rack for scarves and belts
• Adjustable shelves for flexibility
• Built-in ironing board for larger closets

• As you can see, if you make a few simple changes you can easily see everything you own, allowing you to put outfits together quickly and avoid the frustration of ‘losing’ things in your closet.  You could almost get ready in the dark!  Having an organized, custom closet lets you take good care of your clothing while preventing additional stress in your life.  Getting dressed in the morning shouldn’t be stressful!

• We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to post in the “Comments Box” below.

Before, this closet was too cramped and not efficient. After the Parrish remodel, it is bright and efficient with pull out drawers and custom shelving, ensuring it stays that way!

• If you poll homeowners across the country, you will find that the kitchen is their favorite target for a remodeling project, and Boulder is no exception.  Many people say the kitchen is the focal point of their family life, where family members congregate for homework, catching up on the events of the day, paying the bills, as well as preparing and consuming meals.  Even when entertaining, the kitchen is the place to be—where the action is.

• In addition to serving multiple functions, today’s kitchens often need to serve multiple cooks, with all family members taking part in “kitchen duty.” Many kitchens were designed for cooking solo, and don’t lend themselves to the group approach demanded by the busy families of today.

• Whatever the reason for remodeling the kitchen, the choice is a sound one from a financial perspective.  Remodeling Magazine’s annual “Cost versus Value Report” often indicates that kitchen remodeling offers a good return on the investment, and ranks among the highest returns of any type of remodeling project.  Furthermore, remodeling will pay off again at resale by reducing the time a house stays on the market.

• Remodeling may be a prudent financial decision, but the most important reason to remodel is to improve the family’s quality of life—and few rooms impact on that quality like the kitchen. This would be classified under “return on enjoyment”.

• The elements of most kitchen remodels fall into one or more of the following three categories: light, convenience, and drama.  If you’re looking for drama on a budget, add light.  Skylights, bay windows, under-cabinet lights and hanging-pendant task lights are popular examples.  Kitchens of the 50’s and 60’s typically had one central ceiling fixture supplemented by a light over the range and another over the sink.  Anyone working at a countertop found themselves toiling in their own shadow.  Dark-colored cabinets, floor coverings and appliances compounded the problem.   Good task lighting reflected off light surfaces can make even a dated kitchen look more appealing—and certainly more convenient to work in.  

• There is nothing like natural daylight to brighten a kitchen, and skylights can bring in the light dramatically.  Unlike the plastic and aluminum skylights of yesteryear, the new products offer natural light without the worry of leaks.  Bay windows in front of kitchen sinks, or next to the kitchen table, can likewise brighten both the room and the mood.  They are often installed for plants, views, and to enhance a feeling of spaciousness–and the effect can be dramatic.

• Convenience features include easy-care surfaces, increased storage or utility, and easier access.  Easy-care surfaces include laminates, solid-surface or granite countertops, hardwood floors, durable finishes (such as epoxy) on cabinets, and ranges with easy-to-clean surfaces. 

• The unused space above upper cabinets can be put to work by removing soffits and building cabinets to the ceiling, or providing a lighted display shelf for collectibles.  Useful space can often be doubled by simply adding pull-out drawers in base cabinets, installing lazy susans above refrigerators, or adding fold-out shelves in pantries. The toekick space under base cabinets can be utilized as inconspicuous drawers, providing storage for such things as serving trays or pop-up step stools.

• The awkward space in the inside-corner of kitchen base cabinets can often be used by opening a new cabinet door through the wall into an adjacent room, perhaps providing a dining room with much-needed storage.  Click on the link to view one of the award-winning drawers we’ve done. Many people are opting to convert a base cabinet into a recycling center with bins for sorting the “trash”.   Pet care centers are also popular, providing storage for food, leashes, medicines, etc.  A small sink can prove handy as well.

• New appliances and fixtures can make the kitchen more efficient.  Adding a second sink for food or beverage preparation permits a helper to have their own workstation.  If you need more refrigerator or freezer space, you might appreciate the new refrigerated drawers designed to fit under a countertop.  Instant hot-water dispensers and filtered water taps are convenient and practical, and the new generation of ultra-quiet dishwashers allows you to wash dishes while enjoying music or video entertainment in the adjacent Family Room. 

• You may even want to bring the A/V equipment into the kitchen with a small strategically-placed television or stereo.  A home-computer in an office nook can be handy for finding your favorite recipe (or the phone number of a restaurant that delivers).

• In the drama department, consider having fun with accents.  Custom murals of ceramic or glass tile can jazz-up a backsplash.  If you’re artistic, you and family members can paint your own at a ceramic studio, or create an original mosaic.  Custom cabinet pulls, art-glass doors, or tromp l’oeil can add a little whimsy.  If you really want to warm up the space, add a gas fireplace.  

• While there are enough options available to strain almost anyone’s budget, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a large improvement.  For a makeover on a tight budget, try painting the cabinet exteriors, adding new pulls, and installing a few strategically-placed lights.  New countertops, floor coverings, and an appliance or two can complete the look without breaking the bank.  After all—you’ll want to save some money for the Master Bath…

• Click here to read about more ways you can remodel your kitchen on a tight budget and other FAQs.

• Be sure to check out the “Kitchens Are Cooking” Tour Saturday and Sunday May 1-2, 2010 to take a tour of one of our kitchens. Click here for details.

• We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to post in the “Comments Box” below.

Get an Island of Your Own!

A–Traditionally rectangular, and located near the center of a kitchen, an island can provide valuable counter space available from all directions, and organize the workflow. In larger or open kitchens, angular islands such as L, Y, U or V shaped, can act as a delineating wall, while leaving the kitchen open to adjacent spaces. In some cases, attaching to nearby counters to form a peninsula is the most effective solution to traffic and work flow.
An island may offer a convenient location for a cook top, cutting board, an extra sink, seating for cooks and visitors, storage for utensils, or a home for a dishwasher or under-counter refrigerated drawers. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), more than one third of homes remodeled or built in the past two years feature kitchens with a second sink.

There are no set guidelines for the size of an island, but there are rules for the space around one. Work aisles facing a range, refrigerator, or other appliance should be 42 inches for a single chef, or 48” for two chefs. Remember to provide adequate room around opened range, refrigerator, or dishwasher doors. I recommend creating a mock-up island from cardboard and supported at the proposed height. Easily adjusted in size and location, a prototype can be invaluable in determining the perfect size, shape, and location. If the cooks are tall, an island may be more convenient with a slightly higher countertop—perhaps at 38” instead of the standard 36”. Likewise, a shorter cook may appreciate a slightly lowered work surface.

Don’t be concerned about matching the style of the existing cabinets or countertops. As an independent element, an island is the perfect opportunity to introduce new materials such as a granite counter top or another wood color or species. For an added design feature, consider adding a skylight or coffered ceiling above, or perhaps a pot-rack. If your island will incorporate a sink, a batch-type waste disposer with built-in activator will address the awkward problem of where to locate the power switch.

We welcome your comments below. For immediate questions, or to submit a question to Larry for a future FAQ blog, e-mail info@ParrishBuilt.com

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