FIVE TIPS TO GETTING THE MOST MILEAGE OUT OF YOUR FREE KITCHEN DESIGN CONSULTATION:

Where do you start when working with a kitchen designer? What is the best way to prepare for your first meeting? What should you bring? What should you do beforehand to get the most mileage out of your free session? Here are five tips that will help you get the most value out of your design consultation for your kitchen, bath, den, laundry or other room renovation:
1) Make your own scrapbook of ideas. You should start by cutting out photos from books and magazines, printing images from the web or from Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly’s main website, and creating your own little scrapbook of things that you like. It’s VERY IMPORTANT that you use a post it note on the photo and write the reason you pulled that particular photo. Write what you like about the picture at the time you pull the picture because it has been our experience that once clients have a library of 20 or 30 of these, they often tell us they have no idea why they liked that photo. Sometimes it might be the light fixture, sometimes it might be the hood, or perhaps you had a question about the backsplash tile you liked. It may not have been the overall kitchen, it may not have been the cabinets, but there was something about it that you found particularly appealing at the time you pulled it out. Therefore, it is very important that you capture that reason on a post it note attached to the photo.
2) Write up a wish list. Your wish list should include specific things that you’re trying to add or change about your existing kitchen. Analyze what you like and don’t like about your present space. Make a list and leave it in the room for a couple of weeks. Are appliances outdated? Is the space unattractive? Is it inefficient? Do you need more counter space? Do you want more storage? Write it all down. Do you like the lighting? Do you want to keep the garden view? Write that down too.
3) Go appliance shopping. Research appliances online and go shopping just to get an idea of what kind of things are out there and what kind of budget range there is in your appliance selection. This will help you establish a general category you want to be in. Your kitchen designer will help you refine your final choices based on his/her experience and knowledge of those appliances. Your kitchen designer can give you a good comparable that might be a better choice, or fill you in on customer feedback by telling you what previous clients liked or didn’t like about features of the appliances they selected. Because there is such a broad range in price, we like to send our Kitchen Designs clients out there to get an idea first. There are $900 refrigerators or $7,000 refrigerators. You need to determine how much money you want to allocate and what features are important to you.
4) Measure your existing kitchen or bring in blueprints if you have them. Measure your existing kitchen to the best of your ability. It doesn’t have to be perfect. (click here for measuring tips). Take pictures of the room, digital or on your phone, to help us visualize what you have measured. Bring these with you to the meeting.
5) Think about the budget you’re considering for the whole renovation. Then, call to make an appointment for your free consultation. Allow for a 1 to 1-1/2 hours discussion during your free consultation.
If you come to your free kitchen design consultation with all this information, we (and most professional designers) will be able to give you a wealth of additional information, ideas, style ideas, and redesign possibilities. We will talk about functions and features that may help your particular situation and have a general discussion about kitchen budgets relative to your wish list. You will most certainly leave the meeting with good value. Professional design advice will help save you costly mistakes later.
Be sure to read this article we posted. It’s an eye opener: “A Real Kitchen Remodeling Budget- Trust Your Kitchen Designer”
The best way to prepare for your kitchen installation or any renovation is to be prepared beforehand. Your kitchen designer and construction team will help you achieve the best kitchen renovation experience possible. The tips and ideas in this blog post will help you prepare for the installation of your beautiful new kitchen, bath, or other room renovation. Time spent up front preparing for your kitchen project pays off throughout the construction phase. If you want before photos of your kitchen or bath, this is a good time to take them. We give our clients at Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly these five tips:
1) Prepare and empty your kitchen. The first thing to do is physically prepare the space. Empty your cabinetry completely, and empty everything you can out of the room. Box, tape and label anything you won’t be using. If there’s an object in the room that is too heavy for you to move, we will take care of that for you when we come to prepare for the demolition. We ask that you have the place and the path where the heavy piece is going clear and accessible. For example, if you want us to move your kitchen table to another room, be sure the path is clear to that room.
