Top Five Design Ideas for Kitchens

Screenshot: Kitchen Gallery Webpage of Wo-Built Inc: the Vision Builder
From L to R: Kitchen renovation to give the kitchen a new lease on life with a completely new look.
New kitchen integrated into open-concept space matching existing furniture with new kitchen cabinets.
New open plan kitchen designed and built to fit into open-concept space and make the kitchen a focal point.
2013 @ wobuilt.com

Over the years we have asked ourselves what made some of the kitchen spaces more successful than others. Hence, we have come up with our list of top best design ideas for kitchens:

• 1. The kitchen is the heart of the house;
• 2. Make the kitchen bright and light;
• 3. Make the kitchen a multi-functional social space;
• 4. Explore natural textures and materials;
• 5. Bring nature into the space.

1. The kitchen is the heart of the house

The kitchen is the heart of the house; it becomes the center for living and entertaining, a social hub for the family and guests. So we found that by providing a semi or complete open concept between the kitchen and the living area enables a much better interaction and communication.Open concept also gives the illusion of more space and often facilitates having more light in the space, because more windows can contribute to the light level. Neutral light not bold trendy colours also help by having better light reflection, making the space look brighter. Which leads to the second top idea:

2. Make the kitchen bright and light: highlight surfaces and provide focal points

The kitchen designs were most successful if a lot of daylight could be provided and make the kitchen bright and light. This had to be enhanced by energy efficient task lighting and general lighting which highlight surfaces and provide focal points.

3. Make the kitchen a multi-functional social space for the family and guests

Technology such WiFi, homework nook, extra electrical outlets for computers, a place for a TV also contribute in making the kitchen a multi-functional social space.

4. Explore natural textures and materials: environmentally friendly sustainable kitchen

As our emphasis is always about green building and sustainability some of the ideas revolved around the choice of materials. In open concept spaces it is nicer to have the same floor treatment in the living area and the kitchen. Good choices are Bamboo and Cork (good because they grow fast, but have large transportation impacts). Natural materials for countertops are preferable. Unfortunately granite and marble have a large footprint as they have to be transported over large distances, but soapstone and concrete counters are alternatives.

5. Bring nature into the space and provide a stunning effect to your kitchen

And, of course, one design idea we can always recommend. Bringing nature into the space. Our next evolution in kitchen designs. Eco-systems that provide, air, food and well being. Stay tuned for updates.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
wobuilt.com:blog: Home Automation Trending at CES 2013
wobuilt.com/blog: Interior Design Show 2012 – Wo-Built’s WOW! Moments
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Design Tips: Why to Remodel
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Design Trends: Emerging Trends for Kitchens
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Designs – Are We Missing the Boat?
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Upgrade – Plan Yours Today!

Interior Design Show 2012 – Wo-Built’s WOW! Moments

youtube.com: InteriorDesig Show: IDS 12: 90 Seconds of Design - Details
Uploaded by InteriorDesignShow on Nov 28, 2011

Connecting the right people

with the right product
in the right place.
IDS12: Interior Design Show 2012

This weekend saw world-renown designers and architects descend on Toronto for the thirteenth annual Interior Design Show. Held at the Metro Toronto Convention centre, the event was a showcase of the latest trends in home design and décor, with exhibitors and guest speakers participating from around the world.

As always, Wo-Built was in attendance to get the low-down on the latest trends and technologies making their way into homes across the GTA (and around the world). Here are some of the products that caught our eye and/or captured our imagination.

Wo-Built is all about space, and the Space beds really caught our eye. These cool beds have handy storage built into the base, with single and double-height drawer models available. We think they’re more functional than a murphy bed for smaller rooms, eliminating the need for additional storage.

youtube.com: NewMusikPlayer: Positive Space Interior
Uploaded by NewMusikPlayer on Sep 20, 2011

Next, we couldn’t help but gush over the sample kitchen outfitted with the latest Blum SERVO-DRIVE drive system. This motor-assisted system makes opening, closing and organizing drawers and cabinets in the kitchen truly effortless. It’s a thing of beauty you really need to see (and touch) to appreciate; and one Wo-Built intends to put to excellent use for clients looking for the ultimate in kitchen utility.

youtube.com: brianwong73: Blum Servo-Drive Kitchen System
Uploaded by brianwong73 on Jun 23, 2008

Less spectacular but no less functional, Infinity Drain offered up a clever designer twist to an old problem. The “Tile Drain” replaces that boring old drain-cover with one that blends seamlessly into the décor of your shower. A very slick solution that we intend to put to good use in future bathroom installations.

Infinity Drain Linear System Installation from Infinity Drain on Vimeo.

There was lots more cool stuff at the show, like the Siena Adagio Chaise Lounge from Stone Forest, the amazingly high-tech Cristadur sinks distributed by Novanni Elite, and the funky indoor wall fountains from Saline Solutions.

