Kitchen Lookbook: Two-Tone Designs

One the challenges of a kitchen remodeling project is perfecting the palette. The right colors will unify the kitchen elements, creating a warm and inviting theme. The wrong colors, however, can feel jarring, making each kitchen element appear out of place.

To simplify the challenge, many homeowners prefer a single-color theme with subtle or striking accents. Some homeowners, however, prefer a two-tone theme, with subtle or bold combinations.

To achieve a balanced two-tone look, you might paint your cabinets a light shade, like bright white, and ground the palette with darker countertops and floors.

Or, if you paint your cabinets a light creme, you might add a darker backsplash to cut the monotony. 

Looking for two-tone inspiration? Recently, MKBD had the privilege of creating two-tone kitchens for three happy homeowners.

Take a look at our Two-Two Kitchen Lookbook below.

A Tasteful & Practical Design

In our first project, the homeowners preferred a tasteful and practical design that would suit the family's personality.

A tasteful and practical design from MKBD with a little nook for eating.

Like many MKBD projects, this space experienced a total transformation. To make room for double ovens, pantry closets, and extra cabinets and counter tops, we moved the fridge from the window wall to a more convenient spot across the kitchen.

The refrigerator and stove are paired together for easy cooking access.

To perfect the two-tone look the kitchen required a central piece, which turned out to be the kitchen island. Painted a deep cherry red with an exotic stone countertop, the island provided a bold contrast to the white cabinets finished with an espresso glaze and the gold wood floors.

A Two-Tone Shaker Kitchen

Officially known as The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, the Shakers are known for the ecstatic nature of their services. Still, the church is where the ecstasy begins and ends. Simplicity defines the Shaker lifestyle and the sect's famous furniture and architecture.

A two-tone kitchen with Shaker-inspired cabinetry

For this MKBD project, our clients desired a simplicity of Shaker craftsmanship and the elegance of modern design. Happily, the Shaker-inspired cabinetry is a good match for any style or fashion--this is, after all, the utility of simple and timeless design.

Maple cabinets finished white with white beveled ceramic backsplash

In this project, a shift of tone is seen the subtle granite in "Bianco Antico"--a greyish white melange--but, like the project above, the real distinction is the darker kitchen island cabinets.

Cherry Shaker cabinets finished in a cherry stain provide a bold contrast to the white Shaker cabinets and white backsplash.

Both of the MKBD projects above adhere to the same principle: the kitchen island, the centerpiece of the kitchen, provides the bold second tone to offset the neutral cabinetry and countertops.


A Traditional Two-Tone Kitchen

In this traditional kitchen, the floor is a bit darker shade of walnut, a nice contrast to the maple cabinetry finished in white and the island cabinetry finished in cherry.

A quartz kitchen island countertop provides yet another distinction; note the cooktop with range hood, a unique design in a traditional space

This project required a lot of planning. By removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen, we created an "open floor" plan. In such a large space, the two-tone effect makes each distinctive space come alive.

A perfect two-tone effect

Why MKBD? 

We hope our website can provide you with all the information you might need about our company. If you're thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, please do not hesitate to call us: 215-355-4747.

Some homeowners choose to call a remodeling company only after they have spent countless hours researching their project. We're all for research, but including a home remodeling company at the very beginning of the exploration process can increase your chances of success. A remodeling company can guide you in your exploration, saving you time. A home remodeling company can also help you set reasonable parameters for your project.

How long might the project take to complete?

What are the best materials for your lifestyle?

And how about the cost?

Remember: Take advantage of our FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

And if you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation.

Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

The Wow-Factor: A Kitchen Remodeling Lookbook

Last week, in our first post of 2015, "A Kitchen Renewal Guide for the New Year," we asked, "What changes would you like to see?" You might want to exercise or eat more kale--but obviously these aren't the type of changes we're talking about!

What changes would you like to see in your kitchen? If you're thinking about a kitchen remodeling project, now is the time to begin exploring your options.

Many homeowners begin, simply, by looking for inspiration. You'll find plenty of gorgeous pictures (and practical advice) on sites like Pinterest, Houzz, or HGTV. Others begin by looking at kitchen showrooms. Some look at appliances.

Whatever your style, it's important to remember: a remodeling project is a major undertaking! Do not worry if you find yourself in the exploration stage for months. Some homeowners come to MKBD only after a year or more of exploration.

To facilitate your exploration, MKBD posts occasional "Kitchen Lookbooks" with photos and details from our prior projects. In November, we focused on wooden floors and cabinets. Today, with a nod to BIG changes, we're talking WOW factor--those kitchen upgrades that turn heads, that astonish, that illicit a genuine, "Wow!"

Wow! A fireplace in the kitchen? Why not?

The Single Luxurious Element

A kitchen upgrade is pointless unless it makes your life easier. At MKBD, we understand this simple fact: before luxury, a kitchen must be practical and functional. "Utility first" is the mantra of all good home remodeling companies.

But a kitchen does not have to be merely utilitarian. The addition of a single luxurious element (like the fireplace above) can transform your kitchen, elevating the feeling of the space from practical to magical.

And yet, we must say: a luxurious upgrade can be every bit as practical as, say, new cabinets. The fireplace in this MKBD project projects a warmth and vitality that invites relaxation--and we all need a little extra relaxation. In the winter, too, the fireplace provides a good source of warmth. Finally, a unique luxury upgrade can increase your home’s value. The wow-factor  can certainly entice potential buyers.

In this MKBD project the luxurious fireplace is seamlessly integrated into an otherwise elegant kitchen. This is important: you want to make sure your luxurious element complements your kitchen design.

