Archive for the ‘Inspiration & Design’ Category

« Older Entries

First-Time Homeowner Remodeler’s Checklist

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 01/30/2012 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

So, you’ve purchased your first home—how exciting! Now, it’s time to really make it yours, which means you might be doing some remodeling. As you make improvements and updates, keep in mind that remodeling doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Break the process down into a checklist and you’ll be surprised how quickly you can manage each project.

In February, home improvement expert Danny Lipford will start a new project to help first-time homeowners get a handle on home remodeling. The project will span six episodes of his television show, Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford (check your local listings) and follows his daughter, Chelsea Lipford, as she remodels her first home. Danny and Chelsea will use with these five tips to navigate the remodeling process.

1. Assess the Space

Understand exactly what you have to work with in your space, and be realistic about the changes you can make. Learn tips and tricks to take advantage of useful resources that help you visualize the space’s potential.

2. Identify Your Style

Look through magazines, blogs, store catalogs and other visual resources to find things you like and capture them in a single location like the Merillat Ideafolio. This includes furniture, accessories, cabinetry and more.

3. Determine the Scope of the Project

Consider time line, budget and design needs when beginning a project.

  • Time line: As exciting as it is to start a project, keep in mind that the process takes time. You may have limited use in certain areas of your home until it’s finished.
  • Budget: Set one and stick to it. Don’t be tempted to spend more than the money you’ve allotted.
  • Make two lists: Make a list of “must haves” and a list of things that would be nice to eventually add. Focus on the “must haves,” and over time, add the other pieces to your design.

4. DIY vs. Professional

Certain projects can be completed on your own, but others should be left to professionals. If you aren’t an expert plumber, hire an expert to do it correctly. Hiring a designer can also be a very helpful resource, as he or she can help you figure out how to make your space work well and assist you in determining your personal style.

5. Make Time for Fun

Remember that this is an exciting time! Celebrate each step of the process, especially when the details become overwhelming. This is your house and you’re making it your own home!

Tags: , , ,

How to Design a Cottage Kitchen

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 12/19/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

What makes cottage kitchens so charming? Is it the relaxed feel? The cozy sense of space? The invoked memories of cookies in the oven or a big pot of soup on the stove? Whatever it is, the cottage look never goes out of style, and it’s not as hard to achieve as you might think. Here are a few tips for getting the cottage kitchen look.

Go white.

Many, though certainly not all, cottage kitchens are built around white cabinets. White is traditional, looks fresh and clean, and gives you maximum flexibility for changing up accessories either seasonally or whenever the fancy strikes.

Details matter.

Plate racks, glass doors or open cabinets and shelves that show off bright dishes and heirloom treasures add color and a sense of history. Cabinets are often accented with corbels and crown molding, and hardware is more likely to be door pulls rather than knobs.

Gather around.

Even the tiniest cottage kitchens often have a breakfast nook or a couple of stools pulled up to an island or peninsula, because cottage style is all about welcoming friends and family.

Incorporate nature.

Because cottages are on the small side, cottage life often extends to the outdoors with patios and flower and vegetable gardens. Bring the outdoors in with fresh flowers, houseplants, dried herb bouquets or bowls of fruit.

Layer comfort.

Rag rugs or other floor coverings add color and warmth, as do curtains or Roman shades. Top chairs and barstools with cushions, and prop a pillow in the breakfast nook or windowseat.

 

That’s all it takes to start your cottage kitchen makeover! Leave a comment and let us know what you love about cottage style.

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

How to Design a White Kitchen

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 11/28/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

White kitchens are popular again, and why not? They look fresh and are easy to keep clean. They’re the perfect backdrop for colorful dinnerware or linens. And they’re easy to update anytime a new decorating idea takes your fancy.

The key to keeping a white kitchen vibrant and not boring is to pay attention to texture and color variation in your design. Here are a few tips:

1. White is a range, not a color.

There are hundreds of shades of white, from cool to warm. Don’t go for the exact same white on your walls, cabinets, and ceiling. Instead, select coordinating whites for added depth.

2. Focus on texture.

If your cabinets have a smooth finish, use a rustic white tile for the backsplash. If your white cabinets have more of a vintage look, play them up with sleek subway tiles. Many of Merillat’s door styles are available in Dove White and Vintage Dove White finishes, both of which are perfect for an all-white kitchen.

