Designing a Luxury Kitchen - Top Five Suggestions

The internet is full of articles and sites that are crafted by people claiming to represent the luxury kitchen market. However, "luxury" is an over-used word these days. Now that "luxury to the masses" is a common marketing concept in everything from handbags to kitchen tile, it has become difficult to wade through the plethora of information to find what the true luxury consumer is really looking for....to be set apart from the mass market. As a kitchen designer for a high-end British company, I seldom engage in projects that cost less than $100,000 (often the cabinetry alone surpasses that amount). Therefore I consider myself to be on the front lines of engagement with the real luxury consumer. If you are building, remodeling, or designing a luxury kitchen, (or perhaps you just want to emulate one), then consider these suggestions.

1. Understand the difference between a framed cabinet with an inset door and a cabinet with an overlay door. A framed cabinet with an inset door is considered to be the higher-end option while cabinetry with overlay doors are the more common type seen on the market today. Many of my clients are not familiar with this difference when they visit my studio and if you are unfamiliar as well, I encourage you to view cabinetry from both categories in person. It is a little bit difficult to visualize, but essentially a framed cabinet with an inset door is a cabinet box with a stationary frame mounted to the front of this box. The cabinet door then sits inside (flush) the frame. Traditional English cabinetry was bench made in this manner and it still holds appeal today. An overlay cabinet can have a frame or be frameless, but regardless, the door overlaps the frame or box. A frameless cabinet with overlay doors can be very desirable in a contemporary kitchen where clean, smooth lines are desired. However, in terms of traditional cabinetry, this is seen as an inexpensive way to produce a lot of cabinets. A framed cabinet with an inset door is a lot more work to manufacture and requires a great deal more craftsmanship to get everything properly aligned in its aperture. If your home value is over $1.5 Million, you really should be purchasing framed cabinetry with inset doors. There is simply a perceived quality associated with it.

2. Spend your money on high-end refrigeration. Most of my clients still opt to conceal their refrigerators behind custom cabinetry panels. However, even if you want the professional look of stainless steel, I would encourage you not to skimp on your refrigerator. A few years ago, Sub ZeroMiele and Thermador. While not all of my projects utilize a fully integrated refrigerator, the vast majority of them do. Luxury kitchens frequently feature a pair of refrigerators that are paneled and trimmed out to look like an armoire or beautiful piece of furniture. In fact, this can be your kitchen's best focal point if done well. had a firm corner on the market for fully integrated refrigeration. By "full integration", I mean that the refrigerator can be designed to sit flush with the cabinetry (24" deep) without the need for a stainless steel grate above it, and without an exposed stainless steel frame. Now, however, there are several more manufacturers offering this feature, including

3. Design a space to conceal all of your counter top appliances, such as coffee makers, toasters, blenders, etc. Most high-end kitchens that are well designed allow the homeowner the luxury of having "uncluttered" counter tops. After all, aesthetics are a big part of what you're paying for. Sometimes this can be a large walk-in pantry with built-in cabinetry. Alternatively, I have often employed a method of creating a tall larder cabinet in close proximity to the sink and refrigerator. This larder cabinet, complete with pocket doors, can have an internal counter top with outlets affixed to the back of the cabinet for plugging in an assortment of small appliances ranging from the microwave to the stand-mixer. The idea here is that everything is easily accessible and already plugged in. No luxury kitchen should require the homeowner to pull out a heavy appliance from a base cabinet.

4. Consider using a mixture of counter top materials. In large luxury kitchens today, a single marble or granite material on all counter surfaces can look quite cold. Perhaps it is because these large kitchens simply have so many square feet of counter top material. Regardless, this is a careful line to walk because using too many different materials can quickly look like a trend. To be easy on the eye, consider using your stone of choice around the perimeter counter tops and then opt for a wood top on the island. This breaks up the coldness factor of stone while not conflicting with the pattern of your marble, limestone, or granite.

5. Don't put a stainless steel panel on your dishwasher. This is really just a pet peeve of mine. Personally, I don't think the dishwasher is an attractive appliance. Therefore there is no added value in putting a stainless steel panel on it - even if all of your other appliances are stainless steel. Placing a stainless steel door on your dishwasher just breaks up the visual line of the beautiful cabinetry on which you are splurging. I strongly encourage you to consider a fully integrated dishwasher model. Miele, Bosch, and Asko all currently offer excellent fully integrated models. Again, the term "fully integrated" means that the entire dishwasher front (including the controls) are concealed behind a cabinetry panel. If done properly, you will not be able to distinguish between your dishwashers and any of the adjacent cabinetry.

