Jared Lewis and this DREAMY kitchen

This kitchen was designed with traffic flow in mind

This kitchen was designed with traffic flow in mind

These clients are high on style and reasonable on budget and look what they pulled off!! When we met them, their little family was increasing in size with a new baby and a toddler in tow. And in the middle of all of this, the wife has decided to start her own law firm. This is what focus, an excellent contractor and quality products will get you. The kitchen in this house was very ordinary to start with — certainly very much like one that we have all lived with at one point or another (as soon as I have “Before” pics I will share them). This new area is so focused on family, fun and flow. Look how easily one can move from room to room, from table to sink to bar area and into the living area. They are going to enjoy this for decades.

Jared Lewis worked with Beyond the Box in Santa Cruz for the cabinets and kitchen design

Husband and Wife, the two kids or two friends can sit at the bar while the cook is in the kitchen

Husband and Wife, the two kids or two friends can sit at the bar while the cook is in the kitchen

You would be able to find me HERE! (I'm an excellent mixologist -- joking! But I like to keep the mixologists company)

You would be able to find me HERE! (I’m an excellent mixologist — joking! But I like to keep the mixologists company. No one should mix alone. Grinnn…)

This is a fireclay sink and their faucet is Made in the USA!!

This is a fireclay sink and their faucet is Made in the USA!!

Perfect for family dinners and board games

Perfect for family dinners and board games

Think of how easy it will be to pull this pantry out and not have to bend down and dig for items WAY in the back. SOOO Practical! It seems like one would be more likely to use everything because things will always be within sight providing inspiration for meals

Think of how easy it will be to pull this pantry out and not have to bend down and dig for items WAY in the back. SOOO Practical! It seems like one would be more likely to use everything because things will always be within sight providing inspiration for meals

There's a Made in USA pot filler. Love how the pot matches the tile.

There’s a Made in USA pot filler. Love how the pot matches the tile.

Close up of the tile

Close up of the tile

Another pic of the lovely tile

Another pic of the lovely tile

Before Pic One

This wall went bye-bye

This wall went bye-bye

Before Pic Two

Hard to believe that it ever looked like this. The great team of Beyond the Box, Jared Lewis and the Homeowners delivered DREAMY results.

Hard to believe that it ever looked like this. The great team of Beyond the Box, Jared Lewis and the Homeowners delivered DREAMY results.

To see more of the work of Jared Lewis Construction, click here

You can also find Jared Lewis on Houzz

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New low flow kitchen faucets

We have heard. Yes, we have received the phone calls that the newer kitchen faucets do not have the pressure that the old ones did. We like the kitchen faucets that we sell. But our new restrictions which dictate that the faucets flow at 1.75 gallons per minute, have really affected the way the faucets feel and perform. But, the water situation is dire. And, we know… We used to use our kitchen faucet as a scrubbing device as well. But the fact of the matter is that we should be scrubbing first and then using the water to rinse. Shock!! What?? Yes, I am telling you that you should scrub your dishes and pots with a brush or sponge or… whatever and then use the faucet to rinse. And this also goes for the kitchen sink. It should be scrubbed with a brush or sponge or whatever and the faucet should be used to rinse it. But the pressure of the water should not be used as a scrubbing device. We are in a drought! Sorry to be the naysayer but we really need to be mindful of how much water is coming out of our faucets. And the old ones are real water wasters. These new ones will save at least 30% over an older faucet from 2012 and earlier. And if your faucet is older than 1997 or so, you are really using a lot of water. If you are not ready to buy a new faucet, you could turn the angle stops down under your sink. What is an angle stop? You know, those little handles under the sink that turn the water on and off. You could turn those down to help reduce the flow of water out of the faucet.

Traditional low flow kitchen faucet available in a myriad of finishes

Traditional low flow kitchen faucet available in a myriad of finishes


Popular prerinse commercial style faucet available in chrome or brushed nickel.

Popular prerinse commercial style faucet available in chrome or brushed nickel.


Faucet with nice wide flat candle that is comfortable in the hand.

Faucet with nice wide flat candle that is comfortable in the hand.


Modern architectural shaped kitchen faucet from Switzerland

Modern architectural shaped kitchen faucet from Switzerland


This faucet is designed to be beautiful no matter which direction the faucet is swiveled in its 270° radius of movement

This faucet is designed to be beautiful no matter which direction the faucet is swiveled in its 270° radius of movement


High-tech faucet that uses a motion sensor to both turn it on and control the temperature of water

High-tech faucet that uses a motion sensor to both turn it on and control the temperature of water

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YES! Your kitchen can be beautiful and modern, too

You know you’ve had this thought: “My house was built when everyone else’s house was built. My house is NORMAL. My kitchen has to be normal, too (even though I would love something a little more magazine quality)”. Well, do we have some photos for you!!

This was a very normal kitchen before. We’ve all lived with a kitchen like this at one point or another. This was a perfectly good kitchen before. Clean. Functional. A fine kitchen.

It's a good kitchen

It’s a good kitchen


There is plenty of space

There is plenty of space


It even had an upgraded apron sink

It even had an upgraded apron sink


The Breakfast Nook

The Breakfast Nook


Another view of the breakfast nook

Another view of the breakfast nook

But…DRUMROLLLLLL PLEEEEAAAASSSEEEE…

Don't you wish your kitchen was HOT like this one!!

Don’t you wish your kitchen was HOT like this one!!

The breakfast nook island NOW

The breakfast nook island NOW

Seriously, those with a kitchen like this ARE sexier. They just BECOME sexier because this is ONE HOT number. They can’t help but walk with a little swagger. And who wants to be NORMAL anyway?! Breakfast is WAY more interesting and bright with the island bar. It’s easy to clean and forces the reduction of clutter. PERFECT!

This kitchen was designed with the help of Haim and Deganit at http://www.europeankitchendesign.com in San Francisco. But this kitchen lives in Santa Cruz County where we’re not afraid to take chances! We sell the sink and faucets.

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