Category: Kitchen
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Avoid these 4 utility room mistakes say the experts
Adding, renovating or reconfiguring your ground floor layout to include a utility room can be a valuable asset to your home, but what are the utility room mistakes to avoid if it will be part of your home build or renovation plans? After all, it’s often the case that your utility room design needs to…
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Design Coaching Chrissy & Pete: A Mini Demo Update And OFFICIAL Kitchen Layout
Gretch here, signing on to give you a project update! A few weeks ago we kicked off a new design coaching series and introduced you to our starting line-up (Chrissy & Pete). If this doesn’t ring a bell, hop on over to the intro post where we break it all down. But for a quick…
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Utility room or bigger kitchen: Which one is right for you?
When planning a new kitchen – or rethinking your entire ground floor layout – it can be easy to get swept up in the dream: a showstopping kitchen island, open-plan dining, maybe even a walk-in pantry. But there’s one behind-the-scenes detail that often sparks debate – the utility room. Do you carve out a separate…
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Tappwater EcoPro Compact Tap Filter review
You can trust Homebuilding & Renovating. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and materials in order to help you choose the best for your home and garden. Find out more about how we test. Although I don’t claim to drink the recommended amount of water each day, I do appreciate the difference…
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Open Kitchen Shelving Ideas from Real Renovations
Upper cabinets may be the default in kitchen design, but open shelving is the quiet disruptor bringing both airiness and artistry to culinary spaces. It’s a choice that rewards minimalism, demands organization, and invites personality—whether it’s a row of cookbooks, a favorite mug, or a pop of greenery. Across a range of Sweeten renovations, homeowners…
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5 Must-See Designs for Your Home
The kitchen island has evolved from a humble prep station into the showpiece of the modern home—equal parts utility and statement. Today, it’s where design meets daily ritual: a workstation by morning, a social hub by evening. Whether tucked into a compact city galley or sprawling across an open-concept floor plan, these custom islands aren’t…
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Design Coaching: Peter And Chrissy’s Builder-Grade Kitchen Plan (I’ve Got Thoughts!)
Oh boy, this is fun. I love inserting myself into other people’s problems (usually when asked) so this whole “help someone else design their house” thing is already making my dopamine spike. After sifting through countless submissions (sooo many good ones–thank you to all who applied!), battling weeks of email hacking snafus, and balancing our…
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Our First Design Coaching “Client” – With 3 Kids Under 3, A Builder-Grade Kitchen And A Lot Of Ideas
A couple of months ago we put out the call to find a reader (or apparently two, more on that later) to help coach through a remodel. It was extremely hard to choose the right family/project – I wanted to do all of them. Some were a full house “where do I start – it’s…
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Do I Need a Permit for Kitchen Renovation?
Kitchen renovations can range from simple cosmetic tweaks to full-blown overhauls. And when it comes to permits, it’s rarely a simple yes or no answer. The need for official approval hinges on a few crucial factors – think plumbing, electrical work, structural changes – and local regulations that can vary wildly. Consider this your explainer…
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Installing a kitchen island: 5 steps from planning to finishing
Installing a kitchen island is a milestone for many homeowners – the final flourish that creates a luxurious and livable kitchen. These desirable kitchen features have been used since at least as early as the 1800s, when European households would often position a worktable in front of a hearth or stove. Today, kitchen islands are…