MODERN AMENITIES

If your kitchen is antiquated, chances are that you’re missing out on a lot of cool new modern features that so many homeowners adore! Some features we can add during a kitchen remodel are:

• A pot filler: we can add a tap above the stove so that you can fill pots with ease. No more hefting water across the kitchen while you try to keep it from splashing out!
• Extra dishwasher: when you remodel your kitchen, you can add a second dishwasher so you won’t have to worry about dirty dishes piling up again.
• Add a kitchen island: so many new kitchens have an island. A kitchen island is a fantastic multi-purpose space: use yours for preparing meals, eating, homework, and a whole lot more!

FLOORING

Your kitchen flooring is a very integral part of your kitchen. Is your current floor not aging gracefully? Do you want something more reliable and resilient? Has it become monotonous seeing the same flooring every day? Regardless of your reasons, new flooring is an essential part of your kitchen remodel. You will be able to choose a new floor that will match smoothly with the rest of your design. Enhancements in flooring are happening every day, so we are able to bring you quality options that may not have even been available when your current floor was put in.

CUSTOM TAILORED STORAGE

No two households are ever alike. Prefabricated or manufactured cabinet designs are a thing of the past and simply isn’t functional anymore. More and more homeowners are discovering the many benefits of custom-designed cabinetry. During the kitchen remodel process, our professional design team will work closely with you to come up with the perfect storage solutions that will work for you and your family.

Ready to get started on your next kitchen, bathroom or interior remodeling project? Mitchell Construction can help. Contact our expert team of contractors today for a free consultation about your next dream project!

Open-Concept Kitchen: The Definition

An open-concept kitchen refers to a lack of walls or barriers in the kitchen and surrounding dining and living room areas. Generally, this includes the dining room and living room, and is often collectively called “the great room”. In comparison, a traditional house plan or layout separates each room distinctly with walls and barriers. The open-concept kitchen has been popular since the 2000s and continues to gain steam in popularity in home building and remodeling.

What Are the Benefits?

Why is the open-concept kitchen been embraced universally? For beginners, it creates a space to look larger. Without walls blocking your eyes view, your kitchen space starts to feel bigger and more accessible. Open-concept kitchens are elegant solutions for small quarters that seem too cramped. In addition, traffic flow is opened up and enhanced. No more bumping into or against walls or counter space as more than one party moves from room to room. Open-concept kitchens make family gatherings, parties a breeze in a barrier-free room, there’s more space to enjoy food preparation for meals, homework, video games, movies and talking all at the same time. Your guests are included right to the epicenter of where everything happens the kitchen and that makes for a cozier family feel. Whether you throw a party or like to keep your family and friends at close hand, the open-concept kitchen is great at promoting human connection. Without walls blocking light from windows in other rooms, open-concept kitchens can also create a dazzling space with more natural light. And it’s important to point out that because open-concept kitchens are so popular, they add significant property value to your home.

Pros and Cons?

As awesome as open-concept kitchens or floor plans are, they come with a few setbacks as well. Noise is often a problem or variable with enhancements in open space, as there are no barriers to break up the sound. Also, there are often multiple people doing several different activities at once. Plus, the mess of your kitchen will also always be on display. But if you run a tight ship and keep a clean kitchen, this is a non-issue, but most of us deal with kitchen clutter at least a couple times during the day. Some people don’t mind the display of kitchen mess, but others do. You also may sacrifice a little bit of storage space in an open-concept kitchen. That’s because you’ll be down at least one wall or two and that one could have held cabinets. A kitchen island with under-counter storage is a great solution to this problem. As open kitchens continue to mature and contractors work to improve upon the drawbacks, there are endless solutions to create. Sliding walls or doors can close off a section for those times when you need a bit more privacy. Some people are choosing to keep the living room more separate, but including the dining room in the open space of the kitchen. Furniture groupings can also create more natural barriers while keeping the space open. If you’re looking into remodeling your closed kitchen into an open-concept kitchen, contact Mitchell Construction today at (951) 226-6201

