KBIS 2007 - Overview of Kitchen Design Trends I Observed

Here is a list off the top of my head of the trends that I observed at KBIS. Since I am at the airport now with a 3 hour delay, (update: it was a 7 hour delay, getting home at 3 AM rather than the projected 7:45 pm, adding this to the mishaps below post) with my power cord packed (why did I do that?) I am unable right now to work with my images. Nevertheless, here is what I observed as coming on strong for kitchens '07 and beyond. I will take some of these one by one and expand on them in the days ahead, with images and notes. Here's what's happening!

Trough sinks - long, narrow, multi use sinks....secondary sinks

Organically shaped sinks - maybe long and curvy, seeing even more

Sinks with multiple functions - more than ever, more accessories, flexibility

Brown metals - a rainbow of brown metals from mid to dark colors

Black - Black is HUGE...more to follow

Dark colors - meaning dark wood finishes in cabinetry

Tile walls - strong trend for wall coverings

Light countertops - sandy, earthy, subtle, casual

Thicker counters - anything from 2" to 7"!

Green - meaning eco friendly everything and anything and everywhere. Take care here, as I suspect one small piece of a product being declared as eco friendly may be valid marketing material...there's green, and then there's green...find your green values and then do your research accordingly

Larger sinks - single bowl large sinks, even going larger than last year

Less retro - retro 40s appliances seemed to have had a very short life in the past few years, did not see much of that this year

More contemporary styling, soft, easy to live with - soft contemporary is very big

Traditional alive and well - traditional styling is alive and well...don't believe all the hot, sleek, kitchens you see elsewhere. That's only part of the kitchen trend story. Important, hot news is being made in traditional styling as well.

Wood variety - more authentic wood finishes celebrating unique wood grain and knots and natural wild grain

Earthy rustic - a new, sort of contemporary, rustic look

Appliances in various sizes - huge trend, appliances in various sizes for any reason, any situation

Technology in appliances everywhere...lots of bio fresh type of technology, keeping food fresher longer

Hoods - dynamic, innovative, interesting kitchen hoods. Huge.

Purple - seen in more quiet, smoky, or somewhat mid tones, not too strong. You'll see it soon if you don't see it now.

UPDATE 5/11:  I nearly forgot...big trend, lots of open shelving in the kitchen, whether everywhere or just in some spots, it's there.  

I'll expand on these and other trends that come to me. We'll also talk about trends in general...should we care, considering a kitchen is a designed space, with products that are going to have to last, and look good, for 15-20 years? It's sort of a paradox for a professional kitchen designer, at least for me, and I'd like to talk about this. Have no fear, from my perspective, the excitement of trend watching and looking for hot, current, new, products is definitely a "sport" so to speak, but there are underlying issues to consider as well, considering the design/product decisions are financially large, and permanent. I actually can't wait to sink my teeth into this issue, coming at it from several points. But, till then, there it is, above!

KBIS 2007 - Kitchen & Bath Show Madness

It's been a crazy few days here at Vegas! But, of course you knew that...can Vegas be anything but? Leaving the hotel room by 7 am and returning at 9 pm, going nearly nonstop, is exhausting, but a good exhaustion. Surely didn't leave much time for blogging, but trust me, there is lots of new product information coming your way in the days and weeks ahead. I have lots to tell you about.

I go to the show, actually 2 shows, every year. This show is huge...there are 900 companies exhibiting. I can't explain how huge the show is except to say it took me 2 full days to walk the entire show at a leisurely pace, but not even stopping to examine every booth. That would take a week.

The first day, before the show opened, I attended seminars. In all, I took 413 images (until my battery ran out). I selected and packed up two huge boxes of press kits from exhibitors, which I will go through soon, when they are delivered. I attended press events and seminars. And, I, personally, conducted about 70 interviews at exhibit booths via my voice recorder for podcasts. It was me along with tens of thousands of my closest friends! That said, between all the activities, old friends are greeted, new people are met and cards exchanged.

I DO have an advantage. It's "Show Dog!" My husband's (actually registered title when I sent in the form) self designation. He mostly devotes himself to my well being, carrying the water bottles, always waiting patiently, waiting more, carrying stuff, attending the events, being a listening post to me and others, and he's not in the business. So, I must divulge that advantage and say, "thanks, honey, you're the best!" One day he carried my laptop around the entire day so I could blog at a seminar.

And, what would the show be without mishaps? From leaving the camera usb cable at home, buying the wrong one at a local camera store, having the brother in law at home find and fedex it to the hotel, losing my husband at the show early in the day with my cell phone in his bag (finding him, thankfully and then arguing about it of course), me leaving his wallet at the food court (finding it 1/2 hour later still in that spot after suddenly realizing it and bolting back there), having to go to the medical clinic to get a shot for a bad poison ivy outbreak, walking back from one end of town to another in the hot Vegas sun, after the seminars on the first day, because we made a short stop at Nieman Marcus  :-) and then didn't realize the cabs don't stop in the street (not realizing we should go to a hotel driveway to get a cab). And, please, let's not forget the 7 hour plane delay, getting me home at 3 am, rather than my carefully planned 7:45 PM the night before. So, mishaps, there were a few! Probably more than our share this trip! But, it could always be worse. Give me a little time, while I think of how...meanwhile, here's the image from the hotel room, the Eiffel Tower just in front of me, Rome just beyond that, to the right.

