The tiling in the room looks very institutional especially where it is tiled
around the tiny window without any window casing. Why is the backsplash tile
so thick that they had to use those heavy edge tiles? The grout lines are so
heavy and pronounced. The layout is not bad, and not worth changing but
getting rid of the bad tile job would go a long way to improving the room.

While I see a lot of that type of tile countertops on TV in old and new
houses, in this area they are not considered to be "in", in fact would
devaluate a house. Either solid granite, a sythetic such as Corian, or at
the cheapest, colourcore laminate would look better (in order of
preference).

From: "Rex"
Subject: How to upgrade fairly new kitchen?
Date: November 21, 2005 12:46 AM

I have a fairly new tract house that I'd upgrade the kitchen on and I need
tips on the best things to do so it looks less generic cookie-cutter and
helps resale down the road.

Check out the current pics.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/f85668f3.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/e819233c.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/e8c359f5.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/eae6076e.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/62722d7a.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/d694ee5d.jpg

I'd like to upgrade the counters. They are tile, but not a high grade of
tile. Don't know if it's worth tearing out the tile counters and replacing
them with granite slab or granite tiles. Maybe just replacing the plain
tile backsplashes with something more interesting?
I definitely want to replace the existing sink and faucet with better
quality replacements and replace the vinyl floor with either hardwood or
tile to match the rest of the house. Can the current sink be removed
without major damage to the counters?
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/62722d7a.jpg
Is there anything that can be done with the cabinets to give a more upscale
look other than tearing them out and replacing them? Restaining or painting
or adding door handles?
I'm replacing the dishwasher because I don't like the performance.
Stainless steel seems to be the current fad, but then I'd need to get a new
range, microwave hood and refrigerator to match and the current appliances
are still pretty new.

Sorry, this should have been a reply to another post.

"EXT" etonks@sunstormADD-DOT-COM wrote in message
ews.com...
The tiling in the room looks very institutional especially where it is
tiled
around the tiny window without any window casing. Why is the backsplash
tile
so thick that they had to use those heavy edge tiles? The grout lines are
so
heavy and pronounced. The layout is not bad, and not worth changing but
getting rid of the bad tile job would go a long way to improving the room.

While I see a lot of that type of tile countertops on TV in old and new
houses, in this area they are not considered to be "in", in fact would
devaluate a house. Either solid granite, a sythetic such as Corian, or at
the cheapest, colourcore laminate would look better (in order of
preference).

From: "Rex"
Subject: How to upgrade fairly new kitchen?
Date: November 21, 2005 12:46 AM

I have a fairly new tract house that I'd upgrade the kitchen on and I need
tips on the best things to do so it looks less generic cookie-cutter and
helps resale down the road.

Check out the current pics.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/f85668f3.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/e819233c.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/e8c359f5.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/eae6076e.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/62722d7a.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/d694ee5d.jpg

I'd like to upgrade the counters. They are tile, but not a high grade of
tile. Don't know if it's worth tearing out the tile counters and
replacing
them with granite slab or granite tiles. Maybe just replacing the plain
tile backsplashes with something more interesting?
I definitely want to replace the existing sink and faucet with better
quality replacements and replace the vinyl floor with either hardwood or
tile to match the rest of the house. Can the current sink be removed
without major damage to the counters?
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/62722d7a.jpg
Is there anything that can be done with the cabinets to give a more
upscale
look other than tearing them out and replacing them? Restaining or
painting
or adding door handles?
I'm replacing the dishwasher because I don't like the performance.
Stainless steel seems to be the current fad, but then I'd need to get a
new
range, microwave hood and refrigerator to match and the current appliances
are still pretty new.

In article . com, EXT says...

The tiling in the room looks very institutional especially where it is tiled
around the tiny window without any window casing. Why is the backsplash tile
so thick that they had to use those heavy edge tiles? The grout lines are so
heavy and pronounced. The layout is not bad, and not worth changing but
getting rid of the bad tile job would go a long way to improving the room.

While I see a lot of that type of tile countertops on TV in old and new
houses, in this area they are not considered to be "in", in fact would
devaluate a house. Either solid granite, a sythetic such as Corian, or at
the cheapest, colourcore laminate would look better (in order of
preference).

