Greetings!

The heat of summer is upon us, and that means the remodeling and construction season is hot right now! Despite long lead times and manufacturer price increases, our clients are not shying away from their dream home projects. Whether you are thinking about a new kitchen, remodeling a bathroom, adding an outdoor entertainment space or putting in that dream bar, our inspiration gallery is a great place to start dreaming. For even more information, you can also check out some of our past newsletters for exciting tips for all rooms in your home. Our talented designers have years of experience and are just waiting to share with you their expertise, so contact us today!

Also don't forget to Like Us on Facebook and Instagram for more information on current trends, cool new products, before and after photos of our jobs and so much more!
Defining Your Kitchen Style
Designing a kitchen is definitely a balance between "art and science." When planning a kitchen project, one of the most significant decisions you'll make is choosing or defining your kitchen design style. For example, designing for functionality is more science than art. We need to consider flow, layout, and technical specifications like CFM for your ventilation and clearances around the island. Where the art comes into the equation is when creating the design elements of your kitchen. Whether it's transitional, traditional, French Country, industrial, or contemporary, every kitchen design style has specific features that work together to define the style.

Defining your personal style and clearly communicating with your kitchen designer allows you to have a more active role in the design process. In this article, we're going to look at the key elements that define the five most popular kitchen design styles to better understand your choices.
The Transitional Kitchen:
A Blend of Traditional and Contemporary
The transitional kitchen design style has been one of the most popular, if not THE most popular, design choice of homeowners and designers for several years. So what exactly is a transitional kitchen, and why is it so popular? Because they offer a balance between traditional and contemporary elements, the transitional style can blend into an older home's architecture while providing functionality for the modern lifestyle.

If you're looking to create a balance between old and new, the transitional style is an excellent choice. While many love modern design, it can sometimes feel stark and linear. By blending these styles, you get the best of both worlds! One popular feature that is at home in this style is open shelving. It offers the clean lines of a contemporary design and gives you the option to add visual interest with accessories. If open shelving isn't for you, consider clean shaker style cabinetry. Another design element to consider is introducing traditional fixtures, which can make or break your design. A general rule to remember in transitional design... opposites attract!
The Rustic Beauty of French Country Design 
One design style living up to its name, more than almost any other, is French Country! Whether you're in upstate New York, or Hollywood, California, when you walk into a classically designed French Country kitchen, you're immediately transported deep into the heart of Provence. This style, when done well, feels effortless. However, the fact is, French Country design follows a specific formula to achieve its "imperfectly perfect" aesthetic.

French Country style is a literal description. It's inspired by the French countryside, specifically Provence. French decor can be ornate, elegant, and over the top all simultaneously, but in Provence, homes tend to incorporate traditional elements that are much more relaxed, distressed, and subdued – think weathered and whitewashed wood. At its core, French Country design exhibits a refined elegance with its neutral color palette and traditional details. Properly executed, a French Country design strikes a balance between rustic charm and sophisticated luxury. It's a balance between beauty and comfort that feels lived in yet still welcoming. You can also integrate playful touches along with rustic charm, for example, botanical elements in art, fabric, and wall coverings. Natural materials are a central stylistic element like exposed wood beam ceilings, natural stone or wood floors, often including a stone fireplace. Nothing is pristine. Every aspect features a subtle distressed look that feels lived in.
Traditional Kitchen Style 
Traditional kitchen design style is still one of the most popular with homeowners. With a basic color palette and grand design, the traditional style is timeless. One key element of a traditional kitchen design style is attention to detail. Each area of the room should have embellishments and layered details that are elegant but not overbearing.

There are several elements that you'll find somewhere in every traditional kitchen. These include details and decorative accessories like wainscoting on the island, corbels, and crown moldings throughout the design. Basically, there should be an element of interest, adornment, or architectural design everywhere you look. The traditional color palette is a classic mix of warm and cool neutrals, like deep cherries and light beige. Most traditional kitchens will showcase luxurious countertop to bring an element of nature and motion into the space. Cabinetry is more embellished than in Modern kitchen styles. You won't find basic shaker cabinets in a Traditional kitchen design. Think more embellished style, like a decorative flat panel or a vintage raised panel cabinet door. Decorative lighting can pull your entire design together, so pick your lighting last. Chandeliers look beautiful in a traditional kitchen and can enhance the details of the room.
The Industrial Kitchen 
The kitchen is the heart of every home. It's where you cook meals and hang out with family and friends. The best kitchens function efficiently. Aesthetics are important, but if your kitchen isn't efficient, you won't enjoy your time spent there. That's why the industrial style has become so popular. Industrial kitchens have no frills, gratuitous details, or useless elements. They are designed to make working and cooking in them easy...and efficient.