2) Remove pictures, art, and mirrors from adjoining rooms. The next thing to do is to take down pictures and mirrors and anything on the OTHER side of the wall if the kitchen is adjoining other rooms. Remove everything from the opposite side. Pictures can rattle and bounce off when we are doing the demolition.
3) Set up a temporary kitchen. We assist our clients in setting up a temporary kitchen. It is important to put down a piece of masonite or plywood to protect the floors and carpets underneath your temporary kitchen. You don’t want carpets and floors damaged from spills or a heavy refrigerator sitting on them for 6 weeks or so. We will relocate the refrigerator for you and use a card or kitchen table to set up the microwave, the toaster oven, the coffee maker, and any other small appliances that you will use in your makeshift kitchen. A panini maker is helpful. Stock up on paper plates, disposable cups, and silverware. As glamorous as it may seem eating out every night, it will get old fast, and we highly recommend (particularly if you’re a good cook and you normally cook at home) preparing meals ahead of time and stocking your freezer with a few of your favorite eats that can be simply defrosted and heated up. Your outdoor grill will come in handy too. Eating healthy will help you keep your sanity while waiting for your new dream kitchen.

4) Protect other rooms from dust and debris. If your contractor doesn’t do this for you, you should close off the kitchen area with plastic by taping all the doorways shut. If you’re going to need to be going in and out of that doorway, you can purchase plastic door shields with zippers (see photo). We do this for our clients automatically on all our installations to help prevent dust from going throughout the rest of the house.
5) Prepare the room below your kitchen. If part of your renovation includes ripping out your floor in preparation of putting down a ceramic tile floor, the floor is normally ripped out down to the existing sub floor level. Many of the older homes we work on were built with 1 x 6 subfloor boards, which have gaps between the boards. If the basement ceiling is unfinished, dust and small pieces of debris can fall through those gaps to your lower basement area, so it is very important to protect and cover everything in the room below the kitchen (or bath) being renovated. When the basement ceiling is unfinished, our carpenters will staple a plastic barrier to the underside of the floor joist and completely cover the ceiling below. The plastic will remain there until the new tar paper and wire mesh is installed. Then, we’ll take the plastic down and clean the lower level.
You can succeed the remodeling journey with minimal stress by planning ahead and knowing what to expect.
Let’s talk about budgeting for your kitchen renovation… Cabinetry will always be the largest portion of your budget, and the amount depends on variables such as the square footage, the number of cabinets, the cabinet material, finish, and door style. The next largest portion will be the appliances, then countertops, flooring, lighting, fixtures, and other materials. A professional kitchen designer has an extensive knowledge of real costs and can design a project that fits your budget perfectly. Let’s delve into the issue of a realistic project budget.
You will often hear about the cost of cabinets in a price per running foot. In our showroom, we often have to clarify the question, “What is considered in a running foot?” If you were to take your kitchen (ie. an L-shape kitchen) the running foot length runs from the corner of the cabinet wall to the first corner, then from that corner to the other end. You do not deduct any inches for appliances or windows because that is all taken into account in the measurement average. You will see a swing in price within the four cabinet categories: assemble yourself cabinets (ready to assemble), stock cabinets (assembled), semi-custom cabinets, and custom cabinets.
If you go to a big box store to price things first, note that the price per linear foot is only an estimate and can be deceiving. It will increase if you purchase taller wall cabinets or anything other than the basics. It also does not include any options, moulding, toe kicks, or hardware. Generally, you need to add 50% to their “sample kitchen” price to get closer to a real price for a basic, no-frills kitchen with no options, moulding, toe kicks, or hardware. Oh, and by the way, installation costs are additional.
I went on an investigation recently and visited a local big box company. The price per linear foot that was on the counter of the display turned out to be half the equation when I actually spoke with the sales rep. Their price shown was for the wall cabinets (top only) and they were doubling it as they went over the same wall for the base cabinets, which is not the norm in the industry. The price per linear foot in the industry includes wall AND base cabinets. This was their marketing strategy to put a lower price on the display sign. They were literally giving you half the equation, so it is important you ask to get all the facts. We want you to be informed and know that what we (or a professional designer) will bring to the table is VALUE.
