But you still have options when it comes to aesthetics, especially when it comes to appliances: with Sub-Zero refrigerators, for example, certain models are panel-ready, allowing you to match the look of your cabinetry.
Incorporate modern materials and modern fixtures.
Now designing kitchens for 44 years, Stuehmer marvels at the advancements in the industry and enjoys incorporating them into his kitchens. Meanwhile, man-made materials have come a long way, helping to reduce the cost of kitchen projects. “Porcelain tile looks just like the real thing — it's marble, it's not porcelain!” he says. “All the man-made products have undergone such a transformation in feel, look and durability.”
Meanwhile, there are appliance improvements that make daily life easier and should definitely be considered for any kitchen project. Having used Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove appliances in his work for decades, Stumer is always impressed with the company's innovations. “Wolf steam ovens are state of the art. You can cook delicious chicken in a steam oven. It's juicy, moist, delicious, juicy. It's indescribable,” Stumer says. “Anyone can be a chef now.” He's also fascinated by Wolf's vacuum-sealed drawers. “You put in extra food and the system removes the air and shrink-wraps it. I think that appeals to a lot of my clients who have three or four kids.”
Do everything you can to let in natural light.
“Where does your day start? In the kitchen. Whether you're making coffee, watching the news, talking to someone, or reading the paper, you need natural light. You want to sit there and start your day bathed in light,” says Stammer. “So we try to bring as much light as possible into the framework of the kitchen.”
Natural light doesn't necessarily have to come from a simple big window over the kitchen sink or a slot window tucked into the only open space. Stuehmer advises dreaming big. He's a big fan of retractable glass walls to create indoor-outdoor spaces. Consider creating the perfect outdoor kitchen with Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove outdoor appliances. But he understands that it's not always possible given space, budget and climate. “We're building kitchens right now that don't have that kind of equipment, but our breakfast room, which faces the backyard, is a three-sided glass room with a skylight in the middle,” he says. “So from the outside it looks like a pure glass cube. What a beautiful way to start the day.”
As with any kitchen, Stumer emphasizes that every design decision should fit your personal needs, and it's perfectly fine to go your own way if the end result is different from the standard: “Your kitchen should fit your lifestyle,” Stumer says.
Visit our Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove showrooms to see how our appliances can enhance your kitchen design project, and schedule a visit at subzero-wolf.com/showroom .
