Design Envy

Removable cooktop increases countertop space

2009-11-05T09:05:00.000-08:00

What a cool new product that I could see working so well in a small but highly functional kitchen spaces! You can create your work triangle and when needed, remove these cooking plates for additional counter top space.

So clever!

I would love to see this product live and try it out in person. Maybe try my hand at searing a piece of salmon, or creating a stir fry in one of these.

Lotus is a wireless cooking system that offers an elegant alternative to the conventional static hob. Each piece is specifically designed for various cooking styles and meal types. There is a tepan yaki plate, a wok hob (the bowl like piece), a grill plate and induction plates. The pieces are powered using resonant induction. There are transmission coils hidden beneath the counter top and receiving coils in each of the pieces. Power can be transferred to one or all of the pieces at any one time.

Clean up is a cinch since you can dunk the plates in water. Although many avid cooks argue nothing beats the flavor and efficiency of a meal cooked by fire, home chefs like myself prefer flexibility and easy clean up. Safety is another huge advantage here. The heat ferrous directly by creating a magnetic field causing edding currents in the metal to heat up. Therefore they always remain cool and are safe to pick up almost immediately after cooking. Of course there are handles just to ease the minds who are hardwired never to touch anything hot.

Designers: David Barry & Laurence Finnegan

Cool casters in candy colors!

2009-11-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

I just love pops of unexpected color, especially when it comes to these cool casters by Mockett.com

Green is my personal favorite color, so this caster immediately grabbed my eye! Love how there is a 'brake' too so you can lock it into place.

The red caster with it's slim line is so chic!

What a creative way to design a small island to put on casters, or a custom coffee table, or a desk unit with a movable section to allow different spacial layouts! The possibilities for these cuties are endless!

"Medallion Cabinetry" Promotion

2009-11-03T06:28:00.000-08:00

For many of my clients, friends, etc looking at "Medallion" for their project's cabinetry, there is a great COUPON being offered until 11/20/09!

For orders of 12 cabinets or more:

INSTANT REBATE!!!

$750 off for PLATINUM

$500 off for DESIGNER GOLD & DESIGNER

$250 off for SILVERLINE

Click here for the COUPON located on Medallion's website in the upper right hand corner, and contact me so I can process it correctly for you!

Don't miss out on these limited savings!

Warmth in a Laundry room

2009-10-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

On these cooler days of Fall weather is there anything better than feeling cozy? How about while doing the mundane daily house chores of, oh I don't know... laundry, having a beautiful room like this to do it in.

Now, it's no secret, I'm not a fan of doing laundry but with this design below, my inner Martha skills of wanting to fold/iron/steam and clean wants to come out and get busy.

I just couldn't resist snapping some photos yesterday while driving out to one of my clients to measure for their new kitchen. What an amazing Indian summer day we had yesterday, it was sunny and almost 70 degrees with explosions of colors stemming through the trees.

How couldn't I be creative with a day (actually a week) like this? I do love the Fall.

Uniting different tones of cabinetry

2009-09-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

Using different tones of cabinetry in your home is quickly becoming more than a trend, it's becoming a masterpiece style of design.

Below are some amazing examples done with our line of "Medallion Cabinetry"

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Seen here are three examples of color: A painted maple cabinet, with accents of a red Pinot Noir stain and the island in an onyx stain. Breath taking isn't it?

Here is a lighter example of combining a Hazelnut tone in an Alder rustic wood with a painted finish that lends to a cool oceanic feel.

Below, cabinetry turns more towards a furniture look with a free standing armoire piece in a cherry stain. The beautifully designed island showcases a medium tone Pecan stain in cherry, hugging around the Coastal stain in yellow. Using different finishes in different door styles creates a more furniture finish and one that is definitely unique to your home.

In a more classic approach, the image below boasts a beautifully clean white painted in Divinity with gentle darker hues of maple cabinetry. The chestnut tones of the darker wood really bring out warmth and balance the cooler white cabinetry.

