It’s the start of a new year and the buzz around kitchen remodeling is louder than ever. Is it time for you to consider kitchen remodeling? Here’s a “list” of fun clues that can help you determine if the time is right for you to remodel your kitchen:

One of the goals of clients remodeling their kitchen is for the new kitchen to be more organized and offer storage than the current version. A good designer will ask you to list your most used kitchen items and discuss placement and storage ideas based on your list.

We all want to live responsibly without sacrificing our water experience in the bathroom. Water defines the bathroom experience – not just for its cleaning aspect, but its wellness aspect too. It is both feeling and function.

Its spring time, and nothing ushers in that feeling better than a white kitchen. Timeless in style, white kitchens offer the refreshing breeziness of spring and the opportunity to showcase vibrant colors like those that come from spring’s first blooms. Whether it is from flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables or the colorful decorations and keepsakes...

We’ve all heard the saying “It takes a village…”. With kitchen design, it does not quite take a village but there is no doubt that it is a team effort. Not only a collaboration between designer & client, but with a support team ready to assist to turn great kitchen ideas into great kitchens.

It's a new year! Thinking about remodeling your kitchen? You are not alone! Many homeowners are considering kitchen remodeling in 2013. According to a survey on 2013 kitchen remodeling trends by Russell Research, the most popular choices for updating the kitchen are countertops (76%), wall coverings (70%), cabinetry (67%) and flooring (64%).

1) Identify all the activities each person uses their bathroom space for – bathing, showering, using the toilet, grooming, dressing...you name it!

It's not looking good for the rubber duckies. According to a recent Houzz study on bathroom remodeling trends , more and more consumers are forgoing the master bathroom tub. More than 4 in 10 surveyed homeowners are ditching the bathroom tub with glass and curbless zero threshold shower enclosures leading the way in bathroom trends.

It happens every year about this time. People start considering all their options. They look at stats and key information to help them make decisions on what or who will ultimately win out. And then they do it…they print out their March Madness brackets and start filling in winners. Will they go with the flashiest choice with the best chance of win...

Wondering if you are wanting the same things in your new kitchen design as others do? The following top 5 kitchen design requests were heard most frequently by clients starting a kitchen remodel project according to a recent survey by Kitchen & Bath Design News:

The desire for a kitchen that is more organized, easy-to-reach and use has never been greater. One of the top reasons we remodel our kitchen is to create more or better storage. The opportunity to increase kitchen storage is everywhere. Here are 5 simple ideas that can help you add more kitchen storage that is easy to access:

Silver toned bathroom fixtures and faucets are the clear Olympic gold medal winner when it comes to choosing fixtures for a bathroom remodel . According to recent study by Houzz on winter bathroom trends , silver based finishes assumed an overwhelming 6 of the top 8 bathroom fixture finishes. The silver medalist – bronze, adding further “Olympic-es...

We are always looking for more space (or at least the illusion of it), and no where is that more evident than in the bathroom. Yes, you have endless choices in bathroom cabinets, cabinet accessories, space saver toilets…the list goes on and on. But trying to create a relaxing, organized and spacious feeling environment in the bathroom is tricky whe...

Kitchen cabinet accessories are critical to every kitchen design. Enjoy our kitchen cabinet accessories inspired 'Twas the Night before Christmas.

I’m not a superhero. While I played one in a recent company update (what do you mean you’ve never heard of Captain Reico), the truth of the matter is I’m just like everybody else. Well, almost everybody else. The people who protect us, save lives and make the world a better place to live…those are our superheroes, the Superman’s and Wonder Women wh...

It’s always great to read a local story about people who have served our country and the paths that led them to where they are today. These Army lifers have spent their lives all over the world on our behalf before deciding it was time to settle down.

The care and details that go into preparing a Thanksgiving dinner are not unlike the care and detail that goes into planning a kitchen remodeling project. Cooking that Thanksgiving meal is a team effort of family and friends, just like planning a kitchen remodeling project is a team effort, bringing you and your designer together to create your dre...

Honoring our Veteran’s is something that we should be doing every day. And in Chesapeake, VA we are getting a very special opportunity to work on a kitchen remodeling project with our own group of “veterans”. Two of them are military veterans and one of them is a “veteran” of the kitchen and bath industry. How did they come together to be working o...

In the mid-70’s the Starland Vocal Band recorded the number one hit “Afternoon Delight”. It instantly skyrocketed up the charts with its’ strong harmonies. And while kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling may not be as glamorous as a hit song, when it comes to choosing a painted cabinet these skyrockets truly are in flight.

