Archive for September, 2009

Are You Considering Designing A Small Galley Kitchen?

Sep 10

Posted by admin in Small Kitchen Designs | No Comments

Enjoy The Benefits Of A Galley Kitchen
While Opening Up The Space With Great Kitchen Color Ideas

Are you interested in remodeling or designing a small galley kitchen in your home? While at one time galley kitchens were considered to be something that was usually found in restaurants or diners, the small galley kitchen design is starting to become increasingly popular in many homes today.

The sleek layout that this design is known for is perfect for anyone who is looking to save space in his or her home — or who simply enjoys minimalist styling. Besides, there are actually many benefits to having a small galley kitchen instead of having a large kitchen that is filled with big appliances and accessories.

Some of the benefits associated with having a galley kitchen include:

  • Several people can comfortably work in the kitchen at the same time without getting in one another’s way
  • The need to move around is reduced, as everything is within easy reach
  • Reduces the risk of accidents since less movement is required

If you enjoy cooking with another cook in the kitchen, the galley design can be a great option. You might be interested in knowing that the layout of the galley kitchen was originally designed so each person in the kitchen could tend to his or her “station” and be able to pass the dish off to the next person in line. So this layout actually lends itself perfectly to having multiple cooks in the kitchen.

In spite of these many benefits of having a small galley kitchen, the one potential drawback is in the fact that a galley kitchen design can look small and cramped. Because of this, it is a good idea to explore a variety of different kitchen color ideas in order to create the illusion that the kitchen space is bigger than it really is.

By selecting cooler colors, such as green, blue and violet, you can help make your kitchen look larger while also helping to make the room feel cooler. This is because the cooler colors absorb light rather than reflect it, in the way warm colors do.

If you really want to open up your kitchen space, keep your kitchen color ideas focused on cooler colors, whites or neutral colors. By doing this, you can still enjoy all the benefits of a small galley kitchen without making it look cramped and crowded.

Whether you are low on space or you just want to enjoy the benefits that a small galley kitchen provides, if you take the time to design a layout that works for your lifestyle and needs you will make sure that you will happy for years to come!

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Selecting the Right Kitchen Sink Design

Sep 6

Posted by admin in Kitchen Fixtures | No Comments

kitchensinkThe kitchen sink is the centerpiece of activity in your kitchen. The type of kitchen sink you chose can have a influence on the entire kitchen design. kitchen sinks and kitchen fixtures, and other kitchen tasks. Kitchen sink and a state-of-the-art online resource for home renovation and design needs by looking online. There you can see an extensive selection of some of the finest in kitchen sinks

When you think about it, just about every task in the kitchen either starts or ends at the sink. So it is important to select the right kitchen sink for the way you intend to use it, as well as how it will look when you plan your new kitchen design.

The newest trend in kitchen sink design is the ‘commercial’ or ‘industrial’ look that can help make food preparation and cooking faster and easier.

Kitchen sinks come in many configurations, including single-bowl, double-bowl, and even triple-bowl. Extra deep kitchen sinks are also available for the handling of large pots and a lot of dishes. You can find an extensive selection of

Also there are places online to find a professional kitchen remodeler for

The kitchen sink is definitely the most used item in the kitchen, other than the stove. In additional to being useful, they can add drama and style to any kitchen design. Also since a quality sink will last 30 years or more, an important consideration of your remodel should be selecting a kitchen sink.

The most traditional kitchen sink is make of stainless steel. Stainless steel became popular nearly 100 years ago because of its ability to fight corrosion. About the same time porcelain enamel was used for kitchen sinks. This enamel was fired onto a cast iron sink. People were encouraged to keep the porcelain white to be able to see dirt and debris more clearly on the white surface. Modern kitchen sinks are made of all kinds of materials, such as porcelain and corian.

While you might want to consider the color and style of your new sink, it is also important to think about how you will actually use your kitchen sink, in determining which type of sink will be best for your needs. For instance do you prefer a kitchen sink that has one large basin? This might be fine if you are always using a dishwasher. If you prefer to hand-wash your dishes, you might go with a two-or even a three-basin kitchen sink.

When making the decision on a new kitchen sink, durability and strength are important areas to consider depending on how you plan to use it, what your kitchen priorities are, and where the sink will be located.

