2018 The Year In Review

2018 was a year of fun and exciting projects which challenged and sparked my creativity! White kitchens continued to be the hot ticket sometimes with an artful mix of natural wood or with deep rich blues.

2018-6.jpg

I call this the "new traditional kitchen". I had fun working with HW Interiors on this one.

There were difficult situations but always solutions. This video gives you a snapshot of the vast variety of spaces and projects that came my way throughout the year. When you work with me I create these 3D renderings in Chief Architect Interiors X10 so you can get a sense of the space because visuals are everything! I am deeply grateful to my clients for placing their trust in me. Wishing all my readers the best in 2019. Maybe this will be the year we create your new space! xoxo


Stars of KBIS 2018- Six New Trends for Your Kitchen & Bath

I always love to attend the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) each year.  It's so much fun to spot the patterns and trends that are always evident.  Somethings have an extremely long shelf life such as white cabinets and stainless steel appliances. I continue to see those items but then there are some new things that just blew me away! This year's show was held in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the International Builders' Show (IBS) January 9-11.  I was not only on the spot but I have been spot on in my recent observations and blog posts. Read on to see what I found!

KBIS2018

KBIS2018

                                                                     Photo by Sabrina Brunk

Our first stop on day one was the Champagne and Cupcakes event hosted by Modenus and sponsored by LG Home Appliances and Signature Kitchens. This unofficial kickoff event of KBIS has become an annual institution for social media influencers, designers and media to celebrate the beginning of KBIS with champagne, cupcakes and buzz! We were honored to be included in this invitation-only event.

Back to Black

I called it! Remember this post? It was all about black, the new neutral and go-to for everything including countertops, appliances and plumbing fixtures. Matte finishes, in particular, are hot. It's definitely the new neutral.  What about grey?  Don't panic, grey is still strong but it's morphing into a warmer version, closer to taupe.

The Galley, black faucet

The Galley, black faucet

Natural Wood

Those taupier greys are a beautiful complement to all the natural stained wood which, I think is a  reaction to so many years of white and dark espresso finishes.  The hot stain colors are browner and less red.  Think walnut as opposed to cherry.  The finishes are light to medium allowing you to appreciate the beautiful movement and visual texture of the wood grains. The only exception to this was seen at mid-ranged Wellborn Cabinets.  They state that 70% of their business is still in painted finishes, but not just white.  With their Be Inspired option, you can go crazy with color and create a very personalized space. The example below was designed by Joanna Gaines.

natural wood, kitchen, black accents

natural wood, kitchen, black accents

Are You Feeling Blue?

Speaking of color, if you're feeling blue you're on trend.  If there's an accent color I noticed in the kitchen it's a deep rich blue.  A blue island can be the perfect accent but don't do it unless you love the color and it blends seamlessly with your space.  That way it'll be timeless and not just a passing fancy.

Mixed Metals

Never have I seen so many metal finish choices for plumbing fixtures and hardware.  The bronzes and brushed brasses that came out last year are stronger than ever.  The best thing is you can mix more than one metal in your kitchen and bath, just make sure you tie it into another element in the room.  For example, you could have stainless steel appliances but a brushed brass faucet and matching brass cabinet hardware.  Kohler definitely took this trend to the next level with their Vibrant Ombré faucets!

KBIS2018ArtfulKitchens

KBIS2018ArtfulKitchens

  Photo by Sabrina Brunk

The New Traditional

Even though I wrote about this a year ago, right here, I was amazed at how many displays I saw that were definitely leaning towards traditional.  Today's traditional is fresh and updated but still classical. In addition to this sort of "new farmhouse" example below, I saw detailed door styles with moldings and raised panels. I was surprised to see that!

KBIS2018ArtfulKitchens

KBIS2018ArtfulKitchens

Not Your Grandma's Formica

Formica's new surfaces feature the most updated technologies in laminate materials.  At the show, they were touting writable surfaces and new patterns to rival the beauty of marble.  Maybe this material, which has always had a big following in Europe, is worth another look.  It's being used on vertical surfaces too, not just countertops.  They also showed a shower in all Formica, not sure I'm into that though.

Formica looks like marble

Formica looks like marble

In addition to these big stars of the show, I saw so many great accessories and organizational inserts for your kitchen and bath, sleek and sculptural freestanding tubs and did I mention black? 

freestanding bath tub, matte black

freestanding bath tub, matte black

There's no way I can leave you without sharing one of the most memorable moments of that show for me.  It was attending Modenus' Design Milk Talk on Business Marketing featuring (left to right) Claire Jefferd, Maria Killam, Laurel Bern and Leslie Carothers superstars in our industry. Following last summer's series The Big Move, I was the winner of Claire Jefferd's video training course.  Now I'll really know what I'm doing in the next video venture! ;)

KBIS2018ArtfulKitchens

KBIS2018ArtfulKitchens

If you haven't done so already, follow my Facebook page where I am posting my finds every day.  I'm on Instagram too!  If you're in the beginning stages of planning a new kitchen this is a good way to start the process. I am enthusiastically available for in-home consultations in South Florida from Boca Raton to Jupiter if you're ready to take that next step.  A big THANK YOU to my beautiful daughter Sabrina Brunk for assisting me on this trip and helping me spot the trends at  KBIS 2018 and sharing her photographs. Cheers!!

