Interior design decor

Storage ideas for a functional kitchen.

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 13:24:57 +0000

Kitchen utensils unfortunately come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and do not conform to the space that is available. This and the fact that most of the space in the kitchen is not utilized properly make for a cluttered kitchen. A clean and neat kitchen is easy to work out and also to make your cooking experience relaxed and hassle free. Here are a few tips to make sure you are making the most use of your kitchen storage space. On a free sunday empty your kitchen draws and see what needs to go and what can stay, this way you will minimize the clutter on a regular basis.
Clear the clutter. Often times we put away something and do not have any use for it. If you are in a for a spring cleaning time then this is the best time to check what needs to stay and what has to be tossed out. This way you can prevent clutter. If you do this on an ongoing basis you don’t even have to set aside that whole weekend in spring to clean out your attic and your kitchen and can happily plan a nice picnic instead. Get rid of chipped or broken lids and cups that you no longer need. Those kid cups that you no longer use can be done away with.
Place the least important or rarely used items on the upper most shelves. The frequently used items should be handy and easy to reach. Having cutlery in one draw, pots and pans in one shelf and ladles or big serving spoons in another might be a good idea. Organizing sectional draws are available at most kitchen stores. Measure your draws and buy one that fits them so that your cutlery is organized and doesn’t slide when you open and close the draws.
Rearrange your table and your appliances to have an easy flow in the kitchen. If you are remodeling then you might want to look for more space friendly appliances to suit your budget and also your space.

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Anne At Home-1866 Oak Hook 8 Pewter Bright

Taking care of your cabinets and their hardware.

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 13:24:33 +0000

Kitchen storage units are some of the prime areas of wear and tear. When you are remodeling your kitchen it might not just do to change your kitchen cabinet hardware. The new hardware needs some care and also maintenance to make the kitchen look new and great. With the range of hardware available in the market now, these knobs and pulls are no longer just utilitarian but are also accent pieces for your kitchen. Make sure that they are clean and are a part of the upkeep of your kitchen since they are the visible parts of your cabinetry.
Kitchens are high traffic areas where there is a lot of grime and oil or accumulation of food stains. Let us consider how to clean each part of your cabinetry. Cleaning the kitchen cabinet hardware is easy. Unscrew the knobs, pulls and handles of your cabinets, draws and your pantry. Mix equal quantities of distilled vinegar and warm water and soak them in it for a while. Once you take them out make a soap
solution with your dish washing liquid and with the help of a soft brush scrub them lightly to get rid of the loosened grime and oil residues. Once this is done let them dry out before replacing them.
Cleaning the cabinets is easy with the help of a mild dish washing detergent to remove caked on grease and grime. Wipe off the easily removable dirt with the help of a moist or damp cloth, then dip a sponge in soapy water and systematically rub it throughout the inner surface of the cabinets. Leave the cabinets open for the moisture to dry out.
Cabinet doors need special attention since these are the outer surfaces of your cabinets. Avoid using harsh chemicals and strong cleansers that can damage the veneer or laminate or the wood. If you find a lot grime along the borders or edges then a 2:1 solution of borax and ammonia might do the trick. Put this solution in a spray can and spray it lightly on the greased areas. Scrub lightly or hard depending on how stubborn the dirt is.
Once this is done reattach the hardware and replace the drawer knobs. Use liners to line your cabinets so that the cabinet itself doesn’t get any stains or dirt due to spills. If this is done as part of your spring cleaning routine then it might be a good way to keep your kitchen looking brand new.

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Anne At Home-1867 Oak Wall Mount Toothbrush 10 Verdigris

Finding the right cabinet hardware.

