Retro Thursday: 1970s Kitchen

After the 1960s, kitchens began to change a bit. The oven and range became one unit instead of two separate appliances. Instead of tile countertops like before, people used Formica counters in the 1970s. The popular colors of the 1970s were also different from before. Kitchens were shaded in outdoorsy or “earthy” colors like avocado green, burnt orange, or harvest yellow. Appliances were shaded with colors like these as well. Cabinets were wood that was usually stained with a dark brown. It was also popular for cabinets not to have door handles. 

Below is a picture of a 1970s kitchen. As you can see, the cabinets are a dark brown color. The range and stove are one unit. The harvest gold color is being used in this kitchen as well. The kitchen counter is Formica. Everything is matching which was a popular feature in 1970s kitchens.

Here you can see the harvest gold color again. The laminate floor was popular in the 1970s.

Here is an example of an avocado green kitchen. The color extends from the countertops to the oven/range and the hood. Also, the dark brown cabinet color is not only on the cabinets; check out the microwave!

The cabinets are beginning to be a little bit lighter into the late 1970s. Check out the avocado green carpet in this kitchen!

Here is an example of the red copper color used in some 1970s kitchens. This looks like a combination of a 1960s and 1970s kitchen with the brick wall and wood cabinets from the sixties and the harvest gold countertops and wall paper and patterned flooring from the seventies. 

Although the 1970s were a change from previous decades, this is the type of kitchen that a lot of this generation’s parents probably grew up in and remembers. A lot of kitchens today all have so many similarities because everyone wants to have the latest models of everything like granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. In the 1970s, people attempted to be unique and original in their kitchens and you don’t see a lot of that today.

Pictures are courtesy of uglyhousephotos.com.

The Cost of Kitchen Renovations

 On average, we've found that kitchen renovation costs between $15,000 and $20,000 when you don't spend on appliances. It can cost up to $45,000 with appliances. With these numbers, on average kitchen remodels cost $27000. The cost of your kitchen remodel can vary according to what region you live in, the materials used, the design you want, your budget, and the quality of appliances you buy.

According to msnbc.msn.com you should plan wisely before renovating your kitchen. They say not to the stove or the sink because it costs more to do plumbing or electrician work and you want to avoid that cost. Also, you should plan your lighting needs ahead of time so it will go along with the electrical work. Most kitchen cabinet stores will plan the layout for your kitchen for free or do measurements for a price and deduct that price if you hire them to do the installation. You can also save on buying lower quality appliances. It all depends on the look you are attempting to attain with your kitchen remodel. You should compare the price of your potential kitchen remodel with the cost of your home and see if it's worth it.

For more information on this topic, please look at the comments on this blog. You can compare your kitchen renovation cost along with the price other people have spent on their kitchen remodel and see if you are spending too much.

If you want to figure out how to budget your kitchen remodel, you can take a look at this site as well. 

Kitchen Remodel Nightmare!

Recently we heard news about a retired couple who had an unexpected problem when trying to remodel their kitchen. They ended up having to pay for their countertops twice due to the negligence of another company! The video peaked our curiosity so we did some research on how to prevent kitchen remodeling problems from happening to you.

One way to prevent kitchen remodel problems is to hire a kitchen designer or visit your local kitchen design center. You might think that hiring a kitchen designer would be expensive, but it will be more cost effective in the long run. They are experienced and knowledgeable. They will plan a schedule for your kitchen remodel and stick with it, saving you time. They will save you money as well because they will be able to avoid the damages you might encounter on your own. Kitchen designers are skilled professionals and they know what types of questions to ask in regards to making your dream a reality. They might even give you ideas that you haven’t thought about before. They are also familiar with the certified suppliers and installers in your area.

Designers will help you avoid the problems you might sustain while looking for an installer yourself. We have referenced an article below that will explain what types of questions should be answered before the countertop installer is hired and if you’re remodeling yourself, how you can go about answering these questions. These questions include “Is the installer experienced, have you had a chance to see some of his work, is the installer easy to deal with, does the installer have the appropriate insurance and contractor’s license, will the job be finished in a timely manner, and are the labor and materials covered under warranty?”