Painted Cabinets

Painted cabinets are an excellent fit for homeowners that like bright, fresh colors or have a house that showcases a modern, minimalist type of design. One of the biggest benefits of choosing painted cabinets is the broad selection of kitchen cabinet colors to choose from. All of which can put an exclusive twist on the overall look, feel, and functionality of your kitchen. If you are considering purchasing painted cabinets or repainting outdated cabinets in your home, the advantages to this style include:

• Smooth Aesthetic: From classic all-white kitchens to the more contemporary gray tones and matte blues, painted cabinets give your kitchen a fresh, flawless finish that goes well with most modern home plans.
• Application:  It is wise to consider painting over staining. Paint adheres better to construction than stain and can cloak the fact that your cabinets aren’t real wood.
• Vivid Colors:: The sky’s the limit when you are painting your cabinets or buying newly painted cabinets! From brilliant teals and yellows to deep, dramatic reds, you can customize the look of your kitchen easily with painted cabinetry.

Stained Cabinets

When you think of classic it transcends time, timeless kitchen cabinets, stained cabinets are what likely comes to mind and for a very good reason! Stained cabinets exhibit the inherent elegance of natural wood grain and can fuse well with other bold features of a kitchen. Here are some major benefits of selecting a stained cabinet over painted options include:

• Stain is magnificent for calling attention to the character of the wood, which is a huge added bonus for many homeowners. With a thinner consistency, stain allows the wood’s natural beauty to shine through.
• Finishing or touching up your cabinets is a whole lot easier when they are stained. Stain blends when reapplying to areas of damage and finding an exact match isn’t that big of a deal.
• When you’re on a budget and want to save money on your kitchen remodel, stained cabinets are your best bet. While costs vary widely in cabinet purchasing, stained cabinets tend to cost less than painted cabinets.

Whether you choose painted cabinets or stained cabinets, the look that is right for you really depends on what benefits you want to get out of your kitchen remodel. Examine your cabinet’s material, the kitchen design, amenities and color pattern of the space to choose whether stained cabinets are the perfect fit or if painted cabinets are your ticket to seeing an amazing before and after photos of your next kitchen remodel…

Excellent Listener

The most critical factor to look for when exploring your consumer options for a custom kitchen remodeler is? Do they listen!?! There is absolutely no way that anyone can design a custom kitchen that will meet your needs unless they are willing to take the time to really ask the right questions and be accessing your feedback. A good sign that you have found the right company that will meet your expectations is when they don’t try to convince you to change what you want. They should be a master communicator with you and listen from that initial consultation to the permits and last signed inspections.

Prominent, Well known, and Established

If you want a custom kitchen remodel that is not a headache free and that you will be proud of, you will want to find a kitchen remodeling company that is prominent. Find a team that is big enough to have a staff that ranges from in-house kitchen design consultants to master installers. Each kitchen remodeler should have its own project manager that will communicate with you and your family throughout the entire process.

Doesn’t use Sub-contractors

It’s important that the kitchen remodeler in Menifee does not subcontract their work out. There is an old saying “If you want something done right you have to do it yourself..” If a contractor does all of the installations themselves, then they will take the pride in the caliber or quality of their work. A company should have master installers that have had numerous years of experience specifically with kitchen remodels. A custom kitchen requires a team of individuals who are empathetic about your needs and wants, an excellent communicator and one who has had a track record of successes.

Money-Back Guarantee

When you choose a custom kitchen remodeler for your dream kitchen, they should be willing to bend over backward to give you a written money-back guarantee. If they are not willing to guarantee the quality of their work, then they must not think the quality of their workmanship is worth a guarantee. Some companies will tell you that they guarantee their work but will not deliver this in writing, and that is a sign that they will not attest to not stand behind their commitments. A company that is big enough and that has years of experience will not hesitate to give you a written guarantee.

So, if you are looking for an average joe, run of the mill kitchen remodeler those tend to come for a dime for a dozen. But if you want a dream team that can convert you custom-made kitchen to fit your personal style, needs and wants, you need to look for the signs of a custom kitchen remodeler that cannot just meet your expectations but supersede them!

