A fresh look for kitchens and baths

Sissi Doyle in her remodeled kitchen JIM MCLAUGHLIN / FLORIDA WEEKLY Southwest Floridians might be delaying home purchases in this slow market, but they aren't sitting still about remodels. Area design experts report a recent spate of queries and consults about kitchen and bath remodels to existing residences.

Ruth Condit of Ruth Condit Interiors in Fort Myers says the kitchen queries she's received have been about tile upgrades. Cherie Clark, owner of Cherie Clark Interiors, LLC, in Cape Coral, cites interest in the total package, noting a number of consults about kitchen and bath remodels completed by the general contractor with whom she works.

Kitchen and bath remodels traditionally have ranked among the best in cost return for projects in the yearly Cost vs. Value Report that appears in Remodeling Magazine, a publication of Hanley Wood, which covers the residential and commercial construction industry.

In the 2007 report, a minor kitchen remodel resulted in 83 percent of cost recouped, third best among midrange projects. A major kitchen remodel had 78.1 percent cost recouped. A bathroom remodel had a cost recoup of 78.3 percent. Among upscale projects, a major kitchen remodel had 74.1 percent cost recouped, a bathroom remodel 68.4 percent.

A storage/computer room in Sissi Doyle's remodeled kitchen. Residents who can afford it are doing complete makeovers. According to Joan Schneiter, ASID, design director at the Robb & Stucky Interiors in Naples, the company has been a part of remodels costing more than $1 million. More commonly, though, projects have been in the $70,000 to $100,000 range, she says

She cited a northern couple's recent overhaul of their 6,000-square-foot Marco Island penthouse, a six-month project with a price tag exceeding a million. Indoor and outdoor kitchens and bathrooms were revamped. "It looks like a little castle in there," she says.

If homeowners intend to remodel the kitchen and bathrooms, they usually complete the projects at the same time to spare the inconvenience of having rooms torn apart on separate occasions. Regardless, the trend is toward functionality and simplicity.

JIM MCLAUGHLIN / FLORIDA WEEKLY Sissi Doyle shows off the bar in her in remodeled kitchen Design Works at West Florida Distributors in Fort Myers recently handled the kitchen remodel at the home of Jim and Sissi Doyle, who have three teenage sons. "We wanted to update the look of the kitchen and create a more open look," says Mr. Doyle, 52.

Their large kitchen, which includes an island that seats six to eight, is a high-traffic area because Mrs. Doyle loves to cook. "It appears that every kid in the neighborhood migrates to our house for breakfast, lunch and dinner," Mr. Doyle says. "She takes good care of all the kids."

So the kitchen overhaul involved replacing the white, old-style cabinetry with a honey-colored version that has raised door panels, says Kimberly Eaton, general manager of Design Works. Dark green Uba Tuba granite countertops replaced beige ones, and a chocolate cobblestone backsplash was installed by the oven. The walls were painted forest green. "It gives a very warm, rich feeling," Mr. Doyle says.

JIM MCLAUGHLIN / FLORIDA WEEKLY The Doyle's kitchen upgrade inculdes this spacious stove area. Ms. Eaton says dark colors are effective in creating a spacious look, especially in tandem with light shades. "For a darker color, everybody thinks that it recedes space," she says, "but it can give you a backdrop drama to what you have."

The dark and light combination seems to be gaining favor because of its contrast, experts say. Dark chocolate, even reds, are becoming common countertop choices because the flooring typically is light.

Although the Doyles retained their Traventine flooring, designers say the flooring usually is updated in remodels. Tiles 12 inches by 24 inches, including those of a stone appearance, have become popular. "A lot of the older condos still have the 8-by-8 and 10-by-10. When you change the look of the tile, it makes everything look clear and modern and new," Ms. Schneiter says. "The cleaner line keeps the place looking bigger."

Bathroom upgrades, meantime, tend to offer decorative accents, reflections of personal taste, particularly in the master suite. "You want to create more ambiance, an intimate setting, than in a kitchen," Ms. Eaton says.

Wall colors are light, such as tans, for a soothing effect akin to a spa look. However, more people are choosing darker colors — mushrooms and espresso — for the tiling, she says.

Kitchen and bathroom remodels

>>Consider functionality

>>Be true to your taste

>>Think cleanability, especially for kitchen countertops and bathroom floors

>>Consider a simpler, cleaner look

>>Avoid white flooring in bathrooms

>>Showcase your personality through decorative accents

Sources: Kimberly Eaton, general manager of Design Works at West Florida Distributors in Fort Myers, and Joan Schneiter, design director at Robb & Stucky Interiors in Naples