6 Tips to Save Money on Remodeling Your Kitchen

Remodeling your kitchen can be a large and expensive task. Saving money is always a good idea so here are a few tips to keep in mind that cut costs without sacrificing quality. We can help you have a functional and beautiful gathering space for family and friends. Are you planning a kitchen remodel on a budget? See how RedRock Finishes kitchen remodeling services can help you get the kitchen of your dreams!

1. Start brainstorming and getting ideas.

Get online and start looking at what others are doing on Houzz! You can put together a list and save all you favorite ideas in one place. Tried and true magazines are a good idea as well as Instagram and Pinterest too. Do a Google search for popular kitchen designs, you might be surprised what you’ll find. Visit a local tile shop or kitchen and bath store and see what they have, maybe you will find a great deal.

2. Maintain the same layout.

Moving plumbing and electrical systems is expensive and will put a dent in your budget quickly. Keeping the sink, refrigerator, range, shower valves, in the same location and remodeling around them is a huge savings! Try optimizing your storage space too! It is often cheaper than knocking out walls to gain additional storage, and it’s a great way to create more room in your kitchen. This can be done by adding wall-mounted shelving. Clean out and get rid of old, unused items and make easy access for the things you use often.

3. Keep existing cabinets if possible.

If your cabinets are in good quality and you like them, resurfacing is a great option! It’s amazing how color can transform a kitchen and a few coats of paint can give life to a dark, outdated space. Resurfacing and painting make for the most cost-effective option, but ensure that you take the steps needed to get a beautiful finish and consider hiring a professional, like us! The biggest cost in a kitchen remodel is new cabinets. The most expensive option is going custom, for which the cabinetry is designed, built and installed to specifically fit your space.

4. Consider alternative countertop materials.

There is a wide range of countertops to choose from — solid surfaces, recyclable products, concrete, tile, stone and more. Granite is still a popular choice for countertops, but at $50 to $100 or more per square foot, it can push any budget over the top. Consider using two different surfaces instead, like a butcher block island. This can cut the cost in half.

If granite is not in the budget but you like the look of stone, consider laminate, an inexpensive alternative. Laminate has come a long way with its high-definition selections and new cut-edge profiles. The new laminates look so much like stone, you could be easily fooled.

5. Don’t get carried away with a fancy pro-style range.

“While pro-style ranges look like they belong in a Food Network kitchen, they’re more likely to benefit a celebrity chef than you.” You’ll do just fine with a less fancy range. Save thousands of dollars with standard appliances. More than likely these expensive ranges will need more service and maintenance and nobody has time for that.

6. Be flexible with flooring.

Explore less expensive flooring options. If you already have solid hardwood flooring, just sand and refinish them, rather than replace them. Doing so will probably save you around 70% on the flooring portion of the budget. The two most popular and upscale types of flooring for kitchens are hardwood and tile. If you want to find a more practical and great value product, check out the engineered luxury vinyl planks. These products are relatively new and have rapidly grown in popularity. They look like wood, but they are waterproof.

6 Tips to Save Money on Remodeling Your KitchenRedRock Team2019-09-09T11:11:47-05:00

Best Design Inspiration – 2019 Color Trends for You (Sherwin-Williams)

As the colors for 2019 are rolling out we are a bit excited with the mix of colors and the choices this year, since color is a huge part of our business.

Sherwin-Williams chooses Cavern Clay. “We believe 2019 will be a renaissance of the 1970s—with a twist,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing, Sherwin-Williams. “In the coming year, we will embrace our pioneering spirits and artisan ingenuity. Our 2019 Color of the Year, Cavern Clay, embodies renewal, simplicity and free-spirited, bohemian flair.”

CAVERN CLAY

SW 7701 (290-C6)

Forged by sun. Fired by desert. Introducing Cavern Clay SW 7701, the 2019 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year. Ancient, yet fully alive. Bohemian, yet totally refined.

Cavern Clay brings new life to any living space. It’s right at home with natural furnishings, including exposed floors, wood furniture, leather upholstery and worldly textiles.

