A classic design that will remain appealing throughout time is essential when considering a kitchen remodel. The significance of a timeless kitchen transcends aesthetics and speaks to the heart of your home’s personality. Enduring design trends are not only about enhancing visual appeal but also about creating a positive atmosphere that stands the test of time. Kitchen Design Concepts, a Dallas-based home remodeling company, has shared five timeless design trends that will keep your kitchen fresh and timeless.

Let the Light In

Properly placed windows and thoughtfully integrated skylights not only provide ample natural light but also significantly impact the functionality and atmosphere of your kitchen. Well-lit kitchens aren’t just about visibility; they contribute to safe food preparation, a welcoming environment, and an enhanced culinary experience. By strategically incorporating these design elements, you can ensure that your kitchen remains an inviting place for both cooking and gathering.

White Kitchen Cabinets

White kitchen cabinets embody a classic and adaptable allure that makes the kitchen space feel clean and fresh. The enduring appeal of this choice lies in its timeless character. Unlike fleeting trends, white cabinetry has maintained its popularity over the years, ensuring your kitchen’s style remains relevant. From a design perspective, white cabinets offer a versatile canvas, effortlessly complementing various kitchen elements like tile backsplashes, countertops, and appliances. The choice assures that your kitchen emanates an ageless charm that harmonizes seamlessly with ever-evolving tastes.

Mary Kathryn Reese, Kitchen Design Concepts Co-Founder and CEO’s Tip: “Do you associate white cabinets with boring or sterile style? You’d be surprised how many whites there actually are. A light neutral gray can still work in a room without being overbearingly bright. Don’t limit yourself to the brightest white you can imagine. Pops of color around the cabinet can also help soften the appearance.”

Shaker-Style Cabinets

Shaker-style cabinets are an enduring blend of simplicity and elegance, making them an excellent choice for kitchen remodeling. These cabinets are characterized by their uncluttered lines and refined design. The appeal of shaker cabinets lies in their versatility - suitable for both traditional and modern kitchens. Their style not only guarantees a perpetually stylish kitchen but also adapts easily to evolving trends. The wide range of wood options, stains, and finishes ensures that shaker cabinets align with your unique kitchen vision, adding a touch of timelessness to your Dallas home.

Mary Kathryn Reese’s Tip: “Don’t love a standard shaker? There are a ton of “shaker with interest” options that have a slightly varied inside or outside edge profile. It gives your standard shaker a little extra charm and personality without going overboard.”

Marble Countertops

Marble countertops offer a classic blend of beauty and resilience. These countertops increase the timeless appeal and come in a variety of styles to suit different preferences. Not only are they visually stunning, but marble countertops are also remarkably durable and can withstand the test of time with proper care. Maintaining marble countertops is a hassle-free job – just a gentle wipe down with a damp cloth is all it takes. Whether you choose Carrara white marble for a softer aesthetic or Calacatta marble for a bold statement, the lasting allure of marble countertops enriches kitchens across Dallas.

Mary Kathryn Reese’s Tip: “Scared of a natural stone product? There are several manufactured quartz products that are made to mimic marble. Do your due diligence – or hire a professional to help you navigate the waters to find the best solution for you and your unique needs.”

Multi-Functional Kitchen Island

A multifunctional kitchen island serves as a versatile hub for storage, dining, and cooking. Equipped with a sink, ample storage, and a convenient breakfast bar, a kitchen island streamlines food preparation while providing a welcoming space for gatherings. This particular addition exemplifies how a balanced fusion of design and functionality can elevate the functionality of your home, making every culinary endeavor a seamless and enjoyable experience.

EMPOWER, a child welfare collaborative, is proud to start managing child placement services, as of September 1, 2023. EMPOWER was awarded as the Community-Based Care (CBC) contractor by the State of Texas for Metroplex East, a nine-county region which includes Dallas, Collin, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall.

“Our organization is committed to providing children with attentive care and a safe environment to ensure their overall wellbeing,” says Dr. Linda Garcia, EMPOWER Senior Vice President. “As a lead agency in the CBC model to oversee child placement services, EMPOWER can help children in the Metroplex East region stay connected to their communities and families and experience a permanent and safe environment.”

