Everyone loves to dream, right? It’s fun to imagine what you’d do if you won the lottery or didn’t have to worry about finances. Basically to live like a celebrity in an amazing house (or five!) and wake up each morning to a stunning kitchen fit for royalty. 

To have a little fun and give you something to dream about, we searched and pulled some of our favorite celebrity kitchens, each unique and beautiful in its own special way.

What makes a kitchen so stunning? To us, it’s in the details. Of course you need spectacular countertops and beautifully crafted cabinetry, but really it all comes together with the backsplashes, appliances (in these cases, top-of-the-line), lighting and those extra special touches such as a show-stopping range hood or a jaw-dropping island that could fit twenty people around it. When all these things come together and align in a beautiful design, it is such a feast for the eyes.

It was hard to pick favorites, as it seems each kitchen design just keeps getting better. We like to imagine that the celebrity owners of these kitchens spend hours baking and cooking in their respective kitchens. They crank up their music, pour a glass of wine and bask in the joy of creating delicious meals for loved ones, right? That, or more likely, their hired, in-home chefs do it for them! Whichever is the case, we’re jealous of these beautiful backdrops and don’t really care whether much cooking is going on. We just love the eye candy!

Oprah Winfrey’s Kitchen

First up is probably a no-brainer. Is it shocking that Oprah has a stunning kitchen?

Oprah Winfrey’s $14mil estate in Telluride, CO is truly something out of a magazine. The rustic kitchen is the cherry on top of this gorgeous home in the mountains. The expansive design features high-end appliances and plenty of room for recipe tasting. We wouldn’t mind coming back to this after a day on the slopes! 

Kim Kardashian & Kanye West’s Kitchen

Next up, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. While their minimalistic and muted style is not for everyone’s taste, it is definitely unique!

Described as an oasis of purity and light, the home located in suburban Los Angeles is definitely something out of the ordinary. The couple worked with Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt to help create their “futuristic Belgian monastery” as Kanye describes it.

An unlikely meeting of the minds, the couple and designer worked together to bring their dream to life. They wanted a space that respected the spirituality and beauty of art and encapsulated the importance of silence.

The lack of decoration is widely felt throughout the home. This was a choice made so as to allow the proportions of the house’s many rooms, all covered in off-white plaster, to be the decoration of the house.

Cameron Diaz’s Kitchen

Finally, we’re rounding out the lustful celebrity kitchens with Cameron Diaz and her stunning emerald green Manhattan kitchen. 

Diaz wanted to strike a balance between her love of shiny, sparkly things while also keeping things homey and tactile. She enlisted the help of a designer whom she felt was the perfect person to help her strike that balance: designer, Kelly Wearstler. Wearstler is a reigning design queen on the West Coast and Diaz knew she’d help bring her vision to life in the best possible way.

During the day, Diaz says the stunning kitchen is her favorite spot to be. The backsplash, countertops and sink fittings are all made of unlacquered brass. The gorgeous brass-trimmed cabinetry is lacquered in a custom emerald green color and the Viking appliances help complete the high-end look to this jewel tone kitchen design.

Quality & Style Matter

While most of us would no doubt love to have the kitchen of a celebrity, we know that for most of us it’s just a pipe dream. We at Midwest Kitchens understand that quality and aesthetics are the most important things when it comes to a kitchen. Saving money for homeowners and not skimping on the features that make a kitchen beautiful and unique is something we take great pride in. 

We’re proud to partner with Showplace Cabinetry, a leader in custom-designed cabinets that are offered at an affordable price. Showplace is consistently up to date on new trends and ways to be innovative with their products. You’ll find nearly endless cabinet door options – from raised-panel, slab, and inset, to name a few. Additionally, just as important as the door style is the finish. With extensive options for stains, paints and special treatments such as vintage, weathered and distressed effects, you’re sure to find the exact style to fit your home and personality. 

Our Method

Every homeowner is unique and possesses their own style. For this reason, it’s impossible to have a cookie-cutter method. We believe that offering a wide variety of styles, finishes and colors is paramount in meeting the needs of our customers. Showplace helps us do that, and is the reason why they are one of our most trusted partners. From cabinet door styles to colors and finishes, Showplace has it all. They help us present custom-tailored solutions for our clients so we can create the kitchen of their dreams. 

