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Tour an inspiring Quad Cities kitchen from Village Home Stores a custom Taj Mahal quartzite range hood.

<p>Friends, we wanted to share one last kitchen feature with you within the calendar year and then add another post about what is trending for kitchens and bath into 2026&hellip; then we got the green light to go photograph this kitchen in Bettendorf Iowa and realized that it could check both of those boxes! Let&rsquo;s have a look around this inspiring kitchen design we worked on with Aspen Homes of the Quad Cities.</p>
<h2>Quad Cities Kitchen Design That Captures 2026 Trends</h2>
<p><img alt="village home stores kitchen design with white oak island, accessible beige cabinets, and shade green built in area and taj mahal quartzite surfaces and range hood" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_taj-mahal-kitchen-quad-cities/OART1_village-home-stores-kitchen_01.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>There is so much to unpack in this incredible new home kitchen and a LOT of trends that deserve some attention if you are considering a kitchen design in the coming months or even years. Truth is, trends linger a lot longer in our industry because we are talking about permanent decisions and investments in your home, not just accessories or d&eacute;cor. Before we dive into the details of this Quad Cities kitchen design, know that any one of these concepts or materials can be something to inspire your own project with us. A new kitchen or bathroom is not something that you replace often, so trends in our industry come from very deliberate and savvy decision making.</p>
<p>These design and material choices are made between you, your team at Village Home Stores, and your contractor or builder if you are working with one. </p>
<h2>Accessible Beige Cabinetry and Strong Supporting Accents</h2>
<p>Still offering that main character energy in 2026 is a &ldquo;not-quite-white&rdquo; cabinet paint. That is the nickname we gave this category last year for new-neutral painted cabinet finishes in the white and off-white family. Our bestselling option in this realm by a huge margin is the Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige paint. We can now get this painted cabinet finish from most of our cabinet lines, and it is such a stylish main cabinet finish for your project. The perimeter cabinetry in this kitchen feature is from our Wynnbrooke Cabinetry line in their Denali door and that &ldquo;Accessible Beige&rdquo; paint. </p>
<p><img alt="accessible beige kitchen cabinets with taj mahal quartzite countertops and custom range hood" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_taj-mahal-kitchen-quad-cities/OART1_accessible-beige-kitchen-cabinets_02.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Because it is not a stark white paint, you can safely pair it with bright white paint elsewhere and it leaves enough contrast that you end up with a result that serves intentional choice, not a mismatched mistake. If you are planning on including white wall paint, trim, or other elements then consider Accessible Beige or another not-quite-white option from our lineup.</p>
<h2>Oak Cabinetry </h2>
<p>Guess what wood species is still fully seated for the coming years? Oak! Oak woods have been trending for the past few years, and they are gaining nothing but momentum with even more stain options arriving from our cabinetry AND flooring vendors. While the trend began with just light airy natural stains, we are also designing with more medium and moody-medium stained oak finishes. We are even seeing some oak flooring and cabinet styles that could be considered &ldquo;golden&rdquo; oak. Is this a blast from the 80&rsquo;s and 90&rsquo;s past? Yes! Keep an eye out for oak stains to start to show up in your feeds that are warmer and more golden as well as medium-cool options that keep things light but showcase the grain of the wood. </p>
<p><img alt="light oak kitchen island in white oak sand with waterfall taj mahal countertops and green painted cabinets in the background" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_taj-mahal-kitchen-quad-cities/OART1_light-oak-kitchen-island_03.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>This featured kitchen keeps things bright and airy with Wynnbrooke&rsquo;s bestselling White Oak &ldquo;Sand&rdquo; stain in that same Denali door for the kitchen island cabinetry and back paneling. We love that this kitchen includes three cabinet finishes. The White Oak adds warmth to the space and pairs so well with the quartzite countertops that wrap around the island. </p>
<h2>Moody Painted Cabinet Accents </h2>
<p>You know we always must chime in this time of year and remind you that it is always acceptable and encouraged to include some color in your cabinetry. Yes, cabinets are a more permanent investment, but a painted cabinet finishes can truly read neutral once in place. We do still include a lot of painted blue finishes for kitchen and bath projects but this year we have seen more greens pop up in our projects. And a painted green cabinet can make an incredible statement!</p>
<p><img alt="shade grown green painted cabinetry in kitchen with wall to wall appliance garages" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_taj-mahal-kitchen-quad-cities/OART1_shade-grown-green-paint_04.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>All our cabinet lines at Village Home Stores have launched new painted green finish options and this new home kitchen includes one that is sure to prompt a lot of screenshots and saves. The &ldquo;Shade Grown&rdquo; painted green is a stunning cabinet finish and looks great paired with all metal hardware accents. Our favorite combination is a deep moody green cabinet and brass hardware shown here. This Bettendorf kitchen includes cabinet hardware in a variety of sizes from our Emtek line. Emtek&rsquo;s Select Transitional handles are paired with Paxton knobs on some of the doors all in the Satin Brass finish. </p>
<h2>Custom Stone Range Hood</h2>
<p>Even with that wall of bold green cabinetry, the main focal point of this kitchen is the statement made with stone. Taj Mahal Quartzite has been installed throughout the kitchen for the countertops, backsplash, waterfalling island top, and even the range hood! This stone installation is hypnotizing and breathtaking to see in person. </p>
<p><img alt="kitchen with taj mahal quartzite countertops, backsplash and custom range hood installed in a village home stores kitchen in the quad cities" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_taj-mahal-kitchen-quad-cities/OART1_taj-mahal-quartzite-kitchen_05.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>This Quartzite Taj Mahal material is mined from Brazil, and the natural patterns and layers of textures and tones tell quite a story. It is so easy to get lost in it just staring at any surface in this kitchen. The slabs for this project were selected locally at Epic Stone in Davenport, Iowa and we had Robertsons Manufacturing template, fabricate, and install this kitchen for Aspen Homes. The process to build a safe and secure statement hood was intense but we are so thankful to work with this fab shop to get this finished look. </p>
