Kitchen designer, Mario Mulea, CR -Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly teamed up with Timothy Miller & Associates Interior Design to create a purely classic kitchen in a waterfront beach house in Southampton. We had a lot of fun on this shoot. It was a glorious day, and thank goodness our photographer Keith Scott Morton loves me because I drove him crazy making sure we got the water views in the shots. (Thank you Keith! They came out fabulous.) The kitchen is as calm and beautiful as its natural surroundings. Flooded with natural light and breathtaking views of Shinnecock Bay in Southampton, Long Island, the kitchen is outfitted with elegant Nordic white cabinetry in a Pasadena door style from Wood-Mode’s Brookhaven line. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry accommodates a remarkable amount of storage, and Mario’s clever open-plan design connects the kitchen with the adjacent beach patio, dining area, and living room allowing for a more sociable space. The white perimeter countertops and backsplash have random splashes of gray and may look like honed marble but are actually from Silestone’s Nebula series in Lagoon. The kitchen island counter is 1 ½” thick wide-plank African mahogany with an ogee edge. The island’s elegant globe pendants are from Rejuvenation Lighting, and the French bistro chairs complete the timeless scheme. (Chairs are from Glac Seat in Connecticut. The chair pattern is Cannage horizontal and vertical in colors Moka, Navy, and Ivory with navy bindings and a honey frame.) The custom-designed wood hearth houses a Wolf 48” range, and the hood insert is by Best. Appliances include a 48” SubZero Pro refrigerator, 24” Wine refrigerator, GE Monogram microwave, and two Miele integrated dishwashers. The apron front farm sinks are Rohl’s single basin fireclay from the Shaw’s Original series. The main sink has a polished nickel faucet from Rohl (Perrin and Rowe bridge faucet with side spray) , and the secondary sink’s high arc semi-pro kitchen faucet with a professional pull-down spray is by Grohe (K7 Semi Pro), which is perfect for the serious cook.The staggered 8 x 48? Walker Zanger porcelain driftwood plank floor in an Ibira patina finish creates a sophisticated yet relaxed vibe, which suits this vacation home perfectly. The floor is remarkable! It offers the warm look of a wood floor, but it is actually extremely durable porcelain tile — perfect for a beach house. Everything ties together flawlessly, offering a unique lifestyle space for this family to enjoy. We are very proud of the manufacturers we represent. We pick the best of the best in all categories from cabinetry, to countertops, to fixtures, to flooring, so we can deliver the highest quality products and create exceptional living spaces for our clients. We are honored to be sponsored for Blog Tour Vegas by some of the vendors featured in this post. (SubZero and Wolf, Wood Mode, Walker Zanger, Top Knobs, Cosentino: Dekton) Ken and I look forward to sharing all the new product releases they will be showcasing at KBIS 2014.
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Black is The New Stainless (Sounds like a new pilot for HBO) …As the world trends, so do kitchens. Once clients have decided that stainless steel appliances are the way to go since they have been trending for so many years, up comes another trend. Will stainless steel ever lose it edge? Manufactures like Wolf and General Electric are counting on it. According to Wolf, “Black is the new stainless steel”. Take a look at the new contemporary ovens from Wolf in highly reflective black glass. While Miele has always been a proponent of fashionable black glass, they have now put all their appliances on a diet with black glass, touches of stainless steel, and low profile handles – a far cry from the “chunky-monkey” handles of the past. With these heavy hitters taking the lead, can all the other manufactures be far behind? I say not – Look for “Slate” from General Electric and “Black Steel” from Electrolux. …and how do you like this look from La Cornue? Grace took this photograph at EuroCucina in Milan last week. This limited-edition version of the oven will be tough to find because only three per continent will be released. For those with stainless, don’t panic. Stainless steel is not dead since there are so many products that coordinate with this finish like sinks & faucets, backsplash tile, decorative lighting, and cabinet hardware.The next time your are looking to replace your appliances consider how great a LBD looks (little black dress).
