Kitchen Case Study: Update and Integrate

This is what we're dealing with, view out the back of the townhouse  One of the perks (not twerks) of my job is that I get to work in lovely homes on the beach.  If I'm having a "design panic moment" all I have to do is look out the window at the ocean and all is well.  This townhouse project came to me as a referral and is actually a winter home on the ocean in Delray Beach.  This homeowner is a potter with a keen eye for design and finishes.The kitchen was outdated and not very  functional.  My client enjoys cooking and entertaining and was seeking  to integrate her open kitchen with the stylish and artful adjacent dining and living room.The ChallengeMy first thought was that even though we would lose cabinets, the soffit structure had to go.  We could make up that loss of storage by going higher with the cabinets and by adding a tall cabinet to the left of the refrigerator. I wanted to open up the space yet ensure that it was integrated with adjoining areas.  The ceiling is so high we were able to increase the height of the cabinets without having to go all the way up which would have disrupted the existing crown molding.   We also gained storage by adding the two end cabinets on either side of the seating area.  The cabinet to the counter is also great storage and the open shelving to the right was included to showcase some of my client's pottery pieces.  Scroll down to see the solution.blogplan2-page-001 (1)

 

 THE SOLUTION!We used a warm stained bamboo with a subtle blue-green tint for the cabinetry.  The back wall is aqua glass tiles to reflect the ocean.  There is a pantry with touch latches to the left of the built-in refrigerator.  An appliance garage conceals toaster oven to the right of the sink and open shelves feature my clients beautiful pottery creations.

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My design was custom built by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co.  Cabinet  hardware is Top Knobs Sanctuary Collection in German Bronze. Refrigerator is Subzero with flush installation.  The rest of the appliances are by Jenn Air.  For this project we selected the Blanco Quatrus medium single sink  because it fit the space as well as the styling of the kitchen so well.  The faucet is Blanco Kontrole.  Again this stylish Blanco faucet provided the look and pull out functionality we needed. In addition,  the scale was appropriate for the space.  Counter tops are  grey granite from Cavastone fabricated by Stone Palace.  They feature a contemporary "waterfall" detail at the end of the peninsula.All in all I would say mission accomplish and my clients agree!

Tip #3: Where can I save money and what items are worth the splurge?

Many of our clients begin kitchen remodeling projects in the summer.  Kids are out of school and our commitments tend to be less (for some of us) in the summer months.  Today's client query is one that I hear a lot.  Naturally we all want to get the most for our money in all our investments but where can you save money in a kitchen remodel and what items are worth the splurge?The answer to that is largely subjective as we all have differing needs and priorities.  That said, there are some principles that should never be compromised and those include efficient use of space, safety and the best quality you can afford.

Contemporary Kitchen with standard depth refrigerator.  Courtesy of Houzz.com

 

refrigerator is a much better fit.  Courtesy of  Houzz.com

 SplurgeI must confess, there are some standards in the kitchen industry that are just plain wrong.  One of them is the standard depth refrigerator.  A standard base cabinet depth is 24" (25" including doors).  A standard refrigerator is about 33" deep!  It might look perfect standing solo at the appliance store but it could look like a beast in your kitchen!  Yes, they stick out.  Depending on the layout of the kitchen we can sometimes work around the depth by surrounding the fridge with extra deep side panels and a cabinet above pulled forward.  But if you're tight on space it is worth investing in what's known as a counter, or cabinet depth refrigerator.  This means that the cabinet box will be flush with your counter top and your "stick out" will just be the thickness of the door.  It makes a big difference.  Here GE shows the difference between standard, or free-standing and counter depth.  A standard GE french door refrigerator would be about 26 cubic feet and retails at about $2,100 vs. a comparable counter depth model which is around 21 cubic feet and retails at $2,700.00. Yes, you will have less cubic footage with a counter depth fridge and I suggest keeping the old fridge in the garage if that's an option.  If the kitchen is large enough you can add a beverage cooler.  When water, soda, beer and wine are taken out of the main fridge you get all kinds of space. There is also a third category if you've got the big bucks and that is true built-in or integrated.  Those are even shallower but they are also more than a foot taller to compensate.  Whether you opt for Sub Zero or GE. a built-in refrigerator is pricey but the most visually seamless, particularly if you add matching cabinet panels. 