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 13:18:08 +0000

Sometimes a small change can lead to dramatic results. If you have strong sturdy looking cabinets then you just might need to reface them or alter the hardware on them to give them a new look. changing the cabinet hardware can be a little difficult not because of the task itself but because of the amount of choice that one has these days in cabinet hardware. Matching the cabinet hardware with the look of the entire house is easy now due to the number of choices that one has in terms of material,style, colors, shapes and sizes of door knobs, pulls, latches, hinges and locksets.
If this is a do-it-yourself project then you might want to look up a few magazines or home decorating tips online before you decide on the style that you want. A little research can go a long way. Buying the hardware from a store which also has the installation professionals maybe a good bargain if you are not a very handy person.
Unlike the old days where knobs, pulls and latches were made only out of brass or bronze, nowadays you have a plethora of metals that are used to make hardware. Anything from oil rubbed bronze to satin nickel to stainless steel. If you have a design theme in mind then you can choose one of these options. Satin nickel and oil rubbed bronze hardware are the elite class of hardware in the market. If you are looking for this make sure that you coordinate the hinges, the knobs and draw pulls and even the pantry door knob to go with the cabinet hardware.
If you are doing the project yourself then here are a few ideas that can make it a smoother process. Firstly decided on a theme and work out the number of pieces needed for the entire project. It might be handy to have a few extra pieces at hand just incase you break one of them while you are at it. Make sure that the quality is good that way you are probably paying a little extra now but you won’t have to change them for a very long time. Matching your kitchen cabinet hardware to the metal on your appliances might be a good idea. If you are replacing old cabinet hardware then try to make sure the size of the new one as far as the drill holes go is the same. Otherwise you will be left with ugly holes peeking out of your new hardware and
the whole effort will be lost.
Using the right kind of colors on the walls and the right lights can bring out the best in your new hardware and make your kitchen look new, sleek and modern that you and your family will enjoy for a long time.

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Cabinet refacing ideas.

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 13:17:10 +0000

Remodeling a kitchen can be a daunting task both on your time and your budget. Sometimes some of the simpler solutions are the best fixes for a kitchen remodel. For instance your sturdy old cabinets may not need replacing they may be in need of some re-facing. Refacing a cabinet is one of the best ways to give your kitchen a new and different look without breaking your bank.
Cabinet refacing like most remodeling projects comes with a range of ideas and possibilities. Getting the right look might mean spending some extra time to research on the kind of look that you want for your kitchen. Here we can check some of the more likely options that can have a radical change in your kitchen’s appearance.
Veneers and laminates are some of the most popular options. If you are not too constrained on your budget then opting for a new veneer might be a good option. Veneers are thin layer of wood or stone that is laid over the existing base of the cabinet. Veneers mounts are easy to install and follow the same principle as a sticker. Peel the adhesive back and stick with a little pressure on to the surface of the cabinet. Choosing the color is probably the toughest part in refacing. There is a general rule of thumb when you are redoing any space in the house, lighter shades for smaller spaces and darker ones for larger rooms. Veneers also come with edge banding that makes the cabinets look professionally done and neat. This option is avaible for laminate refacing also.
When coordinating the draws for your kitchen cabinets then you will need some nuts and bolts, a nice milter saw some solid glue and nails and a nice hammer and screw driver. Cut the laminate or the veneer to the size and shape of your drawer and stick it in place with the help of some glue and small nails. Following the right procedure given on your hardware will give you the best results and save you a ton of cash in your remodeling project.

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Anne At Home-1603 Oceanus Towel Ring 931 Rust with Black Wash

Finding the right kitchen cabinets.

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:55:37 +0000

Kitchen cabinets come in various colors, materials and sizes. Finding one that matches your kitchen need not be hard if you follow some simple guidelines. If you have a small kitchen then you have to make sure that you plan your cabinets in such a way that you won’t have clutter on your counter. Kitchen cabinets can be custom built to suit your space but this might turn out to be expensive.Since the kitchen is the area that sees a lot of temperature fluctuations it might be good to opt for a sturdy and durable variety of cabinetry that will last you a long time.
With a wide variety to choose from it might not be hard to find the right kind of cabinets to suit your kitchen space. There are a few things to keep in mind though when you choose your cabinets. Wooden cabinets are popular since they come in various types. Of all the wood available the most reasonable and durable ones are probably oak wood and or hickory. Solid wood cabinets are slightly more expensive but they are worth the cost since they are more durable and long lasting. Particle board cabinets lined with plywood are also available at a lesser cost.
Matching the colors or contrasting them might depend totally on your style. But there are some tips that you might want to consider with this too. If you have a small kitchen space then a light colored wood might be a better choice and if it is a large space then you can opt for the darker wood with a contrast to the color scheme of the tiles, counters, walls and so on.
Sometimes just small things like changing the hardware on your cabinets might be all that your kitchen needs to spruce up the look of your kitchen. There is a large market base for kitchen cabinetry and related hardware. A little bit of research may not only yeild the best results for your kitchen but may also save you a lot of money in the bargain. Kitchens are some of the key rooms of the home. Creating a welcome and spacious look for the kitchen might be a good investment in your home in the long run.

