Favorite Kitchen Tools

Following a kitchen remodel, there are 10 products I love to give as gifts for clients to begin cooking in their new favorite space.  I even carry some of them in my showroom so I can present a gift, or someone can purchase a favorite tool for their friend.

1. Le Creuset Dutch Oven ($330) – I love this entire collection of pots for cooking just about anything.  My mom has had a set of this product for 40 years but the Dutch oven is an extremely flexible piece.  I use it for chili, pasta, sauces, soups, and you can use it for roasts, baking bread, and more.
   
2. Crate and Barrel Essential White Dishes . While they  have many different styles, I prefer this original rounded set. All food looks fabulous when served on a white plate. Restaurants use them for a reason and white dishes are flexible for seasonal entertaining and work in almost every color kitchen.
   
3.  All Clad 3 Qt. Essentials Pan   ($129) This is only one in the collection in the All Clad pots.  It has such a fabulous range of use for sauces, pasta, soups, to rice, quinoa and more. It's just the right size for so many things because it serves as a sauce pan as well as a skillet it's tall rounded sides.
   
4. KitchenAid Stand Mixer ($200) – This is indeed and investment and it's flexibility includes everything from eating bread dough, mixing up cake batter, making whipped cream, and they even have attachments for meat and pasta.  With the colors available, this can be left out in any kitchen and look fabulous so it can be used every time it's needed.
   
5. Mason Jars ($18 for 12) – All food that is left over should be stored in glass. I still don't like using BPA free plastics.  Mason Jars are great because they don’t stain like plastic and can go from microwave to freezer to refrigerator over and over again. They now have plastic screw tops that I purchase at Amazon.com, which seems to make many clients happier than having the double metal lid.
   
6. Le Creuset Spoonula ($12) – Whenever I find myself reaching for a cooking utensil, it’s usually this one. Great for scraping the sides of bowls or pots and works as a spoon too!
   
7. Krups Coffee Grinder ($20) – While  can certainly use this for grinding coffee, I don't drink it. It's a fabulous small appliance for grinding spices (nutmeg, mustard seeds, cumin seeds) and nuts.
   
8. William Sonoma Measuring Cups  ($20 a set). Not only do these have a fabulous weight and feel, they look great. I like to leave The most often new size in containers of oatmeal flour and baking products so I can instantly scoop out what I need.
   
9. Microplane Zester . ($12.85) This is ideal for grinding the peels from oranges, limes, and lemons, to create a fabulous zest. It adds flavor to food, you can add salt to your zest to make fabulous seasonings, and using zesty on dessert and certain dishes adds flavor and incredible ambience.
   
   10.  J. A. Heckles Pro-S Knife Set  ($299)  While this is considered a starter set, it has most every knife needed for daily cooking and is always at the top of knife rating lists. There are 8 in the set, plus kitchen shears which I use for more than food (:{ )!

Update your home right!

Don't just re-do your home without thought. It's smart to consider the future, your kids, a resale, and a  host of things before you make a change.  Whether you do a small re-fresh or a large scale remodel, do it right the first time.  Here are my top 10 thoughts:

1. Make wider doorways. Its' so much easier to get pieces of furniture in and out of your home, not to mention better accessibility for everyone in and throughout your rooms.

2. Install easy clean surfaces. You might love granite counters and stone bath floors, but are they easy to clean - maintain and seal - with your lifestyle? There are SO many fabulous and gorgeous options in quartz and porcelain that you should consider. 






3. Consider concealed storage. We all have 'stuff' and often get more without doing away with what we already have. I'm a kitchen accessory 'junkie'. Having organized and expandable space to have all of that is as important in my kitchen as it might be in your family room, kids room or master closet! Closed doors, covered baskets, deep drawers with dividers, and even open shelves with nifty containers, contains and makes everything neat and easy to access.





4. Put timers or sensors on light switches. Ever walk into a room with your hands full and trip on something in the way?  Do your kids forget to turn out lights?  There are SO many inexpensive sensors you can buy and install yourself (unless you're really not comfortable with wiring) that pay for themselves quickly.  Lights go on when you enter a space and off after a set period of time when you leave. Put a timer on a switch in a bathroom, closet or children's room and the lights will go off for you. Same with turning on entry and hall lights. Don't walk into a dark house and install a wall timer to schedule lights going on and off.  This is great for porch and patio lighting.

