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Common Questions to Ask When Beginning Your Kitchen Remodel

Your kitchen is the heart of your home serving a multitude of purposes for you and your loved ones. When it comes to the heart of your home, you want to make sure it’s entrusted to someone who will respect and cherish it. That’s why choosing a remodeler is one of the most important steps in your remodeling journey. But, how do you know which remodeler is right for your unique project? Follow these 4 commonly asked questions when beginning your remodel journey to ensure your home and vision are taken the upmost care of.

1. What experience do you have with this type of remodeling project?

Remodeling contractors often have different skill sets and while one might have done a great job on your neighbor’s garage or backyard shed, that doesn’t make them qualified to remodel your kitchen or bathroom. Ask potential contractors for a list of past projects they have completed that are similar in scope to what you have in mind. Don’t hesitate to contact prior customers for their thoughts on contractors work quality, adherence to schedule, and overall competence. The same can also be true when considering the dollar amount of a project – a $30,000 kitchen remodeling project often requires a different level of expertise than one that costs $3,000.

2. Can You Work Within My Budget?

The perfect kitchen design doesn’t do you much good if it’s out of your price range. Discussing budget early on will allow a designer to give you an idea of whether or not they will be able to work within your budget. You don’t want to work with a designer who only designs with very high-end, expensive products, if your budget is more in the middle range for kitchen remodels. Be honest and firm with your kitchen designer about your budget and early on make sure your remodeling dreams are feasible with your budget.

3. How Much Input Will I Have?

Hiring a kitchen designer is for the sole purpose of creating a space that suits the needs and desires of you and your family- not a kitchen that demonstrates their talent for design. An excellent kitchen designer should take time to find out what remodeling ideas you have, your family’s lifestyle, and even tie their work in with the overall style of your home. Find a kitchen designer who is willing to make your ideas be at the center of the project not backstage.

4. Can I Review Examples of Your Past Work?

Samples of past kitchen design work is a must. You need to know if the designers have experience creating a number of different kitchen design options and ideas to consider. You should eliminate any kitchen designers who seemingly use the same design elements over and over again. Instead, you want a designer who can be versatile and eclectic in style and design choices. You want to interview designers who are creative thinkers with the ability to clearly communicate their design concepts.

Kitchen Solvers

At Kitchen Solvers, we want to ensure that you, the homeowner, protect and preserve your beautiful kitchen. The most important factor in how to make a kitchen remodel easy is getting help from professionals. At Kitchen Solvers, our expert design team can help you create the ultimate kitchen that fits your budget and offers some of the best features and styles available.

And be sure to read our helpful articles: How to Make a Kitchen Remodel Easy and Confused about Cabinet? A Guide to a Cabinet Reface or Replace!

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Bath Remodels Most Popular Home Project, Study Finds

SEATTLE, WA — Bathroom remodels are the most popular project for homeowners to tackle, with consumers seemingly willing to pay a premium for “spa-inspired” bathroom features, a major new research study has found.

According to the study, conducted by the real estate website Zillow, more than half of the homeowners surveyed would consider a bathroom renovation in 2022. Buyers also are willing to pay a premium for spa-inspired bathroom features such as curb-less showers (3.6% price premium), heated floors (3.2%) and free-standing bathtubs (2.6%), Zillow said.

Kitchen remodels are also widely popular, with Zillow’s research finding that 46% of homeowners would consider that project in 2022.

“Luxury kitchen amenities were must-haves over the past year, and that will likely continue as people spend more time cooking and eating at home,” Zillow said, adding that 72% of the homeowners surveyed will consider at least one home improvement project in the coming year.

“Most homeowners say they plan to stay in their current home for at least the next three years, and while uncertainty, pandemic precautions and affordability concerns keep many homeowners in place, most are willing to consider improving their current home,” said Manny Garcia, a population scientist at the Seattle-based Zillow. “From adding a backyard cottage to improving a bathroom or renovating the kitchen, most homeowners say they would consider at least one home improvement,” Garcia observed.

Creating more livable space is a consideration for many homeowners, Zillow survey data shows. Projects that are highest on their wish lists for 2022 include adding or improving an office space (31%), finishing a basement or attic (23%), and adding an accessory dwelling unit or guest house (21%), company researchers said.