Embrace furnishings with patina
Add a Southwestern rug
Bring in wood furniture
Integrate greenery

Pair it with

2019 Palettes

SHAPESHIFTER

There are those who always seem a little ahead of their time. Visionary and creative, this palette reaches into the cosmos and returns with a whole universe of inspiration. Atmospheric wisps of colors, grounded by deep, dark blues, capture the unique space between technology and spirituality.

WANDERER

Some spirits can never be fenced in. They need to soak in the blue of endless horizon and the subtle earthy colors of the high plains and desert. Sun-washed and warm, this palette can be seen in the baked clay canyons, worn leather and woven wool blankets of the true New West.

AFICIONADO

Devotees of the best in life appreciate the well-worn, the bespoke and the rare. Like a bookcase of leather-bound classics, this polished palette evokes nostalgia and timeless tradition. With copper and gold anchored by merlot and deep, dark gray, these tailored tones make everything feel impeccable, tasteful and elegant.

ENTHUSIAST

There are those who don’t know the meaning of “less is more.” Passionate and eclectic, they have a calling to be unique. They embrace the details and create scene-stealing worlds that burst with beauty. The proof is in this palette that features bold pops of vivid color, maximum impact and lots of energy.

NATURALIST

Walking barefoot in the garden, nature lovers instantly connect with the wonder of the world in full bloom. With roots in the forest, this palette’s colorful tendrils grew in hothouses and conservatories until they became these lush, sophisticated tones. Ranging from mushroom to leafy green to passionate floral pink, they’ve now found a place where they’ll never fade.

RACONTEUR

From ancient sagas to today’s motivational speakers, we love our storytellers. With colorful accounts they sum up our very nature and remind us how we’re all connected. Passed from grandmothers, traders and nomads, the tales traveled the world, gaining artistry, until we’ve translated them into a rich and modern palette that spans space and time.

Best Design Inspiration – 2019 Color Trends for You (Sherwin-Williams)RedRock Team2018-10-12T13:17:25-05:00

2018 Color of the Year

A collision of rich blue with jewel-toned green, a color that is both accessible and elusive, Oceanside SW 6496, is our 2018 Color of the Year. A complex, deep color that offers a sense of the familiar with a hint of the unknown, Oceanside, bridges together a harmonious balance of blues and greens that can be found in what’s old and new.

The color blue evokes a multitude of moods and associations depending on hue, shade and application. Despite this variety, blues are universally perceived as intelligent, honest and interesting—making blue the most beloved color worldwide.

Oceanside’s multi-dimensional, marine-inspired look can create a welcoming statement as a lively color for a front door. Its green-meets-blue tone can also boost creative thinking and clarity of thought in a home office, or invite meditation and introspection into a bedroom or reading nook.

Oceanside is universal when it comes to design style from mid-century modern to Mediterranean-inspired, traditional to contemporary.

Source: Sherwin-Williams

2018 Color of the YearRedRock Team2018-04-20T11:23:42-05:00

Introducing the 2017 Color of the Year – Poised Taupe SW 6039 by Sherwin-Williams

The “new” neutral, Poised Taupe is classic yet modern and the perfect balance of warm and cool

In a press release Sherwin-Williams announces Poised Taupe (SW 6039), as the 2017 Color of the Year. A modern take on a timeless classic, Poised Taupe signals a new direction in society’s ever-growing thirst for beautiful neutrals that bring warm and cool tones together to create one irresistibly versatile color.

“Poised Taupe celebrates everything people love about cool gray as a neutral, and also brings in the warmth of brown, taking a color to an entirely new level. Not cool or warm, nor gray or brown, Poised Taupe is a weathered, woodsy neutral bringing a sense of coziness and harmony that people are seeking,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams.

As the Sherwin-Williams team traveled the world to identify the latest trends and make this year’s selection, it became clear that neutrals are beginning a transition from the monochrome gray of the past five years to a more complex taupe and brown. In a recent homeowner survey conducted by Sherwin-Williams, nearly 40 percent of the respondents agree that they would like to incorporate warmer neutrals, such as warm grays, taupes or beiges, into their home décor. Additionally, more than two in five people identified taupe as a timeless neutral they would choose.¹ Move over cool toned colors. A new trend is here.

