Design Focus: Range Hoods

Once almost hidden away as a "necessary evil" in the kitchen, range vents have become far more visible in recent years. Designs range from slim, contemporary stainless steel to elaborate wood, stone or mantle-style hoods, many of which become the focal point for the entire kitchen. Aside from the purpose of venting steam and cooking smells, hoods often include lighting, storage and even display areas.

Thinking about a new look to your range hood? We've gathered some articles and idea books to give you some inspiration: Houzz showcases a variety of range hoods, as does this slideshow from Better Homes & Gardens. A collection of white kitchens from Southern Living offers a number of hood treatments, and our Flickr page features a number of designs that have gone through our plant.

We like the design above for the display shelves, panel detail, crown mouldings and the pull-out spice racks on either side of the range. What is your favorite feature in a range hood?

Organize Your Home Office, From Home!

Whether you have a large, dedicated home office, a cozy nook in the corner of the kitchen or even a re-purposed closet, organization is always a challenge. Of course you can go to the office supply store and buy bins, baskets and boxes, but we like the idea of using everyday items you may already have on hand. Not only is it more personal and casual, it beats throwing away something that still has a use!

We found lots of good ideas on the internet for everything from egg cartons to glass jars. At HGTV, ideas include turning a picture frame into a memo board. BHG.com offers tips for turning a space into an office, as well as clever storage solutions (a folding ruler to hold cards and notes-brilliant!) Home Made Simple recommends making a trip to the kitchen, and Martha Stewart finds a new use for empty paint cans. And of course, you can search "home office" on Pinterest for dozens of photos and tips.

What's your favorite "shop-at-home" idea?

Finish Enhancements: Artisan Distressing

 

When you want to give your brand-new kitchen the look and feel of a well used, treasured space, consider adding Artisan distressing to your cabinets. Our five Artisan packages combine a number of hand-applied techniques that replicate the tool marks, scarring, worm holes and re-sawn appearance you might find in reclaimed woods. Other techniques create carved and worn edges to simulate decades of wear. 

Artisan looks particularly good on Rustic woods, and is often enhanced by Glazing, which will settle into the distress marks and knots of the Rustic wood. As with all of our cabinets, your distressed kitchen will feature a durable, state-of-the-art finish that is guaranteed to look great for years to come. 

Already have Artisan distressing on your cabinets? Post a picture - we'd love to see!

Design Focus: The Backsplash

While the wood species, color and door style you select for your cabinets will be a major factor in the overall appearance of your kitchen, don't overlook the backsplash area. This can be a great opportunity to use an unusual material, create a bright pop of color, or echo the finishes used elsewhere in the room.  And, since the square footage is typically limited, you can get a big impact without hurting your budget!

Here are some resources we found for inspiration:

– Southern Living shares a dozen different materials
– Becky Harris at Houzz highlights some unique tile options
– Better Homes & Gardens' slideshow features tile, glass, stone and more
– Kitchens.com offers plenty of ideas, and includes a Q&A with kitchen designers

What is your backsplash plan? Tile, glass, stone, or ......?