Year: 2019

Trending Upgrades for Functional Kitchen Style

The kitchen, or as we see it –the heart of the home is likely the center of daily life and a place where both form and function are of the utmost importance for passionate cooks, seasoned hosts and busy families alike. Colorful allure The kitchen has a significant influence on the rest of the house, especially if the home has more of an open-concept layout. If you are redesigning your home the kitchen is a good place to start. The colors and materials used in the kitchen can really set the tone for the rest of the home. The kitchen, or as we see it –the heart of the home is likely the center of daily life and a place where both form and function are of the utmost importance for passionate cooks, seasoned hosts and busy families alike. When it comes to considerations like finish and materials, kitchen cabinet trends are seeing a swing towards refreshing bold colors. Matte Everything Speaking of finishes … matte black entered the scene as a force to be reckoned. Whether you have a traditional, contemporary or modern design aesthetic, black cabinets, kitchen islands and back splashes are all pretty versatile. Leave the glossy finish behind in 2018 and opt instead for this cooler, more modern look. It’s chic and fashionable and it’s broken through the ultra “glam” vibe and added some much-needed modernity, even in more traditional spaces. Matte black is a trend we love to see stick around. Focus on Function A beautiful kitchen may please the eye, but when it comes down to it, a kitchen’s function is its greatest value. For 2019, kitchens will blend form and function. Technology will become increasingly present, helping to make day to day life a little easier. Integrate these ideas for a kitchen that offers a maximum function for one of your home’s most-used spaces. Declutter the counter tops. Consider incorporating pull-out and roll-out trays into your cabinetry to maximize your storage space, as well as dressing your cabinets with appropriate inserts and organizational kits. Eliminate wasted space by adding corner cabinets to utilize all your available space. Determine the island’s function. The island is often the visual centerpiece of the kitchen, but determining its function can maximize its benefit. Fully functional cabinetry around the island can provide added storage space. For example, custom cabinetry appliance panels let you not only conceal bulky appliances, but they also give your wall cabinets more space and functionality. Make recycling easy. Place the recycle and garbage bins in a drawer near the sink to allow for easier accessibility and keep them out of sight. A final note, before you take the leap into upgrading your kitchen ask yourself what your goals are, what’s missing from your current kitchen design, and what you’d like to see go? A well-thought-out project is a well-executed project, so take your time to properly plan.

Feel-Good Mother’s Day Activities

Mother’s Day is dedicated to the most important woman in the world. Gifts are fabulous, especially thoughtful ones; but this year go above and beyond to give your mom the gift of your time. Spend the day with her doing something that will bring you both closer together and will be a wonderful memory for years to come. Why not start this mother day with an activity that can become a mother’s day tradition. DO BRUNCH TOGETHER Who doesn’t love brunch? And how convenient is it that Mother’s day falls on Sunday-the official brunch day. Take mom out for a fabulously delicious meal and bottomless mom-osa (mimosa). BOOK A MASSAGE Relax, refresh and renew her mind, body, and spirit with a well-deserved massage. The healing power of massage is well researched. So give mom a gift that keeps giving in wellness. Join her if you can, and turn it into a fab spa day! PAMPER HER WITH A MAKEOVER Mom is beautiful inside and out, but she may not have the time or energy to keep up with her appearance. This is why a makeover is an awesome gift. TAKE A COOKING CLASS Take the class together! Even if mom is the best cook in the world, she will appreciate a cooking class to learn a new recipe to add to her repertoire. TAKE A DAY TRIP Go on an adventure-, you don’t have to venture too far, you can find somewhere you’ve never been to close to home. Explore some local places, could be anywhere from an island to the mountains to neighboring cities. GO TO A CONCERT Give mom a night she’ll always remember at a concert. Watch her cares fade away as the cool vibrations fill the air with the sounds of her favorite musician or band. BOOK A FAMILY SHOOT Gather the entire family for a fun family photo-shoot. Find a photographer who will capture the essence of your family’s personality and love for each other. Frame your favorite photo as a gift for mom. GO WINE TASTING Spend the day at a winery or wine tasting event. This is a 21+ activity for the big kids who want to toast mom with a glass (or two) of wine! After the tasting, gift mom with a few bottles of her favorite to take home. SERVE BREAKFAST IN BED Allow mom to sleep in, a rare luxury for most moms. When she’s woken up, get her mother’s day off to a perfect start with a delicious breakfast feast in bed. PLAN A PICNIC The sun is out and the flowers are in full bloom, it’s the perfect weather to fill up a picnic basket with mom’s favorite foods and beverages, grab a blanket and spend the day talking, playing games and relaxing. CATCH A GAME Is mom a sports fan! Why not take her to a game of her favorite team. Take it up a notch and get her signed memorabilia. SEE A MOVIE Skip Netflix and chill and opt for an actual movie date with mom. Make sure you see something she’s sure to enjoy. GO ON A HIKE There’s nothing like a good hike out in the great outdoors to recharge and de-stress. Take mom on a refreshing and exhilarating hike up a mountain or in a park, on the beach or the woods. GO TO A MUSEUM OR GALLERY Escape reality for a day and discover new art at a museum or exhibit. Some museums may even offer special Mother’s Day tours and events she’s bound to love. HELP HER EXPLORE A PASSION PROJECT She’s always supporting everyone else’s hobbies and activities, barely having the time to engage in her own. Sign her up for a class or workshop where she can pursue a new passion or rekindle an old one. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!