Thank you for your business over the years. We are no longer accepting orders for MR Direct products. Please visit Elkay Where to Buy for your sink and faucet needs. For any warranty related questions related to Mr. Direct, Polaris, Sir Faucet and Solera brands please reach out to consumer@elkay.com or 1-800-223-5529.

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Discover DIY How-To's, design inspiration & more!

Your Home. Your Style.

Browse trending styles and create a space that is functional, beautiful, and built for everyday life.

Immerse Yourself In Our Latest Stories

Discover DIY How-To's, design inspiration & more!

Your Home. Your Style.

Browse trending styles and create a space that is functional, beautiful, and built for everyday life.

Immerse Yourself In Our Latest Stories

Discover DIY How-To's, design inspiration & more!

Your Home. Your Style.

Browse trending styles and create a space that is functional, beautiful, and built for everyday life.

About MR Direct

Our philosophy is simple. We believe everyone should be able to purchase high-quality, stylish products at reasonable prices. That's why we offer over 400 products, ranging in styles from our high-end vessel sinks to our traditional farmhouse apron line. We provide you with numerous, money-saving options so you can do more than just afford the home of your dreams.

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Open-concept contemporary kitchen with stainless steel farmhouse sink, olive green island and white cabinetry.
Building the Perfect At-Home Chef's Kitchen
April 9, 2020

Whether you’re the next Gordon Ramsey or just a foodie with the passion to cook, your kitchen needs the right tools to make your gourmet fare unforgettable.

Don’t worry. You don’t need to have a master chef setup or an industrial kitchen to prepare great dishes. By making just a few changes to your home kitchen, you’ll be all set to chop, braise, and flambé with the best.

Here’s how to build the perfect at-home chef’s kitchen.

Stainless steel gas range stove with a white subway tile backsplash and rustic Moroccan rug.

Photo Courtesy Of: www.jane-athome.com

Stainless steel gas range stove with a white subway tile backsplash and rustic Moroccan rug.

Photo Courtesy Of: www.jane-athome.com

Cook with Gas

Cook with Gas

Many homes have electric ranges these days because they’re safe and efficient. But if you’re serious about cooking, there’s no substitute for fire.

Gas ranges cook food faster and more evenly. Because the heat from fire isn’t gradual like the heat from an electric stove, it gives the chef much more control when preparing delicate dishes.

Apron stainless steel workstation sink with a wooden cutting board and rolling grid sitting on the ledge of the sink.
Apron stainless steel workstation sink with a wooden cutting board and rolling grid sitting on the ledge of the sink.

Rethink the Sink

Rethink the Sink

Cooking a chef-worthy meal may involve dozens of ingredients—and there’s never enough prep space. That’s why smart at-home chefs think outside the box to make the most of their space.

The best way to do this in an average-sized kitchen is with a workstation sink. These sinks feature a ledged interior that can hold accessories like a cutting board, drying rack, and more.

This allows you to convert your sink into additional prep space in seconds. As a bonus, prepping above your sink makes clean-up much easier.

TIP: MR Direct’s new workstation sinks are covered by a limited lifetime warranty and ship with FREE accessories!

TIP: MR Direct’s new workstation sinks are covered by a limited lifetime warranty and ship with FREE accessories!

Polished stone countertops, bright white cabinets, and wooden range hood inside of a farmhouse chic kitchen.

Photo Courtesy Of: White Blossom Home

Polished stone countertops, bright white cabinets, and wooden range hood inside of a farmhouse chic kitchen.

Photo Courtesy Of: White Blossom Home

Fearless Countertops

Fearless Countertops

If you’re a chef, your kitchen is your construction zone. It’s not a place for dainty appliances and breakable cookware. You can’t be afraid of damaging your kitchen or you’ll severely limit your abilities.

Tough countertops are the place to start. If your counters are up to the task, you’ll be much more comfortable when chopping, taking hot pans off the stove, rolling pasta, and more.

The chef’s choice is stainless steel… but this isn’t very attractive in home kitchens. The next best is quartz. This stone countertop is ultra-strong, sustains high heat, and looks great.

Soft gray cabinets with added floating shelves inside of a farmhouse industrial kitchen with herringbone wood flooring.
Soft gray cabinets with added floating shelves inside of a farmhouse industrial kitchen with herringbone wood flooring.

Smart Storage

Smart Storage

Foodies know there’s never enough storage for all the ingredients and appliances you need. So, you have to get creative. Try some of these tips:

  • Separate the fridge and freezer: Get a freezer for your garage and a larger fridge for the kitchen.
  • Garage-style cabinets: Convert cabinets to a pull-out “garage-style” and your appliances will be ready to use at a moment’s notice (especially if you install outlets within).
  • Extra shelves: Check inside your larger cabinets. Is all the space being used? Take advantage of open overhead space by adding more shelves.
  • Create a pantry: You can turn any closet in your house into a pantry! Reevaluate how you’re using your closet space and you may find storage you never knew you had.

Being an at-home chef is an adventure, and the first recipe you need to concoct is for the perfect kitchen to accommodate your skills. Use our tips and add your own special ingredients to prepare a chef’s kitchen that makes every day gourmet.

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