Kitchen Design Concepts Blog

Becoming a Tech-Savvy Chef

2012-02-03T14:57:49Z

Technology has made our lives easier and that also applies to the kitchen. Sure, the e-reader version of my grandmother's recipe book will never replace the dog-eared, hand-highlighted copy but being tech-savvy in the kitchen does have its benefits.

For example, I spent a great deal of my life in dorms or student apartments where my kitchen motto was "If it doesn't go in the microwave, I don't know how to make it." When I finally settled into a house with a gloriously large and open kitchen, I needed to learn how to cook - fast. Luckily, I had received an iPad as a graduation gift and I put it to use. Applications like Epicurious and Pepperplate provided tons of easy recipes I could bookmark on my phone during free time. The apps wirelessly sync bookmarked recipes to my iPad for later use. I downloaded e-books in minutes, including my forever-handy copy of "834 Kitchen Quick Tips". I could protect it all with the Chef Sleeve - a disposable plastic cover for the iPad with a package that doubles as a stand.

Whether you're a novice like me or a seasoned chef, a little more technology in the kitchen can be helpful. You may not be ready to commit to the Smart Countertop (which recognizes food and suggests recipes as you chop) or the Intelligent Oven (which allows you to turn it on remotely via phone or Internet) but adding a few modern gadgets can go a long way.

Our intern is Desiree Johnson, a recent journalism graduate and Texas native. The 26-year-old loves painting, her dachshund Munchie and learning to use what she calls her "real, adult-sized kitchen."

A Kitchen Remodel Increases Home Value

2012-01-06T18:41:32Z

If you are like the rest of us, you have probably spent a lot of time in the kitchen over the past couple of months. From Thanksgiving through the welcoming of the new year, the kitchen seems to be at the heart of every gathering and activity. If you have an old or outdated kitchen, you may have even thought "Hmmm...wouldn't it be nice to have a pretty new kitchen." The truth is that in addition to improving your own enjoyment, a well-done kitchen remodel will most definitely increase the value of your home. Almost any realtor will tell you that the kitchen is the single-most important room when re-selling a home. Beverly Lawler, of Coldwell Banker in Dallas TX, says that the kitchen and master bedroom/bath are the most important rooms in the house when selling a home. "A kitchen is key because the kitchen is at the center of our lives and a place where we spend a good amount of time. When home buyers are shopping, they will often forgive a few fix-up items here and there, but a well-designed kitchen will often seal the deal."

In an article on NKBA.com, the website of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Nicholas Draper says, "Did you know that renovating a kitchen or bath is the best way to add value to your home? As we wait for the economy to stabilize and home prices to increase, there are a number of ways you can work on your home now to ensure a great return on investment in the months and years ahead." He goes on to say, "Kitchens are the core of our command centers. They need to be both practical and efficient. Social and business entertaining are becoming more common, so kitchens must have a sense of style, as well as function. Kitchens make a strong lifestyle statement."

We have found that to be the case with our clients as well. Client and realtor, Dori Warner with David Griffin & Co. in Dallas, told us, "As a realtor, I always tell my clients how important kitchens and baths are for inspiring the highest sales price possible for their home. This was certainly true of my experience after listing my home with a kitchen designed and remodeled by Kitchen Design Concepts. The first person that walked in the door of my home after I put it on the market not only made an offer on the spot, but paid more for it than any other home had ever sold for in my neighborhood!"

So, for improving your lifestyle in the near-term and your home value in the future, investing in your kitchen is a sound (and rewarding) decision!

If outside of the Dallas area, NKBA's ProSearch tool is a good one to use to locate an experienced kitchen and bath professional in your neighborhood.

Three of My Favorite Things

2011-12-04T18:34:36Z

Now that we've had a little bit of time to settle into our kitchen since our kitchen remodel, I have come to love so many things about it. But, I have to say, in addition to the great appliances, hardwood floors, beautiful backsplash and granite countertops, three things that really stand out for me are all convenience features. First, we love love love (did I say LOVE) our single basin sink. It is so fun to be able to place baking sheets and large pans in the sink instead of the countertop, and, if we are entertaining, it is truly a joy to stack all of the dishes in the sink out-of-sight until we're ready to do them.

The second most convenient addition is our pull-out spice drawer which comfortably lives to the left of our stove/oven. We are able to throw into our dishes any number of spices without moving even a step away from the cook top. And, with three levels, it holds all of our spices and oils perfectly.

Lastly, I love our cabinets and drawers and the way they close. The cabinets have hinges on them (quite a concept for those of us with cabinet doors that would never close) and the soft-close or blumotion feature on the drawers is great. It is perfect for our children who can now easily push the drawers - they don't slam (especially on little fingers) and they are always closed because they are so much fun to close!