Our designer Michael Radovic, CKD, Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc., recently created something truly special in Atlantic Beach for a family that wanted an elegant, relaxed kitchen environment with plenty of space for cooking and socializing. The entire kitchen layout opens to a sunroom with Nano doors that lead to the patio and outdoor kitchen – an entertainer’s dream.The white color palette and fine design elements create a classic, luxurious aesthetic in this traditional kitchen, especially when combined with warm wood floors and a walnut island. The white-painted cabinetry is Bentwood with a custom hand-brushed finish and Warwick inset door, available exclusively on Long Island at Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly. The wall that houses the SubZero wine refrigerator, freezer, refrigerator drawers, and Wolf wall ovens is also walnut in a Praline stain. Clever illumination includes recessed ceiling spots, under-counter lights, backlit cabinets, and spectacular island pendants, all providing the perfect ambiance that mingles well with the glossy white subway-tile backsplash. Perimeter countertops are brown antique granite, and the island is misty white marble. The counter stools on the island provide a perfect place to sit and chat. The kitchen counter accessories are from Williams-Sonoma. The custom-designed hearth is flanked with pullout spice racks and has an elliptical curve and keystone. The hood insert is by Prestige with a remote blower and switch. The microwave is GE Monogram and the two integrated dishwashers are Bosch. The farm sink is by Whitehaus, and the faucet is from Rohl. Michael’s meticulous attention to detail resulted in a very warm and welcoming space with dramatic contrasts and wonderful storage solutions.
What’s Brewing in your Kitchen this Halloween? My healthy food concoctions are scary enough, but wouldn’t it be fun to see the kids’ faces if they came home to this scene on Halloween? These artisan pieces are as unique as they are functional. 1. Witches’ Kitchen Set: This collection of kitchenware was originally designed by Tord Boontje. Artisans handcrafted each piece in one of three South American countries. The black ceramic cookware is hand-molded by Colombian artisans, the wooden kitchen utensils are handcarved by Guatemalan craftspeople, and the kitchen couture was hand-sewed by Brazil’s Coopa-Roca women’s cooperative. 2. Cat Yixing Tea Mug with a cat handle is made from a unique, dark brown clay found near Yixing, China. The clay is porous and unglazed allowing it to absorb flavors. 3. Handmade Broom Set: The 100% renewable sorghum is combined with intricately woven, vibrant handles by artisans in Thailand colored with nontoxic dyes.4. Cast Iron Potjie Pot Cauldron: This pot is made from pure grey cast iron and is pre-seasoned with edible high quality flax seed oil. The round shape allows the heat to flow evenly around the sides and maintain liquids at the lowest point to keep food from burning. The lid has a deep lip for holding hot coals and are perfect when cooking over open fires or LP gas burners.5. Sarpaneva Cast Iron Saucepan: The Sarpaneva cast iron pot is an award-winning piece designed by Timo Sarpaneva in 1960. It is back in production as part of the iittala collection. The detachable wooden handle is an ingenious design that allows you to easily remove it from the oven, carry the pot to the table, and safely lift the lid. The Cast Iron Potjie pot (#4 above) comes in many sizes, so if you’re thinking of using it for your outdoor fire pit, you can find the perfect size. It also makes for a memorable serving vessel. See more of our “Editors’ Finds” for your kitchen!
We had the opportunity to visit with designers from the Marchi Group in Germany at IMM Cologne Living Kitchen. The Marchi Group’s master craftsmen work with wood, forged metals, and stone when designing a kitchen or kitchen island. The design possibilities with this cabinetry excite us as they embrace concepts that move between the past and the future. The cabinet designs feature iron, exposed bolts, rivets, and gentle shades of solid wood that come together like a sophisticated piece of artwork.The kitchen you see here is the Nolita Kitchen. This is quite simply good design. We love the bar rail detail where the upper cabinets split and what’s really interesting is that their talls don’t come all the way up. The tall cabinets only come up about 3/4 of the way; then, the cabinets are stepped back to a narrower section going through the middle. The cabinet door detail is very interesting and quite unique. We haven’t seen this door style before. What you see here is actually a raised panel on a raised panel. It is a standard 5 piece cabinet door with a raised center panel but the raised center panel is a series of panels. You have the standard inside cove molding, then you have another unique, almost provincial, raised panel detail with a wooden peg. This unique center raised panel gives the kitchen a sophisticated country feel.We take notice of kitchen design details like this. Good design is what makes a kitchen exciting. This look is right in line with the trends we saw in Europe at Living Kitchen. This one combined very textured rustic barn boards with a cement backsplash and countertop with a zink metal edge and exposed screws. Incorporating a towel bar into the sink front gives it a great country flair. I particularly like the way they didn’t overpower the space with heavy tall cabinets. Their deeper tall pantries are only about 65-66 tall. The rest of the upper cabinets are recessed for a lighter feeling within the space that includes a combination of some open shelving and a secondary stacked set of cabinets.What we saw is a company being very creative with the rustic, country, barn-like kitchen style theme we saw trending at Living Kitchen in Germany. They had a unique take on the look with styling similar to what we design with Wood-Mode or Bentwood cabinetry. Do you like it?
