Recently, we gave our builder grade kitchen a fresh new semi-custom look with a budget friendly makeover. A few aesthetic improvements completely changed the look and feel of our space. We took our kitchen from a bland utilitarian workspace to an inspiring hub of our home.
We began our makeover by adding paint and molding to our stock grade, natural birch cabinetry. Soft white paint applied to the cabinetry brightened up our dark kitchen. Moldings and trim added to the tops of the cabinets made them appear taller, more like high end custom cabinetry.
Family friendly commercial grade wood laminate floors are both pretty and nearly indestructible.
New black granite countertops, DIY black painted doors and DIY striped drapery added contrast, personality and drama.
A DIY wine/cookbook storage cabinet was incorporated by removing one of the cabinet doors and adding attractive storage baskets for bottles, glasses and our family's favorite cookbooks.
The kitchen is by far the busiest space in our home. Now, it's a place we actually enjoy spending time in. My husband and I both like to cook, my daughter loves to bake and our boys love to eat.
Our busy lifestyle and love of entertaining inspired the design of our new kitchen. To make our hectic days a little easier, clear glass jars filled with snacks double as countertop accessories.
I chose a neutral color scheme to provide a nice backdrop for various seasonal decor and colorful party decorations that usually appear in our kitchen throughout the year.
Our kitchen is the place where we make the biggest messes,
have heart to heart conversations,
celebrate milestones,
study for big tests,
make life decisions over coffee...
teach Murphie new tricks,
and occasionally practice football...
May it be ever so humble, our kitchen is not only the heart of our home, it is the hub of our family.
This leads me to my choice for the
Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest. The Kitchen Design Contest was created to honor and celebrate design professionals who incorporate
Sub-Zero and Wolf products into kitchen designs that are both innovative and beautiful.
To celebrate the 10th Kitchen Design Contest, Sub-Zero and Wolf is giving away over $140,000 in cash prizes to winning design professionals – the largest amount of cash prizes to date. Categories for the 2010-2012 Kitchen Design Contest include Traditional, Contemporary, Online Designer’s Choice, Student Entries, and new this year, an online People’s Choice Award.
{I've always had a crush on Wolf's iconic red knobs}
The People's Choice Award honors the top kitchen design entry as determined by the general public (you and I) via online voting. The winner of the People's Choice Award will receive $15,000. My vote will go to the kitchen that appears the most conducive to family life. I'll be sure to share my choice in the comments soon, voting commences on April 1st and wraps up on the 30th.
Check out all of the Kitchen Design Contest designs here and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award. Tell me which design you voted for and why to be entered into a random drawing for one of 10 prizes ($100 Visa Gift Cards).
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 4/1/13 - 4/30/13
Be sure to visit the Sub-Zero and Wolf brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
Can you please tell me where you got your white footed bowls? I love them!
ReplyDeleteAlli
I would like to know too! The fruit in that white bowl looks so good I want it in my kitchen :)
DeleteAlli and Loewymartin, Thanks! I found that bowl at The Goodwill, however, I believe it came from Crate and Barrel ;)
DeleteIt's hard to chose because they ar all so beautiful. I really like the all white both black island. A nice, clean look.
ReplyDeleteI voted for the white kitchen with the bright lime green stools. It felt warm and inviting and not so sterile, like many of the kitchens. I could picture my family and I in the kitchen having a good time!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/LWenckus/status/319171295889723392
ReplyDeleteLisa Wenckus (tweet)
I voted for the white kitchen with the ladder.
ReplyDeleteI voted one for a huge white hood -- it just seems very modern.
ReplyDeleteTweet Tweet :)
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/themama23/status/319174239750062080
I just had to vote for the kitchen with the big beams. I love big beams. :) They make me think of OLD things.
ReplyDeleteI voted for a kitchen with a curved island because I think it looks unusual but is very functional.