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Anne At Home-1603 Oceanus Towel Ring 931 Rust with Black Wash

Giving you kitchen cabinets a face lift.

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:55:14 +0000

Kitchen is the heart of the house. It is the one room in the home that sees an unusual fluctuation in temperature depending on what you are cooking. To weather this kind of battering everyday your kitchen cabinets need to be strong and sturdy. Even if your kitchen cabinets are of the highest quality there is some wear and tear and tell tale signs of usage. If you feel that your kitchen needs a makeover take a hard look at the cabinets all that they need might be a fresh coat of paint.
If you have decided that you want to keep your old cabinets but that they need a face lift then here are a few tips to help you paint your cabinets. One of the first tasks as part of the preliminary preparation is to remove all the cabinet doors, the hardware, the appliances in the kitchen and covering the flooring with paper or sheets to prevent any paint from falling on your kitchen floor.
Any grime or food residue or oil marks must be removed and can be easily done with the help of an all purpose cleaner. This done then with the help of some soap water and an old rag clean the surface thoroughly. Once you have finished this step, take some grit sandpaper and sand down lightly the whole cabinet surface without leaving any area. Sanding makes the surface rough and this in turn helps to hold the primer and the paint better. While it is a lengthy process it is one of the most important steps to painting your cabinets. A well sanded cabinet holds the primer and the paint better and for longer.
If you are only repainting your cabinets with a fresh coat of the same paint then you can skip the primer step. If not then you must use a primer. Primers come in two types. Oil based for oil paints and shellac based for latex paint. Priming the cabinet surface prevents the paint from bleeding due to the varnish. Let the primer dry out completely before you start applying the paint. If you spray paint then you might get a glossier and more professional looking paint job. Check your paint box for instructions on how to get the right shade of color. Some colors might need two or more coats before you reach the desired shade.
Once the paint job is done you can refix the cabinets, doors and hardware. Some paint jobs may need touch ups off and on so as to fix weathered spots.

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Anne At Home-1601 Oceanus 24 Inch Towel Bar 736 Black with Chocolate Wash

Ideas to maximize your kitchen space.

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:39:09 +0000

If space is a constraint in your kitchen then you might want to remodel it so as to make it look larger while at the same time making the most use of the space available for ample storage, free movement in the kitchen without bumping into objects and also having the right appliances positioned accordingly.
One of the first things to do while remodeling your kitchen is to draw a new plan and compare it to the current outlay of your kitchen. Since it is a working kitchen you as the owner will know best which objects are taking up more space than they need to or how you would prefer to have the counter space divided. Once you have a blueprint of the new plan you will be able to modify accordingly when you compare to the existing kitchen.
If you have a wall from the kitchen to the dining room see if you can take it down and make the room more spacious. If you have very little space you might opt for smaller appliances that fit the room better and don’t make it feel cramped. Long cabinets might be a good option where you can store all the pots and pans and jars away. If you have limited storage space then placing hooks for the pans might be another idea. Clearing as much clutter as you can from the counter can also give your kitchen that larger look. Placing a smaller table or doing away with the table and opting for a counter height breakfast bar can also double as an eating area without taking up too much space.
Reducing the size of your appliances, rearranging your dining area and also coming up with judiciously used storage spaces might be just one aspect of optimizing your kitchen space. Another fair idea that most builders and remodellers use is color of the walls, lighting and also tile layout for your kitchen floor. Lighter colors on the walls make the room look large and if the lighting is angled properly so that it reflects the wall color then it might be a good way to make the kitchen look larger than it is. Skylights are a good way to add natural light to the room if that is possible. If you have windows in kitchen then you can work your appliances and your lighting based on the natural light that filters into the room. Make sure that nothing blocks the entry of the light since this may make the room look small. Another trick that most home builders or kitchen designers use is the tile layout. Instead of laying it out in a regular fashion if you angle them or lay them diagonally then they make the space look larger.With a little imagination you can change a small cramped kitchen and make it more functional and utilitarian.

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Anne At Home-1605 Oceanus 30 Inch Towel Bar 23 Brushed Natural Pewter

Choosing between granite tiles and granite slab.

