In a conversation with the designers at Danenberg Design in California, we thought it would be interesting to compare regional kitchen design trends between their West Coast firm and our East Coast showroom. My earlier post discussed their West Coast Trends.
Here is what we are seeing on the East Coast at Kitchen Designs’ New York Showroom on the Long Island Gold Coast:
Our clients in the New York metro area want their kitchens to be a central part of their socializing space. They want to maximize their usable space with good design that embraces their lifestyle. We still have many requests for open floor plans where the kitchen spills into the family room or dining space. There seems to be a renewed enjoyment of cooking, perhaps due to people’s desire for healthy food. We frequently design kitchens with two ovens, one oversized or two smaller islands, two dishwashers, two refrigerators, and a wine refrigerator. Below are some of the trends we are embracing (Click any photo to enlarge):
Style Trends:
Designer: Mario Mulea, CR- kitchendesigns.com
Designer: Ken Kelly, CKD, CBD, CR -kitchendesigns.com
Designer: Don Hochheiser, CR -kitchendesigns.com
Traditional kitchens still dominate most of the work we do at Kitchen Designs. White traditional kitchens represent almost 50 percent of all kitchen sales. Clients choose from 7 different solid shades of white, 6 hanging glazes, and 4 striated glazes. We
have used white in formal estate kitchens, country kitchens, and coastal kitchen designs in the Hamptons. Adding a bit of dark wood, a touch of color, or varying the shades of white gives the design a warmer, less stark feel. Our recent modern designs are much softer and subdued. The contemporary lines are clean but not edgy or cold. The rooms are balanced and grounded yet not minimal. Collections or heirloom pieces are showcased in a simple yet organized way.
Storage Trends:
Clients have gone back to the basics with functional inside-the-cabinet storage. To help them get organized, we’re using pot drawers, basic roll-out pantries, cutlery dividers, vertical tray storage, pull out spice racks, and chef’s pantries.
Color Trends:
Although you’d probably expect this more on the West Coast, we have recently designed a few kitchens and baths with bold, vibrant colors – especially greens and blues. The use of color in these designs is visually stunning, adding charisma and vitality to the room. Our clients highly value uniqueness and individuality and their personal expression is interpreted within the design by using of various finishes, textures, color, and artwork.
Countertop Trends:
Granite countertops are still a top choice, but engineered stone/quartz is growing in popularity. We also use marble, concrete, soapstone, and slate.
Lighting Trends:
All of our kitchens include a lighting design that includes several layers for task, ambient, accent, and decorative. We often add fixtures such as chandeliers, pendants, or sconces give the room unique personality and flair.
Other Trends to Embrace:
Concern for environment. Clients are looking for earth-friendly environmental solutions using renewable and recycled materials that are durable, environmentally safe, and energy-efficient.
Addition of home automation technology. Clients want rooms that are multi functional with lighting control systems.
Home office design. We are seeing a rise in demand for home office space. Many New Yorkers work from home and often want this space adjacent to the kitchen with complementary design. Mud rooms off the kitchen are also often requested.
Outdoor Kitchens: Clients are extending their use of living space by bringing the indoors outside! People are building much more elaborate outdoor kitchens to complement their indoor kitchen spaces. People enjoy being outside and entertaining outside. The huge advances in the quality of outdoor products has encouraged clients to build full-fledged outdoor kitchens. We recently designed and installed a fire pit on one of our outdoor kitchen projects. We loved it so much; we added one to our own property.
RELATED POSTS
MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS OF THE DESIGNS ABOVE FROM THE DESIGNERS AT KITCHEN DESIGNS BY KEN KELLY:
More photos on Green Kitchen Above: “Kosher Kitchen Design With a Modern Eccentric Take on Going Green”
More photos on French Blue Master Bath Above: “Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly wins a National Award in the 2010 NKBA Design Competition for French Elegance Master Bath”
More photos on Blue Kitchen Above in Recent Press: CFT411 Cabinet & Furniture Trends and Calfinder Nationwide Remodelers and Kitchen Designs Facebook Page
More photos on White Kitchen #1 Above: “Luxury White Kitchen by Mario Mulea”
More photos on White Kitchen #2 Above: “Ken Kelly: Antique White Kitchen with Custom Green Moss Island Finish — Oyster Bay, Long Island”
More photos on Soft Modern Kitchen Above: “This Modern Kitchen Spices Things Up”
East Coast – West Coast Kitchen Trends – Comparing Regional Trends at Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Long Island, New York & Danenberg Design in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.
In a conversation with kitchen designers, Lanny and Dan Danenberg, at Danenberg Design in California, we thought it would be interesting to compare regional kitchen design trends between their West Coast firm and our East Coast showroom. Here’s what they are seeing in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This Guest Post Was Written by Lanny at Danenberg Design:
1. What are the latest trends in kitchen countertop materials?
We don’t see our firm as following current trends, so much as designing functional, classic spaces that are timeless. It is probably also helpful to preface the following thoughts about trends in our area with the fact that, although we have experience with many styles of design, we lean more toward contemporary (often eclectic) design with an Asian influence. It seems that the majority of our kitchen projects in the last couple of years have featured granite countertops. In most cases, this was at the request of our clients. We find ourselves wishing that some of our clients were willing to be more adventuresome. We enjoy experimenting with the latest styles and materials and find that there are more exciting materials to choose from than ever before. A personal favorite is concrete counters. However, when we present this to clients, many seem to shy away from concrete. They either don’t feel the look is right for their space or have concerns about maintenance.
