Upgrade Your Garage: The Sleek, Customizable Choice of Metal Cabinets

When it comes to garage design, functionality often takes center stage—but at Moya Living, we believe your garage should also be a statement of style, quality, and personalization. This is where metal cabinetry steps into the spotlight as the most versatile, durable, and visually striking solution for any high-end garage project.

Why Metal Cabinets?

Unlike traditional wood options, metal cabinets bring a level of resilience and modern sophistication that sets them apart. Built to last, metal cabinets endure the wear and tear of everyday use, handling everything from heavy tools to equipment without compromising on style. But durability is just one piece of the puzzle; let’s explore what truly makes metal cabinetry the pinnacle of garage design.

Sleek Design Meets Exceptional Functionality

With their clean lines and professional finish, metal cabinets bring a refined, industrial edge to your garage. The sleek surfaces are easy to clean and maintain, ensuring your space always looks polished. For those who want a cohesive look across all areas of their home, Moya Living offers metal cabinets that blend seamlessly with both contemporary and classic styles.

Customization that Reflects You

Our metal cabinets aren’t just durable; they’re also highly customizable. Through our powder-coating process, we offer a variety of color options, allowing you to match your cabinets perfectly to your style—or even to your prized vehicles. Whether you’re envisioning bold colors or understated hues, powder-coated finishes create a cohesive aesthetic that makes your garage feel like a curated extension of your personal taste.

Precision-Engineered for the Ultimate Storage Experience

Garage storage needs vary from person to person, which is why we offer versatile configurations that make organizing a breeze. With modular options and adjustable shelving, our metal cabinets can be tailored to hold everything from large equipment to intricate tool collections. Each cabinet is designed with careful attention to spacing, weight capacity, and layout, ensuring a well-organized and highly efficient workspace.

A Wise Investment in Quality and Longevity

Choosing metal cabinets from Moya Living is not only a design choice but a long-term investment in quality. With their enduring materials and powder-coated finishes, these cabinets maintain their look and function over time, resisting the nicks, scratches, and stains that might plague other materials.

Elevate Your Garage with Moya Living’s Metal Cabinets

Ready to elevate your garage space? At Moya Living, our team is dedicated to bringing your vision to life with custom solutions that blend luxury with durability. Let us help you create a space that reflects your lifestyle and stands up to the demands of daily use. Explore the world of metal cabinets with Moya Living and discover why they are the sleekest, most optimal choice for your next garage transformation.

Reviving Retro: The Timeless Appeal of Metal Cabinetry in Kitchen Design

The charm of retro kitchen design has made a major comeback, blending nostalgia with modern-day functionality. At the heart of this design revival is the use of metal cabinetry—a timeless feature that was first popularized in the mid-20th century and is now being reimagined for today’s contemporary kitchens. At Moya Living, we specialize in crafting durable and beautiful metal cabinetry that brings a retro flair with a modern twist. Let’s explore why metal cabinetry is making such a stylish resurgence in retro kitchen design.

The Origins of Metal Cabinetry in Retro Kitchens

The concept of metal kitchen cabinets emerged in the 1940s and 1950s as part of a broader trend toward streamlined, modern living. Metal cabinets were seen as futuristic, hygienic, and low-maintenance—perfect for the post-war era when convenience and efficiency were paramount. This period gave rise to kitchens that were bright, functional, and adorned with vibrant colors like mint green, powder blue, and sunshine yellow. Metal cabinetry fit right into this aesthetic, offering a sleek and shiny alternative to wood.

Why Metal Cabinetry is Perfect for Retro-Inspired Kitchens Today

In today’s design world, retro kitchen design offers a bold departure from the minimalist, all-white kitchens of the past decade. Here’s why metal cabinetry fits perfectly into this design aesthetic:

