How Much Room Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?
September 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Installing an island can enhance your kitchen in many ways, and, with good planning, even smaller kitchens can benefit
Kitchen islands are a much-sought-after feature — almost nine out of 10 of our kitchen design and installation firm’s clients ask about them in their first design meeting. A well-planned island layout can allow a smooth workflow and provide a comfortable space for preparing and cooking food. Islands also frequently provide space for dining, working and storage.
But while a well-planned layout offers much enjoyment, a poorly planned island can be frustrating. This is particularly true if there is insufficient space for an island to begin with. If you’re considering a kitchen island, follow these tips to help you decide whether you have enough space to make an island work for you. And if you don’t, discover what else you can try.
How to Keep Your Stainless Steel Clean
August 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Protect this popular kitchen material with a consistent but gentle cleaning routine
For the past few years, designers have debated whether or not stainless steel will continue to reign supreme in kitchens across America or lose its popularity to glossy black or white appliances boasting sleek, smooth finishes.
While the trendsetters debate, however, millions of us continue to choose to live with the commercially cool look and functionality of stainless steel. Whether you have a little or a lot of the shiny stuff, here’s what experts suggest we do about those fingerprints, and how to care for and clean one of the hardest-working surfaces in the house.
How to Color-Block With Confidence in the Kitchen
August 13, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Master the art of color-blocking in your cooking and dining area by following these foolproof design tricks
Color-blocking is a popular fashion trend that has been a firm favorite with designers and fashion lovers over the past several years. Although it’s taken a little longer for the high-impact look to filter down into the interiors world, the technique is now being embraced by many design professionals and home decorators, too, especially in the kitchen, as a way to liven up a neutral scheme and help a space stand out. Take a look at the color-blocking cheat sheet that we’ve compiled for you below.
How to Clean Your Fridge, Inside and Out
August 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Keep your refrigerator clean and fresh, while you gain storage space and and lose those ‘UFOs’
Until you find your kitchen invaded by a UFO (Unidentified Foul Odor), it’s easy to take a clean-smelling fridge for granted. But the perks of keeping one of the hardest-working home appliances in top shape go beyond eliminating unwanted “science projects” and unsavory smells.
“There are many reasons a refrigerator needs to be kept clean,” says Meg Roberts, president of housekeeping service Molly Maid. “A clean refrigerator can keep food fresh for a longer period of time. Due to the moisture in the fridge, cross contamination can easily occur, so it’s necessary to take precautions. Plus, a stuffed fridge means some items are hidden away, causing food to go to waste.”
Bottom line: A clean refrigerator not only looks and smells better, it will also function more efficiently and can ultimately save you money. Here’s how.
Your Guide to Common Light Fixtures — and How to Use Them
May 12, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Get to know pot lights, track lights, pendants and more to help you create an organized, layered lighting plan
I’ll let you in on a little secret that designers use to get that photo-ready finish in a home: layers of light. Just like with clothing and accessories in fashion, when creating your interior lighting scheme, layering your light sources helps create a rich look that highlights great features and eliminates harsh shadowing. To do that, you’ll need an approach that combines many different styles of fixtures and sources. Here’s my guide to common light fixtures you can use to create a sparkling scheme for any space or mood.
Taking a Kitchen From Beige to Bright for Less Than $9,000
February 20, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Improving on what he had, designer Chad Esslinger transformed a basic kitchen into something bright, white and modern
Moving into a house that was just 16 years old meant that Chad and Patty Esslinger wouldn’t have to take on any major renovations. But the problem with the relatively new home was that it was stuck in basicville, and the kitchen was the town hall.