Kitchen Remodel Time

December 4, 2012 by Suzanne Lasky

At this time of the year we are spending more than the usual amount of time in our kitchens preparing holiday feasts and yummy treats. This can be the trigger point—TIME TO REMODEL THE KITCHEN! Is your kitchen failing you functionally? Are the cabinets dated or in disrepair? Are you just in need of an overall update including new appliances, cabinets, lighting and flooring

As many of you know, kitchen remodels are one of the best investments you can make in your home in terms of payback when you choose to sell the home. More importantly, it is almost always the space your family and friends spend time in and it needs to look and work great. S Interior Design has a detailed process we follow when working with clients on kitchen remodels that examines all the aspects functional and decorative, so when the work begins, the design plan is fully developed. Modern classic design, contemporary and modern, cozy and country …whatever the style we can help you make the dream into a reality

Below is a guest post from ‘Across the Pond’ on the subject of kitchen remodeling.

Choosing a kitchen design that really suits you

Whether you need to make the best of a small or an oddly shaped space, or you have plenty of room but want to make the most of your investment, designing your own kitchen gives you the freedom to match your space precisely to your own needs. Taking a personalized approach lets you factor in a mini office, for example, if you work from home – or install a safe play area for when you need to keep an eye on your toddler while you make meals. But it’s easy to feel rather bamboozled by the array of design “solutions”.

Great Jubilee Wharf 2

Rather than giving up and compromising with a) a premade kitchen or b) whatever the kitchen showroom sales schedule pushes you towards, take control of the situation with a balance of logic, planning and personal style.

What don’t you need?

In order to achieve ideal bespoke kitchens without spending more than you need to, you’ll need to figure out what you really do need and keep on top of what you don’t. Be honest with yourself here; are you a chef or a socializer? What would you really like to be doing in your kitchen?

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This isn’t always cooking, although a well thought out kitchen layout can often make cooking much easier. For example, if you currently have to prepare meals on top of the washing machine, you’re probably less inclined to spend time on complicated recipes. A simple kitchen redesign can transform an awkward space into one where cooking becomes a relaxing pleasure.

And then there’s the eating part of it. Do you have a dining room, or do you need to make space in your kitchen for sit down meals, and possibly homework? You may not eat at the table now, but a kitchen redesign can effect a lifestyle change as well as add value to your house.

How tidy are you really?

The other area where honesty is essential is your own tidiness. Untidiness can be the result of having too much stuff, or at least not having enough storage space to assign homes for everything – but it can also be because you’re too busy or you simply can’t be bothered to put things away. If opening and closing cupboard doors sounds like your (or your family’s) idea of hard work, perhaps you’re better off having shelves instead, where items can be easily found with eyes instead of memory and exploration – and where you can easily stash stuff to keep it off the work surface.

Using online kitchen planners

If you want to play around before you hire a kitchen designer or commit to any particular company, there are plenty of kitchen planners available online. They range from what are essentially interactive photos that let you explore different finishes and effects, to complete tools that let you drag units around the virtual floors pace to see how things fit.

The latter needs more input from you, mostly in the form of measurements. The measurements need to be accurate! If you don’t have time to do this yourself, it’s best to hire a kitchen designer to do it for you, but at least make time to think about your needs first – the best designers will know which questions to ask you in order to find out, but they’re not mind-readers

How to Make the Most of a Small Kitchen Space

September 20, 2012 by Suzanne Lasky

Introduction

When it comes to kitchen size, is bigger always better? If you have optimized your kitchen design and storage space, you many be just fine with a smaller sized kitchen. The article below is a guest post on the subject of how to make the most of your kitchen space. At the end of the day if you determine you do indeed need a larger kitchen space, please make sure to develop a detailed design plan BEFORE embarking upon a remodel. Good planning and hiring professionals to assist you in the design and implementation phase will save you time and money and a lot of head aches. S Interior Design adds their ‘2 cents’ shown in blue color font.

How to Make the Most of a Small Kitchen Space

It seems like there’s never enough room in the kitchen. Between accumulating extra kitchen tools and to learning how to make extravagant recipes, you likely need extra space. It’s no wonder that this is one of the most commonly remodeled room in the home, and homeowners are constantly looking for new kitchen layout ideas. Transforming your entire kitchen takes time if you want to do it right. In the meantime, there are simple steps you can take to make the most out of your small kitchen.

Photo Credit: www.sxc.hu

Get Rid of the Clutter

Nothing makes cooking more difficult than a cluttered kitchen. Store unused appliances into cabinets to free up counter space so you can cook properly. Having a set system in place can make using and storing small appliances easy so you aren’t left scrambling to make room at the last minute.

Go Up–It can strain your back to lift heavier appliances down from higher cabinets or up from low cabinets. There are products that you can retrofit existing cabinets with to address this issue. Check out Rev-A-Shelf for ideas.

Some home cooks face a dilemma if they need to use multiple appliances in a small kitchen. If you lack cabinet space, one solution is to temporarily store your appliances on top of the cabinets. This way you can take them down and use the tools when needed, but still have counter space.

Knock Out Useless Storage

Cabinets can be your best friend when it comes to storing your kitchen goods, but when left unused, they can actually take up space. Knock out any cabinets you aren’t using. You can either leave them open as storage shelves, or take out the whole unit for extra counter space.

Photo Credit: trendir.com

Create Extra Storage

On the other hand, a lack of storage may be your problem. If fine dishes and other less commonly used items are taking up space, move them out of the kitchen. Use a china cabinet or wall storage in an adjoining room instead. For other less commonly used kitchen tools, such as Christmas tableware, consider moving it into storage until the season comes.

