Innovations in Home Organization

More than just a place with shelves and doors to keep things, think of cabinetry as an opportunity to add color, character, and, most importantly, order to your home. From a wide variety of whole grains and hues to hardware in an array of finishes, cabinetry complements your existing decor while establishing a place for everything.

Efficiency Cooks Cherish

When homeowners think of these storage areas, the kitchen is usually the first room that comes to mind. While initially it might seem straightforward, kitchen cabinetry is more complex than you’d think. If you’re custom­ designing your kitchen, this is the perfect chance to take your height and cooking preferences into consideration.

Handy pull-out shelves eliminate the need to crouch down to hunt for the perfect pot or pan. Give your knees and back some relief and simply slide these items into view as needed. Innovations in drawers also make life a bit easier on the homeowner. Self-closing drawers return to their shut position with the slightest shove, a feature cooks cherish, especially when their hands are full.

Perhaps you’d like to treat yourself to a built-in spice rack, a cutlery cabinet, or pull-out cutting boards. A wine rack tucked into the side of an island is another space-saving amenity oenophiles cherish. Lazy Susan turntables make the most of corners, rendering otherwise hard-to-reach items easily accessible. Why waste an inch of coveted space?

Aesthetic improvements transport your cabinets beyond simple practicality. Crown molding, placed at the top of a cabinet, serves as a striking accent piece and draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of a higher ceiling, while European-style cabinets hide hinges from view for a stylish and seamless appearance.

Streamline Your Wardrobe

An organized walk-in closet, complete with drawers and shelving, allows you to assess your selections at a single glance. A well-appointed master closet not only looks appealing, it saves homeowners precious time. Rather than hunting for favorite pieces, you can arrange items by category and savor the luxury of knowing exactly where everything is neatly kept.

Shelving for shoes and drawers for jewelry, and other accessories, such as ties and scarves, evoke the feel of a high-end boutique. These amenities elevate your home and make it stand out, especially if you’re thinking of putting it on the market.

If you strive for a polished appearance, consider placing full-length mirrors on cabinet doors. Lighted hanging rods cast an ambient glow and assist you in assembling the perfect ensemble, whether you’re dressing in the early morning hours or late in the evening.

Plumbed for Elegance

Create a relaxing sanctuary in your master bathroom with cabinetry that instills a sense of order and elegance the moment you step into the room.

With limitless aesthetic and configuration options, these pieces do so much more than hide your plumbing and toiletries. For virtually universal appeal, the symmetrical layout of his and her split vanities at opposite ends of the room is a timeless classic.

Adjustable drawer dividers allow you to create separate compartments and prevent items from moving or sliding within the drawer. If you wake in the middle of the night and don’t want to disturb anyone, consider night lights which illuminate drawer interiors and help you quickly find what you need.

If clutter is your nemesis, consider installing in-drawer electrical outlets. Keep your hair dryer, straightening iron, and your electric razor stowed neatly out of view but always within reach.

Built-ins Add Beauty and Convenience

Read, study or just relax in the stately elegance that built-in bookshelves lend to a library, home office or family room. Open shelves cultivate a cultured feel by providing ample room to display literary classics or beloved photos. Highlight your keepsakes with subtle, recessed lighting that supplies the space with a sophisticated feel.

Whether they’re flanking a fireplace or serving as a hideaway for home electronics, shelving and cabinetry add instant character to your home. Built-ins have the ability to blend with your decor rather than feeling like obtrusive pieces that take up valuable space. This advantage makes them ideal for contemporary interiors where minimalist style reigns. They’re equally appealing for rooms where space is limited.

Keep these cabinets simple with smooth lines or dress them up with crown or dentil molding and columns. The choice is yours. Consider how much space you’ll crave as your household expands or disperses. Then, enjoy their timeless and tasteful beauty.

Bring order to your home and your life by making the most of your cabinetry. Once you do, you’ll quickly see the wisdom in that familiar adage, “A place for everything and everything in its place.”

Discover the Enticing World of Luxury Kitchens

You’re mincing fresh herbs on your spacious island countertop while enjoying conversation with friends. The plate of cheese and crackers on the breakfast bar finds plenty of takers and the wine has been chilled to perfection.