Kitchen Cabinet Accessory Ideas - Glass and Vertical Cabinet Doors Two of the simplest ways to change the look of your kitchen can be achieved simply by changing the look or function of some doors. Glass Doors – Easily change the look of your kitchen. Glass doors can be a bright contrast to a darker finish or add a focal point to a wall of ca...

Store your baking pans and trays with ease Cookie sheets, lasagna pans, pizza stones, large cutting boards….we all have them in our kitchen along with the make shift storage solutions we come up with that either waste valuable space or are located in less than easily accessible locations. A simple solution is to incorporate a kitchen cabinet...

Pull out your storage with Cabinet Roll Out Trays Are roll out trays are really better than shelves? Being able to pull your storage to you and access from 3 sides is a lot easier then bending over or getting on one or both knees to dig through what you have on the shelves or in the very back of the cabinet (don’t forget your flashlight!). A ...

When you have to use a blind corner cabinet, you have to use this cabinet accessory When space for a lazy susan corner cabinet is not an option and you have to use a blind corner base cabinets, one of the best ways to get the most out of the space is to add rotating roll out trays to your cabinet. It turns a difficult corner into a simple-to-access...

Pull Out Storage is just easier A small space can present design challenges in any size kitchen. Pull Out Storage Cabinets offer a variety of solutions, from wider spaces with larger items like dishes, pans, and food can be accessed to very narrow spaces where smaller items like spices, cups, glasses or other baking ingredients can be accessed. Wit...

Decorative Project Boxes to organize the "other" stuff in the kitchen We like to have our family with us in the kitchen or very nearby when we are cooking or working in this space. A great kitchen cabinet accessory idea to keep your items neat, organized and nearby is to incorporate a cabinet with storage bins or decorative project boxes to provide...

In many ways, kitchen remodeling is its’ own series of events, particularly when it comes to making product selections. Call it your own “remodeling decathlon”. Just like in the Olympic Decathlon, 10 “events” (or products for you kitchen decathletes) must be prepared for and participated in to help you achieve your goal. Your gold medal result depe...

The world lost a legendary one-of-a-kind figure when Muhammad Ali passed away last week. Through all his highs and lows, Ali was more than a boxer to his fans, his reputation for being positive and a motivation to others making him larger than life. His words inspired many in all walks of life, and will continue to do for generations to come. So wh...

Perhaps no one knew more about bringing teams together than University of Tennessee coaching legend Pat Summitt, who passed away this past Tuesday. The winningest coach in NCAA basketball history left a huge legacy both on and off the court. Over 38 years, Summit’s teams made it to 22 Final Fours and won 8 national championships, creating a standar...

The word "modern" is hot right now. You hear it everywhere. And it shows no signs of going away. According to Sarah Reep, ASID, IIDA, CMKBD, CMG, CAPS and Director of Designer Relations and Education for Merillat Cabinetry, an increased in modern style requests from clients and by manufacturers, has been noticed. With its’ clean, crisp lines and si...

The Millennial generation was literally in its’ infancy by the time Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi hit movie theaters in 1983. I was 14 years old and the force was with me…wishing for Han Solo’s brazen confidence and Luke Skywalker’s quiet strength…and maybe even hoping to attract the attention of my own Princess Leia.

When it comes to colors in the home we all have our own vision for our kitchen and what that should look like, from countertops and appliances to walls and floors and everything in between. So, about that “everything in between” comment…yes, we’re referring to your kitchen cabinets. With the timeless popularity of white and a surge in variations of...

When it comes to kitchen remodeling and designing your new space, your kitchen appliances should be given very special consideration. Appliances are often considered the “jewelry” of the kitchen, adding to the look, style and performance of your space. Often times, you will select your appliances first (or very early on) in the kitchen design proce...

For many of our projects, we get the opportunity to focus on one room at a time. The kitchen. A master bathroom or a hall bathroom. Throw in the occasional wet bar, laundry room, guest bath, butler’s pantry and well…you get the picture. But then there are those projects where you get to do it all. And all at once. Where the design juices really get...

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, but let's talk about the super bowl you bring out for those special occasions. You know, the really big one! We hike up 3 base cabinet storage ideas to help you store you own super bowl and other large kitchen baking items.

Adding kitchen cabinet accessories to your kitchen design is one of the best parts of the kitchen remodeling process. The term “kitchen cabinet accessories” is one of the most popular search term on the internet and sites like Houzz. Why? Because for most of us, we are fascinated by organization, convenience, ease of use and above all, a little cle...

Maximize cabinet space and storage in a small kitchen design Wall depth bases and a bottom sink base drawer cabinets make better use of smaller kitchens where space is limited. 12” deep Wall bases offer a cabinet storage options in tighter depth spaces. A bottom sink base drawer cabinet offers storage in a cabinet that does not typically have...