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KBIS Plans Proceeding Amidst Strict Virus Protocols

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — The National Kitchen & Bath Association and its partners for February’s Design & Construction Week continue to consult with Epistemix, a third-party modeling system that predicts the progression of disease outbreaks, as plans proceed to stage the 2022 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and concurrent International Builders Show (IBS) as live events in February, show organizers said.

The NKBA and its trade show partners, Emerald and the National Association of Home Builders, announced that, based on the latest data modeling from Epistemix and current DCW Health & Safety protocols, “we feel confident we are creating a safe environment to conduct business” at the annual event, scheduled for Feb. 8-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The 2021 KBIS and IBS were converted to digital events in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The countdown to KBIS 2022 and Design & Construction Week in is on, and we are looking forward to hosting over 60,000 residential design and construction professionals for a fantastic in-person event,” said Brian Pagel, executive v.p., and Jason McGraw, group v.p. for Emerald. “As the event is quickly approaching, the safety and wellbeing of our attendees, partners, exhibitors, site workers and staff remains our top priority.” Pagel and McGraw said that show organizers will continue to monitor health and safety recommendations through additional Epistemix modeling in early January. The KBIS show team will host a webinar in mid-January to outline their findings and detail the health and safety protocols.

All attendees and exhibitors at the three-day event will be required to provide a negative test OR proof of vaccination to access the convention hall. Masks will also be required in the Orange County Convention Center, as well as on official shuttle buses, show organizers said.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Orlando for an incredible show experience,” Pagel and McGraw said.

Current health and safety protocols for Design & Construction Week can be accessed at the NKBA’s web site, www.nkba.org.

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Kohler Details Progress on Key Corporate Initiatives

KOHLER, WI — Kohler Co., the Kohler, WI-based manufacturer of plumbing products, tile, cabinetry and lighting, has outlined a series of steps the company is taking to adhere to corporate commitments tied to social, governance and environmental issues.

Kohler’s 2020 Believing in Better Metrics Report, released in August, addressed the progress being made to reduce the company’s GHG emission intensity, waste-to-landfill intensity, water-use intensity and other key initiatives.

“While Kohler celebrates creativity, diversity and innovation in all its forms, we know we can do more to protect the planet, build resilient communities and enrich the quality of life for everyone,” said Laura Kohler, senior v.p./human resources, stewardship and sustainability.

Among the highlights of Kohler’s “Believing in Better” initiative were:

n A reduction in operational intensities since 2008 that has cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 48%, operational energy use by 22%, waste-to-landfill by 47% and water use by 46%.

n  Generated more than $1 billion in sales from environmentally favorable products in 2020.

n Completed more “Design for Environment” (DfE) projects, an incubator for developing products that are better for the planet, than in all previous years combined.

n Pivoted manufacturing facilities to produce and donate 80,000 face shields for frontline workers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

n Provided 3,500 showers for the unhoused.

n 26 teams competed in the annual Innovation for Good I-Prize, an internal competition that encourages associates to develop solutions with a social purpose. Three ideas were awarded funding for incubation.

n  More than 1,600 associates from around the world united around various communities and their allies, including launching a “hate has no home” education and fundraising campaign.

“Kohler is committed to providing access to safe water for communities around the globe, delivering innovative solutions to address pressing social issues and strengthening its efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion,” Laura Kohler said.

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KSI Acquires MI-Based Cabinet Company

BRIGHTON, MI KSI Kitchen & Bath, a leading kitchen and bath design firm in southeast Michigan, has acquired ASA Cabinet Corp. from second-generation owners Steven, Eddie and Mickey Shapiro, the company announced.

Under the terms of the transaction, the Wall Lake, MI-based ASA Cabinet Corp. will become a KSI Kitchen & Bath location. A renovation, scheduled for 2022, “will create a fresh, contemporary showroom experience to welcome additional retail traffic,” KSI said.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome ASA Cabinets’ associates into the KSI family,” said Tony Achatz, president and CEO of KSI, headquartered in Brighton, MI. “Their combined decades of experience supporting the cabinetry needs of southeast Michigan’s builders will aid us in fulfilling our mission to be a leading provider of home interior products for builders, contractors and consumers.”

