KIDS COUNT

The needs of children can be easy to overlook when designing a new kitchen. If you are contemplating a remodel and you have small children or grandchildren you should think about ease of maintenance, user friendliness and above all safety.

Beware of sharp points. Soften sharp corners on countertops with angles or curves. Remember, if it’s at your hip level, it’s at a child’s head level.

Don’t place glass doors below the counter, where small ones can break the glass. Even if you use glass door inserts for upper cabinets be sure to use tempered glass which will cost a little more but won’t shatter in the event of breakage.

Also avoid open display shelves below the counter. It’s an invitation to curious toddlers,making them more trouble than they’re worth (the shelves, that is).

Vinyl or wood flooring are kinder on the chef’s legs and feet—and on falling children.
Select finishes that are easy to clean. Stainless steel is not kid-friendly, as it easily shows the little ones’ fingerprints and smudges. However if this is the look you want consider using a model such as the GE CleanSteel which has a stainless-steel look that, unlike true stainless, resists fingerprints and accepts magnets. Kenmore, Whirlpool and LG also make similar models.

A lower cabinet devoted to storing plastic cups, bowls, lunch boxes, snacks or other items that your children need to get to on their own is a great kid-user idea. A lightweight stool that is easily accessible can make all the difference when it’s time to reach the counter. You can even install a step stool in the toekick space under a cabinet. However, if bending to access your stool doesn’t appeal to you check out the Ultraslim Aluminum Step Stool from Williams-Sonoma. It is lightweight, has plastic feet to protect floors and opens with a fingertip push. Best of all it folds to a mere 1 ¾” deep for easy storage.

Last but not least don’t forget you can install locks on cabinets that are off limits as well as safety covers on electrical outlets. Next post: English charm in Palm Beach

Photo from PLUS IT! Family Activities for Kids: Promote Learning, Family Literacy

QUICKIES FOR YOUR KITCHEN

Quick Fixes

If you just can’t live with that tired old kitchen anymore, but need some more time to raise the necessary funds for a top-notch remodeling job, a quick fix may be the answer to get you through the waiting period.  My good pals Karen & Barry recently aquired a "new-old" condo, a great windfall but a potential money pit considering all the renovation they were looking at.  Luckily my friends are nothing if not creative and resourceful.  They simply removed the outdated cabinet doors and painted the upper cabinets.  This not only open things up but also makes it pretty easy to find everything in a small kitchen.

If you have the space above your cabinets, consider adding molding . Crown molding can bring more pizzazz to your kitchen by adding a finished look to simple, boxy cabinets. You may have pretty good cabinets that you like, but perhaps the builder just didn’t spring the extra bucks to add molding.  You can also add molding below the upper cabinets to complete the look, and to conceal under cabinet light fixtures. Typically molding used in this way runs from 1 ½” to 3” thick.

Try painting old wood cabinets like my friends did. Good wood cabinets can even be refinished or painted to look brand new. Using the necessary primer you can even paint over laminate cabinets.  A glass door or two can complete this quick fix.

Perhaps you like the look of your cabinets but would probably like them a lot better if your countertop wasn’t so worn and torn. You might upgrade from laminate to tile, or simply install new laminate in a different color, or a pattern that looks like granite. Don’t forget to be creative with the backsplash area between the upper cabinets and countertop. Finish the entire backsplash area with tile or material that looks like granite. Another economical option is faux painting, or trompe l’oeil, which means “fool the eye.” Creating a stone or brick look is a great quick fix. Hiring someone to paint it is cheaper than doing tile, or you can try your hand at painting it yourself. You might even try some stenciling.

Using new and interesting hardware can also update the look of your kitchen. You’d be amazed how much difference new doorknobs and drawer handles can make. Old knobs and pulls look, well, old. Choose something new, modern, colorful, even daring. Just make sure if you’re replacing handles that the screws for the new handles are in the same place

           

Sometimes builders try to save money by installing fewer cabinets than there is room for. The result can be storage space problems. If you have an empty wall, you can get some style and storage space by utilizing free standing furniture such as a Hoosier hutch, or an antique pie safe. In general, a freestanding piece of furniture will be less expensive than a built-in cabinet, especially if you’re hitting thrift shops and garage sales. Plus, whatever you get is going to be unique.