At Mitchell Construction, We are big enough to have our own master installers, and we care enough to take the time to hear what you have to say. Our staff do our best to deliver you a custom kitchen that will increase property value, increase functional space that will last a lifetime So give us a call today to set up a free in-home consultation

• Rough and/or natural deviations. Granite would be the top contender if you prefer a more rugged or natural inconsistency in terms of color and pattern. It’s a natural stone so there’s no way to control how the minerals settled during its post-volcanic formation.
• Ultra-luxury finish. Here, you’re probably looking for Granite or Quartz. Those sparkly mineral flecks, paired with the reputation both of these have as luxury stone – and d impression.Granite Countertops in Black Pearl
• Clean, elegant streamlined finishes. For this, the award goes to Corian and quartz. Be fabricated-to-look-like-natural-tone – offer a certain sheen and glamour that Corian can’t compete with.
• The rich array of color options. All three options offer a rich variety in color. However, when it comes to more playful colors, less common to the natural stone world, (yellows, oranges, purples, lime greens, etc.) – Corian and quartz are where to look since they’re manufactured using man-made pigments and recycled material flecks.

Durability & Low Maintenance?

Have a busy household? Looking for a countertop you can set a hot pan on and not freak out? Prefer something the kids can leave marinara on for a couple hours without the risk of staining and etching? Are you more of a low-maintenance than a high-maintenance person? Corian Solid Surface Countertop in Platinum. Corian and quartz are top-contenders in this category. Because they’re fabricated using ultra-tough resins that yield a non-porous, hygienic surface – there’s no worry of etching, cracking, fissures that grow over time – and they don’t stain.

1. Quartz. We’ll give the 1st place award to Quartz – it’s virtually indestructible in all regards. There’s no sealing required and no special cleaning instruction.
2. Corian. 2nd place goes to Corian; Its heat and break resistant. If it scratches, you can easily buff it out on your own, and it doesn’t require sealing.
3. Granite. 3rd goes to granite, which is hard as a rock but still prone to etching, cracking, fissures and staining because it’s porous. Granite countertops require more care and consideration around use, cleaning, sealing and long-term care.

Are you designing an eco-friendly kitchen?

If eco-friendly materials are important to you, you’ll find that there are plenty of options for you with your kitchen remodel. Here’s how our 3 contenders measure up in the realm of sustainability:

1. Quartz. Cambria quartz is made here in the USA, conserving major fossil fuels and quartz slabs containing one of the earth’s most prolific minerals (quartz) and pre- and post-consumer recycled content. Then, they last pretty much forever.
2. Corian. Corian is ultra-durable and doesn’t require nearly the level of mining/shipping that granite does, but it’s manufactured using more toxic chemicals.
3. Granite. Mining practices used to extract granite, paired with shipping requirements make this the lowest-tier option in terms of being sustainable.

Designing a kitchen on a budget?

In terms of cost, you could check HomeAdvisor for their national averages as far as cost. But, we actually found vastly different results when we looked at our figures. This is yet another reason to be leery of national average cost figures. A countertop cost is going to vary greatly depending on the size of your kitchen and/or island, material, edge style, finish, thickness, whether or not you choose a waterfall leg/edge or sheet backsplash, and this list really goes on and on. So, for a true estimation of cost, always get a price quote for your specific situation before you make any assumptions on countertop pricing.

That being said, this is how our three different countertop material contenders compare to one another in terms of typical flat price:

• Quartz tends to be the most expensive.
• Granite is a little less in average price per square foot.
• Corian is generally the least expensive of these three options.

Ultimately, the best kitchen countertop for your household is dependent on multiple factors and subjective. It is a lot of lot asking is a certain piece of art by an artist is beautiful, to each their own. If you’re not 100% sure which one’s right for you, schedule an in-house consultation with Mitchell Construction a kitchen remodeling design expert so we make sure your investment is the exact right one for your family needs, style and wants.

More space for appliances

Most homeowners complain about not having enough counter space or room for storage for cooking ware or appliances. Islands’s will definitely accommodate for more storage but also to make room for let’s say a heavy mixer. Most people will refrain from using their mixer because of the inconvenience of removing this heavy object from the cabinet. There are now solutions such as a mixer lift which can be installed, which won’t obstruct walking traffic while maximizing workspace and it slides easily back into place.

