7+ Best Kitchen Color Schemes with Hickory Cabinets


7+ Best Kitchen Color Schemes with Hickory Cabinets

Choosing complementary hues for a kitchen’s dcor, significantly when that includes hickory cabinetry, includes cautious consideration of the wooden’s pure traits. Hickory typically presents a fancy grain sample with quite a lot of heat tones starting from mild browns and tans to wealthy reddish-browns, typically even incorporating knots and mineral streaks. This inherent variegation necessitates a considerate method to wall colours, countertop supplies, and backsplash designs to attain a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing consequence. For instance, a kitchen with predominantly mild hickory cupboards would possibly profit from deeper wall colours for distinction, whereas darker hickory typically pairs nicely with lighter, brighter hues.

A well-chosen palette enhances the inherent fantastic thing about hickory, making a cohesive and welcoming ambiance. The fitting mixture of colours can visually increase or contract an area, affect the perceived temperature (making a room really feel hotter or cooler), and even affect one’s temper. Traditionally, hickory has been a preferred selection for cabinetry on account of its sturdiness and distinctive look. Up to date design traits proceed to embrace this versatile wooden, using numerous coloration methods to attain types starting from rustic farmhouse to smooth fashionable.

This exploration will delve into varied complementary coloration palettes, together with particular examples and sensible steerage, to light up the myriad prospects for designing gorgeous kitchens that includes hickory cupboards. Elements reminiscent of pure mild, room measurement, and desired total aesthetic can be thought-about to supply a complete understanding of choose the proper coloration scheme.

1. Wall Shade

Wall coloration serves as a foundational aspect in kitchen design, considerably impacting the general aesthetic when paired with hickory cupboards. The interaction between wall coloration and the numerous tones inside hickory wooden creates both distinction or concord, influencing the notion of area and light-weight. Cautious choice is essential for reaching a balanced and visually interesting kitchen.

  • Distinction and Depth

    Contrasting wall colours present a backdrop that accentuates the intricate grain patterns and coloration variations in hickory. For instance, deep greens or blues can spotlight the nice and cozy tones within the wooden, creating a way of depth. This distinction additionally permits the cupboards to face out as a focus, significantly efficient with lighter hickory finishes. Darker wall colours can create a dramatic, refined ambiance.

  • Harmonious Blends

    Impartial wall colours, reminiscent of lotions, beiges, or comfortable grays, create a harmonious backdrop that enables the pure fantastic thing about hickory to take middle stage. These hues complement the wooden’s heat tones with out competing for consideration, fostering a way of calm and spaciousness. This method is especially efficient in kitchens with restricted pure mild, as lighter wall colours assist maximize brightness.

  • Heat and Inviting Ambiance

    Heat wall colours, like muted yellows or golds, can improve the inherent heat of hickory, creating an inviting and comfy ambiance. These colours work significantly nicely with medium to darker hickory finishes, amplifying the richness of the wooden’s tones. Nonetheless, cautious consideration have to be given to steadiness, making certain the general impact stays welcoming slightly than overwhelming.

  • Cool and Up to date Really feel

    Cooler wall colours, reminiscent of mild blues or greens, can present a refreshing distinction to hickory’s heat, significantly appropriate for modern kitchen designs. These colours can create a way of airiness and openness, particularly in smaller kitchens. Pairing cool wall colours with lighter hickory finishes and chrome steel home equipment achieves a smooth, fashionable look.

The selection of wall coloration in the end relies on the specified aesthetic and the particular traits of the hickory cupboards. Balancing the undertones of the wooden with the chosen wall coloration is essential for making a harmonious and visually pleasing area. By understanding the interaction between wall coloration and hickory’s pure hues, one can obtain a kitchen design that’s each fashionable and useful.

2. Countertop Materials

Countertop materials choice performs a vital function in establishing the general aesthetic of a kitchen with hickory cupboards. The countertop’s coloration and texture work together immediately with the cupboards’ wooden tones, influencing the ultimate design’s coherence and visible affect. Cautious consideration of fabric properties, together with sturdiness and upkeep necessities, alongside aesthetic components, ensures a useful and visually pleasing end result.