5. Ask for self closing drawers. If you're redoing a kitchen or bath, these are really nice to have! It makes them easy to open, keeps your drawers closed, and no one has to remember to close a drawer when you're all using the same kitchen or bath room.

6. Create an electronics charging station. With laptops, tablets, pads and smartphones, most of which need a unique port, if you create a landing area with all of the cords contained. You'll keep everything together and never misplace a cord again, not to mention the neatness factor....










7. Be sure to add better ventilation/natural lighting.  Even if you don't add windows, expanding the size of existing windows can bring more light and air into your home.  You can often save on air conditioning bills with properly placed ventilation. Having more natural light also helps cut energy use. If adding a new window might not be in the budget, but consider ceiling or wall mounted fans to circulate air, and solatubes that have LED backup.

8. Design drawers instead of doors on cabinets.  Why reach into a fixed shelf after opening a door, when a drawer can be a better storage option?  You gain better access inside - especially in deep kitchen cabinets - and certainly  make it simpler to use.  With new interior systems from  most cabinet companies, and good carpentry in custom fabrications, you get wonderful compartmentalization and organization too.










9. Try a zero clearance ethanol burning fireplace.  No, you don't need a chimney.  Take a look at the variety of ethanol burners. They can be installed in a wall, a shallow room, and have many size options that actually produce heat.

10. Employ energy efficient lighting design. DON'T simply replace one fixture with another. Consider placement, the amount of light you need, whether the fixture is even the right type, what type of bulb you use and you'll improve your lighting, energy bills, and even your use of the spaces you're updating.

Kitchen Remodel MUSTS

When you're ready to redo your kitchen, there are a number of things you should consider so your investment in cost and time is done right.  It's worthwhile to meet with a kitchen designer so you can maximize your space, your budget, and get enduring changes without skimping on what's important to you.   If you do a remodel and don't include a feature that you didn't think about, you'll regret it. Understanding materials, care and maintenance, technology and even trends are important both short and long term.

In a typical kitchen remodel, regardless of whether the budget is small or large, your percentages for spending will look something like this:

8-10% Electrical & Plumbing
14-16% Appliances
16% Walls, ceilings, floors, doors and windows
29-30% Cabinets and hardware
10% Counters
22% Planning, design and installation

You should visit showcase homes, model homes, showrooms, and think about the pros and cons of your existing kitchen.  You might find that you love specialty appliances like wine centers and pot fillers, but when you consider the cost, amount of use, and space required, they may not be worth the splurge.  Some things that you might think are over-the-top but are value added in the long run are second sinks, finished cabinet ends and shelves and drawers on full extension glides. In the Carlsbad kitchen above, I was able to include a host of useful appliances, carefully placed and concealed for a luxurious end result. Every cabinet was detailed to provide maximum use of space and finished so they blended seamlessly with the furnishings in the adjacent rooms.

Appliances can be tricky to select. Sure stainless is cool, but can you get features you like without the up-charge?  If you're  planning to conceal them, Do you need a professional grade appliance and the changes in counter depth, venting and ductwork that are required?  Is a dishwasher or refrigerator drawer a pro or a con? What refrigerator style works best for you and do you need to sacrifice interior space for an in-door water dispenser?  New cooktops offer fabulous features so be sure to check out options like induction.

Counter top materials get better every year. Granite is NOT the luxury surface it used to be. Quartz has many PROS and few CONS over stone, and the appearance is often more beautiful. Solid surfaces have new styles and benefits and the costs are often more reasonable than stone. Integrating sinks into counters is a huge plus. Combining counter materials like Cynthia Ryan did in this modern space is stylish and functional.

Don't forget to add space for recycling and composting.  Most areas of the country are actively participating in programs now, and more will make it mandatory for household food waste. 