Among the latest materials we present to clients whenever appropriate, are Vetrazzo and IceStone (both sustainable products made largely from recycled glass.) Both are just gorgeous. I am very interested in using Vetrazzo on a future project. The colors are stunning and, in general, a bit more dramatic with larger pieces of recycled glass than those in the IceStone colorways.
On more than one past project, our firm has used one countertop material on the island and another for the balance of the counters. We find combining of complementary materials very appealing. However, most of our recently completed projects have featured the same material on both. We are currently doing a project where the homeowner loves red and wants lots of it in her kitchen. We are using ‘chili pepper’ red painted cabinets for her island and natural maple for the balance of the kitchen. In this case, we are using the same granite on all.
Perhaps our love of a ‘fusion’ style of contemporary design stems from the fact that Dan was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and from living and working in various places over the years before moving to the Bay Area. This has most definitely fueled our passion for the melding of unique materials and design elements. Most of our projects feature elements in glass, stainless steel (or other metals), warm woods, and a complementary palette of natural stone.
2. What are the latest trends in kitchen countertop colors?
We have seen a strong trend among our firm’s clients toward the dark-colored materials. On a current project in Palo Alto, I presented lighter colors of Vetrazzo and IceStone to the client as options I thought would work well. She preferred to go with the much darker Verde Butterfly granite, which is quarried in Brazil and has a similar appearance to Uba Tuba.
When flipping through local lifestyle and design magazines, there appears to be a predominance of black, white, and gray colored countertops in kitchens and bathrooms, whether modern or traditional in design. In speaking with tile showroom managers as well as other designers, we are not alone in noting that, in general, projects in our area seem to be trending toward more contemporary, eclectic styling. This could certainly explain why we are seeing a higher percentage of square or simple edge details on countertops than in the past.
3. What are the latest trends in kitchen countertop finishes?
There are a number to choose from, including the newest ‘leather’ finish. A local industry insider tells me that his stone and tile company is bringing in more and more stone products with this finish, which has been very popular for the last year or so. The leather look is created, according to this source, by a series of brushes that rub or scrape across the face of the stone, creating crevices. A resin is then put over the surface to bring the color out. The end result is a stone with some relief or texture to it, with the color enhanced, but that does not have the polished look.
4. What are the latest trends in kitchen countertop formats, thickness, and edges?
In speaking with the manager of one of our area’s largest stone and tile showrooms, he noted what they are seeing, as a general rule, is that the use of the 1-1/2” laminated bullnose edge still far outweighs any other edge detail, followed by the ogee style edge details.
Our team normally uses more contemporary renditions and has designed two unique edge details that we haven’t seen used on other projects. I am including a photo of one of these edges, which we call ‘the inside-out edge.’
5. Any predictions on where kitchen countertops will go?
Well, the hope is that clients will become more familiar with some of the newer or more unusual materials now available and add those into the mix. However, from experience, it appears that the majority of homeowners we work with still have a preference for granite countertops. I believe that granite is a classic and will continue to be used for years to come. Our firm obtained our CGBP or Certified Green Building Professional designation last year and is sharing ideas on sustainable products with clients. It has been a bit surprising to learn that many homeowners here on the West Coast have not yet embraced green building principles and materials to the extent we anticipated. In talking with others involved in the industry, they have expressed the same thought - that it will be some time before consumers really get ‘on board’ with green building practices. I think this could take at least a couple more years and hope that we are able to help spread the word here in our area.
Related Posts:
Click here to read the trends our kitchen designers are seeing at our East Coast showroom in New York on Long Island’s Gold Coast: East Coast – West Coast Kitchen Trends – A Comparison by Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly & Danenberg Design (Part 2)
Just a quick share for today:
I came across this beautiful kitchen courtesy of Kohler and Joe Boehm, Senior Interior Designer at BHG - Better Homes and Gardens. It is a fantastic example of how to make square footage work for you with smart, functional zone design. Notice how effortlessly this design declutters and simplifies storage and organization.
The glass tile on the backsplash holds special interest to us as it is made of recycled wine and beer bottles in different sizes and shades of green, something Ken and I have been playing around with all week in our workshop. Also spectacular is the double sided sink with bamboo chopping board insert.
Enjoy this “Everyday Easy” video.
Click any of the images to enlarge
Culinary functionality of kitchen appliances combined with magnificent design aesthetics are key elements in creating your dream kitchen. How do you select kitchen appliances within a budget for the most important room in your home? In this blog post, I priced out three sample kitchen packages for high end luxury appliances, mid-range priced appliances, and budget/economical appliances.
The size and style of the appliances you select will influence the shape and design of your kitchen, so this will be an important first conversation with your designer. These appliance decisions affect the plumbing and electrical design plans as well. Consider your budget and lifestyle when selecting appliances. Below are answers to three recent questions clients asked when preparing to purchase appliances.