When I do the show, I do it the most comprehensive way I know how. It's not just about walking the show. Not for me. It's also about observing and education. Taking as much as one can from a few short days. It's about discovering new trends, connecting the dots, seeing new products, getting reacquainted with tried and true products, and seeking out those little bits of enlightening information along the way. I struggle toward the end of the day with...see more vs. it's enough. That said, I LOVE it! I get giddy at the start and blue when it's time to leave the exhibit hall.

It is an intense experience! Today is the travel day back home. It was, as always, a great, great show. Next, an overview of trends seen at KBIS.

Charlie Trotter's Kitchen Design - KBIS 2007

I eagerly anticipated watching a cooking demonstration today at the Turbo Chef booth. Charlie Trotter, famed chef, cooked a 4 course meal, with courses taking from 45 seconds to cook, to 6 minutes, in the Turbo Chef oven. I tasted a wonderful artichoke salad (I should have kept the menu!) Charlie Trotter is a true believer in the Turbo Chef. For 2007, Turbo Chef is launching a single 30" oven. It will make designing in Turbo Chef ovens just a little bit easier. I had the opportunity to speak with Charlie Trotter after the demonstration about his own, personal, kitchen. Check back to see images from today's demonstration. Here's what he says:

matt Lorenz from Top Design Talks Kitchens!

Podcast for Top Design fans....while at the GE press event last night, a special guest was Matt Lorenz, winner of Top Design. Matt talked about his kitchen design and was also asked about backstage gossip! Meanwhile, after the presentation, I spoke with Matt, only to find out later that I must not have turned on my recorder!

What Matt said to me is that he prefers to have total control over his kitchen designs, and he works out details directly with the cabinet maker of his choice. He feels he wants to have the ability to direct the kitchen design to fit with the design of the entire home. He said that while he fights for what he believes to be the right design direction, in the end, it is the client's home, and they have the final say. His vision for the entirety of the project is held closely by him at all times. Spoken as a "top designer", I'd say. Thanks to GE for this fun opportunity!

Kitchen Trends 2007 Continued - From KBIS

Continuing a discussion of the seminar I attended today at the KBIS conference, at the end of the meeting relating to kitchen trends, representatives of selected product manufacturers, Libeherr, Kraftmaid Cabinetry, Kohler, Dupont and Saeco (sponsors of the seminar) spoke about their products and what trends they are seeing.

One trend discussed, documented in the New York Times from time to time as well as in other reports, that I have read as well, is the trend of baby boomers moving either back to, or first, to the city (any city). This changes everything, for example, as seen in the typically smaller kitchens that are prevalent in Europe...smaller, yet highly innovative, appliances now become more of a factor in the marketplace than every before. As a result, the U.S. market is seeing more variety in appliances such as sizes in refrigerators, for example, enabling creativity within the kitchen design, something we know baby boomers want!

A continuing trend, growing ever stronger, is the growing wine "culture". New refrigerators incorporate separate wine, freezer, and food areas, into one appliance, or moving toward enormous, as seen in the wine vault by GE Monogram. Ever creative wine storage solutions are being developed, and desired.

We are seeing second sinks that are more fluid and organic in shape. These sinks are easier to clean and easier to fit table ware within. It's fresh, it's creative, and it makes sense.

There was talk of the lines being blurred between pure eco friendly and synthetic materials. We are seeing granite that now has a permanent sealing process, changing the composition of the product itself and traditional synthetic materials such as corian, having renewed interest, as some of its composition is indeed from natural materials. The news here is that one will pick and choose countertop materials not only for their green composition, but, perhaps choosing a combination of green and synthetic materials, depending on their use and function in the kitchen, the bottom line being a choice made about what green means to YOU.

Tomorrow starts the first day of the show exhibits. See you then! 

2007 Kitchen Design Trends at KBIS...International Design Trends

Here are international kitchen design trends, as presented by Sarah Fishburne from Home Depot's upscale sister, Home Expo, who, along with her colleagues, researches lifestyle media, travels around Europe's design fairs, analyzes market trends, and more. Here's what is being seen right now, and design concepts that are emerging fast! I'm sitting in the conference right now...

Trends

All-in-one islands, sink, cooktop, island/table "kitchens". For European purposes, oftentimes the homeowner will take their cabinetry with them when they move, so this concept is logical for parts of Europe;

Hydrolic, telescoping devices creating or changing counter space...swings on and off the countertop to uncover perhaps a small trash opening;

Thinner refrigerators 24" or 30", they are taller, using vertical space, great for customizations, (2) 24" units, etc. etc. See this in Thermador, Liebbher;

Seeing many more refrigerator drawers of different sizes;

Morning kitchens...small kitchenettes in other rooms;

Fully lit pre wired appliance center/cabinet/spot in the kitchen;

Scullery...seeing this come back now...separate rooms for active prep space for entertaining and heavy prep and/or clean up. All is hidden; (I have a project now with a separate scullery in the plan)

