Thursday, August 14, 2008

Click here to watch the video version of "Designing with Jessica."

     "We, like probably 99% of families across America, use the kitchen as the hub of activity," said Greg Jenkins sitting in his newly remodeled kitchen. Jenkins and his wife decided their 1983 kitchen needed repairs and some reconfiguring. The Jenkins hired Jamestown Designer Kitchens to do the job. "The most efficient use of space is what we go for," said Matt Kernodle, the president of the downtown Savannah design company.

     Before demolition and reconstruction began, Kernodle did a computer design of the kitchen. "We made some changes," explained Kernodle. For example, the original layout of the kitchen had light-colored cabinets. After looking at the computer model and watching Kernodle switch (with the click of a mouse) the cabinets' color from light to dark and back again, the homeowners indicated they preferred a darker color.

     Dark cabinetry, 42-inches tall, line most of the kitchen's walls. One of the trends in modern kitchen designs and re-designs include doing away with the space above the cabinetry. "The old cabinets, the 30-inch cabinets have 12-inches of wasted space," said the designer. "Although most people aren't tall enough to reach the space at the top, most people have things they don't use too often." Kernodle suggested storing items like seasonal dishware on the highest shelves. The other trendy component of the Jenkins' cabinets are the soft-close mechanisms installed on every drawer and door. "Nothing slams," said Kernodle.

     For the countertops, the Jenkins went with granite. "Granite is a very hard material and very maintenance-free," explained Kernodle. "A lot of people are afraid of the sealing on granite, but there's really nothing to the sealing if you don't mind spraying something on it and just wiping it off," continued the designer. Experts suggest applying a sealant to granite every nine to twelve months. Unlike marble and concrete, Kernodle said nothing stains granite. The Jenkins' countertop is primarily black, but as with most granite countertops, there are other colors, including shiny speckles dashed throughout the countertop. A "triple pencil edge" was applied to the granite, giving the countertop's edge a fancier, three-tier look.

     "In the morning, as we're getting ready for work, we turn on the news," said Greg Jenkins of the flat panel television that is strategically positioned in front of the sitting area and slightly above eye level amid the cabinetry. Jenkins is looking forward to football season and keeping up with the games on t.v. even when he's preparing food or grabbing a drink.

     Beverages of any type are "a quick get" in the newly redone kitchen. "That's my baby," said Jenkins of his new wet bar. Separate from the cooking area, but still a part of the kitchen is a wet bar complete with storage space, a small sink, a built-in wine rack, and a climate-controlled wine cellar. "We like our whites at 55 degrees," shared Jenkins of the cellar that holds up to twenty-eight bottles of wine. Also very neatly stored are Jenkins' glasses: shot glasses, beer mugs, brandy snifters, red and white wine glasses, highball glasses, and the list goes on. "The wine center and the whole wet bar area is a popular thing we add into a lot of kitchens," said Matt Kernodle sitting in the kitchen he designed. "It's convenient," said Jenkins. "People flock to the kitchen," added the homeowner on the topic of entertaining.

     Another element of the kitchen that will make having big family functions easier is the Jenkins' stove and oven combination. "The cooking top is gas," demonstrated Jenkins as he turned the knob on the stove. The duel ovens are electric. A smaller oven is situated directly above a larger oven. "You can use the smaller oven to cook or you can keep some food warm in it," said Jenkins of the versatility of the oven.

     By incorporating the kitchenette area into the redesigned kitchen, Jenkins said they have more than enough room for entertaining friends during football season or for when he and his wife decide to have children. "We wanted a large island so that we could use it as a table or use it to cook on," Jenkins continued. "We loved the way it turned out and it's exactly what we were looking for."

Copyright 2008 by WJCL 22/ABC and WTGS/FOX 28, The Coastal Source