If you were to have the big box store layout your kitchen, they’re going to plug in say 7 stock cabinet sizes and give you a price. If you were to bring us that estimate, and we were to price those same 7 cabinets (exactly the same layout) you will be pleasantly surprised that we will be very competitive on price, and many times we can do it cheaper with a better quality cabinet. However, if you give us the same space to work with, we will design a better, more functional, more intricate design that will include more parts and pieces, and yes, it will be more expensive because of that (not because we’re more expensive than the big box store). So, you need to decide… Do you strictly want the room filled with boxes at the lower price or do you truly want the very best use of those inches designed in the very best way, and are you willing to pay that difference to get better performance out of the same space? What we do in design adds VALUE but can add expense. You have to decide between the two.
It is important to consider that if you have a strict budget, you will absolutely get more value within that budget working with a professional designer. You will get a higher quality product, a better design, and more options and features. We will give you much more for that same budget, and because we’re experts at what we do, we don’t go over that number. We are often shocked to hear that people are afraid to talk to us because they think we are expensive. Yes, we do very high-end custom cabinetry for those that have that kind of budget; however, most people don’t realize that our specialty and expertise truly help those on a smaller budget, and we love to do these jobs as well. It gives us even more opportunity to be creative. We want you to get the job done right. It gives us tremendous pleasure knowing we gave you the highest quality possible for your investment.
Consider these real expenses that go into your renovation budget. Each of the following has an actual cost associated with it. When you come in to speak with us, we will discuss each item with you to keep you on budget:
Room Prep (Plastic protection of doorways to other rooms and set up temporary kitchen); Demolition; Carpentry –(Are there structural changes involving walls, doors, windows, etc?) Are we gutting to the studs in a complete demolition or just replacing cabinets and doing minor patching? Consider the age of the house, was it ever updated, and what will it take to bring it to code?; Rough electrical, rough lighting, rough plumbing, rough heating; Insulation; Sheetrock; Tape & Spackle; Flooring (Wood, ceramic, other? ); Cabinet selection and purchase; Appliance selection and purchase; Countertop selection and purchase; Cabinetry installation; Appliance installation (setting appliances); Countertop installation; Drill and Install Hardware; Backsplash Tile Purchase; Backsplash Installation; Finish Plumbing, Electrical, Lighting, Moulding & Trims, and finish punchlist; Painting or Wallpapering
Note: The entire renovation project as shown above is about a 7-week process for a typical installation.
I hope I have provided you with information that helps you form a budget strategy moving forward. If there is anything else you would like answered, please feel free to comment or email.
One of the many things I learned during my after yoga class pow-wow, was that some of the “organic” body care products I stock in my master bath are not, in fact, organic. Sadly, some of my so-called healthy, “organic” purchases aren’t even certified…so much for trust. Questionable products I checked in my home included organic body soap, shampoo, and body lotion.
When researching my products online, I learned that Whole Foods (see policy here) is doing something to help clean up this mess of misinformation. They announced that beginning June 1, 2011, all organic body care products sold in their stores will have to be certified – a blessing for those of us who need clarification between the fakers and the real deal. Right now, it appears that anyone can claim their personal care products are organic.
In the meantime, I won’t be trusting the term “organic” on my products and will be looking for the actual USDA Certified Organic Seal. I will also be reading up on this situation at the Organic Consumer’s Association website (also see their Coming Clean Campaign for Organic Integrity) and will raise a hairy eyebrow to mere terms on packages such as “eco,” “herbal,” “healthy,” and “organic.”
According to the Organic Consumers Association Coming Clean Campaign, “Whole Foods has told brands that they have until August 1, 2010 to explain how they will change their labeling or formulations to comply with the new standard and they have until June 1, 2011 to be in full compliance with their new policy. Brands that don’t submit an explanation are expected to be dropped from store shelves over the coming year.”
Kudos to Whole Foods for taking a stance! I only hope that the other health food stores I shop at take their lead.