3. Warm it up.

Warm up all that white with a ceramic tile floor in gray, or tiles that mimic wood flooring (real wood is not recommended for kitchens and bathrooms because of the potential for water damage). Hang wooden or bamboo blinds or shades. Install a pair of floating shelves or an island end cap in a contrasting wood finish.

4. Bring in spot color.

Add pops of color with a stand mixer, vibrant cachepots with kitchen implements, window valances, rugs, dishtowels and art. Pile a bowl with apples or other seasonal fruit as a centerpiece for your island or peninsula. Put a colorful collection of dishes on display in a plate rack or cabinets with glass inserts.

Visit a certified kitchen designer to get more ideas for how to build or remodel a beautiful white kitchen!

 

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Expand Your Design Possibilities and Meet Today’s Trends with Merillat Masterpiece®

Posted by: Paul Radoy - Senior Designer on 09/16/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

We are excited to announce the expansion of Merillat Masterpiece®, our premier line of semi-custom cabinetry, giving homeowners new design possibilities to create intelligently beautiful kitchens. Introducing four new door styles, 24 new finish, paint and glaze options, and even more new accessories and hardware options to make your kitchen a masterpiece!

We have taken the latest styles and trends and put a Merillat twist on them.  Our new door styles reflect the emerging design trends toward Heritage, Modern Farmhouse and Soft Modern decorating styles. These three trends come to life in the Merillat Masterpiece line and are customizable to fit every homeowner’s needs.

Merillat Masterpiece® Temora™ door style with a Cherry Kaffe finish.

Heritage

A Heritage style home is one where homeowners enjoy the finer things in life and might choose to entertain guests with fine food and wine. Embellished with details, the home is classically elegant and tailored. Heritage door styles commonly have heavy frames and molding, mitered corners and raised panels that can be accentuated with a luxurious glaze and other finishes to create a traditional, high-end look

Perfect for a Heritage style home, the new Merillat MasterpieceTemora™ door style offers a “flat edge” on the stiles and rails.  Notice the clean and elegant lines here that give this traditional look a modern twist.

Read Entire Article…

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Design Your Dream Kitchen With a Chance to Win It!

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 06/01/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

heycurtisIs your current kitchen out of date? Not in tune with the needs of your household? Design a kitchen that works like a dream — and you could win it! From now until August 1, 2011, Merillat is teaming up with our favorite chef Curtis Stone for the Works Like a Dream kitchen $30,000 makeover contest.

Entering is fun and easy; here’s what you have to do:

  • Go to Merillat.com and upload a photo of your current kitchen.
  • Write a brief essay telling us why you need a kitchen makeover.
  • Let Curtis Stone walk you through our Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner to design your Works Like a Dream kitchen!

Once you’ve completed the three steps, you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of these prizes:

  • Grand Prize: $30,000 kitchen makeover, $1,500 in Curtis Stone products and a $3,000 Open House party to show everyone your new kitchen.
  • First Prize: Two winners will get a $5,000 credit toward the purchase of Merillat cabinetry.
  • Second Prize: Five winners will get $500 in Curtis Stone products.

Merillat is passionate about helping homeowners find a kitchen design that’s right for them. And by encouraging interaction with the Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner we hope more and more homeowners will learn the most appropriate kitchen styles, products and features for their specific lifestyle.

So what are you waiting for? Give us the chance to make your dream kitchen a reality – ENTER NOW!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Behind Every Great Design is a Great Designer

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 05/31/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

A kitchen is only as great as its design; therefore, a great kitchen requires a great designer. At Merillat, we’re creating rooms with intelligent design and remarkable quality. We recently asked current selected Merillat designers, at our first Designer’s Connection Symposium, to share their innovative ideas by showing us rooms they’ve created.

Sarah Reep speaks at the Dealer Symposium

Sarah Reep speaks at the Dealer Symposium

As part of that experience, Merillat designers discussed new design techniques that allow homeowners to see the intelligent and functional design of their new space. Participating designers also explored the many ways a kitchen can be designed to fit the everyday personality and way of life of clients.

