Kitchen Planning Guide

Getting Started
Youve been dreaming about your new kitchen. Now its time to start thinking about what you really want to go into it.

Write down how you use your kitchen over a period of several weeks. This will help determine what your needs are. Is a shortage of storage space causing you to store food in different places? Is the kitchen cramped, with everyone bumping into each other?

The kitchen is the heart of your home and it serves many functions. Food preparation may be the primary activity, but it most likely is not the only one. Todays kitchen is also a living room, a computer center and place to socialize with family and friends. .
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Of course, understanding your needs is important, but there are likely things that your just want to have in your kitchen. Look through magazines, watch home design shows and talk to your friends. This will be beneficial in determining your wish list. Finally, you will need to formulate a budget and research financing.

Hardware

Appliances

Storage

What to Expect

Remodeling a kitchen will most likely be the most expensive and longest-lasting project you as a homeowner will undertake. But dont let this scare you off. In spite of the 3-day magic change-outs accomplished before your eyes on fantasy TV shows, a kitchen remodel with new appliances, flooring, lighting, fixtures, cabinets and countertops will probably extend beyond three months! Of course, the time frame will be determined by the extent of the project. But in the end, the results will be very satisfying and you will have added to the value of your home. Truly Custom Homes, Inc. provides a one stop shop for kitchen remodeling needs, where the designer and builder are one and the same. One single phone call reaches a team that can handle your entire project. From initial conceptual drawings, budgets, permits, and working drawings to the actual construction and final walk-through, we employ experts in their field to complete each step.

Step One: Initial Consultation

A consultation at our design showroom is where you may explore all the possibilities for your new kitchen. Your designer will lay out the space according to your desires for appliance choices, cooking style, sink arrangements and traffic flow. They are concerned with how the room functions as well as how the room looks. Your budget is considered .

Step Two: In-home Measure/ Preliminary Design

We will measure your existing areas including adjacent spaces that may be affected by the proposed revisions. Based on your goals, we then develop a preliminary design with rough budget numbers for your review; we refine the design and secure budget figures based on your product selections and feedback.

Step Three: Finalize Design

At this stage, we provide you with computergenerated drawings for thorough review, along with revised investment figures. After approving final plans, figures and start date, we're ready to sign off on the Contract and assign your project to our schedule. We will order your cabinetry at this time. Depending on the type of cabinetry you have chosen, delivery may occur with three to eight weeks.

Step Four: Preconstruction Meeting

At a Preconstruction Meeting held two weeks before the start of your project, we coordinate final details with your designer, lead carpenter and production manager to ensure a smooth flow.

Step Five: PreInstallation

We will deliver your cabinetry to your home just prior to the installation. Please make sure that you clear the area and get ready for the installation to begin. We recommend that you have a contingency plan for where you are going to eat while your kitchen is being installed.

Step Six: Installation

Because most of the work is done using our own people and our own equipment, quality control, continual supervision and tidiness remain constants. From demolition to handling electrical wiring to hanging your cabinets, we take great pride in the smooth completion of your project's installation.

Guidelines for Designing Your Kitchen

The following guidelines will ensure that you get results you want a gorgeous practical kitchen in a professional, trouble-free manner. The fundamental design will revolve around what we call the Work Triangle, which is created by connecting the three major work areas of a kitchen: the cleaning area (sink), the cooking area (range or cooktop) and the food storage area (refrigerator). More trips are made within this triangle than to any other areas in the kitchen

There are lots of ways to design a kitchen. The best solutions fit your space and your needs.

The Work Triangle

The sum of the work triangles three sides should not exceed 26 feet, and each leg should measure between 4 and 9 feet. The work triangle should not cut through an island or peninsula by more than 12 inches.
If the kitchen has only one sink, it should be placed be-

tween or across from the cooking surface, preparation area, or refrigerator. No major traffic patterns should cross through the triangle.

Pros: The work triangle is protected from traffic. There is ample storage space and workspace . There is room for a table and chairs in this design . Cons: It is difficult to make use of the lower cupboard space in the corner .

L-Shaped Kitchen

Pros: Adding an island to a Lshaped kitchen provides extra counter space for food preparation . An island also adds storage. A seating area with bar stools can be added to an island.