  • Granite

    Granite’s pure variation and sturdiness make it a preferred selection. A variety of colours, from blacks and deep browns to lighter speckled patterns, permits for each contrasting and complementary pairings with hickory. Black granite offers a dramatic distinction in opposition to lighter hickory, whereas lighter, speckled granite can create a harmonious mix. Granite’s inherent resistance to warmth and scratches makes it appropriate for busy kitchens.

  • Quartz

    Engineered quartz provides constant coloration and low upkeep. Its uniform look offers a smooth, fashionable counterpoint to hickory’s pure variations. White or light-colored quartz can brighten a kitchen with darker hickory cupboards, whereas darker quartz can complement lighter hickory, making a balanced aesthetic. Quartz’s non-porous nature resists staining and requires minimal repairs.

  • Butcher Block

    Butcher block counter tops introduce heat and a pure, natural aspect. Their wooden tones can complement the heat of hickory, making a cohesive and welcoming area. Maple or cherry butcher block can improve the reddish tones in some hickory varieties, whereas walnut can present a darker, richer distinction. Common sealing and upkeep are required to protect butcher block’s look and performance.

  • Concrete

    Concrete counter tops supply design versatility and a recent edge. Their customizable nature permits for a spread of colours and textures, from easy and polished to textured and industrial. Lighter concrete can create a contemporary distinction with darker hickory, whereas darker concrete can complement lighter cupboards. Concrete’s sturdiness makes it a sensible choice, but it surely requires sealing to stop staining.

The chosen countertop materials ought to complement the hickory cupboards’ particular traits and the general design imaginative and prescient. Balancing coloration, texture, and practicality ensures a cohesive and useful kitchen area. Consideration of how the countertop interacts with different design parts, reminiscent of backsplash and flooring, additional refines the ultimate aesthetic.

3. Backsplash Design

Backsplash design represents a pivotal aspect in kitchen aesthetics, significantly when built-in with hickory cupboards. Serving as a visible bridge between counter tops and wall coloration, the backsplash considerably influences the general cohesion and affect of the chosen coloration scheme. Its design choicescolor, materials, sample, and textureinteract immediately with the hickory’s pure tones and grain patterns, both amplifying or mitigating their prominence. Strategic backsplash choice permits for artistic expression whereas making certain a harmonious steadiness throughout the kitchen’s design narrative. For instance, a mosaic tile backsplash with heat earth tones can complement the richness of hickory, whereas a smooth, monochromatic subway tile can present a contemporary distinction.

The interaction between backsplash and hickory cupboards extends past mere aesthetics. Sensible issues, reminiscent of ease of cleansing and resistance to moisture and warmth, should inform design selections. Materials decisions, like ceramic tile, glass, or pure stone, supply various levels of sturdiness and upkeep necessities. The backsplash’s scale and sample additional affect the perceived spaciousness and visible curiosity of the kitchen. A smaller-scale tile sample can create a way of visible texture, whereas a bigger format tile can contribute to a extra streamlined, modern look. Incorporating a focus throughout the backsplash, reminiscent of an ornamental tile insert or a singular materials association, can additional personalize the design. Understanding the useful and aesthetic affect of backsplash decisions permits for knowledgeable selections that improve each the wonder and practicality of kitchens that includes hickory cabinetry.

Profitable backsplash integration requires a holistic understanding of the kitchen’s total design scheme. The backsplash ought to complement, not compete with, the hickory cupboards. Cautious consideration of coloration palettes, textures, and patterns ensures a harmonious steadiness. Addressing the interaction of sunshine, each pure and synthetic, is essential, as lighting can dramatically affect the perceived colours and textures throughout the area. Finally, the backsplash serves as a vital design part that contributes considerably to a kitchen’s remaining aesthetic and useful success, particularly when paired with the distinctive traits of hickory cupboards.

4. Cupboard {Hardware}

Cupboard {hardware} features as the jewellery of a kitchen, offering each useful utility and aesthetic refinement. Its strategic choice considerably impacts the general design narrative, particularly when paired with the distinctive character of hickory cupboards. {Hardware} decisions affect the perceived type of the kitchen, from rustic to fashionable, and may subtly direct the attention, creating visible concord or intentional distinction. The interaction between {hardware} finishes and the encircling coloration palette, together with wall coloration, counter tops, and backsplash, is essential for reaching a cohesive and visually interesting design.

