April 2015

Details. Details. Details. These are the ingredients that make up a traditionally styled space. Classic and timeless, traditional style is one of three overall themes that describe kitchen design today. (The others being contemporary and transitional.) In a three-part series, we’ll take an in-depth look at each style of décor and learn about which elements—from cabinets to countertops—can be found in each style of space.

Kitchens work hard. Cabinets and countertops are among the things we utilize on a daily basis. And with today’s kitchens functioning as the hub of the home, they’ve become a “catch-all” for countless household items. Organization can be tricky, and not just for small spaces. Even the largest kitchens require careful planning and organizing for optimal ergonomics and function.

No matter what size of house you’re dealing with, designing a space for couples has its challenges. This is especially true when we’re talking about the bathroom. How do you create a sharable space in this intimate area that’s often also the smallest room in the house?

In a recent press release, Cheryl Dixon, Head of Brand and Trade Marketing for GROHE America said, “It has often been said in jest that separate bathrooms is key to a happy marriage.” But that’s not always possible, especially in tighter city spaces. However, with some strategic planning a single bathroom can work for two.

Ahhhh…the Man Cave! A space solely designated for the man of the house, where he enjoys his masculine pass-times. It’s the one space in the home where a man can break the rules of décor and perhaps decorum. A space where the man of the house can do as he pleases, right?

Of course natural stone countertops in the kitchen or bath are a status symbol of sorts. But there’s another area trending when it comes to countertops—the closet. Granted, we’re talking about large homes with roomy walk-in closets. And it’s certainly a luxury. But these closet countertops add a new element of functionality that’s getting lots of attention these days.

Did you know that in Georgia, marble is nearly as iconic in status as peaches? In fact, once a year, the public is allowed to tour the largest open pit marble quarries in the world during the Annual Georgia Marble Festival. Indeed, Georgia Marble has been mined for decades and has been used to create historic architecture around the world.

Ultra compact Neolith surfacing is ideal for kitchen countertops. Check out Neolith’s latest demo video below.

The Size, manufacturer of ultra-slim Neolith surfacing, proudly releases its new video “Cooking With Neolith.” The video features a trio of Spanish chefs preparing three recipes on a countertop made of Neolith’s Artic White surface.

Top design-inspiration website, Houzz, recently reported the findings of a reader survey on kitchen cabinet finishes and styles. Perhaps not surprisingly, white cabinets came out on top and Shaker is the style preferred by a majority of respondents. So, what does this mean for countertops and other kitchen surfacing choices? Read on…

First, let’s look at the complete findings. (Read the report here) Basically, 49-percent of those surveyed prefer white, taking it to the top of the list. At the bottom, a mere 6-percent select beige finishes. Only 1-percent more (7-percent) say Brown in their finish of choice, and 8-percent prefer Light wood. Grey, while a hot color for interiors, came in at only 10-percent. Darker and Medium woods factor in at 13-percent and 20-percent, respectively.