Kenneth Lewis Blog

There are many homeowners that are hesitant to put their homes on the market today because they don’t feel as though they would get the asking price for it. Combine this with the lowest personal savings account interest rates in history and you have more people investing in their homes than ever. If you are going to keep your house, you may as well make it more comfortable while you’re there, and when you do sell it, the return you will get will most likely be higher than any interest rate.

One of the home improvement projects that do pay - Remodel the kitchen:

An average kitchen remodeling project takes nine months to plan and three months to build, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. You can improve the overall look and feel of a kitchen with a lot less work and money simply by refurbishing what you have. Some refurbishing options include refaced cabinets instead of new, resurfaced countertops or an added backsplash, updated flooring and under-cabinet task lighting.

Regardless of the project you plan to undertake, there are a few things you can do to ensure you get the most for your money.

• Establish a budget:
• Hire a qualified remodeler who is familiar with local building codes.
• Compare products and prices before you begin.
• Work with a contract.  

A recession-wrought change in consumer spending is having a dramatic impact on kitchen and bath remodeling, according to a major new study conducted by sink, faucet and shower products supplier Moen.

“Given the current recession, it’s no surprise that consumers are saving rather than spending – and when they do spend, they’re doing so from cash on hand, rather than credit,” says Jack Suvak, senior director of OH-based Moen. “This change in spending behavior has had a dramatic impact on remodeling projects.”

According to Suvak, most homeowners are choosing to perform “room lifts” – small upgrades to personalize a room – rather than undertake the kind of major remodels that were commonplace prior to the recession. An example is choosing to refinish or reface existing cabinets to update a kitchen rather than remodel an entire kitchen. In addition, Suvak said, homeowners “are choosing to personalize renovations to fit their needs, rather than update a room for the next family that will be living in the house.

“For years, we’ve heard that if you want to sell your home, start by remodeling your kitchen because it has the highest return on investment,” he said.

Moen’s research found that families with children living in the home are more engaged in their kitchens than their counterparts without children – and are more likely to view the kitchen as a place where activities or conversations happen. With regard specifically to kitchen remodeling, respondents with children are significantly more likely than those without children to remodel or make improvements to their kitchen or spent more on kitchen improvements, Moen said.

Original article on Kitchen and Bath Design News

When it comes to renovating your home for re-sale there are a few major renovations that top the list but Kitchen remodels top them all. For the largest return on your investment when reselling your home, consider a kitchen remodel.

Buyers want to envision themselves in a gorgeous newly renovated kitchen where they can see themselves entertaining friends and family, where the kids do their homework, and guests can gather around a gorgeous kitchen island. This is what buyers look for.

Kitchen Remodels give you a ROI of 75-85%. The function of the kitchen has evolved over the years, and now more than ever the kitchen must meet those needs.

• A major kitchen remodel may need to include a new floor plan to improve on a poorly designed work triangle.
• If the kitchen is completely dated, refinishing or resurfacing the cabinets will update the look and save you money to spend on replacing the appliances and countertops.
• If at all possible add a kitchen island into the plans. Everyone loves them!
• Replacing appliances, lighting, flooring, finishes and fixtures and adding new doors and windows will grab the buyers' attention. Refinishing or resurfacing the cabinetry is easier and more efficient than replacing it. 

Since kitchens and baths are the costliest rooms to renovate, the buyer will be thrilled that the work is already done for them.

There are many reasons to consider a kitchen make-over. But there are many reasons that you can talk yourself out of one too.  But with Cabinet Refinishing from Kenneth Lewis, the decision is easier than you think.
 
Kenneth Lewis can help you with a face lift for your kitchen in less time for less money. Cabinet refinishing and refacing are options that many home owners forget to consider, or perhaps do not know about at all. Often times it is the cabinets in a kitchen that really are the game changer. With new kitchen cabinets, your kitchen would have all the attributes you are really looking for in a kitchen remodel. Many people do not need to take on the extra expense of new cabinets, and all the demolition and time that cabinet replacement entails.

Consider cabinet refacing or refinishing with Cabinet Refinishing by Kenneth Lewis. By refinishing your kitchen cabinets you will significantly increase the value of your home. And even better, Kenneth Lewis will spend only about 3-4 days in your home, which is a minimal interruption to your normal life. The doors and drawer fronts work is done at his facility, not in your home, using the most durable commercial grade lacquer on the market. He can also replace or repair damages to existing cabinets.
 
Consider getting your cabinet make-over by Cabinet Refinishing and reduce the time cost and stress of a traditional kitchen remodeling project.  

Cabinet refinishing on stained and painted wood work by Kenneth C. Lewis.

Many styles and finishes for cabinet hardware are available. Each variety is designed to accompany popular styles while maintaining a beautiful look over time. An enirely new kitchen is possible with Cabinet Refinishing by Kenneth C Lewis. Kitchen cabinets can be dressed up, revitalizing an older kitchen, or giving a newer kitchen the look and feel you dreamed of. Our services include casual finish, old world, traditional, contemporary, and the popular antique finish.

The Casual Finish goes from simple white cabinetry and fresh hue colors to natural wood furnishings, the casual style manifests itself in a relaxed, guest-friendly ambiance with mountain charm.  Expect to see plank doors or simple doors, often with bead board panels.

