Design Studio Video Series

As you’ve heard, the kitchen is the heart of every home, so it’s often the most important room when it comes to selections. Once you have made these decisions, planning for the rest of your home becomes easier. The features and styles you choose here will help set the tone for the rest of your design.

Let’s begin with the overall layout of your Kitchen. We offer 3 different Kitchen layouts: Included, Select, and Gourmet. Keep in mind that this was determined with your New Home Sales Professional, before your selections appointment. With your chosen layout in mind, you’ll want to analyze your lifestyle and how you’ll actually utilize the space. Take a peek at your current kitchen area and think about which things work for you and which don’t? Ask yourself “what would make life easier in your new home?” Could it be a pot and pan drawer or a double pullout waste bin or a tall full height cabinet for butcher blocks or cookie sheets? These are all great choices to consider when planning what storage needs will fit your lifestyle best.

You will also need to consider the aesthetics of your space. This will encompass door styles and colors, hardware styles and finishes, glass door inserts, crown molding and lighting. Each of these choices adds a unique flair to every kitchen and is entirely personal.

There ARE a lot of choices to make, but our team is here for YOU and they will help you put it all together! Start with simple questions, do you prefer black, nickel, chrome or brushed a gold finish? The answer to these questions will help to clear the path for your Design Center Professional in determining your style.

One of your biggest decisions will be which cabinet door style fits your intended look best? We offer a wide variety of cabinet styles and finishes for you to choose from. Our offerings are based on the current trends and as a bonus feature each of our cabinets is constructed with a soft-close, dovetail drawer box regardless of the style included in every Tim O’Brien home!

To learn more about which style is included with your home plan, consult your Design Center Professional! If you are “stuck” on what is right for you, start with basic questions. Ask yourself: “do I prefer a lighter finished cabinet, such as white, or a darker more dramatic look such as onyx or an espresso stain?” Once you begin to answer these basic questions, your Design Center Professional can help you take it from there!
Also, don’t forget to check out our photo galleries on timobrienhomes.com! We’ve posted hundreds of pictures of our completed homes, for your inspiration!

Now let’s look at one of the best features of your kitchen, the island! There are lots of ways to personalize your island to fit your lifestyle. Depending on your floor plan you can choose:

A flush island overhang or a raised snack ledge; each has advantages and disadvantages. A raised snack ledge gives you visual separation hiding the sink and the potentially dirty dishes that can collect. While a flush edge island gives you a much larger work surface and a more grand appearance. Available details that can be added to a flush island overhang include furniture legs or wood-wrapped cabinet backs.

Now onto backsplash choices! Your backsplash doubles as a visual and functional component of your kitchen, linking your design choices for your counter space to your cabinets. Your Design Center Professional can work with you to find what will provide the best balance of beauty and function for YOUR kitchen.

Backsplash choices and countertops go and hand in hand and are a huge component of any kitchen design. Choosing the right one for your look and lifestyle is a key part to making your kitchen your own.

Granite countertops are included in every home plan. There are a wide variety of colors and textures to choose from. They have a durable finish and great visual style. Granite is a natural stone that is heat resistant and scratch-resistant. Each granite slab is truly unique and different. It’s available in a variety of styles and colors and is a great choice for its durability. One consideration is that it IS a natural material and it is porous, which means it has the potential to stain. Your granite countertops will be sealed however, you may need to seal them again over time.

We also offer Quartz countertops. Quartz surface materials are made up of a combination of natural quartz and man-made materials. Quartz is highly durable, is very low maintenance, and does not require sealing. Light colors do still have the potential to stain so be sure to take this into consideration.

The included sink is an undermount 5050 stainless steel style, with numerous additional choices available for additional investment. Consult your Design Center Professional to understand your choices, and to determine what would work best for your kitchen.

Now let’s check out the faucets! The included faucet in each of our homes is a single-handle, brushed nickel pull-out style for the kitchen and 2-handle bright chrome faucets in the baths. However, we do offer various other styles and finishes to fit your needs. This could include a hands-free faucet or a pull-down spray faucet. You will also find that there are multiple finish choices to select from. Your Design Center Professional will help you to determine what finish will fit your home best.

Lastly, be sure to consider some of the other convenient choices that can round out the perfect kitchen. These include a Push Button Garbage Disposal Switch, a Soap Dispenser, or Reverse Osmosis Water System.

There is much to consider when selecting appliances and it is very important for you to do your homework before your Selections Appointment. Appliances are a sizeable investment and there are a lot of choices out there.

Make sure to educate yourself on the differences between gas and electric cooking, along with freestanding styles or slide-in range styles. The freestanding range has controls on the back and front whereas the slide in has controls on the front, showcasing more backsplash.If you’ve chosen our Gourmet kitchen layout, you’ll also select a built-in wall oven and cooktop combination. It is important to discuss these details with your New Home Sales Professional before your selections appointment, so you can secure the appropriate kitchen layout.

Like we said in the beginning, there’s a ton to cover. But the kitchen is the heart of the home and your Design Center Professional will be there for you, every step of the way.