Design

Creating A Coordinated Kitchen

When it comes time to begin planning a Kitchen Remodel, you must first decide what style works best for your taste and desired look. Perhaps you are looking for a sleek contemporary kitchen, or more a traditional style. Or, perhaps you are looking for a blend of both, in which case a transitional kitchen may be for you.

Traditional Kitchens

A Traditional Style Kitchen is best described as being classic, or timeless. The space is warm and inviting, and can bring in elements that are reminiscent of 19th and 20th century architecture, for example, with ceiling beams or doorway arches. Wooden, and sometimes painted cabinets are prominent in this style of kitchen. The cabinets may have frames, or even glass panels. Cabinetry may also be used to integrate appliances seamlessly into the kitchen. Traditional can also have a farmhouse vibe, through the use of farmhouse sinks, and fixtures. A traditional style kitchen may also use molding as a form of elegance, which can also become a focal point in the kitchen. In a traditional kitchen you would most likely see stone countertops, made of natural materials such as granite, quartz, or marble. The color palate of the countertops, and a traditional kitchen in general, is very muted. It incorporates soft neutral colors, such as grays & creams, but can also incorporate splashes of color elsewhere in the space.

Contemporary Kitchens

Next comes the Contemporary Kitchen. A Contemporary Kitchen is sleek, modern, and has a clean style. Think lots of clean lines, minimalism, and lots of integration throughout. Contemporary style incorporates the use of lines, as well as lighting, which can both help a space appear larger than it actually is. The cabinets are flat paneled, creating a clean, no fuss look, and are often frameless. Contemporary Kitchens are innovative, and unlike a traditional kitchen, incorporate man made materials such as glass, steel, chrome, or concrete. Metal components are often seen throughout, in the lighting or on hardware. A Contemporary Kitchen can mean many things, and you will certainly be able to add your own personal flair to it.

Transitional Kitchens

A Transitional Kitchen is a blend of the Traditional & Contemporary Styles. It creates a warm & welcoming environment while incorporating components from other styles. The transitional style welcomes both manufactured as well as natural materials. By mixing these materials, it creates a harmonious look, and also uses lots of textures. This style is notably brighter than the other two, and often incorporates a large amount of storage. Kitchen Islands are popular in a transitional kitchen, as it allows for flow in the kitchen. The beauty of this style, that makes it so popular in remodels, is flexibility. There is no right or wrong way to design a transitional kitchen, and you have the freedom to draw inspiration from several styles while designing something that feels right for your style.

Granite vs. Quartz Countertops: Which is for me?

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, one of the most exciting parts is choosing your countertops. In the past, granite has long been a favorite when it comes to countertops, but Quartz is quickly outpacing granite in the kitchen. There are several reasons for this, all of which should be considered when choosing a countertop that best fits your needs.

When it comes to granite, you are looking at a 100% natural stone, whereas quartz is an engineered stone. This can be a positive or a negative depending on which way the buyer views it. A granite countertop is unique in that each slab of granite will be slightly different. This also, however, makes it more difficult to find the perfect piece for you, and may limit your options when it comes to extending countertops or replacing one that breaks. Quartz is more uniform in appearance and you may have an easier time finding a slab that fits your color scheme.

One of the major differences when it comes to these two materials is durability. Granite is a porous stone, and therefore, requires maintenance. Upon installation, your granite will be sealed and will require upkeep and re-sealing. There is the option for a 15 year sealant when your granite is first installed which certainly helps. Granite, as a natural stone, also may have flaws, which makes it more susceptible to chips and cracks. Due to granites porous texture it is also more likely to absorb oils or liquids and stain. Like other hard surface countertops, Quartz contains a resin that resists stains and cracks. Quartz is extremely durable and can withstand juices, oils, coffee, and even wine. Its also less likely to harbor bacteria and is relatively easy to keep clean. Quartz, however, does not withstand heat as well as granite, which is something to take into consideration.

When it comes down to cost on these two materials, they are both high quality products. Quartz is a mid-range price stone and granite offers a wide price range depending on the color, style and texture. Both granite and quartz have their advantages and it is a personal preference what the home owner prefers in their home.

