Welcome! If you are new to the Kitchens Forum, you may find the following information and links helpful. The FAQs will help you navigate the world of kitchen remodeling and, in the process, introduce you to ideas that you may not have thought of or seriously considered. We will begin by helping you come up with a "Mission Statement" or "Goal" for your future kitchen and continue through the planning, implementation, and, finally, the unveiling of your final kitchen and the enjoyment of working in a kitchen that you helped come to pass! The FAQ articles on Kitchens contain helpful information about how to navigate this site as well as the world of kitchen renovations. The Finished Kitchens Blog has pictures and information about many GW members' finished kitchens. Not only can you see them alphabetically, but there is also a category list if you're looking for specific things like a kitchen w/a Beverage Center or a kitchen w/a mix of dark and light cabinets. Access the FKB Categories Page via a link in the navigation panel on the right of any FKB page. Additionally, there is also a link to "In-Progress Kitchens" for those members' kitchens that are not quite ready for the FKB. There is also a link to "Coming Soon Kitchens" for those kitchens that are ready for the FKB but have not yet been added. To access the "In-Progress Kitchens", the "Coming Soon Kitchens", and the "FKB Categories", see the links in the navigation panel that is on the right side of each main FKB page. The Appliances Forum is very useful when you have questions specific to appliances. The FAQs include, but are not limited to, such topics as how to ask for help with a layout, how to plan for storage, etc. Even more information can be found by doing a search on the forum. To start off the kitchen remodel process itself, take the Sweeby Test. Then, move on to Beginning a Kitchen Plan. (These two link are located on the Finished Kitchens Blog.) . . . But first, let's start with the basics for navigating the Kitchens Forum. . . Tips: Before posting a question, please search the forum. There's a very good chance someone has already asked the question. When using the "search" function, be sure to use the search box on the bottom of the page, not the top! Note, however, that you will probably have better luck searching if you use Google (or a similar search engine) than if you use the Forum search function. When using Google, to limit your results to Garden Web, include the following in your search criteria: "site:ths.gardenweb.com" In the Subject, the site changes the double quote used as the inches indicator (") to a single quote ('). We don't know why. To compensate, use two single quotes and it will appear as a double quote in the Subject. Luckily, the double quote works in the message box. When composing a new thread, you have several options: Insert an image: upload an image in the "Image file to upload" box by browsing to the file on your computer and selecting it [Note: You may only upload/post one picture per message/post with this option, see the FAQ on Posting Pictures for posting multiple pictures in a single post as well as additional details about this option] Have replies emailed to you: check the box offering this option. However, you must have "Allow other users to send you email via forms at our site." box checked in your profile for this to work (see the "Your Profile" link at the very top of the page) [See the FAQ titled "Getting Emails Sent To You...3-step Process"] Insert a link: When you "preview" your message, you will be provided with two boxes for a link...one is for the link itself and the second is for the name or description of the link. When using the "Clip this post" option (far upper right corner of each post, small print), remember that only the current post is clipped, not the entire thread. Also, you are allowed a maximum of 50 clippings. Once you reach this max, you will no longer be able to clip or email posts. . How are the home page and the Forum organized? The Kitchens Forum home page lists 30 thread titles, starting with those that don't yet have a response. After the unanswered threads, threads are listed in order of most recent response. That first page displays the last 2 hours or so of activity. (If there is no response to a thread in an hour or two, the unanswered thread usually starts to drop.) Below the thread list are page numbers 1-67 for the total 67 pages of threads available -- capturing maybe 2 months or so of threads, less when the Forum is busy. Below that (and at the top of the thread list as well) is a space for you to switch to the Conversations or Gallery "sides" - these are set up similarly but are not nearly as active. Next down is a Search box -- very important! This is also the Search box you should use (not the one at the top of the page.) Always refresh the page two or three times before assuming a thread has disappeared right after starting it. As to searching...a thread may not be found doing a GW search for up to 24 hours after it has been started. This may seem too technical, but...GW searches are done against what are known as "indexes". Indexes use key fields/words to find things. iVillage only indexes threads once a day. So, that means that until your thread is "indexed", it won't show up in a search. If you start a thread just before the index is taken, you will be able to retrieve your thread by searching soon after creation. If, however, you start your thread right after the daily index, then you will have to wait almost 24 hours for the next index. The results are color-coded Results in a brown box are results found in the FAQs. Results in a green box are results found in the Discussions, Conversations, or Gallery of the Kitchens Forum. Results in a white box are results that for some reason are incomplete - but you can still navigate to them Next is a place for you to start a new thread. And finally there are some instructions and links at the bottom. . Kitchen Forum "Sides" Discussions: This is the "side" you are on. It is for on-topic discussions concerning kitchens...renovations, use of, etc. Conversations: This is the "side" where you can post off topic threads such as regional get-togethers and non-kitchen subjects. Gallery: This is the "side" where members often post pictures...especially if they're posting a lot or a finished kitchen. . Again, welcome and good luck! The journey is wild, sometimes bumpy, but fun and very rewarding in the end!