Going Topless...In Your Kitchen

Unless you've been living under a rock you know that the less-is-more look of the topless kitchen is hot!! When I say topless I mean no upper cabinets. There are certainly pluses and minuses to this design decision. But "how can I live without half my kitchen", you ask.  Fear not. Today we will examine the possibilities.

white kitchen, traditional kitchen, stainless steel hood, island, white countertop, kitchen windows, crystal chandelier,no upper cabinets

white kitchen, traditional kitchen, stainless steel hood, island, white countertop, kitchen windows, crystal chandelier,no upper cabinets

Less is Now

No complaining if you haven't done a thorough kitchen purge in the last year.  We all have "stuff" and if it never sees the light of day it's stagnant energy taking up real estate that could be otherwise useful or beautiful.But what about dishes? They always go in the upper cabinets. Actually, dishes work perfectly in drawers if you have this drawer peg system.  You'll find that they're easier to access too, particularly if you're short like me ;)

Dish drawer, dish pegs, black plates, drawer cabinet

Dish drawer, dish pegs, black plates, drawer cabinet

Clever Corners

Another way to maximize the space you have below deck is to use the corner space.  My favorite way to do this is with a base lazy susan cabinet. It's versatile storage for almost anything. Just be sure to get this type, without the pole.  With trays mounted on shelves, you won't lose things to the Twilight Zone if they fall over.  (Chrome rails are optional) The only caveat is that you will need 36" on both sides of the corner to make this work.

base corner cabinet with lazy susan chrome rails

base corner cabinet with lazy susan chrome rails

If you can't swing the 36" in each direction you can perhaps use the Cloud which fits in a blind corner cabinet.  We can discuss more when you call me to help you with your new kitchen.

white cabinets, contemporary, chrome, blind corner cabinet, revashelf

white cabinets, contemporary, chrome, blind corner cabinet, revashelf

Ultimate Simplicity

The most simple solution of all is the open shelf.  They are both feared and widely popular.  Some feel like it would look way too messy but I say it doesn't have to be all or nothing.  A few open or floating shelves can add a lot of lightness and visual interest as well as storage above the counter in lieu of cabinets.

farmhouse kitchen, HGTV, white cabinets, apron sink, open shelves

farmhouse kitchen, HGTV, white cabinets, apron sink, open shelves

Artful Arrangement

In the photo below, they actually did not eliminate uppers entirely but it feels like it.  Here they are using the shortened uppers for remote storage, i.e. the stuff you don't need to access every day. The "go to" storage is in tall pantry cabinets.  That's right, you don't have to use the pantry only for food, they are great for everything.  If your pantry is full depth, like these, rollouts work great for easy access and to avoid items getting lost in the back. If you're observant you'll also notice the last cabinet sits on top of the counter.  If you have the counter space this is a great way to conceal countertop items for less clutter.

contemporary kitchen Dekton wood cabinets pantries

contemporary kitchen Dekton wood cabinets pantries

Creative Compromise

As we've seen, one does not necessarily need to banish the upper cabinet entirely to score an updated and functional result.  Here is a loft kitchen I recently designed.  My clients were in love with the idea of floating shelves and this look worked for their urban vintage style. Since space was at a premium in this condo we did opt to keep a few good sized upper cabinets.  The look is actually a blend of contemporary and transitional. A full pantry also would've worked to the right of the refrigerator but my clients preferred this arrangement which is very symetrical and offers a bit of extra counter space.  Hey, I always say the best jobs are good collaborations. :)

ArtfulKitchens 3DRendering kitchendesign

ArtfulKitchens 3DRendering kitchendesign

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No matter what your situation, creativity can offer you choices. In over 20 years I have found that there is always a solution that will work in your space and I would love to help you find it.

Sex Up your Kitchen with Matte Black

In the fashion world, black always has an air of hipness and sophistication, as in the ubiquitous "little black dress".  Now, in kitchens and home decor, matte black is all the rage, it's neutral but also works as a stunning accent when used sparingly.   