UK, French have similarities in traditional styling as is U.S; 

Hoods - in Europe they are art, much more than ventilation;

Innovative ways to use corners in base cabinetry;

Rails used in backsplash for easy access storage-I've seen this for many years, but it is becoming more popular;

Dish drying cabinet, seen in Europe for a long time - open cabinet set over the sink, drip dries behind closed doors. if you live alone, wash few dishes at a time, can be functional;

Counters and sinks getting bigger and thicker;

All in one sinks, cut out of one piece of stone;

Trough sinks, super wide, maybe shallow sink;

Seeing single, large sinks;

JAPAN - kitchen trends 

127 million people over four small islands! Land is hard to come by and live in tiny apartments; 

Corners on upper cabinets telescope out;

All-in-one island as the Europeans do;

Appliances are very small in scale;

Tiny dishwashers;

Big on conservation in Japan;

Drying rack for dishes over a sink with fan;

Shelving across windows;

Japanese has 20% of population over 60, U.S. has 12%...universal design is important;

Sensory touch faucets;

Motorized shelves

FUTURE OF COLOR

White is hot! Modern, traditional, old world, across the board....all different shades of white, including glazes, antiques, etc.

Blue is one of the most popular colors in the kitchen, any shade of blue;

Black...almost as standard a white. All over black kitchens, distressed, or as accents as in an island;

Black is also being seen in paint. People are no longer afraid of black...seen as a traditional color.

Red...Seeing it in cabintry, appliances;

Butter, yellow, willow shades of cabinetry;

Wood finishes - more natural woods...alder, knotty pine, hickory, pecan, mahogany. It's more about the wood than the stain finish;

Much darker woods as well;

Appliance colors...reds, teals, Aga, Viking, Dacor, many are adding color;

Metal finishes changing, graphite, oil rubbed bronze, not all about stainless; 

Stainless blue tints, green tints, warm tints;

Small appliances are becoming much more colorful;

Heather and Purples are very hot now or are coming on FAST! It's the softer purple, the brown, mocha purple, purple undertones that are what is popular.


more soon......break time! 

Retro Kitchens - Nostalgia or Shredder Material? #10

Last week, as part of our Saturday series of 60s-70s kitchens, you were lucky to get color...this week, "the quintessential 70s kitchen." We have

• soffits 
• pattern on the soffits
  
• brown wood
• cathedral arched doors
• that little rail molding around the hood
• pale yellow formica countertops
• perfectly finished beams spread far apart
• a tightly patterned floor
• cabinets over the peninsula
  

How lovely. And, for extra pattern, we have the brick surfaced island. I must admit, I'm a little intimidated by the iron work on the end of the island. It freaks me out a little.

See where the dishwasher is on the angle? I hope that floor isn't a rug, because the dishes would be dripping from the sink to the corner. What is in between the sink and dishwasher, is a compactor, another favorite appliance from yesteryear. The whole thing looks pretty choppy to me. And, the hood looks out of proportion to the island, too big and boxy, the whole island thing.

But, even though I criticize, I'm sure many people would have loved this kitchen...hey, maybe even me?  :-)  

 

Going To The Kitchen Show in Vegas, Baby!

It's Friday at 5:45 pm, the week is offically closed, although I'll be working my head off till the moment I leave early Sunday morning for Vegas to attend KBIS!

I'll be working hard, trying to fit everything in, the fabulous food samples on the show floor by top chefs like Marcus Samuelsson, from the major appliance manufacturers, the massages from Moen at their press event, the press events at top nightclubs...and, oh yes, the products at the booths, l promise to find all kinds of great stuff and dutifully report back. Whether from major manufacturers, or very small, wonderful artisans, the show has it ALL. You'll hear from me during the show!

I got this great new voice recorder thing that does something special with podcasts, so if I can figure it out, I'll be putting up podcasts. I hate my voice (doesn't everyone?) played back, but I'll sacrifice vanity to give you information right from the sources. I'm so revved up for this as I am every year....see you in Vegas, baby!

I Want This Cabinet Finish For My Kitchen - I Saw It In The Magazine!

I received a call from a client, which is not the first call of this type. The client loved a kitchen that she saw in a magazine, it just spoke to her. That's a great thing, that's really what I hope will happen for my clients, that in some way, they will just know when something is right.

You cannot predict when it will happen, or where. It could be a sample found in my showroom. It could be one of the kitchens I've done that speaks to a client, or it can be one from a magazine that is "the one." Sometimes, it is different elements of the kitchen that speak to clients. In this case, she loved a kitchen seen in a magazine, but she really responded to some of the colors of the materials.

Magazines are great for inspiration. They are an important tool in the process. They can bring to life what you may not have been able to express, or even knew you wanted.

The thing to be careful of, however, is to really understand that the colors in a magazine, on the printed page you are viewing, can be very different from the actual material samples! First, the lighting in the environment where the photo was taken may have been augmented by photographer's equipment. When the image is taken, the camera itself changes the color, followed again, by the tweaking in image software programs to make the color what the art director wants or what the photographer wants. Then, comes the printing, and by the time the image gets on magazine grade paper, depending on what color the paper is, it's a very different color from the original material. And, we know that color is definitely seen and appreciated in nuances. Maybe you now see, this color nuance of the actual sample, as seen in real life compared to the magazine feature, has more of a pink tone than a yellow tone, a world of difference.

