My Very Own Kitchen Remodel

After seven years of living in my home, I have finally decided it is time to change some things, starting in the kitchen. While I like the cabinets, I have always been unhappy with the countertops and flooring, and vowed that as soon as they wore out, they would be replaced. I was never one to throw out something new – that would be a waste.  As the linoleum flooring began to pull away from the wall, I began to consider my options and then laminate countertop was (finally) beginning to peel. It was time for a kitchen remodel!

Granite Countertop

As a REALTOR®, I am previewing and viewing homes with clients all the time. I had an idea of what buyers are looking for – even though I wasn’t selling my home. But I knew that these changes would be an investment in my home, and could enhance the value. My Florida kitchen involved a complete renovation with new cabinets and a tile counter, but for Georgia, I decided that the countertops would be granite. What color granite though? The choices were becoming overwhelming. But I finally decided on a white granite from Global Granite in Acworth.

Kitchen Sink

One of the things I did not think about was the sink. Since I was switching from laminate to granite, I was also switching from a top mount to an undermount sink. And the granite installers needed the sink right away to make the cutout. I went back to Home Depot and Lowes, but they had nothing in stock. Now what? Global Granite also had sinks, but I still hadn’t found what I wanted. I made a quick trip to Kitchen & Bath Overstock in Kennesaw. If you haven’t been there, it is worth a visit. While they have great selections, they have even better service! I quickly picked out my sink and delivered it to Global Granite.

Every day, millions of homeowners enter their kitchen. Unfortunately, not all of those individuals like what they see. If you are unhappy with the way that your kitchen looks, it may be time for a little remodeling project. Actually, it may even be time for a big remodeling project. When it comes to kitchen remodeling, you will find that, as a homeowner, you have an unlimited number of options. If you choose to do so, you could remodel everything, right down to the kitchen sink.

What’s your home worth?


Speaking of kitchen sinks, there is a good chance that you if you are unhappy with your kitchen, you may want to purchase and have a new kitchen sink installed. If that is the case, you will have to find one that peaks your interest. When searching for a new kitchen sink, you are urged to check out one of your local home improvement stores. There is a good chance that there is at least one kitchen sink that you may want to have. Although there is a good chance that you may find the kitchen sink of your dreams at one of your local home improvement stores, there is also a chance that you may not. If this is the case, you may want to think about shopping online.

Regardless of where you shop, it is important that you keep a number of things in mind. Perhaps, the most important thing to keep in mind is the sink size that you need. If you are simply replacing a kitchen sink, you may find it a little bit more difficult to find a kitchen sink. This is because your kitchen counter already has a pre-sized space for a sink. If you purchase a sink that is too big for that space or even too small for it, a small kitchen remodeling project may turn into a fairly large one. That is why it is important that you take sink sizes into consideration. However, if your kitchen remodeling project includes new kitchen cabinets and new countertops, you may not have to be as concerned with sink sizes.

In addition to the size of a kitchen sink, it is also important to consider the style. The majority of kitchen sinks come with two basins, but it is also possible for them to only come with one. When choosing a kitchen sink that only has one or two basins, you may want to examine your needs. If you do not have a dishwasher, you will need to wash your dishes in your kitchen sink. When doing dishes, it may be easier if you have a two basin kitchen sink. Although two basin kitchen sinks are more convenient, you will likely find that the one basin sinks are more trendy and, somewhat, more attractive.

Speaking of being attractive, the style of a kitchen sink not only includes how many basins it has, but it also includes the color. While most kitchen sinks come in a stainless steel color, there are other kitchen sink colors. Other popular colors include white, granite, biscuit, and almond. In all honesty, the color of a new kitchen sink may be more important to you than whether it has one or two basins. If you are also remodeling other parts of your kitchen, like the floors or your countertops, it may be a good idea to make sure that your new kitchen sink compliments your other repairs or at least matches them.

The next step would be to select a new faucet. There really needs to be a checklist for all of these items (which I will create and make available). I quickly found what I wanted and put it in the garage to be installed after the countertop and sink.

Have you gone through a renovation? Please share your comments below.

Backsplash

Then I had to move on to the backsplash, which was easy. I had already decided on white. My selection was white subway tile, beveled white subway tile thanks to the suggestion of the salesperson at Home Depot. The tile was meticulously installed by Gabrini Smith of Gabrini Backsplash & Tile.

And one week later, everything was in place. If you are considering selling your home, keep in mind that kitchen improvements are one of the renovations that bring back the greatest return on investment – 82.7%.

Stay tuned for my flooring updates.

