Prepare for the Kitchen Remodeling

kitchen countertops with hardware

When you’ve grown tired of looking at your boring old kitchen or have recently purchased a home, it is the perfect time to do some kitchen remodeling in Denver. But this isn’t something that you can just jump right into. It requires a bit of preparation beforehand. To help make sure that the process is as painless as possible, here are some kitchen remodeling tips that will help ensure you are properly prepared.

Establish a Separate Small Kitchen Area

While you don’t need to be able to access everything in your kitchen while the remodeling is being done, you will have certain things that you will need to have. Therefore, it is important to take the most important items and move them somewhere that you can still easily access them. This might even involve moving the fridge to another part of the home and putting a pile of non-perishable items in another room of a closet.

Kitchen showroom Denver
Remodeling websites provide a great selection of kitchen remodeling inspiration.

Determine Budget

You never want to undergo something like kitchen remodeling in Denver without doing some financial calculations first. Otherwise, you might find that the price begins to skyrocket quite quickly. But when you figure out a budget beforehand, it lets you know exactly what you can and cannot afford to do.

Look Online for Inspiration

The trouble with redesigning a kitchen is that you might come up with a style that you like and then a few weeks later see something online that looks so much better and suddenly you want to change your entire plan. But if you take some time to look online at other kitchen remodeling projects in Denver, then it will provide you with the inspiration that you need in order to get a style that you really love.

By following these kitchen remodeling tips, you should be able to make the process as enjoyable as possible. And to make it even more effortless, you’ll want to take advantage of our professional design services by contacting us at The Kitchen Showcase today.

Placement of Appliances in Your Feng Shui Kitchen

kitchen appliances and feng shui
We have been on a series talking about the ancient art of Feng Shui. We know that a few posts are not enough to learn even all about the basics of this Asian science developed 3000 years ago. But it has given us some pointers on where to begin and what to look for when you design or remodel a Feng Shui Style kitchen.
We already learned a little about our energy map or Bagua, the Kua number, basic principles of where to place your kitchen, as well as different colors you can work into your kitchen design to balance energies. Today, we are looking at the kitchen appliances. The incorrect placement of your appliances can create inauspicious elements and negative Chi. Therefore, here are some important topics to consider when working on your kitchen layout. In fact, some find that the placement of your appliances can be more important than the direction your kitchen is facing.

TKSI Tim’s portfolio dark wood kitchen islandAvoid the escape of energy through your kitchen and out the door

Before discussing any kitchen appliances, we need to think where to place any doorways. It’s imperative that the entrance to the kitchen doesn’t face directly onto the front or back door of the house. That creates an unbalanced Chi as good energy rushes through the kitchen and out of the house. It is believed that as the energy escapes your house, it results in illnesses and misfortunes entering through that same door. 

Where to place the fire

When making decisions on the placement of the bigger appliances, like oven and stove, considered fire elements, it is important to keep in mind that the water elements conflict with fire elements. You don’t want them beside sinks, dishwashers or refrigerators because they would extinguish the beneficial fire energy.
The mouth is the area where the energy enters the appliance. This means any gas lines, oil lines or electrical lines and outlets. Therefore, the oven and stove mouths should face Northeast, Southwest or South. Don’t place the oven or range in the Northwest sector known as “Heaven’s Gate.” Good luck energy resides in there, making this the last place you want to set any fire.

Tips for boosting your kitchen’s Chi

If your kitchen’s energy is still unbalanced, you can help boost the auspicious elements of your kitchen’s Chi by placing mirrors. The impression of an extra set of burners is believed to increase your finances. Placing plants or herbs in copper pots along the South and East walls can help you bring prosperity to your home and attract a positive Chi.

Transitional Kitchen fourThe importance of keeping your kitchen tidy

Being messy creates energy conflicts. Therefore, avoid being lazy and keep pantry doors closed at all times. Don’t leave brooms and mops out. Keep them stored in closets, and don’t let dirty dishes pile up. If the laundry area is located in or beside the kitchen, don’t allow dirty clothes to pile up and don’t hang a towel on the oven handle.
Bottom line, have fun! Whether you take these Feng Shui believes seriously or not, you should always be intentional about designing a comfortable and healthy environment for your kitchen. Feng Shui beliefs say that boosting the positive energies will bring in the good times. We say, having an awesome kitchen design, with cabinets you love and a design that meets your needs will turn your new kitchen into your favorite room in the house. 

2016 Hot Kitchen Trends To Try Now

Kitchen design trends

Kitchen Trends To Watch For In 2016

Like any other year, there are lots of hot kitchen trends out there. So, if you are remodeling or want a kitchen for your new home, check out our favorite kitchen trends.