“What is the difference between standard and professional appliances?” Pro appliances are pricier but tend to be more durable and powerful, and they are designed beautifully. For serious cooks, heavy entertainers, or large families, they are a good choice. There are also many options in standard appliances, which also get the job done and can be beautiful as well. The investment you make is a personal decision based on lifestyle, budget, and taste.
“Where should I buy my appliances?” You can buy them on your own or through your kitchen designer. At our Long Island kitchen showroom, we are dealers for numerous appliance manufacturers, both built-in and freestanding. We highly recommend clients purchase their appliance package through us for several reasons, and if you are working with a professional kitchen designer, I recommend you do the same. Here’s why: Your kitchen designer can offer highly competitive and often the lowest prices available for your appliances. We do not view appliances as a profit center. For us, it is an added-value service of our business. It is a win-win for both of us. We give you the lowest price and take all responsibility off of you.
We also control the ordering, timing, and delivery of the product. That leaves you stress free. Most importantly, we know there will be no last-minute substitutions of a product that somehow miss being communicated to us that could potentially cause problems with the sizing or the installation.
“How do I select my appliances within my budget?” Go shopping first to determine the quality and the features of what you’re looking for so you can help yourself establish a budget. Once you have established a general category you want to be in, your kitchen designer will help you refine your final choices based on 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 you out there to get an idea first. Do you want a Fisher Paykel $900 refrigerator, a Kitchen Aid $3,000 refrigerator, or a SubZero $7,000 refrigerator? … You need to determine how much money you want to allocate and what features are important to you.
Examining the wide array of different characteristics can help you evaluate your kitchen appliance options for both professional grade and standard grade appliances. Consider the following: Your Budget, Appliance Size, Aesthetic Design, Color and/or Integrated Panel Options, Maintenance and Ease of Cleaning, Energy Efficiency, Consumer Reviews, Ventilation Requirements, and Warrantees.
I priced out three separate appliances packages for you to examine based on current retail prices in the marketplace. Note: Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, can often meet or beat these prices shown. I used retail prices below with specific make and model numbers to illustrate the following price points: 1) a High-end luxury appliance package; 2) a Mid-level appliance package; and 3) a Budget or economical appliance package.
1) A high end luxury appliance package might look like this:
• Range 48” Wolf Duel Fuel DF486G-SS 6 burners and a griddle $11,379.00
• Dishwasher Miele G2183SCVI $ 1199.00
• Microwave GE ZEM200SF $ 375.00
• Micro Trim Kit $ 119.00
• Refrigerator Sub Zero BI-36U/SS $8,045.00
• Hood Best K4254SS $2,469.00
• Note: Additionally, high-end kitchens often add wine coolers, warming drawers, and additional refrigerator and freezer drawers.
Visit these manufacturers for the photo above: SubZero-Wolf, Meile, GE Appliances, Best
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2) A mid range medium-priced appliance package might look like this one using Kitchen Aid and GE Profile:
• Range Kitchen Aid duel fuel KDSS907SSS $1,729.00
• Canopy Hood Kitchen Aid KWCS160WSS $ 899.00
• Dishwasher Kitchen Aid KUDC03FVSS $ 699.00
• Refrigerator GE Profile PSCS5TGXSS (counter depth ) $2,579.00
• Microwave GE PEM315MSS $ 229.00
Visit these manufacturers for the photo above: Kitchen Aid, GE Appliances
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3) A budget appliance package might look like this one using Frigidaire Professional Series:
• Frigidaire Professional Series: Range FGGF3041KF $709.00
• Micro Hood FFMV164LS $289.00
• Refrigerator FFHS2612LS $999.00
• Dishwasher FPHD2481KF $599.00
Visit Manufacturer (Frigidaire) Link Below
Visit this manufacturer for the photo above: Frigidaire
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Please Note: All prices are subject to change but represent current retail prices we found in the market as of today. In some cases delivery charges could be additional. All appliance sales must add sales tax.
Another good resource for researching appliances all in one place is here at our client resources page of our main website. If you have further questions, we are always happy to answer them. Ask via comments or contact form.
Hope this is helpful to you in your kitchen appliance search.
Further Reading:
A Real Kitchen Remodeling Budget–Trust Your Kitchen Designer
Tips to Make the Most of your initial Free Kitchen Design Consultation with your Designer
Best Way to Prepare for your Kitchen Installation or Any Renovation
Click images to enlarge
Inspired by the the “Old World” kitchen in the great room of our Kitchen Designs showroom, the client wanted to recreate a pre-17th century European feel with a large cooking hearth and distressed cabinetry. The kitchen designer, Mario J. Mulea, created this Old World kitchen with all the amenities of the 21st century.
The cabinets are Wood-Mode’s Essex Recessed with a matte finish and Fireside Black glaze on cherry. The natural materials include a tumbled marble backsplash with terracotta inlays and a granite counter in Madura Gold. A pot-filler faucet over the range provides modern convenience as does the side-by-side Sub-Zero 36” refrigerators, which are integrated into the cabinetry with custom panels and distinctive hardware from the Tuscany collection of Top Knob.
