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).

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:

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-esqu...

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.

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...

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.

When you decide to remodel a bathroom, you can’t help but get excited. Even a small bathroom design can be transformed with the right choice of cabinets, countertops and fixtures. Get it right and all of sudden it just might be the most popular bathroom in the house.

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.

Bringing color into the kitchen is always one of the most interesting challenges (and opportunities!) of a kitchen design. We already know that color can come from so many different or unusual things. These kitchen design ideas can come from almost anywhere in the kitchen. It can be a unique kitchen countertop in a specialty color.

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:

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.

Designing and remodeling a bathroom is one of the most popular remodeling projects today. It can be both fun and challenging. You have some ideas about what you like…and some that you dream about for your bathroom. To help you get started on your new bathroom, we’ve given you a few easy steps to get started:

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:

As an avid cook and kitchen designer (in that order!), I have a definite list of must haves for my own kitchen. Here are my top 5: 1) A Tray base – stores cutting boards, cookie sheets and serving trays in an organized and easy to access 9” to 12” wide cabinet. Go a little wider and get muffin tins and rectangular casserole dish storage too.

We recently completed a kitchen remodeling project using soapstone kitchen countertops (and one kitchen sink). As you can see from the picture, with it's medium gray cast and distinctive veining a soapstone kitchen countertop can create a unique look that can really make any kitchen pop!

Last week, we shared results on the most desired kitchen trends based on a survey given to Kitchen & Bathroom Designers by the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI). This week we wanted to share the results of what consumers are asking for most when remodeling their bathroom. Here are the top 5 most desired bathroom design t...

The Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) gathered feedback from kitchen design professionals indicating what consumers ask for most when they want to start remodeling their kitchen. Here are the top 5:

One of the early choices to make in kitchen cabinets when remodeling your kitchen is choosing a door style. There are 3 main kitchen cabinet door styles: traditional, full-overlay and inset.

Ok, I admit that this likely comes as no surprise to anyone reading this since I work for a kitchen company (I’m also thankful for bathrooms but that’s a whole other discussion).

Finding the right shower for your space can be challenging, particularly if you are working with a small bathroom. You want something that gives you value for your money yet does not overpower the entire bathroom. Can you find the perfect fit in a walk-in shower for your small bathroom? Let’s find out!

If you are looking to give your bathroom a stylish and modern update, then you will no doubt want to take a look at some of the latest bathroom fixtures on the market. Not only do these fixtures need to be functional, but they also need to complement the overall style of the room. From floating vanities and toilets to vessel sinks and freestanding ...

Live, work, and play- this slogan is in almost every planned community. That’s what our homes, particularly our kitchens and bathrooms, became over the last year and a half. We lived in them a lot - these are the hearts of our homes.  Whether you have been holding out on that new kitchen or bathroom, or are gathering ideas as we speak, here are 3 e...

Do you own a pet? If you do, you can relate to the joy of coming home to an eager furry friend. The soft meows and wagging tails can have your heart melting in an instant. But that’s until you walk into the living room and find that your furry friend has destroyed your pillows. Or worse- they have spent the whole day scratching at the floor surface...

Remember open shelves?  We had so much room to show our stuff that we sacrificed cabinets for open storage and had homeowners working their hardest to show off their creativity. For a sector of the population, though, they are on their way out, as are many other traditional kitchen concepts. It is not news to those downsizing, either in the size of...