Designers Denna McLaughlin and Celeste Le Sage-Gish, co-owners of the full-service interior design firm City Studios of San Francisco, specialize in innovative kitchen design. But lately it seems many of the homeowners who contact them - no matter the project - have one thing in mind.

“A lot of our clients are interested in being eco-friendly or green,” says McLaughlin.

“Our challenge is helping the client understand what green truly is. It’s more than just choosing a wood that’s sustainable. There are a lot of different viewpoints on what is green and what is not. The criteria we need to meet to be green is constantly changing.”

Many components of a kitchen - from appliances and cabinets to countertops and flooring - are now available in energy- and resource-efficient options. But more selection means tougher decisions for the consumer. McLaughlin says homeowners need to make sure they hire designers and builders who understand the rules and regulations of green building. She also suggests homeowners educate themselves by going online and doing their homework.

“You really have to do your research to make sure the products you want are green,” she says.

An example: While choosing a sustainable wood for your cabinets or furniture seems like a no-brainer, a product that needs to be transported a long distance - and how that material is transported - increases its carbon footprint. Sometimes clients will opt to stick with an imported sustainable wood and make green trade-offs elsewhere. Your best bet, says McLaughlin, is to look closer to home whenever possible.

“A good rule if you really want to be green is to get it locally grown and go sustainable,” she says.

If new appliances are on your radar, McLaughlin says pay attention to your selection of refrigerator, considered the biggest “energy hog” in your kitchen. For cabinets, some of her favorite materials include sustainable bamboo, lightweight wheat board (a waste product of the farming industry) and sustainable traditional woods that are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) compliant, which means they come from companies that adhere to environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable practices. Using zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, salvaged countertops or installing cork floors are other options. While McLaughlin says an environmentally friendly kitchen can cost about 20 percent to 30 percent more, she believes the benefits are worth the extra effort and expense, as three City Studios projects show.

“You’re reducing your carbon footprint, you’re not polluting and you’re using items that are kind to the environment and good for your health,” she explains.

“It’s important to remember every little bit helps.”

Project 1, Monte Sereno
Clients: A growing family of four in a ranch-style house in Santa Clara County who wanted a more eco-conscious kitchen that better suits their busy lifestyle.

Challenge: Improve the flow between the kitchen and adjoining spaces, including the living room and dining area.

Solution: The kitchen’s handsome wood flooring is Australian beech from sustainable forests. This same wood floor was also used for the adjoining rooms, visually uniting the spaces. To mitigate the use of imported wood, they sought out energy-efficient appliances. Increasing the size of the kitchen window allowed more natural light inside, eliminating the need for extra lighting. A well-chosen selection of under-cabinet fluorescents and recessed LED ceiling lights offer energy-efficient illumination at night. The taupe wall paint with hints of sage used for the kitchen and surrounding spaces come from Benjamin Moore’s eco-friendly Aura line and offers a nice counterpoint for the kitchen’s warm-toned cabinets. The pale wheat-colored backsplash behind the cooktop is lined with recycled seafoam green tiles.

Project 2, Los Altos

Clients: A retired couple downsizing into a custom-built Craftsman-style house. .

Challenge: Use the Craftsman aesthetic as a guideline and incorporate sustainable and energy-efficient materials wherever possible - especially in the kitchen.

Solution: The kitchen includes a tile backsplash made of recycled glass in various shades of amber and green and cabinet glass inserts that are 40 percent post-consumer content. Excluding the cooktop, all appliances are Energy Star compliant and have panel fronts made from the same sustainable cherry wood used for the upper and lower cabinets. The furniture is also made from sustainable cherry. Energy-smart upgrades include insulated double-paned windows, a tankless water heater, solar panels on the rooftop and a high-efficiency furnace.

Project 3, San Francisco

Clients: A couple, with three young boys, who wanted to give their kitchen a fresh look and a low-carbon footprint.

Challenge: Modernize while maintaining the charm of their early 1900s Edwardian-style house.

