(NAPSA)—If you’ve been cook- a ing up ways to spice up your kitchen, start by looking in your closet. Designers say current clothing fashion actually influences the look of kitchen decor—especially kitchen cabinets. Look for natural browns, earth tones and tinted neutrals, as well as bold colors such as black and chocolate browns. While stained finishes are shifting towards warmer and richer browns, painted finishes are moving towards creamy whites, generally with a glaze finish. Glazing adds character to today’s cleanerstyles. Whether contemporary or traditional, today’s kitchen cabinets will likely be in a dramatic dark color, which not only complements your wardrobe but works well with an up-and-coming interior design trend—tropical British Colonial. If you’re going to renovate your cabinets, try these tips from Armstrong. They can help the whole process go smoothly, because design should not only benefit aesthetics, but functionality and usability as well. Appraise the space. Draw a floor plan of your kitchen and take measurements. Think about the storage space you'll need. One of the newest trends in cabinets involves personalizing storage space. This includes adding roll-out pantry drawers, built-in wine racks, china displays and more. Look for details. Rich crown moldings, glazed finishes and highstyle touches evoke a traditional yet luxurious look. Consider cherry’s old-world charm and handcrafted construction accented Traditional Shaker cabinets in a rich brown can move to contemporary or traditional styling based on hardware and accessories selected in the kitchen. with handrubbed glazes. Raised door panels, decorative glass inserts and decorative molding can make a dramatic difference as well. Consider the species of wood. Every type of tree has a unique grain that can have a big impact on the look of the cabinet. Lightcolored woods tend to make a room appear brighter and larger, while darker-colored woods create a more dramatic environment. Don’t be afraid to mingle the species or graining of your furniture or floors with your cabinet choice. The interplay of different woods can add visual interest and personality to your room. If you plan to choose vibrant colors for your walls or floors, or if you have a substantial amount of photosor collectibles, consider a minimalist laminate to provide a neutral backdrop for a busy room. They blend with virtually any decor and, at a comparatively low price, adda lot of style to your home. For more information andtips, and to see your new kitchen come to life in three easy steps, visit www.armstrong.com.
