Feng Shui Kitchen Therapy Workshop May 10

With the right Feng Shui-inspired renovation Long Island homeowners truly can create a more balanced, prosperous and harmonious life. That’s why the team at Elite Kitchen & Bath is hosting an upcoming Feng Shui workshop for its valued clients on Tuesday, May 10 at 5:30pm. This exclusive workshop – Spring Renewal: Feng Shui your Home for Health & Happiness – will include two hours of education and advice to help you enhance and reorient your kitchen environment. Spring is an ideal time to make home updates, and with a few informed choices you can renew your kitchen to achieve a more harmonious life this season. It’s not too late to RSVP for your chance to learn how the right kitchen design choices can dramatically enhance your well-being!

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Spring Renewal to Promote Health & Happiness at Home

Nadia Vee, award winning designer and licensed Feng Shui practitioner, will host this kitchen therapy workshop to take place at Elite Kitchen & Bath on May 10. Attendees will not only learn how to spruce up their home this spring, but also how to spruce up their spirit for the season of renewal. Nadia will discuss how to Feng Shui your home based on your element, how to choose the right colors to enhance your life, and the secrets of spring kitchen designs that promote health and wealth. The workshop will also include guidance on what’s new in home design and architecture, so your kitchen can be “au courant” this spring. When it comes to kitchen design Long Island residents are spoiled for choice thanks to the exceptional selection of products at Elite Kitchen & Bath, so you’ll find everything you need on-site.

This immersive evening of Feng Shui kitchen therapy will begin at 5:30pm and end at 8pm, including a light dinner at the start.

·      Light Dinner from 5:30-6:00pm

·      Workshop from 6:00-8:00pm

The Best Place to Learn about Kitchen Design & Living

The upcoming Feng Shui kitchen workshop is just one of many events to take place at Elite Kitchen & Bath this spring and summer. Elite KB customers are also invited to reserve their seat for the free home photos analysis event with Nadia on the third Tuesday of every month, where attendees get expert design advice personalized for their homes. And if you’re looking for healthier ways to cook in your kitchen, you can also RSVP for one of the quarterly health and wellness cooking classes starting on June 7th at 5:30pm. With events and so much more than products for kitchen and bathroom design Long Island residents are fortunate to have such an exceptional resource for all their home renovation needs.

To RSVP for Spring Renewal: Feng Shui your Home for Health & Happiness or any of these other exclusive upcoming events, email karen@elitekb.com or call (516) 365-0595. Elite Kitchen & Bath is located at 983 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, NY 11030.

Design Ideas Ruling the Land of Long Island Home Renovation

With so many new ideas for home renovation Long Island homeowners have no shortage of inspiration when redesigning their homes. In recent blog posts we’ve detailed some of the trendiest design ideas sweeping the nation, and particularly Long Island homes, so far in 2016. From cutting edge counter tops to new color choices, we’ve seen it all. Or have we? It seems that some unexpected trends – such as smartly designed basement escapes and a contemporary return to the classic look of wood – are also emerging as time marches on. Here are a few more ideas to consider if you’re planning a home renovation project this year.

Making the Most of Basements and Attics

You may think of dark, dusty, creepy corners used primarily for storage when you think of the basement beneath a home or the attic above a home’s living spaces. More and more homeowners are making the most of these underused spaces in their homes, though, and contractors are heeding the call. With help from a good general contractor Long Island homeowners can turn their basement or attic into a guest room, home office, hobby room, or serene escape. For basements, the key is to brighten up dark spaces with carefully chosen lighting fixtures and light-colored floors, walls, and trim. For attics, the key is to make the space more comfortable, personalized, and well-lit, while downplaying the shorter ceiling. 

New Ways of Looking at Good Old Wood

Wood has been a staple of home design and construction for centuries, but there are always new ways to look at this old standby. While hardwood floors are commonplace in both contemporary and traditional homes, some designers are looking for inventive ways to interweave wooden materials into the floors, walls, and furniture simultaneously. Even mixing and matching different types of wood – as well as different colors, grains, and stains – is becoming more popular in contemporary homes.   

Open Plans Bring the Kitchen to the Forefront

It’s no secret that open plans are popular in modern homes, and more than ever this means opening up the kitchen to connect it with the other common areas of the home. Most new homes are built with open plans that bring kitchens, dining rooms, sitting rooms, and living rooms together. When it comes to remodelling projects, breaking down walls to expose the kitchen and keep the cook from being isolated is also an increasingly common goal.    

