The Morning Call (Sunday)

Now’s the time to upgrade your kitchen space

- By Cathy Hobbs

The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, and now more than ever it serves as the central gathering point and typically one of the most heavily used rooms. How can you help ensure that your kitchen or dining space is both functional and appealing? Here are some tips.

Kitchen islands: Islands help to enhance a kitchen in a number of ways. Not only do they help define a kitchen space, they also serve as additional work and dining surfaces. For many families, the desire is to create numerous dining experience­s, from casual to seated and formal dining. Kitchen islands allow you to add bar stools and create a bar-style dining experience.

Extendable tables: Designers love using extendable dining tables because of the flexibilit­y they provide. Gone are the days of complicate­d table leafs that have to be removed. Instead, many furniture manufactur­ers are making tables with simple lift and slide features so they can expand and extend depending on needs and the occasion.

Eat-in kitchens: Eat-in kitchens tend to be more casual but need to be highly functional. When creating the ideal eat-in experience, ask yourself whether the table be round or rectangle, or if the table should be expandable. Materials are also important. Glass tables create a sense of lightness, while solid services such as wood provide weight. Have an oddshaped space? Consider a round table, as they tend to allow for increased visual flow.

Lighting: Lighting is an important part of any dining experience. A chandelier can define the dining area while also adding an aesthetica­lly appealing design element that can make a bold design statement.

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 ?? DESIGN RECIPES/TNS ?? A kitchen island can be an inviting family eating area.
DESIGN RECIPES/TNS A kitchen island can be an inviting family eating area.

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