I don't think the tile all *that* bad, but, OK, I agree it's not great.

Now, if I wanted to inexpensively update the kitchen for my own use for a couple
of years then resale, I would consider a decent laminate (they do stand up,
they're on the same expense level as the vinyl tile floor) as I think it would
look nice and be very functional. Curious - what would be done them about the
backsplash? Repair the wall, paint, and install something just by the stove?

Banty

"Banty" wrote in message
...
In article . com, EXT
says...

The tiling in the room looks very institutional especially where it is
tiled
around the tiny window without any window casing. Why is the backsplash
tile
so thick that they had to use those heavy edge tiles? The grout lines are
so
heavy and pronounced. The layout is not bad, and not worth changing but
getting rid of the bad tile job would go a long way to improving the room.

While I see a lot of that type of tile countertops on TV in old and new
houses, in this area they are not considered to be "in", in fact would
devaluate a house. Either solid granite, a sythetic such as Corian, or at
the cheapest, colourcore laminate would look better (in order of
preference).

I don't think the tile all *that* bad, but, OK, I agree it's not great.

Now, if I wanted to inexpensively update the kitchen for my own use for a
couple
of years then resale, I would consider a decent laminate (they do stand
up,
they're on the same expense level as the vinyl tile floor) as I think it
would
look nice and be very functional. Curious - what would be done them about
the
backsplash? Repair the wall, paint, and install something just by the
stove?

Banty


I plan to replace the tile in the entry with a better grade of tile (maybe
stone) and extend it so it connects to the kitchen and then replace the
linoleum in the kitchen with the same tile.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/0b53a653.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/81f9021d.jpg

If I replace the tile counters with granite slab, I would probably replace
the all the existing tile backsplashes with smaller glass or stone tile
backsplashes in the same areas.

Here a granite similar to what one of the choices I'm considering
http://www.garywfuller.net/gallery_3...3-Images/1.jpg . Would a
lighter granite be better with the white appliances?

In article , Rex says...


"Banty" wrote in message
...
In article . com, EXT
says...

The tiling in the room looks very institutional especially where it is
tiled
around the tiny window without any window casing. Why is the backsplash
tile
so thick that they had to use those heavy edge tiles? The grout lines are
so
heavy and pronounced. The layout is not bad, and not worth changing but
getting rid of the bad tile job would go a long way to improving the room.

While I see a lot of that type of tile countertops on TV in old and new
houses, in this area they are not considered to be "in", in fact would
devaluate a house. Either solid granite, a sythetic such as Corian, or at
the cheapest, colourcore laminate would look better (in order of
preference).

I don't think the tile all *that* bad, but, OK, I agree it's not great.

Now, if I wanted to inexpensively update the kitchen for my own use for a
couple
of years then resale, I would consider a decent laminate (they do stand
up,
they're on the same expense level as the vinyl tile floor) as I think it
would
look nice and be very functional. Curious - what would be done them about
the
backsplash? Repair the wall, paint, and install something just by the
stove?

Banty


I plan to replace the tile in the entry with a better grade of tile (maybe
stone) and extend it so it connects to the kitchen and then replace the
linoleum in the kitchen with the same tile.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/0b53a653.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/81f9021d.jpg

If you plan to do that amount of work, you might as well fix up the kitchen the
way you like.


If I replace the tile counters with granite slab, I would probably replace
the all the existing tile backsplashes with smaller glass or stone tile
backsplashes in the same areas.

Nice.


Here a granite similar to what one of the choices I'm considering
http://www.garywfuller.net/gallery_3...3-Images/1.jpg . Would a
lighter granite be better with the white appliances?



I'd say that would go better with SS or black appliances (I went with black for
my kitchen remod). Nice.

If you keep the white appliances (but now I think you're talking about the
kitchen you really want - so change them and go with SS or black if you like...)
I'd go with something like this (which a diner local to me has, looks sharp):
http://barefootcounter.com/Granite/1655/index.html

But that's just me.. some lady on Usenet who happens to be redoing her kitchen
too.

Cheers,
Banty

"Banty" wrote in message
...
In article , Rex says...


