kitchen
AFTER: The designer chose alder cabinetry in a dark stain to match the millwork in other rooms. The backsplash is composed of handmade, custom-glazed tile of the sort one would have seen in a Craftsman bungalow during the late 1800s. Since the home straddles Victorian and Craftsman style, it works. Read more about this remodel
1. Transitional Designer: Gabriele PizzaleLocation: Etobicoke, Ontario, CanadaSize: 247 square feet (22.9 square meters); 21½ by 11½ feet (6.5 by 3.5 meters)Homeowners’ request: Transform a 1950s galley kitchen without upper cabinets by building an addition on the back of the home and creating an open-concept layout with lots of light.Gray and white: White Shaker-style cabinetry with custom molding. Charcoal gray painted island. Gray-and-white herringbone-patterned backsplash. Quartz countertop that resembles marble. Stainless steel sink and appliances. Oil-rubbed bronze pendants. Dark gray stools.Other special features: Skylights. Glass-paneled door to the backyard. Hardwood floors. Large-scale pendant lights.
With the addition of the island, the couple now can keep an eye on the kids while they play in the dining area or do homework at the counter.The new open concept also gives the family more space, light, storage and counter surfaces.
If you and your beloved are both Not Naturally Organized and you have progeny, I don’t need to tell you the challenges in tackling the daily onslaught of toys, papers, meals, errands and laundry that accompanies life with kids today. The most Naturally Organized people I know can get overwhelmed by this. And yet there’s a special chaos involved when two Not Naturally people try running a household.What You Can DoThe good news is your situation isn’t hopeless. By focusing on a few important areas, you can turn your house around.One of the very best things you can do is eliminate extra stuff. Figure out what really matters to you and get rid of everything else. At the same time, be careful about what you add. If you’re not going to eat it or off it, sit or sleep on it, wear it, read it or hang it on the wall, then don’t buy it. Getting rid of things takes some time. While you are decluttering or thinking about and resisting it, you can establish some basic systems in a few key areas that will dissipate much of the daily stress, if not make it flat out disappear.
12. Location: Atlanta, GeorgiaWhy we love it: There’s a lot to love about this traditional, grand kitchen, especially its oversize wood-topped island with seating all around it. The dark wood counter complements the stain on the exposed beams, while the floors brighten up the ground plane. Sliding French doors don’t take up any floor space and allow the breeze, and the party, to flow in and out.More19 Kitchen Projects Every Homeowner Should Know About13 Fresh Ways With a White KitchenFind a kitchen designer on Houzz
Why do those sparkling white cabinets start to yellow? The first culprit is exposure to direct sunlight, which tends to jaundice or fade painted wood (and laminated surfaces). You should consider draperies, blinds or window film to shield your cabinets from direct sunlight. (I’ll be addressing protection from sun damage further in an upcoming ideabook, so stay tuned.)
“After” photos by Lisa Konz PhotographyKitchen at a GlanceWho uses it: A busy family that loves to entertainLocation: Cumming, GeorgiaSize: 170 square feet (16 square meters); 10 feet by 17 feetDesigner: Kat NelsonThe redesign of this home started in the kitchen. “My clients wanted a wow factor when you walk in the front door and see this kitchen,” says interior designer Kat Nelson. “Their extended families live nearby, and they wanted a fabulous entertaining space,” she says. Wide open to the family room, the new kitchen set the tone for other remodeling and decorating projects in the house.
How many you'll need: It's easy to go overboard and plan for way more recessed lights than you need, resulting in the dreaded "Swiss cheese ceiling" look. Consider several factors: which areas you want to illuminate, how much light floods the space already, how much visibility you need (a media room versus a kitchen, for example), the wattage of the bulbs you'll use and the height and square footage of your ceiling.The size and spacing of recessed lights depends completely on your individual space and the effect you want — there's no universal solution. One general rule of thumb is to place 4-inch lights 4 feet apart and 6-inch lights 6 feet apart. Generally, you'll want to mount them 12 to 18 inches in front of the area you want to illuminate. Consult an electrician for advice about your specific situation.
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