Collage: Cool Stuff at IDS12 Toronto
Images Credits:
stoneforest.com: Siena Adagio Chaise Lounge
novanni.ca: CRISTADUR Sinksalinesolutions.net: Pink Bubblewall
vad.no: Convita Chair

There is so much to see, we were there several hours at least. But after all that, perhaps what we enjoyed the most was a nice relaxing recline in VAD’s Convita zero-gravity chair. We seriously did NOT want to get up! These chairs go together with phrases like “deep meditation” and “stay-at-home vacation;” not “high productivity.”

IDS 2012 Toronto was a fun time and thoroughly enjoyable. Too much to talk about/show in a blog, so do yourself a favour: give Wo-Built a call and let us show you how you can transform your existing space into the epitome of “form-meets-function.”

Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

A Truly Liveable Space Needs a Nourishing Colour Palette

Collage: Choose a Nourishing Palette for Your Mind and Soul
Image credits: “Equinox” by Hans Hofmann, 1958, painting
MS Office ClipArt: Paint can and paintbrush
2011 @ wobuilt.com

“The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color. Our entire being is nourished by it.”
Hans Hofmann

If the above quotation by American abstract expressionist painter Hans Hofmann is considered in the context of our living spaces, the choice of colour should never be left to a complete stranger.

When Wo-Built completes a building or renovation project, they often deliver a “blank canvas” to their clients. This usually means white walls primed for interior design and finishing—in a word, colour.

So what do you do when presented with a beautifully designed space yearning for a personal expression of colour that will “feed your being” for years to come?

For starters, you might want to read-up on the psychology of colour. Don’t make the mistake of simply going with “what looks nice,” in a magazine or on a colour swatch. Our perception of colour changes over time. To test this theory, go into your closet and find that outfit you’ve only ever worn once.

Generally, colours are categorized as warm (red, orange, yellow) or cool (blue, green, violet). Warm colours enliven and are associated with higher energy, while cool colours promote serenity and tranquility. Blue is especially calming. Red and orange are said to stimulate hunger, while blue is said to curb it. Yellow can be cheerful, while violet promotes creativity, but both can get tiresome quickly.

Another factor to consider is colour combination. A monochrome colour scheme (different variations of the same colour), provides a soothing effect. A little more audacious is a colour scheme based on similar colours. A contrasting colour scheme is most dynamic, with colours appearing brighter than they actually are, and is best suited to high-activity areas like the kitchen; these can also get tiresome.

There is one more approach to consider: let your furniture and artwork be your colour! With some well-placed “accent walls” painted to draw focus and separate spaces, the rest of the space can remain just as it was delivered by Wo-Built: a clean canvas “painted” by your interior pieces; personal style.

Finally, don’t worry about impressing others with your “sense of colour.” Instead, choose a “nourishing palette” for your mind and soul. This will support a truly liveable space. Guests will respond to the positive energy of a space more than they will to a designer colour palette.


Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

You can read other related articles here:
wobuilt.com/blog: How many paint colours?!

wobuilt.com/blog: Paint Colour Trends 2008... Are you making the most of your investment?
by Sylvia O’Brien

wobuilt.com/blog: Colour for Your Home and Your Life: Intention Of Space
by Lonya Miller

Illuminating with Presents from the IESNA

Screenshot: IES Illuminating Engineering Society
Credit: iesna.org

Wo-Built Got Presents Today Courtesy of IESNA

This morning I felt like a kid in a candy store, two huge boxes were delivered to the office. From the IESNA, Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Since I am now a member of the Society they sent copies of the current IES Lighting Library (Hurray!), including the latest IES Lighting Handbook 10th edition, a verifiable door stopper.

Looking back to my roots transforming spaces through light and my love for lighting design, this is going to be such a treat reading about the latest technologies and processes. The Lighting Library is a huge step towards Wo-Built’s goal to become more involved in large scale lighting and non-residential interior renovations. It brings the most up to date knowledge at our disposal to be able to add to our comprehensive experience about lighting. We are no strangers to large scale lighting projects having worked in the past with the Metro Toronto region school boards and on the Singapore MRT expansion.

One of the Publications caught my eye immediately: A Guide to Designing Quality Lighting for People and Buildings. As designers and contractors, we at Wo-Built are always pushing for quality design of spaces through our design processes. Therefore I wanted to see what the Society had to say.

Quoting a paragraph under the architecture section: "A successful lighting design supports the architect’s artistic intent. Lighting can be used to "paint" a space with light to meet the architect’s goals of inspiration, spaciousness, interest, etc." to highlight a fact it looks completely like my sentiments. In March 2011 I wrote a post Architectural Lighting Design as a Work of Art: Painting with Light where I compared the processes of painting and lighting design using a local artist’s painting for illustration.

Daylight design is an important aspect for our projects and I was pleased to see that the Society is putting emphasis on this topic. Our philosophy of light design was well presented in the description of a development of one of our addition project where we introduced skylights over the staircase. We achieved two effects: making the staircase a feature in the room and allowing plenty of daylight to penetrate to the lower open concept level as the staircase has a very open design. Further, we like daylight because it allows energy savings, but more importantly it enhances living and working comfort.