Use the magazines for inspiration, not to necessarily seek out specific elements such as the tile, countertop surface, cabinetry, paint color, since once you see the actual color or finish, it will be different. What you CAN do is match up any finish sample to the magazine page. Just today, a client and I matched up finish samples to the magazine page. That's fine because that's what the attraction was. Have fun!

March Toward KBIS - New Kitchen Design Products!

Du Verre hardware is launching three new collections. Sophisticated new works called Kuba and Primitive have been designed exclusively for Du Verre by the innovative designer, Clodagh. Rio is an exotic, sculptural series created by Gina Lubin, founding partner of Du Verre Hardware.

I'll be looking for this at the show, looks just beautiful, doesn't it? I always call hardware "jewelry", and I'd put any of these on a chain around my neck! -susan

 

Erin Adam's new tile collection at Ann Sacks

Erin is known for her award-winning custom mosaics and innovative fused glass tile patterns, which have elevated surface tile design to an entirely new level. She has designed several notable collections, including Quilts, a hand-made glass mosaic tile line inspired by Americana folk art and 1960s graphic design; Lume, a lighting collection; Facet, a glass mosaic tile line inspired by ornamental block walls and 1960s wallpaper; and Luna, a fused glass and aluminum tile line.

I love the hand made quality of these tiles, can you see in the image? They look gorgeous! I see tile happening in larger ways throughout the home. I think more risks are being taken with tile than ever before, and it can truly be seen as an art form such as we see here.  -susan 

Your Kitchen Floor Plan - How To Visualize!!

I've had a few clients recently who have needed to come to terms with what their space will really feel like. I hear this often, that people cannot visualize how their space will look and feel, based on a floor plan. You know what? Sometimes, it's helpful to me, too, to get out the old tape measure and double check things AFTER I've done the floor plan, in the actual space. It is, after all, a "feeling" for space, that is put on paper. Therefore, it is important to "feel" the space in the front end however you can, before cabinetry is ordered.

It's funny that, while it's always at the forefront for me, the movement around the kitchen, I can't say that I'm ever nervous about how the kitchen will feel once it's installed. I mean, it's a huge risk. You're ordering expensive cabinetry in particular sizes where things have to flow and function and operate correctly for a variety of activities. I think it is because the path I use to get to a comfortable flow, works extremely well. It's an interesting phenomenon, having worked off of a floorplan, and then having the real cabinets begin to be put into place. It is the MOST exciting part of what I do, bar none. It is a real rush to see it come to life, for me! When I express enthusiasm to the client, it's for real, I'm as excited, or more so, than they are.

I put a large emphasis on what I call "negative space"...the space which is just space, air. But that "just space" includes the following: walkways, passageways around tables, islands, around appliances, how far appliances project when open, where are steps located, doorways, work flow, all the elements which project into the negative space. It's the negative space, which is extremely important. I mostly consider that first and then "back in" the design of the cabinetry. The negative space often tells the story of how a kitchen can be designed effectively. The first driving force are windows, doors and passageways into other rooms. 

The fundamentals are designed in carefully, even engineered in, often, in my case always, to the 1/8 of an inch. However, that is only half the story. The clients really must be able to understand the new space. 

Here's how the homeowner can visualize their floorplan so they feel confident it feels right:

• Go over the floorplan with the designer and have the designer measure from one point to another, for as many distances as you can think of on the plan, to verify what the clearances are between which areas.
• Once you get those distances, do one of two things, or both. Take out the tape measure and look at critical distances in real space. And, or, "mock up" certain items in certain areas in your existing space to see what the "volume" of something will feel like as well as to how it might be situated in the space. This is helpful for something monolithic, like a refrigerator, pantry, to be sure that large items will feel comfortable for you in the space and not block certain views.
  
• Try to see your plan in a perspective drawing. Keep in mind that perspective drawings are, by definition, out of proportion and scale, exaggerating near and far areas of the perspective. Yet, they do show depth fairly well.
• Ask your designer, if it's a new construction project, via spray paint, or marker, to outline the areas where cabinetry will be going. This is a great tool for visualizing clearances. This should be done when the floorplan is completed and the cabinetry ordered, otherwise you will have many lines drawn on your subfloor, which will be impossible to interpret. For existing remodels, use blue tape in your kitchen. A word to the wise. Normally, there is a window of time to make any changes on the cabinet order, should that be necessary.
  
• When doing these exercises, make note of your appliance locations, particularly the depth of your range or refrigerator. Those items can be as deep as 32"!
  
• Take note that you have adequate space surrounding your dining area for someone to pass by to a seat or any other similar situation surrounding chairs for island or dining areas. Also, how the dining area impacts passageways and entry ways, take a look at that. And, measure in real space where you need to, and can.
• One great thing to do is to double check what your spaces are NOW for clearances around certain areas to verify if they will be getting larger in your new floor plan, or just how they will change, compared to how you are living now. For example, how far is the table to the wall now, vs. in the new floor plan, things like that. Be familiar with your existing conditions.
  