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Nkba Florida Experts Can Transform Your Kitchen

A beautiful kitchen is every woman's dream. After all that's the section of the house where you spend most of your time! But when it comes to designing or remodeling your dream kitchen it could be a herculean task unlike designing your bedroom, living room or dining area.

NKBA Florida professionals are the ones who can take the role play of an atlas and shoulder this important task to make it simple and easy for you.

The kitchen is not just about creating a good looking interior with lots of color and decor but it is also about practicality and functionality. The cabinets, stove and chimney, tap, sink, wash basin, oven, fridge, utensils, storage space it could all get so complicated that a simple a 'Do It Yourself Project' could overwhelm any average homemaker.

NKBA Florida are the ones who have been trained to take precise measurements, use modern techniques, recommend perfect materials and plan a functional and cost-efficient space that would exclusively reflect your personal taste and lifestyle.

Undoubtedly, the gold standard in the kitchen and bath industry, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Certification intends to simplify your search for true professionals to guide you. Looking for experts in your area with a NKBA Membership will guarantee a focused expertise and certainly add lot of value to your kitchen or bath design thereby ensuring quality service.

Many NKBA Florida professionals are kitchen or bath designers. The reason why you should opt NKBA certified professionals is that you can be assured that they are proficient and well qualified with good amount of experience. A Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD), Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer (AKBD), Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certified Bathroom Designer (CBD) are a few certified professionals from NKBA on whom you can rely.

Here are some tips on how to go about choosing the right NKBA Florida professional to handle your construction or remodeling project:

Research is the Key: It is highly recommended that you do your own research before you finalize whom you would assign your pet project. It is always good to select several designers or dealers in your neighborhood, schedule meetings, and exchange ideas with them. Check their qualifications and take a look at their projects they have handled before or see their portfolio.

Think Out Of The Box: Always look experts who think out of the box. Why settle for less when you are paying for expertise. Look for non-conventional designers who love to experiment and offer innovative and interesting designs. They should be able to offer you a wide range of styles. True craftsmanship lies in giving you lots of options. They should be able to offer more than one look so that you get something unique.

Customer Friendly: It could take months for your project to complete. You would definitely want to be in good company so that's it's a pleasant experience for you.

Go ahead and choose a certified NKBA professional to be assured of a complete premium service that suits both your style and budget.

By: Andrew Stratton

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Apple and Rooster Kitchen Curtains Are Full of Warmth

Apple kitchen curtains and rooster kitchen curtains are two styles that are very popular. They make a kitchen seem that much more homey. These two styles originated a long time ago and are associated with the quiet and peaceful countryside life.

Apples have always been a great part of early American culture and this is also true today. Apples pies and Apple juice are great examples of tradition and culture. People were so fond of their apple harvest that they began to sew pictures of apples on their curtain fabrics.

The same is also true for the fondness of the rooster which actually symbolizes a lot of things and among them a new day to prosper. Wives of farmers spent some of their free time decorating their kitchen windows with curtains that had a roosters on them. Many also sewed similar style tablecloths to match the curtains.

This tradition exists today and it's not necessary that you live on a farm to enjoy these two lovely styles. They are first and foremost about family life and they would certainly add warmth to any kitchen in any home.

Certainly they are not for everyone an a young urban professional might think they are old fashioned. And that's actually true but old fashion never goes out of style. What was a classic yesterday remains a classic today and dare I say that apple and rooster styled kitchen curtains are indeed very classic.

If you want to add a little warmth to your kitchen then look into these designs. They have simple family life written all over them.

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Kitchen Units - How to Spend Less on Them

Do not make the mistake of thinking that budgeting is just for people on a "tight budget." Yes, if you have a tight income you should benefit from a budget and steer away from debt. Budgeting; however, is not just valuable for individuals with a shortage of resources; it's also of value to anyone that wants to use their money wisely; that's rich, or poor (believe me, even Donald Trump budgets).

Here are a few useful tips to help you buy any kitchen furniture at a lower price:

Showroom furniture
The prices of furniture that were displayed in a show room for viewing are substantially cut down compared to the same furniture that is in stock.

Used furniture
Used furniture costs less than brand new furniture. Most of them are actually still "new" and used only briefly. If you know a place that sells good, used furniture, then go for it.

Garage sale
Garage sales usually have great unique furniture to sell, and at a much cheaper price. Not only are the prices normally lower, but you also have a chance to bargain with the owners to sell you something for less.