 

carbonized bamboo cabinetry, black matte cabinet pulls by Top Knobs, Sunny Pearl Quartz

 

Appliance manufacturers have been turning to black matte or something called black stainless as an alternative to the stainless steel finishes that have been a standard for so long. You can also opt to use matte black for your cabinet hardware and mix it in with stainless or chrome.  That's exactly what I did in my new sexy kitchen which will be revealed soon in Episode VIII of The Big Move.  This is a little preview

CulinaMiniFaucet,chrome,glassbacksplash

 

Check out my faucet, courtesy of Blanco, and I love it.  I cheated though, that is not my kitchen as the backsplash isn't in yet.  It will, however,  be very similar to the one you see above. Below IS a sneak peek.  Those are my luscious bamboo cabinets with quartz countertop featuring real shells! For more, you'll just have to wait for VIII.

(By the way, I have curated many of the items shown in this post on my new Amazon page. There is even a surprise "look for less" item included. In each future post, I will add more items to it.  Yes, I could possibly get coffee money from these links but I only post the products I either have or really love. I'm just curating them there for you.)

The more I thought about it, the more I saw black matte in art and nature too.  I encourage my clients to include images like these as they begin to consider options for a new kitchen or bath.  I'm fun like that ;) These are the things that make your space personal and reflect your style.  I will help you edit and translate the essence so that it works seamlessly in your new space.

matte black, beads, eyeliner, Louise Bougeous

I love this look as an alternative to stainless steel.  If you decide to be bold with black appliances, it's a good idea to buy the whole package so everything matches.  The black appliance finishes from different manufacturers are not all the same.  If you want to get a different brand dishwasher or refrigerator you can always put cabinet panels on them as another solution.

Artful Kitchens,KitchenAid 30- Slide-In 5-Burner Convection Range quartz countertop brittani

Many quartz countertop manufacturers are offering matte finishes. Above is Cambria's black matte as a backdrop to their mega-popular Brittanicca, also in matte finish. If you are thinking of doing a full height backsplash, as shown here, make sure to plan on using 2cm material which is 3/4" thick.  The other option of 3cm would be too thick.

Farenheit Troy Lighting black pendant light fixture

Don't you love this pendant light fixture? I am enthralled with the streamlined cylindrical shape.  It's a series of nested and tiered cones that allow light to seep down in a cool way.  The outside is textured black and the inner surfaces are finished with hand-applied gold leaf. 

Moen kitchen faucet matte black stainless single undermount sink matte finishes contemporary

 

The clean contemporary lines of this black matte kitchen faucet by Moen caught my attention. Note the matte finish on the countertop and how nicely the black matte works with the stainless sink.  You can definitely mix metals!

kitchenaid-artisan-matte-black-stand-mixer

Last but definitely not least, think how stylish you'll feel throughout the holidays cooking with this sleek chic mixer by KitchenAid. What do you think about the look and versatility of matte black? Let's start a conversation! Oh and in case I distracted you, don't forget to vote for Artful Kitchens right here. Thanks! :)

 

 

 

Induction Cooking Within Reach

One of today's most exciting technologies for the kitchen can be found in electro magnetics.  I feel like the dad in The Graduate when he sagely whispers into Benjamin's ear "plastics"! Ok I'm dating myself but truthfully it was an old movie when I saw it for the first time.  Back to the kitchen, the electro magnetics I'm talking about is induction cooking.  Whenever I bring this up to my clients they invariably say, "isn't that the thing where you need special pots"?

Thermador Induction cooktop

 

You certainly do not need new pots IF they pass the test.  Simply grab a magnet and if it sticks to the bottom of your pot you're good to go.  That's it. Some work and some don't. Now if you're splurging on a new kitchen or stove perhaps a new set of pots is in order anyway, yes?  

History of Induction Cooking

Induction cooking technology was actually first introduced  at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago.  It became available to homeowners in the seventies but you probably never heard about it because, well frankly, it was a fail.  Kinks were resolved as the technology continued to advance in Europe and Asia. Then several years ago induction cooktops were back and they've been gaining popularity in the luxury market every since.  In fact, Ryan DeGraffenreid, Territory Sales Manager for Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean for Subzero-Wolf, ventures to say that when considering electric vs induction their clients are choosing induction most of the time!

Why Induction?

The big reasons to go with the big "I" are safety, ease of maintenance and cooking efficiency.  Since your pot only heats up where it makes contact with the burner you're a lot less likely to get burned, plus all your energy goes into cooking your food instead of it being expelled into the air.  In fact, with induction, 84-90% of energy goes into your cooking as opposed to 44- 55% for gas, the least efficient. Electric falls somewhere in between.  Induction cooking is also a bit quicker.  It takes about 4 minutes to boil water with induction.  It's about 7 minutes for electric and 8 for gas. If your pot does boil over, clean up is a lot easier since the area surrounding the pot will not be as hot. It's no fun chiseling baked on goo off your cooking surface!

