We know the home professionals of the Susquehanna Valley have the talent to design dream spaces suited for each and every client; after all, we’ve taken you inside many of the luxurious homes they’ve helped create. But if the project was reversed, and these same pros were asked to design spaces ideal for themselves, what would you find inside? Read along as three local kitchen designers share with us their fabulous, yet functional, kitchen creations.
Andrea Woodall, Harrisburg Kitchen & Bath, Middletown
A career design professional, Andrea Woodall, AKBD, brings over 20 years of experience to the Harrisburg Kitchen & Bath team. Her expertise in project management, as well as her eye for design and style, helps her keep remodel and installation jobs on timeline, within budget and in line with her clients’ wishes.
www.harrisburgkitchenandbath.com | 717-939-7437
Andrea’s Dream Kitchen: Overall Organization
1. “To set the overall tone, I would pick a door style like Yorktowne Cabinetry’s Garcia Maple transitional door style, with a mix of paint and medium wood stain. I think we live in an eclectic world, and we have so many things that were either handed down, accumulated or bought new, and a transitional door style can lend itself to blending all those things together.”
2. “Oh, the dreaded ‘blind corner’ base cabinet. As designers we try to avoid them in designing, but with remodeling older kitchens, they are sometimes unavoidable. Yorktowne Cabinetry offers a full access blind base cabinet, which not only maximizes every inch of the cabinet, but makes every item accessible with the pull of a handle.”
3. “Whether it is dogs or cats, so many of my homeowners have pets, and it is something we discuss when designing a kitchen. Where do you put their bowls, so they do not get kicked? I have pets, so integrating their storage into the design would be a must for me.”
4. “I hate clutter on the countertops. We all have the junk drawer or cabinet, but the hidden charging station from Yorktowne Cabinetry is a must have for hiding phones and chargers.”
5. “I don’t wash many dishes except for the things that do not fit in the dishwasher. I not only like the styling of a farm sink, but Elkay offers one with two separate basins with a low divider, which allows the sink to be utilized as one large basin when washing a huge roasting pan.
Happy Holidays!”
6. “I do some cooking, and there are many times when I needed a third hand to turn on the kitchen faucet. When mixing meatloaf with your hands or cutting up slimy chicken, you have to figure out how to turn the water on to wash your hands. I am loving the hands-free motion sensor faucet by Moen. It helps cut down on germs and bacteria on the handle.”
8. “To make clean up in the sink even easier, Elkay offers the Perfect Drain, which minimizes the ‘yuck’ around the drain. It is seamless, sleek and clean.”
Sandra Steiner-Houck, Steiner-Houck & Associates, LLC, Studio of Design, Mount Joy
Sandra Steiner-Houck, CKD, NKBA member and ASID Allied member, has been transforming space into creative, purposeful designs for more than 32 years. As president of her company, she leads a team of talented professionals who provide upscale residential and commerical interior design services for consumers, contractors and architects. Steiner-Houck encourages her staff to look outside the box as they conceptualize, hand draft and execute the dreams, desires and needs of their clients.
www.steinerhouck.com | 717-492-4093
Sandra’s Dream Kitchen: Lavish Luxury
1. “For the dream cooking appliance, I would use the Thermador 48-inch Professional Series Pro Grand Dual Fuel Steam Range. This ultimate culinary center features seven cooking options: extra low simmering star burners, 22,000 BTU power burner, titanium griddle and grille, large capacity convection oven, warming drawer and the industry exclusive steam and convection oven. What a fabulous range that truly changes the way we cook!”
2. “I would select Premier Custom-Built, Inc. cabinetry and their new transitional inset style. The cabinet opening is beautifully trimmed with a stainless steel bead, creating a timeless, elegant look. This application is a more unique, up to date version of inset cabinetry that lends
itself to many different interior styles and applications.”
3. “For the ultimate in convenience, I would definitely have a motorized appliance lift, by Premier Custom-Built, Inc. What a great way to store your small appliances and yet have easy access to them when needed. This application is a fabulous way to preserve counter space as well.”