The kitchen’s design creates the perfect work triangle. The cooking, prep, and cleanup areas are easily accessible within a few steps. The island provides plenty of work space while opening the kitchen up to an entertaining area. Other design elements include a wicker basket base cabinet, a desk area, glass mullion doors, and a Franke Little Butler for instant hot water.
Open shelving and glass doors offer display space while doors and drawers with built-in organizers hide clutter. Not a single detail was overlooked, and the cabinetry design reflects a Mediterranean elegance.
For more inspiration and a detailed room tour of this magnificent kitchen, visit www.kitchendesigns.com and click the “featured” link.
About Mario J. Mulea, CR, of Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc:
Mario is a professional Long Island kitchen designer and educator, with an extensive background in interior design and architecture. A noted industry professional whose work has appeared in numerous design publications, Mario is a graduate of the prestigious New York School of Interior Design. Mario excels in kitchen design and interior renovations, presenting his clients with detailed designs, which include professional interior design recommendations. Additionally, as a design educator at C.W. Post University, he teaches courses in lighting design and technical drawing. His professional accomplishments are extensive and include teaching at other prestigious schools such as the Parsons School of Design and the Interior Design Institute in New Jersey as well as local trade show lectures. With 18 decorator showhouses to his credit and a portfolio that rivals the most seasoned designer, Mario is the consummate artiste, who can turn any room into a showcase.
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© COPYRIGHT 2010 Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. All rights reserved. We encourage a professional sharing of ideas, and if you use photography or text from this site, please attribute that material directly to www.kitchendesigns.com/blog.
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”
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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.
Designer: Taine D’Agostino – Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. Design/Build. See a video tour of this kitchen at the bottom of this post.
Click any image to enlarge
I thought I’d blog about the design elements in this recent kitchen and bath remodeling project we completed. Light and informal, the space is packed with significant details. The kitchen was once a handful of small chopped up spaces with varying ceiling heights. It could only be described as “just plain ordinary.” Now this Port Washington residence boasts unified spaces and a cohesive color scheme.
The kitchen, desk area, and two bathrooms were designed by one of Kitchen Designs best designers: Taine D’Agostino CKD, ASID, NCIDQ. Taine’s client told me,
“We now have a new measuring scale: from one to Taine!” — Cute–
Taine worked with this homeowner to create an inviting, cozy cottage space inspired by the neighborhood bakeries of yesteryear and the client’s art collection of delicious confectionaries. The simple lines of the Wood-Mode cabinetry, a soothing color scheme of Vintage White and Candlelight, create zones for different family functions.
This play of color is further enhanced by Quartz countertop materials chosen for both their beauty and durability. Simple textures and classic design lines appear in the subway and herringbone tile designs on the backsplash and the reproduction “old school-house” pendants above the island.
The red copper farm sink, like an old friend, holds its own as the center-point of the modern clean-up zone replete with a hidden trash and energy-efficient dishwasher disguised with wood panels. Other modern appliances such as a warming drawer to the left of the Wolf range and Sub-Zero food preservation are cloaked in wood panels to further the warm and inviting feeling. By keeping twenty-first century appliances paneled, the touches of antique mullion glass doors, bead board, peg rack, corbels, and leg details truly make a statement.
The center island, complete with a second sink, microwave, and other modern storage conveniences, is designed to resemble a farmhouse table with bead board detailing. It is the perfect spot for chopping vegetables and completing homework assignments.
Hand-hewed hickory flooring throughout ties all the public spaces together creating visual continuity. Open to the dining room is a buffet server, designed by Taine to effortlessly hold the largest serving platters and make entertaining a breeze.
Tying this kitchen into one neat and masterful package is the desk area, which serves as the nerve center of the home. Looking neat as a pin, it is the “go-to” spot for messages, party invitations, car pool schedules, and home electronic storage.
The guest bathroom’s clever use of angles in both the vanity wall and neo-angle shower stall opens up the space for better flow.
Porcelain tile with the look of antique stone is a snap to keep clean. Vanity cabinetry in Brookhaven’s Pelham Manor style has a hand applied espresso glaze, and a marble top with an arched backsplash was designed to look like a vintage washstand. Bead board paneling, glazed to match the vanity, surrounds the room with its inviting texture.
Opting for a more restful feeling, the client’s master bath is more of a Zen-like haven of inviting textures and creature comforts. More contemporary uses of porcelain, glass pebbles, cherry wood, and metal make this feel like an oasis.
Raised and recessed areas of the vanity keep all things close at hand without compromising valuable counter space. Corian countertops on the vanity and under-mount sinks lend simplicity to the master bath design.
About Taine D’Agostino, CKD, ASID, NCIDQ-Certified Kitchen Designer Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. (Certified Kitchen Designer, American Society of Interior Designers, National Council for Interior Design Qualification) has her BFA in interior design from The New York Institute of Technology. Taine is a Certified Interior Designer and a member of NKBA. She has been featured in Who’s Who in Interior Designs, This Old House, Distinction, and Country Living. Taine works closely with clients to integrate their needs into a cohesive and functional environment for modern living. Form follows function and beauty prevails as she integrates her many disciplines into every project. Taine is also an adjunct professor at Nassau Community College teaching classes in drafting and resource materials. Her expertise in sourcing and constant involvement in the industry lecture series seminars keeps her fluent in the latest products and technologies.