Done in a more contemporary vibe, this kitchen below, is not afraid of some eye popping color. The natural maple cabinetry fades back to allow the red painted cabinetry to step forward and demand some attention. Creating different heights and depth in your cabinetry, allows your space to work better and creates a dynamic design.

Hope this inspires you to get creative with all the fabulous choices we have to offer!

Warm hues make this kitchen so inviting

2009-09-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

This remodel kitchen design was done for such a sweet family, I was happy to be part of the project to make their kitchen function better for their everyday needs.

I suggested moving the sink to the opposite side of the kitchen and creating the diagonal angle looking out toward the backyard. The sitting/overhang area behind the peninsula is now in a better position, being on the opposite wall, which before, blocked the traffic flow from kitchen into family room.

The lovely "Quincy" door style in Maple-Biscotti stain is the perfect soft sand tone of Maple.

I increased their storage immediately by taking the upper cabinets up to the ceiling. Visually, it makes the kitchen ceiling look taller as well.

Notice the small satin nickel button in the granite countertop by the sink? It is an air touch garbage disposal button.

Below is a perspective shot from my initial concept to their reality, above. This design is done on CAD 20/20 to design and implement quick changes as we progress thru the designing phases of a remodel.

Below is the "BEFORE" shot and the kitchen design that really wasn't working for their family. Long gone now!

The new laminate is here..first in Michigan on display!

2009-09-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

From my last posting, I was raving about the new laminate products from Formica.

We put this new product on our showroom island, come see it for yourself in person.

It is knock-out beautiful and guess what...it is also a green product!

Ogee edge treatment

Up close ...can you believe this is laminate?!

Looks amazing doesn't it, just like stone!

And below, was the "Before" shot of the older Formica laminate that was to look like granite. I have to say, they have come a long way and I'm very impressed! Good job Formica!

If you like the way this new top looks, we make custom tops in this new finish at our facility. Call for more information to see how we can help you in your design.

The Suite Life

2009-09-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

This beautiful remodel was actually done inside a private company suite at the Palace of Auburn Hills. This suite went from year 1983 to 2009 quickly by updating everything from cabinetry, counter tops, flooring and furniture accents.

Although the blinds are drawn in the photo below, the Pistons were actually practicing that day I measured the space out. It helped with the design concept; knowing the main attraction of this room is what will happen through the glass. A great 'suite' is one that flows nicely and works like your own personal restaurant/bar but with the warmth of home.

If you look closely, you can see the client added their own touch by attaching an cool metal plate, labeled "trash" indicating where the pullout is. Love the personal additions.

In any space, having a new kitchen and powder bath to make family and guests alike feel at home is more than necessary...it's 'suite.'

BIG news in laminate

2009-08-25T15:18:00.001-07:00

I have to admit...laminate counter tops are not my first choice for top materials. I love the look of natural stone and I never thought laminate companies quite got that 'look.'

Until now...

Check out this INSANELY beautiful new laminate exclusively from Formica and I'm happy to say, that we will be the first showroom (and only so far) in Michigan to be featuring this product. We are exchanging out the old laminate top on our selection room Island, for the new Formica 108fx in "Blue Storm" shown below.

Come check it out for yourselves at my showroom, in a couple of weeks....I'm anxious to have it, it is a show stopper and is bringing laminate out of the 1980's for good!

Not to mention how budget friendly laminate is and is winning over Eco-friendly fans nationwide!

A Cottage home remodel

2009-08-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

When I went out to measure my client's cottage home, I was gearing up for a four-five hour drive. However, this cottage, is only about 45 minutes away from their Birmingham home, located in Linden, MI. I couldn't help but think, how wonderfully convenient and how much this family must use and enjoy their 2nd home.

Below is the finished remodel I did for their kitchen area, in our "Quality Cabinetry" line, using the white thermofoil 'Nantucket' beaded door style.

This 2nd sink area shown below, can be used for bar/entertaining area or as another wonderful prep area.

