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Cabinet Lighting Trends: Tape Lighting

P9270778A lot has changed when it comes to cabinet lighting. It used to be that puck lighting was the answer. Now, tape lighting is taking over – illuminating more spaces than ever before. But how does it work and where do you incorporate it into your kitchen remodel? Here are some insights from Normandy Designer Ashley Noethe.

“Pucks produce a strong accent light, so they still work well for decorative displays,” said Ashley. “However, they are no longer popular for under-cabinet lighting because they have a scalloped effect.”

P9270779“Instead, tape lighting is preferred because it is versatile and provides an even glow,” added Ashley.

Tape lighting is exactly like it sounds – a long, narrow roll of lights. It can be cut to length and a transformer, installed by an electrician, controls the light. It can be used for under-cabinet lighting or placed on the frames of cabinets, drawers and pantries to illuminate what’s inside. A dimmer allows the strength of the light to be dialed up or down and a sensor can also be used to automatically turn the lights on and off when opening and closing the door or drawer.

“It is important to note that tape lighting, when used as under-cabinet lighting, requires housing in order to evenly distribute the light,” noted Ashley. “Without it, the light will look like a dotted line on your countertop. We call this the runway effect.”

Learn more about lighting and other important design decisions by registering to attend our upcoming kitchen remodeling seminar. Or, get started by setting up a free consultation with Ashley. You can also visit the Normandy photo gallery or follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more design ideas and information.

Practical, Transitional Kitchen Renovation

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These homeowners had a taste of their dream kitchen after remodeling while living on the East Coast. However, moving to Naperville meant that they were back at square one. The kitchen in their new home was cramped, dated, and lacked counter space. Ready to remodel again, the homeowners brought in Normandy Designer Liz Reifschneider.

The newly renovated space features gray and white cabinetry and an assortment of beautiful, yet durable design decisions. This includes quartz countertops, a porcelain tile floor, and a ceramic, textured backsplash. Each of these items requires minimal maintenance and will stand the test of time. Gold light fixtures and a red La Canche range also catch the eye.

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“This range is 70 inches, so it is taking up some major real estate,” noted Liz. “For perspective, ranges larger than the standard 30 or 36 are either 48 or 60 wide, so this one gives you even more cooking surface and oven space,” said Liz.

“A lot of cooking and baking that happens in this kitchen, so it will certainly be put to good use.”

Looking around, you can tell this kitchen is the hub of the home. There is a large island solely dedicated to food preparation and a second island nearby for eating meals, doing homework, and entertaining.

“We mapped out how to navigate this kitchen and were strategic about everything from drawer placement to planning where small appliances Center 08would be placed,” said Liz. “This ensured that time spent working in the kitchen would be easy and efficient.”

A closed-off butler’s pantry, which went unused, was incorporated into the space to enlarge the kitchen.

“Once we knocked out the butler’s pantry, we needed to put a beam inCenter 31 the ceiling to open the space up,” said Liz. “Some of the ductwork to the range and upstairs bedrooms also needed to be rerouted.”

After these fundamentals were taken care of, the fun could begin. A bar area was added with a wine refrigerator, beverage fridge and plenty of cabinetry. Mirrors were placed behind the glass cabinetry, to provide depth to that area and reflect light.

Are you ready for your next remodel? Set up a free consultation with Liz to get started. You can also visit the Normandy photo gallery or follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more design ideas and inspiration. There is also a free kitchen remodeling seminar coming up. Details and registration can be found here.

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