Welcome to the first issue of
Allied Kitchen & Bath's newsletter.
We are excited about our newsletter and hope you will find it interesting and informative. Each newsletter is intended to keep you, the homeowner, aware of the latest trends in kitchen and bath design and improvements. We will also be showcasing projects we have completed for our customers just like you! Our mission at Allied Kitchen & Bath is to provide the finest kitchen and bath remodeling services to our clients. We deal with our clients fairly and honestly with the objective of making customer service and satisfaction our top priority. By offering the highest quality products and materials, excellence in workmanship, and design creativity--in sync with forward-thinking and focus on family and safety--we make remodeling dreams into realities. If you are considering a remodeling project and would like Allied to help you create the kitchen and/or bath of your dreams, take a moment to call us @ 954-564-1611 or complete the form on the "Contact Us
Web Directory • Site Map" page in order to be contacted by a member of our Design Sales Team.
SERVICE IS #1:
At Allied Kitchen & Bath, service is our number one priority, both in design and construction. We have long believed that customer service equals customer satisfaction and customer satisfaction spells repeat business and referrals. We are grateful to all of you who help build our reputation every time you open your home to family and friends and they see the work we have done. We truly feel that excellent service, as well as excellent craftsmanship has been the key to our longevity. We have prospered in a business known for companies that are here today and gone tomorrow. We stand behind our work and the excellent products we use so our customers are always happy! We care about our customers as people and do our best to ensure that our services meet and even exceed your needs.
WHY INVEST IN A KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN?
When we do a design, we take your existing space and look for as many functional plans as possible, sometimes as many as three or four plans within that same space. We design with your family’s needs, likes, dislikes, lifestyles and habits in mind. After we create these different designs, we meet with you to review them. At this point we may take ideas from each plan to arrive at a final floor plan.
When we arrive at a final floor plan we are then able to do a prospective rendering of your project, as well as a specification sheet detailing all the material. You now can see what the new design will look like before any work is done or materials are ordered. Upon acceptance of this, we will develop further detail and show all cabinet specifications such as drawers or doors, pullout shelves, a “Lazy Susan,” etc. We want you to know and see exactly what you are getting. We never want to here a client say: “I thought it was going to look like…” At this point, the detailed plans are now yours. So, if you were to desire additional estimates for the project from other kitchen and bath professionals, they would be bidding on exactly the same specifications.
PLANNING YOUR HOME OFFICE:
Home offices are becoming a "must have" in today's homes. Space for a computer and printer is already a standard necessity for many students. It is a rare family that does not desire a computer work station to pay bills, send and receive e-mail, and shop over the internet. Then there are the small business owners who work out of their homes. They often require entire rooms to be designed specifically for their business needs. Regardless of your home office needs, that "perfect" solution does exist! However, it takes careful planning up front to make sure the final design edds up functioning well for you.
| As you are thinking about your home office, consider the following: |
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For what purpose will you primarily be using this space - filing, bills, computer work, large projects, writing? |
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What are your energy needs - electricity, lighting, temperature, ventilation, telecommunications? |
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Will you need privacy-sound, visual, security? |
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Should you include an area for - meetings, conferences, presentations? |
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In addition to your computer, do you need space for - telephone, answering machine, scanner, postage meter, task lighting, radio, CD player, under-counter refrigerator? |
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Should you plan space for computer tools - monitor, keyboard, mouse, wrist/arm rest, copy easel, printer? |
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What are your filing/storage needs - bookkeeping, records, directories, books, computer software, CD's and DVD's, printer paper, stationary and other office supplies? |
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Have you thought about space for desk tools - pencils, pens, stapler, paper clips, tape, waste basket? |
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Do you want to personalize your office with - plants, pictures, art, collectibles? |
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Where is the best place to establish your home office - near the kitchen, in a bedroom, in an upstairs bonus room with a separate entrance? |
After you have considered these questions, it is time to consult with your builder/designer about the design and layout of your home office. There are many terms of cabinetry, work surfaces, and their configuration. Whether you prefer a contemporary or traditional look is a matter of personal taste. However, it is best to coordinate the design and color choices for your home office with the interior design of the rest of your home, especially if the office is in an open area visible from another room. You will need to decide if you prefer an uncluttered look where everything hides neatly behind closed doors, or open shelving where you can see more easily and immediately grasp what you need. Wood cabinets lend a warm feeling to the space but laminates or solid surface are more functional for the work surfaces. Do not forget to consider the comfort and ergonomics of the space. Having your work surfaces at an uncomfortable height, or selecting a desk chair that does not offer good back support can create backaches and other irritations. By carefully combining your home office needs with an attractive, functional design, the final result is an enjoyable as well as a convenient work space.
