ADRIAN, Mich., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Planning a dream kitchen has just gotten a little easier with Merillat's new intuitive online tool called the Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner. Designed to guide homeowners through a customized planning process, the Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner helps them find the most appropriate styles, products and features for their lifestyles, and visualize their new kitchen choices in a virtual rendering that can be shared with their local Merillat dealer.

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"We know the Web is often the place where homeowners search for information and inspiration," explained Susan Prater, director of marketing services for Merillat. "Our research also tells us that homeowners don't always think about how they are going to use their kitchens before making the investment to build or remodel. That's why we created the Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner. Merillat wants to educate homeowners on how to make smarter kitchen design decisions to fit their lifestyles."

Throughout the process, homeowners identify their likes and dislikes, all while tapping into Merillat's design expertise. Guiding the user through the planner with words of encouragement and insight is Merillat's new brand ambassador, renowned chef Curtis Stone. Who better to talk about life in a kitchen than a professional chef? Overall, the tool allows homeowners to plan their dream kitchen while making the experience fun and empowering. The process is completed with these six easy steps:

1. Getting Started. The homeowner creates or logs into their IdeaFolio™ account so their project can be saved, changed and shared. This step also gathers information about the homeowner that could affect the kitchen. For example, questions might include:
   1. Is your new kitchen a remodel or are you building?
   2. How do you plan to use your kitchen?
2. Inspiration. This is where the homeowner explores and decides on what style suits them best, be it traditional, contemporary, eclectic, etc. Once they decide on their style, they are then presented with a series of kitchen photos. They save the kitchens they like best and learn about the features that make those kitchens special.
3. Door Style.  Cabinetry is the foundation to any kitchen. Whether the homeowner knows exactly what they are looking for, or they need to be presented with options that meet their taste, this step helps them choose their favorite door style, wood species, finish and hardware for a finished look they'll love.  
4. Organization and Accessories. Based on the homeowner's answers about how they plan to live in their kitchen, the tool then presents a series of features designed to make life in the kitchen easier. From pull-out wastebaskets to wine racks, the homeowner can browse additional photos and videos about the features to learn more, saving their favorites to their project.
5. Planning Your Space.  This is the step where the homeowner reviews major considerations they may want to discuss with their designer once they get to a Merillat showroom such as sink and faucet types, counter top materials and appliance options, all of which can affect the kitchen layout.
6. Finishing Touches. Finally, it all comes together with cabinetry accents like corbels and crown molding, not to mention paint color, flooring and countertops. Upon completion of this final step, the homeowner is presented with "My Design," a collection of their favorite products organized for easy sharing with their designer. Swatches and images are provided; including door styles, hardware, paint color, flooring and countertops.

"We think this tool will engage and inspire homeowners, making the planning, selection and purchasing process more efficient and streamlined," said Prater. "We also think it will increase the homeowner's confidence in their decisions and will help take their kitchen from dream to reality."

The new Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner along with the refreshed Merillat.com, are part of a larger, integrated consumer campaign which focuses on how Merillat can bring function and smart storage solutions to any kitchen. To experience Merillat's Web site first hand, visit Merillat.com.

About Merillat. Based in Adrian, Michigan, and part of Masco Cabinetry, the Merillat® brand has been providing quality cabinetry since 1946. With manufacturing plants located throughout the United States, Merillat has grown to become one of the nation's largest cabinet manufacturers and the number one builder preferred cabinetry brand. Merillat offers the best selection of stylish, quality products at a variety of price levels, and all Merillat products carry the seal of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer Association (KCMA). Merillat is leading the industry in consumer research to better understand what new home shoppers are looking for when purchasing a home. Merillat is proud to be a Diamond Sponsor of the National Association of Home Builders, Professional Women in Building, a member of the NAHB National Council of the Housing Industry, Color Marketing Institute and the National Kitchen and Bath Association. A leader in environmental stewardship, Masco Cabinetry has been certified ISO 14001 and granted an Environmental Stewardship Program certificate by the KCMA. www.merillat.com

SOURCE Merillat