Owner: Linda Lee Bauer
Phone: (860) 663-1444
Address: 105 Chittenden Rd. Killingworth

The kitchen is often the central gathering place of the home - it's where we eat together, where the kids do homework, where friends and family gather when entertaining. Because it is such a popular venue, the kitchen is one of the first choices for remodeling and Linda Lee Bauer of Classic Kitchens can help make your kitchen reflect your personal style within your budget. Not only is a kitchen renovation aesthetically pleasing it's also a great investment. According to Remodeling Magazine's 2008-09 Cost vs. Value Report, the return on a major kitchen remodel is 76 percent. A minor kitchen remodel has a great return as well with numbers hitting 79.5 percent.

"The return on your investment in a kitchen remodel is tremendous," says Bauer. "It's not like a car that depreciates in the first year. No matter how much you spend on your project, you will see value for your money if and when it comes time to sell your home."

Bauer formed Classic Kitchens about 7 years ago after working with others in the business for an additional six years. Her approach begins with a two-hour free consultation with the homeowner, which she refers to as a fact finding mission.

"This is the time when the homeowner brings out their folder - and almost every homeowner has one- with magazine clippings of various kitchen elements that appeal to them," she notes. "We also go over their list of what components they want in their kitchen, we discuss cabinet and countertop materials. I also observe the style of the rest of the home so that the kitchen fits in with the way a family lives. I listen very carefully to what my clients believe they want. I also suggest alternatives and different options just so they can consider those too."

Armed with the information from the client, Bauer goes to the drawing board in her in-home office. In about 10-14 days she returns with a design unique to that property.

"Every project is totally different," Bauer notes. "While many kitchens may have the same layout it is the homeowner's unique perspective of their dream kitchen that gives a kitchen its personality."

The planning, construction, installation and finishing of a project can take between four and six months, according to Bauer, and cost between $40,000 - $60,000 ($15,000 - $25,000 for the cabinets) for an average kitchen with pricing going higher for upgrades and add ons. So if you want your new kitchen to be ready for Christmas entertaining, better start planning now!

Classic Kitchens offer two lines of excellent quality, all-wood, American made kitchen cabinetry in a variety of woods and finishes. Bauer also works closely with a local contractor, but she will also work with a contractor the client chooses. "About 90 percent of my work is referrals from clients," says Bauer. "I don't have a store front and I don't have a team so that helps keep my costs down. My fees include the design, consultation, project oversight and management- from beginning to end I am on the job for you.

"I love being able to figure out how to make your kitchen better," she says. "I love being able to find the solution that makes the clients wishes come to reality."

Over time, Bauer has found many design trends to be consistent: some shade of white for the cabinets continues to have lasting appeal, as does Cherry. Painted cabinets are also very popular with the kitchen island boasting a contrasting color. For countertops, "granite is the preferred choice", says Bauer.

According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), of which Bauer is a member, traditional styling is still favored over contemporary; ceramic and porcelain tile, as well as natural stone tile, remain popular kitchen flooring options, but hardwood will dominate the kitchen landscape more than ever in 2010.

Other trends for 2010 are as follows:
Standard kitchen faucets will become less standard in 2010 in favor of more convenient models. Pull-out faucets continue to increase their market dominance, while pot filler faucets will also become more prevalent. Kitchen faucets will most often be finished in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel, and—surprisingly—polished chrome.

French door and freezer-bottom are the two most popular styles of refrigerators, and side-by-side refrigerators remain a popular option. A surprising trend is the extent to which undercounter refrigerator drawers are being used in the latest kitchen designs. Perhaps even more surprising is that undercounter wine refrigerators have been recently specified by half of kitchen designers.

The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Also, more and more people are purchasing commercial -style ranges, notes Bauer. Gas will maintain its position as the most popular type of cooktop over electric, although induction cooking continues to gain in popularity due to its energy efficiency.

Standard dishwashers, with the traditional door that pulls from the top down, will once again be easily the most common type in 2010. However, an increasing number of dishwasher drawers will be installed in kitchens this year for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes in each drawer, thereby saving water and electricity.