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 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.

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!

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 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?

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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...

Feng shui. You’ve heard it before, but what exactly does it mean? Put very straightforwardly, it’s a collection of rules that dictate the way energy (known as “chi”) flows in a room.  It is also affected by the spatial arrangement of your space. So, what does that mean for your bathroom remodel? It means you want to arrange everything in a way that...

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 know the big things you want for your kitchen. You’re getting new cabinets and fingerprint resistant black stainless steel kitchen appliances. Those are the big steps, and you can’t wait. 

It’s a problem that keeps happening over and over again. Your master bathroom just doesn’t have enough space. Houzz surveyed homeowners and 75 percent of them said that they’re sharing their bathroom with at least one person.  There is clutter on the counters, and you and your partner are always trying yet failing to keep out of each other’s way.

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

The journey to become a designer takes many paths, and Nancy Knickerbocker’s path is a story all her own. That path started in Alabama, where she graduated from the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama with a B.A. degree in Communications. During that time, Nancy had many hours of study in the areas of art and design, an early indication...

Darcie joined Reico Kitchen & Bath in 2012 after graduating from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s Degree in Apparel, Housing and Resource Management with a focus on Kitchen & Bath Design. She started as a Project Coordinator at our Springfield, VA location, where she managed many projects from start to finish ensuring everything ran as smooth as pos...

With industry experience dating back to 2013, Elizabeth Shumate joined Reico Kitchen & Bath to continue her passion for the construction industry. This interested was cultivated at an early age, where playing with a hammer and tape measure was much preferred over toys. Her passion continued to grow into middle school and high school, doing work cam...

Brian Espil joined Reico Kitchen & Bath in 2000, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge in the building and construction industry. Before coming to Reico, Brian managed the construction of custom homes, working with his clients throughout the entire process from design to final inspections. This experience made for a seamless transition that has a...

Blair Jones began his career at Reico in 1985 as an inside sales person when Reico was a distributor of cabinetry. In the 30 years since he has seen the cabinet industry change tremendously for the better and has grown along with it doing everything from sales, operations manager, procurement manager, branch manager, appliance trainer and everythin...

A native of Fairfax County, Tim Thompson has been a member of the Reico Kitchen & Bath family since 1990. During his tenure at Reico he has spent considerable time in Sales, Training and Leadership roles gaining valuable experience from these positions and the entire kitchen and bath industry. In his current role as Key Business Manager, Tim's prim...

With cabinet industry experience dating back to 1987, as well as years of experience with custom architectural millwork, specialized hardware and project management, Rich Caswell is able to draw on all his expertise and skills as a Key Business Manager at Reico Kitchen & Bath. As a certified engineering draftsman and project manager, Rich has worke...

Jen Gallagher has been working in the field of kitchen and bath design since 2004. She received her B.S. in Human Ecology with a concentration in Interior Design from Liberty University and stays active with continuing education opportunities to stay current on the latest trends and information in kitchens and baths. She has a passion for improving...

Susan joined the Reico team in 2013 with a B.S. in Interior Design from Ohio University and 8 years of experience in helping clients design their ideal kitchen. Each project brings a unique set of challenges, and these challenges are what fuel her desire to master the space. Budget, time and space are often the most constrictive and Susan enjoys wo...

Christine Wade has been working in the kitchen and bath industry since 1999, designing kitchens and baths for builders, contractors and retail clients. Working with both trade and retail clients allows her to best understand remodeling projects from all sides. She joined Reico in 2001 and has continued to work with this varied customer base to brin...

While no longer actively meeting with her own clients, Debbie draws on all of her experience in both Interior Design and Kitchen and Bath design to teach and lead Reico’s North Carolina teams. Debbie uses her experience in construction, space planning, product specification and design as well as her extensive work with retail clients, custom and pr...

Starting with Reico Kitchen & Bath as an intern, Megan Alderson joined Reico Kitchen & Bath full-time in 2020 after graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in the NKBA accredited Residential Environments and Design program at Virginia Tech. Hired as a Project Coordinator, Megan developed her knowledge of products and skills in design and pro...

With a background in sales and carpentry work, Eric Kneller joined the Reico Kitchen & Bath Frederick, MD team in 2021 as Key Business Manager. With a degree in Technical Theatre from McDaniel College, Eric has a passion for putting together the right scene be it the stage or the kitchen or bathroom. He enjoys the interactions with his clients and ...

Since joining Reico Kitchen & Bath in 2007, Stephanie Taylor has taken her experience as a Project Coordinator and applied it to her design skills as a Key Business Manager. Her depth of experience, combined with a degree in Fashion Design from the University of Maryland and several years working in graphic design allows her to understand her clien...

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...

We all know the phrase “everything but the kitchen sink,” which represents throwing everything you have got into something...a competition, a challenge, a new learning opportunity.  And while there is no mistaking that we are big on kitchen sinks, why should they get all attention.  You see where this is going.  What about the bathroom sink? When y...

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...

A bathroom remodel is an exciting time, but also a time where you do not want to make any mistakes. Working together with your designer and your contractor, along with being mindful of these bathroom renovation mistakes will help direct you to all the right moves during your new bathroom remodel.

When you are going to renovate your kitchen, it is an exciting time for everyone. You (and others) are dreaming of everything that the space could be. A new place to entertain, to cook, and, at the end of the day, look at with pride. Creating a warm kitchen design and feel will help bring everyone together.  Who doesn’t want to feel warm, comfortab...

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...

Bathroom vanity lighting is one of the most important aspects of bathroom design. Whether you are remodeling your bathroom or designing a bathroom for your new home, having a good understanding of what vanity lighting can do for your bathroom can be the difference between a mediocre bathroom and a beautiful one.  Have you ever wondered what the act...

The correct vanity height ensures a comfortable, pleasing and easy to use space for your daily routine. To help you make the right decision, we will explore vanity height options and the factors to consider when choosing a vanity, along with some valuable insights from experienced designers at Reico Kitchen & Bath.