Both homes include Merillat cabinets designed for ease-of-use in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. We installed adjustable height countertop surfaces that allow access to anyone, regardless of age, height or mobility. These include deep toekicks that better accommodate wheelchair access and height differences.

Pullout and rollout drawers and shelves eliminate the need for the homeowner to reach into the back of deep cabinets, while larger hardware made knobs and handles easier to grasp – important in designing for all needs. Our local dealer partner, Reico Kitchen & Bath, pitched in to install the cabinetry in the homes.

We’re always considering new ways to incorporate universal design, while increasing functionality and maintaining style. For more information, visit www.Merillat.com.

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!

1. Set out a stack of fluffy towels on the bathroom vanity or elsewhere in a basket. Top it with a package of monogrammed hand soaps tied with ribbon and a tag that says, “Welcome!”

2. Be sure your guests have a hook or two to hang towels, robes or pajamas. If your guest bathroom doesn’t have enough hooks or towel bars, temporary hooks can be applied to walls or doors without damaging paint.

3. Create an attractive place for storing extra toilet paper where it will be visible to guests, like a basket on the toilet tank. Or stock up the vanity cabinet and let your guests know where to find it so they don’t have to ask you later. Include a box of tissues, too.

4. Place a pump of hand lotion next to the sink. A light scent is nice, but consider that your guest may have a fragrance allergy so avoid anything too strong.

5. Leave a new toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, and a small bottle of mouthwash inside the medicine cabinet, with a note that reads, “Help yourself!”

Your guests are so sure to feel welcome, they might even clean the bathroom before they leave!

I was recently honored to work on a very special project with Midwest Living magazine along with one of our dealers, Sunderland Brothers Company; a project that will benefit hundreds of families in need each year.

L to R: Doug Year (Sunderland Brothers), Ronald McDonald, Charlie Fiedler (Merillat Account Manager), Ron Bauer (Sunderland Brothers) and Joe Williams (Williams Remodeling) celebrate the grand opening of the Midwest Living Idea Home at the Ronald McDonald House.

As a sponsor of the 2011-2012 Midwest Living Idea Home, Merillat cabinetry provided cabinetry for the complete renovation of the Ronald McDonald House Charities® Des Moines, Iowa home.

For Merillat cabinetry this was a perfect fit.  Why? Merillat strives to make life in the kitchen easier; and if we can in anyway make life easier for these families, we consider that a privilege.

I attended the unveiling of the project at an Open House party in late August. The party was open to sponsors and local residents, and included a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of the completed home.

During the tour, one thing was clear, the room designs were inspired by the families living there; especially the rooms with Merillat cabinets including the media room, library, bathrooms, and of course the kitchen.

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Merillat Senior Designer Paul Radoy designed these rooms. I could see immediately how Paul’s hard work might help make the families feel as comfortable as possible and a little more like “home” during their stays.

These two kitchens mirroring each other in one space, allow more than one family a functional space to prepare meals.

This “home away from home” was especially personal for me as I had a close friend spend months at Methodist Hospital across the parking lot from the Ronald McDonald House.  My friend’s son had a brain injury in 2009 and spent over two months at Methodist.  In 2010, my friend himself was diagnosed with cancer, spending numerous weeks undergoing chemotherapy at Methodist.  They were fortunate to live in the area and could sleep in their own beds.  I was extremely proud of Merillat Cabinetry’s contribution to give families that are not from the area a place that might feel like home during their stay.

The complete transformation of the home will be featured in the March/April 2012 issue of Midwest Living.  Can’t wait that long? Watch for updates on the project at midwestliving.com/rmhc.

It’s taken months and months of hard work, but I am pleased to say The Kuppersmith Project is complete and looking better than ever!  You have been able to witness the full transformation of this 1920s Tudor style house in Mobile, Ala. on my show, Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford.  Now it is time to see the final reveal of the entire home, including the Merillat cabinetry and DeNova countertops used throughout the home.

As you know, at the start of the project the Kuppersmith home was a 1900-square foot home without central heating or air-conditioning, the plumbing and wiring were outdated and the kitchen and bathroom were small, outdated and needed to be completely redone.