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:38:46 +0000

Granite is a very elegant looking and easily manageable material for a countertop. At the same time it can also be very expensive. If you want the elegance of granite and also the other features like the durability, look and ease of maintenance then you have an alternative option with granite tiles which are not as expensive as the single stone slab. Granite tiles are pre-cut granite that is easy to install. Granite tiles are cut from the same rocks as the granite slab. The choice between a slab of granite and the granite tiles is purely monetary. People who want best of both the worlds can opt for granite tiles.
In the installation process granite tiles have to be glued together before they can be laid on to the counter and form your countertop. As opposed to a slab the tiles can only just be laid as is. With a slab you have the choice of having them styled according your choice. You can have the granite slab shaped to your taste. With tiles like with the floor tiles we have to cut the edges to fit the countertop around the edges or to fit around the plumbing. This might be tougher than it seems since this has to be done professionally and can be a little tough as granite is quite a hard material. Unlike the tiles, with a slab the granite is cut in the workshop to the dimensions that you provide saving you the trouble of doing it at a later stage.
Determining whether you would go with granite slab or with granite tiles is purely a matter of choice and costs involved. If you have the budget then you can choose a slab but if you are tight on the cash then the tiles are equally good since they come with all the benefits of a regular granite slab but at a lesser cost. Finally no matter what you choose you still end up with the quality, durability and toughness of granite.

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Anne At Home-1661 Corinthia 24 Inch Towel Bar 21 Antique Gold

Renovating your kitchen with a plan.

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:28:21 +0000

If you are a do-it-yourself kind of a person and are planning on a kitchen renovation then you might want to take some time to plan a little before you start off your project. Typically a kitchen is the heart of the house. There are electrical connections and plumbing connections to take care of and doing a remodeling project on the kitchen can mean disrupting your family’s daily routine. Remodeling plans deal with issues like appliances, storage space, plumbing, electricity work, counter tops, flooring and a whole lot of issues.
When you work with a contractor or a professional you are given a time frame but if it is something that you are handling by yourself then it can take a long time if you have not planned ahead. One of the first steps to your remodeling project would be to try and make a design to ensure that you can ask you can get your ideas on paper and if you are working with a professional then he/she will get an idea of what you have in mind and whether it is feasible in your kitchen space or not.
Once you have a design plan then you, as the homeowner, should go around and compare and contrast the prices of all the things that need to be used for your kitchen remodeling. Going with current trends in terms of appliances and countertops or faucets need not be expensive since there are a lot of merchants and brands that look the same but cost a lot less than name brand products. Market research can be a good way to save a lot of cash for that project.
Kitchen designers have a three point focal area for a functional kitchen, that runs between the sink, stove and refrigerator.Put this into your intended plan to maximize the space utilization. If you are adding an island or changing the tiles on the floor then you should consider their orientation in respect to the three point plan too. Light colors make the room look larger and if you already have a small kitchen then changing and angling the light in an appropriate manner can make the room look larger and brighter than it is. No matter what size make sure that the kitchen allows for two people to walk easily through the room without cramping up the space. Use the limited space judiciously for storage access to help clear away the
clutter on the counters in your home.

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Anne At Home-1664 Corinthia Robe Hook 8 Pewter Bright

Easy to do granite like faux finish

fer78 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 12:27:53 +0000

If you are one those people who wants it all but cannot have it due to budget constraints then this is the article for you. During your kitchen remodeling work if you realize that the one thing that could bring the whole project together would be to have that much desired granite countertop but you are stuck with your old formica or laminate countertop, don’t fret too much.

Painting technology has reached such heights now that you can keep your old laminate countertop and give it a makeover to look like a granite countertop. Not only does it look like a granite countertop at the end but is also attractive and durable. without the cost of a real granite countertop.
Faux granite finish is a step by step process that can yeild the best results if the ground work is done well. As with any other faux finish the prep work for the countertop is the most important part of the painting. This is a time consuming and meticulous process which needs to be done with a lot of care so as to make sure that the paint finally goes on to the places where it needs to and not anywhere else. Once you have done the prep work for the countertop you are ready to put on the primer. Apply the primer carefully and let it dry well. Once the primer is dry you are ready to put the granite paint on to the top.
Like most other paints the granite faux finish is also found in cans and if you read the instructions carefully you will be asked to spray the paint onto the counter holding the can about 10 inches from the surface and applying evenly. To get the actual color you will be asked to repeat the process three times. After each coat make sure the surface is dry. When you are finished with all the three coats and it is completely dry apply the sealer generously so as to protect your art work.
Your granite like countertop is ready. The countertop looks so genuine that you might forget that it is regular laminate so don’t put hot pots or pans on it and use it like a regular granite top. It is still your old laminate countertop so treat it that way.

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