In our main article this month, the last paragraph "Center of the Universer" describes how the living habits of our customers are "blurring" the lines between the kitchen, the nook and family room areas. This kitchen is a great example of just how that approach can bring a new kitchen to life. This kitchen had a large peninsula island that effectively blocked the kitchen from the nook and certainly the family room.  The original design elements of the early '90s were "stay out of my kitchen" which created the demand for the those peninsula islands.  In today's environment, the kitchen really does become the "center of the universe" and allows a more inviting approach. 

Kitchens have always been the center of attention in a house. It's where everyone congregates at a party, where the mail and keys are dropped, and what often makes or breaks the purchase of a home. Here are a few current trends to consider:

A kitchen's new look. Raised-panel cabinet fronts are a mainstay in kitchens, but the "grained" natural wood look is waning a bit in favor of paint finishes of deep reds and lighter greens. Designers have taken to mixing and matching painted and natural-wood finishes to not only add a bit of distinctive style, but also to identify subtle differences in function. Countertops are also an area for change where colors and finishes can be different. At Elite an area we try to focus on is the elevation and depth changes. These visual changes create interest and personalization into a kitchen.

Function and Fashion. Time was that there was only one sink in the kitchen; now, there can be up to a handful, serving specific functions and equipped with varying styles of faucets. Long trough sinks, those with built-in cooking elements, multi-basin designs with integral cutting boards, small bar basins, and deep, single-basin sinks for large pots and pans dot every corner of the kitchen.

Center of the universe. The lines between the now-established design trend of one, large open space combining the kitchen, casual eating area, and a family room are blurred even further with kitchen islands that extend farther into the living space. These islands support family gathering and interaction as legitimate homework and craft areas, dining and catering surfaces, and as inviting hang-outs. Equipped with flush-mounted or concealed, undercounter electrical outlets, overhead lighting, and ample storage, today's island is, indeed, the center of the home universe. See one of our finished kitchens that reflects this new "universe" in the sidebar article to the left and in the photograph top right. Both of these kitchens reflect the "center of the new universe".

Save the Date. Attention all PAST Customers......Many of you may not know, but we have been making major changes to our Showroom & Design Center over the past 6 months. So what better way to show it off than have a Grand Re-Opening Event on Friday September 11th from 4-7pm and Saturday September 12th from 3pm-6pm. We will have refreshments and light food PLUS some pretty cool drawings for Kitchen and Bath related items. Please RSVP to 972.334.9800 if you able to attend.

Warm regards,

John Todd
Elite Remodeling
Showroom & Design Center
2930 Preston Road, Suite 980
Frisco, Texas, 75252
(972) 334-9800 - phone
(972) 334-9890 - fax
jtodd@elitehomeremodeling.com
www.elitehomeremodeling.com

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