There are so many styles of kitchen sinks to choose from today, from contemporary to rustic, in a large range of materials, colors and shapes.

Let us look at several kinds of kitchen sinks.

Stainless steel

Nickel, and Copper

Porcelain enamel on cast iron

You can find an extensive selection of

There are five kinds of kitchen sink installation types that can used.

Undermounted

Integral

Self-rimming

Rimmed

Tile-in

If you need a professional kitchen remodeler you can also go online to locate a contractor for

In selected your kitchen sink you need to consider how it will fit in with the style of your new kitchen décor. You need to consider the style of your home. For instance a big deep single porcelain enamel kitchen sink would look good in a farmhouse style of home. The tile-in kitchen sink would tend work well for a French Country or Tuscan style home.

- The tile-in kitchen sink is used with tile countertops. These types of sinks are intended to be used in situations where there is no visible separation between the sink and surface. – Rimmed kitchen sinks are the most common and the least expensive type of kitchen sink. It can have many uses, but does not bring much in the way of style to a kitchen. – This type of kitchen sink has a rolled edge that is mounted over the countertop. This type of sink will look good with any type of kitchen design, from traditional to contemporary. – This is where both the sink and countertop are made from one material. Therefore there are no noticeable seems on the surface. It is considered to be easy to maintain. – The undermounted kitchen sink is attached underneath the countertop. This kitchen sink installation can be used to create a smooth look that is designed to blend with modern designs. – This material is another popular choice for kitchen sinks because of its durability and it large range of quality, style, and colors. Porcelain enamel kitchen sinks usually last about 25 to 30 years or more. The surface of these type of kitchen sink is composed of ground glass melted and applied to the hot cast iron. This type of kitchen sink type is available for under mount, self-rimming, and tile-in installations. Because glass can easily break against this type of material it is necessary to use a sink mat. – Kitchen sinks can be made in other metals besides stainless steel. Metals sinks can be beautiful, but also more expensive. Nickel is the hardest of the two metals. At the current time copper is considered very popular. Copper requires no maintenance if it is a pure copper sink. – Popular choice for many homeowners. This material can go very well in a modern kitchen with clean lines. Stainless steel has the advantage of being easy to clean. Some disadvantages of this material is the fact that it can be easily dented and it can be noisy.

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Are You Looking For Unique Ideas For Childrens Bathroom Décor?

Sep 6

Posted by admin in Bathroom Design Articles, Bathroom Fixture Ideas | No Comments

childfaucetWhen It Comes To Increasing The Value Of Homes…
Implementing Fresh Ideas For Bathrooms Is The Way To Go! 
 
  When most homeowners are considering ways to increase the value of homes, remodeling ideas for bathrooms are often at the top of the list. This is because most experts agree that making improvements to bathrooms and kitchens are the two biggest ways to increase a home’s value, while also making it easier to sell.

If you are fortunate enough to have more than one bathroom in your home, and if one of these bathrooms is intended for the children in your home, you may want to investigate different children’s bathroom décor ideas. Besides helping to make your home more valuable if you decide to sell it, it will also make the bathroom more appealing and easier to use by your children.

When creating space for children in a home, ideas for bathrooms may not be immediately at the top of the list. Yet, there are many things that should be taken into consideration particularly if one of the bathrooms is to be used primarily by children. These include…

  • Accessibility
  • Safety
  • Storage
  • Ease of sharing

If it is primarily for children that this bathroom is intended for, the layout should be one that makes it much easier for children to reach the cabinetry and countertops, while at the same time keeping the children safe. Some items you may want to incorporate into the children’s bathroom décor in order to ensure safety include:

  • Non-slip mats
  • Drain and faucet covers
  • Bath mats or rugs
  • Scald guards on faucets
  • Built-in steps

As it is with any bathroom design, you also need to be able to include plenty of storage space within your children’s bathroom décor. To help prevent pinched fingers, and also making it easy for your children to organize the supplies they need, you may want to consider baskets, bins and hanging organizers in the design.

