Contemporary kitchen style is in a word, balanced. This style maintains a comfortable balance between functional livability and understated sophistication. For the modern homeowner, less means more. Nothing should be present that doesn’t have an intended function– even if that function is simply the appreciation of the beauty of the materials, or the satisfaction of a well-planned design. Removing unnecessary complexity from the centerpiece of the home brings ease in an already complex world. How can this be done? • Use color, texture and contrast to complement the simple geometry of a contemporary design. Keep cabinetry colors neutral. • Use decorative accents and accouterments to bring in color and personal style. Prized pieces of wall decor can be used to adorn a kitchen, and then be changed over time. Avoid over-ornamentation that can be viewed as clutter. • Choose backsplash material that complements the color and finish of the cabinetry, but remember that, as time passes, backsplash material can be changed to create an entirely new look for a kitchen. • Select appliances with a clean unadorned style, or hide your appliances with overlay panels that match the adjoining cabinetry. Invest in quality appliances that will continue to provide value over time. • Pay attention to the lines that run through a kitchen. Contemporary design emphasizes consistent and repeated queues that allow the eyes to view the span of a kitchen uninterrupted. Abrupt changes in vertical or horizontal lines can see awkward. • Above all, keep the design simple. A useful guideline is to incorporate all the design elements that are desired, and then take something away. Added complexity and ornamentation becomes dated sooner than many people expect. There is no one “right” style for a Contemporary Kitchen, but paying attention to these guidelines will produce a design that reflects a personal style that can be enjoyed for years to come. Harmoni features many doors and finishes that easily complement a contemporary design. Contact an Authorized Dealer to see the breadth of available styles, and to move forward with your new kitchen!

The kitchen is heart of the home and, just like giving yourself “You Time” to recenter and focus, the kitchen too needs to be kept balanced for life’s day to day encounters. Using these tips will give you a great head start!   Wooden Utensils  Clean by hand with hot, soap and water along with and a dish brush. Wooden utensils should be sanitized occasionally by rubbing a cloth wet in a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Rub over the surface, rinse and dry completely. You can also rub food-safe mineral oil into spoons to avoid them from becoming dry. Microwaves Wipe outside once per week with warm, soap and water along using a soft sponge. Clean the inside weekly with warm, soap and water, then again with plain water. Stains can be removed by using a solution of two tbsps sodium bicarbonate mixed into one quart water. You can break up caked-on residue by heating up dish water in the microwave on high for 3 minutes. Let this stand 5 minutes using the door closed, after which wipe the inside. To deal with nagging smells, stir six tbsps sodium bicarbonate a treadmill-half cup of fresh lemon juice into single serving water, and warmth mixture on high for 2 to 3 minutes. Leave the doorway open a couple of hours after to air the appliance completely. Garbage Can Remove the garbage every day, and wipe both the inside and outside of the bin once a week with a sponge and mild detergent. Toaster Stay on top of crumbs each week by turning the toaster upside lower or draining the crumb tray in to the trash. You can also put felt pads on the bottom of your toaster to protect counter tops and to really make it simpler to move around. This trick can be used on all small counter top appliances. Knives Always clean and dry manually. Placing knifes within the dishwasher can warp and dull their rotor blades. Also, avoid soaking knives, because this causes wooden handles to contract. Extend the longevity of knife blades by storing knives inside a counter top block or on a wall-mounted magnetic strip. Coffee makers Wipe the outside with a warm sudsy water rinse after which dry. You can clean carafes within the top rack of the dishwasher or manually. Monthly remove the interior and, having a solution of equal parts whitened vinegar and water (about two cups). Using the carafe in position, run the device for half a cycle, then switch them back. After about an hour, turn the coffee maker back on and finished the cycle. Rinse by running several cycles with freshwater. Kettles Dissolve build-up inside your kettle every couple of weeks by boiling equal parts water and whitened vinegar. Rinse and clean exterior with a moist sponge. Coffee and Spice Grinders Grind soft whitened bread or uncooked whitened grain via to get residual contaminants and pesky oils. Any residue left out by nuts can easily be removed by grinding one tablespoon sodium bicarbonate. Wipe completely when finished.   Stand Mixer Always clean aluminum accessories manually. You may however clean individual parts made stainless can be put within the dishwasher as long as they are dishwasher safe. Wipe the bottom of the mixer using a moist sponge or cloth. Unclog any blocked vents with a toothpick or toothbrush. Finish by vacuuming out dust.

Use these vital tips to when planning to add new cabinets to your home. Are you planning on buying new cabinets for your kitchen or other parts of your home? Yes? Then follow these helpful tips and you’ll be on the right track. Tip #1  Don’t Underestimate the Value of Good Design: This can be a daunting task so if in doubt get help!  The overall quality of your space will be a function of Beautiful Product + Well Executed Design.  By working with someone that knows what they are doing you will end up getting more for your dollar and feel great about the result! Tip #2  Plan a Budget: It is vital for you to determine a budget and feel comfortable sharing that information with the designer you are working with.  A designer’s responsibility is to assist you in engineering your own personal kitchen while meeting your financial requirement.  By being clear with your budget you enable the designer to help you achieve the most with your dollar.   A general guideline is that a kitchen remodel should run no more than 15-20% of the value of your home AND that the cabinet expenditure will be around 40% of the remodel cost. Tip #3 High quality: You’re kitchen is your legacy. It’s where home meets heart. The primary tip that you need to keep in mind is the quality of the cabinetry.  After all, you and your family will spend quite a lot of time with your kitchen cabinets.  Thus, it is very important for you to buy a high quality product that will not only last a long time but add value to your home.  How do you tell?  Open doors, feel the side of a drawer box, knock on the side and back of a cabinet and run the back side of your hand across the finish. Tip #4  Keep it Simple: A good rule of thumb when accessorizing a room is to place everything where you want it and then take one thing away!  This helps to not overdo it and this principle can be applied when selecting your finish style and designing your kitchen.  A good kitchen designer can help with this!