This kitchen was created using stock cabinet.  Courtesy of  Houzz.com

 SaveYou can save money on your cabinets if you can keep to standard, or stock, sizes.  Simpler cleaner lines with minimal molding can also save you enough money to splurge on that refrigerator!  There are just two things to keep in mind.  Make sure the quality of the cabinetry you buy is sound and backed by a warranty.SplurgeMany professional kitchen designers will be happy to consult with you on the layout and selections for your kitchen.  An hourly fee is well worth it to have your plan validated by a pro.  In many cases, if you purchase your cabinetry through your kitchen designer, design services are included. 

Here they saved on cabinetry by selecting clean simple slab doors with no moldings and
they splurged on the counter depth refrigerator and focal point pantry door.
Splurge
You may have heard me say this before but I'll say it again.  Buy a good quality faucet.  Your faucet is arguably one of, if not the most, used items in your kitchen.  Splurge up front and you won't be sorry.  Buy a cheap faucet and within a couple years you will have drips and leaks.  By the time you pay the plumber and replace the faucet you haven't saved anything. If you buy a stainless steel sink make sure the gauge 18 or lower to avoid denting and horrible water spots.

 

You can get this Solna faucet by Brizo for under $400.
Save
If you've decided on granite counter tops, think about using 2cm material with no build up so that your total cabinet thickness is 3/4".  The minimal look works especially well with contemporary designs.  You'll get the functional advantages of a stone counter top without the extra labor to build up the edge to 1 1/2".  The look happens to be great, especially in dark counter tops.  If funds are tight you can also leave the back splash for last.  The area between your counter and upper cabinets can be tile or otherwise and it can always be finished at a later date.  However if you have enough material leftover from your tops maybe you'll want to use it for the backsplash. A word of caution: if you're using a slide in style range you'll want to make sure it's compatible with the finished height of your cabinets.
Skinny top in Antique Brown from Granitegurus.com

 SaveI love unique artsy cabinet handles as much as the next person but did you know that you can spend anywhere from $1.99 to upwards of $50 a piece for them?  Aim towards the $5-$10 for really good quality knobs or pull.  If you happen to fall in love with one of the $50 buggers maybe you can use just a couple for a special area. 

Focal point hardware is on refrigerator (true built-in).  The rest are simpler designs
in the same finish.  It works!  Courtesy of Houzz.com

 Next up, Tip#4: Granite or Quartz?            

Blanco Makes a Splash!

Modex SILGRANIT II sink in Cinder is kitchen architectureFor the last few years I have been honored to be a member of the Blanco Design Council.  This means I’m on the main line when it comes to inside information about their products. BLANCO, of course, is the German manufacturer of finely crafted sinks and faucets.  Their SILGRANIT II sinks are a particular favorite of mine and you should definitely know about them if you’re considering a kitchen remodel.  If you don’t know about SILGRANIT II, see my previous post here.   As a kick off to KBIS2013,  I got to see the newest BLANCO happenings  in New Orleans with a Cajun-styled experience called The Kitchen Unmasked.  This joint venture featuring Blanco, Poggenpohl and Silestone was held at the beautiful Nordic Kitchens showroom and was one of our stops on the Modenus Blog Tour.

