Kitchen
1. Be Open About Your BudgetSet a budget and share it with your kitchen designer. “Your budget shouldn’t be a secret,” Poppitt says. “It does neither of us any good if you have a beer budget and you want a champagne kitchen, or vice versa. Stick with a number so I can let you know how we can meet your needs within that parameter.”When the revamp of a kitchen in Broadmead, shown here, evolved into a full-home remodel, he discovered a surprise. “Because of a shoddy addition by the previous owners, we had much more work to do than originally planned,” he says. “The clients and I had an open line of communication about the budget, so those unforeseen obstacles were easier to forge through.” See more of this project
Building trust. Because he’s been on both sides of the fence, Poppitt understands just how vital the relationship between designer and client is. “You’re going to work closely with this person for the next three or four months,” he says. “You’ll need to find someone you can trust to guide you through the process.” Below, Poppitt spells out how to help your kitchen designer help you.
Island drinks station. Rather than let the space at the end of the island go to waste, this homeowner installed a beverage refrigerator. Since guests are forever congregating around the kitchen island, this setup makes it easy for them to serve themselves — without getting in the way of the chef. Bar fridge: Vinopazzo, AG International; island cabinetry paint: Kendall Charcoal HC-166, Benjamin Moore; floor tile: Duomo in cream, Midgley West; countertop: quartz; pendant lights: Union Lighting
Oil and utensil pullouts. In another example of well-designed cabinetry, narrow pullout cabinets on both sides of the range offer space for frequently used cooking oils, as well as utensils — a nice convenience for a frequent cook. Cabinets: custom, rift sawn oak, stained gray and glazed with a white glaze; countertops: white marble, Rye Marble; hardware: Vinci pull, SchaubRead more about this kitchenMoreThe 10 Most Popular New Kitchen Photos of 2017The Most Popular New Bathroom Photos of 2017
Undersink drawer. Given the plumbing fixtures that must go beneath the kitchen sink and the fact that there isn’t much room in that space for storage, this area can feel like a dank mini-cave. This drawer has a clever cutout that gently surrounds the plumbing, making available the good, clean space while keeping the plumbing hidden. Cabinetry: painted to match Light Pewter 1464, Benjamin Moore; hardware: Schaub; countertops: Rye Marble; sink: Strive, Kohler; faucet: Rohl
Pantry barn doors. Here’s a lovely use of the barn door trend: opening a pantry. Because the doors slide on a rail, the kitchen or pantry doesn’t need clearance area for a swinging door, allowing more space for other uses. The wide pantry doors can also be left open for easy access. These barn doors create a pretty design accent with their gray paint and black hardware. Barn doors: custom, designed by Carly Visser, CVI Design; flooring: Santee Oak, Medallion collection, Naturally Aged Flooring; cabinet paint: Baby’s Breath 873, Benjamin Moore; island cabinet paint: SW 0077 Classic French Gray, Sherwin-Williams; wall paint: Passive 7064, Sherwin-Williams; pendants: Elk 66138-1, Elk Group International
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