Kitchens
When to Go Deep For those who, like me, seem to dirty every dish in the house when making a meal, a superdeep sink is ideal. You have plenty of space for prepping meals, and in a pinch you can hide your dirty dishes in there until you are able to wash them. This is a nice sink for bakers or others who are regularly washing large sheet pans and cutting boards, too. A sink depth of at least 10 inches will give you the room you need to wash larger dishes without splashing water all over the floor and surrounding countertops.
When to Go Shallow A shallow bowl depth — say, less than 8 inches — is going to be the most comfortable bowl depth for those who are 5-foot-4 or shorter or who are very tall (6-foot 2 or taller). A shallower bowl depth allows a shorter person to work in the sink without having to lean into it to wash items in the bottom. Taller folks can work in a shallower sink without having to crouch down or hunch over.
Yield: About 30 pieces Active time: About 30 minutes Total time: About 1½ hours (not including letting the butter come to room temperature and the ganache set) Ingredients: 8 ounces or 1 cup premium semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (recommended: Callebaut or Valrhona) 4 ounces or ½ cup unsalted European-style butter, room temperature (recommended: Plugrá) 1 ounce or ¼ cup corn syrup ½ teaspoon ground ginger (or more to taste) Zest of half an orange Few drops of orange essential oil (recommended: Boyajian) Bowl of cocoa powder (a few cups; can be reused afterward) 16 ounces or 2 cups premium-quality dark chocolate (not commercial chocolate chips or baker's chocolate; recommended: Valrhona, Callebaut, El Rey or Scharffenberger)
Solid Surface Like natural stone and quartz, solid surface sinks can be integrated into the countertop for a smooth, streamlined appearance that's super easy to clean. Again, it's best to get a sample of the material you are considering and put it to the test to make sure you are OK with its durability, as some solid surfacing shows scratches. Cost: Solid surface countertops start at around $50 a square foot; there is typically an additional fabrication and installation charge for an integral sink.
Quartz If you're going with a quartz countertop, you have the option of installing a matching quartz sink. One thing to keep in mind with quartz however, is that the darker, more solid-colored quartzes tend to show scratches and dings much more than lighter colors that have more aggregate or patterning to them. Cost: $800 to $1,200
Fireclay Manufactured from clay fired at an extremely high temperature, fireclay sinks are highly resistant to scratches, staining and chipping. Cleanup is easy — just dish soap on a sponge, or use a mild abrasive cleanser for tougher marks. These are the sinks I recommend for anyone who wants a white kitchen sink. Cost: $400 to $1,000
Composite Granite Composite granite sinks are my go-to sink, both for my clients and my own kitchen. They are good-looking, durable and don't show water marks or scratches the way stainless steel sinks do. They come in a variety of neutral hues, but I prefer the darker grays, browns and black because they camouflage food filth the best. This is my own sink pictured here, and I must confess, I don't clean it nearly as often as I probably should because it never looks dirty. Although these sinks are durable, they can crack if mishandled — I've heard stories of sinks being damaged during shipping. Always inspect your composite sink thoroughly before installation to make sure it suffered no trauma during transit. Cost: $300 to $600 More: Granite Composite Offers Superior Durability
Stainless Steel By far the most popular material for kitchen sinks, stainless steel sinks are heat and stain resistant and are available in a variety of types, styles and sizes. I recommend going for a brushed or satin finish rather than a mirror finish — water marks and scratches will be less noticeable. Also, look for sinks that have sound-absorbing pads on the bottom. Consumer Reports recently tested stainless steel sinks and found that these pads, rather than sound-absorbing spray or a thicker gauge of steel, performed best in reducing the noise commonly associated with stainless steel sinks. Prices for stainless steel sinks run the gamut, but you can get a decent quality stainless steel sink for not a lot of money, making it my pick for those on a tight budget. Cost: $100 to $800 is typical, but prices can go higher depending on gauge, size and mounting type.
Addison Single Handle Lavatory Faucet with Touch2O.xt™ Technology : Bath Produ - $348.00 » Delta's Touch2O is available for kitchen and bathroom faucets. The faucet features a proximity sensor to automatically come on when you get close. The flow can also be activated by touch or manually using the handle. This no-brainer faucet makes it simple for your little ones to remember to conserve water while brushing their teeth.
Pilar Pull-Down Single Handle Widespread Kitchen Faucet with Touch Technology - $363.88 » Some manufacturers and retailers include a soap dispenser — such as on this faucet — although it can cost more. Advantages While this technology is mainly touted for its ease of use (especially with messy or full hands) and ability to keep your kitchen clean (and avoid cross-contamination) there are other benefits. For example, these faucets are an excellent option for people with dexterity or mobility issues.
