SENSIBLE STYLE – TIPS INSPIRED BY WRITING MY FIRST BOOK

My first book, New Kitchen Ideas That Work, (Taunton Press, 2012) is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com and will hit store shelves the first week of December. (You know all of those kitchen books at the front of your neighborhood Home Depot and Lowe’s store? Mine will be among them!) 

New Kitchen Ideas That Work - Look for it at a Home Depot or Lowe's near you
(Photo:  Taunton Press)

Here are some Sensible Style tips that you can find handsomely illustrated and explained in this full-sized, full-color volume. 

Layout enhancements 

It’s much more affordable to improve an existing layout than it is to change it entirely. Moving vents, electrical and plumbing often require permits, demolition and skilled trades persons. You can increase your storage potential, improve your appliance performance and update your style, all while keeping everything in its current place.     

• Increase your storage potential with cabinet accessories and backsplash organizers.
• Update your style with new hardware, refacing, paint and lights, all while keeping everything in its current place. 

A backsplash organizer adds storage without remodeling
(Photo: IKEA)

Fixture enhancements 

Do you have a builder grade kitchen sink and faucet? These are fairly easy to upgrade, unless your sink is under-mounted in stone tops. As so many older homes still have laminate counters, there’s a good chance you have those, too, and can easily upgrade your fixtures. 

• Improve your prep and clean-up efficiency with a modular, accessory-equipped sink. 
• Add convenience and reduce germ spread with a hands-free, sensor faucet. Multiple spray functions improve its usability, too. 

Enhance your clean-up zone with a hands-free faucet
(Photo: Moen)

Appliance enhancements 

Everyone wants performance appliances, but you probably don’t have the space for a 48 inch pro range. The good news is, you don’t need one to get better cooking capability. 

• Add another oven to your kitchen with a microwave that does more than reheat and defrost; it brings convection, warming and speed cook features to your home.
• Replace an inefficient radiant cooktop with an induction model. It will give you professional class performance with amazingly easy clean up and improved safety. 

Improve cooking performance with an induction cooktop
(Photo:  Bosch)

More enhancements 

New Kitchen Ideas That Work covers the entire kitchen, from ceiling light fixtures to flooring options. Here are some additional Sensible Style tips to consider for your home.

• Replace outdated incandescent track lights with LED-equipped versions for better style and energy savings. 
• Replace a worn, stained rug with an outdoor-rated version that will freshen the kitchen’s style and be a breeze to clean. 

Add style and low maintenance with an outdoor-friendly rug
(Photo:  Ballard Designs)

I'm proud to share that my first book has 224 pages of Sensible Style-inspired tips, 370 photos and 14 case studies of real kitchen projects around the country to educate and inspire you.

Four Favorite American Design Ideals

Tomorrow, our nation celebrates its 236th birthday and the ideals of freedom and democracy on which the United States of America were founded. Happy Birthday, USA! 


This whole month, I’m celebrating Gold Notes’ fourth birthday. Today marks its 202th post. For my Independence Day-inspired Four Favorites, I thought I’d honor those American ideals that elevate kitchen and bath design. 


Innovation 


The Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights were two of the most innovative documents ever created for the governance of people. They were liberating and inspiring. Innovation continues to liberate and inspire. Microwave ovens and dishwashers have added dramatically to the convenience of kitchen work. The development of induction cooktops and application-rich smart phones and tablets take innovation even further. 

Amana debuts the first microwave oven
Photo Courtesy of Southwest Museum of Engineering, Communications and Computation

Quality 


Made in America has always meant well-constructed products designed to last a lifetime. It still does, and this provides a valuable counterpoint to flimsy imports that offer style but no substance. You see these imports imitating American designs on discount shelves and web sites everywhere. There’s no savings in buying something you’ll have to pay to remove and replace in a year or two when it fails. 

High quality Waterstone Faucets are made in America
Photo Courtesy of  Waterstone

Individuality 


The rugged individual has always been an American archetype. Symbolized by the cowboy above all, it’s this celebration of one person’s ability to define his or her own destiny that has become the embodiment of our freedom. 


This individualism has inspired the founding of companies like Vent-A-Hood, Apple Computer, Sub-Zero Wolf, Thermador, Viking, GE and so many others that have enriched our homes and lives. Their founders believed there was a home on the range for their idea. They were right. 

Vent-A-Hood invented the kitchen ventilation hood
Photo Courtesy of  Vent-A-Hood

Compassion 


Americans are a compassionate people. We’ve donated millions to tsunami relief in Asia, earthquake relief in Haiti and hurricane and tornado support to our own neighbors. Our military leads medical missions around the world and the Peace Corps continues its invaluable work abroad. 


When Katrina hit New Orleans and the surrounding area, I was working for The Home Depot as a Tampa, FL-based kitchen designer. I was so proud of our company for getting supplies into the hurricane-ravaged area when FEMA couldn’t, and for sending teams to the affected areas to help out. They also paid employees for food replacements when they went without power and lost the contents of their refrigerators and freezers. I will always remember that about my former employer. 

Home Depot volunteers getting ready to help tornado survivors in Joplin, MO
Photo Courtesy of The Home Depot

Happy Fourth of July, Gold Notes readers!