Solution: The designers included rustic details like the warm-toned recycled antique terra cotta floor. The kitchen’s curved soft ivory countertops are made with concrete - a locally produced material - and were given a patina for an aged look. The off-white and subtle blue tiles used for the backsplash are made from shavings of stone tiles. The sustainable maple barstools at the island and attached breakfast table have a low VOC water-based finish. The kitchen has energy-efficient appliances, insulated and double-paned windows and door and drawer hardware made from high-quality recycled metal.

Three more kitchen challenges
Here are designer Celeste Le Sage-Gish’s tips for solving three more kitchen-related design dilemmas:

Incorporating color: “Paint is one of the least expensive and easy ways to add color to your kitchen,” she says. Appliances are now available in a wider selection of colors - from bright reds and vivid blues to deep purples and warm golds. Floors and countertops are two other ways to incorporate color. A backsplash made from shimmery glass tiles can add a touch of drama and elegance. The right combination of a dominant color mixed with accent hues can create a room that is visually appealing and welcoming.

Tip: Take the time to test drive a paint color in your kitchen before you commit. Many paint companies now offer sample sizes of paints so you can test a small section of your kitchen wall. Observe the color during different times of the day, and make sure it works with the other finishes in your kitchen.

Storage solutions: “Storage is always an issue, whether you have a big or small kitchen,” says Le Sage-Gish, who suggests thinking beyond your standard upper and lower cabinets. While a large walk-in pantry is a luxury for most homeowners - especially those in space-challenged kitchens - consider the storage possibilities behind your cabinet doors. Le Sage-Gish thinks lazy Susans, specialized inserts added to the inside of cabinet doors and vertical spice racks are all great ways to maximize storage capacity. You can also incorporate a stand-alone hutch or hanging pot rack. Le Sage-Gish likes to include decorative storage whenever possible. Open shelves for cookbooks or collectibles are a great way to share your passions and personalize the space.

Tip: Don’t forget about appliance garages. They help avoid clutter on countertops and keep small appliances you use often within easy reach.

Appliance placement: Where you position your appliances can “make or break a kitchen,” says Le Sage-Gish.

Tip: When designing, pay attention to how the kitchen will function on a daily basis. The location of your sink, cooktop and refrigerator is crucial - these three components make up the classic work triangle - but Le Sage-Gish suggests also thinking about the location of other often-used appliances, such as your microwave. If you have the space, consider installing one of the newer drawer-style microwaves in a center island. She also likes raising dishwashers a few inches off the floor to help prevent back strain. The placement of electrical switches and ventilation requirements for some kitchen appliances are other issues to consider.

Remember to consider the location of cabinet doors before you choose a refrigerator. Many of today’s family-size refrigerators have large doors that can impede traffic flow or cause conflict when you open nearby cabinets.

Need help in selecting environmentally friendly flooring? Think green.

Several green certification programs and directories are available to help remodelers, builders and homeowners make that selection.

For example, the National Wood Flooring Association looks to the Forest Stewardship Council to certify wood-flooring products as green when the material comes from forests operated under sustainable forest-management practices. Other organizations, such as BuildingGreen Inc., publisher of the GreenSpec Directory and Environmental Building News, qualify and list other green-flooring alternatives, such as natural linoleum, cork and concrete.

Carpeting: The carpet and rug industry uses a labeling system to identify materials with fewer volatile organic compounds in the carpet fiber or in the adhesives used in installation. Such carpeting improves indoor air quality, a major consideration of green building. The Green Label Plus program, directed by the Carpet and Rug Institute, certifies environmentally friendly carpeting products, and received a 2004 certificate of recognition from the California Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award program.

Linoleum: Natural linoleum is widely promoted and rigidly specified in the green building community. Natural linoleum is made primarily from linseed oil, pine resin, sawdust, cork dust, limestone and jute. It is an all-natural alternative to resilient flooring, including sheet vinyl and vinyl composition tile, which are made from polyvinyl chloride.

