Selecting the Countertops for Your New Kitchen

If you have already started remodeling your kitchen, you may have already found out that there are more decisions to be made than you thought there would be. If you are doing a complete remodel, you may be overwhelmed by all of the choices you have to make. It can be both a fun and stressful time, choosing your contractor, picking your colors, your appliances, your flooring, your cabinets, your sink, and choosing your countertops. All of these items blend in together to make or break your kitchen design, is it is important that you choose wisely.

There are many things that you should think about when you start shopping for your new kitchen countertops. In most cases, you will find that it will be easier to pick out your cabinets and countertops together, since they will be placed close together, it is important that they compliment each other well.

Of course, as with most things in life, unless you have money coming out your ears, you will need to think about the cost of the countertops as well. If you are on a tight budget, then you may have to pick laminate countertops, which don�t always appeal to the eye. If you can afford it, you would likely be much happier with countertops that are made of marble or wood, as they are more durable and more aesthetically pleasing as well. They can really add that touch of class to your kitchen, especially marble countertops.

Again, you don�t want to blow your entire remodeling budget on your countertops, and then not have the money you need to finish the project. You have to find the happy median between what you like and what you can afford, unless of course you can get a home improvement loan which will allow you more funds to work with.

When making an expensive purchase such as countertops, it is in your best interest to shop around before making a final decision. You will find that your local hardware or home store will have many selections that you can choose from, and if you can�t find what you are looking for, you can always shop online as well. You may be able to get a better price online, but remember, you will have to pay for shipping, so calculate this in as well.

When you have bought your countertops, you either have the option of putting them in yourself, of paying someone to do the work for you. It really isn�t that difficult to do on your own, and you can stretch your budget further if you can. The more money you can save, the more options you have in designing your new kitchen!

Class Pictures (Washington City Paper)

The school trophies had to stay where they were. They would not be making the trip downtown to the D.C. public school system’s archive. The trophies were generic, boring, and, worst of all, they never listed the names of kids or schools. Plus, DCPS historian Nancye Suggs didn’t have room for them.

Intrepid Wins Another Gold PATA Award! (Scoop.co.nz)

Intrepid Travel is thrilled to announce that its e-newsletter Express has won the 2008 PATA Gold Award in the E-Newsletter category.

Time to temper valley hostility (Herald Journal)

First off I would like to apologize for my unfortunate statement about beer being the “nectar of the dimwit” in my last letter. (The whole letter actually, was out of line — I will admit to that.)

The Asian Melting Pot (The Gourmet Retailer)

International Enterprise (IE) Singapore created a culinary mission for a group of food and kitchenware retailers, chefs and writers from the U.S., Canada and Mexico this past June.

Art calendar (Honolulu Advertiser)

HALE'IWA SUMMER ARTFEST, celebration of arts featuring more than 130 juried visual artists; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 20; Historic Hale'iwa Town; free; www.HaleiwaArtsFestival.org.