ASA Cabinet Corp served as a partner company of ASA Builders Supply, a leading supplier of mouldings, doors and stair parts that was founded in 1952. The Shapiro family will retain ownership of ASA Builders Supply, KSI said.

“The sale of (our) cabinetry division allows ASA Builders Supply to focus on our mouldings, door and stair parts business, while creating the opportunity for ASA Cabinets customers and associates to grow and the business to flourish under the leadership and vision of KSI,” said David Shapiro of ASA Builders Supply.

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Luxury Clients ‘Crave Experience,’ NKBA Research Reveals

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — Luxury kitchen clients want an authentic, original design that marries beauty and function, along with elegance in simplicity, precise execution and a personalized scheme – from aesthetics to function – that meets their specific needs. Above all, they “crave the overall experience” that results in their dream kitchen.

Those are among the key findings revealed at a recent National Kitchen & Bath Association summit entitled “Luxury Defined.” The online event, sponsored by Cambria, the Le Sueur, MN-based quartz surfaces supplier, was based on exclusive, qualitative research that studied the key factors that elevate a kitchen to the luxury space, according to the NKBA.

“Luxury is a differentiated renovation experience that provides an ‘elevated’ living experience,” said Tricia Zach, head of research for the Hackettstown, NJ-based trade association. “It’s not about the amount of money that’s being spent.”

Rather, Zach said, “luxury happens when proven designers navigate clients skillfully and efficiently; numerous possibilities are optimized (needs, preferences, values, the art and the science, expertise, materials, products) and options are intentionally curated and executed to deliver an elevated living experience, with less risk and regret.”

“A luxury kitchen is an experience,” Zach said, “how it makes the homeowner feel and how it serves their family’s needs. It’s personal, a clear reflection of the client’s personality and lifestyle. It’s simple, with everything having its discreet place and no room for the extraneous. And it’s beautiful, emerging from a layered design, a harmonious blend of color, materials and surfaces (with) natural and organic elements combining to showcase artisan details, and create a unique and compelling space that’s timeless.”

Besides being affluent, luxury clients, said Zach, “are discerning, lead full, active lives and love to travel.

“They recognize beauty in everything, from nature to architecture,” Zach said. “They’re also collaborative and excellent listeners, but they want and expect to be heard. They’ve thought about their dream kitchen for a very long time and come prepared with examples of the design elements they want to consider.

“They’re definitely outcome-driven,” Zach added. “Most have a specific vision, or if they don’t, they expect their kitchen designer to deliver a finished product that will delight them, and they’re willing to invest to get that result.

“Finally,” she said, “they value and trust expertise, and understand that they absolutely need a kitchen designer to navigate this lengthy and complex undertaking. They know it’s going to be a process, not always smooth, but the result is a realization of a dream.”

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2021 Award Winners

“Less is more” was a phrase heard often during the judging of the 2021 Kitchen & Bath Design Awards, sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News. Six of the industry’s leading professionals gathered to assess the entries, and while all were struck by the beauty of the entries, they gravitated toward the designs that were streamlined, well thought-out and didn’t try to do too much within the space.

The right details were also key to the winning designs. Clever storage tucked into niches, paneled appliances that deliver a more cohesive look and exceptional cabinets, lighting and hardware were among the elements that elevated the leading entries.

The best of design is what is being celebrated in the 33 spaces that have been named winners of the 2021 Kitchen & Bath Design Awards. Over 200 projects were judged in 11 categories: Best Kitchen Over $225,000; Best Kitchen $150,000-$225,000; Best Kitchen $75,000-$150,000; Best Kitchen Under $75,000; Best Specialty Kitchen; Best Master Bath Over $100,000; Best Master Bath $50,000-$100,000; Best Master Bath Under $50,000; Best Powder Room; Best Showroom, and Best Specialty Project.

The prestigious judging panel for the awards included:

• Peter Cardamone, Bluebell Kitchens, Wayne, PA

• Laura Giampaolo, Nu-Way Kitchen & Bath, Utica, MI

• Laurie Haefele, Haefele Design, Santa Monica, CA

• Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, MD

• Linda Larisch, CMKBD, DESIGNfirst Builders, Itasca, IL

• Doug Walter, CMKBD, Doug Walter Architects, Denver, CO

Each of the projects was evaluated on multiple points, including: aesthetic appeal, functionality of the space, attention to detail, handling of unusual situations, originality, selection of colors and finishes, and overall impression. The judges also provided design feedback to all of the entrants.

