Weekender Alicante South Issue 106

More documents

Recommendations

Info

18 FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST 2019 www.weekender.news Home&Garden Sponsored By Sandquist If you cannot move – then why not improve If you have an improvement in mind, then consider giving Sandquist a call to discuss your ideas. DEREK McLean, proprietor of Sandquist Construction, says: “We have taken on renovation projects like replacing an entire roof of a finca. “Our fully qualified experienced technical engineer will design a solution to fit your needs and supervise the entire project. You get exactly what you want at the price agreed and guaranteed for ten years.” You may already have a pool but what about a summer kitchen, a terrace or somewhere to park the car out of the glare of the sun or the sandy rain? Extensions to existing houses as well as building up, as opposed to out, could give you the extra space you need and increase the value of your property. Their building company will carry out the entire job from the pool pump, the cover, tiler, plumber, roofer, carpenter and electrical work. Derek said: “We’ve had a number of jobs on urbanisations where people want their own pools but have very small plots. What we’ve found is that if you have room to park a car we can get a pool in”. These are just some of the works they are able to do for you: • Terracing • Walling • Garages • Extensions • Solarium Conversion • All Licences Obtained • Fully Legal Spanish Company • Ten Year Guarantee Contact Details 44, Vereda Los Gabanes, Dolores 01350, <strong>Alicante</strong>. Tel: (0034)966 710 161 Mobile (0034) 649189930 email: derek@sandquistconstructions.com www.sandquistconstructions.com
Facebook: @The<strong>Weekender</strong>Spain FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST 2019 19 Home&Garden SMART MONEY SAVING TIPS ON A KITCHEN REMODEL Sponsored By REFINISHING, REFACING, OR REPLACING CABINETS Kitchen cabinets can be one of the most expensive items to replace in a kitchen. To the naked eye, most people can’t tell the difference between a solid wood cabinet and one that has a veneer front. Instead, splurge on functionality. Soft close drawers, a wellplaced pantry, and solid sides and shelves are a few items that will pay off on resale and make a kitchen function better. Instead of replacing the cabinets, look into refinishing or replacing cabinet doors. Refinishing involves sanding or stripping the old doors and cabinet faces, a timely job that then includes repainting to bring a fresh new look to the kitchen. Refacing a cabinet means to actually replace the before “face” of the cabinet (doors and drawers) with new ones. While this option is more expensive than refinishing it is a much better job and has a completely different end result. If cabinets are solid wood, this might save thousands of euros over replacing cabinets entirely. STONE, LAMINATE OR CERAMIC COUNTERTOPS This area is where prices can skyrocket. However, if given the budget, a stone countertop can add endless beauty and resale value to a home. Ceramic counters can also make a bold statement. Just remember, style is subjective, so for resale, stick with a more neutral palate. If a budget is tight, consider adding a less expensive laminate and add colour and style with stools, furniture, or a backsplash. CABINET HARDWARE Cabinet handles, pulls, and knobs are known as the “jewellery” of the kitchen. These inexpensive items can make a real change in a kitchen that needs a little facelift. Changing out cabinet hardware is a fast, easy, and often less expensive solution that can change the look of a kitchen in a few hours. BACKSPLASHES With ceramic tile stores now carrying thousands of varieties of tiles, a kitchen after can come to life and make a statement with a well thought out backsplash. Style, variety, and cost can vary greatly, so remember that when choosing and installing a backsplash. Keep the budget and priorities in mind when deciding where to spend renovation money. Expensive items such as structural changes to walls or relocating plumbing or mechanical systems can quickly add up to thousands. Be firm when deciding which changes are being made; endless changes can cost extra money. Finally, go visit showrooms to get a sense of the style wanted for a kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home, so taking some time to do research before making any changes can be a smart move. DIY AND HOME IMPROVEMENT 5 kitchen styles you will want in your home The kitchen has grown from being little more than a place to prep food, to a fully fledged space you want to spend time in entertaining and eating. Those in doubt should consider the fact that Britons now dedicate more hours per annum to this corner of the home than any other. Few want to walk into a space that feels uninspired and lackluster, though. With this in mind we’ve had a think about five kitchen styles that will ensure walking out the door is the last thing on your mind. From the exotic to the ultra-modern, then, take a look below and see if you don’t hit on the perfect idea for your own home. THE BLANK CANVAS Opting for simple, non-statement fixtures and fittings in a neutral shade is far from boring; you can stamp some personality on the place through decorations, artwork, soft furnishings and products. This also means that, if you ever want to sell, there’s less chance the estate agent will recommend ripping the heart out of your address to appeal to the mass market. THE HOLIDAY HOME Considering how well traveled us Brits are these days, and how wildly varied our palettes have become, it’s no surprise that more and more people are opting to style corners of their home on their favourite global destinations. Popular choices include Moroccan and rustic French. There’s no reason these ideas can’t be applied to the kitchen, either, and given most of them rely more on little details, rather than wholesale installations, it doesn’t cost an arm or a leg to make the transformation. SCANDINAVIAN CHIC From Norway to Denmark, the Scandinavians can teach the world plenty about interior design. Although hard to pull off on a budget, with simple wood finishes, clean lines and very well made fixtures you can guarantee that, if done properly, your kitchen will definitely look the part, meaning you’ll probably start having to ask people to leave when they come round for a nosy. THE TRADITIONAL COTTAGE Again, this is never going to be the cheapest option, but by buying in some larger equipment such as an Aga or similar oven, opting for darker pine or oak finishes, and getting yourself a large dining table made from natural materials you can easily bring some of the countryside into the city. Or, if you live in the country already, ensure you’re in tune with the aesthetics of the area outside your front door. THE ULTRA-MODERN Although ‘shades of grey’ calls into mind something a little (read: a lot) more erotic than your kitchen, dark marble, themofoil and melamine- either in grey or black- are definitely en vogue right now. And, if you invest in quality, there’s little chance they will start to look outdated as the years roll by- a major factor to consider whenever you’re forking out for new cupboards.
Page 1 and 2: Trusted News Read By Over 50,000 Pe
Page 3 and 4: Facebook: @TheWeekenderSpain FRIDAY
Page 5 and 6: Tax-efficient solutions for expatri
Page 7 and 8: 902 123 461 TM * O f f e r v a l i
Page 11 and 12: 902 123 461 TM * O f f e r v a l i
Page 17: Facebook: @TheWeekenderSpain Home&G
Page 25 and 26: Facebook: @TheWeekenderSpain Stretc
Page 27 and 28: Facebook: @TheWeekenderSpain CRYPTI
Page 29 and 30: Andy Mansell’s Dorothy’s Friend

Weekender Alicante South Issue 106

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?