Brizo Venuto SmartTouch Faucet - $567.00 » Most of these faucets are considered ecofriendly, since they can help conserve water during food preparation, use less water and have automatic shut-offs. Many of these faucets can contribute points toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project certification. The base of this faucet has a ring with an integrated LED light that indicates the battery charge. When the light is blue and constant, the batteries are fully charged. When it starts to flash red, it's time to change the batteries. You'll also know if the batteries need changing if the touch on/off becomes sporadic.
8. Industrial elements. There's something about the unadorned elements of industrial details that are instantly modern. This natural and untreated concrete wall has a visual interest and patina all its own and is as interesting as patterned wallpaper for the modernist. What looks like epoxy-painted concrete floors and the complete lack of ornamentation on the cabinets complete the look of this modern kitchen.
Sleek bar stools and pendant lights are consistent with modern style, but this modern kitchen is in a Victorian home complete with leaded glass windows and arches with columns. There's no rule that says the architecture and the kitchen have to both be modern — hundreds of century-old apartments and farmhouses with modern kitchens in Italy, France and Spain can attest to that.
Kitchens Kitchen Styles Modern Style Modern Kitchen Workbook: 8 Elements of a Modern Kitchen Frameless cabinets, horizontal lines and lack of ornamentation top the list of what defines modern kitchen style Follow Rebekah Zaveloff Houzz contributor & founder/ principal designer at KitchenLab | Rebekah... More » Comment 11 Bookmark 436 Like 8 Email Embed Click "Embed" to display an article on your own website or blog. It can be tough to distinguish between modern and contemporary, and for good reason. Many spaces are both modern and contemporary, and people often use the terms interchangeably, but there are differences in look and terminology. "Contemporary" typically means of the moment or current, the design of right now. "Modern" refers to a specific design style from the early to mid 20th century that broke with the traditional styles of the days before the Industrial Revolution. "Modern" can be a tricky term because sometimes it's used to describe something that's the opposite of traditional, which varies depending on the time period. The decision of women in the 1920s to swap corsets for flapper dresses was modern at the time, but today those clothes are antiques. When I thin...
3. Extensive options for backsplashes. In a pure modern kitchen you might see a full-height marble or concrete backsplash with little ornamentation, but in contemporary kitchens there's often a lot of pattern. Glass tiles are a favorite, as are mosaic, stone and ceramic. Contemporary kitchens often exude personality and let homeowners really express themselves through the use of different materials, and the backsplash is a great place to do that.
9. Zinc countertops. A zinc bar top is a quintessential part of a French bistro, so much so that "zinc" is actually a slang term for these eateries. While you probably don't have a bar next to your breakfast table, you can get the same look with zinc countertops, which are becoming more and more popular (and thus more widely available).
8. Chalkboards. What's a bistro without the menu of the day scrawled in chalk? Even if you use your chalkboard for grocery lists and household reminders rather than for announcing soupe à l'oignon and charcuterie, you'll get the same effect. Stick with tradition and hang a framed chalkboard on the wall, or cover a refrigerator panel with chalkboard paint as these owners did.
7. Cookware on display. In a restaurant kitchen, pots, pans and dishes have to be close and easy to grab. Stock open shelving with simple, brasserie-style dishware (plain white or with a colored rim) and store cookware on a wall- or ceiling-mounted pot rack (bonus points if your pans are well-worn copper and steel).
1. Intimate lighting. The best bistros feel snug and inviting — especially in the evening, when soft, low light floods the space with warmth. Glaring lights or bulbs with a harsh cast kill the cozy mood. Layer in low-hung chandeliers, sconces, pendants and floor or table lamps to create a diffused glow.
Transitional kitchens. Think of a transitional kitchen as the great moderator. With the warmth and welcome of traditional design and the clean, simple lines of contemporary style, transitional spaces project balance and harmony. Because they offer a great deal of flexibility, they're a great choice for homeowners whose taste spans the two.
contemporary kitchen by Meredith Heron Add to ideabook by Meredith Heron Island. Most designers put second sinks on kitchen islands, where they're easy to use and access but out of the way of main prep areas. This sink makes cooking easier with chef number two on Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Here, an island becomes the dishware storage station.
Cabinet Pull-Down Shelving System » A two-tier pull-down system like this allows you to access those sometimes hard-to-reach upper cabinets. This version from Rev-A-Shelf features a gas-assisted mechanism that makes lowering and lifting the system easy. It's a great idea for shorter
Leaded Good for: Creating an elegant, traditional feel. Leaded glass has an appealing artisanal quality, and you can spin its design in any number of directions, from Gothic to Craftsman. If you'd like a hint of color, you can also choose stained or art glass — especially nice in backlit cabinetry, which sets the different hues aglow.