When working with our customers, we take pride in being able to present design solutions that meet – and hopefully go beyond – their expectations, rather than pigeon-hole them into a decision that they may be unhappy with a few years down the road. We take the time to meet with each individual customer and map out a solution and budget that works for them. It can be a daunting process, so walking step-by-step through the process is something we value and our customers tell us they love time and again.

The kitchen is one of the greatest investments one can make in a home. It has to last for years. We only recommend products and solutions that we believe will stand the test of time and that we’d be comfortable putting in our own homes.

The post A Peek Inside Some Awe-Inspiring Celebrity Kitchens appeared first on Midwest Kitchens.

The first part of the exchange involved us sharing a recipe with each of the five influencers to try out. To see each of those recipes, check out our blog post here. After that, each of the influencers shared a special recipe with us to try. We kept very busy in the kitchen!

We were fortunate enough that In Kansas City Magazine caught wind of our exchange and featured one of the influencers and the recipe she shared with us. Check out the wonderful write up they did featuring Lacey Spallitta and her delicious Lemony Chicken Patties recipe.

Recipe Feature:

Right now more than ever, a lot of us are feeling pressure. Pressure to be a great teacher, parent, activity coordinator, chef and employee. While the extra time with family is nice, it’s also exhausting. It’s no wonder parents are feeling burnt out, guilty and like there’s no end in sight. Midwest Kitchens in InKansasCity Magazine recipe feature can hopefully provide a little escape to test out a new dish.

Like many tough phases in life, remember that this too shall pass. This is a unique time and no one is expecting you to juggle everything and juggle it well. Take time for yourself when you can and just do your best.

This article from The Every Mom touches on the importance of seeking alone time and little, clever ways to achieve it. We’ve found that spending more time in the kitchen, both involving the kids and not, provides a great escape from the stress and pressure during this time.

Just like on an airplane when putting on an oxygen mask, you have to take care of yourself first before assisting others. We hope you’re finding time to do things just for yourself and that it continues on well after this pandemic passes! Midwest Kitchens in InKansasCity Magazine provides a great recipe if you’re needing a break from the monotony.

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In an effort to provide some guidance in this process of choosing the right options for your kitchen remodel, we’ve included the steps below to make the kitchen design process easier and create the kitchen of your dreams. 

1. Cabinetry. Quality is so important in selecting cabinetry. When you select quality construction, you will enjoy the benefits of lasting durability and ease of use every single day! Cabinetry should be made from solid hardwoods. Other quality features include dovetailed drawer boxes, concealed hinges, and soft-close glides on drawers & doors. An oven-cured factory finish is critical to the longevity of your kitchen cabinets.  When getting started, select the color first. Then follow with the style of cabinets.The color is more important as it will set the tone for other decisions to follow. Generally, kitchen cabinetry accounts for 50% of your kitchen remodeling budget.
   
   
2. Countertops, sinks & faucets. Countertops can make a statement in your kitchen. They can be dramatic or subtle, depending on the look you are seeking. The countertop color and material should accent your new cabinetry. Whether you’re searching for quartz or granite, choose a color you love knowing it will occupy a large portion of visual space. There are many options for sinks and faucets. Single-bowl sinks, like the farmhouse style, are extremely popular right now.
   
   
3. Appliances. Stainless steel is still the most popular choice for appliances. It’s classic and looks great with any kitchen style. At Midwest Kitchens, we’re also able to work with our friends at Showplace Cabinetry to create custom refrigerator and dishwasher panels that match the cabinetry for a warm, cohesive look.
   
   
4. Backsplash.  Backsplashes provide a wonderful kitchen design opportunity to make a personal statement. It’s another way to introduce color, texture, and pattern to achieve your desired style. You can go with a neutral or dramatic look, depending on the countertop selected. For example, if the countertop is dramatic, you may want a more subtle backsplash.
   
   
5. Kitchen hardware. Cabinet hardware is another design element that helps you earn style points. Homeowners often spend a significant amount of time selecting drawer handles and pulls, as they can be prominent features in a kitchen.
   
