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.

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.

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.

There are several questions to ask to set goals for a kitchen remodel. One set deals with functionality:

• Who will regularly use the kitchen, and for what purposes?
  • Cooking
  • Entertaining
  • Eating
  • Homework
  • Watching television
  • Reading
  • Paying bills
  • Searching the web
  • Washing the dog

The other set of questions deal with aesthetics:

• If you entertain frequently, do you want your kitchen to wow your friends and family?
• What feelings do you want the new kitchen to emit?
  • A comfortable space to relax;
  • A formal statement-making space for entertaining;
  • A reflection of your style and great taste; and or
  • A showpiece that enables you to showcase your gourmet talents?

When you determine the goals for functionality, look and feel, you save hours because those decisions will enable a talented, experienced designer to direct you to products, textures and colors that reflect your style and functionality goals.

Dream Big

Make a wish list of everything you want and prioritize what is most important. That may be a commercial quality range made for residential applications, in-kitchen wine storage or a statement-making island. Dream big. An experienced designer can help you budget appropriately to make those dreams realities.

Identify Budget-Friendly Opportunities

Everyone has a budget for their new kitchen. With every project, there are value opportunities depending on goals and priorities. If cooking is not your priority, then there might not be a need for an eight burner range, or multiple ovens. You might not be aware that tile manufacturers are producing slabs that resemble granite and quartz at a considerably lower price point. Determining priorities helps designers identify budget-friendly opportunities for components that might not be on the top of the wish list.

Laying Out Space

A professional designer approaches a new kitchen or a remodel by identifying zones that are used for meal preparation, cooking and clean up. Designers also create plans that allow users to effectively navigate the space without bumping into fixtures or other people. They help assure that appliances, cabinets and drawers can open freely and not bump into something or someone. Designers understand the proper distance required between countertop and appliances and countertops and islands.

Project Scope

A key consideration in any kitchen remodel is the scope of the renovation. Do you intend to increase the size of the space? Will the new plan require relocating plumbing, electrical, ductwork and registers? Do you want to add more natural light? These decisions will help determine if you will need a building permit. Your designer can advise you of changes that will require permits and those that don’t. Lighting can make or break the look and feel of a new kitchen. It’s not an area that you can gloss over because lighting not only makes meal preparation, cooking and clean up easier it also sets the tone. Plus, there are now options for integrating lighting in cabinets and drawers and underneath toe kicks, and there are incredible options for statement-making pendant hardware and chandeliers.

We understand that remodeling your kitchen requires several decisions, so with doing a little planning ahead of time it can eliminate many of the hassles that can come along the way. For additional guidance on preparing for your kitchen remodel or if you’re ready to jump right in, give us a call at (407) 629-9366 or come visit our showroom at 935 Orange Ave Ste 102 Winter Park FL.

Style Trends

A large majority of homeowners (85%) change the entire style of their kitchen when they renovate. In 2019, transitional was most popular, selected by 21% of homeowners, followed by contemporary (16%), modern (15%) and traditional style (11%). Transitional cabinets, fixtures and other kitchen staples combine both traditional and contemporary styles. Transitional has been the most favored style for three years now.

Cabinets are King

Cabinets are the number one choice for upgrading during a kitchen renovation. 94% of homeowners reported upgrading cabinets as part of their kitchen renovation with 68% opting to replace all cabinets.

White Remains Number One

White kitchen cabinets continue to reign atop of the color heap in kitchen renovations with 45% of homeowners selecting white cabinets for their new kitchens. Wood-tone cabinets were the second most popular cabinet option (22%) followed by gray as the third most popular color choice.

Shake, Shake, Shake, Shaker

More than six in 10 homeowners selected a Shaker-style door front for their new kitchens. The second most popular style was a flat panel at 21% followed by raised panel doors at 18%. A majority of those replacing their cabinets during their kitchen remodel selected custom cabinets (40%). Another 36% of homeowners opted for semi-custom cabinets with a much smaller percentage of homeowners selecting stock (12%) and even fewer choosing ready to assemble. The difference is in the quality.

Specialty Storage Draws A Crowd

A well-designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. More and more clients are starting to appreciate the benefits of drawer and cabinet organizers. Cookie sheet or tray organizers were most popular, selected by 50% of homeowners upgrading their cabinets. 63% of homeowners selected drawers with pull out waste and/or recycling drawers. Lazy Susans were also popular organizers picked by 40% of homeowners renovating their kitchens. Another 36% of remodelers featured pullout or swing-out drawers. Nearly half of homeowners that renovated their kitchen upgraded their pantry as well.

What’s the right style, cabinet color and door front and organization tools for your dream kitchen? Give us a call at (407)629-9366 or visit our showroom at 935 N. Orange Ave Ste 102 Winter Park FL 32789 and let us show you how we can make your dream a reality! 

When planning the kitchen of their dreams, homeowners often wonder if they should select painted or stained cabinets. There is no right answer. The choice of stained or painted cabinets depends on the look and feel that a homeowner desires. Both paint and stain have pluses and minuses. The choice really depends on the style statement that you would like to make.

Paint offers a smooth surface with options for a glossy, matte or satin finish. There are unlimited color options, and paint can be applied to solid wood, plywood and medium-density fiberboard. Paint hides the features or grain of the wood used to make a cabinet. 

Unlike paint, stain allows the natural beauty of wood to shine through. While paints come in every color in the rainbow, stain options are not as plentiful. The most popular stain choices among homeowners are brown, red and gold tones. Occasionally, we specify kitchen cabinets with blue, green or grey stains. 

There is a cost difference between painted and stained cabinets. Paint is typically 15% more due to a more labor-intensive application process to cover the entire surface of the cabinet to achieve a smooth, clean, consistent look. 

Cabinet Cleaning and Preservation

Stained wood cabinets should be cleaned semi-annually or quarterly if you are an avid cook because wood grain tends to absorb grease and dirt. We advise our clients to clean their stained cabinets by mixing seven parts distilled vinegar with one part rubbing alcohol and a few drops of dish soap. Using a microfiber cloth, wipe down cabinets with the alcohol, vinegar, soap mixture, and then rinse with warm water. Seal the finish with furniture oil to keep your sealed wood cabinets looking like new.

Painted cabinets should be wiped down with a damp microfiber cloth weekly. If you find that the cabinets still require TLC, then use the same alcohol, dish soap and vinegar mixture and approach recommended for stained wood cabinets.

Black and white cabinets serve as repositories for fingerprints, dust, dirt and grime. They should be wiped down weekly with a damp microfiber cloth. If you order white painted cabinets, request the showroom provide a small container of matching white paint that you can use to repair the chips and scrapes that often occur with regular usage.

The following products and ingredients can damage cabinets so avoid using them or any product that contains them:

• Petroleum-based products
• Solvents
• Bleach
• Strong detergents and soaps
• Nail polish remover
• Paint thinners
• Plastic brushes
• Steel wool
• Scoring pad
• Ammonia

Is paint or stain the right choice for your new kitchen or bath? Give us a call at (407)629-9366 or visit our showroom at 935 Orange Ave Ste 102, Winter Park FL 32789 and let us help you select the perfect paint or stain for your new kitchen or bathroom cabinets.