# 707

WELCOME TO THE KB KITCHENWORKS. I’M KATHY BEAMAN FROM THE BEAMAN GROUP AND I’M A CERTIFIED KITCHEN DESIGNER. DURING THIS SERIES, I AM SHOWING YOU HOW TO CREATE A GORGOUES KITCHEN, USING MY “BACHELOR KITCHEN AS AN EXMAPLE”. YOU WILL LEARN HOW I TOOK A KITCHEN THAT LOOKED LIKE THIS

….. AND TURNED IT INTO A KITCHEN THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS

WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF GATHERING INFORMATION, WHICH IS THE CRITICAL FIRST STEP IN THE DESIGN PROCESS. WE HAVE LEARNED HOW MANY COOKS FIRST ARE IN THE KITCHEN AND ANY SPECIAL NEEDS THEY MAY HAVE. NOW IT’S TIME TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY LIKE TO DO THERE.

OBVIOUSLY FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND CLEAN-UP IS A MUST. WHAT ABOUT HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT – ARE BILLS PAID THERE, DO WE NEED A DESK? HOW ABOUT A BEVERAGE CENTER OR MAYBE A COMPUTER STATION? AND DON’T FORGET THE TV TO WATCH LUCA’S CULINARY JOURNEY ON!

FIGURE OUT WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE GOING TO TAKE PLACE, WRITE THEM DOWN AND ADD THAT LIST TO YOUR GROWING FOLDER.

* * * * * * *

WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY TO DESIGNING THE FUNCTIONAL HARDWORKING KITCHEN OF OUR DREAMS.

WE NOW KNOW WHO’S IN THE KITCHEN AND WHAT THEY LIKE TO DO THERE. NEXT, WE WILL GET TO KNOW THE HOME OR BUILDING LOT AND THEN WE WILL BE READY TO CREATE OUR DESIGN STATEMENT – AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT THAT, IN A FEW WORDS, WILL TELL US WHAT WE WISH TO ACCOMPLISH. THIS WILL KEEP US FOCUSED AND ON TRACK DURING THE ACTUAL DESIGN PROCESS.

DON’T FORGET – YOU CAN ACCESS ALL SORTS OF IMPORANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE KITCHEN PLANNING GUIDELINES I USE AT NKBA.ORG.

YOU CAN EMAIL ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE TO KATHY@THEBEAMANGROUP.COM OR DROP THEM OFF AT THE BEAUTIFUL VT CABINETRY DESIGN CENTER HERE IN KEENE

A COPY OF THIS DESIGN MINUTE IS AVAILABLE ON MY WEBSITE WWW.THEBEAMANGROUP.COM. YOU WILL ALSO FIND OUR CONTACT INFO THERE, ALONG WITH LINKS TO PREVIOUS MINUTES.

#1 – Starting the Planning Process – The Design Program

By Kathy Beaman

Hi, I’m Kathy Beaman. I’m a Certified Kitchen Designer and I am going to be bringing you a series of kitchen design blogs that will appear here each week.  During this series, we are going to be designing a kitchen right from start to finish, using a project that I call the Bachelor Kitchen as an example.  You will learn how I took a kitchen that looked like this:

And turned it into a kitchen that looks like this:

I will be referring frequently to the NKBA, which is the National Kitchen and Bath Association, from whom I have my certification.  We will be utilizing their Planning Guidelines and will also be using their forms.  These can be accessed from their website  www.nkba.org.

When I am asked to design a kitchen for a client, it is my job to first learn about them and how they want to use their kitchen.  Without knowing what my client wants and needs, I cannot give them the kitchen of their dreams.  This gathering of information should be your first step also, whether you are doing new construction or a remodel.

The NKBA calls this Design Programming.  This is the process where information about the client (or yourself) is gathered and put into a plan to guide the actual design process.

I know – everyone wants to go directly to the granite store and start picking out countertops – that’s the fun part – but you really need to start with a Design Program.

OK, let’s begin our Design Program.  We start with questions like:  who uses the kitchen, what are their physical profiles and do they have any special needs?  Is there one primary cook or multiple cooks using the kitchen at the same time?  Do we have very young children who want to help or elderly parents who need a place to sit while chopping veggies?  As any chef will verify, the definition of a great kitchen is one that performs for the people using it.

Next up is getting to know the home or building lot.  Where does the sun rise and set?  Are there lovely views we want to bring inside or do we want the kitchen inwardly focused because it faces a busy street?   What is the general style of the house?   What rooms are on the other side of the kitchen walls?  Is there any space that can be “borrowed”, if need be?