Post-Pandemic Kitchen Design

Covid has changed the way we view so many things in our lives, and for some, that includes what they are looking for in their home, and specifically kitchen design. While some trends come and go, these changes in what people are looking for seem here to stay as our lives have shifted. With so many people working from home, kids learning virtually, and families spending more time together, the needs of our homes have shifted. As designers, these changes are welcome, and testing our creativity with what we put into designs.

Not surprisingly, the biggest factor we are putting into our spaces is the need for cleanliness. We are seeing the desire for hands-free. This can range from a hands-free trash can or soap dispenser or even a faucet. The trend is gearing towards cleanliness, towards easy to clean surfaces. We could potentially see this in countertop and cabinet choices, with people leaning towards non-porous surfaces that tend to absorb less bacteria. Open shelving used to be popular and now we are seeing people prefer closed cabinets that can easily be wiped down.

The saying “too many cooks in the kitchen” does not apply in post-pandemic kitchen design. In fact, we are seeing the opposite. With more people being in the home and utilizing the kitchen throughout the day, the desire for multiple sinks and refrigerators is there. People are incorporating smart appliances into their home, as our familiarity with technology has been pushed this past year. Smart lights, refrigerators and even stoves are all helping create a stress-free environment in the home. People are also looking for efficiency. The ability to have waste management in the kitchen. This can be something as simple as built in recycling systems or a food scrap bin built into your counter.

The pandemic has given us a new outlook on what is important in our lives, and in our homes. The need for multipurpose spaces that are more functional, livable, and stress free will forever change the way we view our home and kitchen design.

Understanding The Supply Chain Shortages

If you are re-modeling your home this year you may have run into supply chain issues, possibly causing delays and increased pricing in products. This global supply chain shortage in the industry has many buyers frustrated, but the good news is, its not forever. Lets breakdown what is causing the shortages, what it means for you, the buyer, and when we anticipate it to subside

The problem is pretty simple; supply and demand. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people began spending more times in their homes and the desire to remodel skyrocketed. Mix this with a global shutdown in 2020, as well as restrictions at facilities and you have the perfect storm of supply chain shortages. The demand has simply exceeded the supply. Contractors are having to give longer lead times simply because it is taking them longer to acquire your materials. We are seeing 4 common shortages: Windows & Doors, Appliances, Lumber, & Furniture.

With windows & doors we are seeing a significant shortage. This is mainly caused because there is a shortage of glass industry wide. Most suppliers rely on the same manufacturers and the backlog of supply caused by shutdowns has ravaged the supply chain for windows, causing weeks long delays. While many of these products are manufactured in the United States, we are seeing that factories are at 100% operations, but hesitant to build more factories for a supply that may only be pandemic related and temporary. With doors this is presenting a unique option to salvage and repurpose old doors, and checking local home stores for what they have in stock.

One of the biggest shortages we are seeing industry wide is lumber. Lumber has been in extremely high demand the past year, which has caused accessibility issues as well as prices to skyrocket. This shortage is a cause of several factors, both pandemic and environmental related. Between a record wildfire season in 2020 and pandemic shutdowns and regulations, as well as a boom in new homes being build, lumber has become expensive and hard to come by.

Similar with windows & lumber, we are also seeing an increased demand and low supply of appliances. The market for appliances was completely overwhelmed by the demand. The inventory simply wasn’t there for new appliances. Many companies have shifted their production to focusing on limiting the lines they carry but producing more. What does this mean for the buyer? Plan ahead. Be strategic about ordering your appliances, order them first, and remember that wait times will be longer than usual.

So when will this end? The good news is, the industry thinks this is only temporary and should resolve itself. Assuming customer demand returns to pre-pandemic levels, we could see this slowing down by the end of the year with a hopeful return by this time next year. Remember that planning and accounting for delays is key. Make sure to leave yourself enough time in your project for these delays.

Upcoming Webinars

Returning this Fall will be the Webinar Series. You will be able to educate yourself on all topics design, from the comfort of your home. Stay tuned for dates and a list of topics!