These tips should be a constructive, efficient, way to get you closer to really understanding what your space AROUND your cabinetry and appliances will feel like. And, that's important. Once some of those exercises are done, you can feel even more confident and excited about your new, enhanced lifestyle to come. I really love this part!

Kitchen Color Chat - With Jill Clarkson

Jill was kind enough to lend her expertise in a kitchen chat (say that three times fast) about color. Jill Clarkson is an architectural color consultant and muralist located just minutes north of the Golden Gate bridge in beautiful Marin County. Jill Clarkson Color + Design service offerings include residential and commercial color consultations, custom designed and painted artwork, murals and wallpapers, home staging and redesign. Online color and design consultations are now available. On site consultations are available through out the San Francisco Bay area. See her blog www.jillclarksoncoloranddesign.blogspot.com or call 415 924 4204, for further information.

"Color in the Kitchen"

Kitchens today are becoming more and more colorful, most anything goes, which makes it a fun and exciting proposition to come up with a new color scheme. With so many surfaces to consider, such as the cabinets, the counter tops, the backsplash, the appliances and the walls, it may be a bit overwhelming but nonetheless the perfect place to express your creative vision. Warm colors can be used to create an inviting and convivial environment, fit for friends, feasts and conversation.

I'm sure you've noticed how when entertaining friends and family that there is a natural tendency for people to gather in the kitchen. It's the communal zone and the perfect place to add cheerful, friendly colors which will enhance the kitchen experience. For those that prefer a soothing and elegant space, a monochromatic scheme (see picture below.)

Using different intensities of the same color will provide interest without raising your pulse. For those a bit more daring, a complementary color scheme such as blue and orange or black and white will create a lively and pleasing space.

When working with wood cabinetry the color of the finish needs to be considered. For darker, warm cherry finishes, a contrasting cool color such as celadon green will look fresh and clean. For cool white cabinetry you may want to add warm colors such as yellow, almond or biscotti. I think white cabinetry also looks fabulous with sage green and blues.

You can add warm colors with your textiles and accessories. For lighter wood cabinetry such as Maple or Pine you might want to consider going for a mid to darker shade that will really make the cabinetry pop. If you've invested a pretty penny on appliances, cabinetry or tile work then those things should take center stage. Use neutral paint colors that will allow the true stars of the kitchen shine.

Reds and oranges stimulate the appetite and will offer a luminous glow under candle light. If you want to lose weight you may not want to paint your kitchen apricot or salmon. Blues and greens are calming and can actually suppress the appetite. Complimentary colors, those found on the opposite sides of the color wheel, are always successful combinations when used in the right ratios.

A great rule of thumb is the 60/30/10 rule and stay away from using 50/50. Assign each color one of these percentages of kitchen real estate and be sure your colors work in harmony with your exisiting finishes and appliances. You'll be on your way to a great looking space! : )

Thanks Jill! I'm more conflicted than ever now, too many great combinations!

Apartment Therapy Smallest Coolest Kitchen Contest

Are you keeping track of the Smallest Coolest Kitchen contest? There are some great kitchens going on. The next phase of the contest, the finalists, are coming up next week. Voting for entries is going on until May 7, so go over there and vote for your favorite kitchen. Here is the page with the list of entries for Apartment Therapy - Kitchens contest.

Vote for whatever turns you on...elegance, personality, fun factor, form + function, color, there's a great variety. Take a look!

The Kitchen Installer - Your Everything

You know from time to time I delve into those touchy subjects. After all, as I've said before, you simply cannot do a complete kitchen remodel without being stressed about something. So it is my duty to provide those stressful issues to my readers! Better reading about them than living them. Hopefully, I can help channel some stress into awareness and information. What is to follow are remodeling scenarios at their most stressful.

You've been through the whole process, the contractors, their tradespeople, the inconvenience, change orders, delays. You're tired and you've had it. Stop right here. Is this typical at this stage to feel this way? That's a trick question. The larger the renovation, the more impatient people become later on, understandably. But, of course, one can never generalize, and people are as different as their kitchens!

All is prepared in the kitchen for the installation. The cabinetry is delivered, and a brand, new, shiny source of stress is beginning. Here is a huge investment in cabinetry that will change your quality of life. You are ready for the perfect installation.

We are assuming the kitchen installer is a sub contractor from the kitchen designer. In my world, I have already had a lengthy relationship with my clients designing his/her/their kitchen, but they have not met my installer.  

Here are some tips to know about kitchen installers.

• There are basically two types of kitchen installers. The first type of installer runs his own business, the second type is an employee of a kitchen installation company. There are pros and cons of each type, and I use each type for different reasons.
  

• Installers, like you and I, are capable of making misjudgments and mistakes. It does not mean they are unqualified or less professional, etc. Mistakes must be made, as we are humans. With a competent designer in a supervisory role, and good installers, mistakes or misjudgements are minimized or nonexistent. But, of course, they can happen. More about mistakes another time. When I am talking about mistakes, I'm talking about small mistakes that are easily correctable. Big mistakes qualify as a big problem!
  

