Designed for large family gatherings and catered events, this kitchen features Crystal’s Country French Square door style, finished in Signature Designer White with Pewter Highlight on maple. Although the space is large, it has a very intimate feeling with a very comfortable sitting area that is close to the cook but out of the cook’s workspace.

Designed by: Mary Jenkins

Photography by: Michelle Gardner

This kitchen was created to bring in elements of clean lines, modern finishes and rustic materials. The space is a perfect balance between clean and modern vs. rustic and natural, creating the perfect Urban Farmhouse.

Features Crystal’s Lanesboro door style, finished in Mushroom on PGM on the perimeter cabinets. The island has the Gentry door style finished in Raisin on knotty alder. The refrigerator features a custom door finished in Signature Salem with Black Highlight on premium alder with barn board insert panels. 

Designed by: Jennifer Rogers

Photography by: Siggi Ragnar

Many of us take pride in our homes, investing countless hours rearranging and remodeling the interior. But it can also be refreshing to step out of the confines of the inside and spend some time outside. It’s especially enjoyable during the spring, summer and fall months. When the weather is favorable, it’s difficult to miss out on a nice day outside.

But spending time outside doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your creature comforts. With a few small adjustments you can make your outdoor space comfortable and inviting. Turning a yard, patio, porch or other outdoor area into a functional living space can be a rewarding task, and will expand your living space to the outdoors. With the right setup, you can spend more time in the sunshine and fresh air, and host events al fresco for friends, family and neighbors. Read on to learn 10 ideas for outdoor living spaces, whether it’s for the front yard, the back yard or both.

Be Bold with Color

Earth tones might look nice in your living room, but in the outdoors they’ll shrink and blend in with the surroundings. And although black tends to be chic and stylish inside the home, black furniture will become very hot in direct sunlight. To complement the greens and browns of the outdoors, you can add a splash of whimsy by choosing bold, brightly colored accessories. For a touch of excitement, you might consider swapping out those faded cushions on your outdoor furniture for bold and colorful ones. Bright blue, red and yellow Adirondack chairs or a pink picnic table might not sound like everyone’s cup of tea — and indeed those colors might be a bit overwhelming inside the home — but outside they’ll add an element of playfulness and fun. Some other options for colorful accessories could include a brightly patterned hammock or Chinese paper lanterns. 

Create Drama with Lighting

The holidays aren’t the only time to string up some lights in your outdoor spaces. In the warmer months, spending time outdoors isn’t limited to the daylight hours, so you’ll want to set the mood with some tasteful and dramatic outdoor lighting. Effective lighting can make your outdoor living space safer, because it’ll help to prevent people from tripping in the dark, but it can also help to transform your yard or deck into an inviting place to spend time after the sun goes down.

Good landscape and deck lighting can accent the assets of your outdoor space, while allowing the less attractive elements to fade into the shadows. These days, most outdoor lighting comes from electric bulbs, but for a softer glow, you might consider adding lanterns or torches into the mix. As a general rule, lighting around the outside of a house that is pointed upward can dramatically accent the architecture of the structure, while light pointed downward will create a softer, cozier glow.

Go Big with an Outdoor Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of any home, so it should follow that an outdoor kitchen would be where the action is in any outdoor living space. Creating a second kitchen won’t just save you from constantly making trips back and forth between the grill and the indoor stove or refrigerator, it’ll also create a great space for entertaining. Whether it’s in the back yard in the suburbs or on a rooftop in the city, outdoor kitchens have grown in popularity because cooking al fresco feels less like a chore and instead more of a pleasure.

The grill is typically at the center of any outdoor kitchen, but with the right setup you can do much more than cook steaks in your outdoor space. In addition to a grill, you can build your open-air kitchen around a refrigerator, sink, food prep areas, or even a wood-fired pizza oven. Another key ingredient to any outdoor kitchen is seating, which can range from standard picnic tables to a full bar complete with working beer taps [source: Patteson].