ReplyDeletemami2jcn at gmail dot com
tweet:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/319188240408125440
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I voted for the white kitchen because it looks elegant and I like the color
ReplyDeleteelena150980@yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/319191457145688064
ReplyDeleteelena150980@yahoo.com
I only picked 3 to vote on. Honestly most of them seemed cold to me but there were 3 that seemed like a real family kitchen. I was raised that the kitchen was the center of the home and most of those seemed more like showplaces than homes. They just werent my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteI voted for #4. A white kitchen in timeless. This one seemed so inviting. You just know it will be the heart of that home. A place for many gatherings. Love the layout and the cabinetry panels on the fridge and that great big island!
ReplyDeleteI voted for an all white kitchen with a huge island, dark wood stools and a dark floor. It has marble, lots of molding details and glass front cabinets that remind me of an English Tudor style. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love the black painted doors! Very chic! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the black painted doors! Very chic! :)
ReplyDeleteI voted and my favorite is the mostly wood kitchen with the island.
ReplyDeletetweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/eswright18/status/319509394754789376
The kitchen I voted for has exotic wood, gray tiling, crystal glass pendant lamps and steel bar chairs. I love the overall look and I would love to cook there.
ReplyDeleteTweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/clc408/status/319517593985773569
I voted for the white kitchen with the ladder.
ReplyDeletefreebiel0ve@yahoo.com
tweet: https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/319518178495569921 .
ReplyDeletefreebiel0ve@yahoo.com
I don't know the name of the design I voted for, but it was lovely with the hard wood floors, matching hard wood cabinets, the island, and soft lighting and off-white paint. Felt homey and comfortable, for a kitchen, and a kitchen I would want to be in all the time.
ReplyDeletejslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
I voted for the kitchen with all the marble counter top's, you could never have enough counter space I say. I loved all the kitchen's though, especially the one's with a view!!
ReplyDeleterjwashington2000@yahoo.com
tweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/mngirlinssp/status/319879069460221953
rjwashington2000@yahoo.com
On the site I voted for 5 kitchens; one with a French looking plaster hood over the range, one with a library ladder, one with a giant butcher’s block center island, one with smart looking black hardware and one with cool looking soda fountain stools. I did this really because all of those things in one form or another are things that I would like to do in my own kitchen.
ReplyDeletemargueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I tweeted too: https://twitter.com/AnnaZed/status/319532699968757762
ReplyDeletemargueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I voted for the ones that seemed more traditional and inviting.
ReplyDeleteI voted. I voted for the maple looking kitchen towards the center. Love the warm feeling and the openess.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/320143021809213442
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
I voted for the all wood kitchen (wish they had them numbered or named)
ReplyDeleteI voted for one with dark marble counter tops because I thought it gave the kitchen a very elegant look
ReplyDeleteOne of the kitchens I picked had a large, curved counter space! I loved the look of it and all the room to work :) My current kitchen is a tiny box with ZERO counter space, so all that room and style was dreamy :)
ReplyDeletehad to vote for the white kitchen with the ladder. Love white kitchens!
ReplyDeleteTweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/320570293531844609
ReplyDeletemadelinebrubaker {at} gmail (dot) com
I didn’t see which number I voted for but it had a curved doorway in the background and a vented hood with a pretty flower design in the back. I like it best because it isn’t so modern like a lot of the other ones.
ReplyDeletemadelinebrubaker {at} gmail (dot) com
I like a more tradtional look so I voted for the kitchens with oak cabinets
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/320596306076778496
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
My top 5 had pendant lighting, high ceilings, and an open concept with a breakfast bar!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/katiecontests/status/320673050746040320
ReplyDeleteI am in the middle of a kitchen reno and chose the one that has the very same lights over the island that I chose for my house!
ReplyDeleteI did not see a number to say which one I voted for but I voted for the middle kitchen on the seventh row down because I loved the welcoming look of the kitchen
ReplyDeletemummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
Tweeted for a second entry
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/320773801036091392
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
i voted for the very last one..bottom row, far right. love the chairs - that's what made me choose this design over my other favorite.
