5 STEPS TO A MINDFUL KITCHEN REMODEL

One of my favorite magazines, Cooking Light, contains a very interesting article that I love this month.  It’s about something called “mindful eating”.  I agree that we, as a culture, me included, eat way too much because we don’t do it mindfully.  Simply put it just means that if you make yourself 100% present and focused at the task at hand (eating) during mealtime you will enjoy your food more and you won’t feel the need to eat as much.  I happen to believe that you can easily carry this concept over to the kitchen design and remodel process.  These days when we are trying to get the most out of every dollar we want to know that every aspect of the complicated process of remodeling a kitchen has been well thought out.  Here are five ways you can do it.  

 1) Don’t be in a rush-  When you impose a drop dead date such as Thanksgiving or Christmas you will be more likely to rush your choices.  This is a complicated process and it needs to be planned out properly and executed in a certain order.  Collect your thoughts and ideas beforehand.  This should included concept photos, and ideas for products.  In this day of social media there is no excuse not to do the research.  It will allow your professional partners to do an even better job for you.  
 2)     Work with someone you feel good about-  I don’t care how knowledgeable your designer, or salesperson seems, if they don’t feel right for you, you’ll probably save much aggravation by partnering with someone you feel is your ally and can see your own unique vision.  Many designers are adept at working in a variety of styles.  However, if you love sleek, modern, minimal designs don’t select a designer who’s work is typically very traditional.  They’ll probably be able to help you but it not with the insight, enthusiasm and access to products as someone who specializes in your style.                3) Prepare for the downtime- Always insist on a schedule for your project.  This is NOT to say it won’t have to be tweaked from time to time but it’s always best to have a starting point.  It helps keep all the players on the same page. A big part of this is to plan how you’re going to get by when you’re without a kitchen.  Where are you going to put the refrigerator?  Do you have convenient place to put your microwave?  How close is your temporary set up to a sink?  Keep most used cups and utensils easy to access.                           4)   Pick your battles- Everyone has a budget and  most of us  can’t have it all.  That said, there are usually a couple of areas in which a judicious splurge can make all the difference.  One biggie is springing for a counter depth model refrigerator which is nearly flush with your counter top.  This makes a big difference in a small space. Although they’re more expensive they’re still a lot less than the super high end true built-in models.   5)   Don’t rush to judgement- If you are living on site during your remodel, resist the impulse to go into a seizure over every nick or crooked drawer front.  Again, it’s a process with a million details and steps.  At this point you should be trusting (if you did step 2) your professionals to do what they do.  Typically all doors and drawer fronts will be aligned before your installation is finished.  It is also typical practice for you and your designer to get together on a punch out list so all concerns, including touch ups are addressed before completion.If you have a question about your kitchen design or remodel I’d love to hear from you!

RED PLUS BLUE EQUALS PURPLE IN THE KITCHEN!

After a long election I’m sure you’re in the mood for something TOTALLY different.  Me too.  Congrats to the winners and may we mend our fences and make up with all the friends we temporarily (hopefully) blocked on Facebook.  As someone who is passionate about art, I am always looking at color and the effect it has on our environment.  As a nod to the red and the blue states today I’m showing what they can make together, purple! Is purple a viable color in the kitchen?  If you love it, here are some ways you can incorporate a little lavender, lilac, plum, fuscia or just plain ole purple whether you are conservative, transitional or uber modern.  If you hate it, at least it’s something completely different!    