    
6. Lighting. Lighting is both practical and decorative. Many kitchens do not have enough lighting. You will want to have ample light to show off your new cabinetry and other kitchen features. Options for lighting include fixtures, canned lighting and pendants. Over-cabinet and under-cabinet LED lighting provide additional illumination.
   
   
7. Flooring. If you’re planning to install new flooring in the kitchen, be sure it complements the cabinetry, countertop and appliances. There are many kitchen flooring options from which to choose.
   

At Midwest Kitchens, we pride ourselves in helping walk our customers through the process of selecting each and every detail to complete their dream kitchen. We understand that these can be tough decisions and not ones you make every day. A kitchen remodel is also a significant financial investment. Therefore, it’s important to us that you love what you pick out and enjoy it for years to come!

The post Choosing the Right Kitchen Design for Your Home appeared first on Midwest Kitchens.

The Kitchen Dilemma…

The classic look of the 1970s and 80s has become a relic in most kitchens nowadays. You know the look – Golden Oak or dark walnut veneer kitchen cabinets – that create an outdated stain on your interior home design. What is the the best long term solution to the 1970s problem?

Why Cabinet Refacing is an Excellent Choice

Homeowners want to know what to do with outdated kitchen cabinet colors, or cabinetry that has seen better days. Cabinet refacing is an excellent way to improve the appearance and functionality of a kitchen without gutting it entirely.  Cabinet refacing allows flexibility for updating the color, style and functionality of your kitchen, at a fraction of the cost of brand new kitchen cabinets. 

Therefore, if the existing kitchen cabinet boxes are in good shape, but the cabinet doors are showing wear, Cabinet refacing is an excellent choice. Alternatively, if the homeowner is simply unhappy with the color or style of the doors, Midwest Kitchens recommends cabinet refacing as well.

In this blog post, we will explain the difference between cabinet refacing and cabinet refinishing. This will help homeowners understand why Midwest Kitchens recommends cabinet refacing instead of painting or refinishing kitchen cabinets. We will also describe how cabinet refacing will improve the overall appearance of your kitchen.

What does the Cabinet Refacing Process Entail?

Cabinet refacing is a process that retains the existing “cabinet box,” but removes all of the exterior materials. In other words, we remove the kitchen cabinet doors, drawer fronts, hinges, and moldings, while retaining the structure of the interior cabinet box.  Next, we prepare and cover the surfaces of the cabinet box (sides, bottom and face-frame) with real hardwoods. The wood covering will match brand new kitchen cabinet doors, drawer fronts, drawer boxes and moldings.

Finally, we install brand new kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts, custom-made to fit the existing cabinet openings. We also install brand-new hardware, hidden hinges and moldings. The homeowner selects the style and color of the cabinetry from a wide variety of the latest kitchen styles.

What are the Advantages of Kitchen Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing is like getting a brand new kitchen, at a fraction of the cost. Whereas refinishing or painting basically freshens up your kitchen cabinets, cabinet refacing gives you completely new components. For example, Midwest Kitchens replaces cabinet doors and door fronts. This gives the homeowner the ability to choose any variety, design, finish, and color they want. The choices even include distressed styles or glazing.

Further, most older kitchens have cheaply made drawer boxes with worn-out glides. Midwest Kitchens can improve the functionality of your kitchen by installing new hidden hinges. In addition, we can add soft-close cabinet doors, new solid wood drawer boxes with smooth glides, and new hardware. 

How to Improve Kitchen Functionality with Cabinet Refacing

Unfortunately, many kitchens were not originally designed to function in the most optimal way. Midwest Kitchens can improve functionality and work-flow bottlenecks with cabinet refacing and cabinet modifications.

Midwest Kitchens can correct existing issues with your kitchen cabinets, such as misaligned doors, poor drawer boxes or faulty hardware. This process, in particular, solves a rather common issue with cabinets: shrinking doors. The doors of your cabinet will “naturally” shrink in time as a result of moisture and changes in temperature.

In addition, many homeowners choose to add functional accessories such as pull-out shelves and Lazy Susans at the same time. We often raise the over-the-stove microwave oven higher from the cooking surface or replace an unused desk with new custom cabinetry. By making these modifications, we maximize your working area, creating a more efficient use of kitchen space.

Why is a Factory-Painted or Stained Finish so Important?

