Winter has arrived and it is the time of year when we put a log on the fire, drink hot chocolate and make a delicious, warming bowl of chili. We also prepare for the holidays when families get together for delicious meals and usually plan to overeat. While this year may be a little different from our normal family gatherings due to the pandemic, we can still enjoy the comforts of a warm and cozy home.

Can you picture it? The aroma of the fireplace and a nice, warm meal cooking while you are sipping hot chocolate.

Your job, as designers and owners of kitchen and bath showrooms, is to fulfill the dreams of your clients and deliver the perfect kitchen remodel. They have thought long and hard about their perfect home. Successfully accomplishing this task encompasses several criteria –

• Fulfilling the wishes and design choices of your customers
• Designing effective functionality coupled with an aesthetically pleasing design
• Choosing the right products
• Matching the customer’s budget to their design and functionality choices
• Providing alternative products to meet budget requirements
• Incorporating trends that will stand the test of time
• Providing industry expertise to deliver outstanding results

While you design for all seasons, moods, trends, functionality, and needs, ultimately you are helping your customers find comfort and peace. You are designing their sanctuary. When you accomplish that, it is the best feeling of satisfaction as a business owner.

Reminder – As we highlight some of the outstanding products from SEN vendor partners that contribute to a beautiful wintertime warm and cozy kitchen, we would love you to share your completed projects with us.

The focal point and the element that sets the tone in the kitchen

Cabinets are the first thing that people see when they enter the kitchen. It sets the tone for the entire space. In our perfect wintertime kitchen, the feeling you want to evoke is the warmth of a welcoming greeting or hug. This kitchen is where everyone feels welcome and great memories are born here.

For our warm and cozy kitchen, we chose the Dura Supreme line of cabinetry. They offer a beautiful palette of hand-rubbed, stained finishes that enhance the natural character and grain of the wood species.

The perfect flooring to complement the cabinets

A darker stained finish for the cabinets can be paired nicely with a beautiful, neutral floor tile. In our warm and cozy wintertime kitchen, calming colors, both dark and light, work together to invite guests to come in and be comfortable in the space.

We chose Cosentino Tile, the Dekton Collection. The Natural Collection is a “natural” choice for the flooring. Discover Dekton, Natural Collection, Danae.

Eye-catching patterns in the kitchen are memorable and impactful

The visual impact a beautiful backsplash has in a kitchen remodel is immense. It completes a kitchen and adds interest, texture, and excitement. It can be a central feature that ties all the design elements together,

We went with a Lumen White Hexagon tile pattern for the backsplash to blend seamlessly with the cabinets and other elements of the design. Check out American Olean and their Presario natural stone tile collection as well as their full gallery of tile choices.

Smaller design elements are the little details that make a huge impact

Your client may not think about every detail of their kitchen remodel – they are relying on you and your expertise to include the features that will make an impact on the overall design. You understand the value of each design element of a kitchen remodel, however big or small. New, attractive hardware is a subtle addition to the design and the proverbial cherry on top.

We chose Atlas Homewares for stylish, cabinet Distressed Pull and Distressed Round Knobs. Check out their many choices to coordinate perfectly with your customers’ new kitchen remodel projects.

Set the mood with style

Proper lighting is another design element that helps put the finishing touches on a well-designed space. Lighting can be a subtle design element, dependent on the design or it can be a bold focal point. Lighting helps create the atmosphere that homeowners wants in their home.

To continue with the feeling of warm ambiance, we chose two stylish Kohler lighting designs – the Damask™Five-light linear chandelier and the Artifacts® Five-light linear chandelier. We think both work well and provide the perfect amount of charm in our wintertime kitchen.

An added bonus

This design element feels like a luxury and it is subtle and unseen. Heated floors are sure to please the entire family as well as your guests.

Our vendor partner, Warmly Yours is the ideal choice for electric floor heating. This is a treat that your family will love!

Another added bonus

If you are hosting a party, our vendor partner, Cutco, has great gift ideas. Check out the Wine and Cheese Set in Gift Box.

This was fun pulling together our wonderful vendor partners to create a welcoming wintertime kitchen – just in time for the holidays. Although the holidays look different for many of us this year, we wish you much happiness and joy during this holiday season!

Recipes to keep you warm and comfy—perfect for a newly remodeled warm and cozy kitchen!

Since we have the perfect wintertime kitchen – warm, cozy, and welcoming, we gathered some great winter recipes you can share with your family. Enjoy!!

Appetizer: Baked Brie
Salad: Winter Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
Meal: Skillet Chicken Gnocchi
Slow Cooker Meal: Stephanie’s Slow-Cooker Stew
Chili: Steakhouse Chili
Winter Soup: Butternut Squash Soup
A Classic Soup: Italian Wedding Soup
Dessert: Dreamy Chocolate Lava Cakes
Fun Dessert for Kids: S’Mores
Drinks for Children: Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Cocktail: Campfire Whiskey Cocktail

What are your favorite completed projects for any mood, season, or trend? Remember to share your amazing projects with us for a chance to be featured in SEN promotions. Upload your photos or contact Shannon Blair if you have any questions.

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the holiday season!