Eco Friendly Bathrooms That Respect the Environment

Consumers are savvier than ever when shopping for eco-friendly and energy-efficient products. When it comes to bathroom design Long Island homeowners are no longer satisfied with a sticker that tells them a product will save them money or is good for the environment; a savvy homeowner will know the difference. When visiting our kitchen and bathroom showroom Long Island homeowners will find a variety of eco-friendly and energy-efficient products and materials that pass the savvy consumer test. Since we spend so much time and energy in the bathroom, it makes sense that homeowners want to feel good about this space.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the latest trends in Long Island homes, but merely our latest sampling of what’s out there. What are some of your favorite new home design trends in 2016? We’re always curious about the latest ideas on the horizon and welcome your comments. 

Quantifying Lifestyle Renovations

From the Desk of Yeheskel Sharbani

Hello to Our Community & Friends:

Spring has arrived in it's wonderful glory. This month's painting depicts the Roman Goddess of flowers & springtime. In Feng Shui, Spring is the season of renewal. May 10th is our Free Interactive & Fun Workshop - "Feng Shui your Home for Health & Happiness" held in our Manhasset showroom. Please call to RSVP.

This month's newsletter talks about "Quantifying Lifestyle Renovations" - what to consider when making decisions on how to create new spaces in your home. How much or how little should you spend? Should you stay with the same footprint or create the inner space for the lifestyle you desire? The newsletter begins after "Ask the Sharbanis"

We have two questions this month.

ASK THE SHARBANIS

1. How difficult is it to move plumbing in the kitchen when I want to move the sink to another location? 

Answer: Plumbing in a kitchen is generally easy to relocate, provided a kitchen renovation is done properly. However, in an apartment with concrete floor it can be done only if the plumbing remains on the same wall. Then it can be relocated.  

2. What flooring is more desirable with clients - wood or tile/marble?

Answer: Wood flooring vs. tiles or porcelains. It depends on the design  & type of kitchen cabinet to be installed. Generally & lately the fashion tends to go for wood flooring. Wood flooring is easy on your feet, can be refinished & renewed to look new often. That is all it needs - a buff & reapplied finish coat. Tiles are harder on the feet. However, sometimes it fits the overall look better than wood.   

Send your questions to: karen@elitekb.com                                                                                                                                                    Until next month.....                                                                                                                                                                                             Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                                                             Yeheskel Sharbani

Elite Kitchen & Bath & Express Contracting - 983 Northern Blvd, Manhasset, NY 11030   516-365-0595                                                  2016 National Designer of the Year - Interior Design Society                                                                                                                 2015/2014 THREE TIME GOLD AWARD WINNERS - NARI COTY Contractor of the Year Award Design & Build                                                                                                                               

Quantifying Lifestyle Renovations

This month, we are discussing our experience in the following areas:

• Consider the Neighborhood & Home Value
• Appreciate Family Demographics & Lifestyle
• It's all about Timing

Consider the Neighborhood Value

Have you known neighbors who want to spend outside their typical neighborhood budget? Too much or too little? We can be assured Rupert Murdoch bought Jerry Hall a diamond not a cubic zirconia set in steel. The same concept applies to homes in upscale neighborhoods. Cubic Zirconia - like renovations can be a mistake.

So how often do you meet with a Gold Coast resident wanting the grade of materials or renovation shortcuts that makes sense in a mid-level home? What they don't realize is a low end renovation on a valuable home not only lowers the value of their home, it is much harder to sell when they need to.  

Imagine a home in Upper Brookville fitted with low-mid grade cabinets surrounding their $25,000 appliance package. Picture a Levitown home with custom cabinetry surrounding a $25,000 appliance package. Do these scenarios sound familiar?

Yet how often do people cheapen their home & lifestyle with inferior products? They spend more on their depreciating Mercedes than their entire kitchen renovation. Compromising on materials such as cabinetry or desirable renovations that improve their lifestyle don't make sense in the long run.

According to a U.S. News & World Report article in their Money Section, "As a general rule, look to spend about 25 percent of the home’s value for a new kitchen and 12 percent to 15 percent for an updated bathroom" says David Pekel, president and CEO of Pekel Construction in Milwaukee and a master certified remodeler. Luxury homes in Milwaukee run in the $1 million + range.

Home staging has become popular to sell homes. But if the kitchen is outdated or low grade, no home staging will help.

Keeping to the neighborhood style is also important. Putting an ultramodern kitchen into a 100-year-old Tudor home isn’t typically the way to go. It can detract from the value. A new space should be designed to be congruous with the rest of the house’s architecture and improve the clients home life.  

As a standard practice, we voice our opinion about what we feel will give our client the home lifestyle they want as well as resale value appeal. Of course, it is the client's choice but we feel it is our obligation as experts in the field to let them know our thoughts.  What do you think?

