Entries Tagged 'planning' ↓
January 6th, 2012 — design, hoods, kitchen, layout, planning
The Victorians still thought it desirable to keep the kitchen, with its attendant smells, well away from the gentry end of the house. In grand homes, kitchens were positioned in the centre of the servants wing, surrounded by the smaller rooms of the scullery, larder and pantry with separate stores for game, fish, ice and coal. These would be adjacent to the servants hall with separate rooms for the cook, butler and housekeeper
The importance of the house could be judged by the number of chefs presiding over numerous kitchen maids. Kitchens were full of cooking devices such as roasting ranges, stewing and boiling stoves, turnspits and hot cupboards. However, there were no mechanised devices for washing, ventilation or refrigeration. Water was pumped by hand into scullery sinks and food was kept cool in an ice box with ice brought in from an ice house outside. Most food was still kept in north facing larders with natural ventilation.
The big change in kitchen design came about due to the social implications of the industrial revolution and the development of mechanisation Continue reading →
December 19th, 2011 — design, planning
Designing kitchens necessitates the integration of functional requirements, together with spaces which are pleasant to work in. Before analysing these needs it is worth looking back in time to see the antecedents of the modern kitchen. This will help to articulate and clarify the different activities needed to prepare complex meals and to realise how radically modern technology has reduced both the space and manpower needed to achieve this.
Early kitchens
The earliest kitchens, all over the world, are simply open fires, most often out of doors which is still so today in countries with a climate hot enough all the year round to make this possible.
In Britain, little is known about kitchens until Norman times. After the Romans left Britain in AD 407, the culinary arts were largely forgotten. Food was often cooked outdoors on caul- drons or spits. This was to avoid the risk of fire and to keep smells out of the houses.
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January 18th, 2011 — accessories, budget, cabinets, faucets, kitchen, lighting, planning, remodeling
As house values are down across the board and loans / mortgages are harder to get, homeowners are finding few easy-money options for grand remodels. But hey, you probably should not do that anyway! Instead, why not go after projects that cost less, or even garner practical savings and keep their value much better when it comes time to sell.
This is very true for kitchens: usually oneof the (if not THE) most expensive room in your home, a remodel can even cost anything upwards of $50.000 – which can be as much as 10% of the value of your home. Instead of spending a ton of money, let’s see a few options on modest, practical, recessionproof improvements that build a home’s long-term value while conserving energy or just allow you to rest and enjoy your kitchen.
January 11th, 2011 — cabinets, color, design, kitchen, kitchen island, lighting, planning
Are you considering building a new kitchen or remodeling your existing one? If so, it makes sense to keep up with the latest trends, if for nothing else, to check what you’re likely to find in the stores this year.
Here is a list of kitchen trends for 2011
1 Curved shapes become the ‘new minimal’
Kitchen designers starting to introduce curved shapes to the kitchen, just like other parts of the house. Gone are the days of sharp and straight and blocks look, as it’s now being replaced by soft appearance. The easiest way to add curved shapes and bump up your kitchen with a contemporary look is through the introduction of rounded sinks, maybe bowed cabinet, curved faucets. If you can afford a bit more, think about adding a curved kitchen island (be careful though, it better harmonizes with your kitchen still). Continue reading →
October 10th, 2010 — kitchen, lighting, planning
Did you ever wonder how some kitchens look like they belong on the pages of a glossy mag or in one of those lifestyle TV shows? Most of the times the simple reason is that they use lighting effectively. And that’s about it. Kitchen lighting design is key.
Well planned lighting can turn even the most drab space into a chic interior, and similarly, poor lighting can completely ruin even the most stylish decor. So I feel it’s quite astonishing how many kitchens rely totally on ambient (mostly overhead) lighting. Sure, you can go to the other extreme and illuminate your kitchen entirely with decorative lighting – as pretty as using candles – cosy if somewhat dim. Plus look out for your fingers when trying to chop something.
An important feature of all good kitchen lighting schemes is the use of numerous light sources. Kitchens are fundamentally work areas and require task lighting which typically needs to be placed between you and the items you are working with. If the main lighting in the room is located in the middle of the ceiling then you will find yourself working in your own shadow.
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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 →
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 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 13th, 2007 — cabinets, dishwasher, kitchen, layout, planning, remodeling
Kitchens that are larger, open and multi-functional are here to stay according to industry experts. A generation ago, the kitchen was the room where mom cooked meals alone. Now it’s the “centre of the home,” filled with family and friends.
Instead of pricey fads like glass countertops and large-sized microwaves, look at these few kitchen design ideas that will be worth the time and money.
A quick prep area with a small sink, cutting board and microwave or a larger sink in the island helps with gourmet cooking. Mixed and matched cabinet finishes, exotic woods, jewelry-like hardware and display areas that show off glass collections give the kitchen an eclectic look. Wrap-around desks that extend into the family room provide more space. Cabinet storage for pull-down spice racks and buffet storage for beverage centers make the kitchen run more efficiently. And that’s a goal worth investing in.
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August 7th, 2007 — kitchen, lighting, planning
Your kitchen is one of the most important areas of your home. This is exactly why you should design it to provide maximal comfort and efficiency? If you are not happy with your current kitchen, you should consider redesigning it to suite your taste.
One of the most forgotten, but crucial element to having the kitchen of your dreams is good lighting. Most people spend all their time focusing on the rest of the kitchen, such as the cabinets, counters, appliances, etc. As a result, they forget about this important, yet most often forgotten part.
When looking for the right kitchen lighting, first decide what kind of atmosphere you want your kitchen to have. Kitchen lights come in an infinite number of varieties, so it is important to know what you are looking for first.
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