Take a good look around and jot down what you see.  Also, are there any building or deed restrictions that need to be considered?  It’s best to learn that now, instead of in mid-construction, when it can be very expensive.

Take lots of pictures, especially of any details that will affect construction, such as  heating or cooling ducts and plumbing fixtures.   Photograph the views from the inside looking out as well.

Future plans for the home also need to be taken into consideration.  Is this the home of a young couple about to start a family?  Or perhaps it will become a retirement home soon?  All of these things influence a good design.

Give all of this some thought and next week we will define what activities are going to take place in the kitchen.

If you have any questions, you can email them to kathy@thebeamangroup.com.

So, get your information gathering started and I’ll be back next week.

By kathy beaman

Hi.  I’m Kathy Beaman.  I’m a Certified Kitchen Designer and I am going to be bringing you a series of kitchen design articles that will appear here each week.

In today’s homes, a kitchen is usually much more than a place to cook.  It is likely a gathering and social space where many activities take place – where homework is done, where a glass of wine is shared with a friend, and where cooking shows (and sports) are often watched.

Even in today’s fast paced environment, with meals eaten on the run, the kitchen is still very much a place where food is stored, prepared, served and eaten.  It is considered the most important room in the house and a new kitchen will bring you the highest return on investment when selling your home.

We all love browsing kitchen displays and watching the HGTV make-over shows.  Who doesn’t dream about having a kitchen like one of those?

Well, starting next week, I will be showing you how to create a gorgeous kitchen of your own – right from start to finish, whether you’re doing a remodel, new construction or just need to do a little tweaking to update your present look.  You will learn how I took a kitchen that looked like this

And turned it into a kitchen that looks like this:

We’ll start with the basics of good design.  As any chef will tell you – the backbone of a great kitchen is a functional layout.   From there we’ll explore the endless choices in cabinetry and countertops, appliances and flooring.  We’ll look at color and pattern and we’ll discuss green options and the all important lighting plan.

You will learn how to make your kitchen unique – so it reflects your own personality.

In addition to showing you how to take an ordinary kitchen and turn it into an extraordinary kitchen, i will be sharing with you my tips for making your job go smoother and my tricks for getting a custom look when you just don’t have a custom budget.

I will also be answering any questions you may have, which you can email to Kathy@thebeamangroup.com.  I look forward to hearing from you and creating beautiful kitchens together.

The term JEWEL BOX HOME is not new. Famed architects Louis H. Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright used the term to describe some of their favorite designs.

The popularity of the JEWEL BOX HOME and the lifestyle philosophy it represents has reemerged!
There has been a nationwide decline in the “McMansion” craze. Separate formal living and dining spaces are out, kitchens, great rooms and outdoor entertaining spaces are in.

Many factors play a role in the desire to downsize – less to manage in terms of energy and water consumption, a desire for a lower maintenance lifestyle, a focus on livability and a less is more philosophy and the opportunity to now own homes that operate with optimal efficiency using smart home technology.

These JEWEL BOX HOMES appeal to a wide variety of demographics including young professionals and newlyweds, as well as two fast-growing segments – empty nesters and retirees. Living spaces are built to human scale. Architectural details add beauty and character. Human needs take priority – the focus is on good design – not size.

To today’s home buyer/builder, utilizing low maintenance, long-lasting and locally sourced materials are a priority. Lifestyles are taken into account during the design phase; the home is tailored to the owner’s way of life. JEWEL BOX HOMES are meant to meet the needs of home life, not follow trends.

Many JEWEL BOX HOMES utilize “Aging in Place” techniques, enabling owners to stay in their homes longer during their later years. Everything is on one floor, the hallways and doorways are wider, bathrooms contain large walk-in showers, kitchens have raised dishwashers and wall ovens and countertops are at various heights, making it easier to work either sitting down or standing up. Cabinets are equipped with roll-out trays and washers and dryers are on the main level.

Passive solar, day lighting and proper siting of the house on the lot are all practices often used when building the JEWEL BOX HOME. Using the sun to warm and light the home and utilizing proper window placement for optimum ventilation cuts down on heating, cooling and electric bills. Sitting in a bright cheerful room full of sun on a cold winter day or filled with cooling breezes during the hot summer is a much nicer experience that being shut in with all the lights on and air conditioning running. This is the JEWEL BOX HOME experience. Beauty, harmony and function defined by the owner’s needs.

Just as a jewel box displays the gem inside to its best advantage, the JEWEL BOX HOME enriches the lives of its people. A living space that is filled with light, full of fresh air and extremely comfortable to live in, as well as being beautiful to look at, that is what a JEWEL BOX HOME is.