Islands Ahoy

Blessed with a big, beautiful kitchen? Consider the benefits of two islands. In a two·cook kitchen, many traffic jams can be so avoided, but a twin-island scenario is not for everyone, says Annie Graunke with Martha O'Hara Interiors. "Consider your lifestyle to understand which scenario works best," Graunke says.

Traflic Flow First
Make sure your floor plan leaves enough space between islands and perimeter countertops to accommodate food prep and cleanup, Graunke says. Her firm recommends aisles at least 42 inches wide so open appliance doors don't impede traffic.

Function Follows
Understand how you'd use the islands. If you entertain often, you may want fridge drawers and an icemaker in the serving island, Graunke says. A baker may benefit from an island with a lower counter for rolling out dough. Place features where they make sense, she says. Homeowner Landyn Hutchinson’s central work island includes pullout trash cans on the side closest to the kitchen‘s main sink.

Strategic Storage
Two islands provide more storage. Designate storage that suits each island's location, thinking of the work zones nearby. Store platters and serving pieces in the island closest to the dining room and cookware in the island near the range.

Savvy Style
Having two islands doesn't need to mean matching looks, Graunke says- especially if you're going for a casual cottage style that mixes finishes and materials. In Landyn’s case, she wanted the island closest to the living room to be decked out in furniture- style details because of the visibility. "Don't be afraid to mix it up and make it interesting," Graunke says.

All The Right Angles

                         A few years ago, Nikki Van der Vord wanted to move. "We lived in this beautiful Colonial," she says, "but I love modern architecture, and l really wanted something more contemporary, or at least something we could make contemporary looking." Eventually, she found it: an angular 19505 A-frame ranch with an Asian feel.

                      The house had everything she desired—intriguing design, plenty of room for her family of fave, a good location in the same New York town they’d lived in for years—but it also needed an overhaul, beginning with the kitchen. "The previous owners, they were big entertainers," Nikki says. “But I don’t think they did much cooking."

                       The problem, Nikki says, was the home’s floor plan. The front of the house featured a beautiful space with big windows and a vaulted ceiling, but it was all taken up by a huge dining room. The adjacent kitchen lacked pizzazz, and that was a problem. "I spend a lot of time cooking, so it was really important to me to have a fantastic, state-of- the—art kitchen," Nikki says.

                       So with the help of architect Rosamund Young, the rooms switched places. The relocated kitchen, designed by Mel Elion of Bilotta Kitchens in Mama- roneck, New York, is long and tall, with the cook- top at one end, a breakfast area at the other, and a soaring ceiling in between. And yet it doesn’t feel daunting. In fact, it feels very comfortable, Nikki says. Two walls of windows make the space seem larger than it really is.

                     






  On one long exterior wall of the kitchen, opposite a fleet of hardworking appliances, sliding glass doors bring the outdoors in, effectively widening the space while offering easy access to a small  Japanese-style garden and the soothing sights and sounds of its pond and trickling fountain. Above the range, at the front of the space, is a triangular bank of sky-high windows, with the treetops they frame throwing splashes of green on the room’s neutral tones.
                       Everywhere, notes Elion, materials mix-walnut and marble, stainless steel and stone. And every- where, she says, geometry rules: in the play on proportions found in the cabinets; in the vertical columns that break the long wall; in the streamlined efficiency of the faucets and stools and overhead lights. "The room is modern , but it also has an earthiness to it," Elion says. "There are lots of luxurious features, but everything is functional."
                        Function, says Nikki, was key from the start, as she knew all along that this kitchen would be well- used. And so there’s plenty of storage ("I have so many gadgets, and I don't like seeing them all over the place"), abundant counter space ("my son does his homework in here while I'm cooking"), and all the amenities an avid chef could ask for ("I love the built-in coffeemaker"). Really, says Nikki, she lives here. "Take all the other rooms and leave me the kitchen. I’ll be fine." 

A storage wail near the breakfast area includes tambour doors that can be pulled down for a clean and modern look. A stainless-steel countertop separates the TV. microwave, and coffeemaker from the drawers and wine fridge below.

Homeowner Nikki Van der Vord loves the side·by·side ovens. "I like how they‘re at face level." she says. “I use them all the time." A warming drawer is hidden below. while the lift up cabinets above offer deep storage for cooking essentials. 

Just beyond the breakfast area. with its tulip table and Bertoia chairs, sliding glass doors access the koi garden. While the room has plenty of windows, lighting design was important, as large trees limit natural light.  

