That new kitchen will pay for itself
There are plenty of durable, good-looking products and materials available for every budget
Designer Erin Paige Pitts specializes in luxury coastal residences. Here, Pitts answers questions on how to approach kitchen design and coastal living.
Q: Our designer feels strongly that the appliances should match in finish and/or manufacturer. Does it matter?
A: The appliances need to match in finish if they’re stainless steel. There should not be stainless-steel appliances mixed with black or white.
Q: My wife and I are remodelling our kitchen. We’d be happy with vinyl flooring and resin countertops, materials that are more economical. We don’t plan on living in our home for more than a few more years, so we’re sensitive to resale prospects. Thoughts?
A: You can never go wrong investing in a kitchen remodel. That’s what sells homes. There are durable products available that look good. I suggest porcelain flooring and composite stone countertops. The investment will pay for itself when you sell.
Q: I like the look of the lighter taupe kitchen cabinets. Can you recommend a paint colour?
A: Not too grey, and not too taupe. I find Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter to be the perfect middle ground.
Q: Like in many kitchens, there’s a gap between the top of my wall cabinets and the ceiling. Mine is a little over a foot (30 centimetres), and I’m at a loss over what to do. What do other people do with that space?
A: I did a kitchen for a client with the same issue. We added a small cabinet between with a glass door front in a contrasting colour and then used that same colour on the island, and it turned out great.
Q: My husband and I are updating our kitchen, and I want to start with a new floor. The previous owners installed terracotta tile. We have oak floors stained a medium to dark walnut colour throughout the rest of the first floor. I’d like to extend the wood through the kitchen. My husband thinks tile would be better.
A: Keep the flooring consistent. So, I would vote for wood.
Q: I always thought marble was a softer stone, prone to nicks and stains. Why would you put in marble kitchen counters if you’re a serious cook?
A: Marble is more porous, but there are now products available that make it less prone to staining, such as BulletProof by DuPont. There is no substitute for the beauty of natural stone, but quartz or composite stones such as Cambria or Silestone have some nice options available.
Q: We’re in a bind figuring out how to update the lighting in our 25-year-old kitchen. Sadly, we still have the builder’s fluorescent light over the island. We would love to replace it with pendants, but we aren’t sure how much wattage is needed to cook under. Any ideas?
A: Depending on the size of your kitchen island, I would suggest two to three pendants. Pick a pendant that holds a few 60-watt bulbs, and you should have enough light. Have the electrician put them on a dimmer.
Q: What’s the most important appliance to upgrade in your kitchen?
A: The refrigerator or stove.
Q: What’s the best kind of sink? A: Stainless steel is the most durable, and there are some great-looking and more modern stainless-steel sinks out there. For a white kitchen with white countertops, I prefer a porcelain sink.
— The Washington Post