The well-lived life in the home

Drawn from the Noir palette, one of four palettes in colormix™ 2017: The Sherwin-Williams Color Forecast, Poised Taupe addresses the search for authentic spaces that recharge the spirit in uncertain times and where perfection can seem like the ideal.

“Consumers yearn for spaces that feel welcoming and hug them as they enter. Earthen brown combined with conservative gray, creating Poised Taupe, embodies all of these emotions,” says Wadden.

With its cool-yet-warm vibe, Poised Taupe is an ideal backdrop for a wide range of color combinations, from pastels to brights to jewels. For example, when paired with the faded indigo of Stardew (SW 9138), it creates a charming palette reminiscent of a French countryside. Used in tandem with vibrant Rave Red (SW 6608), it evokes the natural feel of red-stained bedrock. And with the deep teal of Marea Baja (SW 9185) and sunny hued Bee (SW 6683), it transforms into a super-graphic look.

Source: Sherwin-Williams

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-collection/color-forecast/color-of-the-year/

Introducing the 2017 Color of the Year – Poised Taupe SW 6039 by Sherwin-WilliamsRedRock Team2017-03-08T10:31:16-05:00

How to Choose Paint?

Every day our clients ask about this. What is the difference between sheens?

Learn how to choose paint that is right for you based on the differences and advantages of each paint sheen. Find out which ones wipe clean the easiest and which are best for hiding imperfections in your wall. You’ll even get recommendations on which paint sheens are best for specific rooms in your home.

How to Choose Paint?RedRock Team2017-03-08T10:31:16-05:00

See Us Featured On Houzz

We are so excited to begin our new branding journey on Houzz. We look forward to creating many colorful spaces to share and hopefully inspire others when looking for ideas on remodeling. With over 35 million users, we feel this is an invaluable marketing tool for us to reach many local clients as well.

RedRock Finishes, Inc. Featured on Houzz

See Us Featured On HouzzRedRock Team2017-03-08T10:31:16-05:00

Five important things to consider when painting outside.

Many of our past clients have told us they intended to repaint the exterior of their homes themselves prior to contracting us. As many stated, it looked like it would be a fairly easy job. In some cases, clients decided to hire a professional to complete the project prior to starting, others found out the hard way that there is more to it then popping the top off the paint can. Below are five important things to consider before painting the exterior of your home yourself as expressed by these same clients.

Proper preparation of all surfaces to be painted is paramount. Improper preparation is the main cause of paint failure and/or reduced life of the finish. Surface preparation can take as little as a few hours, while some require days to complete properly. All this time and work and you have yet to open your first can of paint! For some, the time required and the knowledge needed for this step was all they had to hear before calling us in, but not for everyone. Others who completed projects on their own were happy with the outcome for the first few years or so after painting. It wasn’t until the eventual premature failure coupled with the thought of how much time & money they had spent to repaint on their own that they eventually decided to leave it to the professionals the second time around.
It’s not that high… or is it. The height of your home can be a bit deceiving from the ground, and let’s not forget about trying to safely place a ladder on a garage roof to paint the side of the second story. Proper equipment such as the correct ladders and ladder leveling tools required to safely perform the preparation and painting of high reach areas can be very costly. Aside from these costs, if you have a fear of heights, painting a two story home may not be the best choice you make.
Paint is not always paint as some might say. Using a good quality paint is very important for multiple reasons, but let’s look at the two most important to our current and past clients. First and most importantly, using a high grade paint verses a low grade paint will increase the time in between repainting your home, saving you both time and money in the future. Second, and possibly of equal importance to many DIY home painters, higher grade paints provide better coverage per coat reducing the time needed to apply additional material to the surfaces being painted. Time and money, it always seems to come down to these two things. Every paint manufacturer out there has a good, better, best line of paint in their arsenal of coatings. My recommendation is it would be best to steer clear of the lower grade paint options as they will not perform to most peoples expectations. While it may save you a few dollars today, at some point in the near future, you will pay the price both in dollars and time spent repainting before you should have to.
Let’s not forget the physical aspect of this type of project. Applying paint on the exterior of your home can be hard on your body. 100% of all homes that will be repainted will require physical activity. Of this 100%, 100% of these homes will require extended periods of time on ladders (of course, I am not counting any of the dog houses that will be painted!). And furthermore, 100% will also require you to stretch and bend your body in ways you may not of known were possible. While you may be in great shape, the repetitive nature of painting, stretching and climbing up & down ladders will take its toll on you physically. Be honest with yourself when considering your physical fitness level before committing yourself to completing such a major project on your own.
So the above information has not changed your mind and you have decided to do it on your own and skip the services of a professional painting contractor. I applaud your determination and hope everything turns out great for you. So one final friendly word of advise. All those cans of paint you just bought, please, please please….. do not use them one at a time. While you may have purchased them all at the same time, if you have like most do, decided on a color other than what the manufacture put in the can originally, it does not match!!!! Purchase a few empty five gallon buckets and “box” the material together to ensure the paint will all match once applied to the surface. “Boxing” paint is to mix it all together. Pour the gallons into one five gallon bucket and then from five to five until all paint has been mixed together thoroughly. This will blend the slight variations in color from can to can and produce a more uniform color for the finish coat.

