Get the Ball Rolling!

“All right, already!” It’s time to get that kitchen remodel going. But where should you start??”

Deciding what’s not working for you in your current kitchen is the way to begin. Maybe you need to increase storage space…a tall pantry cabinet should take care of most of your food stuffs. If you enjoy cooking ad have purchased new cookware, changing your base cabinets with doors to base cabinets with wide, deep drawers really gives you a lot of extra room. Does the flow create chaos when two of you want to cook at the same time or when the kids have to run past you to get to the fridge? Changing the placement of appliances should eliminate that. Since you don’t want to remodel again in eight or nine years, why not think about Universal Design. Widening the entry from the hall into the kitchen a few inches will create wheelchair access as will allocating a few inches to the space between an island and the wall/base cabinets. When buying your cabinet/drawer hardware look for handles instead of knobs. Handles are easier to get your fingers around them.

Now the fun part. Create what I call a “fantasy file” from magazine clippings, photos, or fabric samples that catch your eye. Remember, The Kitchen and Bath People is a remodeling company that wants the changes to reflect “Your Lifestyle, Your Way.”

Glass Attributes

In our previous post we filled you in on some of the latest trends, one of them being a strong use of glass. Check out all the options open to you through our friends at CK&D glass studios.

Here you can see more of the leaded styles that are available as standard options for your cabinets. You can have anything customized by one of their talented artists.

They can create glass designs for any project, large or small, in any area of your home; not only cabinetry.

Glass etching is also available for a completely unique design. Etching is mainly requested for shower enclosures and front entry doors.

View their online portfolio and perhaps you will find inspiration for a project in your home.

2011 Design Trends

Here are the top 10 trends for 2011 as published by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. You’ll see classy, time-tested designs with some inspiring elements.

1. Commitment to Color:

The mango and carrot colors in this kitchen set off the modern design elements and allow the cabinetry and appliances to pop.

Homes where the kitchen opens into the family room and dining area need to balance the wall colors through out the the entire space.

2. Tactile Textures:

Notice the rug in this bathroom? Designers inset glass mosaic tiles into the limestone floor to create the look of a rug. I first saw this at a convention and I really did think I was about to walk on a carpet.

3. Glass Attributes:

This kitchen uses glass throughout to give the room a more cohesive look. Even the hood has glass elements.

4. Free Standing Tubs:

Though most bathrooms don't have the room for a free standing tub, you must admit it catches your eye. It can be seen from the bedroom through french doors that lead into the bathroom.

5. Espresso colored cabinetry:

Darker cabinetry is becoming more popular again. As long as you use enough lighting they won't make a room look dark.

6. Walk-In Pantries:

I really wish this pantry was part of my kitchen. If you don't have an actual room set aside for storage, your cabinets can become your pantry with many storage solutions created by Hafele. Base cabinets with deep drawers can hold dishes, serving platters, pot lids or small appliances.

7. Detailed Ceilings:

The rough hewn ceiling gives the appearance of age even though it was recently created. There are lots of trey ceiling styles that are often used in a master bedroom or a dining room to give the room a real "punch."

8. Natural Elements:


The beauty of nature abounds in a kitchen; especially in your choice of counter top material. Granite is the most popular counter top material with quartz products such as CaesarStone or SileStone a close second. If you decide to go with granite we make sure that you take the time to go to our fabricator and pick out the exact slab you want to use.

9. Tiered Proportions:

Using varying heights in your cabinetry or with a raised "breakfast bar" your kitchen develops more personality. A long, straight row of wall cabinets is boring. A raised "breakfast bar" doesn't just look nice, it can hide a sink full of dishes.

10. Inlaid Flooring:

For this bathroom a travertine tile was used with a wood-like tile. Tiles can be porcelain, ceramic, glass, metal real stone. Today shower walls often have an accent tile made of glass or metal. Bathroom floors can be laid down in a myriad of patterns and composition.

What elements could you incorporate into your home?

Cabinet Door Styles

When you look at cabinets, what is the first thing you see? The doors and drawers. The great news is cabinet makers have an unlimited selection of stains, paints and glazes. Here are a few examples:

This door is cherry with a pecan stain and brown glaze, giving it a lot of depth in the details.

The doors below are more simple. The first is quarter sawn oak with a champagne stain. The second is Alder with a natural stain and brown glaze to bring out the linear design. It’s nice to see the different wood grains.

Here are two examples of painted cabinet doors. The top door has been painted and then given a distressed look using a brown glaze. It is antiqued over burgundy, and then treated with a brown glaze. The door on the bottom is painted a sage color. It doesn’t have a stain, and has a very even clean look to it.

