While there are a few dreary winter days still to come, spring is just around the corner. But it’s fascinating that a traditional way to mark the coming of spring is by a “spring cleaning.” Yet it turns out that cultures all around the world have versions of a spring cleaning. Of course, there are practical reasons for this (homes of old were filthy with lampblack and trudged-in mud and snow), but these traditions make it clear that spring cleaning means more than a thorough dusting. They’re a reflection of how spring is a time to renew and refresh the home, to help re-energize the family. If you’re thinking of revitalizing your home, here are six exciting ideas from Mamaroneck’s Majestic Kitchens and Bath to start:
Color Your World: Today’s kitchens are moving away from an all-white look and instead use colors, either throughout or as accents. Pantone’s color for 2020, “Classic Blue,” is a terrific option. This gorgeous shade, reminiscent of the sky at dusk, would be a fabulous choice—whether as a cabinet finish or with a decorative vase. This timeless blue will turn your home into an oasis of calm.
Organization: Begin any redesign by asking yourself how will you use the kitchen or bath? Ask yourself questions like, “Where people will stand to prepare and cook the food? Is the kitchen going to be primarily functional or is it another space for entertaining? Will I want guests to sit around the counter and chat? Should there be access to a separate dining area or would I rather it fold into a breakfast nook?” Once you have traffic patterns laid out, start deciding where to place storage that best suits your needs.
Thinking Outside the Cabinetry Box: You want cabinets that are practical and look amazing. Tidying kitchen surfaces and putting things away has led to a wealth of built-in cabinet storage and organizers that accommodate these needs. You can add in-cabinet organizers, dividers, shelves and so on. When it comes to design, cabinetry is as important as any other wall-treatment in your house. It can instantly change the entire look and feel of your kitchen. The options are limitless—from a post-modern glossy finish to a rustic wood door. One popular new trend is to hide appliances behind cabinet facing, but open shelving is a vintage trend also coming back into style. If you have family china or other heirlooms, an open shelf, or cabinet doors with an inset glass window, might be a perfect fit.
Tiptop Countertops: Natural materials are the cutting edge in countertops for the new decade. Marble or granite countertops are still a chef’s dream, but maintenance can be intimidating. A newer option, quartz, requires less upkeep but retains the stone’s clean modern appeal. And if you’re looking for something with a more unexpected drama, butcherblock or dark walnut countertops can turn a previously plain, all white-kitchen into a showstopper. And just as today’s kitchens use a more varied color scheme, a mix of materials may be what you need—meeting both your cooking and esthetic needs.
Making a Splash with a Backsplash: Of course, as a vertical extension of the countertop, backsplashes are a useful way to protect a wall from water or grease-spatters. But they’re so much more. To give a kitchen more height, continue the countertop material all the way to the ceiling. Choose a backsplash to unify the kitchen’s décor by selecting a tile that incorporates the contrasting colors of your cabinets and appliances. Use a splash of color in a more monochromatic room. For an even bolder choice: Think of a backsplash as a framed space to fill with the art of your choice. Is your kitchen windowless? What about a tile mural of a favorite vacation spot?
The Ease of Hardware: Details can make all the difference, and hardware design is the quintessential example of a little going a long way. Polished silver finishes look fresh and refined, and they’ll never go out of style, but, in 2020, the overall move to color extends to hardware finishes. Matte black, brass, and nickel are striking options, even just a few pieces in a cheerful red or a more sculptured piece can have a huge visual impact.
Majestic Kitchens and Bath
700 Fenimore Road
Mamaroneck
914.381.1302
www.majestickitchens.com
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