Naturally, if you will have more than one child using the bathroom, your design should also look for ways to make the bathroom easier for the children to share. After all, anything you can do to reduce bickering will certainly do a lot to make life easier for the entire household. Some design elements you might want to incorporate include:

  • Long countertops
  • Double sinks
  • Split vanities

Of course, you will also want to consider including children’s bathroom décor elements, such as accessories featuring all of their favorite creatures, sports themes, or cartoon characters. Anything you can do to personalize the space will certainly go a long way toward making your child feel truly special.

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Looking at the French Country Kitchen Design Style

Sep 6

Posted by admin in Country Kitchen Design, Kitchen Design by Culture | No Comments

The French country kitchen design can provide your kitchen with a French Kitchenlook and feel that brightens the spirit and can transform the kitchen into a room that is much more than just a place to dine and prepare food.

The French country kitchen is known for its elaborate designs. It creates a feeling of country living but with a unique French flair about it. It is a warm and elegant look that you can have in your kitchen regardless of its size.

Color is an important element in French country kitchen design. Sunny yellow and soft gold, burnt rust, bright grass green and dark hunter green, cobalt blue and soft ocean tones – are all colors found in French country kitchen design style.

French country kitchen design conjures up images of the Provence and the French countryside with it’s pastoral settings, lavendar fields and rustic French farmhouses. The French country kitchen represents country living that is uniquely French. In designing your French country kitchen design you discover that French country look is always very rustic, old and warm.

There are many elements that go into the French country kitchen including the use of large pieces of furniture made mainly of light colored woods and can be decorated with ornate carving.

Color & French Country Kitchen Design

Color is an important place to start the design process. You can draw inspiration from some of the principle French impressionists like Monet and Renoir, Van Gogh.

Colors that are used in the French country kitchen style can include sunny yellow or soft gold, bright red and rust, grass green, cobalt blue and soft ocean tones.

You can decorate in the style of the French country kitchen design by using vivid colors – poppy red, sunflower yellow, bright blue, meadow green, and sunset purple. Your walls and cabinets and large furniture can be painted in off white, ivory, light beige, and taupe.

Cabinets can be painted a glossy white to brighten light-filled spaces in the kitchen or they can be left as natural wood. These colors can provide a light, airy feel so you do not want to use strong colors here. In fabrics such as curtains and seat cushions you might also add paisley, stripes and floral prints to your
French Country Kitchen theme.

Natural Materials

Natural materials are an important element in walls, cabinetry and furniture that is used in the design of French country kitchens. Natural materials can be used on walls and beamed ceilings, and can be rough stained or painted plaster, or wood painted in natural colors.

Floors can be made of stone or brick and covered with wool or cotton rugs, a fireplace made of stone with a heavy beam that can serve as a mantel, and wooden shutters as window coverings. Furniture and cabinets can have a rustic or even a distressed look. Countertops can be done in ceramic tile with tile backsplashes.

 

In French country kitchen design you will find that tile, rustic urns, hand-painted European ceramics and pottery accents are used extensively. Ceramic tiles and terra cotta pottery pieces are used wherever possible. Add copper pots and a French country kitchen can can encompass many old world decorating colors.

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Benefits of Adding a Walk-in Bathtub

Sep 6

Posted by admin in Bathroom Fixture Ideas | No Comments

walkintubAdding Safety and Luxury with a Walk-in Bathtub

The walk in bathtub is a special form of a special needs bathtub that ensures the safest bathing experience possible. The walk in bathtub is quickly gaining popularity in the bathroom industry. This type of tub is designed to help those who find trouble in moving and mounting the boundary of normal bathtub These bathtubs are designed to provide peace of mind for the elderly or physically challenged person and provide the ability to shower or bathe in confidence and safety.

The walk In bathtub can replace an existing bathtub and can even be placed anywhere in the house that is convenient — bedroom, spare room, hallway, basement, or wherever it is needed.

The advantage of walk in bathtubs is that they can be customized to provide special options for any specific needs. You can choose what side the door is built on, which gives you more creative freedom when situating the placement of the tub that is compatible to your bathroom design..

The walk-in bathtub has a seat built into the design, making it easier to stretching the legs. Other features of the relaxing trend include massage jets built into the body of the bathtub that provide hydrotherapy features. These high-pressure jet streams are very beneficial to those persons who have some joint or bone pain and are even similar to whirlpool tubs. You can buy a tub that has a raised seat, for those who find reclining in the tub to be a painful task. Using the hydrotherapy with your bath will allow you to derive the most benefit from your tub. Sitting back is made easier with the addition of a headrest giving the user total freedom while bathing.

