Design Tips To Create Your Dream Kitchen

Award-winning realtor Jenifer Ludwick of Pinnacle Estate Properties -- and half of the @teamjulieandjen dream team -- typically advises her clients on how to purchase and renovate homes to create a space they love.  She recently found herself on the other side of the table after she moved from Thousand Oaks to Simi Valley’s Wood Ranch community. One of her first priorities was to create her dream kitchen, and she shares her design tips with us.

Make it Functional

“Think about how your space will function and what’s important to you before you start your kitchen renovation,” advises Jenifer.  “How do you plan on using it every day? Do you like to entertain? How much seating do you need?  Answer these questions and then design your kitchen around how you’ll live in the space.”

Maximize Space with Smart Storage Solutions

If you’re short on counter and storage space and use small appliances regularly, think about how to easily store and access them.  “I’m a baker and it was important to me to easily access my KitchenAid® mixer, so we built in a cabinet and put the mixer on a retractable arm,” says Jenifer.

Modernize your Space with a Backsplash 

Updating your kitchen backsplash is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to give a new look to your kitchen.  “I did a ton of online research and brought copious amounts of samples home to test,” says Jenifer.  “I knew that I wanted gold and white, as gold is really on trend right now.  I also had an affinity for a honeycomb pattern. The white pattern is timeless, the gold gives it a splash of newness, and the matte finish on the gold modernizes the look. I feel like it will easily hold up over time, without being too trendy” she says.

Add an Updated Island

Adding or updating an island is one of the frequent updates people make in their kitchen renovation.  Jenifer added two feet to an existing island to make it larger and save space, adding built-in bookshelves and a wine cooler.  A white Caesarstone top that matched the backsplash completes the look.

Refresh Cabinets with a Fresh Coat of Paint

“Paint really makes all the difference in an update,” says Jenifer.  “For the island I didn’t want anything too dark, and I wanted it to look good with the gold and pull the color out of the Caesarstone,” she says. She chose Benjamin Moore’s Silent Night paint for the island and a matte white for the pantry doors and cabinets to refresh the overall look and feel of the kitchen.

To complete the look, Jenifer replaced the tile floors with hard wood, chose a modern rectangular farmhouse sink and a gold faucet with a matte finish that matched the honeycomb backsplash.

Armed with these design tips, now how do you start your own kitchen renovation? “Follow these steps, which worked for me,” says Jenifer:

• Get the contractors in place before you start work.
• Utilize referrals.
• Get multiple bids and verify the contractors’ credentials.
• Line people up and commit them to a time frame. “Know that it will take about 20% more time than you anticipated.”

Anything you would have done differently?  “No - I love how it turned out. It’s my dream kitchen!” she says with a smile.

If you’re looking for a new home with white glove realty support in Conejo Valley and surrounding Los Angeles counties, contact Jenifer at jenifer501@yahoo.com. She’ll help you find the home of your dreams and give you input on interior home renovations to design a space you love.

Instagram @teamjulieandjen