Good lighting is KEY in every kitchen. Know local codes for lighting and be smart in using good, correctly lamped (the right bulb) fixtures. Understand the value of LED, florescent and even incandescent lighting and which works best in specific places in your kitchen.  Technology is your friend in lighting design and control, and a small investment enables a money savings and aesthetically fabulous long-term results. These Arts & Crafts fixtures are all warm LED and toe kick lighting accents the cabinetry around the peninsula serving as guide lights.

Know that there are  many flooring options and learn which is best for you. Wood, porcelain, vinyl, cork, ceramic and even linoleum have PROS and CONS for performance, durability, cost to purchase, install and maintain.  Wood is $8-40 per square foot installed but has performance and care drawbacks. Porcelain is $11-25 per square foot installed but colder underfoot. Cork is warm and $10-20 installed but does need occasional to coating. Linoleum has the best value at $4-8 installed, with beauty and design like never before, but seams are a must in large spaces.

Cabinetry is the usually the most expensive part of a remodel. Is wood better than laminate? Can you upgrade your look yet lower costs with veneers? Should use a custom fabricator or buy manufactured?  Understand the finishes and what will be more durable for your type of use. Antiquing and distressing is beautiful but not always worth the splurge. Consider that open shelves may be easier and better than closed door cabinets.  Be SURE that your interior fittings work for your lifestyle.

Plan a layout BEFORE you buy anything or demolish what you have. It may be better to change the position of your plumbing, gas lines and dedicated oven and fridge receptacles. It was key in this Coronado kitchen for me to relocate the gas line  for ideal work flow and a balanced kitchen. 

 Don't start without having all of your products in hand. Finding a sink you love only to find that it's back-ordered for weeks can wreak havoc with your life and the rest of the kitchen project. 

Tile Keeps Your Kitchen Current

Since the kitchen is considered the heart of the home, it's nice to keep it updated. We eat, entertain, and even do office and school work in our kitchens. When you're ready for a remodel, or even a change in appliances and surfaces, you want what you select to be enduring. Flooring is often wood, vinyl, cork, or tile (porcelain, ceramic and stone are the most popular).  Backsplashes are most frequently tile, although beadboard, stainless steel, and even painted finishes are used. We love tile since it's incredibly versatile, comes in a huge array of materials, patterns, colors and you can find or cut nearly every size and shape. The choice to use tile is a good one for flexibility, design freedom, ease of care and customization. 

Large scale tile makes small spaces seem larger.

Using tile is one of the best ways to customize a kitchen and allow for changes later. You can create patterns, add accent tiles, and then pop some out and replace with a different color or material over time.  In a small kitchen, swapping the dated 12" x 12" straight lie ceramic with a safer, larger, 24" x 12 porcelain tile, was easy, budget conscious, and made the room appear larger.  Consider porcelain instead of stone for busy kitchens. It's to care for, and even if you love the look of stone, you can have it since many manufacturers offer stone-looks that eliminate larger grout lines, filling holes, and regular surface sealing.  With rectified tile, you can create tight patterns and minimal grout joints for a very finished, nearly seamless look.

The Arts & Crafts influence backsplash in this kitchen can be changedby popping out the green accent tile and replacing with another materialor color in years to come.

For backsplashes, there are nearly unlimited options that can be combined. Let's say you opt for a 4" x 4" stone backsplash, and decide you want to update in 10 years. You can change some of the tiles for glass, and create a border, a pattern, and make a change in color. For very traditional kitchens, I love to create a custom pattern over the stove or cooktop.  I consider the options the client loves today, and allow for the possibility of changing out some of the decorative tiles over a long period of time, while leaving the field tile in place.  Ten years ago, I designed a backsplash with granite and porcelain tile.  This year, we're popping out some tile and replacing it with metallic tile.   Glass tile is hugely popular now. Some installations are Mid-Century Modern style and will be enduring, and some are highly colored and patterned and may become dated over time. Changing out tiles, especially mosaics, will be easy over time. Recycled glass tiles are less popular, but with environmentally conscious products being more favorable and available, they will likely be enduring for many years.

Glass backsplashes are gorgeous. This one has recycled
tile and a crisp ceramic accent tile.

Must-haves in kitchen design.