The Fridge Refined

Cover It Up

A fashionable cover-up once meant having a built-in fridge with wood panels applied to the front. Today, more and more manufacturers offer units that can be fully concealed inside a custom armoire. "Almost every fridge I do now is like a piece of furniture," kitchen designer Bev Adams says. Unlike an integrated built—in, an armoire can literally stand out. Any style is possible, from Asian to country French. Drawers are optional.  

Go Modern

Many people like the sleekness of a stainless-steel fridge. If sides are visible, wrap them with stainless steel to play up the look, Adams suggests. Connecticut designer Terry Scarborough likes to add matching accents to the room-stainless·steel toe-kicks and hardware, for example, or Parson-style steel legs on an island. That way, Scarborough says, "the appliances are part of the overall decor."  

 

Go Bare
A commercial-style fridge with a glass door is a great way to showcase fresh ingredients and see contents at a glance. It fits a variety of settings, but it's not ideal if you dislike clutter or seldom clean your fridge. "I End it’s usually men who like this option," Adams says. When it comes to the fridge, "women like to cover up." Une caveat: Some commercial units are noisier than their residential counterparts.

Make It Lock Built-in
Sheathed by cabinetry, even a standard freestanding fridge can look built in-especially if it's at the end of a run with an equally deep cabinet or cubby above, A "counter-depth" fridge is shallower, but unless it's a true built-in, the doors still won't fit Hush with standard base cabinets. For a built-in look, you can recess the fridge, or bring adjacent base cabinets forward and increase counter depth. 

Intersting Alternative : The Non-Kitchen Kitchen

You talk about designing a "room you happen to cook in." How does it differ from traditional kitchens?
It's all about feeling. l like my kitchens to feel more like other rooms in a home— rooms that are comfortable to be in.

How do you achieve this feeling?
We've designed kitchens without upper cabinets; instead, we incorporate open shelves that can be used to display more than dishes- sculpture, perhaps.

What other elements make up the “non-kitchen" kitchen? 
Such a kitchen feels very built-in. In this kitchen, for instance, one wall has a "hearth," which is the hood and windows. Another wall has a built—in Welsh cupboard, but it looks more like freestanding furniture. We always try to make room for seating so that people can literally sit in the kitchen. And most of the appliances are concealed.

How does the non-kitchen approach differ from more traditional approaches?
Rather than selecting a bunch of cabinets and organizing them, we design a room where you want to spend time, then outfit it with the cabinets and caseworks that support both comfort and function.

Sun-Washed Simplisity

Light pours in through tall windows that stretch up from countertop height. Custom cabinetry gives a built-in fridge and freezer a discreet presence, while stainless-steel surfaces downplay other appliances.

The custom Welsh cupboard displays favorite items, enhancing the room's comfortable appeal. An arched pass-through makes it easy to serve those in the adjacent family room/dining area.

        Two active parents and three athletic teenage boys makes for a very hungry and busy-family that wants to make the most of their time together. A big breakfast, cooked by a morn who likes things pared down and put away, is a daily event in this Georgia home. So an accommodating kitchen in a comfort- able, laid-back setting is a must.

         According to architect Peter Block, the room called for Belgian sensibility. "When you look at the things the Belgians do, you notice a clear order," he says. "The kitchen is very clean in its design, but there's a richness to it that comes from the details and quality materials used."

         The shiplap boards, for instance, rise three-quarters up the walls, providing a flexible barrier that blocks any bangs from passing lacrosse sticks. And the rich patina on the boards harkens back to the look of old farmhouse wood suited to the home's English country style. In addition to the shiplap boards, Italian plaster walls contribute soft texture.

         "The pigment in the plaster is actually ground-up limestone dust, and it's color- fast," Block says of the living, breathing surface, which hardens with age. “Old houses were built with plaster. It adds a level of authenticity."

          The kitchen's tall windows bathe the walls in light most of the day, bringing out the plaster's natural coloring. "The effect is luminous? says Beth Webb, the designer on the project. “You walk in and ask yourself why it looks different. It's hard to put your finger on it."

A wood side table with casters, a plank shelf, and hammered nailhead trim provides an extra serving surface where needed.

In keeping with the kitchen's clean lines, cabinet doors and drawers are inset and hush with the face frame. Square knobs are dimpled and easy to grab.

The range is topped with a clean-lined plaster hood that suits the room's neutral but elegant style. 

Stain, glaze, and distressing gives the Welsh cupboard an aged feel, as does dark metal hardware with ring pulls.