Luxurious Cabinetry

At MKBD, we're big on cabinetry. In fact, we believe all of our custom cabinetry deserves a "wow!" In the Shaker-inspired MKBD project below, however, custom cabinetry is employed in a unique way. This simple yet elegant custom pantry presents two solid doors of sturdy cherry cabinetry that open to a practical walk-in pantry.

An MKBD custom-built pantry

The wow-factor here is the inventive cabinetry design that is seamlessly integrated across the kitchen to create a thematic feeling--in this case, a Shaker feeling. Following the spirit of the Shakers, the "wow" is subdued and elegant.

The timeless simplicity of the Shakers blended with a modern sensibility creates a space with natural materials, clean simple, lines, and a warm brown palette.

A Luxury Cook-Top

A luxury range is the quintessential combination of luxury meets utility. At MKBD, we advocate a wide variety of cook-tops with varying prices, but truly, the ranges that perform the best just happen to be those that look the best.

In this MKBD project, this workhorse Wolf range, replete with five burners, is the centerpiece of an otherwise elegant kitchen design

A luxury cook-top is a nod to the chef. In this MKBD project, the Wolf range provides a spot of "wow" in a sea of cherry cabinetry.

FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

Many homeowners choose to call a remodeling company at the very beginning of the exploration process. We believe this is the best option--and not simply because we are a remodeling company!

A remodeling company can guide you in your exploration, saving you time. A home remodeling company can also help you set reasonable parameters for your project. How long might the project take to complete? What are the best materials for your lifestyle? And how about the cost?

At MKBD, we offer a FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk budget and more! Call now! 215-355-4747.

Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

Wooden Floors & Cabinets: A Kitchen Remodeling Lookbook

Have you noticed? It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas. Cinnamon and spice! Roasting Chestnuts! And of course, the deep woodsy smell of Christmas trees: pines, conifers, and spruce!

At MKBD, the holiday season marks the end of our busiest time of year--and the beginning of our year-end celebrations. We're toasting the successes of the past year, sipping a wee spot of champagne, and trimming our trees.

Of course, home remodeling is never far from our minds. And with the smell of pines, conifers, and spruce in the air, we're thinking about our favorite kitchen remodeling material: wood! Study and beautiful, natural hard wood is our favorite choice for kitchen cabinets and floors. 

In the remodeling world, wood is a token of quality craftsmanship. That's why we're so proud of the MKBD projects below. In each picture, natural wood reveals the qualities we strive for each and every project: masterful design and creative installation. If you're looking for kitchen remodeling inspiration, take a look at our Wood Floor and Cabinet Look Book. Or visit our website, http://www.masterkitchendesign.com, and check out our Designer Portfolio!

Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen remodeling trends have inspired homeowners to source modern materials like gleaming stainless steel and cool glass, but wood is still the most popular cabinet choice. In today's trendy kitchens, wood cabinets provides a warm contrast and textural variation that complements modern materials. And of course, wood cabinets perfectly complement traditional kitchens. 

Here's a modern take on a traditional material. In this kitchen renovation for a Center City couple who lives near the art museum, creme hard wood cabinets complement the clean backsplash design.

In our estimation, solid wood is the most luxurious cabinet option. Other cabinet choices, like plywood or particle board, might include wood elements, but cabinets made entirely from solid wood--from top to bottom, to the shelves, doors, and back panels--are the real deal!

That's why we say "solid wood is the solid choice."

In this Cherry Hill-area project, Decora Cherry Cabinets in cranberry set a striking contrast to the porcelain backsplash and floor. 

The cabinets above gleam like freshly-polished dress shoes, and like the best dress shoes they're built to last a lifetime. Solid wood cabinets are extremely durable and show little wear and tear, even after many years of use. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets, solid wood cabinets will suit you well. If cared for, and treated with they respect they deserve, your solid wood cabinets will look new years after installation.

In this Abington-area project, maple cabinets with raised panels and bull nose edges complement the natural stone backsplash, granite counter tops, and tile floor. 

Wood Kitchen Floors

A new wooden floor is one of the most beautiful and enduring investments a homeowner can make in his/her home. For the kitchen area, especially, wood provides a durable, easy-to-clean, and stunning flooring option.

In this Bucks County-area project, burgundy hardwood provides an elegant and eye-popping contrast to glazed maple cabinets and pink granite countertops. 

A common misconception is that wood is an impractical material for kitchen floors. This is simply untrue. With proper care, a hard wood floor offers a perfect blend of comfort and functionality. Of course, water is abundant in the kitchen area, and it is true, water damage can warp wooden floors. But a water spill is easily remedied with expeditious cleaning. And frankly, for safety purposes, any water spill, on any flooring surface, should be wiped immediately.

Please read: "Kitchen Safety: What You Need to Know."

Wood strip flooring, like this tigerwood flooring, is attractive and easy on your knees and joints. Perhaps this is why wood is a favorite choice of home cooks. 

From sturdy domestics like maple and oak to exotic materials like Brazilian chestnut or tamarind, the abundance of wood floor options might surprise you.

Take a look at the graphic above from This Old House. Beyond the look of each wood, you might refine your choice by selecting a relative level of hardness. Softer wood will be easier on the joints and knees. Harder wood will be more impervious to dings and scratches.

In this Glenside project, the customer preferred a durable Brazilian redwood. Stained a lovely cherry red, this had wood floor is both sturdy and beautiful.

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FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate!

If you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk budget and more! Call now! 215-355-4747.

Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!