Tag Archives: IKEA

Read This Before You Buy Butcher-Block Counters

April 27, 2017Uncategorizedbutcher block, counters, countertop, customized, customized counter, IKEA, Jersey City, quartz and woodjakes

What Exactly Is a “Butcher-Block” Counter?

Well, for starters, it’s made out of straight cuts of wood glued together to form sturdy slabs. It’s used for cutting boards, tabletops, and countertops! Butcher-block counters are great for those who love the wood aesthetic, as well as those who can properly maintain a counter. When taken care of, the butcher-block counter can last years. Be wary, however, that without the proper care, these counters can dull and crack. With the proper care, they can give your home a vintage, welcoming vibe. They typically go for $40-$65 a square foot, depending on which style/manufacturer you’d like.

Types of Butcher-Block

There are also two things to think about when choosing a butcher-block counter. One is the wood grain type, and another is whether to seal it or not. There are three types of wood grain: edge grain, face grain, and end grain, and each offers its own unique qualities.

The first type, edge grain, is affordable and durable. It’s made by placing long boards on their sides to make a surface from the narrow edges. The second is face grain. This is when the boards are put together with the faces of the wood facing up. It’s less practical than the other styles because you can leave marks on it when chopping food. The last style is the most popular, end grain. The wood is laid so that the growth marks (ends) face up. However, it is also the most expensive type because it camouflages knife marks and is also extremely durable.

After considering the type of grain you want, decide if you want to seal the wood or not. Sealing it can take away from the soft look of the wood (it’ll become shiny). On the other hand, it’ll last even longer when sealed properly.

Things to Consider

Worried about nicks and burns? Unlike other countertop materials, butcher-block can be lightly sanded and oiled to look brand new again. Or, you can leave the marks be if you’d like your kitchen to have a little character. However, some more things to consider are if the properties of wood counters are suited for your needs. For example, wood swells or shrinks in times of humidity/dryness. Also, patina may develop on the surface over time, which can either be desirable or not depending on your taste. Lastly, excessive wetness may cause the wood to rot if it isn’t sealed.

Still not sure? Mark Reilly, a Californian Architect, decided on butcher-block counters for his client. He said, “The countertop was originally Formica, but the client wanted a material that didn’t clink when glass or serving wares were placed on it. After exploring several options, we decided on end-grain butcher-block because of its warmth, soft feel, and vintage-inspired look.” You can see from the Basic Builders projects below that it does indeed give a vintage, warm feel to the room. All it requires is some upkeep. Someone once stated a great tip: “Oil the butcher-block once a day for a week, then once a week for a month, then once a month for a year- I’ve followed this rule for a year and could not be more happy with the result!” (Update: Others recommend oiling every 6 months).

Now, let’s go to the gallery!

Ways to Style Wooden Counters (+Basic Builders Projects)

1. Butcher-block on an island gives the perfect pop to a contemporary kitchen. You can prepare food right on the counter if you wish. Use a cutting board if you’d like to preserve the look of the counters.

2. Wood counters can also look very vintage when styled that way! The team used a darker wood to match the overall aesthetic of the kitchen.

3. You can even mix-and-match styles! Basic Builders creatively paired soapstone and wood (below) for a more modern look. Wood also looks fantastic paired with quartz or marble.

4. Lastly, they decided to craft reclaimed wood into a durable counter! Its natural feel gives a warm glow to the whole room. As an added bonus, it’s also very eco-friendly and affordable! Who knew that natural wood made such a nice addition?

Have any questions? Pop a comment down below and one of our kitchen experts will help you out!

10 Reasons Why You Need a New Kitchen

April 8, 2017Uncategorizedhelpful ideas, helpful tips, IKEA, IKEA kitchen, reasons for a new kitchen, tips, top 10jakes

On the fence about whether to give your kitchen a makeover? Don’t panic, we’ve outlined 10 great reasons why getting a new kitchen is a must.

1. Increases the value of your home

Re-doing your kitchen can significantly increase the value of your home, and your chances of someone buying it, especially if it is currently outdated and falling apart.

2. Your kitchen is a mess

It’s untidy, and there’s nowhere to put things. You start moving things that don’t fit to other parts of the house, which creates even more chaos.

3. You can’t stand being in it

Almost everything in your kitchen is old, and not too stylish. A modern makeover would help you love your kitchen again.

4. No space

If your family is constantly squeezing past and bumping into each other, it is time to expand. An article from prosourcewholesale.com says, “The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends that the width of a walkway in a kitchen be at least 36 inches wide, your work space aisle should be at least 42 inches if just one of you will be cooking and 48 inches if there’s two of you.”

5. Energy efficient/good for environment

Using old-fashioned appliances can be a waste of money. Even a simple fix like adding a skylight could help save hundreds on your energy bill. Some things are simply outdated!

