The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping- which means it's time for spring cleaning to commence! We are often asked about our own personal "tips and tricks" for keeping kitchens spotless and organized. It's much easier (and less daunting!) to have a well-planned kitchen year-round than it is to have too many things crammed into unorganized cabinets and purge once or twice a year. Here, we will start with our favorite organizational tools- the ones we appreciate the most

Sunlight and warmer temps always inspire a new look at bold kitchens. Designer: Dan Pelosi Photographer: Katie Jordan Chef Dan Pelosi brings so much joy to this custom blue Shaker kitchen. The simple cabinets and matched cabinet pulls become a neutral ground for the bright red Smeg toaster and paper towel holder, Mismatched tea towels and assorted canisters add a touch of whimsey. But the real color punch in this kitchen comes from the perfectly sorted (and numerous!) colorf

Herewith… the most epic appliances you deserve… Officine Gullo Florence-based Officine Gullo prides itself on centuries-old craftsmanship techniques. When describing their design process, they say "A “score” is composed here, which will be performed by our orchestra of master craftspeople." The company also describes itself as the "antiques of tomorrow." The OG line (aptly named) begins around $20,000, while the beauty pictured above can set you back $100,000. L'Atelier Pari

When considering a kitchen renovation, the choice of color can be the most transformative decision you'll make. Color has the power to shape the appeal of your custom kitchen and even influence your mood. It can create a lively space for gatherings or a calming retreat for cooking and relaxation. Understanding color theory is essential for choosing shades that fit your vision. This guide explores the fundamentals of color theory, its psychological impact, and actionable tips

The end of 2024 is in sight, which means plenty of design articles predicting the "next big things" and "dated kitchen design to avoid". At MJ Martin Design, we are hopeful that avocado-colored kitchen appliances aren't about to make a comeback. However, we also believe that a successful kitchen design depends on all the other elements coming together cohesively. So, even an avocado-colored stove might have its day if the cabinetry and countertops can make it sing. Is the Lat

MJ Martin is a small design shop, and most days we are deep into CAD designs and client meetings. Stacks of magazines pile up and cry out for attention- waiting for some downtime when Liz can devour the new product stories and design profiles. You may have a similar stack at home if you are a design lover. And if this world is new to you, you may not know where to begin. So... every month we are going to round up our favorite reads. We hope they inspire your next project! Are

This blog post is the first installment of our Back to School series- where we break down the lexicon of designers. This is our way to make sure our clients feel included and knowledgeable, as they are the most integral part of the design process. It's a way to make sure we are all speaking the same language in order to meet the same goals. What is Color Theory? Each individual color is a universe in itself. Johannes Itten Color theory (or modern color science) can really be

It’s rare that a new kitchen gadget becomes so in demand as quickly as the Galley Sink. Turns out, this was the design we never knew we needed- but now we can’t live without. So simple and so practical- we’ve all been wondering why this design hasn’t existed forever. We love that it’s functional without sacrificing style- as it elegantly compliments our custom kitchen designs. Galley Sink has become a catch-all phrase for larger kitchen sinks and prep sinks that include all s

Here at MJ Martin, we have a lot of discussions about how to personalize each kitchen we design. Much of this comes from listening closely to our client's needs regarding functionality and aesthetics. But when we get beyond the "I have a giant mixer" or "I want clean lines and soft close drawers", how do we really make it unique to each home? With our own workshop in East Hartford, one way we make sure we never create the same kitchen twice is by integrating antiques into our

If you have a travel bug like I do, you probably notice that hotels can transport you to another world- both literally and figuratively. Whether it's a completely neutral spa drenched in inviting textures or a loud eclectic mix of juxtaposing styles, hotels really have the ability to send it when it comes to choosing a specific aesthetic. The incredible ME Hotel, designed by the iconic Zaha Hadid Photo Credit: ME Hotel, Architect: Zaha Hadid They can go all-out because- while

Every year, as soon as the sun begins setting at 5pm, predictions about what the next year will hold seem to kick into high gear. This year, we have been thankful for wonderful clients and trade partners. Our projects have been uniquely tailored to each client, ranging from a modern custom coffee table to a large multi-generational kitchen with island seating for 10. The busy times brought out the best in our teams, and when we had a break, we had time to focus on adding new

Whenever I write about kitchen islands, I get "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers stuck in my head (and maybe yours now, too...) The irony is that while the message of the song is about two people wanting to run away together, kitchen islands are all about bringing the entire party into the kitchen. Legend has it that Frank Lloyd Wright is responsible for evolving the modern kitchen island into a place where cooks can actually have their guests nearby whi

It's that time of year again when there is a chill in the air and it's getting darker earlier. We head indoors and add a cozy sweater or some comfy socks. However, in this post, we are going to talk about layering lighting. With a few tips and tricks, this also has the comfiest effects on indoor moods. Every kitchen we design reinforces the truth that today's kitchens are used for every part of our lives. Whether it's cooking, entertaining, kid's homework, or setting up an at

Whether it's open floor plans or more time at home in recent years, there has definitely been a movement toward having kitchens look and feel more like living rooms. And doesn't that make sense? We do a whole lot of living in our kitchens! One way to accomplish this look is by incorporating artwork alongside open shelves and upper cabinets. I was going to write a post - but as I began, I came across a fantastic article by one of my favorite food websites, Food52. So, I'm shar

White kitchens will never, ever, go out of style. There is something so perfect and timeless about them. More often than not, our clients pour over other colors before ultimately choosing between "Linen White" and "Alpine White". We get it. Kitchen cabinets are a huge investment and no one wants buyer's remorse if 3 years from now you won't love Hale Navy. So, we have rounded up some of the best ways to customize a white kitchen. Much like buying the ultimate neutral sofa and

Last fall, we invested in a CNC Machine for our East Hartford workshop. It’s something we’ve wanted for a while, and the cool tricks it can perform did not disappoint! (Here's Dave programming in a new design) One of the designs we are really excited about is the CNC’s ability to mimic “live edge” detailing for our custom wood countertops. Traditionally, to get a live edge, you’d have to take a trip out to a lumberyard and hand-select boards, all the while hoping that nature

As we always say, there is no such thing as an unimportant detail. Regardless of where you are in the design process, the small details add up to a beautiful outcome. Custom kitchen islands are a great place to combine functionality and style, and also a great place to add in a complimentary material or color. You may need a space to roll our pastries, or a place for your guests to pull up a stool and a glass of wine. Sometimes it’s easy to scroll through countless images and

The beauty of creating a custom kitchen is that you can specify every last detail to be exactly what you want. The difficult part is figuring out exactly what you want! Like any worthwhile project, the more prep time you put into the plan, the more unique and special the outcome will be. We have found green kitchen cabinets inspiring many of our current clients- as they ponder what their kitchen means to them- organic, fresh, bold, individual, thoughtful. Getty Images With th

We say this a lot as designers, but it truly is all in the details when it comes to a kitchen remodel. You've honed in on a color for your cabinets, but what color actually best emphasizes the color of your stone countertops? You love a certain chandelier, but need to make sure it casts enough light for kitchen tasks. Where are all these pans going to go? It goes on and on... In the order of operations with a remodel, the cabinet hardware is technically one of the last choice

No matter how large your home, or how many other rooms are decorated for the holidays, everyone always ends up in the kitchen, right? Elle Decor magazine has rounded up some fantastic ways to decorate the busiest room in the house- all of which are easy to do and won't get in the way of the hors d'oeuvres! 1) Create a Centerpiece Treat your island to the same special treatment you would give your dining table. You can create interest with neutral colors and layered texture,