The judging panel was pleased to see a departure from the ever-popular white and gray cabinets. “I actually loved the moody, dark, really dramatic kitchens, and the winners were the ones that had the dark and moody feel in contrast to the light,” stated Haefele. She noted the added use of natural woods, “which have a lot of warmth. Black kitchens have been around for a while, but integrating the lighter wood makes them less stark and more warm.”


The KBDA Awards were judged by a panel of esteemed professionals in the kitchen and bath design community, including (from l. to r.): Doug Walter, CMKBD; Laurie Haefele; Peter Cardamone; Sarah Kahn Turner; Linda Larisch, CMKBD, and Laura Giampaolo.

“There was a ton of black mixed with naturals,” concurred Giampaolo, along with stone features. “It was very organic, with a lot of warm tones.”

“We saw a lot of moody tones, darker woods, the use of metals and metal paints,” added Kahn Turner. She noted that, while there were still several classic light and bright kitchens, the painted finishes were grays and mushroom tones – a softer, wispy palette.

Walter said that, while white is not dead, there were many shades of off white included. “Darker colors were very popular this year – dark green, navy in particular, and black,” he observed.

Larisch also noted additional combinations going on beyond the dark and light cabinets. “We saw mixtures of gloss and matte finishes, different pops of color, large windows with dark interiors, and different styles for hoods,” she offered.

But, she continued, “I just kept saying ‘less is more.’ Some designers tried to mix too many materials together and they just didn’t pull it off, versus other mixed materials that blended and seemed timeless.”

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

While Cardamone advocated for taking chances with design to stand out from the pack, he also stressed the importance of keeping things streamlined. “There’s a tendency to crowd an element like a tall refrigerator or place a wall oven next to a cooktop, with a hood squished in there. Instead, you should
let everything have room to breathe,” he stated.

“I’m excited to see people really embracing and stretching some of the cabinetry away from hoods and other things,” noted Kahn Turner. “Windows also give rooms a little more breathing space.” She notes the best designs “don’t try to cram as much cabinetry as possible into a small space, which can sometimes feel disjointed and a little heavy.”

Giampaolo agreed, noting that a few of the designs came across as forced, “like they were trying so hard to use the freestanding tub in the bath when there was no room for it. The designs that came off the best may not have had the most materials in them, but they were done correctly. They were sized, they were comfortable,” she explained.

IN THE DETAILS

“What separates a good project from a great project is attention to detail,” Walter stressed. He added that, sometimes, the judging between first and second place is so close, and what can make the difference is some small details. He was especially impressed by the dramatic hoods he saw, and the clever use of the sixth wall – the ceiling.

“I think we saw the cream rise to the top in the subtle details – the fit and finish,” concurred Kahn Turner. “Designers need to pay attention to the little things, such as pulling a cabinet panel forward so that it flushes out with the door, making sure that you have clearances, that your cabinets aren’t too spindly looking and narrow.”

The kitchens that stood out to Giampaolo were those that paid attention to unique details – finding usable space in otherwise unusable areas. “Some of the concepts with the hidden wine cubbies were amazing,” she offered.

“The ones that were outstanding were the ones that were unique and cohesive. They used textured walls. They used hidden storage units. They delivered multi-use designs, blending with the room next to it, making an entire space that you could eat, you could entertain, you could work, you could cook, you could do homework,” she added.

Haefele noted that, when first looking at an image, she knew instinctively when she liked it. “It’s when you really get into the details of the design that you can see why you liked it, that it’s so well thought out,” she reported.

Larisch stressed that the details need to be well thought out to make them work within the design, however. “The details need to make sense. You don’t want ones that are just randomly thrown in or had no thought process behind them,” she remarked. “You also need to take care of the details throughout the space and not miss an area. Every single part of that kitchen or bath should work cohesively through each turn.”