I hope the above information is helpful to you when deciding between hiring a professional painting contractor or trying it on your own. Of course we are here should you decide to with a pro, providing professional painting services to Syracuse NY and all surrounding areas. If nothing else, hopefully I pointed out a few things you DIYer’s may have overlooked in enough time to make changes to your plan of attack!

Five important things to consider when painting outside.RedRock Team2017-03-08T10:31:17-05:00

Having fun with paint colors.. Painting a front door.

Choosing a color for your front door may seem intimidating, especially when you want to spice it up with a bold color. So what color family should you choose? Let’s take a look!

Hot pink may be your favorite color, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right color for your front door. Choosing colors that complement other tones and architecture present on your home’s exterior is always the best advise you will receive. Try to pick a color that works well with the existing wood or brick of your home. If there are other trim items on the home, such as shutters and accents, it’s a good idea to coordinate with these items as well.

Still want to make a statement with something a little more flashy? We have put together this helpful list of popular colors for your consideration.

Blue: Rarely used as an exterior door color, pairing a bright blue with a neutral exterior body color can provide an unexpected welcome to your visitors.

Red: Shades of bright red can bring life and strength to its surroundings while a deep red provides a more refined and sophisticated appearance.

Yellow: A cheerful yellow front door can be very inviting but can also be very overpowering. When choosing a shade of yellow for your front door remember that colors look much more vibrant in exterior light than indoor lighting. Choosing a deeper yellow over a bright yellow is usually the best option.

Orange: This is one of those colors that can go wrong very quickly. A youthful color, orange can look quite modern and welcoming with the right complementing tones. Remember, less is more with certain colors such as orange.

Green: Greens can be another tricky color but with the correct shade chosen can add a burst of color that makes your curb appeal come to life.

Purple: Surprisingly, both warm and cool tones of purple can complement many exterior palettes, however as with orange, using too much can veer toward gaudy quickly. Stick to a small dose on your front door, skipping the shutters and accents.

White: Clean and crisp, a white front door can add a lot of allure to a home when paired with a bold trim color applied throughout the exterior of your home.

Black: Classic, glossy black doors make a powerful and elegant statement. Use other exterior accents such as shutters to help tie a black door into the rest of your home’s design and color scheme.

Keep in mind that paint fades at a much faster rate when applied to exterior surfaces compared to interior surfaces due to changing weather conditions. Applying a bold color on doors and trim can increase the time in between repainting as they tend to hold their color longer than light shades.

If you need assistance choosing the perfect color for your front door, RedRock Finishes offers free color consultation service with all exterior painting services.

Having fun with paint colors.. Painting a front door.RedRock Team2015-12-07T13:37:04-05:00

2016 Color of the Year: Alabaster | Sherwin-Williams

Looking for a neutral color? Try this 2016 Color of the Year, Alabaster SW 7008 from Sherwin-Williams

“Alabaster represents a straightforward and necessary shift to mindfulness. It provides an oasis of calmness, spirituality and ‘less is more’ visual relief. Alabaster is neither stark nor overly warm, but rather an understated and alluring white.”
Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing.

2016 Color of the Year: Alabaster | Sherwin-WilliamsRedRock Team2017-03-08T10:31:17-05:00

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