1. Durability Meets Style
   One of the key benefits of metal cabinetry is its unmatched durability. Metal cabinets, especially those crafted from high-quality steel, are resistant to wear and tear, making them ideal for busy kitchens. When combined with retro design elements like checkerboard floors and vintage appliances, metal cabinetry offers a timeless appeal that outlasts both trends and time.
2. A Pop of Color
   Retro kitchens are known for their colorful palettes, and metal cabinetry offers the perfect canvas for incorporating bold hues. Whether it’s a classic red, soft pastel, or vibrant turquoise, metal cabinets can be powder-coated in an array of finishes that complement the retro aesthetic. At Moya Living, we offer custom powder-coated finishes that allow you to personalize your cabinets to fit your vision.
3. Easy to Clean, Hard to Beat
   In addition to being stylish, metal cabinetry is highly functional. Unlike wood cabinets, metal doesn’t warp, stain, or absorb odors, and it’s incredibly easy to clean. This makes it an excellent choice for busy kitchens where both form and function are important. Plus, the sleek surface of metal cabinetry reflects light, making small kitchens feel larger and brighter.
4. Sustainability
   Modern retro design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about sustainability. Metal cabinetry is an eco-friendly option since it can be crafted from recycled materials and is 100% recyclable at the end of its life cycle. Choosing metal cabinets from a company like Moya Living, which is committed to sustainable practices, means you’re making a responsible choice for the environment while embracing a timeless design.

How to Style a Retro-Inspired Kitchen with Metal Cabinetry

Achieving the perfect retro kitchen look requires a balance between vintage charm and contemporary function. Here are a few design tips:

• Complement with Vintage-Inspired Appliances: Pair your metal cabinetry with retro-style refrigerators, ovens, or stoves that harken back to the 1950s. Brands like O’Keefe and Merritt offer appliances with modern technology but retro aesthetics.
• Mix Patterns and Textures: Incorporate patterned backsplashes, colorful tiles, or linoleum floors to capture the retro spirit. The smooth, sleek surface of metal cabinetry contrasts beautifully with patterned or textured elements, creating a dynamic and visually appealing space. Garreau Designs by Diana Garreau is a Moya Living favorite and local to Laguna Beach.
• Add Open Shelving: Metal cabinets can be mixed with open shelving to display retro dishware, glassware, or vintage kitchen accessories. Open shelves add an airy, open feel to your space while enhancing the nostalgic ambiance. The Fountain Valley Showroom is a fantastic example of this kind of design.

Metal Cabinetry: A Modern Twist on Retro

Though metal cabinetry evokes nostalgia for mid-century kitchen design, it’s a versatile option that can be adapted for modern living. Today’s metal cabinets offer innovative features such as soft-close doors, adjustable shelving, pull out trays, and seamless construction for a sleek and polished look. This blend of retro style and modern convenience makes metal cabinetry a standout choice for homeowners looking to create a kitchen that’s both functional and full of personality.

Conclusion

At Moya Living, we understand the enduring appeal of retro kitchen design, and our metal cabinetry collections are designed to bring that vintage charm into the modern home. Whether you’re looking to create an authentic 1950s-inspired kitchen or simply want to add a touch of retro flair to your space, metal cabinetry offers the perfect blend of durability, style, and sustainability. Explore our wide range of customizable options to bring your retro kitchen vision to life.

Located just down the road at the Farm + Food Lab at The Great Park in Irvine, CA, Alegría Farms is revolutionizing the food industry right from home. The zero-waste, solar-powered one-acre regenerative urban microfarm employs hydro-organic and 100% organic soil-based growing systems, featuring their exclusive and innovative SoxxBoxx system. This SoxxBoxx system optimizes the genetic potential of your favorite leafy greens, herbs and vegetables by employing rich “living soil” in Soxx that contains all the essential minerals, beneficial microbes, humus plus superior oxygen and water holding capacity needed to deliver your plants all they need to flourish.

Alegría Farms designs zero waste, high performance farms that repurpose unused spaces deployed over man-made surfaces close to where people live and work. They call it “tractorless” farming. All seedlings originate from certified non-GMO seeds, and this year, Alegría Fresh heirloomed more than 300,000 seeds from its crops.

Not only is the farm growing food of the highest quality, they’re engaging with the community in a way that is long-lasting and highly impactful.

Their Regenerative Health Center is developing training programs to assist with becoming local installers and/or operators of Alegría SoxxBoxx technologies in local communities.

Alegría’s fresh community teaching kitchen called “Table-on-the Farm” provides workshops with professional chef, and their urban training center teaches individuals how to own and operate their own high-performance regenerative organic urban farm, using the principles they have developed over the last seven years.

It is businesses like this that help our community thrive, and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact that Alegría farms has on the health and wellbeing of our town.

To love your car is to love its design, structure, strength and story. The same should go for the design of its home; your garage. If you’re a true car enthusiast, then you know that the garage can mean so much more than simply the space to park it.

Below are a few key elements in building the ultimate car lovers’ garage.

