Hot Kitchen & Bath Trends

The wish-list for kitchen and bath products continues to evolve driven by homeowner wants and, of course, that darn economy. The latest survey says…function & comfort are top-O-list for kitchen & bath remodels. The guru’s at the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) conducted the survey. Jeepers…sounds like a new branch of the CIA!!!

The fav style choice remains casual or transitional followed by contemporary. Mixing kitchen counter-top materials like granite and stainless or a reclaimed surface is trending. FYI…some of the new recycled materials are marvelous!

Armstrong Cabinets Sage and Vanilla Cream

Armstrong Cabinets finished in Sage & Vanilla Cream

Starmark recycling cabinet

Recycling center from StarMark Cabinetry

Consumers’ kitchen wish-list:

• Islands
• Roll-outs, pull-outs & pull-downs
• Drawers instead of base cabinets
• Energy –efficient appliances
• Mixing materials, surfaces & finishes
• LED lighting
• Recycling areas
• Computer charging station
• Multiple ovens & dishwashers

kitchen islands for every style

Kitchen islands in every shape, style & finish!

The ultimate shower with the Brizo RSVP shower collection

The ultimate shower with the Brizo RSVP shower collection.

Consumers’ Bath wish-list:

• Furniture style vanities
• His & her vanities
• Super showers
• Customized storage
• Heated floors
• Private toilet areas
• Water-saving fixtures
• Soaking or jetted tubs

Bathroom furniture vanity from StarMark

Furniture style bathroom vanities are hot! This is from StarMark Cabinetry.

Furniture vanity with double sinks

This Star Cabinetry furniture vanity features clean lines and double sinks.

Betcha’ your must-have list includes a couple of these! Stop by a Modern Supply kitchen, bath & lighting showroom and bring your wish-list. We’ll put our creative thinkin’ caps on and design a kitchen or bath that will make you happy, happy, happy! Don’t forget…

Tell ‘em Millie sent you!

Modern's Millie Signature color

Budget-Friendly Cabinets

Made in the USA

Kitchens are the heart of the home and used for so much more than preparing food. They’re a gathering place and often an extension of the family living area. People today are staying in their homes longer and are remodeling to suit their taste and lifestyle and not just for resell value. Statistics show a kitchen remodel has the largest pay-back of any home remodel.

Vanilla Cream, another new Armstrong finish

Armstrong’s Vanilla Cream for a cozy, country kitchen

A lot of factors may influence the decision to remodel. Are your kitchen cabinets beginning to fall apart? Are dated appliances at the end of their life? Want to open-up the area by removing a wall? Need more storage and better traffic flow? All great reasons!

The biggest remodeling concern is budget. A justified concern since large, show-stopper kitchen costs can soar. However, they don’t have to! By taking a hard look at your must-have’s, deciding which things you can live without, and choosing the right products, your remodel can be within reach.

Armstrong Cabinets - Slate finish

Slate gray, one of Armstrong’s new finishes

Cabinetry and hardware account for approximately twenty-nine percent of a kitchen remodeling budget according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Modern Supply represents several cabinetry lines; each with their own niche, price range and design options.

Armstrong Cabinets are made in the USA and offer a wide range of semi-custom, fine quality kitchen and bath cabinetry. We know and trust the Armstrong brand to deliver exceptional craftsmanship and value. With three lines, more than 20 finishes and 23 door styles, there’s beauty to meet your budget.

Armstrong Vanilla Cream and Sage

Great mix of finishes! Armstrong’s Vanilla Cream & Sage.

• Allwood™ is Armstrong’s top-tier construction features that are found in custom built cabinetry.
• Premier™ Series construction is finely crafted with quality and affordability. It offers a budget conscious choice that doesn’t sacrifice style or quality.
• Origins Series combines the durability and value of the Allwood construction with the environmental benefits of sustainable, low emitting materials.

