Reston Town Center Kitchen Remodel
How do we get those cabinets and appliances up those very narrow stairs? Several weeks ago I blogged about how to pick finishes for a kitchen. The kitchen referenced in that article is located in a large 4-story townhome right next to Reston Town Center in Northern...
Selecting Kitchen Finishes: Which Comes First, Cabinet Color, Countertop or Tile Backsplash ?
I liken the title of this article to the chicken or the egg proverb. During the remodeling process, most meticulous homeowners become stuck during the finish selections process. They assume there is a rigid mathematical formula that will deliver one indisputably...
Can Your Marriage Survive a Kitchen Remodel?
I recently went on a ski vacation. At Reagan National Airport, before taking off, I performed my typical earnest search for the perfect magazine to entertain me while en route. Because I love my work and am passionate about kitchen remodeling and kitchen design, I...
Reston Townhome Kitchen Remodel by Expert Kitchen Designs
In September 2013, one of my top-notch renovation builders, Tom Miller of Miller & McIntyre, asked me to assist his clients, Cathy and Mike, with a kitchen design for their Reston, Virginia townhome. For years, Cathy and Mike had lived with what I call "a...
Kitchen Design Trends in the Washington DC Metro Area
As 2013 draws to a close, I took a few moments to review all of the kitchen projects I had designed during the past year to see if I could discern any noticeable patterns or trends. The kitchens I designed ranged in size from small to large for clients with modest to...
The Latest and Greatest Appliances: Kitchen Remodeling Trends and Tips
A few weeks ago I contacted Dennis Trigg , Appliance Specialist at Ferguson Enterprises in Chantilly, Virginia. He graciously afforded me some time to answer a few questions I had about the latest and greatest on appliances. First, a bit about Dennis. He has been...
How to Choose a Kitchen SInk
When you begin to think about your kitchen remodel, is the choice of kitchen sink foremost in your mind? If you are like most people, probably not. Because kitchen sinks are associated with the unglamorous "dirty work" of cleaning up after meals, kitchen sink...
Kitchen Cabinetry Cost Comparisons: Why Do Some Kitchen Cabinets Cost More Than Others?
One of the most common questions I encounter when homeowners are researching kitchen cabinetry options and establishing their kitchen remodeling budget is, "Why does this kitchen cabinet cost so much more than that one? What accounts for the difference in cost?" I...
Kitchen Cabinetry Installation: Choose Your Installer Carefully for Best Quality Outcome
A few weeks ago, I spent a day seeing the completion of two high-end kitchens. Both kitchen projects had cabinetry by the same manufacturer in essentially the same style. The homeowners of both kitchens were very much involved in the entire design process, and cared...
Budget-Friendly Arlington Condo Kitchen Remodel
Mara and Suzanne are returning clients of Expert Kitchen Designs who wanted to update the small kitchen in their Arlington condominium before renting it out. I was first introduced to them several years ago by one of my favorite home building contractors, Eric Pilka...
This Week’s Inspiration: “Kitchen Centric” by Mick De Giulio
Yesterday I had an appointment with another kitchen designer in Northwest D.C. It was a collaborative appointment, mainly to discuss the planning of his new showroom. He lived in London for twelve years and has resided in D.C. for the last three years. He remains...
7 Reasons Why You Should Hire Expert Kitchen Designs for Your Kitchen Remodel
Throughout my life, in everything I have undertaken, I set the bar high. And when I achieve my goals, I move on to the next one without much grandeur or self-promotion. This morning, after thinking about it, I decided to jump on the self-promotion bandwagon by listing...
Prep Sinks and Cleanup Sinks — Why You Might Need Both
With few exceptions, the question: “Should I include a prep sink as well as a cleanup sink in my kitchen?” always arises when planning kitchens for my clients. Many clients are confused about the purpose, and need for, a prep sink as well as a cleanup sink. Most of us...
Ageless Kitchens and Your Kitchen Remodel
The title of this article has two meanings--both important and relevant to all who use the kitchen. First, for all homeowners, nothing is more rewarding than living day-to-day in a kitchen that feels “timeless” in style and aesthetic. Imagine a kitchen, maybe the one...
Planning and Collaboration: The Key to Kitchen Remodeling Success
I just received Home & Design magazine's "Late Spring" issue. I always enjoy opening it and seeing what has debuted lately in the DC/Metro area. What caught my interest this month was the article "Fresh Start", offering great insight into the reincarnation of a...
Induction Cooking: Time to Reconsider?
Typically, when I ask my client what type of cooktop or range they will be using, the response is either electric or gas. Few clients realize that there is a third option that is worth considering: induction. History of Induction Cooking Induction cooking has come a...
How to Choose the Best Kitchen Cabinetry for Your Kitchen Remodel
Kitchen cabinetry usually accounts for a significant portion of any kitchen remodeling project. As a professional kitchen designer, I often educate clients about kitchen cabinetry basics: what to look for, and what to avoid, when selecting new kitchen cabinetry. Too...
Kitchen Cabinetry Finishes 101
As a professional who works with various lines of kitchen cabinetry, I find the biggest indicator of cabinet quality is its finish. Obviously, finish affects overall appearance. But more importantly a superior finish, in substance as well as form, testifies to the...
Top 7 Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Few events are more disruptive, stressful or costly in life than remodeling one’s home. In my career as a professional kitchen designer, I have observed, assisted with and managed numerous residential kitchen remodeling projects throughout the Northern Virginia /...
How to Avoid Disappointment With Your Kitchen Remodeling Project
You have heard the horror story a dozen different ways -- at a cocktail party, from your neighbor, by the coffee machine with co-workers: the kitchen remodeling project from hell. The tale of woe may include unanticipated cost overruns, inferior products that did not...
Oakton VA Custom Kitchen Makeover
This proverbial Double Income No Kids (DINKs) couple were tired of their depressing kitchen. It offered no place for friends and family to gather and the cooking area was cramped into the corner. The dark oak cabinets and drawer boxes falling apart when opened further...