Video Tour – Click Here to See More Photos
© COPYRIGHT 2010 Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. All rights reserved. We encourage a professional sharing of ideas, and if you use photography or text from this site, please attribute that material directly to www.kitchendesigns.com/blog.
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
Kitchen Designer: Ken Kelly, CKD, CBD, CR – Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. See a video tour of this kitchen here.
Click any image to enlarge
Custom cabinetry is an ideal choice for this kitchen and media room. This classic kitchen is in Jericho (Long Island, NY) , and the great room offers a place for the family to relax in comfort, enjoy a movie, and entertain guests.
The client wanted their kitchen to be the backdrop for cozy get-togethers and holiday gatherings. We combined elegant, traditional mixed wood cabinetry to create the look the client wanted. Designed to accommodate the family’s lifestyle, this kitchen maximizes storage space and has a charm drawn from every detail. Note: Every outer panel you see opens and utilizes every inch of storage space.
The cabinets are Wood-Mode’s Hancock Squared Raised with a vintage white on maple finish.
The drawer-head panels are a Hancock Square Recessed style.
The darker finish on the kitchen island features a rich Edinburgh on cherry finish with furniture-like moldings.
The lighter perimeter cabinetry and coffered ceiling serve as a cheery contrast to the island, and the granite counter is Gallo Ornimentale. The tile backsplash was carried up and over the door, which created an interesting texture to the space (click image 3 to enlarge and see this detail).
The striking black Viking range and hood with brass accents add beauty and warmth to the space. 
A Franke pot-filler faucet over the range provides modern convenience as does the side-by-side Sub-Zero refrigerator, which is integrated into the cabinetry with custom panels and distinctive brass hardware. Additional appliances include a fully integrated Bosch dishwasher, an icemaker, a Sub Zero Wine refrigerator, and under-counter refrigerator and freezer drawers.
The unique side by side pantries have mullion doors with antique mirror panels. The stacked wall cabinets add extra storage to this room while true divided “lite” glass– doors keep the look fresh and airy.
Read more about Ken Kelly by clicking here.
See a video tour of this kitchen here.
See more video slide shows from Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. here
© COPYRIGHT 2010 Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. All rights reserved. We encourage a professional sharing of ideas, and if you use photography or text from this site, please attribute that material directly to www.kitchendesigns.com/blog.
Bubble glass tile with custom ceramic tile in recycled bottle caps, buttons, beads and broken pieces of china.
It gave us great pleasure ripping out the original dingy, tired builder’s beige bathroom with its swimming-pool sized platform whirlpool tub and white laminate cabinetry in order to create this now luxurious and peaceful oasis. Mario Mulea, CR designed this Long Island bath with an array of creature comforts and offered its owners a restful retreat at home.
Our team first removed an original linen closet in order to open up the space and took out the very large original tub. This doubled the size of the shower area. The extra room allowed for a generous-sized vanity with his and hers storage, a hamper, double linen cabinets, towel cubbies and a sit-down bench. Plenty of functional storage is a key component to this bath design. Mario reinvented this space by creating multiple storage options such as open cubbies for towels and an oversized drawer under the seat for additional bath sheets.
The wall tile and colorful geometric borders surrounding both dressing mirrors give the space a sense of refined elegance and visual excitement. Brushed bronze hardware and faucet finishes compliment the warm tones of the vanity. We installed heated medicine cabinets to prevent mirror fogging, and found a rare marble called “Portoro” for the vanity counter.
Click the images to enlarge view
Products used for this Long Island bath design include: Brookhaven Cabinetry by Wood-Mode with the Edgemont door style in Sandstone II with Pewter Glaze on cherry; Portoro marble countertops; Crema Marfil Azuzi flooring; Kohler tub, Revival tub filler, Caxton basins, Revival brushed bronze faucets, Revival Vibrant brushed bronze shower faucets, and Serif Biscuit toilet; Robern medicine cabinets with built-in electric outlets & mirror defogger.
About Mario J. Mulea, CR, of Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc:
Mario is a professional designer and educator, with an extensive background in interior design and architecture. A noted industry professional whose work has appeared in numerous design publications, Mario is a graduate of the prestigious New York School of Interior Design. Mario excels in kitchen design and interior renovations, presenting his clients with detailed designs, which include professional interior design recommendations. Additionally, as a design educator at C.W. Post University, he teaches courses in lighting design and technical drawing. His professional accomplishments are extensive and include teaching at other prestigious schools such as the Parsons School of Design and the Interior Design Institute in New Jersey as well as local trade show lectures. With 18 decorator showhouses to his credit and a portfolio that rivals the most seasoned designer, Mario is the consummate artiste, who can turn any room into a showcase. Meet Mario Here.