Related Reading: The Whole Story on Whole Foods’ New Organic Beauty Standards — Planet Green, A Discovery Company
Whole Foods Cracks Down on ‘Organic’ Personal Care Products –Nutrition Business Journal
Of Course I Didn’t Buy That Organic Shampoo Then Tell The New York Times About It
Bubble glass tile with custom ceramic tile in recycled bottle caps, buttons, beads and broken pieces of china.Multiple showerheads, overhead “rain” showers, body sprays, hand sprays, steam showers, towel warmers… move over and make room for the new bathroom necessity — cutting edge hidden television technology directly in the mirror.
The bath is no longer merely a functional place to wash and groom. People are spending increasingly more time in their bathrooms and want a spa-like experience .
Installing a TV behind a two-way mirror in our bath (see photo below) has been life-changing for Ken and I to say the least.
The experience it creates is like no other. It provides an incredibly relaxing and luxurious environment during a candle-lit chromotherapy bath, and shaving or putting on makeup while catching up on the morning news is truly enjoyable.
In the photo below, Ken is testing the superior picture quality of Electric Mirror’s TV built within a shaving mirror.
The waterproof version allows for installation in your bath or steam shower as well. Components are sealed against humidity.
The functionality allows the unit to operate as a mirror when the unit is off and as a TV when it is on.
A 1″ thick LCD TV installs flash with the mirror, doesn’t obstruct the view, and prevents fogging. Let’s face it, no one would want an ugly, clumsy “days of old” TV in their bath taking up valuable countertop real estate when they can have a sleek, modern design that enhances the décor.
Below is a demonstration video from the Kitchen and Bath Industry Shows.
For more information, visit Electric Mirror’s Website. If you would like purchase information click here.
Related Posts:
2010 NKBA Award Winning Bath: Kitchen Designs
Nice article about Ken Kelly from Cabinet & Furniture Trends: Click Here: See what they’re saying about Ken Kelly in the article, Ken Kelly Ultimate BathroomDesign
An interview with Ken Kelly about this project on Calfinder Remodeling Blog: Click Here: Phenomenal Blue Bathroom Remodel
Kitchen Designs recently finished this Garden City, Long Island, kitchen renovation. The home has spectacular large-scale rooms and grand ceiling details. The client wanted the kitchen to fit the family’s lifestyle. All the details were selected to highlight different areas in the kitchen, giving the space a functional layout with the flow of their home.
Once you walk into this grand room, the coffered ceiling creates an inviting space by adding depth and interest. The height of the room is in proportion to the size of the kitchen. The large floor-to-ceiling windows in the eating area allow the light to flood into the room bringing the outside in.
The client worked with Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly’s designer Taine D’Agostino CKD, ASID, NCIDQ to create the space she was looking for. The kitchen is designed for different zones with all the appliances a chef could wish for. The clean-up area includes the under-mounted stainless steel sink pulled off the wall with flanking post. Appliance choices include the Miele dishwasher with hidden panels, the Miele double ovens, the Sub-Zero wine refrigerator, and the Miele coffee maker. The Wolf cooktop mimics the details of the sink area. To create a focal point with the custom wood hood, we designed two valances to marry the hood to the flanking wall cabinets. The 700 Series Sub Zero Refrigerator/Freezer is cloaked with panels and a pediment above to disguise it as a separate piece of furniture.
The Brookhaven cabinets (by Wood-Mode) are painted with a glaze and include a raised panel door with a sub-divide panel to give proportion to the space. The finish highlights the door details as well as the carved corbels on lays and post. The island houses the wine refrigerator at one end and the hidden microwave on the inside. Wicker pullout baskets store potatoes and onions and are also hidden behind the doors. The back of the island provides ample seating.
This space was designed with the family in mind. It would be hard to make a bad meal here. Some say the kitchen is the “heart of the home.” In this case, the kitchen was created with their hearts. (Click to enlarge photos and see details from the gallery below.)
