Product Showcase: UPDATING A CLASSIC
Suzanne DeRusha
About our Designer
Suzanne DeRusha is a 27 year industry designer and kitchen trends expert. For the past 15 years, she has devoted her time to becoming a Medallion product authority which is showcased throughout our photography. She loves designing spaces that inspire designers to use our products in new ways.
New design options such as door styles, finishes and even storage pieces, can inspire us to create new looks or update a classic. When it comes to kitchens, the black and white design is here to stay. Customers keep coming back to this look for its clean, streamlined approach. This timeless classic was the inspiration for the kitchen featured this month. Read on to learn how we achieved this fresh take on the classic and how you can put our ideas to work for your customers.
Mix and Match
Following the trend of blending modern with traditional, this kitchen features Medallion’s Bella doors in the textural charcoal undertones of Shale, surrounded by the wide frame and distinct inside beveled profile of Ellison – NEW with a flat center panel. The Bella door style has a straight grain pattern which lends to the overall simplicity and linear design. The unexpected placement of the Shale for the cooking area and wet bar, act as an anchor and accent for the room. They are the perfect complement to Ellison in White Icing with Pewter Highlight. The end result is a contrast of a bright classic and bold modern anchored by traditional wood flooring which adds warmth throughout the home.
Add Finishing Touches
Medallion’s Deluxe Ends offer your customers a unique option that adds a sophisticated touch to your designs. In this kitchen the Deluxe Ends, along with filler columns and crown molding, come together to frame the kitchen and enhance the “furniture” feel of the room, especially for the bonus wall of cabinets that include the wet bar.
Customize It
Consumers are more educated than ever when it comes to home design, thanks to cable television home shows and the internet. More importantly, this exposure has led to the trend of consumers seeking unique design elements that set their homes apart. Consider a few of our integrated ideas for your next project:
- Storage with wet bar: This custom piece serves as a design focal point, while providing extra storage and an additional serving area when entertaining. Innovative storage includes the new Smart Storage Base Cabinet (see Product Spotlight), and a second storage cabinet with a roll-out tray base featuring a set of Wine Inserts and the Installed Organizer for deep roll-out trays. From a designer point of view, you’ll see a touch of glamour in the Chi mullions with mirror inserts, vertical metallic panel behind the floating shelves and the polished chrome finish on the decorative hardware.
- Island: The custom island with decorative trestle style legs and a slat bottom shelf is a sophisticated take on the classic farmhouse table. The legs are also integrated into the design of the kitchen on both sides of the sink. Well-thought-out details make the difference and are evident in the “X” pattern of the Chi mullion on each end of the island.
Product Spotlight: 36” Smart Storage Base Cabinet
Today’s kitchen planning is all about efficiency. Once you start incorporating this one-click SKU into your designs, it’s sure to be the most talked about cabinet in your customers’ kitchens. Don’t be surprised when new customers are asking for the Smart Base they saw in their friends’ kitchens!
Our Smart Storage Base Cabinet offers the perfect mix of style and organization, and provides maximum storage space. The top drawer features a European-style insert that uses minimal wood and tapered sides, leaving more room for flatware and unique serving utensils. The base of the cabinet features two roll-out trays, dual door storage, a tray divider and shelf. The tray divider is removable and can be replaced by a shelf (also included), giving customers the flexibility to configure storage to their needs today, and in the future. Customers will be amazed at how much this smart cabinet holds; whether they use it to store dinnerware, serving pieces or even as a packaged food pantry. While we used it in our design as a serving cabinet, we also think it would be a great addition for a custom designed hutch in a dining room.
Watch 36” Smart Storage Base Cabinet Video