Armstrong Cabinets Onyx finish

Armstrong’s classic Onyx finish

Based on your budget, you may add options such as dovetail drawers, soft-close drawers and soft-close door hinges. Armstrong also offers glass and aluminum doors, moldings, light rail and finish glazes. Pull-out shelves, lazy susans and base cabinet organizers offer easy access. Keep it simple or spice it up! It’s your choice for Armstrong accessories!

Visit Armstrong Cabinets web site

Kitchen Storage Solutions

Sometimes it’s the little extras that simplify life and free-up more fun time. Sounds crazy, but adding convenient storage features to existing cabinets—pull-out shelves, drawer organizers and appliance lifts—saves time, maximizes storage, and saves your knees. No more diggin’ through a bottom cabinet. Here a few of my favs!

Blind corner cabinets are the worst organized in the kitchen. You know, they’re the cave-like cabinet where you store the juicer you never use. Now, there’s a variety of swing-out shelving units made just for blind cabinets. Useful space…how smart is that?

StarMark Kitchen Storage

Easy to access kitchen storage from StarMark Cabinetry.

StarMark Towel Storage

StarMark’s towel storage can be designed into your new cabinets with in as little of 3″ of space!

Where do you hang your damp kitchen towels? Oh no, don’t say over the stove or dishwasher handle! A pull-out towel hanger mounted in a base cabinet is easy to install and looks sooo much more upscale!

Make recycling handy with a base cabinet slide-out that holds one to four bins. There’s also really cool germ resistant microfiber pull-out bag with handles—just lift and you’re off to the recycling center.

Armstrong Cabinets drawer ironing board

Ironing board folds up neatly in a drawer. Photo from Armstrong Cabinets.

For those of us that are anti-wrinkle ironing freaks, a wall mounted ironing board is the berries! It quickly drops down and even swivels! Presto, you’re looking snazzy and on your way in a snap.

KraftMaid's Core Guard

KraftMaid’s Core Guard protects your cabinetry from spills & leaks.

Ever had a water leak under your sink? OMG! It can turn costly in a snap. Under sink drip trays are designed to protect the bottom of your cabinet by holding water. This is an inexpensive way to potentially save big bucks!

Recycle center from StarMark

Recycle center from StarMark Cabinets.

Modern's Millie Signature color

Kitchen Island Trends

Kitchens are the hub of the home and are used for more than preparing meals. Areas for doing homework, electronic docking stations and desk space are often included. Even when entertaining, everyone seems to congregate in the kitchen.

KraftMaid-sage-green-island

Island by KraftMaid with prep sink, recycle center, shelving, drawers, cabinet & wine storage.

KraftMaid island drawing

Have idea? We can draw it!

The kitchen island is a centerpiece and should stand out. The countertop, base cabinetry and hardware can be different from the rest of the cabinetry but should coordinate. What a great place to add a bold pop of color and a striking lighting fixture!

Armstrong island with bench

Armstrong Cabinets maximize space with this island backed with seating.

Island design elements are endless! From small and simple to large and multi-faceted, choose from features like pull-out storage, shelving, glass doors, decorative posts, corbels & legs, and wine storage. Cook tops, dishwashers, wine coolers and prep sinks are often installed in the island area. Don’t forget to add electrical outlets!

Armstrong multi-level island

Multi-tiered island adds interest from Armstrong Cabinets.

When thinking about designing your island, space guidelines from the National Kitchen and Bath Association  recommends at least 42 inches of aisle space surrounding an island, and 48 inches if there are multiple cooks. Counter heights are 36 inches and breakfast bar height is typically 40 to 42 inches.

KraftMaid-island-black-red

A bold statement in mixing finishes from KraftMaid.

Are you ready to get started on your island project? Stop by Modern Supply and look at their kitchen displays for inspiration. Design consultants are ready to help you create your dream island.

865.966.4567 • Locations

StarMark non-standard island shape

From StarMark Cabinetry, a non-standard shape with decorative corbels.

StarMark Cottage Island

A small island is perfect for this cottage kitchen by StarMark.

