Kitchens: All Three Considerations    

Of all the spaces in your home, the kitchen is probably the one space that not only hosts the most gatherings, but also is also expected to function with the greatest efficiently. Most days, the kitchen is the heart of family activity - from breakfast and dinner, to homework at the kitchen table - the kitchen continues to be the primary gathering spot.

With so many roles - often happening at the same time - the kitchen takes a lot of abuse, too, and when it doesn't function the way you want, this hub can quickly turn not so family-friendly when it is a frenzy of action. However, when renovated, kitchens can be transformed to a "highest value space" - not only for the return on investment (ROI), but also from the return on enjoyment (ROE).

The three major considerations when remodeling a kitchen are aesthetics, functionality and the inter-play of those two layers.

Aesthetics of a kitchen mean the look and feel of a kitchen. Do the cabinetry, countertops and wall-coverings date your kitchen, or does your kitchen have a timeless look? Other elements that go into your kitchen's aesthetics include the finishes and fixtures, curtains, appliances, flooring and even the lighting. All contribute to the overall feel of the space.

Perhaps the most common reason for a kitchen remodel is functionality - or lack of it. The number one kitchen complaint is lack of counter space, followed closely by lack of storage. The ideal kitchen is created to function the way the homeowner works within the space.

Finally, the last major consideration of a kitchen remodel is the layering. For a large family or family who entertains regularly, this could include two dishwashers, while for another homeowner it could include a special cabinet low enough for young ones to access cereal in the morning. Overlaying the finishes, materials and colors in a way that blends form and function, beauty and utility brings the entire kitchen full-circle to make it yours.

When you have a kitchen that is designed to incorporate all three areas - aesthetics, functionality and the layering of the two former - the result will be an enjoyable, well-rounded space that will prove, day in and day out, to be the "highest value" for your family.

Home-A-Rama: It's in the Details  

By Kevin Martin, Professional Kitchen Designer, Horizon Kitchens, Inc. 

EGS Note: We partnered with Horizon Kitchens, Inc. to design a one-of-a-kind kitchen for our Home-A-Rama house - that was well rounded, functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Perhaps the first thing you notice when you tour the EGStoltzfus Homes' Home-A-Rama house is the timeless, classical look of the kitchen. This destination-spot grabs your eye as you enter the foyer area and invites you to explore further.

The kitchen itself follows the Tudor architectural theme of the home, and perhaps this is why it is also so welcoming. When you first enter the kitchen, you immediately notice the beautiful perimeter cabinetry in a classic, yet elegant warm white color. It gives the kitchen a very clean look - which is appealing to many of today's homeowners. The door style also follows the clean classical look with elegant recessed paneled beaded inset doors.

Today's kitchens are "zone designed" - there are four primary zones that contribute to a well-functioning space. They are the clean-up zone, the cooking zone, the preparation zone and the storage zone. Each zone requires its own set of tools to complete those tasks which allows the user to be efficient and un-interrupted.

In the Home-A-Rama kitchen, the island was designed in a modified "L" shape. One half of the island was dedicated to the clean-up zone and storage area zone. The other part of the L was devoted to cooking, complete with a small prep-sink so the cook has easy access to water without crossing into the clean-up area. The island was also designed in tiers, which provides a bit of visual protection from the clean-up zone of the kitchen - which often is the messiest area. Finally to add visual interest, the island color was chosen to be a black paint with wood rub-through to bring in the warmth of patina.

For the layers of the kitchen, we put a great deal of thought into including additional conveniences that enhanced the functionality. One element was the rounded wainscoting on the island that follows the curvature of the island countertop. This allows for easier conversations as the family members enjoy the cozy atmosphere. At the end of the island, we incorporated a "hidden" door with-in the wainscoting that opens with touch pressure. Inside, the homeowner can store hidden items like liquor - which is often used in entertaining yet something you may want out of sight. Another element of this kitchen is installation of two dishwashers. One can be running a cycle while the other is being loaded. Every cabinet has interior wow items just like the beautiful exterior.

When it comes to designing a kitchen for today's homeowner, it is an exploring and learning process to get it to the final design. It isn't something that happens overnight. However, when a kitchen is layered with details, is aesthetically pleasing and full of functionality, it is a space that provides much joy to the homeowner - and makes a home complete.

Are you ready to begin your personal, one-of-a-kind project? Start here >> 

About Horizon Kitchens, Inc.

Located in Mountville, Horizon Kitchens works with EGStoltzfus Homes to turn your dreams into reality. We work closely to design customized cabinetry for kitchens, bathrooms and entertainment centers, and take great care to approach each project to whatever level of adaptability is needed.

Refrigerator Maintenance Tip

When you receive your FREE refrigerator (see offer below), don't forget that the little things add up when it comes to maintaining this vital appliance. Besides cleaning out the inside, make sure you also clean around the OUTside of your refrigerator, too. Crumbs, dust, small toys and even pet hair can cause real havoc to your refrigerator's performance, so make sure you periodically vacuum out the air intake area.

Another "oops" is pushing your refrigerator too close to the back wall. Not only does it interrupt airflow (which can cause your refrigerator and freezer to stop cooling!), but it also can kink up the water hose.

Our purpose for bringing you The Construction Connection is to share our wisdom. We have seen it all and yet there is so much more to learn every day.

For nearly 45 years the divisions of EGStoltzfus (Neighborhoods, Designed Homes & Remodeling, Commercial Construction and Handyman) have been Building Better and Creating Value for more than 7,000 property owners. The collective wisdom of our team is the key to a predictable outcome for each and every project.

In this forum we will be reaching out to offer specific how-to's for caring for your property and improving what you have, as well as suggestions as to what to do when it's time to start anew. Additionally, we will provide you with information on market conditions, technology updates, codes and legal concerns, design trends and many more topics we feel can connect all our readers to Better Value.

The team of EGStoltzfus Homes is always available to answer your questions and advise you through a remodel or new home construction project.

Get to know us better!>>