(ARA) - Think it's time for a new kitchen? You're not alone.
An astonishing 97 percent of American homeowners would like
to alter their kitchens, according to a recent survey of
consumers conducted by Wilsonart International. Asked what impression
their kitchen makes, nearly a third, 32 percent of those surveyed,
answered, "in need of decorating."
Now more than ever, kitchens are the heart of the home.
People are not just cooking there, but socializing as well.
Kitchen-entertaining is becoming an increasingly popular
mode of relaxing with family and friends. "Americans have an
obsession with their kitchens, and because we spend so much
time in them, it's not surprising that most people want to renovate
this room," says Ron Gagnon, Wilsonart's director of design
and marketing. Yet, just 15 percent indicated that they plan
a kitchen renovation within six months. And, for a whopping
68 percent of these Americans, renovation plans will not take
place for up to five years. So what can you do to spruce the
place up in the meantime? Wallpaper represents an ideal solution
for all 97 percent of those surveyed. No other decorating component
so significantly alters the ambience of a kitchen as wallpaper,
regardless of the scope of that room's renovation or redecoration.
Furthermore, wallpaper represents a fraction of the cost of
new cabinetry or appliances. So, for those who are delaying
a kitchen renovation for reasons of cost, and for those who
want to give their renovation a stunning finishing touch, here
are some ideas to stew on and help bring your dream kitchen
to the front burner.
Many
collections from S.A. Maxwell Co. offer a stunning tribute to
the importance of kitchens and the changes that are taking place
in kitchen décor. Once limited to fruit-drenched designs
and kitschy novelty prints, kitchens now take on a sophistication
of pattern previously reserved for parlors, grand entryways
and living rooms.
Witness, for example, how a zebra print from Maxwell's British
Colonial collection complements the stainless steel appliances,
sleek black countertop, and modern accessories of a contemporary
kitchen. Two different wood finishes on the cabinets and
white moldings warm the room, and a tropical monkey wallpaper
border removes any vestige of hard-edge modernity while preserving
the overall contemporary style.
Wallpaper
can dramatically alter perspective. Three very different, yet
coordinated patterns and a border from the Maxwell Kitchen &
Bath collection combine to transform the eating area of a more
traditional kitchen into a seemingly high-ceilinged special
family enclave. A cheery overall pattern of trailing sunflowers
is installed 18 inches from the ceiling and topped with a die-cut
border in which the sculpted edges of larger sunflowers, against
a field of navy, drape downward onto the wall. A wide stripe
pattern rises above the border and extends onto the ceiling
to create a tent effect. Corners of the stripe on the ceiling
are mitred. The sunflower border is repeated on the ceiling
framing a square of a coordinating plaid wallpaper pattern from
which hangs an elegant chandelier.
Instead of traveling to Tuscany, create your own Tuscan kitchen
with designs from Maxwell's Antiquities collection. An overall
pattern of little roosters on a tonal gingham pattern complements
the large rooster harlequin border. Complete the theme with
a textured stucco pattern in the same warm brown and copper
colors for the ceiling. Carry the Tuscan theme for room-on-room
decorating by using the coordinating harlequin design which
features glints of gold into the adjoining room.
Home Improvement Remodeling Contractors
Find a contractor for your home improvement project.
(ARA) - Think it's time for a new kitchen? You're not alone.
An astonishing 97 percent of American homeowners would like
to alter their kitchens, according to a recent survey of
consumers conducted by Wilsonart International. Asked what impression
their kitchen makes, nearly a third, 32 percent of those surveyed,
answered, "in need of decorating." 
Now more than ever, kitchens are the heart of the home.
People are not just cooking there, but socializing as well.
Kitchen-entertaining is becoming an increasingly popular
mode of relaxing with family and friends. "Americans have an
obsession with their kitchens, and because we spend so much
time in them, it's not surprising that most people want to renovate
this room," says Ron Gagnon, Wilsonart's director of design
and marketing. Yet, just 15 percent indicated that they plan
a kitchen renovation within six months. And, for a whopping
68 percent of these Americans, renovation plans will not take
place for up to five years. So what can you do to spruce the
place up in the meantime? Wallpaper represents an ideal solution
for all 97 percent of those surveyed. No other decorating component
so significantly alters the ambience of a kitchen as wallpaper,
regardless of the scope of that room's renovation or redecoration.
Furthermore, wallpaper represents a fraction of the cost of
new cabinetry or appliances. So, for those who are delaying
a kitchen renovation for reasons of cost, and for those who
want to give their renovation a stunning finishing touch, here
are some ideas to stew on and help bring your dream kitchen
to the front burner. 
Many
collections from S.A. Maxwell Co. offer a stunning tribute to
the importance of kitchens and the changes that are taking place
in kitchen décor. Once limited to fruit-drenched designs
and kitschy novelty prints, kitchens now take on a sophistication
of pattern previously reserved for parlors, grand entryways
and living rooms. 
Wallpaper
can dramatically alter perspective. Three very different, yet
coordinated patterns and a border from the Maxwell Kitchen &
Bath collection combine to transform the eating area of a more
traditional kitchen into a seemingly high-ceilinged special
family enclave. A cheery overall pattern of trailing sunflowers
is installed 18 inches from the ceiling and topped with a die-cut
border in which the sculpted edges of larger sunflowers, against
a field of navy, drape downward onto the wall. A wide stripe
pattern rises above the border and extends onto the ceiling
to create a tent effect. Corners of the stripe on the ceiling
are mitred. The sunflower border is repeated on the ceiling
framing a square of a coordinating plaid wallpaper pattern from
which hangs an elegant chandelier. 
Find a contractor for your home improvement project.