Furniture toe kicks. Many modern kitchens have an industry-standard toe kick. The recommended amount of space is 4 1/2 inches to where the cabinet meets the floor. This makes it more comfortable for your feet when you're working close to the counter. For areas that are not so task oriented, you can apply a furniture toe kick, which is more detailed and allows the cabinetry to look like a piece of freestanding furniture. A furniture toe kick can be seen on the edge of this beautiful island.
Aprons. The apron is the piece of wood that travels under and around the countertop overhang. The standard apron height is approximately 3 inches, which can leave enough room for legs under the island countertop if the seat height is average.
Molding and Details Adding molding is an easy way to make any type of cabinetry look custom. Whether you want to add crown molding to your existing kitchen or edge molding to new cabinets, this guide can help you envision the final result.
6. Light molding. Also known as a light rail, molding on the bottom of cabinets helps conceal undercabinet lighting. Light molding offers huge impact for your dollar. It's often available as a standard cabinetry feature in multiple styles and lengths, meaning it has almost no impact on a budget.
Flat-panel cabinets tend to work best in modern kitchens; make sure you choose hardware to match. Clean, simple and contemporary pulls work well with this cabinetry style.
The unspoken rule seems to be the lower cabinets are dark while the uppers are assigned lighter materials. What if you not only mixed cabinet finishes, but also placed the lighter finishes on the bottom and the darker on top? Or is that too crazy?
Play with colors and contrasts or textures. In this classy modern kitchen, warm matte wood lower cabinets play against glossy white lauquer upper cabinets — a delight for the hand that touches both in the process of cooking.
Mixing woods can allow one element of the kitchen to stand out. The dark wood finish of the island grabs the visitors attention while the perimeter cabinets disappear with the walls. The activity in the kitchen will naturally gravitate towards the island.
Here we see frosted glass upper cabinets again with lighter gray-colored wood and a natural finish wood floor. This mix has less contrast and an ethereal feel with the white countertop. It would look nice in a modern beach home.
Renewable wood: Lyptus. These cabinets are made of Lyptus, a relatively new engineered product from a hybrid eucalyptus species grown on Brazilian plantations. Lyptus touts the beneficial traits of hardwood and reaches maturity in just 15 years, a quarter of the time needed for typical hardwoods. The appearance is similar to that of mahogany or cherry, with a fine grain.
Tambour doors. Also known as a garage door, the tambour door is perfect for hiding small appliances used on a daily basis — like the blender, coffee maker or toaster. The door usually opens from top to bottom (some open from side to side), sliding up and down on a track inside the cabinet. Thin horizontal strips of wood with a fabric backing allow the wood to roll over the inside top of the cabinet when the door is open.
Sliding doors. These cabinet doors slide horizontally to the right and to the left to open up prep or storage space. Specialty hinges applied to the top, bottom and middle allow them to completely camouflage what's inside, like this appliance center, making for a tidy kitchen. Get a price range for a setup like this before adding it to your wish list. The hardware can be expensive, and you'll need a cabinet installer who's familiar with it.
Flip-up doors. Hydraulic mechanisms help raise these kinds of cabinet door up, rather than you opening them with the traditional sideways motion. These are also known as parallel lift-up doors; they're very popular with European cabinet companies. They're great for specialty areas — such as this microwave station — where the door needs to be completely out of the way.
This handsome but basic all-white kitchen is adorned and transformed with a dramatic chandelier from Restoration Hardware over the island.
Fixtures A sexy faucet? Indeed. This smart architect-homeowner had a standard faucet powder coated. Alternatively, Vola offers faucets in a rainbow of colors. This unexpected color move might be all that's needed to add some fun and personality to your kitchen.
Paint These glass-front cabinets with mint paint at the back make for a sweet kitchen feature. If you don't have any glass-front cabinets, you could have a pair or two made. Alternatively, you could just remove the doors from one of your upper cabinets boxes and paint the back for a special display.
This striking Cuban Heritage Design handmade cement tile backsplash is best shown off against an otherwise simple and neutral kitchen, where its personality can shine. The swing-arm wall sconces are a handsome and unexpected way to light a kitchen counter, too.
A turquoise back-painted glass backsplash commands all the attention in this otherwise clean and simple white kitchen.
Glass Backsplash The backsplash is one of the best places to switch up your kitchen's personality. Due to its limited expense and installation time, it can be a great place to indulge in, say, the color of the moment. This kitchen's white cabinets and gray countertops play second fiddle to a cheery grass-green back-painted glass backsplash. Smart too, to tuck it behind the range, as the glass makes for easy cleanup of sauce splatters.