A kosher kitchen is designed to separate items used for preparation and serving of meat and dairy. Mario Mulea, CR of Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, designed this kosher kitchen for an observant Jewish family in Woodmere, New York (Long Island). They turned to Mario because he specializes in kosher kitchen design. Mario understands that meat and milk products–and cookware, utensils, bowls, and dishes for each–need to be separated.
This kosher kitchen was designed to maintain Jewish dietary laws, provide enough space for this family of six, and entertain for Shabbat dinners. Mario expanded the existing kitchen to four times its original size and created a greatroom open to the new den.
The main work zone is dedicated to cooking, and a second smaller zone is specifically designed to house refrigerated and dairy items. The kitchen has a second sink, an eat-in table area, and a beautiful bay window overlooking the yard’s gardens and children’s play area.
The butler’s pantry was designed in the space between the kitchen and dining room, which easily services large gatherings when the family is entertaining. The center island is specifically reserved for those dishes not prepared with meat or milk.
The clients wanted a modern artistic design. They decided on contemporary classic modern maple cabinetry with a natural finish and stainless hardware pulls.
This choice makes the colorful green and blue tile work on the backsplashes, the intricate floor, and the countertops to really pop. The cabinets used are from Wood-Mode’s Brookhaven line.
Click images to enlarge
The refrigerator, freezer, and microwave are GE Monogram. The cooktop, double ovens, and warming drawer are Thermadore. The dishwasher is Kitchen Aid and faucets and sinks are Franke.
The floor is comprised of 16×16 inch porcelain square tile with a mosaic border in blues and greens that highlights the center island. The countertops are polished Quartz in lime green and yellow (Barden). The blue and green mosaics and glass tile in the backsplash add that artistic flair the clients were looking for. The plywood chairs painted green and blue are simply adorable in this setting as well as the coordinating blue pots dishes, and mixer.
See a full video tour of this kitchen here.
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.
Ken's 2010 NKBA Award-Winning Bath
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
Click all the images to see the details in the wood
Designer: Ken Kelly, CKD, CBD, CR – Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc.
Click any image to enlarge
My clients chose bamboo because they were looking for sustainable materials to use in their green kitchen renovation. Bamboo is one of the hottest materials in home building and renovation today. It is fast growing, can be harvested every four years, and doesn’t need to be replanted after harvesting. For this reason, it is one of the most eco-friendly wood choices. Since bamboo is a 100% renewable resource, it was a very attractive choice for my clients who were concerned about the impact of their renovation on the environment.
I have a strong interest in green building design and use a variety of resources and materials available for the kitchen and bath industry. I worked closely with this Long Island homeowner to personalize the kitchen design and create a sleek, efficient kitchen using green materials such as Quartz countertops and Bentwood’s bamboo veneered cabinetry. We chose to set the wood on the vertical grain. I had to relocate the staircase to the basement to allow for a larger floor plan for the kitchen and the matching mudroom/cubby room.
Two single Wolf wall ovens under the counter create an open linear feel to the room without breaking the line with tall double oven cabinetry. We decided to use two Sub-Zero 700 refrigerator-freezers and designed them with a hutch-style furniture feel. The narrower depth pantries on each side enhance the hutch providing balance and abundant storage.
The island is set at an angle to open up the work area and provide for a smooth transition from the cooking area to the refrigerator and pantries. This decision allowed the appropriate space required for the client’s Carrera marble table.
The style of the kitchen and mudroom complements the home’s “Zen-like” feel, and the sustainable products used for this renovation make it a very special project. See videos on our Kitchen Designs’ website at www.kitchendesigns.com.
Ken Kelly, CKD, CBD, CR Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc.
Recent Press:
- CalFinder: Phenomenal Blue Bath Remodel – An Interview with Ken Kelly on his 2010 NKBA Award Winning Luxury Spa Master Bath
- CFT411: Ken Kelly Ultimate Bathroom Design
- HGTV Designers’ Portfolio
- Houzz – Designer Photo Gallery
- K+BB Magazine: A Little French Romance
- Kitchen & Bath Design News: Media Matters-Media/Other Rooms
- Long Island Press: Long Islander Wins National Award in Design Competition
Read more about Ken Kelly by clicking here.
See more video slide shows from Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. here
© COPYRIGHT 2010 Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. All rights reserved. We encourage a professional sharing of ideas, and if you use photography or text from this site, please attribute that material directly to www.kitchendesigns.com/blog.
Click the images to enlarge
Designer Mario Mulea, CR at Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, designed this Long Island kitchen and den makeover. When we first entered the space, it was an extremely dated 1980’s white Formica kitchen with vaulted ceilings and skylights. Now, as seen here, this space boasts a more fitting English country look that blends with the rest of the home. The clients’ wanted a truly personal and unique living and working area. Mario’s spectacular design makes the most of the kitchen’s breathtaking view of the outdoor gardens, patio, and pool.
Mario worked closely with the homeowners to create a warm, functional kitchen with an open layout because they love to entertain. Not a single detail was overlooked, and the cabinetry design and finish is exquisite. The custom cabinetry shown is Wood-Mode’s Brandywine Raised door style in a soothing color scheme of Vintage White on Maple.