Appreciate Family Demographics & Lifestyle

As you know, your family dynamic is a major influence in your remodel. We cater to clients in each group including young families, families who entertain often, multi-generational families, empty nesters, newlyweds as well as singles. The amount of money you invest in your renovation depends on what experience you desire at home.

We found Universal Design becoming an important strategy for more and more families. With the aging demographic as well as more people entertaining family and friends in all age groups, we have made it a priority to review universal specifics in all of our design work.  Lighting, counter & cabinet heights, walkways, special accessories and color are main considerations. The young & the old benefit from these distinct design elements.

Open floor layouts have been one of our top requests for all demographics. This style adds value to the client's home life and to the value of their home. The difference in family interaction is phenomenal!  

Home entertaining continues to grow in importance in our area. We have also had an overwhelming amount of requests to enlarge the kitchen. So many people want an island and are willing to take space from another room to get it. They express their desire to have seating and ample counter space to cook and entertain.

As engineers, contractors & designers, we are able to figure out how to give the client what they want.

It's all about Timing

When planning for a kitchen or other major remodel, you should decide how long you plan to live in your home from the time of the remodel. If you plan to sell your home shortly after the remodel, you shouldn't spend additional money unless necessary to sell the house. The rule of thumb is you should spend between 5 and 15 percent on a kitchen remodel if you plan on selling soon. This is the ideal range for homeowners to spend and expect to recoup during a resale.

If you plan to remain in your home for years after the remodel, then please contemplate investing in the finer grade of cabinetry, counter-tops, appliances, and renovations such as additions or open layout construction. You will enjoy the higher grade renovation for years to come.  

When our client decides they are staying in their home indefinitely, there is no point in spending time & money on a kitchen or bath remodel and only making small changes. These are major renovations that no-one wants to deal with again for the next 15-25 years. You need finishes that will last and remain beautiful long term.

What do you think?

Long Island Bathroom and Kitchen Design Trends Sweeping the Nation

In terms of home renovation Long Island is one part of the country that stays on the cutting edge. Being right on the edge of the Atlantic coast and so close to the design hub of Manhattan, Long Island homeowners find it easy to stay on top of the latest remodeling trends. And there is no limit to how simple or outlandish these design projects can get. From small kitchen design projects to whole-house overhauls, these are a few of the remodeling trends taking over in Long Island and stylish places across the country:   

A New Look at Metal

While metal has never really gone out of style, designers are taking a new look at metals in bathrooms and kitchens. The kitchen provides a particularly fertile ground for utilizing metal in your home design. After one visit to our kitchen showroom Long Island residents can easily refit all their cabinets with new metal fixtures that make a bold statement, particularly when used as a focal point with wooden cabinetry.  

Accessible Home Design

More and more people are choosing to “age in place” and stay in their homes after they retire and grow older. Making this transition requires a little remodeling, though, including removing tripping hazards and increasing mobility for residents. And why not add some style while making your home more livable? After visiting our kitchen and bathroom showroom Long Island homeowners should have a better idea of the range of accessible products that are available. Our design and construction team can also show you how to make it happen.

Color Comes to the Forefront

While neutral colors are always a safe bet, it is now becoming more common for homeowners to saturate their home with bright colors and bold patterns. Rather than matching hues and patterns strictly, there is more room for making a statement with an unexpected splash of color. This kind of coloring outside the lines, so to speak, can give the interior of a home a playful or dramatic edge even when the foundation of colors and patterns is still quite neutral.

Customization and a Clash of Styles

Following the herd is one trend homeowners are leaving behind, as more and more people want to put their own twist on the design of their home and achieve something slightly different than what you’ll find in any other home. And sometimes this means breaking some rules. Mixing and maxing is one way that homeowners are making their space stand out from the rest. If you like rich, textured fabrics and colorful tiles but also like the modern minimalism of white walls and sleek, metal fixtures, why not have it all?

Tubs and Showers that Stand Alone

Standalone showers and tubs have become two of the hottest trends in bathroom design, following the movement towards open floor plans in the modern home. These freestanding showers and tubs take up less space than the decked-in shower-bath combos, look very stylish, and there are plenty of options for luxuries such as jets and sprays.

These are just a few of the design trends taking over homes in Long Island and across the country. If you’re feeling inspired, why not visit our design showroom and get a few ideas for your next home renovation project?

