Design
And the winner is:
It is truly an honor to announce that I was recently awarded first place in the coveted NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) competition that was held this fall. The winning kitchen is located in Medina, Ohio, and was a project I truly enjoyed being a part of. It makes a difference to be part of a project in which the client holds such a passion for cooking but also faith in the designer to create this special kitchen space in their home. The client allowed me to be creative all while maintaining the integrity of the architecture. The project turned out great and I am proud to have been a part of it. To see more photos of this kitchen along with many other kitchens and baths, please visit the gallery.
A Tile that Redefines the Vision of Space
Located in the heart of the South Chagrin Reservation I recently completed a beautiful “modern” kitchen. In order to complete this project we needed to locate a tile that would be minimalistic in nature yet have some interesting and crisp architectural lines to enhance the finished product. We ended up going with a tile company named “WOW”. Wow is a tile line used in all areas of the home that can be described as “elegant yet contemporary” and allows the freedom of creativity. I have fallen in love with this line due to the fact that it will give me another tool to express my creativity and vision for the space.
Leicht Innovations 2018
I am proud to represent Leicht, the leader in fine European kitchen furniture for many reasons.
When it comes to fulfilling the kitchen desires of the client Leicht always takes the lead. The design world is quickly evolving into one of “modern style”. Over the past year I have been approached by clients who are looking to achieve an “industrial” looking kitchen. Leicht listened to the clients’ requests and introduced the new Minera series.
With German technology, Leicht was able to achieve a metallic looking effect on a series of their cabinetry. These doors are a matte lacquer and are anti-fingerprint. The different finishes include tarnished brass, charred black steel, and also a rusty steel effect. This series will greatly aid me in creating a unique kitchen space at an affordable price, as Minera is at a lower price series. We are on the cusp of a design revolution in which with technology we can create spaces never seen before due to extreme cost and Leicht is on the forefront of that.
Fall is the Time for Learning
I have been in this business for over 30 years and my philosophy has always remained the same. I firmly believe that the best thing you can do at the start of a remodel is to know and take advantage of educational resources available to you. This fall is a great time for that as there are many opportunities to learn about the new and exciting things emerging into the marketplace. Throughout the month of September I will be a featured speaker at Homearama in Aurora, Ohio. I will be discussing “Kitchen Trends 2017” and encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about what’s hot in the design world this year. The talks will be at 1:00pm on September 9th, 16th, and 23rd.
In October I will be offering my first Kitchen Design Course of the season. On October 7th from 9-3 I will be discussing everything you need to understand as you prepare to invest in a kitchen remodel. Come join me at the Ohio Design center for this fan favorite class, where we discuss everything from cabinets, appliances, tops, and so much more. Should a bath remodel be in your future I will be hosting a class at the Orange Community Center on October 21st from 9:30-11:30. To sign up for the kitchen class visit my website (thehalldesigngroup.com) or call 216-870-2644. For inquiries or to sign up for the bath class please contact 216-831-8601.
During the first week of November the Ohio Design Center will be hosting Fall Market Day. On November 2nd designers are invited to visit the Design Center, walk around the showrooms, and see all the exciting design ideas they have to offer. Market Day will be a great opportunity to educate yourself on the latest trends in the design world. Throughout the day I will be giving several talks that will apply to your kitchen design needs. At 11am I will be presenting “European Influence in today’s kitchen” and at 1pm I will be discussing “Kitchen trends 2017”.
I encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to gain knowledge that will aid in your remodel now or in the future. I hope to see you soon.
Online Shopping vs The Design Firm:
Over the past year I have had more and more clients ask me about the pros and cons of online shopping. I have also had projects where the client has purchased their own appliances and plumbing online. These situations have caused the projects to not run as smoothly as I would have liked, and then my hands have been tied in trying to remedy the situation(s) for them. A prime example of this exact situation is a kitchen remodel project this past year. The Hall Design Group was responsible for the majority of the project besides the appliances (which the owner purchased online). The owner’s one request for me was to complete the project by the beginning of November so they could enjoy Thanksgiving in their new kitchen. I assured them it would not be an issue from my end. To make a long story short, the wall oven was installed and did not work. As a result, the owner was not able to cook their turkey in the oven because it was a real problem trying to get the right part shipped out in time. When the part did come, it was the wrong one.
Online shopping can be helpful in in educating the consumer, but the process only goes so far in preparing the clients in making the “big decisions.” It is beneficial for people to discuss products and design ideas with a professional–creating a direct, personal connection. I always have clients come to me at the end of the process and thank me by saying “John, I didn’t know how involved the remodel process is and I am so grateful you have been there guiding us throughout our remodel.”
On the flip side, as professionals we owe it to our clients to be experienced, knowledgeable and passionate partners. We are supposed to guide our clients through the design process and apply excellent company values that the client can trust during their work with you over the next several months. We are also ambassadors that will make sure things run as smoothly as possible.
At the end of the day it is all about relationship building, trust and overall design experience. These ever so important details cannot be found online and never will.
A Designer’s New Best Friend:
LED Lights
I have always been a firm believer in the “Murphy’s Law” theory when it comes to the location of recessed lights in a kitchen & bath remodeling project. Just when you need a can located on center in the most critical of situations then there will always be an obstruction in the way. Whether it be a joist or even heating or plumbing obstructions. Led lighting has come thru again for me. As a designer, I now have cans available to me that are only ½” thick (this is the thickness of drywall). I can now locate the lighting throughout the project wherever I desire. Some of the critical locations that this really helps me is centering the can over a sink or centering on a table location etc. I recently completed a family room with beams and I needed to center the lights between the beams and it turned out wonderfully!
Exciting Option for LED Lighting
Leicht, a fine German kitchen furniture line has found a terrific use for LED lighting. As an option with their cabinetry, one can now order LED lighting integrated into the cabinet system. No more worrying about seeing whats in a cabinet where lighting is an issue. As you can see in the photo, the LED lighting is a perfect solution for not just display lighting but also for interior closed cabinetry as well.
Webinars: Another Exciting Educational Tool Presented by the Hall Design Group
Throughout the years, I have gathered a collection of educational tools to guide the kitchen & bath consumer through the challenging task of remodeling. These tools have included many seminars, classes, design guides and pricing guides. The Hall Design Group is now proud to present a new and valuable Kitchen& Bath tool to further educate you so you can have a good understanding of the decision-making process. Now you can enjoy letting me assist you in the comfort of your own home. I have put together a collection of webinars that cover the many topics needed to successfully create the Kitchen & Bath of your dreams. Some of the topics include understanding design styles, finding the right appliance package for you, understanding and selecting the right cabinetry for your kitchen or bath, countertops, designing one’s kitchen, and lighting the space. Visit The Hall Design Group website to see a detailed explanation of each webinar including the schedule. You can also register at the same time.