4. “To warm up the kitchen, I would incorporate a luxurious wood island top from Grothouse Lumber in a beautiful custom shape. I would use 3-inch thick Edge Grain American Black Walnut wood with a Double Roman Ogee edge detail. Adding this rich warm wood top to the island would help to balance the cool finishes in the overall kitchen.”
5. “For the jewelry, I would incorporate two beautiful crystal Schonbek chandeliers. The Scheherazade chandelier is a fanciful composition of swirling shapes and eternal circles inspired by the 1001 tales of Scheherazade. Caged within the frame are two huge spheres of mouth blown, hand-cut Bohemian crystal, made with Swarovski Elements. What magnificent pieces of art to compliment the total space!”
6. “Pewter countertops by FranÇois & Co. (De Corbusier) would be my preference for the primary counter surfaces. Pewter countertops provide timeless elegance with maximum durability. De Corbusier’s faithful interpretation of the 1930s’ Parisian bistro style encompasses a far-reaching collection of modern pewter countertops, all characterized by century-old handmade craftsmanship.”
Amber Miller, Bareville Kitchens & Design, Leola
Creativity is certainly one of Amber Miller’s strengths. After studying art at Millersville University, Miller began her career as a design consultant with Bareville Kitchens & Design. Her talent for solving the puzzle of space, time, style and budget helps her execute perfect designs for quintessential kitchens and baths. Collaboration with her clients is key; she combines their wish lists with her knowledge of good design and functionality, style, color and texture to create the best possible solution for their needs.
www.barevillekitchens.com | 717-661-6565
Amber’s Dream Kitchen: Old World Wonderful
1. “These pretty Hicks and Rejuvenation pendants have a touch of antique brass; they’re my fun elements.”
2. “Hands down, I’d start with Quality Custom Cabinetry. Their quality of work, attention to detail and customer service is tremendous. I would choose the Jefferson plain panel door and flat slab drawer. It is a classic, clean style that suits me perfectly. Because it is one of their new doors, it boasts a 1-inch thick door and face frame, which allows for the styling and details to really make their mark. For the hardware, I’d select simple, clean, antique brass pulls by Top Knobs. I love the warm brassy color contrasted against cool grays and whites.
3. “For a backsplash, I love this Datile basketweave stone tile because it has texture while still being white, simple and clean. I’d use this in a unique or special area and use timeless, classic white subway tile everywhere else.”
4. “I like to use a combination of countertop surfaces. It breaks up the work areas and adds textural interest to the space. First, I’d use Bianco Quartzite. I love the soft gray overall color and love even more the veining of brassy and green tones. Quartzite is a natural stone that falls between marble and granite in durability. I’d also use Quartz Caesarstone in Organic White. This particular counter is whiter, crisper and cleaner than the Bianco Quartzite. Quartz is a man-made stone product that boasts carefree maintenance (something that is always an added bonus for me). Finally, I would use a wood countertop for a fun island or special area. They add an element of casual comfort. I prefer wood tops that have imperfections, that are slightly rustic and hold a story of history in their graining. This REclaimed chestnut wood countertop with Durata® permanent finish in satin comes from The Grothouse Lumber Company; their wood tops are beautiful and the quality is tremendous.”
5. “For flooring, I’d choose Du Chateau Lintel European White Oak, which is an engineered wood (a great option for stability versus solid), deep brushed, whitewashed and oiled. This combination is slightly rustic and simply stunning. I like mixing a little rustic with a little class.”
6. “The Waterstone Fulton antique brass fauceT has great style and a great finish.”
7. “Details like this concealed butcher block are what Quality Custom Cabinetry and Grothouse Lumber are phenomenal at doing– clever, functional ideas with beauty.”
8.“Just to mix it up a bit I’d throw in a touch of the industrial. I love the idea of an old industrial worktable as an island or table. I’d have a whole row of Christopher Knight swivel barstools for my family and friends to perch on while hanging out in my kitchen.”