We Have Moved!

We just wanted to let you know that we haven't forgotten about you!

 If you were wondering why we haven't posted recently, don't worry... You can still see all of your favorite Federal Brace Blog for Dealers and Designers posts in Tumblr! 

So follow us at  http://federalbrace.tumblr.com/.

As always, thank you for reading and have a great day!!

Retro Thursday: 1970s Kitchen

After the 1960s, kitchens began to change a bit. The oven and range became one unit instead of two separate appliances. Instead of tile countertops like before, people used Formica counters in the 1970s. The popular colors of the 1970s were also different from before. Kitchens were shaded in outdoorsy or “earthy” colors like avocado green, burnt orange, or harvest yellow. Appliances were shaded with colors like these as well. Cabinets were wood that was usually stained with a dark brown. It was also popular for cabinets not to have door handles. 

Below is a picture of a 1970s kitchen. As you can see, the cabinets are a dark brown color. The range and stove are one unit. The harvest gold color is being used in this kitchen as well. The kitchen counter is Formica. Everything is matching which was a popular feature in 1970s kitchens.

Here you can see the harvest gold color again. The laminate floor was popular in the 1970s.

Here is an example of an avocado green kitchen. The color extends from the countertops to the oven/range and the hood. Also, the dark brown cabinet color is not only on the cabinets; check out the microwave!

The cabinets are beginning to be a little bit lighter into the late 1970s. Check out the avocado green carpet in this kitchen!

Here is an example of the red copper color used in some 1970s kitchens. This looks like a combination of a 1960s and 1970s kitchen with the brick wall and wood cabinets from the sixties and the harvest gold countertops and wall paper and patterned flooring from the seventies. 

Although the 1970s were a change from previous decades, this is the type of kitchen that a lot of this generation’s parents probably grew up in and remembers. A lot of kitchens today all have so many similarities because everyone wants to have the latest models of everything like granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. In the 1970s, people attempted to be unique and original in their kitchens and you don’t see a lot of that today.

Pictures are courtesy of uglyhousephotos.com.

The Cost of Kitchen Renovations

 On average, we've found that kitchen renovation costs between $15,000 and $20,000 when you don't spend on appliances. It can cost up to $45,000 with appliances. With these numbers, on average kitchen remodels cost $27000. The cost of your kitchen remodel can vary according to what region you live in, the materials used, the design you want, your budget, and the quality of appliances you buy.

According to msnbc.msn.com you should plan wisely before renovating your kitchen. They say not to the stove or the sink because it costs more to do plumbing or electrician work and you want to avoid that cost. Also, you should plan your lighting needs ahead of time so it will go along with the electrical work. Most kitchen cabinet stores will plan the layout for your kitchen for free or do measurements for a price and deduct that price if you hire them to do the installation. You can also save on buying lower quality appliances. It all depends on the look you are attempting to attain with your kitchen remodel. You should compare the price of your potential kitchen remodel with the cost of your home and see if it's worth it.

For more information on this topic, please look at the comments on this blog. You can compare your kitchen renovation cost along with the price other people have spent on their kitchen remodel and see if you are spending too much.

If you want to figure out how to budget your kitchen remodel, you can take a look at this site as well. 

Take a LoOk at 1960s Kitchens!

The 1960s were a time of many changes including the assassination of John and Robert Kennedy, the Vietnam war, the Civil rights movement led by later assassinated Martin Luther King, and the landing of America on the moon by Neil Armstrong. These changes are definitely demonstrated throughout the designs in the American 1960s kitchens. Maybe the kitchens changed so much because people couldn’t control what was happening around them so they decided to focus on what they could control, their kitchen. Or maybe people were just ready for a change. Whatever the case, 1960s kitchens expressed many different styles with lots of bright colors mixed with steel and an outdoorsy look.

Pictures below are from www.retrorenovation.com

The picture below shows the bright colors that accentuated the sixties with the yellow and blue. Pay special attention to the backsplash and how the pattern matches the blue countertops. Also notice the wood top and bottom cabinetry which was very popular in the 1960s.

Retro Renovation Post

This picture demonstrates a variety of elements that were popular in 1960s kitchens. First of all, notice the thick laminate countertops with the unique pattern which became popular in the early 1960s. Also, the laminate pattern on the cabinets was a popular decoration in the ‘60s.The steel mixed with laminate was popular in the ‘60s. Small tiling on the floor was a popular item in the ‘60s as well along with the brick walls around the windows.