<p><img alt="taj mahal quartzite range hood installed in a village home stores kitchen in the quad cities fabricated by robertsons" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_taj-mahal-kitchen-quad-cities/OART1_quartzite-range-hood_06.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<h2>Tour This Kitchen in Under a Minute</h2>
<p>We can&rsquo;t share only photos of this amazing kitchen design you have to see it in more detail. Take a quiet quick tour of the space in under a minute here:</p>
<p><iframe class="dsg-block-1-youtube-video" title=“Accessible Beige and Taj Mahal Quartzite Kitchen” src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gCvLzdSwAi0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Pretty gorgeous right? So much inspiration packed into one kitchen. Don&rsquo;t worry, we will be sharing a bunch of content from this kitchen on all our social channels so you can save, share, and discuss with our team what grabs your attention. </p>
<h2>Lighting That Goes from Day to Night</h2>
<p>Anyone else remember entire magazine spreads and fashion storytelling that told us we would need to &ldquo;take a look from day to night&rdquo; in our adult life? That isn&rsquo;t exactly a relatable skill needed now that we are all settled into adulthood but reader, I think if that all the time when I visit our Village kitchens. Normally we are stopping by in the daytime, and sometimes I don&rsquo;t even have to turn on the &ldquo;big light&rdquo; or even the secondary lighting to capture the space. But the lighting selections still make a statement and add to the space whether they are off or on. That is why it&rsquo;s important to invest in great lighting that has great shape and texture for the whole look. </p>
<p><img alt="cement look Elliot visual comfort kitchen pendant lighting installed above a white oak kitchen island" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_taj-mahal-kitchen-quad-cities/OART1_cement-kitchen-pendants_07.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Why choose your lighting for its shape and texture? It&rsquo;s just for lighting your room, right?... right? Real talk, it isn&rsquo;t. Yes, your kitchen island lighting will provide light for that island, but so will an entire layout of can lighting, perimeter undercabinet lighting, and surrounding spaces. Plus let&rsquo;s not forget that so much of the time spent in an open concept kitchen will include daylight hours when you may not need to turn on the lights if there is enough sunlight pouring in. This is the case for both our new home and remodel customers. Most complete remodels in kitchens include a plan for adding more overheard lighting in the form of recess cans, and any new home will already include this layer of lighting on your plan. So, choose decorative lighting that grabs your attention and truly adds to the overall design no matter if the light is off or on. This kitchen includes a pair of &ldquo;Elliot&rdquo; pendant lights from our Visual Comfort line, and they look great any time of day. See them features in this other Quad Cities kitchen <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/blog/thick-countertop-upgrade"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">we shared recently here</span></a>. </p>
<h2>Full Coverage Cabinetry</h2>
<p>Of course, there is a continued demand for cabinetry that extends all the way to the ceiling in the kitchen. It is important to mention this among our list of trends because even though it is assumed to be a desire for most of our clients, you do need to be conscious that your cabinet budget needs to reflect an allowance for this added storage space along the perimeter of your kitchen. You are essentially investing in another stacked layer of wall cabinetry and there will be some added cost to that choice. The great news is that this top region of cabinets is usually just cabinet boxes and doors to be purchased, we don&rsquo;t often add any other special inserts or drawer boxes up there because the area will only be accessed with a stepladder and not an everyday area to access. </p>
<p><img alt="kitchen cabinets in a quad cities home with accessible beige white oak sand and shade grown green painted cabinets shown" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_taj-mahal-kitchen-quad-cities/OART1_kitchen-cabinets-quad-cities_08.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>It is also important to remember to have a discussion with your designer at Village Home Stores about how you will marry the cabinets to the ceiling. You want to make sure that you have a plan in place for crown molding here and discuss it with whomever is installing your cabinetry and trim. Our remodeling customers also need to understand that many times we will suggest a staked molding option that can help forgive the ceiling dimensions that may change from one side of the wall to the other. Even in new homes, we can see ceiling heights be inconsistent once we reach the final install. </p>
<h2>Start Designing Your Own Kitchen With Us</h2>
<p>This kitchen doesn&rsquo;t include every 2026 trend we planned on spotlighting, but it sure does scratch a lot of those itches and emphasizes some general categories to consider when budgeting and planning for your own kitchen design with us. We sold the products and created renderings of the finished spaces for this family so they could see the vision, and we were still delighted at how it all turned out when we saw it in person. We couldn&rsquo;t believe how gorgeous this new home was when we stopped by and are so thankful we had a chance to share the kitchen with you here. We want to once again thank <a href="https://www.aspenwindmiller.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Aspen Homes and Windmiller Design Build</span></a> for all their business over the years. While we can&rsquo;t have a chance to stop by all of them before moving day, we are so grateful we were able to showcase this one. We know it will inspire many others. Ready to start planning your own kitchen or bath with our team? If you are planning on building or remodeling in the Geneseo or Quad Cities area, your first step is to reach out for an appointment. You can call us at (309) 944-1344, use the webchat here on our site, or complete <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/kitchen-and-bath-cabinetry-and-design"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">this short form online</span></a> and a member of our team will be in touch.</p>
