IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS /

the little details that will elevate your kitchen to be Architectural Digest - worthy

Hardware Placement:

Taking a little more time to think through hardware placement could really set your kitchen apart from the rest. If we flip through kitchens designed by top design firms, you may notice that hardware isn’t always placed where you most expect it. The knob might sit a little further away from the corner of a cabinet door. The pull might sit a little higher. Taking the time to think through these things could truly elevate the look of your kitchen and make it feel more bespoke.

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Notice how this cabinet is supposed to feel more like a furniture piece. Using all knobs (no pulls) can achieve more of a furniture feel. Notice how the knobs aren’t placed too far down on the stiles. Placing them a little further up (think: 3-5” up) makes it feel a little more historic, bespoke and timeless. This is not the default placement for a knob, so definitely something to consider.

The double knobs on the bottom drawers keep this feeling like a found-piece.

Design by Disc Interiors

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Countertop Thickness:

When shopping for countertops there are a lot of things to consider. Countertops could have their own separate article written about them, we’ll dig into that in a future Journal. But for now, we’ll talk thickness. Determining the proper thickness for your stone could truly elevate your space. Your standard thickness will likely be 3CM. However, if you move to exotic stones you may start to see 2cm as more common. This is because they can get more 2CM slabs out of a block of stone, therefore the vendor makes more money. Not a bad thing, just facts. While 3CM is the standard (which is still a great and fine option) you could consider using a 2CM thickness or you can choose to “miter” your stone to appear thicker. This means the fabricator will cut the edges at a 45 degree angle, mitering them together to essentially create a “box” which appears like a thicker piece of stone. Mitering a stone comes with higher labor costs, but is still a great consideration to elevate a slab.  

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A simple stone can feel more luxurious by bumping up the thickness. Think: 2-3 inches thick. It makes the kitchen feel more connected to nature by featuring more natural material. 

Design by Carlyle Designs

On the opposite end of the spectrum, is our thinner 2CM stone. While more common in exotic stones, you’ll still see a wide variety of stones cut in a 2CM thickness. You’ll often see this featured in DeVol kitchens, as it lends itself to a more timeless and classic feel. It’s humble, unassuming, and beautiful. 

Design by DeVol Kitchens

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Tighter Overhang:

The standard countertop overhang is 1.5”. We will start by giving a disclaimer, there is a reason for this. This stops water from dripping off the countertop and onto the cabinetry. We say this so you are aware of this when we suggest to rethink the depth of your overhang. For a cleaner feel, consider a tighter overhang. The tighter to the face of the doors/drawers the better. This offers a cleaner design and a more elevated and elegant feel. We almost never use a traditional 1.5” overhang. We like to talk through 3/4” and 1/5” overhands. This will be something you walk on site with a fabricator, so make sure you attend that meeting! 

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(Left) Design by Jenni Kayne and Vincent Van Duysen / (Right) Design by Jake Arnold

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Clean Appliances:

Stainless steel appliances are not out! We love stainless appliances, so don’t think you need to go shelling out 10’s of thousands of dollars for built in appliances from Wolf & Subzero. While Wolf & Subzero are top notch, and go with them if budget affords, we’re going to teach you a few things to look out for—aesthetically—when appliance shopping.

  • Clean Handles

  • Flat Faces

  • Counter Depth

  • No External Water Dispenser

If space and budget allow, go with a 36” range (or larger!) for a more substantial and professional look. Then, your range hood should be larger than your range (also for a more substantial and professional look). So a 36” range would pair well with a 42” range hood.

Refrigerator by Kitchenaid

Range by Bertazzoni