Island by KraftMaid with prep sink, recycle center, shelving, drawers, cabinet & wine storage.

Have idea? We can draw it!

The kitchen island is a centerpiece and should stand out. The countertop, base cabinetry and hardware can be different from the rest of the cabinetry but should coordinate. What a great place to add a bold pop of color and a striking lighting fixture!

Armstrong Cabinets maximize space with this island backed with seating.

Island design elements are endless! From small and simple to large and multi-faceted, choose from features like pull-out storage, shelving, glass doors, decorative posts, corbels & legs, and wine storage. Cook tops, dishwashers, wine coolers and prep sinks are often installed in the island area. Don’t forget to add electrical outlets!

Multi-tiered island adds interest from Armstrong Cabinets.

When thinking about designing your island, space guidelines from the National Kitchen and Bath Association  recommends at least 42 inches of aisle space surrounding an island, and 48 inches if there are multiple cooks. Counter heights are 36 inches and breakfast bar height is typically 40 to 42 inches.

A bold statement in mixing finishes from KraftMaid.

Are you ready to get started on your island project? Stop by Modern Supply and look at their kitchen displays for inspiration. Design consultants are ready to help you create your dream island.

865.966.4567 • Locations

From StarMark Cabinetry, a non-standard shape with decorative corbels.

A small island is perfect for this cottage kitchen by StarMark.

 Armstrong Cabinets • KraftMaid • StarMark Cabinetry

Design for your space with semi-custom cabinetry from KraftMaid.

 The custom cabinetry folks provide the widest choices in size, wood, finishes and cool storage features. Pull-outs designed specifically for hair dryers, curling irons and make-up is a diva dream!  Snazzy touches like crown molding, glass doors, decorative cabinetry legs and specialty towel cubes add a timeless touch. The sky’s the limit on customizing!

Hide bathroom clutter with storage options from Starmark Cabinetry.

Vanities and matching bath furnishings are hot, hot, hot! Available in pre-determined sizes, these spa-like pieces create an uncluttered, streamlined look. They’re ideal for a powder room! There’s flexibility in sink choices too—a one piece countertop with an integrated sink or a jazzy vessel sink can complete the look. Towel towers, wall cabinets and mirrors add extra storage and are super cute.

My stars! Did you ever think medicine cabinets would make a come-back? They’re not just an old, squeaky metal cabinet anymore. Stunning wooden medicine and overjohn cabinets complement vanities and provide extra storage. A fab piece for a small area!

Wall hung vanities & matching mirrors from American Standard's Tropic collection.

Take your bathroom from drab to glam! Drop by Modern Supply and let our top-notch designers show you what dream baths are made of.

Stunning double vanity & matching mirror from Ronbow.

American Standard's Cambridge vessel sink vanity.

Add a splash of color with this Yosemite vanity.

Traditional style vanity & matching cabinet from Ronbow

Knoxville, TN ranks #1 as the U.S. allergy capital.

As much as I love spring, it brings a lot of sneezin’ and wheezin’. My home, Knoxville, Tennessee, is ranked the number one most challenging city to live in if you have allergies according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s 2012 ranking. Red, itchy eyes are not becoming to a fashionista.

My heating and air peeps at Modern Supply have a suggestion on fighting pollen and improving overall home air quality. Changing your HVAC air filters is a must-do! They should be changed every month. A dirty filter makes your system work harder and can potentially cause system problems. Yikes, air conditioner don’t fail me now!

Spring maintence for your air system helps to prevent break-downs.

Here’s a shocking statistic. EPA studies show that even in the smoggiest cities, the air inside most homes is usually at least ten times more polluted than the air outside. OMG how can this be?!

Energy efficient homes today are built as air-tight as possible. Super-duper for lower energy costs but traps airborne pollutants and bad guys such viruses, dust, dust mites, mold and mildew. These nasties are killin’ me!

Time to bring in the big guns!

Rheem, residential & commercial heating & air experts.

There’s lotsa help to clear the air! Rheem Team germ fighters offer a line of indoor air quality products. It’s a dizzying list of stuff that can be added when installing or updating a Rheem system or other brands.

So don’t let your mascara run this season. Contact a Rheem contractor to do a spring air conditioning inspection and ask how to best improve your air quality. Don’t know one? You can find one through Rheem’s dealer locator.

And tell them….Millie sent you!

The Porcher Archive 1-piece toilet is pretty & WaterSense labeled. Porcher is an American Standard brand.

A one piece toilet is sleeker, easier to clean and has fewer places for yuck to live. Two piece toilets are economical, easy to install and the bowl or tank can be replaced.

Toilet height is measured from floor to rim. Standard is 14-inches; chair height is 16 to 17-inches and ADA compliant. There’s even a 10-inch model perfect for potty training.

Round, compact elongated or elongated…oh my! Small powder rooms may only have space for a round or compact model that extends about 27 ½-inches. Elongated are the most popular extending 29 ½-inches.