Rustic and Refined

         Laura Applegate spent months upon months mastering the mix that beautifully adorns the kitchen in the Los Angeles home she shares with husband Greg and two teenage sons. She traveled from cabinetmaker to stone quarry to glass store to tile studio and back again, selecting Spanish-influenced fittings and finishes that harmonized with her distinctive design vision and suited the Santa Barbara character of her under- construction home.

          During her journey, she worked with architect Scott Joyce and cabinetmaker Eric Fitucci to devise backdrops and a floor plan that accommodated her aesthetic preferences and her busy family's needs. Joyce had designed the residence for the property's previous owners, who sold the building site (complete with foundation) to the Applegates.

          “We fell in love with the ridge-top lot and Scott's plan for what was to be built," Laura says. "We did ask Scott to enlarge the opening between the kitchen and breakfast room and add doors from the breakfast room to the loggia. it was important to see through to the family room and to see or get outdoors from each area." Joyce‘s design incorporated clean-lined French doors, eyebrow windows, and arched doorways that direct the eye-and traffic-down hallways and between indoors and out. With the bones in place, Laura and Fitucci infused the kitchen with age-old forms and hardworking function.

       

          "I love Spanish style," Laura says. "I wanted the kitchen to be warm and rich, a little ornate, and with some color and lots of details. I love to cook and have people over, so Eric helped me devise a user-friendly layout and design cabinets with an old-world feel.

          " Fitucci designed cabinets with fine-furniture profiles that are arranged to optimize every inch  

of space. “We wanted the cabinets to be ornate without being over the top,” Fitucci says. "We used decorative moldings, seeded-glass panels, and beefy legs at the farmhouse sink and island to create the furniture look."

       The alder cabinet's intricate carvings and multitone finishes evoke high-end hacienda character, complemented by rustic tumbled-travertine floors and antique-white finishes that repeat on the paneled refrigerators and the island. Pretty and purposeful, the island is integral to how the kitchen looks and works. It supplies seating, houses a second sink and dishwasher, and provides a sweeping surface that connects the primary work spaces.
        "The big island gives me plenty of space for preparing and presenting food," Laura says. “Since we spend 95 percent of our time here, we needed somewhere at the island for all of us to perch. Having extended counters on two sides accommodates four stools, which we use a lot." Friends join the family at the island or sit nearby at the breakfast room banquette.
         The convivial kitchen and adjoining spaces combine for a wide- open great-room that offers a warm reception-a welcome that reflects Laura's personal aesthetic and hospitable personality. "Everyone loves the kitchen because it makes you want to come in and hang out," Laura says with a smile. "It‘s colorful, happy, and bright without being IDG much. It's a nice big kitchen with a strong visual connection to the outdoors. Every time I walk into the kitchen, I smile."  

Oil-rubbed·bronze faucets and hardware complement the cabinet's Mission-brown and antique- white finishes and enhance the room's old-world character. The home's front entryway leads guests to the kitchen and previews its Spanish influences. Moorish-style amber pendants, wrought-iron door hardware, and Barcelona-inspired red-clay floors reference Santa Barbara style











Woven stools trimmed in leather add texture to the kitchen's work space. Separating breakfast and family rooms, paneled columns frame arches that rise above half-walls housing storage.

How to Make Contrast Work

Cabinetry designer Russell Dearsley shares tips on effectively mixing light- and dark-hue cabinetry.


Why this color palette?
Transitional style incorporates both dark and light colors for a sophisticated, serene look. All white would have been too much of one finish. For us, it's all about the mix. It allows us to experiment, and both materials look great with polished nickel and stainless steel.

The kitchen features a number of cabinetry styles, colors, and Finishes. How do you make it cohesive?
We mixed framed and unframed, raised-panel and flat-door profiles, then used stainless-steel drawer fronts to give the kitchen a transitional yet timeless look. Natural wood adds depth to the white. Polished- nickel hardware and trim under the countertops and around the range hood give the space fresh style and an elegant feel.

How did you mix dark and light tones effectively?
We used the darker cabinets as furniture pieces and limited their use to the island and refrigerator wall-—areas not evident as you walk into the kitchen. Using light colors for the countertops, a simple white backsplash, and having 1o—foot ceilings also helps. With lower ceilings. the space would appear darker- you simply wouldn't get the same effect.


Any other important factors in tonal balance?
High glass-front cabinets add sparkle, and polished-nickel hardware is a great way to add subtle shine. Metal also acts as a transition between dark and light.

SMOOTH TRANSITION

Stainless-steel drawer fronts near the cooktop add bling, and matching finishes on the range hood trim and drawer pulls unite disparate materials.



