If you’ve ever thought about remodeling your home, maybe in the new year, you know that remodels usually start with excitement and inspiration, then as the new year gets closer and closer, questions pile up. Who’s deciding this detail? And how did something that felt so clear at the beginning suddenly feel complicated?

Often, the answer comes down to understanding the roles involved, especially the difference between a kitchen designer and a contractor, and how they work together.

The Role of a Kitchen Designer

A kitchen designer starts with how you live, not just how you want your kitchen to look.

They’re the person who listens when you talk about how you cook, who gathers in your kitchen, where clutter builds up, and what isn’t working anymore. From there, they translate those habits and frustrations into a layout that makes sense.

Designers think about how you move through the space, where appliances should land, how much storage you truly need, and how all the pieces fit together visually. Cabinetry, countertops, lighting, finishes, hardware, and color palettes all fall under their care, but so do the details you don’t always see at first, like ergonomics and flow.

A good designer helps you see options you may not have considered and flags potential issues before they become expensive mistakes. Their goal isn’t just a beautiful kitchen, but one that works day in and day out.

The Role of a Contractor

Once the plan is in place, the contractor takes over and turns that vision into reality.

Contractors handle the hands-on work: demolition, framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, flooring, and installation. They coordinate crews, manage timelines, secure permits, and ensure everything meets local codes. They’re also the ones navigating the daily realities of the job site and solving problems as they arise.

Without a clear, thoughtful design guiding the work, even the most skilled contractor is left making decisions on the fly, which is where projects can start to drift off course.

Where Things Can Get Tricky

When designers and contractors are hired separately, homeowners often become the go-between. Suddenly, you’re relaying decisions, tracking orders, aligning schedules, and making judgment calls you didn’t expect to make.

That’s where stress creeps in, not because anyone is doing their job poorly, but because no one is responsible for the full picture.

A More Seamless Way Forward

Some remodeling firms take a different approach, bringing design and construction together as one team. In a Kitchen Design Concepts Design + Build model, the people shaping the vision and the people executing it are aligned from the beginning.

Designers understand construction realities. Project managers understand design intent. Questions get answered faster, decisions stay consistent, and accountability is clear.

The result isn’t just a smoother process, but a kitchen that looks the way you imagined and functions the way you need it to, without the constant second-guessing.

Because at the end of the day, a kitchen remodel shouldn’t feel like a juggling act. It should feel like progress toward a space that truly fits your life. 

For many children in foster care, the holiday season can be the hardest time of the year. While others gather for familiar traditions, these kids often face grief, separation, and reminders of past trauma. Some spend the holidays in group homes or temporary placements instead of stable family settings, making what should be a joyful season feel confusing and lonely.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex alone, more than 9,000 children are currently in foster care, a number that reflects the urgent need for safe, nurturing homes here at home, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.Every year many youth age out of care without ever finding that lifelong connection. 

This is why adoption and foster support matter so deeply, especially now. Every child deserves a safe home, consistent traditions, and adults who show up for them not only during the holidays, but all year long. Opening your heart and home to a child can change the trajectory of their life and give them a sense of belonging at a time when it is needed most.

That’s why EMPOWER, a child welfare collaborative serving children and families across North Texas, is reminding the Dallas-Fort Worth community about the importance of offering love, stability, and hope throughout the holidays and beyond. The organization works alongside local families, support networks, and child welfare professionals to meet the unique needs of children in care, helping ensure they don’t walk this season alone. 

You don’t have to adopt to make a difference. You can mentor, support foster families, raise awareness, or simply take time to learn about the needs of children waiting for permanency. Every act of kindness strengthens the fabric of our community and shows kids that they matter, that their story can be full of hope, and that there is a place where they belong.

During this season of giving, consider the gift of family. Know that your involvement, in whatever form that takes, can bring light into a child’s life when they need it most.

As the holidays settle in and another year comes to a close, a lot of homeowners find themselves daydreaming about what they might finally tackle after the decorations come down. A new kitchen. An updated bathroom. Maybe even a whole-home refresh. And almost inevitably, one practical question rises to the top: Can we actually live here while this is happening?

The answer, like most things with remodeling, is that it depends.

Life During a Kitchen Remodel

The kitchen is where the day begins and ends. It is where coffee is brewed on sleepy mornings, where backpacks are dropped after school, and where friends seem to gather no matter how large the house. When that space goes offline during a remodel, daily routines feel the change immediately.

For many families, staying home through a kitchen renovation is still very doable with a little planning and flexibility. It usually means getting creative with meals, leaning on convenience foods, and setting up a temporary cooking space elsewhere in the house. A spare bedroom or laundry room can quickly turn into a makeshift kitchen with the basics: a microwave, countertop cooktop, or toaster oven. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps everyone fed and sane until the real kitchen is ready again.