  • Steel Finishes

    Steel finishes play a dominant function in defining the kitchen’s type. Brushed nickel or chrome steel supply a smooth, fashionable really feel, complementing modern coloration schemes and home equipment. Oil-rubbed bronze or black {hardware} can intensify the heat of hickory, significantly in conventional or transitional kitchens. Brass or copper finishes introduce a contact of magnificence and heat, working nicely with deeper hickory tones and richer coloration palettes. The chosen steel end ought to complement the general design aesthetic and harmonize with different metallic parts within the kitchen, reminiscent of lights and home equipment.

  • {Hardware} Model

    {Hardware} type, encompassing knobs, pulls, and hinges, additional refines the kitchen’s character. Easy, streamlined designs improve a contemporary aesthetic, whereas extra ornate or conventional types complement basic or rustic kitchens. The dimensions of the {hardware} ought to be proportionate to the scale of the cupboards, making certain visible steadiness. Matching knobs and pulls create a cohesive look, whereas mixing types can add visible curiosity, significantly when utilizing comparable finishes.

  • Placement and Proportion

    The location and proportion of {hardware} contribute to the kitchen’s total visible steadiness. Knobs and pulls ought to be positioned for each performance and aesthetic attraction. Constant spacing between {hardware} items creates a way of order and symmetry. Outsized pulls could make a press release on bigger drawers or cupboard doorways, whereas smaller knobs are appropriate for smaller cupboards or drawers. Cautious consideration of {hardware} placement ensures each sensible usability and visible concord.

  • Coordinating with Current Components

    Cupboard {hardware} ought to harmonize with different design parts within the kitchen. Take into account the present finishes of home equipment, lights, and plumbing fixtures when deciding on {hardware}. Matching or complementing these finishes creates a cohesive and well-considered design. As an example, if chrome steel home equipment are distinguished, chrome steel or brushed nickel {hardware} can preserve a constant aesthetic. Alternatively, contrasting finishes can be utilized to create visible curiosity, however cautious consideration is required to make sure the distinction is balanced and intentional.

The seemingly small element of cupboard {hardware} contributes considerably to the general aesthetic affect of a kitchen with hickory cupboards. Cautious choice of {hardware} end, type, and placement elevates the design, making a cohesive and visually interesting area. {Hardware} decisions, when built-in thoughtfully with the broader coloration scheme and materials choices, contribute to a kitchen that’s each lovely and useful.

5. Lighting Fixtures

Lighting are integral to a kitchen’s design, considerably impacting the perceived colours and total ambiance, particularly in kitchens with hickory cupboards. Cautious consideration of fixture types, mild temperature, and placement is essential for enhancing the hickory’s pure magnificence and reaching the specified aesthetic. Lighting influences how the wooden’s tones and grain patterns are perceived, impacting the general effectiveness of the chosen coloration scheme.

  • Ambient Lighting

    Ambient lighting offers total illumination, establishing a foundational layer of sunshine. Recessed lighting, strategically positioned to keep away from casting shadows, ensures even distribution. For kitchens with hickory cupboards, hotter coloration temperatures (round 2700-3000K) complement the wooden’s inherent heat, making a welcoming ambiance. Cooler coloration temperatures can create a extra fashionable really feel, however require cautious balancing to keep away from clashing with the hickory’s undertones.

  • Activity Lighting

    Activity lighting focuses illumination on particular work areas, enhancing performance and security. Beneath-cabinet lighting is important for illuminating counter tops, significantly when making ready meals. Pendant lights above islands present centered mild for duties and create visible curiosity. The type and end of those fixtures ought to complement the general kitchen design and the {hardware} chosen for the hickory cupboards. For instance, black or bronze fixtures can create a cohesive look with darker hickory and hotter coloration schemes.

  • Accent Lighting

    Accent lighting highlights particular design options, including depth and visible curiosity. Inside cupboard lighting showcases ornamental gadgets or glassware, whereas strategically positioned wall sconces can intensify art work or architectural particulars. Accent lighting can be used to emphasise the grain patterns and coloration variations throughout the hickory itself, including one other layer of visible attraction. The colour temperature of accent lighting ought to align with the general lighting scheme to keep up a cohesive ambiance.