Frosted-glass insets at the top of the cabinets and corner shelves near the cooktop add storage and interest. A milk finish on the white cabinets gives them sheen and depth.












White marble on the island keeps the cabinetry from appearing heavy. Simple drawer pulls project a vintage look. Storage in the island makes it easy for the Dearsley children to access essentials. 










The fridge wall includes two refrigerators, as well as everyday and seasonal storage. A rolling ladder allows access to upper cabinets. 

         As vice president of sales for Downsview Kitchens, a Toronto—area cabinetry company, Russell Dearsley spends a lot of time in beautiful kitchens around the world. When it came time to design a kitchen for his own home, he needed an elegant yet efficient space that would stand up to the everyday use of his family, which includes his wife, interior designer Dina Mati, and two active children, ages 8 and 11. He also wanted the kitchen to function as a design lab and showroom where he could tty new ideas and materials.              Tossing out the standard kitchen that came with their new home, Russell and Dina tweaked the floor plan to make the room their own. Russell tackled space planning and the big picture; Dina focused on the fine finishes and distinctive details.                                                                                                                          “I make frequent trips to Europe and believe that a transitional style is where the high-end market is headed," Russell says. "It's a very sophisticated look, but one that is timeless, too.                                                  "Key to the look, he says, is a deft mix of materials-in this case, off-white perimeter cabinetry, a dark walnut island and storage wall, and polished-nickel and stainless-steel accents, which add sparkle and sophistication. The long marble-topped island serves as the 2.4x17-fopot room's visual anchor and provides both prep space and storage. The family opted to forgo a sink in the island to make the space function better as a buffet for entertaining the avid cooks host weekly meals for extended family. To keep the range wall symmetrical, they eliminated a walk-in pantry from the floor plan, instead using the wall space to house a coffeemaker and appliance garage. "W'e didn‘t feel we needed a walk-in pantry with all ofthe storage we were planning," Russell says.

         The couple also added a bay window and curved built-in banquette between the kitchen and adjacent family room. "We eat there, the kids do homework, and we play games there," Russell says. Opposite the banquette, a tall wall of cabinetry provides ample storage, and its rolling ladder—reminiscent of vintage libraries—is a conversation piece but also highly practical. "With ceilings getting higher and higher, it’s almost a necessity these days," he says. 

        The kitchen has more than rnet expectations—those of both the family and discriminating clients. "The space works very well for us,“ Russell says. As hoped, it has also served as inspiration for others. "I’ve had people come to me and say, ‘I want your kitchen,' right down to the island chairs. lt’s a huge compliment and a real measure of the kitchen’s success."

Durable quartz-surfacing on perimeter countertops matches the island's marble countertop color.





Simple light fixtures complement stainless- steel and polished-nickel accents.

Velvet- backed chairs at the island provide seating with a touch of sophistication.

Beautiful Kitchens and Baths

Sink wall about 5 feet. Ceiling beams were added and hand-distressed with chains by the entire Juergens family-to complement the big chestnut column by the Fireplace (not shown).

        Maria Juergens knew just what she wanted. "A modem kitchen with all the conveniences, but not one that looked new," she says. "I wanted a beautiful kitchen that wouldn't look out of place in our 1919- era house.“ And then she saw it: "In a magazine-it was bright, cheery, and had this old, English charm." Maria describes her home as a "pretty, Southern- type of house," one of many in an older part of Knoxville, Tennessee. Her original kitchen was tiny, so she hoped to expand. But size, she says, was less important than style. "Maintaining the architectural integrity of the house was critical to me," she says. "I didn't want it to look like an addition."

       With that in mind, and with designer Heather Hungeling standing with her at the helm, the renovation began. Before long, they'd bumped out an exterior wall 5 feet and demolished a closet to reveal an aging brick fireplace. “We also widened the opening between the kitchen and the adjacent family room," Hungeling says. "Even with the expansion, the kitchen was going to be small, and we really wanted to include an island. So, the idea was to open the space up as much as possible."

        The new room is "very open and inviting, but not in that big, contemporary way," Maria says. Her new marble countertops are beautiful, and she loves the strikingly old-fashioned look of her European- made range. In the recessed cooking niche-capped with a stately mantel a delft blue-and-white-tile backsplash features pretty, hand-painted scenes of the countryside. Flanking it, delicate mullioned cabinets seem to float above the countertops.

        The fnrcelay apron sink was handmade in England, while to its left, and arm's reach away, a built-in plate rack occupies its own corner in the upper cabinets. "The rack harkens back to an earlier English kitchen," Hungeling says. "You would wash your dishes and place them there to dry."