The Kitchen Unmasked, at Nordic Kitchens

The latest SILGRANIT II color, Cinder, is all the rage.  It’s a stormy striking combo of dark gray with some black and rich brown thrown into the mix.  I think it’s the perfect color to go with all the new luscious shades of gray we’re seeing.  It’s on trend yet neutral at the same time. The new SILGRANIT II series of sinks also includes HYGIENIC+PLUS a patented formula that acts as a shield against dirt and bacteria. Independent laboratory tests confirm that the unique built-in hygiene protection reduces bacterial growth by an average of 98%.My favorite addition to the SILGRANIT II collection is the Modex sink (at top).  The next kitchen I design for myself (hoping) will have this sink.  I love it.  It adds a bit of architecture to the kitchen!  Modex features a unique 3” profile that sits on the counter and includes a large integrated cutting board.  It’s not just a sink, but a workstation.Speaking of work, did you know your faucet is the most abused item in your kitchen?  BLANCO's well known German engineering ensures that you have a product that will stand up to the test.  BLANCO also launched a new line of water saving faucets including Grace II, Alta, Highland and Napa. ALTANAPAHILANDGRACE“Our latest collection of faucets offer livable style,” stated Tim Maicher, Director of Marketing for BLANCO. “When we say livable style, we are referencing style that leads trends while integrating into any kitchen design. At the same time, we are talking about the faucets’ functionality. We engineer BLANCO faucets to last, to use less water, to provide unmatched cleaning and to be as easy to use as they are to maintain.” I’ve had a blast telling you about all the products I learned about on the Modenus Blog Tour.  A big thank you to Veronika Miller and her team at Modenus as well as all the fabulous sponsors including Blanco, Poggenpohl, Cosentino, National Kitchen & Bath Association, Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2013, Mr. Steam, TOTO and Du Verre Hardware.   It truly was a most memorable and enjoyable experience to see New Orleans in this way.  To me, the best part of all was the people, both meeting the sweet good- natured, perservering locals as well as enjoying the community of those who I’m honored to call my peers.  I hope you’ve enjoyed following along and have learned a thing or two in the process that will help you know what to look for when shopping for kitchen and bath products. Click here to see ALL my photos and commentary from Blog Tour NOLA!     

SILGRANIT SETS THE STAGE

 






If the kitchen is the "heart of the home" then certainly the sink is the heart of the kitchen.  Think of how many things happen in and around your kitchen sink.  We wash dishes, we clean and prep veggies, we wash hands and even tiny babies in our sinks.  One of the best kept secrets in the "sink world" is the Silgranit sink by Blanco.  The use of granite as a sink material is not a new one and was used hundreds of years ago.  Silgranit, however,  is a new breed and is a mixture of 20% acrylic (yes just like the fake finger nail material) and 80% ground up granite.






 





On my recent trip to Toronto I had the pleasure of visiting the only plant in North America manufacturing granite composite sinks.  Blanco, a privately owned firm based in Germany is the leader in this technology possessing 6 of 7 patents on the process.  Our gracious hosts at Blanco walked us through the process from mixing the acrylic with granite sand, forming and heat setting the mixture on nickel sink molds.    The result is a Silgranit sink that is indestructable.  I kid you not.










We were taken into a quality control lab where they had a WHITE Silgrant sink stained with tea, ketchup, mustard, red juice and red wine, all the worst offenders, right?  One wipe of the sponge (no soap) and rinse with water and the sink was once again pristine! The sink could not be scratched either.  A couple of us went at it rather vigorously with a fork.  The metal shavings of the fork were left on the surface and were easily wiped off with a sponge.  How about dents, you ask?  No dents either, a steel ball dropped into the sink had no effect.    Hot pots won't burn the surface either.  These sinks also come in 7 different colors.  Anthracite black is the most popular followed by my favorite, Cafe Brown.  Blanco unveiled their newest color offering, Truffle, at the Interior Design Show 2011.

