Cabinet

Thinking Small (small appliances) at UAKCDeluxe 24" Appliances Now Available in SouCalUniversal Appliance and Kitchen Center has long been known for having the best selection of major appliances in all Southern California. That selection has been growing with all the new European sized 60cm. wide appliances that have been launched in the U.S. (60cm. is approximately 24 inches).For decades the standard size for U.S. ranges, cooktops, ovens, and hoods has been 30", and most single family homes today include 30" wide base and upper cabinets. However, for various reasons, there are large numbers of housing units in Southern California that have 24" wall and base cabinets that need 24" wide appliances. All the popular U.S. brand 30" wide ovens, ranges, and vent hoods won't fit in these cabinets, so only basic 24" apartment models have been available. That's all in the past, as new products are now available for 24" cabinets at a variety of price points and with a variety of features. For example, here is a new Bertazzoni stainless steel 24" wide gas range, a nice upgrade from a U.S. standard model. If you're looking for a full suite of built-in appliances in this category, you might start with Bosch, a European appliance manufacturer with a great reputation. Bosch is a premium brand, that has great quality, and at a price below the luxury category. Miele is also a European brand with a good selection of European size (60 cm) wide appliances.

Should you buy a trash compactor?Trash compactors first became popular in the 70's. Today, trash compactors are part of the lineup for most appliance manufacturers. The pros of buying a trash compactor include: 1) the convenience of having fewer trips taking the trash out, and 2) the benefit of a smaller footprint at our waste disposal sites by compressing your trash 5 times. However, there is the thought that recycle bins are more environmentally helpful. It's worth pointing out that these solutions are not mutually exclusive. In fact, if you typically recycle, you might consider using a compactor exclusively for recyclables. How trash compactors work.Trash compactors have a powerful motor that will compress trash as much as 5:1 when activated, compressing loose contents into a small package. Typically, compactors will fit in a standard depth 24" deep cabinet, and at 34 1/2" tall will fit nicely under a standard 36" countertop. The most common width is 15". Most compactors also have a deodorizer or charcoal filter. Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center can help. UAKC sells all the major trash compactor brands, as well as the premium and luxury brands, from the popularly priced Whirlpool brand to a luxury Viking brand compactor and everything in between. One super-premium brand, Jenn-Air has just launched a new compactor. Below are the details on Jenn-Air's new compactor:Efficiently reduce your trash by up to 80% with the Jenn-Air® Trash Compactor. It's equipped with Anti-Jam and Tilt Sensors for smooth operation on large waste products. Features:5:1

Make Great Decisions in Bathroom Projects at UAKCThink about future needs when selecting bath vanities, cabinets, and etc.Remodeling your Forever Home?The experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center have a great selection of vanities, cabinets, mirrors, bathroom lighting, and more for your new bathroom. Robern is a great brand choice and has some beautiful products that will work for you today, and forever. Aging-in-place is a design concept that recognizes your needs in the future will be different than they are today, and designs should work just as well for you twenty or thirty years from now as they do today. Here are some products from Robern that fit that descriptionLet's consider for example accessible cabinets like the Robern cabinets shown below:Why shouldn't cabinets be wheel chair accessible like this. Thanks to Robern, these wall cabinets are beautiful as well as accessible. Sure, this style of bath cabinet may not be necessary today. But someday, you may be quite grateful to have them, and if not you certainly haven't sacrificed anything.Similarly, wall cabinets should be designed for aging-in-place. I'm dying to get these cabinets. They slide-up and out of the way to open yet stay in place, reachable to close. Notice the adjustable shelves - another convenient feature to keep commonly used products nearby.Mirrors with built in lighting are helpful to all of us, but they're especially helpful as the years go by and closeup vision wanes.Even more helpful are magnifying mirrors. Again, this is something that's convenient for all