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Quad Cities Kitchen Design with Custom Taj Mahal Range Hood

White Oak and Black cabinet kitchen design in modern split-foyer home from BuiltQC. Cabinetry and hardware by Village Home Stores

<p>Check out this handsome open concept kitchen design in a modern split-foyer home from BuiltQC. This home is located on the Iowa side of the Quad Cities and is packed with amazing style and a great layout. Village Home Stores sourced the cabinetry and hardware for this new home, and we are excited to show you around this kitchen.</p>
<p><img alt="great room kitchen design with dark beam ceiling and white oak and black cabinet finishes" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_white-oak-wheat-and-black-kitchen/OART1_great-room-kitchen-design_1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>The kitchen includes one main wall of cabinetry and a large island centered in front of it. The great room on the top level of the split-foyer is flooded with amazing natural light during the daytime.</p>
<p><img alt="builtqc kitchen design from Village Home Stores with main wall of cabinetry and large island with waterfall counters" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_white-oak-wheat-and-black-kitchen/OART1_builtqc-kitchen_2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<h2>White Oak and Black Combination Finish Kitchen</h2>
<p>This kitchen is installed using our Koch Classic Cabinetry line in the flat-panel shaker style Savannah door and a combination of White oak Wheat and Black painted finishes. We love the warmth that this wood tone brings to the kitchen. The combination of finishes can lean Midcentury Modern, Minimalist, or even Modern depending on how it is styled.</p>
<p><img alt="view of kitchen cabinets from floor with black painted cabinets and white oak wheat-stained light wood cabinets" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_white-oak-wheat-and-black-kitchen/OART1_white-oak-wheat-stain_3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>The hardware for the kitchen is also a combination of contrasting finishes. Jeffrey Alexander Gibson series handles are installed in a combination of Matte Black and Satin Bronze finishes. You can see in the image below that the Satin Bronze is on the black cabinetry, and Matte Black is installed on the White Oak Cabinets.</p>
<p><img alt="white oak and black cabinets with handle hardware in bronze and matte black" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_white-oak-wheat-and-black-kitchen/OART1_white-oak-and-black-cabinets_4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<h2>Balancing Accent Finishes</h2>
<p>The Black cabinet accents are so well balanced in this design. Not only are they spaced out in a rhythm that is visually balanced, but the height on each end is symmetrical as well.</p>
<p><img alt="Koch cabinets in white oak wheat stain with black painted cabinet accents from Village Home Stores" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_white-oak-wheat-and-black-kitchen/OART1_koch-cabinets-village-home-stores_5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>The tall Black accent cabinets bookend the main wall and there is an accent cabinet above the cooktop at the center of the wall. On the right end is a refrigerator surround design that includes a deep cabinet above the fridge and a tall end panel on the left side.</p>
<p><img alt="kitchen design with tall black wall oven cabinet fit for built in microwave at eye level" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_white-oak-wheat-and-black-kitchen/OART1_tall-microwave-cabinet_6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>The left end is visually anchored with a tall built in wall oven cabinet fit with a microwave unit installed at eye level. We love how this builder paid extra attention to the cabinet moldings with the accent colors. The toekick and crown molding each transition to the contrasting finishes when the cabinets do. The finished look is precise, focused, and high-end.</p>
<h2>Take a Quick Video Tour</h2>
<p>Press play below to take a quick video tour of the kitchen design.</p>
<p><iframe class="dsg-block-1-youtube-video" title=“White Oak Wheat and Black Cabinet Quad Cities Kitchen Tour” src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lOHgD2vqYqc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Want to see more from this kitchen? We posted a full album of images <a href="https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/white-oak-and-black-split-foyer-modern-kitchen-pj-vj~7732975"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here over on our Houzz portfolio online</span></a>. We also have more features from it posted across our social media pages. You can follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/villagehomestores/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Instagram here</span></a> or on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@villagehomestores"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TikTok here</span></a>. Want to learn more about the builder BuiltQC? <a href="https://www.builtqc.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Check out their website here.</span></a></p>
<h2>Let&rsquo;s Get Started on Your Kitchen Design</h2>
<p><img alt="kitchen design with large base cabinet drawers shown open on each side of range" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_white-oak-wheat-and-black-kitchen/OART1_base-cabinet-drawers_7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Ready to step out of the research phase and enter the design phase with an expert team excited to get to work for you? The kitchen design team at Village Home Stores is ready to connect and chat with you about our products and process. No matter what size of a project you are dreaming up in the Quad Cities area, your first step is the same. Make an appointment with a designer at Village. You can use the chat feature right here on the blog or complete <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/kitchen-and-bath-cabinetry-and-design"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">this short form online</span></a> and a member of our team will be in touch. You can also call the showroom at (309) 944-1344 we are open M-F 9am-5pm and Saturdays from 9am-noon or by appointment. While we can allow clients to walk in and browse the showroom, kitchen and bath design appointments are recommended so you can be sure we have someone available to answer any questions you may have. We can&rsquo;t wait to meet you and hear about the project you are dreaming up.</p>
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Quad Cities Kitchen Fit with White Oak Wheat and Black Cabinets

Learn about the option to include a 3 inch thick countertop in your kitchen or bathroom design from Village Home Stores.

