Cover Story
2008 Kitchens and Bath Buyers Guide

Despite the slowing economy in some parts of the country, when it comes to home remodeling, savvy homeowners remain vigilant doing what they do best - prudently proceeding to protect their primary investments. Research shows that kitchens and baths deliver the highest remodeling investment returns. The choices for these two areas seem infinite. This buyer's guide aims to lessen the guesswork and stress so you can shop confidently and knowledgably.

Appliances: In the Cooking Zone
Selecting the appropriate kitchen appliances is no simple task. Products run the gamut, with prices as diverse as features.

Depending on your personal style and kitchen size, combined with whether you have a penchant for "green living," there are plentiful range, cook top and oven choices. Stainless steel, oversize knobs, and other commercial influences are abundant. Perhaps you prefer a retro model or European styles, which feature mirror glass, rich color, or minimalism. Sizes include 24, 30 and 60 inch wide models.

Save dollars and help the atmosphere with "green" appliances - energy-efficient and ecologically viable. Steamed food is not only faster to prepare, but also uses less gas or electricity; plus, the food is typically tastier and healthier.

For a couple, a convection microwave oven and two-burner cook top can do the job; larger families may opt for double ovens and six-burner ranges. To preserve time and space, microwaves shine. Many feature convection and halogen speed-cook technology.

Refrigerators
Refrigerators are showing up in the great room, bedroom, pantry - and, of course, the kitchen. The latest modular, undercounter, and drawer models work just about anywhere. Regardless of size or configuration, the key is storage flexibility. The most luxurious model is useless if you can't find what you need, when you need it - or if it is inedible once you do. Examine the bins, racks, and shelves to assure they offer adaptable organization.

To address the spoiled-food dilemma, market buzz points to Sub-Zero's new air-purification model. This new system removes odors along with chemicals and toxins emitted from food that destroys fruits and vegetables faster by purifying the air.

Dishwashers
Dishwashers today are quieter and smarter. Many homeowners are trending toward installing multiple units. New models adeptly handle any size load with everything from pots to crystal coming out safe, sound and spotless. Features including multiple arms, built-in heaters, and targeted sprays alleviate pre-rinsing. Dishwashers have teamed with laundry equipment to cut down on electricity, water, and sound. Many models meet or surpass Energy Star guidelines. A higher purchase price upfront will result in utility-cost savings for years.

Kitchen Fixtures: Functionality Blended with Style
Whether your new appliances are traditional, contemporary or transitional -kitchen fixtures can set the pace, often influencing everything from sink style to cabinet hardware choices. Today's choices are designed to draw the eye: sleek or contemporary, rustic or traditional, ornate or simple. Faucets don't stop at the sink anymore; now there are versions for filtered-water, scaled-down bar/prep-sink, electronic models, and instant hot and cold options. Pull-down models are more ergonomically correct than pullouts. The epitome of convenience: a pot-filler faucet mounted near the range to dispense cold water for cooking. With faucets, buy the best you can; with daily use, they're worth the extra investment.

Kitchen Sink Considerations
The sink plays an instrumental kitchen role. The bulk of cooking prep work occurs at the sink. The majority of cleanup? In the sink. A popular trend as a backup is the farmhouse sink, a standalone made from cast iron, metal or stone whose appearance really is its sole feature. Prep sinks are also an option for rinsing produce. Some homeowners opt for tucked-away, undermount models, which allow visual attention to focus on your countertop. Sinks come in single-, double-, or triple-bowl designs. When choosing, think ahead to usage. If you prefer to keep the garbage disposal separate, that often accounts for the third bowl.

2008 Trend Watch: Appliances and Kitchen Fixtures
• Stainless steel and overlay models still most popular, but watch for a new array of finishes
• High-end gourmet kitchens with built-in coffee machines, professional ranges, drawer refrigeration, multiple dishwashers, wine coolers, and other convenience items
• Energy-efficient appliances
• Steamers, induction cooking, warming drawers
• Pot fillers
• Farm sinks
• More transitional plumbing accessories to create a flow of blended styles
• Bronze lighting fixtures remain popular, along with the simpler chrome for a modern look
• Computer stations in lieu of desks in kitchens

Countertops for Looks and Functionality
Countertops, whether in the kitchen or bath, must withstand daily use and abuse. Kitchen counters take a beating from liquid spills to chopping and everything in-between; a bath countertop has to handle water, soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, alcohol-base liquids, and cleaners.

Bath and kitchen countertop material choices include tile (mainly for baths), solid surfacing, quartz surfacing, or natural stone.

Tile is an eye-catching option - ceramic or otherwise - when installed in an infinite array of designs, both on countertops and as backsplashes. Grout lines can trap dirt and encourage mildew, but new grouts and sealers can help.

Cast from an acrylic resin, solid-surface countertop material demands little maintenance and is extremely durable, making it a nice alternative to stone. Fine-grade sandpaper smoothes out scratches, abrasions, and minor burns. It is well suited for laundry rooms and bathrooms.

