While "clean" and "simple" are the buzzwords for today's kitchen cabinets, cabinet interiors are becoming more sophisticated than ever, with consumers seeking out accessible storage that also makes the most of every nook and cranny. At the same time, consumers are seeing more custom options at every price point, as well as painted finishes and affordable green options.

Below are some of the

 Drawing inspiration from the seashore, Atlas Homewares offers a range of decorative knobs with sea creature and shell designs.

 Offered in verdigris, burnished bronze and pewter, the offerings include the Clamshell, Starfish and

The food lover requires different appliances, storage and design than the average homeowner.
 
 It is no secret that to design a good kitchen, one should know how to cook. The expanding cultural trend toward healthy eating, exercising and overall well-being has prompted my investigation into how it will affect our homes, kitchens and living in the next decade. After all, sometimes it's just one

Remodeling your kitchen can be a lot of fun! Today, there are so many different themes and motifs to choose from, how do you know which to choose? A fast growing trend is the contemporary kitchen. This style is clean, fresh, and modern. Deciding to remodel your kitchen will not only update your home, but also update your life.

From blue lacquer with funky barstools to clean white glass kitchens,

When it comes to countertop clutter, there is a fine line between clean and functional. Though clutter can make food prep difficult, completely bare countertops are impractical. Don’t get rid of everything; storing away frequently used small appliances and utensils can turn into a daily headache.

Just as with cabinets, the important rule to remember is that the rules are flexible. You know

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has partnered with CSA Standards and UL Environment to jointly develop voluntary sustainability standards for home appliances. The new standards will take a life cycle approach and are intended to be used by governments, retailers and other initiatives to identify environmentally responsible products. The Association of Home Appliance

One of the things I learned in design school was just how important lighting is to any design.  So it hurts me to see beautifully designed new kitchens without the proper lighting.  Lighting brings a space to life as well as serves a function.  Do not underestimate this important piece of your remodeling puzzle.

The biggest mistake I see homeowners make is trying to get by with

 

As a Fisher & Paykel Dealer, I highly recommend the DCS DishDrawer Tall. It features a more spacious design  and new sleek modern styling.  DishDrawer is a signature product line for the homeowner with its distinctive ergonomic design that doesn't take up a lot of space and cost-savings and environmental features that minimize water, energy and detergent usage. Visit www.schrappers.com

If you are looking to do a complete kitchen remodeling for yourself, or for maximum resale value, don't neglect the kitchen island. Once just a place to pull up some stools so the kids could eat before running to the bus, the island and it's function in the kitchen has changed quite a bit in the last 10 years.

In addition to seating 4 (or more), islands today are used to house "luxury" appliances