Live in the moment. That’s one of those great gems of advice passed down by our elders that holds a unique meaning to everyone who hears it. Live in the moment. For my clients, living in the moment meant living in a kitchen that was lost in the past. Eager to leave their Corian countertops and laminate cabinets behind, they called on me and my team at Design Connection, Inc. to bring their kitchen design out of the past and into “this moment”.

The layout of the original kitchen worked well but the design style my clients desired required a complete gut and update. When the house was built the sink was positioned in the center of kitchen, creating the perfect focal point. Unfortunately, the emphasis was placed on a simple sink, a blank backsplash, and a standard faucet.

Keeping the sink in the same location, the focal point of this kitchen is now a beauty to behold. The crisp and classic white herringbone Jeffery Court tiles pair perfectly with the new white inset cabinets and really makes a statement against the Newport Brass antique bronze faucet and accessories. Chosen for their durability and exquisite beauty, the new quartzite countertops add a stunning element to this newly renovated kitchen.

Glass front cabinets that flank the sink and add visual interest while the adjoining lowered cabinets add dimension and depth to the space. My clients loved the idea of blending traditional and modern components in their new kitchen; the X design featured in the glass cabinet fronts was a great way to tie in these transitional elements while keeping the design current yet classic.

One of the first steps in our design process is to determine not only what changes you would like to make, but how you currently use your space. How do you live and move throughout your home on a daily basis? What will your future needs be?

With insight into how this space will be used going forward, a new floor plan was created. As with all of our projects, from selecting new furnishings and accessories to kitchen remodels like this project, creating a to-scale floor plan not only ensures that the new furnishings are sized perfectly for each unique room, it allows us to us to utilize every square inch of space.

When designing custom cabinetry, we are able to hone in to your needs and create smart storage solutions that are tailored to your ideals. Because this entire kitchen needed to be gutted and rebuilt, this was the perfect opportunity to give my clients their dream kitchen, with attention to the smallest of details.

Designing a kitchen that has the perfect look and feel aren’t the only elements required in creating the kitchen of your dreams; well-thought-out custom storage is essential to attaining a high-functioning kitchen design.

Even with a large pantry, having your most used items close-at-hand is a gold star design element. My clients now enjoy easy access to their favorite spices, oils, and condiments with their custom 8-inch spice rack.

The needs of every family member are carefully considered when redesigning any space, including my clients’ furry children. This custom pull-out cabinet features dry dog food storage below and easy access to the family’s favorite cereals, crackers, and daily go-to snacks above.

Making clever use of space is one of my favorite challenges when designing kitchen remodels. I had a client once who used to keep a flashlight handy near her corner cabinet; she joked that she would go spelunking whenever she needed to retrieve a baking sheet. Blind corner cabinets can be deep and dark! For this reason I use corner cabinet pull-outs in many of my kitchen designs, like the Hafele peanut swing corner pull-out used in this project.

The built-in storage area was also on the list to update.

What was once a built-in bookshelf and catch-all is now a beautiful and functional extension of the kitchen.

Like the kitchen, the new bar area was designed specifically for my clients’ needs. Features like soft-close drawers with full extension allow for easy access to their sterling silver ware, table linens and accessories.  The quartzite countertops and backsplash maintain a continuous flow from the kitchen throughout this space. While the dark coffee bean cabinets blend beautifully with the flooring, the contrast against the white kitchen cabinetry makes this new bar area stand out in the most elegant way. If that doesn’t draw your eye in, the seeded glass doors, glass shelves, and LED puck lights most certainly will!

Design Connection, Inc. provided: Kitchen design, space planning, elevations, tile, plumbing, cabinet design, counter top selections, bar stools, installation of all products, and project management.

Check back with us soon for the second phase of this project—I am so excited to be providing new furnishings for the living room that accompanies this beautiful new kitchen!

Do you have a space in your home that is lost in the past? Do you need help “living in the moment”? We know that figuring out where to start can be the hardest part of a home decor update or remodel. We make your tough design decisions easy–Contact us for a complimentary design consultation. From choosing new furniture to re-facing your fireplace to managing a complete home remodel, we can help you with all of your dream home features, all under our roof. When visiting our extensive in-studio sample library, you can see and touch all of your design selections together. Not only can you make all of your design choices in one place, this convenience makes it easy to envision your new space and be confidant with your decisions. Contact us today!