Year: 2021

Standard vs. Full-Height Backsplash. Tile or Stone?

 

A kitchen backsplash, which is situated on the wall between your countertops and cabinets, protects your wall from stains and spills that may occur in your kitchen. Many homeowners prefer to extend their existing countertop material (Granite, Marble, Quartz, etc.) up their wall to create a simple backsplash. In contrast, others cover their wall with as little or as much tile (or other durable material) that they want.

Before you begin searching through which backsplash materials and styles are available, it’s essential that you first decide whether a standard or a full backsplash is right for you and your kitchen design.

 

Selecting the Height of Your Kitchen Backsplash

On average, a standard backsplash is approximately 4 inches high, starting from your countertop. In many cases, a traditional backsplash is simply a small extension of your existing countertop material. On the other hand, a full backsplash covers the entire wall, starting from your countertops and going up to the bottom of your upper cabinetry.

Both the standard and full backsplash styles can be achieved with pretty much any material, so your decision will primarily stem from personal preference.

 

Pros of the Standard Kitchen Backsplash

This style is an excellent option for you if you’re completing a budget-conscious kitchen remodel, as the installation of the 4-inch backsplash requires fewer materials and less labor. Therefore, it can be a big money saver for you, especially if your chosen countertop is a lesser expensive material.

It’s important to note here that you shouldn’t be afraid to play around with your design. There is no right or wrong, so feel free to experiment with 6 inches, 8 inches, or any other measurement you wish.

 

 

Explore Kitchen Discounts & Coupons

 

Pros of the Full Kitchen Backsplash

A full backsplash creates a gorgeous, more cohesive transition from your countertops to your upper cabinetry. Many homeowners play around with the backsplash design, adding in pops of color and different textures by utilizing unique tile options. This helps to provide a degree of depth and dimension to their overall kitchen design.

Separate from design, full backsplashes are also practical as they are a source of protection for your kitchen walls. If your kitchen is regularly used for cooking or entertaining, a full backsplash may be best for you – especially behind your stove and sink areas.

Whichever backsplash style or height you choose, our specialist team here at Explore is ready to help you design the best kitchen for your home and lifestyle.

Explore First. Explore recommends a full-height tile backsplash. A 4-inch backsplash is a dated look in the kitchen. Adding the extra tile to the backsplash area will be worth it. Put it into your kitchen remodel budget.

 

-Jason Kidwell

 

Read More: 

Cabinetry 101: Everything You Need To Know About Transforming Your Kitchen or Bathroom

Kitchen Island Dimensions – What’s The Best Size for Your Home?

Explore Kitchens Offering Virtual Site Visits

How to choose your kitchen cabinets with 3 easy decisions

 

The post Standard vs. Full Backsplash: Which is Right for Your Kitchen? appeared first on Explore Kitchens – Kitchen Remodeling in McLean, VA.

Explore Kitchens Offering Virtual Site Visits: We aren’t letting 2020 Slow Your Project Down

McLean kitchen remodel after photos January 2021

We aren’t letting 2020 Slow Your Project Down

You may have been wondering how you can continue your kitchen remodel amidst the pandemic. Good news! Explore Kitchens is now offering Virtual Site Visits.

We believe that home improvement projects shouldn’t be affected by pandemics. That is why our experts now will meet you–virtual face to virtual face. You will guide us through your home as we look at cabinets, countertops, tile, flooring, appliances, and lighting.

What in the world is a virtual site visit?

We want to keep everyone safe; that’s why we post signage for our team to wear masks, shoe booties, and gloves in all of our project sites. We even provide masks for our clients if we need to meet onsite. But when meeting onsite is not ideal, we offer a virtual site visit alternative!

A virtual site visit is a video-based call between you and Explore Kitchens. It is a way for us to meet you face to face and see your home to make your dream come true.

There are some things you need to know before we begin your virtual site visit.

How to make your virtual site visit a success

We will now take you through the pre-flight checklist on the things you need to make your call successful. Though they are nothing like the flight attendant safety demonstrations, your project is about to take off!

Technology you need

You will need a smartphone with a working camera. Please make sure you know the app store password and install the Zoom app before the virtual site visit. Links for the app are available here: Android / Apple

Suppose you would prefer to use a laptop with a built-in webcam, that works as well. Please make sure you have your laptop battery fully charged before the call, as we will be moving throughout the house to get a closer look at your project needs.