L-Shaped Kitchen with Island

Pros: There is only a short distance between all cupboards. Plenty of cabinets for storage. Compact kitchen layout. Cons: Through traffic may interfere with your work triangle . Having more than one cook in the kitchen may feel crowded.

Galley Kitchen

Pros: Loads of counter space. Oodles of cupboards . If your kitchen is large enough you can even add an island. Just make sure there is ample space between the island and your cabinets. Cons: It will be difficult to access and make use of the two bottom corner cupboards .

U-Shaped Kitchen

Pros: A peninsula layout suits the great room concept, providing an open feel with the rest of the living space. You can build a seating area into the peninsula. Compact design. Cons: An open design will mean less upper cabinets .

Peninsula Kitchen
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Universal Design

To decide which universal design features are right for you, ask yourself: Do you have family members who want or need to sit down while working in the kitchen? How many people in your household cook or prepare meals and snacks? What are their ages and physical abilities? Do members of your household vary significantly in height? Would any family members benefit from additional lighting in the kitchen? What special safety concerns do you have for those who use the kitchen? Are some items in standard kitchens typically out of your reach? Are there others in your household who have a hard time reaching items? Would you like to reduce bending and stooping in the kitchen, or to make kitchen work less tiring?

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Virtually everyone can benefit from a universaldesign kitchen, because it not only accommodates people of varying ages, heights, and abilities, but allows the kitchen to adapt to the changing needs of an individual over time. (Imagine, for example, returning home with a broken leg to a universal-design kitchenwhat a relief!)

Build counter tops at varying heights for different tasks. Lower levels allow the ability to sit while preparing and cooking meals. The best height is 28" - 32." The usable counter space for a seated person is about 16". Create pullout work surfaces such as counters, breadboards and cutting boards for access from a chair. Drawers with fully extendable glides are easier to get into. Build or install the wall cabinets closer to the countertop. Make bigger, deeper toe kicks and knee spaces under counters. Install lazy Susan's and pullout shelves. Install Dshaped loop handles on cabinet doors and drawers. Reduce glare by using low gloss finishes. Use contrasting colors to enhance visibility for those with reduced vision.

Some simple design considerations can make your kitchen a true family room.

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Whats Your Style?

What's your kitchen style? Are you a traditionalist or a fan of contemporary design? Do you like elaborate detailing or a minimal look? Before starting a kitchen renovation, talk with your designer about your kitchen style. This will set the tone for your selection of cabinets, floor materials and a host of other home improvement products . You have the freedom to pick and choose between hundreds of cabinets, countertops, range hoods, and pot racks in order to create your own unique kitchen. However, if you're not sure where to begin or do not know how various appliances and furnishings work in accordance with one another, pictures of existing kitchen styles can be a great source of ideas. Within each style, you have incredible freedom to personalize your own settings. There is not just one pot rack, for example, that must be used in a rustic kitchen. There are many magazines available that are dedicated to all kinds of kitchen styles. Each month, they feature dozens of decorating options.

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Traditional Style

Use these key elements to bring in a traditional theme: Oak, cherry, maple, ash, or rustic pine cabinets with inset or raised panels. Consider adding glass door panels in a few key spots. Decorative rope, dentil, or scrolled molding enhance the top of the cabinets. Wood flooring. Decorative range hoods and wood panels that blend with kitchen cabinets. A single bowl porcelain sink. Textured tile in warm sages, taupes, and creams. Ornate round knobs in polished brass, antique bronze and satin nickel finishes

One of the great advantages of having a traditional kitchen is that it never goes out of style.

There may be appliances and furnishings you wish to change after a period of time. However, in a traditional kitchen, various items are interchangeable. You can dramatically change the look and feel of a traditional kitchen by making small changes.

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Contemporary Style
Try these in creating a Hip, Hot Contemporary Design:

Flat cabinet fronts in lacquer,

laminate or wood.

Consider adding glass door

panels in a few key spots.

Polished granite countertop. Bold ceramic tile to blend

with lacquer or laminate cabinets.. Black appliances with minimal detailing. Shiny stainless steel sink. Recessed-ceiling, overcabinet and under-cabinet lights. Glass, stainless steel and copper tiles, Fabrics that allow light to pass through can be used as curtains. Silk, cheesecloth, and other sheer fabrics work well with this style. Sleek cylinder shaped cabinet door handles.

Many pieces will utilize geometric forms and futuristic appearances. Practicality is more important than dramatic and lavish appearances. Contemporary kitchens are known for their spaciousness, sleekness and efficiency.

