Guided by chef Curtis Stone, you’ll be asked a series of questions that will help you determine your specialized needs and preferences, covering everything from kitchen layout to paint palettes. Once you’ve completed the customized planning process, you’ll be able to review your kitchen choices in a virtual rendering and a mood board that can be printed at home and shared with your local Merillat dealer.

The process is laid out in six easy-to-follow steps:

1. Getting Started. In this first section, you will be prompted to create or log in to your IdeaFolio™ account so your project can be saved, changed and shared. In this step, the planner also gathers information about you that could affect your kitchen design. For example, it asks if you are remodeling or building a new kitchen.
2. Inspiration. Here you will explore and choose the design style that fits you best. Once you have chosen a style, you will then be presented with a series of kitchen photos from which you can choose and “save” favorites, and learn about the features that make those kitchens special.
3. Door Style. In this step you will be guided through the process of choosing your favorite door style, wood species, finish and hardware for a finished look you will love.
4. Organization and Accessories. Based on answers provided about how you plan to live in your kitchen, the tool will then present a series of features designed to make life in the kitchen easier. From pull-out wastebaskets to wine racks, you can browse additional photos and videos about the features to learn more, saving your favorites to your project.
5. Planning Your Space. Next you will review major considerations you may want to discuss with your designer once you get to a Merillat showroom, such as sink and faucet types, counter top materials and appliance options, all of which can affect the kitchen layout.
6. Finishing Touches. This is where it all comes together with cabinetry accents like corbels and crown molding, paint color, flooring and counter tops.

Upon completion of the final step, you will be presented with “My Design,” a collection of your favorite products organized for easy sharing with your designer. Swatches and images are provided; including door styles, hardware, paint color, flooring and countertops.

The Kitchen Planner is designed to engage and inspire you, and make the planning, selection and purchasing process more efficient and streamlined so your dream kitchen can become a reality.

Want to learn more? Check out this video and then give the Kitchen Planner a try yourself and let us know what you think!

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.

For example, how much seating do you need to accommodate your family members? What kinds of activities are performed in your kitchen? Do you do a lot of cooking? Do your kids like to help?  Who else spends time in your kitchen? Don’t forget to consider how your needs may change over the years.

Whether accommodating little ones, hungry teens, busy parents, seniors, or physically challenged persons in your space planning, there are many ways to create an environment that works for everyone.  Here are a few ideas to help you along the way:

• If small children are a consideration, install countertops with rounded corners to prevent painful bumps and bruises.
• Incorporate a lower height area of counter space that provides easier access for children – and also seniors or physically challenged family members.
• Choose cabinets with durable finishes that will take the bumps in stride.
• Consider cabinetry options like Merillat’s SoftAction™ drawers that help slow down the moving parts as excited kids open and shut them. Self-closing concealed door hinges help prevent pinching and keep doors from hanging open.
• To help keep things clean, choose higher gloss furniture finishes that are easy to wipe off. This concept applies to walls too: “the higher the sheen, the easier it will clean.” Satin or semigloss wall paints are going to be your best bet.
• Upholster chairs with washable fabrics or slipcovers for those eventual spills. Plan on replacing in five years or so.
• Make your kitchen warm and inviting with bright, cheerful paint colors and fabrics.
• Microwave ovens, foods and dishes can be positioned at a lower level where less reaching is required.  Installing our Masterpiece® base microwave cabinet is one great way to put that appliance within easy reach.
• Carve out a comfortable niche for homework, games and just hanging out. This might also be a great spot for bill paying or plugging in a laptop.
• For toddlers you might set aside a small area for their own little table and chairs to keep them occupied and within sight while you’re cooking.
• Varnished hardwood flooring (like maple) will stand up to the abuse of an active family. Linoleum and sealed cork are other good options.
• Make the seating area in your kitchen welcoming by providing plenty of room to spread out for the whole family.
• Hang a pendant lamp over your breakfast nook or table to make a focal point that provides task lighting.
• An island or peninsula is a great way to combine informal dining with ample storage space.  Or you might invest in a rolling island to increase storage and work space.
• With so many people coming and going, you might also consider an entryway area or “drop zone” for things like keys, mail, coats, backpacks and purses. Merillat offers a number of family-friendly accessories to help you customize your space, including drop zone and entryway ensembles.

