Posts Tagged ‘kitchen remodel’

Kitchen Confidential: What Your Kitchen Says About You

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I want to talk about kitchens this month, but rather than reiterate the trends I know we’ve already covered, I thought we’d have a little fun with the topic. While this is meant in jest, there actually is a method to my madness!

When designing a kitchen we always ask our clients how they plan to use their kitchen…what stage of life are you in and how do you want this room to function? If you’re not going to be cooking then maybe you don’t need to allow room in your budget for the big Wolf range. All this information helps us identify what that room truly requires to function at its best–after all, whether you cook or not, this will be the most used room in your house!

I also can’t help but remind you that the holidays are quickly approaching. So, as my present to you, I’ve included some gift ideas that may just help you check a few people off your list. I’m certain as you are reading this you will not only recognize yourself, but also think of some friends or family that fit these characterizations!

Without further ado, let’s see what your kitchen says about you!

Gourmet Kitchen
If your prep kitchen has a prep kitchen, I’m talking to you. You are a true foodie. Your favorite show is America’s Test Kitchen and you are always trying a new recipe. You need top of the line appliances (because, let’s face it, you actually know how to use them) and plenty of storage for all the latest kitchen gadgets and service pieces.
Get them: A gift card for a home organization service. The gourmand already has all the latest kitchen gadgets, but all those kitchen gadgets need a home! We recommend Stay Golden Organizing and The Hull Space to help get any kitchen in tip-top shape.
 

DoorDash Kitchen
Whether it’s a life full of travel, work or play, you live life on the go. Obviously, you need to order food on the go. Your kitchen doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. But you do need easy access to utensils, plates, and your favorite condiments. And, the only stocked fridge in your house is your beverage fridge.

Get them: Isn’t it obvious? A meal delivery gift card. Kidding (sort of) … leftovers are likely the only food in this kitchen, so give them something nice to put it in. We love this matching glass set.

 

Bougie Kitchen
You are very particular about your beverages. There is definitely a Vitamix lurking in this kitchen. If you don’t have a wine cellar in your house, then your kitchen has multiple wine refrigerators. You drink protein shakes during the day and graze on charcuterie boards for dinner. You love to entertain, but rarely set a table, and while you have a built-in coffee maker, you still love to go to Starbucks.
Get them: Buy them a beautiful cheese board (we love this one and this one) and have Charcuteray top it with a bougie spread for the holidays.
 

Meal Prep Kitchens
You cook, but only one day a week. You have a Costco or Sam’s Club membership to buy all those recipe staples in bulk. You need a workhorse of a kitchen with a full size refrigerator and freezer. While you love the efficiency of your meal prep recipes, you secretly live for eating out on the weekends.

Get them:
When you spend that much time cooking, you don’t have much energy left for doing the dishes. Good thing the GreenPan skillet cleans up in a breeze and is totally non-toxic. I use mine every single day.
 

Family Kitchen
Your kitchen has zones. And it’s a good thing because you are not the only cook in the kitchen. Mealtime is your time to make memories and your kitchen has a place for everyone to be part of the action. Your double islands are always lined with helping hands and hungry mouths.

Get them:
Everyone loves “make-your-own pizza night.” This pizza oven churns out one delicious pie after another. Talk about making meals memories!

Outdoor Kitchen
You know your way around a grill or live with someone who does. And you know that if the mess is created outside, it stays outside. Smart! You are always up for a party, preferably poolside. Your main dish is meat and the sides are simple.
Get them: These melamine plates look like the real deal, but they are completely shatter resistant. If you’re going to cook outside, you may as well eat there, too!
 

Assembly Kitchen
You cook, but only if the recipe requires five ingredients or less. You have kids, and probably more than two. At times you feel like a short order cook, but everyone in your house is fed and happy in between their 2,395 activities. You need an induction cooktop to boil water for dinner in minutes and a crock pot for days when you aren’t even home until dinner time.

Get them: A massage. No seriously, they probably need one. We love Yume Spa on Cherry Street and Ihloff Salon and Spa.

 
Grandkid Kitchen
At one time you were in the bougie kitchen. But now your pantry is full of goldfish, pretzels and fruit gummies. You have a bottom drawer dedicated to measuring spoons and tupperware that your grandchildren can play with and not get hurt. You still cook, but more often than not it’s cookies with your grandkids. And flour is everywhere.

Get them: Let’s face it, kids spill and go through a million cups a day. Grandparents need dish towels, and lots of them. We love these Geometry dish towels–they work well and come in a zillion cute designs.

Room For Improvement: The Most Impactful Home Improvement

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Room For Improvement: The Most Impactful Home Improvement

 

kitchen renovation in tulsa, oklahoma by Kirkendall Design

In the previous blog, we covered our most requested home improvement and interior design service among homeowners in Tulsa. Today, we’re going to focus on what home home improvement project will have the largest impact and return on investment (ROI). It’s a question we get a lot, and while the answer can vary depending on the specific house, we believe there is one clear winner.
Most Impactful Home Improvement
Once gain, it’s the kitchen. The reason is simple: everyone is impacted by the kitchen.
The primary bathroom is another popular area to improve for a return on investment, but really only two people benefit from that space. The kitchen is where all the action happens.
Whether it’s to improve the quality of food or the quality of entertainment, money spent in the kitchen is money well spent.

Splurge
How you cook depends on what area you’ll want to spend the most money on in your kitchen, however, it’s always a good idea to spend money on your countertops. They will last a lifetime and make a big impact.
If you’re an avid home chef, you will want to upgrade your appliances. Lucky for us, the way they are producing appliances now is really impressive! We were genuinely excited about how this kitchen renovation turned out, especially when it came to the refrigerator. Our interior design team nailed it with the sleek black interior and cool illuminated display. It not only made the space more functional but also added a touch of class and modern vibes. Our dedication to infusing practicality with style is what sets our kitchen interior design projects apart.

If you like a well-stocked and organized refrigerator, then you likely will want to invest in high-end refrigeration. Fridge and freezer drawers are a great option for extra storage, too, and they can be fully customized to suit your needs. Entertain a lot? Consider adding a second dishwasher. Love to bake? Then you may want to invest in a Wolf range.
A myth to bust is that all appliances have to come from the same manufacturer. No! Choose what meets your needs. Most have their niche anyway, so choose to spend your money where you want the most performance.
Of course I can’t write this blog without mentioning that most of these appliances are six to nine months out, so keep that in mind. The time to start planning (and ordering!) is now.
Save
On the flip side, if you need to save on appliances, I would look at a package. Sometimes a manufacturer will offer you a rebate or free appliance if you buy a whole suite from their brand.
People also don’t realize how much of an impact changing your backsplash can make. Maybe you can’t afford to replace the countertops, but often times a simple change of the backsplash can give your room an entirely different design.
While painting cabinets is not easy, nor is it cheap, it is definitely less expensive than replacing cabinetry. You can also consider keeping the cabinetry frames and replacing the style of door and drawer fronts to give your room a new look.  And, of course, painting the walls can dramatically change any room.
The kitchen is a room where order and organization are key – both for visual appeal and functionality.  A quick order from The Container Store can help bring your kitchen up to par in both respects. With so many cool bins and tools available, you’re sure to find what you need to get your space in tip-top shape.
Make sure you don’t miss the third and final installment of this series where I’ll be sharing my favorite home improvement project (spoiler alert: it’s not the kitchen!).