 Armstrong Cabinets • KraftMaid • StarMark Cabinetry

All that’s old can be new again

 Before & after photos of a bathroom remodel
 
 There are lots of old things we’re fond of: old friends, old movies, old songs. But old bathrooms? Not so much.

Mostly, old bathrooms are ugly to look at and downright inconvenient—especially when compared to the many gorgeous designs and state-of-the-art cabinets, vanities, and fixtures available at Modern Supply, just off Lovell Road.

You may live in a mid-century subdivision home, a turn-of-the century Victorian or even an older structure whose charm and character you want to preserve, but here’s betting that sense of historic preservation doesn’t apply to the bathrooms.

70's style vanity

Before: 70’s style vanity, mirror & hardware

After: Stylish vanity in neutral color palette

After: Stylish vanity in neutral color palette

In a recent remodel of a local 70’s bathroom, Modern Supply design consultant, Sherry Williams, helped the homeowner select products to transform a small master bath into an updated and more efficient space. Starting with a neutral palette, an Armstrong cabinet, with ample storage, was selected and topped with a cultured marble sink and counter top.

Lafon_Delta_faucet

Delta’s Linden faucet in Venetian Bronze

Delta’s Linden faucet in Venetian bronze complements the marble counter top and is an environmentally-friendly WaterSense labeled product. Towel bars and a tissue holder from Liberty Hardware are finished in oil rubbed bronze and coordinate with the faucet. A pretty vanity light from Minka-Lavery was hung over the stylish round mirror.

The owners choose to replace the tub with a large tiled shower complete with bench and shelves—a better choice for the home owner’s lifestyle. A Basco glass shower door keeps the small space open and airy and features a towel bar.

Before: beige tile with a pinkish tone

Before: beige tile with a pinkish tone

AFter: A spacious tiled shower

AFter: A spacious tiled shower

 

A new comfort height elongated toilet was installed.  It featured a powerful but quiet 1.6 gallons per flush performance which is a considerable water-savings over the old model.

Lafon_Delta_showerhead

Delta’s Linden hand-held showerhead with In2ition technology

From updating a showerhead to a full bath renovation, Modern Supply can help you with an array of water-saving plumbing, vanities, sinks and accessories that can make your bathroom sparkle! Check ’em out! brandonb174.sg-host.com

From Condemned to Restored

Modern Supply help owners to bring a historic home back to life.

It takes passion to oversee a condemned, partially burnt house transformed back into a work of art. That’s what drove five neighbors including Lauren Rider, Lawrence Eaton and Ernie Roberts to purchase and restore an 1895 Queen Anne cottage in Historic Old North Knoxville.

Cornelia Project Before

Historic Queen Anne cottage condemned

The partners were not renovation rookies as all had tackled their own homes. They formed Old North Restorations, LLC and purchased a blighted property at 1417 Cornelia Street known as the Cornelia Project.

In 2010, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported on the problems of blighted homes in Knoxville of which the Cornelia property was featured. A follow up story on the Cornelia purchase and renovation caught the attention of a national cable home improvement channel.  The whirlwind escalated as renovation filming began.

Cornelia Project After

The Cornelia historic home renovation complete

Modern Supply was contacted about helping with kitchen and bath products. “We’re excited to be a part of the Cornelia Project,” states Pace Robinson, Modern Supply CEO. “It’s great to see people taking action in their community and preserving a piece of history.”

Working with Lauren and team, Armstrong Cabinetry was selected for the kitchen. Debbie Johnson, Modern Supply Sales Manager, refined the kitchen design adding an island, two glass doors and varied cabinet heights for an upscale look.

Cornelia kitchen completed

Armstrong cabinets in expresso, Armstrong knobs & pulls, granite tops & dazzling pendant showcase the kitchen.

“Selecting kitchen cabinetry was a major decision with several parameters to work around,” explains Rider. “We wanted to maintain the period of the house but add a contemporary touch. Of course, budget was a consideration as well as the delivery time. Debbie made suggestions, improved our design and included an island which was a plus.”

