Good news...

TINTED VARNISH FINISHES NOW HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Effective immediately, Fieldstone Tinted Varnish finishes are covered by a Lifetime Limited Warranty. 

Because paints do not penetrate the wood like a stain does, MOST painted finished carry a lesser warranty than a stained finish.  Happily Fieldstone has changed this and ALL their finished carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

  Where style meets function and design options are limitless...

Designing high definition kitchens in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Chester Counties, PA 

www.hdkitchensandbaths.com

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Good work ain't cheap

As long as all cabinetry is maintained well and treated fairly, it should be in a home for years to come.  Right now, it seems  if you don't like something, you throw it away and get an new one, if that one breaks, you don't fix it, you get a new one.  In most instances fixing things cost equal or more than getting a new one, so who can blame them?  This is not true for cabinetry.  Cabinetry should last and last, so investing in quality pays of in the long run.

I saw this picture and HAD to post it...

...you get what you pay for.

"You get what you pay for means” that if you purchase something for dirt cheap, don’t be surprised if you receive an inferior product or service. In a nutshell, the more you pay for something, in general that person will be more satisfied with the purchase.

Clients often tend to think that the less expensive route will be fine for now, but in 5 years when the cabinetry needs to be replaced because of BASIC wear and tear, that $1,000 savings doesn't really seem like that great a deal.  Make sure your clients are educated on cabinetry.  Quality matters, and if they aren't comparing apples to apples, they are doing a dis-service to themselves as well as the contractor.

Where style meets function and design options are limitless...

Designing high definition kitchens in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Chester Counties, PA 

www.hdkitchensandbaths.com

www.facebook.com/hdkitchensandbaths

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So happy!

We are so pleased to have a recent kitchen published on the back of the new Fieldstone Doors and Finishes brochure.

This kitchen was deisgned by both Kristin B. Filosa of HD Kitchens and Cyndi Haaz, ASID  of  Cyndi and Tucci.

Both parties are thrilled to see there work highlighted.  If you have any pictures of your work, PLEASE send it in.  I know they are working on a new catalog, and I would love to see more of our kitchens in it!

All of your clients are provided this book, so it really is something nice for all of us!  I had to use a quick picture here, but I assure you the 

final product is wonderful.  

High Definition Kitchens from Hicks

Designing high definition kitchens in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Chester Counties, PA 

www.hdkitchensandbaths.com

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Point Pleasant Designer House 2011

As you all know, we are  participating in the Point Pleasant Village Designer House 2011 in Point Pleasant, PA. 

This is an 1800's Canal Home being recreated by DMB Design Associates (kitchen design by HD Kitchens) and 11 other designers in the Bucks County Area. 

Please come visit us any time from September 1-25 (Thursday - Saturday from 10-6, Sunday from 1-6) at  34 River Road, Point Pleasant PA.  Tickets are $17 at the door and $15 in advance.  Contact Kristin in advance for an HD discount.   All proceeds to go to Point Pleasant Baptist Church and the Community of Point Pleasant.

For More information click on the Kitchen Perspective below.

High Definition Kitchens from Hicks

Designing high definition kitchens in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Chester Counties, PA 

www.hdkitchensandbaths.com

www.facebook.com/hdkitchensandbaths

www.twitter.com/hdkitchen

I'm still looking for a better way to say it, but...

You get what you pay for.

As any contractor knows, there are a reasons that some kitchen cabinetry costs $50,000 and some cost $5,000.

If your client is looking at the same space and the same layout, and the price is drastically different, tell them to ask  WHY?  Most clients get so involved with the bottom line, that they lose focus of what the WANT in the space.   If they expect perfection, they have to pay for it.  Explain to them that they are not going to get a flawless furniture finish for a builder grade cabinet price.  Most cabinet manufacturers build a variety of cabinets all to hit a variety of price points.   If your client needs to shave a couple thousand off the bottom line, make sure they are okay with shaving some options and quality off the cabinets themselves.  Make sure they know what they are going to receive.  The last thing you as a contractor want when the cabinets arrive at your door, is the hear that the client didn't think this or that was going to be that way.

Like I said, I still haven't found a great way to say it but the old adage is true...You  do get what you pay for.
As long as your client knows that they are getting less expensive cabinetry can be a great way to go, but make sure that if they are expecting the quality of the more expensive priced kitchen, at the lower cost, they are probably going to be dissapointed.

High Definition Kitchens from Hicks

Designing high definition kitchens in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Chester Counties, PA 

www.hdkitchensandbaths.com

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So, what do you think?

Every one has been there.  Someone asks you what you think of something, and your thoughts run to..."Do you really want me to tell you"?  I get this a lot with kitchens.  The worst feeling as a designer is to see a space that has newly been done (by someone other than ourselves, obviously), and just see the glaring issues, the things you would have done differently.

As a customer, DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!  This is a space that YOU have live in, take the time to research who you are working with.  Putting your home in the hands of contractors is a huge compliment to the people chosen.  Make sure they deserve it.  I realize that you are not expected to know every nuance of kitchen design, but spend sometime thinking about what you want.  A designer or contractor can go over EVERY aspect of design that they can think of,  but if you never told them you were looking for a space for your paper towel roll, you can't blame them for not bringing it up.  Think about your space, so you don't end up with these LITTLE issues that so easily could have been avoided...

(1) TRASHY TRASH CANS:  I realize that 18" of space in some kitchens is just too much to give up, but if your space can afford a 6 to7 foot island, HIDE THE TRASH...

The last thing you want people to see after spending thousands of dollars on a new kitchen is the trash can.  After all, you can dress it up, but the trash is still the trash.

(2) CROWN CATASTROPHE:  Watch the height of the crown.  If you decided to leave a space above your cabinetry for that open look, make sure you have 9"-12" minimum to do so.   Don't leave 1" of space between you cabinets and your ceiling.  It just looks like you didn't have enough material so you fudged it.

Think about it...what is going to happen to that space?  It is going to collect dust, and be next to impossible to clean.  Take the cabinetry to the ceiling for a more finished look that will save aggravation in the long run.

(3) END PANEL ENVY: Of all of these, this has to be my biggest pet-peeve.  Refrigerator end panels.  The simplest and most cost effective way to get a custom kitchen look is by adding these puppies.  2 panels do not add much to the cost of your cabinetry (under $500), but the make a HUGE difference.  If you look at the picture above, although the crown is disturbing the fridge itself is finished, built-in, and classy.  The same can not be said here...

To me this stands out like a sore thumb.  Panels just complete the look.  They give the counter-tops somewhere to end, and the make the cabinet above the fridge FUNCTIONAL...I mean who can reach that cabient the way it sits in this picture?

This post might explain why I am seldom invited to peoples homes, but I guess that what happens when you don't get me to do your kitchen ;).

PS.  I have purposely omitted the photo credits, as I felt it was rude to complain about something and then post who did it.  If somehow you see these pictures and want me to give you credit, let me know.

High Definition Kitchens from Hicks

Designing high definition kitchens in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Chester Counties, PA 

www.hdkitchensandbaths.com

www.facebook.com/hdkitchensandbaths

www.twitter.com/hdkitchen

That kitchen store smells good...

High Definition Kitchens from Hicks

Designing high definition kitchens in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Chester Counties, PA 

www.hdkitchensandbaths.com

www.facebook.com/hdkitchensandbaths

www.twitter.com/hdkitchen