Inspiration and The Creative Process for Your Kitchen Design

Inspiration is where it all begins.

The concept for this newly remodeled kitchen started with a stroll through our neighboring tile showroom. Our customer fell in love with some lovely artisan tiles that complemented their extensive pottery collection. From there a new kitchen was conceived! This is often the case. One exciting element becomes the starting point for an entirely new design.

Inspiration

Brainstorming to Develop a Concept

After initial inspiration, the process advanced by defining our homeowners needs. Organizing all of the possibilities into a general concept takes teamwork. Our kitchen designer worked with the homeowner and her interior designer towards a common vision. Creating a highly functional kitchen with a lighter and brighter aesthetic was a priority. The cabinet plan and elevations below were developed to combine all of the best ideas for this active family.

Digging Into the Details

It is essential to edit down all of the options in order to stay on track with any design. There are so many exciting products on the market, click here to see the many lines we carry. It’s important to keep the final vision in mind. Choose cabinets, hardware, countertops and appliances that flow smoothly into a cohesive design. Just as important, eliminate anything that doesn’t fit.

This kitchen includes display areas for the homeowner’s beautiful collections while meeting their needs for a bright, highly functional design. We used custom cabinetry from Plato Woodwork, Inc. with contrasting finishes in Arctic White and Moody Blue.

The inspiration tile from Bella Tile and Stone was taken to the ceiling for major style statement from every angle.

Honed marble countertops with a beveled edge are a lovely and practical decision to delicately support the bold backsplash pattern.

Hardware from Schaub and Company completes the look in a natural bronze finish with an angular counterpoint to the tile pattern.

Floating shelves balance the space and offer display area for collections. The lighting plan includes options for under cabinet, in cabinet, recessed and pendant illumination. A farmhouse sink and faucet from Kohler complete the look.

And of course since a kitchen is all about storage, we designed for this homeowners specific needs by including a special area for all of the specialty small appliances. No clutter on these countertops!

One inspirational element transformed this kitchen into a centerpiece for the entire home!

Featured in this Kitchen

Interior Designer by Mary Myer in Lake Geneva, WI

Cabinetry by Plato Woodwork, Inc.

Kitchen design by Natalie Spiniolas

Hardware from Schaub and Company

Appliances from Subzero-Wolf, Vent-A-Hood

Visit our Inspiration Gallery here.

And then stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom to explore stunning cabinetry and design vignettes for every room of your home!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

June 26, 2019/0 Comments/by Geneva Cabinet Company

This is How New Cabinetry Would Organize Your Life

Cabinetry, Kitchen Design

Clutter is part of life, but having new cabinetry and an organized system is like being born again. Our designers tackle every kitchen project with their eye on the prize, complete order with impeccable style. It starts with the realization that we have a lot of stuff, and sometimes it gets in the way. The secret is to have a place for all of it to go.

The first step is a palette cleanse. In this case the existing cabinets were in great shape so we helped the homeowners with a donation to Habitat for Humanity Restore Milwaukee. On hand is our Project Manager Mike Jeffrey to uninstall the old and remodel the space before installing brand new cabinetry.

We will take you on a walk-through of your daily kitchen routine in order to analyze where you are wasting space and effort. Also a realistic look at what you are storing, and why, will be helpful. Then we get to work on the cabinet layout.

This new design features an essential work triangle customized for easy flow, in, around and through the space. We specify the type of cabinets needed and interior features to best store each kitchen’s content.

Fluidity is key; refrigerator to sink, pantry to countertop, squirrel watching window to water bowl . . . .

When it’s time for filling those cabinets, we encourage a new approach to the traditional system. Consider grouping items you use most often together in an easy to access cabinet location. Breakfast items like toaster, waffle maker, and fry pan should be near your breakfast prep area. This could mean that your cookware is stored according to frequency of use rather than type. Apply the same thought process to china and serving pieces. Don’t waste valuable real estate on things that are only used occasionally.

Spices are the exception, they should be stored together on pull-out racks for easy assessment.

