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| KITCHEN REMODELS HOLDS STEADY AS TOP RESTORATION REQUEST AT TURNAGE CO. - Industry Trends Shaping Kitchen Design | |||||||||
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JACKSONVILLE, FL (July 21, 2003) Now more than ever, North Floridians are turning their homes into personal sanctuaries. Families spend more time together at home, and the kitchen has fast become the most popular room in the house. At the Turnage Co., kitchen redesign and renovation has never been so popular. "An ever-increasing number of people are renovating their kitchens," said Tom Turnage, president. "While the biggest pay off is the increase in quality of life, the financial rewards are impressive as well." On average, kitchen remodels return 80-95% on your initial investment. What are some of the trends the Turnage Co. has observed in kitchens? Get Wired. Kitchens aren't just for cooking anymore - they often serve as a mini office or family room. More homeowners incorporate non-cooking appliances into the kitchen. A recent National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Design Trends Survey shows that electronics such as computer centers, stereos and TV equipment are often designed into kitchen projects. Blending In. One popular kitchen feature incorporates appliances that resemble furniture rather than industrial appliances. For example, using cabinet panels to cover the fronts of dishwashers and refrigerators so they blend in with the rest of the room. Color. Muted, nature-inspired hues that reflect environmental elements are expected to be hot this year. Pantone, Inc., the global authority on color for the home furnishings industry, identified colors like red earth, wood ash, and sage green will find popularity in appliances, countertops, and cabinetry, reflecting a movement toward making the kitchen a natural and comforting environment. Open Up. One of the hottest and most steadfast kitchen trends is opening the kitchen up to the entertainment or great room. If you're remodeling an older home, consider knocking out walls and replacing them with islands or counters. That way, family and guests can connect in the family room, while maintaining the borders of the kitchen. To add to the open feeling, coffered or pitched celings can give an air of spaciousness. Streamline. A trend throughout the house - but especially in the kitchen - is minimizing clutter. Ellen Cheever, who has written two books on kitchen and bath design for the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), offers these tips in Style at Home magazine: "Think about what you use weekly, monthly and yearly. You can organize and work in a small space if you have self-discipline about your possessions." She suggests having areas that do double duty. "If you have a table, can it have a shelf underneath for oversize pots and pans? If there's wall space above the table, can you install an open rack there? Buy the best cabinets you can and outfit the insides of them so that every inch is organized." If you're considering a kitchen remodel for an older home, Turnage Co. has some tips and questions to ask yourself. "It's important to understand that most of these great historic homes in our Avondale, Riverside and San Marco neighborhoods feature kitchens that weren't designed for today's lifestyle. Many of them were smaller, as they were used for serving. Homeowners want to maintain the unique character of their home, while bringing the kitchen up to meet their needs," said Tom Turnage, President of Turnage Co. Turnage said that for any kitchen remodel, it's important to spend time documenting exactly how you use the room before you make changes. " First determine what you like best about your kitchen. If you're not sure, take notes for a few weeks. You may find that you don't have enough space for food prep, or that you wish you had additional seating for entertaining." He continues: "Asking yourself questions will help you communicate your needs to your designer. The better you can communicate, the better your kitchen will be. The rewards in terms of lifestyle improvement are priceless." Turnage Co. is an award-winning, full-service, design/build construction company based in Jacksonville, Florida. Since inception in 1989, Turnage Co. has planned, designed and/or constructed hundreds of high quality projects including residential and commercial remodeling, custom homes, office buildings and historical restorations. For more information, visit http://www.turnageco.com/. You may also call the Avondale/Ortega office at (904) 387-0770 , or the San Marco location at (904) 399-0411. ### Contact:
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