A storage wall, with a central built-in refrigerator and pantries on either side, keeps the kitchen clutter-free. Floor-to ceiling pilasters add Victorian flavor and texture to the space. 




 

Maria wanted a bright, cheerful kitchen, Antique cream on the walls, white marble countertops. and abundant natural light did the trick. 

With the exposed brick of the fireplace, the distressed wood beams that cross the ceiling, the hardwood flooring salvaged from an old distillery, and the distinctly English color palette- a cream that Hungeling describes as “antique"-the space has become everything Maria hoped it would. “It's sunny," she says. “It's warm and cozy, full of character, and it feels old. It fits the house perfectly." And then there's the island, with its gentle curves, its dark teak top, and its tidy prep sink a spin from the range. “We managed to fit it in," Hungeling says, "but it wasn't easy." Maria, for her part, says her new island-her original kitchen lacked one-is indispensable. “I can make dinner there and watch my kids as they're doing homework in the family room. It may be small, but I use it all the time, and I love it.“

Handmade delft tiles line the niche around the range. 

Materials mingle: white Calacatta gold marble countertops, a fluted fireclay sink. and cream cabinets with brass knobs. 

The renovation unearthed an old fireplace that limited the opening between kitchen and family room, and Maria chose to keep it.

What new high-style kitcheh or beth dcesh’t deserve a bit of the Midas tcuch?

1. THG's newest faucet collection features handles by Daum, a handcrafted crystal firm founded in 1878. The Sun Dragon washbasin faucet boasts a sinuous faucet in polished brass and amber-color handles that remind us of coral.

2. A fresh take on the traditional sunburst design. this mirror is a signature piece with a. distinct presence. we like the effect. wouldn't you like to gaze into this gilded beauty as it gleams on your own dream-bath wall?

3. Comfortable in either a kitchen or bath, the Bijoux sconce is formed from handcrafted iron and finished in silver leaf. Inspired by the drama and dress of a Paris cabaret. the sconce is dripping in crystals. Who doesn’t love a little dignified bling?

4. We often describe hardware as the jewelry of a room, and from that perspective, this knob is a multicarat rock. Add it strategically to bath cabinetry. and your daily ablutions will take on significant sparkle.

How does the size of the kitchen affect the color palette choices?

Most people think a large kitchen can accommodate a lot of color, but I feel that too much color in a large space can be overwhelming, in such a setting, the space itself provides Plenty of drama, so I often use a more delicate palette to keep the overall impression in scale, in smaller kitchens, you can have more Fun with color because the space functions much like a piece of art thats viewed singly and in its totality.

Are there any ether factors that play a part in the color decisions for a kitchen?

The home's architectural style and its location are the most obvious elements we consider as we put together a design and color palette. For instance, in a historic Baton Rouge home, where many of the materials are natural or reclaimed, we're recommending a classic French palette with Mediterranean influences. For a home in the Hamptons, a white kitchen works perfectly. The kitchen's color palette is 100 percent project-specific. Designs and colors are chosen that make sense with what we're trying to achieve.

So the right presentation really makes a difference?

Yes, absolutely, but clients are slowly becoming more accepting of color, too. In the early 'gos. an adventurous client might choose a creamy yellow cabinet instead of white, and thats as far as it would go. Now l'm seeing more combinations of color. The willingness to take that approach began with the trend to give the kitchen island a different color treatment than the perimeter cabinets. Now that's feeling overdone. But as confidence in using color grows, bolder steps are being taken. Homeowners are opera to lacquered cabinets and grayer shades of oak. They're experimenting far more now than in the past.

Are there other ways you help clients become more adventurous with color?

Homeowners hire a designer because they want their kitchen's potential to be fully realized. They're seeking ingenious solutions, thoughtful ideas, and a clear picture of how their kitchen will look and perform. So when we as designers present a comprehensive overview that includes cabinet door, countertop, backsplash, flooring, and paint samples, as well as a detailed color rendering. they see how each element works with others. and they understand how introducing color adds visual interest and variety.

How do you and your clients arrive at the perfect color palette for kitchen?

While few clients have a definitive color palette in mind at the start of the planning process, they are often hesitant about venturing too far afield from a white or otherwise neutral palette. We take that opportunity to quietly encourage them to explore more options. There may be, for instance, a color that appears in other rooms in their home. a color they are clearly comfortable with. That color might serve as inspiration in the kitchen palette. And, too, the palette frequently evolves as the design evolves.