As mentioned earlier walk-in tubs provide considerable amounts of safety and peace of mind. The floors of the tub have a slip resistant texture providing maximum protection. There are stainless steel handlebar supports for entering and exiting movements and that can enhance overall stability.

Many walk in tubs also come with thermostat-controlled settings to provide protection from getting scalded by hot water. You can also find a tub that will compliment and add to the look of your bathroom design no matter your home décor.

The walk-in bathtub certainly appeals to more than senior citizens and physically challenged individuals are able to easily enter and exit the tub without worry. Everyday people will see that they can also enjoy the benefits of a walk-in tub. The walk-in tub may just be a glimpse at what the future will have to offer.

You may find that one of the drawbacks to such a bathtub is the fact that the user cannot fill the tub until the door is closed and cannot exit until the water has drained. During that time the user may get chilled. This might be a deterrent to some when they are considering purchasing a walk in tub. recommends looking for a bathtub with a low water volume, installing a heat lamp over the bathtub or wrap yourself in warm towels.

Make sure that you locate just the right walk in tub that can best suit your needs. These kinds of tubs can, and will, provide endless comfort to your aching body for years to come.

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The Unique Tuscan Style of Kitchen Design

Sep 6

Posted by admin in Kitchen Design by Culture | No Comments

tuscanThe Tuscan design style has become popular trend in kitchen design, helped along by the recent film Under the Tuscan Sun. The Tuscan design style is known for it’s timeless beauty and Old World charm of natural materials, of warm and cozy colors. The Tuscan style is also marked by its unique connection to the earth by incorporating the outdoors within the inside of the home.
The Tuscan kitchen design style is probably the most romantic with the earth’s natural tones of brown, ochre, concentrated gold, blistering sunny yellow, prominent amounts of terra cotta, rusty red, coal black, and deep blue. Also the use of motifs like lemons, olives, sunflower, grapevines, and cypress trees can help creating a unique time worn look.
Tuscan kitchen design immediately conjures images of Italy and sunlight and warmth. In fact these kinds of images are just what you need to think of when coming up with the perfect Tuscan kitchen design.
Tuscany a region in north central Italy is known as a warm place almost year round an Tuscan kitchen design should reflect this. Tuscan kitchen designs are defined by colors such as siena, terra, and sepia. Tuscan Kitchen design uses a lot of soft warm colors and textures. Windows in the kitchen should provide as much natural sunlight as possible.
The Tuscan style has evolved through the centuries, influenced by Etruscan metal craft and pottery as well as the Italian Renaissance. The Tuscan style can be seen in mosiac tiles, wrought iron gates, bridges and architecture.
Tuscan kitchen design and décor can enhance the look and feel of any kitchen. You can add a big wooden table, open cupboards, along with ceramics, pots, pans and Tuscan-inspired dinnerware. These items can also make great decorations when you are not using them.
Kitchen island design in the Tuscan kitchen design style has its origins from ancient Roman times. This is the origins of the nice ornaments you will find with all tuscan kitchen design. The Tuscan kitchen island is usually of a dark color painted on oak. Sometimes the islands are given one coat of white paint. Scratches are added to give the wood a more antique look.
In Tuscany families tend to eat and cook together. A good Tuscan kitchen design should provide for adequate room for you and your family to move around the kitchen freely.
The Tuscan kitchen design style is very popular now. One reason is that this design style be quite affordable while be stylish and providing more comfortable kitchen. The Tuscan kitchen design style accessories include pottery, jars, and hand crafted tiles depicting grapevines and vineyards as well as grapes, tomatos, and olives. Having these design elements just naturally goes with Tuscan meals.
Walls – Wall should be painted in a rich Tuscan color such as rich reds, intense yellows, or strong yellows. Consider a wall treatment such as molding, or murals to create a more Tuscan feel to the walls.
Floors – Use Terra cotta or clay tiles, glazed ceramic and marble inlay in intricate patterns. Wooden floors can be left plain with natural color and finish with a Persian rug.
Furniture – For a Tuscan kitchen design use sturdy pieces of furniture that is also strong and functional. Kitchen tables and chairs should also be well-built and strong.
Cabinetry – Cabinetry should feature open shelves for displaying your ceramics, as well as baskets, and cooking utensils.
Sink – Kitchen sink should be white ceramic to be more compatible with your Tuscan kitchen design. You might also consider a large rectangular marble sink.
As for other Tuscan kitchen design ideas you can add racks to display copper pans. Also wrought iron pull for drawers, and wrought iron light fixtures. You might even want to add a brick-fired oven just like the type found in large Italian farmhouse kitchens.
By designing your kitchen with the Tuscan design style and bring in the look of old Tuscany your kitchen and home will never be quite the same.

