Kim Osburn of West Bloomfield, Michigan, was selected from over 10,000 entries as the winner of the Today’s Dream Kitchen Sweepstakes sponsored by Merillat. Kim and her husband Josh received a complete kitchen makeover that included everything from new cabinets and countertops to flooring and appliances.
Design and Planning
Designer Sandra Daubenmeyer of KSI Kitchen & Bath worked with the Osburns’ to plan their new kitchen with separate areas for a bar, pantry, desk, and an island for dining. The cabinets that were selected have a sleek, contemporary look with a dark, rich stained finish.
Items that are popular in kitchens today include:
- Angled corner cabinets.
- Glass panel doors on hanging cabinets.
- Freestanding cabinets that mimic furniture.
- Innovative storage space such as rollout trays and lazy susans.
- Adjustable cabinet door hinges, which make it easy to fine-tune the fit.
- Merillat cabinet SoftAction hinge and drawer hardware that allow cabinet doors and drawers to close without slamming shut.
Removal and Demolition
Once the Osburn’s plans had been finalized, demolition of the old kitchen began. While the walls remained in place for the remodel, all the old cabinets and appliances were removed and donated to the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for reuse.
Next, any needed modifications were made to the plumbing or wiring, and damaged drywall was repaired or replaced.
Remodeling and Installation
The base cabinets were installed first to allow exact measurements for the granite countertops. The cabinets were placed on 3/4″ thick blocks to allow for the thickness of the hardwood floor that would be installed later.
Wood shims were used to align the faces and level the tops of the base cabinets. When the cabinets were correctly positioned, they were screwed together to keep them aligned before the hanging cabinets were installed.
The “blue pearl” granite selected for the countertops contrasts nicely with the glass and stainless steel tiles in the backsplash.
An appliance lifting shelf allows the mixer to remain hidden inside the cabinet when not in use then swing up for easy access when needed. Other features include additional drawer space with adjustable pegs for easy organization, and a wet bar complete with wine cooler and frosted glass doors.
Other Tips from This Episode
Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Preventing Tear out When Drilling
To avoid tear out on the back of a hole when drilling through a board with a spade bit or hole saw, start by drilling the hole halfway through the front of the stock until the tip of the bit just protrudes through the back of the wood. Next, flip the board over, place the tip of the bit in the pilot hole, and drill the rest of the way through. (Watch This Video)
Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
Bucket Head Wet/Dry Vac
The Bucket Head wet/dry vac powerhead is an inexpensive shop vac for your home or garage that attaches directly to a standard 5-gallon plastic bucket (not included). Reversing the connection on the 4’ long hose allows the vacuum to double as a blower. The Bucket Head wet-dry vac is available at The Home Depot. (Watch This Video)
Thinking Green with Danny Lipford:
Innovative Kitchen Composters
To make recycling kitchen scraps easy, consider installing a compost bin in your kitchen. Innovative models like the NatureMill Kitchen Composter automatically heat and mix the waste to produce compost for your garden in 2-4 weeks. A carbon filter circulates the air while sealing in any odors.
(Watch This Video)
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