Here you have it–an insider’s look at Wood-Mode’s 2010-11 new designs. Ken and I had the opportunity to preview these new designs during a private viewing at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Chicago (KBIS). These new design themes range from timeless country to quite contemporary. (click images to enlarge)
“Easy elegance is an idea that is being seen in both traditional and contemporary décor,” according to John Troxell, Wood-Mode’s Director of Design. “Whether it’s a classic Southern home or a repurposed urban condo, the details are restrained but striking. In some cases these two seemingly diverse trends are layered on top of the other.” Keeping in mind the ever-changing tastes of its clientele, Wood-Mode will introduce a variety of new design themes.
Here is what the new lifestyle collections will include:
SOUTHERN RESERVE THEME: This elegantly traditional design draws its inspiration from such key southern coastal cities as New Orleans and Charleston.
Southern Reserve: (Wide China Hutch) Features the new “Georgetown” Wood-Mode door style with a new rubbed finish, “Antique Leather,” that creates the aura of fine burnished furniture with a higher sheen and Gothic Chippendale mullion.
Southern Reserve: (Tapered Feet Hutch) Features a new finish, “Tavern,” on Cherry as well as an additional new Chippendale mullion pattern. This new door style is called “Passage.” The decorative striped inlay on the top drawer is optional–a perfect look for a wine-tasting room.
Southern Reserve: (Shutter Door Hutch) This armoire unit takes on a casual flair with an Opaque EGGSHELL finish and new “Shutter” construction door style — perfect for the beach house.
MODERN HISTORY THEME: Living up to its name, this unique design theme introduces innovative modern amenities to a historically inspired interior space. A new wood species, “Quarter-Sawn Walnut,” is shown in a rubbed finish and paired with a high-gloss white acrylic with white edge banding. The door style is Wood-Mode Vanguard.
PENTHOUSE VIEW: Sophisticated and contemporary, this striking unit has an Art Deco flair that will appeal to the discriminating client. Set within the broad door frames, X-mullions over recessed wood panels are highlighted with a silver metallic finish that enhances the custom gray opaque finish. The door style is Wood-Mode Sonoma.
WOODLAND MEADOWS THEME: Embracing the appeal of a cozy family home, this design theme proves that traditional elements never go out of style.
Woodland Meadows: (White Hutch) Features Brookhaven’s new “Madison” inset door with beading around the perimeter of the door and drawer head. The finish is Vintage Lace.
Woodland Meadows: (Credenza) Features Brookhaven’s new “Winter Haven” door. The finish on this piece is brown with black glaze on maple.
Woodland Meadows: (Country Hutch) Features a new wood species, Knotty Adler, for a country flair. This piece is shown in matte autumn with black glaze. The door style is Square Edge Andover.
EXPRESSIONS THEME: Sophisticated and contemporary, this design theme evokes the feel of an urban condo. A new laminate, “Smokey Pearwood” is shown in a textured finish. It features Brookhaven’s Vista door style with C-Channel pulls.
If you are interested in any of these designs or in having us design a custom piece for you, contact us here. We ship nationwide (USA).
Related Posts:
Modern Wood-Mode Kitchen & Adjoining Office With City View
A Wood-Mode Contemporary Bath and Kitchen Design
Fine Furniture for the Kitchen in Wood-Mode’s Stonehill Design
Kitchen Designs: Wood-Mode’s New American Classics Design Theme
Continuing with this month’s “Wood-Mode” theme, I thought I would show you a contemporary design using Wood-Mode fine custom cabinetry. (click images to enlarge) Wood-Mode’s collection ranges from timeless, old world traditional elegance to sleek, innovative and contemporary designs. Showcased here is the Synergy theme.
The Corian snack bar is lit internally by LED lighting, and its L-shape is balanced across the corner of the island. Synergy features an eclectic blend of materials, colors, and features.
Vista cabinetry in Wenge laminate is further offset by aluminum edge-banding for a decidedly contemporary flair.
Beyond the kitchen, sliding tempered glass doors open to reveal a home office. Blended together, these two spaces create a fluid living area for active professionals of all ages.
I particularly like that the sliding glass door acts as both a classic decorative accent and a functional mobile wall. It creates a stunning visual boundary between the office and kitchen.