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Looking for Low Cost Upgrades For Your Bathroom?

Sep 6

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Affordable Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Are you ready to give your bathroom a face-lift? After the kitchen the second best place to renovate is the bathroom. If your home is more than ten years old, you probably already know that bathroom remodeling is something that you will need to consider soon. Bathrooms are one of the areas of the house that get used every day and so have a lot of wear and tear. Whether you’re updating the space in your rental unit or doing a complete overhaul in your home’s private spa, you can find affordable, budget-friendly, creative ideas for redecorating your bathroom. There are bathroom-remodeling ideas to suit most any budget.

First take a good look at the details of your bathroom space.

Wake up your bathroom walls with color. Give an ordinary looking bathroom a complete color transfusion. Most bathrooms start with crisp white fixtures, a perfect companion for bright hues, such as royal blue and lime green. You can add a pretty fabric or graphic rug to give your bathroom a cozier feel. By combining a bold color with painted stripes and vibrant accessories you can make changing the look of your bathroom easy and affordable.

Updating cabinet hardware. The handles, hinges, and doorknobs of your bathroom cabinetry are the final touches and style setters for your overall bathroom space. Fortunately these features are also easy and fast to replace to be able to give your bathroom a whole new look. There are so many varieties of options here and you certainly can consider splurging when it comes to using quality faucets, knobs, and pulls in your bathroom remodeling. They make everything in the bathroom look richer.

Some bathroom remodeling ideas might also include adding or improving upon the storage cabinets that you have. Often you will find that fairly simple carpentry projects are not that costly, so this is certainly an affordable option you might want to look into if you are on a budget and only want the most basic remodeling done.

Your bathroom-remodeling project can include replacing your current bathtub or shower, including any knobs or showerheads. Bathtubs do not have to be all that expensive, if you go to any home improvement center you will see that a there are many new bathtub choices that can easily fix in most bathroom-remodeling budgets.

If you don’t care to or don’t have the time or the budget for removing the old tub you can always choose to have tiles and porcelain tubs resurfaced.

Another way to update and brighten up the look of your bathroom is to replace your toilet. Replacing your current toilet with a brand new toilet is a good idea, or if your current toilet is still working well, then simply replacing the seat is a good enough option though.

As you can see, affordable bathroom remodeling is all about doing a “surface” remodel in which you only replace or refurbish certain parts of your current bathroom. A surface remodel could include simply painting or staining the cabinets and vanity, repainting the room, adding new light fixtures, or adding new countertops or floors. After you paint it is a good idea to replace the hardware on the cabinets as hardware usually dates cabinets and such quite a bit.

As you can see, remodeling your bathroom doesn’t have to cost very much. You can make your current bathroom look as good as new in very little time if you just think about how you can make good use what you already have. This will result in making your bathroom a nice place to be.

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Tips on Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen

Sep 3

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outdoorkitchenIt used to be that outdoor entertaining conjured up the familiar image of the picnic lunch at the park. You only needed a picnic basket, thermos, paper plates and plastic utensils.

Or if you wanted to be able to host an outdoor luncheon or dinner you would toss some items on a barbecue pit out in the backyard and flip burgers and hotdogs.

Cooking on a grill is a great way to entertain outdoors. However it is a nuisance to have to go back and forth from the kitchen to the patio. That is why outdoor kitchens have become more and more popular.

The outdoor kitchen can include stovetop-style burners, griddles, roasting spits, sinks, refrigerators, storage space for dishes and cooking gear, low counters for prep work, bar-height counters for guests, stereo systems and more.

