Six Hot Products to Refresh the Most Used Room in Your Home
We ask a lot from our kitchens, with their constant foot traffic and the daily hustle and bustle of cooking and entertaining. So when the wear-and-tear begins to show, revitalizing your beloved cooking space is a worthy endeavor.
Many kitchen products on the market today are built to offer more efficiency, functionality and design features than in years past, and the return on investment is in your favor. “An average kitchen upgrade that costs around $45,000 is estimated to have a 67 percent cost recovery,” says Brian Tresidder, the president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. “A full kitchen makeover is not just an investment in the present, but a strategic move to enhance your home’s value when the time to sell eventually arrives.”
Here are six stylish new products that will have your kitchen looking (and functioning) better than ever.
Fashion Fridge
Can a refrigerator be beautiful? With Samsung’s Bespoke 4-Door Flex fridge, you can customize any or all of the fingerprint-resistant panels in a range of colors from navy and emerald green to “morning blue” and clementine. Mix them with neutrals like gray or white for a subtle pop of color. “This is a great option for modern kitchens or the retro-cool style,” says designer Kelly Kaiser-Putnam of Orange Moon Interiors. And if you’re tired of finding empty pitchers in the fridge, the Samsung’s Beverage Center features a built-in water pitcher that refills automatically. Starts at $2,599, Best Buy, several area locations, bestbuy.com
Mr. Sparkle
When your cabinets need a refresh, a hardware change is an easy go-to solution. Top Knobs’ new Prestwick line has an elegant feel with an industrial touch. The diamond-shaped pattern with raised ridges delivers a sensory experience for the fingers every time you open or close a cabinet. The T knob, shown here in “honey bronze,” is small, but makes a big impact. “Cabinet hardware is like jewelry for kitchens,” says designer Kaiser-Putnam. “It’s come a long way and the variety of choices are inspiring.” $9.65-$202, Sarasota Cabinetry, 3080 N. Washington Blvd., #25, Sarasota, (941) 351-5588, sarasotacabinetryinc.com
Chef’s Helper
Being able to multitask in the kitchen is essential, and it just got easier thanks to Delta’s Everest Workstation sink (pictured at top), which features what the company calls its “WorkFlow Ledge.” At 32 inches wide, the sink’s ledge holds sliding accessories like a cutting board, a dish rack with a removable utensil holder, and a drying mat. Keep all these activities in one spot and reduce clutter on the countertop. $595.50, Lowe’s, several area locations, lowes.com
Counter Culture
A sustainable kitchen countertop made from a mix of natural minerals and recycled materials, Caesarstone Mineral’s Brillianza is frosty white over a cool gray base with a powder-peach accent. Designed as a work surface, a backsplash or both, the material adds a modern touch to any contemporary, traditional or coastal kitchen design. Expect a reduction of crystalline silica dust particles in the air, too—a win-win. Prices on request, Galleria Stone Decor, 1845 University Parkway, Sarasota, (941) 358-1845, galleriastonedecor.com
Form Meets Function
Moen’s new Tenon smart kitchen faucet does more than release water. With Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, you can instruct the faucet to dispense water at exact temperatures and volumes, such as “one cup of water,” “105 degrees” or “two ounces of hot water.” That means less digging for the measuring spoon or cup. Sensor technology also responds to hand movements for warm, hot or cold water, as well as the typical on or off functions. If you’re curious about the design, the pulldown is a take on the Japandi style, a cool mix of Scandinavian simplicity and Japanese texture. Don’t miss the teak wood handle. $800-$1,111, Southern Supply Company, 1039 Central Ave., Sarasota, (941) 955-4217, southernsupplyfl.net
Cornered
Beko’s Series 39 dishwasher hits those hard-to-reach corners inside the tub with its CornerIntense technology, a three-arm design that rotates on a movable axis at the base so sprayers can reach the dishwasher’s entire interior. As a result, cycles are completed using 50 percent less water and 25 percent less energy than usual. Here’s a bonus: There’s an option for the door to automatically open after a cycle, allowing dishes to dry naturally and use even less energy. $1,349 Jessup’s Appliances, 3756 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota (941) 927-4900, jessupsappliances.com