I adore the staircase that walks right into the kitchen. How inviting is that?

Cozy and quaint with a corner sink view of their lake, who wouldn't want to escape to this lovely home?

Design your dream kitchen with our Silverline-Budget friendly

2009-08-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

Crisp, clean, timeless and classic.

A few choice words that come to mind with this design below done in "Medallion Cabinetry's" budget line of "Silverline." Yes, I said budget. It is possible to create a gorgeous kitchen without breaking the bank. Take a look at this one below, done in North Carolina by one of their local designers, using our line of "Medallion Cabinetry"

Very popular with my local clients, is the darker island used in combination of a white or lighter perimeter. It makes your island look more like a found piece of furniture; this island is done in our "Carriage Black" painted maple cabinetry. The white cabinetry is Maple wood painted in the "Divinity" color. Just lovely.

I love how the homeowners used contrasting granite/marble for their counter top choices. The white farmer's sink becomes a focal point set in the dark granite. The island's marble done in a soft white with grey veining looks like the perfect area to try new recipes at.

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Below are three custom bookcases to match in kitchen cabinetry. It ties in seamlessly and offers storage below and great display above for family photos, or travel treasures.

To view more stain color choices and paint colors are available in this beautiful door, please click on this: "Lancaster"

and set up a time in our showroom to view more in person.

Hutches beware, chic storage is found!

2009-07-27T12:54:00.001-07:00

This wall unit was designed for maximum storage use, and having it centered on the wall close to the dining room table, it also serves as a large buffet area while entertaining.

Vertical lift storage with frosted glass keeps this wall unit functional as well as gorgeously chic. Having six drawers (three shallow for silverware, etc, and three deep for dishes/platters, linens..oh my!) creates instant organization and keeps with the horizontal flow of the design.

Shown below is the stone. We used a beautiful remnant piece of millennium cream granite here, for under $600 installed. By being flexible on our color choice and choosing a chic 3/4" material, we were able to save about $1,275.00 for stone alone.

Below is the "Before" shot...

Doesn't your stemware and entertaining dishes deserve a better home?!

NYC Kitchen of the Year by "House Beautiful"

2009-07-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

As a kitchen designer, and a general home enthusiast, I am always sooo curious as to how do people live? One of my favorite places to visit is NYC and I often find myself trying to sneak a peek into the lovely brownstones to see what kind of kitchen they have? In the latest issue of "House Beautiful" we have a photographic tour inside the replicated kitchen/home of foodie TV chef, Ina Garten of "Barefoot Contessa."

I thought I would post this to see if this inspired any of you. Her kitchen (the one below is on shown in NYC, but her actual kitchen is in the Hamptons) is simple, timeless, organized and extremely functional.

Ina and her husband, Jeffrey arrive in NYC

Ina's kitchen, beautiful white painted beadboard cabinetry that fades back and allows her food to take center stage.

However, behind closed doors...er drawers, are function and organization. The cabinetry door detail doesn't have to speak volumes but the inside should.

Keeping items on open shelves allows for an easy everyday use and what better way for heirloom pieces to close at hand to use for dinner, or to just admire daily and remember fond memories.

Like many homes are remodeling towards, the trend of having the kitchen open and connecting into dining rooms, family/living rooms is shown beautifully here. How great to be able to sit and nibble on breakfast just steps away from your kitchen and your fireplace?

To see a video on Ina's thoughts of color in the kitchen, click here

Today's look of Quarter Sawn Oak

2009-07-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

This dream kitchen was done for my family first, client second, designed in Evanston, IL.

These wonderful home owners decided to remodel their beautiful Evanston home. True admirers of Frank Llyod Wright, Mission Style and fine culinary creations, this kitchen encompasses their passion of architecture, design function and flowing muses for the love of cooking.

Architecturally, we couldn't change window height, so we created a custom large drawer for pots/pans on either side of their Viking Range. The hood above fits neatly into a wood hood but still provides the functioning blower vent required.