While functionality is vital, the industrial kitchen design style can be gorgeous and luxurious. The use of colors and materials like metals, stainless steel, acid-washed and natural concrete, marble, and exposed brick, fit perfectly into Industrial design. Think easy to clean materials that are durable and exposed. Leaving materials exposed and embracing the raw industrial look brings a simple utilitarian vibe to an industrial kitchen. Industrial design is open to drama, and nothing is as dramatic (and currently trendy) as black in your color palette. It lends itself to an intense industrial look. Industrial Kitchen design style often features substantial, professional-grade appliances. Remember, this style is all about function, so if you have the budget, splurge on a professional-grade stove and a giant refrigerator. 
Sleek, Modern, Contemporary Style Kitchens
The Contemporary kitchen design style blends modern elements and a minimalist aesthetic to create a distinctive look that transcends trends. With sleek cabinetry and a sophisticated color palette, contemporary kitchens are functional and aesthetically beautiful! 

Think flat-front cabinetry, stone features, wood accents, stylish tile, and sleek fixtures. The Contemporary kitchen design style embraces warm dark colors and natural materials, like dark wood cabinetry reminiscent of living room furniture. Like other design styles, adding well-chosen pops of color can give your contemporary design a playful vibe. Flat-front cabinets that showcase a unique wood species, grain pattern, or a sleek monochrome, coupled with a marble waterfall kitchen island, can anchor a Contemporary kitchen. Along with pops of color, adding an interesting, bold pattern to the backsplash creates another layer of design, enhancing the contemporary vibe. Texture is another option to enhance a contemporary design. Consider combining natural wood shelving or countertops with sleek, modern glossy cabinets. 

The Right Style Can Set The Tone
For Your Entire Home
These five are the most popular kitchen styles, but they're not the only ones! One of the best elements of building or remodeling is creating a design that meets your family's functional needs while showcasing your personal style. Educate yourself on the elements of each style. Clip photos from home design magazines, visit sites like Pinterest, HGTV and Houzz and create galleries. Then share your finds with your CHW designer to help them gain an understanding of your style.

Our designers stay on top of the trends, styles, and latest products available. So we're always ready to help you better understand the options available when designing your kitchen. Contact us today to schedule your free design consultation!
Project Spotlight!
Our clients in the Lake Katherine neighborhood have fallen in love with their new kitchen! For years they lived and functioned with a small kitchen, but finally decided it was time to change that. They had dreams of opening up the kitchen into an adjoining dining space and small office to create a larger space. It seemed like a dream until their contractor made it a reality... their life has ever been changed! Entertaining and cooking is now easily done with so much countertop space thanks to the design CHW came up with. Our design perspectives (one shown below) helped them see what it REALLY could look like, and as you can see from the "after" photo above they now are living in their dream kitchen!

To see more before, after and design concept photos of this kitchen, visit our Facebook and Instagram page, and be sure to like and follow us to see more projects in the future!
This Month's Feature Recipe
Penne Pasta with Summer Veggies
In the heat of summer, we decided to share a recipe that uses all those yummy vegetables which are ripening in your garden. And Ricotta salata—ricotta's saltier cousin—adds a sharp tang to this summer pasta dish.

Ingredients
  • 1 small eggplant, diced
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 1/2 pt. grape tomatoes, halved
  • 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 oz. penne pasta
  • 3/4 c. grated ricotta salata, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 c. finely chopped fresh basil, plus more for serving

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°.
  2. Arrange eggplant on one half of baking sheet and zucchini on other half. On another baking sheet, arrange tomatoes. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine, then roast vegetables until golden, about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water, and return to pot.
  4. Remove vegetables from oven and scrape into pasta using spatula. Add ricotta salata and ½ cup pasta water, stirring to combine. (Add an additional ¼ cup liquid to create a creamier pasta, if desired.) Stir in chopped basil and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Serve pasta in bowls, garnished with more ricotta salata and basil.

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CHW Cabinetry, LLC
1819 Two Notch Rd
Lexington, SC 29073
Ph: 803-520-6837