6 Design Tips to Steal From John Colaneri and Anthony Carrino's Home Kitchens

We love kitchens. We love to look at photos of kitchens. We love to talk about cool kitchen gadgets and appliances. And where does everyone gather at parties? Yep, you guessed it.
If you’re not living in your perfect kitchen just yet, then you may be planning it or at least dreaming about it. That’s where these guys come in.
After five years of incredible makeovers on HGTV and with casting underway for the next season of America’s Most Desperate Kitchens, John Colaneri and Anthony Carrino know a thing or two about kitchens.

Sarah Lim/Getty Images
Here are six simple design tips you can steal from their kitchens.
Anthony’s Urban Industrial Loft

Greg Pallante
Use texture to add visual interest.
"When going with a monochromatic backsplash, consider texture to add visual interest. My kitchen backsplash is a matte finish, blue glaze, but the tile itself is concave creating additional, subtle pattern to the overall aesthetic."
Choose secondary colors that anchor your design.
"Selecting a complementary ground color also serves to unify the plane; here there are subtle hints of grey within the blue tile, so I opted for a dark grey grout."
Integrate hidden functionality.
"Consider pop-up outlets for your island if you don’t want to see exposed outlets when they are not in use."
EXCLUSIVE: See How Anthony Lives the Loft Life
Visit Anthony's New Loft 02:51
John’s Contemporary Rustic Kitchen

John Colaneri
Plan a design that enhances your lifestyle.
“When I was designing my kitchen I knew that I wanted it to be a place where I could interact at all times with family and friends. My kitchen looks out onto my dining area, living room, and outside patio. The most important rooms in the home where everyone gathers around all connected in a seamless manner.”

John Colaneri
Explore themes without being matchy-matchy.
“When designing my kitchen I was looking for the balance of contemporary and rustic design to play along with the theme of the home, which is a contemporary barn.”

John Colaneri
Experiment with an unconventional focal point.
“Some people want their counters or backsplash to be the focal point in the kitchen, but I decided it had to be the red Bertazzoni range! The red theme is carried throughout the home in various pieces of furniture and also with barn wood that is in every room. Hints of red paint are in the barn wood and it is the perfect way to tie the design theme together.”
EXCLUSIVE: Tour John's New Home
Visit John's New Home 02:49
Get even more tips for your next project by watching a special episode of America's Most Desperate Kitchens this Saturday at 7pm|6c.