On pages 48-73, KBDN shares expanded coverage of the winning projects in the sixth annual competition. For more photos of this year’s winners, as well as insights from the panel of judges, visit www.KitchenBathDesign.com.
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VIEW ALL 2021 KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS


Kitchens Over $225,000

Kitchens $150,000–$225,000

Kitchens $75,000–$150,000

Kitchens Under $75,000

Specialty Kitchens

Showrooms

Master Bathrooms Over $100,000

Master Bathrooms $50,000–$100,000

Master Bathrooms Under $50,000

Powder Rooms

Specialty Projects

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2021 Best Kitchens Over $225,000

GOLD

Contrasting Colors

TODD ATKINS

Phil Kean Design Group, Winter Park, FL

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Photos: Uneek Image

The objective for the kitchen design team – which included designer Todd Atkins along with architect Phil Kean and interior designer Keri Ferguson – for the 2021 New American Home was to demonstrate how the space could be beautifully designed using a combination of multiple colors and textures.

Cabinets from Plato Woodwork’ INOVAE Classic line are used in contrasting colors of walnut, creamy whites, dark carbon, sparkling champagne and reflective glass in gray. A traditional walnut finish is showcased on the 10′ illuminated walnut hutch, which includes glass-front doors that highlight the contents. Walnut is also used in a chevron pattern on the island cabinetry, interior cabinetry in the TV niche, and custom hood built using a Panasonic 36″ range hood.

The kitchen also features a range of interior storage options, including peg boards, spice racks, utensil dividers and roll-outs. Specialty spaces including a coffee bar and TV niche can be closed off and hidden behind their retractable bi-fold doors.

Modo cabinet hardware from Schaub & Company adds a touch of gold, along with the Kohler Crue Semi-Professional Kitchen Faucet. The faucet is paired with Kohler’s Prolific Undermount Sink.

The Signature Kitchen Suite appliances deliver luxury built-in cooking and refrigeration options. Included are: 48″ Dual-Fuel Range with Sous Vide and Induction, 30″ Double Wall Oven with Steam-Combi and Microwave Oven Drawer, all in stainless steel, as well as 30″ Integrated Panel-Ready Column Refrigerator and Freezer units, and Quadwash Panel-Ready Dishwasher.

To contrast the Engineered Natural Walnut flooring, the designers used a bright white Viatera Quartz from LG Hausys for both the countertops and the backsplash. Idril Sconces in brushed nickel, as well as the Loop Linear fixture in brushed aluminum above the island – all from Kichler – provide illumination.

SILVER

Form & Aesthetic

STEVEN COOPER

Cooper Pacific Kitchens, West Hollywood, CA

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The request for this project was to create a kitchen that felt architectural rather than noticeably “kitchen.” Steven Cooper, in collaboration with interior designer Thomas Schoos of Schoos Design, chose Form and Aesthetic as the key objectives needed to create a high-functioning kitchen that would allow for caterers and chefs to prepare for large parties and entertaining.

Since the client doesn’t cook but entertains quite a bit, concealed appliances were highly desired. The column refrigerator with freezer and Gaggenau dishwasher were integrated, and a drop-down flat screen television can be hidden from view when not in use. A custom hood that matches the Cooper Pacific Kitchens Custom 861 cabinets hovers over the island, which houses five independent burners from Pitt Cooking. A Gaggenau speed oven and two single ovens disappear behind pocket doors and feature a custom temperature gauge and safety shutoffs in case the doors are ever closed over the units while in operation. A bar area with Thermador Wine Undercounter Refrigerator also vanishes from view.

Balancing the mix of texture in the 351-sq.-ft. penthouse kitchen was the focus. Oak logs, sourced from German forests, give the space an organic, tactile quality, while cement and stone augment the more austere architecture. The Caesarstone Rugged Concrete quartz countertop and backsplash blend with the overall aesthetic, while the Waterworks Regulator faucets and custom bronze sink from Rocky Mountain Hardware enhance the industrial feel.

BRONZE

Contemporary Condo

JENNIFER GILMER & MEGHAN BROWNE

Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath, Chevy Chase, MD

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Photos: Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography

The contemporary style of this full condo remodel needed to be reflected in the kitchen as well, where the desire for more open space and increased size were primary. Jennifer Gilmer and Meghan Browne, working alongside Greg Wiedemann of Wiedemann Architects, focused on these interests, along with having a more functional work triangle and providing seating for four in the 350-sq.-ft. room.

