Color plays an important role in your kitchen design! Our team of designers can help you identify the color scheme that’s best suited for you and your space. White cabinets continue to dominate remodeling, accounting for more than 40% of all kitchen remodeling projects. Blue and green tones are trending in new-kitchen design and mixing these into your new kitchen either as base or upper cabinets, as appliance colors or as accents provides a monochromatic effect that can be electric. 

If you are drawn to white, you can offset its potential to feel cold and clinical by mixing in different colors and materials. You can accomplish this with wood floors, countertops or a butcher block either as standalone or incorporating a wood cutting board into a countertop. Another option to consider is white upper cabinets with black or darker lower cabinets. Imagine a white onyx countertop contrasting against black lower cabinets. Classic and gorgeous.

If you want to incorporate different colors beyond a black and white palate into your new kitchen, look to mother nature for inspiration. We often are drawn to colors found in food, ranging from olives and champagne to blood oranges and eggplants to make a dramatic statement and focal point when used as a backsplash or wall color.

Mixing off white with white is another option if you want to break up the stark feel of an all-white kitchen. The end result is a calm feel to the room.

Red, white and blue as a color combination can be perfect for a kitchen to generate a vibe that combines cleanliness, softness and vibrancy. This color combination typically works best when red and blue are used as accent colors that can really pop when used next to one another.

What colors would work best, and where they should be incorporated into your new kitchen? Find out by giving us a call at (407)629-9366, or plan a day to come out to our showroom at 935 N Orange Ave Ste 102 in Winter Park. One of our designers would be delighted to show you around. For additional inspiration at home, visit our website at www.centralkitchen.com.

Health and Wellness Take Center Stage

More than 40% of renovating homeowners converted their master bath into a space for relaxation. 55% of Houzz study respondents reported that soaking in a tub helps them relax. Conversely, 54% of respondents enjoy taking long showers.

Shower appeal is growing. Nearly 50% of homeowners removed the tub during the remodel, opting for larger and multifunctional showers.

High Tech Fixtures

Nearly 50% of faucets and more than a third of toilets in renovated baths feature advanced technology that includes increased water efficiency and finger-proof finishes on faucets and self-cleaning toilet systems with heated seats.

Accentuated Spaces

Accent walls are hot in bath remodels. Nearly 40% of remodels cited in the Houzz study featured accent walls in the master bath. 19% of homeowners opt for an accent wall inside the shower; 18% placed an accent wall outside the shower. Using different surface materials, such as tile or stone, was the most popular method to create an accent wall in the master bath, followed by colors, patterns or textures that differ from the rest of the bath. The most popular accent wall color was blue.

Light Up Your World

80% of homeowners renovating a master bath improved their lighting, and that makes sense because lighting affects how a room looks and feels.

If you would like to create a personal haven in your home where you and your family can go to relax and rejuvenate, give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or make an appointment to visit our showroom either in person at 935 N. Orange Ave in Winter Park or virtually.

We’ve received numerous calls from homeowners interested in updating what currently exists. Certain elements of a dream kitchen should be at the top of everyone’s priority list regardless of space and budget. At the top of the list should be a combination of beauty, aesthetics and superb functionality. You should smile every time you cross the threshold, and every time you use your kitchen to prepare meals, eat, help with homework, chat with friends and neighbors or simply spend a few minutes for yourself.

The key priorities for any new kitchen should include:

• Adequate storage
• The right light
• Appliances that cater to the families’ desires and lifestyle
• Proper ventilation
• Island or peninsula
• Everything else, including the kitchen sink

A superbly designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. There is a direct connection between storage capabilities and functionality. That’s why when we design a new kitchen, we ask our clients to inventory everything that they currently store in their kitchen, curate duplicative items and identify items they use rarely as opposed to those that are employed daily. Knowing the utensils, dishes, small appliances, glassware, cooking accessories and other items you use in your kitchen enables a kitchen designer to develop a customized storage solution for your unique needs and desires.

Lighting can make or break how your kitchen looks, feels and functions. Effective lighting illuminates a space in layers using different components and strategies to paint the final picture. Layers of light contribute not only to the functionality of the kitchen but also to its design and beauty. A savvy kitchen designer knows how to employ ambient, task and accent lights to enhance a new kitchen’s beauty and functionality.

Appliance selection should match your lifestyle. For homeowners who like to cook, the cooktop and oven are the two most used and hardest working appliances. Make those two appliances priorities.

Range hoods serve two valuable roles. Functionally, they remove smoke, grease and odors from the kitchen. Aesthetically, they can provide a focal point that sets the tone for the entire space.

Islands or peninsulas are requested by 99% of homeowners and for good reason. Islands provide extra countertop space and storage. Islands can double as dining tables, homework desks or a place for an additional sink, cooktop or dishwasher.