<p>We recently worked with Windmiller Design Build on their newest model home/office in Bettendorf, Iowa and WOW this home is stunning. We were so excited to be able to source the incredible lighting selections and quartz countertop surfaces for this Quad Cities home. The kitchen includes a thickness upgrade on the countertops that is worth noting and we wanted to answer a few questions for you about it here to help inspire your own projects with us.</p>
<h2>Calacatta Viraldi Quartz</h2>
<p><img alt="village home stores kitchen design with large island and thick quartz top with two cement look pendant lights and beamed ceiling in a model home built by windmiller design build" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_thick-countertop-upgrade/OART_village-home-stores-windmiller-model_1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Before we dive into the main detail this article is about, we don&rsquo;t want to miss out on an opportunity to showcase the Quartz surface selected for the kitchen because it deserves the spotlight. This is a Q Quartz engineered surface from our MSI line and the design is named Calacatta Viraldi. It has been expertly templated, fabricated, and installed by our friends from Surface Resource. Surface has been installing stone tops for Village Home Stores customers for decades and we are confident in the work they do for our customers.</p>
<p><img alt="photo of kitchen island top in calacatta viraldi design with 3&rdquo; thick mitered edges" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_thick-countertop-upgrade/OART_village-home-stores-windmiller-model_1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>A neutral warm white background is highlighted with brown and green veining. Yes green! The green veining detail is a subtle element and more proof that greens can be neutral finish. This quartz would look amazing installed on a green painted cabinet or in a room that had a green wall color, but this space includes neither and it is still perfect. Stop in our showroom to see a sample of this color alongside the cabinet finish options in our sample center.</p>
<p><img alt="corner closeup of calcatta viraldi MSI q quartz countertops " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_thick-countertop-upgrade/OART_calacatta-viraldi_3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<h2>Make an Impact Full-Height Backsplash and 3&rdquo; Thick Counters</h2>
<p>This Bettendorf, Iowa home includes Calacatta Viraldi quartz for the surfaces in the kitchen. On trend upgrades have been made like a full-height backsplash slab on the cooking wall and a 3 inch thick countertop upgrade. Both of these choices can make a big impact on a space. Selecting a full-height splash makes for a clean look and an easy-to-clean wall surface in place of tile and grout lines. The visual impact of an extra thick countertop is BIG especially in an open concept great room kitchen like this.</p>
<p><img alt="kitchen design in the quad cities with large island and 3 inch thick quartz countertops with two cement look pendants above" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_thick-countertop-upgrade/OART_kitchen-design-quad-cities_4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>But did you notice that this kitchen doesn&rsquo;t have that 3&rdquo; thick edge everywhere? Chances are you didn&rsquo;t until we pointed it out. If you return to the very first image of this post, you will see that the thicker tops are only applied to the kitchen island. The impact of full-height splash on the cooking wall is the statement needed, not a thicker counter surface there. One of the great advantages of working with a trained kitchen design team is we can help balance your selections to make an impact where it matters.</p>
<h2>Wait, is The Entire Countertop 3&rdquo; Thick?</h2>
<p>But that&rsquo;s a big island top! Is the whole thing 3&rdquo; thick material? Nope! We asked our fabricator a few questions about this technique and he confirmed that the 3&rdquo; thickness is only applied around the perimeter of the countertop piece. The material itself comes in a maximum of a 3cm thickness, so this thicker upgraded look is achieved with a mitered edge fabrication and a color match adhesive at the edge/seam. Both surface edges and mitered edges are beveled to approximately 45 degrees. This allows the mitered edges to be &ldquo;folded&rdquo; over the edge at the seam. Once the color match adhesive is applied, finish work can be done to soften the edges and remove any sharpness.</p>
<p><img alt="closeup image of mitered edge thick quartz countertops in calacatta viraldi MSI q quartz " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_thick-countertop-upgrade/OART_mitered-thick-quartz-countertops_5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>NOTE: The other fabrication method available for a thicker top is a &ldquo;laminated&rdquo; edge option. If you take a close look at the image above from our mitered edge example, you truly must strain your eye to find the seam location. With a &ldquo;laminated&rdquo; fabrication/installation option you will have a more noticeable seam. This is because the standard slab of countertop is stacked with an added edge perimeter below it. Think of this as sandwiched method using two distinct elements stacked together. For some designs and material patterns, this laminated method can still offer your space a big impact at a lower fabrication cost.</p>
<h2>Is More Material Required? What if my Stone Has a Pattern?</h2>
<p>As you can imagine, this approach to a thicker edge does look best when material patterns can help champion the illusion of a thick top. To achieve the best results, the island top and the mitered edges are all cut from the same slab of material. This means that the mitered edges all need to be able to be cut near the main surface top edges so that veining patterns can carry over and down the sides. All of this is carefully planned and plotted our at the fabrication shop with your material patterns in consideration.</p>
<p><img alt="kitchen with lighting and countertops from village home stores for windmiller design " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_thick-countertop-upgrade/OART_windmiller-design_6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Because this technique requires more material and skill, these thicker mitered edges do include an upcharge in price. Our design team will need to know what material you are considering to get you an accurate estimate for the upgrade cost. And not just anyone can successfully achieve this look for you. This is why it is so important to work with industry experts you can trust in your home. Surface Resource has worked with us for decades and we trust them to dedicate the time and attention needed for the stone investments in your home.</p>
<h2>Where Should You Upgrade to a Thicker Top?</h2>
<p>Because there is an added cost to this option, we know that it can&rsquo;t be done to every stone surface in your home. But for the right surface, this design detail can make a massive impact in your space. Especially if the contrast of your kitchen or bath cabinetry finish is high with the countertop material color. A bold, graphic thickness upgrade can stand out in a definite and deliberate way. The most common applications are kitchen island tops and powder or hall bathroom vanity tops. Check out this short video edit of the island tops from this Windmiller Design Build home:</p>
<p><iframe class="dsg-block-1-youtube-video" title=“Thick Countertops Close-Up” src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mNLFYwzypoA" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Obviously, we don&rsquo;t recommend our customers invest in a thicker countertop in a space that isn&rsquo;t in need of the big impact it has. Bless your heart if you want to pay for this upgraded option in a hidden lower-level craft room of your home&hellip; just know that we may try and step in to talk you out of that expense. NOTE: engineered quartz is a fantastic choice for a craft or workbench space and we will not try and talk you out of that material selection, just maybe paying for the thicker edge in an unseen corner of your home.</p>
<h2>Request a Quote Today</h2>
<p>Our thanks to Nick at <a href="https://srtops.com/gallery/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Surface Resource</span></a> for helping us answer some initial questions about this luxe upgrade available for our customers. We also want to thank <a href="https://www.aspenwindmiller.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Aspen Windmiller Design Build</span></a> for their continued business and letting us stop by this gorgeous new Quad Cities home to share the finished kitchen with you. Ready to start your own kitchen or bath design project with us? We can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you are dreaming up. You can connect with our team here using the chat feature on our site or <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/kitchen-and-bath-cabinetry-and-design"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">complete this short project form</span></a> and a member of our team will be in touch.</p>
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Thick Quartz Counters Make a Big Impact

Learn about your neutral green options for a kitchen and bath project with Village Home Stores and why going green isn’t such a bold move after all.