  • Pure Mild Issues

    Pure mild considerably influences coloration notion, particularly in kitchens with hickory cupboards. Giant home windows or skylights can amplify the wooden’s pure heat, impacting the chosen coloration scheme’s effectiveness. Window remedies, reminiscent of sheer curtains or blinds, enable for mild management whereas sustaining privateness. The interaction between pure and synthetic mild ought to be thought-about when deciding on each wall colours and lights to make sure a balanced and harmonious setting all through the day.

The interaction between lights and hickory cupboards considerably impacts the general aesthetic and performance of a kitchen. Strategic lighting decisions can improve the wooden’s inherent magnificence, spotlight design parts, and create a welcoming ambiance. By contemplating the assorted layers of lightingambient, job, and accentand their interplay with pure mild, one can obtain a cohesive and visually interesting kitchen design that showcases the distinctive traits of hickory cabinetry.

6. Flooring Decisions

Flooring decisions considerably affect the general aesthetic of a kitchen, significantly when coordinating with hickory cupboards and the established coloration scheme. The flooring materials, coloration, and sample work together with the cupboards’ wooden tones and the encircling palette, influencing the ultimate design’s coherence and visible affect. Cautious choice ensures a harmonious steadiness between these parts, contributing to a unified and visually interesting kitchen area.

  • Wooden Flooring

    Wooden flooring provides a pure complement to hickory cupboards, making a heat and welcoming ambiance. Species like oak or maple, with their lighter tones, can distinction with darker hickory, creating a way of steadiness. Darker wooden floors, reminiscent of walnut or cherry, can complement lighter hickory, including richness and depth. Consideration of plank width and path contributes to the general visible move and perceived spaciousness of the kitchen. Wider planks can create a extra modern really feel, whereas narrower planks typically go well with extra conventional designs.

  • Tile Flooring

    Tile flooring offers sturdiness and design versatility. Ceramic or porcelain tiles supply a variety of colours, patterns, and textures. Impartial-colored tiles, like beige or grey, can create a harmonious backdrop for hickory cupboards, permitting the wooden’s pure magnificence to face out. Patterned tiles can introduce visible curiosity, however cautious consideration have to be given to scale and coloration to keep away from overwhelming the area. Bigger format tiles can contribute to a extra modern aesthetic, whereas smaller tiles can create a way of visible texture.

  • Stone Flooring

    Stone flooring, reminiscent of slate or travertine, introduces pure texture and visible depth. The colour and veining of the stone ought to complement the hickory cupboards and the general coloration scheme. Lighter stone can brighten a kitchen with darker hickory, whereas darker stone can complement lighter hickory, making a balanced aesthetic. Stone flooring requires sealing to guard in opposition to staining and moisture, and its hardness could be a issue for consolation and potential breakage of dropped gadgets.

  • Luxurious Vinyl Plank (LVP)

    Luxurious vinyl plank provides a sensible and sturdy flooring resolution that mimics the look of hardwood. LVP is on the market in quite a lot of colours and textures, permitting for design flexibility. Lighter LVP can create a distinction with darker hickory cupboards, whereas darker LVP can complement lighter hickory, offering a balanced aesthetic. LVP’s waterproof nature makes it an appropriate selection for kitchens, providing resistance to spills and moisture.

Flooring decisions considerably affect the general aesthetic of a kitchen with hickory cupboards. Choosing a flooring materials, coloration, and sample that enhances the hickory’s tones and the broader coloration scheme is essential for making a cohesive and visually interesting area. Balancing practicality, sturdiness, and aesthetics ensures a flooring selection that enhances each the wonder and performance of the kitchen.

7. Textile Accents

Textile accents contribute considerably to a kitchen’s total aesthetic, including persona and heat whereas enhancing the established coloration scheme. In kitchens that includes hickory cupboards, textiles present a chance to enrich the wooden’s pure tones and tie collectively the assorted design parts, making a cohesive and welcoming area. Cautious choice of materials, patterns, and colours ensures these accents harmonize with the cupboards and different design decisions, contributing to a balanced and visually interesting kitchen setting.

  • Window Remedies

    Window remedies supply each useful mild management and aesthetic enhancement. Curtains or Roman shades in materials that complement the kitchen’s coloration palette can soften the strains of the hickory cupboards and introduce texture. For instance, linen curtains in a impartial tone can create a relaxed and ethereal really feel, whereas patterned Roman shades can add a contact of visible curiosity. The selection of material and sample ought to contemplate the general type of the kitchen, whether or not it’s conventional, fashionable, or transitional. Mild-filtering or room-darkening choices present sensible mild management whereas contributing to the specified ambiance.

