-- The Average Kitchen Can Be Riddled with Design Bungles --

TEMPLE, Texas, May 30, 2003 -- Most homeowners don't design their kitchens properly. In fact, according New York-based interior designer John Buscarello whose work has appeared in House Beautiful, Country Living and Better Homes & Gardens, many people don't realize that they need to plan ahead when designing kitchens.

Buscarello explains: “An owner falls in love with a professional range, which requires heavier pots and pans. She buys the pots and pans, but doesn't realize that the cookware won't fit into her residential sink. She then purchases a larger sink, but doesn't know that the ordinary residential faucet isn't high enough to accommodate professional cookware. It's a domino effect.” To avoid as many kitchen design mishaps as possible, the list below contains professional tips from interior designers around the country:

Opt for Concentrated Counter Space. When laying out the kitchen, most people focus on an easy work triangle (the distance between the stove, fridge and sink). “Not every kitchen accommodates that and the results are choppy bits of counter space,” explains Christopher Peacock, owner of Christopher Peacock Cabinetry with offices in Greenwich, CT, Chicago, Boston and Naples, FL. “You need as much concentrated counter space as possible,” he says.

Also, don't be influenced by what the neighbors have. Says Peacock, “Laminate is a practical and trouble-free material that is perfect for those who use their kitchen often and treat it as a work room in addition to a show place.” That said, Wilsonart International has introduced two laminate collections, MetalFX, which feature stainless steel styles, and the MesaGranite line, which resembles granite.

Avoid the All-White Kitchen. “An all-white kitchen may seem as if it would be sleek and high-tech, but sometimes the results aren't pleasing,” says Ken Charbonneau, member of the prestigious Color Marketing Group in New York. Charbonneau explains that an all-white kitchen can be too harsh, causing eye fatigue, and that it's almost impossible to get white appliances, walls and cabinets to match.

Don't Play it Too Safe with Color. “On the other hand, playing it too safe with color is just plain boring,” exclaims Charbonneau who says that it's okay to use neutrals for appliances and tiles, but walls, countertops and accessories need color. Laminate provides a range of colors and textures and at $1.25 - $1.75 per square foot, it's economical enough so that owners can change their countertops if they tire of a particular color or pattern.

Invest in Proper Lighting. Kitchens need direct light to illuminate the counters. Opt for high-wattage lights that work on dimmer switches.

Consider Handles and Hardware. Make allowances for clearance when choosing hardware for doors, drawers and appliance handles. Most people don't realize how much room knobs and handles require until they can't completely open their new refrigerator.

Don't Overlook Dining. “Many people design their kitchen for cooking only,” explains Charles Faudree of Charles Faudree Antiques & Interiors in Tulsa, OK, who has clients in eight states and Spain. “They don't make the room comfortable for dining or relaxing.” Realize that guests often stay in the kitchen while you cook.

Keep Styles Consistent. “Don't design a Tuscany-style kitchen if you live in a New England home. This is also better for resale purposes,” Peacock explains. “The kitchen is a big part of the house. If designed properly it can add great value to the house.”

Wilsonart International, based in Temple, Texas, is a leading manufacturer of decorative surfacing products, including Wilsonart® Laminate, Wilsonart Gibraltar, Wilsonart® Decorative Metals, Wilsonart® Custom Edges and Wilsonart® Flooring.

For more information about the newest additions to Wilsonart Laminate or any other Wilsonart products, please call the Customer Service Hotline at 800-433-3222, or visit the Wilsonart Web site at www.wilsonart.com.

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	The deep blue laminate on the counters in the above kitchen is Mesa Twilight, which is part of Wilsonart's MesaGranite Collection.