Dream Kitchen Issue

The Dream Kitchen Issue How to Avoid Nightmare Kitchen Renovations

by Ronique Gibson

#BLANCODreamKitchen Contest and Winner Dream kitchens we love from Houzz Dreamy recipes

Inspirations Ideas for your kitchen-by

WELCOME

The Dream Kitchen Issue Welcome to Inspirations Magazine, The Dream Kitchen Issue. Since its beginning, BLANCO has aspired to help designers and consumers bring magic to their kitchen designs with our unique and inspiring products. We saw it fitting to design this issue around the idea of bringing a dream kitchen to life! We hope this issue inspires you to bring your dream kitchen to life as well. Enjoy! To see more, please visit, BlancoByDesign.com.

Blancoamerica.com

Christy Emens, Marketing BLANCO

THE DREAM HOUZZ HOUZZ is quickly becoming the premier internet destination for glamorous home remodels, design inspiration and new products. BLANCO is often featured on the popular design site. Here are some of the dreamiest kitchens featuring BLANCO found on HOUZZ.

BLANCO SILGRANIT™ in Cafe Brown featured in this stunning Milwaukee remodel by Kowalske Kitchen & Bath www.kowalske.com

BLANCO PRECISION™ Undermount featured in this flawless San Francisco highrise designed by Kaplan Architects, AIA

www.kaplanarchitects.com

BLANCO PRECISION™ Undermount featured in this sleek loft designed by Incorporated Architects and Design Builders of NY

incorporatedny.com

How to Avoid Nightmare Kitchen Renovations son b i G ique n o R By: Are you dreaming of a kitchen where friends and family enjoy mouthwatering meals and also love your entertaining style? Many homeowners undertake poorly planned renovations and end up with inefficient kitchens, thousands of dollars wasted, and have to hire a professional to fix their mistakes. We sat down with 5 Designers and asked them for their best tips to avoid a kitchen renovation nightmare. So before you get started, take a look at these designers’ tips and see how to plan, before you start demolition!

Here, 5 Designers Share with Ronique Gibson, Blogger at stagetecture.com, How to Avoid a Dream Kitchen Renovation Nightmare

ENSURE YOU AREN’T REMODELING FOR ONLY TODAY’S TRENDS “When planning a new kitchen renovation, it is important to fully evaluate your habits in the kitchen up to the present including your family’s lifestyle” – Susan Serra – President, Susan Serra Associates, Inc .

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is to only follow current trends. Unless you can afford to remodel your kitchen every year or two, steer clear of designer trends that are unconventional. Trends are always changing, and what may be popular today will not be popular tomorrow. Renovate your kitchen to suit your habits and lifestyle and you’ll never regret your decision. Often times bright colors, new materials that haven’t been tested expansively, and new technologies need a chance to have stayed the test of time in kitchens. Consider hiring a Kitchen Designer who can help you weed out today’s trends but still stay modern and classic.

PRIORITIZE FUNCTIONALITY IN YOUR REMODEL In

the past kitchens were considered just for their functionality. Today, they are multifunctional rooms where homeowners prepare food, entertain, the kids hang out and of course eat. Kitchens are the focal points in homes and a large part of modern households. When refurbishing your kitchen, give priority to function. The layout you choose should be determined by the way your family uses your kitchen on a daily basis. Keep in mind that you won’t renovate your kitchen again for many years to come so it is important to make it functional. Interior Designer Linda Merrill from Linda Merrill says it best, “Kitchens can be beautiful spaces, but never forget that they are workspaces first and foremost.”

THOROUGHLY PLAN IN ADVANCE Interior Design Consultant, Michelle Cortizo of Cortizo Interiors says, “A kitchen renovation can require more thoughtful decisions than any other room in the house, planning is key!” A kitchen remodel is a big undertaking.

Before you start the project, strategize. Note down what you want it to accomplish for you and your family and guests. You can write a detailed list specifying your goals for renovating and create an idea folder that you collect kitchens, products and architectural details you find appealing.

INVEST IN THE BEST SINK According to Interior Designer, Cheryl Kees Clendenon from In Detail Interiors, you should “Buy the best sink you can afford because you are not replacing it without replacing the countertops too!” Her words hit home because the sink is one of the most overlooked kitchen fixtures. When most homeowners refurbish their kitchens, they replace their cabinetry and countertops but forget to replace the sinks. While the kitchen is the heart and soul of the home, the sink is its centerpiece. It handles most of the daily chores as it is the only workspace used to prepare meals and to clean up. Consider what type of sink will grow with your family and will help make prepping and cleaning easier than your current sink.

