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.

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.

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.

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.

“They don’t make ‘em like they used to,” is something you’ve heard, or probably said yourself if you’ve ever had something break. And in today’s fast moving environment, it’s more true than it has ever been...there is really nothing like the good ol’ days, when things were built to last. Perhaps this nostalgia is one reason why the vintage style is...

Maybe you get your energy bill each month and are left scratching your head about why it’s so high. Or maybe you know exactly what in your home is sapping all that power. Either way, it’s about time to take the steps to save power, and save yourself from that steep energy bill.

Anyone with their finger on the pulse of what’s hot in kitchen and bathroom design right now knows what a waterfall countertop is. If you’ve been looking for the best way to update your kitchen, you’ve found your answer. And if you don’t know what a waterfall countertop is yet, get ready to start wanting one for yourself when you learn.

When you choose to renovate your kitchen, it’s probably because the space is not making you happy. And if you think about it, that's exactly what a kitchen needs to do. Food makes you happy, and cooking it should, too. A space for family and friends to comfortably gather brings even more joy to the space.  Let’s face it...if your kitchen layout is ...

When it comes to remodeling your bathroom, you could be looking for help from quite a few people. You’ve got your designer, your electricians, your plumbers, and possibly more. If you’re thinking about remodeling your bathroom, you’re considering the thought of a brand new, beautiful room. And that’s exciting! But you also want to know the cost.

When you’re planning your kitchen renovation, you might feel like there are just too many hoops to navigate through. There are so many things to think about, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It’s actually a good starting point to know what not to do in your kitchen renovation. That way, you’ll know exactly what to do when the time comes.

A bathroom renovation is exciting. You're ready to jump right in. Enthusiasm is great, but before you get started, there’s a lot of planning that needs to happen first. If you want your project to turn out just the way you’ve always wanted, then you can follow a few simple steps to make sure you’re getting the best possible renovation you can.

What’s the area in your house that gets the most use? Maybe your living room? Maybe your kitchen? That might be, but you use your bathroom every single day, without fail. Your bathroom might be your most used room, but it’s also probably your most neglected room when it comes to design. In case your bathroom needs some design inspo, look to the top...

  Everyone needs some inspiration every now and then. And when you’re planning a kitchen remodel, you need inspiration in a double dose. What are other people doing that you should be doing? Now’s the time to check it out.  

Do you have a place in your home to go where you can relax? Get away from the stress of the mess? Or just veg out after a long day? If you don’t, there’s a room waiting for you. The bathroom is a perfect place to design as your own personal getaway. Soak in your tub or take a long hot shower in a place that’s perfectly designed.

It is where you go when you first wake up. Maybe it is where you start your day with a warm comfy shower. Or maybe you end your day there with a nice, relaxing bath. In any situation, your bathroom needs to be a place of function. But why not let it also become a place to take a mini retreat too?  If your bathroom is somewhere you want to just get ...

When you are remodeling your kitchen or your bathroom, you really just want to know what you should expect. There are so many ideas, decisions and moving parts. You are getting information from so many different places. We are confident you have been hearing stories from every person you know that has remodeled anything.   Deciphering remodeling my...

There are so many reasons out there that you might want to remodel your bathroom. Perhaps it is just because it is old, or maybe you need to consider an aging in place strategy. Some people simply want bigger bathrooms, or want to add smart technology to their room. But when you have kids and a bathroom that does not do a good job accommodating the...

Let’s say you are looking to update your kitchen. You want it to be current. You want it to be comfortable. And, you definitely want it primed and ready to handle all the cooking you want to do. Sound about right?    You bet it does!. But if your kitchen is old and outdated or poorly designed, you are probably missing out on at least one of the thi...

Your kitchen.  It is where you cook.  It is where you gather.  It is where you store your food.  It is the place you go to start your day early in the morning to cook your breakfast and where you end that same day up late at night for a snack. So when you decide you are doing a kitchen remodel,  all of these every day activities get put on hold for...

When you’re remodeling your kitchen cabinets, ask your designer about what materials are the most friendly. FSC-certified wood is a great choice, along with solid wood, recycled wood, or even bamboo. Be certain to pay close attention to the materials being used to assemble the cabinets as well.

You’ve been dreaming about it. You’ve been planning. And now you’re ready to begin. It’s time for your kitchen remodel. 

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’ve got to start somewhere. A b...

We’re down to the Sweet 16 of NCAA basketball’s March Madness. Every decision, every play, every result hinging on other decisions, plays and results. While many teams are evaluated by their overall depth, it is typically the starting five that sets the tone for the game and the success of the team. Working together, a Center, 2 Forwards and 2 Guar...

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 actual...

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 sit with a ...

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...

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.

Close your eyes. Imagine the kitchen you grew up in. The table you ate it. The area your mom cooked, baked and whipped up seemingly magical meals...and similarly dreaded meals (I still don't care for Salisbury steak to this day...). Focus in a little more and picture the countertop. Can you see it? What is that? Plastic? Laminate. But then a few ye...

So you know you’re planning to remodel your kitchen. And you’ve got most of your vision in mind. You’re missing one key element, though, and you don’t know what you need. It’s the kitchen sink. So that means you’ve got everything but the kitchen sink. Literally. Kitchen sinks are often forgotten in the process when designing a kitchen, with so many...

If you were to ask anyone if they wanted their bathroom to be more luxurious, we’re pretty certain the answer would be yes. But we want a luxurious bathroom, for less. Budget bathrooms actually can look luxurious. You just need to map out your strategy first. A light remodel with the right moves can both save your dollars and make your bathroom loo...

Alright. You know you’re going to do it. It’s time to remodel your bathroom. You’re tired of waking up everyday, walking inside the bathroom, and sighing. And not just because you had to get out of bed. But because you’re tired of the poor lighting, the dingy shower, the cramped space. Time to change! But before you go rushing into hiring your cont...

January is all about focusing on the year ahead and making resolutions. So, what does the year ahead look like for your home? Is it time to make a change? If you want to keep on trend, there are a few key things that you should be paying attention to. And those things are the pointers that are coming out of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show that’s h...

The number one question that you want to know when doing a kitchen remodel? How much is it going to cost? And you know the answer that’s frustrating... it depends. We all know that’s the worst. Of course it depends on what type of remodeling you’re doing. But you still want to know how much your remodel is going to cost.  

It’s 2019. Move over, millennial pink. The Pantone color of the year is living coral. This vibrant hue is rich and full of life, deeper yet bright than its millennial pink cousin. But it still remains neutral enough to incorporate into everyday life to add that pop of color. Which is why if you’re faced with a drab kitchen, it’s the ultimate color ...

You’ve got tile in your kitchen. You’ve got tile in your bathroom. Are you using it to your biggest advantage? There are a lot of different options for tile out there. You should know some basic rules of thumb if you’re looking to update the tile you already have, or even looking to add tile to your room for the first time. Here’s some help to ensu...