During the holidays -- especially when the kitchen is the apex for activity at home -- sleek designers are creating spaces that really shine.

As an open floor plan becomes more prevalent in American houses, homeowners want the kitchen to reflect a modern aesthetic, which is found in the rest of the home and in European design, says Amir Ilin, director of North American sales for Pedini USA, based in Paramus, New Jersey.

"In the United States, kitchens that were traditional are moving into transitional styles," he says. "A modern style with a clean, unadorned interior is moving toward the ultra-modern, to the point where the kitchen cabinetry is like fine furniture that blends with other spaces in the home."

While all that glitters may not be gold, cool metallic accents of pewter, copper and rose- and champagne-gold are also hot in today's contemporary kitchen, Ilin says.

"The modern movement with clean angles and flowing curves of Italian design never went out of style in Europe," he says. "Italy brings the world the sleek design of the Ferrari and Lamborghini sports cars, and that same design principle is found in its kitchen cabinetry and stand-alone islands."

Outside the Box

Europeans use frameless cabinet manufacturing techniques, which offer greater accessibility to store items by eliminating front stiles and frames traditionally found in American kitchen cabinetry. Flat metal door and drawer fronts create a sleek, simple European aesthetic, which is treated in metallic colors, ranging from ultra-matte to high-gloss finishes.

Ilin says many European metal cabinets are powder-coated. This is a finishing process in which pigments and resin are electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the metal during the manufacturing process. The parts to be coated are electrically grounded, so that the charged particles will adhere to the metal. The coated piece is then placed into a large commercial oven, where it is baked. The heat causes the powder to melt onto the surface of the designed metal piece, and, as it cools, the coating becomes a durable finish.

Items can be powder-coated virtually any color, with any finish, ranging from matte to glossy. Curved cabinetry or kitchen islands with lines that are reminiscent of a high-end sports car are a custom-made design that can really get a homeowner's motor running.

Space to Spare

Today's thoroughly modern mantra in the kitchen is echoed throughout the entire home. "The idea that the kitchen is an intricate part of a home's design has never left the European sensibility," Ilin says. "Generally, many kitchens in America have been constructed so that every square inch of space is utilized, which can lead to a boxy cabinet design that is cut off from the rest of the home."

But homeowners don't have to undergo a total remodel or spend a golden egg to enjoy the custom-made benefits of a modern European kitchen redo, Ilin says. "Even the simple use of open shelving on walls, as opposed to having wall-to-wall cabinets, does a lot for a kitchen design," he says. "In a modern design, it is about creating a balance in the space -- what you have in place is as important as the uncluttered space that surrounds the pieces you have."

High-end appliances with built-in cooktops, ovens and cabinet-clad refrigerators extend the modern Epicurean illusion. Under-the-counter refrigerator drawers and customized shelving that rolls out for greater accessibility keep clutter out of sight and functionality top of the mind.

Epicurean Environment

The overall modern kitchen style is uncluttered and contemporary. But by incorporating natural elements into an otherwise austere atmosphere -- wood, stone and natural light -- a warm, intimate feeling can be achieved.

Ilin says porcelain is one of the most popular countertops in today's European-style kitchen, which can be fabricated in all shapes and sizes, without the ongoing maintenance of sealing stone.

Another popular choice is quartz countertops, also known as engineered stone, which is a manufactured surface comprised mostly of quartz. The remaining ingredients include high-performance polymers, resins and pigments that are colorized for a monochromatic look or made to mimic natural stone or concrete surfaces. Both quartz and porcelain are nonporous, waterproof, and stain-, heat- and scratch-resistant countertop choices.

If possible, keep windows bare or have window treatments installed so outdoor views are unobstructed. Another bright tip is to install unadorned, almost-industrial light fixtures -- whether over the kitchen island or the dining table -- to illuminate and accentuate this simply sophisticated style.