Custom Flooring

Make your garage more inviting and the flooring more durable with an epoxy/polyaspartic coating, which comes in a variety of colors. These types of floors are stain resistant, easy to clean and more resilient than concrete alone. Plus, you’ll help ensure your garage floor remains in quality shape for years to come, while being the envy of all your neighbors.

Storage Cabinetry

Custom storage cabinetry is a vital element to a functional, strong car garage. Using powder-coated steel cabinetry will give you the ability of customization in fabrication and color, paired with the lasting strength and durability of steel.

Safety Elements

With the garage home to one of your most prized possessions, the quality of the safety structure should be paramount. New garage doors are superior at excluding the elements. Choices range from custom-built wooden doors designed to harmonize with your house style to conventional steel doors (which should be double-walled and insulated).

Sources:

https://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice/item/1016254-20180329-8-things-every-car-enthusiast-must-have-in-their-garage

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/garages/21015134/building-a-car-nut-s-garage

As noted by the WSJ in the article “The Secluded Island Hideaways for America’s Rich and Famous“, the upper class are creating a new trend in real estate. Casting aside the idea that bigger is better and the most important thing is to be seen with your wealth, these individuals are choosing a more intimate and private lifestyle.

Will these real estate trends also translate into interior design and furnishings? With the rise in popularity of modern minimalism, the answer seems to be yes. The old ideals of flashy, sparkly furnishings and short-term trends at home are on the way out, making way for strong design and quality in intimate settings to take the lead.

iPad Holder: Recipes have and will forever be passed down in written form. But today rather than grabbing pen and paper we cross our fingers, eyes, and toes with the promise of e-mailing the mouth watering recipe later. Foodies follow blogs like Love & Lemons, i am food blog and The Broken Bread. They save favorited recipes on apps like Pinterest and Paprika. There are a plethora of iPad holder’s that make accessing e-mails, texts, blogs, and apps (therefore cooking) in your kitchen effortless. We love the Belkin Chef Stand and Stylus for Tablets from Amazon.  It’s $32 and has an ultra-grippy rubber surface that keeps your tablet secure.  The stylus, that comes with your holder, is a clever addition enabling you to keep your screen clean, not to mention keeping your food germ free. The stand and wand are also hand-washable and case compatible.

Spice Rack: Dean & Delucca has designed a stylish way of housing your favorite herbs and spices.  Arranged in clear test tubes, corked at the top to keep them fresh.  Best yet they come with spices filled, with names atop the cork and each sit in a secure position on a metal stand.  There is also a handy spoon to scoop your spices and herbs into whatever dish you are making and whenever you run out of something you can just call Dean & Delucca customer service. You have two choices, 40 tubes for $175 (this comes with everything you could possible desire including herbs for fish, curry powder blend, rosemary, sage, french tarragon, juniper berries and more).  The other option is 21 tubes for $105 which will provide you with fresh and seasonal herbs that are also vegetarian, healthy, flavorful and unique.

Knife Block: This is an eco-friendly, bacteria resistant, bamboo knife block that is a number one best seller. It holds 10-15 knives, that conveniently sits in your drawer rather than occupying precious counter space like traditional or old-style knife blocks. This is also a safer idea if you have kids running around the house. The curved design allows for two levels of knives to be positioned in a row and you can find this on Amazon for $20, designed by Shenzhen Knives and labeled ‘In-Drawer Bamboo Knife Block’.

Utensil Holder: Rather than having a chaotic drawer crammed with spatulas, scissors and other cooking tools, consider a buying a utensil jar.  You can buy these practically everywhere you just want to make sure there is a large opening at the top and that it blends with your kitchen decor. William-Sonoma designs a French porcelain jar with a white glazed finish. Its high-fired ceramic, chip resistant and you’re looking at spending $30 for this piece. You can also find something less expensive in a wide array of sparky colors like this red, ribbed, ceramic, utensil crock from Bed Bath & Beyond.  This is both eye catching, inexpensive ($9.99) and quite useful. You may also consider finding a jar and restoring it yourself– check Pinterest for DIY ideas.

Coffee Maker: We know this is not a new idea to you, a ‘coffee maker’, but have you seen the Chemex, heat-resistant, glass, one-piece vessel? We were pretty impressed too. Place ground coffee in the cone-shaped filter at the top and pour hot water over it.  Clear, pure coffee will then drip into the glass vase and boy does it taste good! You can clean using the unbleached filter squares (which are sold separately) or by swishing hot water and soap, allowing the glass to dry upside down on a clean kitchen towel.  The polished wood collar and leather tie serves as an insulated handle.  You can purchase a 3-cup to 10-cup maker and price will depend upon size. We like the 6-cup which sells on William-Sonoma for $36.95. Be sure to read the reviews online, this a hot product right now.

