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The Trend Toward Open Kitchens Remains Strong

Several of our blogs talk about how the kitchen is the heart of the home. More and more families want to encourage interaction using multiple islands, banquette seating and more space. This means taking down non-supportive walls and removing big over-the-island hoods. It utilizes cabinets designed to both maximize storage and integrate with the rest of the home. Nearly half of current remodel projects make kitchens more open to adjacent spaces and it requires more thought to how finishes and materials for the added rooms work together.  Again, cabinetry is the key to function and appearance. We discussed changes in cabinetry in Remodeling trends for kitchen islands in 2020. One way is to contrast island cabinets with perimeter cabinets using different shades of one color; or a different color altogether.  Another is to make cabinets more colorful as stated in the latest styles and color for kitchen cabinetry. Kitchen lighting is also seeing a change. While recessed lights are still popular; pendant lighting along with under-cabinet and toe-kick lighting works together to create a warmer atmosphere. This combination eliminates glare and shadows. And don’t forget the rooms the kitchen opens up to. Whether a dining room, living room or great room, it takes more planning to pull the entire area together. One way is to have square and rectangular cutout shelves in the adjacent room echo the shapes of the kitchen cabinet panels. Another small but important detail is hardware. Matching - or better yet – using complementary finishes for door and drawer handles throughout is a great way to pull the rooms together. Because open kitchens are more...

Why Designers Love—and Hate—Open-Concept Kitchens

“Whether you’re in the process of tackling a reno or are building a home from scratch, you know that designing a kitchen is no small feat. Before you can even get into the nitty-gritty like choosing your appliance types and selecting countertop finishes, you’ll want to determine the ideal layout for your space.” Click here to continue reading. ...

150 Shades of Gray

Did you know the trend towards gray interiors started in Scandinavia? It wasn’t until about eleven years ago when the color caught on in the United States. Rather than become passé, the popularity of gray continues to rise. According to Andrea Magno of Benjamin Moore, gray interiors are evolving and they’re seeing an increase of gray on cabinetry and trims. But picking the best shade of gray for your home can be tricky. Since grays have undertones of blue, purple or green, you’ll want the shade that’s compatible with the surrounding tiles, furnishings and fabrics. For instance, there’s a big difference between cool and warm grays.  Cool grays are better for modern interiors while warm grays work better in traditional homes. There’s also a middle ground often referred to as French grays. Traditionally trims around gray are lighter shades of gray or whites. Now we’re seeing more trims in the same or even a darker gray.  Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute agrees. She sees gray with gray trim as a trend and feels people should give more grays a chance. If you’re ready for gray walls, cabinets or trims, it’s best to get samples of your three favorite grays and paint a poster board with each one. Check them out over a period of one day (or more) to see how they appear in varying degrees of light. This way you get it right the first...

What is an industrial kitchen?

“If you covet that minimalist industrial kitchen look, consider this your metal master class (and ditto for exposed beams and bricks, plenty of blacks and greys, and a less-is-more design approach). “Industrial design is form and function at its core,” says Sara Cukerbaum, principal designer of Slic, an Austin-based design firm. “It takes from surrounding architecture and materials, and only contributes details to the space that make it work for its current use.” Click here to continue...

Kitchen Upgrades With the Most Regrets

“It was an innocent article, so you’d think — a simple roundup of kitchen upgrades that home cooks regret. Some were obvious, like adding stainless steel appliances without considering the streaking and therefore constant cleaning they require. Others were little tweaks you might never think of until it was too late — like the direction your cabinet doors open. Instead of (or in addition to!) helping our readers learn from these mistakes, the comment section exploded with 40-plus other home cooks’ biggest kitchen design regrets.” Click here to continue...