  • Rugs

    Space rugs introduce heat and outline particular zones throughout the kitchen, significantly in open-plan layouts. A strategically positioned rug can anchor a eating space or create a extra snug workspace in entrance of the sink or island. Rug patterns and colours ought to complement the hickory cupboards and the general coloration scheme. A pure fiber rug can improve the heat of the wooden, whereas a patterned rug can introduce a pop of coloration or visible curiosity. Sturdy, easy-to-clean rugs are important in a kitchen setting, with supplies like cotton, wool, or artificial fibers providing practicality and magnificence.

  • Seat Cushions

    Seat cushions improve consolation and add visible attraction to kitchen seating areas. Cushions present a chance to introduce coloration, sample, or texture that enhances the hickory cupboards and different textiles. For instance, cushions in a strong coloration that picks up a hue from the backsplash can create a cohesive look, whereas patterned cushions can add a contact of persona. The selection of material ought to contemplate sturdiness and ease of cleansing, with choices like microfiber or outside materials providing practicality for kitchen use.

  • Dish Towels and Linens

    Dish towels, oven mitts, and different kitchen linens supply small however impactful alternatives to include coloration and sample. These textiles may be simply modified to replicate seasonal shifts or evolving design preferences. Coordinating these accents with the broader coloration scheme creates a way of cohesion and a focus to element. As an example, dish towels in a coloration that enhances the wall paint or backsplash tile can tie the design parts collectively. Linen or cotton textiles supply absorbency and sturdiness for sensible kitchen use.

Textile accents, when chosen thoughtfully, contribute considerably to the general aesthetic of a kitchen with hickory cupboards. These parts soften the tougher surfaces, introduce heat and persona, and tie collectively the assorted design elements. By fastidiously contemplating material decisions, colours, and patterns, one can create a cohesive and welcoming kitchen area that displays private type whereas enhancing the pure fantastic thing about hickory wooden.

Continuously Requested Questions

Addressing widespread queries concerning the choice of harmonious coloration palettes for kitchens that includes hickory cupboards offers readability and facilitates knowledgeable design selections. The next questions and solutions supply sensible steerage for navigating the complexities of coloration coordination on this particular context.

Query 1: What wall colours greatest complement hickory cupboards?

The optimum wall coloration relies on the particular hickory tones and the specified total aesthetic. Lighter hickory typically pairs nicely with deeper, richer wall colours for distinction, whereas darker hickory can profit from lighter, brighter hues to create a way of spaciousness. Impartial tones, reminiscent of heat grays or lotions, supply versatility and harmonize with most hickory variations.

Query 2: How can counter tops improve hickory cupboards?

Countertop materials and coloration considerably affect the general design. Darker granite or quartz can create a hanging distinction with lighter hickory, whereas lighter counter tops complement darker hickory, making a balanced aesthetic. Butcher block counter tops supply a heat, pure complement to hickory’s wooden tones.

Query 3: What backsplash designs work nicely with hickory?

Backsplash design ought to complement the cupboards and counter tops. Subway tile in a impartial coloration offers a timeless and versatile choice. Mosaic tiles or pure stone can add visible curiosity and texture, however cautious consideration ought to be given to scale and coloration to keep away from clashing with the hickory’s grain patterns.

Query 4: Does {hardware} end affect the general design?

{Hardware} end performs a vital function in defining the kitchen’s type. Black or oil-rubbed bronze {hardware} can intensify the heat of hickory, whereas brushed nickel or chrome steel supply a extra modern really feel. The {hardware} end ought to complement different metallic parts within the kitchen, reminiscent of home equipment and lights.

Query 5: How does lighting have an effect on the notion of hickory cupboards?

Lighting considerably influences how hickory’s tones and grain patterns are perceived. Heat lighting enhances the wooden’s pure heat, whereas cooler lighting can create a extra fashionable really feel. A mix of ambient, job, and accent lighting ensures each performance and aesthetic attraction.

Query 6: What flooring choices complement hickory kitchens?

Flooring decisions ought to harmonize with the cupboards and total coloration scheme. Wooden flooring in a complementary tone can create a cohesive and heat setting. Tile or stone flooring provides sturdiness and design versatility, however cautious consideration ought to be given to paint and sample to keep away from clashing with the hickory. Luxurious vinyl plank flooring offers a sensible and cost-effective different that mimics the look of hardwood.

