Designer Solutions

A Kitchen Redesign

Even if you're on a tight budget, decorating your place doesn't have to break the bank. In this edition of Designer Solutions, a local expert offers design tips and advice that are cost effective.

First-time homebuyer Erin Angell and her fiance Christian Collins are looking for stylish ways to update their kitchen area. Working with a limited budget, the couple is clueless about where to start and has called on the experts for help.

Daniela Franciscus, principal designer and owner of the Washington, D.C.-based design firm Franciscus Design Group, helps redesign this room.

The transcript follows below

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washingtonpost.com: Welcome to the January edition of Designer Solutions. Our guest designer for this month is Daniela Franciscus.

washingtonpost.com readers Erin Angell and Christian Collins needed help redesigning their outdated kitchen. They came to us for help and with Franciscus's expertise, we gave their problem space a modern update.

Daniela, thanks for joining us today. Could you explain your design concept?

Daniela Franciscus: The design concept was to create a space that was both inviting and a sanctuary. While these are completely opposite extremes - they are achievable by having the kitchen as a neutral palate and then infusing the space with layers of color and lighting. For example, the kitchen's mood would be created with accessories (the food itself -- think of lemons in a crystal bowl or green apples in a wooden bowl, colored candles, dishware, placemats, even the type of utensils used. The primary focus in this kitchen was to make it functional, versatile, and adaptable.

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Germantown, Md.: I've been watching design shows and a nice cheap alternative to replacing cabinets seems to be painting them. Our cabinets are in great shape but the dark oak color makes the kitchen look somewhat dated from the '80s. What type of paint should I use on the cabinets? I also saw on one show there is a paint available that is both a primer and paint, do you know where I can find that?

Daniela Franciscus: First and foremost when refacing cabinets, I would consider hiring a professional painter of cabinets. You can start by asking a contractor to recommend you one. Ask the painter to show you examples of their work. It is not that pricey a process and will be worth the cost because one has to be patient and there are several steps involved. If you are brave you can try to do it yourself. And here are a couple steps: 1. Make sure to prep the area, 2. Remove hardware and lightly sand the cabinets, 3. Clean the dust of sanding off the cabinets, 4. Go to local paint store and ask for a correct primer to put on the type of wood you have, 5. After primer you wait about seven to 14 hours and then apply your first coat of paint, 6. Allow to dry overnight up to 24 hours and apply another coat of paint. Although it's better to use an oil based paint instead of latex (if you are using latex paint - make sure to let it dry well and apply about two coats of polyurethane.), 7. The polyurethane will help avoid the "sticking paint" but make sure to let it dry/cure about three days before using the cabinets again.

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Adams Morgan, D.C.: Hi Daniela,

I'm hoping to redo my kitchen sometime in the near future but don't want to spend a fortune. I've heard good things about Ikea cabinets. Have you ever used them?

Daniela Franciscus: It's okay to use Ikea, Home Depot cabinetry if you are on a budget -- but it is best to hire a designer who can help you through the daunting process. The role of a designer can help you figure out the following: 1. What works/does not work in your current kitchen 2. Remedies to make your kitchen work. 3. Time-saving methods to designing a kitchen you need. 4. Finishes that work or don't work depending on the type of cook you are as well as considering other finishes in the same space. 5. Can help you avoid what you don't need (and will pay extra money for).

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Arlington, Va.: I've got a galley kitchen and I'd like to make it more functional. Got any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Daniela Franciscus: Make a space more functional by de-cluttering the space. Have the bare minimum on those counters and then add one really amazing accessory. Now is the season for clemantines - put them in a nice bowl and that way you can dress the kitchen up a bit and remind you to have a healthy snack. Sorry but I'd need more info in order to help out. Thanks!

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Maryland: Painting is a VERY expensive process. The quotes I got for my home's interior were over $7,500. I've managed to do the whole thing myself (longer period of time, I grant you) for about $800 in materials - the paint and the tools, etc.

Daniela Franciscus: Painting is much cheaper than installing new cabinets. But if they charged you that much just for kitchen cabinetry I say, forget them. Yes it does take a lot of time and patience - but that's great you managed to do it yourself. That's awesome! Make sure to ventilate your space well.