• An installer's appearance is no indication of skill level. I've used one installer with tattoos over most of the exposed parts of his body, for years, and who wears somewhat worn clothes. The skill level has been at the very top compared to any installer I've ever used. His demeanor is professional.  Appearance IS zero indication of intelligence, creativity, and problem solving ability. I've also used, and use, an installer who is missing a few front teeth. The most honorable, pleasant, all around fantastic installer, intelligent, with a skill level on par or above the tattoo guy noted above. And, I use installers who happen to be more well dressed as well. Different installers for different projects for different reasons.
  

• Negative opinions or assumptions by the homeowner and the contractor about the installer's work can be extremely damaging to the project, causing an unnecessary (and potentially messy) loss of confidence in the designer and/or installer. Sometimes another tradesperson or contractor will do things a different way and point out where the installer is "wrong."  When the client is having an expensive product being installed, such as cabinetry, the clients are very vulnerable to any and all opinions, good or bad, right or wrong. It is a stressful time.
  

• To further this point, again, as noted, the client is often in a vulnerable state at the time of the cabinet installation. An outspoken and opinionated contractor, who has been on your project for months, criticizing a designer and/or a cabinet installer to the client, (whether done ever so softly, or loudly) the installer having been just introduced to the jobsite, can be highly influential to the client. Many clients, in this state, having come so far, now fear, or do not even consider, disagreeing with their contractor, sometimes thinking that their project will be adversely affected going forward if they disagree (a form of Stockholm Syndrome?) This is a particularly common dynamic, a fear to disagree with one's contractor. What to do? Beware of this dynamic, hear the contractor, keep an open mind, and address any situation with your designer in a positive and productive way. See "mistakes" above. A Kitchen being a high priced item, and being installed last as part of a long project, has much stress and expectations attached to it during this time. Do not underestimate the personality dynamics which are a part of every project in one way or another, and how they can affect the client too.
  

• The advice above assumes that your designer is highly responsive, professional, and listens to your concerns with respect.
  

• Installers and designers sometimes disagree...sometimes in a heated way. An argument means that both parties care about your project. For me, it is a rare occurance. Plain speaking is most common, back and forth conversation with the installer but occasionally a point needs to be made in another way. Sometimes I will follow an installer's advice, sometimes I insist that my direction be followed. It is a team effort for your behalf.
  

• Do not misjudge a seemingly apathetic outward appearance with, well, apathy. Do not misjudge the use of humor with apathy. Installers and designers have dealt with the stress of installing cabinetry for years and in most cases can put emotions aside very easily in an effort to be professional and find good solutions to installation situations which may arise.

• Treat the cabinet installer with respect and you will get the best job out of him. Your demeanor toward him truly makes a difference. I cannot overstate this. He wants to work in a pleasant atmosphere. He wants an environment where he can take pride in his work. Taking pride in his work means you get the best installation you can for this product you will be using for many years. Be positive and respectful and your installer will work harder and better.
  

• Keep a pad and pen near the kitchen and when the installer leaves, observe what was done that day and write down any questions or concerns you may have. Bring them up to your designer.

• You have the right to expect that your project will be worked on every day until it is completed, perhaps with a gap while the countertop is being fabricated if all other work has been done. Sometimes additional parts need to be ordered, and the installer will return when they come in.

As we say in my business, it is not the problem, it's how it's addressed that is important. This entry morphed just a bit into problem areas with installations, and that will also be covered in a big way in later entries.

Hang in there it will all be over soon!! 

So, when DO you know you have a problem with an installer? What are the signs? Find out soon!

Scandinavian Kitchens - Today's Mix

Today we have a little bit of a mix to keep things interesting. All modern kitchens. Some, just downright elegant. A few that you cannot see very well, but you sort of get the picture anyway. Isn't that what our homes are, when all is said and done, an overall feeling? What feelings turn you on and off about these images?

One thing I have not mentioned as yet is that typically, and I only see this in one image, surprisingly, but typically, the lighting hangs down quite low in Scandinavian homes. I LOVE that look. It creates a real intimacy and softness. 

 

In the top image, I'm crazy about the minimalist feel and the plain walls, Also, the artwork. But, I don't believe those plain walls will remain perfect forever. I don't get that. 

These lower two images are from the same kitchen. I'm responding to the large, plain, windows and the white walls, which I love. It's an overall tailored look, very modern, but tailored. I LOVE the way this one is done. Look at the lighting against the wall. And, the dark table with white chairs love that too. And, of course we see the little splash of red color that we saw last week. This is a comfortable kitchen for me. This last image was from Bolig Magasinet and the other from Interior Magasinet.

And, a couple of blogs as usual. Anyone check into these that I include every week? Here's one called Milly Tulipan . And, Ingrid's Blog.  

march toward KBIS - new product introductions

My separate KBIS folder is packed full of emails, I lost count. Invitations to special press events, new product information, sneak peeks...I love this time of year! Spring is definitely the kitchen season and I'm all geared up for the show, as I am every single year. So here are a few of those sneak peeks.

