When you plan your remodeling project, you’re probably already very conscious of green values. Better energy efficiency is probably high on your list, not to mention reducing pollution from toxic gases in the air or miscellaneous waste in the landfills. What may be news is that you now have many options in building and decorative materials that are not only planet-friendly, they’re gorgeous. An added bonus: recycled materials these days are often actually better than new.

As people become increasingly aware of the impact their choices have on the planet, more and more eco-friendly options are emerging. Here are a few of them to give you some ideas.

…continue reading Beautiful, Durable - and Recycled, Materials for Your Home

If you’re contemplating a kitchen remodeling project, your cabinets are probably on the short list of things that need an update. You may have seen an ad from one of the many companies who offer cabinet refacing services and wondered if this approach — which involves replacing the doors, drawer fronts, and all other visible areas of the cabinets while leaving their structural boxes intact — might work for you.

The short answer is, it depends. These days it’s possible to find refacing specialists who can provide quality work, and a full range of styles, materials, and price points — and be in and out of your house in days, not weeks. Whether your project is a good candidate has a lot to do with how happy you are with your current kitchen, so it’s worth taking the time to consider what’s working well in the present setup.

We’ve just added some articles to the CalFinder Kitchen Cabinet Library to help you with the planning process, and we welcome your questions and comments.

• Is Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets the Right Choice for You?
• Planning Your Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Project

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, you’re probably giving a lot of thought to choosing new cabinets. Whatever style you’ve got in mind, and whatever your budget for the project, the right cabinets make all the difference. Not only should they look great, they should fit the particular requirements of your daily life. After all, most people spend more waking hours in the kitchen than any other room in the house. …continue reading Your CalFinder Kitchen Cabinet Library