Merry Christmas!

I just want to take a minute to say Merry Christmas and Happy New year to everyone who reads my blog on a regular basis.

Create More Space Out Of Thin Air

Ever try to hunt down that one item you need right now, only to find what you were looking for last week? The one complaint I hear most from people just moving to Florida is the lack of storage in Florida homes. Without basements and attics, where do you organize all that stuff? Realtors agree, one of the chief reasons to buy a new home is space. Read More

Introducing StarMark Custom Inset Cabinetry

A refined sense of style. Timeless appeal. Artisan quality. These are just a few of the traits you are going to find in the new Custom Inset Cabinetry line from StarMark.

A classic, casual elegance is created with a white painted cabinet matched with sleek, polished subway tiles above the darkly rich soapstone countertops pictured above. The addition of large crown molding and ageless mullion glass endows the whole room with a fine furniture appearance. Who wouldn’t feel empowered to create the perfect holiday feast in a room such as this?

If intense, rustic charm is more your style, then try out the inset cherry cabinetry with old world distressing and a layered finish which is pictured below. There can be no more warm, inviting, and homey a space than you will find in this bucolic room.

Opposite ends of the design spectrum, but both readily available with our new inset cabinetry.
Now, through the end of the year, StarMark is making it even easier to transform your existing room into a fresh, welcoming living area: through the end of the year, StarMark is waiving the usual 20% upcharge for Custom Inset. Even better, this offer can still qualify you for a free vacation as well (see the last post).
Allow the design professionals of Duncan’s Creative Kitchens create the kitchen of your life. But you better hurry – the superb savings on Custom Inset expire at the end of 2008!

Stressless Remodeling and a Vacation Too

How many people can say their kitchen remodel paid them back with time on a Mexican beach, a trip to Vegas, or 5 days on a cruise ship? If the idea sounds interesting, then do we have a deal for you!
Now through January 20, 2009, StarMark Cabinetry is giving away your choice of 3 vacations with your remodeling project. You can: whisk off for a two nights of fun and entertainment in Las Vegas; let your cares melt away in a Mexican paradise with 5 nights in Cancun; or cruise to rest and relaxation with 5 days on Carnival Cruise Lines.

StarMark Cabinetry offers you a little of everything: traditional styles of warm, inviting wood tones; cool contemporary finishes; and classic form with their new Custom Inset line of cabinetry. When you couple that with our Stressless Remodeling approach, you have a combination that can’t be beat.
So what are you waiting for? Call us today for the details. You can be planning your new kitchen or bath and your next vacation at the same time!

Taken to the Cleaners

It happened again this afternoon. A homeowner came into the design studio, looking at cabinets. As we chatted, I found out that the reason she’s looking is because the outfit to whom she’d already given a deposit is not returning her phone calls. They are past their installation date, and she’s come to the realization that her deposit is probably lost. She said, ‘He was a friend,’ was being the operative word here. I asked the name of the company. She told me, but I didn’t recognize it. Unusual for me – I’ve at least heard of most of the kitchen design professionals in the area. Then she went on to tell me that he usually does closets, but he was doing the kitchen for her as a favor. Some favor… Read More

Anatomy of a Remodel - part 1

My latest client is a real gem: she's artistic, fun, and a foodie. In fact, she's joining the cooking club. She owns a wonderful condo, but the kitchen is horribly dated. You know, drab, boring kitchen that the condo's builder put in - no frills, no fun, no life to it at all. Here are a couple of pictures to show you what I'm talking about:













Pretty blah, right?





Well, Mrs. Fun Client had some great ideas: she wanted contemporary, she wanted color, and she wanted foodie-friendly. We went through a few incarnations, but settled on this facelift:

It has color, warmth, and a personal touch. Mrs. Fun Client selected a combination of Dacor and KitchenAid appliances to feed her foodie fetish. You will also notice that there's next-to no structural changes. The only real change is the elimination of the existing soffits.

The renderings aren't perfect - you'll see that as we go along. The room is really going to be closer to a burnt orange, instead of the brick red that is depicted. You'll notice a few other tweaks as the project progresses.

In case you're interested, we are starting this project on October 1, and our target completion date is November 7.


5 1/2 weeks to get in and out. Not bad.


I'll keep you posted as the project progresses...

Movin' On Up

Have you ever had to pack up your kitchen to move? It’s time consuming, isn’t it? How about 17 kitchens? Oh yeah, and the cabinets… and the countertops… and the walls? Well, that’s what we’ve been doing at Duncan’s Creative Kitchens for the last few weeks.

Our new showroom is located in the Northwest Promenade Shopping Center, at 6705 Manatee Avenue West. You already know where it is – we’re a few doors down from M. Kesten’s Menswear, between the Beef O’Brady’s and the Good Earth Health Food Store. (Pet Supermarket used to be in the shopping center too, but they moved across the street a few months ago). Now we’re easy to find when you want to refer your friends and neighbors.

You’ll still find the same friendly faces – as well as the same relaxed, inspired, and organized service you’ve come to expect from Duncan’s Creative Kitchens. After 21 years serving Manatee County, we know what you want and expect from us – Stressless Remodeling.

Our displays still have a little way to go, but our personalized service is ready and waiting for you. If you don’t mind a little dust, stop by and say hi. We’d love to see you!