Flea markets
Flea markets are usually in North America opened for individuals that want to make money from selling their used items, or make a business from selling different products at a lower price. It's like a garage sale, only it's in a bigger area where you go and see hundreds of garage sales in one place. As with garage sales, remember to use your bargaining skills to get the most for your money.

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Discover the Biggest Secret to Kitchen Decor

Did you know that one of the biggest secrets to creating the right kitchen décor is in choosing the theme that fits you best. Far too often many people make the mistake of choosing a décor for their kitchen, based on finding items that looked or pretty to them at the time. The real key to a successful job, though, is in having a well thought out theme for your project.

Helpful suggestions and tips

This article can offer you some helpful suggestions in choosing a theme, but the bottom line is in choosing something that makes you feel good or productive or what ever mood you're trying to set for a certain look and feel. It may not take too many changes such as the color or just a couple of the items to change the entire look and feel.

Pick a theme that you love

If you love the outdoors then your kitchen might be based on this type of theme - if that's what you really enjoy more than anything else. Remember, you will spend a considerable amount of time in your kitchen, so it should have a theme that you are most closely related to.

Animals are always a winner

If you like animals then you may want to choose décor such as cute puppies or fluffy kittens or a combination of several different animals that make you feel warm and happy. It's always nice to have a smile on your face as you are preparing meals for you and your family. By planning out a nice theme for your kitchen decor, you can accomplish this feat.

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Induction Units - A New Era in Kitchens

Cooking has changed a lot over the millennia. What started out as heating food items over a fire or coals has progressed through gas and electric range cooking to a new age of cooking with an electromagnet.

Induction units are unique in that they do not heat up themselves, only the cookware that you place on them. With induction cooking there is no more sweating over a hot stove in the summertime! However, the cookware must be made of steel or cast iron to work properly on an induction unit though, because the pots and pans must be made from a magnetic material. Unfortunately, this means that your fabulous copper pots won't work on an induction element.

It used to be true that for that "professional" cooking experience gas was the way to go but even the professionals are trading in their gas ranges for induction now. Gas used to be the one and only real option for professionals because of its quick reaction time when you adjust temperature. However, induction units react just as fast as a gas range does.

The nature of the induction stove makes it a great option for many people. Because the unit is only a few inches thick, it installs easily into a countertop while allowing an open area underneath which is perfect for wheelchair accessibility. The cool touch top makes it much safer for any household with small children as well. One extra perk to having the unit not heat up is that any spills do not bake on to the stove, making it a breeze to clean up.

If you are building a new home or just renovating your kitchen, consider an induction unit as a modern addition to your design to increase your home's value for resale or to make your kitchen more pleasant to work in. If you like to cook, the fact that it won't overheat your kitchen will be sure to make you wonder how you ever suffered with an electric stove for so long.

Carolyn Capalbo is an expert military relocation specialist and real estate agent serving Virginia's North Virginia real estate market. Visit Just4Real.com to find updated market information about areas in Prince William, including Gainesville VA real estate.

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10 Secrets to Get a $30,000 Kitchen For Under $3,000

You see it all the time on TV. People spend outrageous amounts of money to get new kitchens.

You can get a new kitchen for a lot less money than your TV would lead you to believe.

I once owned a lovely Cape Cod house with an 80's style melamine and oak strip kitchen. When we decided to sell to start a new business, potential buyers all hated that kitchen. We didn't get a single offer.

We had no choice but to take the house off the market and fix the kitchen. If you think you might need to resell an attractive kitchen is important. But more importantly it's nice for any homeowner to have a kitchen they love.

We asked the pros what it would cost to reface our kitchen. They estimated it would cost $20,000 to $30,000. And hiring "pros is not without risk. They may or may not do an adequate job. We did our first DIY attempts because of bad experiences with "experts" who didn't deliver.

So we decided to do it ourselves...again.

We did it for $1,200.

Yes we saved at least $18,800 bucks, maybe more.

You can do it, too. Here's how.

Do it one step at a time.

1. Your first step involves making decisions about the layout of your kitchen. If it is reasonably functional keep the sinks and appliances in their current positions. We did not move anything in our kitchen and saved lots of money.

2. Next keep your cabinet boxes if possible. This is a "green" issue as well as a price issue. Cabinets cost a lot of money and should never end up in a landfill. If you do not plan to reuse your cabinets at least donate them to a local charity like Habitat for Humanity or Good Will.