American Standard Dual Flush, Right Height, Elongated

The EPA WaterSense folks say older toilets use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush (gpf). Geez! That’s a lot! The government says the max flush can’t be more than 1.6 gpf. A WaterSense labeled toilet uses 1.28 gpf and can save a family of four more than $90 a year on their water bill. There’s also a dual flusher with a partial and full flush that uses as little as 1.0 gpf.

American Standard H2Option Dual Flush buttons

Other stuff that divas typically don’t care about…The flush valve is inside the tank. A large opening allows the water to pass through faster for a quick flush. Valve sizes are 2-inch, 3-inch or the mack-daddy, 4-inch. Next, the toilet outlet is the gateway to the sewer and bigger is better. Sizes include: 2-inch, 2 1/8-inch and 2 3/8-inch.

If toilet trivia has your brain spinnin’, drop by a Modern Supply kitchen and bath showroom and talk toilets with my plumbing peeps and…

American Standard Champion 4 with a 2 3/8” trapway & 4” flush valve virtually eliminates clogs.

Tell ‘em Millie sent you!

A potty for every space!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See American Standard’s Champion 4 in action.
This bad-boy potty is truly a super flusher!

 

Matching accessories & faucet from Delta.

Accessories in dated finishes, like the 80’s shiny gold brass, can date a room. Replacing tissue holders, towel bars, soap dispensers and even robe hooks can bring your room back into the current decade. Oodles of choices often coordinating with stylin’ new faucets which probably need replacing too!

KraftMaid Shaker style cabinets with contemporary hardware.

Cabinetry hardware can date cabinets faster than an eighties hairdo! Super easy to replace and can totally change the look of the room. Presto! From traditional to contemporary, in a flash! Don’t be afraid to mix styles for an eclectic look.

A Mr. Steam towel warmer adds a spa-like touch.

OMG! How awesome is it to have a warm towel to wrap up in after a bath? Wall mounted and freestanding floor towel warmers are available with cords so you don’t have to deal with electrical changes. Some come with an aromatherapy oil well. Ohh-la-la…such indulgence!

Updating vanity lights & mirrors can give your bath a fresh look.

Nothing screams OUTDATED faster that than an old vanity light bar and glued-on mirrors. Replacing these will dramatically change the look of your bathroom. There are sooo many gorgeous vanity lights available that won’t break the bank! And mirrors that add pizazz…in all shapes, colors and sizes. You might consider a mirrored medicine cabinet. They’ve come a long way, baby!

Goodness, so many choices…so little time! Stop by Modern Supply’s showroom and see tons of great ways to spruce up your bath and…

Tell ‘em Millie sent you!

Mix wood, finishes, door styles & hardward for a unique look.

Selecting new cabinetry is exciting but can leave you in a tizzy. You’ve sorted through all of the wood and door styles, finishes, glazes, and storage options but there’s more! Here are ideas to really add that extra pizazz!

Doors: They’re not just wood anymore! I love mixing wooden and glass doors. Glass brightens and makes a space appear larger. Back-light for a major WOW factor! Loads of glass options in textured, etched and patterned. Get really inventive using cut glass and zinc caming—similar to stained glass.

StarMark corner cabinet with metal doors is great use of space.

Another artsy door has wooden mullion strips to divide the glass areas forming a design. Doors with woven metal inserts create a classy or even a shabby chic look. Contemporary aluminum framing with glass might be totally you! Whew!

Hardware: Changing knobs and pulls is easy, affordable and will totally change the look of cabinets. Don’t be afraid to mix ‘n match. Go for it!

KraftMaid door using zinc caming & decorative glass.

Decorative enhancements: Endless possibilities! Crown, light rail and baseboard molding conveys a finished look. Adding legs gives the appearance of fine furniture. Attaching spindles at the end of a peninsula, allows for a countertop extension. Corbels and onlays are great embellishments for an upscale detailed look.

Changing hardware is an easy cabinet update.

Just want to update? New doors, hardware and lighting will breathe life into an old cabinet. It’s hot to mix finishes. Wood stains and paint finishes are fab together. Be eclectic!

Oh my, the choices just keep coming! This is a smidge of what my Modern Supply design peeps use to create snazzy, jazzy kitchens…or baths…laundry rooms…or office/entertainment areas. Come on in and…

Tell ‘em Millie sent you!

Tons of storage options like this StarMark pantry.

A cabinet door with wire mesh creates homey feel.

This KraftMaid tulip leg gives cabinetry a fine furniture feel.

This KraftMaid onlay & crown add a decorative touch.

Glass doors with lighting, spindle legs, decorative fillers, onlays & corbels - this KraftMaid kitchen has it all!

Modern Supply, a 62 year old Knoxville-based company, was established to serve the building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractor markets. To help endure the changing economy and downturn in the new housing market, Modern Supply expanded its focus on the retail consumer market through innovative marketing initiatives, streamlined internal processes, greater customer service and inventory control.

“To be recognized in our industry and among our peers as Wholesaler of the Year is an honor,” Pace Robinson, CEO says. “It’s also a testament in the dedication of our staff to work harder in a down economy in order to retain customers by providing the best product expertise and service possible.”

