This year’s turbulent beginnings were layered with lessons—among them, the importance of the home as a place of refuge. Here, Sean Daigle, design consultant at Downsview Kitchens in Juno Beach, gives PBI his take on trends and can’t-go-wrong choices for the kitchen.
Expert Advice
Hub of the home: “Fifty years ago, it was one person working in a kitchen in the corner of
the house; now the kitchen is a hub of the home. Everybody wants it open to the rest of the house to feel like part of the living space. It’s become less of an afterthought and more of the middle of the home.”
First things first: “I always tell clients [to] start from the ground up. Pick what you love first with floors, cabinet colors, countertops, and then finish with the backsplash and the hardware; that’s the jewelry of the kitchen that you put on at the very end.”
Dreaming of a white kitchen: “A white kitchen is always classic. White is one of those things that just never goes away. I try to stay away from trends because I want a kitchen that, in 10 years, looks like I just put it in.”
Do It Yourself
Project 1: Backsplash Backup
The Smart Tiles sells peel-and-stick backsplashes—with varieties resembling tile, stone, glass, wood, slate, ceramic, marble, and more—to up your kitchen’s luxe level with minimal effort and investment. How to: Degrease the surface and ensure it’s completely dry, then trace, measure, cut, and apply the sheet adhesive-side down. No glue or grout required. Potential pitfall: Don’t let corners, light switches, and appliances throw you for a loop. Use an online tile calculator to configure proper proportions.
Project 2: White Out
If installing new cabinets isn’t in the cards, paint the old. Pro tools: Pick up sandpaper, primer, a paint roller, trays, liners, and decorative hardware at a locally owned brick-and-mortar store such as Hall Hardware in West Palm Beach.
Operative Upgrades
Updating appliances and adding smart devices can improve kitchen aesthetics and functionality. A free-standing wine cooler and countertop herb garden make for effortless elevations to upscale.
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