Outdoor Kitchen Design

We would like to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July weekend! We hope that you will be outside, using your outdoor kitchens!!!

Custom Kitchen Design with Pets in Mind

Let’s not forget…….. Our Four-Legged Family Members!

Kitchen and bath design has evolved dramatically in the last 10 years.  One of my personal favorite design trends would have to be the recently discovered thoughtfulness for our family pets.

I have found that design has moved toward providing comfort for the “whole family”, including pets especially in the kitchen, bath and mudroom areas.

For instance, entryways or mudrooms are no longer just for wiping your feet and hanging your coat.  I have been incorporating pet stations, food storage and even sleeping quarters in several designs.  Some of the pet showers are built with no expense spared, many boasting high-end fixtures, custom stone and even mosaic sea glass tiles.  The design goal is for Client’s pampered pets to relax in (for a lack of a better description) spa-like retreats. I find that the rear entryway is the most logical place to rinse off your pet after a long swim in the salty ocean or roll in the mud preventing mud tracks throughout the house.

In the kitchen, I have frequently designed in some small creature comforts such as built in pet beds so those four legged family members could lounge peacefully in a hide-a-way sleeping nook while feeling close to the hustle and bustle of the busiest room.  There are also newly added cabinet options such as custom pull-out serving stations for family pets to enjoy their dinner. 

In addition, another interesting idea would be to conceal pet food and/or litter boxes away from sight but easily accessible behind cleverly cut doors possibly in the kitchen, laundry room or bath...

~Tena~

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

Kitchen & Bath Details adds a new team member!

Welcome Olivia Recks! 

Olivia comes to us from beautiful Ireland! She moved to the States upon receiving her Bachelors of Science degree.  She is currently studying at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) for Interior Design.  Olivia tells us how very excited she is to join the Kitchen & Bath Details team. She looks forward to sharing her passion for this industry with the many clients that come through our wonderful showroom.

Stop in and give Olivia a BIG welcome!!

Budget Friendly Kitchen Renovation

"A Look for Less"

How many times do you go out browsing and absolutely fall in love with something you see? And then, just when you have decided you can't live without this item, you think to yourself, if it looks this good, it has to be out of my budget. In our showroom, it happens to the people who walk in here everyday. But! What you may not realize is that we, at Details, are capable of giving you the style you want with the price you need. By carrying 3 different cabinet lines, we are able to look at the options for price range, style/finish selections, and available modifications. This allows us to select the perfect company (or companies) for each individual project.

My "Tinkham Reno" project started off with the client walking into our "Living Kitchen" display at the showroom saying, "This is it! This is my kitchen." Our "Living Kitchen" display was designed by Tena. If you haven't seen this display, you need to! (photo below) She specified beautiful Buttercream painted StarMark Cabinetry for the surround cabinets and classic cherry stained cabinetry from Plain & Fancy for the island. So, now that the overall look was nailed down in about 5 minutes, it was time apply it to my client's space and expectations.

After understanding all the the client's wants and needs, we realized that we would be over on the budget. One cause for this was the island by our fully custom line, Plain & Fancy. My thought was to switch the island from Plain & Fancy to StarMark, which was the semi-custom cabinet line we were already using for the surround cabinetry. So, with a pricing goal in mind, I replicated the custom island from the showroom. The stain/glaze finish, as well as the construction and modification options, were all slightly different. The doors styles, although similar, did change a bit, too. But, with compromise from my client and some design tweaking on my part, the outcome was fantastic!

 

So, the next time you're in our showroom, don't think for a minute that anything is out of reach because of budget restraints. With a little bit of give and take, you can have the space of your dreams!