Add Warmth with a Fireplace or Fire Pit

Controlling fire is what helped define humans and separate us from other animal species, and fire still captivates us. Adding an element of fire can instantly transform an otherwise ordinary space into one that is inviting and warm. A backyard fire is just the thing to keep you outside on cool summer nights, and it can be a nice winter feature in more mild climates.

A backyard fire can be as cheap and basic as a hole in the ground, or it can be as elaborate as a marble gas-fueled fireplace — it all depends on how much you want to spend. One practical solution for urban communities is a portable fire pit, which is an elevated fire bowl with a screen that can be used in a variety of spaces. DIYers can also make their own fire pits using anything from bricks to flagstones. Another popular and attractive option is the chiminea, which is an outdoor fireplace that has a short chimney. Whatever type of fire pit or fireplace you choose, it’s a good idea to look up local fire codes and to make sure it’s legal to have an open fire in your town before lighting one in your yard.

Bring Serenity with a Water Feature

You’ve got earth, fire and air. Now the only classical element that’s missing from your outdoor living space is water. Whereas fire brings warmth to an outdoor space, water can provide a soothing sound and a dimension of cool tranquility. Water features can of course take all different forms, from small store-bought fountains to cascading waterfalls, it all depends how wet and wild you want to make it.

Koi ponds — small garden ponds filled with colorful carp — have become very popular in landscape design because the fish have the ability to transform almost any setting into an exotic, Eastern garden. Koi ponds are best kept in mild climates, because if the pond freezes over for more than a few days, the fish will suffocate. For a less expensive and labor-intensive water feature, many hardware stores and nurseries sell small and medium-size fountains that can be mounted on a wall or perched on a pedestal.

Don’t Forget Your Living Room

Just because you’re decorating for a space that’s outside of your home’s living room doesn’t mean you have to forget the principles behind designing a social area. When most people set up a living room, they don’t position all of the furniture against one wall — they may place a sofa against one wall and a love seat against the opposite wall to create an area where people can sit and talk.

For porches and patios, it’s easy to forget this concept and simply push all of the furniture up against the house, so that everyone is facing away from the house when sitting down. If you add an extra couch or set of chairs that face the house, suddenly all of your guests have a chance to talk to each other, play cards or enjoy dinner in an outdoor space that has the comfortable, intimate feeling of a living room.

Establish an Enclosure

To create an outdoor space that feels like it has purpose, sometimes it helps to establish a kind of enclosure — a feeling of beginning and end. This lets people know that certain areas are for use, while others may be simply for show. For example, a seating area in your back yard can be given its own floor that sets it apart from the lawn’s grass. Laying down a design of brick or gravel as a foundation will clearly separate the living space from the rest of the outdoors. Low walls around the area can also provide a good sense of enclosure without making people feel like they’re in another room of your house.

Pergolas are also a popular choice for outdoor living spaces, since they provide a sense of enclosure that still feels wide open and lets in plenty of sunlight. Many people incorporate vines and other plants around posts and lattices to add a natural, outdoors feel to the area.

Use Outdoor Products

Of course, having an outdoor living space means keeping a lot of things out in the open air that normally need protection from a roof and four walls.

If you’re serious about keeping an outdoor living space, invest in products that are meant for the outdoors. If you want seating, you can’t just toss any old sofa out on the porch and expect it to stay clean. Every day can bring unpredictable weather, yet even pleasant weather can have an ill effect on furniture. If you’re furnishing a deck or patio, look for weatherproof furniture that can withstand rain, wind and direct sunlight without fading, rotting or falling victim to any other type of weather damage. Properly waterproofed wood or metal benches can go for years in the rain without sustaining damage.

And if you want to lounge on the porch and catch up on your favorite TV programs, finding an outdoor television that provides good contrast and anti-glare against the outdoor light is the best way to go.

