NO PLACE SAYS 'HOME' LIKE THE FAMILY KITCHEN

It has been said the heart of the home is the kitchen, and recent trends in the remodeling industry certainly support that statement. While economic conditions have caused many of us to re-set our goals and re-evaluate our priorities; one truism still resonates in our core: “There’s no place like home.”

And no room says “home” like the kitchen. Now that the fog of the last few years has lifted, consumers are investing in their homes again. And in particular, they’re investing in their kitchens and bathrooms.

But they’re doing more than switching out cabinets and painting walls. They’re looking for ways to create additional space and re-working existing layouts to improve workflow or accommodate new appliances.

We’re seeing finishes and products incorporated into kitchens that were once reserved only for family rooms, such as televisions, stone and brick accents, bookcases and comfortable seating.

Today’s kitchens act as extensions of our family rooms. Essentially, they’ve become “command central” for managing our lives. That’s why, no matter how many rooms we have in our homes, everybody ultimately seems to wind up in the kitchen.

Thanks to the Food Channel, interest in cooking has soared and brought appliances center stage. Breakfast nooks are being replaced by large islands to facilitate food preparation.

In fact, islands that eliminate the need for nooks is just one of the trends for 2013 identified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Other trends identified by the organization in a recent national survey include white cabinets, soft grey color schemes, glass tile and transitional styling.

Creating the kind of dream spaces you’ll see on the following pages takes the skills of a team of artisans and craftspeople. Hiring a qualified professional to lead those teams is the first step in bringing your dreams to fruition. 

I often use this analogy to explain the role of a professional remodeling contractor: “We chart the course, load the bus with all the right passengers, get behind the wheel and drive everyone to the pre-determined designation while successfully navigating the roadblocks and obstacles that pop up while we are en route.”

That said, let’s explore what’s new in kitchens and bathrooms and get advice on remodeling in general from the best in the business. Just turn the page to get started!

Katrina Hosea
Co-owner, BeeTree Homes
Chairman, Remodelers Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association