STOCK CABINETS IN CUSTOM SPACES

 Sometimes I’m called upon to do the impossible, or almost.  It's easy for a home owner to blow the budget when purchasing a new residence or fixing up an old one.  Trust me, everything always costs more than you think it will!  If you're starting out remember to pad that budget.  Sometimes I’ll get a perfect storm consisting of a very custom architectural arrangement and a homeowner who chooses to spend a minimal amount.  That means custom cabinetry is out.  No fear!  I had a situation recently in which this exact thing happened.  In fact I often have to make stock cabinets work to meet the budget.  It’s sort of like a puzzle, a cabinet box rubiks cube, if you will.   There are three basic components to a cabinet job and they all have to be friends with each other.  They are:1)      Design2)      Product3)      InstallationIn this case I had to come up with a design for a wet bar in this area utilizing stock sized cabinets and then,  most importantly, our professional installer had to make it work which did require some fancy bladework. Here’s how we solved this one.We utilized two 30” high 12” by 12” upper cabinets as bases (on the bottom)  in order to avoid the nasty angles in the back.  These cabinets are fine at 12” deep as they will be used to store liquor bottles.  (You definitely don’t need to be losing your booze in the backside of an oddly shaped cabinet!) We used a 24” wide sink base cabinet to accommodate the bar sink and since there is no room for drawers in the layout we’re adding a roll out shelf on the bottom underneath the plumbing.The top is where it gets tricky.  We used a standard glass door cabinet over the sink, raised a bit to lend a little more spaciousness over the sink.  Our installer altered the two upper cabinets on either side to accommodate those angles and I ordered an extra panel of interior cabinet material to finish the remade interior.  Crown moulding and moulding under the uppers to conceal undercabinet lights finish off the traditional look.  Yes, in this case the installation is a bit more expensive than normal but the savings from using stock cabinetry more than made up for it. One thing I  say is that there is always a solution and this is a prime example.  We had to give up a little space by going stock but  custom base cabinets would have been an awkward shape and I'm not sure the benefit would have been worth the extra cost.  The example you see here included cabinets, assembly, delivery, the remaking of the upper cabinets, installation and glass.  The price was $3,400. Counter tops, lighting and plumbing fixtures were by others.

BALANCE,HGTV BUDGETS AND WHERE TO PUT THE DISHWASHER

There are certain misconceptions in our industry that I see over and over again.  Today I thought I'd take the opportunity to educate and illuminate.  Sometimes you can come up with a much more interesting design if you are not limited by these "urban legends of kitchen design".  As they say "free your mind"!  Think again, leave the box, so to speak.  Here are three big ones to start the ball rolling.
SYMMETRY, WHAT GOES RIGHT MUST GO LEFT? NO!
Not true.  Giving up symmetry doesn’t mean you have to give up balance.  In fact sometimes a balanced asymmetrical wall is  more visually interesting.  It’s okay not to have a mirror image. Sometimes you have to get creative with balance due to the constraints of the architecture your working with.  Check out the following samples from my inspiration stash.
WHY ISN'T IT THE SAME PRICE AS HGTV? Some of my peers have already addressed this but it bears repeating.  Any kitchen budget that I have ever seen on HGTV is completely unrealistic.  Where they obtain these figures is a mystery to me.  Think about it.  They can pretty much say what they want  and they don't even have to be held accountable!  The end result is you, the viewer, are left with a false impression and a budget that lies woefully short.  Please understand that a kitchen remodel is all about details and every kitchen is different.  It also takes a lot longer than half an hour in real life! I must confess that I do love how Candice Olsen seems to pull her design choices  out of her a_ _ , all beautifully coordinated!  Not to mention what she can do with a Sharpie!
THE DISHWASHER ALWAYS GOES ON THE LEFT, OR RIGHT?
This is one issue for which there is no hard fast rule.  Some people think it's a certain way because that's what they've always had or that it's based on your dominant hand.  None of this is true.  Dishwasher location depends on two things which are the space you have and what's comfortable for  the way you work.  The dishwasher is the second most important component of the clean up zone in your kitchen, the main player being your sink.  Except  in rare space challenged cases, these should always be next door to each other.  The third component of the clean-up triad is your garbage receptacle.  If space allows you to include a cabinet with pull out trash/recycle bins it should ideally be located on the other side of the sink, the sink always  in between the dishwasher and the trash.  Think about it, you stand at the sink, scrape your plates, rinse if necessary (but not too much) and load the dishwasher.  It can be right to left or left to right, whatever feels right for you.

 

Dishwasher on the right in this case with sink in the middle and pull out trash on
the left.
If you have your own questions about what is correct, or not, shoot me an email and I will give you my take.