 





It's a taupe-grey color and they made sure we wouldn't forget that by supplying us with a matching EYE SHADOW!  How cool is that?  Are there any downsides to this Silgranit stuff?  My research tells me that grout and maybe hard water could create a film, just as on any surface.  There are solutions ranging from vinegar and baking soda to the handy dandy Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.  I can hear you thinking "so how much is this magical space age sink gonna set me back?"   Most models are available in the $500-$1,000 range from plumbing retailers such as Next Plumbing (See listing on LOCAL RESOURCES page) in West Palm Beach.  FaucetDirect.com has them available in the $300-$400 range.

Don’t forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment on any post between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details

Toronto Day 2



The white is growing on me.  I can’t stop staring at the snow drifts.  I know by now this is getting tedious for my northern readers so I will refrain from any more comments about “the white”.  For some reason 30F in Toronto feels like 50F in Florida.  Today the group met up and we were taken by limo to Via Allegro Ristorante, world famous for their amazing wine cellar known as “the womb”.  The priciest bottle in this room, kept at a constant 57F, goes for $65,000!

Our gracious host, Blanco Canada President Flavio Bergamin, presided over a four course lunch in the true Italian custom including a not-to-be-missed Napa cabernet/shiraz blend by the name of Duel.  Kudos to restaurant manager Joseph for his great service and enthusiasm.  After lunch it was on to the Blanco Silgranit Plant.

Silgranit is a composite sink made of 80% granite and 20% acrylic resins.  Believe me when I tell you it is indestructible.  We witnessed two-day-old stains of tea, wine, mustard, ketchup and juice wipe right off a light colored sink with just a sponge and water.  After trying diligently none of us were able to scratch or dent the surface either.  Blanco is currently the only company manufacturing granite composite sinks in the US and they own 6 of 7 patents on the product.  If you are tired of stainless, which can scratch, this is a great option.  The most popular color is Anthracite Black followed by my favorite Café Brown.  The seven colors offered coordinate with quartz countertops as well as granite.



One of the perks of an adventure like this is you get to cross paths with all kinds of interesting people in the world of kitchen design.  Today I had the pleasure of meeting a group of people ranging from design bloggers and writers to radio and TV personalities.  Here’s the line up:

Joseph Freenor writes about cabinet & furniture trends and information CFT411.com

Paul Anater is someone you probably already know.  He writes about design and anything else along the way. Kitchenandresidentialdesign.com

Cindy Dole is host of KFWB radio talk show Home Wizards

Vicki Payne CEO of Cutters Productions CuttersTV.com

Susan Palmer is the Decorating Diva SusanPalmerDesigns.com

Last but not least our hosts Flavio and Marc Presidents of Blanco Canada and Blanco America.

Tonight is the opening reception for the Interior Design Show!  More pix to come.  The concierge is digging in the basement through thousands of left-behind cords to find one that will fit my camera.  Did I mention how nice Canadians are?


TORONTO HERE I COME!

Yes, it's true.  I'm off again on another great adventure this time courtesy of  Blanco.  As you'll remember, last September I had the pleasure of attending design week as a guest of the uber edgy Brizo Faucets.  Click here.  Now I will be able to give you the low down the on  Blanco sinks you can pair with the amazing products at Brizo.

This Blanco press release says it best.

"Morning, noon, and night, the sink is the most frequently used area in the kitchen. From early morning, through a hectic day, an evening meal, and the solitude of late night, the sink serves as both hard working companion and fashionable focal point.

For more than 80 years, BLANCO has been a world leader in quality, innovative design and unsurpassed attention to detail. The company pioneered the use of stainless steel for kitchen sinks and was the first company to introduce hard composite materials such as Silgranit®.

Today, BLANCO has the most extensive line of premium quality kitchen sinks offered in North America, continuing to lead the evolution of the kitchen sink area with functional concepts, striking good looks, and innovative solutions, sure to personalize the most frequently used area of the kitchen."

...And that's not all.  I will also have the pleasure of touring IDS11, Canada's largest contemporary design fair.  My press release will take me who knows where and you can join me here at Kitchens for Living.  The fun starts January 26th.  The countdown begins now!

Don't forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details.