The New Choices Make Induction Available for Everyone

I am looking forward to downsizing and moving back into my little condo by the water.  My kitchen will definitely be getting a makeover (stay tuned) and since induction technology is now available in the 30" range format, I'm in.  I've been doing a bit of research and have found that you can switch to an induction range starting at $1,700 for a free standing (as opposed to slide-in which has controls on the front)  model by Kenmore.  Right now with the current sale you can get that down to $1,099.00  It's the same size as your old 30" range too so no worries there.  Then at the other end of the spectrum you can find this Subzero-Wolf which retails for over $9,000.  Currently it's the only 36" induction range on the market.  Needless to say it's the Rolls Royce of ranges!

 

 

Is All Induction Created Equal?

One thing I have notice with just about every single model is that the ratings are consistently 4.5 stars.  There also typically seems to be a lemon in the mix as well. If you come upon a bad review you should read it and decide if the issues are something you should research further.   Bad reviews can be great tools.  All these ranges feature convection ovens. (another blog post)  The main differences are styling and bells and whistles including myriad settings on the higher end models.  Find an appliance retailer in your area and check it out.  If you're in my area I'd love to go with you. :-) As far as my search goes, I'm still exploring.  Price is definitely important but this model by Bosch is a clear favorite.  It retails at $3,199 and also includes a warming drawer at the bottom.   I'm still looking though.  As I always say, when it comes to doing your kitchen you must pick your battles.  Spend the money where it means the most to you and save in areas where you really don't mind compromising a little. The trick is deciphering both which is one of the things I explore with my clients.

 

Bosch Induction Range

I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments or questions about induction cooking, pro or consumer, do share!

KBIS2017 Part II- Color Splash!

This is Part II of my KBIS2017 recap.  You can find Part I  here.

If you've read part one you know that I was off meeting old and new friends earlier this month at our big annual trade show known as KBIS2017.  One of the best perks of being on Modenus Blog Tour is always the people.  What a huge source of friends this whole blog adventure has been for me!  Now back to the trends you need to know. 

BlogTourKBIS, Modenus

One of the huge trends at the recent Kitchen & Bath Show (KBIS2017)  in Orlando was bold brilliant color. I saw bright color across all product lines including cabinets, appliances and even faucets.  Cabinet Manufacturer Wellborn was no exception.  This vibrant  green was a big hit and showcases their custom color options.   The Color Inspire program offers a broad selection of hues from Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Valspar. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. 

 

 

ColorInspireWellborn

Color was also the star of the show for me at Metrie, North America's largest solid wood and MDF moulding company.  These stunning pink doors are a part of their Then & Now Finishing Collections.  This is actually a great concept that allows you to take a boring space and make it sing with character.  They have curated perfectly coordinated mouldings and interior doors to create "the look".  The styles range from the cutting edge "Fashion Forward", to girly "French Curves", to Minimalism with "Pretty Simple".  There are even a few more.  It's an awesome option for designers as it saves time spent hunting for the right crown to go with the perfect base board etc.  It's a one stop shop for  beautiful millwork and moulding details.

Metrie,KBIS2017,BlogTourKBIS

 

 

 

Just think of the chic "chick pad" you could create with Metrie...and then there were shoes.  I'm sorry my attention wanders sometimes.  Who can blame me for loving these shoes worn by Christine DaCosta aka Glamamama.

Grohe,Essence semi pro faucet, KBIS2017

 

 

I've got more color!  Check out these faucets by Grohe.  This is the Essence Semi Pro Faucet, available April 2017.  Notice the extended spout for added convenience in the kitchen.  The display is showing limited edition brightly colored silicon hoses. Change your mind, change your faucet, just like a chameleon!

American Standard exhibited this smart faucet that actually measures water for you. Just think, it’s easy, accurate and environmentally friendly.  Turn the dial and you get the perfect amount every time.  So simple. Kudos to the team at American Standard for thinking of it.  Speaking of good ideas, what could be better than a self cleaning toilet? The ActiClean toilet features a turbo type flush system that they call VorMax, with a fully integrated self-cleaning system. The CleanCurveRim omits that rim cavity and holes inside the bowl where dirt gets trapped and EverClean antimicrobial surface helps everything stay clean longer.  Egaads!! I'm just the messenger but it's a good thing.  I'm all for minimal toilet cleaning time.

Modulus, DXV,KBIS2017,BlogTourKBIS

 

Another American Standard company, the luxury line DXV showed their Modulus line for the bath.  I loved the sensuous sculptural line of these vanity tops BUT how cool is this tray? it fits perfectly on the top and then tucks away in it’s own spot underneath when you’re done. Voilá!

   Guess what folks? I've got more. Stay tuned for KBIS III -Just a hint, it has to do with rhino poop and a surprise in the shower (but not together)

L