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.

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

Forget wants and needs for a second and let’s talk about desires. Specifically, what you desire in your kitchen. Is it a simple, functional upgrade or is it something more personal or exotic?

When planning a kitchen, there are so many decisions to make…from little things like the location of cabinet hardware to bigger, more functional questions like where to locate the dishwasher.

As you already know, kitchen ideas are everywhere! Here are 3 things you can do to help your kitchen designer get started on your kitchen: 1. Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

One of the most important considerations when you are designing your kitchen is how and what you cook. Do you use the fry pan, a wok or grill on the cooktop for most of your meals?

Nowadays the kitchen sink has been elevated to the level of appliance in the kitchen. It is no longer just a hole for water, soap and dishes. You can do so much more with the right type of kitchen sink and sink accessory. How do you know what’s right for you?

Open floor plans that create a social kitchen are a big focus in kitchen design right now. Cooking is more of a communal event than ever. Family, friends and even guests are getting involved in creating a meal. Combining the kitchen with living and dining areas makes dinner a family event and opportunity to share your day over meal preparation.

Kitchen backsplashes are often one of the last items installed in the kitchen, but it can have a profound impact on your entire kitchen design. Kitchen backsplashes are not just wall protection anymore. They’re a chance to jazz up your kitchen and express yourself!

It’s your kitchen. If you want to put your knobs in the center of the cabinet door that’s your prerogative. I don’t think it will look too good but I’m not going to live there. Neither is your designer, contractor, architect, cousin, neighbor, friend or anyone else you are looking to for advice.

Any kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling project requires great communication and teamwork. Get a homeowner, interior designer, kitchen designer and craftsman in one room (preferably a kitchen!) and the ideas can start flying. The right teamwork though can pull all of that together into a real dream kitchen!

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 you can make a luxu...

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’s how to take the leap...

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, and you want to have a nice relaxing sho...

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.

The kitchen is a great place where people can come together and make a meal and talk about their day...except for when you’re cramped when there’s more than one person in the space. Or you keep bumping your elbow on that poorly placed counter. And you are constantly wrestling those pots and pans out of your cupboards. Yes, kitchens can be great, bu...

When you’re planning a kitchen remodel, it’s an understatement that there’s a lot to do. You have to think about when you want to do your remodel, what you want to remodel, what style it should be, and more. But perhaps the most pressing thing on everyone’s mind? The budget. Don’t stress about how much everything is going to cost. Stick to a plan t...

Are you thinking of entertaining for the holidays, but look at your kitchen and think twice about having people over? You want to cook and have a place for your friends to stay, but envisioning having to prepare all the food in your tiny kitchen is making you want to suggest having a party somewhere else.

So you’re in the bathroom squinting at yourself in the mirror and it dawns on you: your bathroom is just...dim. Even if your bathroom is large, when it’s not bright, it can feel smaller. And that’s the opposite of what you want. But you don’t have to be afraid of the dark. There are some surefire ways that can lighten up your bathroom and start you...

Today’s laundry rooms are not what they used to be! By incorporating more features and amenities from other areas of the home, some dread is being taken out of doing the laundry. Planning and a desire for greater functionality in the laundry room is the key. Here are a few things changing today’s laundry room:

Every kitchen has a focal point. That one area that always captures peoples’ attention the moment they walk in. Or brings a smile to your own face because it looks better in your kitchen than you ever imagined it could. Most are intended. Some are not.

Quick, can you name the Thanksgiving feast served by Charlie Brown for all of his friends? If you are thinking 2 slices of buttered toast, some pretzel sticks, a handful of popcorn and a few jelly beans you were correct!

I frequently have clients who think they want white cabinets for their kitchen but are afraid to commit. They worry that white cabinets will be boring or go out of style. Well, I’m here to tell you that in my humble opinion, nothing could be further from the truth!

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 month I shared my personal top 5 things I would want in my own kitchen. Now I put on my bathroom designer hat and turn my attention to my personal getaway space...the bathroom. Here is what I must have. My 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.

Everyone knows the tree goes in the front room, the wreath on the front door and the lights outside…but what about the kitchen? The kitchen is where the real magic of the season happens for those fabulous meals and treats. Check out our list of what’s naughty and what’s nice.

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:

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:

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).

Remodeling your kitchen is a big undertaking. It is important to choose wisely when it comes to selecting materials and finishes that will stand the test of time. One area you will need to give careful consideration to is your kitchen cabinets. There are many different styles to choose from, and each has its own unique benefits. And, not only do yo...

Do you ever feel like your kitchen island design is missing something? That it could be so much more than just your common kitchen island with a countertop and cabinets? It is not unusual that you feel this way. Many of us have a similar problem. The good news though?  There are near endless possibilities when it comes to transforming your kitchen ...

Choosing the right toilet seat for your bathroom is important. The level of comfort and efficiency your toilet seat offers can set the tone for how you begin your day. The overall toilet height or seat shape can make your time a comfortable experience or cause discomfort every time you visit to the bathroom. To find the best toilet seat, here are t...

Nearly every homeowner will tell you that one of the favorite parts of their home is their bathroom. For many, it is the place where you can relax and escape the stresses of daily life. However, if your bathroom is outdated or in need of some repairs it may not be providing the relaxing environment that you deserve. A bathroom remodel can change al...