Using Quarter Sawn Oak provides a true Mission look dating back to 1895. The farmers sink adds such a warm touch, and paneling the new Dishwasher gives the function of the appliance without noticing it's there.

Below are the "Before" images of the same kitchen..what a difference. Fortunately the same elements in both kitchens are the wonderful home owners, their memories of cooking, entertaining and family time. All of that will be brought into the new design :)

Getting "Boos" is great!

2009-07-14T15:44:00.001-07:00

How lovely and warm is wood grain with its ancient curves and cathedrals running smoothly like telling a tale of it's time.

Using wood for cabinetry is beautiful, yes, but also unique and functional as a countertop!

This island below begs to be sat at with a steaming cup of coffee and the latest great read..."Twilight" anyone?

In the past many people worried about bacteria on wood surfaces such as cutting boards but did you know, bacteria actually dies quicker on wood than on most surfaces?!

Occasionally layer your wood top with an inch of coarse kosher salt overnight to remove any lingering smells of garlic, onion, etc.

How perfect is this multi-height countertop on this island...love the bench for seating!

A lilliputian kitchen-only 48 square feet!

2009-07-06T10:10:00.001-07:00

I came across this kitchen in one of my favorite magazines, "House Beautiful" and was so impressed with what a fellow kitchen designer did with her own space.

This tiny but highly functional kitchen is located

in NYC (again, a favorite place of mine).

I couldn't help but think; how clever, and sweet and still modestly elegant.

We often complain about how small our kitchens are, but perhaps what we need to do, is appreciate the space we do have, and do something GREAT with it!

Enjoy!

A few fun facts about this bite size kitchen:

A mirrored backsplash, an electric cooktop that doubles as countertop, and simple cabinetry give the illusion of grandeur in this tiny kitchen.
There is a specific space for every pot, plate, and peppermill.
Four-inch-deep drawers, with slides along the sides rather than the bottoms, hold spices, tea, hot pads, and assorted cooking paraphernalia; slots provide tidy storage space for cookbooks and serving trays.
Deeper drawers substitute for lower cabinets to give easier acces
The refrigerator is just outside the kitchen, in the pantry. She stores table linens in closets in the hallway.
The "pantry" for dry goods consists of two cabinets that slide out over the countertop. Bins for trash and recyclables similarly pull out beside the sink.
The wood floor was handmade by an artisan in Brooklyn to showcase the family crest, a way of putting a personal imprint on the kitchen design.

What inspires your design thoughts?

2009-07-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

In design, anything can trigger an idea and a flow of thoughts.

Below are some beautiful inspirations for new finishes that we design with.

Chocolate truffle anyone?

This 'Truffle' finish, below, will satisfy your craving and keep you in your skinny jeans

To enjoy a glass of Cabernet with your loved one at a vineyard...

Or using the classic and traditional 'Vineyard' finish in your home

Admiring the unique coat pattern of an Appaloosa horse in a nearby field

Bringing that warm speckled finish of 'Appaloosa' into your next design, perhaps an island for your family to gather around.

What is your unique inspiration...

Blissful cabinetry

2009-06-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

What a fun and creative job we have as cabinetry designers!

Below is a brand new product, in our "Medallion Cabinetry" line. I am focusing on the greenish-blue painted cabinetry seen below, so beautifully labeled as "Bliss."

Exceptionally serene and just perfect for a spa-like bathroom, pool house, or lake house..the uses could be endless.

Enjoy...

"Bliss" painted cabinetry comes on several different door styles, each very different from each other. The style above is called "Trinity." Very fitting, don't you think?

Classic Bath design

2009-06-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

Choosing cabinetry for your Master Bath can prove to be a difficult task, especially in when trying to predict what you will like for years to come.

Whether or not to go sleekly contemporary, vintage shabby chic, British traditional, or bo-ho eclectic in style, can all whirl around in confusion for many of my clients.

