From Dark to Dreamy: a Modest Kitchen Makeover with Bold Results

Stained wood can add charm, warmth and richness to our homes, but it requires a certain level of balance to prevent it from becoming overwhelming, dark or oppressive.  The balance in this project had yet to be achieved, but there were elements worth saving that would help transform the space from dark to dreamy...

Stained floors, ceilings and cabinets coupled with dark red walls made the space feel tight and outdated.

While a small island formed an obstacle that interrupted the flow and function of the kitchen and didn't provide a large enough prep surface.

The dual loaded galley style kitchen with center island created a bisected space with narrow working aisles leaving the eating area underutilized and inefficient.

The existing kitchen plan had tight circulation clearances and limited work surface.  Foot traffic from the Foyer flowed directly through the working area and in front of the often used refrigerator.  It was not conducive to entertaining or accommodating for multiple cooks.  The breakfast table was not needed, but better access to the dining room was.

The new design keeps the flow of traffic outside of the kitchen working area allowing us to eliminate the cabinetry on one side of the kitchen to increase aisle clearances, provide an open area in front of the refrigerator and improve the overall function of the kitchen.  Enlarging the opening to the Dining room creates connection to this previously separated space and makes entertaining an ease.  The long island provides ample work surface and a casual dining area.

The renovated kitchen is bright and beautiful.  We preserved the stained wood floors, kept the wood ceiling and lightened it with paint, replaced the cabinetry with a balanced combination of stained and painted cabinets and upgraded the counters and appliances.  The sink and range were left in their original positions to reduce cost, but they are integrated into the new design with such skill that they appear as if they are meant to be.

The elongated island provides separation between the working and entertaining areas of the space and provides a wonderful wide work surface with under counter storage accessible from each side.

The new pantry cabinets and dry bar provide ample and efficient storage space and beautifully anchor the end of the kitchen.

The gas range frees up space previously occupied by a wall oven and has an under counter microwave conveniently located next to it.  The counter-depth refrigerator looks sleek and stylish, but it is also very functional because it doesn't protrude into the working aisle.

A prep sink located in the island with a flanking trash drawer creates the ultimate chopping and prep area.

New lighting and thoughtful details bring the space to life adding visual appeal and decorative highlights.

 New granite countertops with a radiused edge add to the beauty of the space and provide a durable work surface ideal for an active family.  

This new design provides the homeowner with a kitchen they love and an entertaining space that works for large and small groups every day of the week.  We were able to transform this dark space into a dreamy kitchen full of light and loveliness.

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2014 BATH STYLE TRENDS

If you want to know what design elements are trending in the bath industry, this is the place to start.  Below is a list of bath design trends that you can either expect to see more or less of in the coming year.  This slide show is based on the findings published in the 2014 NKBA Kitchen & Bath Style Report along with our own professional insights and observations.

HIGHLY DECORATIVE STYLES ARE GIVING WAY TO THE SIMPLICITY OF MODERN DESIGN

MUTED NATURAL TONES ARE BEING USED IN LIEU OF BOLD COLORS

CRISP WHITE TONES ARE REPLACING WARMER BISQUE TONES FOR TOILETS, TUBS AND SINKS

SIMPLICITY IS MAKING A COMEBACK WHEN IT COMES TO CABINET FINISHES TOO

NATURAL STONE CONTINUES TO BE THE MOST POPULAR CHOICE

HEATED TILE FLOORS ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR

CLEAN LINES AND SEAMLESS INTEGRATION APPEAL TO THE MAJORITY OF HOMEOWNERS

SILVER TONES CONTINUE TO BE MORE POPULAR THAN GOLD TONES

SLEEK & MODERN TUBS AND SHOWERS ARE REPLACING OVER SIZED JETTED TUBS & SMALL SHOWERS

For more bath design insight and inspiration, visit our other blog posts or contact us for a personal design assessment.  Many of our projects can be found on Houzz.com by clicking on our link in the right hand column of this page.

2014 KITCHEN STYLE TRENDS

Kitchen stye trends have continued to shift towards the contemporary end of the design spectrum throughout 2014.  Below we have created a slideshow of kitchen design trends that are expected to become more or less popular as we round out the year and look forward to 2015.  Our findings are adapted from the NKBA 2014 Kitchen Style Report and our own professional insights and observations.

Less is More as design styles continue to trace their roots back to sleeker simpler tastes found in contemporary design.

Muted earth tones that lean more towards the gray spectrum are replacing brighter color tones.

Wood species with tighter grain patterns and warmer undertones are replacing traditional wood species that show more movement or knots in their grain pattern.

Distressed finishes are just beginning to show a slow down in popularity while cabinetry with multiple finishes or colors other than white are increasing.

Natural stone surfaces continue to dominate the market.  Mix in some butcher block and your headed in an even more popular direction.

Hardwood continues to gain momentum as one of the most popular flooring choices and for those wary of using wood in a kitchen, wood grain tile is gaining in popularity.

Stainless steel is still a safe choice while granite composite sinks are gaining in popularity.

Silver tones have overtaken the oil rubbed bronze finishes and it appears the brass finish revival has yet to happen.

Homeowners are looking for appliances that help them achieve a clutter free kitchen and professional cooking results.

Look for full refrigerator and full freezer columns to gain in popularity as more manufacturers add them to their product lines.

Convenience and clutter free features are in high demand when it comes to storage features.

For more advice, inspiration and ideas on kitchen design, visit our other blog posts or contact us to schedule a personal kitchen design assessment.  Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams.