Wood: Sustainable forest management makes it possible to harvest wood without any serious effect on the environment, because trees are a renewable resource that can be replaced time and time again, according to Ed Korczak, executive director of the National Wood Flooring Association.

Cork: Cork flooring has become popular with environmentalists and designers alike. Cork can be harvested every nine years from the same tree.

Concrete: Yet another option for green flooring is to make the concrete slab the finished floor by using decorative concrete techniques. Besides a concrete floor’s obvious attributes of stability and durability, it can contribute to a home’s energy efficiency: it absorbs heat during the day and releases it as temperatures drop at night.

Remodelers can even offer several green-flooring surfaces in the same home. A smooth surface, such as wood or concrete, could be used in active living areas and possibly partially covered with area rugs. Natural linoleum could be used in the kitchen, while carpeting is ideal for bedrooms, where it deadens sound and provides a soft, warm surface for bare feet.

It’s time to experiment with colour again after a long period where neutrals and slight accent colours have seemed to monopolize interiors. Bolder and brighter paint colours, fabrics paired with gold or silver leaf finishes, and marbles and natural stones for furniture are all on trend for 2010.

Since colour is a subjective matter, it’s important to note that choosing a colour scheme that you can live with and enjoy is more important than following trends.

That said, I do see various shades of turquoise and acid yellow-green paired with greys becoming extremely popular in the coming year.

Here are my tips to help you be fearless in your colour and pattern choices this year:

Paint colours

Using Benjamin Moore colours as a reference point, bolder colours such as the turquoise shade Seafoam (2056-60) can be paired with a more sophisticated grey, like Horizon (OC-53), which really tones down the brightness and compliments the intensity of the turquoise. The grey can be used to paint a fireplace or baseboards. Use the same shade of grey, or another tone of the hue, in your larger furniture pieces, such as your soda. The turquoise can then become your secondary colour for occasional chairs, pillows, throws and drapery.

If this paint colour is too bold for your tastes, try a softer version such as Barely Teal (2048-70). Another colour that works well with turquoise is an acid yellow-green. Depending on the shade’s degree of saturation, it can make either a bold statement or visually tone down the intensity of the brighter colours. I like to use Lemongrass (CC-638).

Fabrics

Have fun and be daring with your fabrics as well. Try a plush and ornate pattern such as Cass-Peacock from Robert Allen, which has a rich velvety texture. The bold and bright pattern can be paired with something a bit more muted.

I found another Robert Allen fabric called Khanjali, in the colour Glacier, which encompasses all this season’s trendy colours on a simple white background. The classic white combined with softer tones of turquoise and yellow-green gives the fabric an air of sophistication.

Take risks and combine different types of patterns, too. An organic leaf pattern in velvet works well with a more sophisticated houndstooth pattern in softer shades of blue and green.

Keep it balanced

The trick to using bolder colours and patterns is making sure that there is a visual balance and that it’s not overdone.

Use softer versions of the colour to tone down the overall look of the space. This allows the brighter colours to act as eye-catching focal points without being overwhelming.

Combining bold colours with more muted tones will help ensure you enjoy the space for a longer period of time rather than grow tired of a passing trend.

Any homeowner — regardless of the size of their current kitchen — can turn their dreams into reality. But, before you start remodeling, go through a checklist to make sure you will make the right decisions.

Kitchen remodel checklist
Check out the space. Is it adequate? Will you have enough counter space, storage space and floor space? Does the shape of the counter or the position of your refrigerator need to change?
As a cook, think of three things: storage, preparation and cleanup.
Traffic flow is important in remodeling your kitchen. How many cooks are in the kitchen? Is there enough room around the main workspace? Do you want an open kitchen plan, so you interact with your guests?
Consider the efficiency of your kitchen. Outdated appliances may be costing you in higher electric, gas and water bills. New appliances with new technology can save you money.
Families with children need to decide if the kitchen is hazardous. If your family is growing, you may need lower cabinets for the children’s food or more room for cooking for more people.
Think about the location and design of your current kitchen. Do you plan to keep it the same or add a deck? Do you want a door leading from the kitchen to the deck? Are you keeping the windows where they are or changing their location?