==================================================================== This thread is "officially" ended. Please refer to the newest thread: New to Kitchens? Read Me First! http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638784/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first?n=11 Begun 01/24/2016 Please keep the newest thread on page one and let this one go quietly into the night! :-) ====================================================================

+++++ Here's an unformatted quickie preview for Mama Goose +++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Welcome! If you are new to Houzz's Kitchens Forum (formerly, GardenWeb's Kitchens Forum), you may find the following information and links to various topics helpful as you begin your Kitchen journey. These topics will help you navigate the world of kitchen remodeling and, in the process, introduce you to ideas that you may not have thought of or seriously considered. We begin by helping you come up with a "Mission Statement" or "Goal" for your future kitchen and continue through the planning, implementation, and, finally, the unveiling of your final kitchen and the enjoyment of working in a kitchen that YOU helped come to pass! In addition, there are a set of threads that form the Kitchen Design FAQs that will be useful for understanding kitchen design as well as asking for help. Read these threads to get not only an idea of the best practice design principles/guidelines, but also to understand the comments you will receive when you post your layout for comments. When you have a preliminary layout, post it here for critiquing. If you have no layout and don't know where to start, that's OK! We can help you start. Simply post a blank slate of the space. Whether a new build or a remodel, read the "Layout Help" FAQ thread (see below) - it discusses what information we need to help you get the best layout for you, your family, and your space. One very important note before we begin… When asking questions (e.g., asking for layout help), please keep in mind that everyone here is trying to help, not criticize maliciously. Some of us can be blunt, but no one is out to deliberately insult or hurt anyone. When your kitchen is done, we want you to have a kitchen that functions wonderfully well and looks nice overall -- but the process will take time and may entail comments that many times you won't want to hear (e.g., when a layout is dysfunctional). We strongly recommend you "keep listening" to what others have to say but, in the end, you don't have to take any advice given here. It's your kitchen and you are the one who will make the final decisions! . Again, welcome and good luck! The journey is wild, sometimes bumpy, but fun and very rewarding in the end! FAQ TOPICS (select the topic URL to navigate to the FAQ) 1. Defining Your Goal for Your Remodel 2. Asking for Layout Help…Please read this thread before posting your layout for help. This thread describes what we need to effectively help you with your layout. Without this information, people will only be able to give you general information and/or guesses as to what might work for you. Read the Layout Help thread and provide the requested information when asking for help (e.g., fully measured layout of the space, sketch of the entire floor, constraints, etc.). https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5500789/faq-how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-what-information-should-i-include 3. Humorous discussion of workflow and other layout topics (a.k.a., the "Ice.Water.Stone.Fire" thread): https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first 4. Kitchen Design Guidelines/Best Practices…These threads discuss recommended guidelines and best practices for a functional Kitchen design: https://www.houzz.com/... 5. Design Considerations…This thread discusses and illustrates several considerations needed when designing Kitchen components. E.g., why refrigerators need space between them and deep walls, why two seats cannot share the same leg/overhang space on an island with corner seating, etc.: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4306236/kitchen-design-layout-considerations 6. IKEA Hacks: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4306128/ikea-hacks-compilation-of-ikea-hacks 7. Stone Information…These threads discuss selecting a stone material, installing it, and maintaining it: https://www.houzz.com/... 8. Preparing for and Surviving Your Remodel, including a Temporary Kitchen: https://www.houzz.com/... 9. Miscellaneous Other Items: https://www.houzz.com/... 10. Using the Kitchens Forum (searching, navigating, quirks, etc.): https://www.houzz.com/... 11. Known Issues with Houzz (e.g., limitations when using a phone): https://www.houzz.com/... 12. Acronyms: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/faq-thread-acronyms-abbreviations-and-definitions-dsvw-vd~5364389 As you review the above threads, please check to see if there are more than 50 comments/posts on the thread. If there are, you will need to repeatedly select the "See xxx more comments" link to see the entire thread. [To see the number of comments, look at the "Comments (xxx)" text below the sharing links. The "See xx more comments" link is below the comment #s and just above the responding comments.] <<picture of "See xx more comments">> One final note: Please do not post questions on this or any of the FAQ threads listed in this thread. If you have questions, search the Forum (see "Using the Kitchens Form" topic above). If you cannot find an answer to your question or you think the answers are outdated, then start a NEW thread of your own - do not hijack someone else's thread or post to an FAQ

Some comments have recently been made regarding this thread by newer posters. To address those comments and correct the misconceptions being bandied about, I thought a short history of this thread for those who have not been around since 2008 or so would be helpful (yes, that's how long we've had this thread!) Back in 2008, we were constantly asking for all sorts of information when someone needed help. We realized that it would so much easier if we had a thread that listed what information we typically need when helping with layouts and pointing new people to it. Together a group of us came up with the Read Me thread idea that would later be a "sticky" at the top of the Kitchens Forum. It incorporated not just our information requests, but also FAQs that discussed Kitchen Design Best Practices & Guidelines, how to get started (e.g., goals & Sweeby Test), etc. Know that it was not and never has been the work of one individual or one individual's ideas being forced on others. Yes one person keeps it up, but the content was a group effort. Regarding the "sticky" & FAQs...Unfortunately, when Houzz took over GardenWeb, they eliminated a lot of functionality including but not limited to, the ability to have a "sticky" at the top of a Forum and a set of FAQs for Forums. (Kitchens, Appliances, Laundry, and other Forums had FAQs when they were part of GardenWeb.) To rectify these new issues, we: Continually "bump" the thread to keep it on the first page Expanded the Read Me thread to include other topics besides layout help. I hope this helps others to understand why we have this thread and how it came about!