Greetings!

Spring is in the air, and that means remodeling and construction season is in full bloom! If you have ever considered a home project this newsletter is for you. We will walk through questions to ask and help you to see what is involved in starting a kitchen project. You can also check out some of our past newsletters for exciting tips for other rooms in your home. Our talented designers have years of experience and are just waiting to share with you their expertise, so contact us today!

Also don't forget to Like Us on Facebook and Instagram for more information on current trends, cool new products, before and after photos of our jobs and so much more!
Some Things to Think About Before Starting Your Project
The kitchen has earned the title "the heart of the home" for a reason! Your kitchen is where you prep your meals and bond with your family. In fact, every homeowner uses their kitchen in their own unique way. Some homeowner's love entertaining and feeding guests. Others place a premium on having a space to mingle with family and friends while preparing a meal. For some, it's the hub where they catch up with family and plan the day, or it's the place where the kids park themselves when they get home from school to catch up, have a snack, and start their homework. Heck these days it's even a backdrop for our Zoom meetings!

If you're considering remodeling or updating your kitchen, there are some considerations and questions you should ask and answer before you begin. Kitchen remodeling is an exciting and complex project that, at the very least, is challenging, and can even become overwhelming if you're not prepared. However, take the time to identify your wants and define your needs. Your kitchen remodeling project can go from overwhelming to a fun, enjoyable, and successful experience. If you're on the fence, but are unsure where to go next, here are some considerations that can help you create a space that you'll love spending time in every day!
Ask Yourself: How Will I Use The Space?
Are you a gourmet chef, enthusiastic amateur, or someone who still hasn't mastered mac and cheese? Your cooking ability will determine some of your choices. For example, if you mostly bring home takeout or microwave leftovers, you probably don't need a 6-burner Viking range. Suppose you have a large family and gather for Sunday dinners and holiday celebrations. In that case, you might want to have space for a large dining table, or a Butler's Pantry might be necessary for staging and serving. If your kids like to do their homework in the kitchen while you're preparing dinner, an island with seating might be just the ticket! Make sure, first and foremost, that your personal functional needs are incorporated into the new kitchen design! Having clear goals can help you make decisions and as you reach the limits of your budget, choose the options that will best support your goals and needs.

Focus on the Layout
Work with your CHW designer to help you with the kitchen layout and remodeling plan. Your contractor will look at your space and figure out how much overall space you have to work with particularly is you are removing walls. Understanding how you'll use the space can help you make sure the layout work with your needs.
You'll also want to make sure that your space is efficient. For example, have a well defined and functional kitchen triangle. Ensure that the three main work areas in your kitchen – the refrigerator, sink, and stove are accessible. This can help you to maximize your efficiency in the kitchen.

What Do You Need To Meet Your Families Needs?
If you have a big family, you might want to include a large refrigerator. If you entertain frequently, you may want a double wall oven. Creating space for extra appliances might make life easier if you buy many groceries and cook large amounts of food. If your family is smaller, then you might not need a large built-in refrigerator. Some new kitchen design trends include several smaller refrigerators, like a beverage center and a small snack fridge. That's the beauty of a kitchen remodeling, we can design your space to meet your specific needs!
Practical or Trendy?
You might fall in love with a current trend, like the modern farmhouse trend that is everywhere lately. While it's essential to make stylistic design choices, be aware you'll be living with them for a while, so be wary of going too trendy with your choices. (Remember those avocado appliances in the 70s?) If you plan on living in the house for the next five years or more, what's currently trendy, might be completely outdated when you're ready to sell. Make choices that will stand the test of time.  Practical choices include things like storage. Consider a dedicated space like a Butler's Pantry for appliances, serving dishes, platters, silverware, and items that may not get daily use. Get creative with your solutions and turn unused space into functional, innovative, and stylish storage spaces. 

Setting Your Budget: Cost vs. Value
Finally, a significant factor to consider is, of course, your budget. Every element of a build or remodel comes with a cost. Cabinets, appliances, countertops—every piece comes at a variety of price points. So how do you decide when it's worth it to splurge for a high-quality item, and where do you look for savings? 

Ask yourself these questions:
• Will the investment improve your everyday life?
• Will it solve a pet peeve?
• Will the addition of this element make your house feel like a home?
• Will the purchase add value to your home?

In each of these cases, you might decide that the feature's cost adds enough value to make it worth the expense. For example, a chef's kitchen may offer more features for cooking large meals. Or, your quartz countertop might improve your kitchen's look, making it easier to sell in the future. Framing your choices in terms of your lifestyle and experience in the kitchen, or from the standpoint of adding to the resale value of your home, can help you decide what's worth the extra money. Of course, your budget will be the final determining factor as to the amenities you can afford. Our designers can help you allocate your budget, enabling you to know where to splurge and save.

The Bottom Line...
Suppose you plan carefully, set goals, assess your needs, be intentional about your choices, and stick to a reasonable budget. In that case, you'll never regret a kitchen build or remodel! Use these tips to help you get the ball rolling! As with any remodeling, work with a professional who has experience with kitchen design, like us at CHW! We understand the process, can explain your options, and work to maximize your budget so you'll end up with the kitchen of your dreams!

If you live in the Midlands area, and you're planning a project, why not contact the design experts at CHW Cabinetry at (803) 520-6837 or contact us through our website. We're always happy to answer any questions you might have and can help you to design the perfect space to meet your unique aesthetic and functional needs!
Accessory Spotlight!
Utensil and Knife storage are two items our clients have and need lots of storage for. Many people have a container overflowing with utensils and a knife block on their counter taking up space and gathering dust which you must move every time you clean or need additional countertop space. Also every great chef knows you are only as good as your knives but having so many sizes and brands makes storing them a nightmare.

Rev-a-Shelf has the answer for this problem! Their patented pull-outs offer removable stainless steel bins, a universal knife insert featuring flex rod technology that adjust to securely hold any knife, and adjustable bottom shelves to store just about anything else you might need. The knife pull-out even includes (4) color coded flexible, dishwasher safe cutting mats with food icons to prevent cross-contamination. Between these two pull-outs you are guaranteed the best storage solution possible.

If you would like to learn more about these and other great interior accessories, contact us today. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Like us on Facebook too.
This Month's Feature Recipe
Easy Italian Chicken Skillet
This Easy Italian Chicken Skillet is one of those easy one-pot meals that you can make any night of the week! Tender pieces of chicken cooked with onion, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, basil and parmesan cheese, and best of all – it’s ready in no time at all! Serve this with plenty of extra parmesan cheese, some crusty garlic bread and a big gorgeous salad. You could also serve it with a side of quinoa, pasta or garlic parmesan mashed potatoes.

Ingredients
  • 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  •  1-1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts
  •  1/2 cup onion, chopped
  •  2 cloves garlic, minced
  •  2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
  •  4 cups fresh baby spinach
  •  1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  •  2-3 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
  •  salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
  1. Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove from skillet.
  3. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the onion is tender and slightly golden-brown.
  4. Return chicken to the pan.
  5. Add the tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add the basil and spinach and cook just until the spinach is wilted.
  7. Stir in the parmesan cheese
  8. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
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CHW Cabinetry, LLC
1819 Two Notch Rd
Lexington, SC 29073
Ph: 803-520-6837