Get answers for these questions before remodeling starts. When interviewing kitchen designers, you should have spent some time looking at shelter magazines, books, newspaper articles, Web sites and television home shows to see what options you have. Determine your personal taste. Your kitchen remodel can have a Victorian, modern, southwestern, traditional, eclectic or even a country look.

Most importantly, you need to determine your budget in advance. How much can you spend? How much can you borrow, for example, from a home equity loan? Typically, to start the project, you will need to put 20 percent to 50 percent down. More money is expected when the old kitchen is torn out and the installation of cabinetry, countertops and appliances begins. A final payment is due at the completion of the job, when it has passed your final inspection.

“Some kitchens are so large they almost seem too large,” says Alan Vaughan Hilsabeck Jr. of Hilsabeck Design Associates in Flower Mound, Texas. “To be efficient, I always use the old cliche “form follows function” as a general rule of design. If the outcome of the design maximizes the storage needs and functioning requirements of the client, then there is an efficient kitchen design no matter what the size of the kitchen environment.”

However, in designing an efficient kitchen for a client, the designer must consider the number of people in the family, their ages, how many cooks, the cooking styles they like (baking, culinary, family style), the appliances requested and lifestyle schedules. “With all of these crucial items taken into consideration, the designer then will be able to create an efficient kitchen for the client,” Hilsabeck says.

New products
Many of today’s homeowners want environmentally responsible kitchens as well as efficient kitchens. “Electric bills and water bills can be cut by the type of products you install in your home,” says Sean Ruck, spokesman for the National Kitchen & Bath Association in Hackettstown, N.J.
“Dishwasher drawers are now available, and they are half the size of regular dishwashers. Horizontally built, they take less water, but also hold fewer dishes,” Ruck says. These high-end dishwashers are more expensive than a normal-size dishwasher. According to Ruck, some homeowners are purchasing two of them because they take up the same space as a regular dishwasher. For large parties, they just run them both.

The microwave no longer sits on the countertop. Efficient kitchens have them either attached under a cabinet or in place of an upper oven. The newest idea, however, is the microwave drawer, which is mounted under a counter. These microwaves are relatively small. Another item that has been introduced if kitchen space is very small is a double-drawer, under-the-counter refrigerator.

Electric cook-tops are available that allow the cook to set a timer for each cooking surface separately. Usually, this product is made as a four-burner cook-top. Certain manufacturers have also touch-screen TVs in the refrigerator door. Other refrigerators have an express-chill drawer so if the homeowner brings home a bottle of wine, it chills quickly. “Some refrigerators even have quick freeze options so the meat will freeze quicker and lock in more of the flavor,” Ruck says.

The work triangle
The kitchen work triangle is primarily a work center: cooking surface, cleanup and prep area and refrigeration-storage. To be efficient, Ruck points out, all three together should be no more than 26 feet apart. “Even though some kitchens are huge,” he says, “homeowners can still stay within that range,” Ruck says. “However, some larger kitchens are creating two work triangles.”
Cabinet efficiency
Cabinet and countertop placement needs to take into consideration the height of who will be cooking in the kitchen. If the cabinets are too high, safety becomes an issue. Consider pullout shelves or shelves on rollers and Lazy Susans in corner cabinets so everything doesn’t have to be pulled out to get something in the back. “Make sure the new kitchen has enough drawers because many people, when remodeling, never put in enough drawer space,” Ruck says.
If you are remodeling your kitchen but can’t afford to install new cabinets, glaze or antique them. If you’re handy and creative, you can do it yourself or ask the designer for advice on how to get the best results.