We were lucky to work with our friends at Merillat and DeNova to provide cabinetry and countertops solutions for various rooms throughout the home.  Even though the Kuppersmith house was a huge undertaking, in fact my biggest yet, Merillat and DeNova’s integration made for quick and easy installation.  We used this cabinet + countertop combination all over the house to help simplify the remodel and make each room beautiful and more functional.

Merillat cabinetry, filled with innovative storage solutions, brings a new dimension of style and functionality to the Kuppersmith kitchen.  Some of my favorites are featured in the kitchen and include the CoreGuard™ Sink Base—there is no better way to help avoid under sink damage, plus it is durable and easy to install.  The cutting board kit and deep drawer peg board are perfect and convenient for keeping your kitchen organized while you cook. This is a family friendly kitchen that will be easier and more enjoyable to work in.

The Kuppersmith Project is a great example of how Merillat kitchens are more functional with ingenious features that make life in the kitchen easier.  Plus, the integration of Merillat cabinets with DeNova countertops lends itself to a more seamless remodeling process.  I’m speaking from experience and know that all contractors will appreciate this!

Check out my web site for more information about the Kuppersmith home.  And if you missed the unveiling of the home or any of the other Kuppersmith episodes, you’re in luck because we are re-airing the 13-part series.  Click here to find out when the shows air in your area!

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!

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!

That’s why when homeowners told us they wanted the area under their sink to be durable and easy to clean, we came up with the Merillat CoreGuard™ Sink Base — a smart solution that helps to protect your kitchen investment.

This revolutionary sink base cabinet is made of an engineered polymer material that helps protect against common under-sink damage that can be caused by minor leaks, drops and spills. It’s durable, requires minimal maintenance and alerts homeowners of minor leaks and spills.

If you are sick and tired of the mess you’ve got going on down under your sink, then CoreGuard™ is right for you – and now is the time to do something about it with our Down Under Promotion.

What’s the Down Under Promotion?

When you purchase Merillat Classic^® kitchen cabinetry and include a CoreGuard™ Sink Base in your new kitchen, you become eligible for a $100 mail-in rebate! However, time is running out.  This great deal ends May 28, so be sure to visit a Merillat dealer by you today.

Visit your local Merillat dealer or browse Merillat.com for more information about how to make your dream kitchen a reality.

Once your kitchen is in order, you’re going to want to keep it that way. Clean and clear countertops are often the first casualty in the war against clutter, so we recommend the following strategies to help keep you on course.

The Basics

It may seem obvious, but good housekeeping basics such as cleaning messes up right away and putting plates directly in the dishwasher instead of the sink are the best defense against unwanted accumulation. A little clutter can quickly add up to a big mess in a busy kitchen. Developing good habits and staying ahead of those messes is much easier than spending hours playing catch up. Being able to walk right into a tidy kitchen to whip up a dish when you are inspired to cook is a reward in and of itself!

Central Command

The typical kitchen serves as the communication hub of the home. Calendars, note taking materials, telephone books, communication and entertainment devices, and even televisions are often found occupying cramped counter space. Many of these items can be mounted on a wall, under or inside a cabinet, or in a conveniently accessible drawer. Leaving notes for family members can be simplified by hanging a chalkboard or dry erase board on the wall or fridge.

A Place for Everything…

Daily collections of mail, homework, keys, cell phones, etc. should have assigned locations and be returned to them when not in use. Setting up a drop zone for these kinds of items will help keep you organized; check out this example from Merillat.

You’ll want designated resting places for your assorted small appliances as well. Likewise, cookbooks, canisters, spices and other items commonly seen cluttering up valuable counter space should have a conveniently accessible home in a cabinet or on a shelf. Returning these items to their storage places after using them is key to maintaining a clear countertop.

Need some ideas on where to store these items so that they’re easily accessed, but not in the way? Merillat offers a great line of kitchen accessories and cabinet features to help optimize. Check out a few of these below:

Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Tambour Storage

Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Tambour Storage

The wall tambour storage cabinet is a great location for hiding away your smaller appliances, with a handy cabinet door that rolls up and down for easy access.