Ultimately, what you’re striving to create is a space that everyone feels comfortable in and can easily utilize on a daily basis. These are just a few ideas to help get you there.  Have additional ideas you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them!

Merillat Classic Spring Valley in Oak Cider

As the hub of the home, the emphasis on design style in today’s kitchen is greater than ever before.  With so much of our time spent in the kitchen, it’s only natural that we’ve begun to gravitate toward cabinetry that looks like furniture, and appliances that are integrated into their surroundings or make a bold design statement of their own.

For those who can afford them, high-style, high-end appliances lend a wonderful aesthetic all their own to the kitchen. From professional six-burner gas stoves to glass-front refrigerators with architectural curves to retro-modern appliances in an array of crazy colors, there are a lot of great options from which to choose.

Integrated appliances are also an option for those who want a more customized look. An integrated appliance is one that has been custom built to fit your space instead of the more conventional method of building your kitchen to accommodate standard dimension appliances. But, this kind of customization doesn’t come cheap – not only is the appliance itself expensive, but maintenance and upkeep are also costly propositions.

Rest assured there are smaller scale and less costly design solutions available.  Several creative solutions for disguising or hiding away your conventional and small appliances are described below.

Merillat Masterpiece Wall Tambour Storage

Appliance Panel Kits

Camouflage paneling that matches your cabinetry is a great way to personalize appliances whose finishes don’t match your taste, or don’t match each other. It also creates a uniform look for your kitchen, creating continuous stretches of attractive surfaces and finishes around the room.

In this photo from the Merillat Classic Spring Valley collection, you can see how paneling helps the dishwasher fit right in with the room’s design. With matching wood species and finish, the paneling creates a consistent, continuous flow around the room. Ask your designer how to best incorporate appliance panel kits into your kitchen design.

Solutions for Small Appliances

When it comes to your smaller appliances, there are a number of ways in which you can keep them out of sight and help reduce clutter. For example, you can tuck a toaster in an appliance garage or a tambour cabinet with a roll-down door, keep a mixer on a shelf that lifts up and into the open when you need it, and keep a microwave on a sturdy, dedicated, integrated shelf. You can also use curtains, screens and other decorative devices to keep smaller items out of sight.  Explore Merillat’s extensive offering of small appliance and other space-saving accessories.

Quick Fixes

Don’t have the time or budget for changes to your appliances or cabinetry? Some simple yet innovative updates can help lend a unique, customized look to your appliances. For example you might elect to paint your appliances a color that complements the rest of your kitchen decor, or swap out standard hardware for custom hardware that better matches other elements in the room. Hardware can also be removed and painted to match other hardware finishes.

We hope you have been inspired by some of these quick ideas on how to create a more integrated kitchen look.  Do you have additional ideas on interesting ways of disguising kitchen appliances? Please share them with us!

The New Merillat.com

I hope you’re enjoying Merillat’s new Web site! With a fresh look and innovative functionality, you’ll find it easier than ever to plan your dream kitchen.  New features allow you to gather info on your own or be guided through an intuitive process to help you hone in on your design, layout and product preferences before visiting a showroom.

We know the Web is often the place where homeowners search for information and inspiration. We want to help homeowners combine inspiration with smarter kitchen design decisions that fit their lifestyles so they get the kitchen of their dreams.

Inspiration for the changes to the site came from our Merillat customers themselves in a usability study conducted by Merillat. Through this research, we learned that our consumers wanted changes that would improve the overall selection process and user experience. Today’s Merillat.com site combines the best of these ideas with additional industry research and includes:

• Improved product navigation that allows you to search by color, making it oh so easy to find your perfect door style.
• A new style selection tool to help you find the design style that fits you best.
• A decorative enhancement tool that helps you visualize the difference small touches can make in a room.
• An inspiration gallery that showcases a number of design ideas and lets you explore unique features.
• New accessories allow for optimal organization and storage solutions.
• A new Ideafolio™ that allows you to transform your kitchen visions into 2D reality. With this tool, you can develop a floor plan and a design scheme that can be printed and shared.
• A new step by step planner is coming soon! This feature, available in late July 2010, will guide consumers through a customized planning process in order to help them find the most appropriate styles, products and features for their lifestyles.