3. Check out home stores for good buys in cabinetry or rejects from manufacturers and cabinetmakers.

4. You can keep the boxes and just get new doors for a new look without some of the cost. I had a cabinetmaker make me paneled doors out of MDF and spray painted them cream. They did wonders for my kitchen and made my house sellable at the same time.

5. Make sure the style of your kitchen matches the exterior style of your house. This is important. My house did not sell because the house was very traditional and the kitchen was 80's modern. People who liked the house hated that kitchen. The house did not sell because of it.

6. Check out appliances that have a few dents or are lightly used. You can find good serviceable things if you can't afford new and perfect. Also look for in stock appliances that are on sale. Stores that keep inventory sometimes have sales. Paying cash might give you an edge for bargaining for better prices, too. Sometimes the only barrier between you and a better price is just asking. Have the gall to ask.

7. Consider using lower cost options for counter tops and floors. Butcher block or bamboo is way cheaper than granite and beautiful and functional. Ceramic tile is both functional and attractive and a good value, too. I'm going for solid surface with recycled glass for my next trick.

8. Look for used furniture that can be incorporated into your kitchen. An old buffet might make a great island. An old armoire could be a pantry. Get creative. You might get a really unique, furniture style kitchen for a lot less money.

9. Don't demolish the old until you have the new on site. Your job will go a lot faster. Keep your old kitchen until you have everything you need to make the new one. We installed our whole new kitchen in one weekend (2 days).

10. Meet code. Building codes exist to make buildings safe. You can download this data from your local government.

All our work was worth it. When we put our house up for sale again we advertised it in the local paper one weekend. It sold to the first lookers for the asking price and without a realtor.

We are making plans to put a "new" kitchen into our current home reusing the existing cabinets, replacing worn out appliances and moving the kitchen to another location in the house. It will not cost a lot of money. I'm too cheap to pay the pros and I'm not changing.

Paula and Ron Stone are lifestyle and financial professionals. Their companies include a private note buying business as well as an insurance agency specializing in group insurance for small businesses. Learn more at their websites, Note Buyer and Small Business Health Insurance

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Important Considerations While Remodeling Your New Kitchen

The vast majority of people who decide to start with home remodeling, start first with the kitchen; not surprisingly, since the kitchen is the focal point of the house. New Kitchen Manhattan remodeling can be expensive if you do not take under serious consideration some important tips.

Budget is definitely the first thing to consider. You should define your budget, because that can help you make other necessary decisions later on. We all want the best materials for our houses, but it doesn't always go like that. If you are on a relatively tight budget, or if kitchen is not the only part of the house you want to change, then you should make a priorities list. What needs to be replaced? Is there something that won't stand in the New Kitchen Manhattan you are making? What is the design going to be? Are you opting for a minimal design or something warm with wood cabinets and granite sink and boards? You can be as flexible as you want, when it comes to kitchens, or as flexible as you can afford based on your requirements and needs. This is your house after all and you will be living in it.

Home remodeling is usually confusing, since many home owners have a hard time deciding on the scope of work. If you are hiring a New Bathroom Brooklyn professional to rebuild your bathroom and at the same time you are making plans for your new kitchen Manhattan, then you should probably reconsider; having two major constructions simultaneously in the house is not good and is not convenient for anyone.

Moreover, when you are making your home remodeling plans, you do need to consider that building two of the most necessary rooms at the same time can cause an array of practical problems hard to solve. Decide on your new bathroom Brooklyn once you are done with the kitchen; take one step at the time and always start with the one that is more necessary and will take more time; if you intent to replace cabinetry and appliances, the cost and the time will be an important denominator on your next decision.

Sturat enjoys writing and sharing articles on topics like New Kitchen Manhattan and New Bathroom Brooklyn.

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Give Your Kitchen More Style

To many people a kitchen is the centre of the home. It is the common place to which people naturally tend to gravitate - after all, it's where the food is! Bearing this in mind, it is important to make your kitchen as comfortable and stylish to suit your individual taste and design. In fact, your kitchen can and should be an extension of your home. Today, many Brisbane kitchens are evolving to become an area where residents surround themselves in taste and refinement.

How to Select the Right Style -

Selecting the proper style for your kitchen can be a daunting task. There are many different options to choose from, ranging from a charming country look to a sleek and contemporary design. The layout of the rest of you home will generally determine the style you will select. Do you lean more toward clean white lines with accents of glass and mirrors? Or do the rooms in your home feature bold colours and a warm, friendly feel? The answer to these questions can help you begin deciding what direction to take in the design of your kitchen.