We all love to look at new designs and check out the trends. We can use them in our own homes and be smart and savvy in our design.  However, there are some essential elements that make a kitchen truly comfortable to live and work in.  Here are my top 10:


1. Make the floor comfortable.   A mat by the prep area, sink, bake counter, or stove will keep knees and backs more comfortable.  Cork flooring does that naturally, but area rugs and specialty kitchen mats are a great addition to a finished kitchen.


2. Have the best lighting possible. Under and over-lit kitchens are not pleasant to work or be in. Task lighting where you need - over sinks, cooking surfaces and prep counters - it is ideal, and ambient lighting for general use works well for eating, re-stocking, cleaning and gathering. A combination of recessed and ceiling fixtures works well for most spaces; using LED and halogen bulbs on dimmers will provide clean, white light at the perfect level.


3. Keep surfaces clutter free with optimal storage. Rather than leaving oft-used items like spices, cooking utensils and small appliances out, find a handy place to stash them. When you need cooking space, having to move items around is cumbersome.  Tuck a narrow cabinet for spices next to the stove, create shelves for easy-reach of oils and seasonings, and make homes for appliances right where you use them. 


4. Make the distances between counters, appliances, sinks and key usable areas precisely right so there are no long reaches, easy access from one point to the other, and large enough not to feel cramped.


5. Update appliances that don't perform well. Having an inadequate dishwasher, a noisy refrigerator motor, or an oven that doesn't heat evenly, is stressful and likely not energy efficient. 

6. Add color for interest and to create a desired mood.  Spots of color, changes in color between the upper and lower cabinets or an island, and accent walls, can create energy and a focal point. 


7. Create a gathering area. It's often nice to have company when cooking, and an extra prep area is nice but not always possible, but place comfy seating nearby; a padded stool, great counter chairs, even a fold out bench!


8. Add a touch of personality.  Hang a favorite piece of art, a collection of your children's masterpieces, and place travel mementos on shelves. You might find that a collection of glass jars becomes a great display filled with kitchen staple items.


9. Bring in a plant or flowers.  Even a tiny apartment kitchen will feel warm and happy with a few flower stems tucked into a glass.  The greenery, the color, and the texture is relaxing and pretty.

10. Have one movable prep surface. In a small kitchen, preparing a large meal can take up all of your counter space. By having a large cutting board, you can take it anywhere and add a kitchen surface. In large kitchens, it's nice to have a rolling prep center for large meals, baking projects and more.  It can serve as an island every day, or roll into a pantry for use when needed.

Trends in Kitchen and Bath Design

It's important to know design and technology trends when remodeling your kitchen and bath. Kitchens can be costly, and it's smart to use the best quality products and maintain current code and technology standards. Aesthetics are as important as function, and understanding what's available will give you a long-term advantage for style, usefulness, and more. Since sustainability in purchasing, using, and ultimately discarding products, is a way of life, knowing what is 'green' and why will help you make the right decisions for your remodel.

The age of remodelers plays a tremendous role in design trends but is 'flattening out' as technology and aesthetics cross generational lines.  For the first time ever, 4 separate generations—Gen Now (ages 15-34), Gen X (ages 35-44), Zoomers (ages 45-65) and Prime Timers (ages 66-plus)—are interacting, influencing and coexisting closely with one another. While each has its own set of needs, together they are reinventing the rules of what a kitchen and bath should be, whether it cater to youthful technology savvy, a passion for entertaining, the quest for wellness or the desire to age comfortably in place.  Sure "Zoomers" are opting for easy of use and maintenance and "Generation Now and X" opt for clean lines and high technology, but overall, kitchen and bath styles are moving towards sleeker lines - no ornate details - and simple outward appearances, with function that makes operation and use fast. Whether it's due to a busy lifestyle or arthritic joints, new cabinet hardware that enables automatic opening, remote controlled shades, and faucets that turn on when you place your hands underneath, are all products that are here to stay. Long-term value and quality are must-haves for any kitchen or bath, as durability is key for homeowners raising families, as much as for those who have resale value in mind. Aging in place elements provide fabulous function and aesthetics across generations, and will be key elements when selling a home. 

Black chrome faucets

Formica has a new look and edge styles.

A savvy new toilet by Kohler.