ANTICIPATE LOVING YOUR KITCHEN

The process will be long, rigorous, joyful at times, frustrating at others. Some decisions will be no -brainers, others will be agonizing. But in the end, you'll have a kitchen that suits your personal style in a way that no spec kitchen ever could. Meadors explains it best: "Success? That's when the client says. We're completely in love with the kitchen. We feel like we thought of all this." And as for the team, you cant remember all the hours you put into searching for the best answers because you feel so good about the final results."

PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS

As Merrell explains: "The best kitchens are the ones where clients fully participate in the design process" So never assume you are a silent member of the team, Prestwood says. "You need to understand the implications of the decisions you're making] he says. "Your duty is NOT to make our lives easier or to speed the process along."

MAINTAIN A DIALOGUE WITH A TRUSTED TEAM MEMBER

Your chief point of contact may be the team leader or the pro you know the best. In either scenario, you need to trust this person to keep you fully informed. "He or she needs to show you how the team is meeting your expectation of selections and show you that everything is on schedule," Meadors says. "He or she moods to reinforce your confidence in the team."

COUNT ON INFO BEING SHARED

With something as complex as a kitchen, errors can happen. But the number of mistakes can be reduced with direct lines of communication. Face-to-face conversations and on-site meetings help make sure everyone is on the same page. "We try to do the lion's share of design and refinement with everyone in the room at the same time," says architect Bill Prestwood. "That way we make sure everyone is in agreement." When time is of the essence, however, e—mail and smartphones often make everyone's lives easier. "Send everybody the sketch, get a quick response from every team member, and by the next day, we've solved it," Plowden says. But be careful, Prestwood warns: With e-mail, the opportunity for misinterpretation grows.

Be Aware of Rough Spots

Here's how you know when things are going well: Everyone feels a sense of ownership. Meetings involve frank discussions of budget, Schedule, and problems. Team members respond promptly to action items. And there's a vibe, Fenno says, because everyone is excited by the ideas being discussed. But sometimes things don't go so smoothly. Our panel of experts identified some red Bags that let you know an intervention might be needed.

• The team gives you a plan without asking for your input.

• You're surprised by construction details.

• Contractors don't have the information they need to move forward.

• You make a phone call and it doesn't get returned.

• Team members aren't communicating with you or each other.

• You feel clueless or don't understand the conversations going on around you.

• Every other week you ask, "Why haven't we gotten this done yet?"

EXPECT PROS TO RESPECT EACH OTHER'S EXPERTISE

To focus on creating the best product possible, team members need to check their egos at the door and em brace the power of their differences. That may be hard for design experts who are capable of creating kitchens on their own. "But when everybody's present, the whole level is taken up a few notches because everyone focuses on his or her area of expertise to the very best of their abilities," Stratton says. "And you need to have the humility to accept that someone else's ideas may be better than your own," says interior designer Pamela Plowden. "That comes with maturity and being professional."

APPRECIATE THE INTERIOR DESIGNER’S ROLE

Look to the interior designer to make sure the kitchen reflects your personal style and blends with the rest of the house. "We're all working together to create this comprehensive design," says interior designer Barbara Jordan. "As the interior designer, I finish off the kitchen at the level we would all like." Your interior designer also will make sure you can live with the choices you make. "Today`s clients love exploring whats out there," Shewan says. "They pick what excites them. But different things cant always be married in the same room. Your job as an interior designer is to keep clients focused without saying 'no' too many times."

VALUE THE CONTRACTORS ROLE

No one else will know more about the day-to-day reality of your project than the contractor who will look at the set of plans, determine what needs to happen next, and help the team (including you} better understand costs and time. "I figure out the implications of transformation," Meadors says. "Do we have to move a wall? Get water to a point where it's not? I surround myselfwith people who can answer those questions." Or as Jansen says: "It's the contractor who can best address how you move from paper to the real world."

UNDERSTAND THE KITCHEN DESIGNER’S ROLE

Kitchen designers spend 100 percent of their time steeped in work zones, cabinets, and other key components. So expect yours to be the person who fine-tunes the basic blueprint with you in mind. "We're acutely aware of the nuances of each element and how specific areas function," says kitchen designer Lance Stratton. Kitchen designer Linda McLain agrees, adding: "My goal is for clients to get what they want, but it`s also my professional responsibility to make sure clients understand what they're asking for."