           

Lastly don’t forget to check out weekend do it yourself workshops offered by local home centers.  You can’t beat the satisfaction of saving money and knowing you did the project yourself!  New photos have been posted to our Flickr photo album.  Check them out!  Just click on the link to the right.  Next post:  Kiddies in the Kitchen

PEACE IN SIMPLICITY

From sushi to soduko Asian is all the rage.

Look at any design magazine and you’ll discover that the west is looking to the east for design inspiration.  Kitchens and baths have found new expression and streamlined function through the clean lines of Zen design.  (Think sushi bar?). the simplicity and organic features of zen design are at the forefront of kitchen design today.  The newest appliances are integrated in dark rich woods and exotic wood veneers such as Wenge and Zebra Wood.with Asian details including metal and shapes reminiscent of the pagoda.  An emphasis on natural materials such as stone and bamboo, exotic woods and simple symmetry are the order of the day.

Ken Charbonneau, a color marketing consultant whose clients include Benjamin Moore Paint says, "More people are looking to create Zen-like spaces.  To achieve this means to use carefully edited color palettes, pare down the excess and use the color to bring out the true essence of a room instead of letting it dominate a space." There is another added benefit to paring down and that is saving money.  If you have a place for everything it’s perfectly acceptable, even desirable to leave a little open space. 

The Japanese architectural aesthetic is one of straight lines, no muss, no fuss.  It’s pure, simple and elegant.  But can a zen kitchen work in your Mediterranean-style home or a Lake Worth cottage-style?  The good news is no matter what your style you can incorporate the simplicity, organization and organic finishes that make zen design so appealing today.    If your house is a Mizner showpiece you can still pare down in the kitchen.  The trick to making it work is to include a common element.  For example you could keep the same palette but just simplify the details for a more uncluttered feeling of simplicity.  De-cluttering is something we can all do to reap the benefits of the  Zen aesthetic in the kitchen.  Organize it.  Put it away with state of the art cabinet accessories that pull out divide and categorize for convenience and high function.


This kitchen by Holiday Kitchens, Inc. exemplifies the zen principles of simplicity and straight line.

High art and function coexist with the peaceful ambiance of Zen design. Next post: Quickies for your kitchen

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Since the current financial climate has most of us staying in our current homes for the time being, 2010 might just be the year to bite the bullet and create the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of.  Prices have never been as competitive and choices have never been as abundant as they are now.

Planning a new kitchen involves a mine field of details.  A mine field because some of those details can make or break the project.  How do you get from start to finish?  It can certainly be an overwhelming prospect, especially if it’s your first time.  The secret is to break it down in small chunks.  The steps are measuring, creating a plan on paper, ordering, demolition and installation.

Begin by measuring the space you have to work with.  Then, if you are currently living in the home think about what you like and what you’d rather not live with anymore.  Collect ideas.  Use magazines and books. Look around your house for clues that will tell you what style and color palette will be right for you.  Before a working plan can be developed you will also have to decide what appliances you’ll be using.  Some are standard sizes but refrigerators vary as do microwaves, wall ovens and cook tops. If you want to really explore the variety and pricing available in cabinets it can be worth your while to hire a professional kitchen designer to draw detailed plans with elevations. That way it will be easier for you to obtain pricing that will be comparable from one line to another.

When ordering your cabinets make sure to read your contract carefully.  Your kitchen dealer should take all the time necessary to outline every detail of each cabinet.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions not only about the product you’re ordering but also about the process and scheduling of the job.

Don’t remove your old cabinets until your new cabinets are on hand.  Remember disposal of old cabinets must be addressed.  Sometimes your old cabinets can be recycled for use in the garage.  Talk to your installer to see if this is a feasible option in your particular situation.

Installation of new cabinets generally won’t take more than a few days.  Usually base, or lower, cabinets are installed first so that the counter tops may be templated.  You’ll want to get this done as soon as possible as once your tops are installed you will actually be able to use your new kitchen.