Paderno Spiralizer: All hail the spiralizer! This four blade, compact and collapsable design allows for easy storage and it makes incredible and artisanal spiral cuts, shoestrings and ribbon ‘noodles’.  This is great for pasta, stir fries, salad and we love that it features a BPA-free plastic construction.  The device includes four stainless-steel blades, an angel-hair shredder, chipper, fine shredder, straight blade and pin accessory that creates an accordion cut. You can purchase this online for $50! Kick things off with a zucchini pasta, with mint pesto, and we are sure you won’t disappoint:

1 cup of firmly packed fresh mint leaves

1/3 cup of vegetable stock or canned broth

3 tbs. of grated asiago cheese, plus extra for garnish (optional)

2 large garlic clovers, cut up

2 tsp. of olive oil

3 yellow summer squashes, about 3/4 lb. total

1/4 cup chopped shallot

1 1/2 tsp. of dried thyme

salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

(Use your spiralizer to cut your yellow squash and zucchini into long, narrow, ribbons). Recipe is courtesy of William Sonoma Magazine.

In 2013, the director or the United Nation’s Human Settlement Program announced 3.5 billion people across the globe live in cities. Even more fascinating, this number will grow 2.5 to 3 billion by 2050. So when we talk about maximizing small kitchens we synonymously are speaking of survival skills for many of you folks, here’s what we’ve found:

Color: Lighter hues will brighten up your kitchen space and make it feel larger than it really is. Studio apartments in New York City for example can be a five step walk from your bed to bathroom, with a slight pivot to then exit the studio.  You may even be able to reach from your bed to your kitchenette but if you are color conscious this space can appear much larger. Think of whites, creams, lilac or mauve–you don’t have to get entirely feminine and shabby chic but light colors on the walls and floor do wonders for a small space.  To create unity, use different shades of the same color for your wall, rug, art, and even kitchen accessories.

Counter Space: Declutter, repeat three times, it’s that important! Your counter top space needs to be for the essentials only: coffee maker, utensil jar, juicer, toaster, whatever you use the most. This requires that you make optimal use of cabinet space. If you have drawers that do not open you may consider a quick DIY day that calls for a drill, pencil and level.  Click here for a how to guide, you’ll be able to fit sponges, brushes, and soap here. It’s not much but it’s all in the detail!  If you have the money to spend on a multiple-shelf unit is a smart move for standard, front access cabinets.  This way you have layers of organized shelving that conveniently pulls out, after all you can only stack so many things.  For the cabinet space under your sink, you may be limited due to plumbing parts but door racks that house cleaning supplies, two rows worth, are a savvy invention.  Hanging hooks for tea/coffee cups can also save you valuable cabinet space. You may consider the same for measuring cups on the inside drawers of upper shelving! The Family Handyman has a great DIY tutorial here.  As Houzz says quite elegantly, you need to learn how to ‘work the walls’.  A coat of chalk board paint inside your cabinet door can help you keep track of your market list, recipes, or your calendar. Invest in a pot rack, this is huge for space saving. Last, forgo the old-fashioned knife block and check out our in drawer recommendation here. This will only take up half of your drawer space so you’ll still have room for silverware.

Multi Purpose Items: An ottoman to prop up your feet after a long day, that serves as extra sitting space when company is over but also opens up to store blankets, books, magazines and more? Genius. If you’re interested in a 8-10 hour DIY experiment here’s your link otherwise you can buy them online at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond Pottery Barn and more. A coffee table is yet another savvy place for hidden storage or as a space that transitions into a desk.

Leave Kitchen Windows Uncovered: This will give the room both natural lighting and depth.  If your concern is privacy, consider blinds instead of curtains because of the cleaner lines they create.

Look Up: If you are fortunate enough to have high ceilings to work with pick a timeless wallpaper for the ceiling or shelving or cookbooks that demands your eyes to look up. This will truly maximize your space:

Temporary: An over the sink cutting board is a great pop up shop for chopping.  You may also consider a rolling cart for your kitchen.  Often these have racks below for storage and they really make a difference when you’re cooking and have run out of counter space.