Deciding on lighting, plumbing and a water heater from American Water Heater was next. To save time and maximize budget, the Cornelia owners chose in-stock lighting and plumbing fixtures or selected items that could meet their delivery dates. Adding another twist, the Cornelia team elected to pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and EnergyStar certified construction meaning aspects of the house must be energy efficient and sustainable.

Cornelia Project Chandelier

The dining room chandelier complements the kitchen pendant.

Modern Supply and the HVAC contractor worked together to provide a RHEEM heating and cooling system that met LEED specifications.

After months of dirty, hard work and sleepless nights, the project is coming to an end. You can almost see the house smile knowing that it’s loved again. The house is under contract and nearing completion. Ask if they would do it again, Rider replies, “Probably.”

Cornelia Project WaterSense bath

The upstairs bath features WaterSense American Standard toilet & Delta fixtures.

Cornelia Project Mud Room Cabinet

Mud room cabinetry has cubbies for shoes & mail.

Cornelia Project transom stained glass

Stained glass adds charm to the historical door’s transom.

Patience — the Key to Remodeling

Modern Supply Client Spotlight

If you’re planning a remodeling project, patience is key. Remodeling can be stressful and full of surprises. Focusing on your completed vision makes it all worthwhile. Modern Supply’s clients, Pete & Hiral Lloyd-Jones, can testify to the challenges of living through a kitchen remodeling project.

The Lloyd-Jones’ 1970’s kitchen needed an update−especially the dated appliances. The project evolved from updating appliances to a complete remodel when they discovered the built-in oven size was no longer available.

Hiral commented, “I had a vision of my dream kitchen.” She considered their lifestyle, likes and dislikes of the existing kitchen, budget and future resell value when developing her design.  After doing on-line research and talking with Modern Supply’s designer, Debbie Johnson, design objectives included:

– Lighten the kitchen
– Mix a cozy, county style with contemporary elements
– Create a warm, earthy feel
– Improve space functionality
– Maximize budget by doing some work themselves

Country kitchen remodel

A mix of country & contemporary for a cozy kitchen feel.

Cabinetry is a kitchen’s focal point and the foundation of a remodel. “I was tired of dark wood and paint. I wanted a lighter finish, to add color and incorporate unique elements,” Hiral said.  A maple wood finished in vanilla cream with a caramel glaze detailing was perfect. For a cozy earthy touch, a second finish of mossy green was incorporated. Granite countertops in peacock green—a dark, rich color—pulled the two finishes together. A backsplash of white subway tiles with dark green accents continued to complement the cabinetry and granite.

StarMark Mossy Green cabinet

The open doors & shelving adds a unique touch.

Earthy, brown slate flooring complete with a cable heating system complements the overall design while increasing winter comfort. Lighting included a mix of new recessed and pendants. Oil rubbed bronze pendant lights inserted a classic touch.

Pete & Hiral share advice for homeowners considering a remodeling project. “The best advice is to have patience,” Hiral says. “A remodel doesn’t happen overnight and can be stressful for everyone. Be prepared for dust—it was everywhere. Expect the unexpected. You don’t know what lies behind the wall or under the flooring. Also, purchase the best quality cabinetry your budget will allow. Features like dovetail joints make a difference.”

Porcher Farm Sink

Lovin’ this Porcher Farm Sink!

Pete adds, “If you’re trying to stretch the budget, choose the projects you undertake carefully. Make sure you’re up for the task. We removed the old tile, painted and laid the heating cables ourselves. I also sold our old cabinetry on-line.”

Would they do anything differently? Hiral states, “I

Kitchen remodel with Pete & Hiral Lloyd-Jones

View HGTV videos on the Lloyd-Jones’ kitchen remodel

love all of my choices and would not change anything. We enjoy the kitchen and spend more time in it. It’s rewarding to see our friends reaction when they see the kitchen for the first time.”

HGTVremodels.com did a series of 4 videos with the home owners & Modern Supply. View videos