The Importance of Working with a Kitchen Designer

As kitchen designers we are repeatedly asked, what are the benefits of working with a designer rather than a stocked box company? The most important and most clear reason, in my opinion, is customization. Renovating a kitchen is a big investment and we understand that. So, in the process, why not make your new kitchen the space of your dreams?! For this "On The Water Addition" my client had a few specific needs that had to be met in the re-design of her kitchen. 

First was space. There needed to be plenty of seating for her family and friends to sit comfortably while she was busy cooking up a storm in her new kitchen. There also needed to be enough counter space so that the prepared food could be served from a spot in the kitchen other than her work areas. In order to accommodate that, we configured a large asymmetrical island that provided enough space for everyone to sit. Then, we designed a long, easily accessible, built-in buffet. With the windows above, it really becomes the focal point of the room.

Secondly, because of that entertaining, she needed to know that the clean up process wouldn't be a slow one. To make sure that didn't happen, we incorporated an additional "clean-up station" in the island. This included an extra sink and full size dishwasher. Now the home owner can be assured she won't be wasting quality time with her guests in order to finish cleaning the kitchen.

Third, the importance of recycling was expressed to me. She needed a place to keep her cans and bottles organized but, at the same time, out of sight. So, designed into the floor plan and disguised by the cabinetry is a base cabinet that allows the family to send cans and bottles to the basement. There the cans and bottles can be sorted into their correct bins. 

 And last but not least... coffee! My client wanted to make her morning routine of coffee making easier and less of a hassle. Her Keurig was going to be decently far from the sink areas. So rather than having to bring the Keurig to the faucet across the kitchen, we designed a faucet specifically for the Keurig itself. Now, no more spilling water on the floor!

I guess my point is that if you're going to be investing your time, money and energy into such a large project, the choice is clear! Work with a professional and make your new kitchen a unique space built just for you!

Bethany Gardner, Designer for Kitchen & Bath Details

Our New Mattapoisett Showroom

We are so excited to have opened our new showroom at 81 1/2 Fairhaven Road in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. Located at the River Shops, our showroom boasts gorgeous kitchen and bathroom displays along with thousands of samples of glimmering hardware, fixtures and the latest in kitchen appliance design by Wolf and Sub Zero.

As you walk into our showroom you are greeted by a grand display of Plain and Fancy Cabinetry. With details such as an elegant mantle to display your favorite collection, or hidden spice compartments behind carved columns, this display beautifully showcases the craftsmanship of the cabinet makers and the style of our lead designer, Tena Collyer.

Tena chose a traditional mid tone solid cherry cabinet and decorated them with semi precious hardware made of Jade, Mother of Pearl and Pen Shells. To add an additional seaside flair, Tena chose a granite reminiscent of river rock for both the countertop and the backsplash. This kitchen is not only functional but graceful, grand and elegant.

Details offers an extensive selection of decorative hardware. From fun and whimsical to rare gems and fine crystal, the hardware selection is magnificent.

Details is proud to unveil a fully functional kitchen showcasing the latest and greatest from SubZero & Wolf.

Here in our new working kitchen we can showcase the functionality of the cabinet design in conjunction with the amazing appliances. We chose to use a blend of custom and semi-custom cabinetry. We used Starmark and Semi-Custom in a buttercream painted finish. We then layered on a gorgeous absolute honed absolute black granite countertop.

We chose to kick it up a notch with a custom designed island and finished it in Plain and Fancy's new dry brushed glaze. The end result is a stunning anchor of design in the kitchen that has a furniture like feel. It warms up the space and defines "homey". To further enhance this look we chose a double stacked granite countertop that perfectly balances the scale of the island with its chunky dimensions.

The black stools, also available at Details, provide the perfect finishing touch to this stunning working kitchen.

Door samples by Plain & Fancy can be viewed in our new sample room along with numerous samples from our other cabinet lines. We have also created an additional sample room just for countertop finishes. 

Our window display is a beautiful blend of stained and painted maple cabinetry by Plain & Fancy. This classic country look will brighten up any space and would look perfect in a period home, that needs updating. Custom brackets and a painted interior in the center wall cabinet add beautiful details without overwhelming the eye and provide a perfect place to display a collection of whiteware (available at Surroundings).  

We chose to have a little fun in our new showroom. Here Tena used Contempo Fizz, a unique contemporary style display from Medallion semi-custom cabinetry in a deep gingersnap stain on cherry wood. The modern hardware along with mirrored backsplashdesigned to be reminiscent of soda fizz, make this display a perfect inspiration for a bar in your own home.

Sparkling granite countertops and polished chrome mosaic hardware truly make this display shine.

Perfect for the upscale seaside home, the "Yacht Club Bath" includes a custom bow front StarMark vanity with an elegant creamy marble top. Polished nickel fixtures and accessories give that nautical look, but with an upscale feel.

In 2006 Details designed the kitchen for Coastal Living Magazine’s Idea House. We loved the kitchen so much, we wanted to replicate it in our new showroom. This overall look is a perfect representation of a design style we call “coastal casual”, which we use often in our seaside town of Mattapoisett and surrounding coastal areas.

Plain & Fancy Cabinetry in white enamel with Benjamin Moore’s Yarmouth Blue accents

Caesarstone “Dusty Stones” Quartz countertops

Tiles by Kim Barry of Clay Trout Pottery

Warm Cherry Transitional Remodel

When clients of ours called and said that one of their waterlogged cabinets had literally fallen off of the wall, we knew and they knew that it was time for a new kitchen. What began as a stark, white kitchen has been transformed into a gorgeous, modern transitional kitchen for a busy household. We chose to work with Starmark Cabinetry to design a contemporary take on cherry. The subtle hues of this natural wood lend natural warmth to the kitchen that was missing before. Out clients selected glossy granite, SubZero & Wolf appliances and finished off the kitchen with bright and shiny hardware. It is amazing to see just how different this showcase kitchen was before. Scroll down to view all angles of this fantastic kitchen.