5 Tips for Kitchen and Bathroom Design on a Budget

Are you interested in a new kitchen design, but short on cash? Do you want a new bathroom design, but don’t have a designer budget? You may not have the funds for a complete renovation, but you’d be surprised at what you can accomplish with a few small projects. If you’re looking to redesign your kitchen or bathroom on a shoestring budget, just heed these five simple tips to make the most of your shopping list at a finer retailer like Elite Kitchen & Bath.  

Elite is a “One Stop Shop” for kitchen & bath design and all home renovations.  Call us at 516-365-0595 with any questions you may have. Or feel free to stop by our showroom at 983 Northern Blvd Manhasset, NY 11030.

Make a Prudent Purchase Plan

If you’re undertaking a budget-conscious kitchen or bathroom overhaul, the worst thing you could do is walk into a kitchen and bathroom showroom without a plan for your purchases. When it comes to home redesign Long Island residents are lucky to have an excellent showroom at their fingertips with Elite Kitchen & Bath, but even the savviest shoppers at the most wide-ranging retailer could easily go over budget without a plan. Start by prioritizing your purchases so you’re sure to get the cabinetry, fixtures, tiles, and other products that are most essential and will have the most impact. If replacing one thing might require replacing many other things, for example, that should probably go further down on your list of priorities. Start small and you’ll get more done than you might have imagined.  

Fixtures are a Great Place to Start

If you don’t know where to start with your purchase plan, fixtures are a safe bet. You might not be able to replace all your appliances and cabinetry, but replacing worn appliance parts, drawer glides, shelves, and interior cabinetry fittings can make a huge impact. This will ensure a more functional kitchen or bathroom in a snap.

Don’t Neglect Your Choice of Knobs

If you can’t replace all the cabinets in your kitchen, you can at least add a fresh coat of paint and replace the cabinet hardware. But be careful with the hardware you choose. Upon visiting their local kitchen showroom Long Island homeowners may find knobs and other hardware for as little as a few dollars apiece, but you may be replacing these cheaper pieces in a year or two. If you want your new budget-friendly redesign to last for years to come, look for stylish hardware that is heavier and made from a finer materials. Glass and sturdy metal knobs with easy screw-in installation are always a good choice.

Make a Splash with a New Backsplash

After making their way to the bathroom showroom Long Island homeowners will also find plenty of product options for a range of budgets. One direction to go if you’re looking for a big impact on a tight budget is a new backsplash for the sink area. Smaller tiles with unique colors and patterns are easy to install and will make a big difference in the look of your bathroom.

Increase the Impact with New Lighting

With new fixtures, hardware, tile backsplashes, and a fresh coat of paint, you can make a great impact on your kitchen or bathroom design. If you don’t update the lighting, though, you might still find that the space looks a bit dingy. Bright, cheerful lighting will highlight the smart design work you’ve done and make the whole space feel more functional.  

At the end of the day, it’s all a matter of smart planning and carefully chosen products. So get down to your local kitchen and bathroom showroom – as long as you have your budget and purchase plan in hand.

Feng Shui for Romance Event!

Check out this fun, interactive Workshop Bring Love And Passion to Your Life. Presented by Nadia Vee - Award Winning Designer, Licensed Feng Shui Practit Great Neck, NY. Event is located at 983 Northern Blvd Manhasset New York on February 9th @ 5:30pm - 8:00pm. RSVP Required - 516-365-0595 ext 100.

Feng Shui is the ancient art of living in harmony with energy around us. Learn about the Five Elements-Five Transformations of Energy – The Building Blocks of everything in the Universe. Find out your Element and create Balance in your Life. Learn about Love and Partnership Life Area.

Home Renovation Trends to Watch in 2016

When planning a home renovation, Long Island residents are often interested in following the latest trends. While you don’t want to fall for gimmicky styles that will leave your home looking laughable in a couple of years, keeping on top of ongoing trends will keep your home from looking outdated for years to come. This is especially true if you are planning to resell your home in the next decade. With new improvements and updates, you can dramatically increase the resale value of your home. The last thing you want is to hear “this looks so ‘90s” from a potential buyer, after all. Whether you’re interested in renovating your home to resell it, or just to enjoy it, here are a few of the latest trends emerging and continuing in 2016.

Elite KB Offering Modern kitchen design and installation services for Long Island. We combine elegant design with a modern look for your home or business. Call 516-365-0595 for a free estimate today!

Bright, Natural & Neutral

If you want to keep your home modern in 2016, you may want to consider starting with a neutral foundation in the most important rooms: the kitchen and bathroom. When visiting our kitchen & bath showroom, Long Island homeowners and decorators will find natural materials such as bamboo, stone and wood as well as tiles and cabinetry in neutral shades such as soft whites and light to dark browns. Sleek appliances and bright, natural lighting finish the look, and with bright, airy, neutral styles and textures, you can simply choose a couple of rich accent colors to make the room pop. And the best part is, when you get bored, simply change the accent colors for a whole new look!