Adding color to a neutral kitchen is hot (literally).

Color is more earthy overall, yet mixing in bold color is new.  Plumbing fixtures remain popular in chrome, but new black and midnight chrome are gorgeous and enduring. Sinks are available in earthy browns, grays and with suede finishes, and vessel sinks continue to be an opportunity to add style and a unique focal point to bathroom design. Glass is beautiful as well as functional for vessel sinks and even kitchen counters. Grey and white are popular in natural stone tile and quartz surfaces, as well as appliances. I see products that enable a more personal design alternative. For example, updated quartz and paper - yes paper - countertops, glass backsplash tiles, and even Formica, have textures, colors, and patterns that will work well today as for the long-term. Cabinet colors lean towards white and ivory, but dark stains are still in vogue.  White tubs, toilets and sinks are still king in the bath. Blending with large format porcelain tile in deep gray, makes an elegant and easy care statement.

Integrating products seamlessly into the spaces remains a top trend. From refrigerators that blend right into the overall cabinetry to drawer inserts that provide quick access to hard-to-reach spots, these new storage solutions generated new, unexpected openings for work spaces. Concealed kitchen shelving and extra-wide sinks boasting functional colanders and cutting boards within were also heavily featured, as storage possibilities spread from not only closets and the garage but to the kitchen and bath as well.

  Advanced technology from products that include smart phone applications to designs that mix light and sound in the bathroom. Toilets can now determine how long you’ve been sitting, or open the lid as one walks toward it, and even wall sockets are built smarter to incorporate direct USBs plug-ins for consumers using laptops and charging their phones in the hub of their home, the kitchen.
Once a buzz term, “green” has become engrained in the kitchen and bath industry. What began as an appeal for eco-friendly products and materials in the home has now transformed into holistically sustainable spaces that encourage healthy living behaviors by those inhabiting them. Designers, architects and manufacturers alike are rethinking the word “green” to encompass a complete lifestyle, and as a result, its definition has expanded to include descriptors such as “authentic,” “American made,” “character,” “local” and “organic.” It's now easier than ever to go green. High-efficiency toilets and showerheads are the norm and can easily be installed or retrofitted in any home. Recycling has even become easier, with compactors that can silently crush cans installed right into kitchen cabinet space. Technological advances like motion sensor faucets and lighting have become more sophisticated, helping to save both water and energy. 

Great products that give an update to traditional styling.

While contemporary design is emerging in furnishings and fixtures everywhere - just pick up a magazine or store catalog to see the trends -  most of the US loves traditional product design.  Chrome finishes, white tiles, and beige paint are the norm. When undergoing updates or remodels, it's nice to add products and finishes that while classic, have a fresh new look.  Not only do you gain technology - water efficiency and environmental friendliness - you often gain function with better scale, finishes, and performance.  I've found a few that I classify as transitional since they feature classical design style but a sleeker look that may appeal to hard-core traditionalists as well as those who want to add modern flair to their homes.

Faucets: Watermark makes this widespread faucet with classic styling but longer spouts, lever handles to comply with the principles of universal design, and a durable chrome finish. It would look at home on a pedestal sink or in a master bath suite. They offer multiple finishes and an array of styles in products for kitchen and bath. 

Moen has a wall-mounted faucet in three finishes, for traditionalists that love vessel style sinks but not the tall deck versions. A softly curving spout, updated lever handles, and beautiful porcelain inlays, make this the perfect blend of old and new. Available in three finishes and inlay options.

Bathroom vanities:  The shaped legs, rich wood, and marble top on this Kalista vanity are traditional features that are updated by the slim lines. A larger counter surface is balanced by a nicely scaled sink. In a small bathroom this is dynamite when paired with marble hexagonal or subway style tiles on flooring and walls.

Xylem also has some vanities that cross the boundary between Craftsman and Modern. Their Capri vanity in a deep espresso finish has nice finish details that offer a nice transitional style.

Lighting: The Massena pendant is Hudson Valley Lighting’s contemporary update to a classic schoolhouse light fixture.  Available in two sizes, the light features a metal shade and a metal frame, with a round ceiling canopy. Pendants can be specified in old bronze, polished nickel, satin nickel, and white glass with polished nickel accents.