<p>What if we told you that green is the new neutral? You may be hesitant right? Well&hellip; how about we show you instead?</p>
<h2>Can Green Be a Neutral? </h2>
<p>So, can green really be used as a neutral in home finishes? Absolutely and it&rsquo;s nothing groundbreaking. Our first piece of evidence? Well, please excuse us when we politely ask you to look out the window. Currently in the Midwest our landscape is a bit frozen over, but normally green is a main element to every landscape you see. So why not bring the outdoors in? It is naturally neutral.</p>
<p><img alt="close up shot of evergreen fog green painted inset beaded frame cabinets with knob hardware" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_greens-as-neutral-in-kitchen-and-bath-design/OART1_evergreen-fog_1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Green works so well as a subtle neutral because it is THE original neutral really. Greens have always been among the palette of natural earthtone colors when it comes to categories of art&hellip; so why not interiors? Naturally occurring colors are just effortlessly neutral. A bright, bold, highlighter-green would not be considered an earthtone neutral, but how about a deep organic mossy green? More soothing and less intrusive right? We may be taken aback by a bold punch of color, but something soothing and natural is never a shock to our eyes. We love the tone of the green wall tile we used for a range hood in a Davenport, Iowa kitchen remodel (shown below).</p>
<p><img alt="green wall tile installed in herringbone pattern with medium brown grout" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_greens-as-neutral-in-kitchen-and-bath-design/OART1_green-wall-tile-herringbone_2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Greens have been trending for quite some time in our industry, and we have seen them become super popular as options for tiled surfaces, wall color, and furniture accents. But Village Home Stores has also installed many green painted cabinets in our area. Bathrooms, bar areas, mudroom benches, and now a handful of kitchens in the Quad Cities region.</p>
<h2>Shade Grown Green Cabinets</h2>
<p>Before we show off some of our bestselling green finish options, we want to spotlight a new one that has already taken over our featured project posts this year. Shade Grown is a rich, dark green Sherwin Williams paint color that can be ordered from many of our cabinetry lines at Village Home Stores. You may have noticed <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/blog/taj-mahal-kitchen-quad-cities"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">our most recent kitchen design tour</span></a> on the blog included a full color-drenched wall of Shade Grown cabinetry from floor to ceiling. This kitchen is catching fire on the internet and guess what? We didn&rsquo;t just use Shade Grown in that one area! We also included it for the finish on the built-in cabinetry across the great room surrounding the fireplace. </p>
<p><img alt="great room build in wall with dark green painted cabinets and white oak shelves on each side of the fireplace" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_greens-as-neutral-in-kitchen-and-bath-design/OART1_dark-green-painted-cabinets_3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Imagine this wall once these shelves are styled and furniture is in place. That green painted finish will instantly look right at home as a neutral backdrop for all the other elements in the space. Another recent example of a secondary space with green cabinetry is found in a walk in pantry. Press play below to see a butlers pantry design from another Quad Cities home that includes floor to ceiling storage in this rich painted finish. </p>
<p><iframe class="dsg-block-1-youtube-video" title=“Shade Green painted walk in kitchen pantry” src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ltecyykDKDU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>A great look isn&rsquo;t it? And it pairs so well with the brass cabinet hardware and sconce lighting in the pantry. In fact, green painted cabinetry and trim can really pair well with many secondary finishes. </p>
<p><img alt="pantry cabinets in green shade grown paint " src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_greens-as-neutral-in-kitchen-and-bath-design/OART1_shade-grown_4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<h2>Green Finishes Play Very Well with Other Woods and Metals</h2>
<p>Neutral earthtone greens play so well with other finishes. We don&rsquo;t have to sell you the idea that a leafy green accent looks great with a textured woodgrain because nature has already showcased this pairing for us. So why does the kitchen image below look so effortlessly chic without being loud or flashy? </p>
<p><img alt="kitchen design in a quad cities home from Village Home Stores with accessible beige, white oak sand, and shade grown green cabinetry" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_greens-as-neutral-in-kitchen-and-bath-design/OART1_kitchen-design-quad-cities_5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Because seeing this combination is already a natural combination for us to view and process. Smooth green textures paired with warm grained woods have been a perfect pair long before we ever started designing kitchens that for sure. It&rsquo;s natural because it&rsquo;s nature. Including green finishes in a home space is a great way to bring the outdoors in. Adding soothing earthtones can impact your space and your mood. This also means giving warm woodgrains a chance in the spotlight. Currently the cabinet finish combinations we see the most are with light and medium woods and sometimes even a third finish is introduced for more cabinet accents, flooring, or shelving in white or not-quite-white neutral paint. Don&rsquo;t stress about finding the perfect combinations because our designers will be with you to help guide your selections and make sure the overall vision has balance. </p>
<h2>KitchenAid&rsquo;s new Juniper Appliance Finish</h2>
<p>Cabinet hardware and lighting can be showcased so well against a green backdrop. Warm brasses and bronze can look amazing, but so can polished chromes and dramatic matte blacks. And speaking of metallic finishes, we have a new option that has entered the chat.</p>
