Arthur Tanturri of Chelsea Kitchens

So you think it's time for a new kitchen. Before you go crazy, answer the following three questions which we always ask our clients…

First question - "Why"?

After over 20 years of designing kitchens, we have heard many answers… "my dishwasher is broken", the "cabinets are falling apart" or simply that the "layout is impractical, it doesn't work".

Second Question -"What do you expect from your new kitchen"

Most people know that they want something new and good looking but when they really start thinking more about it they realize that there are more questions than answers.

This is the point where a professional kitchen designer should be hired. Notice I said "kitchen designer" not architect. A kitchen designer is trained in the specific area of custom cabinet application and more importantly cabinet function. In today's market of kitchen cabinetry there are new innovations coming out every day - especially from Europe in general, and Italy in particular. Our mission as kitchen specialists is to help guide clients through the possibilities of numerous options in order to deliver the best of what's available in style, function and of course affordability. From the outside looking in the average client can feel overwhelmed and confused with the entire scope of the task of remodeling. Actually it is quite rewarding and exciting to be involved with your new kitchen idea provided that you follow a step by step approach to the finish.

Third Question – not as silly as it seems - "Do you cook?"

This is a very important question because it directly affects the design of the kitchen as it relates to appliances. We can modify cabinets and counters to fit any space, but appliances are a given- dimensionally. If you cook every day and think that you will need six burners, two ovens, a super sized refrigerator, two dishwashers and a large sink and your kitchen is 200sq. ft. then we need to dig deeper into what the first priorities are.

This is the prime reason we look to European designs for answers. There are simply more choices in highly functional cabinets and appliances that look fantastic and get the job done in elegant fashion. As a designer I am impressed every day with the continuous evolution of European kitchens. There is something very alluring, particularly about a well designed Italian kitchen. People are drawn to its beauty and elegance and then are amazed at just how functional they are. They look for a surprise when a door or drawer is opened and often are impressed at the simplicity of how space is captured and made usable like never before.

Stay tuned for part two "Bad design versus Italian solutions".