When you see or hear the word, “February” it often conjures up thoughts of romance because of Valentine's Day. Although it has fewer days than any other month, in Minnesota, it can feel like the longest month to get through because of the cold temperatures; and let’s face it, we all long for spring! In addition to romance, February is a time when we consider home remodeling projects.
It wasn’t that long ago when you were basting a turkey or carving up that ham during the holidays when you whispered under your breath, “I need more counter space and a deeper sink!” Sometimes even the smallest change in your kitchen can make one feel inspired. Perhaps it’s new curtains or a different color on the walls that jump-starts your culinary inclinations? Or maybe February is the perfect time to “Love Your Home” with a new faucet and sink or purchase a new oven that can actually steam cook your food?
Have you ever wondered why the always popular “Minneapolis Home and Garden Show” is held in February? My guess is that Minnesotans are getting restless, and rather than jetting to Florida or Arizona for a week, they’re looking for something to do in “a warm building that offers a boatload of inspiration!” But there’s no need to venture into Minneapolis to cultivate some ideas on how to improve the quality of your life via a renovation project.
Fergusonshowrooms.com could be your first step.
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery has traditionally been a well-known wholesale company, but did you know that you don’t have to have a contractor to peruse their showroom in Golden Valley? “Although we typically do not advertise this, anyone is welcome to stop in at any time to see what’s new and exciting for your home. We welcome all customers,” said Ferguson showroom manager, Melissa Kapla. She continued, “It’s very easy to schedule an appointment with one of our experts in our lighting, plumbing, or appliances departments.”
Speaking of what’s new and exciting for the home, here are a few things that I thought were kind of fun to consider. Touch and no-touch faucets help to cut down on typical germs that are found on handles. “They’re also kind of jazzy, a showstopper in the kitchen when entertaining friends or family,” said Elizabeth Kallstrom, Ferguson’s showroom design manager. Recessed ventilation hoods for your stoves, (that are installed in the ceiling,) ovens with the capability to steam food, and stoves that offer the Sous-vide method of cooking food, especially meat or fish, by vacuum-sealing and immersing in warm water, were also worth considering. And toilets with a bidet system.
In lighting, there’s something new called “nature-inspired elements with neutral raw textures” and lighted mirrors that help to create a desired atmosphere. One of my favorite items that I personally am considering is the elongated kitchen sinks with depth. Back in the day, we used to call them “farm kitchen sinks.” They were long, however, shallower than the fantastic sinks you will see at Ferguson. I appreciate being able to use a kitchen sink for bigger pots and soaking the stains out of fine washables. My ultimate reason for wanting a new, deeper, and longer sink with a fabulous faucet sprayer is for bathing my little dogs!
If there’s one room in the house that screams LOVE more than any other room, it’s the kitchen! “It’s the LOVE SPOT in the house, the room that everyone gathers in. It’s where the best memories of family and friends are created,” said Elizabeth. Melissa agreed and added, “even a small kitchen renovation is uplifting as well as inspiring!” Elizabeth added, “A new Cambria countertop on an island could be the catalyst for learning French cooking. Or simply entertaining more often.”
I have always liked the look of chrome faucets for the bathroom sink and a brushed nickel faucet in the kitchen. So, I asked if chrome faucets had gone out of style and been replaced by the dark faucets that are so popular. Melissa said, “Chrome is still popular. It’s probably around 38% of the market.” Back in 2011, my husband and I underwent a substantial $250,000 renovation project in our home. It made me feel good to know that the faucets I selected then are not out of date today.
We bought our faucets from Ferguson, and twelve and a half years later, they’re still performing perfectly. Purchasing faucets from retail hardware stores can be less expensive than one might pay at Ferguson. However, with Ferguson, many of their manufacturers have substantial warranties, specifically on the inner workings or guts of their faucets. Purchasing faucets from retail hardware stores are often made with plastic, which limits the amount of time you have before you are possibly looking at replacement costs. Not to mention the headaches of having a leaking faucet ruin your beautiful hardwood floors. So, it’s always a good idea to ask how things are made. Typically, you get what you pay for, and Ferguson has not let me down.
It’s always fun to “tweak” a room at the beginning of the year; it seems to bring new energy into the house. Whether the homes we live in are large or small, comfort and lastability with a dash of color, design, and the three F’s, “family, friends, fun” and love is the ultimate definition of “home sweet home,” in any language.
A new Cambria countertop on an island could be the catalyst for learning French cooking. Or simply entertaining more often.