Entries Tagged 'kitchen' ↓
November 8th, 2007 — design, kitchen, layout, steel
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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October 12th, 2007 — design, floor, hardwood, kitchen, planning, remodeling
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 →
October 9th, 2007 — cabinets, compact, design, kitchen
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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September 28th, 2007 — design, glass, hoods, kitchen, steel
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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September 17th, 2007 — cabinets, design, kitchen, kitchen island
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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September 6th, 2007 — design, floor, kitchen, remodeling
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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August 29th, 2007 — design, kitchen, lighting, planning
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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August 27th, 2007 — cabinets, color, design, kitchen
Red is the hottest of all the warm colors. Red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure.
In most cultures red means power, hence the red power tie for business people and the red carpet for celebrities and VIPs. In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy, and celebration. Red is the color of happiness and prosperity in China and may be used to attract good luck.
Red gets attention: flashing red lights mean danger or emergency. Stop signs and lights are red to get drivers’ attention and alert them to the dangers of the intersection.
Use the color red to grab attention and to get people to take action. Use red when you don’t want to sink into the background. Use red to suggest speed combined with confidence and perhaps even a dash of danger. A little bit of red goes a long way. Small doses can often be more effective than large amounts of this strong color. Multiple shades of red and even pink or orange can combine for a cheerful palette.
In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention. Red can have a dramatic effect in a room, whether used on the walls or as small accents in an otherwise neutral palette. The bright hue also energizes the room and sets the stage for convivial gatherings.
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August 22nd, 2007 — color, design, kitchen, planning
2007 is far from being over, but the new 2008 colors are already here. Let’s see the new transa as Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert with The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute sees them.
“Consumers’ increasing color confidence and personal style makes any color fashionable for 2008”, Zimmer says. “From glass-like blues, botanical greens, dramatic black and white and whisper soft pink, color directions will drive towards individual self-expression, glamorous living experiences or an increasing awareness of important environmental causes.”
Well, it’s not a great help to be honest, please help us a little, is there some guidance beyond “anything gooes” ?
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August 15th, 2007 — cabinets, design, kitchen, kitchen island, layout, remodeling
These kitchen island pictures present many different styles and ideas for islands that will help you create the perfect kitchen island for your layout. You’ll see a variety of materials used for cabinetry and countertop surfaces, including stainless, granite, marble and wood, that help tie the design with function. The many features of kitchen islands are also shown, including wine racks, storage cabinets, sinks, cooktops, eating areas and cooking areas.
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