 Bob Miodonski, Supply House Times Plumbing Group Brand Leader comments, “We wanted to showcase a company that is a good industry citizen, a company that’s ‘of the moment’ and that has made noteworthy achievements in 2011. Modern Supply’s business strategies and its outside-the-box thinking fit our Wholesaler of the Year criteria. Incorporating Modern’s Millie, a fictional character and spokesperson, in its marketing efforts has broadened Moderns Supply’s appeal to both its trade customers and retail consumers—particularly women. We hope other wholesalers in our industry learn from Modern Supply’s innovative approach.”

“Our mantra is ‘take care of business, take care of people’,” adds Dottie Ramsey, Modern Supply President and COO. “This is what we expect our employees to demonstrate every day and why we’ve been around for 62 years and still going strong.”

View the Supply House Times article: 2011 Wholesaler of the Year.

For updates – including product news and current trends – website, www.modernsupplyshowroom.com, as well as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Before: the log home kitchen with dated appliances & a narrow island.

After: Updated with new cabinetry, expanded island & new appliances

The top priority was updating the kitchen. The plan was to replace the dated appliances and relocate the sink and cooktop, keeping the cabinetry. After consulting with their contractor, they realized that repairs would be difficult and patch-work, and new cabinetry was the best way to go.

Cabinets with LED lights brighten the corner.

Debbie visited Modern Supply and sales manager-designer Debbie Johnson helped her select products that complemented the coziness of a log home and Jordans’ tastes. “I didn’t have a look in mind, but after Debbie’s visit to measure she made great recommendations,” comments Jordan.

Blanco granite sink in truffle

Mixing maple cabinetry finishes and quartz countertop colors created visual interest while complimenting each other. The primary cabinet finish was called sand with a brushed grey glaze, paired with Cambria’s Devon countertop and a Blanco sink in truffle. The island was a stone finish with grey glaze, Cambria’s Yorkshire top, and a Blanco prep sink in biscotti. Stainless faucets from Brizo’s Talo collection were selected for their water-saving SmartTouch® Technology.

A Blanco granite prep sink in biscotti & Brizo Talo SmartTouch faucet.

Little extras go a long way in highlighting the beauty of the cabinetry. Glass doors with LED light ribbon running along the inside brighten up the corner. Crown molding and light rail were added to complete the look.

 Debbie selected stainless appliances and the double oven she always wanted. The sink and cooktop locations were switched in the redesign. The sink was installed below the window and the stovetop relocated to the enlarged island space. The island was already plumbed, making it perfect for a prep sink.

A different door style was selected for the island.

A corner nook was utilized by including a beverage cooler, TV, storage and a display cabinet with lighting. A perfect fit!

After: The corner converted to a beverage area.

Before: Corner nook with desk

It takes passion to oversee a condemned, partially burnt house transformed back into a work of art. That’s what drove five neighbors including Lauren Rider, Lawrence Eaton and Ernie Roberts to purchase and restore an 1895 Queen Anne cottage in Historic Old North Knoxville.

Historic Queen Anne cottage condemned

The partners were not renovation rookies as all had tackled their own homes. They formed Old North Restorations, LLC and purchased a blighted property at 1417 Cornelia Street known as the Cornelia Project.

In 2010, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported on the problems of blighted homes in Knoxville of which the Cornelia property was featured. A follow up story on the Cornelia purchase and renovation caught the attention of a national cable home improvement channel.  The whirlwind escalated as renovation filming began.

The Cornelia historic home renovation complete

Modern Supply was contacted about helping with kitchen and bath products. “We’re excited to be a part of the Cornelia Project,” states Pace Robinson, Modern Supply CEO. “It’s great to see people taking action in their community and preserving a piece of history.”

Working with Lauren and team, Armstrong Cabinetry was selected for the kitchen. Debbie Johnson, Modern Supply Sales Manager, refined the kitchen design adding an island, two glass doors and varied cabinet heights for an upscale look.

Armstrong cabinets in expresso, Armstrong knobs & pulls, granite tops & dazzling pendant showcase the kitchen.

“Selecting kitchen cabinetry was a major decision with several parameters to work around,” explains Rider. “We wanted to maintain the period of the house but add a contemporary touch. Of course, budget was a consideration as well as the delivery time. Debbie made suggestions, improved our design and included an island which was a plus.”

Deciding on lighting, plumbing and a water heater from American Water Heater was next. To save time and maximize budget, the Cornelia owners chose in-stock lighting and plumbing fixtures or selected items that could meet their delivery dates. Adding another twist, the Cornelia team elected to pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and EnergyStar certified construction meaning aspects of the house must be energy efficient and sustainable.

The dining room chandelier complements the kitchen pendant.

Modern Supply and the HVAC contractor worked together to provide a RHEEM heating and cooling system that met LEED specifications.

After months of dirty, hard work and sleepless nights, the project is coming to an end. You can almost see the house smile knowing that it’s loved again. The house is under contract and nearing completion. Ask if they would do it again, Rider replies, “Probably.”

The upstairs bath features WaterSense American Standard toilet & Delta fixtures.

Mud room cabinetry has cubbies for shoes & mail.

Stained glass adds charm to the historical door's transom.