Interiors Archives • Page 7 of 11 • Maison Mass

Planning Your Kitchen Remodel: Choosing Countertops

A major design decision when planning your kitchen remodel is choosing countertops. Second only in my mind to cabinet selection, choosing the perfect countertop to complement your cabinetry and lifestyle requires a little bit of knowledge and some in-person visits. In this post we look at the pros and cons of the different materials available for today’s kitchens so you can make the best choice for you! (more…)

Choosing Kitchen Cabinetry

One of the most important decisions you’ll make during your kitchen remodel – both aesthetically and financially – is choosing kitchen cabinetry.

Kitchen cabinets are the workhorses of the kitchen. They store our tableware, pots and pans, as well as dry goods and pantry items. In my house, they are in constant use – kids reaching into the pantry for the cereal box, me getting pots to cook a meal, everyone opening the silverware drawer over the course of the day for the needed utensil. With all that activity, you want to make sure you buy the best quality cabinets you can afford, make sure they function well for your lifestyle and, last but not least, look beautiful, because they really form the cornerstone of your kitchen design. So, let’s take a look at the three big considerations to keep in mind when choosing kitchen cabinetry. (more…)

Fixer Upper Style Farmhouse Lighting

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I was sick with a summer cold (the worst!) last Saturday and spent the day in bed watching HGTV – specifically, everyone’s favorite show, Fixer Upper. I just can’t seem to get enough of the farmhouse style they create so effortlessly, or of Chip and Jo who seem like people you’d want to hang with in real life.

One of the things that struck me was how important the lighting choices are in the Fixer Upper designs. The fixtures they use are beautiful statement pieces of functional decor. But they also serve to tie the room together. So, in the spirit of the Fixer Upper farmhouse style, I thought it would be fun to pair up some farmhouse lighting looks from the show with lights you can purchase for yourself online! (more…)

Kitchen Design Guidelines

This is the third in a series of articles about planning for your kitchen remodel. You can find installment one here and two here. Be sure to check back next week more great advice!

With budgeting behind us, it is time to turn to laying out your space. No matter how large or small your kitchen remodel is or what shape it’s laid out in, there are some universal kitchen design guidelines to keep in mind when you are thinking about where to put your refrigerator or stove in your new space. Some of these rules are dictated by our State Building Code and some are guidelines that were established in 1944 by the University of Illinois and are now sustained by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). This list is not exhaustive as some of the 31 rules really delve into the minutiae; but rather the guidelines we think have the biggest impact. (more…)

Budgeting for Your Kitchen Remodel

This is the second in a series of articles about planning for your kitchen remodel. Be sure to check back next week more great advice!

Last week we talked about the fun stuff – the inspiration for your gorgeous, new kitchen design – if you missed it, you can catch up here. This week takes on a more somber and practical tone as we tackle budgeting for your kitchen remodel. It’s important to go into your kitchen remodel with a realistic budget so when you are out looking at all the beautiful products on the market, you can keep your eyes on the prize and come out the other end with a beautiful space that doesn’t drain your bank account. (more…)