Winterize

During the winter months, most of us want to spend our time either in the comfort of a heated room or curled up by the fireplace. Chances are, however, that many of the things that comprise our outdoor spaces will stay out in the cold. A bench bolted down to a brick foundation, for instance, obviously can’t be moved inside very easily. Even so, taking good care of your outdoor living space during the cold, winter months will ensure protection and keep your property in top shape.

Wooden structures are especially vulnerable to bad weather, since they can rot, warp and crack in the cold. You should clean any wet spots on benches, decks and patios, as moisture and standing water in cold weather can promote mold, mildew and unappealing stains in wood. Sweeping up leaves and dirt and safely cleaning with bleach can keep everything clean and enjoyable for the next time you use your outdoor space in the spring.

Centralize

The point of having an outdoor living space is, of course, to spend more time outdoors. However, most people also create one to attract friends and family over for social gatherings. If you set up a few deck chairs and look out at the back yard, sure, you might have a nice view, but a seating chart that involves everyone’s backs against the wall makes it a little difficult to talk casually.

Creating a central point for your space can make outdoor gatherings that much more social. Well-placed seating, whether it’s a bench, chairs or even a swinging chair, will help make any outdoor living space more inviting. Add a picnic table, and now you’ve got a place to eat meals, entertain guests or play games. Focal points don’t have to include lawn furniture, though. As we’ve learned, you can organize your outdoor space around anything from a water feature to an outdoor kitchen. Or, if you have a green thumb, the central point could be a rose trellis or a flowering tree. The key is to effectively use the space you have in order to get the most out of it.

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Interested in creating your own outdoor kitchen space? Let BKC assist you with the design and planning of your project. We offer a line of cabinetry specific for outdoor use from Crystal Cabinets. Your outdoor living space dream can be a reality!

Enjoy the multitude of fragrances as you stroll through more than an acre of professionally landscaped gardens – 14 in all.

Talk to representatives from more than 600 companies from 25 states and Canada. Visit with the region’s gardening gurus and home improvement experts about the best way to move your home and garden projects forward.

Learn about the innovative gardening and home improvement ideas, products and services in more than 1,400 booths.

Attend one of the 50 FREE educational seminars and how-to demonstrations for cutting edge gardening and home improvement ideas.

Each year the show selects nine exhibitors from dozens of applicants, whose products or services best demonstrate innovation, energy efficiency, unique design appeal or cutting edge thinking. We are please to showcase exhibits from these companies in the 9NEWS Hot Products Zone located in the upper lobby as you enter the show. It is our way to get your ideas going.

Don’t miss the juried flower show.

Admire – but do not eat – more than 100 extravagant cakes competing for prizes in the show’s botanically correct “sugar art show.” The cakes are only on display Feb. 9 – 10.

100% of every ticket sold is awarded in horticulture grants and scholarships across Colorado.

Take the FREE shuttle. Park at Coors Field (take I-25 to the Park Avenue exit and follow to Wazee) for just $5 and ride the free Show Shuttle to the Colorado Convention Center.

Read more…

Be sure to stop by booth #823. BKC will have kitchen and bath designers on site to discuss ideas and answer any questions you may have regarding your project. Let us help you make your Remodeling Dream a Reality!

BKC Kitchen and Bath of Englewood, CO Receives

Houzz’s 2013 ‘Best Of Remodeling’ Award

Annual Survey and Analysis of 11 Million Monthly Users

 Reveals Top-Rated U.S. Professionals

ENGLEWOOD, CO — January 21, 2013 – BKC Kitchen and Bath of Englewood, CO has been awarded  “Best Of Remodeling” 2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design.  The well-established kitchen and bath design company was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Houzz “Best Of Remodeling” award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction award winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals.  Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the community of 11 million monthly users, also known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 124 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app.