Stocking the freezer ahead of time, using small appliances like air fryers or slow cookers, and keeping expectations realistic all help bridge the gap. It is a season of simple meals and a reminder that the disruption is temporary, even if it doesn’t always feel that way day to day.

Navigating a Bathroom Remodel

Bathrooms present a similar challenge. If your home has more than one, living through a renovation is generally manageable. It may mean slightly shifting routines, sharing the remaining bathroom more generously, or getting up a few minutes earlier to beat the morning rush.

When there’s only one bathroom in the house, though, the experience can quickly become stressful. Tile cutting, hammering, and dust are part of the process, and without another usable space, it can be more comfortable to make alternate arrangements for a short time until the work is complete.

When the Whole House Is Under Construction

Whole-home remodels are a different story altogether. With multiple rooms under construction at once, floors pulled up, walls opened, and major systems being updated, a home can start to feel more like a job site than a living space. Temporary power or water interruptions and the constant presence of crews make daily life tough to manage safely or comfortably.

In these cases, choosing to live elsewhere during construction often offers the most peace of mind. It gives the renovation team room to work efficiently and allows homeowners to avoid the noise, dust, and disruptions that come with such a large project.

In the end, living through a remodel is less about what is possible and more about what feels livable for your family and your routines. Every project is different, and every household has its own tolerance for temporary chaos. The key is knowing what to expect, planning ahead, and remembering that the mess leads to the moment everyone looks forward to most: stepping into a finished space that finally feels like home again.

Merriman Anderson Architects, a Dallas-based firm known for shaping skylines and revitalizing communities, celebrated the grand opening of its Fort Worth office on October 28. The expansion marks an exciting milestone as the firm grows its national footprint, joining established offices in Dallas, Austin, Charlotte, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. The headquarters remains in the heart of downtown Dallas.

“This expansion is evidence of our staff’s talent and our firm’s dedication to in-person collaboration and market presence,” said Milton Anderson, President of MAA. “We are eager to bring MAA's dedication to client service, design excellence, and a family-like culture to our new office in Fort Worth.”

The office is located at 2421 W. Seventh St., Suite 320, in Fort Worth.

Merriman Anderson Architects is an award-winning firm with a wide-ranging portfolio that includes master-planned developments, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, urban housing, office and corporate facilities, hospitality, education, and retail projects.

The firm is no stranger to Fort Worth. Its portfolio includes The Sinclair, Autograph Collection Hotel, and it is currently working on several high-profile projects such as Westbend Residences, a 321-unit multifamily community in the University District. Additional developments are underway in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, highlighting the firm’s long-term commitment to serving clients and communities across the DFW region.

Thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Choosing the right time to start can make a big difference in cost, efficiency, and overall experience. A clear plan helps you avoid stress and ensures your remodel supports your lifestyle, needs, and long-term goals.

Most kitchen remodels unfold in three stages: preparation, construction, and final touches. Starting with a clear understanding of your current space is key. Take note of limited storage, outdated cabinets, worn countertops, or layout challenges. Identifying these issues helps shape your vision for a more beautiful and functional kitchen.

Once you know what’s not working, define your goals. Many homeowners focus on aesthetics but overlook energy efficiency—something Kitchen Design Concepts often encourages clients to consider. Eco-friendly appliances, updated lighting, and sustainable materials can reduce long-term costs and modernize your home.

Budgeting comes next. Gathering quotes, researching material and labor costs, and meeting with professionals can help set realistic expectations. Kitchen Design Concepts recommends building a contingency into your budget to cushion unexpected expenses or delays—an important step in keeping your project on track.

Timing also matters. Spring offers comfortable temperatures for both indoor and outdoor updates. Longer summer days can help crews stay on schedule. Fall is ideal for finishing before the holidays, while winter sometimes provides cost savings due to lower demand. Contractor availability varies with each season, so planning ahead helps you secure the team you want.

Consider your household’s schedule as well. Starting during school breaks or slower work periods can make disruptions easier to manage.

Finally, stay inspired but intentional. Trends like smart appliances, better storage systems, and energy-efficient fixtures can elevate your space, while timeless design choices ensure your kitchen stays appealing for years to come. Kitchen Design Concepts specializes in guiding homeowners through these decisions, balancing fresh ideas with lasting style.

A kitchen remodel is a meaningful investment, and starting at the right time sets the foundation for success. With thoughtful planning and expert support from Kitchen Design Concepts, you can create a kitchen that feels modern, functional, and truly tailored to your life!