Quartz-surfacing may be mistaken for granite, but can feature intense hues and consistent patterns not found in stone. This material - made from crushed quartz mixed with pigments and binder resins - is durable and nonporous; resistant to scratches, burns, and stains; with no need for periodic sealing.

There's no question marble and granite are beautiful. Marble stains easily, granite doesn't - except from grease. Cultured marble - made from real chips of natural marble embedded in plastic - is also less costly. Also look for reclaimed materials in countertops such as glass and even paper (mixed with durable resins).

2008 Trend Watch: Countertops
• Marble in practically any color; more exotic choices with extreme coloring: terracottas, greens, black, mica, metal finishes
• Limestone
• Clean, sleek, contemporary lines
• Quartz with concrete appearance that's non-porous, often in chocolate and deep browns
• More diversity in shapes
• Vanity countertops with bumped-out ledges
• Greater attention paid to edge details, even honed edge and surfaces
• Higher backsplashes with artsier design work

Tile: Trending Toward Art
Tile is shifting away from the standard, functional floor and wall covering of yesteryear, and toward becoming an art form. Pieces are so stunning they often become focal points. Don't expect to see the uniform white square tile of the past; today's homeowners want color and design.

Tiles feature eye-catching effects created by layering different and odd-sized choices. When choosing tile, don't be afraid to experiment with combinations. Trends point toward bigger or rectangular sizes made from ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone. Baths and kitchens are seeing metal accent pieces, linear patterns, mosaics with glass and stone, and textured tile. The gleaming metallics are particularly popular alongside stainless-steel appliances. Tiles feature abundant color and movement, along with extremes such as animal prints and dark colors in chocolate and black tones.

2008 Trend Watch: Tile
• The bigger, the better with today's averages at 24" x 24" and 24" x 48"
• Rectangular and geometric shapes
• Colors are going dark - think blacks and chocolates
• Metallic finishes - stainless in polished and brushed finishes; bronze in polished, brushed and rubbed finishes - remain strong
• Textured tiles to resemble leather and animal skin
• Glass - Clear, frosted, iridescent, or crushed
• Tumbled stones - travertine, marble, limestone, slate
• Micro mosaic listellos - mesh mount offering endless options for trim, centerpieces and accents
• Lighted wall and art niche tile surfaces evoke gallery look

Cabinetry Plays Stellar Role
Cabinets typically account for about 50 percent of a kitchen-remodeling budget because they set the room's tone. There are three basic categories: stock, semi-custom, and custom - all featuring outstanding choices.

Stock cabinets, usually made with laminates and veneers but not solid wood, run the gamut for styling with widths ranging from 9 to 48 inches. Stock usually is the most economical choice, plus these are readily available and usually arrive to be installed within a week.

Semi-custom versions are built to order, featuring a wider range of styles, construction materials, and colors. They can be made in any size. If you're willing to pay more and wait a few weeks longer, these are an excellent choice.

Custom units are built to match your exacting standards. You pick the material - usually a hardwood such as maple, cherry, walnut, or oak - in the desired size, shape, and configuration, along with a finish. With an unusual kitchen or wall shape, these are the answer. Naturally, they're the most expensive and may take several months, but the result is one-of-a-kind.

For bath cabinetry, consider checking out the kitchen department. Home centers stock a variety of pre-made cabinets, including base units, wall units, matching medicine cabinets, and even floor-to-ceiling storage units as alternatives to more traditional single-sink vanities.

Custom cabinetry is also a bathroom option. Again, it will cost more, but you'll be assured of a precise fit. Additionally, cabinets and countertops often come from separate manufacturers; it's wise to purchase from the same supplier for a proper fit.

Finally, another option is cabinet refacing-a wonderful option that is often far less time consuming than a complete cabinet re do.

2008 Trend Watch: Cabinetry
• Resurgence of white and high-contrast combos such as a white and dark chocolate, white and black
• White painted cabinetry
• Bronze hardware and more bronze rustic finishes often with top overtone such as copper
• Knotty alder wood for a rustic, craftsman feel
• Furniture pieces being used for storage in powder rooms and master baths
• Color is all over the board; glazes remain strong; not much red in wood tones, rather brown shades like coffee
• Contemporary baths featuring sleek stainless looks and hardware
• Glass products for doors with texture choices such as waves and lines or antique glass styles for storage obscurity

Bathroom: Soak Away in Style
The four bathroom-sink categories - pedestal, vessel shaped, wall-hung and vanity - all offer a range of materials, with varying durability and maintenance levels. The charming addition of a pedestal sink makes the bathroom seem larger due to no wide counter with storage underneath; these same factors are also drawbacks to some.

Vessel shaped sinks sit freely atop decorative counters or furniture as an ornamental basin. Consider faucet position and style; it must be high enough with spout clearance to extend beyond the basin's edge. Some have no overflow drain, so a grid drain must be installed. Also, the plumbing may show.

Wall-hung sinks work for tight spaces or baths designed for people in wheelchairs because they can be installed at any height to provide clearance. The console version appears to be supported by two front legs and may feature storage. Again, plumbing is exposed.