Explore the new site at Merillat.com and let us know what you think!

Kitchen Work Triangle

In a small kitchen we know how hard it can be to keep things organized and flowing smoothly. It seems like stuff piles up everywhere, from the week’s worth of mail on the counter to your kids’ after-school clutter.  Combine this with existing storage and work flow issues and things can get out of hand quickly. Take heart; you don’t have to put up with daily clutter and limited storage space.  When planning a redesign, a few simple considerations can help make your kitchen a “clutter-free” zone and feel larger than it actually is.

Layout Options

The first thing to do when redesigning a small kitchen is to choose a layout that fits your space requirements and needs. Here are some options to consider:

L-Shaped Kitchen – This is the most popular design, appropriate for any size kitchen. The L-shaped kitchen is made up of two walls (or legs) and gives you the possibility of having a center island depending on your available space. In general, this design will have 2 or 3 appliances on one wall with the refrigerator typically at one end, the range or cooktop at the other end with the sink located in the middle. This shape of kitchen generally provides good traffic flow.

U-Shaped Kitchen – This design features three walls, with the sink usually located in the middle wall section. The refrigerator and range or cooktop are typically on the side walls opposite each other. The U-shaped kitchen design allows for ample countertop space and cabinetry, and creates a very efficient work triangle.  Using skylights, large windows, under-cabinet task lighting and light colors will help keep the kitchen bright.

G-Shaped/Peninsula Kitchen – This type of kitchen shape is becoming very popular, as it gives you a fourth wall or peninsula to use.  It is usually not suitable for a very small kitchen because there may not be room for the fourth leg.  The G-shape is especially nice if you have more than one cook in the house. The fourth wall section can be used for extra counter space, a cleanup zone, a cooktop, or added seating.

Galley Kitchen – Often called the corridor style, the galley kitchen design is more common in apartments or in smaller homes. Cabinets and appliances can be located on opposite walls for easy work flow.  Placing the range or cooktop on one side of the kitchen along one wall and the refrigerator and sink on the opposite wall also allows better flow.

Single-Wall Kitchen – If you have very little space for anything but a single-wall kitchen, try to place the sink between the refrigerator and the stove for added efficiency. Locate the refrigerator so that the door opens away from the kitchen sink. This is a very common layout for small kitchens with narrow spaces.

The Work Triangle

Whichever layout you choose, it’s important to also follow the basic “work triangle” method in kitchen design.  This is a triangle formed between the sink, refrigerator and stove/oven with no more than 9’ between two areas, and no less than 4’. For more info, check out this condensed view of NKBA guidelines for kitchen space planning around the work triangle.

Cabinets and Lighting in a Small Kitchen

For extra storage, install tall kitchen cabinets that extend to the ceiling, placing the items you use less often on the top shelves. Built-in or fitted cabinets can increase available storage. There are also an abundance of cabinet accessories available that can help you store your kitchen essentials more efficiently.

Both natural and artificial lighting are important in creating the illusion of a larger, brighter kitchen. The best setup involves “light layering” where accent, ambient and task lighting are combined; this can be done inexpensively.  See our recent blog post on choosing the right lighting for your kitchen design to learn more.

These are just a few tips when considering a redesign of your small space to make it as efficient and clutter-free as possible.  Which floor plan fits best with your available square footage and kitchen orientation?

"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.

"It's Complicated" Movie Set; Photo Credit: http://remodelista.com

Ina Garten’s lovely kitchen from her Food Network show, Barefoot Contessa, inspired so many designers, bloggers and design enthusiasts, she was asked for her design input on House Beautiful’s 2009 Kitchen of the Year.  (Watch the video)  Her crisp white kitchen with black countertops and stainless steel accents is timeless and classic, but has a welcoming and personal touch with the open shelving and cozy home décor elements.

