Kitchen Cabinet/Bath Trends/Granite Tops In Recent Economy By Dan Lombreglia Special Additions, NJ

www.KitchenBathDesigns.com

The state of the economy is something we hear about constantly, and it has made the majority of us a lot more conscious of how we spend our hard earned dollars. Kitchen and bath remodeling has slowed, as have home sales. However, one area of the home that tends to have the most impact on the sale of the home is the kitchen. The housing market has more homes for sale and in foreclosure than it has buyers. We know that there are families out there who are unable to sell their homes and could use a little remodeling advice.

We decided to take some of our questions to a professional. In a recent interview, we sat down with kitchen design professional Dan Lombreglia of Special Additions Inc. located in Denville, NJ. Dan happens to be a third generation kitchen designer who is currently working for his family´s company which has been in business for over 30 years. We thought he would be a good resource to talk to about the latest design trends for kitchen and bathroom remodels.

Q: What are the latest trends in kitchen designs that you have seen in the Northern New Jersey area?

DL: We see a lot of customers who are not only in need of updating their kitchens, but who also desire more storage and countertop space. It is very common to see someone take down a common wall that is adjacent to the kitchen which allows them to add more cabinetry and also create more of an eat-in kitchen so they are not losing space. Another trend we have noticed is people are looking for cabinets that fit their cooking style. Our clients today are no longer content with having their cabinets look good, they want them to work proficiently as well. Customers are looking for a cabinet manufacturer that can offer a full line of cabinet storage options such as wine racks, pull out spice racks, cutting boards, and more. Our cabinet manufacturers have really taken our customers needs and lifestyles into account, giving them many different options to fit their needs.

Q: We know there are a few different countertop surfaces out there, what surface are you currently selling the most consistently?

DL: Yes, there are many different types of surfaces that can be used in the kitchen for a countertop. There is Laminate, Corian, Soapstone, Granite, and Quartz just to name a few. Granite seems to be the most popular surface, with Quartz as a close second. Granite and Quartz surfaces have a few differences; the most obvious and largely talked about difference is that fact that Granite is porous and Quartz is not. Another difference between the two surfaces is the pattern and color palettes of Quartz and Granite. A Quartz top is very consistent in its pattern, allowing you to choose your color off of a small size sample size. Quartz also offers a few bold color choices like cobalt blue and ruby red, which become available because quartz is a man made product. Granite tends to have more movement and color variation because it is a natural surface pulled from the earth. This means that our customer would typically need to go to a granite yard and select the slab(s) that they wish to have in their home. The process of picking a slab can be exciting and special for the customer, giving them the opportunity to pick out their one-of-a-kind countertop.

Q: What should a customer look for in a kitchen design center?

DL: If you are a customer shopping around for a place to get a design and cabinetry, you should make sure you are dealing with a reputable company. You can do this by checking with the company´s references and also the Better Business Bureau. Take the time to visit the showroom and get a feel for the product and sales staff, you want to make sure you have a designer that will have your best interest in mind and will work with you on both your design and budget.

Personally our goal at Special Additions is to provide our customers with a quality product, a great design and a competitive price; ultimately we want each customer to conclude their process feeling completely satisfied knowing that their money was very well spent. As a company we pride ourselves on carrying a wide variety of products for all tastes and budgets. Some of the lines we carry include: Medallion, National Forest Product, Candlelight, Mouser, Tru-Wood, Lewistown, & Ronbow.

Visit Special Additions Inc. @ www.KitchenBathDesigns.com

For more information please contact Dan Lombreglia or visit one of their two showrooms: Dan@KitchenBathDesigns.com

Special Additions Inc.

Main Showroom

3 Astro Place

Denville, NJ 07834

973-627-6300

2nd Location

321 Mount Hope Ave.

Rockaway, NJ 07866

973-328-3308