Merillat Masterpiece® Base Mixer Shelf

Merillat Masterpiece® Base Mixer Shelf

The workhorse of the kitchen, the stand mixer, deserves its own storage area. This sturdy mixer shelf keeps your stand mixer ready at a moment’s notice, without taking over your countertop.

Merillat Masterpiece® Base Cutting Board Door Rack

Merillat Masterpiece® Base Cutting Board Door Rack

This cutting board door rack is a great way of tucking away your cutting board (this one is included!) in a handy location.

Merillat Classic® Wall Message Center Pull-Down

Merillat Classic® Wall Message Center Pull-Down

A great under cabinet storage solution is the wall message center. It attaches under the wall cabinet and pulls down for easy use and is perfect for storing pens, pads and miscellaneous notes.

Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Organizer

Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Organizer

The Wall Organizer is perfect for keeping papers, mail and other small items off your workspace and out of the way.

Merillat Masterpiece® Under Cabinet Shelves

Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Under Cabinet Shelves

Adds an extra shelf for above-counter storage or for storing a wide variety of items, such as seasonings or small glassware.

Keeping the “Heart” Pumping

We’ve said before that the kitchen is the heart of the home. When your kitchen is cluttered, that “artery” is clogged and it’s difficult to get anything done. Maintaining an organized, clutter-free kitchen helps keep your entire household running smoothly and efficiently. By adopting just a few of the strategies above, you’ll be well on your way to winning the battle against countertop clutter!

Has your kitchen gone through an organizational transformation? What are some of your tips for keeping clutter at bay?

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

“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.”

The Cooking Zone

Food preparation and cooking are the primary functions of a kitchen, which is why keeping cooking items organized and within easy reach is key. The National Association of Professional Organizers recommends observing the flow of activity in your kitchen and organizing around it. Stone agrees, saying, “I believe the kitchen should be designed for the way you live.” Whether you’re installing new cabinets or working with your existing units, try to optimize your space by creating specified storage areas.

• Group objects by purpose and dedicate specific storage areas for them. Having all the bakeware together  or all the pots and pans together lets you get to what you need quickly and efficiently.
• Store pots and pans as close to the stove as possible.
• Keep utensils where you can reach them easily while cooking. A utensil hanging system on the backsplash,  or a pull-down knife rack under the wall cabinet next to the cooktop keeps you from digging through  drawers.

“Now I know almost everyone has a pots and pans cabinet, and most of them are a mess,” says Stone. “Well, Merillat has come up with an ingen- ious solution. Peg dividers for drawers can be customized to neatly fit all your pots and pans as you like them. It’s not one-size-fits-all, so it can be nicely organized.”

Awkward items can be stored on a Lazy Susan or a swing-out base cabinet, both of which take advantage of a tricky blind corner situation. The swing-out base cabinet allows full access to the entire cabinet with its two adjustable roll-out trays.

The Pantry Zone

If you’re tired of hunting through a dozen canned goods to find the one you really need, or if you end up buying items you didn’t know you already had, then it’s time to reorganize the pantry.

Turn a tight fit into plenty of storage with a swing-out system.

Group similar food items together, the way you see them on grocery store shelves. Keep canned goods on one shelf, breakfast foods on another, baking ingredients on another. If you don’t have a lot of built-in storage space, look for ways to maximize what you do have.

• Individual turntables are great for organizing and storing spices and  smaller pantry items. They can be put inside cabinets or on your  counter to give you easy access.
• Stacking platforms can go in taller shelf spaces to eliminate wasted  space.
• Pullout shelves or baskets can utilize even more space in a  cupboard.

The Cleanup Zone

Stone says that organizing the cleanup zone can minimize clutter and make cleanup easier. From the location of the sink and dishwasher to various organizational accessories, any cleanup zone can shine. Things like a tilt-out sink tray, which keeps soaps and sponges out of sight, an under sink tote and a base waste basket help keep things well organized. Also, a cutting board kit close to the sink makes for easy cleanup during food prep.

“From a chef’s perspective, and from a home cook’s perspective,” says Stone, “when you’re working in a kitchen that makes sense, it makes the whole cooking experience much easier — and more fun.”

For more on the latest kitchen storage solutions, visit www.merillat.com.