The final piece of technology that you need for our virtual site visit is a pad of paper and a pencil to take notes. This is my favorite piece of technology!

Make sure both you and your spouse are present on the call

We will be covering important project information and kitchen remodel design decisions over our virtual site visit. Husbands, that means if you don’t want to have that floral print wallpaper, you better be on the call. And wives, if you don’t want the full cedar paneling style, you best be there to help make the decisions.

Explore Kitchens is not endorsing any particular design, nor do we want to get into a debate on a virtual site visit call. We know that you share your home with others, and we want to make everyone’s dream kitchen come true.

rrive 5 minutes early to test your audio settings

We encourage all of our clients to connect to the Zoom call 5 minutes before the meeting. We hope you could use this time to test your audio settings with Zoom and make sure your camera, microphone, and speakers work correctly. It allows us more time to discuss your project needs during the call.

What to expect with your virtual site visit?

You may be nervous about your first virtual site visit, but there is nothing to be worried about with our team! We make sure all of our clients are taken care of and have the perfect questions to ask you to tease out the information we need to make your project successful.

Be prepared to answer important questions

Every project consists of six main elements: cabinets, tile, countertops, flooring, lighting, and appliances. We will ask critical questions surrounding each of these for your kitchen remodel virtual site visit.

Cabinets

Please be prepared to discuss the current feel of your kitchen cabinetry. How can it improve? What would make it speak more to your style?

Explore Kitchens will ask you about the style, wood type, and finish. We offer traditional, contemporary, modern, transitional, or french country styles, cherry, maple, oak, or laminate wood types, light, medium, dark, or white finishes.

Tile

Think about where you would like to see the tile; we will ask you to show us during your virtual site visit. Think about what color, pattern, size of tile that you would like installed.

Countertops

One of the biggest questions for countertops is: are you looking for the marble alternative in quartz? We recommend this choice as it offers a stunning look without all of the maintenance upkeep of marble.

Be prepared to talk countertop edging. Be aware that Explore Kitchens recommends the eased edge or standard edge. The ogee edges tend to make kitchens look dated. We encourage you to go out to our supplier for countertops and use their Countertop Edge Visualizer Tool to get a feel for what you would like.

Finally, we will ask you if you want heavy veining, a subtle vein, or a feathered look with countertops. The two most popular colors that we sold last year were MSI Calacatta Vincenza and MSA Calacatta Miraggio.

Flooring

Do some research into what kind of flooring you would like to have in your kitchen. The ones we recommend are:

LVPPorcelainReal marble

No matter what material you pick above, your flooring will look great!

Lighting and Appliances

This category is pretty simple. We need to know if you have pre-existing electrical in place; that way, we know if we need to bring our electrician in on the project.

 

Read More:

How to choose your kitchen cabinets with 3 easy decisions

How to Measure Your Bathroom Tiles

Blum cabinet door hinges

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A special, abridged version of Salone del Mobile.Milano took place last week, amid much fanfare at its return and trepidation amid COVID-19 concerns. The safety of visitors was paramount, with all exhibitors and attendees adhering to protocols at all times, and an abbreviated show floor that often resembled an art gallery, with products hung on walls and shown in unique displays to keep visitors moving and at a safe distance.

“supersalone” did not disappoint, with more than 60,000 people attending the six-day show, which opened with an impromptu visit and remarks from Italian President Sergio Mattarella welcoming guests and 425 exhibitors, who showcased everything from opulent tables and chairs to modern cabinetry and lighting.

Up-and-coming trends were seen throughout the space. Kitchen cabinets sheathed in metal and metallic looks and a wide range of wood tones, and included complementary metal and glass shelving units. Disappearing kitchens were also displayed, with sliding countertops that tuck everything neatly away when not in use.

Faucets reflected a range of geometric shapes, and delivered on the desire for customization with changeable handles and a multitude of finishes that went far beyond the metals of the past. And LED lighting is revolutionizing the shape and size of pendants, sconces and chandeliers, delivering intricate shapes and modern vibes. LED lighting are also prominent in kitchen and closet shelving and interiors, and even in faucet spouts and showerheads.

Following are a few of the products that made a statement during the event.