6. Changing lifestyle

Your needs are different from the last owner’s. Perhaps they didn’t have a large family, as opposed to your five kids. Maybe they didn’t have a dog either. Or, maybe your own lifestyle has changed since you first bought the house.

7. Special needs/accessibility

If anyone in the house is special needs, a new kitchen can accommodate them without a hassle. Many older models are not cognizant of accessibility.

8. Broken, ugly, or inefficient cabinets

Some cabinets and features (such as a lazy suzan) lose functionality with age. Sometimes, they simply don’t look nice. Upgrading to a sleek, modern look is exactly what you need to give your kitchen a new feel.

9. Bad flow

This ties in with having no space. Does it feel like your kitchen is inefficient to cook in? Is the dishwasher too far away from the sink? Are there not enough countertops by the cooking area? Bad flow can increase your stress and waste time while cooking. Upgrade to a new, well-planned out kitchen with updated appliances.

10. The countertops are scratched, stained, and/or cracked

Nothing ruins a great kitchen like stained, damaged countertops. Instead, go for brand new quartz or marble countertops! Many of our options are quite beautiful, and you don’t have to break the bank to do it, either.

Now you know you want a brand new kitchen that’ll last you 20+ years. The next step is emailing us! We’ll help you build your dream kitchen in no time. Not only will you enjoy a new, sleek look, but your home’s value will rise as well, an investment worth making.

IKEA Applad Kitchen

March 14, 2017Uncategorizedabstrakt, backsplash, color pop, IKEA, kitchen, ovenjakes

IKEA Kitchen with Wooden Cabinets

March 12, 2017Uncategorizedbacksplash, best kitchen, build, cabinets, facelift, home, house, IKEA, Jersey City, kitchen, makeover, new jersey, rebuild, remodel, renovate, shelf, solution, storage, style, wood, woodenjakes

IKEA Kitchen in Gray

March 10, 2017Uncategorizedbuild, cabinet, custom, design, eurostyle, facelift, fridge, gray, IKEA, Jersey City, kitchen, makeover, new jersey, shelvesjakes

6 Clever IKEA Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen

March 8, 2017Uncategorizedart, backsplash, billy bookcase, cabinets, cart, clean, clever, cookbooks, countertops, creative, custom cabinets, design, display, diy, drawers, east coast, eurostyle, grundtal, helpful ideas, helpful tips, idea, ideas, IKEA, IKEA brand, IKEA kitchen, IKEA products, IKEA remodel, IKEA solution, Jersey City, kitchen, kitchen island, kitchen space, kitchen supplies, kitchen table, maximize, moslanda, new york, organized, personal growth, picture ledges, pots and pans, pull out drawers, rajtan jars, raskog, raskog rolling cart, redesign, remodel, rolling cart, solution, storage solutions, tips, tri state, utensils, utilizejakes

When your kitchen is clean and organized, you feel like you can finally breathe. Here are 6 creative ways to solve your storage problems using real IKEA products.

1. RASKOG Rolling Cart

Small rolling carts can be used to group small items and extra pantry items together. What’s special about the RASKOG cart from IKEA is that it can roll into small spaces, therefore maximizing kitchen storage space. It is also surprisingly sturdy for its size.

Photos by digsdigs.com

2. BILLY Bookcase

Using this bookcase, you can create a DIY kitchen island perfect for storing your favorite cookbooks, snacks, and other supplies. Add extra Billy bookcases in the kitchen as shelf storage for anything else you may want easy access to.

Photos by nowathomemom.com

3. Custom-Built Cabinets

When you ask us to renovate your kitchen, we can custom build the cabinets you want. Cabinets can even be doubled up as a credenza for displaying your finest china and silverware.

Photos by nalleshouse.com

4. MOSLANDA Picture Ledges and RAJTAN Jars

IKEA MOSLANDA picture ledges can be both spice holders and art displays. If you want the ledges to look even more organized and beautiful, place RAJTAN jars in them. Just make sure the sizing is right before you buy.

Photos by DuhBe and iheartplanners respectively.

5. GRUNDTAL pieces

It’s important to organize utensils by function. GRUNDTAL pieces from IKEA can be combined to utilize backsplash space with this unique utensil holder.

Photo by IKEA

6. SEKTION DRAWERS

It’s smart to store your cookware in one organized drawers so that you don’t have to spend time looking for it anymore. Sektion pullout drawers are perfect for storing cookware and utensils easily. If you invite us to makeover your kitchen, we can customize the drawers to fit your specific needs.

Photo by kitchen.laviesenior.com

Which solution was the best? Let us know in the comments down below! If you would like an IKEA kitchen of your dreams, contact us while there are still open spots. The IKEA sale (up to 20% off) is going on NOW, so don’t wait until it’s too late.