Looking for a home in Cobb County that has been renovated?

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Chanukah Celebrations Around Metro Atlanta



As sundown approaches on Sunday, December 6th, Chanukah celebrations around metro Atlanta will begin. Residents throughout metro Atlanta will gather in these celebrations along with Christmas festivities throughout December and later in the month, Kwanzaa and more festivities.  The Chanukah celebrations will include menorah lightings, and some will include musical entertainment, traditional jelly doughnuts and latkes, as well as chocolate gelt and dreidels. Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, will continue for 8 nights.

Chanukah Celebrations Around Metro Atlanta

December 6

10:30am – 12:00pm
Chanukah Fun Day & Lego Menorah
Chabad Jewish Center – KSU & West Cobb
1480 Shiloh Road Northwest
Suite 500
Kennesaw, GA 30144-7193
Help build a giant Lego Menorah and watch as we light it.
For more information and to RSVP, office@JewishWestCobb.com

1:00pm – 3:00pm
Menorah Building at Home Depot
Home Depot Merchant’s Walk
4101 Roswell Rd.
Marietta, GA 30062
Build your own Menorah and enjoy Chanukah treats and music. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free.
For more information contact Home Depot at 770-977-9700.

3:00pm – 5:00pm
Intown Jewish Community Chanukah Concert
Inman Park Middle School
774 Virginia Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
Enjoy an evening of music as well as a Chanukah menorah lighting.
For more information, contact Carol Epstein at 404-898-0434 or carol@chabadintown.org

3:15pm – 4:00pm
Hanukkah Storytime in Decatur
Little Shop of Stories
133 East Court Square
Decatur, GA 30030
InterfaithFamily/Atlanta will join with Little Shop of Stories for their yearly Chanukah celebration, including book readings along with donuts and dreidels for everyone!
For more information, contact Laurel Snyder at 678-362-7497 or laurels@interfaithfamily.com

4:00pm – 6:00pm
Light the Menorah in Woodstock
The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta
915 Ridgewalk Pkwy
Woodstock, GA 30188
Join the Jewish Cherokee Community, Chabad Jewish Center of West Cobb and KSU along with The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta for a Menorah Ice Sculpting & Lighting as well as a performance by the Atlanta Male Jewish Choir. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate from Ghirardelli Chocolate Outlet.
For more information, call 678-540-7040.

5:00pm – 6:30pm
Chanukah at the Mall
North Point Mall
Alpharetta GA
Join the Chabad of North Fulton for their annual “Chanukah at the Mall” Public Menorah Lighting at North Point Mall-West Court. There will be Chocolate Gelt, Donuts, Dreidels, Special Entertainment and more!
For more information, contact Kim Urbach at 770-410-9000 or admin@chabadnf.org

December 7-9

5:15pm – 6:00pm
Chanukah at the J
MJCCA at Zaban Park
5342 Tilly Mill Rd.
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Enjoy an evening of Chanukah songs with Rabbi Glusman, followed by the lighting of the Chanukah Menorah, as well as complimentary jelly donuts (a Chanukah tradition) and hot chocolate. This event is free and open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
For more information, contact rabbi.glusman@atlantajcc.org

December 8

6:00pm – 7:00pm
A Menorah Lighting
City of Acworth
4460 South Main
Acworth GA 30101
Enjoy an evening in downtown Acworth as they light the Chanukah Menorah.
For more information, contact 770-974-3112.

7:30pm – 9:00pm
A Chanukah Soiree
Chabad of North Fulton
10180 Jones Bridge Road
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Join the Chabad of North Fulton Women’s Circle for “A Chanukah Soiree” Menorah lighting, Blintzes & Wine, which will include a Wine Tasting, Blintz Bar, Live Music, Auction & Socializing.
For more information or to RSVP, contact 770-410-9000 or www.chabadnf.org/women – $10 admission (includes $10 auction ticket)

5:30pm – 6:00pm
Menorah Building & Lighting
East Cobb Park
3322 Roswell Road
Marietta GA 30062
Come build and light Georgia’s Largest Candy Menorah!! Enjoy donuts, hot cocoa, latkes, music and more!
For more information, contact 770-565-4412.

December 13

6:30pm – 7:30pm
Menorah Lighting on the Square
Glover Park Stage
Marietta GA  30064
Join Congregation Ner Tamid for a Menorah Lighting featuring holiday music and fun children’s games! Everyone welcome.
For more information, call 678-264-8575.

Chanukah Recipes

Potato Latkes
Unique Latkes

While they take a little longer to make, here is a jelly doughnut recipe for Chanukah.