NKBA DESIGN COMPETITION

Category 1: SMHLL KITCHENS (less than 35 sq. ft. of countertops)

"Some of the sumptuous components such as the lavish chandelier. . .and two massive islands are given balance by the warmth of a black walnut island top and wood flooring," says Howard.The region over the counter top often turns out to be a problem area in the kitchen for many people. It is a good idea to install a kitchen tile backsplash. The small region over the counter top is ideal for lending a final touch to the kitchen. Glass tiles and natural stone tiles can be used in this context. As an alternative a person can also use tiles with texture and hand painted tiles. There is no hard and fast rule that all the tiles used in this area would have to look similar. A home owner can get interesting results by mixing and matching tiles.Kid-Friendly Meets Adult Contemporary* FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #76Faucets from the Ducale series by La Toscana complement the warm tones in the decorative hardware finishes. Appliances, including a Sharp Microwave Drawer and a panel-ready Jenn-Air French door refrigerator, are masked behind cabinet panels. A sixburner convection oven/range from Bertazzoni sits across from an antique buffet, which is used as a center island for food preparation.Attention to detail and a warm color palette make this hacienda-inspired kitchen cohesive. Designer Cheryl Hamilton-Gray, CKD, of Carlsbad, CA-based Hamilton-Gray Design, says: "Standout structural and decorative elements such as arched entryways and openings, exposed ceiling beams and wrought iron fixtures with authentic detailing set the tone."Modern Design Combines Many MaterialsSet in a 1910 Edwardian home, cabinetry with wide rail Shaker doors, custom built by Brice's Fine Furniture, tie the new kitchen to the overall look of the home.brooksBerry Kitchens & BathsFeng Shui Inspires Form & FunctionThe cooking area, which features a Miele cooktop, is framed by Absolute Noire granite columns and features a cherry blossom mosaic backsplash.Sleek stainless touches add classic style to the kitchen, from the hardware and light fixtures, to the Vent-A-Hood Euroline Series range hood mounted above a Wolf range. The existing Sub-Zero, with its own stainless facade, was worked into the new design; a Miele dishwasher and Panasonic microwave round out the product selection.Architectural metal products from Moz Designs are designed for use in a range of applications. They are impact-resistant and available in 0.063 to ~-in. gauge aluminum tar greater durability.Glen Aispaugh Co.Category 2: MEDIUM KITCHENS (35-50 sq.ft. of countertops)James E. Howard, CKD, CBD* FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #77Long Beach, CAGreat Lakes Window introduces ecoSmart windows and patio doors. A high-density solid-polyurethane insulation in the frame and sash of double-hung and sliding window units provides resistance to heat flow.DeWitt Design Kitchens"Dark-stained ceiling beams, a tall plaster hood and Spanish-inspired backsplash tile bring a non-intrusive touch of the Mediterranean," says Howard.Kitchens by RosePasadena, CAFire Magic introduces the new Echelon Diamond Series grill. It includes a state-of-the-art digital thermometer, a new and improved flavor grid design, unique backlit safety knobs, master safety switch, hot surface ignition and interior lights.* FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #73Ramsey, NJPerlick Corp. adds refrigerator drawers to its C-Series product line. The 24-in. drawers have a 53-cu.-ft. capacity and are deep enough to accommodate galIons of milk and tall bottles. It is powered by a quiet 700-Btu compressor and features RapidCool technology that cools beverages in less than 30 minutes. A commercial-grade stainless steel interior is standard, and a tamper-proof locking system is available.Open-Plan Kitchen Evokes TropicsColumbia cabinetry in the company's maple slab door style features the focal point on the baking/oven wall: the Chinese symbol of prosperity carved in wood.HotEdge Rail is a roof-edge ice-melt system that concentrates heat directly to the structure's metal drip edge, where most ice dams and icicles form. These ice dams pool snowmelt on the surface of the roof, which can leak into the structure and cause mold, mildew and structural rot.Quaint Details Meet Modern ConvenienceAndros Kitchen & Bath DesignsFramed flush inset cabinetry in rift-cut white oak from Landco Custom complements the warm tones of the custom hood, over a ventilation system from Best. Other notable elements include reclaimed wood ceiling beams, tile work on the backsplash as well as the reclaimed terra cotta flooring. Countertops are a mix of butcher block and marbles. Appliances from Dacor, Bosch, Thermador and Sub-Zero are featured.Samsung Staron introduces 10 new colors: seven to its Solid Surface line and three to its Tempest line. The new colors are certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute, passing the requirements of two Greenguard certification programs.* FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #71"Through the removal of a wall, repositioning of the sink and cooktop, addition of a skylight and the introduction of serenity and order that's prevalent in Japanese design, a dark galley kitchen has been transformed," says Jones.The Pomegranate 4?-in, round knob from Du Verre Hardware was designed by metal smith Heinz Pfleger. The collection includes round and square knobs from � in. to 4 � in.; pulls from 3 in. to 9 in. and is made from environmentally friendly recycled aluminum.The challenge for Elina Katsioula-Beall, CKD, of Pasadena, CA-based DeWitt Design Kitchens, was to create a contemporary kitchen with an Asian emphasis. Using the client's cherry blossom theme, Katsioula-Beall harnessed the age-old wisdom of Feng Shui to create the flow and balance of the kitchen, starting with the octagonal ceiling above an octagonal island work space.* FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #72* FOR MORE iNFO CIRCLE #75The Kitchen ConsultantOther openings like switches and wall outlets need to be trimmed carefully. The benefit of ceramic tile is that it can be used on a variety of surfaces with ease. However a person needs to keep in mind that the surface should be solid and clean. It would be advisable to put a cement layer to fix the tile properly.St. Louis, MOTwo-Cook Kitchen Achieves Single VisionRose Marie Carr, of Ramsey, NJ-based Kitchens by Rose, brought contemporary convenience to this turnof-the-century kitchen. The blend of new and restored elements begins at ground level: The kitchen's original Carolina Pine wood floors were restored and paired with a mix of hickory and black distressed Rittenhouse inset cabinet doors from Christiana Cabinetry.* FOR MORE iNFO CIRCLE #70Mississauga, ONThe balance of light and dark colors in this Asian-inspired kitchen by Dana Jones, CKD of Long Beach, CA-based The Kitchen Consultant, creates a clean, harmonious design.Carlsbad, CA"This composition resting on granite conveys balance, and the antique shoji screen beside it anchors the prep area," says Katsioula-Beall.* FOR MORE INFO CiRCLE #83However if a person is looking for a one stop online solution for his tile buying need he can count on the site Mytilebacksplash.com. It offers the buyers the chance to take their pick from various types of tiles at one place. Whether one is looking for recycled glass tile, ceramic tile accents and stained glass mosaics he can get it all in this site. It keeps updating the range from time to time.Anastasia Rentzos, CKD, CBDDetails Create Warn, Welcoming HaciendaChris Novak BerryMore St. Thomas than St. Louis, the details of this open plan kitchen, designed by James E. Howard, CKD, CBD, of St. Louis, MO-based Glen Alspaugh Co., evoke a tropical paradise.Carr says the wealth of materials provides ample texture: "Honed Black Ash granite countertops, original brass spring hinges and push plates, and an artfully crafted hammered copper sink are some of the outstanding components that convey a careworn, comfortable yet contemporary environment.""Custom-built maple cabinetry conveys precise and clean lines in Shaker-style doors and a simplistically styled crown molding," says Lockhart.For designer James E. Howard, CKD, CBD, of St. Louis, MO -based Glen Alspaugh, Co., the challenge was to start with the classic French palette of blue and butter cream and create a convenience -laden classic.* FOR MORE INFO CIRCLE #81Category 3: LHRGE KITCHENS (more than 50 sq.ft. of countertops)

Sleek stainless touches add classic style to the kitchen, from the hardware and light fixtures, to the Vent-A-Hood Euroline Series range hood mounted above a Wolf range. The existing Sub-Zero, with its own stainless facade, was worked into the new design; a Miele dishwasher and Panasonic microwave round out the product selection.