Sometimes it's best to play it safe and go somewhere in between; transitional.

That means picking a simple, clean and classic cabinetry style. Different selections of hardware, proves to wear like "jewelry" and can easily be changed out in the future.

Instead of a typical linen closet behind plain doors, we created a custom space that has a furniture appeal to it, but still provides all the storage needed.

Shown here is a maple cabinet in a classic Shaker style but combined with a clean slab (or flat) drawer front to keep the look even more simple. The hardware chosen is a more contemporary stainless steel rod (still proving to be quite popular) but could easily be changed to a bin pull for a totally different look in the future.

The pesky Microwave and where to put it?

2009-05-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

As a kitchen designer, I am constantly faced with design challenges. One that constantly comes up is this question, "So, Kristen, where is my microwave going?"

The correct answer is; what works best for your space and for you needs, and below are some of the many options to consider for your kitchen.

Option 1: Creating an upper cabinet with space below to house and trim your micro out nicely creates a seamless look. Having a counter top below makes prepping and re-heating a snap. Keeping it near the refrigerator is also quite functional.*This a key element; being most items that need to be microwaved come straight from the refrigerator, it's a time saver to keep it near by when possible.

Option 2: The microwave seen below, is installed underneath the built-in coffee machine, to the left of the refrigerator. This built-in microwave also functions as a second oven and in this application fits nicely in this large tower cabinet and is easy to access.

Option 3: Placing the microwave in a lower base cabinet and trimming it out nicely creates a separate work zone. This application is wonderful for families with children over 7 yrs old typically, so the children can access the microwave SAFELY and when trusted to do so. *Another key note is I prefer to lift hot microwaved items out and up on to a counter for stirring, etc, rather than pulling from above toward the face.

Option 4: The microwave seen below is most typical. Having a microwave hood proves practical and functional when tight on space. This application can also function as a hood fan (either recirculating or venting out). The height allows the microwave to be out of younger toddler's hands and off the counter tops. For the at-home 'chef's' this can prove to be a time saver too by keeping all cooking elements together.

Option 5: Many of my clients are now choosing a more natural approach to food and are eliminating the daily use of a microwave, enabling me to place it behind closed doors, seen below. This proves to be beneficial when you DON'T use it daily. A great benefit to this design is it's atheistically pleasing while still housing the microwave. *This is a great design when you aren't wanting to invest a lot of money in a high end microwave and it's easy to replace because you aren't locked into one size microwave.

I hope these ideas inspire some creativity...and boy, am I craving some microwaved popcorn! :)

A Modern Beauty

2009-05-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a great "before vs. after?"

Here are a couple of "before" shots of the kitchen:

Featured below is the newly redesigned lovely kitchen for my wonderful friend, who also happens to be an interior designer (as if you can't tell!):

Don't you just love the light fixture over the sink?

I think we succeeded in hitting their budget while achieving a beautiful chic kitchen that showcases her great taste.

Custom desk for teens

2009-05-12T08:10:00.001-07:00

We can all remember how hard it was to sit down and do our homework.

Perhaps this will make that daily chore a little more inviting; a custom desk area in your children's or teen's bedroom. A place of their own to study, read, and stay organized.

Here is one design done in our 'Quality Cabinet' line, in the beaded white 'Nantucket' door style.

Suspended seating

2009-05-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

Being a kitchen/bath/cabinetry designer, I get to see so many cool products!

Take a swivel on this one: Suspended seating!

Creates a whole new look for your kitchen island, perimeter or desk area!

Mudrooms can be pretty and practical | detnews.com | The Detroit News

2009-05-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Mudrooms can be pretty and practical detnews.com The Detroit News

Detroit News Article feature

2009-05-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

Click below for the article feature in Detroit News on my photographs of my designed "Mud Suite" below:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090501/OPINION03/905010302/1038/lifestyle01/Mudrooms-can-be-pretty-and-practical

Many thanks to the editor, Jeanine Matlow for this feature! :)