Compliment your existing space

When considering and installing a new island there are several factors that come into play. Make sure to ask yourself the hard questions such as where are your appliances, refrigerator, and sink located. We recommend that you connect your main appliances to the island so it doesn’t interfere with traffic patterns in your walking space. As most of our homes each year get more gargantuan in size the islands of our homes have grown too. And as islands get bigger it furthers the gap between the refrigerator, sink, and stove. By strategically placing your new kitchen island in the middle you can add further elements such as a range to make more space and user-friendly for guests.

Challenges with big islands

We have seen some kitchen islands to exceed 11ft in length. As the kitchen island gets progressively bigger you have more room ideally for appliances, storage, extra prep space and just a general area to hang out with family or friends. Placement and size do matter. You don’t want it crammed in to tight for instance you might pull out a drawer and now a guest cannot move around you because of the drawer is open.

Mix and match

Although a lot of the personality and charm of a home will set the tone or even dictate what the island will look like. You still have the freedom to mix and match. A 1950’s type home would of have more of a geometric blocky type of shape, but it doesn’t have to be that way now! You can add floating shelves to lighten up the contrast of a dark room. You can also be eclectic with your designs, but having a designer with knowledge will help you make better choices.

Note that we are not only considering sink sizes but also the pros and cons of single and double bowls as well. Also, the adjectives used to describe a sink’s dimensions can be very confusing. For all purposes, we will refer to the sink’s depth, length, and width.

What are standard kitchen sink sizes?

Standard kitchen sinks that customers typically will choose are single bowl sinks that are about 28-30 inches long. We recommend a sink that is at least 28 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 7 ½ inches deep. Similar size models are also available for commercial use.

What size sink do I really need?

Commercial sized single bowl kitchen sink can be as long as 34 inches, while a double bowl could reach up to 48 inches. As you can imagine this sink will take up quite a bit of real estate in your kitchen, so your decision really comes down to how much counter space do I need? Most people would prefer to cook with a larger sink, you never hear anyone complain about their sink being too big!?! However, a small sink can become cluttered and make washing big pans a chore. Extra space is always welcomed for meal prep and clean-up duties. We also recommend a spray head or gooseneck that you can use to flush food particles down the sink’s drain.

What to know about installation?

Most kitchen sinks are installed in three ways:

• A drop-in sink fits into a cut out in the kitchen countertop
• Undermount sink is simply installed under the countertop
• Apron front sink which is normally longer and wider and installed in the front to give it more of a cottage look

If you’re replacing an old sink but not the countertop, you want to ensure the cutout will accommodate the new one. If your kitchen cabinets will allow for it you may be able to size up the sink by expanding the same cutout. Many people who are looking to replace the sink are overhauling and doing a renovation. A new countertop also allows for other major improvements. A customer with an old small drop in sink with old tile countertop that collects grime and gunk will be elated with a bigger sink if you have room to spare its a solid upgrade.

DARK CABINETS

Dark cabinets tend to bring a warm, rich and modern high-end look. Whether you are drawn to more of a dark espresso or even charcoal black, you really want to consider the impact the color you choose will have on the room. In tight close spaces choosing dark color cabinets can make the space seem more closed in or confined. Highlighting the cabinets beautifies the room while contrasting specific elements. This will add some flair and drama while lightening the atmosphere in any room! When upgrading your cabinets with an array of dark color combinations make sure to explore contrasting color palettes which highlight the following design aspects:

• Countertops: The classic idea of contrast black or white
• Backsplashes: Are an important function to protect walls from spills and splatters. But it also serves as a focal point for your kitchen. A light colored backsplash with dark cabinets really can break up the mundane and make it room stand out.
• Flooring: Choosing the right flooring is essential for durability, aesthetics, and function. The floor is usually the first thing a guest will notice, pairing natural stone, granite, cork or even bamboo will spruce up that open floor concept.

LIGHT COLORED CABINETS

Traditional light colored cabinets are particularly popular in small, gallery-style kitchens due to their ability to make the space seem larger than it actually is by reflecting light. However, just because you need light-colored cabinets to brighten up the space, doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice drama!

