Entertainment Weekly Update

The news is bleak, the statistics grim; yet all the reports seem to offer a ray of hope summarized in the oft repeated phrase, �Buyers Market�. We are inundated with rebates, incentives, price reductions, reward points, and tax credits. Building material costs have dropped in some areas and contractors are hungry for work. Whereas, two years ago you couldn�t find a contractor willing to return your call about renovating your powder room, now there are four contractors on your door step competing for the opportunity just to talk to you. What could better, right?  Wrong. While it is true that building and construction prices are more competitive, it is also true that many builders and contractors need to make more money off each project because there are fewer of them. Herein lies the problem. The residential building and design market has become flooded with contractors and designers that have been laid off from their commercial jobs and are picking up residential projects to help them

This is what we started with� The existing kitchen was a typical 1980�s eat-in style. The breakfast table was at one end with the cabinetry and appliances at the opposite end. The refrigerator and pantry closet were located on the wall between the kitchen and den. There was a standard size door opening between the den and kitchen. The appliances included the original wall oven with microwave above, cooktop, hood, dishwasher, and a standard sized side-by-side refrigerator. The countertops were plastic laminate with a standard 4� integrated backsplash. The cabinets were site-built and had been painted white over the original dark stain. The flooring was the original sheet vinyl and the walls and ceiling were painted sheetrock. Lighting was also original to the house and was very dated with the large wood framed fluorescent and white and brass chandelier. This was the problem� The main task was to design a solution that would provide the most improvement for the least amount of money.