Contemporary style is characterized by simple and clean lines.

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Casual Style

Casual kitchens are just what the name implies: relaxed and comfortable. But that doesn't mean they can't also be stylish and sophisticated. What comes to mind is something that is more transitional, not really contemporary, but not really fully traditional either.

When designing the Casual kitchen look for these defining characteristics:

Simply designed cabinetry. Bead-board, wainscoting. Rub-thru and painted finishes. Quartz, Granite and solid surface countertops. Stainless steel or white and black appliances. Use of color accents. Farmhouse sinks. Window treatments in fabrics such as chintz and

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Cabinetry
Be inspired with our product offerings and custom details. The possibilities are limitless with our distinct handcrafted cabinet lines: We carry framed traditional cabinetry, frameless or European box constructed products and value-priced framed products.

There are countless door styles to choose from, we have chosen a small sample of some popular choices

Slab Perfect for contemporary designs

Recessed Panel Adds depth and attention. Used in country or contemporary styles

Raised Panel Used in more formal and traditional designs

Shaker A simple, warm and casual feel 16

Beaded Panel Great for a cottage look

Arched Adds elegance to a traditional kitchen

Wood is a beautiful unique product. Some species of wood will have tighter graining than others. A difference is graining patterns is to be expected. The wood you choose for your cabinetry sets a tone for your entire space.

Cherry
Top of the line in hardwoods. Characterized by its fine, uniform grain patterns. Cherry is mostly finished in a dark red or brown color.

Maple
Close-grained wood that is predominately white in color. Hard maple is known for its strength and shock resistance. Due to its close graining, maple is mostly stained a light color.

Oak
Strong, durable with golden color and highly visible grain.

Hickory
Very strong close-grained wood that is known to have wide variations in color. These color variations will range from white to chocolate brown.

Pine
Soft grade with a yellow tone and has many knots. This makes it more suitable for a country style kitchen than a more formal or contemporary style kitchen.

Alder
Straight and closed grain wood. Colors of this medium density hardwood vary from white to tan to pinkish brown.

Birch
A mediumdensity hardwood with a distinct moderate grain pattern that ranges from straight to wavy to curly.

Heartwood Maple
A hard and heavy wood, with indistinct grain pattern. Color ranges from light tan to brown.

MDF
Man-made wood offering an extremely tight and smooth surface. Very stable. MDF is favored for laminating,.

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Wood tones can range from natural to medium to very dark. Species and stain determine how much wood shows through.

Paints and Dyes Options include reds, greens, blues and yellows. Custom colors are also available, Glazes Glazes and Mists can be added to give highlights to recessed areas. You may add Details such as fly specs and cowtail markings, or Features such as rub-thru edges or aging for an antique look.

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You can organize your items in the Kitchen with hundreds of accessories and satisfy your style, needs and create a truly custom kitchen.

Pull-out shelvesNo more stooping and reaching for heavy cookware

Spice Storage Drawer Keep all those spices right at your fingertips

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Full Extension Steel Drawers Smooth, silent operation, no maintenance

Base Super Susan Make great use of those hard to reach corners

Swing-up Mixer Shelf Ideal storage for those bulky appliances

Base Ecology Waste Basket Keep your recyclables out of the way

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COUNTERTOPS
Natural Stone Granite and soap stone are part of the natural stone family. They must be properly sealed and maintained. Granite varies in color from slab to slab and from the color pattern of a sample you may of seen, and in some instances, will vary in the same piece. This character and uniqueness to each individual slab assures a one of a kind countertop.

Quartz Quartz has a uniform appearance and is extremely durable. It is resistant to scorching, water, stains and bacteria. It delivers a distinct depth, brilliant clarity, glimmering radiance and cool solid feel.

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Solid Surface Choose from a variety of colors, patterns and design features. You have the option to customize your countertop with specialty features such as integrated drain boards, heat rods and inlays to fully customize your project. Non-porous and as a result, will not promote the growth of bacteria, mold or mildew, making it ideal for kitchens.

Laminate The most affordable countertop choice, it comes is a large variety of colors and patterns.

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5010 Sixes Road Prince Frederick, MD 20678 Phone: 410-414-9650 Fax: 410-414-8175 E-mail: info@trulycustomhomes.com

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