Home Kitchen Remodel

Wolf and Sub-Zero have just posted the rough cut of the HGTV Dream Home 2010 on their Facebook fan page. The home is located in the high desert of New Mexico, an isolated site that sets this classic Pueblo home in high relief against the desert sky. Although we won't find many examples of Pueblo architecture in the midwest or south, lessons from this home may be applied to any contemporary style.

"Modern design has to be complemented by applilances with modern functionality," says spokesperson for Dream Home 2010. For the past five years, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances have been selected for the HGTV Dream Home, and the tradition continues with this year's choice of appliances.

The Dream House kitchen has more than 60-inches of cooking surface including a gas cooktop, an induction cooktop that uses 50 percent less energy than its gas counterpart, and a steamer for healthy food preparation. In addition to the expected warming drawers, the kitchen has a microwave drawer. Not sure how practical that would be for liquids, but I like the idea of a "hidden" microwave.

The kitchen also has two Sub-Zero refrigerators with under the unit pull-out freezer drawers. Each refrigerator uses less energy than one 100 watt light bulb.

I was struck by the exceptional use of glass tiles set in aluminum in this kitchen, design techniques that could be applied to many kitchen styles. Note the trio of colors: vanilla, aqua and grays. They're easy on the eyes, reflective, and add a welcome splash of color that blends well with the view through the windows. The tiles are used liberally throughout the space, from backsplash to accent wall. I also liked the lower island which provided seating and workspace at the height of standard chairs, rather than stools which would have blocked the view.

Fine Lines is the place for a comprehensive selection from Wolf and Sub-Zero. Better yet, each Fine Lines location features fully built-out kitchens, so visitors can see how the appliances fit into a living space, often difficult to do when your kitchen remodel is at the bare stud stage.

hhgregg Fine Lines presents The Ultimate Kitchen Remodeling Event.  Visit with Kitchen Designers, Factory Appliance Reps, Fine Lines experts and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.

PLUS - Register to WIN a Golf & Spa get-away to sunny Arizona!


Come see the latest and greatest in kitchen appliances and meet remodelers, Kitchen Designers, Architects, Interior Designers, builders and appliance experts all in the Ultimate Kitchen Show.  Sub-Zero, the leader in refrigeration, has created beautiful new food storage designs, along with innovative water and air filtration systems.  Wolf is Sub-Zero's cooking appliance soul-mate.  And as such, every unit provides the very best in styling, performance and durability, down to the last detail.

hhgregg Fine Lines presents The Ultimate Kitchen Remodeling Event.  Visit with Kitchen Designers, Factory Appliance Reps, Fine Lines experts and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.

PLUS - Register to WIN a Golf & Spa get-away to sunny Arizona!


Come see the latest and greatest in kitchen appliances and meet remodelers, Kitchen Designers, Architects, Interior Designers, builders and appliance experts all in the Ultimate Kitchen Show.  Sub-Zero, the leader in refrigeration, has created beautiful new food storage designs, along with innovative water and air filtration systems.  Wolf is Sub-Zero's cooking appliance soul-mate.  And as such, every unit provides the very best in styling, performance and durability, down to the last detail.

Good news from Sub-Zero today, news that may signal an economic recovery in 2010 was . Increased demand for Sub-Zero and Wolf products has prompted the company to add
a second production shift at its factory in Fitchburg, Wis. The company had cut 300 employees from the 1,350 Wisconsin facility, turning a two-shift operation into a 40-hour-a-week schedule, but will now add 165 jobs to the plant in anticipation of increased demand next year.

Not only will Madison benefit, but Kentucky as well. Sub-Zero just finished a new factory in Kentucky and is looking to hire 100 workers to build dishwashers, a new appliance line for this upscale manufacturer, a favorite at Fine Lines stores.