 Maybe it’s a holiday feast; perhaps an end-of-summer barbecue. No matter the occasion, you revel in the peace of mind knowing your dishes are worthy of a five-star restaurant, thanks in no small part to your luxury kitchen and the finest tools of the trade. Need proof? Your guests are not only comfortable, but also more than willing to roll up their shirt sleeves and collaborate in this stunning setting.

Open Invitation, and Space, to Indulge

Long considered the heart of the home, today, the kitchen’s pulse is stronger than ever. Purpose defined, the traditional cooking space has transformed into the place to dine, entertain, relax, and maybe even get some work done.

And when it comes to customization, options abound! By mixing the key ingredients of function and form, the kitchen serves up a full menu of essential design components, or ingredients, which can be combined into countless configurations and ultimately, a winning recipe for your unique kitchen.

Let’s start with the layout. At most gatherings, guests tend to cluster in the kitchen as it allows for close proximity to food and drink. An “Open Concept” kitchen creates a seamless flow to the home’s living and dining rooms that ensures the host never misses the party. The expansiveness of the large space is a comfort to cooks who can chop and chat simultaneously while also keeping an eye on other things, including children and pets, if necessary.

Smart Appliances Serve Up Superior Performance and Mouth-Watering Food

Combining state-of-the-art technology with style, high-end appliances exude an aura of quality and elegance that permeates the entire kitchen. Though stainless steel has long reigned as the king of kitchen finish materials, ensconcing your fridge and dishwasher in matching cabinetry allows them to all but disappear, creating a satisfying sense of elegance to the kitchen.

For functionality, cooks who value excellence elevate their dishes with smart features, such as proper temperature controls courtesy of a top-of-the-line oven to ensure impeccable cooking and baking.

Want to savor a perfectly seared steak? This is where power and precision make all the difference. The Thermador Professional Range with Grill allows you to bring the outdoors inside and enjoy the barbecue experience year-round. Gone are the days of canceling your dinner plans due to the weather. Congratulations! You’ve bested Mother Nature. Thanks to two different cooking zones, meats and vegetables grill simultaneously, each at the ideal temperature.

The barely-audible hum of an energy-efficient fridge or a whisper-quiet dishwasher lend an air of sophistication and tranquility to your kitchen. The Bosch lntegra 800 Series is virtually silent. That’s not all. This meticulous machine reduces energy usage by 20 percent while providing spotless results.

Of course, a 48-inch or larger cooktop, double or triple ovens, double dishwashers and a host of other appliance possibilities from a wine fridge to a Scotsman ice machine are only limited by the designer’s imagination and homeowners budget.

Keep the Chef Company

Pendant lighting is a luxury design element that shines a spotlight on your cuisine while reflecting on your personal style. Whether you opt for vintage, classic, or sleek and modern, these hanging lights serve as a warm and welcoming beacon. Long gone is the harsh overhead lighting of the past. From colorful glass shades to clean and shiny stainless steel fixtures, an ambient glow from pendant lighting creates an inviting and comfortable gathering space.

Work islands and large breakfast bars add much coveted counter space. If you’re preparing for a party, arranging a brunch buffet, or just sitting down with a cup of tea to read the paper, the breakfast bar is the place to be. Plus, this is where hungry guests congregate to keep the chef company.

Countertops have long advanced beyond simple work stations. Available in an array of materials including stone, metal, wood, glass, butcher block and more, many are as decorative as they are durable and require minimal maintenance. For luxury design, granite has long been the first choice among homeowners. While no industry-wide grading system exists, high-grade granite features unique colors, patterns and types of edges.

No longer taken for granted as utilitarian wall covering, the backsplash is yet another opportunity to bring an eye-catching element into the room. Use this wall space to warm up the kitchen by selecting tiles, glass, or metals that complement your appliances or add a pop of color. Though tile is still the most popular choice, natural stones are proving a strong second. Subway tile, a longtime favorite, is still beloved for its timeless, classic look, while mosaic tile allows owners to create their own unique designs.