Retro Renovation Post

This picture is a great example of the “outdoorsy” look that 1960s kitchens seemed to accentuate. A lot of 1960s kitchens were all about bringing the outdoors inside which is somewhat popular in today’s kitchens. This kitchen has two different patterns of brick, wooden cabinets, and beige colors. The grill in the kitchen was popular in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.

Retro Renovation Post

This picture is from a 1966 kitchen. It is a great example of the laminate patterns that were so popular in the ‘60s. The wood cabinetry is also seen in this kitchen therefore combining the outdoorsy look and laminate look. 

Retro Renovation Post

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Federal Brace

Most Modern Kitchens

We thought it would be fun if we found websites with the most modern kitchen designs and introduced them to our fans. Some of the modern kitchen designs don’t look much different than kitchens that some of you might have. If you think your kitchen could fit the profile of a modern style kitchen or you have modern pieces or appliances in your kitchen then send us a picture of it and if we agree with you, then we’ll post it on our social media sites!

http://freshome.com/2010/06/11/25-modern-kitchen-designs-that-will-rock-your-cooking-world/

http://www.trendir.com/archives/001791.html

http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/top-10-modern-kitchen-design-trends/

http://www.remodelingmyspace.com/kitchen/kitchen-designs-design-ideas/photos-modern-kitchen-design-pictures.htm

http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/kitchen

http://dornob.com/modern-kitchen-design-inspiration-luxurious-layouts/

http://www.servicemagic.com/resources.dg.Kitchens.27.41.html

Kitchen Remodel Nightmare!

Recently we heard news about a retired couple who had an unexpected problem when trying to remodel their kitchen. They ended up having to pay for their countertops twice due to the negligence of another company! The video peaked our curiosity so we did some research on how to prevent kitchen remodeling problems from happening to you.

One way to prevent kitchen remodel problems is to hire a kitchen designer or visit your local kitchen design center. You might think that hiring a kitchen designer would be expensive, but it will be more cost effective in the long run. They are experienced and knowledgeable. They will plan a schedule for your kitchen remodel and stick with it, saving you time. They will save you money as well because they will be able to avoid the damages you might encounter on your own. Kitchen designers are skilled professionals and they know what types of questions to ask in regards to making your dream a reality. They might even give you ideas that you haven’t thought about before. They are also familiar with the certified suppliers and installers in your area.

Designers will help you avoid the problems you might sustain while looking for an installer yourself. We have referenced an article below that will explain what types of questions should be answered before the countertop installer is hired and if you’re remodeling yourself, how you can go about answering these questions. These questions include “Is the installer experienced, have you had a chance to see some of his work, is the installer easy to deal with, does the installer have the appropriate insurance and contractor’s license, will the job be finished in a timely manner, and are the labor and materials covered under warranty?”

Your neighborhood kitchen or home design center can help you choose the color of your countertops or cabinets. After they help you, they can give you a list of insured installers in your area. You can find installers in your phone book or internet directory as well. After you find an installer make sure to interview them even if you already have reviews from friends or family members. During the interview you can ask for referrals from previous clients that the installer has worked for. If you can talk to those clients/homeowners, you can ask them how the installer was to work with. If you don’t receive all positive feedback, you should consider the possibility of continuing the search for a different installer or further researching the feedback you receive.
http://www.countertop.com/articles/wiarticle.aspx?aid=7

Federal Brace's Spotlight Blog : Fireplace & Granite

One year ago Federal Brace had the honor of meeting Bob & Paulette from Fireplace & Granite. Even though both companies are from the Charlotte, North Carolina area they met each other in Atlanta, Georgia at the IWF Woodworking Show. Ever since Fireplace & Granite placed its first order with Federal Brace they have noted how pleasurable it is to work with a company that recognizes the importance of quality and serving the customer’s needs as they do.

Bob has over thirty years of experience working in the fireplace business. When Bob & Paulette relocated from Buffalo, New York a few years back, their drive and focus steered towards new construction. But times and the economy have changed. “For the most part, we have gotten rid of our builders. It’s all about remodeling,” Bob says.

Even with the adapting change in the economy, business has been up 30% the last four years and 98% of their business comes from referrals. Their business has been able focus on rebuilders and remodelers with in the Charlotte, Charleston and Columbia regions. Outdoor slabs and show rooms are available in North & South Charlotte.