BKC Kitchen and Bath is Colorado’s best kitchen experience, guaranteed. Their professional and friendly team of designers and service staff deliver the best remodeling experience from start to finish. http://www.houzz.com/pro/bkckitchenbath

“Houzz provides homeowners with an in-depth, 360-degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them directly in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “We’re delighted to recognize BKC Kitchen and Bath among our “Best Of” professionals for design and exceptional customer service as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like BKC Kitchen and Bath, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

About BKC Kitchen and Bath

BKC (www.bkc.co) has been designing and supplying kitchen cabinets and whole-house cabinetry throughout Metro Denver for over 33 years. They are well-established and respected in the community with an A+ rating and 29-year longevity record with the BBB. Their large showroom makes it easy to plan any project, with many creative displays representing top brands like Crystal Cabinet Works, Medallion Cabinetry, and Mid Continent Cabinetry. BKC’s professional and friendly team of designers and service staff consistently deliver one of Colorado’s best kitchen experiences, guaranteed.

About Houzz

Houzz (www.houzz.com) is a leading online platform for home remodeling, providing inspiration, information, ‘advice and support for homeowners and home improvement professionals through its website and mobile applications. Houzz features the largest residential design database in the world, articles written by design experts, product recommendations, a vibrant community powered by social tools, and information on more than 1.5 million remodeling and design professionals worldwide who can help turn ideas into reality. @houzz_inc

Colors & Textures

• Although classic white kitchens remain a popular choice offering a clean, sophisticated look, gray is fast becoming the new “it” color - for everything from cabinetry to tile to walls. A white painted kitchen perimeter with a light gray island adds contrast and visual texture to any size space.
• Warm tones of wood, such as cherry and walnut in dark browns and blacks, are popular alternatives to an all-white kitchen. As with gray, a dark wood island in the middle of a classic white kitchen offers a visual contrast that gives the eye a break.

Cabinetry 

• Simplistic cabinet styling has gained momentum, with a shift from traditional to transitional design appearing in kitchens across the country. The classic ogee-edge door style is being replaced by sleek, Shaker door styles in high gloss and high-pressure laminates.
• Aluminum-framed doors with back-painted glass are another alternative to a traditional look, offering depth and a nearly frameless appearance.    

Storage Solutions

• In kitchen remodeling, cleverly engineered products such as roll-out trays, pull-out drawers, trash bins and Magic Corners offer great cabinet storage solutions, easier access and better functionality.    
• Removing soffits over the kitchen cabinets and running the cabinets straight up to the ceiling provides additional storage space for seasonal items or dishware that is not used everyday.
• Frameless cabinets are a great way to gain more space in drawers. Additionally, the drawer beneath a cooktop, which is typically non-functional, can be turned into a ‘scoop’ drawer to store kitchen utensils.

Lighting

• LED lighting is a great alternative to traditional light bulbs. Although the cost is a bit higher, LED bulbs last longer and are better for the environment.  
• In today’s kitchen design, many facets can be showcased with a unique array of lighting options, including in toe kicks, under wall cabinets and even at the end of faucets. Most options are relatively inexpensive and add character to the kitchen.

For further Denver kitchen remodeling ideas, call or visit our showroom.

Home Design trends for 2013 offer the discerning homeowner many choices, from smart technology to raw finishes. Trends will signify an ode to vintage – including creative uses of recycling and transforming old into new – but still fit into the realm of modern convenience and technology. Handcrafted pieces will find a home among chunky textiles and brilliant colors. And when it comes to color for the home, the most-talked-about hue is purple, which will be complemented with yellow.

Interior design by Harmony Interiors, LLC

In the company’s annual color forecast, Benjamin Moore has developed the theme “intersection,” which is influenced by the concepts of flow, cycle, animate and connect. “Flow” addresses color, texture and shapes that have been altered to reinvent the past; “cycle” refers to the concept of breathing new life into something that was once disposable; “animate” examines the intensity and purity of color with happiness in mind; and “connect” illuminates the familiar and material world, resulting in a matrix where technology evolves into an organic form.

