A New Kitchen

Complete design confidence Upgrade classic finishes, clean lines and timeless style in your kitchen with pops of bright color and unique tiling.

Clients of Dream House Dream Kitchens can feel confident that every aspect of their kitchen project is being skillfully handled by one team.

Dream House Dream Kitchens has 35 years of experience designing, remodeling and building new kitchens for homeowners across the Midwest. Jerry Schmidt, Dream Team sales director, says their full team of designers and builders makes achieving your perfect kitchen that much easier.

“It brings consistency and quality to the project — you have one team to work with through the whole process,” he says.

Dream House Dream Kitchens staff will meet with clients at their home to hear about their wishes and needs while looking at the available space. The design staff then presents floor plans and colorized 3D renderings of design options so clients can see how paints, tile, fixtures and features will look before any work gets underway.

“Short of a completed project, this is the Schmidt advises clients to stick with overall classic and timeless design for major features of the kitchen, such as cabinets best way to see how it will look,” he says.

White kitchens remain a popular, timeless choice, according to Schmidt. You can add style and personality with a pop of color in areas such as tile backsplashes or light fixtures. Schmidt said blues and greens are particularly desirable right now.

“We’re also doing more bold backsplashes with different tile shapes,” he says.

Schmidt advises clients to stick with overall classic and timeless design for major features of the kitchen, such as cabinets and countertops, to ensure they still love the look of their kitchen for years to come.

Hardwood flooring continues to be a desirable kitchen choice, though luxury vinyl plank offers a durable waterproof option at a lower price.

To get started on the kitchen you’ve always wanted, visit dream-kitchens.com.

MARLING LUMBER AND HOMEWORKS

Quality That Fits Every Budget
With a lumberyard at its disposal, this brand has everything you could possibly want in a kitchen remodel.

In business since 1904, Marling Lumber and HomeWorks is a family-owned lumberyard and design center. All three locations offer kitchen design with top-end products. “However, we carry a wide variety of products hitting many different price points for cabinetry and countertops,” explains Theresa Braun, design manager at Marling, “because we try to help customers get quality products that fit every budget to make their remodeling or new construction dreams come true.”

Being a lumberyard, Marling offers an added benefit that some customers might not expect. “We have many resources at our fingertips and professionals with a wealth of knowledge,” says Braun. Moreover, with so many materials on hand, Marling can assist with a variety of different kinds of projects, from window trim to composite decking and kitchen cabinetry.

“Generally speaking, to start the kitchen design process,” says Braun, “we start appointments with a selection overview, where clients can check out the different options available and we can talk about what fits their style, budget and space.”

In terms of kitchen trends, Marling has everything to design your ideal kitchen space. Popular trends right now include mixing materials including wood textures, matte finishes, pops of color, and black hardware and fixtures for visual contrast. “Painted cabinetry remains popular, but clients are looking for warmer tones of white and gray and introducing textural wood elements in the form of shelving, range hoods, countertops and accessories. Heavily grained wood is gaining popularity, while walnut continues to be popular,” she says.

All of Marling’s showrooms have substantial displays for clients to check out these kitchen trends and more. There, you can come see the many different options on view, along with 3D rendering to help you visualize how your kitchen spaces may transform. “Of course, while many people want to see samples and colors in person, we can accommodate virtual appointments to help minimize face-to-face interactions to help customers feel safe in the design process,” Braun says.

CTW ABBEY CARPET & FLOOR

Time for a Fresh Start
CTW Abbey Carpet & Floor has everything you need to remodel your kitchen. “We are a one-stop shop. We can offer flooring, cabinetry, countertops, backsplash and insulation for all those products,” says Shelby Hubbard, interior designer at CTW. Plus, the welcoming staff at CTW can assist you through the seemingly daunting process of redesigning your kitchen, with a view toward upcoming trends and better organizational features.

“Because people are at home more, we are seeing a move toward warmer, more inviting tones in the kitchen. A lot of folks will add in warmer woods or unique paint colors that match the individual’s style. Also, many clients want their kitchens to be more multifunctional. We are seeing a trend toward having a place in the kitchen to help store kids’ school supplies or your laptop for work,” she says.

Along with larger drawers and other organizational tools, CTW offers a new weathered finish for kitchen cabinetry that feels more like natural, rough wood. “It’s something that can work well for islands to give a more rustic or lived-in touch,” says Hubbard. “It can’t be used on every species of wood, but it really looks good on hickory or oak — anything that has a grain to it.”

When you arrive at CTW’s showroom, expect to walk through with designers. “Once we get a feel for what the client wants, we do a 3D visual rendering and go through each process step by step with the client.” To maximize your design experience, Hubbard suggests preparing beforehand by knowing what new appliances you expect to have as well as any specific changes they want to make to your current layout.

“We are happy to help clients plan for a new fridge that might be 3 inches bigger than what they had before. Or perhaps we need to provide new holes in their countertop because they are including a new soap dispenser or faucet. Knowing the little details like that can make all the difference and can help your project run smoothly.”

Personalizing the Most Popular Room in Your Home
Even a minor kitchen remodel can offer a great ROI for your home. Those looking to purchase a new home tend to appreciate a newly remodeled kitchen with modern upgrades and fresh colors. Improving your home is a simple way to increase its value, but if not planned correctly, remodeling can be stressful. Here’s some advice for making an upgrade as painless as possible.

“Avoid major trends with large purchases. Do things that will look great
years from now and have longevity. That way, you won’t have to make frequent updates and can get the most value when you choose to sell.”– Nicole Lee, Consumer Lending Operations Manager at UW Credit Union

Let’s See What’s Cookin’
Visual improvements such as appliances, cabinets, countertops and light fixtures can be a relatively simple and cost-effective way to increase the appeal of your kitchen. Stainless steel appliances are extremely popular and can give your kitchen a modern, luxurious aesthetic. The first two appliances buyers look at when entering a kitchen are the oven and refrigerator.

PLAN: Before diving headfirst into a renovation project, conduct an evaluation:
• What are your wants and needs?
• How soon do you want the desired look?
• What do you need to keep and what can go?
• How much money would you like to spend?
After answering these questions, you should have enough information to begin drafting a budget.

TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION
• CONTRACTORS:: After researching professionals in your area, get estimates from different contractors. The quality of work and materials may vary.
• PERMITS: If local building regulations require permits for your renovation project, it’s important to secure these documents before you begin. Permits help ensure your safety and make life a little easier for the contractors.

DIY OR PROFESSIONAL: It’s recommended that you consult with a contractor for your kitchen renovations. Having someone who knows their way around plumbing, electrical work and demolition will help make the process smooth and safe.

HELOC: A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is the most popular option for financing a renovation project. A HELOC leverages your home’s estimated value, making it easy for a lender to offer you a low interest rate.

Even a minor kitchen remodel can increase the value of your home. With proper planning, budgeting and research, you can avoid frustrating and expensive mistakes. If your home could use an upgrade, consider talking to a lending associate at UW Credit Union.