Brought to you via HOUZZ–great article about kitchen design for today’s home owner.
Too Hot For Outside Fun This Weekend? Transform Your Kitchen
Below is a guest post on relatively simple, low cost things you can do to transform the look and feel of your kitchen quickly.
Here in Phoenix the temps are so high that staying in an inside air conditioned space and doing fun house and design projects over a weekend sound like a great idea. I just sourced some whimsical hardware for a client that definitely will change the feeling in her kitchen–
A Kitchen Update in a Weekend
Tired of looking at your drab kitchen but don’t have the time or money to invest in a complete makeover? Don’t fret. With a little imagination and some elbow grease you can spruce up your culinary digs in a weekend. The best thing about these projects is that you can do them one at a time and not have to deal with the mess and hassle of a complete remodel.
So what are you waiting for? Dig out your paint brush and screw driver (and maybe a hammer) and put on your weekend warrior face. Here are a few projects that won’t break the bank and will leave you beaming with a feeling of accomplishment.
Install new lighting
A new light fixture can literally brighten up your kitchen. Pick a fixture that appeals to your kitchen décor but also provides adequate light to work under. Wish you had a number of lights overhead? Choose from a variety of track lighting options that replace your old fixture yet don’t require additional wiring or holes in your ceiling. They look great and instantly update an older kitchen.
Change cabinet hardware
Sometimes it’s the small details that make all the difference. Replacing outdated cabinet hardware with a modern design won’t go unnoticed. This is one of the easiest updates you can do yourself. If you don’t want to drill new holes in your cabinets and drawers, simply take one of your current hardware pulls with you to the store and match it up against the selection there.
Paint the walls
Brighten up your kitchen with fresh coat of paint on the walls and/or ceiling. If you’re feeling bold go for a bright color. A splash of color on the walls will transform the whole feel of the room. Remember, ceilings don’t have to be white (or one of the millions of off-white). And if that’s not enough, consider painting the cabinets as well (or instead). It’s remarkable what a fresh coat of paint can accomplish and with some sandpaper and elbow grease—and paint, naturally—you can turn dreary or boring into a high-class fashion statement.
Replace the floor
Depending on how much kitchen floor space you have, this project may be a little more involved, but it can easily be worth the addition effort. The floor can often go unnoticed and many kitchen floors are notorious for being drab and outdated. Rip out the old and put down something new and fresh. Consider hardwoods, stone, and eco-friendly bamboo. If you already have a hardwood floor, then it’s even easier! Give it a nice sanding and a new finish.
Update the faucet
It may be time to replace the workhorse of your kitchen, the faucet. An updated faucet will not only be more versatile than your old one but it will make a fashion statement as well. These days the selection is simply astonishing with everything from hands-free operation to faucets designed to accommodate the largest of pots.
About the author: Jonathon Ensor stays on top of the latest home design trends as a writer for Empire Today. He loves to get unique furniture and decorations from thrift stores and garage sales.
3 Great New Kitchen Product Ideas
The annual KBIS (Kitchen, Bath Industry Show) is coming up in early February. There is no end to the unique and special that is being revealed. Function and aesthetics are considered together without trading off one for another.
We wanted to share 3 special new items
This fabulous wine ‘dispenser’ is on our personal list of most wanted new items for 2014!!
From: Krups
The smart new wall oven design makes so much sense!
From: Viking
For those who are trying to compost, this product makes it so much easier not to mention ‘attractive’–can a composting bin be attractive?
From: Blanco
Kitchen Trends 2014-Colors, Counters, Space and More!
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from PartSelect.com from PartSelect.com” title=”Kitchen Trends 2014-Colors, Counters, Space and More!”>Kitchen Trends 2014-Colors, Counters, Space and More!
I am pleased to share a very informative article about Kitchen Design Trends for 2014 from
http://www.partselect.com/JustForFun/Modern-Kitchen-Design-Trends-New-Colors-Appliances-Materials-More-Infographic.aspx
Kitchen Design 2014-Some Trends to Look For
Here is an interesting article about the top kitchen design trends coming in 2014. It caught my eye because S Interior Design is currently designing a kitchen for one of their clients and we are using black quartz counter tops, a deep red glass back splash tile, and lighter wood toned cabinetry. We are on-trend and didn’t even know it!
The top kitchen trends for 2014 include:
Black kitchen counters: Homeowners who want to add sophistication to their kitchen can achieve this look by specifying black granite and quartz. Expect to see black-countered kitchens paired with lighter colors for contrast.
Open shelves and glass-front cabinets: Displaying kitchen wares is a growing trend among all kitchen types, not just contemporary and traditional farmhouse kitchens. “As the kitchen has become a central meeting place for family and friends, presentation has become a priority for many homeowners,” said Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab and Zillow Digs Board of Designers member. “It is now fashionable to display almost everything in the kitchen from dishes to pots and pans to gourmet oils and vinegars.”
Darker paint tones: Homeowners identified black, deep brown, dark red and copper tones as some of the most popular paint colors. Since dark colors may make a space feel smaller, designers recommend painting just one wall a deep shade or consider painting the ceiling or floor. –
See more at:
AND FROM HOUZZ.COM
Houzz has released the results of its first “Kitchen Trends Study,” which is based on responses from more than 7,500 homeowners who are currently undergoing a renovation or are planning a remodel.
Some of the main trends gleaned from the survey are that the open-concept kitchen is still widely popular, granite and quartz are the materials of choice when it comes to countertops, mixing appliance materials is considered, and conservative colors schemes dominate the market. The study also found that 49 percent of the responders believe in completely gutting the existing kitchen, while 42 percent prefer to update their existing space.
In terms of finishes and colors, 65 percent of responders are incorporating stainless steel appliances into their kitchen design, while many are also combining stainless with white or color appliances or integrating appliances into the cabinetry. Soft and neutral tones were most popular with responders, and topping the list of must-have appliances are a chef’s stove, double ovens and induction cook tops.
Half of the responders chose stone as the preferred material for counter tops, with quartz coming in as a close second with 36 percent. Top back splash choices include tile and glass, and top flooring choices include hardwood and tile.
The study also found that homeowners under the age of 45 prefer a contemporary design in their kitchens, while the traditional look is most popular with those over the age of 45. Seventy-nine percent of the responders said they chose to or are choosing to renovate their kitchens to improve the look and feel of the space, and 59 percent want to improve the kitchen’s function. Other motivators include appliance upgrades, improved storage and increasing the home’s value. Only half of the responders were concerned with creating an eco-friendly kitchen in terms of appliance and material selection.
Out of the 7,812 homeowners who were surveyed, 32 percent have already begun construction on their kitchens, and 68 percent have yet to start, although it seems likely they know where they want to go once they get there.