The new Maytag Ice2O Easy Access is energy most efficient four-door refrigerator with an external pantry drawer for fresh food and healthy favorites. The drawer holds up to five bags of groceries. Four LED lights in the external pantry drawer provide a clear view of the contents for easy access, plus the convenient counter height drawer is easily accessible to the whole family. When using the full extension drawer, 80% of the refrigerator remains closed, which equals less energy consumption that may add up, considering the refrigerator is the most touched appliance in the house.

Maytag Ice2O Easy Access is redefining refrigeration space and provides fresh food on a whole new level, delivering on consumers’ needs for more usable space while creating a better built appliance that can help them use less energy every day. This innovative configuration also creates a surprising amount of refrigerator storage, while not infringing on freezer space. The freezer and refrigerator drawers maximize usable space with slide out bin organization systems. In the main compartment of the French Door refrigerator, five door bins are designed to accommodate beverages such as milk and juice, [...]

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Someone sent me an email and asked if I thought there was a design flaw in a section of her cabinet design. I had to write back that, yes, I agreed with her that part of the design was flawed. Unfortunately, it was a finished picture of the kitchen that they had sent me, which made it even more uncomfortable for me to give my opinion. The kitchen was installed, and it looked like it cost a pretty penny. Here are words of wisdom:

“Lesson Learned

I learned a big lesson the hard way and wish I had gone with my instinct to hire a kitchen designer during my kitchen design process.

My contractor convinced me that it would make more sense for him to design the kitchen layout because he was also working on the electrical, plumbing etc. so there would be a cost savings to me if he designed it and worked with his preferred cabinet company.

We decided to go ahead and in the end I thought the kitchen looked great until I noticed some design elements that look flawed to me.

I believe that a [...]

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Your budget will normally dictate your choice of products but there are other considerations you need to take into account when working out how much your new kitchen is going to cost.

Prices vary quite a lot, so the figures given below are just a guideline and, as always, shopping around is the best bet.

But work out roughly how much money you want to spend and use this figure when talking to designers and contractors.

Below are some guidelines for establishing a realistic budget.

Budget Guidelines

First of all, if you limit your spending to 15% of your home’s value you should recoup 90% of the costs when you sell. Try to keep your investment relative to your homes worth, but at the same time make it worth your while by spending on the items that you really want.

Second, figure your product costs to be 1/2 to 2/3 of the total remodel. Choose your appliances, cabinets, countertops, flooring and all other fixtures first. The remaining money will go towards installation and design.

Third, if you become overwhelmed with selection choices hire a design consultant to help you. A designer can save you money [...]

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