A focal-point back wall blends the Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer columns into the space, with a narrow pantry finishing the look. On that same wall are a Miele convection oven and Miele Speed Microwave.

The Gaggenau cooktop was moved to the other side of the room so that the wall in the hallway could be reduced, a request of the clients. The Amore hood above was hidden by connecting it to a ceiling panel, with a cabinet of the same color reaching down to the countertop. This cabinet has bi-fold/retractable doors and houses the coffee machine and other amenities.
A peninsula was created to the left of the bi-fold cabinet, which offered a landing space at the end of the hallway.

Contemporary cabinets from Premier Custom Built are featured in white and pale wood tones, topped with Bianco Lassa marble with a waterfall edge. Along the wall, the countertop is met by handmade ceramic tile from Pratt + Larson. The island now houses The Galley sink, paired with a ROHL faucet, with a Miele dishwasher to the side. A Miele warming drawer and Sub-Zero undercounter refrigerator are also featured in the space.

VIEW ALL 2021 KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS


Kitchens Over $225,000

Kitchens $150,000–$225,000

Kitchens $75,000–$150,000

Kitchens Under $75,000

Specialty Kitchens

Showrooms

Master Bathrooms Over $100,000

Master Bathrooms $50,000–$100,000

Master Bathrooms Under $50,000

Powder Rooms

Specialty Projects

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2021 Best Kitchens $150,000–$225,000

GOLD

Modern Kosher Kitchen

MIR ILIN

Kuche+Cucina, Paramus, NJ

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Photos: Raquel Langworthy Photography

This renovation in Brooklyn, New York transformed a tired, outdated, traditional kitchen into a modern, sleek, state-of-the-art Kosher kitchen and breakfast area. A desire for a brighter space and improved layout led Amir Ilin, in coordination with the team from Rachel and Rebecca Design in Brooklyn, to remove a peninsula that divided the kitchen and breakfast area and push out the walls for additional square footage.

Awkward columns in the main space were disguised through the use of clever custom cabinetry by DOCA, with all of the cabinets PEFC certified from sustainably managed forests. Basalt Gray countertops and backsplashes by Neolith tie in with the gray tones found in the woodgrain of the cabinetry, and are comprised of up to 52% recycled raw materials. Waterfall edges wrap the new center island for a distinctively modern look. The wood-tone cabinets are paired with matte white lacquer base cabinets, which allows the wood to stand out.

A small window was closed off, replaced by floor-to-ceiling windows in the breakfast nook. Glass-front cabinets in the space are inserted into dark wood panels and make the area feel larger.

The dark oak back wall that houses the appliances now gets natural light from the breakfast area. The space includes Wolf wall ovens and warming drawer, as well as a Sharp microwave drawer, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Monogram undercounter refrigerator and Bosch dishwasher.

SILVER

Double Take

LAUREN TOLLES

Maison Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, MI

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Designed for a large family that loves to entertain, this kitchen features two large islands, one for prep and one for serving, as well as a full prep kitchen hidden behind the range. In the main space, the homeowners wanted the cabinets to have the appearance of furniture, so that the kitchen would blend seamlessly into the adjacent living spaces. Lauren Tolles, working in conjunction with Marianne Jones LLC, selected custom cabinets manufactured by Quality Custom Cabinetry to achieve this look.

The wall of tall cabinets features a morning bar with a coffee maker and a toaster, as well as an evening bar with wine and liquor. Both are hidden behind oversized retractable doors on either side of the refrigerator and freezer walnut armoire.

A prep kitchen was essential for allowing plenty of storage, and a space to prep and cater that is out of sight from the main living areas. An integrated rolling ladder allowed Tolles to maximize the storage up to 12′ high, and antique mirrored doors positioned at the two entrances to the prep kitchen allow for some additional aesthetic appeal while hiding dry goods and small appliances.

