Home & Design
Van Metre Homes Ambassador Chef Spike Mendelsohn
Shares Kitchen Design Tips Maximize your Pantry “How many times have you wanted to hide stuff, or have a little hide away space, before or even while having people over? Adding a sink and countertop to your pantry allows you to have a clean kitchen while you are entertaining, keeping your entertaining area looking awesome. Use it as a prep area to cut vegetables or use it as a utility sink, you’ll find having this added space to be priceless.”
Shelving “Seeing all of your tools gets your creative juices pumping. So, really well designed shelving is key. Cabinetry should be
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thoughtful, so there is no wasted space. In my world as a chef, shelving is everything. So rather than being stored in a drawer you stumble on once a year, you see your favorite tools often. My favorite tool is a blender because there is nothing more rewarding than making a refreshing gazpacho in the summer or a hot velvety soup in the winter.”
Kitchen Island “When it comes to the kitchen layout, you can’t underestimate the value of a large well designed island. The classic rectangle is most new home buyers go-to, but a new trend that I am loving is the L shaped island. The L shape allows you to have work
space on one side and have friends and family seated on the other so you do not have to holler into the other room.”
Pet Dining “We all know our four legged friends are part of the family too! That’s why we added a built-in bowl area to the kitchen island to give furry family members an eating area that is lifted off the floor, which is cleaner and better for them.”
Pot Storage “The key to a great kitchen is to mimic the flow of a restaurant kitchen. We designed under stove pot and pan storage, so everything is within arm’s reach. I advise home VIVARESTON.COM