During Stage I, EMPOWER will develop a network of services and place children in foster homes or other living arrangements. The focus in Stage I is improving the overall wellbeing of children in foster care and keeping them closer to home and connected to their communities and families. In Stage II, EMPOWER will begin providing case management, kinship and reunification services. Stage II expands the continuum of services to include assistance for families and to increase the number of children and youth who find permanent homes. 

According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), from September 2021 to February 2022, on average there were 2,456 children in DFPS conservatorship in Texas’ Metroplex East region. Around 79% of those foster children were placed within the same Metroplex East region, and 37.8% were placed in their home county. 

“There is a significant need for foster homes in the Metroplex East to provide children with a nurturing environment to impact their overall wellbeing,” continues Garcia. “We hope to educate the local communities on the crucial roles foster parents play and provide the resources needed to guide them through the process while also placing children in licensed homes within their community.”  

The Metroplex East contract is one of the largest CBC awards in U.S. history, and the fifth region in Texas to transition to CBC services. The EMPOWER collaborative is led by Texas Family Initiative (TFI) and is supported by local providers in North Texas, including CK Family Services, Jonathan’s Place, The Bair Foundation and Pathways Youth and Family Services. 

There are many local children in foster care in need of a safe, loving place to call home. To learn more about how individuals and families can help these children in need, please visitwww.3empower.org.

Homeowners looking to embark on a kitchen remodeling journey know that creating a stunning and captivating kitchen goes beyond mere aesthetics. Your kitchen should be a reflection of your personality and lifestyle. Achieving this requires a careful selection of high-quality materials. Kitchen Design Concepts, a Dallas-based home remodeling company, shares tips for choosing premium materials for your customized remodel. 

The Key to a Stunning Kitchen: Cabinets

The foundation of a kitchen design lies in the cabinets. This is where organization, storage, and style convene. Opting for high-quality cabinetry sets the tone for your entire remodel, infusing your kitchen with timeless elegance and functionality. With a plethora of options ranging from classic wood to sleek, modern designs, it is crucial to collaborate with your designer to find the perfect fit for your personalized style and unique needs. Expressive colors and innovative storage solutions both elevate your kitchen's appeal and provide convenience and ease in your daily life. 

By choosing expressive and transformative cabinet options, you can create an artistic space that aligns perfectly with your vision and workflow with the goal of making your kitchen truly unique. 

Evaluating High-Quality Materials

Kitchen Design Concepts understands the significance of the materials used in your kitchen, with each element essential to making your kitchen both captivating and functional.

• Flooring: Durable and easy-to-clean materials like hardwood, tile, and laminate offer both aesthetics and practicality, making your kitchen a captivating focal point for your home. 
• Countertops: As the centerpiece of your kitchen, countertops should inspire your culinary creativity while withstanding the test of time with minimal maintenance. Materials like granite, quartz or marble offer a timeless blend of beauty and durability. 
• Backsplash: An imaginative backsplash adds an artistic touch while serving as a protective shield. Whether you prefer stainless steel, ceramic or glass, the materials offer both style and functionality while transforming your kitchen into an inspirational and proactive space.
• Appliances: With Kitchen Design Concepts' industry expert knowledge, comes the recommendation of energy-efficient appliances. Choose appliances that complement your design concept and make your kitchen an inspiring haven, all while contributing to the welfare of your home and world. 

The Long-Term Benefits of Investing in High-Quality Materials 

Investing in premium materials for your kitchen remodel offers serval long-term benefits, including the enhanced durability and longevity of your kitchen. While it may seem like an inital splurge, the longevity and low-maintenance costs of durable materials will save clients money in the future. Featuring high-quality materials also has a positive impact on your home's resale value, making it a highlight attractive offer to potential buyers. 

JW Marriott Dallas Arts District, the first JW Marriott hotel in the city of Dallas, opened its doors to the public yesterday. With unbeatable access to many of the city’s top cultural attractions and performing arts venues including the Dallas Museum of Art, Winspear Opera House, Meyerson Symphony Center, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Majestic Theater and Moody Performance Hall, the hotel is a prime destination for locals, leisure and business travelers alike in Dallas.

