Kitchens "Sizzle" in D.R. Horton homes

PHOTO COURTESY/D.R. HORTON The kitchen in the Petaluma model at Catalina Isles showcases a popular combination of "step and stagger" cabinets, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Kitchens are often one of the main deciding factors in a home purchase. This is why D.R. Horton focuses so much attention on kitchens in their designerdecorated models as well as in their quick move-in homes. They prove that it is indeed possible to have a gourmet cook's kitchen at an affordable price.

Brenda Clark, D.R. Horton's Design Center Manager in Southwest Florida, suggests that the best place to start with a kitchen design is with flooring. It is flooring that sets the stage for all the other kitchen components. She advises buyers to make their flooring decision carefully because it not only sets the tone for the entire home, but it is also costly to change. Clark suggests that light tile colors will maximize the sensation of space in a small kitchen while darker colors work well in a larger kitchen.

Cabinets, countertops, appliances and wall colors are other major kitchen components. D.R. Horton offers customdesigned wood cabinets in a range of finishes and costs. The top-of-the-line package includes such touches as wine racks, crown molding trim, rollout shelves, tiltout shelves, cookie sheet storage and several other cabinet features. According to Clark, buyers also love "steps and staggers" in the height of the cabinets rather than a straight line of cabinets all at the same level. Darker cabinet colors are also more in demand currently.

PHOTO COURTESY/D.R. HORTON A Cypress townhome model at Bella Vida demonstrates drama in a smaller kitchen with the contrast of blue pearl granite countertops (including a full high granite backsplash), black smooth finish appliances and white cabinets. The beauty of natural granite and the wide variety of colors has made it very appealing to buyers. D.R. Horton is also now offering a relatively new durable quartz product called Silestone®. This countertop material is a blend of quartz powder and polymer. It offers as many color variations as granite and is similar in price.

Clark reports that stainless steel appliances are very much in demand and that buyers like the counter depth refrigerators that stand out the same distance from the walls as the cabinets.

With so many choices and price points involved in putting a kitchen together, DR. Horton helps its buyers with bundled packages at varying costs. Their Design Center in Fort Myers is filled with displays of standard and upgraded selections not only kitchens but for every room in the house, including many of the latest products and materials. Two elegant kitchen displays are also there to serve as idea centers and as referrals for the various components of a kitchen.

To see great kitchens - and homes - visit unique designer-decorated models in the following D.R. Horton communities: Valencia Golf & Country Club in Naples, The Grove in Lehigh Acres, Catalina Isles in Fort Myers, Bella Vida in Cape Coral and River Club in Port Charlotte.

On-site sales office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Phone (800) 318-5685 or visit swf.drhorton. com.