Color, especially strong color, seems to be something that most people avoid putting on a permanent feature such as cabinetry or a fireplace and mantle area. However, if colors are selected and used properly, they will add character and warmth to a space and won’t be overwhelming. Choosing the right color depends on your personality. Also, consider how long you want to live with that color on a permanent fixture. If you like the flexibility to change your colors when you get tired of them, choose accents such as throw pillows, dish towels and other accessories. Sometimes it is a risk to add bold color when you are remodeling your home, but as you can see, with some careful thought and planning, the results can be stunning.

When we develop a new kitchen design with our clients, we are often confronted with the age-old problem of unsightly clutter and how to organize it.  By taking advantage of unused spaces such as the side of a refrigerator, we can recess ready-made bulletin boards into the side for a flush and contained look for family photos, post cards and miscellaneous items.  When choosing a bulletin board style, it doesn’t have to be the standard cork board. You can select from frames and fabrics that will beautifully accessorize your new kitchen.  For additional sleek yet practical storage, we can create customized cubbies in the backplash of cabinetry to hold mail and household paperwork, keeping it all just visible enough for quick and easy access.

As designers, we are always trying to find new ways to show each client’s personality in the living space that we are creating. One way to personalize the space is to frame and light the client’s photographs, kids’ art or sentimental pieces. Grouping the pictures together showcases them as a very polished gallery instead of hanging them individually.

We find that clients often steer away from choosing very dark wood or black cabinetry for their kitchens. Actually, when used as a carefully selected accent, dark cabinets can be elegant and quite dramatic. For example, a key focal point could be one area of dark cabinets along a wall or on the island.  The contrast of the dark or black wood cabinets against the lighter elements of the kitchen also evoke a “furniture” feel and add interest.

In a space with so many sleek, hard surfaces, it is important to add elements to dress up the kitchen and add interest.  Window treatments and fabric behind doors and colorful dish towels can add softness and pattern without overwhelming the space.  Also, place your favorite collectibles on a hood mantle, behind the range or on the wall to make the look more personal.  Make sure to incorporate a common shape, color or style to connect these elements.

Marmoleum, a natural linoleum product made from linseed oil, rosin, cork and jute, is an alternative to using hardwoods or tile in a kitchen.  It works well with most styles, and with so many colors and patterns available, there are virtually endless design possibilities. We usually pair the light flooring colors with dark cabinetry and the darker flooring with light cabinets to add contrast and interest.  Since Marmoleum is an environmentally responsible product, we feel good about specifying it for our clients who request green products.

Solid quartz countertops continue to be in high demand for kitchens and bathrooms because they are highly durable, have consistent color and are low maintenance.

Caesarstone and Chroma, two of the brands we specify most, come in a wide range of interesting neutral tones that fit with most any style.  Try mixing colors together for more interest or pair quartz countertops tops with granite to achieve the same effect.  Just remember to tie the colors in with your cabinets or backsplash for a more unified design.

With the rising popularity of the flat screen TV comes the question “where do we put it”?  In addition, many people want a clever disguise for their TV while it is not in use.  We thought this was a very clever way to hide the TV while adding artwork into the space seamlessly.