Gadgets + Gizmos: Sometimes small kitchens mean no dishwasher and a sink that’s not deep making it hard to wash pots and pans and overall more difficult to do the dishes without spewing water and soap in every direction.  But if you replace your faucet, installing something that is articulated and more industrial you have the ability of accommodating your small sink and its an easy fix. Consider mounting the faucet on the wall so that once again, you are not using your precious counter space!

Call Moya Living today to discuss design ideas for your kitchen. Our powder coated kitchen cabinets are designed to provide you with optimal storage and best yet they are customized to your needs.

Trends in kitchen design are important for designers but they’re also important for consumers. Here’s why: Anytime you consider tackling a renovation you need inspiration. What’s working in your kitchen currently, how can you maximize the space you have and what has worked for others that you can implement yourself?

You are the architect of your kitchen wish list but here are so inspirational trends that might get your ideas flowing.

1. Shaker style. The 1800s inspired design can seem plain and square because of the panel profile but there are many variations of this classic and much loved design structure that can give your kitchen a contemporary or even a country like feel. Built in cabinets and drawers nod to the purist approach that Shakers were so fond of and that have become a stable for kitchen designs today.

2. Tribal-inspired tones. Your kitchen is a creative space to whip up old family recipes as well as a space for you to experiment with new concoctions to entice loved ones. To inspire said food genius, you may consider surrounding yourself with vibrant colors.  These attention grabbing hues are making a huge comeback in kitchen design for 2015 but don’t worry there is a way of mixing this flare with your monochromatic colors (lending itself to the sought after timeless kitchen feel). Try mixing matte and gloss finishes to arrive at the much desired ‘pop’ affect. Pantone has named the color of the year Marsala (a shade of burgundy) but Mediterranean blues and olives mixed with grey’s are top color choices for 2015 as well.

3. Repetitive Patterns. Houzz reports, “Hardcastle is seeing a move away from geometric patterns and toward elegant, repetitive motifs instead.”  This can come to life in steel panels, wall coverings, door inserts in tiling. We love art deco and art nouveau inspired motifs throughout the kitchen as well.

4. Open-Plan Kitchens. As kitchens take centerstage in our homes, many desire an open and airy feel that doesn’t reserve itself to a cooking only zone but becomes a place to sit and have a glass of wine and eat appetizers before you move to the table for dinner. Open-plan kitchens are bulk-free and have a minimal amount of cabinets. This of course can be tailored to the needs of the customer (depending upon how much storage space you may need) but we’re fond of this clean and inviting space.

5.  Black. Contrary to our trend of tribal-inspired tones, there is also a shift to black cabinetry.  For those with a more monochromatic color palette, black is your go to for 2015 because it is bold, dominant and masculine.  How you accessorize this space i.e. nobs, chairs, lighting will have a large impact on the sleek and sophisticated finished product. Think boyfriend jeans made sexy. There’s quite the allure to being bold.

6. Metallics. Silver, chrome and stainless have been the sought after metals in kitchen design but this year we see a fascination with gold, copper and bronze.  Weave these eye-catching hues throughout your kitchen and fall in love with the well suited accent it adds to your kitchen.

7. Statement Ceilings. If you have high ceilings to take advantage of consider designing your kitchen in a way that lends your eye to look away from your smart phone and up to the sky. An easy way to do incorporate this trend in your kitchen is through lighting!

8.  Wallpaper. We know this word may still haunt you from the ‘70s but fear not there is some really beautiful wallpaper out there now. This can add character to your cooking zone when used in small amounts to add texture and contrast to an otherwise simple space.

9. Open Shelving. This coincides with our open-plan kitchen trend. There has been a shift in open shelving, as a practical solution for kitchen space that also gives the customer somewhat of an industrial type feel. Think New York boutique restaurants with exposed kitchen’s, so there is less of a separation between chef’s/ingredients and customers. In your home this will further personalize your space, with the right amount of cabinetry to host items you’re not so interested in displaying you arrive at a warm and hip looking kitchen!

10.  Smart appliances. As technology evolves the way we function in our kitchen changes as well.  The Miele smart oven can keep track of your 30 favorite recipes and has a built in iPad for music or audiobooks to keep you company while you cook.  The Top Brewer by Scanomat brews coffee, froths milk, provides drinking water and hot water to assist your cooking needs.

So however you decide you revamp your kitchen this year keep in mind these clean, clutter-free, hi-tech and stylish designs!