KITCHEN ISLAND TIME

Hi there! I’m Joanna, a writer for Design Shuffle, an online portal for all things interior design from interior designer portfolios to engaging articles on the latest design trends. I am so lucky to be able to spend my days discovering the most beautiful interior design ideas on the web and bringing them to share on blogs such as this one. Thank you Kitchens for Living for allowing me to post today on kitchen islands.The center of activity in the kitchen often centers around the kitchen island, especially if it is designed to accommodate chairs or stools. This gathering place keeps the family and guests together with the home chef while he or she is preparing the meal. Kitchen islands come in as many varieties as cabinets and counter tops—practically endless choices. Take a look at some of my favorite kitchens and islands. Which do you like the best?Kitchen IslandA beautifully appointed kitchen boasts a lovely kitchen island paired with white leather and brad trimmed counter chairs. Wouldn’t it be so nice to take a seat and visit with the chef while he or she cooks?Kitchen IslandThis rustic, gray island is given an industrial feel by equipping it with rollers. Another industrial element can be found in the aluminum work stool pulled up to the island.Kitchen IslandA massive kitchen island seats no less than six people. This is the perfect space for any meal. The woven chairs are so unusual and gorgeous. Getting any kitchen design ideas?Kitchen IslandA Tuscan kitchen features an extra large island flanked on either end by a traditional style lamp. For its size, it could accommodate more seating than just the three counter stools shown here.Kitchen IslandLove, love, love this style of kitchen island. It looks as if they took a small sideboard and just added an extended wood top to accommodate seating and an eating area. Lots of decorating ideas can be found here.Kitchen IslandCount them, not one but two islands! I love this look and would be as happy as apple pie to be the home chef of this kitchen. Does this inspire any decorating ideas?Kitchen IslandWouldn’t you love to cook up your favorite recipe in this sleek and crisp white kitchen? The island and cabinetry feature the current design trend of brass hardware.Kitchen IslandThis ornate kitchen island is as gorgeous as it is useful. The carving and robin’s egg blue of the ‘legs” fits so nicely with the rest of the tile and cabinetry in the space. Many of my favorite kitchen designs include lovely chandeliers like this one.  Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8Craving even more design inspiration? Then visit Design Shuffle! You can explore the history of interior design and browse through the portfolios of Boston interior designers and more!

TROPICAL MEETS TRADITIONAL

 Here in my little corner of South Florida the pendulum has swung , of late, to more contemporary designs in the kitchen.  This means less ornate with clean lines.  I love it but I realize it's not for everyone.  What if your whole house is more classic and traditional?  Your kitchen should always work with the architecture and theme of your home.  This is exactly the case with a job I am working on now.  This Florida home has a kitchen open on two sides, the dining room and the family room.  Here's what it looks like now.She's selected appliances which are slightly different and will be integrated into the new plan.  Because the kitchen is smack dab in the center of the home there is not much natural light, so no dark finishes.  We have about 95" to the soffits.  Last but not least, because the kitchen is so open and visible we need WOW!If you blend the tropical locale of this beautiful home with its traditional decor you find that  British Colonial or Bermuda Style is the perfect solution.  During the reign of  Queen Victoria, British subjects stationed in the British Colonial outposts of the Empire that included Singapore, East Africa, India and the British West Indies, brought with them their language, principles of government, architecture and furniture. There was just one little issue, climate.  Certain details had to be modified to accommodate the heat!  Some of these details were the use of light airy fabrics, lots of  big tall windows and high ceilings.  In addition to this they had to take advantage of local resources like mahogany, cane and bamboo.  So here's what we're gonna do!1) MOVING ON UP- We're going to remove the soffits so we can take advantage of the  high ceiling.2) LET THERE BE MORE LIGHT-  We're going to add lights above cabinets, wherever possible and more efficient fixtures in the ceiling and under the upper cabinets.  Cabinets will be a combination of medium and light stains with some cane detailing. 3) X MARKS THE SPOT-  You will frequently see the X motif as a part of the BC style so we are incorporating it into the design.4) A LUSH TROPICAL ISLAND- This tropical island has to grow.  We have the space to make it bigger and more funtional but we don't have the space to add the columns or legs that would make it look like a piece of furniture.  Instead we'll raise it off the floor and add some furniture feet and moulding.5) CROWNING DETAILS- Nothing says traditional like crown molding, columns and pilastersSee  a working elevation below.  Notice with the X detail, less is more equals WOW.  We're still fine tuning the details but I'll Keep you posted!