Divine Design Center’s
Kitchen Remodeling Terms Guide
Are you considering a remodel, but don't have a design background?
Our Terms Guide will educate and inspire you with different design possibilities from all over the kitchen.
What is a Passage Door?
From one of our Leicht kitchen displays in our Boston showroom
Often concealing a "hidden pantry", a passage door is a door that blends in seamlessly to a wall or the surrounding cabinetry.
These can be made of any material, and can blend in, but also stand out if you want it to.
Shaker-style cabinet doors are a trademark feature of a traditional kitchen design.
With slim shaker, you can achieve a much more modern look while keeping that little bit of detail some can't live without.
The "shaker" frame can vary in size depending on your taste, and even though it's more of a recent trend, this style is definitely here to stay.
What does Slim Shaker mean?
One of our recent Cambridge, MA kitchens
What is a Le Mans Unit?
A prime example of the wonders of a Le Mans in Downtown Boston, MA
Le mans shelves solve the problem of a "dead corner", which is where you lose storage due to an inability to access the corner.
Le mans swing out smoothly for easy access due to the shape of the shelf and hardware.
They are especially helpful in a tight space such as this.
A larger kitchen can afford to have a dead corner, but a space like this needs all the storage it can get. Le Mans to the rescue!
Sliding doors that disappear into adjacent wall compartments.
These are great for maintaining the seamless paneled look of a modern kitchen and to keep things like appliances out of view when needed.
These homeowners in Cambridge, MA loved the paneled look so much they opted for double pocket doors, flanking their built-in appliances and hiding their countertop ones.
What are Pocket Doors?
Another Cambridge, MA project of ours, with dual pocket doors. Double the function, double the fun!
What is a Planter Trough?
This planter in Cambridge, MA appears to go through the island all the way down to the floor.
Though not very common, these are practical enough if you have an expansive island and add a nice touch off fresh greenery to the heart of your kitchen.
They do take up lots of counter space, but if you have the room, it's definitely something to consider.
You can even extend it through the counter down to the ground!
A counter top that keeps flowing past the edge of the island and all the way down to the floor.
The "mitered edge" allows the vertical and horizontal pieces of stone to fit together seamlessly.
This beautiful blue stone not only matched the custom cabinetry color, but also the ocean view from this dream kitchen.
Plus, it really does look like a waterfall!
What is a Waterfall Countertop?
The blue stone perfectly matches the color of the adjacent ocean from this Marblehead, MA home
What is a Beveled Edge?
This beveled edge is from the very same project as the planter trough!
Notice the top edge of the panel dishwasher is cut at an angle.
This eliminates the need for handles and allows the design to remain seamless for that ultra modern look.
Beveled edges are very easy to use, and serve as a panel wide handle while also providing a clean channel look across the entire cabinetry face.
A channel is the cleanest way to provide access to open every pull out drawer in each row.
This eliminates the need for handles and lets a complementary color come through to add some visual detail.
Channels are great when used as accents, and can even have integrated lighting to make the space feel more inviting and sophisticated.
What are Channels in a kitchen?
Our beachside Gloucester, MA project is a great example of modern kitchen channels
What is a Multi-Level Island?
These Brookline, MA clients had great taste in selecting these two choices to make up their island
Having a raised section of in your kitchen island allows for distinct zones; for prepping, cooking, and eating.
Here, there is no need for a dining table, nor do you need to clean up your prep space before you sit down to eat.
Having two different sections of your island also lets you mix materials and colors to add more visual interest or added functionality to your space.
What is Integrated Kitchen Lighting?
You don't need to worry about visible light fixtures in your kitchen or bar design with integrated lighting.
This results in a very sexy and modern touch to your space.
Integrated lighting is especially great at setting the mood.
When your dry bar is strategically located in a living room, it will immediately become the focal point of your space, at night more than ever.
This is especially moody when paired with dark cabinetry or stone, such as this Brookline, MA project
What are Paneled Appliances?
These particular paneled appliances in Weston, MA have a gorgeous white glossy finish, keeping the space bright
A fridge, freezer, or wine cooler that has a panel on it's front that matches the surrounding cabinetry
This fridge & freezer combo blends in seamlessly to the rest of this bright modern kitchen design.
Way better than a stainless steel fridge slid in between these luxury custom cabinets, right?
Banquettes are great for light entertaining as well as providing extra storage for the kitchen.
Like a hutch, it can also act as a midpoint between the cooking and dining areas, like in this Cambridge, MA home.
With ample natural light and large pillows, this banquette is the perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee while reading the paper, or catching up with a friend.
What is a Banquette?
This light and airy banquette in Cambridge, MA provides seating and storage which the kitchen itself cannot.
What is a Butcher Block Counter?
This particular case can also be considered a second island if moved away, from a project in Framingham, MA
A butcher block counter top is a bold statement, but if you love to cook, you won't find a bigger cutting board anywhere!
Butcher block is sturdy enough to withstand most scratches, though it does require some TLC to keep it in good condition.
While it does serve a purpose, it can also accent a kitchen such as this beautifully.
You can even do a waterfall edge, or leave half of your island as a more traditional counter material.
A close-able niche within your cabinetry to hide your appliances from view to maintain a cleaner look in your kitchen.
You can choose a garage-style sliding door, a midway unit, or a traditional door like this one to conceal your appliances.
Coffee makers will never match your kitchen as well as an appliance garage can!
What is an Appliance Garage?
Your appliance garage can be one level, for one or two appliance like this one in Dennis, MA, or be multi-leveled
What is a Midway Cabinet?
This unit from our Boston showroom is a shallow example to house a small teapot and cups, glasses, and tea dishes
A sliding door that folds into himself on a track, making it easy(and fun!) to conceal and easily access to your kitchen/glassware.
Customize your midway unit to bedeep enough to hide appliances,
or shallow to save counter space and store frequently used items like glasses!
A hutch is ideally a built-in cabinetry unit that provides your kitchen or dining area with extra storage through a combination of drawers and cabinets, and counter space with open shelving.
This Cambridge, MA home features a hutch that acts as a midway point between the cooking and eating spaces, making life easier by saving the homeowners the hassle of constantly walking back and forth the two.
What is a Hutch?
You can mix and match doors, cabinets, and open shelving to your liking like this Cambridge, MA homeowner
What are Inner Drawers?
Glass sided inner drawers help light up the interiors, and add an air of sophistication that these homeowners loved
Want separate zones of storage and a seamless look without needing several channels in your design? Inner drawers give you multiple levels of storage behind one single panel.
One deep drawer can accommodate multiple smaller inner drawers, although it does create an extra step in return for looking more seamless.
A vanity, typically in a bathroom, that is secured to the wall in a way that eliminates the need for legs or additional support.
This not only makes for a luxurious and more modern look in your bathroom, but it also allows foe easy cleaning, room for storage, and more room at your feet!
What is a Floating Vanity?
Store things underneath, or leave it as is for that beautiful seamless look like these homeowners in Weston, MA
Did we miss anything, or do you have any questions about these features? Get in touch with us below and we’ll be in touch shortly!