Ina Garten's East Hampton Kitchen; Photo Credit: http://notes.camillestyles.com

With 31% of men now taking on the role of primary shopper in the household and sharing cooking and cleaning duties more equally with their female counterparts, the influence of the male perspective on kitchen design is has become increasingly important.  Lance Armstrong’s kitchen, featured in Architectural Digest in July of 2008, prompted designers, bloggers and trend enthusiasts to replicate the cushy banquette, rugged flooring, deep color palette and industrial-era inspired lighting for homeowners looking for kitchen design that speaks equally to both genders.

House Beautiful's 2009 Kitchen of the Year; Photo Credit: www.housebeautiful.com

The concept of looking to celebrities for fashion and apparel trends has been part of our culture for decades, and while the concept of looking to the stars for our home design inspiration is a rather recent phenomenon, it’s a trend continuing to be fueled by journalists, bloggers, Facebookers and design enthusiasts everywhere.

Lance Armstrong's Kitchen; Photo Credit: www.architecturaldigest.com

Jo Omar's Funky Backsplashes

In today’s constantly changing, 24/7 world, you can read a new blog, pick up a new magazine or book to find new inspirational photos or to learn about new technology in products designed specifically for the kitchen and bath. How can you choose what is right for you?  Here are a few suggestions from Sphere Trending, a trend spotting and design forecasting firm located in Waterford, Michigan.

If it’s individuality and style that you’re craving, a custom backsplash may be just the thing you’re looking for.  Individually designed and created by Jo Omar for your kitchen or bathroom each “Funky Splashback” is hand painted and sized to each specific project.  An alternative to ordinary tile, these unique designs are an innovative, one-of-a-kind alternative for your kitchen or bathroom.

Teka CM38 European-style built-in coffee and espresso machine

Delta Faucet’s Proximity Sensing Technology

Antonio Lupi Bathtub

Maybe you desire the latest in technology and electronic gadgetry in your kitchen… If so, maybe you should be the first one on the block with a European-style built-in coffee and espresso machine? While not an entirely new concept, the recent debut of the new Teka CM38 featured a built-in espresso system with touch control digital display, back lit panel and convenient light indicators for lack of water and coffee beans. Offering regular coffee, espresso, steam and hot water as well as an integrated coffee grinder – with this technology you’ll never have to worry about making the perfect cup of coffee again.

Do you seek out green and sustainable options for your kitchen and bath?  Water conservation continues to be a key trend in kitchen and bath design, with many choosing dishwashers, faucets and laundry machines that use minimal water but continue to deliver maximum performance.  A buzz-worthy introduction at the International Builder’s Show this past January featured Delta Faucet’s Proximity Sensing Technology which uses a 4-inch “force field” around the faucet to recognize when someone is approaching the faucet for use.  Within two seconds of removing your hand out of the space, the faucet turns off, saving water and time.  Available on Delta’s Arzo™ and Grail™ spout designs, they are free of optics and infrared making the faucets easy to clean and maintain.

Adding a little color and design into your space can change not only the look of the room, but also your mood.  This is continuing to be important trend for kitchens and baths, but is becoming increasingly key for products, even the bathtub…  This unique tub by Antonio Lupi features a dramatic backrest as well as a spa-like color story that invites you to sit back, relax and enjoy your space!

The design style of a space is becoming much more important in today’s changing environment as more time is being spent at home cooking meals, entertaining friends and spending time with family. Each kitchen should reflect the type of individual and family you are…. as well as the style of the rest of your home. Discovering your style can seem stressful to most, mainly because most people are worried they will make the wrong decision and be stuck with that cabinetry style, tile color or drawer pull forever. The key is finding the balance between careful consideration and hasty decision making.

We feel an easy way to begin this “style discovery” is by doing your research.  Creating a file of “tear sheets” of kitchens and design styles you gravitate to in magazines and advertisements.  Our IdeaFolio™ is also a good resource where you can collect all your favorite design elements in one convenient place.  An IdeaFolio™ is your own personal space for collecting ideas and products from virtually anywhere on the Merillat site.