GE

First up, GE is launching a new line of appliances called the GE Cafe Series. "The new GE Café series offers a suite of appliances for those who not only love the look of stainless steel-wrapped technology but who actually love to cook and entertain family and friends. The freestanding line of appliances also makes this an easy upgrade for nearly everyone."

Not everyone wants or can afford high end built in appliances. It's very important to have a source for appliances "for the rest of us," as my clients ask for from time to time.  -susan

Kalamazoo

"Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet introduces the Edo, a new sculptural grill inspired by Japanese design and cuisine. Form meets function as the lustrous, hand-textured stainless steel top glides open to reveal the controls and the 432 square-inch grilling surface. Closed, the sleek, simple form could be mistaken for a beautiful outdoor table or piece of sculpture.

There are two control zones with a total of 50,000 BTUs, powered by Kalamazoo’s signature cast stainless steel dragon burner system. The fuel tank is concealed in the base of the grill. Liquid propane is standard; natural gas is an option. Hidden casters make for easy movement. Kalamazoo’s unique customized grilling surfaces are also available."

With outdoor kitchens so hot, it's great to see some innovative designs for grills. I'd much rather gaze out my kitchen window and look at something scuptural than a big, old, common grill...or kettle. But, that's just me. Very cool. -susan

Swanstone

"Quite possibly the most innovative sinks in the world. Swanstone's newest granite kitchen sinks blur the lines between single and double bowls, offering the advantages of both. The Ascend and Large/Small Bowl combine the most sophisticated design with the functionality, durability, and quality for which they are known."

As a kitchen designer, I know Swanstone to be a well made, well priced, reliable product. I think these sinks have style and function going for them. I'll be looking at them at the show. It's all about the low divider between bowls offering more options for our favorite activity, washing stuff as efficiently as humanly possible. -susan

 
KWC

For that new sink, you need a new faucet...

"This smart new kitchen faucet has an operating lever made of robust yet astonishingly thin, hardened stainless steel. The innovative movement system means that joints and edges which could become dirt-traps are kept to a minimum, while the stream of water flows elegantly and precisely. The “highflex” spring hose, with its accurate and wear-resistant flat-topped spout also swivels 360 degrees.

The KWC ONO HIGHFLEX also produces two types of water stream because of the unique two-stage operating system. At the first stage, a practical filtered stream, and at the second, a powerful pressurized stream for removing tough food residues."

To me, it looks useful and stylish. I happen to appreciate clean lines and the beauty of simplicity. The combination of straight lines and curves is also an interesting aesthetic. While at KWC, check out Eve as well. susan  

retro kitchens - kitchen nostalgia or shredder material? #9

So, kitchen fans, today's kitchen is from the "Yellow Period". Or is it from the "Brick with Black Grout Period" or, as I said another week, from the "Lionel Richie Dancing on the Ceiling Period"!

Look, good for the homeowners. My guess is they were very happy, cheerful, optimistic people, don't you think? Good for them, that they had the guts to go for it! Linda from Surroundings, can we even go down this road, as a companion for the bachelorette pad??

It looks apparent to me that someone had the foresight to recess the, normally monolithic, refrigerator. My guess is this was done because they wanted to have much more space on the opposite side, although that area is not shown. I also guess that the emphasis for, and placement of, ample counter space was on the other side because of the radius cutouts on each side of the cooktop.

Which makes me wonder if the refrigerator could have been positioned where the desk is, thus allowing for much more space surrounding the cooktop. But, who knows?

I cannot see any connection between, or reason for, the combination of the brick and the ceiling pattern (but I think in the 70s brick was obligatory as was pattern of ANY type). And, of course, more pattern was needed in the white lattice doors, and let's not forget the floor!

But, you know what? The owners get lots of points just for the overall happy effect. And, do to two different countertop colors at that time? Come on, how haute couture was that!

Scrappy Girl from Domino...thanks for the mention, is this what you had in mind for your kitchen? 

Go Large - Designing Kitchen Windows

I just got finished fertilizing about 170 roses in my garden. When I do something, I do it big! It's an extremely exciting time if you are a gardener in the northeast. Hour by hour, all the plants are popping. I'm doubly excited because the  fertilizer I ordered arrived today at my front door, hours before the start of several days of a good, soaking rain. Perfect timing. Coming into the kitchen in the morning shows progress and beauty in the garden every day.

When I remodeled my kitchen a few years back, one of my wishes was to have expansive views of the garden from the kitchen.  We installed 20' of windows. I wanted as many windows as I could get for natural lighting in the kitchen and wonderful garden views. I WAS a bit concerned with not so great views over the winter, but I was willing to pay that very small price. Of course, there is beauty in many winter views as well, with or without snow.

This is a little insight into why I designed large windows in my kitchen (these images are not of my kitchen!)

WHERE DO YOU START? 

When you consider remodeling your kitchen, window size and placement should play an important role. It's funny, but even today, when windows are getting larger in many homes, there is often still hesitation to "go large" with the kitchen window. And, in many cases, and this is a key point, if the kitchen is in the back of the house, the house may have been purchased, partially, for the beauty of the yard, and the existing kitchen windows do not often allow one to fully appreciate the views! It is a paradox that is amusing to me.