Clean graphically defined shapes and a fused glass desktop blend ample storage and work surfaces into the dramatic appeal of this modern home office. Like the kitchen, Wenge laminate with aluminum edge-banding is shown in the office on Vista cabinetry.
An ideal addition to any home, this office provides a suitable place for work or pleasure.
Related Posts:
A Wood-Mode Contemporary Bath and Kitchen Design
Fine Furniture for the Kitchen in Wood-Mode’s Stonehill Design
Kitchen Designs: Wood-Mode’s New American Classics Design Theme
I’ve decided to spend some time this month showing you the new designs and looks in custom cabinetry using Wood-Mode. Design details are at the core of what we do, and our team is excited about the many new options–especially when it comes to high-end distinctive kitchen furniture detailing (click photos to enlarge).
This kitchen has the look of a colonial-era farmhouse. The design is beautifully comfortable and functional. The perimeter cabinets in Square Edge Andover Raised are shown in Wood-Mode’s Designer Color number 503 with Espresso Glaze. The island and armoire-like refrigerator also feature the Square Edge Andover Raised door style, but in the deep elegance of the Java finish on Cherry. The perimeter counter is Corian (Private Collection: Sonora), and the island is White Oak with Ogee edge. The sink is Blanco Steelart Series. Appliances are SubZero & Wolf.
The fireplace injects yet another shot of color with a Maple Ginger finish and Black Glaze on the Sausalito door style. I’ve always loved a fireplace in the kitchen, and this one makes me want to break out the extra-long marshmallow skewers. It’s a beautiful focal point in any kitchen design.
Although space is not overly abundant, the kitchen offers plenty of storage and charm. The open shelving is a beautiful way to artistically display special objects and serving pieces. I wanted you to see several “inside the cabinet” shots and a closeup of the custom TV cabinet. I loaded this post with detailed photos in the gallery below. (Click thumbnails for a close up view; Note: When viewing gallery, you will need to hit the back button to return to post.)
Related Posts:
Kitchen Designs: Wood-Mode’s New American Classics Design Theme
This post was inspired by a current client’s email requesting that we send her photos of luxury bathroom vanity mirrors with magnification and lighting options. We saw this nice selection at this year’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Chicago.
An appropriate vanity mirror for both men and women can enhance the morning routine when applying makeup or shaving. This collection is distortion free and features non-magnified versions to 10x magnification and come in both single-sided and double-sided viewing. There is a broad selection of contemporary and traditional designs that are available in a wide variety of quality finishes, styles, and magnifications.
These mirrors come with a three year warranty. An additional hidden hardwire mounting system allows for easy installation in any bathroom or vanity. We have ordered these for clients in the past, and they are very happy with them. In our own bath, we have the Model 89845 Chrome –the light turns on and off by touching anywhere on the base (click photo to enlarge).
Click these gallery images to enlarge. Once enlarged you have to hit the back arrow to return to post.
- Model 95325HW Gold
- Model 95365HW Diablo Bronze
- Model 95355HW Brushed Copper
- Model 89495 Bronze
- Model 89845 Chrome
- Model 89895 Bronze
- Model 90745HW Chrome
- Model 91043HW Chrome
- Model 90943HW Chrome
- Model 89445 Chrome
- Model 903ABN Brushed Nickel
- Model 73343 Chrome
- Model 90495HW Bronze
- Model 90445HW Chrome
- Model 30001HW_CLASSIC
Hudson Valley is Wood-Mode’s latest design theme and addition to the American Classics Design Group. It has a fabulous variety of new cabinetry design options. The Providence door style is new with a mitered corner door available in raised and recessed panels in Design Group 84.
Our kitchen designers are loving the two new finishes Wood-Mode recently introduced. The refrigerator and island are shown in the new Plantation finish, and the perimeter cabinets feature another new finish—Amaretto.

These Maple finishes are part of Wood-Mode’s new Artisan finish category. They encompass many elements of the cottage finishes but with an added “crackle” to create a well-worn antique appearance.
