Design My Kitchen

Welcome back, I wish you all the best!

Now that my kitchen is ready, it’s time to share a few things I’ve learned along the way… So, let’s see what I’ve heard from professionals as well as what are the things I’ve learned the hard way….

1. I can add that easily later, no problem.

Sure, but only if you leave space for that microwave, built-in coffee machine or whatever. Now there’s an issue: there will be a gaping void in your kitchen until you add the new piece of equipment. Sure, you can buy an extra cabinet door to cover it… But don’t forget, temporary solutions tend to become final ones - and as long as temporary things go, they are not the best. So look out.

Designers say it’s best to add features to your new kitchen during, not after, renovation (or building). Even if you’re not sure whether you’ll use a something, prepare for its future installation by running cable and electrical lines. For example, one day, you, your growing kids, or a future homeowner may want a flat-screen television or a home-monitoring screen in the kitchen. Or, you may someday need more outlets on your counters and island. Be sure to have the right cables for electricity - that new washing machine or electric oven needs beefier cables than a hand-mixer..

2. I won’t have any clutter in my new kitchen.

Yes, sure, you don’t need that extra storage, do you? I bet you do! I’m always short of storage and I bet you’re the same, except for that guy living in a warehouse. Sure, it’s not always good to have lots of stuff in a crowded pantry (and the things on the bottom of the heap won’t be used up ever) but always plan for more storage than you think you’ll need. You’ll be thankful to yourself at the end.

Sure, storage units are not the best-looking of the kitchen-furniture herd, but you need a balance between function and style. (or that warehouse…)

3. Bigger is always better.

So the bigger the better, you think. If you just got that greeeeeat big kitchen, prepare for one thing: first you’ll be tired, next you’ll be fit. Because of all that walking, that is.

My designer friend says this is a typical mistake and homeowners have to live with for a long time, since kitchen renovations are done only once every 10 years or so. The solution, some say, is to install two sets of kitchen appliances, essentially having two work triangles into the kitchen area. But you still have to walk…

4. Yes, it will fit. I need it, you know.

New flat, new kitchen. Finally, you can put all your dreams into it. All the things you’ve seen in magazines, that gorgeous island, that fine range and all bells and whistles.

Don’t try to do what’s popular without any thought to whether it would work or not in the space… As opposed to the issues of a great spaces, there are issues with smaller ones as well - you need good organisation and keep an eye on not overstuffing it.

Sorry, you cannot always have an island or that great L-shaped worktop. In smaller spaces it’s better to put in quality - in cabinets, appliances, design - you’ll especially appreciate a good designer helping you think through all aspects on how you best utilise the space you got.

5. I want that kitchen from the magazine

It’s tempting to follow the latest trends, but it’s better to be practical. Do you need that hi-gloss finish with your small kids? (how will it look like in a month’s time?) Will you still love antique cabinets in 10 years? Will that funny red-yellow kitchen featured in the magazine really work in your house?

Always try to keep things - colors, materials, moods - in sync throughout your home - it feels so much better when you arrive. Don’t get carried away and plan before you do anything - remember, changing anything later will definitely cost more.

Finally, moving home is completed, new kitchen galore! Back to this blog, finally.

(You only realise how much time you spent in stores, with contractors et al looking back after you’ve completed the project. Ah, bollocks, it’s never completed

Today’s theme is colors again. Interior designers, painters, etc and probably you all use color swatches (those little stacks of colored papers) when trying to find “your real colours”. Colors here are usually presented linearly, one after another, in the order they are on a color wheel.

The color wheel can be a very useful tool for you: it not just shows the colors, but also help you find contrasting or complementary colors if you know how to use it.

But what do you do if you don’t have the time, or decide that the color wheel is simply not for you? If you use the net (ehh… reading this, I presume you do you can find inspiration in every corner.

Today I’d like to show you three sites full of color and inspiration.

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Ok, usually when you think kitchen, you instantly visualize something like this:

You know, it should be big enough, with an island or two, all the cupboards you need, task- accent- and food-tracing lighting, all that glitz and useful mechanics… You think great stone or walnut floor, big-big windows and ample workspace. Space to entertain, to cook, to store, whatnot.

But what happens when you have constrains? I mean real ones, not when you cannot fit in two islands, only one. Like in a ship? (no, not the QE2, you won’t be cooking there unless you’re their chef.) Let’s see:

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Want to install new flooring in your kitchen (or any room, for that matter)? So did I. Here are a few lessons I’ve learnt - probably the hard way.

Measure twice, cut once

Once my engineering teacher and numerous craftsmen told me this and its oh-so-true. Not just measure what you need, also what you already have.

Here’s my story: my open kitchen - living room had some stone-tile flooring and radiant heating below it. So far so good. Turned out, the stone needed breaking up as it was installed very-very badly - about seven years ago. I had a choice: either I break it up or it will come up all by itself soon. Not liking surprise-self-destructing floors, I’ve chosen the chisel. Worked like a charm. Continue reading →

Every time I want to do something with my kitchen, I leaf through some magazines, dig the internet, see showrooms, the usual stuff. You see the latest and greatest in kitchens le grande, that looks all right in a showroom, but sometimes larger than my living room and kitchen together.

Soo, what do you do when you don’t have the space - or don’t even need a large kitchen? Yes, there are those so-called “compact kitchens” - small, rather ugly white boxes with a cooktop, sink and fridge. But you don’t want one of those, do you?

So what can you do? Or rather, buy?

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I was recently in the market for a new hood. I was looking for something modern - stainless steel or glass or something like that - here’s what I’ve found.

OM

My current favorite is the OM from Italian company Elica. (they are sold in the US through Zephyr as far as I know) It easily might be the most fancy hood ever made with its striking glass surface and touch-controls. It’s available in red, black and white and apparently has two types of remote controls.

The best part besides the looks is the remote control which does not have a button at all. just place the control on a flat surface - rotate clockwise to increase fan speed, counterclockwise to decrease. To control the lighting of the vent-hood, simply tap the remote control.

As for the parameters, it’s 80 cm or 31.5″ wide and tall. However quite large (for my kitchen, anyway) it atcually saves space thanks to its almost vertical placement. Airflow is 450 cubic meters per hour.

The only drawback is that it’s pretty expensive: expect to pay about $3990 in the US (about 800 pounds in the UK)

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Today I’ve collected five kitchens - you can buy all of them today - in which you may feel being in the future.
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Besides the cabinets and countertop, your kitchen floor is the visually most prominent part of the kitchen. Appereances are important, however don’t choose the material just based on looks. Think through what you will most likely need, then drive to a flooring store to see for yourself. There are a host of options, let’s see what’s available….

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Lighting is usually the last thing you consider and the first thing you cut from the budget. But to look its best and function well, your kitchen must be properly lit — and that involves more than just throwing a few stylish fixtures on the wall. A good plan blends lighting into the architectural and decorative details of the kitchen

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