A Designer's Review of Three of HGTV's Top Kitchen Design Trends

Is Gray really the new 'White'?

Photo courtesy of  HGTV

While I have to admit, the color gray has taken front row in paint colors for rooms, I'm not so sure about kitchen cabinets in gray for traditional kitchens. However, for a more contemporary kitchen design, I believe it would look smart, fresh and clean-lined.

Some other ideas to consider with gray cabinets:

• Gray cabinets would flow beautifully alongside stainless steel appliances.
• Looks great with brushed nickel and especially chrome faucets, cabinet hardware.
• It's a nice departure from the ever popular white, without going to an extreme color choice (that will go out of style before you can say 'gray'!)

Up, up and away Upper Cabinet doors - yay or nay?

Blum hardware for upper cabinets

Again, I see a neat, crisp contemporary kitchen making great use of the Blum lift system for kitchen cabinets. For traditional kitchens, I have to say, I love the trend of incorporating open shelves vs. walls and walls of cabinets with doors.

I still love Kermit the frog, but I can't jump on the color 'green' for a Kitchen Sink

Photo courtesy of HGTV and Kohler



For any of you who grew up in my era, we have a distinct memory of a certain shade of avocado green, that we swear we never want to see again. Surely, the sink above is not that shade of green, but I suggest only the most daring should choose the Jonathan Adler sink from Kohler. It's not for everybody, but if you must have it, by all means - go for it!

I was wondering.... what trends are you thinking of and what are your thoughts about trying something you've never tried before?

Today, call for professional help, for a nudge to get started and for the best year ever:
732 690-2030

M. A. Smith, Ltd. Interior Design
1288 Beauchamps Place, Toms River, NJ 08753
E-mail: masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
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Why Streamlined Hardware for the Kitchen equals less Stress

Photo courtesy of Blumotion Inc.

Why hardware for your Kitchen should not only look good - it should make your job easier

Simple yet attractive in design, ease of use, good looks: these are all the components of kitchen and bath hardware that need to be addressed with today's busy lifestyles.

The most requested features of Kitchen and Bath cabinet hardware are:

• Soft close door and drawer hinges - allows the busy cook to get to the next step in cooking 
• Touch-open hardware systems - free the cook's hands from having to open the garbage or recycling bin
• Clean-lined designs mean door handle hardware is easy to maintain (less crevices to deal with)
• Full-extension drawers provide more space and easier to access space.

Hardware may be last of the list of a Kitchen or Bath renovator. But it should be a top priority if you want to enjoy your renovation for years to come.

M. A. Smith, Ltd.,Interior Design
Allied Member ASID
732 690-2030
masmithinteriordesign.com
bestdesigncoach.com
housezengarden.com