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CLEVELAND, OH — The growing number of bathrooms in U.S. households will continue to bolster opportunities in the $276-million bathroom organization products market, according to a newly released report by the Freedonia Group.

The analysis by the Cleveland, OH-based market research firm forecasted that sales of bathroom organization products will grow 1.5% per year through 2025, to a total market size of $298 million. Market growth will be relatively slow “because bathrooms are already a well-established segment of the home organization market, and growth will be coming off of elevated sales in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic heightened consumers’ investment in their homes,” Freedonia said.

Nevertheless, the company said, the market for bathroom organization products will be sustained by macroeconomic factors such as new home construction, renovations and existing-home sales, “all of which can open up new sales opportunities for suppliers of bathroom organization products by increasing the number and/or quality of bathrooms.”

“New homes are increasingly built with more bathrooms than are common in existing homes, expanding the number of available bathrooms in which consumers can install organization products,” Freedonia said. “The number of bathrooms per home continues to tick up, and this growth will be boosted, at least in the short-term, by a rise in the number of households looking for single-family rather than multifamily living situations.”

Design trends favoring large tubs and showers will also encourage consumers to better organize their bathroom storage, the research firm added, pointing to growth for bins, baskets, and totes, as well as shelving, modular units, hanging storage, accessories and hardware.

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Corsi Group announces the transfer of company ownership from Pat Corsi, who founded the company in 1973, to Mark Earl. Corsi will serve as an advisor to The Corsi Group during the transition. The transfer was effective on August 31.

Pat Corsi, founder of The Corsi Group, stated, “It has been my great pleasure and an honor to work with some of the finest employees, suppliers, reps, dealers and designers in the cabinet industry for the past 48 years. I know Mark will take the company to new heights, and I have every confidence that the management team will work well with his process-oriented approach.”

Earl, incoming CEO, added, “I look forward to working with the Corsi management team, and helping grow this terrific group of premium brands. Pat has built a strong company, and I want to continue to build on his legacy.”

Earl is a strategic leader with deep experience in product development, strategic marketing, finance, sales and marketing, and operations, noted The Corsi Group. He has led companies from $20 million to $150 million in annual revenue. Most recently, he served as senior v.p., Americas for Nokian Tyres, a global tire manufacturer.

Terms of the sale will not be disclosed.

The Corsi Group has been building custom cabinetry for 48 years. The company’s two brands, Greenfield Cabinetry and Siteline Cabinetry, are distributed nationally to about 500 dealer/designers. All cabinets are built in the company’s two plants, located in Indianapolis, IN and Elkins, WV.

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AUSTIN, TX — Cabinets Plus USA, the kitchen-related franchising operation headquartered in Austin, TX, has changed its corporate name to Cabinet IQ as part of a nationwide expansion effort.

The expansion initiative, which launched last month, will enable the newly named Cabinet IQ to rolling out its franchise program, replicating its business model nationwide, the company said.

“The Cabinets Plus USA brand has been a robust and fast-growing fixture in the Austin, TX area (and) has become well known for its step-by-step system to provide quality, service and design in kitchen and bath remodeling,” said company owner Michael Hartel. “Strong demand for services has spurred our growth, and this name change better reflects our position as the most innovative cabinet and kitchen remodeling company, and now franchise opportunity.”

The rebranding does not affect any existing orders or projects, the company said, adding that corporate ownership, billing address, shipping addresses and invoicing information remain the same.

 

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HARRISBURG, SD — Showplace Cabinetry, the Harrisburg, SD-based cabinet supplier, has completed a 16,800-sq.-ft. project linking its two manufacturing plants, the company announced.

The $2.5-million expansion provides a central shipping point for Showplace’s framed cabinetry and frameless cabinet lines, as well as enhanced warehousing and transportation efficiencies companywide, company officials said, adding that the project effectively increased Showplace’s production capacity by 30%. The project also streamlines logistics and handling, increasing shipping capacity for the company and creating a more efficient order flow from production to transportation.

“Demand is up for all our cabinetry lines,” said Bill Allen, Showplace Cabinetry president and CEO. “That demand required us to find an innovative solution to improved logistics and enhanced ShowplaceEVO production. The new warehouse and shipping link solves both challenges.”

“This new expansion gives us the space we need to take our quality production and customer service to the next level,” Allen observed.

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