<p><img alt="kitchenaid juniper range in white oak kitchen with gray quartz counters" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_greens-as-neutral-in-kitchen-and-bath-design/OART1_kitchenaid-juniper_6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>You know a trending color is not going anywhere soon when you see large companies investing in it. The best example of this right now is the huge swing that KitchenAid has taken with launching a new green appliance option named Juniper. Trust us when we say that when an appliance company takes a big swing like this&hellip; they don&rsquo;t plan in missing. Millions of dollars were invested in the lead up to KitchenAid&rsquo;s relaunch and with it comes a neutral green appliance finish, this one is an instant classic! When we first saw Juniper in person, it was a welcomed surprise. It is a subtle metallic green finish that can even lean blue-green in some lighting. We now have a Juniper range on the showroom floor and at first glance, customers assume it is black stainless until they start approaching it. Juniper is a fantastic example of a neutral green investment that you can make in your home. For the right project, this new finish is a perfect choice to elevate a kitchen from basic to luxurious (without cranking up to a luxury appliance price). Plus, as a kitchen design center we are so excited that you can customize the hardware on your Juniper appliances to compliment your kitchen. </p>
<p><img alt="kitchenaid handle being installed onto Juniper green dishwasher" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_greens-as-neutral-in-kitchen-and-bath-design/OART1_customize-kitchenaid_7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Ask an appliance or kitchen design expert at Village to see this new color in person plus see the hardware options you have to personalize your pieces. You can also use our Juniper showroom appliances to see how cabinet finish combinations pair with the painted green cabinetry samples you may be considering. </p>
<h2>Evergreen Fog Cabinets</h2>
<p>Evergreen Fog is a wonderful green cabinet finish that is much lighter option for historical restoration projects. This subtle green color looks great paired with antiques and old-world details. Check out <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/blog/evergreen-fog-inset-cabinet-kitchen"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">this full kitchen tour where we used Evergreen Fog paint</span></a> on using a custom inset cabinetry kitchen design for a historic Dewitt, Iowa home. This light green hue is a great option for small spaces like bathrooms or small kitchens where you may not want to go to bold or dark with the cabinetry. Evergreen Fog also makes a good option for traditional and new traditional kitchen designs that may want to include white appliances. The lighter green allows you just enough contrast from green to white without having to risk striking out matching your white cabinet options with an appliance finish. </p>
<p><img alt="kitchen in evergreen fog light green cabinet finish " src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_greens-as-neutral-in-kitchen-and-bath-design/OART1_evergreen-fog-light-green-cabinets_8.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>If the idea of going with a green cabinet for the kitchen is a bit bold for your comfort zone, consider a smaller space like a bathroom. Bathroom cabinetry and wall surfaces are a great place to introduce color. We recently featured a double sink vanity design that used Evergreen Fog cabinetry <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/blog/evergreen-fog-bathroom-vanities"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">shown here with matte black</span></a> handle hardware and lighting. </p>
<h2>Foxhall Green Cabinets</h2>
<p>Looking for something in the middle? Foxhall Green is a cabinet finish that is darker than Evergreen Fog, but more of a vibrant fresh green paint. Foxhall looks green day and night, Shade Grown can have a chameleon effect and look more gray or muddy black in the evening hours. All of these options work great as a kitchen island accent or bases-only dual tone cabinet design.</p>
<p><img alt="foxhall green bathroom cabinets in quad cities home " src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_greens-as-neutral-in-kitchen-and-bath-design/OART1_evergreen-fog-light-green-cabinets_8.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Press play below to see a gorgeous use of Foxhall Green for a bathroom cabinet design we did in Bettendorf, Iowa. This color was perfect for a hall bath. It grabs your attention but has an overall grounded and styled installation with the surrounding selections (like that amazing wallpaper). </p>
<p><iframe class="dsg-block-1-youtube-video" title=“Foxhall Green just might be our new favorite” src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qZV6HKYs198" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><p>You can see more of that Foxhall Green bathroom vanity setup <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/blog/foxhall-green-cabinets"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here in a recent blog feature</span></a>. And you can come see all our green finish options anytime you would like in person with an appointment at Village Home Stores. We have a lot of wall tile, countertop surfaces, window treatment materials, and light fixtures that can be a great way to include a subtle and neutral greens in your home. </p>
<h2>Green with Envy Yet? Make an Appointment</h2>
<p>Have our examples turned you green with envy yet? Don&rsquo;t fret because we are ready to liven up your home too! If you found this article inspiring for your own project with us, please reach out to learn more about our design and estimation process. You can connect with our team using the webchat feature here on the site or by completing <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/kitchen-and-bath-cabinetry-and-design"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">this short form</span></a>. We are excited to hear what you are working on and to find out if our team is the right fit for your project.</p>
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Using Greens as Neutrals in a Kitchen or Bathroom

Tour a Village Home Stores kitchen design in a new Quad Cities home built by Advance Homes with Shoji White painted cabinetry and a Medium stained kitchen island.