 

My recommendation, when planning new windows for the kitchen is to consider:

• the views of your yard and the role that a lovely view can play in your life in the kitchen
• the pleasant feeling you get when you are near natural lighting
• the energy saving costs you could incur, depending on the kitchen's exposure for heating and lighting purposes
• taking care not to worry that expanding a window relates to an "unacceptable" amount of lost cabinet storage. This part is tricky. Of course, in small kitchens, it is a more critical issue. In medium and large kitchens, carefully evaluate the pros and cons of a larger window before saying a quick "no...I'll lose too much storage."
  
• always taking into consideration the architectural view from outside looking in
• operable vs. non operable windows - operable for needed ventilation, non operable for unobstructed viewing
• the other windows of your home and select a window style that is the same or very similar
  
• if the window or windows should be situated for a specific view of a pool, a play area, garden, wide vista, etc.
• one's overall psychological well being with a connection to nature
• what role will privacy play in your window location?
  

What if your view is not park like, but looks toward a brick wall, a driveway or other nondescript area? Think beyond what you see outside at this moment. Is it possible to add some landscaping to enhance the existing view? Often, it is, but is something the homeowner did not consider.

Is there a spot for a long window? Long windows have a place in a kitchen as well. Short windows are not the only size that must be in a kitchen! I once spoke with a wheelchair bound homeowner and suggested a tall window just beyond the cabinetry, so that he could enjoy the view outdoors. This was a welcome suggestion! 

In a future post, I will discuss how to select the size and shape of the window. 

I'm now energized for the next 6 months of garden viewing out my kitchen window! (see below) And, no, we do not have a gardener! My husband and I designed the garden ourselves, dug every hole (2'x2'), prune every bush, hand water in between rains, do garden clean up multiple times a year, we do not have a "service", it is all our work, which we like to look at and enjoy. A "garden walk" with a glass of wine is a good reward too. Roses were purchased one by one over a several year period. Five more just arrived last week! What can I say? It's a obsession hobby. You'll find me in the garden most days now from 5-8 pm!

UPDATE: While I was thinking roses, see a follow up to this post with good information by Peggy at kitchen-exchange. 

 

Blogging Kitchens

I'm so thrilled when I come across a great kitchen in the blogs...they are not so frequent on interior design blogs, so I still say "YES! A kitchen!" and I think interior design bloggers also love kitchens too, I can absolutely feel it. They can't help but put a kitchen in from time to time, one that speaks to them. At least, that's how I see it. I KNOW they love them! The kitchens are often grouped with an entire home's images, so you can see the flow of the home, which is good for context. Here are a few recent ones I've noticed as being special.

An Eye For An I:nterior chronicles some very nice kitchens. Take a look through the "pages" of the blog.  This rustic kitchen with the (La Cornue?) black range is from the blog. The styles range from rustic to modern, and in between, and the feature with this image is from Sandra Lane, a photographer.

Take a look at the Peak of Chic's complete devotion to kitchens! OK, at least on April 24, it was wholly kitchen focused, and I'll take that! I find it very interesting to read how one responds to certain kitchen styles, and this is a peek at some nicely styled kitchens and some insight into what's liked and why.

Terramia, who has shown kitchens before, shows a charming kitchen image. Don't we all love a white cottage kitchen? The image is from the book At Home With Color 

I can easily tell you why I like these kitchens. And, I'm not looking so much at function, I'll save that for another day. But, look at the artwork. The textures. The imperfection as to what's positioned where. OK, maybe the lamp is a bit much right next to the range, but I WOULD have a lamp and just position it to the far right, why not? So, to me, these kitchens are carefully chosen, I'm sure, and they have soul.  

A special case are the ladies from Desire to Inspire. Jo and Kim sneak in a kitchen image, I think, possibly once or twice a week. They, too, feature great designers, and whole homes, and include the kitchen, which I always look for first. Just look at this fantastic red and stainless kitchen. Don't you love it? I do. It is part of the work of Tony Ingrao. I DO think, however, that they are admirers of modern kitchens, and/or that soft contemporary look. I'm happy about that, which feeds my natural inclination toward kitchens with clean lines.

I am rewarded when I take the time to seek out interior design bloggers' points of view, and it's a bonus to find a kitchen here and there. They are always inspiring.  Take a look at these blogs. The images are those which speak to the blogger in a meaningful way. I appreciate their efforts!

Do you like these kitchens? What do you like about them? 

Scandinavian Kitchens - Splashes of Color!

I think it's a very common thing in Scandinavia to show small splashes of color, like, very small. It seems the smaller the color, the bigger the impact (in some cases). My friend, Lone, a Danish girl who lives in New York, showed me an ad (she's a kitchen designer) she was putting in a magazine, and it was a kitchen that was all white with some black and then only half of a red chair was showing, sort of at the way end of the room...of course, an Arne Jacobsen chair. I didn't get it at first, I don't see that a lot, but now, these images brought that concept back to me, and brought it to life. Images from Bolig Liv.

So, now we have 3 interesting elements....white (nearly always), a splash of color, and texture (nearly always). Fantastic combination.

It's fun, cool, and fresh, don't you think? Oh, here's a nice Scandinavian blog, Molly's Heaven and another great one, Lantligt.