Always bear in mind that with so many details something is sure to go at least a little awry.  Maybe a finished end on a cabinet is missed or someone among the large number of people you count on to make your kitchen a reality could, heaven forbid, make a mistake!  Relax it happens and there is always a solution.  For this reason it is a good idea to pad your budget to help compensate for these unanticipated occurrences and when you have to wait a few extra days remember it’s small in the scheme of things.  You will have your beautiful kitchen just the way you want it for years to come.  The important thing is that it’s done right. This stunning kitchen by Holiday Kitchens features lots of natural light, great storage with cabinets extending to the counter top and a multi-functional island. Next post: East meets West...

HEART OF YOUR KITCHEN

No matter the size or style of your kitchen, sink selection will be one of the most important decisions you make as you plan a new kitchen or update your existing one.

With an abundance of new technology and materials the choices can be overwhelming!   To the average homeowner – a sink may look like – well – just a sink. But there’s a lot to consider.  While the kitchen is the heart of the home, it is probably safe to say the kitchen sink is the heart of the kitchen.  Unless you have a separate prep sink, your sink will serve in both the clean up and food preparation roles.  With this in mind, here’s what I look for as a kitchen designer:

1.       Quality- The adage “you get what you pay for” has never been as true as in this case.  Your kitchen sink is heavily used on a daily basis so good quality will certainly pay off.  Some choices include cast iron, natural stone and, the most popular, stainless steel.  If opting for a stainless steel finish the gauge, or thickness, of the steel is the most important consideration.  The lower the number the thicker the steel and the better the quality.  This means it will not ding or spot as easily as a lesser quality product.  If you opt for one of the other materials make sure to do your homework.  Speak to a professional and research the wealth of information available on the internet.  Always get the highest quality your budget will allow.

2.       Design- Next you will have to decide if you want a drop-in or undermount design.  The advantage of having your sink mounted underneath the countertop is that you can simply wipe your crumbs away without the lip of the sink being in the way.  This option can be used if you have a granite or solid surface countertop and will add a little to the price of your countertop and installation. Drop in sinks on the other hand are easier to install and replace. Blanco has just introduced what they’re calling MicroEdge technology. MicroEdge represents the first breakthrough in stainless steel sink design since the introduction of the undermount sink more than 10 years ago. MicroEdge (shown above) is a sleek drop-in overmount sink technology that creates the illusion of an expensive flush undermount installation. Achieve the flush look for less time and money as MicroEdge can be installed over virtually any counter material.  For more information, visit www.blancoamerica.com

3.       Configuration- The large single bowl sink is becoming more and more popular.  It is the most versatile when it comes to accommodating large pots and platters.  If you are washing dishes by hand however you’ll probably still prefer the double bowl variety.  Really think about how you use your sink and don’t be afraid to make a change to something that better suits your lifestyle.

            This is just a beginning but good enough to get you started and    thinking in the right direction. 
Next   post: Secret to a Dream Kitchen...               

WHAT'S IN THE SHOP?

Today the guys are assembling a new kitchen from River Run Cabinetry.  My client originally approached me requesting a reface of the existing cabinets.  Cabinet refacing involves replacing all the doors and drawer fronts.  Sometimes it's just the face lift you need especially when you have expensive countertops that you DON'T want to replace.  In this case the counter tops needed replacing as well.  After exploring the price options we found that for just a little more I could offer my client these all wood cabinets from River Run. In addition, new cabinets offered us the opportunity to tweak the existing layout into something more efficient for the customer's needs. If you are looking for quality and great value these are the cabinets you're looking for.  You can even assemble them yourself if you prefer the "I did it myself" approach.  Just click on the "Assemble Your Own Cabinets Link" to the right.  My clients selected a birch wood door with applied moulding.  It has a warm stain and a dark glaze.  New black appliances will fit right into the color scheme.  These are being installed next month.  Stay tuned for before and after photos.  Next Post:  What is the heart of the heart of the home?