Cool Kitchen Cabinet Modifications

According to Houzz, the most popular kitchen cabinet modification for the past several years has been the pull-out garbage/ recycling bin. Storing trash under the sink is “over” as is leaving bins out to clutter your kitchen and entertain your pets. Another timeless option is a tilting tray (a cabinet panel on hinges) next to the sink bowl. It can store sponges and scrubbers that would otherwise take up your kitchen counter space. If you want to have a new coffee maker in your kitchen and been looking at reviews of coffee makers on sites similar to this website, it may be worth linking into planning to have a coffee station in your kitchen. it would be worth you considering adding a “garage door” cabinet modification, which consists of a wooden panel that tilts up. With this custom feature, your coffee maker and all of its accessories stay hidden behind a door that blends seamlessly with your design while keeping the caffeine easily accessible. Today’s upscale kitchen islands should have a built-in mini fridge for wine or other cold drinks. Cabinetry can be installed around a glass door unit to complement it or wooden panels can hide this appliance completely. Vertical racks either inside cabinets or integrated between cabinets can make extra room for plates or baking pans. This idea is especially helpful for smaller kitchens. Kitchen cabinet modifications are also no longer limited to above or beneath countertops. If there is a tall, thin space next to the refrigerator or extending into a neighboring living area, creating a floor to ceiling tower cabinet is an excellent way to...

Are glass-fronted kitchen cabinets still on trend?

Creating a timeless kitchen requires the right features, which might leave you wondering, are glass-fronted kitchen cabinets still on trend? While they certainly fit the aesthetic of traditional style, are they still the go-to, or is there a different design that feels more up-to-date and current? There are a lot of kitchen cabinet ideas to consider when designing a kitchen, and the style you choose will impact the feel and aesthetic of your scheme. While opting for cabinets that complement your interior design style is key, you don’t want to end up with a space that feels dated. So, are glass-fronted kitchen cabinets still on trend? We’ve turned to interior designers and kitchen experts to find out whether there’s still a place in kitchen design for this classic cabinet style, and how to make it feel stylish and elevated. Click here to continue...

Tips for making a kitchen with no direct sunlight seem bright and airy

How to design a kitchen that looks bright and airy despite a lack of direct sunlight? Kasie DiNella, founder of Mend Interiors, used a crisp, cool white — Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace — on cabinetry that straddles modern and beachy in this new summer cottage-turned-primary-residence for empty nesters in Dennis. Contrast trim in a taupe-y neutral — Benjamin Moore’s Sea Pearl — adds warmth while a glossy, textured backsplash bounces around the sunlight that filters in. Using rift-sawn white oak shelves with a clear matte finish instead of upper cabinets helps, too. “They’re highly functional for daily use and encourage the homeowners to display personal items so the look can evolve with them over time,” DiNella says. Click here to continue...

Kitchen Countertop Options

Choosing a kitchen countertop isn’t all about looks! Durability, maintenance and cost are all factors.  If you select a favorite and it doesn’t fit your lifestyle, chances are that there is a similar style in another material that will work.  However, regardless of whether it is granite or concrete, you must care for it appropriately to maintain its beauty. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, granite is the top choice in kitchen countertops.  It is available in a wide variety of colors and no two pieces are ever exactly alike. Granite can be polished to darken and shine the stone or honed to make it soft and matte. Similar natural stone materials, like marble and limestone, are softer than granite and require more delicate use. Quartz, a combination of mineral, color, and resin, is not cheaper than natural countertops, but is a durability superstar.  Hot pots, serrated knives, abrasive pads, and most stains are no match for quartz. All natural stone countertops must be sealed periodically to keep them looking great, but quartz does not require sealing. Concrete countertops are gaining popularity because they can be completely customized with pigments. Concrete is available in several different finishes: trowel (smooth), ground (sanded to expose the sand aggregate) and pressed (a tool is used to reveal marble-like veining). Extreme changes in temperature may cause concrete to warp or curl, damp sponges left on the countertop can cause discoloration, and acidic spills may mar the surface. To keep concrete countertops in shape, seal them four times per year and wax them with a paste every two to three months. Wood...