"The kitchen is the last room in the home where everyone still congregates together," Ilin says. "Today's modern kitchen should reflect your sense of style and not be a cookie-cutter design."

Contemporary Kitchen

To find a contemporary kitchen showroom near you, go to PediniUSA.com and select SHOWROOMS.

This fall, don't be haunted by rodents and insects trying to find a home for the winter inside your house.

Squirrels and other wild creatures are anything but cute if they've taken up residence inside your home, says Cindy Mannes, National Pest Management Association (NPMA) spokeswoman, based in Fairfax, Virginia.

"Animals have a job in nature. For example, termites break down dead trees so they can become soil again," she says. "It's great when that happens to fallen logs in the forest, but it's devastating when termites infiltrate your home."

A pest can be considered any insect, rodent or other wildlife that is an unwanted houseguest in your home. "Some people may not act if they see a single spider or mouse, but just know: If you see one, there's likely to be more," Mannes says. "Especially if a creature is venomous or carries disease, people want their home to be a sanctuary and their family to be protected."

In 2016, pest management was a $7.6 billion industry, with a projected growth of 4.5 percent every year, according to NPMA statistics. Mannes attributes some of this growth in pest management to consumer education and an intolerance of pests in and around the home.

As the weather turns colder, animals are also seeking the creature comforts humans can easily provide -- food, water and shelter. To help ensure that no creatures are stirring -- not even a mouse -- inside your home, know that an ounce of pest prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Audit

In order to keep insects, spiders and rodents from becoming unwanted houseguests, the NPMA recommends regular maintenance around the outside perimeter of the building.

-- Seal any cracks and crevices with silicone caulk, and larger holes with steel wool. Pay special attention to areas where the utilities enter a home.

-- Repair any opening in window screens and seal larger entryways under doors. Make sure attic vents and chimney openings are also capped and/or screened.

-- Replace weatherstripping and repair the fascia or any loose mortar around a basement foundation and windows.

-- Clean out gutters and remove other debris that encourages standing water near the house. Disconnect the outdoor hose and repair leaking faucets, water pipes and air conditioning units.

-- Properly landscape around the home to avoid providing a safe haven for pests. Keep shrubs trimmed, and keep mulch and thick groundcover away from the foundation. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the home, and when bringing it inside, make sure to burn it right away.

-- Make sure basements, attics and crawl spaces are well-ventilated and dry.

-- Don't leave garbage cans outside without tightly sealing them.

Analyze

Mannes says most pest prevention is common sense, but requires a homeowner to see a structure through an animal's natural instincts. And you don't have to see a creature in your home to know that it has settled in for a long winter.

"If you have papers or books that have been chewed, or see droppings, you likely have a mouse in the house," she says. "Termites can leave what looks like sawdust under a window, or you can hear scurrying from other creatures in the walls or attic."

Act

If you suspect an infestation, Mannes says it's important to not freak out, but figure out the problem by hiring a licensed and insured pest professional who has the tools and expertise needed to inspect your home. By properly identifying the problem, a pest-management company can recommend the best course of action to rid your crib of unwanted critters.

"It's important to act, but not overreact," Mannes says. "Before contracting with a company, make sure the pest-control professionals have proper credentials, and get three bids, if possible."

Today's pest control isn't just one-size-fits-all; there is often an integrated pest-management plan based on the infestation problem and your home. "There has to be a level of trust with the pest-management company employees, because they are going into basement or attic storage that we, as homeowners, don't even venture," Mannes says. "When shopping for a pest-management company, it's important to not make a purchasing decision based solely on the lowest cost. Buy value, not just price."

All's well

Keeping critters outside can be as easy as implementing common sense inside, says Mannes. Be especially vigilant in areas that are dark and damp. "Don't store items in cardboard boxes, and use totes with lids that seal tightly," she says. "Keep a clean house, especially in the kitchen, where crumbs can be a critter's cafeteria."

Pest Professionals

To learn more about specific pests or find a pest-management professional in your area, go to PestWorld.org.