Old World kitchens have those large hearths or cooking grottos and distressed, unfitted cabinets. Their unique look can be traced to pre-17th century Europe.  The finish is key; stained and painted cabinetry that displays antiquing, distressing, chaining, wormholing and cracking gives an authentic warm-age patina.

Traditional kitchens have a formal, elegant look characteristic of American and European homes of the 18th, 19th and early-20th centuries.  A traditional kitchen calls for a traditional cabinet.

Contemporary kitchens tend to be described as modern, minimalist and sleek, containing styles from the 1940s to the present.  The characteristics include horizontal clean lines, asymmetry and a lack of molding and other ornamentation.


Antique kitchens offer an authentic character, unique dimension and visual interest.  The antique style is often achieved through individual pieces, such as islands or cabinetry, designed to look like they’ve been there forever.  Expect to see distressing at many levels, from nail holes to face chunking, as the means to achieve the beauty of this aged look.

If you are interested in refinishing your cabinets, furniture, or counter-tops be sure to contact us today. We have over 25 years of experience and our method produces a quick and painless job which will leave you in awe.

Want a new look for your kitchen, but don’t have a large budget?  Cabinet Refinishing is the most economical solution for people who don’t want to as much money on a big remodeling project.  

Many people who are happy with the style and color of their cabinets choose to refinish them rather than reface them or buy new ones because refinishing is much more affordable and can make your kitchen look like new!  Cabinet refinishing is a quick and easy process that usually takes several days to complete.   The cabinets are cleaned thoroughly to remove any grease or grime.  Then the stain color is matched perfectly and applied to the areas that are damaged by sun, steam or water.  Lastly, the entire cabinet is typically coated with 3 coats of new finish to seal and protect them for years to come!  So, consider cabinet refinishing before you undergo the expense and disruption of a complete kitchen remodel.

Once the cabinet refinishing project is complete, take the opportunity to add new knobs and handles.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match hardware for a custom look.  Hardware is like jewelry to cabinets and the right pieces can make your cabinetry shine! Contact us today to find out more about cabinet refinishing and how it can upgrade your kitchen without breaking the bank.

Cabinet refacing enables you to get the look of new cabinetry for a fraction of the cost of installing all new cabinets.  Kitchen renovations don't have to cost and arm and a leg. If you're dreaming of remodeling your kitchen, but don't think you can afford it, you should consider cabinet refacing. A great way to stretch your remodeling budget without sacrificing on quality, kitchen cabinet refacing enables you to get the look of completely new cabinets for far less than installing all new cabinets. You don't have to overspend to achieve a great new look for your home!

Never heard of refacing cabinets? That's okay: not everyone has. Refacing cabinets involves utilizing your existing cabinetry as the basis for your new cabinets. Our professionals will remove your old door and drawer fronts while leaving the cupboards themselves in place as the framework for the new cabinets. We then adhere new side panels to the exterior of your cabinetry, add new solid-wood doors and drawer fronts, and leave you with a kitchen that looks completely new - without blowing your budget!

As long as the current layout of your kitchen cabinetry suits your needs and the cabinet boxes themselves are in good condition, cabinet refacing is the best option for creating a fresh new look for your home. Because the doors and drawers are replaced, you can take even the most outdated styles and make them look modern and sleek. And because the sides of the old cabinets will be covered as well, you can go from dark cabinetry to light or vice-versa. The sky's the limit when it comes to making over the appearance of your cabinets with professional refacing.

So if it's time to do something about your kitchen's outdated cabinets, don't feel like you have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars replacing all of your cupboards. You can save tons of money and still get the gorgeous appearance you want with professional kitchen cabinet refacing. Get the look you want at a fraction of the price: choose cabinet refacing and get the most bang for your buck. Contact us to learn more about cabinet refacing, great savings, and great quality.

Whether you are aspiring to renovate your kitchen for the purpose of attracting potential buyers to purchase your home or you have a kitchen that needs some work to become more user-friendly for your own ends, it can be well worth your while to hire a professional to assist you in your endeavor and that is where we can come in.

Doing kitchen renovations on your own may seem like a cheaper way to get the same result from your project, but it's likely that your experience in renovations isn't very extensive; even if you have done some renovations in the past, it's unlikely that you have much experiences with specifically renovating kitchens which often have specific issues that can need to be taken care of.

Working with the professionals can help you not only make a plan that encompasses all the elements that you'd like to have in your kitchen, but we can also help you realize what about your plan works or doesn't work in the amount of space that you have, the style of your home, and the amount of money that you want to work with. While hiring someone else to do a job for you does add an expense to your project it can help you create a much more polished end product as a result.

If you're planning on renovating your kitchen for the purpose of making your home more appealing to buyers and don't want to invest more than your return would be, make sure that you let us know; it is easy to make your kitchen stand out with its new-found awesomeness but you might not actually see as big a return on your investment unless you plan accordingly. Some upgrades to a home result in very little return even though they significantly improve a home.

Don't be afraid to be frank us about your likes and dislikes, what you can afford, and the purpose of your renovation. The more honest and upfront that you can be about the whole project, the happier you will be when it's all said and done. Feel free to contact us for more information on how you can improve your kitchen with just a little cabinet refinishing.