Cutting-Edge Cabinets & Countertops

Cabinets and countertops alone make the biggest impact on the look and functionality of a kitchen or bathroom. If you want to give your kitchen a more contemporary and cutting-edge look, consider installing slimmer countertops in bold patterns and colors, particularly those made from Quartz, to replace thick or bulky countertops that weigh the room down. Bold patterns and colors are also big in the cabinetry world right now, which is a perfect accent for a kitchen or bathroom that has a neutral foundation of paint and tiles in natural shades.  

Floors Take a Walk on the Dark Side

While hardwood has been popular for a while, 2016 is seeing richer tones and darker woods taking the lead in the flooring department. With help from a general contractor, Long Island homeowners can have dark wood flooring in no time. If you already have hardwood floors, you may also consider a floor stain in a deep shade such as dark mahogany or walnut. And if you’re re-carpeting a room in your home, you may want to consider a dark grey that will blend seamlessly. 

Glass & Metal Seal the Deal

Finishing touches help to “seal the deal” in your newly renovated home, so if you’re at the end of a project and looking for a couple final additions to complete the look you may want to consider glass and metal accent pieces to keep up with 2016 trends. From mosaic glass tiles to metal fixtures and hardware, it’s easy to add a little glass and metal to your life.

From simple projects to an entire home renovation, Long Island homeowners have plenty of options to stay on top of the trends. So don’t let your home slip out of fashion in 2016!

Cabinetry Still King When it comes to Kitchen Redesign

Ask any general contractor Manhasset to Long Island and beyond, and they’ll tell you cabinetry is still king when it comes to kitchen redesign projects. When you enter our kitchen and bath showroom in Manhasset, NY, the wide selection of cabinetry from fine makers such as Rutt and Touchstone attests to this cabinet-focused approach to kitchen design. But what is so special about the cabinets? Why are cabinets the most-sold product in almost any kitchen showroom? Long Island, Manhasset and Great Neck homeowners with newly remodeled kitchens might be able to tell you why, but don’t wait to find them. We can tell you right now why cabinets are still king when it comes to kitchen redesign. 

Elite is a “One Stop Shop” for design and all home renovations. Call 516-365-0595 to talk to one of our in house professionals to get your kitchen renovation started today!

Cabinets Are Where the Heart Is

The cabinets are where you’ll find the heart of the kitchen. While the appliances offer all the functionality, the cabinets are the center of the spatial and aesthetic design. The doors or “faces” of the cabinets take up more space in the viewer’s eye than any other part of the kitchen, the boxed interior provides storage that takes the kitchen from cluttered to clean, and the hardware including knobs and pulls adds a truly unique stylistic touch that pulls everything together.

New Cabinets Can Go a Long Way

While a massive kitchen overhaul may sound like a nightmare, installing new cabinets doesn’t sound so bad, right? And with nothing more than new cabinets, you can truly transform your kitchen. Just one peak at our design center should make the possibilities clear. Even if you have a tight budget or time constraints, you can dramatically change the look, feel and function of your kitchen by changing nothing more than the cabinetry.

The Right Cabinetry Enhances Real Estate Value

You may have heard that improvements to the kitchen and bathroom can do more to increase the real estate value of a home than any other renovations made in a home. If you haven’t heard, just ask a general contractor. Great Neck, Long Island and Manhasset homeowners can improve the resale value of their home by simply adding new cabinets to their kitchen, while a project with a similar budget and timeframe in the living room or bedrooms may only have a miniscule effect.

More Cabinet Choices than Ever Before

While cabinetry used to be fairly standardized, with only a small range of available options for doors and handles, the options are seemingly endless in this day and age. Our range of Rutt products, for example, includes three product lines: Rutt Classic, Regency by Rutt, and Ruskin designed by Scott A. Stultz exclusively for Rutt. Within these three product lines alones you’ll find more colors, materials, shapes, fixtures and other detail choices than you can imagine. Whether you want to create a French country kitchen, Asian-inspired eating place or contemporary culinary space with muted colors and seamless lines, you can achieve that look with the right cabinetry. The products are out there for you to play around with, have fun with, and create the ideal kitchen for yourself and your loved ones’ wants and needs.

As you can see, cabinetry is certainly still king when it comes to kitchen redesign. If you’re still not convinced, just stop by our kitchen and bath showroom! Long Island, Great Neck and Manhasset homeowners from far and wide have already discovered the versatility and heightened effect of the right cabinetry in their kitchens and dining spaces.