Looking forward now to attending meeting of the local Toronto Chapter, renewing old friendships and making new ones.

Martina Ernst, proud member of IESNA
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Wo-Built's Second Floor Addition Project
"...allowing plenty of daylight to penetrate to the lower level as the staircase has a very open design."
Photo © 2008-2011 Wo-Built Inc.

links:
iestoronto.ca: Illuminating Engineering Society Toronto
iesna.org: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
The IES seeks to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public.
Illuminating Engineering Society:
twitter: @IllumEngSoc
hashtag: #IESNA
linkedin: IESNA
facebook: IES Community

wobuilt.com/blog: Light – the Music of Architecture
wobuilt.com/blog: The Development of an Addition Project: Part 1
wobuilt.com/blog: Lighting with LEDs – The Benefits
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Lighting Trends

Start Planning Your Home Renovation: Renovate Your House – Rediscover Your Home!

Renovate Your House – Rediscover Your Home!
2011 @ wobuilt.com

2010 - Year of Achievement
2010 was a challenging year for many businesses, but somehow, it still became a year of achievement for Wo-Built Inc. and we did find things to celebrate. We moved to a bigger and better office space (with windows!) in a wonderful neighbourhood, we were creators of WoBinna & Friends our anime, and we finished some exciting home addition projects just to name a few of our achievements.

2011 – Year of Expansion
We have some great ideas for 2011: more WoBinna, new services, lighting design, more mentoring initiatives, and more innovative green design projects including a modern greenhouse, green roof or a geothermal development. We are going to redesign our Dream House Assessment process and put it on our website. We are going to start our design workshops again as we have this lovely office in the Corso Italia area - great shops, great restaurants, check it out.

As the festivities of the Christmas season wind down and we say good-bye to the old year, we start to look forward to what 2011 will bring us. We'd like to remind you that now is a good time to start planning that home renovation that you have been thinking of. You may have been putting your Christmas decorations away and thought it might be a good time to refresh your home by renovating a kitchen for instance, or you may have already been thinking of a bigger renovation or addition to increase the space in your home before all the festivities began.

With spring around the corner, now is an ideal time to start planning. At Wo-Built Inc. as a boutique design and build firm, we have many innovative design ideas to create your dream space, and we know about the upcoming trends for this year. We can also help you with the planning of your project, as well as making your dream a reality.

Wo-Built would like to extend our best wishes for the New Year and we look forward to helping you achieve the home of your dreams in this New Year. Make this the year that your dream home becomes a reality! We'd love to help.

Wo-Built's Team
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo 2010: Photos from the Show

Screenshot: HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo + Construct Canada
flickr.com: photos Toronto, Dec 2, 2010 @ Olga Goubar, wobuilt.com

We continue publishing of the series of articles about attending the HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo 2010 - Canada's largest construction industry trade show.

Elida shared with us an article entitled "What Is Coming up in 2010 National Building Codes? Find out How This Will Affect Your Business" and Lonya published an article about upcoming kitchen design trends.

Here are several photos from the construction expo floor taken by Olga - see the slide show at http://tinyurl.com/homebuilderexpo2010.

Enjoy and mark your calendar - the 15th Annual HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo is coming to Toronto on November 30 - December 2, 2011.

Upcoming Kitchen Design Trends

Photo: HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo 2010
Seminar Kitchen & Bath Design Trends for 2011 - Sold Out
Dec 2, 2010 @ Olga Goubar, wobuilt.com

Kitchen Designs + Upcoming Trends

We all know that when renovating, a kitchen update adds some of the best value to a home especially when you're looking to put your home on the resale market. Even if you're not looking to add to the resale value of your home, a kitchen update will always help refresh a tired looking home.

Having just attended the Kitchen & Bathroom Update at the Homebuilder & Renovator Expo in the past week, we had the opportunity to see some of the latest trends coming out of Europe, and how they are influencing kitchen designs in the North American market. What we saw were kitchens that were very utilitarian; almost on the verge of an office space design. Some kitchen appliances such as fridges seemed to be conspicuously missing, but the fact was that they were now being hidden behind cabinets and walls which gave kitchens a very open look. Other design elements that were seen were floating shelves and lots of base cabinets which were in keeping with the open concept. Countertops and islands were sometimes stacked with other countertops of different thickness giving them an asymmetrical look. And the kitchen colors that were predominantly used were cream, white (it seemed to be everywhere) and gray. Stainless steel was still a big design element and was seen quite often in the designs.

In North America, where kitchens are somewhat larger and are more traditional in their styles, designers are doing what is called transitional styling. They are taking some of those modern European design elements and mixing them with our more traditional styling to come up with some very unique spaces. All in all it was a very inspiring seminar, and one which gave us lots of wonderful ideas to create kitchens with innovative design elements and still retain their functionality.

We at Wo-Built Inc. are excited about all the new trends that we saw at the seminar and are ready to apply some of these designs to create the kitchen of your dreams!