In an updated brushed nickel finish, this wall sconce by Brass Lighting Gallery is a fine example of a more linear, modern edge for a bath sconce. Wonderful for a powder room or guest bath - in pairs - and the lines can be perceived as Deco and Retro if you're aiming for period style.

Sinks: The Shaw farmhouse sink by Rohl is another great example of better technology applied to classically styled kitchen sink. Its fireclay material resists scratches, thermal shock, alkaline and acids, and maintains radiant appearance. 

Hardware:  Baldwin has added a fabulous style search to its website. You can identify your preferred style by room photos and hardware finishes.  Their line of Classic Hardware has everything from embellished to simple knobs, levers and pulls and you can find some wonderful transitional styles for your project. 

A weekend update for your kitchen.

We all love to renew our homes and do so on a budget, in a timely manner. Here are TEN do-it-yourself ideas to re-new your kitchen in one weekend.

From drab oak wood to fresh ivory paint.

1) If your wooden cabinets are in great shape but your kitchen looks dated or tired, new paint is the answer. I recommend Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams paints and primers. 


2) New hardware for the cabinets make a tremendous difference so swap your old knobs and pulls for a new style and finish. If you're painting cabinets, you can fill holes and go from knobs to pulls.

3) Add or change your backsplash.  If you have only drywall, adding a backsplash is easy.  Many big box home centers have weekend classes on installing tile.  You can remove the dated ceramic tile and install new, or try beadboard for a new look.

New pendants and under cabinet lighting.

4) Update your lighting.  Try www.lampsplus.com for well-priced kitchen pendants and flush-mounted fixtures. Install  under-cabinet lighting.












5) Swap some cabinet door panels with glass for a great style. Use reeded glass - have  a glass pro cut to the right size - for some obscurity, and clear when you want to display what's inside the cabinet. Can't cut out the panel? Cover with fabric, a great decal, or other creative idea.








6) Remove some doors and expose the shelves.

7) Swap your faucet for a new style. Take out your old chrome faucet and install a new stainless one with a spray head for under $100. Check out the prices and styles at your local big box hardware store.



8) Paint. For a really quick change, just paint your walls. A bit braver, paint the floor instead of replacing it. You can even cover old ceramic tile with the right paint.


9) Remove a cabinet or two.  If you have a joined family/kitchen space, you may have ceiling mounted cabinets dividing the two areas. Taking them down will open both spaces, adding pendant lighting will make the space task-oriented and gorgeous...just be sure you can remove the storage.

10) Add a furniture touch.   Adding moldings, legs, corbels and other furniture details can transform existing cabinets.

Dishwasher news you will love.

Doing the dishes is a fact of life.  You can make it easier - and stylish - while saving water and energy. New kitchen products are introduced annually, but it seems as though dishwashers are one of the most often upgraded appliances.
Check out the options and features on these new products.

Fisher Paykel has designed a single DishDrawer for small loads. A great solution for a one or two person household and those needing to wash smaller loads - kids baking projects come to mind.   Its height enables large pots, platters, plates, and bowls to be placed effortlessly into the drawer. The independently movable racks fit all sizes of cups and mugs or can be folded away to maximize space. Using less than 2 gallons of water, the DishDrawer is priced reasonably and installs easily.

Kitchen Aid's new version of their sink -dishwasher is Briva. Ideal for small households, a wet bar, or vacation home, it has the capacity for 5 place settings as well as large serving pieces and pots. Its lid pops up when the cycle is complete. The cutting board creates additional preparation space and the steel lid doubles as a place to rest hot pots.

Touted as the "world's most intelligent dishwasher", Miele just released Futura to the market.  With adjustable trays, baskets, and racks, the interior fittings are flexible, and their 3-D cutlery rack solves a host of washing issues. Computerized programs offer up to 16 washing cycles, adjust water temperature, monitor drying and save 35% more water than previous generations. An interior light turns on when loading and the auto open drying feature allows steam out and ambient air in.  Check out the features at http://www.mieleusa.com/. Its sleek styling is hard to resist but the cleaning capacity is awe-inspiring.