A table extension (controlled by the same type of remote used for pop-up plasma TVs) allows the family to add two to four more seats for dinner parties. Genner's Carrara marble and walnut veneer design stays in line with the kitchen palette.
Gaggenau independent cooktops, steamer and grill options
Love the bench
Pros: Engineered quartz has many bragging rights. Thanks to the quartz content, it's tough like granite, and the resin makes the material malleable and impact resistant. Both materials offer stout durability. Engineered quartz is also nonporous, making it resistant to stains and scratches. And this material has a leg up on natural stone when it comes to large installations: Because it can flex, engineered quartz can be fabricated in larger pieces and with fewer joints. Cons: The resin content isn't heat tolerant, so keep your trivets nearby.
The basics: Engineered quartz is a man-made product formed from roughly 90 to 95 percent ground quartz and 5 to 10 percent resins and pigments. Commonly found brands include Caesarstone, Silestone, Zodiaq, Cambria, Technistone, HanStone and Q. Several manufacturers have upward of 40 options, like colors from bright red to earthy linen and patterns from crocodile to concrete. Cost: $95 to $105 per square foot installed.
Take back tradition: "We consider this project our favorite rescue," says LePage. The original 1907 shingle-style house experienced a major fire in 1947. It was "modernized" at that time to reflect the then-popular international style. The current owners purchased the house in 2007, and Fivecat constructed several small additions, resulting in a larger, more efficient space. They also added a mudroom to provide a new entrance directly from the driveway. "Traditional details keep the design of the kitchen respectful to the home's original style, while the up-to-date appliances, fixtures and finishes reflect the modern taste of the owners," says LePage.
Stainless steel beautifully highlights the cerused finish on the modern cabinetry and floating shelving in this Seattle kitchen.
With custom vertical-grain cerused cabinetry and a 3-D porcelain Geologica backsplash, this kitchen is dripping with texture.
Salvaged Wood You'll feel good about your selection and add personality and richness from the wood's history. I look for wood that has a story — maybe it's salvaged from some iconographic building or even from the project's remodel. Just remember, wood is more susceptible to damage by water and heat, so it's best located away from the sink, dishwasher and range. An island is a good option. Cost: Varies eclectic kitchen DIY Life project Add to Ideabook Butcher Block Composed of smaller pieces of wood, butcher block can make great use of reclaimed or repurposed material. Sustainable butcher block can come from diverse sources, such as reclaimed shipping pallets or deconstructed buildings. Your knives will love this surface and, after it shows some age, you can just sand the wood a bit and refinish with a food-grade natural oil.
amboo Bamboo's best green feature is that it's a rapidly renewable resource, plus it's naturally stronger and harder than most other hardwoods. Teragren, one of the best-known producers, offers an FSC-certified product called FSC-Pure. Be aware, though, that almost all commercial bamboo comes from China, so a lot of energy goes into transporting the product to the United States. Cost: $26 to $36 per square foot for the material only
Recycled Paper Paperstone, one of several recycled paper countertop materials, is FSC certified and made of 100 percent postconsumer recycled paper, petroleum-free resin and pigment. It has a handsome monolithic appearance, and its feel is often compared to a warm, soft stone, like soapstone. The material is only heat resistant to 350 degrees, so you should exercise care with your hottest pans. Cost: $18 to $30 per square foot for the material only
Resin The recycled-content resin-based counter options from 3-Form never fail to spark imagination with their countless colors, finishes and patterns. Their products are all PVC free, and GreenGuard has certified the Varia EcoResin, Chroma, 100 Percent and Alabaster lines. The company walks the green talk by working toward zero waste and being carbon neutral. Cost: $28 to $105 per square foot for the material only
Reference your surroundings. "My client truly loves artwork, and over the years he's acquired quite a collection of great pieces," says kitchen and bath designer Linda Burkhardt. "I love this original serigraph, "Driftwood," by Nicola Simbari and thought its placement was a perfect complement to this beautiful beachfront kitchen."
Add interest and flexibility. “I find bringing in bright artwork is a simple and effective way to add interest to a neutral color scheme,” says Natalie Du Bois of Du Bois Design. “It affords a level of flexibility not possible with the other more permanent and fixed elements in a kitchen. A painting can quite easily be swapped out from time to time to give the kitchen a completely different look. I noticed this particular work elsewhere in the house and thought it would be a fantastic way to introduce some extra warmth and color to the kitchen.”
Try One On for Size When selecting your kitchen sink bowl depth, it's all about finding one that is just right for your height and how you use your sink. If you can, check out kitchen showrooms that have a variety of sink sizes on display —mounted at the standard 36-inch countertop height — to see what sink depth feels most comfortable.
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