The spacious center island adds ample storage and subtle elegance in an Autumn finish with Black Glaze on Cherry. Granite counters in Delicatus Gold further enhance this play of color. The enormous amount of countertop space gives the homeowner plenty of working room for both family functions and large-scale entertaining. The backsplash tile is hand molded from Sonoma in a Gran Marnier glaze with bronze metallic borders, deco dots, and liner to create lattice over the cook top.
The island tile “area rug” incorporates a tumbled marble border filled in with 6” x 6” porcelain flooring to match the main 18” x 18” main floor. Custom cabinetry panels conceal the 48” Sub-Zero food preservation refrigerator. Other appliances include Wolf’s 36” range top and 30” double convection ovens, a Sub-Zero wine refrigerator, and a GE built-in microwave. Recessed lighting and warm down-light pendants enhance the room’s mood and ambiance while the pass-through to the family room allows more light to flow through both spaces.
Wood-Mode cabinetry was also used in the adjacent family room (see second photo above) with rattan door inserts that add textural interest and color variation. The breakfast area expansion allowed the clients to add a wall of windows with sliding glass doors that overlook the outdoor patio and pool area. Comfortable, sun-drenched seating adds charm and warmth, creating a cozy space for mixing and mingling with family and guests.
Designer: Ken Kelly, CKD, CBD, CR –Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. See a video tour of this kitchen here.
Click any image to enlarge
Merging the latest in technology with the warmth of transitional simplicity was our client’s wish for this Manhattan’s Upper West Side apartment. Ken Kelly’s goal on this project was to create a kitchen and living space to match the client’s lifestyle. He also wanted to carry a consistent theme throughout the living spaces.
This Manhattan apartment reflects the latest advances in kitchen design and home automation technology.
Ken used his space-planning expertise to maximize storage and optimize the flow of the apartment.
Pictured here are all his designs– the kitchen, the custom table, a wall unit, three bathrooms, the medicine cabinets, the radiator covers, a home office, a children’s study, the master bedroom closets, a master bedroom platform bed with storage, and an entire home theater and home automation system that controls the lights, the blinds, the music, and the drop-down projection screen.
Many people don’t know that Kitchen Designs specializes in computerized home automation and lighting systems. This job includes the most popular requests we get from clients –lighting scenes, music, window treatments, and home theaters.
By incorporating the living area, the kitchen became a space for our clients to live in and enjoy. Comfortable seating adds charm and flexibility, creating a cozy space for mixing and mingling with guests or for relaxing and browsing through a cookbook for inspiration.
Kitchen Designs is known for being sticklers for details, and not a single lifestyle element was overlooked.
The cabinetry design for this luxury apartment is elegant in its extreme simplicity. What is striking about this interior is the way with which its theme is successfully carried throughout the entire apartment.
Both the home office and child’s bedroom desk area were designed to ensure maximum productivity. 
The bedroom cabinetry maximizes storage space both under the platform bed and in the closet area.
Ken chose a rift-cut white oak cabinet from Bentwood’s Pacific Rim Collection and stained it to a rich, custom espresso finish. Countertops and backsplash are white Carrera Marble, and glass doors are ribbed glass.
Below are a few more shots of the master bath and powder room, parents’ desk area and desk in kids room.
Click any of these images for a larger view of these beautiful designs. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
A video tour of this kitchen and apartment is available here.
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.
Click images to enlarge
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
“Since its inception in 1942, Wood-Mode has been the unequivocal leader in custom and semi-custom cabinetry designs in the nation. Recognized for its uniquely themed creations, faultless material selection, incomparable construction, and fantastic finishes, Wood-Mode raises the perfectly crafted bar in terms of what discerning homeowners can expect from their kitchen, living room, entertainment room, or even office space designs.” (Haute Living Magazine, Inspirational Cabinetry Craftsmanship Immortalized)
Wood-Mode’s collection ranges from timeless, old world traditional elegance to sleek, innovative and contemporary designs. Showcased here is Wood-Mode’s new Malibu Bath and Kitchen theme. (click images to enlarge)
Click to enlarge photos
Malibu Bath: The contemporary Malibu master bath is dually relaxing and functional. Brookhaven’s Sausalito door style in Designer Colors Collection #504 creates a subtle contrast against the brown Zodiaq countertops, brass-toned glass vessel sinks, and tile flooring.
Separate lavatory areas are divided by back-to-back storage cabinets. Glass-fronted doors allow a peek at what’s inside while also providing added space for decorative storage elements. A separate water closet and shower complete the bath’s generous floor plan.
Malibu Kitchen: Geared toward the young professional homeowner, the Malibu Design Theme brings a more transitional feel to the geometric shapes of a contemporary layout.
The opaque finish on the cabinetry blends the transitional cabinetry elements with a more contemporary architectural setting.
Showcasing two of Wood-Mode’s Designer Colors on the Square Edge Andover Recessed door style, the convenient center island is offset by darker perimeter cabinetry.
The details are restrained but striking. As you can see in the detailed drawer photo, the styling is very European with its minimalist, yet highly sophisticated, approach.
Although there are no wall cabinets, tall and intermediate height cabinetry provides ample storage. Counters are Zodiaq Quartz & Stainless Steel.
