More Remodeling Tips:

*Home shows are a great place to talk to and find contractors plus see all the latest kitchen remodeling options.

*If you hire artistic contractors, learn to trust them. For this kitchen, the homeowners trusted their backsplash would come out well because they knew their contractors' taste and gave them freedom to design.

*Educate yourself on your choices and be prepared for upkeep issues in the future. Upkeep on concrete comes with greater demands than some other surfaces. In this case, the homeowners were willing to accept extra maintenance in order to get the look they really wanted.

*Look at samples (paint, countertop/backsplash materials, swatches, etc.) under normal lighting conditions in your house. What you think is great in a showroom or store might not work in your rooms.