Sample Circuit presents: The Entertaining Home, Volume 6

Kitchens Within Reach

Speaking from one passionate food lover to another, I am here to tell you that a new kitchen is within reach now more than ever before. I started designing kitchens when times were thriving - people were living in excess - throwing every appliance and two islands into their kitchens. I was designing in LA then and relocated to Sawhill Custom Kitchens in Minneapolis a year and a half ago. Times have definitely changed… but this isn’t a bad thing! There are numerous reasons why attaining your dream kitchen is smarter, quicker and makes more sense than ever before.


At this point, it is finally advantageous to take out a loan, invest in your home, and save time and money while doing it. Interest rates are at new lows. Contractors have gone back to pricing that we haven’t seen since Y2K - and the good ones are actually available! They are eager and willing to start on your new kitchen. With that eagerness comes improved customer service and quicker project completion. Reduced prices and lead times are also available on that custom cabinetry you’ve been dreaming of. Rebates on appliances, countertops and other materials are being offered like never before. Are you ready to entertain in a beautiful and functional newly remodeled kitchen? Wait no longer!

The shift in the economy has also shifted our concern to where our money ends up. Investing in local products and people not only betters the local community, but is environmentally green as well. Here at Sawhill, we take pride in the fact that we keep our products within reach. We have three cabinet lines, all with different price levels, and all made within a 500 mile radius - one of them is only an hour away! Locally made countertops, tile and other materials that are extremely unique and well-crafted are also available. Your new kitchen will not only cost you less right now, but you can give back to your community as well.



Beyond being financially and locally within reach, a new kitchen should literally be within reach. With all of the latest gadgets and accessories, it is easier than ever to make your gourmet kitchen your “Sous Chef.” When I’m cooking, I like everything at my fingertips. When I’m designing, I get into the routine of the client so that I can make sure everything is at theirs. For Baby-Boomer foodies who are looking to age-in-place- ergonomics, heights of appliances and ease-of-use should always be considered. Now that people are staying in their homes longer, making kitchens uniquely functional should be a top priority.

The list of why now is the best time to remodel could go on forever… I’ve never had so many clients interested in gardening, composting and getting back into their homes and back to the basics - quite the change from five years ago. True foodies like ourselves can all appreciate the shift! We’re seeing the same trends in restaurants - chefs are growing their own veggies, supporting local producers and spreading the organic love. Why not bring this trend into our own homes? Isn’t it time for you to attain your “Kitchen Within Reach?”

When you’re ready, you can find me right down the road at Sawhill.

Sarah Michalowski, CKD
sarah@sawhillkitchens.com
Sawhill Custom Kitchens & Design, Inc.

Sample Circuit Presents: The Entertaining Home, Volume 5

Creating a Green Kitchen Appropriate for You

Green is arguably the buzzword of the day, and not just in the world of design. We are bombarded by the media with examples of just how far one can go to be good to our environment. From the sources of our food, the way we travel, how we teach our children to live and the products we buy. It can be overwhelming at times, and if we get too caught up in the messages, it can seem as if we can never do enough. An essential thing to remember is that we make a difference with each individual choice, and for each of us there are different appropriate ways to make that difference. If you’re reading this blog, food and the preparation of it are important to you, and I’m willing to bet that’s a great way to start. It will be an easier area to get passionate about and you’ll feel more like you’ve made a difference than if your first Green steps are in an area you aren’t so involved in. Being a foodie, your kitchen is probably the one room you dream of recreating more than any other, and here are some ways to achieve your desired space while being friendly to Mother Nature.

Let’s start with appliances. The default thinking is that energy consumption is key, and that is true. These days with most major appliances meeting the rigorous standards of Energy Star, we have other considerations for Green appliance choices. If you’ve spent the time and effort to select natural, healthy ingredients, why not ensure they last until that delicious meal or celebratory dinner party by installing the best appliances? The latest choices in professional refrigeration for the home offer antimicrobial filters, eliminate odors and absorb ethylene gasses that increase the rate of spoiling. Induction cooktops are not just a novel knew technology; their unheard of efficiency makes them a very Green choice, with approximately 97% of the energy used going directly into the heating of the food itself. Steam ovens offer not only healthier cooking, but make an excellent microwave alternative by reheating with moisture to make those leftover morsels from the night before just as tasty as the first time you served them.

Countertops are another prominent surface that has many choices with Green benefits. From recycled glass to recycled paper to stainless steel that is completely recyclable if the countertops become obsolete, the choices in this area alone could fill a sizable blog. No matter what your style or color, there’s a Green countertop available for you.

Cabinetry is my favorite area of Green design. What material choice has a bigger presence in your kitchen than the cabinetry? Rapidly renewable wood species are breeds of wood that grow much more rapidly than our usual Oak, Cherry or Maple, and thus we’re not depleting an old-growth forest when we specify them. Rapidly renewable choices include Lyptus (a member of the Eucalyptus family), Bamboo and Kirei (made from sorghum straw). If those aren’t to your liking, specify wood from an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified source, which ensures that the wood has been harvested responsibly, without clear-cutting, labor infringement or wildlife habitat depletion. A frequently overlooked choice is metal cabinetry. St Charles is one company offering all steel cabinetry made from 70% recycled content and their products are 98% recyclable. Watch for a new display at the International Market Square of St Charles Cabinetry. Cabinetry isn’t just green because of its exterior material, either. Crystal Cabinetry offers a material for their cabinet boxwork (the behind the scenes portion) called GreenCore, which is made from a resin that isn’t formaldehyde based. This means the cabinetry won’t off-gas formaldehyde into your home, which we’re hearing more and more about as a cause of asthma and chemical sensitivities.

If you have any questions on anything I’ve mentioned, don’t hesitate to contact one of the award-winning designers at Partners 4, Design in Suite 109 at the International Market Square. If you happen to be in the area, stop in to see our Green display kitchen, with Lyptus GreenCore cabinetry, recycled quartz counters and a functional induction cooktop and steam oven.

Partners 4, Design, 612-927-4444, www.partners4design.com