Kitchen Trends  for 2016

1. Open Plan
An open plan is a design that centralizes the kitchen and gives you space to cooking and entertain guests at the same time. From breakfast bars to kitchen islands, an open floor design plan is perfect if you like to socialize.
HAUS

2. High Gloss

High gloss is achieved by using super glossy plastic against neutral or dark palette. From pure black & whites to ultra gloss mussel, there are tons of options when it comes to color choice. Make sure to regularly clean to keep out nasty fingerprints.
3. Contemporary Country
A modern country kitchen is a design alternative that merges the traditional country look and the refined in a functional kitchen. You can achieve this contrast by mixing Richwood with soft pallets.

2016 Hot Kitchen Trends, Kitchen & Bathroom Design Showroom, professional kitchen & bath designers, remodeling your kitchen, renew your tired kitchen in DenverModern Euro Kitchen four

4. Smart Spaces

The purpose of having smart spaces is to designate spots to fit more in less space. For example, areas with hidden charging stations to store devices like smartphones for they are always at hand and charged. Not only for 2016 but for years to come, kitchens will focus on convenience for families to boost their cooking experience via accessible smart appliances.

5. The  Elegant 80’s!

If you are an 80’s lover, just add natural materials to turn an 80’s outed kitchen into the hottest version. Elegance is brought in by incorporating satin brass instead of shiny finishes.
If you think that it is time to renew your old kitchen in Denver and give it a new look, The Kitchen Showcase can help! Stop by our beautiful Kitchen & Bathroom Design Showroom located in Centennial, Colorado, to talk with our professional kitchen & bath designers to start planning the kitchen of your dreams!
At The Kitchen Showcase we have all you need for Remodeling your Denver home

Choosing Your Feng Shui Kitchen Color, Part 2

TKSI traditional kitchen portfolio Nicholas customs

During November, we have dedicated our blog to show people how to get started in the mystic world of Feng shui as we learn easy tips on how to apply this Asian knowledge and technique when designing your new kitchen.
Feng shui is an ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China, it is based on the Taoist vision and understanding of nature, particularly on the idea that the land is alive and filled with Chi, or energy.
Feng means wind and Shui means water. In Chinese culture wind and water are associated. Last week, we discussed Feng Shui principles and meaning, and different techniques that will help you arrange your Kitchen or any other space in your home in a healthy way.
On our last post we discussed how to choose the color of your Feng Shui Kitchen and everything else in Feng shui, is determined by the Kitchen’s location.
Last week, we went over the south, southwest, west and northwest locations and which color could be applied in order to balance the kitchen’s energy. Today, we are going to discuss, the 4 locations left.

Chinese Horoscope and AstrologyNorth Area Kitchen

Feng shui bagua area: Career & Path in Life
Western bagua location: lower center
It is important to balance your kitchen’s water element and keep it happy when it is in the North area. In these cases, blue, black, gray and white, work well on it. Nonetheless, you need to keep the fire element of the kitchen strong, so avoid abusing of these colors.
Black kitchen colors can be used to attract power to your home, which can be associated with wealth. Blue kitchen colors work well with brown and green tones in modern wallpaper patterns, wall tile and painting, attracting peaceful and pleasant changes.
Try to find a good visual balance between Water and Fire colors with the emphasis being on blue, black, gray and white colors. The metal element is usually an excellent balancing point for a North area kitchen in both it’s colors – white and gray.

Northeast Area Kitchen

Feng shui bagua area: Spiritual Growth & Cultivation
Western bagua location: lower left
Kitchens in the Northeast area share the same Earth element as a kitchen in the Southeast area, therefore, they are easy to work with. Remember you can use strong reds and yellows. So, feel free to have as many intense colors as you want. Also, bring an abundance of Earth element decor and colors; avoid the color black.

East Area Kitchen

Feng shui bagua area: Health & Family
Western bagua location: mid left
In this area, is important not to abuse element of metal or fire. Otherwise, they might damage the energy from Wood element  of this bagua area. Try to focus on the Earth feng shui element. Brown and green kitchen color shades and combinations are symbols of health and vitality.
Natural wood kitchen cabinets, dining furniture and decorating accessories, combined with green curtains, upholstery fabric, towels or utensils, attract abundance, wealth and prosperity. Choose soft and earthy greens to help create a relaxing space. A living plant or two can enhance these earthy tones.
Avoid too much black, blue, as well as white and gray colors.

Brian 2Southeast Area Kitchen

Feng shui bagua area: Wealth & Money
Western bagua location: top left
A Southeast area kitchen requires the same attention as the one in the East as they both share the same element – Wood. So, feel free to use as much Wood element decor and colors as you wish.
The element of Earth brings stability with comfortable brown kitchen colors, natural wood tones of kitchen cabinets and dining furniture, golden, beige and pleasant yellow wallpaper patterns, wall tiles or paint colors.
Displaying plants, fruit and vegetables, as well as fresh herbs or flowers are excellent ways to boost the earth energy and attract abundance and wealth.
These four plus the other four locations from our previous post, are all the possible locations you can place your kitchen and the colors you can apply to balance its energy.
So far, we already know where to place our kitchen, where it should be facing, as well as how to calculate your Kua number, and how to select the correct color to balance its energy.
On our following post, we will discuss which appliances your kitchen should have and where to place them, to keep well-balanced your feng shui kitchen.

