2010 Kitchen Design Guide

There’s a reason the kitchen-and-bath industry remains strong despite a sluggish economy. As an article in Custom Home concludes, kitchens “remain tantalizing objects of desire for most Americans. And they still attract discretionary spending when homeowners feel the need to upgrade. When building anew, they are a prime focus of design energy and product decision making.”

From incorporating sustainable products and a return to simplicity to allowing the placement of cabinets to drive the kitchen’s gathering space toward the center with a furniture-like island, check out Custom Home’s 2010 Kitchen + Bath Design Guide that proves the heart of the home is alive and well!

Granite: “Living Art”

Homeowners looking to add a natural, organic feel to their homes needn’t look any further than natural stone, such as marble, soapstone, quartz and granite. “While a granite counterotp may be cool to the touch, the rich variations in color and the movement of the stone through its veins add warmth and charm,” according to an article in Roc Now. 

“It’s ‘living art,’” says certified kitchen and bath designer Dani Polidor, owner of Suite Artistry in Pittsford. “The more imperfections, the better.” And although materials from exotic woods to concrete may be gaining traction in the market, “Granite is still number one; nothing even comes close,” says Richard Doyle, owner of Bryce & Doyle in Rochester, NY.

Stop by the Sophisticated Stone showroom to see how you can make your kitchen a living work of art with our selection of natural stones.

Confessions of a Kitchen Designer

Redesigning your kitchen often comes with a laundry list of questions, both on the part of the client and the designer. Some of the client’s biggest concerns though, reveals Christopher Peacock in “Confessions of a Kitchen Designer,” in House Beautiful, include:

How long will remodeling my kitchen take?
“A minimum of six months. More likely nine months.”

Which areas should we devote the most resources (read: money) to?
“60% for cabinetry, 25% for appliances, and 15% for countertops.”

What are some common mistakes people make?
“Too big. Too grand. Too much stuff. Thinking an island can’t be too big — wrong! Anything bigger than eight-by-four feet is unnecessary. Wanting too much counter space. You don’t need more than four feet.”

For more of Peacock’s secrets, including what not to do (hint: any estimate that seems too good to be true, probably is) and what materials to use to increase the resale value of your home, check out the article in House Beautiful.

Next Page »