Finding the best kitchen designer on Long Island is easy because they are all at Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly. All kidding aside, we encourage you to do your homework so you can find the best kitchen designer to build your dream kitchen the right way. Whether or not you are buying a kitchen from us, we love to help people with general questions; so, ask away here on our contact form and consider these 20 important points when researching which kitchen remodeling contractor to use. 1. Make sure you are speaking with an actual designer and not a cabinet salesperson. Good designers have extensive design experience and certifications (CKD, CBD, CR, ASID, etc).2. Google them. Google kitchen designers, contractors, and remodeling firms in your area (in our case Long Island, NY), and visit their websites and social media outlets such as Twitter, YouTube, Houzz, Pinterest, and Facebook. Read online reviews and testimonials. Look at the information they have posted on their sites and see what kind of finished projects they have done. A well-established kitchen and bath showroom will have their history listed on their website as well as their services, contact information, and directions to their showroom.3. Visit their showrooms: Look at the products they carry and the level of design detail on display. Talk with a designer. It is much easier to work with a kitchen designer that can provide a “start-to-finish” project for you. Having someone who will help you pick out your cabinets, countertops, backsplash tile, flooring, lighting, molding details, fixtures, etc. is a luxury. Sharing your wish list and benefiting from their expertise will lead to a much better result. Some companies (including us) will also design and provide cabinetry only for those that have their own general contractors or builders.4. Ask for several referrals: In addition to speaking with referrals, ask if it is possible for you to visit and see an actual finished kitchen project.5. Ask to see a portfolio of photos of actual work they’ve done.6. Ask them to show you an example of a current project folder to see the way it is presented and the CAD files. How are the plans rendered, and how well is the job folder organized?7. Ask how long they’ve been doing business under their current name. Do your research and check to see if they’ve operated their business under any other name. Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly has done business under the same name and management for 30+ years.8. Ask about the quality of the cabinets, countertop materials, fixtures, and appliances they use.9. Ask if they offer a detailed written contract, and ask to see an example of an executed contract. You don’t want to be surprised by additional expenses. Be mindful of contractors that bid low to get your business and are vague on the details. You don’t want to be in a situation where prices are raised after the project has begun. Also ask how are change orders handled.10. Ask if they have a project management team to ensure the project stays on schedule and on budget. We assign a Kitchens Designs by Ken Kelly employee (not a subcontractor) as the lead Forman / manager who is responsible for your project and is always available to you via email and phone.11. Ask if the designer will assist you in obtaining the miscellaneous parts and pieces or are you left on your own to find and supply them.12. Ask about their standards for cleanliness.13. Ask what type and how much insurance they carry. Be sure they carry liability, disability, and worker’s compensation insurance. If your contractor is not covered, you may be liable if any workers are injured on your property. Make sure your contractor carries all three. Most contractors carry the minimum policy. Kitchen Designs carries a multi-million dollar policy so our clients have complete peace of mind when we are working in their homes.14. Ask if the the company and the electricians and plumbers are licensed and insured by the state of New York. (or by your state)15. Ask what professional organizations they belong to. Look for designers who are members of industry-related organizations such as the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).16. Check the remodeling contractor’s reputation with the local Office of Consumer Affairs or the Better Business Bureau. See if there are any questionable records on file.17. Ask friends, neighbors, and people you know about their experience with the kitchen remodeling company they used, and ask them if they were happy with everything.18. Ask if the kitchen remodeling company can provide a timeline of their work process. (See ours here in this post)19. Ask about the warranty you will receive and make sure you understand it. If they don’t offer a warranty or if the warranty is very short, that should be a red flag.20. Follow your instincts. Do you feel comfortable working with this firm and do you trust them?After you do your research and are armed with the above information, you will be able to determine which company will give you the absolute best result within your budget.… or you could just come to Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. first and save yourself all that time and energy …hysterical aren’t I? We know you’ll love our offerings:-An award-winning design team.-A blog filled with ideas, tips, and inspiration (kitchendesigns.com/blog)-A staff that is continuously receiving education and training in every aspect of design.-Ongoing outstanding service and excellent communication. We support our clients before, during, and long after the job is complete.-Professional start-to-finish installation coordinating every aspect of your project including all the general contracting, tradespeople, schedules, and project details from design and cabinetry to installation of fixtures, countertops, flooring, windows, and lighting to ensure a seamless installation-The best selection of the highest quality products and appliances from brands you trust. We represent superior manufacturers of cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and fixtures.-Expert, talented field teams & installers that do quality work.-A very strong, organized administration that knows how to execute a project and deliver the best possible finished result.-If you have your own builder or contractor, we can also provide design services and supply of cabinetry only.-Remarkable design that ensures your kitchen is planned to make the most of your lifestyle, work habits, taste, and budget.-30+ year established reputation built upon honesty, trust, and respect. Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly is known for exceeding client expectations. 516-746-3435.