Next time, I'll have to tell you about the other features I love. The list is truly endless and I will forever be spoiled to all of the conveniences of this kitchen...

Classic Contemporary

2011-11-11T15:05:47Z

We've been told not to judge a book by its cover and the same is true with our homes. This project is a contemporary respite wrapped inside a traditional brick home. The use of the different style tile in the same color maintains continuity while adding texture to the space. Adding high end appliances, like the induction cooktop (my favorite), make this kitchen a joy to use!

With a pool just outside the kitchen it was important to the homeowners to bring the outside in as well as to be able to see the pool from the kitchen. The huge windows enabled the view outside while using the same colors in kitchen and in the pool, your eye connects the two spaces.

For more design inspiration check out these other contemporary kitchens!

Classic Contemporary

2011-11-11T15:05:47Z

For more design inspiration check out these other contemporary kitchens!

Sleek Spaces

2011-11-04T14:39:36Z

Sometimes less really is more! The simple beauty of the design and the combination of natural materials in this kitchen create a sophisticated and textured look. Fantastic materials and modern appliances can speak for themselves without much design interevention. In spite of the tall ceilings and abundance of light, the use of dark, rich tones allows this space to feel warm and welcoming.

The use of these darker finishes also helps to delineate the kitchen space. This open concept floor plan allows the living and kitchen spaces to feel as if it were one large room. The dark finishes of the kitchen, contrasted by the white walls of the adjoining space, create a visual distinction between the two space without hindering the open feel.

Every inch of this kitchen space is utilized and the island is no exception! The abundance of drawers and cabinets in this kitchen ensures that every item has a home.

Lastly, the appliances make cooking in this kitchen an enjoyable and easy task. The wine chiller and under counter microwave offer functionality while saving valuable counter space.

This kitchen is a true testament to design and beautiful finishes. To see more examples of style enhancing materials check out our gallery now!

The Reveal...the Before and Afters

2011-10-16T20:02:24Z

Let me back up and tell you a little about our kitchen before the remodel. First, it is a small space and we did not have the luxury (time or money) of being able to remove walls and re-configure. So the same footprint remained but everything else went. We live in a 1950s home and Jennifer (co-owner and general contractor) was concerned we might have some electrical and plumbing challenges. Luckily, when they opened up the walls, there were a few out-of-date issues but nothing that was not manageable (for them - wouldn't trust an amateur here). They upgraded electrical, water shut-off valves and other stuff I don't really understand (or want to) to make us feel nice and safe. Our cabinets and drawers were one of our biggest targets. The cabinet doors wouldn't close and the drawers closed so well that our then four-year-old had a tough time opening the drawers. She is still ecstatic about the soft close (blu motion) that is easy for her to pull out and then push back in without making a sound. Exciting! We had laminate throughout our kitchen and into my office - we decided to replace all of it with the hardwood that was found throughout the house. It plussed up the entire space and we love how rich it makes this area look. We also had wasted space around our cabinetry where the stand-alone stove went and the dishwasher was inserted by our back door. Our remodel has re-claimed these unused spaces and we were able to add some nifty new features (i.e., pull-out spice drawer). Our other main complaint came in the way of very old appliances (dishwasher, oven and microwave) which all worked at a sub-par level. My husband is a chef and has a new lease on life with our new Bosch gas cooktop, stove and warming drawer unit and I can't wait to bake Christmas cookies this year - the uneven heating element in our old sad oven made the actual baking of the cookies an olympic event. So, without further delay...

Before...

And AFTER...

Process, Process, Process

2011-10-16T19:48:53Z

This became my favorite word during this project as I have to say it made the entire undertaking a breeze. From our first meeting where we talked about the scope of the project and what we liked/did not like about our current space to the final stroke of paint being brushed onto the wall, the Kitchen Design Concepts process makes for enjoyable days. I work out of my home and was a little concerned about the possible disruption, but because we had a well-planned schedule where we knew what to expect and when, I was easily able to manage all of my clients while having our kitchen taken down to the studs and rebuilt again.

So the process...