COUNTERTOPS:BUTCHER BLOCKS
Natural wood butcher block has been a mainstay in kitchens for years. It is preferred by chefs for slicing, dicing and chopping purposes. Bakers choose it for preparing and rolling dough. No other surface offers the same functional advantages of butcher block. Recently it has been gaining in popularity as a kitchen countertop surface, fueled by the current trend of using a wide Variety of natural materials in the kitchen. Butcher block is seen juxtaposed on countertops with granite, solid surface, concrete or stainless steel in an exciting blend of texture and pattern.
The warm beauty of wood complements the cool elegance of the contrasting surfaces. Northern Hard Rock Maple, which is most often used for kitchen countertops, is one of the hardest woods known and provides a durable work surface. If the butcher block will be used as a cutting surface, it is usually given a penetrating oil finish, which can be quickly wiped clean with a damp cloth. If scars or stains do appear, they can be easily removed by sanding the damaged area back to a like-new condition. It is always important to clean the surface with a mild detergent and hot water after you have been using it for preparing meat, poultry, or fish. Immediately dry it thoroughly with an absorbent towel. This process is effective in removing bacteria that might otherwise form on the surface. Eating counters and kitchen island bars normally are given a beautiful semi-gloss finish that is virtually maintenance free. If the finish is accidentally cut, it should be resealed immediately.
APPLIANCES:
As more and more manufactures become aware of the Universal Design concept, more appliance options become available. This allows universally designed appliances to be incorporated into your space without sacrificing aesthetics. Consider the following when purchasing appliances for a universal designed kitchen:
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Purchasing a separate cook top and oven can accommodate height differences. |
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Appliance controls placed in front make it easy to read numbers. |
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Touch-pad controls rather than knobs, are easier to see and use |
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Microwave placement should be within reach and sight of the individuals who use it. |
By including these items and considering careful placement in design, your space will be usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities or stage of life.
BATHING LUXURIES:
Bathing used to be thought of as a necessary chore. With today's active lifestyle, however, people welcome the idea of slopping away to a serenely beautiful bathroom where they can relax and indulge themselves in luxurious surroundings. Innovative products, designed to enhance the luxury bathing experience, are continually introduced. Multiplehead "super showers" may include such amenities as adjustable overhead showerheads, ultra-low-flow body sprays, vertical jets for body massages, and personal hand-held showerheads. Super showers can be equipped for steam as well, and may even provide an aroma therapy attachment. Elaborate whirlpool baths have become the norm, some even offering a built in television/VCR monitor. The whirlpool action, as well as the underwater lighting and temperature can be easily operated through digital control panels.
Certain whirlpools are designed to provide the sensory pleasure of a rolling river with cascading waterfall flowing over the shoulders as one reclines the head against a built-in bath pillow. Thermos-massage air jet bath tubs are another hot product. These systems use a multitude of air jets (34-70) located all around the tub wall to create a therapeutic turbulence in the water. Since no water is being circulated through a pump, these systems allow bathers to use products, such as essential oils, to optimize relaxation. The bathing experience does not stop with the bath, however. Bathers can step out of the bath and have immediately at hand a cozy, pre-warmed towel with which to dry off. Available in a variety of finishes and designs--even custom designs--towel warmers add style as well as comfort to a bathroom.
TOILET:
Similar to the shower and bathtub, the toilet requires a “transfer”. To accommodate various users, Allied recommends that ample floor space be planned around the fixture. The toilet should be planned with 48” of clear floor space in front of the fixture by 48” off the side wall. This allows a person to easily “transfer” from a perpendicular position. It’s important to note that the inclusion of grab bars does not mean that the bathroom will have an institutional look. Grab bars are very important, and available in a wide variety of colors and styles to blend with the decor of your room.
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