RECOGNIZE THE ARCHITECTS ROLE

So you're getting ready to work with an architect. Expect this person to lead the team and to document the team decisions. As architect Becky Fenno says: "We're the big-picture coordinator. We bring our knowledge of structure and systems to the table." Plus, architects can help you visualize changes being discussed-in real time. "There's something magical about drawing something by hand for a client," says architect Allard Jansen. "That's important for us to be able to do."

VET POTENTIAL TEAM MEMBERS

Don't reinvent the wheel, our experts say. Start with a recommendation from a friend with a similar style to yours or the pro you already trust from a previous project. That pro likely collaborates with other professionals at the same level of expertise and commitment to client satisfaction. says contractor James Meadors, if you're considering someone new, ask for a client list. Then ask those clients questions similar to the ones listed below, if any of the questions elicits a "no," move on to the next name on your list.
-Was he responsive?
-Did she follow through with appointments and promised work?
-Did he give you what you asked for?
-Did she make you feel like you were being heard?
-Did you feel like the job was important to him?
-Did her project run smoothly and on time?

EXPECT THE TEAM TO DELIVER A TRULY CUSTOM KITCHEN

For our pros, the definition of "custom" is straightforward. You're the client. You're paying the bills. You deserve to get a kitchen that showcases who you are and what you value. Or as interior designer Michael Shewan says on behalf of his clients: "It should be uniquely them." You also should expect to see your vision brought to life, not someone else's. After all, no one knows you, your family, and your lifestyle better than you. "When bringing in pros, you should get close to too percent of what you wanted," says kitchen designer Beth Merrell. "Everything should be completely thought through so you're getting all the best possible options."

Serene Selutien

When empty nesters bought an older ranch heme in their neighborhood of choice, a local design due reconfigured the master suite, turning it into a quietly beautiful dressing area and retreat.

1. INSPIRED DIVIDE Erin Davis and Arlene Lord of Mosaik Design in Portland. Oregon, began by eliminating a wall between bed and bath, then floated back-to-back vanities on a partial wall centered in the space. The lady of the house says the thoughtful arrangement provides privacy and elbow room to "keep some of the romance in a marriage"

2. DREAMY DRESSlNG ROOM Using the newly open space to best effect, the designers designated an entire wall as closet space. Built-in cabinetry on the walls opposite each vanity provide more storage, turning the space into an ideal dressing room. The homeowners, who longed for a substantial walk-in closet, not only Find the reimagined space far more efficient but also highly livable.

3. NICELY NEUTRAL Frosted green glass set into the closet doors inspired an overall muted color palette. "We envisioned an understated, spa-like environment," Lord says. “We kept the colors soft- spoken and the lines clean and elegant, with a few feminine touches."

ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS

which hardware to use-and where—is sometimes crucial. Where doors or drawers meet at a 90-degree angle, a knob or pull may block full extension of the adjoining drawer. Where an upper cabinet door opens toward a freestanding fridge, the wrong pull might dent it. Cup pulls won't work for cooks who like to tuck hand towels th rough pulls, while those with canny pets may prefer cup pulls, as they discourage paw-holds. And cooks wearing belts or aprons with pockets will want to avoid knobs or pulls that can catch.

PAIR BEAUTY WITH FUNCTION

Beauty has many components, so choose hardware not just on looks but how it feels. Pulls must be offset from the cabinet far enough that lingers fit comfortably. Round knobs without a slender neck are difficult to grasp, especially when hands are wet. Because drawers are heavier than doors, pulls should be installed so the whole hand can serve as a lever And fridge pulls have to be particularly substantial, with no give in the center, to overcome the doors vacuum seal, if hardware doesn't work, it doesn't matter how beautiful it looks.

INVEST IN QUALITY

Quality hardware may seem like a large expense for such small items. But it`s worth the investment, because the hardware stays with the kitchen for its lifetime. This Baldwin hardware is tried and true. It's designed with attention to finish, scale, and detail that rivals extremely high-end lines—and it's available at many price points.

MIX STYLES APPROPFIIATELY

A kitchen is the most complex room to design; it requires layer upon layer of elements. Controlling the layers is important, so simple and elegant hardware often works better than fussy designs. Placing the more elaborate pieces on a wet bar or on a less prominent cabinet allows them to be distinctive rather than Overwhelming. And streamlined pulls are easier to clean.

KNOW YOUR STYLE

very classic designs are perennially popular. While some homeowners want highly detailed hardware, were seeing a desire on the part of more homeowners for hardware with clean, pure elegance—simple forms with proportion and restrained detail.

