Stunning White Kitchen Remodel - Before & After

Last week I wrote about a recent kitchen remodel over on the Utah Style blog.  Today I wanted to present some before & after photos for comparison.

The "before" photos of a remodeling project are what makes remodeling so unique compared to new construction.  They indicate the challenges involved in the job, as well as the dramatic difference good design can make, both in aesthetic and (just as important) function.

Let me give a little background on this project.  The client was looking to update their oak kitchen so she called enzy design.  During the course of our initial consultation I pointed out some of the inefficiencies of the kitchen layout, and we discussed potential changes.  We explored these changes throughout the design phase - I presented a concept that combined the island and dining table, creating space for a casual sitting area in the kitchen.  Fortunately the client was open to new ideas, and we went in this direction.  Since photos speak louder than words, I'll stop writing and just post some photos:

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After:

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White & Walnut Bathroom Remodel

I had the opportunity to help a client turn a basic hall bathroom into her own personal retreat.  This just shows that you don't need a large space to create something special.   

One key element that brought this design together is the tub.  The Lacey tub from Hydro Systems is now available with integral seamless front & sides, custom made to order.  This allowed us to have a simple clean look without the need for a partition wall at the end of the tub.

My client has wonderful tastes - she just needed someone to pull it all together, and to ensure that she would get the look she wanted with the function she needed.

     

One important part of creating a personal space for a client is leaving room for them to express themselves, through accessories and artwork (in this case, this includes my client's own paintings!)

Photography by Jessi at hiya papaya.

By the way, this client is a realtor.  She obviously has great taste (AND a fun yet professional personality), so if you need a realtor recommendation, I'd be happy to provide anyone with her contact info!

It's the Candy Store of Kitchen Cabinetry Storage!

I've worked with Decorative Woodwork Supply for a while now, back when they were a small warehouse type shop.  It's where I purchased my Jeffrey Alexander hardware.  But that was about it.  And then they went under the radar for a while and I wasn't sure what happened.  Fortunately, owner Jason Hall recently contacted me to let me know they had been in the process of opening a new showroom in Murray, with new products that are a kitchen designer's (and any designer's) dream!


Jason recently gave us a tour of the new showroom, which displays barn door hardware, custom HVAC grilles, bath accessories, a great new wood wall panel system (called Friendly Wall), and tons of cabinet hardware.  But what really made me giddy was the line of cabinet organization from Hettich.  Hettich manufacturers drawer boxes and cabinet hardware systems, and then it offers oodles & oodles of storage options made specifically for their drawer boxes.  It's an organizer's dream!  I took a bunch of photos - it's easier to show you than to tell you.

KBIS: 5 Things that Really Stood Out

Last week I went to KBIS in Vegas.  Vegas itself is a city of sensory overload, but add a convention center full of new kitchen and bath products, and you can hardly stand it.

We had less than 2 days to take it all in.  Through the whirlwind tour, there were 5 things that stood out to me:

Contemporary Bling.  Turn on the sparkle - faucets, cabinet & door hardware, glittery tile grout, and glitzy countertops

Rubinet lavatory faucet with Swarovski crystals

LED lighting embedded into the countertop, from Cambria

Cambria's new Galloway collection - the large clear quartz pieces sparkle!

Emtek Modern Crystal door hardware

glitter grout on a Voguebay display

Texture.  In tile and beyond, textured finishes add a special depth and interest.
Ann Sacks textured tile steals the show.

Ann Sacks

Ann Sacks

Voguebay Hexagon Mosaic

Kohler Whitehaven sink with textured front

Brass and Bronze - We've been raving about this comeback for a while, but it was great to see it in full force at KBIS.

Emtek's bronze finish

Amerock's Gilded Bronze finish 

Rohl's new Unlaquered Brass finish

Kohler's Vibrant Moderne Brushed Gold finish

Oak  It's not an outright trend... yet.  But it's been making an appearance here and there, and I expect to see more.  We're not talking about the honey oak of the 80's, but we're also not talking about the quarter-sawn or rift cut that we've gotten used to in more contemporary settings.  This oak is open-grained and dramatic, with finishes of matte, weathered, and gray.  I only got one photo from KBIS, but there was more to be seen.

Functional Sink Accessories  I've got a whole guest post on this topic alone that will soon be featured on the Utah Style & Design blog.  I was thrilled with the new introductions that convert sinks into functional worksurfaces, including racks, cutting boards, and storage for cleaning utensils.

from Kohler

Headed to KBIS!

I'm leaving this morning for a quick 2-day trip to Vegas for KBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show), which is teaming up this year with IBS (International Builder's Show).   I can guarantee this is going to be a whirlwind trip full of great inspiration as well as incredible people I've come to know through social media.

Stay tuned on the blog as I'll tell you all about it when I get back!  Or if you don't want to wait, follow me on instagram:  @enzydesign.  I'll be posting there while I'm at the show.   While you're at it, also check out my travel companions @rockandcookies and @lakecityloft!

Just for fun, and to discover a little more about KBIS, check out this video promoting KBIS 2013, featuring yours truly (not really "featuring", but there are a couple snippets after they cornered me for an interview)!

Another Kitchen Success Story (i.e. Why it's Important to Hire a Designer)

Last year I got a call from one of my suppliers - Brian from Western Wholesale Flooring (call him if you need anything - great service AND great pricing!). He explained that he & his wife needed a kitchen remodel, BUT they were on a tight budget. People always throw that "but" into their inquiries. The thing is, when you're on a budget, that's when you need a designer the MOST. Because you have no room for mistakes. Especially when it comes to kitchen design. Brian & his wife realized this.

We do a lot of full-service design work, where we handle the project from the very initial conceptual design phase through the completion of construction. However, sometimes the most critical (and difficult) part is developing the most functional plan for the space and the budget, and clients find that hiring a certified designer for this step is worth every penny.

"Thanks again for all your help.  We couldn't have done it without you!"  -Brian & Kandise

The existing kitchen was small;  the cabinet layout was inefficient and it made the space feel even smaller.  Though there was no room for expansion, this growing family needed a more open space.  They had gotten a free design for the cabinet layout, which essentially just plugged cabinets into every available space.  (I understand - I was much less inclined to take the time to be creative when I was designing for free.)

We spent a good amount of time talking to the client, discussing their needs, and measuring the space.  We came up with a few options and chose the best plan to maximize function and open up the space.  We provided the floor plan and elevations, and the client took it from there.

They recently sent me some after photos and I love the outcome.  Kandise has a good eye for decorating, and it shows.

And to really shock you, here are a few before photos.  

You won't believe it's the same space.