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June 25, 2017
Not so long ago if you wanted to feel the pull-weight of a four-foot bar of solid stainless steel when you opened your refrigerator, Sub-Zero, Thermador and a handful of other Super Premium appliance brands were your only choice. As the popularity of these items accelerated with their appearance on every luxury home and cooking show, mid-level brands swooped in to adopt these pro-style design cues. As Keith Berry suggests in his USA Today article, […]
April 2, 2017
Nothing suggests luxury living more completely than a wine cellar. Images of redwood racks along the walls holding dozens or perhaps hundreds of bottles can transport your imagination to a top New York restaurant or Northern California winery. Here in Pennsylvania, despite the state’s arcane liquor laws, there is strong interest in spaces and dedicated rooms that focus on the grape. When clients ask me, “how much does a wine cellar cost?” I smile and […]
September 21, 2015
Media Planet offered me the opportunity to share my thoughts on the questions that a consumer should ask before hiring a remodeling professional. Here is my list for the 8 questions to ask before you sign on the bottom line. 1. Who do I need to hire? 2. Are you licensed? 3. Are you insured? 4. What do you charge for an estimate? 5. What kinds of guarantees do you offer? 6. Who will supervise […]
February 17, 2015
Dave Swanson of Reviewed.com was kind enough to interview Maria Stapperfenne and me during the hugely successful KBIS 2015. In his article, Kitchen and Bath Design in 2015—What’s Hot, What’s Not, Dave wanted the NKBA take on design trends for the new year. We were happy to respond by sharing some of the results from the NKBA’s annual design survey. The first five highlights of the survey include: Transitional and contemporary design continue to rise in popularity The […]
January 30, 2015
Ilyce Glink, writing for CBS Money Watch, was kind enough to ask for my opinion on trends that are on there way out in 2015. Along with two other contributors, Kerrie Kelly and Amy Yin, Ilyce came up with a top-ten list in her article, 10 Home Design Trends to Ditch in 2015. My contributions to the article include: Desks in kitchens Microwaves above the kitchen range Whirlpool tubs Ten years ago over half of the […]
January 22, 2015
If you love the sleek, uncluttered look of contemporary kitchen furnishings and design, KBIS 2015 had much to share! The contemporary aesthetic is often characterized by uninterrupted visual planes of cabinetry and countertops. Manufacturers at the show featured a number of ways to take clean, crisp and covered to a new level. Sliding doors are nothing new and have always been popular for wide cabinets, sideboards and wardrobes. The mechanics of sliding doors require that […]
June 27, 2014
Kitchens and Baths Sporting Connectivity and Technology The Miami Herald’s Elaine Markoutsas was kind enough to ask my opinion about kitchen and bathroom design and technology trends this year. There’s no question that a contemporary aesthetic has become more popular and that technology is one reason why. New high-tech appliances and fixtures with built-in connectivity seem naturally at home with a more contemporary look. While my clients in Hershey or Carlisle might not opt for the most minimal contemporary kitchen […]
May 19, 2014
This past week I had the opportunity to travel to Schiltach and Offenburg in Germany to visit Hansgrohe, manufacturer of luxury kitchen and bath faucets, showers and hand showers. Made in Germany has always been Hansgrohe’s recipe for success. For more than 100 years, the bathroom professionals from the Black Forest have only used high-quality materials, and undertaken research and development of products in a trend setting way. I learned that made by Hansgrohe means […]
May 18, 2014
Open concept kitchen design is rooted in the 1990's, reflecting the social trend of cacooning and the retreat of families and their activities to the home.
April 19, 2014
Over the course of 20 years, meeting with families who are looking to remodel their kitchen, I would guess nearly two-thirds start the conversation by sharing with me their must-have appliances and finishes. Now, despite what you might think, homeowners in the communities I service like Hershey, Carlisle and York want the high-end brands like Sub-Zero, Wolf, Viking and yes, even La Cornue. And finishes? I’ve seen clients spend over $150 a square foot for […]