3D Kitchen Visualization, Drafting Services & Full Range of Remodeling in Minneapolis/St.Paul and Entire Twin Cities Area in MN.

When we meet with the homeowner we listen to the client's needs and wants and draw a plan based on his/her wishes. Most of the time our clients ask us how do other people plan the lay out, which we certainly disclose. We know what is new and desirable today and can recommend certain things which will increase the value of the property, minimize remodeling costs and will reflect new building/remodeling trends. However the final decision is the matter of client's choice. OTC provides its clients with the immediate and firm estimate according to the options that the client chose. You can always add or remove different items from the proposal and we can adjust the price and we do not charge fees for change orders. The estimate and consultation is free. If you are looking for something special in your design, please contact Carl Gramentz (Gramentz drafting and Design) at (952)933-4590

Designing a Kitchen for How You Live

Your kitchen is not about the color of your cabinets, or the latest bell and whistle that’s in fashion. Your kitchen is about you…your heart…your family…your life. A kitchen becomes truly luxurious when it is designed to fit the way you live.

So, before you sit down with a dealer, we recommend you give some thought to these questions. The answers could lead you in some unexpected directions…

What mood do you want to set?—Do you prefer the serenity of a modern, sleek kitchen, or the happy, cozy clutter of a more traditional kitchen? How you answer will determine which path you take at this important design crossroads. For instance, if you prefer a clean modern line, you might want to choose a more pared down, sleek looking cabinet, and invest in extensive interior storage solutions so you can keep the clutter off your counters. If you prefer traditional looks, you may want to choose more embellishments like corbels and mantle hoods, or special accessories like reeded glass doors or our slide out wicker drawers. You may want to design your kitchen with more nooks and crannies for displaying items, too.

How much activity do you really want in your kitchen?-- These days, nearly everyone wants an open floor plan, with the kitchen as the heart of the home. But sometimes the open plan can seem “too open” when it’s executed. So ask yourself these questions…When you cook, do you want to have the whole family cook with you? Then you might want to design your kitchen with enough counter space so two “teams” can work at once. You may even want to consider a secondary prep sink. If you’re the type of person who wants to cook, but have others watch, then you might want to consider an island with your cooktop on one level, but seats and counter for your guests at a higher level.

Do you like to cook and entertain, or entertain without cooking?—If you are a gourmet cook with cabinets bulging with spices, special pots and pans, and collections of dinnerware, then investing in extra cabinetry makes sense. You should look seriously at options like a butler’s pantry, super pantries, and lots of upper cabinetry for storing glassware. Many of our customers, however, report that they love to buy foods from gourmet delis or take certain shortcuts when they entertain. If this describes you, you may want to eliminate some upper cabinets, and instead invest in cabinet organization for your lower cabinets, putting most of your items there.

Be honest—are you a good housekeeper?—Do you leave crumbs on the counter and dishes in the sink, or are you a neatnik? How you answer should affect the materials you choose. If you’re naturally neat, then you can choose any material with confidence. But if you’re not, you may want to avoid tile floors with light colored, hard-to-clean grout, stainless steel appliances that show every fingerprint, and painted cabinets that highlight every drip. Instead, choose Pergo-style or urethaned hardwood floors, wood tone or dark painted cabinets, and stainless steel alternative finishes that don’t show fingerprints.

What are your favorite things to do in the kitchen?—Do you love to linger over the morning paper with a pot of gourmet coffee? Then an investment in a built-in coffee maker and special cabinets for your mugs and coffees makes sense. Do you love to bake? Then a lowered marble counter space just for kneading, outfitted underneath with special drawers for your special baking pans, would be well worth the effort. Do your kids like to do homework while you are making dinner? Then a special homework perch with a raised kitchen counter might be the answer, with special cubbies for storing their backpacks. Cabinets today are so specialized; you can create your own personal activity zones.