Preparing and enjoying meals outdoors along with casual entertaining has in recent years really taken off as homeowners have come to see just how appealing these alfresco preparation areas can be. Having originated in the southwest, outdoor kitchens are now to be found all over the country.

So just what kinds of foods can be cooked outdoors? Actually any type of food that can be prepared in an indoor kitchen can be prepared in an outdoor kitchen.

Today’s outdoor kitchen designs can include such items as: sinks, cabinets, and cutting boards. They can be fully featured areas, which offering a covered bar and buffet area.

In planning your outdoor kitchen you will need to consider how much you will use your outdoor kitchen and whether it will be just a small part of your deck or patio or a fully functional outdoor kitchen.

Today, however outdoor kitchens have made entertaining more convenient as well as luxurious. Now you can have all the accoutrements of any indoor kitchen all year around no matter what part of the country you live in. Besides the outside grill, outdoor kitchens frequently include many features – the number depending on your budget Outdoor kitchens range in cost from about $3,000 to more than $30,000.The latest products on the market include luxury grills equipped with all the capabilities of stovetop cooking. Outdoor kitchen setups include kitchen islands, sinks, refrigerators, wet bars and dishwashers.

Outdoor Kitchen Design Factors

An outdoor kitchen design can include different components and styles and there are many factors in deciding on the right outdoor kitchen design. One of the factors is just how much space you have to work with. Will it just include a small grill island or will your outdoor kitchen be as big as your indoor kitchen? Will it be the place where you and your family will spend a considerable amount of time? It is important that for an outdoor kitchen to work you must be able to provide adequate seating and dining areas. If you want to be able to enjoy your outdoor kitchen when the weather turns cooler it is a good idea to also have an outdoor fireplace to keep everyone warm and toasty.

Custom or Prefab Grilling Islands

Next, you will need to determine whether you will want your grill to be freestanding or built into an outdoor grilling island. Custom grilling islands can help provide your outdoor kitchen with a more upscale look. Just like an indoor kitchen island, the outdoor grilling island includes masonry with cabinets. Many experts agree that custom masonry grilling islands can add tremendous value to your home. You can also go with a prefab grilling island.

These prefab islands come in a variety of configurations and exterior finishes. They cost less than more custom islands.
Building Materials For Your Outdoor Kitchen
You should select sturdy and durable materials that can stand up to climate changes. Many building experts agree that Polymer is the perfect material for the construction of outdoor kitchens. It can withstand outside elements and unlike wood, concrete or stucco it does not absorb moisture. Polymer is a solid material not a laminate or layered material and it will not warp, crack, or split. Countertops can be made from ceramic tile, granite, marble, slate and other natural stones.

Outdoor Lighting

Another area just as important is designing your outdoor kitchen is outdoor lighting. This can change and improve the overall feel of your outdoor kitchen. There are many types of lighting to choose from including: ambiance lighting that can include soft white lights or colored bulbs. Solar lights can be charged during the day and turn on automatically as it gets dark.

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Adding an Italian Touch to Your Kitchen

Sep 3

Posted by admin in Kitchen Design by Culture | No Comments

italymapHave you always dreamed of taking vacation to Italy? It’s hard to think of Italy without automatically thinking about food – especially all the amazing foods that are so distinctive to Italy. Even if you can’t go to Italy, you can bring Italy to your life by using Tuscan kitchen designs in your home decorating.

Tuscan kitchen designs focus on bringing the warmth and comfort that is a part of Italy into your home. You can accomplish this easily by thinking of the colors and textures that are so common to Italy, especially the Tuscan region.

First, a central theme of Tuscan kitchen designs is to focus on light. The Tuscan style starts with warm colors and plenty of sunlight. Italian kitchen color basics include colors such as sienna, terra cotta, sepia, and golden sun colors. If you have a large kitchen window, you’ll want to leave it uncovered by window treatments to allow as much natural light in as possible. Another great option is to consider carefully placed sky-lights.

Italy is also the land of amazing pottery, ceramics, statues, and terraces. When you bring these elements into Tuscan kitchen design, your kitchen becomes a welcome center of the home. You can add these Tuscan touches by including mosaic tiles, wrought iron, textured plaster walls, ceramic, and Italian styled dinnerware.