Homeowners who use open kitchen plans can run into storage problems. The open kitchen faces the family room or the dining room, integrating it with the rest of the house. This creates interaction with the food preparer but in many cases the kitchen loses a wall. The homeowner will need to compensate with a pantry or to determine how to more effectively use existing storage and cabinetry.

Countertops
Many families use kitchen stools and have members of the family eat their breakfast or lunch at the countertop. Ruck calls them “floating” countertops because they connect to a countertop that is a work area. There are many different types of materials that can be used for countertops in your new kitchen. A stainless steel countertop is the easiest to clean and would be installed with a stainless steel sink. Usually an instant hot water faucet is installed as well for tea or water. These countertops look great with a modern kitchen design.

For years, homeowners have been installing laminated materials, Formica being the best known. Today’s countertops don’t look like your mother’s countertops because they are manufactured now in many patterns and designs. Some cooks, too, are deciding to use wood cabinets. Although wood adds warmth to a room, it can stain and collect food odors. Granite, marble, or stone can be elegant choices. When redoing a kitchen, go to the place where these are cut and select the slab you want for your kitchen, because grain and color varies. Some people remodeling their kitchens also prefer ceramic tile, which can be custom-made.

Additional tips to keep in mind
The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests these additional guidelines for homeowners planning to remodel their kitchens.

Additional guidelines:
A clear doorway should be at least 32 inches wide.
A full-height, full-depth, tall obstacle (like a pantry or refrigerator) shouldn’t separate two primary work centers.
When a kitchen only has one sink, locate it adjacent to or across from the cooking surface and refrigerator.
Make sure you have enough countertop frontage. At least three inches should be provided on one side of the auxiliary sink, and 18 inches of countertop frontage on the other side. Be sure they are the same height as the sink.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association offers consumers a free kitchen and bath workbook if they visit the association’s Web site. In the workbook are tips to consider when planning to redesigning your kitchen and bath. On the Web site, you also have the option of clicking on the “design your kitchen” link for an online, interactive design program to layout and create your dream kitchen.

Whether it’s the aroma of food on the stove or the ability to enjoy a glass of red wine without endangering an expensive rug, the kitchen’s allure for social gathering in the home is undeniable.

And for some home buyers, an ugly, outdated or old kitchen can kill the deal. That’s why sellers often find that remodeling the kitchen not only gives their house a competitive edge in the real estate market; it also generates a nice return on their investmefnt.

“When people walk in a house that’s the first thing they want to see,” said Martin Eudy, owner of Gaston Real Data, a company tracking area real estate sales. “Most people spend most of their time in the kitchen. Anytime people come to my house, that’s right where we head. Everybody wants to see what’s cooking.”

A group of appraisers, real estate agents, contractors and county tax assessor Jay Heavner all said a kitchen remodel is one of the best ways to improve the value of your home and make it more attractive to buyers.

The value of a home is based on dozens of factors including the location, the size and the age of the home, but also the desirability, the utility, the quality of materials and the condition of the house, Heavner said. When it comes to selling a house, the appeal often depends on the buyer’s taste.

Kitchen remodeling tends to be one of the more expensive home improvement projects for a homeowner, which is another reason that an updated kitchen can have so much buyer appeal. A full remodel with high-end materials for an average-sized kitchen costs about $25,000, said Allan Slaydon, co-owner of Changes Remodeling in Gastonia. But Slaydon said he’s remodeled kitchens for as little as $7,000 and as much as $50,000.

Granite is a solid investment

“A kitchen remodel can get pretty costly,” Slaydon said, especially if you go with granite countertops, but granite ensures a return on your investment more than anything else, he said.

Formica countertops and vinyl flooring aren’t as popular as they used to be, but there are still attractive and affordable options for a laminate countertop. Today many homeowners like granite countertops, ceramic tile, stainless steel appliances and hardwood custom cabinets.

Sid Wellman, owner of Wellman’s Granite and Marble in Belmont, said granite and other natural stone has grown in popularity in large part because they have become more affordable. Wellman, who has been installing countertops for 27 years, said the cost of granite has come down because more suppliers are competing for business.