Sinks and sink areas are often an afterthought or minimize their importance. Too often the choice of the sink is left to the countertop fabricator that often agrees to provide a sink at “no charge.” Typically, the fabricator’s selection is the least expensive option available. Why would you want to put a $25 sink into a $50,000 kitchen? Plus, doing so misses multiple opportunities to enhance the functionality of your sink area. Today, manufacturers offer workstations that convert the sink into another space to prepare meals. These workstations include colanders, cutting boards, drying racks, bowls and other meal prep tools and utensils.

How can you identify the top priorities for your dream kitchen? Give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 935 N. Orange Ave in Winter Park.

Kitchen and bath renovations are booming. Many homeowners realize that working from home is not a passing fad. Many will be working from home for the near-term future and most likely longer than that. That’s one reason why homeowners are wanting to increase their home’s functionality and appeal. If we are spending most of our time at home, then the home should be where you want to be.

The kitchen remains the heart of the home; it’s where meals are prepared, families and friends gather and children do homework. The average American spends more than one week out of every year in the kitchen. And that number is expected to climb as work from home remains a force.

A recent study of more than 500,000 Instagram posts identified the top kitchen trends. Modern design exemplified by clean, simple lines was the number one design style followed by:

• farmhouse kitchens
• country motifs
• traditional design
• rustic
• cottage
• shaker
• industrial
• minimalist
• transitional

Top trends among kitchen features:

• granite countertops
• pantry cabinets
• quartz countertops
• kitchen islands
• eco-friendly
• brass faucets
• copper hardware
• mosaic backsplash tile
• induction cooktops
• farmhouse sinks

Color trends:

• White
• Black
• Green
• Blue
• Cream
• Pink
• Gray
• Yellow
• Peach
• Floral

Are you looking to create a dream, trend-setting kitchen in your home? Give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or come out and visit us at 935 Orange Ave in Winter Park.

Islands are among the most requested features in the dream kitchens we design. Islands serve multiple purposes: providing a palate for meal preparation, dining, working, a place to do homework and a storage facility. When homeowners request an island, we determine if there is sufficient space, and if not, we recommend alternatives that can provide similar functionality.

In smaller spaces, we can custom design an island to fit the space. Common features may include shallower depths, custom cabinetry and custom height. There is no standard specification that is required to custom design an island. Islands in a kitchen must provide enough space for families to maneuver effortlessly and safely throughout the space. The size, shape and location of the island depend first and foremost on the size of the room and who will use the kitchen and for what purposes. The space between the island and cabinetry is called the clearance zone. The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests a clearance zone of 42 to 48 inches. If that is not possible, we have designed kitchens with clearance zones of 39 inches. The key is to ensure that base cabinets and appliance doors can open unencumbered. There should be a least three feet between an open door and the island to provide safe travel throughout the kitchen.

The clearance zone and size of the island are also affected by the number of users. If there are only two family members who live in the home, smaller islands and clearances are possible. The rule of thumb in sizing and configuring islands is to factor the homeowners’ functionality and aesthetic dreams into the space’s potential clearance. The bottom line is that islands need to be proportionate to the space.  

Island Alternatives

Some kitchens may not be able to accommodate an island. That does not mean you need to compromise the functionality that an island can offer. Reconfiguring a kitchen space to allow for an open floor plan or physically extending the kitchen space are viable options. Rolling islands are another alternative. We partner with wonderful manufacturers who can custom create a butcher block on wheels.

Peninsulas are another popular alternative to islands. The difference between an island and a peninsula is an island has four sides, and a peninsula is fixed to a wall and only offers three sides. Peninsulas offer an extra yard of space.

Can an island or peninsula work in your dream kitchen? We have templates that you can use to measure your space. Give us a call at (407)629-9366 or make an appointment to visit us at 935 Orange Ave in Winter Park, and help make your dream kitchen a reality.

Contemporary kitchens celebrate natural materials whether they are stone, quartz or solid wood cabinetry. Contemporary motifs often feature frameless cabinets that offer smooth surfaces. The tile we specify for a contemporary kitchen also is straightforward. The edges are sharp and clean. The same approach is taken when we specify countertops for a contemporary kitchen. Quartz is extremely popular because of its clean look.

A well-designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. We often specify special storage compartments for drawers and cabinets so that countertops can remain clutter free. Contrasting cabinets colors and materials with countertops, backsplashes and floor and wall coverings can add a wow factor to a contemporary kitchen. Imagine gray wall cabinets with white base cabinets. In contemporary kitchens, opposites attract. That’s why we don’t subscribe to limiting color palettes for our clients who want a contemporary look. What’s more important is how the color selected will contrast and complement with other materials in the kitchen.

Lighting fixtures tend to be minimalist and offer clean, uncluttered lines.