SEEK AUTH ENTICITY

Often when we re-create a piece of hardware in a classic style, we want it to look as if it was handmade by the artisans who originally designed it. To do so, we use a digital clay- modeling tool that lets us maintain a handcrafted look with a modern process. For example, the pattern on a piece of hardware with a ball- peen surface looked too perfect when cut digitally. So we reworked it using the tool to capture the randomness of real hand movement. Authenticity makes a difference.

LOOK FDR QUALITY

Hardware's beauty and longevity is dependent on material and finish. If you pick up a solid-brass knob and compare its weight and heft with a zinc knob, you immediately understand the quality of brass, it`s not always apparent once the knob is installed. The right finish depends on the homeowners expectation. Polished chrome lasts a lifetime, but some finishes, like oil-rubbed bronze. are meant to patina over time. Depending on the style of their kitchen, some homeowners like the fact that hardware wears differently on well-used doors than on those used less.

CHOOSE CLASSIC WITH A TWIST

One of our design missions is to look beyond the obvious, to invent elements that are instantly recognizable as part of an established architectural style but also new in some way. We push the boundaries of an architectural style but maintain the essence of the aesthetic. Achieving that balance- with every detail just right—results in a beautiful piece of hardware.

ISLAND OR PENINSULA

Having a well-designed eating area in your kitchen does more than increase the comfort and convenience of enjoying a bite there. It also can boost the room's efficiency and style. By providing a dedicated spot for dining. cooks won't have to sidestep or eject any visitors who have co-opted prime counter space for their afternoon snack. An eat-in area also adds a sense of friendliness as family and guests gather there. And its presence lends variety to the room's look. providing a furniture element that's sometimes missing in cabinetry- rich kitchens.

Beyond the existing (or, if you're building from scratch, anticipated) architectural conditions, there are a couple of factors to take into account in planning an eat-in kitchen: your family profile and your cooking habits. For example, a couple with young children or teens might benefit from a dining area on an island or peninsula. The easy-in, easy-out accessibility of these designs is well-matched to an active lifestyle in which informal meals are normal on most days, if a dining spot shares space on a peninsula or island, consider a split-level design. Even a modest elevation of 4 inches above the main counter surface helps delineate the eating area, keeping it from encroaching upon a busy prep zone and vice versa. Such a platform also screens any view of kitchen clutter from neighboring parts of the house. Plus, island and peninsula seating can provide a perfect spot for those helping with meal preparation or simply conversing with the cook.

SOPHISTICATED MIX

A striking combination of stainless-steel, granite, and marble countertops complements white lacquer cabinetry in this sophisticated and modern kitchen. Upper cabinets and built-in pantries show off aluminum frames and sanded glass. Sleek faucets, a range hood, and light Fixtures add to the contemporary look. Ebonized walnut panels with leaded - glass inserts cover the armoire-style fridge, softening the mix with a bit of English Gothic architecture.

INDUSTRIAL CHIC

Designed to capture the warmth and sophistication of a Paris chef's cooking space, this kitchen also expresses a clean, somewhat industrial feel. The 14-foot-tall ceiling allowed the installation of a double stack of glass-front, stainless-steel upper cabinets-accessible via a sliding library ladder—and high- gloss wenge wood base cabinets. Appliances, too, are stainless steel, including a substantial range hood, pot racks over the range and island, and a commercial-style fridge that mimics the glass-front look of the cabinets. Tightly set white marble lines the walls and a thick slab tops the island, while hand- scraped maple gives the floor a patina, industrial light fixtures over the island and both curved and angular faucets at me sink add to the fresh contemporary vibe.

STREAMLINED AND SUNNY

Decidedly contemporary, this kitchen gains warmth from a mix of surfaces. Oak cabinetry spray·painted a soft dove gray contrasts with dark, stained-oak floors. A similar deep-tone wood is used on the island, where it's topped with honed natural stone in a light neutral hue. Stainless steel makes multiple appearances in the perimeter countertops, range, and hood. Polished nickel faucets and brushed nickel hardware blend nicely with the stainless steel, as do the brushed nickel and glass light Fixtures placed strategically above the island.

GLOBAL MODERNISM

Diagonally set stainless·steel islands. a curved glass wall of sliding panels disguising an office area. and an

11th-story view turn heads in this high-rise condo kitchen. Designed to float in the center of the space to accommodate art pieces collected from around the globe. the kitchen is open to the main living and dining areas and also features a casual sitting area to help give the room a "high-tech meets ancient art" look. On the island and storage units, wood- panel drawer fronts are painted gunmetal gray less typical and traditional than a wood stain and door fronts are frosted glass. Track lighting curves strategically overhead, providing task light and a second curved element to the mix.