Small details can create extraordinary value in the design of a new kitchen or bath. When we meet with homeowners we want to know how they currently use their kitchen. We want to know if they entertain frequently, host family gatherings or cook regularly. We learn the style of furnishings, accessories, flooring and wall covers throughout the home to determine clients’ preferences. We gather as much information as we can to help us exceed our clients’ expectations.
When we design a kitchen we divide the space into areas for food preparation, clean up, and if there is sufficient room, dining. Many of our clients want an island. They are great for food preparation, can double as a dining table and often serve as the focal point of a new kitchen.
For our clients who entertain frequently we recommend placing a prep-sink in an island. The main sink, used for cleanup, should be placed in another location to prevent dirty pots, pans and dishes from piling up on the island. The location of the sink on the island depends on the island’s size. If the island is less than nine feet, we typically will place the sink at one end of the island to maximize the space for food preparation. Island sinks also need to account for the height of the faucet. The taller the faucet is, the more prevalent it becomes.
We create clean lines for contemporary kitchens by specifying panels for the dishwasher and refrigerator, locating the microwave either in a hidden cabinet or as a cut out in a base cabinet and specify pop up outlets that disappear into the countertop. Pop-ups also represent a great solution in areas where there are no wall cabinets to hide the plug molding strip.
If our clients tell us that a coffee maker, toaster or other small appliance will sit on a countertop, we locate an electrical outlet behind it. This helps to hide the electrical cord.
To create consistency of image, we will coordinate the colors of wall outlets and plug molding to complement the backsplash.
Lighting can make or break a space. Under-cabinet lighting illuminates the countertop making it easier to prep and cook meals. This is achieved by locating the light at the front of the cabinet. If the light is placed at the back of the cabinet, it will illuminate the backsplash instead.
LED lighting has made it easier to consistently illuminate cabinets. Placing LED strips on both sides of a cabinet will illuminate each shelf. On a framed cabinet, we place the strip behind the cabinet’s face frame. On frameless cabinets, the LED light strip is placed in a prepared groove on the sidewall of the cabinet. In both cases, the strip is hidden.
Other significant details that make a new kitchen more enjoyable include a divider in deeper base cabinets for pot lid storage, adding soap dispensers and an air switch to provide a clean look for counters and backsplashes and even countersinking the screw on a Lazy Susan cabinet to prevent a bi-fold door from scratching an adjacent cabinet.
Kitchens and baths are the most used rooms in a home. When a client partners with our showroom to create their dream space, we understand that the little details – often never considered – make all the difference.