Kitchen Design tips -

What should I budget for?
Well, it all depends on how large or small you plan your kitchen renovation to be. Let's assume you are planning a full kitchen renovation. Use these kitchen remodel cost percentages as a guideline:

Appliances	10%
Cabinetry	30%
Countertops	10%
Electrical and Plumbing	10%
Flooring	10%
Backsplash and Painting	10%
General Contractor - Labor	20%

Always add 30% to the bottom line to compensate for any product and labor increases.

I know this seems like a lot but, you'll be happy you did!

No man is an island, but most people want one in their kitchen.

The middle of the kitchen is the traditional spot for an island. A central island anchors the room and organizes the work flow while providing accessible counter space from all directions.

Use custom kitchen islands to create an attractive area that will perform a variety of useful functions. Designed correctly, kitchen islands will make your work area more functional and efficient and will be enjoyed by everyone for many years to come.

You must be creative and plan. We will be revisiting Kitchen Islands in the upcoming blogs and going into more detail.

Picking Your Granite Color

You want to find a granite warehouse with a large selection. Make sure they have full slabs of granite for you to see. When you visit, bring your cabinet sample or a door from your existing cabinets. Hold the sample up to the granite, you should be able to tell right away if it is a good match or not. Don’t settle for something that you may not like. This is something that will be a defining element of your kitchen and you need to find a color that appeals to you.

Ask the granite warehouse to pull 5 or 6 slabs for you to view. Make sure the slabs are the same color and point out any dark/light spots or any pattern that you do not like and that you would like to exclude when they cut your kitchen. You may also request a revisit once they measure your kitchen so you can see the cuts they are making and how that will affect your color pattern.

QR Code: A quick response to support.

After the great response Federal Brace received at last year's KBIS show, they were looking for new ways to communicate to their customers their new products and to keep them current with the most up to date catalog. In steps this little guy:

http://bit.ly/FBKBIS

A Quick Code response, the newest in internet marketing. (Please see the CNN Video below). If you're planning to stop by and see Federal Brace, let your friends and followers know via your smart phone. Just scan the QR Bar code with any QR Scanning device (most smart phones have free apps such as "Red Laser" or "i-Nigma 4.") and submit the QR Code message. Check out the message to see what it says...

Alternatively, you could just click the image to do the same, but it's not as much fun. When you do it, share with others and they promise you won't go away empty handed from the booth. Let's not forget Federal Brace's twitter feed is posted on their front page for others to follow and see.

Federal Brace plans to have QR Code images to give descriptions of brackets as well as an updated version of the catalog. So make sure you have your QR scanning device handy at the show, Federal Brace will also have some more fun ways for you to to enjoy the experience using a QR Code scanner. Have a blast at KBIS 2011!

Federal Brace's Brickyard supports any countertop.

Ok. So we broke all the molds on our latest in elevated supports, The Brickyard Countertop Support. Although southern born and bred, The Brickyard does not take its name from drag, stock or even kart racing (but it would be cool if it did). The south is where bricks are made and we are proud of our brick making! The Brickyard is made of steel and symbolizes the strength of brick - made from cinder, fire and ash. This mighty look surrounds the oval at the Indianapolis 500 and now you have this steel powerhouse for your granite and concrete bar applications. Our bracket will hold up against weather and is a durable and strong carrier of stone or granite.

When you hold this bracket in your hand you know you’re holding something strong. You need something strong to hold up your granite. You want something with a strong foundation. Well, look no further than this beast for your next kitchen, bar or office remodeling job. It looks great indoors and excellent outdoors. When you are ready to fire up your grill, this is a wonderful outdoor support. A perfect addition to any Floating Countertop, granite application or stone bar – it is a master addition to the Federal Brace line.

A hulk of a design, with three holes that give it a modern spacious look, in keeping with our Euro-modern designed brackets. Clearly American-made - you will not find a more beefy support anywhere in the market. Trust your instincts and put this in any construction or work area you may find. You will not be disappointed in this beautifully crafted, confident support.

Click here to check it out: THE BRICKYARD

Federal Brace has a Dealer Locator! :)

Do you love our solid supports but you'd rather deal with someone directly than buy on-line? No problem. Federal Brace has a growing list of dealers across the United States and Canada that you can deal with.

And now they are easy to find with Google Maps on our website. Check us out at the The Dealer Distributor and Dealer Page.

Please suggest us to your favorite cabinet or kitchen shop so that they may join our Dealer Program. Don't worry, you can still reach us directly at sales@federalbrace.com or call us at #877-353-8899.

Also, if you are a dealer and you are interested in being focused in one of our blogs, please contact me directly at: skendall@federalbrace.com. Thank you!

Federal Brace, A company on the move.

This week I’ve chosen to recount the incredible year Federal Brace has had bringing their customers Beautifully Crafted, Confident Supports. They have doubled their countertop bracket line by announcing the release of ten new styles. These fresh new countertop bracket designs augment the large selection of countertop supports already available under the Federal Brace brand.

The company’s new Enterprise Support, Foremont Support, and Perrine Decorative Support styles are part of the new countertop mounted support line. The use of these brackets within this application type is to support an elevated bar directly from the lower countertop level. The brackets are mounted directly to the sub-counter and elevated on a counter or a bar on support plates at the top of the bracket.

Federal Brace announced the Bracket Backer ™, a designing enhancement with backer board trim that protects soft wall material behind brackets in heavy weight applications. This product is designed to prevent sheetrock flexing or crushing of soft wallboard materials.

They provide free video guides and tips regarding countertop and countertop bracket installations. These videos feature trained professionals using various support styles and types in many different applications. They create these videos for the benefit of their customers so they may gain knowledge of the countertop installation process and to see their countertop supports in action.

Federal Brace is no longer just a kitchen countertop support company. To finish out a year of expansive growth, the company is introducing a full line of sixteen shelf brackets. These new offering will include designs from Federal Brace’s most popular countertop support models. Now customers can match their countertop supports with decorative shelf brackets elsewhere in the home.

The Brunswick style support was featured for The KBIS’s Best In Show, in Chicago, where it garnered much interest and positive comments related to both its strength and style. At the IWF show, in Atlanta, wood workers marveled at the craftsmanship of the brackets and showered Federal Brace with positive comments.

When it comes to the customers’ needs, their needs are their number one focus and the driving force of their business. To meet the needs of the consumers they have expanded their offices and added more personal. They have added more dealers and distributors throughout the continental United States. Federal Brace has helped thousands of homeowners with countertop support solutions and is steadfast in supplying Beautifully Crafted, Confident Supports for America. Onto 2011!