Work Triangles: The Good, The Sad, and The Ugly

One of the first things that Morris Black designers learn while studying kitchen design (yes, there is a college course leading to a Certified Kitchen Designer degree) is the work triangle. The kitchen work triangle is the path between work surfaces; food preparation, refrigeration, and cooking surfaces. You can have a gorgeous kitchen but if it is designed inefficiently it can make your time spent in the kitchen a nightmare.

In a good kitchen layout, we try to ensure no more than twenty-six feet total between your refrigerator, food preparation area, and cooking surface, with not less than four feet between these areas. If you have less than four feet between each the space will feel cramped – especially when there is more than one cook in the kitchen. The furthest distance between work areas should not be more than nine feet.

While designing a kitchen for two cooks working together, we recommend a design with two separate work triangles. Neither path should intersect one another when sharing work stations.

Correcting Bad Kitchens
We’ve had clients come to us where oven doors opened onto dishwasher doors, where no one could exit the room when the refrigerator door was open, and, saddest of all, where it was impossible for the husband and wife to cook at the same time.

As design professionals, Morris Black designers have created kitchens in basic shapes such as L-shape, U-Shape, galley, G-shape, double L, even one wall kitchens. We even designed a kitchen for an octagon-shaped geodesic dome home. If your current kitchen design feels crowded or is difficult to work with a second person, call Morris Black Designs. We can recommend an alternate kitchen layout- using the principle of the work triangle- that will be a joy to use.

Elizabeth A Kerkusz, AKBD

Making the Most of a Tiny Space

A small kitchen can be as beautiful, functional and efficient as its bigger neighbor. And the designers at Morris Black have a myriad of options to choose from to make your kitchen feel bright and airy while putting every inch to use.

Start by considering smaller and more compact appliances. Counter-depth refrigerators are 24” deep, instead of 30”deep, therefore do not extend into the room beyond the countertops. Microwaves can be built into the cabinetry or hung below wall cabinets, saving precious counter space. A micro-hood combination can serve both as a cooking appliance and the source of ventilation for your kitchen. Hardly ever use the dishwasher? Opt for a single dishwasher drawer.

Our designers know how to optimize storage for efficiency. Islands, peninsulas, and banquettes with built-in seating can add much needed storage. Consider built-in plate racks or pot-and-pan racks. Interior accessories such as cutlery dividers, knife blocks, pantry pull-outs, and rollout shelves, organize the many different items stored in a kitchen. The tiny kitchen shown in the photo includes a corner cabinet with a lazy susan and tall wall cabinets to maximize storage.

Opening the kitchen into adjacent rooms by removing all or part of a wall can also give the illusion of more space. Skylights or larger windows allow more light to enter the kitchen, making the space feel bigger. A window at the sink could be bumped out and brought down to the countertop for a deeper counter while also creating a focal point. A niche in the backsplash could be built to store spices and oils used at the range.

Come in to the showroom with your wish list, and let the Morris Black designers apply some of these ideas to your kitchen design - and give you a kitchen that’s just the right size for the way you cook!

Susan E. Steuer, CKD

What Color is Your New Kitchen?

Color plays a major role in your kitchen design. Every aspect of your kitchen involves making a color choice – cabinets, counter top, backsplash, lighting fixtures, hardware, flooring, walls — and the list goes on. Its part of the process: color selections need to be made when you are designing a kitchen. Here’s your chance to choose the deep rich hues of cherry wood or the cool sophistication of natural maple, the cool grays and whites of a marble counter top or the endless colors of granite. Every choice enables you to add the stamp of your personality to the room. Think about what you like. When you are shopping for clothing do you gravitate toward neutrals or are you more apt to pick a colorful pattern?


There are pros and cons to each style when remodeling: Subtle choices are safe and flexible, but may lack overall pop and bore an extrovert. Bold choices are dramatic and fun, but can be risky and become dated in a short amount of time and may scare an introvert. Ask yourself: Am I remodeling for a potential resale or to please myself?

Nervous? Don’t worry. The designers at Morris Black have created bold vibrant kitchens and subtle soothing kitchens – we can guide you through the color choices. We can make suggestions, or let you decide – we’re here to help! We also have tools that can help you visualize what the colors will look like in a room design. Our latest showroom toy is a computer generated system that lets you choose the door style, finish, hardware, countertops, wall color and flooring – then saves and prints the results. What fun!

No matter your choice, you can feel good about it knowing that it reflects your own unique style! Decide what works for best for you and let’s get started!

By Christine Shorr, AKBD

Homeowner's Thank You Poem

We think of what we do as an art, but for one customer, our work inspired poetry. The most unique appreciation letter we’ve ever received is reprinted below, with the homeowners permission.

Joy each time we sit at the exquisite granite countertop
soaking in the morning light
eating breakfast
watching birds outside
cats napping at the window
fingers tracing mineral veins

A great space where once there was none;
clean lines of cabinets
maple, walnut
light, dark
contrast, smooth throughout
handles, knobs elegant
beautiful proportions of the doors
are we in a new house?

Skilled Donny and Shawn who made it happen;
immense care and obvious pride
superb craftsmen both
wonderful senses of humor
thoughtful and respectful of our home
your work here speaks for you

Light now where it was dark
thanks to Jeff and Mark
Water flows from stylish faucets to elegant vessels, not too shabby
from the plumbers Abbey

Hovering above it all, Oscar and Liz
you listen
you draw
you interpret
you search for what is just right
you have created a magnificent work of art

But where is the noise of dishes getting washed?

Thanks again to this homeowner for including in her epic the designer Oscar Acevedo and his assistant Liz Kerkusz, and also the installers, plumbers and electricians. Let us inspire the poet in you!

Welcome to Morris Black Designs!

Welcome to the Morris Black blog!

We have created this forum for friends and fans to share remodeling stories (both cautions and kudos) and for you to learn about exciting new products.

We encourage our customers to contribute. We’d love to see your new kitchen or bath highlighted here, and we would appreciate any feedback you can offer. What worked for you? What didn’t? What – if anything – would you have done differently?

In order to keep our designers concentrating on what they do best, we’ll check with them regularly and report their suggestions, tips and hints to you. Right now we're working on a story about a microwave/hood issue that has affected our customers.

We encourage you to comment! We’re always happy to hear from past clients and from anyone planning a remodeling project. And if you have started or are contemplating a project, please use our website for ideas by visiting our Photo Galleries and our Before and After section. Even better, come in to our Lehigh Valley or Pocono showroom and see our beautiful displays. We’d love to meet you in person, and we hope you’ll share your experience and the reactions of your friends and family to your Morris Black kitchen or bath.

Once again, Welcome, and please come back often!