Remove Excess Furniture

Islands, stools and chairs can be useful in the kitchen. If you don’t use them often, however, it may be time to downsize to open up more space in the room. Consider replacing the furniture with smaller versions, or taking them out altogether.

Knock Out a Wall–Please do not knock down any walls before you know the structural implications!

If your kitchen is starting to become a little too claustrophobic for your liking, you can solve this problem by taking out an extra wall. The most common wall to take out is the one that separates the sink area to the dining area or family room. Not only will you create a sense of openness, but you can also add additional counter space on the other side of the room.

Use a Fresh Color—Make sure to use a washable paint finish in the kitchen regardless of the color chosen. If you do choose to have a lighter paint on the kitchen walls, you can still add color with the back splash tiles, window treatments, kitchen accessories and on the floor.

In some cases, a kitchen might feel small, but the size is actually quite decent. If you are looking for a way to instantly make your kitchen look bigger, consider painting it a light color. Light pastels, beige and white are all good candidates. Before buying white appliances to match, know that your modern stainless steel dishwasher, oven and refrigerator can match any paint color.

Sara Fletcher is a professional blogger who writes on a variety of topics, ranging from home improvement, décor, and design. She loves to learn about sprucing up her home, and is always looking for the next writing opportunity.

Televisions and Open Spaces

September 10, 2012 by Suzanne Lasky

For some unknown reason I get a magazine called Home Theater delivered to me. As an Interior Designer I am frequently challenged to incorporate audio-visual components into my room designs. As I looked through the latest issue of Home Theater magazine a unique and functional option was revealed.

When you have a large open space (think loft spaces or combination living and dining spaces) that needs some visual and functional division, you can achieve that while concurrently housing your audio-visual components. The side without the flat screen TV can be used to display books and decorative objects. It is from Contempo Wall. You get to customize your unit choosing from a wide range of finishes (wood tones, colors, mirrors, matte, glossy)

Television in Your Master Bedroom

September 3, 2012 by Suzanne Lasky

Okay, raise your hands “How many of you have a television in your master bedroom?” If you do, do you wish it was a little less obvious? There are solutions!
Below is guest post about TV Lift systems. Options for a cabinet at the foot of your bed, drop downs from the ceiling and even in-floor automated systems are available.

On a personal note, I do not have a TV in the master bedroom, however if I did I would surely want the in-floor automated system!

Give Your Master Bedroom a Facelift with a TV Lift

Of all the rooms in your house, the master bedroom is the one space that should be devoted completely to your comfort. This area serves a single purpose: helping you rest and relax. That doesn’t just mean sleeping, listening to music, or reading a book. It can also be very soothing to lounge on a luxurious memory foam mattress and watch a favorite show before it’s time for lights out. For many of us, that’s actually part of the ritual of “winding down” as we prepare for sleep. The biggest problems with putting a TV in the master bedroom have to do with space and aesthetics. Here are three ways you can use an automated TV lift mechanism to keep your master bedroom looking serene and uncluttered.

Foot of the Bed

One favorite master bedroom project is installing a TV lift at the foot of a bed. It can go in a prefabricated TV lift cabinet or in a custom-made piece of furniture to match the headboard. If you pick a screen the correct size (between 42 and 46 inches on the diagonal), the viewing distance is just right. This is the type of setup to choose if:

The space at the foot of the bed isn’t needed for a walkway
You like to sit propped up in the bed while you watch TV
You want a lift cabinet that blends in with your existing bed frame
You want a piece of media furniture that provides storage for additional A/V components, DVDs, and more

Ceiling Drop Down

Sometimes, adding another piece of furniture can really throw an entire room off-balance. That’s OK; you don’t need a cabinet to install a TV lift. The lift can be concealed in the ceiling to drop down at the push of a button. This is a much more attractive option than having a wall mount looming over the bed. No one will even know it’s there until the lift is activated. A drop down mechanism is ideal if:

You don’t want a big entertainment center taking up floor space
You don’t want to block French doors or a picture window with a view
You like to recline far back with your head tilted slightly up as you watch TV

Under Floor Lift

This is one of the least expected places to hide a TV lift, but it can be a great way to keep your bedroom décor looking streamlined. An under floor lift will work with almost any type of floor covering since the lid floats up with the TV. It blends particularly well with hardwood floors since the grooves in the wood flooring hide the outline of the lid easily. This is the style to choose if:

You want to install a very large, heavy TV that isn’t suitable for a ceiling mount
Your bedroom faces a wall where there isn’t generally any foot traffic
You like to watch TV from a longer viewing distance

With so many great options for installing a TV tastefully in a master bedroom, we bet you won’t rest until you have a TV lift to call your own!

Design A Room Around This

August 8, 2012 by Suzanne Lasky

Does anyone recall the television commercial where a successful looking couple is being led upstairs in an architectural firm while the principle goes on and on about their accolades? They get to the office to discuss detail he asks them “And what can I do for you?” and the wife pulls out a faucet from Moen (?) and says
“Design A House Around This”

As an interior designer I am often faced with a similar challenge–there is often existing furniture, artwork, flooring that needs to be a focal part of a room design. I am here to tell you, that challenge is addressable. A different design challenge is when there is NOTHING to start with, literally a blank slate. That is when S Interior Design
begins a process to uncover what the individual client’s functional needs and aesthetic desires and style preferences are. Some clients are eager to dive in and uncover their design preferences, others need a bit of prodding. We do our best to make it fun, not painful……sometimes there is a reluctant spouse that needs extra convincing.

We have repeatedly said a good design will come from a good design plan. Interior Design is not random shopping trips to stumble upon the right furnishings. It must start with a solid design plan

Here is a design challenge for you–Design a Room Around This (Pillow). Do you get inspiration from the colors? The geometry? The style ?