Lonya Miller,
Writer
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Information About Seminar
HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo, December 1-3, 2010
Metro Toronto Conventional Centre
Seminar: Kitchen & Bath Design Trends for 2011
Category: Design Trends for Residential Buildings
Code: T211
Description: Kitchen and bath design has been elevated to an art form, with infinite options and new technologies to maximize both comfort and space. See how both kitchen and bath aesthetics are evolving and influencing design, materials, finishes, and colors. How can the latest trends in cabinets, countertops, lighting, and fixtures be incorporated to create a functional and luxurious space?
Speaker: Margaret MacDonald, Senior Designer AYA Kitchens and Baths Ltd.
Credit: www.homebuilderexpo.com

Here are several photos from the construction expo floor:

Screenshot: HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo + Construct Canada
flickr.com: photos Toronto, Dec 2, 2010 @ Olga Goubar, wobuilt.com

links:
wobuilt.com: Kitchen Designs – Are We Missing the Boat?
wobuilt.com: Kitchen Upgrade – Plan Yours Today!

HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo: Best Practices, New Products and Technologies in Construction

Poster: HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo, December 1-3, 2010

Metro Toronto Conventional Centre, Shouth Building

Credit:www.homebuilderexpo.com

It becomes a tradition for our company to attend this Canada's largest construction industry trade show once-a-year. This year the 14th annual HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo will be held December 1-3, 2010 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building in conjunction with Construct Canada, PM Expo, DesignTrends, and Concrete Canada.


HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo
Strategies & Solutions for Residential Construction & Renovation

When: December 1-3, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 2, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, December 3, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building

Construct Canada, PM Expo, DesignTrends, HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo and Concrete Canada at a Glance:

• Show Features 1050 Exhibits
• Hands-on Skills Training and Demonstrations: New Speakers, New Topics, New Features, and New Technologies
• Seminar Programs Tailored for Residential Construction: 450 Speakers, 200 Presentations and Free Demonstrations
• National Green Building Conference: New and Green Products & Services Recognition
• International Business Program: International Architectural and Interior Design Roundtable
• Show Guide Referencing Participating Exhibitors

Strategies & Solutions to Build On sessions in this year's program will discuss National Building Code changes, cost-effective building strategies, marketing tips to help grow your business, and practical green residential building solutions.

Here is a short list of some seminars to choose from:

• Seminar W120: Significant Changes in the 2010 National Building Code: Part 9 Buildings
• Seminar T121: How Better Project Management Can Improve Productivity, Lower Costs, and Improve Quality While Reducing Stress
• Seminar W122: Social Marketing for Homebuilders & Renovators: A Crash Course
• Seminar W121: Marketing Tips & Techniques for Homebuilders & Renovators to Use NOW
• Seminar T211: Kitchen & Bath Design Trends for 2011
• Seminar T120: New and Green Products for Residential Construction
• Seminar T300: An Energy Retrofit of Your Building Is Your Best Investment: The ROI Beats the Stock Market
• Seminar T115: When Does a Green Roof Make Sense? What Have We Learned About Green, White, and High-Performance Roofs?

To review these and other sessions for acquiring valuable updates on best practices and new products and technologies in construction business, please go to the Show's Events at a Glance page.

We are looking forward to attend this big 5 Canada's largest construction industry shows. See you at #HomeBuilder10 Expo.

Comment about Aging: Adapting Your Home for Comfortable Living

Photo Collage: Adapting Your Home for Comfortable Living
2010 @ wobuilt.com

The other day somehow the conversation got to the topic of aging, especially about aging eyes and light. When I was in my 20s I heard of people in their 40s and 50s that they needed more light to read and of course being young I thought “what are they talking about? I can read a newspaper underneath a street lamp.” Now being in my 40s I can’t even recognize a newspaper underneath a street light.

This of course makes me increasingly more sensitive towards the needs of adapting the design for homes to their age suitability. On the market there are many products that help the aging body to cope – from non slip surfaces to automation to lifts and ramps.

But I believe we need to go further to allow a comfortable living of the elderly in their own homes. We have to push technology further towards automation and new materials, provide ease of access, maybe new space planning and of course affordability.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI)
The Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence (HASI) program offers financial assistance for minor home adaptations that will help low-income seniors to perform daily activities in their home independently and safely.
Science Daily:Adapt Your Home Today For Tomorrow's Age-Related Disabilities, Cornell Housing Expert Advises
... Evaluating how suitable our homes are for growing old in should be just as routine as financial planning for retirement, says a Cornell University housing expert ...
ezinearticles.com: HOME: Home-and-Family: Home Lighting Design For Aging Eyes - Part 2 - The Math
By Ralph Pressel
twitter's realtime results for "aging + home"
Wo-Built Inc: The Development of an Addition Project: Part 1
... In a space like this there are two main challenges: integrating a large visual element such as a kitchen and lighting the space that accentuates positively in a comfortable way ...
Wo-Built Inc: Lighting with LEDs – The Benefits
Light emitting diodes (LED) seem to be the way of the future and the benefits are endless!
Wo-Built Inc: Kitchen Lighting Trends
Wo-Built Inc: Home Maintenance Service Geared to Senior Citizens
We’ve launched an innovative idea with our "Home Maintenance Service". For a yearly fee, this particular service features regular home maintenance (like a "tune-up" for your house) for seniors who find it too difficult to do the work themselves, or clients who just don’t have the time or talent in home maintenance.
Wo-Built Inc: Help For Independent Living For Seniors
We at Wo-built can help you with assessing your needs and doing the necessary renovations to make your golden years more comfortable in your own home.