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Washington, D.C.: I was surprised by your choice of marble countertops; while gorgeous, I understand that they are more easily damaged and expensive. On the other hand, now more than ever the choice of countertop material appears to be crucial to the evaluation of one's kitchen, particularly at re-sale time ("granite countertops!!" scream the real estate ads). Do you think high-end materials are really important in most kitchens? And which do you think give the best value for money? Thanks!!!

Daniela Franciscus: Great question! Everyone has granite countertops and that is why I did not specify them. I chose marble for the following reasons: style of the home was traditional and contemporary. I wanted to bring a bit of an old fashioned element to the updated modern cabinets. While marble does not work for everyone a great alternative is Corian -- in this case it was pure personal preference. Concrete counter tops were also a consideration but even more expensive and not always easy to find the right installers.

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Washington, D.C.: Like the couple you focused on, we are in a small row house as first-time homeowners. Our house was built in 1910, and the style and appliances seem to be left over from about 1979.

Our space is long, tall and narrow. Did I mention narrow?

Suggestions? We are planning on replacing base cabinets, adding a dishwasher, putting up shelves in place of wall cabinets for dishes, etc., and replacing the dark plastic floor with a ceramic tile. Oh, and we are doing our own concrete countertop. The base cabinets will be a new color called Peppercorn which is very dark like all the original woodwork in our house.

Any suggestions for color splashes to paint on the walls or other ways to open up a long narrow space?

Thanks!

Daniela Franciscus: It's always hard to make suggestions when one can't really see the space. But here are some thoughts: 1. Create a sense of "weight" by having typical base cabinets, 2. Contrast that by making the upper cabinets "lighter in feel" where the cabinets have glass doors, either with an opaque or translucent glass/acrylic, 3. The problem with shelves is that your stuff gets dirty and you'll end up rinsing your dishware. Especially if you have an animal, 4. Adding lights to the top on the cabinet can also create a lighter feel and make it seem less oppressive. But put them on dimmer for an adaptable effect!

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Adams Morgan, D.C.: I feel a bit sheepish asking this, but: what do you focus on when considering the color choice for flooring and cabinets? Obviously, I don't want matchy-matchy, but should one consider tone, hue or other color-related values? In a small space, is it best to keep everything light (mother's advice), or might a darker tone floor help ground the space? I am pretty good with color palettes, but find it challenging to visualize the coordination and volume considerations.

Daniela Franciscus: Rather than matchy match - layer the effect of color/materials. If you want to call attention to something make it a darker color. If you want it to blend consider a lighter tone. Remember if you are going to change your kitchen floor, chances are your cabinets and appliances will have to be removed. 1. Look at what you want to stay in your kitchen (or what you won't remove). 2. Then consider the next thing that you want to change. I find getting a sample and putting it by the other materials helps determine what will work or not. 3. Think of it like a puzzle and before you know it, it falls into place.

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Alexandria, Va.: Stainless steel appliances can be quite expensive. When updating appliances what are other things I should look for besides the finishing?

Daniela Franciscus: I find everyone uses granite and stainless steel appliances. But it also depends on the kitchen and budget. Another consideration to integrate appliances is to have them the same finish as the cabinets. It's a very polished look.

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Alexandria, Va.: What is a cost-effective way to update cabinetry? Is painting cabinets a good idea?

Daniela Franciscus: Painting is a less expensive way then installing new cabinetry. I see you are in Virginia, so I can recommend you contact Shadow of EW Painting who is a great cabinet painter. He'd be happy to take a look and even give you a free estimate.

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On a budget-land: How much -- ballpark -- would this kitchen redo cost? I ask because it looks like a fairly small kitchen. Sometimes when you get quotes from contractors, it's hard to even know if their in the ballpark or not (i.e., see previous post about $7,500 for painting kitchen cabinets -- yikes!).

Daniela Franciscus: I suggest you contact a couple contractors (or perhaps they can recommend a cabinet painter - not a wall painter) and have them give you an estimate and see samples of their work.

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Arlington, Va.: I rent a 550 sq. foot L-shaped studio. Any ideas to make it appear bigger, while still making it cozy, adult and entertain-able. It is hard to decorate b/c the walls are high and the area "big." I'm not sure how to lay out things to make the place look bigger, but segment the bedroom from the living room. Help!

