| Classy cabinets for remodeling the kitchen
FRESNO -- Ellen Thomas of Fresno, searched high and low for new kitchen cabinets to replace her whitewashed oak ones. There were a couple of requirements, however. "My husband said, 'I don't care what you get, as long as it doesn't fall apart,'" says Thomas, a stay-at-home mother. As for her, "I wanted the cabinets to look like beautiful furniture." So when she started her kitchen-remodeling project a year ago, she hunted for cabinets that were both elegant and functional. What they looked like was important since they would set the tone of the room, she says. After searching throughout Fresno, she finally found cabinets she liked. They were solid cherry with an amber finish. The cabinet style was modern, with a simple, clean look. But the look wasn't as stark or cold as contemporary can be.
A case of kitchen envy
If I had to do it over (that line could open half my columns), I'd rethink my cabinet hardware. Until this past week, I hadn't given this hardware much thought. I liked my kitchen cabinets, which are only four years old. The drawers glide smoothly like Michelle Kwan, and the door hinges feel sturdy as firemen. But recently, two events conspired to change my affections.One, I visited my friend's new home, which she and her husband spent three years designing and building. A kitchen diva, Laurie cooks and entertains like an Oscar-party caterer, so I knew her kitchen would be, err, top drawer (sorry). Two, I received a preview of "The New Yankee Workshop's" nine-week kitchen makeover special, where the plaid-shirted Norm Abram, that carpenter who can build a log cabin out of an abandoned beaver dam, outfits a tired old kitchen with smart new cabinetry.
Nail that sale: Joe and Jeannie Leocha
Jeannie Leocha lights up when she talks about the house that she and her husband Joe plan to build in Winter Haven, Fla.
The 3,000-square-foot structure will have three big bedrooms and a huge lanai with a lakefront view - the perfect place to enjoy Joe's retirement from his job as a lease-disposition specialist with the Navy Federal Credit Union. (Joe's last day of work was March 1.)
"I know what the house is going to look like and feel like," says Jeannie. "I'm dying to get going."
But the Leochas can't give their builder the go-ahead until they sell the home they're in now. And after nine months on the market, the house hasn't elicited a single offer.
The couple, who are trying to sell the property themselves, have spent about $6,000 to make the house look more appealing - painting most of the rooms, cleaning carpets, refacing the kitchen cabinets and installing new light fixtures.
KITCHEN CABINETS PUT LIVES ON HOLD
NOTE: Duff Voigt and Kayla Sliman slept inside their home this New Year's Eve, instead of in a FEMA trailer, as they did last year. But with furniture limited to a bed, TV and coffee table, they are still camping out as they await the installation of their kitchen cabinets. Sometime in October, Duff Voigt had an encouraging conversation with his contractor regarding the custom kitchen cabinets that Voigt and his wife, Kayla Sliman, envisioned for their new kitchen. "We talked about maple at first," Voigt recalled, "then switched to Spanish cedar when we decided the maple might be too soft. We talked about the styling -- the cabinets would match in design some of the built-ins that came with the house. They would be beautiful." Now, however, the cabinets seem more like a glimmering fantasy than an imminent reality.
Living room still prominent with Remington Homes
Like Mark Twain's death, reports of the demise of the formal living room are greatly exaggerated. In recent years many builders have whittled down the size of this room while increasing the dimensions of the family room. At Remington Homes, however, the living room remains an important part of the house. "We've listened to our buyers who have told us a family room is an important space for casual entertaining. But they also emphasized that a formal living room is just as essential for receiving guests and special-event entertaining," said Jay Dulla, president of Remington Homes. Remington at Providence and Remington Meadows are two neighboring, but distinctly different single-family communities in Elgin. Standard features in homes in both communities include full basements, central air conditioning, hardwood or ceramic floors in the foyer, powder room and kitchen, master bath, solid six-panel doors and 36-inch maple cabinets with crown molding.
Peyton Sees Success in His Brother’s Future
During a conference call with reporters, Peyton was asked to describe Eli's demeanor. He rambled for more than a minute before making this bold prognostication: "I feel very strongly this will not be the last Super Bowl that he will play in." Peyton offered several reasons. He praised Eli's work ethic, his throwing abilities and his calmness in pressure situations. Come next Sunday, the Manning family will have been represented in consecutive Super Bowls. A year ago, Peyton led the Colts to a victory against the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. But his prediction Friday shed light on another intriguing scenario, one which the league's marketing arm would gladly embrace: Manning and the Colts against Manning and the Giants, with the Lombardi Trophy at stake. "I'm sure it would cause for some hair pulling and probably a lot of stress-out situations for our family," Peyton said.
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