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October 10, 2017
If you live in a home that was built twenty or more years ago, chances are that at the top of your must-have list is a desire to open up the kitchen to an existing living or dining space. The days when kitchens were seen primarily as a utilitarian space are long gone. Today many view the kitchen as the center of the home for both daily living and entertaining. If you’re looking to improve […]
August 25, 2017
David Keeps of the Wall Street Journal authored an excellent article describing the things that you should know when considering a freestanding bathtub. While thoughts of a rusting cast iron claw foot tub might be the first image to pop into your mind, today you can find freestanding tubs made from the most exotic materials in designs that will complement any aesthetic. During my interview with David, I pointed out that over 60% of NKBA designers surveyed last […]
August 20, 2017
Susan Bady, writer for the Professional Remodeler magazine and website, was kind enough to quote me in her article, Miles of Tiles. Susan speaks to the trend of large format tile being used in typical areas, such as on the floor, but also on backsplashes as well as under cabinetry. One of the more typical installations for glazed tile is on a kitchen floor. However, the newest sizes and styles of tile can make your […]
August 18, 2017
As a kitchen and bathroom designer, I help design and specify products for the two rooms that use almost all of a household’s water. Did you know that the toilet, shower and lavatory faucet, consume on average 41 gallons per-person, per-day, or about 60% of a home’s daily indoor use? And think about this. The water closet, toilet, privy, john – whatever you call it – uses 30% of a home’s daily indoor water use. […]
August 12, 2017
Virtually everyone who has ever contemplated remodeling or renovating their kitchen has the same question, “How much will this kitchen remodel cost?” Whether you live in New York City where a typical 950 square foot apartment condo can cost $1 million dollars, or Hershey, Pennsylvania where $1 million will be you a 5,000 square foot home on several acres, the question remains. “John, what’s this kitchen going to cost me!” Money Magazine asked me that […]
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 […]