Your neighborhood kitchen or home design center can help you choose the color of your countertops or cabinets. After they help you, they can give you a list of insured installers in your area. You can find installers in your phone book or internet directory as well. After you find an installer make sure to interview them even if you already have reviews from friends or family members. During the interview you can ask for referrals from previous clients that the installer has worked for. If you can talk to those clients/homeowners, you can ask them how the installer was to work with. If you don’t receive all positive feedback, you should consider the possibility of continuing the search for a different installer or further researching the feedback you receive.

http://www.countertop.com/articles/wiarticle.aspx?aid=7

Federal Brace How-To Video 2: Floating Raised Counter Top Bar Installation Project

(please give it a few seconds to buffer once you've hit play)

In this countertop bracket installation video, Federal Brace VP of sales, DJ Toal, and custom home builder,Trip Lipinski, of Louis and Sons take you through the steps to installing a floating, raised granite counter top bar. This video is a great example of how to expand your limited counter top space in just about any kitchen. Using our elevated support, we are able to add a raised bar to a standard counter top application, creating more space and a brand new look. For further information on the brackets please contact Federal Brace at www.FederalBrace.com or #877-353-8899.

Federal Brace How-To Video 1: Island Countertop Extension Project

(please give it a few seconds to buffer once you've hit play)

In this countertop bracket installation video, Federal Brace VP of sales, DJ Toal, and custom home builder,Trip Lipinski, of Louis and Sons take you through the steps to installing a granite countertop extention on an inland mounted countertop. This is an excellent illustration of a common countertop support application with the important areas to consider when doing a granite countertop extenuation with support brackets. The Federal Brace countertop support brackets used in this installation are the popular Brunswick Designer Countertop Supports with the curved gusset. For further information on the brackets please contact Federal Brace at http://www.FederalBrace.com or #877-353-8899

How to Provide Excellent Customer Service.

“It all starts with truly wanting to help people.” At Federal Brace we are proud of our excellent customer service. When you contact us, you will not be stuck in the everlasting loop of doom in an automated phone system. We hate those things! You’ll be speaking to a knowledgeable customer service professional whose main goal is to satisfy your needs as a Federal Brace customer.

For example, Victoria, a Federal Brace customer service rep will point you in the right direction for your product needs. While she cannot give you specifics for your project, she can guide you to available resources on our site that will assist you. Victoria will also give you Federal Brace recommendations for installations: place a gusseted bracket every 24 to 30 inches and every 12 to 18 inches for an un-gusseted bracket. “There should not be more than four inches of unsupported overhang” you will likely hear Victoria say.

When you’re ready to order you have the option of placing your order on-line or giving your information to a Federal Brace team member. We view communication with our customer as a key to getting the order right the first go around. When your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email that the order has been placed. Once the order is ready to ship you will receive an email that the brackets are shipping, and you will receive a third email giving the shipping and tracking information. At any point in the process you are able to discuss the progress with Federal Brace.

Reliability is important to any good relationship, and customer service is no exception. We will do our best to get your product out in a timely and efficient manner. If a problem does arise with your order we attempt to learn about it before you do! This helps us keep you updated on the status of your products. So in most instances when a job is delayed Federal Brace will notify you before you have to call us to find out what is going on with your order.

We pride ourselves on listening to our customers needs. When complaints arise we look at how best to alleviate your burden. If there is a way that we can assist in making a bad situation better, we work to make it happen. Our goal is to be helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable, 24/7.

Federal Brace desires to give the customer more than expected, excellent customer service and a great product. Having one without the other is not achieving our goals in the Federal Brace book. Our hope is that once you receive the product and install your supports you will see that you have chosen the best bracket on the market from the best company around.

You will find us always in our continue endeavor of providing Beautifully Crafted, Confident Support. That's support of your counters and of you as a customer! Here's to great service.