<p>We have another great kitchen tour to share with you and this one features a bestselling painted white cabinet finish paired with a great medium wood tone finish for the island. Let&rsquo;s have a look around this open concept kitchen design in the great room of a new home built in the Quad Cities by Advance Homes with cabinetry, hardware, and lighting from Village Home Stores. </p>
<h2>Shoji White Painted Cabinet Kitchen</h2>
<p>The main perimeter of this kitchen is fit with our Koch Classic Cabinetry in the Bristol door and a painted white finish named Shoji White. There are three zones in the kitchen design perimeter: the cooking zone, the wall that includes the refrigerator surround and microwave, and a dry bar area at the kitchen entrance. </p>
<p><img alt="shoji white painted cabinet kitchen with large maple island with black counters and two pendant lights hanging above" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART_shoji-white-maple-frontier-kitchen/OART1_shoji-white-kitchen_1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>The pendant lighting that hangs above the island is from our Hinkley Lighting line. These are the Collins pendants. They measure 20&rdquo; and are shown here in a Black Oxide finish. This series comes in a few styles and is also available in a brass finish. You can shop all of our lighting options online anytime <a href="https://villagehomestores.xolights.com/lighting-fixtures"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here on our website</span></a>. </p>
<p><img alt="kitchen design in quad cities with white cabinets and medium maple island" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART_shoji-white-maple-frontier-kitchen/OART1_quad-cities-kitchen-design_2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Speaking of lighting, we absolutely love the use of undercabinet lighting in the kitchen toespace by this builder. How amazing does this look!? Imagine the kitchen in the evening hours with that toekick glowing. </p>
<h2>Maple Frontier Stained Kitchen Island</h2>
<p>At the center of the kitchen is a large kitchen island with the cleanup zone of the design. The island is a single-level height including the kitchen sink and dishwasher facing the cooking zone. There is an overhang for counter-height stools on two sides of the island and accessible storage on all sides of the island.</p>
<p><img alt="kitchen island cabinetry with maple wood with medium frontier stain applied shown with black counters and undermount sink" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART_shoji-white-maple-frontier-kitchen/OART1_maple-with-medium-stain_3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>The kitchen island is installed with the same Bristol doorstyle as the perimeter cabinetry but in a Maple wood with the &ldquo;Frontier&rdquo; stain applied. Frontier is a great medium wood tone option available at Village, and it looks amazing on many woods. We have samples available in the showroom if you would like to see this same stain applied on another wood species. </p>
<h2>Watch a Full Video Tour of This Space</h2>
<p>Of course, the best way to show off a kitchen is with a video tour! If you want to take a more detailed look around this kitchen design just press play below for a 3-minute video tour of the space including the walk in pantry area through that arched doorway.</p>
<p><iframe class="dsg-block-1-youtube-video" title=“Shoji White Painted Cabinet Kitchen Tour with Maple Frontier Stained Island” src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mBVfjMC70Bk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Looks great in video and even better in person! One of the main focal points of the entire great room space is the range hood on the cooking zone wall. </p>
<h2>Large Wood Range Hood Design with Cabinetry to Countertops</h2>
<p>For this range hood cabinet design, we included a large, paneled wood hood cabinet in the same Shoji White finish that can house the blower insert for the cooktop below. Then we added tall wall cabinets on each side to bookend and anchor the space visually.</p>
<p><img alt="white painted cabinet range hood design with black backsplash and cabinets that go down to counters" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART_shoji-white-maple-frontier-kitchen/OART1_large-range-hood-cabinet_4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>These tall cabinets extend down to the countertop, and they aren&rsquo;t just decorative columns, they each open. With this setup the user in the cooking zone can access shelves for spices and cooking oils plus have all the cookware and pans just steps away below in the base cabinets. </p>
<p><img alt="white cabinet kitchen with cookware storage in large drawers and pull out cabinets" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART_shoji-white-maple-frontier-kitchen/OART1_cookware-storage-in-kitchen_5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>More and more of our customers have found that a wide stack of drawers for their pots and pans is far more accessible and usable than a cabinet with doors to open with rollouts behind them. Drawers allow you to just access what you need to with no doors in the way. Our cabinet design team will work closely with you to select just the right layout and specialty storage cabinets for your household needs. </p>
<h2>Walk in Pantry with Arched Doorway</h2>
<p>The storage in this space is not just limited to the kitchen. There is a stylish extension to the kitchen through an arched doorway between the cooking wall and the refrigerator wall of the design. A wall that is visible from the kitchen includes a window with bases, wall cabinets, and added countertop space. This gives the homeowners a sideboard area that is tucked away but very accessible.</p>
<p><img alt="butlers pantry doorway with arch looking out to kitchen" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART_shoji-white-maple-frontier-kitchen/OART1_butlers-pantry-arch_6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>But the storage doesn&rsquo;t stop there. When you walk into this pantry area there is a full wall of storage that is out of sight around the corner. If you would like a better peek into this butler&rsquo;s pantry area of the kitchen, be sure to watch the video tour we included above in this post. </p>
<h2>Get Started on Your Kitchen Design with Village </h2>
<p>Would you like to see more of this kitchen? Then <a href="https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shoji-white-and-maple-frontier-kitchen-design-pj-vj~7808283"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head here to our Houzz portfolio</span></a> for a full album of inspiring images from this new home in Bettendorf Iowa. Are you ready to reinvent how you spend your time at home? Contact our kitchen and bath design team and let&rsquo;s get started on planning your new space. You can <a href="https://www.villagehomestores.com/kitchen-and-bath-cabinetry-and-design"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">fill out this short form online</span></a> or use the webchat here on the site. You can also give us a call at (309) 944-1344. We can&rsquo;t wait to hear from you and find out if Village Home Stores can help get your project across the finish line.</p>
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Shoji White Painted Kitchen with Medium Maple Island

Village Home Stores hosted a washout event with the Whirlpool Foundation and The Washing Machine Project.

