Kitchens With Character

How has kitchen design evolved in the past decade?
Wow! Kitchens have become larger, multi-use rooms. They are also the “hood ornament” of the home! We love to encourage homeowners to stretch their palates for new ideas and design options, adding longevity to the fabulous projects that we create together with our clients’ input.

What are the most exciting new trends in kitchen technology?
LED lighting for under-cabinet and accent lighting are exciting brand new items.

“We love to encourage homeowners
to stretch their palates for new ideas
and design options.”

What are some of the best ways to go state-of-the-art in the kitchen?
Use creative interior cabinet components: soft close door hinges; full extension drawers; pullout features and specialized accessories to maximize efficiency and storage.

How are kitchen designers blending styles within the kitchen and bath by using furniture, vintage pieces, etc.?
We like juxtaposing very different materials, colors and styles to create individualized spaces. A homeowner may have an antique or vintage piece that has exceptional character for an end result that allows the homeowner’s personality and lifestyle to shine through – in both the kitchen and bath.

How do beauty and functionality blend and work in today’s kitchens?
We’re paying close attention to the flow of groceries into the storage area in the kitchen, then how the items move through the prep areas with adjacent utility storage to the table, and then back to the clean-up area before returning to the storage area. Rather than work “triangles” (involving only the sink, stove and refrigerator), we design for the work “loops” that encompass all aspects of the kitchen, storage and usage, more akin to commercial kitchen design, for efficiency. Using this specific space planning technique actually frees the design of the space to include more creative and decorative solutions, while giving the client a space that is easy to use.

Designer Sketch:

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Design inspiration: Travel and antiques

Favorite kitchen “high-tech” items: Gaggenau Combi-steam and convection oven, Sharp microwave drawer and KWC “Eve” faucet

Favorite way to bring the outdoors in: Extending windows (over the counter) down to the countertop makes a huge difference without sacrificing valuable wall space. We also may have the opportunity to use borrowed, transom or clerestory light.

brooksberry.com