You can delve into the limitless offerings of the internet by researching different design eras and developments the kitchen industry has experienced.  Reading blogs, watching design videos and joining social networking groups of kitchen and design enthusiasts will create connections with other design experts of which you can ask questions, look to for advice and learn about the industry.  From this wealth of knowledge you can start deciding, right off the bat, what you do and don’t like. Keep a log or a “look book” of this data, imagery and advice and begin to connect the similar pieces that you like the most… you are well on your way to planning the perfect kitchen.  Let us know what your favorite blog and/or social network are to help get advice and answers on your kitchen design questions!

Considering the personality and preferences of the primary users of the space is important to the planning of a successful kitchen design.  Creating a space that reflects the design style and functional needs of family members spending much of their time in the kitchen will ensure minimal adjustments at a later date.  For example, major decisions, such as cabinetry finish and style, should be taken into serious consideration first, as these are things that are the most expensive to change in the future.  More unique personalities can really shine through on other applications that are relatively inexpensive yet ever-changeable. For instance, a favorite color choice for the walls, using unique materials for your backsplash or an inventive choice of drawer pulls are ways to create a custom, fun experience quickly and at minimal cost.

Choosing the right design style will not only draw entertainment and personality back into the kitchen, but also aid in bringing the element of enjoyment back into cooking and spending real time with family and friends.  The fun of kitchen design begins with style.

Your kitchen cabinets will be the most visible and functional part of your kitchen providing both storage and style. Given its prominence, it’s no wonder that kitchen design experts advise spending 50 percent of your design budget on your cabinetry. Kitchen cabinets and drawers should have the durability to withstand not only the kitchen’s heat, mess, bumps and scratches, but also the act of frequent opening and closing.

The materials your cabinets are made of will affect its durability and longevity, so consider your options carefully before making a selection. Durable wood cabinets including birch, cherry, hickory, maple, oak, and pine, are popular choices, as is long lasting and affordable laminate. To ensure the long life of your new kitchen, it is best not to cut corners in cabinet construction.

The materials used in the construction of Merillat cabinetry, like those listed above, are made to stand up to the harsh treatment they receive, resisting scratches, bumps, stains, bangs and dents. And they look great too! A beautiful array of finishes, multiple glazing options and top-of-the-line technology are all incorporated in our cabinetry products.

Examples of different flooring types

To conclude our flooring guide, below are additional types of flooring with both advantages and disadvantages.   Our first post included information on wood, tile, vinyl and stone flooring.  Now we look at laminate, linoleum and cork.

These are just some of the most common kitchen flooring options and each has its own distinctive features and qualities, as well as downsides. Use this as a guide in choosing the right flooring material for your kitchen…we think there’s a flooring option to fit every unique need!

For another good source information on flooring options, we like Home & Garden Television’s Kitchen Flooring Essentials.

Laminate Flooring

If you want the look of wood or stone, but prefer the easy maintenance and lower cost of vinyl, you might want to consider laminate.

Advantages

• Durability
• Typically no stains or fading for at least 10 years
• Less expensive than many wood or stone flooring it imitates
• Moisture, in most cases, will not damage the floor
• Requires less maintenance and cost compared to wood
• Softer on feet than real wood or stone
• Simple clean up with a broom and mop

Disadvantages

• Can leave dents and mark
• Surface is not as smooth or even as wood

Linoleum Flooring

Often associated with more traditional kitchens, linoleum is an environmentally friendly product that has recently come back into the spotlight. It comes in plain or decorative designs and is often confused with plastic vinyl because they both come in sheet form.

Advantages

• Smooth, quiet and comfortable
• Durable and hard to dent
• Oils, fats, and greases will not damage it
• Environmentally friendly

Disadvantages

• Standing water can damage linoleum
• Has fewer choices of colors and designs than vinyl

Cork Flooring

Advantages

• Natural insulating properties, great sound damper
• Abrasion resistant
• Anti-allergic and insect resistant
• Easy to maintain
• Environmentally friendly

Disadvantages

• Standing water can damage cork
• Heavier furniture can leave permanent dents

Check out Part I of this blog post sequence for information on additional flooring types.