Dan's Papers -March 27, 2009 - Kitchens: The Heart of the Home

The kitchen is the new "living room." No longer simply a place to prepare meals, the kitchen has evolved into something all-encompassing, making it a place for family and friends to congregate. This most important room is designed to accommodate two very different, very important functions that are integral to family life: entertaining and cooking. Used 365 days a year, the kitchen deserves to be called "the heart of the home."

But creating a new kitchen can be costly and time consuming. You may wonder if it's worth the effort. Consider this fact: the dollar return on a kitchen renovation is higher than any other remodeling project, almost an 80% return on your investment dollar. For this reason alone - not to mention the joy a great kitchen brings to your homelife - it makes sense to invest in the best quality kitchen your family can afford.

Functionality and lifestyle are central to planning a kitchen that works for you. Appliances, adequate storage, workspace and a comfortable eating area must all come together in harmony. Planning is the first phase of any construction project, and sometimes it's the phase that's most overlooked. I have a golden rule: The more planning you do at first the better the end result. I start with a floor plan that works well, and then create interest and individuality through unique material selections and other design elements.

A helpful way to get started on your dream kitchen is to envision a design focus. Know your style! Kitchen magazines and decorating books will help you get educated about the latest appliances, cabinetry, flooring and gadgets available on the market. Set a budget and find out what's available in your price range. Create a folder with notes and images, including kitchen pictures, layouts, details and colors ... everything that catches your eye. Study your current cabinetry and determine how much storage space you really need. Make note of what's working and not working in your present layout - do you need wider aisles for more comfortable traffic flow, for example? Are you attracted to kitchens that are sparse and modern or cozy with traditional details? Once you have decided on a layout that meets your needs and a style that reflects your taste, you're ready to go shopping.

Cabinets are the most important element of any kitchen and they determine the overall look. Accounting for approximately half the total cost of the kitchen project, cabinets range in price based on quality, the type of materials used and whether they are stock (ready made in specific sizes), semi-custom (some features can be specified) or custom (produced specifically for your kitchen).

As an interior designer, I'm well aware of the seduction of beautiful cabinet doors and enticing finishes. But keep in mind that the box is the foundation of any cabinet. Stock cabinets are often made from particleboard covered in a thin vinyl sheet of wood-grain pattern. These boxes are susceptible to moisture and are easily damaged when screws are drilled into walls. Melamine is a pressed, wood fiber panel covered in a plastic layer. This is a better material than particleboard but is not as desirable as plywood. Top quality cabinet boxes are constructed from solid wood or 3/4 inch plywood. Plywood can hold screws and hinges without pulling out and can be repaired and repainted if it's damaged.

A key element in creating the finest kitchen possible is hiring talented designers and utilizing the best workmanship you can find. Guillaume Dupré, an accomplished Southampton kitchen designer, owns and operates Spirit of France kitchen design. Born and raised in the south of France, Dupré's specialty is country French style, but he was quick to note, "I'm always accommodating the needs of my clients and the interior designers I work with." Dupré has been creating wonderful woodwork since the age of 18 in his hometown of Cannes.

"The selection of materials and quality of workmanship of your cabinetry will greatly affect the appeal of your kitchen," said Dupré, who recently finished a sleek, contemporary wenge-stained bamboo kitchen for an ecologically minded client in East Hampton. "To achieve a beautiful kitchen that reflects your family's needs, it will save time and money if you consult a custom cabinetry specialist."

Because cabinet doors are the face of the kitchen, it's very important that you choose a durable and pleasing finish that will wear well for many years to come. When I shop with clients for their new kitchen, I usually recommend they err on the side of simplicity: cabinet designs that are well crafted but not overly ornate. You don't need to be trendy when you're selecting cabinetry. You just have to be clear on the style you want that works with your budget. From the simplest to the most extravagant looks, it is entirely possible to create a kitchen that compliments your own unique preferences and lifestyle, a kitchen that is not just the heart of a home, but the heart and soul of your home.

Donna Avedon, recognized as one of New York's top designers, creates environments that reflect her clients' personal sytle. avedondesigns@gmail.com