“The price of granite has come down to half of where it was three years ago because there are so many more suppliers,” Wellman said. “It used to be only the wealthy had granite and marble, now even the budget-minded homeowner can afford it.”

Other improvements that make cents

Timothy Almond, owner of Gastonia Home Improvement, said an updated kitchen is valuable, but there are other important improvements.

With utility prices rising, Almond said a lot of home buyers are looking for energy efficiency. A well-insulated home with new energy-efficient windows and doors can be real attractive features as well, he said.

And if you already have a nice kitchen, you might want to fix up or add a bathroom. Because the bathroom has water running underneath it, an older lavatory can have extensive damage, said Slaydon.

Shannon Smith, an agent with Allen Tate and president of the Gaston Realtor Association, said a master bathroom with a separate tub and shower and higher sinks and vanities are definitely in.

“Kitchens and bathrooms are very important,” Smith said.

Clean from the curb to the closets

Closet space is important too, Smith said, especially in older homes. If don’t have ample storage space to offer, you should at least, get the clutter out of your closets before you show it to potential buyers, she said. You might put your off-season clothing in the attic instead, she said.

Cleaning your house is one of the least expensive and most effective ways to market your home, said Michael Dickson, an appraiser in the Gaston County area with 20 years experience.

“Elbow grease is probably the best investment they can make in a home,” Dickson said. “It gives you a strong indication of a well-cared-for house and it’s very inexpensive.”

And beauty is important inside and out. Smith said a lot of homeowners are investing in outdoor living spaces, screened porches, outdoor fireplaces or a terrace. When she walks up to a house, Smith said she notices inexpensive things like a planter with mums or fresh pine straw.

Without curb appeal, buyers will never see your beautiful new kitchen, Smith said. “If you can’t get them from curb into your house, you’re done for.”

Here’s how the various options stack up:

WOOD

Wood fits a variety of decor styles, is warm underfoot and easy on the legs, and is a quiet floor option. The maintenance and durability of a wood floor depends greatly on what species of wood is being used and how that wood is finished. One of the worries with wood is that it may scratch, but remember that wood floors can always be sanded and refinished.

LAMINATE

For homeowners who like the look of wood but want a floor that is extremely durable and requires little maintenance, laminate is an option. Laminate is factory-finished, and it can be put in over an existing floor, making installation a snap. While laminate has its advantages, it lacks the warmth typically associated with natural wood and some people may find it noisy.

CERAMIC TILE

Ceramic tile allows for a great deal of customization in terms of colors and patterns. Though tile is easy to clean with a damp mop, the surrounding grout can be difficult to maintain. Use the largest tiles possible to minimize grout lines. Ceramic tile can be hard on the legs (and even harder on dropped dishes!), doesn’t help with sound control in a kitchen and can be cold underfoot.

VINYL

For the budget-minded remodel, vinyl sheeting or peel-and-stick tiles can be a good bet. Vinyl is easy to install and is available in an endless array of colors and patterns. One of the drawbacks to vinyl floors is that the edges can curl.

GREEN OPTIONS

“The green movement in this country is taking off,” says Everett Collier, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Nowhere is that more apparent than in residential flooring options.

Linoleum, synonymous with the 1950s, is making a comeback due to its green appeal. Made from linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments, it is environmentally friendly.

Bamboo, another green option, provides the look of wood but is made from bamboo grass, a rapid-renewable resource. If you choose bamboo because it’s eco-friendly, make sure the factory finish is formaldehyde-free.

Cork flooring, which is made from the bark of cork-oak trees, is a harvested resource and therefore also eco-friendly. Available in sheets and tile, cork is soft and warm underfoot and is extremely quiet. Properly sealed, cork can withstand moisture and can be vacuumed and damp-mopped. Minor dents seem to pop out; however, deep scratches will permanently damage the floor.

Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of flooring. The key is to weigh the pluses and minuses and choose the material right for your kitchen.

Source: HGTV