Kitchenaid Microwave Oven Fits 30", 27", and 24" Wide CabinetsKBMS104ESSI love it when I get to write about my favorite appliances. This is one that I discovered as a regional appliance manager visiting customers in the Western U.S. I soon discovered that Southern California had some appliance needs different from other parts of the West. For one thing, there are a lot of homes in California with 24'' wide kitchen cabinets. Kitchen remodels and updates can be challenging because today's built-in appliances are typically made to fit in 27" and 30" cabinets. I learned that there were only certain models of certain brands that had solutions to the 24" wide issue. When it came to built-in microwaves, the Kitchenaid microwave oven model KBMS104ESS was a one size fits all solution. It is a 24" wide microwave perfect for installation in a 24" wide cabinet. It also comes with trim kits that allow it to be installed in a 27" wide cabinet or a 30" wide cabinet. Of course, it can also be installed over a 24", 27" or 30" wall oven. I've noticed that built-in microwaves are being installed in more diverse locations these days. Because the KBMS104ESS has a drop down door, you don't need to worry about a swing out door getting in the way. It's also perfect for install under a countertop in the lower cabinet.The KBMS104ESS has remained popular over the years because at 1000 watts it packs a lot

Best of KBIS 2016 for RobernWho is Robern?Here is Robern's story in their own words:Our mission to craft an array of vanities, cabinets, mirrors and lighting options that are beyond the expected. Beyond the day-to-day. By fusing unparalleled beauty with innovative functionality, our products transform a bathroom into a statement of breathtaking style and sophistication.At Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Robern is a customer go-to choice for remodels and new builds of baths and lavs. High quality, great looks, and the most desirable features to finish your new bath are trademarks of the Robern brand. Below are a few examples from the Robern collection:Best of KBIS 2016 Silver WinnerThe Balletto vanity captures the legs and pointe work of a ballerina and translates that grace and precision into the legs of the vanity. This translation creates balance, symmetry and sophistication. With side storage on both sides of the vanity, little odds and ends such as makeup, razors, hairbrushes, hand towels and tissue boxes can reduce the amount of clutter in a bathroom. With thirteen colors and three leg finishes to choose from, this everyday classic embraces statement-making design.Here is just one Robern customer comment from a selection of positive online reviews:We installed a Robern Uplift into our new bathroom. It has the defogger, nightlight, and six outlets. Love the defogger because I like getting ready(moisturizer, makeup, etc...) the moment I get out of the shower.See what a difference a great mirror can make:Candre MirrorsOffering striking

DIY Kitchen RemodelingBeen There - Done ThatHaving remodeled two kitchens in the last 5 years, here's some advice for Do-It-Yourself kitchen remodels. Don't.Seriously, unless you're an electrician, a plumber, a painter, and a carpenter, who can lay tile, and install cabinets, and granite countertops you're going to need help. In my case, I wasn't any of these. For my first kitchen remodel I hooked up with a designer. She saved me a lot of money with some great ideas and connected me with a general contractor. He took care of the trades while I took care of the materials with an assist or two from the designer.I later sold that house, and moved into a small older home that was perfect for us, but needed a complete update. In this case, I didn't use a designer. We did a complete gut job, but there was not much design work - just remove and replace. New floors, new paint, etc. In the kitchen we replaced everything, but kept the basic layout. If you choose to go this way, get ready for a very long process. In hindsight, I would have done everything the same, except I'd have hired a project manager to inspect the work in process and keep the job moving forward in a more timely fashion. If you decide to manage your own remodel, I'd recommend at a minimum that you stick with professionals for the work you can't handle yourself. I had a handyman scrape the popcorn ceilings,

2 Main Decisions When Buying A New RefrigeratorTime to get a new refrigerator? Here are two fundamental decisions you might think about before you go shopping.1. Door ConfigurationsRefrigerators come with their doors configured in three fundamental ways.Top-Mount RefrigeratorsThe simplest refrigerator door setup is a two-door refrigerator with the freezer on the top. Otherwise known as Top Mount refrigerators, these refrigerators seem to have been around forever. They're commonly inexpensive entry level refrigerators, and often used in apartments.Bottom-Mount RefrigeratorsRefrigerators with the freezer on the bottom include models that have bottom doors that swing open, or more often, bottom freezer doors that slide out. Many people like the convenience of a wide refrigerator compartment on the top and freezer storage below.French-Door RefrigeratorsIn the 1990's, Amana introduced Bottom-Mount Refrigerators with a split refrigerator door referred to as French-Door Refrigerators. As they became popular, other brands introduced their own versions. In the late 1990's, Jenn-Air (a sister company of Amana), launched cabinet-depth French Door refrigerators.Today there are many versions of refrigerators with a top refrigerator split door configuration and bottom doors and drawers that serve various purposes.Side-by-Side RefrigeratorsDespite the popularity of various configurations of French-Door Refrigerators, the Side-by-Side Refrigerator still holds on to a large share of new refrigerator sales. Buyers say that they like having frozen foods readily available without having to search through a deep freezer bin to find things.2. Refrigerator type by depthYou will also need to choose not only the overall size of your refrigerator in terms of cu.ft., but