With cabinet refacing, the cabinet finishes are factory-applied. This process dramatically reduces installation time and eliminates the need to deal with harmful paint fumes. What a huge benefit for environmentally conscious consumers! And homeowners desiring painted doors will choose brand new paint-grade cabinet doors that were intended to be painted.

In addition, with existing oak cabinetry, which was commonly used in Kansas City homes, the grain will likely show through, even with several coats of paint.

Moreover, with cabinet refacing, all of the hardwoods are stained, sealed, varnished and oven-cured in a controlled manufacturing setting at the Showplace Cabinetry factory in South Dakota. They use the latest technology and environmental controls. Midwest Kitchens is a proud dealer for Showplace Cabinetry.

For painted finishes, Showplace Cabinetry applies an additional top-coat, varnish, and oven-curing process for a long-lasting finish. This detailed process results in a durable, even and smooth finish on the cabinet doors that simply can’t be replicated by a local painting or refinishing company.

Conclusion

Kitchen cabinet refacing and refinishing are NOT the same process. We described the cabinet refacing process and when it is indicated in a kitchen remodel.

Midwest Kitchens is been based in Lenexa, Kansas and has been offering cabinet refacing and kitchen remodeling for 25 years. In addition, we offer kitchen and lifestyle inspiration on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

The post Cabinet Refacing vs. Cabinet Refinishing appeared first on Midwest Kitchens.

For example, did you know that local blogger Sarah Scoop featured Midwest Kitchens in her story 10 Ways to Revamp Your Kitchen? Sarah provided excellent ideas for remodeling your kitchen and improving functionality. You don’t have to expand your kitchen size to see an incredible transformation! Add some life back to your kitchen with these inspiring and practical ideas to spruce up your kitchen.

The newsletter also covers topics such as colorful kitchen cabinets and clever kitchen storage ideas. For example, did you know that 2019 is the year of clean lines and functional space?

Future Newsletter Topics

In future editions of the newsletter, we will discuss in depth why cabinet refacing is a far superior option than cabinet refinishing. Did you know that cabinet refinishing does not wear well over time? In addition, most older kitchens have cheaply made drawer boxes with worn-out glides. When you choose kitchen cabinet refacing, we replace old drawer boxes with brand new solid wood boxes with dove-tailed joints and soft close full-extension glides. These updates drastically improve enjoyment and utility of your kitchen.

We plan to publish the newsletter several times a year. If you would like to join our mailing list, please click HERE to send us your name & e-mail address.

We Welcome Your Questions

If you have any questions about the cabinet refacing process, or new kitchen cabinets, please ask us. We understand that a kitchen remodel is a substantial investment, and you want to get it right the first time. Your submitted question may be featured in the next edition of the newsletter!

The post Kitchen Remodeling Newsletter appeared first on Midwest Kitchens.

Why are Kitchen Cabinet Hinges Important?

One of the most important items in your new kitchen is actually hidden from view — your kitchen cabinet hinges! The hinges will determine how smoothly your kitchen cabinet doors will open and close. We use only the Blum brand of concealed, soft-close hinges because they simply are the gold standard in the industry. They are also the most durable and flexible in their application and use.

Blum offers several types of hinges. Our favorite is the “Compact BLUMOTION” concealed, soft-close hinges. With these hinges, slamming doors are a thing of the past. Kitchen cabinet doors close smoothly and silently because the BLUMOTION soft-close feature is built into the hinge cup. Your kitchen cabinet doors will close smoothly and silently every single time.

Why Do We Like Compact BLUMOTION Hinges?

We like Compact BLUMOTION hinges because they are smaller in size than the other Blum styles, and therefore are less conspicuous on your kitchen cabinet doors. Soft-close BLUMOTION hinges adapt to the dynamics of each kitchen cabinet door, so all doors have a smooth closing action regardless of size, weight, or the force used when closing them. So even if you (or your kids) slam a kitchen cabinet door, you won’t damage it. The door will still close smoothly and softly – for the life of the Blum hinge.

When you choose Midwest Kitchens for your kitchen remodel, we assure you that we use only the highest quality products available. When it comes to kitchen cabinet hinges, we’re sold on Blum.

Kitchen Remodeling Kansas City

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