Less is typically more in contemporary kitchen design. Open floor plans, expansive floor and countertop space and natural light when possible are hallmarks of contemporary kitchen design.

For faucets, cabinet and door hardware and other fixtures, we recommend polished chrome finishes. Chrome is timeless and easy to clean.

If you are interested in exploring a contemporary design for your new kitchen or bath, please call us at (407)629-9366 or visit our showroom at 935 Orange Ave in Winter Park.

Split finishes are in vogue in everything from plumbing fixtures and appliances to door and cabinet hardware. We’ve seen ear-to-ear smiles when we present combination black and gold finishes to our clients. Specifying gold refrigerator pulls on a matte black refrigerator creates a dramatic and refined focal point in any kitchen. We also have had an extremely positive reception pairing black and silver tones in all design motifs – traditional, transitional and contemporary.

Mixed materials is another trend in new kitchens and baths. Combining metal, stone, wood and glass are on point for many homeowners and builders. Imagine an island that features an engineered stone top contrasted with two-tone wood paneling and a matte black sink with gold-finished faucet. Simply gorgeous.

Similar to mixing materials is specifying contrasting colors. Different colored upper and lower cabinets continue to gain in popularity.

Functional furniture is also making a new home in kitchens and baths. Homeowners warmly respond to suggestions for desk space, separate storage cabinetry and pantries, open shelving and other solutions that are more reminiscent of furniture found in other places in the home than traditional kitchen cabinetry.

White kitchen cabinetry continues to rank as the number one preference. However, we see white trending in other materials and fixtures beyond cabinetry. White finished appliances, split chrome and white faucetry and split white toned lighting make for a dramatic statement in any kitchen. Other trending colors for finishes in kitchens and baths include champagne, bronze, gray, gold and black.

Smart appliances and fixtures also continue to gain in popularity. Many homeowners like having the ability to preheat their ovens from a smartphone app. Smart technology for the kitchen helps make homeowners’ lives easier and more enjoyable. Smart technology also enables homeowners to react to potential maintenance and malfunction issues immediately. For example, a smartphone alert can notify a homeowner that a refrigerator door may have been left open or that the dishwasher is leaking.

The kitchen plays a critical role in connecting it as the most important room in the home with other spaces. That helps to explain the popularity of open floor plan kitchens. Your new kitchen has to look out-of-this-world and serve multiple purposes and functions, spanning from the space where meals are prepared to a central gathering place for family and friends. A well-designed kitchen combines stylish aesthetics with durable and functional finishes and materials.

How can you capitalize on new trends and technology to create the kitchen or bath of your dreams? Give us a call at (407)629-9366 or stop in to our showroom at 935 Orange Ave in Winter Park.

Ceilings are often an afterthought of the renovation process and don’t get the attention or recognition that they deserve. In a well-designed kitchen or bath, nothing should be overlooked, including the ceiling. Ceiling height, shape, style, accessories and color helps determine how a space looks and how it feels.

The ceiling should be considered the fifth wall in your new kitchen or bath and should be used to enhance the space’s character. Paint, wallpaper, different textures, heights, finishes and materials can be employed to create a ceiling that serves as a focal point and enhances the overall design and functionality of the space.

The standard height of a kitchen or bath ceiling is eight to nine feet. In some remodels, increasing that height is not practical or even feasible, depending on what is above your bath or kitchen. Typically, we have more flexibility in the bath to incorporate a skylight over a tub, add window space, or create a dropped area of the room to define a portion of the space.

Here are some common ceiling options to enhance your bath or kitchen:

• Cove ceilings have curved edges between the ceiling and the wall to create a dome-like design that can create a focal point at the top of the walls. One advantage of cove ceilings is that they help make a space appear taller than it is.
• Vaulted ceilings create a sense of volume and spaciousness to a room and also serve to make a space appear larger than it is. Most homes with a sloped roof can support a vaulted ceiling. Vaulted ceilings can have curved or straight sides and symmetrical or asymmetrical lines.
• Cathedral ceilings employ straight sides that slope upward at the same angle as the exterior roofline. The most famous cathedral ceiling is at Notre-Dame in Paris. You can’t build anything on top of a cathedral ceiling, but you can create one from unused attic space.
• Ceiling trays are recessed ceilings at the highest point with an inverted center. Ceiling trays can add more depth to a room and make it appear more spacious.
• Any new kitchen or bath ceiling can be enhanced by decorative moldings, especially Victorian homes.
• Beamed ceilings are another tool in a designer’s arsenal to create unique looks. Beams add warmth and character to a room. You need a taller space for beams so the space doesn’t feel small and cramped.
• Even basic ceilings can be enhanced with statement-making lighting, paint or patterned wallpaper.

Are you ready to do your own amazing kitchen or bath renovation? Give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 935 Orange Ave in Winter Park.