Looking to make a statement with a stylish focal point that ties the whole room together? From distinctive high-quality wood to the unexpected beauty of hammered copper, a fan hood serves multiple purposes. In addition to providing ventilation and light, custom-designed range hoods make the luxury kitchen uniquely your own.

Perfect Recipe for Your Dream Kitchen

Let’s face it, the kitchen is most likely the room where you spend the majority of your waking hours. Whether you’re sipping your morning coffee or discussing the day’s events over hand-tossed gourmet pizza on a lazy evening, a kitchen can be the perfect marriage of practicality and elegance, serving as a high-traffic, yet comfortable environment that executes flawlessly.

Why not add sophistication and elegance to the menu? Design a luxury kitchen and savor your own gourmet masterpiece.

Explore the Timeless Elegance of Hardwood Flooring

Regardless of the architectural style of your home, hardwood flooring is a classic feature that enhances any decor by adding a touch of charm and sophistication. Not only does it add value to your home, hardwood floors lend beauty to the space, a benefit you’ll enjoy for as long as you live there.

Need more incentive? Wood flooring is an excellent option for anyone with environmental allergies, as unlike carpeting, it doesn’t allow pollen, pet dander, and mold to thrive and hide. Easy to care for and clean, with proper maintenance, stunning hardwood floors retain their luster for decades.

But before installation begins it’s important to choose a pattern that best compliments your space as the arrangement of the boards greatly impacts the flow of the room as well as furniture placement.

Create an inviting ambiance with classic patterns

Evoke a one-of-a-kind feel by selecting a pattern which provides a built-in focal point. Popular in Europe, Herringbone flooring features strips laid in a diagonal zigzag pattern. While challenging to install, these intricate designs add instant elegance to an entryway or library.

Chevron pattern flooring showcases boards that are cut in an angle to create a V-shaped layout. When installed properly, this design can make a room appear more spacious than it is.

Straight patterns, in which boards run parallel to each other along the width or length of a room, offer easier installation and are less expensive than other, more complicated patterns which require extra wood and can take longer to install. The standard layout works nicely in a narrow entryway or hallway.

Enjoy the rich character of a wide plank

What’s the distinction between a strip and and a plank of wood? Strips have a board width of less than three inches, while planks are traditionally three inches or wider.

Choosing the right board width is crucial as it greatly impacts the look and feel of a room. While wide planks offer a lovely rustic feel in a large space, they can often overwhelm a smaller area. Selecting too wide a width may cause issues over time as gaps can form between the planks as the home settles.

Strip hardwood flooring is ideal for narrow spaces such as long hallways and galley kitchens. If budget is a concern, these slim strips still offer a luxurious feel at a lower price point.

Embrace sustainability without sacrificing style

Cork and bamboo are beloved for their eco-friendly sustainability and often cost far less than other hardwood options. Cork flooring is very durable, and, when properly maintained, lasts just as long as more traditional hardwood floors. A great choice for high-traffic areas, cork flooring is easy on the back and feet, making it a popular pick for kitchens.

Bamboo features similar benefits but isn’t suitable for rooms with high degrees of moisture and humidity as it comes from the fast-growing plant. Strand Woven Bamboo, known as toughest in the bamboo family, is twice as hard as oak and is made by compressing bamboo fibers under extreme pressure and heat. With hues ranging from light, natural shades to rich, chocolates and deep burgundies, it’s as versatile as it is durable.

Both cork and bamboo are softer than hardwood and offer an added layer of insulation which prevents cooling and heating loss, again, making them an environmentally-friendly option.

Complement your decor with an area rug

If you’re looking to bring in additional colors or a bit of warmth, consider complementing your hardwood flooring with an area rug, which also protects those high-traffic areas.

While bare hardwood floors are perfect on their own, adding an area rug to a bedroom lends a comforting softness to the space. Runners placed in an entryway serve as a decorative yet practical way to help your home make a memorable first impression with guests.

Unlike carpeting, area rugs are free of chemical-heavy backings and adhesives, making them a healthier choice. Because they’re not permanent, if you change your decor these pieces are easily replaced. Should you move, simply roll up the rug and take it with you.

If you’re looking for a surefire way to elevate the look of any room in your home, hardwood flooring will do the trick while increasing your home’s value and style.