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.