House Beautiful August/September 2022

WANT TO TALK? E-MAIL ME AT EDITOR@HOUSEBEAUTIFUL.COM. Joanna Saltz: What are your kitchen design clients asking for in this exact moment in time? Lauren Lothrop Caron: They all want a kitchen that looks like it came out of the English countryside, because it’s more comfortable. It doesn’t feel like everything’s brand new. It has inset cabinets. It’s warm, it’s inviting, and it’s a bit moodier in the terms of the color palette, not super white and bright. Caren Rideau: People are comfortable asking for color. I’ve been using color in kitchens for so long, and I’m glad to see it being spread out more. Linda Hayslett: The word approachable really nails it. Being in L.A., my clients are asking for a contemporary-modern style—but a version where they don’t have to freak out over things. Richard T.…

The Wild World of Spill-Proof Fabrics This new wave of weaves are as plush and pretty as they are durable. SABRINA ALBANESE: LAUREN MILLER. JOYFUL DESIGNS: JOY WILLIAMS. CECE BARFIELD: LESLEY UNRUH.≠ CATHERINE KWONG: LAURE JOLIET. HEATHER K. BERNSTEIN: PAUL DYER. LIZ CAAN: ERIC ROTH.…

PENDANTS Every island deserves some statement-making lighting above it. PANTRIES No room for a built-in? A freestanding unit or converted cabinet offers instant storage. FIXTURES Whether you gravitate toward farmhouse or industrial, there’s a tap for that. HARDWARE Look for styles and finishes that add just enough cool to your kitchen. DINING CHAIRS Enhance a kitchen table or banquette with seating you actually want to sit in.…

Before You Begin… Have a realistic chat with yourself. What’s really bugging you about your kitchen? Are the cabinets outdated or are you just sick of the color? Is your oven ruining your meals because it no longer reaches the temperature you set? Is the room too small (or too big) for your family now that some time has passed? Figure out what your kitchen pain points are to decide if you should embark on a light face-lift or a true gut renovation. (If it’s the latter, know that you may be living in a kitchenless house for months while the project is underway.) Once the scope is clear, it’s time to consult with an expert—i.e., not Google—to determine costs and how you can get started. What Source Is Your Best Bet? Designer Hiring…

Maybe! You have three options. 1. REFINISH A great upgrade if you like your cabinets’ style but they look a bit worn out. It requires sanding, cleaning, and priming before you even get to painting, so hire a pro with experience in cabinetwork and source a durable, cleanable, and water-resistant finish. 2. REFACE If your current floor plan works but you’re dying for a new cabinet style, this is the move. Your existing cabinet boxes stay in place, but the old fronts are switched for new ones (which can take less than a week!). 3. REPLACE If a new finish or fronts won’t cut it, you might need to get new cabinetry. This is the most expensive and time-consuming option because it will involve heavy labor, but it does allow you to change…