Designer Stephen Saint-Onge Joins with Philips Electronics to Illustrate High-Tech Kitchen Makeover in His Own Home.

ATLANTA -- According to a recent survey commissioned by Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG)(AEX: PHI), approximately three-fourths (73%) of consumers would like to update their kitchen and one-third (35%) of respondents report that they want to do a complete renovation. To provide these aspiring consumers with a step-by-step guide for their own renovation process, Philips Electronics engaged nationally-recognized designer Stephen Saint-Onge to transform his kitchen into an elegant, high-tech space that showcases how innovative technologies and design elements can be easily integrated to create a kitchen for every lifestyle.

The kitchen renovation is the second in a series of technology and design makeovers created as part of Philips' Designing at Home campaign. Developed to help consumers simplify their home design and technology decisions, www.designingathome.com provides tips and resources about integrating advanced, easy-to-use technologies into the home decor by including before and after photos and video from various room makeovers, "how to" articles and personal design pointers from Saint-Onge.

High-Tech Design for Any Style

"As a designer, I think it's important to dispel the myth that incorporating technology into the home means abandoning traditional style choices, especially for consumers who may have more conservative tastes or for those who may live in older homes," said Saint-Onge who has made guest appearances on Oprah, The View and CNN and will be a featured columnist in the recently launched lifestyle publication Cottage Living. "As a homeowner, I wanted to bring both color and style into my family's gathering place without compromising function or space."

Tips to Create Your High-Tech Kitchen

When it comes to creating your own high-tech kitchen environment, Saint-Onge offers consumers the following tips:

1. Optimize your lighting environment. Lighting can help set the tone for any room of your home - including the kitchen. From under cabinet lighting for prep work to pendant lighting over the kitchen island, having the right amount of task light can make a significant difference in your kitchen and your cooking experience. With Philips' line of lighting products, consumers can simply change a current light bulb and achieve a dramatic lighting effect for their kitchen.

2. Enhance your kitchen to better suit your family's life. Because many families use their kitchens as a multitasking center for entertainment and work, it is important to choose an overall design as well as products and technologies that meet your family's everyday needs. For example, if you or your children do work in the kitchen, consider allocating a nook for home office equipment like a small desk space with a computer.

3. Personalize the space with color. Whether you paint the walls, display colored dishes or select colorful appliances, adding color in the kitchen can put some "spice" in your decor. Try adding a splash of color to your everyday kitchen environment to see what a dramatic change it can make.

4. Make kitchen storage a top priority. Explore alternatives for kitchen storage that will help your family make the best use of the space. Some examples include kitchen islands that feature refrigerated drawers, bottom-mount refrigerator/freezers that offer considerable storage capacity and cabinetry with multiple shelves for housing your family's favorite items. When thinking about storage don't forget your safety equipment. Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors are musts in any safe home, but you can also protect your loved ones in the event of sudden cardiac arrest with a Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator, now available without a prescription.

5. Bring technology into your kitchen. More than half of respondents (55%) surveyed reported having at least a partial view of a TV from their kitchen, so treat yourself to the morning news reports from the comfort of your kitchen while watching a small flat panel television on your countertop. Other accessories like kitchen appliances and desktop computers can help enhance both the function and appeal of your family's kitchen space.

Chat with the Designing at Home Team

On October 25, Philips will host a "Designing a High-Tech Home" webchat to answer consumers' questions about the integration of design and technology for various rooms of the home. For more information about upcoming events as well as technology and design home makeover tips, visit www.designingathome.com.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $32.8 billion (EUR 29 billion) in 2003. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 165,600 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and one-chip TV products. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.