Pairing white or pale woodgrain cabinets with the following elements can create a beautiful contrast that adds depth and aesthetic appeal to even the smallest kitchen space:

• Kitchen Island: Are you considering adding an island to your kitchen? If there is enough floor space in the room, kitchen islands are a highly functional element that can also add high-end style. Consider choosing an island made with dark-colored cabinets or a dark countertop that stands apart from the lightness of your wall cabinets to create a contrasting focal point.
• Woodgrain: If you have light-colored cabinets in your kitchen, you can amplify the beauty of them subtly and create contrast at the same time by incorporating darker woodgrain throughout the space. Butcher blocks or cabinets with dark threads of grain in a light background add both texture and contrast to create a look that has depth and beauty.
• Hardware: You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make your light-colored kitchen cabinets more interesting and dramatic! Instead of replacing major elements of the room, consider simply swapping out the standard hardware for dark, customized options.

Whether you’re talking about the nuances of art or the details of a kitchen remodel, the concept of contrast is bound to come up, and there are many simple, aesthetically pleasing ways to enhance the impact of both light- and dark-colored cabinets. Regardless of the size of your room, a little contrasting color goes a long way in making the heart of your family’s home a place that you enjoy spending time in.

• Size of Space
• Sunlight
• The kitchen’s connection to adjacent rooms
• Lifestyle
• Budget
• Condition of Home
• Infrastructure
• Infrastructure

Depending on the age of your kitchen, you might confront electrical or plumbing concerns as you remodel. Work with an architect-engineer team to ensure that the “guts” of your kitchen can accommodate the technology (appliances, lighting, etc.) you will install. “In an older house, you may find yourself with drooping floors that need to be updated or crooked walls that need to be straightened out,” Mitchell says, pointing to a couple of budget busters that many homeowners do not plan for. “Keep an open mind at the start of the process,” he continues. “Understand your needs, but recognize the variables that a builder might need to deal with during the building process.”

Lifestyle

How will you use the kitchen? What type of cook are you? How do you entertain? Jonathon likes to keep the conversation general when first identifying kitchen likes/dislikes, “identifying the underlying problems rather than solutions, and wishes rather than details,” she says. “This is because the architectural design will evolve as all acute variables are considered, and targeting onto a specific feature or function at the start may solve one problem but preclude a better design that solves five other problems.”For example, choosing professional appliances that take up 80 percent of the space may not allow enough room for cabinetry storage or area to expand a window to let more light into the kitchen.

Budget

The fastest way to go over your budget is to change your mind on materials and finishes. Decide where to save and where to splurge. Set a realistic budget, figuring between 6 and 10 percent of your home value for a complete kitchen remodel. Jonathon Mitchell says his clients that spend about 10 percent of their overall home value realize a return on their investment at resale. Call Mitchell Construction to help you decide where to spend your budget.

Transitional Kitchen

• All about balance
• Utilize elements from other styles but none too strongly
• Flow well with the rooms nearby

Firstly, be aware when speaking with designers about a transitional kitchen because they may not know what you are looking for. Transitional style of design may mean to them to borrow elements from other styles. It is not uncommon to mix the previous styles we mentioned either no matter how opposite they may seem. This is a good way to compromise elements you like such as rustic cabinetry but a contemporary island countertop. Or perhaps modern appliances. A transitional approach in this manner would mean to find matching colors or patterns within the different styles.

The other meaning is to have the kitchen transition to the rest of the home without having a very noticeable shift in style. In this manner, one would have the kitchen maybe follow the same flooring tile or plank design. The cabinetry could be the same style of wood that was used for a nearby stairwell or railing. Although it may seem boring to use the same elements from the rest of the house, there will always be unique ways to let your kitchen shine!

Eclectic Kitchen

The Eclectic kitchen is what we call it when you cannot really nail the design down to a particular style. This makes it a difficult style to do right but, when it is, it shows the owner’s true personality! It can easily become a mess though so make sure to get second opinions!

It is a very difficult style to describe without simply showing you many successful ones. Instead of everything blending together in one “soup”, it is more like you are creating a “salad”. Parts of it may be their own color or pattern and might not even be in the same style. You can have cottage wood style chairs that do not match the painted wood of the cabinetry. It truly is trial-and-error that will determine what works and what does not. Hopefully, these extra photos will help you understand what we mean!