"For the first time in more than a year, home sales and home remodeling projects are steadily picking up, and our distributors and dealers are reporting increased interest and demand for our appliances," said Chuck Verri, Sub-Zero and Wolf's vice president for human resources. "We've been in this business for more than 60 years, and we've successfully weathered other economic downturns. We're cautiously optimistic that the industry and the economy will continue to recover, and so we've positioned ourselves to rebound quickly as we come out of this recessionary period."

Hiring usually picks up long after a recovery is under way, but though Sub-Zero hiring may break from the pattern, no one is complaining.

Last week I attended a global shipping conference in New Orleans and heard the guarded outlook from senior economist Scott Frisby from Moffatt & Nichol. In summary, consumers took a big step down in spending, which is likely to last. U.S. manufacturing capacity just above 60%, not good. Manufacturing will continue to be sent offshore to countries with younger and cheaper labor rates. The U.S. workforce is aging: today the average worker is 42 years old, commanding higher rates than younger counterparts. Not inspiring.

So you can imagine my delight in seeing this announcement from Sub-Zero and Wolf,  just days after my return:

Increased demand for Sub-Zero and Wolf products has prompted the company to add a second production shift at its factories in Fitchburg, Wis., and Phoenix, Arizona, the Madison-based appliance manufacturer announced today. The company had implemented a production and workforce cut earlier in the year due to the economic recession.

“For the first time in more than a year, home sales and home remodeling projects are steadily picking up, and our distributors and dealers are reporting increased interest and demand for our appliances,” said Chuck Verri, Sub-Zero and Wolf’s vice president for human resources. “We’ve been in this business for more than 60 years, and we’ve successfully weathered other economic downturns. We’re cautiously optimistic that the industry will continue to recover, and so we’ve positioned ourselves to rebound quickly as we come out of this recessionary period.”

The company has called back approximately 40 hourly employees at its Arizona plant, and 165 in Wisconsin, and will hire 60 additional salaried positions. The hiring effort will take full effect in November for hourly employees and will continue over the next six months for salaried positions.

Maybe reaction is best summed up by Sub-Zero, Wolf Facebook fan Kathy Mullins, “More made in USA YAY!! YAY for Sub Zero!!!!!”

Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances are available through Fine Lines.

Last year's categories included:
Advocate of the Year: Builder, Remodelor, Individual, Group and State/Local Government
Green Project of the Year: Single-Family, Remodeling and Multifamily
Green Development of the Year
Green Home Building Program of the Year

• Single-family Remodeling Project of the Year: Honors went to Red-B Construction for a Durham, N.C., home with striking design and extensive use of deconstruction techniques that improve resource efficiency.
• Multifamily Remodeling Project of the Year: Hardwick G.C. Inc. of Orlando, Fla., turned an early 20th-century bungalow into a charming duplex that has a rainwater harvesting system, native landscaping and other water-efficient features.

NAHB offers extensive resources for builders through their NAHB Green Building Program  including the NAHB Green Scoring Tool, NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and essential educational links. The site also provides information for consumers looking for green builders, reminding homeowners:
Whether building from the ground up or remodeling a kitchen, responsible homeowners should choose Energy-Star Rated appliances, not only will they save on their own monthly budget resources, but save our community resources as well.

*hhgregg states include Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky. This fall hhgregg will welcome Virginia and Mississippi.

Each year, NAHB honors excellence in green residential design, construction practices and outstanding green advocacy efforts. Though a formal call for entries has not yet been released, NAHB urges builders and designers to consider their entries. The deadline for 2010 entries is January 15, 2010, which will be upon us sooner than we think. The award gala will be held on May 17, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina, an hhgregg state.*

Contact NAHB’s Chad Riedy at greenawards@nahb.com for details.

Last year's categories included:

• Advocate of the Year: Builder, Remodelor, Individual, Group and State/Local Government
• Green Project of the Year: Single-Family, Remodeling and Multifamily
• Green Development of the Year
• Green Home Building Program of the Year

Last year’s award winners included the following from hhgregg states*:

• Single-family Remodeling Project of the Year: Honors went to Red-B Construction for a Durham, N.C., home with striking design and extensive use of deconstruction techniques that improve resource efficiency.
• Multifamily Remodeling Project of the Year: Hardwick G.C. Inc. of Orlando, Fla., turned an early 20th-century bungalow into a charming duplex that has a rainwater harvesting system, native landscaping and other water-efficient features.

