Washington Lumber and Home Center offers kitchen and bath design center

WASHINGTON - A kitchen or bath remodel is often expensive and time consuming. Tackling it alone can be a hassle but the Washington Lumber and Home Center has opened a new kitchen and bath design center to help.

Diana Carroll, Kitchen and Bath Designer at the center, said the store offers help with all projects from shingles to concrete. When it comes to designing kitchens and baths, those are her specialty.

To begin with, Carroll said she will meet with the client to determine what look they are after then help create it digitally. Then she will provide a quote and the fun aspects, such as choosing colors and finishes, begins.

'Working with somebody like us gives them a little bit more knowledge to know what to expect ahead of time,” she said.

This is a tremendous help to people, she said, because most people do not know where to begin or tend to overlook things. Having the perspective of someone who has done this before offers knowledge and also an opportunity to make changes.

Although the process may be overwhelming, Carroll said her role as the designer is to be helpful and be a calm in the storm. Things like window height and electrical outlet placement might not be thought of by the homeowner, but they will be by her.

Everything is pre measured and drawn up to help the homeowner understand what will fit where and how their dream room can be designed. Shopping local is also a benefit because it not only gives the folks at the center work, but local contractors as well.

'Keeping it local just entails a lot of diff things that keeps more jobs going in the area,” she said.

Trends have come and gone over the years with white being the most popular but now fading out. People are leaning more toward linen colors or softer tones, she said.

For families looking to redo cabinetry, Carroll said smooth front cabinets are popular. They are easy to wipe down and clean when the inevitable spill occurs.

Carroll said staff can help with everything from the cabinets to the hardware to the paint and safety is always a number one concern.

'We pride ourselves that the things we carry are going to be sturdy and you're not going to have to worry about it for several years,” she said.

For the older folks looking to redo rooms, Carroll said soft-close drawers, roller trays in cabinets and lazy susans are popular. Being able to access everything with ease and in the safety way possible is the goal.