6 IKEA Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

March 5, 2017Uncategorizedbrass, build, design, eat in kitchen, eurostyle, farm sink, farmhouse sink, farmsink, hoboken, idea, ideas, IKEA, IKEA cabinets custom, ikea design, IKEA kitchen, IKEA kitchen cabinets, IKEA kitchen design, IKEA kitchen new jersey, IKEA kitchen NJ, ikea kitchen renovation, ikea NJ, ikea style, ikeadesign, ikeakitchen, interior design, interior kitchen, Jersey City, kitchen, kitchen design, kitchen facelift, kitchen idea, Kitchen installation, kitchen makeover, kitchen redo, kitchen remodel, kitchen remodeling ideas, kitchen renovation, kitchendesign, makeover, NJ, oiled brass faucet, peninsula, remodel, remodeling, stainless appliances, style, style at homejakes

A kitchen is more than just a part of your living space. It is the first thing you see when you make breakfast in the morning. It can determine your mood for the whole day! If you’ve ever felt cluttered, cramped, or just bored by your kitchen, then maybe it’s time for something new. Here are a few kitchen design tips to help you boost your energy, productivity, and happiness.

1. Design wide walkways

One of the most important parts to think about when renovating is the walk space. Will multiple chefs be cooking in the kitchen, or will it be just you? Kitchens typically have 42 inches of space for a one-person kitchen, and at least 48 inches for a two-person kitchen. Aside from the cooking space, walkways should be at least 36 inches wide.

2. Add an island for efficient prep space

Feeling cramped when using your kitchen counters for prep space? Add an island to efficiently prep for meals without feeling cluttered. Make sure to purchase a large island if it will be used for both cooking and eating. That way, you can keep the area safe for people to eat at while you cook.

3. Maximize storage space

Even if you have a small kitchen, the way you use the space will really make a difference. Use pullout drawers for storage and garbage can space, and store dishes on a rack by the dishwasher so they’ll be ready to go when it’s time to wash. Assign your cabinets to specific products so that you know exactly where to look for that one favorite mug. You can also hide appliances such as a toaster and blender in an appliance garage to make more space on countertops. Make use of the space above your refrigerator by installing cabinets or a display shelf.

4. Pick the right wall color

Determine what mood you want your kitchen to convey and plan the color accordingly. For small kitchens, always plan to use bright colors and lights to make the space look even bigger. The color you pick will determine the mood of your kitchen. Pick colors like beige, gray, and white for a sophisticated look. Pick colors like yellow, orange, and blue for an energetic, bright atmosphere.

5. Pick a good backsplash

If you don’t want to bring too much attention to the walls, pick a vibrant backsplash instead. Not only will it keep your walls from getting stained by splashes from the counter, but it’ll look great, too. Make sure the tile goes with your overall color scheme. Use a neutral backsplash if your walls are already a bright color so that it isn’t overwhelming.

6. Add a pop of color

A color pop is always a nice touch. You can match the kitchen appliances to the walls, and keep the rest neutral. For an effective color pop, it is important to only display a few items of that color to avoid feeling overwhelmed in your kitchen.

Hoboken Loft IKEA Makeover

March 4, 2017Uncategorizedbrass, build, design, eat in kitchen, eurostyle, IKEA, IKEA cabinets custom, IKEA kitchen, IKEA kitchen cabinets, IKEA kitchen design, IKEA kitchen new jersey, IKEA kitchen NJ, ikea kitchen renovation, kitchen facelift, kitchen renovationjakes

A few more shots of this beautiful project done in Hoboken!

IKEA Kitchen Dark Cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances

March 2, 2017Uncategorizedbrass, build, design, eat in kitchen, eurostyle, idea, IKEA, IKEA cabinets custom, IKEA kitchen, IKEA kitchen cabinets, IKEA kitchen design, IKEA kitchen new jersey, IKEA kitchen NJ, ikea kitchen renovation, ikea NJ, ikea style, interior design, interior kitchen, Jersey City, kitchen, kitchen facelift, kitchen idea, kitchen makeover, kitchen redo, kitchen renovation, makeover, NJ, oiled brass faucet, remodel, remodeling, stainless appliances, style, style at homejakes

Dark cabinets go perfectly with stainless steel appliances. Match that with a beautiful backsplash and you’ll be ready to go.

Brooklyn IKEA Kitchen Transformation Video

February 26, 2017Uncategorizedbrooklyn, IKEA, kitchen, renovation, step by step, transformation, video, youtubejakes

You may be impressed with the before and after comparisons of our kitchen renovation projects, but what exactly goes on in between? In this video, we’ll show you exactly what the process of renovating a kitchen looks like from start to finish.