This kitchen also incorporates several notable architectural elements. The refrigerator panels have medallion inserts that complement the circular motif on the X-Medallion Mullion glass doors (Photo 1), which is beautiful in conjunction with the arched pattern shown on the range hood, windows, and the entrance to the dining nook.
The cozy breakfast nook, the wainscot panels, and the room trim are shown in a Vintage Lace finish.
This Chocolate Munchies recipe comes from MaryAnn Jones, health coach and owner of Thrive Naturally in Manhasset, New York.
Her chocolate munchies recipe is made with all organic ingredients! A combination of organic pumpkin, sunflower & sesame seeds, organic unsweetened coconut & 70% organic dark chocolate. A mouth-watering treat that you do not have to feel guilty about. The seeds are a great source of the minerals magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus and a good source of iron, copper, protein, and zinc. The dark chocolate provides antioxidant power to help your body fight disease.
Here’s the recipe:
Toast 2 cups of mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame) at 300 degrees 5-10 min
While toasting seeds, chop up 5 oz of 70% dark chocolate, place in mixing bowl. and add unsweetened shredded coconut or dried fruit if you like
Pour hot seeds over chocolate to melt
Stir until combined & spread on parchment paper on sheet pan
Freeze until hard, break up into pieces & devour
Note: MaryAnn Jones is offering a free 1 hour health coaching session for anyone who contacts her through her website.
Green energy drinks for better bones, heart health and improved immune system. Here are five of our favorites:
Spinach Mango Smoothie: 2 cups fresh spinach, 1 banana, frozen (I cut mine into slices before I freeze them), 1 cup peeled and chopped mango, 6 raw almonds, 1 cup fat free soy or rice milk, 1 cup fat free or lowfat vanilla yogurt
Kale-Strawberry-Peach Smoothie: 1 bunch green kale, 1 pint strawberries, 3 small peaches, 2 cups water
Apple-Kale-Lemon Smoothie: 4 apples, ½ lemon juice, 5 leaves of kale, 2 cups water
Kale-Pear Smoothie: 1 cup green grapes, 1 orange, peeled, 1/2 Bartlett pear, 1 banana, fresh or frozen, 1 cup kale, 1/2 cup water, 2 cups ice cubes
Green Romaine-Orange Smoothie: 2 bananas, 3 oranges, peeled, quartered,1 head romaine lettuce, 4 cups cold water
Click images to enlarge (See video below)
Kallos™ spun glass undercounter lavatory
One of our absolute favorites from Kohler this year is this distinctive glass undercounter sink. I tried to take the third shot above looking in, but the photo didn’t capture the beauty. Its stunning depth has the look of fine crystal and reflects light like a prism. The sink was designed to conceal items stored beneath. Its standard 14-inch diameter makes it ideal for new construction or remodeling. Backlighting this piece would make a stunning architectural statement. (List price: $450.00)
Katagami™ bronze wading pool lavatory
Like a tranquil babbling brook, this lavatory sink caught our eye and had a very earthy feel. The drain cover has a subtle floral motif that creates calming water patterns over the shallow surface. Water virtually disappears into the sink as it passes over the elevated drain cover. The sink is cast bronze with a dark patina that deepens in color over time. Size is 20″ x 16-1/2″ (List price*: $2,300.00)
The Empress BouquetTM
The Empress Bouquet pattern is a modern interpretation of 18th century Chinese print art. This design is also available on toilets if you are looking to create a matching collection. Constructed of vitreous china with brilliant gold and metallic detailing, the sink offers an interesting possibility for your bathroom décor. The diameter is 16-1/4″ (List price*: $1,020.00)
oops… she said 16″ diameter on Kallos sink, but it really is 14″ diameter (13-5/8″ to be precise)

















































































































































































