The mismatched kitchen island...do or don't?

From country kitchens to modern showhomes, we are seeing mismatched kitchen islands. Whether it be changing the wood species, paint color or countertops, you can't deny the contrast makes a statement.


Of course, personal style will always over-ride design rules. Do you love the a mix and match kitchen or prefer the uniform simplicity of a cohesive design?

I have to admit, that I'm torn! What do you think? Maybe it depends on the size of the room, the color palate of the home or the wild side of the home owner.

Images courtesy of www.elledecor.com, www.centuryporchpost.com, www.burmancabinets.com and www.farmfree3.static.flickr.com

Mismatched perfection collides in a Manhattan kitchen

Can you think of anything better than a chalkboard panel fridge?! This gorgeous Manhattan aparment was originally built in 1884 by the man who designed the Plaza Hotel in NY. Originally owned by Western Union, it was more recently acquired by  Bronson Van Wyck (after whose ancestors the Expressway in Queens was named). Van Wyck, an event and party planner, knows a thing or two about style. His portfolio includes parties for everyone from P. Diddy to Bill Clinton.  He enlisted the help of designer Oliver Freundlich (of Made) to make-over the promising apartment and the success of that parternship is evident below.

This kitchen remodel (photos courtesy of Elle Decor) is classic clever design and gorgeous use of space.

What do you love about this remodel? What would you have done differently? Are you ready to move to a little apartment in the City and throw chic little soirees in your own adorable kitchen? I'll join you!

If you'd like us to design a similar look for your home, let us know! Urban Kitchen and Bath specializes in design and remodeling.

Bang for your $$$

Many agree, the kitchen is the heart of a home; the place the family gathers and spends quality time. It might also be a deal maker or breaker for a home buyer.

Watch the short video below to see three couples who spent $40,000 each in remodeling their kitchens. Not only will they enjoy their new rooms for as long as they live in their house, but they'll also see a nice return on their investment when it comes time to sell their gorgeous homes.



Video courtesy of HGTV show Bang for Your Buck

To see kitchens we've remodeled here in the Tampa Bay area, click here.

Delicious Summer Fun

There’s something so inspiring about summer. Despite the heat, summer makes me crave the outdoors. I dream of long days of swimming and kickball games and lazy bike rides followed by late nights sitting poolside and gathering with good friends and good food.

Whether your summer nights and days are spent at the beach, grilling on your rooftop deck, sitting on your veranda overlooking the lake, or in your backyard with your family, you know you’re going to have a good time.

Show us your personal outdoor space. We'd love to design a kitchen for you. Click here for details.

Check out these awesome outdoor kitchens to complete the picture:


photo courtesy of: www.beinteriordecorator.com


photo courtesy of www.caesarstoneus.com


photo courtesy of: www.kitchen-remodeling-info.com

photo courtesy of: www.woodworkingnetwork.com

A "LIFT" kitchen...incredible innovation

There's "thinking outside the box" and then there's the LIFT kitchen.

Imagine your upper and lower cabinets hanging on rails. Yes, rails. They can slide up and down and you can adjust them into any configuration you like at any time. You can lower them all down to provide yourself with some display counter space, you can raise the upper cabinets high to reveal your stovetop, sink and counter space atop your lower cabinets. You can stagger them to suit your whim or needs.

Below you can see the upper cabinets have been dropped down. The only vertical piece remaining is the fridge.

photo courtesy of www.european-kitchen-design.com

Here they just slid the upper cabinets up and revealed a more conventional kitchen set-up (if the word conventional can be used to describe this kitchen at all).

photo courtesy of www.european-kitchen-design.com

See how they can slide into any position to provide you with the counter or display space you need.

Let us help you with your kitchen remodel. Whether you are looking for unconventional or classically elegant, we can help you design the perfect look for your home. Click here to visit our website.

Incredible innovation...for your sink

These are incredible! I have no words...but I'm dying to know which is your favorite.

photo courtesy of www.porhomme.com

photo courtesy of http://www.itechnews.com/

photo courtesy of http://www.homedesignfind.com/

photo courtesy of http://www.freshome.com/

photo courtesy of http://www.dvice.com/

photo courtesy of http://www.dustbowl.wordpress.com/

photo courtesy of http://www.interiordeco.wordpress.com/

photo courtesy of http://www.archrecord.construction.com/

To see our photo gallery of kitchen and bathroom remodels we've done, click here.

What's in a knob?

When designing a kitchen or bathroom, sometimes the best way to go wild is with something small. Beautiful cabinets that will never go out of style can be dressed up with fun hardware.

These wild drawer pulls are very bohemian chic and can easily be changed on a whim as your style dictates without having to remodel your room.

photo courtesy of www.susangoldstick.com


For a super simple, edgy or modern look, we love this very simple piece of hardware. Sometimes less is more. (click here and scroll to the bottom to see a beautiful kitchen that exemplifies the "less is more theory")

photo courtesy of www.remodelista.com


You can still spice up a drawer or door without splashing wild colors throughout your kitchen. These knobs are simple, elegant and unique.

photo courtesy of nagonthelake.blogspot.com


And then there are these lovely glass pieces of funkiness. I think they'd look amazing on light, painted cabinets or dark espresso-stained wood.

photo courtesy of http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/

For a free kitchen/bathroom quote and design, click here!