Twice As Nice

Sometimes you love your house but there's just one or two things here or there you wish you could change.  Such was the case with this project.  Our client had a gorgeous, spacious home in a fantastic neighborhood, but there was only one full bath to be shared by three kids. The client desperately wanted two full bathrooms, but an addition was out of the question and reducing the size of  a bedroom or closet could do more harm than good.  That's where a creative designer comes in handy.

We were able to redesign the existing hall bathroom in a way that allowed us to create one hall bath and one private bath without sacrificing bedroom space.

The existing hall bath had a combination shower/tub unit with a toilet on one side.

And a double vanity on the other side.

We began by removing the existing fixtures and finishes in the bath and part of the existing hallway.  We removed a linen closet and some other minor interior walls to make room for the new bathrooms.

By taking full advantage of a small amount of hallway space, we were able to provide the homeowner with two full baths instead of one.  Each bath has tiled showers, a toilet and vanity.  We were even able to provide a double vanity for the hall bath which is shared by two girls.

The hall bath is soft and serene with terrazzo flooring, crema marfil marble countertop, painted vanity, tiled shower walls with a hex tile accent panel and frameless shower enclosure.

 Details such as recessed tile niches and a porcelain shaving shelf help make the space as functional as it is beautiful.

The efficient design of the private bath has an open relaxing feel with it's full glass corner shower, terrazzo tile floor, glossy tile wainscot, dark vanity and sleek chrome accessories.

The vanity has a marble top with undermount sink, polished chrome faucet and glossy white  backsplash.

The shower curb and side wall are topped with the same marble that is used on the vanity.  This helps to visually tie the elements together and provides a solid smooth surface to attach the shower surround.

By transforming a standard hall bath into two full baths, we have given this family the extra space they need and have added significant value to their home.  What was once a crowded overused bathroom is now twice as nice.

An Entertainer's Oasis

Here is a photogaphic highlight tour of a recent kitchen renovation that transformed a simple, chopped-up kitchen and dining room into the ultimate entertaining space and gourmet kitchen.

BEFORE

This home originally had a very standard U-shaped kitchen with a breakfast area.

 

There was a raised bar, some updated appliances and finishes, but the space was too small for the family of six.  The homeowner's dreamed of a space that would "Wow" friends and family, but they needed professional design help to make their dream a reality.

 

The dining room opened up into the kitchen, but was small, dark and boxed-in.

A narrow hall provided a desk alcove and access to the pantry, half-bath, garage and rear sunroom.

 

The sunroom was underutilized, but had the potential to be the most striking space in the house.

The ample sunlight and beautiful views were wasted on this catch-all space.

AFTER

By removing the interior walls that framed the original dining room and pantry closet, we were able to create a grand kitchen space with a striking center island.

We extended the U-shape of the kitchen across the entire space and added a low stone wall which serves as a raised bar space and perimeter wall for the new island.

Custom designed cabinetry houses the Wolf  wall ovens with furniture front warming drawer.  The pantry cabinet conveniently flanks the wall ovens to one side while a prep surface, coffee station with built-in Thermador coffee maker and microwave drawer are located on the other side.

The stainless steel gas Wolf range top with custom designed hood is centered in the space providing a dramatic focal point.  The light colored hood and pull-out spice columns contrast with the richly stained base cabinets.  The professional series glass front built-in Wolf refrigerator has a prep area to one side and a pantry cabinet with furniture front freezer drawers on the other side.

A recessed coffered ceiling visually defines the central kitchen space, creates depth and height to the traditional 8'-0" high ceilings and adds expertly crafted warmth and detailing to the space.

The working area of the island houses a large stainless steel farm sink with industrial styled faucet, stainless steel dishwasher and under counter ice maker.

 

Each end of the stone island wall is highlighted with an elegant elliptical arch niche with glass tile background, glass shelves and accent lighting.  A stainless steel Scotsman ice maker provides a continuous supply of miniature ice nuggets.

The built-in Wolf deep fryer is conveniently located next to the range top and provides and ideal area to prepare the family's favorite deep fried cuisine.

 

An inset tile frame with glass tile herringbone pattern frames the stainless steel pot filler and provides an elegant detail for the range top backsplash.

Each side of the range top contains a concealed spice column, putting often used spices and oils at the fingertips of the chef.  A sleek microwave drawer is a brilliant solution for housing this much needed appliance.

A glass front beverage fridge anchors the oversized eat-in island keeping guests in need of a new beverage out of the main kitchen prep area.

An elliptical arched bridge support lends an open airy feel to the grand eat-in island and provides a unique level of detail and creativity.

 

The new Dining room takes full advantage of the natural daylight and dramatic views as seen through the ribbon of sliding windows.

A custom designed buffet with mirrored back panel and flanking stone plinths supporting elegant tapered columns provides visual separation between the kitchen and dining spaces.

A recessed dome accents the center of the dining space and adds dramatic flare to the artistic chandelier.  On the kitchen side of the dining buffet a mirrored front cabinet conceals a flat screen TV.

 

 

With the push of a button, the concealed electric TV lift raises the large screen TV into place providing a wonderful area of entertainment in full view of the entire kitchen.

We were able to design the ultimate entertainer's oasis for our client.  In their own words, "Kimberly took the time to listen to our wants and needs and then she put them into reality. She gave us lots of options until we all agreed on the perfect plan for us! Our kitchen is magnificent, Kimberly was very thorough with every detail."