NAHB offers extensive resources for builders through their NAHB Green Building Program  including the NAHB Green Scoring Tool, NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and essential educational links. The site also provides information for consumers looking for green builders, reminding homeowners:

Whether building from the ground up or remodeling a kitchen, responsible homeowners should choose Energy Star Rated appliances, not only will they save on their own monthly budget resources, but save our community resources as well.

*hhgregg states include Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky. This fall hhgregg will welcome Virginia and Mississippi.

In the annual Milan Furniture Fair,  Whirlpool supplied the appliances for a stunningly green kitchen designed by Elmar, a well known Italian design firm. Whirlpool, a leading brand at hhgregg, took the opportunity to showcase its 6th Sense Technology, which minimizes the use of water, energy and time.

 

Whirlpool's contribution to this exhibit went beyond the important use of Energy Star Rated appliances by incorporating eco-friendly technology to integrate the appliances and the other functions of the kitchen. Wasted heat and water is always a source of concern in the kitchen. Whirlpool captured used wasted water and heat from one appliance to power another appliance. For example, warm refrigerator coils were used to heat water for the dishwasher. Water was also captured from the dishwasher, recycled and used to water the wall of plants and spices. The Whirlpool green designer kitchen diverts 60% of the water and heat generated from appliances to fuel other appliances, resulting in an average savings of 24% in fuel costs.

 

As homeowners, we can take our cue from Whirlpool. Our first step is to look for Energy Star Rated appliances when it's time to replace a range, dishwasher or refrigerator. hhgregg makes it easy to find these appliances online and in the store. Just ask.

Go the extra mile. If you're considering a kitchen remodel, talk to your designer or contractor about additional ways to make your kitchen greener through recapturing heat and water for reuse between appliances.

For a simple, do-it-yourself improvement, consider adding plants to your design. A wall adjacent to a sunny window provides an opportunity for a hanging kitchen garden. You'll have greens and herbs within steps of the food prep area, fresher air and a tangible testament to your family's eco-friendly effort.

Enter on the 48th floor with floor-to-ceiling windows framing a view of Central Park. But don’t get distracted. Today it’s right on to the kitchen. Along with twin dishwashers, a Thermador range, Thermador refrigerator, built-in cappuccino maker, convection oven and steam over, our dream apartment also has a kitchenette upstairs full outfitted with our favorite Thermador appliances.

Now it may not be time to call the realtor, but a second kitchen on an upper or floor or down below alongside a home theater area, can be a useful addition to today’s home. Second, third or even fourth kitchens are a growing trend in new home design and renovation.  Also referred to as satellite kitchens, mini-kitchens or entertaining kitchens, such an addition is no longer relegated to Fifth Avenue.

Even the merely affluent are indulging in satellite "mini-kitchens," an increasingly popular option in luxury production homes. A fully equipped second kitchen will add $10,000 to the cost of a new home; for a restaurant-style kitchen, the price tag can run into six figures. Jessica Fabricant, a spokeswoman for high-end residential builder Taylor Woodrow Homes Inc., Laguna Hills, Calif., says, "10% to 15% of the company's clients spend an extra $5,000 to $7,000 for a kitchen outpost that includes a microwave, sink and small refrigerator. "

And it’s no stretch of the imagination that, like a kitchen remodel, a second kitchen will hold its value. If you’re ready for fall inspiration, do visit a Fine Lines showroom. You’ll find Thermador, Wolf, Sub-Zero and the other brands found in luxury homes throughout the country.

Wild Cherry Red. Tuscan Chestnut. Biscuit. No, not new ice cream flavors, but washing machines. Manufacturers are elevating what was once a mundane product to new levels of style, function and energy efficiency. You’ll look at hhgregg appliances in an entirely new light.