Another element of Tuscan kitchen designs is casual elegance. Tuscan kitchen designs incorporate a great deal of natural wood, like a dark stained oak or natural pine. In Italian kitchens, you’ll find some open cabinets, hanging pot racks, and large family tables. Sometimes the kitchen table is weathered with lots of scratches and nicks. This doesn’t detract from the beauty of the table, rather encourages the perception that the kitchen is the center of the family – used for discussions, projects and of course, those all important family meals. Scratches give the wood an antique look which is so common with Tuscan kitchen design.

One technique that combines some of the standard elements of Tuscan kitchen design and kitchen color basics is to consider having your kitchen walls plastered with a tinted glaze. The plaster builds that traditional Italian plaster look, while the colored glaze adds warmth to the walls. A glaze will look different at various times throughout the day and reflect the sunlight throughout the kitchen.

When it comes to fitting your kitchen with fixtures, think about items like a marble sink or a farm sink. Ceramic or terra cotta tiles add warmth, or hardwood floors are another option to make that traditional Tuscan feeling.

Tuscan kitchens encourage a family to gather together in the kitchen and enjoy the warmth and comfort of the kitchen. It’s a beautiful and popular look for today’s kitchens.

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The Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes

Sep 3

Posted by admin in Kitchen Design Articles | No Comments

Kitchen design is considered to be one of the most popular areas of interior home design. The kitchen is also one of the most expensive rooms to design or remodel. While many people attempt to do it themselves many more homeowners plan to hire an interior designer when it comes to remodeling their kitchen. Either way it can cost to a lot of money, and careful planning is needed to achieve the effect you are looking for in your kitchen design. If doing it yourself you need to be aware of some of the biggest mistakes made by homeowners when re-designing their kitchen. You will find that the best kitchen design ideas are usually sensible ones. Besides trying to come up with the perfect kitchen, to insure a good kitchen remodel you must make sure to avoid common mistakes.

While you may kept up on the latest kitchen design trends deciding to remodel your kitchen has the potential to become one of your most expensive home projects because it requires careful planning and measurements. There are plenty of things that can go wrong during a kitchen project. Below you will find a few common mistakes to avoid.

Inaccurate Measurements

This can be the most common and most avoidable problem. Not getting this simple task right can ruin any great kitchen design. If you fail to measure carefully, things like cabinets or appliances will not fit right. If you use a contractor make sure they will guarantee their accuracy in measurements, and deliver the finished design according to the agreed to specifications.

Not Utilizing Storage Areas of Kitchen

It’s not just the amount of space to be provided for cabinets that you need to take into consideration for kitchen storage areas. You also have to know exactly where they should be installed. For instance there should be approximately forty-eight to seventy-two inches of cabinets for dishes and glasses above your sink and dishwasher for convenience. There should be approximately forty-eight to seventy-two inches of cabinet space near your oven for holding the cooking dishes and supplies. Floor cabinets or base cabinets should be placed near the stovetop for pots and pans.

Having an Oversized Kitchen Island

An island countertop can be great for most kitchens. However an island countertop that’s 36 to 48 inches deep and 36 to 120 inches wide provides a large enough ample work space and also enough room for an overhang for sitting. Anything larger can be hard to use or clean.

Inadequate Lighting

Correct lighting for your kitchen workspaces would include halogen or fluorescent lighting. Even the brightest recessed ceiling and pendant lights tend to cast shadows when you’re working at the counter. So be prepared to wire for under-cabinet halogen, xenon, or fluorescent task lights wherever you or a other family members will be doing kitchen chores.

Inadequate Ventilation

Ventilation is another important aspect of kitchen design. Most kitchen design professionals will tell you that proper ventilation must be added to ensure that offending odors and excess heat is removed from the home.

Other common mistakes in kitchen design include the use of dark cabinets in a smaller kitchen. While dark cabinets are popular today, they create a more impressive kitchen design and look better when used in larger kitchens. It is still a good idea to use lighter woods in a smaller space. Cabinets made from maple, birch, or pine will help make the space appear larger.

Another common kitchen design mistake is to choose the latest trend over practical designs for your kitchen. Remember your kitchen is the heart of your home. Make wise choices with an eye on livability. It is best to be practical, even conservative. Choose the more classic, and timeless kitchen styles.

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