Share your favorite items on an Open Shelf Storage Cabinet Open Storage Shelf cabinets add a more decorative look to any kitchen. From open storage pieces, carved legs and other decorative molding and trim accessories, you can an island or entire kitchen a distinctive look. Check out what a simple open shelf with a pair of decorative carved legs do...

Options for storing your Pots and Pans Next to the cooktop or range area is a very handy location to have a cabinet with roll out trays to access where you are storing pots and pans. A staggered roll out can easily accommodate pots and pans in a larger roll out tray with shorter, staggered shelves for your lids, offering convenience and organizatio...

Go deeper... drawers that is! Deep drawer cabinets offer ample storage for cookware of every shape and size and can be conveniently located underneath the cooktop to provide convenience and ease of access. Kitchen Cabinet Accessories Deep Drawer Cabinets

Two accessories in one? We can do that. The Chopping Block and Trash Combo kitchen cabinet accessory offers convenience.  Complete your food prep and then conveniently slide it into the trash.  No more chopping, moving and making a mess. Kitchen Cabinet Accessories Chopping Block and Trash Combo

My parents recently finished their first ever kitchen remodel. This would be a daunting process for any son or daughter to help out with…the more so when you work for a kitchen & bath company like I do.

According to a recent homeowners study conducted by the Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI), more and more consumers are intrigued by the idea of adding current “kitchen” technology to their own kitchen space. What are those top kitchen design trends in technology? Here are your top 5:

You look at a bathroom and naturally think a bathroom remodeling project would be a lot easier than a kitchen remodeling project…and who could blame you? Less space, less stuff, less decisions, right? Nothing could be further from the truth!

Storing spices in the kitchen can be a challenge and leave you “cayenne” over the best place for them. You want them near you while you cook and you want to be able to pick out the one you want easily. What to do? What to do?

The big entertainment news last week was that David Letterman would be retiring after over 30 years of being on television. But did you know that the real reason was just so he could remodel his kitchen? Think about it. At the very least, we know Letterman has always had an interest in food, mostly by dropping it off tall buildings and seeing what ...

I recently visited Barcelona and immediately fell in love with the charm and architecture of the city (not to mention the tapas, paella, cava, sangria…I could go on and on).

Great kitchen design ideas are everywhere and one of the most timeless ideas utilized to create focal points in a kitchen design is glass.  Yes, there are many other great kitchen design ideas that can add a unique touch or focal point to your kitchen space. 

One of the biggest questions we get is "How big should my hardware be?". With people's preferences always seeming to change, the good news is that there is no wrong answer! Going with smaller kitchen hardware typically gives it a more subtle look that easily blends into the design without becoming a focal point. Bigger pieces of hardware can someti...

We are all so used to filling up every possible space with cabinets . What about those times where there is a unique space or client need that requires more creative bathroom design ideas? An unexpected opening may be a great surprise and great convenience to a client.

Have you been putting off a remodel on your kitchen because you’re not sure what the first steps are? Maybe you’ve been pushing back a makeover so long that your kitchen has started to lean more toward the outdated side. If that’s you, or you just want to give your kitchen a little facelift, then let us help. From big to small, th...

One of the main areas most exposed to bacteria, dirt and grease in your home is your kitchen cabinets. Grease from cooking, condensation from external temperatures and children opening and closing your kitchen cabinets constantly throughout the day calls for routine upkeep.  We want to help you master the maintenance and let your cabinets...

A kitchen remodel may be an exciting prospect, or it may feel littered with landmines. How are you supposed to get what you want without compromising your ability to sell your home later? Is it true that all remodels are basically wasted money, funds you’ll never recoup on the sale of your home? Should you just give up right now, crawl under a rock...

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when the phrase “more is better” actually made sense to people. We understand now, of course, that more of anything can become a problem. Most of us live busy, complex lives and simply adding more to the mix makes our lives feel cluttered.

If you’re dreaming of designing your bathroom with a spa-like aesthetic, then a wet room is certainly an option worth considering. So, what exactly is a wet room? It’s a bathroom where the shower is open or placed behind a single wall, and the floor space of the shower is leveled with the entire room, with the water draining through an opening infu...

Redoing a bathroom requires making a thousand decisions, but none is arguably so impactful on the overall effect as tile. It is the foundation on which you walk and the covering that protects your shower. Frequently it also forms part of the wall or a backsplash around the sink. Your tile choices, in other words, have considerable bearing on your w...

As you prepare to design or remodel your bathroom, don’t overlook the importance of saving space. Maximizing your use of the available area isn’t just about convenience; it’s also about safety, as the more room you have to move around and reach things, the less likely you are to strain yourself or fall. Thus by designing in a way that wastes as lit...