Cautious consideration of every design aspect ensures a cohesive and visually interesting kitchen that showcases the fantastic thing about hickory cabinetry. Understanding the interaction between colours, supplies, and lighting is essential for reaching a harmonious and useful area.

The next part explores particular examples of profitable coloration schemes, providing visible inspiration and sensible implementation steerage.

Important Suggestions for Hickory Kitchen Shade Schemes

Attaining a harmonious and visually interesting kitchen design with hickory cupboards requires cautious consideration of coloration palettes and their interplay with the wooden’s pure traits. The following pointers supply sensible steerage for choosing complementary colours and supplies to create a cohesive and trendy kitchen area.

Tip 1: Embrace the Undertones: Analyze the particular undertones current within the hickory cupboards. Some hickory leans in direction of hotter, reddish-brown hues, whereas others exhibit cooler, grayish undertones. Choosing wall colours, counter tops, and backsplash supplies that complement these undertones is essential for making a cohesive palette.

Tip 2: Stability Distinction and Concord: Take into account the specified degree of distinction. Darker hickory cupboards can profit from lighter wall colours and counter tops to create steadiness and keep away from a visually heavy area. Conversely, lighter hickory cupboards may be paired with deeper wall colours and counter tops for a extra dramatic impact. Placing a steadiness between distinction and concord is important for visible attraction.

Tip 3: Take into account Pure Mild: Pure mild considerably influences coloration notion. Kitchens with ample pure mild supply larger flexibility in coloration decisions, whereas kitchens with restricted pure mild profit from lighter wall colours and reflective surfaces to maximise brightness.

Tip 4: Coordinate with {Hardware} Finishes: Cupboard {hardware} ought to complement the general design scheme. Black or oil-rubbed bronze {hardware} can improve the heat of hickory, whereas brushed nickel or chrome steel offers a extra modern look. {Hardware} finishes ought to harmonize with different metallic parts throughout the kitchen.

Tip 5: Check Paint Colours: Earlier than committing to a wall coloration, take a look at paint samples within the kitchen below completely different lighting situations. Observe how the paint interacts with the hickory cupboards and different design parts all through the day to make sure a harmonious mix.

Tip 6: Visualize the Full Design: Take into account the interaction between all design parts, together with flooring, backsplash, and textiles. Create a temper board or use design software program to visualise the whole design and guarantee a cohesive aesthetic.

Tip 7: Prioritize Performance: Whereas aesthetics are vital, prioritize performance in materials decisions. Choose sturdy and easy-to-clean supplies for counter tops, flooring, and backsplash, particularly in high-traffic kitchen areas.

By implementing the following pointers, one can create a kitchen design that harmonizes with the distinctive traits of hickory cupboards, leading to a good looking and useful area. A well-chosen coloration scheme enhances the pure fantastic thing about the wooden, making a welcoming and trendy setting.

The next conclusion summarizes the important thing takeaways and provides remaining suggestions for reaching a profitable kitchen design with hickory cupboards.

Conclusion

Cautious coloration scheme choice is important for maximizing the aesthetic potential of kitchens that includes hickory cupboards. This exploration has highlighted the essential interaction between hickory’s inherent characteristicsits numerous grain patterns and vary of heat tonesand the encircling design parts. Wall coloration, countertop materials, backsplash design, {hardware} finishes, lighting decisions, flooring, and textile accents all contribute to the general visible concord and affect. A profitable design considers the steadiness between distinction and complement, leveraging coloration to reinforce the wooden’s pure magnificence whereas reaching a cohesive and useful area. Sensible issues, reminiscent of materials sturdiness and upkeep necessities, alongside aesthetic preferences, inform optimum decisions.

Attaining a very gorgeous kitchen with hickory cupboards necessitates a holistic design method. Understanding the nuanced interaction of coloration, mild, and texture empowers knowledgeable selections, leading to an area that displays each aesthetic imaginative and prescient and sensible performance. Hickory’s enduring attraction lies in its versatility, adaptable to a variety of design types from rustic to modern. Considerate coloration scheme choice unlocks this versatility, reworking kitchens into inviting, fashionable, and useful hubs of the house.