Airy Kitchens In the News

We've been busy lately and it feels like the hard work is paying off. Our show room pop-up dinner was a success. There was even a little write up about it in the Chestnut Hill Local.

I love that the kitchen is in the middle of meal preparation. Very authentic! 

Also this week, our Senior Designer Sean Lewis published his first story on Houzz.com. Read about whitewash paint here. Learn about where to use whitewash paint, different techniques to apply it, and how to mix your own. Of course we mentioned the whitewashed, reclaimed ceiling in our Chestnut Hill farm house kitchen.

Finally, I will leave you with some kitchen inspiration for the Labor Day weekend. I want to cook in this gorgeous kitchen!

Great Story in the Times this week. Check it out!

Seven Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Renovation

We really love this paint color. Click the title for a link to the Times story.

Break Bread with us! A pop-up dinner at the Airy Kitchens showroom.

Want to see how our kitchen stands up to local chef Claire Phelan cooking a meal for 17 people? This is an opportunity to tour our showroom, eat a luxurious meal, and meet friendly locals. Email us at sean@airykitchens.com for a link to purchase tickets. 

Couldn't attend? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates on future events!

Green Remodeling: 7 Eco Friendly Tips to Renovate Sustainably

7) Design smart and plan ahead.

Before you start picking out materials, create a design and plan a budget. Consider limiting the following: changes to load bearing walls, moving sinks and stoves, and changes to electrical and hvac components.  If you are thinking of changing the layout or adding windows, consider the sunlight throughout the day and any views you may or may not want to see. If you measure twice and plan ahead, you will reduce mistakes and waste.

6) Donate used items to salvage shops and go shopping while you're there.

There's no reason to throw away old hardware, light fixtures, or cabinets. Call a salvage store to schedule a pick up or sell items on craigslist. You will be surprised how fast old hardware sells at a garage sale! Some salvage stores like Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store will give you a tax write-off.  If you're at the salvage shops, look around for materials and hardware you need. Some stores even have brand new tools and supplies.

5) Refinish cabinets with paint or new doors.

New cabinetry is a huge expense, so refinish what you already own. This will cut down on costs and create less waste. Architectural details like brackets and feet can be added to existing cabinets for a fresh look. If the cabinet doors are dated, hire a pro to replace them. Used hardware can also be painted for a quick update.

4) Read up on materials and VOC's.

When deciding on cabinets, flooring and paint, it's important to know about how a material is made, whether it's recyclable, and if it's healthy to be around. How building materials effect our health is probably a topic for another, longer post, but here are a few good resources to learn more: HPDC Pharos . Although some synthetic materials may advertise being 'green', we like to source natural materials that we know are renewable and will age gracefully.

3) Up-cycle old furniture.

To create a special project, think outside the box. Repurpose old furniture like this hutch to create a unique built-in. Use old crates or baskets as drawers. Use industrial style shelves for plants or dishes. A fresh coat of paint is nice, but sometimes an old piece with the right patina is even better.

2) Use re-claimed lumber

Re-claimed lumber looks great on walls or as shelves. Consider finding old wood paneling in your home or garage and repurpose it on a ceiling or accent wall. Use a thin whitewash to give an updated look without covering the aged patina. How about cabinets made from reclaimed wood? Check out these!

1) Reuse what you already have!

Just because you're removing walls doesn't mean you can't patch existing floors. Just because you're installing recessed lights doesn't mean you have to take down the whole ceiling. Many contractors want to demo as much as possible so they can start over with a smooth and level surface, but at what cost? Old houses are imperfect and that old plaster ceiling is more soundproof and insulated than new drywall will be. Often this step is more expensive than buying new products and throwing out the old ones, but reusing existing items gives your home a sense of history and is the best sustainable decision you can make.