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.

We at Midwest Kitchens know this pandemic is requiring more thought and diligence to keep families safe and healthy!  After you come home from the store, social distancing is no longer required. However, other challenges present themselves and there still may be opportunity for the transmission of the virus. Keeping your kitchen safe during COVID-19, where most family members tend to gather, is imperative during this time.

Steps for Preventing the Disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the primary mode of transmission for coronavirus is person-to-person contact. However, we should still exercise cautious about food handling and preparation and be extra diligent with washing hands, cleaning and disinfecting the kitchen. 

After leaving the grocery store, you should use hand sanitizer in your car. In addition, after you bring the grocery bags inside your home, immediately wash your hands. If you don’t regularly use hand sanitizer in your car after visiting the store, you may even want to go inside to wash your hands before returning to your car to unload grocery bags.

According to this article by Eater magazine, following these 4 simple steps for food safety can ensure far less possibility of contamination: 

1. Clean: wash hands, surfaces and all utensils used for cooking; 

2. Separate: keep raw meat, poultry items, eggs and seafood separated from the other groceries;

3. Cook: make sure foods are cooked through and reach a safe temperature to avoid illness; and

4. Chill: refrigerate or freeze any leftovers within two hours. 

Preparing a Meal

Most people have been eating the vast majority of their meals at home. While people are likely cooking more meals at home right now, it’s imperative that you’re keeping your kitchen safe during COVID-19. According to Don Schaffner, a professor of food microbiology at Rutgers University,  proper cooking procedures and safe handling of foods like raw meat is even more important during a pandemic. As long as we take proper sanitizing and food handling steps, the threat of transmitting the virus from food is unlikely.

Cleaning Common Surfaces 

Kitchens and bathrooms are two rooms in the home that harbor the most germs. According to this article published by Healthline, COVID-19 can live on some surfaces, such as cardboard for 24 hours and plastic and stainless steel for up to 3 days. While this information sounds alarming, when we take proper steps for cleaning and sanitation, we can kill a variety of germs on surfaces. 

According to Becky Rapinchuk, who started the blog Clean Mama and product line by the same name, the safest way to keep the virus from spreading in your home is to disinfect the areas that get touched the most. In the kitchen, this includes drawer and cupboard knobs and pulls and as well as all handles on appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwasher and oven.

Cleaning Products 

The CDC provides guidance on Cleaning and Disinfection for Households to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Most EPA-certified cleaning products sold on the market are efficient and effective at cleaning everyday surfaces. By using the products listed on the EPA’s website, you will be keeping your kitchen safe from COVID-19.

Many people believe that bleach is the strongest and most powerful cleaning solution. However, one must use proper handling and precautions when using bleach due to its strength and toxicity to humans and pets. 

How to Clean and Disinfect Hard Surfaces

The CDC recommends the following when cleaning solid, non-porous surfaces:

• Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning.
• If using reusable gloves, they should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes.
• Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfection products used.
• Wash hands immediately after removing gloves.
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.

In addition, the CDC states that before using any diluted household bleach solutions, you must first ensure it is used on the correct surface. Bleach is a very strong, toxic substance that can potentially be harmful. Therefore, you’ll want to follow directions closely and use proper ventilation in your home. 

How to Clean and Disinfect Soft Surfaces

According to the CDC, we should clean soft surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes as follows:

• Clean the surface using soap and water or with cleaners appropriate for use on these surfaces.
• Launder items (if possible) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.

OR

• Disinfect with an EPA-registered household disinfectant.
• Vacuum as usual.

Conclusion

In the age of a global pandemic, it is important to routinely clean frequently touched surfaces to prevent the spread of the disease. High touch surfaces include areas such as: tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

In conclusion, we know that keeping your family safe during COVID-19 is of utmost importance. Frequent hand washing and social distancing are the most important precautions one can take to protect against COVID-19 and other viruses. Since we are eating at home and frequently gathering in the kitchen, we want to ensure that our kitchens are as clean as possible. At this time of anxiety and uncertainty about the pandemic, it is empowering to know that taking a few simple steps can help protect your family from disease.

The post Keeping Your Kitchen Safe During COVID-19 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.

The post Midwest Kitchens in InKansasCity Magazine appeared first on Midwest Kitchens.

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.

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.

When is the Best Time to Consume Detox Juice?

We all know how important it is to consume a wide variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the day for a healthy diet. A great way to incorporate fruits and veggies into your diet is with fresh detox juice made in a juicer.

We have found that fresh detox juice is best when consumed on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before a meal. This allows your body to absorb all the nutrients. The best time of day for us to drink this delicious beverage is first thing in the morning. You may even find that you don’t need your typical morning cup of coffee afterwards!

A green drink is like a shot of vitamins into the veins – its effects are immediate. However, it is beneficial to squeeze this delicious drink into your day any time you can.

What Does the Doctor Say?

According to WebMD, Green juice helps to detox the body, flush out toxins, and improve your energy, digestion, and overall health. Juices are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds that may boost the immune system.

WebMD also states that when you juice, you don’t get the fiber that’s in whole fruits and vegetables. Juicing machines extract the juice and leave behind the pulp, which has fiber. Once your juice is ready, it’s best to drink it the same day you make it, for food safety. Wash your blender or juice machine thoroughly, so it’s ready for your next batch.

A Fun Family Activity

The juicing process can be a fun family activity, as there are several steps in the process. Consider sharing the juicing tasks with your children for an overall sensory experience. For example, you will need to wash and peel the fruits and vegetables, cut large vegetables into smaller pieces, and insert the pieces into the juicer. Plus there is always the clean-up!

What are your favorite fresh juice recipes? We would love for you to share them here. Enjoy!

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