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Kitchen Design, with Message Center and Landing Zone on the Side

Message center

For many families, the kitchen is not just about preparing and enjoying delicious meals. It also functions as a central hub for activities like completing homework, juggling calendars and sorting mail. However, more often than not, kitchens are missing an area to host important notes and papers– drastically increasing the odds of having to stick items to the fridge or stack them on the counter.

Papers and drop-off items like keys and mail aren’t going away anytime soon. So, what’s a homeowner to do? Add a message center of course!

“One way to discretely incorporate a landing zone and message center is to add it to the side of an end cabinet,” said Normandy Designer Jennifer Runner, AKBD. “This style message center only requires a few inches of cabinet depth, making it a great option for smaller kitchens, particularly those that are also open to other areas of the home.”

Of course, message centers can be used for more than just filing away paperwork and storing keys.  You can also incorporate various shelves or dividers, creating clever ways to store items like medications, dry erase boards, notepads, and more; whatever you need to stay organized.

“Adding a message center to your kitchen cabinetry is a customized solution,” notes Jennifer, “so it is important to allocate the right budget and amount of time for planning, in addition to working with a skilled set of carpenters.”

Set up a time to talk with Jennifer about your upcoming kitchen remodel and find out if a message center is a good choice to include in your renovation. Or, register for one of our educational seminars to learn even more about creating your ideal kitchen.

For more information and inspiration on interior design and home remodeling, you can also follow Normandy on Facebook and Twitter.

The Key to Choosing an Exterior Door

Knock, knock. We have some big news for you. When completing a home addition or major remodel, the type of door you select is just as important as what lies behind it. Exterior doors are an opportunity to reinforce the style of your home. It’s best to work with your exterior in order to find a complementary look.

When considering the right door, style plays a major role in the decision-making process. However, before making any selections, you need to consider what will work best with the architecture of your home. With this in mind, there are an endless amount of door types and style variations to choose from.

A few popular choices include the traditional look of a six-panel door, the classic lines of a shaker-style door, or the combination of glass and clean lines in a prairie-style door. Another route to take is creating a customized design. This gives you more freedom to be creative and specifically tailor your door to your home. A few examples include adding stained glass, wrought iron detailing, or unique designs within the woodwork.

Choosing the right style door can add to the personality of your home, but curb appeal isn’t the only factor. The right materials are just as important as the design. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, a front door needs to withstand all of the elements (rain, sun, snow) and keep out intruders. Choosing the right material can ensure long-lasting durability and security. Three common selections include wood, composite, and steel and each has its merits.

Prairie style exterior door

Exterior door

Solid wood is a popular choice, however, wood doors typically work best in covered entryways. The protection from the elements typically leads to less maintenance. If your entryway is not covered, a composite is a viable option. This material can mimic the look of natural wood, and it is extremely durable and requires very little maintenance. Another durable entry door material is steel. Steel is frequently the most economical choice but has limited style options. It is an extremely sturdy door, but it will be more prone to dents, dings, and rust over time.

Small details like hardware can also make a big impact. Selecting unique door knockers and handles can make a world of difference and adding glass panels is another way to add visual interest.

Not all doors are created equal, so if you are contemplating an addition or a whole home renovation project, you can set up a time with one of our Designers to talk about the possibilities. Check out the photo gallery or follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram for even more home tips and inspiration.

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