Why should you rely on a designer to create your dream kitchen or bath? Renovating an existing space or building a brand new kitchen, bath, closet or laundry room is a major investment of time and resources. The internet is both our friend and foe. While the internet provides access to every product and service that you could ever need for a renovation project, the amount of information available online can be overwhelming and is likely to cause analysis paralysis. You might find inaccurate information online, which can contribute to unrealistic expectations and elevates stress levels. A professional designer can help you avoid those pitfalls. Showroom professionals can be your greatest asset because they know how to make order out of chaos.

Trust is a key component of project success. Whenever we design a project, we take the time to interview our clients to gain an understanding of their priorities and wish lists. We pick their brains to better understand and deliver on their dreams. Every project begins with a blank canvas. There are no rules, and there should never be a cookie-cutter approach. Our goal when designing a space is to create something new. There are no standard recipes. That’s what makes design fun, exciting and so rewarding for our clients and our team. It’s the creative process, and we love converting homeowners’ dreams into a reality.

When looking for a designer to create a dream space in your home, make sure that you understand the designer’s style and approach to the design and building process. This understanding almost always creates a comfort level. It does not matter the size of the budget or scope of the project, if you and your designer are not on the same page, problems are likely to follow. With any project, there are lots of decisions to be made, and there is always a need to compromise. A good designer knows the right questions to ask to not only determine your style, but also to direct you to product and design choices that complement your existing home décor (as applicable) and personal style and to ensure a consistent flow and look throughout your home.

We often advise our clients to trust in the process. Regardless of how much time you invest in research before coming to a showroom or visiting virtually, professional designers have a vast amount of experience and knowledge that is critical to project success. We often find that clients will hesitate at a new or an out-of-the-box approach. One of the primary reasons to hire a designer is to provide the freedom to use their talents and experience to design and direct the project and to create something that is uniquely yours. Every one of our clients has opinions and goals for their project. Designers translate those ideas and goals to create something exceedingly special.

For additional guidance on working effectively with designers and showrooms even remotely, give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or come into our showroom at 935 Orange Ave Ste 102 in Winter Park.

Review and refresh how you use your kitchen. Do you need to take a deep dive into your refrigerator? Has your cutlery drawer become a tangled web of utensils that you rarely, if ever, use? Make a plan of attack to refresh your kitchen to help it function more effectively and simply make it more enjoyable to use and be in the space.

Clean out your fridge. Take everything out of your refrigerator and freezer, shelf by shelf. Throw out anything expired as well as anything that you haven’t used for more than three months. You know what we are talking about – that jar of pickles, jellies, salad dressing, etc.

Clean other appliances. Run your dishwasher with nothing in it. Rinse your waste disposer with white vinegar. Ten minutes later, pour boiling water down the drain. Then run your waste disposer with ice cubes and lemon rinds. Degrease your cooktop. Use the self-cleaning function on your oven. Empty the crumb tray on your toaster. Clean your microwave. Replace the filters on your coffee maker and refrigerator. Run only water through your coffee maker. Clean other countertop appliances used regularly.

Declutter drawers and cabinets. Tackle one drawer and cabinet at a time. Remove everything, and wipe down the drawer and/or shelves. Determine the contents that are used regularly, used rarely or not used at all. For the later, either dispose of those items or donate them to a charity. For rarely used items, e.g., the turkey roaster used only on Thanksgiving or Christmas, consider another location in your home to free up counter or cabinet space. Donate or toss duplicate items – how many peelers and melon ballers do you need? Inventory your knives. Sharpen those that you use frequently, and consider a new home for those that you rarely use.

Tackle the pantry. Pull out each item and ask, “how does this item make me feel?” If the response is not positive, either toss the item in the trash bin or donate it to a food bank. When you restock the pantry, replace items in a logical order. Put all canned goods together. Designate a separate area for baking ingredients, spices, grains, nuts, etc. Reorganizing your pantry by category not only will help you to eat healthier, but it will also save time for meal preparation and cooking. When you empty your pantry, it’s a perfect time to clean shelves and containers.

Take care of your sinks and faucets. Wash your sink and pay attention to joints and seals where grime can accumulate.

Clean countertops and open shelves. Take everything off your open shelves and countertops. Do a thorough curation. For each item, ask if this is something that you want to look at every day. If not, donate or relocate.

Don’t ignore windows, walls and floors. Vacuum your ceiling, walls and the floor. Wipe down walls and cabinet exteriors with dish soap and warm water. Send your window covers to a launderer or dry cleaner, or if they are washable, throw them in your washing machine.

If you would like additional tips and tricks for making your kitchen look, function and feel the best it can be, please give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or go to our website for a virtual tour of our showroom. https://www.centralkitchen.com/central-kitchen-bath-design-studio-virtual-tour/