BRONZE

Formal Farmhouse

HEIDI STEWART, KAYCEE METEKINGI, BROOKE CUDE

Lucca Design, Draper, UT

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Photos: Scott Davis Photography

This renovation project delivered on the homeowners’ desire for a cozy and livable farmhouse kitchen that avoided any form of overly trendy details. Heidi Stewart, Kaycee Metekingi and Brooke Cude achieved this balance by including timeless elements, such as the farmhouse double bowl sink and fireclay farmhouse apron sink, both manufactured by and paired with faucets from Waterworks, and small bead inset custom cabinets by Christopher Scott finished with Ashley Norton’s Egg knobs. Countertops are by Stone Selection, with the island in Taj Mahal and the prep areas in Soapstone Black. The backsplash is Chalk Dust, part of Brick Design’s Modern Collection. Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances are featured throughout.

The oak ceiling, custom made by Timberline Carpentry, was originally going to be two tone, with a white stain on the tongue-and-groove planks and a rich stain on the oak beams. After struggling to find the perfect colors that would bring the vision to life without detracting from the high-end custom feel, the design team and the homeowners fell in love with the bare oak once it was installed and decided to keep all of the wood uniform and natural.

VIEW ALL 2021 KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS


Kitchens Over $225,000

Kitchens $150,000–$225,000

Kitchens $75,000–$150,000

Kitchens Under $75,000

Specialty Kitchens

Showrooms

Master Bathrooms Over $100,000

Master Bathrooms $50,000–$100,000

Master Bathrooms Under $50,000

Powder Rooms

Specialty Projects

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High-End Projects Seen Leading Kitchen, Bath Market Surge

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — Although forecasts for low- and mid-range project spending have each been revised upward, it’s the high end of the kitchen and bath market that will “shine” in the months ahead, according to the latest forecast issued by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

According to the latest NKBA forecast, released this summer, the high end of the kitchen/bath market is now expected to surge by more 28% compared to 2020 ­– topping the association’s initial 19.8% projection) ­– as pent-up demand, robust savings and sharply rising home appreciation “encourage homeowners to go the extra mile” when it comes to spending.

In its latest market forecast, the Hackettstown, NJ-based NKBA revised its 2021 industry sales projection to $170.9 billion in kitchen and bath spending, up by 21.4% from 2020’s $140.8 billion and nearly 8% higher than the association’s initial estimate for the year. New construction kitchen and bath spending is now expected to exceed 2020 by 28.5%, while kitchen and bath remodeling expenditures are expected to climb by 12.5%, according to the NKBA. Total kitchen spending (new construction and remodel) is now targeted at $81 billion, with bath spending estimated at $89 billion, both more than 20% above last year and appreciably higher than the NKBA’s initial forecast.

The “red-hot market,” according to the NKBA “is a continuation of a positive ‘perfect storm’ that began in the second half of last year and hasn’t let up, all related in one way or another to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“First came the buildup of savings, as homeowners experiencing the unknowns of the COVID-19 lockdown decided to err on the side of caution,” the NKBA said, adding that “much of it wasn’t voluntary, as spending on dining, entertainment, travel and leisure came to a screeching halt.

“Adding to the dramatic savings growth were the generous government stimulus programs that poured $5 trillion into the hands of consumers. As homes suddenly began doubling as schools and offices, configuration changes practically became mandatory. The kitchen morphed into the family hub and previous health and wellness trends for both bathroom and kitchen accelerated in urgency. And all that extra time at home made more homeowners realize a makeover was badly needed.”

“Add to that record-low interest rates that have made home-related loans very attractive, and steep home appreciation with demand far outstripping supply, and all the elements have neatly fallen into place.”

Among the NKBA’s other key conclusions:

n Home Improvement Tops Discretionary Spending: Nearly 1 in 3 homeowners plan to boost their home-improvement discretionary spending this year, well above the 1 in 5 (or fewer) who plan such increases for eating out, entertaining, travel or health. In fact, the average home-improvement project price point is 25% higher than last year, according to the NKBA.

n Kitchen & Bath Are Top Choices: For those planning home improvements this year, kitchens and primary baths rank #1 and #2, respectively, among a dozen home areas offered. More than half of those surveyed (55%) said they planned to remodel their kitchen, while 40% cited their primary bathroom. Exterior (37%), patio/deck (29%) and primary bedroom (29%) round out the top five areas for anticipated remodeling, the NKBA said.

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