Vanity sinks offer reasonable countertop space and storage. Attachment methods are mounting on the countertop surface, with a bowl that drops through; undermounting or attaching to the countertop's bottom for a sleek look; or by using an integral sink that's part of the same piece of material as the vanity top for seamlessness.

Bath Fixtures: Artful and Functional
From whimsical to elegant, bath faucets could easily be mistaken as sculptures created to dispense water. Most see heavy daily use, so don't choose one just for its looks - also consider ease of use, safety, and durability.

Finishes comprise chrome, polished brass, pewter, nickel, gold and colored epoxy coating. Polished brass finishes are coated to prevent tarnishing; chrome is the standard finish based on durability and maintenance.

Check that the faucet set is the proper size and design for your plumbing fixture. These sinks, again, have predrilled holes to accommodate standard faucets and plumbing.

Soak in Style
If you're a bubble-bath aficionado, a tub matters. Before purchasing, try it out - jump in, settle down, and get a feeling for the comfort level to assure satisfaction.

Standards run 60 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 14 inches deep; there are 16-inch-deep models better suited for bathing. The choices in sizes and shapes in various materials - commonly enameled steel, enameled cast iron, and acrylic - are wide-ranging. Before buying, take careful space measurements - and not just in the bathroom area - to ensure the tub will fit through doorways on installation day.

Smart Shower Accessories
A nice feature for checking water temperature and flow from the shower's interior or exterior are easily accessible fixtures; it's even better if they are offset toward the door rather than centered under the showerhead.

Standard shower fixtures feature separate hot and cold controls or a single-handle version. Pay more upfront for longer reliability. Warranties are typical on high-quality shower fixtures; generally this level is made from easy-to-replace heavy brass parts.

The market displays a huge variety of showerheads. Higher-end models can be programmed for water temperature and flow rate. A misconception: a bigger showerhead delivers more and stronger water flow. Not so. Federal regulations limit the maximum flow rate.

Handheld showerheads often do feature adjustable-flow heads. Their biggest benefit: more freedom for spray direction. These are an ideal choice for children and disabled people due to their versatility and adjustment levels.

2008 Trend Watch: Bathroom and Bath Fixtures
• Spa bathrooms with clean lines, many amenities - multifunction shower systems (massaging showers, body sprays, hand showers, rain heads) and spa tubs - often replacing large tubs
• Opposite spectrum of spa bath: go "green" with water-saving heads, dual-flush toilets, lower-flow toilets
• Freestanding tubs
• Porcelain, stone and copper vessel sinks
• LED lighting
• Water-filtration systems
• Contemporary design fixtures in polished nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, antique brass
• Attention to "universal design" considerations-aging population designed fixtures

Shop Smart

Before you start scouring the stores for the perfect components to your dream kitchen or bath redesign, do your homework and establish a shopping plan. Here's a good model:

• Establish a budget that works for you. This will separate the necessary features from luxuries.
• Do your research by reading consumer publications and Web sites that give brand-name ratings, available features, and prices. Take notes before going shopping so you know where to begin.
• Compile a kitchen measurements' list for spaces where appliances must fit.
• Make sure you fully understand what is covered under a product's warranty.
• Try to keep some luxury items on your must-have list so when the job is finished, there will be personal satisfaction sans regrets.

RESOURCES

Appliances
HH Gregg 704-599-4196
Plaza Appliance Mart 704-568-7600

Bath Products
Custom Glass Works 704-597-0290
Stained Glass Overlay 704-658-1925

Cabinetry
Cabinetcraft 770-703-8219
Carolina Cabinet Refacing 704-535-1260

Countertops, Tile & Stone
All Granite Inc. 704-489-1023
Cambria 952-826-6270
Crossville Tile & Stone 704-927-8453
Design Innovations 704-598-1255
Harkey Tile & Stone 704-334-0512
Heritage Stone LLC 704-373-3255
Panda Kitchen and Bath 704-597-5988
Renaissance Tile & Bath 704-372-1575
Sile Stone of NC 704-238-1659
Stone-N-Counters 704-521-2720
Tile Collection Inc. 704-541-8453

Kitchen Products and Other Accessories
Cornerstone Mantel Designs-CMD 704-523-1651
Tenax USA 704-583-1173

Kitchen and Bath Design Centers, Decorative Hardware, Fixtures
Blackhawk Hardware 704-525-2682
Ferguson Enterprises 704-597-4820
The Majestic Bath 704-366-9099
Stock Building Supply 704-535-6940

Lighting
Light Bulbs Unlimited 704-566-8844
Unique Lighting Showplace 704-553-1341

Pantries
Closet and Storage Concepts 704-525-6515
Closet by Design 704-588-7272
Hands on Woodworking 704-892-7720

Remodelers
Absolute Remodeling 704-676-4747
Advanced Renovations 704-799-3999
Charlotte Design Build 704-749-4506
Creative Abundance 704-363-7804
David Tyson & Associates 704-523-6521
Forte Builders 704-494-4334
McAllister Group 704-332-1864
Meridian Design Build 704-573-2626
Thomas Pruitt Builders 704-568-9191