Mary Kathryn and Katie (lead designer) came to survey our space and talk to us about our expectations, budget, timing, wishes and needs. We talked about the must-haves and the nice-to-haves; we even talked about doing it as a Kitchen Design Concepts project or a Snappy Kitchens project. They own both companies and each has its place - Kitchen Design Concepts if you are wanting a complete remodel or Snappy Kitchens if we only wanted to replace components. The difference for us and the reason it became a Kitchen Design Concepts remodel was because we decided to replace our old outdated cabinets with new custom ones (with Blu motion soft close on the drawers - so exciting). We were fine either way as we knew we were getting the same great quality, people and consultation throughout the process. We saw a couple versions of contracts based on give-and-take to make our budget work and then we signed the contract. Even though we are business associates and great friends, the process and details were outlined to perfection and we had talked about even the smallest of details. This is a BIG BIG deal in remodeling as I have learned - they talk about the intricacies up front (even the exact tile, for example) so that you don't find yourself adding money on in change orders throughout the process. At the end of our project, we ended up spending less than $400 more than our contract! We don't even get that close doing our own home improvement projects that are 1/100 the size of this one.

Once the contract was signed and a schedule was presented, moving out of the space and setting up our temporary kitchen was the first order of business. They helped us move our refrigerator into the dining area and we set up our microwave as well. They provided a booklet they had created that walked us through the set-up step-by-step. The book listed what items to keep out while we were packing up and where to put them. It made this foreign concept (in my 40+ years I had never set up a temporary kitchen) very manageable.

Demolition was next. In two days time, our entire kitchen was down to the studs. The contractors used their own side entrance to the house and we rarely saw them. At the end of each day, we as a family would enter into the space through our zippered door and see the progress that had been made. We were amazed that they cleaned up every single day and we loved how quickly change was happening. Early on, Katie and I took a trip to the granite yard. Although we had already selected our small sample of granite, I learned that the big slabs can vary and you want to pick the one that has more of the colors you are looking for. In our case, we actually switched to a different color style but Katie was able to steer me to others that were at the same price point (no change order!). Here I am next to our materials (cabinet door, backsplash) and new slab of granite...

At the beginning of each week, we would receive a schedule of what to expect for that week in terms of work and progress. It was nice to be able to understand when we might be inconvenienced and they worked very hard at keeping those times to a minimum. Our utility room, for instance, was in our kitchen, but they gave us plenty of advance notice and then moved the washer and dryer out to replace the flooring, grout, dry and seal. We were without washer and dryer for a total of two days and we were amazed. Inconvenience avoided!

Construction continued and the one glitch happened - the backsplash we had chosen was on back order and it would not be in for several weeks. We met with Katie to see if there was something else we wanted to select, but decided that we wanted to stick with our first choice. They moved the other pieces of the project along to keep us on schedule as much as possible and then came back in to tile when the material was available.

My husband saw some great-looking hardware at a friend's house and we decided to change hardware and faucet to oil-rubbed bronze from satin nickel. This was one of two change orders as we decided it was worth the re-stocking fees to get the darker fixtures. The second change order was because we decided to upgrade our utility room doors - they installed and painted them, put on the new hardware and I am so thankful we decided to make this move (another great idea of my husband).

Next time, I'll show lots of pictures of before and after. I've decided I might need a couple more blogs but I'll have to see if I can negotiate that with Mary Kathyn. Until next week...

Floor is Buckling... Let's Remodel!

2011-10-09T20:23:19Z

If you are anything like my husband and I, then you will know what I mean when I say "Reverse Remodeling." We have done this for the past 11 years we've been married. We see a little something out-of-order and think it will be a quick fix to change it out. For example, we were dis-enchanted with the old light fixtures in our bathroom when we first moved into the house. We changed them out to find that now the medicine cabinet mirror would not open. We pulled that out of the wall and then needed to re-dry wall, find a new mirror that would fit (not as easy as you might think) and then, of course, we needed to re-paint. A newly remodeled bathroom all for the sake of replacing some ugly out-of-date fixtures. So when we walked in to find our kitchen sitting in standing water, I'm sure it won't surprise you that we were eventually led to remodel the entire kitchen. Broken dishwasher, buckling floor to new appliances, new cabinetry, new countertops, backsplash, fixtures, sink and hardware. And we could not be happier with the results! Mary Kathryn has given me three weeks to write, so I better make it last. Tune in next week for Part II of my three-part series.

An Inside Look

2011-10-09T20:21:35Z

For a little over six years, we have worked with a marketing consultant to align our strategies and promote our work. We finally had the pleasure of recently remodeling her family's kitchen and so I am turning over the next three blogs to her to provide an inside look at what happens with one of our jobs. (Hopefully she'll have only great things to say, right?)

Timeless Kitchen Remodel

2011-10-01T01:50:00Z

This kitchen started with a "tired" and cramped look. We transformed this space into a sophisticated kitchen space that anyone would want to spend time in! The challenge was to create an space that was open and inviting while maintaining the charm of the Tudor home. The existing floor plan hindered the homeowner's entertaining needs and style. By removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room we were able to open the space to accommodate the space needed to entertain.