Kitchen Designs – Are We Missing the Boat?

Collage: Where Is Innovation in Kitchen Design?

I was asked recently to write another piece for the Wo-Built forum about kitchens. But as soon as I sat down to write it – bang – writer’s block! What to write? In the past we have written about kitchens, kitchen renovations and kitchen design ideas (see previous articles) and in general the topics have not changed. There are still the same styles, design principles and overall colour schemes than before. There is a need for appliances, sinks, countertop areas and storage. Colours are generally personal choice and styles can be mixed and matched.

I was not happy to revisit any of these topics without sounding boring. Then it struck me what had been bothering me for months about contemporary kitchens: the lack of innovation on a large scale. We have innovation in appliances and in new materials, but not in the fundamentals: the way we store things and the way we consider work and counter space. Storage is mainly achieved via wall hung and floor mounted kitchen cabinets, with limiting factors of height and available wall space. Counter space is the space generally in between or by the side of the stove, sink and other appliances. Maybe there is an island with extra counter space.

I believe we need new ideas. Why not look at storage solutions that use rack technology, hence giving the opportunity to double up. If there is the height why not use lift technology. Why not have the storage unit act as a wall between the rooms, hence saving space. Why not have counter tops that are retractable, or foldable to increase working surface. Why not bring surfaces down from the ceiling when required. All this is possible and not new, but somehow not explored.

What I feel is missing is the spirit of design that was prevalent in the 60s. This era was a period of design exploration and experimentation and some wonderful ideas still survive until today or were the basis for a lot of design. Everything was possible and often tried out, the bad with the good. I am not advocating retro design, but what I would like to see is much more design experimentation.

Hence I believe until we do look at the fundamentals again we are missing the boat in kitchen design.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

technorati tags:
kitchen renovation
kitchen design tips
design trends

Time for the National Home Show!

Screenshot: The National Home Show, presented by RE/MAX,
February 19 - 28, 2010 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place
How's that little project coming along?
Home Renovation Guide: Find a Home Solution + Renovation of the Month (Before & After)
Credit: nationalhomeshow.com

The National Home Show, presented by RE/MAX

How's that little project coming along?

DATES | HOURS
Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 28, 2009
Monday, February 22 - Mommies Day!
Thursday, February 25 - Girls Night Out!
Weekdays: 11 am - 9 pm
Saturdays: 10 am - 9 pm
Sundays: 10 am - 6 pm
www.nationalhomeshow.com

LOCATION
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place
100 Princes' Blvd.
Toronto, ON
416-263-3000
www.ntc.on.ca

February 19 marks the start of the National Home Show. Whether you’re looking for a major "lift" for your home or just for some fresh new ideas to update your space, you’ll come across them here, all under one roof. You’ll find lots of new trends and new ideas to update your home, as well as practical solutions for decorating and/or renovating dilemmas.

Look for gardening and landscaping tips as well from the many experts there. And, as an added bonus, special guest, Ty Pennington of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be making a guest appearance on February 19th. If you’re thinking of sprucing up your home, there’s much to inspire you at the National Home Show.

As a design and build company that always strives to exceed our customers’ expectations, we like to keep on top of the trends in the industry, so Wo-Built Inc. will be making the rounds to see what’s new. Hope to see you there!

Lonya is the staff writer for Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Wo-Built: Impressions of the Toronto Fall Home Show
Wo-Built: Home Renovation and Custom Building Awards: Wo-Built Comes Out On Top!!!
Wo-Built: Canada's HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo Begins Tomorrow

technorati tags:
renovation
home renovation
kitchen renovation

Kitchen Upgrade – Plan Yours Today!

Collage: Kitchen renovation project: The kitchen before... and After
These kitchen cabinets were redesigned to give the kitchen
a more streamlined and contemporary ambiance.

We all know that a kitchen upgrade can add maximum value to your home, especially in the resale market.

In today’s tight economy, many people are on the lookout for relatively inexpensive updates for their homes. Aside from adding new and trendy paint colours (please follow the link to our article Colour for Your Home and Your Life for this years’ "in" colours) which is one of the least inexpensive ways to freshen up a kitchen, nothing else will renew a kitchen more than a new countertop.

Your countertops are one of the most outstanding features in your kitchen, and modernizing them is a smart and reasonably inexpensive way for an update. There are many materials used in the modernizing of countertops today ranging from inexpensive to costly. Some of the more widely used substances are: Granite, Marble, Plastic Laminate, Slab Plastic, Ceramic Tile, Slate and Soapstone just to name a few.