There’s something sacred about food. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all love food. And when we’re sitting down to a meal with someone or a group of people, we’re all sharing in a communal experience, and gathering to sit down and reflect on our day.

Never underestimate the importance of lighting for your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking, eating, cleaning, or organizing, you will need plenty of light in the right places. Otherwise, you risk misplacing key items or leaving crumbs and liquids lying on the counter, where they can attract bugs and germs. It’s not hard to see why lighting matter...

Deciding to do a bathroom remodeling project, let alone any remodeling project, is always a big decision.  Part of that decision involves deciding how big the scope of the project will be. Keeping certain items in a space can save on money and decisions, but can present limits and other challenges when working in the space.  This was...

What’s the most dangerous part of your home? If you guessed “the kitchen,” you’re not far off: this one room is responsible for nearly half a million knife injuries a year, to say nothing of falls, burns, strains, and other potentially serious injuries. If you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from these mishaps, you have to design a kit...

We use the term dream kitchen or dream bathroom often in the design world. Talking about a first time kitchen or bathroom remodeling project with a client who has waited so long for this often feels like a dream is coming true. And while it is, there are also those times when we are reminded that the word dream means many things to many different p...

I have worked on kitchen remodeling projects where the planning/decision making process has gone on for years. Seriously...years. And while I cannot make up your mind for you, I can help you prioritize and help make the kitchen remodeling process feel a little bit easier. Here are the first things to consider:

It’s Halloween. That time of year when drop way too much money on costumes, candy, decorations and more and then wonder what happened as we emerge from a self-induced sugar coma. And a Friday night Halloween? You may as well just pack it in for the weekend right now.

Why are people so afraid of doing bathroom remodeling? We get it. Change can be scary. But is there anything scarier than your old dingy, tiny bathroom with the same decor you’ve been staring at for decades? Yeah, we didn’t think so. The good news about this scary situation is that you really don’t have to be so fearful. Here&rsqu...

What style is your bathroom? Possibly a more relevant question - does your bathroom even have a style?  If you answered “I don’t know” or “no” to those questions, then it’s time for you to put a little more thought into the place where you do your business. After all, your guests do their business there too,...

You’ve finally had it with your bathroom. It’s time to redesign. Woo! The idea of designing a new bathroom for you and your family to be able to relax in is an exciting one. But it can also be an intimidating prospect when you realize that the possibilities that you have available to you are basically endless. Once you start planning ho...

Whether you’re doing a whole kitchen remodel or just looking for a great upgrade idea, your kitchen backsplash is a design detail you’ll want to pay plenty of attention to.  If you’re scratching your head and thinking, uh, what’s a backsplash? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Everyone's kitchen has a ba...

What’s more daunting than the idea of a remodel? Nothing, really. But while the idea of it may seem scary, you’ve actually got nothing to worry about if you prepare the right way.  You’ve finally decided you’re going to take that step and remodel your kitchen or your bathroom. A remodel can bring out the best in you, an...

When you look at your bathroom, do you go “blah?” Maybe you’re not too excited about the boring old decor you’ve seen every single day in there for years. But you spend a lot of time in your bathroom - getting ready, showering, and you know, doing business. It’s about time that you gave your bathroom some TLC. And you&...

When you look at your kitchen, you see it as a whole. You’ve got the lights, the cabinets, the floors, the appliances, and maybe most importantly, the food. But when you break your kitchen down into those different sections, you might start paying attention to more detail. Here are some details that you could be ignoring in your kitchen that ...

Step inside your kitchen. If you’re not home picture it in your head. How’s it looking? How does your kitchen make you feel? If you had a less than a positive answer to those questions, then you probably already know something needs to change. Your kitchen should make you feel warm and relaxed. You should be ready to whip up a dinner or...

The kitchen is an intimidating place for some people. For others, it’s where they go to make masterpieces. Whatever level of kitchen aficionado you are, everyone can agree they love food.  If you want to be a master chef, you need a master kitchen. Here are some ways to bring your cooking and your kitchen design to the next level.

You walk into your kitchen, thinking about how you’re going to prepare yourself a meal fit for a king. But then you actually get inside your kitchen. You look around and realize that your kitchen couldn’t make a meal fit for a king, because it’s too tiny. Your kitchen might be small, but you can still make it feel like home. And y...

It doesn’t even have to be around the holidays for you to have a wishlist. There are things that you want in your master bathroom year round, because you’re going to be using your bathroom year round. Here’s some things to keep your eye on if they’re not already on your list.  

You love to entertain. And you’ve been entertaining the idea of getting a wet bar or a dry bar.  Your house is known as the place where people go to gather. Maybe you love hosting a small, intimate gathering. Or maybe you love to get a big group together and call it a party.