And a designated coffee or beverage bar will energize you at the start of each day.

KitchenAids and cookbooks go together like wine and cheese, so stage your countertop with attractive items that are useful in order to save cabinet space.

And remember that drawers offer the most organized easy to access storage.

We like to group large cabinets together out of the work zone to accommodate medium appliances, serving pieces, Costo-sized supplies and that 50 lb bag of dog food. Here we used double door base cabinets on the front side of an extra-large island for a furniture like appearance.

Finish off your new kitchen with an artistic backsplash. This one from Bella Tile and Stone is the perfect backdrop for an orderly life.

This kitchen features

Medallion Cabinetry with a Craftsman Style Door

Hardware by Top Knobs

Pendant lighting from Old South

Design is by Joyce Zuelke, ckd with installation by Geneva Cabinet Company Project Manager Mike Jefferey

Photography by Shanna Wolf S.Photography and Styling

Stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom to explore more great kitchen and bath looks!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

April 16, 2019/0 Comments/by Geneva Cabinet Company

Detailing a Design is Like Accessorizing an Outfit

Cabinetry, Designer's Corner

When you are a designer the creative juices start flowing the moment your eyes open in the morning. From the outfits I lay out for myself and my three-year-old, to projects I’m designing for my clients.

A good designer doesn’t stop at just the basic cabinetry design. Just like my outfits don’t stop at just the basic clothing. Accessories, like the perfect jacket, jewelry, and shoes, play a big part in pulling the entire look together and sending a message about personal style.

The same thing applies to designing cabinetry in my clients’ homes. I start with a basic, functional plan and then work with the client to develop their individual style. Adding the countertops, lighting and plumbing fixtures is like layering on the accessories and “jewelry”. It begins to make a statement and bring personality to the design. It’s like taking a little black dress and adding either pearls and stilettos, or a jean jacket and cowboy boots. It’s all about individual style.

One tip I like to share with my clients is to add an unexpected detail or “secret treasure” like a flea market find or artistic piece that gives a punch of personality to the room. Price doesn’t matter on this one. It is all about including a piece that is a conversation starter. Think back to that little black dress and pairing that pearl necklace with those cowboy boots. Now you’re talking my language!

We invite you to stop into our Lake Geneva showroom to experience quality cabinetry. Learn how to create that perfectly complete design of your very own.

Get started with a call to us

262-245-9600

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March 21, 2018/0 Comments/by Geneva Cabinet Company

Our Favorite Kitchen Cabinet Storage Solutions

Cabinetry, Trends

Or, Beyond the pull-out trash bin . . .

There’s a lid for every pot, but sometimes you just can’t find it. That’s where we come in with the most organized and clever ideas for cabinet storage. We start with an essential analysis of your home’s physical conditions and then evaluate your lifestyle needs. A good kitchen plan will include cabinet storage to increase your efficiency, while saving you time and energy.

Enjoy a few “oohs and ahhs” in your kitchen with our favorite cabinet storage ideas.

Take it to the top with wall cabinets that make the most of your vertical space.

It’s good to go-low when it maximizes space under a banquet for display and storage.

Behind closed doors you will find everything tidy and within reach when you have tall pantry cabinets.

Secret compartments are always fun, and functional.

Get into the swing of things with shelves that swing-out and eliminate the dead corner cabinet zone.

No space goes to waste with specialized cabinets to house appliances (like this under cabinet microwave) while sneaking in extra storage.

And of course the pull-out category deserves our highest praise.

Pull-out shelving means you never lose track of your grocery items because you can actually see them.

Pull-out towel racks brings an end to the damp disheveled dishtowel.

And last but not least, the pull-out spice rack is a crowd pleaser.

There is so much more we can show you! If you are ready to get organized and increase storage with your very own plan for a more efficient home, start by exploring our Inspiration Gallery!

We invite you to stop in to our Lake Geneva Showroom to touch and feel the latest innovations in cabinetry for your kitchen, and every other room of your home. Our designers would love to help!