“As we look to the future, we find that our ideas are rooted in the past,” Benjamin Moore’s Andrea Mango says. “What’s new is in the details.” According to the Benjamin Moore forecast, trends for fall 2012 and 2013 include:

• Bright greens and grassy greens, each relfecting a bit of the 80′s
• Red-orange and deep denim blues, supported by a cast of yellow-ochre shades
• Purples and yellows in materials that are knitted, folded, crimped or otherwise textured
• Purple as a neutral, ranging in shade from rich indigo or plum to grayed-down hues
• Blues with a Carribean tone, like turquoise and Cerulean blue, that are influenced by purple
• Wood tones as the inspiration for neutrals
• Yellow and ochre variations that set the stage for bursts of cadmium orange and denim blues

The Colorado Fall Home Show is your one stop marketplace to find the experts to remodel, refresh and renew your home. BKC Kitchen and Bath will be present with our knowledgeable design staff, ready to answer your questions and offer ideas for your project.

Location

Colorado Convention Center
700 14th Street
Denver, CO 80202

Click here for directions to the Convention Center

Show Hours

Pricing

$10 for adults
$8 for seniors
kids 12 and under are free

Discount adult tickets available at Ticket West Ticket Centers in all King Soopers.

  Donate your nonperishable food at the show and get 2$ off admission

We hope to see you there!

Granite

Often more affordable, this multi-colored, hard stone withstands most surface wear and tear—including scratches and dings—making it great for high-traffic family kitchens. Beware: Although it’s one of the tougher counters out there, it’s susceptible to staining if it’s not sealed.

Marble

Marble has a classic, luxurious look that most likely will never go out of style. Its color options range from white with gray veins to green and even pink. This stone is soft enough to scratch, so it needs to be treated with care. A honed, or matte, finish will hide more damage than a glossy, polished finish—but acidic foods leave permanent dull spots, called etching, that can’t be repaired. It develops a beautiful patina over time.

Quartz

Man-made quartz counters use resin to bond the quartz pieces, so a wide range of colors and finishes are possible—from soft, earthy tones to brighter, modern varieties. Some even mimic the look of natural stones like marble and soapstone. Big-time bonus: Quartz is hard and non-porous, so it resists both scratching and staining. 

Soapstone

This rich, earthy stone is nearly stain-proof and many experts claim it gets better looking with age. Because it’s dense, it never needs to be sealed, but a thin coat of mineral oil is recommended every few months to give the stone a darker, richer look. Like marble, soapstone is soft enough to scratch and mark up through everyday use. Unlike marble, however, soapstone dings can be buffed out with very fine-grit sand paper. 

Concrete

Since these countertops are made by pouring liquid concrete into specially designed molds, they’re great for customization and fitting within odd-shaped kitchens. Plus, because dye can be added, they’re available in virtually every color imaginable and can even be embellished with embedded glass, stones or shells. Unsealed concrete countertops are vulnerable to staining. Engineered concrete countertops, though, sidestep this problem since they’re coated with an extra-strong sealer that sinks into its naturally porous surface. Raw materials are fairly inexpensive, but labor costs can be pricey.

Stainless Steel

This super contemporary surface, which is created by wrapping a sheet of metal around a wood fiber core, withstands moderate heat and resists stains. Though minor scratches are possible, they can be buffed out with scrubbing pads from a local grocery store.

Wood

This option is popular for kitchen islands because of its warm, inviting feel. It comes in a range of wood types and design styles including plank, with the boards facing up; edge-grain, with the boards facing sideways; and end-grain, with the ends of the boards facing up. Unlike other countertops, wood can be used for chopping and food preparation when installed as butcher block, which is typically coated with mineral oil instead of a semi-permanent sealer.

For more kitchen ideas, visit:

Medallion Cabinetry was recently honored with the 2012 “Best of Remodeling” award by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design.

On a survey that went to more than 1.2 million members of the Houzz community, high ratings for Medallion resulted in recognition in the customer satisfaction category. The survey asked members to name and rate their experience with remodeling professionals they hired in the last five years and Medallion came out a winner!

Stop by our showroom for details! 

Promotion subject to change. Restrictions apply.