Federal Brace is proud to do business with a company such as Fireplace & Granite.

North Charlotte:

704-721-0001

1749 Trinity Church Rd

Concord, NC

South Charlotte:

(704) 588-8939

218 Westinghouse Blvd, Ste 202

Charlotte, NC 28134

SC Areas: 803-328-3737

http://www.fireplacecarolina.com/

Federal Brace's Spotlight Blog : Devane Design

Chantal Devane is an award-winning designer in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Since 2003 she has owned a full-service interior design firm, specializing in interior design and kitchen & bath remodeling.

Devane Design offers a more classical appeal approach with a focus on the client’s needs. The company does mostly kitchen and bath remodeling. Chantal considers working with her clients to be a partnership. She’s always looking for new ways to do things, taking from the old and making traditional designs fun and exciting. She wants her clients to love what they have.

As early as 8 years old Chantal's designing nature was appearing. She would move around furniture in her bedroom trying to get her living area just right. By the time Chantal entered high school, it did not surprise her friends that she wanted to be an interior designer. She had a certain artistic eye and she was always doing arts and craft projects.

Now the designer has worked on both sides of the country, which gives her a lot of variation in her work. She loves what she does and she honored to work alongside great companies like Federal Brace. Her ability to help fulfill her client’s needs is something she recognizes in Federal Brace.

“My role as an interior designer is to identify your needs and define your vision, while helping direct you through the design process. My ability to identify the needs of the homeowner is something I see in the varying designs from Federal Brace,” Chantal Devane, Devane Design.

A note to anyone in the Eden Prairie area:

Devane Design creates classic interiors that best represent you, in your home.

Devane Design
10561 Lake Fall Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55347

Phone: 612.280.2783
Email: chantal@devanedesign.com

http://www.devanedesign.com/index.htm

Kitchen Design tips -

Hire An Architect/Kitchen Designer - This is an extremely important step and a one of the most important kitchen design tips...you need to have kitchen floor plans drawn up in order to move ahead. Not only will they help you to decide what products, materials, and sizes to use, but they will also act as a precise blueprint for your contractor, electrician, plumber, tile installer, and countertop fabricator to follow once your renovation is underway.

Check out this post from TLC:

Design on a Budget.

Remodeling

Remodeling involves major changes that may take your kitchen in a whole new direction. A remodeled kitchen is what you're up to if you need to change the whole "footprint" of your kitchen to add space or reshape the room for better views or better access. While your existing home's size and site will affect how radically you can change your kitchen, you can make surprisingly big changes.

Remodeling doesn't depend on what your old kitchen looked like, only on what your needs and wishes are and what your budget dictates. New built-in appliances and cabinetry, new windows and skylights, a new eat-in area or home office niche, a family room/ kitchen combination, and more -- anything's possible with remodeling.

Where to put the Kitchen Island?

The National Kitchen and Bath Association(NKBA), recommends that you have a 36″ clearance in traffic areas and 42″ clearance in the work area of your kitchen.

Island Sizing.

There are no set guidelines for sizing an island, but there are a few rules for the spaces around it. A designer figures out the work and walk-aisle clearances, and those dimensions dictate plans for the structure.

Its shape is often determined by the surrounding area. The basic four-sided island is the workhorse configuration most popular in closed floor plans. For open rooms, angular islands—think L, Y, U or V shapes—act as a wall delineating the kitchen without totally blocking it off. While these multifaceted designs cost more to build, they typically offer more places for shelves, drawers, wine racks, towel bars, pullout bins and other amenities, as well as more space for appliances.

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.

Granite Countertop Maintenance*

A solid quality countertop can define a kitchen. The inclusion of a granite counter top will add class to the most modest of kitchens. They are available in a number of colors and are extremely durable (although periodic sealing is usually a must). Although there is some maintenance involved, granite kitchen counter tops are elegant and timeless.

For Daily care -- stone countertops, daily maintenance consists of simply wiping with a damp cloth or sponge. It's recommended that the countertop be cleaned using a stone soap once per week.

If your countertop has a polished finish, you can keep the gleam by applying a stone polish. It's easy to use, you simply apply, allow to dry, and then buff to a shine once a month or so.

Citrus juices & vinegars contain acid that if left unattended, could etch your countertops. Oils can also leave a stain on your counters. Bottles of oil or items containing oil, grease, etc. should be placed on a protective surface while cooking.

*This is the first in daily tips for kitchen design.