Dallas boasts the largest contiguous urban arts district in the United States and holds an official “Cultural District'' designation by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Fittingly, JW Marriott Dallas Arts District is a jewel box of fine art, as seen throughout the hotel’s architecture, design, dining and amenities, all while honoring JW Marriott’s principles of prioritizing the mind, body, and soul. Guests can explore many paths to mindfulness, both in the surrounding neighborhood as well as on property through bespoke programming centered around holistic well-being. With a variety of cultural and arts venues conveniently located just steps away from the hotel, guests’ senses can be tested, focus increased and stress reduced.

Located at 800 North Harwood Street in the heart of the country’s largest contiguous arts district, JW Marriott Dallas Arts District features 22 floors, 267 guest rooms including 9 guest suites, named Museum Suites for their prime views of the Dallas Museum of Art, 20,000+ square feet of flexible meeting space with 10 meeting rooms, 24-hour fitness center, Rooftop pool with cabanas and 20 works of regional art on display throughout the property.

The hotel features three elevated dining venues each with its own tie to the artistic community surrounding the hotel. Margaret’s, a three-meal ranch-to-table restaurant located on the 11th floor, honors the memory of philanthropist Margaret McDermott, a longtime supporter of Dallas’ fine arts institutions. Margaret’s menu, incorporating seasonal flavors and ingredients, includes locally sourced Beef Carpaccio smoked tableside; 72-hour Hickory Smoked Prime Bone-in Beef Short Rib served with house barbecue sauce and Texas jalapeño elote;and a Texas Iberico Carbonara of handmade pasta tossed in pecorino cream and braised local Iberico pork cheeks, English peas, wild Texas mushrooms, and a confit yolk topped with brown butter toasted oreganata.

Vincent’s Sky Lounge, a nod to Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, serves cocktails and bites with views of the Dallas night sky from a sensuous mid-air lounge. The chic space features 40-foot ceilings, wrap-around views, inspired art and protection from the elements so that guests can enjoy the atmosphere regardless of the weather.

Following inspiring experiences at local museums and fine arts venues, guests are invited to continue conversations at 800 North, a street-level cocktail lounge aptly named for the hotel’s address, 800 North Harwood Street. A moody and comfortable space, 800 North features innovative and trend-forward cocktails, expertly sourced wines and light bites. All three of the outlets will incorporate herbs grown in the hotel’s JW Garden, an innovative hydroponic Farmshelf system in which herbs are grown to be used as garnishes, in cocktails, and as subtle ingredients in various dishes including the Texas Iberico carbonara and smoked Black Angus carpaccio served at Margaret’s.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit JW Marriott Dallas Arts District.  

Merriman Anderson Architects (MAA) announces the completion of Cardinal Road Self-Storage, a three-story climate controlled facility, in Waxahachie, Texas. MAA provided architectural and interior design services encompassing over 76,000 square feet and 570 separate storage units. 

The building is constructed from concrete masonry block and load-bearing metal studs. The exterior is clad in block, transitioning to exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS) which offers flexibility in design aesthetics while meeting the latest insulation energy codes. By incorporating EIFS into the design and construction, MAA was able to customize the graphics and colors on the building façade. For this project, two walls of fiber cement panels with custom graphics face the main access road and are an architectural focal point. Natural landscape with native plant species was installed around the public perimeter of the building to soften and enhance the drive by aesthetic of the development. 

The main entrance and lobby area features a service desk, passenger elevator and freight elevator. Materials and finishes selections reflect the industry trend of secure, self-sufficient, clean-lines, ample lighting, and high traffic. A poppy color accent wall, crisp white laminate desk and stained concrete floors offer a classic and gracious entryway to clients entering the facility. 

To enhance the efficiency of the units, the client opted for all interior facing storage units, double-loaded onto wide corridors as opposed to dedicating a percentage of the space to drive-up units. This decision has a positive impact on both building security, rentable square footage, as well as optimizing the exterior visual appeal of the building. There are six different rentable unit sizes, all featuring the latest NOKE smart system, a keyless access which allows renters to seamlessly access their storage unit via their smartphone.  

The growing global self-storage market, valued at $54 billion in 2021, is expected to reach $83 billion in 2027. Vacancy rates decrease steadily each month as major markets experience increased demand. MAA experienced typical pandemic-related supply chain issues and the subsequent navigation of material shortages. Construction started in February 2022 and was completed in 15 months. 

For more information about MAA, please visit the company’s website merriman-maa.com.