Nothing outdates a kitchen more than an old countertop and nothing will give your kitchen more oomph than a new one. A new kitchen counter is one feature that can add instant value to your home. We at Wo-Built Inc. specialize in kitchen upgrades of all kinds and can help you get the most value from your upgrade.

For more ideas call us today at 416-354-2555 or please go to our website www.wobuilt.com for more information. Whether you are thinking of just an upgrade or a major renovation we can help!

Lonya is the staff writer for Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Wo-Built: Home Design Workshop: Get Your Smart Kitchen & Bathroom Design Ideas
Wo-Built: Kitchen Design Trends
Wo-Built: Kitchen Design Tips
Wo-Built: Kitchen Style Trends
Wo-Built: Kitchen Color Trends
Wo-Built: Kitchen Lighting Trends
+
Wo-Built: Invest in Your Home Renovations and Be Eligible to Receive up to $1,350 in Tax Relief
The Home Renovation Tax Credit will provide a one-year, temporary 15% income tax credit on eligible home renovation expenditures for work performed, or goods acquired between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010. The credit may be claimed on eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000 but no more than $10,000.
Wo-Built: Home Renovation Tip: Donate Reusable Items to Non-For-Profit Organizations
Please consider donating your used items when renovating!

Canada's HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo Begins Tomorrow

Screenshot: The 13th Annual Residential Construction and Renovation Trade Show
Merto Toronto Convention Centre, December 2 - 4, 2009
Credit: HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo

To mark the beginning of a new business year for our company, we are going to attend the big 5 Canada's largest construction industry shows that will begin tomorrow (Wednesday, December 2, 2009) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre under one roof at one time:

[ V ] Construct Canada: Building, Design and Construction
[ V ] HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo: Residential Construction and Renovation
[ V ] PM Expo: Property Management and Real Estate Operations
[ V ] DesignTrends: Commercial Interiors Design
[ V ] Concrete Canada: Concrete and Masonry Construction
+
[ V ] National GreenBuilding Conference & Exposition

Joining over 23,500 builders, renovators, constructors, architects, engineers,and specifiers, we are going to learn about new green products and materials that will improve a building’s efficiencies; explore new technologies and services, meet with suppliers and manufacturers, and network with leading experts in building design, construction, and renovation fields.

Just from a glance at the program, some of the promising sessions and demonstrations:

Professional & Personal Skills Development
Strategies for Building and Maintaining Your Brand with Social Media
Speaker: Jon Goldman, President Brand Launcher LLC

Master Speakers
Greening the Gardiner: Toronto's Green Ribbon is a Viable Option

Design Trends for Residential Buildings
Bringing Cost-Effective Natural Lighting Systems to Reality
Speaker: Lorne Whitehead, Chair, Board of Directors SunCentral Inc.

Improved Project Delivery & Profitability
Project Management Strategies for Builders, Contractors, and Renovators
Speaker: Tom Stephenson, Coordinator, Centre - Construction & Engineering Technologies, George Brown College

Design Trends for Residential Buildings
Creating a Functional Kitchen
Speakers: Tanya Rentzos, Kitchen Designer, Andros Kitchen & Bath Designs

Technical Updates
New and Innovative Products for Homebuilders and Renovators

Hands-On Demonstrations for Energy Efficient and Greener Building Products and Technologies
Green House Under Construction

See you at #HomeBuilder09 Show: www.homebuilderexpo.ca

links:
LinkedIn Event: HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo 2009
Wo-Built: Impressions of the Toronto Fall Home Show

The UK's Homebuilding & Renovating Show: Self Build, Renovation and Home Improvement Show: House Extensions, Remodelling, Converting
facebook.com: The Big 5 - International Building & Construction Show

dcnreport.com: Developing Social Networking Opportunities
Vol.1, Issue 2, Fall 2009

construction Marketing Ideas: Surprises
"Ideas sometimes emerge in crisis that solve other issues.
Next week is the major annual construction show in Ontario, and I've always attended..."
Posted by Mark Buckshon, November 25, 2009

You've Got a Question, We've Got an Answer: Wo-Built Responds

Collage: Wo-Built's Forum: Questions and Answers
Credit: MS ClipArt j0439384

WO-BUILT’s FORUM

Rebecca said...

I really like the look of the rustic design and really enjoyed reading your article. I'm based in England and am currently researching for my kitchen redesign. I've just signed the contract for a hand made kitchen so am on the look out for some unique or contemporary design features. I have a young family at the moment and we're extending the house to make room for our third child and lucky me I get a new kitchen too. I'm having to live elsewhere though as the building work is at an open house stage and my 9 month old can do without the draft. It'll all be worth it though.

Wo-Built responds…

Wo-Built Inc. was very pleased to hear that we were able to help out with design ideas as far away as England. Our resident design expert, Deborah is always on top of the trends and always has some great ideas for remodeling kitchens to provide maximum efficiency with a warm ambience. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it’s important to have a design that reflects that sentiment. We would love to see your finished kitchen and please feel free to post a picture of it once it is finished.


Joanna said...

