We’ve all heard it before… first impressions matter. They really do. In fact, they matter – a lot! They say it only takes 7 seconds to make a first impression, and as the cliché goes, you never get a second chance at a first impression. While the studies don’t agree on one specific number – they all agree that you have less than 30 seconds to impress someone. Our customers, Bill and Jackie, are the friendliest people in the world, both having a positive attitude toward life. While the first impressions saying may be cliché for most, it happens to be quite true for this couple.
On the other hand, their kitchen layout did not make a good first impression.
Bill and Jackie owned a beautiful single-family home in a meticulously planned community that is comprised of 28 unique neighborhoods and is an ecological paradise that includes an eagle preserve and bird sanctuary. But to meet the demand, builders started constructing homes in an almost factory-line manner, ordering bulk materials, and building homes without custom design elements, to keep them affordable. Bill and Jackie’s lovely home had a cookie-cutter layout. The homeowners were no longer satisfied with the cookie-cutter kitchen design, and they were very ready for a change.
Bill and Jackie, like many homeowners, dreamed of adding stylish storage, prep space and seating to an island in the middle of the room. But the space where the homeowners dreamed of having a kitchen island previously consisted of three freestanding walls in a U-shape. Inside the U-shape configuration was a refrigerator and closet pantry. Their vision was to remove the three walls and relocate the fridge and pantry. This would be the key to having a great kitchen island, and a more functional kitchen.
Let’s move our attention away from the island for a moment and discuss the homeowner’s other items on their wish list.
Take a look at the tops of your wall cabinets…do you have any roosters, baskets, or fake plants? Is there a blank space up there collecting dust? Double stacked cabinets have caught the eyes of many homeowners, including Bill and Jackie, and for good reason. They wanted to make use of that previously barren, dust collecting space. Doubling up on cabinets can be a great way for adding extra storage space, creating beautiful displays, and maximizing the space in their kitchen. Jackie wanted to tuck away her favorite things inside double stacked cabinets. Glass inserts would provide the perfect place to display Jackie’s treasured items. Her decorative items that she loves would be out of the way, but still well within eyesight.
Another item on their wish list was to add more artificial light to the room: lighting inside the wall cabinets with glass fronts, pendants over the island, under cabinet lighting and recessed lighting. The addition of task and ambient lighting would make the kitchen feel brighter and be more functional and inviting.
I don’t know about you, but I love this classic white kitchen with double stacked kitchen cabinets. What I like the most about this gorgeous kitchen is that it feels tailored, but it also feels livable. The homeowners selected Cambria’s Berwyn (one of the most popular countertop options for a reason). In addition to its durability and eco-friendly properties, Cambria is stunning, and it requires virtually zero maintenance to keep looking that way.
Washing dishes and preparing dinner is even easier with this stylish touchless faucet and large farmhouse sink. Bill demonstrated how he could turn the water on or off by brushing the back of his hand behind the faucet. This is great if the homeowner hands are messy from cooking or they’re holding a pot. As a bonus, since they aren’t touching the faucet, they’d avoid spreading germs.
“Alexa. Turn on the pendant lights,” Bill said. With a single command the pendant lights came on. Bill demonstrated the magical experience of having a smart home. “Alexa. Turn on the cabinet lights,” Bill commanded once again. Jackie’s beautiful dishes shined through the decorative glass in the upper wall cabinets, thanks to the smart lights installed within. With Alexa, everything he requested happened in an instant. I understand why millions of Americans have welcomed a little bundle of joy, named Alexa into their homes. I see why Amazon’s voice assistant has wormed herself into our lives, including my own. Instant gratification can be irresistible.
Americans love Alexa. How could we not. And like Alexa, if you had the chance to meet Bill and Jackie you would like them, too. You’d soon see how they are the friendliest people on earth.
When the final credit rolls on a film, the ending credits are the most overlooked aspect of a movie. The vast majority of people leave during them. Film critics always say it is important to stay during the credits, even if there’s no “reward” at the end of it, just to acknowledge the hard work of the hundreds of people who worked on the movie. So, before you go, just let me say this: this beautiful kitchen could not have been completed without the team from Just Counters & Other Stuff and Imex Stone. Designers are the creative source behind a renovation and must communicate with the installation department. But Tommy McCaffrey and Sam Zwack did all the hard work. Together we envisioned the homeowners dream, and made this eye-popping kitchen become a reality.
Have a great week.
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