I plan to replace the tile in the entry with a better grade of tile (maybe
stone) and extend it so it connects to the kitchen and then replace the
linoleum in the kitchen with the same tile.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/0b53a653.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...n/81f9021d.jpg

If you plan to do that amount of work, you might as well fix up the
kitchen the
way you like.


If I replace the tile counters with granite slab, I would probably replace
the all the existing tile backsplashes with smaller glass or stone tile
backsplashes in the same areas.

Nice.


Here a granite similar to what one of the choices I'm considering
http://www.garywfuller.net/gallery_3...3-Images/1.jpg . Would a
lighter granite be better with the white appliances?



I'd say that would go better with SS or black appliances (I went with
black for
my kitchen remod). Nice.

If you keep the white appliances (but now I think you're talking about the
kitchen you really want - so change them and go with SS or black if you
like...)
I'd go with something like this (which a diner local to me has, looks
sharp):
http://barefootcounter.com/Granite/1655/index.html

But that's just me.. some lady on Usenet who happens to be redoing her
kitchen
too.

Cheers,
Banty

I'm not dead set on having that color granite, it's just one of several
choices available. I'll more likely keep looking for a better granite color
to coordinate with the existing white appliances and oak cabinets than
replace all the appliances just so they go with the new granite. I might
replace the tile master bath vanity top with granite slab and get two
undermount sinks because there are giant lips on the existing top mounted
sinks making it annoying to wipe anything into the sink. I assume it will
be much cheaper to do the vanity top at the same time the kitchen counters
are done. On the other hand, then it might not match the beige tiled shower
and it is getting into to much money to replace the shower enclosure too.
Maybe I should replace the tile vanitytop with either marble or Corian with
built-in sinks?

I'll want to do a mini remodel of the entire place. Replacing the
builder-installed carpeting and linoleum with new tile and carpeting and
repainting walls. The place now has all off-white walls and "Light Medium
Neutral with Dark Speckles" colored carpeting. After this replacement, the
carpeting might not be replaced again before selling, so I will likely stay
with something that will be appealing to a wide variety of tastes. What I
see people doing with paints is having earthtone walls with lighter-colored
ceilings and white baseboards, white doors, white window and door surrounds
and white crown moldings as accents. I will probably also have a more
interesting color painted accent wall in the master bedroom and the living
room and then repaint those two walls again to match the rest of the place
at resale time.
Since the entire place is 2 b/2ba and only about 1000 sq feet with small
rooms, I might as well get nice quality stuff since the quantities of
materials I'll need to buy will not be large. Labor will be the same
regardless, so the total differences in cost between cheap quality and
better quality carpets, paints and tiles should not be huge.
I'll go look at some model homes for ideas and maybe get a designer
consultant to help pick out the best combinations of colors.

"Banty" wrote
Now, if I wanted to inexpensively update the kitchen for my own use for a
couple
of years then resale, I would consider a decent laminate (they do stand
up,
they're on the same expense level as the vinyl tile floor)

Laminate is not a good idea in wet areas, ie., kitchens and bathrooms.

as I think it would
look nice and be very functional. Curious - what would be done them about
the
backsplash? Repair the wall, paint, and install something just by the
stove?

When you remove tile from drywall quite a bit of damage occurs to the
surface. A lot of finish mud, and sanding, will be required to make it look
right.

"Rex" wrote
Here a granite similar to what one of the choices I'm considering
http://www.garywfuller.net/gallery_3...3-Images/1.jpg . Would a
lighter granite be better with the white appliances?

I've seen this product installed recently www.zodiaq.com and it looks
stunning, may use it in my next home (presently in the design stages).
If you scratch granite it is difficult to impossible to repair, it can also
be chipped or broken with a cast iron skillet.
Solid surface can be repaired rather easily, scratches, burns, melts, dents,
etc.
I have Staron www.staron.com in my present home and like it.
The thing is, none of the manufacturers of these products, granite, solid
surface, whatever, will tell you the problems with their products.
I on the otherhand, design homes for a living and have spoken to hundreds of
clients over the years about their counters and the overwhelming majority
favor a form of solid surface. The exception to this is the very expensive
homes where costs and maintenance aren't an issue, the owners just get the
stuff fixed no matter the costs.