Help is available - Many people hire professional contractors to help them design their Brisbane kitchens with great success. In most cases, virtually anything you can dream up can be accomplished by a professional kitchen designer. This is important to keep in mind, if you feel that the look you want is simply not possible; always run it by a professional contractor before you decide to throw in the towel. The sky is the limit with the right budget.

Building Your Kitchen -

Once you have discussed and made a decision and have a rough direction for you overall kitchens look - whether it be contemporary, traditional or somewhere in between - you can start thinking in more concrete terms. Beyond the overall look of your kitchen, for instance, it is important to think about where you want your counters, appliances and other items to be laid out. As this is your chance to get things exactly the way you want them; it is best to take advantage of this by advising the contractor at the beginning of your preferences and whether they can be achieved.

In designing a kitchen, then, it is essential to think big - and small. Look at the big picture in terms of how things should be laid out, but also bear the small details in mind as well. No matter how small, don't leave any aspects of your kitchen design to change. With the help of a professional contractor, you can come up with a great new look for your kitchen and begin enjoying it in no time at all.

More Space Place understand that more and more people are learning that Brisbane kitchens do not need to be dull or utilitarian. Instead, they can and should mirror your own taste and style. For smaller homes using Murphy wall beds, kitchens can give the entire home a pleasant feel.

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Considering Several Materials For Making a Wonderful Kitchen Counter Top

Are you suffering from difficulties in finding the most wonderful kitchen counter top? Some people think it is intricate to get the proper counter top from their kitchen. If you are one among numerous people who have difficulties in hunting for the most excellent counter top, the following information may be advantageous for you.

Whether you are building a novel kitchen from scratch or just remodeling a bit, selecting the perfect counter top is going to be one of the first and most important steps.

Material for Your Kitchen Counter top

The initial thing you are going to have to do is make decision on the material you wish the kitchen counter top to be made out of.

Granite is the classic option. Consequently, if you are short of money, you will most likely have to choose another material for your kitchen counter top. There are enormous advantages of granite, including that it is more low-maintenance than other materials.

Marble is a little less expensive but good-looking as well. Marble is softer than granite. Therefore, it will need more maintenance than granite.

Stainless steel counter tops are also becoming awfully familiar. They offer plenteous of magnificent benefits. In consequence, they do not absorb odors, stains or germs. Be certain that high temperatures will not break your stainless steel counter top. Therefore, you can put hot containers or pans on it without worry of breaking your counter top.

The aforesaid overview shows us that you can still get a special kind of countertop if you choose the appropriate material which will suit to your budget.

Be sure that you take time and put much serious consideration into the process of choosing a kitchen countertop.

Please visit us on the web for more information articles about countertop at: Countertop Consultant.

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Factors to Consider When Installing a Kitchen Island

One of the most desirable and fashionable features in the modern kitchens nowadays is the kitchen island. They provide a very useful, utilitarian function within the kitchen but can provide a very stylish look to both traditional and modern designs. Some islands provide a mere extra work surface whilst others incorporate a sink and cooking hob creating a separate kitchen area in the middle of the room. There are a number of points to consider before purchasing or building a kitchen island:

If the island incorporates a cooking hob, adequate ventilation in the form of a kitchen range hood over the island is essential. This will remove noxious cooking gases and particulate matter from the cooking food. This is essential for the health and safety of all those using the kitchen.

The size of the kitchen will determine whether an island is appropriate. They are more suited to the larger kitchens as an island of adequate size may take up the majority of floor space of a small kitchen.

If you intend on running powered appliances on the island than a power source on the island is required and so will require the services of a qualified electrician to install. If this is something you are considering then it may be worth installing the fridge and freezer within the island.

It is important to get the right style of island to match the overall look of the kitchen. This can be improved if you are able to use the same work surface material as the rest of the kitchen. It is worth visiting show homes as these often great for looking at different styles and design ideas. They can also provide contact details of manufacturers and installers.

Performing on online search is another quick and easy way of looking at the various styles. It is also possible to get good deals by shopping online although sometimes it can be difficult to get the overall feel without looking at them in person.

If you are considering installing an island into your kitchen then shop around and anticipate how you are going to use your island in order not to make any expensive mistakes. When visiting a showroom take a long a list of the features you require to ensure you get all the features you need.

Many people nowadays are installing a kitchen island. This article looks at factors that you need to consider such as installing kitchen range hoods and electrical safety. The range hood is probably one of the most important health and safety features to take into account.

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