DON’T JUST REPLICATE Many people find it easier to copy other kitchen designs when renovating their kitchens. But interior designer Jamie Gold, Kitchen & Bath Designer from JGKitchens, warns against it. Jamie says, “Before you renovate your kitchen, know that the latest fad you loved in a movie or magazine may not look right in your home or work well for your household.” The design you want to replicate can be out of your price range or be incompatible with your home’s structure. While interior design websites and magazines are full of ideas, the design you choose should be perfect for your space. Consider hiring a design professional who can look at your specific space and help you choose what fits your needs.

A well thought out kitchen takes planning and professional advice. Kitchen renovation mistakes come in all sizes. Some are small and unnoticeable while others are big and visible. But they all have one thing in common: they can be avoided. If you are remodeling your kitchen and want to avoid a renovation nightmare, look to these designers’ tips to help you save money, energy, and time. Your kitchen is the heart of the home – take the time to make it right for you and your wallet.

Visit www.stagetecture.com for more ideas.

#BLANCO Dream Kitchen Contest

What would your dream kitchen concept include? BLANCO challenged designers with that exact question for the #BLANCODreamKitchen Contest this September. The outcome was a beautiful one filled with dozens entires of unique kitchen designs as well as social media involvement.

The Rules To enter the #BLANCODreamKitchen Contest, designers were asked to take two BLANCO products, the PRECIS and the CULINA Mini Faucet and design their very own dream kitchen around them. Three winners would be chosen with the grand prize of $1,000 awarded to the 1st place winner.

The Entries The monthlong contest inspired designers from all over the world to submit their original kitchen drawings. With dozens of entries to choose from, BLANCO was blown away by the amount of intricate detail and beauty found in each and every entry!

The Winners Choosing a winner for the #BLANCODreamKitchen Contest was not the easiest task. With so many remarkable entries, a jury of Design Professionals deliberated and choose the top three entries which can be found in the following pages.

Thank you to all of those who took the time to enter your amazing designs!

THE WINNING KITCHEN

By Florida Designer, Marilyn Russell

Winning Design By Philadelphia Designer, Mick Ricereto

Winning Design By Milwaukee Designer, Lila Guizado

mickdesign.com

http://lilaguizado.wix.com/portfolio

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES While the contest only qualified entires in the US, BLANCO received many notably beautiful international entires from countries like Italy and Germany.

A DREAMY RECIPE

BY HOMEMADE DELISH BLANCO was recently featured on Homemade Delish, by Philadelphia chef and blogger Roberta Pipito. Pipito selected the BLANCO DIAMOND™ Single Bowl in Truffle as well as the BLANCO CULINA™ MINI as part of her kitchen remodel.

After experiencing wonderful results with her new kitchen and BLANCO products, Pipito shared this delicious recipe for Red Lentil Pasta Salad. Make and enjoy!

Ingredients salad:

Ingredients dressing:

12 oz red lentil penne 10 cherry tomatoes, cut in half 1 cup pearl mozzarella balls Salt & pepper, to taste 12 slices salami, chopped 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped 14 oz can hearts of palm, chopped

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup lemon juice Salt & pepper, to taste 8 pieces basil 2 garlic cloves 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Preparation:

Preparation:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Make sure to season the water with plenty of salt.

Follow the cooking instructions on the packaging. Cook until AL DENTE about 10 minutes with this pasta. Drain and cool off.

In a food processor add all of the ingredients. Process until well combined.

Pour over salad. Toss everything together and serve.

Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.

For more recipes visit: homemadedelish.com

Meet our Design Council Design Journals

Paul Anater

Gloria GrahamSollecito, AKBD

Vicki Payne

Leslie Clagett

Cheryl Kees Clendenon

Grace & Ken Kelly

Marilyn G Russell, Allied ASID

Cindy Dole

Joseph Freenor Andie Day

Nick Lovelady

Susan Serra, CKD CAPS

Visit our Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS

Kelly Morisseau

blog to learn more!

Veronika Miller

Everything your clients require is within reach, including the sink.

The affordable ONE ™ Collection.

With 3 sinks in 3 sizes and inspired accessories to choose from, you can create the ultimate experience in your clients’ kitchens. From families who need more of everything, to smaller spaces, or those with a passion for prep, our German-engineered ONE™ Collection simplifies the challenges of daily life at a price to fit any budget.

www.blanco-one.com