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40 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | October 2015 Storage Innovations big computers in the kitchen, so they don't need a standard 30" desk. In - stead, they'll bring their tablet to the island and they'll have their calendars on their phones. What I often include instead of a desk is a message center that is part of the cabinetry and is at the same height as the counter. People can also use a couple of shelves as a place to drop mail, and I'll add outlets inside a drawer for charging electron - ics. Sometimes I also add corkboard behind a door so my clients can eas- ily access things like invitations, etc. It's less formal than a desk, but still provides a home for everything." Most difcult storage challenges: "I recently redesigned a kitchen where the homeowner had been storing all of the kids' arts and crafts supplies, din- ing room items and holiday linens in the kitchen. Items such as these, that aren't being used daily, should be out of the main kitchen and moved elsewhere, such as to a hallway closet. That frees up the kitchen for items that are used on a daily basis." "To create more stor- age, I have also included banquettes in my de- signs. They work great for kids' games. I actually include them in many de- signs, although not all of them have storage. Depending on the angle, if they have an exposed end, I can add drawers and give easy access to items inside." Favorite storage element: "In our showroom we have a tall, narrow pull-out pantry that is open on both sides and has integrated lighting. Un- derneath we included a pull-out for spices. We also have a pull-out under a sink base that gives easy access to cleaning supplies. There is even a dish towel rod. Everything is right there… and it is so much better than those tilt-outs at the sink!" Favorite storage tip: "If the ceiling is high, people often want to take the cabinets up high, too. But whatever is stored up high is out of sight…and out of mind. I like to do a single cabi- net door that has two panels, giving the impression of two separate doors. That way you can open the door, stand back and still see what's on the top shelf. Otherwise, the only way to see what is up there is to somehow get up there and open the second door. You can still use that upper space for items you don't use on a daily basis, but you will see them more often, and most likely use them more often, too." The Deane Inc. showroom highlights a variety of storage accessories, including this narrow pull- out pantry with integrated lighting. Spice pull-outs, such as the one included in this display, are also popular. Gianna Santoro also likes to include pull-outs in sink bases, such as the one shown here in the Deane showroom. Photos: Jane Beiles