What better way to reflect your kitchen’s individuality, than to give your kitchen a dash of brilliant color. Color could be introduced into your kitchen accessories, fabrics, walls, cabinetry, counter tops, or back splashes. Something as simple as painting the walls or adding a colorful rug can change the entire look of a neutral kitchen. Whether you are doing a seasonal kitchen update or a total kitchen renovation, here are some of the best ideas to make your kitchen interesting with this year’s hottest colors.1. Add a splash of unexpected, brilliant color in the cabinetry. The modern kitchen photographs below are from our recent trip to Living Kitchen in Germany where Nolte showcased this color-blocking concept well. The royal blue cabinetry is from our Allmilmo line (a very hot color this year). Notice how the prairie green kitchen island cabinetry makes this neutral Ken Kelly kitchen “pop.” (We designed this using Wood Mode cabinetry) 2. Contrast dark cabinetry with bold color: (left to right) In the Allmilmo kitchen below, notice how the greenery offers striking contrast against the black cabinetry. In the Bentwood French Country kitchen, the planter of green artichokes, coral tea towels, copper pots, and red Wolf oven knobs add instant warmth to the kitchen. In Mario’s Black Beauty Rockville Center kitchen, notice how the “pop” of red in the chair fabric creates intense visual interest as do the green topiaries. The red bowl and splash of red in the geometric counters enhance the long kitchen island countertop, and the Le Creuset pot on the stove brightens the room. (Bottom three kitchens are designed with Wood Mode cabinetry). 3. Add color to your kitchen walls. You can completely change the look of your kitchen by painting the kitchen in a vibrant hue. Taine painted this client’s kitchen walls in a stunning shade of violet (Syosset, NY). Kitchen Cabinetry (top to bottom): Brookhaven w/Bentwood uppers, Allmilmo, Allmilmo, Wood-Mode. 4. Add earthy or vibrant shades of green. Subtle greens add warmth and bold greens invigorate. Green tends to pair beautifully with other colors. Cabinetry Top Row: Marchi Group; Bottom Row: Bentwood, Brookhaven, Wood-Mode. 5. Energize with orange. Growing up on Long Island’s North Shore, I clearly remember the orange shag rug we had in our family room and the orange paisley cushions on the outdoor patio furniture…and yes our appliances were avocado …(Did I just give away my age?) I’ll always associate orange with those lively days…(of my toddlerhood). 6. Bring calm by adding bold or delicate blues to the kitchen. We saw a scattering of blue hues in the kitchen at the 2013 IMM Cologne Living Kitchen show this year. 7. Position some wacky and unexpected design elements into the kitchen. My kitchen is somewhat formal, so to lighten it up I found a hand-painted Intrada purple and green artichoke owl with wildly wacky eyes (see below). He was quite the conversation piece until a friend came over and absolutely had to have him. She repainted her kitchen to match the little guy. Find more items like these in our Wacky Wednesday posts. 8. Use food to decorate your kitchen, and find gorgeous apothecary jars or fruit bowls to display your seasonal delicacies. Think lemons, apples, peppers, oranges, etc. Not only do they look beautiful on the counter, they are easily accessible for a healthy snack. 9. Add shades of purple in the kitchen. Violet is another great color this year. 10. Let there be red in the kitchen. Does anyone ever really tire of red? CLICK HERE FOR MAIN BLOG AND LINKS TO EACH ITEM!
Create the Look of this Wood Mode Elegant Traditional Kitchen Design. Check out our blog for ideas to redecorate your home with inspiration! Click Here!
Everything about this white kitchen is inviting. It is a comfortable, attractive living space with a fireplace and soothing mix of walnut veneer with white gloss and stainless steel.Follow this to find the inspiration to redo your own kitchen style!
Check out our next blog, Create the Look: Wow Factor Expressions Kitchen, for expert tips and inspiration for your own home! Find the blog here!
Check out one of our newest blog entries:Create the Look: Wood Mode Gramercy Park Kitchen where we will help you recreate the kitchen of your dreams.
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