Neal's Home Remodeling and Design Blog

A kitchen without the ability to cook isn't much of a kitchen. Having the ability to prepare hot dishes is a fundamental quality of a functional kitchen, so it makes sense that the appliances used to cook and bake should be major considerations when you are deciding to remodel. In many ways, cooking and baking appliances have changed very little, but new technologies and increased efficiency have entered the market in the most recent decades. In the end, however, there are still just four primary types of appliances: cooktops, ovens, ranges that combine the two, and microwaves.

Take a stroll through an internet search for "2016 Paint Color Trends" and you'll discover a fairly mixed bag. Color giant Pantone selected the pair of pastels, Serenity and Rose Quartz, for the 2016 Colors of the Year, but leading paint manufacturers like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are leaning even further to the neutral end of things by highlighting off-whites as this year's trending paint color. While it's true that we've seen a rise in white backdrops on our Pinterest home design image searches, we've noticed an even greater interest in the mixing of neutral colors in the homes we've had the pleasure of working on for several years now. It's a trend mentioned on Houzz that seems to be gaining more momentum into 2016.

A staple standard in kitchen design has always been to select a single cabinet color and pair it with a single countertop. When we look back over the kitchen remodels we've completed in the past two years, however, we see a trend emerging- the use of multiple cabinet door colors across the kitchen. By using two or more cabinetry colors, homeowners are also able to play with the idea of including more than one cabinet style, which gives the kitchen a more unique personality. Mixing countertop materials and colors as well creates a color story that is more complex even as all the elements mix together for a seamless look.

The term "farmhouse style" is a loose phrase that encompasses a collection of design principals rather than a strict list of must-haves. A handful of more distinctive styles fall under the umbrella of "farmhouse", so it's easy to either follow one style or to grab components of several and still have your project result in a cohesive space. Keep reading for a look at some of the key style points behind a successful farmhouse look in your own home.

Most kitchen remodels rely on changes to any combination of 5 primary categories. Updates, large or small, to any one of these areas offer the potential to refresh the kitchen, making it good-to-go for the next ten years. Whether you're making changes to these items as part of a larger kitchen renovation in which you are also changing the floor plan, or you're looking to make the space a bit more up-to-date without going into full-blown construction, these changes can go a long way.

The inclusion of an island can bring a lot of value and function to the kitchen. Adding counter space is the primary function of any island, large or small, but sometimes the island needs to do much more than that. Hard-working islands need to earn their keep by offering more than just a work surface. Here are six great examples of kitchen island designs that are the workhorses of their kitchens.

Functional kitchens require a fair amount of lighting, the most important of which is task lighting. Light directed toward food prep, cooking, eating, and cleaning areas provides for a safer environment, but in general just makes it easier to see what it is you're doing. Task lighting can be achieved in a variety of ways, but in some instances, a decorative light fixture can do the trick. Here are the 3 types of decorative fixtures we see most often.

The style of cabinet door used in your kitchen is unquestionably the most important design feature. Door style and color set the tone for the space, and provide the backdrop to the unique elements that make one kitchen different from the next. Cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and appliance panels create the core of the kitchen’s visual look. With all the options for the form and style of the door, color and finish, and extra details, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. To help you stay on track, we’ve outlined the three key points to consider when selecting cabinet doors that suit you, your home, and your needs.

The backsplash brings out the personality of a kitchen. Choosing a backsplash for your kitchen is a great way to show off your style. Backsplash styles and materials range from sweet and simple to elegant and elaborate to coordinate with your lifestyle. It can naturally tie a design together or become a stunning focal point. If you need help narrowing down some tile design ideas, or just with finding a place to start, keep reading.

The newest and best design trends coming in 2015 were recently debuted at the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). For over 50 years, KBIS has showcased the latest industry products, trends and technologies. We've picked some of our favorite products from this year's show for you to consider for your kitchen.

KBIS Picks for the Top Kitchen Products of 2015

The KBIS organizers select a series of the "best" products at the show as standards in the industry for the coming year. Winners were selected based on functionality, quality & durability, flexibility, aesthetics & style, and innovation.

• Best of Show: Tech Top Wireless Charging Surface - Bring wireless technology into your kitchen with LG's new Charging Surfaces. With the charging base embedded into the countertop surface, you will be able to charge your LG phone without being restricted by outlets or cords and you won't be giving up any valuable counter space. It's as simple as putting down your phone.
• Best of Kitchen (Gold Medal): Brizo Articulating Faucet - A streamlined design that is inspired by the classic architect's lamp, this faucet is created to make the most of function and style. The structure itself is able to move in the standard side-to-side motion, but the height can also be adjusted. The stylish faucet also features a detachable spray wand to allow full range of motion in the sink.
• Best of Kitchen (Silver Medal): Brondell Integrated Faucets – If you've been getting your drinking water somewhere other than your tap, then Brondell has your solution. Brondell has released their line of Integrated Faucets that will dispense filtered drinking water as well as your normal tap water from a single device. Best of all, they can be installed in your existing faucet space. You won't have to drill any holes or rely on your refrigerator for pure drinking water; it's all here in one faucet at your kitchen sink.