NEW Robern Styles and Finishes This year's KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) was not just a huge success in terms of attendance, but also the products and styles displayed created a buzz throughout the exhibit hall. Here are some of the Robern Vanities and more that helped create that buzz. TWICE THE STYLE Matching, side-by-side Adorn Vanities and M Series Cabinets with Reflexion Modular Lights create a stunning styling space for two. Integrated towel bars complete the thoughtful design. THE BEAUTY OF SIMPLICITY Uncluttered and remarkably sleek, the V14 Vanity has perfectly organized storage space for all your styling essentials. Pair with any Robern cabinet and Uplift Sconces for precise lighting that's perfect for shaving or makeup. MODULAR BEAUTY Available in nine Robern decorative glass colors and six Digital Wood™ options, the V14™ vanity offers exceptional customization. Gang cabinets horizontally or stack vertically for a seamless look that’s framed by the signature element, Brite Aluminum Trim. DETAILS, DETAILS In a powder room, style can make up for space. A slim vanity provides basic storage while allowing elements like a vessel sink or handsome wall-mounted faucet to shine. A Métallique cabinet brings a touch of Art Moderne to the look. Interesting content from Robern's blog: GRAY: MUCH MORE THAN 50 SHADES When you think of gray, what comes to mind? If it’s words like "drab", "dull" or "boring", you haven’t seen gray lately. The world is going gray, and that’s far from a bad thing. From furniture to fashion to

Pro-Style® Cooking Appliances are Changing The Pro-Look Gets a Sleek Update As professional looking appliances have gained popularity in luxury kitchens, they have often been mixed with sleek flush European style appliances. A Bosch or Asko dishwasher featuring a flush matching cabinet panel disappears into the cabinetry while nearby there is a Sub-Zero integrated built-in refrigerator with hidden hinges and door panels that match the adjacent cabinets. They're invisible as appliances and fit right in to the wall. Though it's not possible to do this with cooking appliances, manufacturers have made their cooktops and ranges much more sleek and contemporary-looking. This has become particularly noticeable recently, as even Professional Style appliances have become more flush, but still keep their Pro heritage. Check out the three entries below from Jenn-Air, Wolf, and Miele. Jenn-Air Jenn-Air's new 30" and 36" Pro-Style® cooktops have undergone a complete redesign. Not only have they added more power and new brass burners, but the surface of the cooktop itself is as near to flush as you can get without being inset into the counter. The heavy duty knobs still have a Pro look and feel, but they are somewhat less obtrusive. By the way, the term Pro-Style® is a registered Jenn-Air trademark. Wolf Wolf's new "M" Series Professional Oven still sports their signature red knobs, but also has touch electronic controls that work in conjunction with the knobs. Wolf has worked their magic by producing a jumbo oven with twin convection fans, yet it all fits

Ideas for Kitchen Lighting 4 Ways to Brighten Your Kitchen Your kitchen needs lighting. Natural lighting is wonderful, but most kitchens don't have much natural light. Even kitchens with abundant natural light are going to need lighting for dark nights and stormy days. Here's where to start: This kitchen has a combination of natural light, ceiling light, undercabinet lights, and hanging light. None would be sufficient on its own, but the combination works nicely together. Let's take a look at kitchen lighting options. Ceiling Lights It's very common for kitchens to have ceiling lights. However, ceiling lights tend to be harsh and they almost always need supplemental lighting. Undercabinet Lighting Lights positioned under the upper wall cabinets can be used to highlight the backsplash and/or to light the countertop workspace. This can be an inexpensive way to beautify your kitchen and add needed light at the same time. Hanging Lights Pendant or rope lights hanging from the ceiling are eye-catching and offer great spot lighting on work or eating areas. In this instance, the industrial looking hanging lights provide focus to the island and great lighting over the eating area. Appliance Lights Don't overlook the lights on your appliances. A range backsplash usually has a worklight, and a refrigerator dispenser may have a handy light that also can serve as a nightlight. An over-the-range microwave is assured to have lights that shine down on the range surface below. Regardless of what kind of range hood you have, you're almost assured