<p>Be honest, have you ever considered how blessed we are to have access to clean laundry tools, water, and the electricity needed to use these modern options in our own day-to-day lifestyles? I had never sat with the reality that so many people around the world do not have access to these tools until I walked into the Whirlpool booth at a recent convention and saw a Divya manual washing machine for the first time. </p>
<p><img alt="image of women at divya manual washing machine getting a demonstration with backdrop and laundry baskets on floor" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_washing-machine-project-at-village/OART1_washing-machine-project-village-home-stores_1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>After just a few minutes chatting with the Washing Machine Project in that Whirlpool booth, I knew that this was a cause that Village Home Stores customers and our community could get behind. We agreed to host a Washout event at our store, and it was a huge success! Thank you to all who came out to learn and connect with this cause during State Street Market Geneseo this year. Over the course of a few days, we were able to raise a lot of awareness for the efforts from the Whirlpool Foundation and The Washing Machine Project. You also helped us raise funds to champion these efforts. We knew a few people would show up to see the machines, but WOW! We had a lot of folks stop by. Press play below to watch a short recap video.</p>
<p><iframe class="dsg-block-1-youtube-video" title=“Geneseo Washer Project Turnout” src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VaZ39ccRGCc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<h2>What is The Washing Machine Project?</h2>
<p>But what is the Washing Machine Project, and why is Whirlpool involved? Well, as you know, Whirlpool is already in the business of making washing machines. The Whirlpool Foundation began a few years ago, looking for ways to make an impact in areas that don&rsquo;t have access to laundry machines. When they discovered what incredible work The <a href="https://www.thewashingmachineproject.org/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Washing Machine Project</span></a> was already doing, they joined forces to help give them access to materials and a volunteer workforce from Whirlpool employees to build more manual washing machines and make an even larger impact with combined resources and efforts.</p>
<p><img alt="older woman with blue jacket using manual washing machine unit at washout event at village home stores" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_washing-machine-project-at-village/OART1_washout-event-at-village-home-stores_2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>The Washing Machine Project began to take shape in 2017 when Dr. Navjot &ldquo;Nav&rdquo; Sawhney, an engineer from the UK, took a sabbatical in India with Engineers Without Borders. There, he became friends with his neighbor Divya and saw that she spent hours each day handwashing clothes. He knew his skillset could help come up with a better solution and give her back some time to spend in other ways outside of the laborious laundry tasks. Years later, he returned to India and gave her a manual washing machine. </p>
<h2>Laundry Class is in Session </h2>
<p>Once we started working with the Washing Machine Project to plan their time in town with some machines, we started to think outside the box a bit. How can this story of inspiration and innovation be shared with our town in a way that can maybe spark the next big idea to improve lives? So, we reached out to Geneseo High School and arranged to bring a manual washing machine to some classes there. We really had a great time bringing this lesson to the students and seeing them get inspired was so amazing. </p>
<p><img alt="image collage with orange square accent showing washout at local high school and students hand washing items and learning" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_washing-machine-project-at-village/OART1_washout-at-high-school_3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>The classes learned about Dr. Nav&rsquo;s 7-year process of gathering information about this problem, and the many iterations of the manual washing machines he designed before he arrived at the first version of a Divya manual washing machine. Students in Mr Deets&rsquo; Geneseo High School classes were able to wash clothing by hand and see and learn about the manual washing machine design(s). Their teacher even followed up in the following days with a lesson that continued this discussion in class. Who knows, the next big impact may come from an idea sparked from this day! </p>
<p><img alt="divya manual washing machine at Geneseo high school football field with band practicing in background" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_washing-machine-project-at-village/OART1_divya-manual-washer-in-geneseo_4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>These Divya (named after Dr. Nav&rsquo;s neighbor during sabbatical) manual washing machines help to reclaim time and improve lives in each community that receives one. Using these manual washers can save up to 75% of the time and 50% of water usage! For a few days, we had two manual washers in town.</p>
<h2>Reclaiming Time, Improving Lives</h2>
<p>Our team and our entire community learned that half the population of the world hand-washes clothes. Half! And it should not be a surprise to any reader here that the task of laundering clothes is most typically given to women and girls in a community. Washing clothes and linens by hand takes lots of time. And we learned that this average time was equivalent to 20 hours a week in most cases. That&rsquo;s 20 hours a week that should be instead spent going to school, earning income, spending time with loved ones, and of course resting and relaxing! </p>
<p><img alt="image collage with orange square accent showing children handwashing laundry at whirlpool washout event" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_washing-machine-project-at-village/OART1_whirlpool-washout-event_5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>It was only in 2024 that The Whirlpool Foundation teamed up with The Washing Machine Project to help champion this cause. With Whirlpool entering the picture, now this cause has more access to donated materials and a large volunteer workforce from Whirlpool staff to help build machines and keep costs down. In just that first year together, they were able to send 645 machines out. This was a result of nearly 4,000 hours of volunteer work from Whirlpool employees, and it impacted over 11,000 lives and counting as a result! Those stats are just from their first full year partnering. Imagine how many more lives will be impacted by the continued efforts as this cause moves forward. There are even plans to improve the Divya design and distribution methods. The project has also established a baseline for how they will measure this impact in the coming years. You can access the <a href="https://www.thewashingmachineproject.org/our-impact#download-report"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Global Laundry Divide Report</span></a> here. </p>
<h2>Thank You, Geneseo! </h2>
<p><img alt="hog country radio regional media news live broadcast at village home stores during washout event and state street market geneseo" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_washing-machine-project-at-village/OART1_hog-country-radio_6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>During our washout event at State Street Market, we had a live radio broadcast in the store from HOG Country Radio and Regional Media, which was such a fun way to add to our event day. We even had the chance to hop on air and chat between songs about this cause. Oh yeah, and we gave away a gorgeous KitchenAid stand mixer! Congratulations to Sue S. We had well over 300 entries, and she was our winner! </p>
<p><img alt="village home stores owner collin akers with kitchenaid stand mixer with wood bowl for event giveaway" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_washing-machine-project-at-village/OART1_kitchenaid-mixer-with-wood-bowl_7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>As you can see from this article, Geneseo was BUZZING on State Street Market Day, and we were so happy to have a lot of those shoppers stop into our store to learn about this amazing cause. Many of you also donated, and we are so thankful for that. </p>
<p><img alt="images from village home stores whirlpool washing machine project washout event in geneseo illinois" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/brandsource_member_blogs/OART1/OART1_washing-machine-project-at-village/OART1_village-home-stores-washout_8.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p>Our event is over, but the Washing Machine Project and the Whirlpool Foundation are still making big moves this year to help get these manual washers in more communities that need them. You can still <a href="https://www.thewashingmachineproject.org/donate"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">make a donation</span></a> to this cause here anytime. And follow along with TWMP on their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheWashingMachineProject"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">YouTube channel</span></a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewashingmachineproject/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Instagram page</span></a> as well. Thank you again to our amazing customers and business community for showing up in a big way for our #washout event. &ldquo;We Make a Village,&rdquo; and you are a part of it!</p>
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