Built-in appliances and clear glass inserts further enhance the space’s contemporary appeal. A spacious floor plan, convenient storage, and a sweeping ocean view all contribute to making this kitchen a retreat for homeowners and visitors alike.
Related Posts:
Modern Wood-Mode Kitchen & Adjoining Office With City View
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
Modern Wood-Mode Kitchen & Adjoining Office With City View
A Wood-Mode Contemporary Bath and Kitchen Design
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.
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- Model 95325HW Gold
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- Model 95365HW Diablo Bronze
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- Model 95355HW Brushed Copper
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- Model 89495 Bronze
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- Model 89845 Chrome
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- Model 89895 Bronze
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- Model 90745HW Chrome
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- Model 91043HW Chrome
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- Model 90943HW Chrome
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- Model 89445 Chrome
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- Model 903ABN Brushed Nickel
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- Model 73343 Chrome
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- Model 90495HW Bronze
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- Model 90445HW Chrome
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- Model 30001HW_CLASSIC
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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.
Click images to enlarge
There is an Italian fine art term – Sprezzatura – which describes a master painter’s technique for producing a painting which appears simple on the surface, but is actually a very difficult process to master. Apt description for Daniel Ogassian, Master Tile-Maker.
When designing with tile, we are seeing more elements being added to clean lines. Our designers are using (and seeing) more exotic designs…natural foliage-inspired patterns, metallic-washed elevated pieces, quilt-like tonals, intertwining multi colors, or basketweaves turned in various directions. We are also seeing asymmetry with cuts and curves giving the illusion of movement as shown in these designs by Daniel Ogassian.
Since 1995, Daniel Ogassian & Associates, Inc. has generated a continuous stream of products for the residential, commercial, and hospitality design industries. Ogassian says, “The tiles are beautifully clean, not modern, but not ornate. There are so many materials, holy-grail finishes, hyper-capable technologies and equipment, and these are all traditional elements which can bog you down and take you in different directions. Add CAD and the choices explode. But with the production knowledge as the foundation, I can concept while taking full advantage of everything…up-to-date, up-to-the-second.”
Widely available in top metropolitan areas by June 1, these tile designs will be rolled out in showrooms nationwide this summer. The tiles are available in concrete and ceramic and the high-chemistry glazes are rendered in earthy shades adding a depth and texture to wall surfaces and floors.
The entire line of Ogassian products is appropriate for indoor or outdoor use and can be specified in any of the matte or gloss glazes, as well as custom glazes formulated and designed by Daniel. With a Masters in Fine Arts in ceramics and 20 years of practice, his glazing expertise supplies the warmth and touch to the finished product. Great news for designers is that these designs can be scaled to accommodate any project, and his studio will work directly with designers to create custom installations and deliver your project within the tightest of lead times.
See Daniel’s entrance of the new Vanity Club inside Hard Rock, Las Vegas here.
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)
Designer: Taine D’Agostino, CKD, ASID, NCIDQ - Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. See a video tour of this kitchen at the bottom of this post. Click any image to enlarge
This cozy cottage, nestled in the hills of Locust Valley (Long Island, New York), features a kitchen full of charm, wit, and personality. Years of collecting objects and memorabilia became the elements of this canvas. While doorways remained, new windows were carefully placed so every inch could be utilized.
Armed with the client’s wish list, appliance requirements, and memorabilia inventory, Taine set out to design a kitchen to create a home for these pieces. Being a consummate cook, the client requested the design include storage for specialty pieces of cookware .
Since the front door allowed for a clear vision into the breakfast room and family room beyond, the client wanted to create a feeling of separate spaces without the use of walls. A very clever use of wall hutch cabinets with double-sided glass and shorter cabinetry above the farm sink, created the visual division the client was looking for while disguising a structural beam that was part of a prior addition. The double-sided mullion cabinets with antique restoration glass allowed the client’s collectibles to be enjoyed from both the kitchen and the cottage’s adjoining breakfast room.
The Wolf range was an important feature that added a professional touch to the space. The dishwasher was paneled to disguise it from the front door and maintain an unbroken line of base cabinetry. The microwave area was designed to be hidden when not in use, which allowed space for a small service counter and room for daily-use appliances.
Many useful storage items such as the pullout garbage, pot and pan drawers, and a customized pantry with rollouts and tray dividers ensure that all items are within the client’s reach. Everything is in its place and is accessible.
The Wood-Mode cabinetry in a custom-designed door, beaded inset frame with a soft raised-paneled door, features exposed hinges in oil rubbed bronze and a custom glazed finish in pale yellow. Honed granite tops give the perfect matte finish to this kitchen while the tile backsplash adds a bit of color, sheen, and contrast. Porcelain tiles impart an old-world elegance of antique stone coupled with modern day care and durability. The use of patterned wallpaper beautifully creates a dramatic and welcoming feeling that ties the color palette together.
Video tour of this kitchen is available here on our main website.
© COPYRIGHT 2010 Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. All rights reserved. We encourage a professional sharing of ideas, and if you use photography or text from this site, please attribute that material directly to www.kitchendesigns.com/blog.