On May 1st – 9th, Habitat for Humanity Toronto will host thousands of women for its Women Build initiative. These women will come together to build homes with low income families in the West Hill area of Scarborough. The Women Build is all about the solidarity of women, and the power to change the lives of those in need. It is also a tangible way for women to directly help other women. This Blitz Build will go down in Habitat for Humanity history as the largest Women Build in Canada, and our goal is to raise $2 million dollars.

For more information, please visit www.helpwomenbuild.ca, email Womenbuild@torontohabitat.on.ca or call 416-755-7353

Wo-Built responds…

As Wo-Built Inc. has a social mission to help women succeed in the trades, an event such as this one was close to our hearts. We were quite pleased to have been able to contribute to this most worthwhile event. Please read about the many wonderful experiences we had in our current postings on our forum.

Get Your Smart Kitchen & Bathroom Design Ideas: Wo-Built's Home Design Workshop at Wise Daughters

Screenshot: SNAP Bloor West: 2009 May:
Craft Market Hosts Home Design Series
Credit: SNAP Bloor West

Many thanks to SNAP Bloor West for sharing a story and photos of our first home design workshop at the Wise Daughters.

Tonight we will have a workshop on kitchen and bathroom design tips, style trends, and smart upgrades ideas.

See you there!

we tweet @ twitter

[√] Wednesday, May 13, 7 – 9 pm
Kitchens and bathrooms

Want to take a workshop? Please pre-register:
Wise Daughters Craft Market
Local handicrafts and do-it-yourself workshops
3079B Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M5P 1Z9
(facing Quebec Avenue, just south Dundas, behind Crema Coffee)
There is ample street parking on Dundas and Quebec.
Via TTC: Junction bus # 40 from Dundas West Station,
Lambton bus # 30 (or 15 min. walk) from High Park Station.
tel: 416-761-1555
e-mail: wisedaughters@sympatico.ca
web: www.wisedaughters.com

For future workshops, see www.wisedaughters.com

links:
Reminder: Wo-Built's Home Design Workshop Tonight!
Our First Session of the Home Design Workshop Series
How to Improve Your Home Spaces: Wo-Built Design Workshop Tonight
Wo-Built Is Launching a New Home Design Series Covering All Your Home Improvement Questions
snapbloorwest.com: SNAP Bloor West: 2009 May: Craft Market Hosts Home Design Series
entrepreneur.com: Business Idea Center: Home Renovation Classes

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Smart Kitchen Upgrade Tips: Interesting Reading

Screenshot: articlesbase.com: Kitchen Upgrades
For The Money Conscious by Maria Polidoro

Credit: articlesbase.com

In these recession ravaged times everyone is looking to squeeze a lot more from their dollars. Renovations are no exception. With the home renovation tax credit in place that is good for one year, more people will be looking to renovate their homes for either resale or just to take advantage of the tax credit while it is in effect. We just came across an interesting reading for anyone thinking about a kitchen renovation with a few tips to get you started. And remember – if you have a project in mind that is too big for DIY, Wo-Built Inc. can come to the rescue!

Kitchen Upgrades For The Money Conscious
Author: Maria Polidoro

Most experts agree that if you are only going to update one room in your home, the kitchen will give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to resale value. The return on any home renovation investment will vary depending on your location, market conditions and a host of other factors.

Whether you want to freshen up the look of your kitchen for yourself or to put your home on the market, these ideas can help you achieve an updated look without undertaking a costly renovation:

Tip #1: One word: Paint. Outdated wall colors and chipped paint will make any room look drab and unkempt. The great thing about painting a room is that it is an easy and inexpensive fix. A new coat of paint in an appealing color will give any kitchen an instant update and make a major impact even if it is the only change you make.

Tip #2: Refurbish instead of replacing cabinets. Brand new cabinets make a beautiful addition to any kitchen, but are also a costly investment. If your cabinets are in good condition, you may consider painting, refinishing or re-facing them with new doors and drawer fronts rather than replacing them. Any of these projects will require time and work, but will give your kitchen an updated look and feel. Finish up with new hardware on all cabinets and drawers, and your kitchen will emerge with a fresh new style for a fraction of the cost of new cabinets.

Tip #3: Replace an outdated sink and faucet. Replacing an outdated sink and faucet is a relatively simple upgrade that is also easy on the wallet. If your sink is in good shape, you can spend even less by only replacing the faucet. Be sure to coordinate a new sink and/or faucet with the rest of the fixtures in the kitchen such as light fixtures and cabinet hardware. Mismatched metals such as a brass light fixture and chrome hardware makes for a less cohesive look, and a streamlined appearance is a major goal of a minor kitchen remodel.

Tip #4: Patiently seek out great deals on appliances. Saving money on appliances can be tricky. Scratch and dent warehouses are a great place to begin your search for deals on kitchen appliances. While those with obvious damage should be avoided, these warehouses can be the perfect place to find appliances with minor blemishes.