Where to Place Your Feng Shui Kitchen

Rustic kitchen cabintets

Continuing with last week’s topic, today we would like to go deeper into the ancient world of the Feng shui and how to apply it to your kitchen design. Since we already have a basic understanding of this Asian art, we can begin discussing easy ways of getting started in this Chinese metaphysics practice.
The kitchen is our source of energy and well-being. We cook our meals in it, and we have access to other vital elements for our survival such as water. Feng shui principles dictate that your kitchen is the heart of your home. The Chinese placed their kitchens in the east or south sectors of their homes to promote the kitchen’s fire elements.
Feng shui kitchens are vital to a home’s overall feng shui health. Therefore, by placing your kitchen in the right area, you can effectively create a harmonious space that supports your health and well-being.

At The Kitchen Showcase we have all you need for Remodeling your Denver homeWhere to Begin?

Before considering any kitchen design, try to think of a rectangle shaped kitchen and avoid round shapes. Also, make sure the living room, dining room and kitchen areas are all on the same level.
Placing your kitchen in the east or south sectors of your home is a great start. Begin to construct in your head the rest of rooms and avoid putting certain rooms near the kitchen.
Here is what not to do:

  • Don’t locate the kitchen in the front of your home or facing the front door. This kills any positive chi attempting to enter your home.
  • Don’t locate your kitchen in the center of your home.
  • Don’t place your kitchen below an upstairs bathroom or facing a toilet. Water and waste destroy the auspicious chi.
  • Don’t place the kitchen facing a bedroom.  Chi energy from the kitchen is yang and the bedroom’s energy is ying. Facing these two areas can create an energy conflict. In fact, feng shui believes that this kind of configuration results in family members constantly being sick.

Now that we have a basic understanding of this ancient art and we have already defined the perfect location for our kitchen, we can begin thinking how to design its interior and where to place its appliances.
Believe it or not, placing the kitchen’s appliances can be even more significant and complex than just setting the kitchen room. Therefore, we are going to dedicate a complete post just to this subject.
Follow us on our next post, and learn more about this fascinating Asian knowledge, as we keep heading to the designing and construction of your own feng shui kitchen.

Designing your Feng Shui Kitchen

When it comes to facelifting your kitchen or designing a brand new one, the most common questions that pop in our head are: How? What colors should I use, which materials are better? How much space do I need? And, so on…
In previous posts, we discussed different aspects you should focus on and useful tips you can use, when remodeling or designing your new kitchen. Since we are beginning November, we would like to dedicate this whole month to an ancient science and art.
Remember your kitchen is one of the most important areas of your home. Therefore, it should be nice, cozy, relaxing and appealing and there is no better way to reach these attributes than designing your kitchen through the feng shui vision.
In the next series of posts we are going to show you, the benefits for the health of your body and mind when planning your home through feng shui holistic principles. Also, how through different tips of locations, appliances and colors, you can achieve a well-balanced and harmonic environment.

What is Feng Shui?

Now, it is very important to understand that feng shui is not just a cool name to describe your kitchen when your friends are showing off, their rustic, modern or baroque kitchen designs.
Before we begin throwing ideas and suggestions, it is essential to understand the basics of this ancient art.
Feng shui is a Chinese philosophical system, developed over 3,000 years ago, of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment. It discusses architecture in metaphoric terms of “invisible forces” that bind the universe, earth, and humanity together, known as qi.
In Chinese culture wind and water are associated with good health. Taoist vision and understanding of nature, believe that the land is alive and filled with Chi, or energy, therefore land’s energy could either bring good fortune, bad luck, or misfortune.
Feng shui practice reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure health and good fortune for people inhabiting it.

Analysis and Calculations

Feng shui is one of the Five Arts of Chinese Metaphysics, classified as physiognomy (observation of appearances through formulas and calculations). These are performed with a Compass and a Bagua.
The feng shui energy map, or bagua, is an octagonal grid containing the symbols of the I Ching, the ancient oracle on which feng shui is based. Knowing the bagua of your home will help you understand the connection of specific feng shui areas of your home to specific areas of your life.
The feng shui compass, also called Luo-Pan, is used to access deeper information about a site or a building. It consists of bands of concentric rings arranged around the magnetic needle. Luo means everything and Pan means bowl, which can be interpreted as a bowl that contains all the mysteries of the universe.
You can find these tools on any Chinese store and even on feng shui books.
Once, you have defined the areas with positive and negative energy; you can begin balancing the energies of your environment through different techniques and using several elements.
On our next post, find out more about feng shui and how to apply it to your kitchen in order to design the healthiest, most relaxing and coziest environment you can possibly have.