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51 It's your kitchen, not your designer's — make sure your kitchen reflects your personality. When planning a kitchen renovation, it's important to remember that it's your home — not your designer's or a magazine spread! As such, it should reflect your goals and desires for the space. Once you've determined the key functional features you'd like, you can personalize your new kitchen to your design aesthetic with the products you select. If you'd like to make a bold statement, consider incorporating a favorite color into your cabinetry. We created a distressed, cherry-red island for a European farmhouse-inspired kitchen, and a shiny blue lacquer island with concealed hardware for a modern kitchen. Another client asked for British racing green cabinetry. With careful planning and the right materials, you can tastefully incorporate color into your cabinetry that will withstand the test of time. Lighting is another way to infuse personality into your new kitchen with choices that complement the overall style. For one project, our client had treasured MacKenzie-Childs porcelain shades that we fashioned into island pendants. For another project, our client was fond of art glass so we selected two fixtures that incorporated this design element — a traditional chandelier with tiered drops was hung over the dining table, and a contemporary pendant with irregular bubbles was placed over the children's activity table. The easiest, low-risk way to showcase your personal style in your kitchen is with your cabinetry hardware — your kitchen's jewelry. There really is no end to the choices available for hardware and we often utilize three or more distinct styles in each project. Particularly if your design incorporates multiple cabinetry finishes, consider pairing different hardware with each finish. Don't be af raid to choose pulls and knobs that add a touch of sparkle to your kitchen. As your tastes and styles change, it's easy to swap out hardware every few years to keep your kitchen looking f resh. By following these simple steps and making careful product selections, you can make sure your kitchen reflects your personality and becomes the gathering place you've always dreamed it should be. DESIGNER'S ADVICE Infusing Your Personality nfusing Your Personality Into Your Kitchen Design Into Your Kitchen Design by Mark Haddad, CMKBD Interiology Design Co. Scan or click this QR code to view Mark discussing Interiology's design philosophies.

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