Daniela Franciscus: Try to limit the amount of color if you want to make a small space seem larger. Opt for staying in the neutral and or same toned color family - specifically with lighter tones/softer paler shades. Use color sparingly in accents like a cushion or painting/pictures.

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Kansas City: Daniela,

I have a small kitchen with an extended dining area. On one wall I put a bookcase for my cookbooks. I need something to store my canned goods, small appliances, etc, since there is limited cabinet space. What do you suggest as a makeshift pantry?

Thanks.

Daniela Franciscus: Do you have any wall space where you might be able to put shelves there -- then you can put the cook books there freeing up space for smaller appliances and a quasi pantry. You can drape it with a nice fabric and a plant and some other accessories so that you hide the contents a bit of all those cans and appliances.

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Ashburn, Va.: I purchased the Valentino bed from Bombay Company ... and we are searching for a good placement in the room.

There is the one wall (where we have had our bed for years and looking for a change) or in front of the window ... would you place a tall bed in front of a window or could we place it at an angle somewhere else in the room?

Daniela Franciscus: Not everyone is comfortable with angles nor do they have the space -- especially if it's a bed. Because I can't see the space I would suggest if you are going to do something at an angle put a nice screen behind it. Or you can drape a nice fabric to create a cascading effect and uplifting effect. A slightly higher table can be a nice effect too.

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Tucson, Ariz.: Hello and thanks for taking my question. I'm remodeling my 1970s kitchen and trying to decide what kind of flooring to put down. The kitchen has a small breakfast nook and the house does not have a formal dining room. So I was thinking of using hardwood rather than ceramic tile to give the kitchen a warm feeling.

This area of the house gets a lot of foot traffic and I cook everyday. Will hard wood hold up well?

Daniela Franciscus: Chances are the hard wood would take a beating. But if you take care of it like swipe spills/moisture and avoid sandy particles to get on it then it could work well for you for years to come. Things to consider: will ceramic be hard on your back if you stand many hours in the kitchen, then wood is a better option. Perhaps you might prefer ceramic because of the durability and you might opt for a cork floor mat.

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N.Y., N.Y.: Hi! For the first time in my life, I have a NYC apartment that's moderately larger than a shoe box. The problem is, I went out and bought actual furniture, and now I have no idea how to arrange it. My living room is 11x14, with the entrance at one short end, and two windows at the other end. I have a long (80") sofa, a four foot long entertainment system, a bookcase, and a drop-leaf table that's about two feet wide and three feet long when closed. Right now I have the sofa in the middle of the living room, but it seems to block off the back of the room. What can I do?

Daniela Franciscus: Congratulations - space is tough up there! It's hard for me to gauge the space without really seeing it. I am in NYC quite a lot and would be happy to make an appointment with you to offer some suggestions. You can reach me at design@DanielaFranciscus.com.

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Rockville, Md.: I live in a condo and will turn it into a rental property soon. The kitchen has typical laminate countertops which I've always hated and I know will look terrible after someone less fastidious moves in. What's an inexpensive, sturdy, nice alternative? On one side the counter is above my dishwasher and cabinets. On the other side part is over cabinet and one corner has an aluminum leg. Thanks!!!

Daniela Franciscus: Chances are if it's going to be a rental property you might want to reconsider spending more money. But if you really can't stand that laminate Corain as a great alternative -- and why not install a "butcher block" over the corner with the aluminum leg.

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Anonymous: Thanks for taking my question.

I have cinnamon-colored wood furniture. Could you please suggest how I should coordinate the laminate color. I want something lighter than cinnamon for the floor.

And our living and dining room open to each other. Would it look OK if the laminate was laid out vertically in one and horizontally in the other to separate the areas.

I love the color of slate tiles. Could you suggest some paint colors that are a lighter shade of slate?

Daniela Franciscus: I would not lay the laminate floor one way in one room and a another way in the adjacent room - that would make it too confusing. Stick with simplicity -- if you are going to put laminate don't add any funky patterns to it either. You might want to consider other flooring options -- especially if it's your living and dining room. It will be worth the extra money. Good luck!

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washingtonpost.com: That's it for today. Thanks again to Daniela Franciscus for being our guest designer for this month. And if you have a problem room and aren't sure how to fix it, submit your room for consideration.

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