ReplyDelete-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/321121005391187968
ReplyDeleteI voted for the one with oak cabinets because I like the traditional look best.
ReplyDeletei voted for https://www.facebook.com/subzerowolf?sk=app_631366013556492. I like the open space and color
ReplyDeletemerleandtina@Yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/321344404247945216
ReplyDeletemerleandtina@Yahoo.com
I voted for the one with the half circle counter design.
ReplyDeleteMCantu1019 at aol dot com
Voted for the one with the bench seat built into the side of the island!! Love that its functional and family friendly!!
ReplyDeleteShiebs24[at]gmail[dot]com
I voted for the one with black countertops and wood all around. Just feels comfortable
ReplyDeletehttps://mobile.twitter.com/Shiebs24/status/321448926479798272
ReplyDeleteShiebs24[at]gmail[dot]com
I voted for the white modern look, I love the classic homey feel to it.
ReplyDeletevoted for the side by side stainless ovens because i love the look of stainless
ReplyDeleteLove love the wood and black combination!
ReplyDeletei voted for the third picture in the second row because it was a pretty design
ReplyDeletestigay at comcast.net
Oh how I love! I agree with you, love the knobs on the stove. Red is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI chose the kitchen with wood cabinets, black countertops, and huge windows with a beautiful view of the trees.
ReplyDeletetweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/amylou61/status/321825449233743872
voted for the renovated kitchen because it's a great change
ReplyDeleteThanks! Janna JOhnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyourpig on gfc
i voted for one that had a stone wall, i like the natural look and the large wood table
ReplyDeletethismomwins@gmail.com
tweet https://twitter.com/thismomwins2/status/322364509241106432
ReplyDeletethismomwins@gmail.com
i voted for one that had a stone wall, i like the natural look and the large wood table
ReplyDeletethismomwins@gmail.com
I love and voted for the white cabinets/ black island with pops of red! :)
ReplyDeletei voted for one that looked very traditional with oak cabinets – They actually all looked amazing – this one just fit with my personal preference.
ReplyDeletedebbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
i tweeted here:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/bellows22/status/322686299515531264
debbiebellows(at) gmail (dot) com
I voted for the one with stone and the large exhaust fan b/c it looks european
ReplyDeletemjf926 at gmail dot com
tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/MelindaJoy926/status/322752549658689536
I voted for the one in the 5th from the bottom row on the far right. LOVE how bright and open it is...and love all the cupboards. :)
ReplyDeleteI voted for the one with white cabinets and black counters
ReplyDeletei blogged http://sodahoney.blogspot.com/2013/04/wolffe.html
ReplyDeleteI voted for the one with all brown cabinets and conutertops, it had a sort of "home"-y feel to it while still being really well put together!
ReplyDeleteMonica Meza xo
monicamezaa@yahoo.com
I voted for the last kitchen because I love the color of the woodwork!
ReplyDeleteI voted for a kitchen with a curved island because I think it looks unusual but is very functional.
ReplyDeleteI voted for the more rustic look but open view kitchen. We spend most of our time there as a family.
ReplyDeletegmissycat at yahoo dot com
Tweeted here
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/325618100630327297
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
I love dark wood cabinets because they feel cozy and welcoming and provides a great environment to make homemade meals and enjoy dining with loved ones. That is why I chose to vote for the kitchens with that type of style
ReplyDeleteI love the kitchen with black counter tops.
ReplyDeletealeksnearing gmail com
You have a beautiful family and a gorgeous kitchen. I voted for the design because of the chic style and functionality.
