Over 40 Years of Custom Laminate Fabricating Experience

Ideas! Make an Idea Planner:

You'll find ideas everywhere... in the homes of friends  and neighbors, popular decorating magazines, manufacturers websites, on the web and television decorating shows. Find a room you love in a magazine? Clip that picture and put it in your idea book. Find a great website with decorating ideas? Bookmark that site and/or print the web pages that tickles your fancy. Collect all the visuals you can. You will find that you tend to have a certain style that's all your own!
 

Measure and Make a Sketch:

This is easier than it looks.  All you need is some blank graph paper, a pencil and a tape measure. Measure your space.  Measure the dimensions of your current countertop  or new design idea and make a sketch using those measurements on a blank piece of graph paper, and you'll be ready to contact and meet with a GCI professional to make your material selections and begin your estimate.

• The example we are using is a kitchen space sketch from Wilsonart. For a larger view of this sketch click HERE .
   

• We have a handy blank graph worksheet page that is printable  HERE .
   

• Download an interactive 3-D floor plan program FREE, from Improvenet. Once FloorPlan LT and the kitchen plans are on your computer, you'll be able to open, view, walk through, and edit the designs. Make sure you read the instructions for downloading and installing the program.
   

Choose Your Materials:

Take your time, this is fun!  There are huge selections of countertop, laminate, solid surfacing and wood cabinetry selections. Designing a living space you will love can fit any budget or any extravagance you have in mind. Select the design details you will love for years to come. Stainless steel sinks? Fabulous fixtures and hardware? Anything you can dream of, from selecting the cabinet materials to to coordinating sinks, bowls and bright storage ideas, you can  turn your dream space into reality. With your materials chosen and your room dimensions sketched in, simply contact or visit GCI.  That's all there is to it.
 

Prepare for a Fantastic New Living Space:

You're almost ready to enjoy the room you have dreamed of  from the start.  When your installation has been scheduled, prepare by doing a little pre-organizing. These tips will help you sail through the installation process with a minimum disruption:

• Have all the materials ready: This will include cabinets, appliances, hardware, sinks, faucets, etc. You may be installing new flooring, tile or painting the room. Make sure that you coordinate each step of the process with your space designer, painter, plumber, tile and flooring people. In other words you need to know who needs to work in the room in what order.
   

• Remove all loose items, including pictures, wall hangings, dishes, rugs, counter-top items, small appliances, etc. Remember to think of plants sitting on window sills, contents of cabinets or hutches, a kitchen table and chairs. Each room is different and a good rule of thumb is: If it isn't nailed down...move it elsewhere.

• Plan to keep children and pets out of the work area until your installation is completed. You don't want children to get hurt by picking up something sharp or dangerous, or have your pets tail get stepped on accidentally.
   

• Determine trash collection areas for the installers before they arrive. You may or may not need to contact your trash pick-up service before-hand to schedule a large item pick-up date. If you want to keep any of the old materials, let the installers know up front.
   

• Seal off adjacent rooms with sheets or drop cloths to keep the rest of your home from collecting dust. Large plastic drop cloths can be purchased very inexpensively at a local hardware store.

• When remodeling your kitchen, expect it to be out of service for a few days.  Set up a temporary food preparation area in an another room, or plan to dine out.

• Set rules for the work crew.  Let them know where to park, what door to enter, what restrooms to use, where to use the phone, etc.
   

• Let your neighbors know about the work in advance.  The crew will be entering and leaving your home, and they're likely to make a lot of noise.
   

• Be patient.  Before you know it, your new living space will be shiny and new with a uniquely "you" design you will love for years to come.