With the help of a functional and innovative designer using Merillat cabinetry, you can design dream rooms for the real world. Merillat designers truly are great designers, but don’t take our word for it, meet our designers for yourself on our Facebook page and see how they’re making dream designs come to life!

Tags: , , , , , ,

Put the Fun in Function – Making the Most of Kitchen Storage

Posted by: Paul Radoy - Senior Designer on 03/31/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

Peg dividers for drawers can be customized so you can fit your pots and pans however you like.

Peg dividers for drawers can be customized so you can fit your pots and pans however you like.

If cooking is a hassle for you, it may be time to do some reorganizing. Curtis Stone, star of the reality cooking show “Take Home Chef,” thinks that a beautiful, well-organized kitchen can make a world of difference to home cooks.

Chef Curtis Stone

Chef Curtis Stone

“When I was doing ‘Take Home Chef’ and cooking in all these different houses,” says Stone, “I was thinking, why is it so difficult to cook in people’s homes? It was so easy in a professional kitchen. Well, one of the main differences between a professional kitchen and residential kitchen is organization. But with the right organizational features, cooking can be fun and relaxing.”

Get in the Zone

According to Paul Radoy, manager of design services for Merillat, the best way to approach kitchen organization and storage is to look at the room in sections. “All kitchens have a cooking zone and a cleanup zone,” he says. “And some kitchens may have an island or pantry. Each of these areas lends themselves to various storage opportunities.”

Read Entire Article…

Tags: , , , , ,

Defining Your Kitchen Design Style

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 09/08/2010 | Permalinks | Trackbacks
Traditional Design Style

Traditional Design Style

Identifying your design style is an important first step in any kitchen remodel or new construction. Are you drawn to sleek modern design, or a relaxed and rustic country aesthetic? Are your tastes more eclectic than traditional? Or maybe you prefer some combination of these looks.

Another consideration is the style of the other rooms in your home, and whether you want your kitchen design to stand apart from or blend seamlessly with adjacent rooms.  Some design experts say your style should be consistent throughout your home, while others believe the kitchen is a great place to make a statement.

Read Entire Article…

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Considerations in Designing a Family Friendly Eat-In Kitchen

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 07/29/2010 | Permalinks | Trackbacks
Merillat Masterpiece Fairlane in Maple Burnished Praline

Merillat Masterpiece Fairlane in Maple Burnished Praline

If your family is like most, your kitchen is more than just another room. These days, life happens in the kitchen. The kitchen is the hub of your home, the center of all the day’s activities. And even if you have a showcase dining room, you may actually eat most meals in the kitchen.

With your family’s busy schedule, things tend to overlap. Cooking, homework, bill paying, small talk…it’s all going on across the kitchen counter or at the kitchen table. The eat-in kitchen is the new normal, and when renovating your space you need to design accordingly to make it as family friendly as possible.

To begin, put some thought into how you want your kitchen to function – your lifestyle will dictate the design.  Ask yourself what will help make your space operate efficiently and comfortably. Consider all of the ways in which you currently use your kitchen, where your children or other family members hang out, and then develop your solutions around these factors.

Read Entire Article…

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Design Trend – Celebrity Kitchens

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 04/07/2010 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

Movie Sets, Famous Chefs & Celebrity Athletes Inspiring Kitchen Design Trends Across the Country

Photo Credit: www.thekitchendesigner.org

"It's Complicated" Movie Set; Photo Credit: www.thekitchendesigner.org

The kitchens of celebrities, movie sets and famous chefs are influencing our design and style trend choices in many areas of the home, but especially in the kitchen. In this post, Sphere Trending, a trend spotting and design forecasting firm located in Waterford, Michigan, points out some noteworthy kitchens recently featured in film, television and magazines that have generated quite a buzz for their design appeal.

The recent film, “It’s Complicated”, centered around the eclectic and comfortable kitchen of the main character / bakery owner played by Meryl Streep.  Designed by Beth Rubino, the kitchen captured the essence of the casual, “cleaned-up coastal” style currently experiencing an up-trend in home and kitchen design.  The open shelving, curtained fronts, warm finishes and beachy color palette quickly made headlines on blogs and in design magazines as a trend to watch inspiring many to seek out ways to recreate the movie set kitchen’s relaxed style and comfortably chic look in homes across the country.

Read Entire Article…

Tags: , , , , ,

« Older Entries