Interesting materials were used throughout the kitchen to spice things up a little. One unique feature is a raised bar surface constructed from reclaimed white oak from Minnesota. The cappuccino stain on the walnut cabinets is the perfect compliment to the Ceasarstone Champagne Limestone on the countertops against the wall and on the island. For a splash of color a mixture of glass and tumbled slate tiles were used for the backsplash. The use of texture and unique materials lends itself to a modernized look set in a timeless aesthetic.

For some insight into a remodeling project check out our article here.

Tips for Kitchen Design

2011-09-24T13:00:00Z

We are here to share our expertise with you! Here are just a few tips that can help you save money and make the most of your kitchen remodel.

It is important to understand how to maintain the countertop material that you choose as well as to be willing and able to follow the guidelines. Be sure to match the guidelines and limitations of the countertop to your real life situations. Consider less expensive countertops and add decorative accessories to the backsplash.

Is your heart yearning for more than your budget will allow? Consider taking on your remodel in phases. Here a a few common phases:

Phase I - new countertops, sink and faucet, new backsplash

Phase II - refinish kitchen cabinetry, new hardware

Phase III - appliances

Go green, not only can your kitchen look beautiful but you can save energy and make your kitchen work for you!

Add a recycling center.
Add a composting center.
Select energy efficient fixtures when updating lighting.
Replace aging appliances with energy efficient appliances; try an induction cooktop.
Use low VOC paint.

Here are a few quick and inexpensive things you can do to spruce up your kitchen

Buy colored countertop appliances.
Paint the kitchen island an accent color.
Replace existing hardware.
Paint the walls.
Install a new kitchen faucet.

Thinking of remodeling your kitchen? Check out our process and learn how to get started today!

A Wood Floor Alternative

2011-09-16T16:09:29Z

Your floor is the largest continuous horizontal area in your home and it helps to unite every room in your house. Choosing a hard floor surface now involves choosing between a myriad of beautiful options. Here is a brief rundown of one of those options; cork. Cork is a green flooring option that looks great in traditional and contemporary kitchens.

Cork is becoming more popular as a green flooring option. It is peeled bark from a tree, so when it's harvested, the tree lives, and years later the bark grows back! The value is found in cork with it's durability and moderate price points. Cork is resilient and durable while being forgiving to the body - knees, hips, back. Cork also has good thermal and acoustic qualities, in addition to being hypo-allergenic and fire resistant.

For a look at flooring choices in both traditional and modern kitchens, check out our gallery here.

Improving an Investment

2011-09-09T15:02:28Z

This mid-century home, built in 1952, was an irresistible investment opportunity that needed a little work. Since the kitchen is the showcase of the house, that is were the project started. Our goal in this renovation was to create a space that is open, bright, modern, and clean. In order to make this 14-by-11-foot space seem bigger we removed the wall between the kitchen and living space and rearranged everything in the room. To open the room, the refrigerator was switched with the stove to allow for more storage space. The under-counter microwave creates more counter space in the kitchen. An avonite countertop accented by yellow pendant lighting gives the space a warm feeling. A metal laminate countertop has the look of stainless steel and contributes to the contemporary look.

Cork flooring used throughout is softer material, friendlier to both your feet and the environment than traditional hardwood floors. For better access to spices the doors of this cabinet pull up instead of out. The bottom drawer freezer is a more user friendly alternative for those that use the refrigerator more than the freezer. The exposed beams add support as well as a decorative touch.

For more looks of inspiration check out our modern kitchen gallery.

A Design Reconfiguration

2011-09-05T18:45:49Z

This Farmers Branch kitchen started out with a less-than-perfect layout that did not lend itself to a functional kitchen or living space. We set out to redesign the space to create a formal dining area as well configure the kitchen in a way that would allow for entertaining. Keeping in mind that the homeowners love to entertain we changed where things were located and how the kitchen worked without moving any walls. This kitchen has a traditional look with an element of contemporary sleekness to give the space some sizzle.

The existing island was replaced with a an island with a half moon bump out bar and positioned perpendicular to the dining room wall. A wine bar was added along one kitchen wall with a specialty sink located in the island nearby. Every element of this kitchen has a purpose and function.

There is definitely some eye candy in this kitchen! The granite countertops give it a punch of elegance and the dark rose colored paint helps to brighten the space.

For more information on the products used in this kitchen as well as some additional inspiration images check out our feature in DFW House and Home magazine!