Be a savvy shopper when looking for appliances. Major holidays such as Memorial Day and Labor Day are popular times for big sales, and may present opportunities to find discounts. Ask salespeople if there is room for negotiation and if any sales are coming up. Find out if there are any floor models or discontinued models from last year. Seeking out energy efficient appliances is a great way to save money for the long haul.

Consulting with a licensed real estate professional in your area prior to making changes that will affect the value of your home is always advisable.

About the Author:

Maria Polidoro is the Founder of Ace Tool Online. Ace Tool is an authorized distributor for virtually all major power tool manufacturers and houses a full power tool service center. Please visit Ace Tool Online for Milwaukee cordless tools, Amana router bits and saws, Festool saws, Occidental Leather tool belts and much more.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/kitchen-upgrades-for-the-money-conscious-779521.html

links:
Wo-Built Inc.: Kitchen Design Tips
Wo-Built Inc.: Kitchen Design Trends
ezinearticles.com: Kitchen Upgrades For the Money Conscious

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maria polidoro

Colour for Your Home and Your Life: Classic Colour Schemes

Colour Wheel

This is part three of our series of articles entitled "Colour for Your Home and Your Life with Wo-Built Inc."

Classic Colour Schemes

There are many colour schemes to choose from and below you will find a few combinations that Wo-Built would recommend. In selecting your particular colour scheme, these are a few of the basic combinations that work together and will help you to create the particular mood that would complement the design of your space.

1. Monochromatic Colour Scheme
The monochromatic colour scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single colour. This scheme looks clean and elegant. Monochromatic colours go well together, producing a soothing effect. The monochromatic scheme is very easy on the eyes, especially with blue or green hues.

2. Analogous Colour Scheme
The analogous colour scheme uses colours that are adjacent to each other on the colour wheel. One colour is used as a dominant colour, while the others are used to enrich the scheme. The analogous scheme is similar to the monochromatic, but offers more nuances.

3. Complementary Colour Scheme
The complementary colour scheme consists of two colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. This scheme looks best when you place a warm colour against a cool colour. An example would be red versus green-blue. This scheme is basically high contrast.

4. Split Complementary Colour Scheme
The split complementary scheme is a variation of the standard complementary scheme. It uses one colour and the two colours adjacent to its complement. This provides a high contrast without the strong tension of the complementary scheme.

5. Triadic Colour Scheme
The triadic colour scheme uses three colours equally spaced around the colour wheel. This scheme is popular among artists because it offers strong visual contrast while retaining harmony and colour richness. The triadic scheme is not as contrasting as the complementary scheme, but looks more balanced and harmonious.

6. Tetradic (Double Complementary) Colour Scheme
The tetradic scheme is the most varied because it uses two complementary colour pairs. This scheme is hard to harmonize, if all four hues are used in equal amounts, the scheme may look unbalanced so you should choose a colour to be dominant or subdue the colours.

Lonya is the staff writer for Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Wobuilt Inc.: Kitchen Color Trends
Wobuilt Inc.: Paint Colour Trends 2008... Are you making the most of your investment?
Wobuilt Inc.: How many paint colours?!
Wobuilt Inc.: Colour for Your Home and Your Life with Wo-Built Inc. (Part 1)
Wobuilt Inc.: Colour for Your Home and Your Life: Intention Of Space (Part 2)
Wobuilt Inc.: Colour for Your Home and Your Life: Classic Colour Schemes (Part 3)

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Colour for Your Home and Your Life: Intention Of Space

Image: Four color floral circle design

Image Credit: Microsoft Office.com: Four color floral circle design

This is part two of our series of articles entitled "Colour for Your Home and Your Life with Wo-Built Inc.". In part one we explored a brief history of the colour wheel, psychology of colour to help you choose the right colour combinations that will work for your home!

Intention Of Space

In interior spaces, the right colours will support the purpose of the space. The wrong colours can challenge its function. These ideas are the foundation of visual ergonomics. Visual ergonomics uses applied colour psychology to produce a specific visual mood. Think of the different functions of space such as, lobbies, hospital, spas and bedrooms. Within each setting, a different set of visual ergonomic rules apply.

When selecting a colour, begin by asking questions such as:

1. What tasks are carried out here?
2. What kind of image do you want to project?
3. What mood do you want the space to have?
4. What kind of a first impression do you want to create?

By answering these questions, you will already have a good idea of which direction to go in and which colours would best create the visual ambiance you are looking for.

Below is a chart with several meanings for each colour. However particular colours may elicit other emotions in certain people. Therefore it is important to use your best judgment when deciding on a colour scheme and to get feedback on the colours that you use.

Colour Meaning Chart

Lonya is the staff writer for Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Wobuilt Inc.: Kitchen Color Trends
Wobuilt Inc.: Paint Colour Trends 2008... Are you making the most of your investment?
Wobuilt Inc.: How many paint colours?! 
Wobuilt Inc.: Colour for Your Home and Your Life with Wo-Built Inc. (Part 1)
Wobuilt Inc.: Colour for Your Home and Your Life: Intention Of Space (Part 2)
sessions.edu: Using Colors to connect With Your Audience

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1 post tagged visual ergonomics
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