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.

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...

I am going to let you in on a little secret. Kitchens are the Unicorn Frappuccino of remodeling. I know what you are thinking. The timing of this revelation seems suspicious. However, in terms of kitchen remodeling it is true. Kitchens are the Unicorn Frappuccino of remodeling projects. Any project can transform a house, but kitchen remodeling chan...

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...

Whether you have a small kitchen, are losing a wall to open up more space or just have a lot of “stuff”, having the proper kitchen storage is a concern in every kitchen. Here are 7 ideas to consider that can help maximize your kitchen storage space:

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.

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

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.

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:

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.

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'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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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

How much does a typical bathroom cost? We get the question every day. To be honest, it’s a great question! The truth is there are as many ways to answer that question as there are to ask it. The answer depends on a few factors…most notably size, layout and product selections.

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...

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:

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:

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...

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.

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%).