ReplyDeleteamy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/326241131824291840
amy [at] utry [dot] it
voted for the one with zebra print and lime green stools, love it! tracietrump@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI voted for a kitchen with sleek black and white color combo. Very pretty and elegant! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteTweeted! https://twitter.com/pixel_berry_pie/status/327543427682168832
ReplyDeleteI voted for the one I did because I loved it's modern look yet homey feel.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/erunuevo/status/327685788097736704
ReplyDeleteI voted for the kitchen with the island with brown wooden drawers, sink and three seats because it's functionality for cooking with guest or kids and easy access to clean up with the sink and plenty of storage
ReplyDeletetbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/327832494604972032
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I voted for the kitchen that had alot of seating and had a wood interior. I love how cozy those looked.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/jaclynfett/status/328207765753434112 Tweet!
ReplyDeleteThe one with oak cabinets, love it, dlcooper1101@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIt was difficult to narrow it down to 5. My selections were impractical (all stainless steal - no kids or pets in that house) but gorgeous.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/ky2here1/status/328323162406285312
ReplyDeleteWhite and lime green!!!
ReplyDeleteI was able to choose my top 5 favorites and they were all somewhat similar. Oak or maple cabinets, center islands, and lots of storage & seating.
ReplyDeletewillitara [at] gmail [dot] com
Tweet - https://twitter.com/willitara/status/328415021497475072
ReplyDeletewillitara [at] gmail [dot] com
i liked the white one - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDeletei love the one with the white chairs
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/328639725948776448
ReplyDeleteI voted for the almost all white kitchen with black countertops because it looks like a family kitchen and cozy.
ReplyDeletelisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/328927984272687104
ReplyDeletelisalmg25 at gmail dot com
the fave aspect of the kitchen i voted for was the dark-wood pantry that took up an entire wall. i'm a sucker for dark wood and tons of storage :)
ReplyDeletetweet: https://twitter.com/atlantagalknows/status/328966065059147778
ReplyDeleteMy vote was for the Art Deco-ish one. Loved the aged look of it.
ReplyDeletephall0106 at yahoo dot com
This was my favorite https://pc.subzero-wolf.com/contest/thumbs/lieberknecht_f-md-021_image_01.jpg Loved the design and the combination of dark wood and white on the cabinetry.
ReplyDeleteMy Favorite was the white Kitchen with the huge Island in the middle.(white with black top and tons of draw pulls)
ReplyDeleteI like this because I love architectural aspects. I love the shapes and lines in the space.
I tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/zebastyandylan/status/329049109996634112
voted for the white kitchen with the ladder.
ReplyDeletetweeted :) https://twitter.com/erinder/status/329070157001527296
ReplyDeleteI voted for the white kitchen with the black island. Love the contrast and what looks like a built in bench.
ReplyDeleteThe wolf oven is AMAZING.
ReplyDeleteI vted for #23 because it looks warm and inviting and would be convenient to use.
ReplyDeletetraymona[at]aol.com
I loooove #23 :)
ReplyDeleterachelmarietravis at gmail dot com
very sleek and modern
ReplyDeleteI don't see where the pics are labeled but I did vote for the 5 allowed votes. I loved all that I voted for but especially the ones that were urban farmstead in style. The one with the large wood beam that went thru the middle of the kitchen was my dream kitchen!
ReplyDeleteAngie
14earth at gmail dot com
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/329248372336762880
ReplyDeleteAngie
14earth at gmail dot com
One had great dark blue light streaming in with dark counters
ReplyDeletei voted for the kitchen with the huge window because i love the natural light coming in!
ReplyDeletesusansmoaks at gmail dot com
I voted for #3 because of the stainless steel and modernness.
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/329287918759854080
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
all white both black island
ReplyDeleteI voted for ones that looked like people could really live there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/329349252247605250
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
I voted for the all white kitchen. I loved the white kitchen island with the stove top. It looks like a family kitchen and especially the one my grandmother had and was always filled with so much cooking and family.
ReplyDeleteLaurie Emerson
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com
I voted for the one with the wood colored cabinets and large windows because I like the openness and modernness of it.
ReplyDeleteI voted for the kitchens with oak cabinets
ReplyDeleteI voted for the 1st one, I love the white and black.
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/329425550663905280
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com