Having a well-heeled closet may be the first step to strutting your style at home.

Whether you wear designer shoes, sneakers or slippers, it's important to keep footwear organized and off the floor when you're not wearing a pair, says Carolyn Musher, sales vice president for California Closets in New York City.

"The shoes you wear say a lot about your personal sense of style," she says. "And how you store your shoes says a lot about your personal sense of organization."

Organized shoe selections don't hide on the floor or in hanging plastic shoe bags behind closet doors. One of Musher's most renowned shoe shuffles involved Beth Brenner, a New York City-based home design publication's chief revenue officer. Brenner's shoe collection stood out and began taking over her pre-war Manhattan apartment.

Musher's solution for Brenner's footwear affair was to build a floor-to-nearly-ceiling cabinet with built-in shoe cubbies and an adjoining nightstand for the corner of her bedroom. This custom-built cabinetry was placed between her bed and the wall, which meant getting rid of the stacks of shoes in her bedroom corner.

The first step to having a shoe closet is to clear out the clogs -- or other shoes -- that are no longer worn, Musher says. "Unless you have unlimited space -- and no one has that -- you have to purge shoes you no longer wear," she says. "By keeping only the shoes you love and wear, it makes it easier to move into the organizational phase."

Personalize

It's easy to become head over heels for a shoe closet when it is built to your shoe specifications. Shoes can be the eye candy in a closet en suite that resembles a personal boutique on display.

"For some, shoes are like pieces of wearable art," Musher says. "After spending a lot of money on, say, the red-soled shoes, why wouldn't you want them displayed in your closet when you're not wearing them?"

Shoes are accessories that can be style showstoppers and a closet's centerpiece. But even if you don't have a large walk-in closet space for shoe storage, the most important thing is to keep footwear off the floor.

"You don't want to start your day by digging around for a pair of shoes that match," Musher says. "The best organizational plan involves making a place for everything and keeping everything in its place."

Visualize

Most-used shoes should be placed at eye level, with lesser-used or out of season shoes placed in a closet's upper shelf storage space. "Your shoe closet should evolve with the seasons," Musher says. "Sandals shouldn't occupy prime closet real estate when it's winter and you're wearing boots."

While shoe closets might be more closely associated with female footwear, men and children are having shelves built for shoes in their closets. "Being able to choose a pair of matching shoes quickly is desirable -- no matter who or how old you are," Musher says. "The key with children's closets is to take stock of shoes regularly, because they grow out of them quickly."

Musher says to move too-small shoes down the road by putting them into storage for younger siblings or by donating them.

Customize

When it comes to organizing shoes in your closet, group similar styles together, whether it's by color, season or heel height. Shoes can be placed on shelves, in cubbies or stacked in see-through containers with lids.

An organizational system that utilizes the boxes in which the shoes were purchased can also be implemented, just make sure you don't become lazy with your loafers by not putting them in the box and back on the shelf. Taking a picture of the shoes and affixing it to the outside of the box makes seeing your shoes a snap.

Musher says while it's easiest to build a shoe closet from the ground up, homeowners can also organize footwear on a shoestring budget. With nearly 80 California Closet locations throughout the United States, Musher says shoe closet costs can start around $500 and go up from there, depending on size specifications and finishes.

Footwear closets should be as accessible and comfortable as an old shoe, but shouldn't look like one. Higher-end closets can have shelving units or shoe displays with glamorous lighting.

But the closet isn't the only place that should be a clutter-free zone for shoes. People entering the home -- either through the front-door foyer or side mudroom -- should have shoe storage that is as well-ordered as private shoe closets, Musher says.

"Have a place to stow shoes by the door, whether it's under a bench, inside a cubby or into a basket," she says. "People entering a home shouldn't be tripping over a field of footwear deposited by the door."

Professional Put-together

Go to CaliforniaClosets.com or call 888.336.9707 to request a free closet consultation.