Today I’m excited to share the kitchen remodel story of Fashionable Hostess, Amanda Gluck, with Dura Supreme Cabinetry. You may have seen her work featured by Martha Stewart, HGTV.com, Bridal Guide Magazine, Southern Living Magazine, Apartment Therapy, etc., etc. If you are not already familiar with her work, Fashionable Hostess is an influencer and an expert on style and event planning. Her unique business is a destination for anyone who loves entertaining at home and seeking inspiration and advice for entertaining and beautifying their home with small practical steps in a way that is not out of reach for the average homeowner.
With her career and passion for entertaining, Amanda knew she needed a kitchen that was not only glamorous but also highly functional and capable of entertaining the masses. The new kitchen needed to be an effective space that could inspire her creativity and streamline her workflow. She knew she’d need an expert’s touch to get it just right so she took her remodel project to designer Nancy Ware, CKD, CBD of Trimline Design Center in Miami, Florida.
From Old, Closed Off, and Outdated to A Bright, Open, Modern Farmhouse
The old galley kitchen was outdated and closed in so much that it felt like a narrow hallway. Amanda had always wished to open up the kitchen into the family room. With three kids under the age of 10 plus the family dog and her career, Amanda is a busy woman and her old kitchen was not functioning or keeping up with her lifestyle. “Our kitchen is the most used space in our entire house. It’s the heart of our home. From sunrise to sunset our kitchen is full of life,” explained Amanda. “Our kitchen desperately needed an upgrade!”
Amanda dreamed of a bright, open floorplan with a modern farmhouse style that is not just beautiful but also very functional. “I took my inspiration board to Nancy and she ran with it,” shared Amanda, “She understood my dream kitchen and brought my vision to life!”
Optimized Storage & Work Zones
Nancy worked hard to make sure the new kitchen layout was not only practical but also customized each work zone to optimize the workflow and daily routines for Amanda and her family. She also found designed focused storage to improve Amanda’s rituals for preparing for a party at her home.
A place to store her 20+ sets of everyday dishware is not on many homeowners’ wish lists, but it was sure at the top of Amanda’s must-haves. “I own tons of dishware and glassware not only because of my business but I also just personally love to entertain and host events at our house,” said Amanda. Whether Amanda is hosting a shower, a birthday party, or a reunion… her arsenal of serveware needs to be a safe and easy-to-access space with enough storage to keep up with her and her passion to entertain.
The pantry storage space for snacks was optimized with roll-out shelves to make it easier for everyone to quickly see the whole contents of the cabinet without having to dig. A tall pull-out pantry cabinet helps the family make the most out of their pantry storage by using every inch of space. “Thanks to the pull-out, my kids can easily take anything they want and see it all at once even though it’s a deep cabinet,” explains Amanda.
A Large Kitchen Island for the Family to Dine & Guests to Gather Around
The remodel included a kitchen island large enough to seat her whole family and more. “I love to have my kids with me around a big kitchen island so they can be doing homework and tasks while I’m cooking and I can hear about their day.” Explained Amanda, “With the old layout it was a lot more challenging to enjoy those moments and get my work in the kitchen done at the same time.” The large, over 10 ft. kitchen island fits Amanda and her family comfortably making a place for them to gather and spend time with one another. The island counter space also doubles as a buffet display area for party food when they host a gathering.
Appliance Panels Were the Right Choice
During the design phase, Amanda had gone back and forth debating whether or not to use appliance panels to conceal the larger kitchen appliances. “I’m so happy Nancy recommended using appliance panels on the fridge and freezer. It ties the whole kitchen together and feels so much more elevated.”
Her Dream Kitchen Became a Reality
Nancy did an amazing job creating the modern farmhouse look Amanda was hoping for and re-invented workflow to optimize the function of the new kitchen. “I love my Dura Supreme cabinets. The kitchen came out amazing! It’s exactly what I envisioned. There is nothing better than having a vision in your mind of what you want and having that come to life,” expressed Amanda. “I got exactly what I dreamed of. I love the way our kitchen came out!”