One final benefit of the doors picture above is they are available from Geppetto Kitchens. They are a North Carolina business and a great way to buy high quality local products.

Here are some additional staining options, taken to a whole other level.
Royal Cabinets has paired with a North Carolina furniture maker to give even more intricate and detailed finishing options to cabinetry in their jewel collection. See these two beautiful examples below and visit their site to see all the options available. http://www.royalcabinet.com/jewel.htm

As you are looking to remodel your kitchen, bathroom, or do an addition please don't hesitate to visit our website and contact us. We have remodeled homes throughout Chapel Hill, Durham, Apex, Cary, and other triangle areas. Thanks for reading.

Kitchen Organization

It seems that whatever home design magazine you pick up, organization is key to their designs. Storage is always a big issue when redesigning a kitchen. Ever wondered what to do with all of your clutter? How can you use the space inside of you cabinets better? Well there are some great new cabinet and closet hardware pieces that will help you put it all away.

Maximize Kitchen Space! Make the most of your cabinets with Hafele or Rev-a-Shelf products. Some product ideas:

• Two Tier Cutlery drawer



• Use Drawers with Pegs:

• Creative Lazy Susan corner cabinets. They can hold your pans or your trash!


• Other Creative Drawers — Drawers have been upgraded with individual compartments that avoid a tangled mess and ones for knives protect both blades and fingers.

If you’re thinking about a kitchen redesign here are words of wisdom from Designer Kenneth Brown: "It's up to the homeowner. There is a point where the designer's role stops and the homeowner's role really starts. I can make a kitchen function and look really great, but I can't tell you where to put your cans of soup. Take your kitchen plans and label where everything is going to be. You have to do your homework to make sure the kitchen is going to function with how you cook."

If you're still looking for more space, think of where you could sacrifice space in the rest of your home in order to create a pantry.

A Colorful Kitchen

It makes me sad when people are afraid to use color in their home. Home is where the heart is, right? Express yourself, embrace yourself, and be comfortable with yourself! A house of beige is just plain boring. Even in the kitchen. I understand, kitchens are a huge investment and appliances, cabinets, tile, etc. are all expensive things to replace just because you're tired of it. So go with your gut. Choose colors you've loved forever, not just what's trendy.

Coastal Living, Stylist Janet Grayson, Photographer Deborah Whitlaw

There are certainly levels to the permanence of a color too. You can even accent with colorful dishes on open shelves.
House Beautiful, Designer Jonathan Adler, Photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo

You can incorporate vivid lamp shades, cushions with bright patterns and fresh flowers!

Coastal Living, Photographer Celia Pearson

A splash of color on your walls, even just one wall, or a part of a wall will make a big impact, but is still easily changeable.Designer Susan Serra, Photography by Meredith Corp.

What about subtle color? Simply painting the inside of your cabinets can make a big impact, and will nicely offset your dishes. House Beautiful
Left Photo: Photographer Matthew Hranek.
Right Photo: Architect Gil Schafer, Color Consultant Eve Ashcraft, Photographer Don Freeman

If you're feeling brave, I think colorful cabinets are just charming and add so much personality.
Southern Accents, Designer Susan Massey, Photographer Josh Gibson

If you want less punch, go with a neutral for your upper cabinets and use color on your lower cabinets. *Side Note* Do you notice the microwave? I love how this microwave blends like a chameleon. :)
Southern Living, Photographer John O'Hagan

Or how about neutral cabinets along the perimeter and a color on your island?
Southern Accents, Designer Amelia Handegan, Photographer Pieter Estersohn

If you have always loved a certain color, go with it for your tile. This blue back splash is stunning. The mix of subtle variations has an organic, free flowing feel.House Beautiful, Designer Frank Roop, Photographer Francesco Lagnese

So, go wild or play it safe but always have the confidence to use color in your kitchen, your home, and your life!

Thanks for reading. Have a lovely day! -The Kitchen and Bath People

The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" : Counter Balance Lighting by WAC

Simple, classic, and adjustable; WAC's Counter Balance lighting line is beautiful and appropriate in many applications and settings. Here is a photo of the chandelier over a kitchen island in our kitchen and bath showroom.

This is lovely over a kitchen island for task lighting, or a dining table or reception desk as an accent...
The wires are on a pulley system which allows you to easily manipulate the height of the fixture, or the distance of the fixture from a surface below.

You can adjust the length of the individual lights on this version.


And, as you can see, there are glass shade options; lots of them!

These lights can also be put on a dimmer switch; a "sustainable choice" that improves the flexibility of these elegant fixtures.

Thanks for stopping by! -The Kitchen and Bath People