Tips for great kitchen storage

While the primary function of a kitchen may be cooking, when you consider what consumes the most real estate in this pivotal room, it's all about storage. Storage plays an essential role in how well a kitchen functions: Is it easy to find what you need, put away the groceries, unload the dishwasher? How well does it work for making lunches, cooking for a dinner party or choreographing the intricate ballet of the entire family trying to grab breakfast at the same time? No matter how large or small the room, if it's not well organized and efficiently arranged, if there are cluttered counters and overflowing recycling bins, it will undermine the space as well as your sanity. So we  tried to answer some of the more pressing kitchen storage questions and dilemmas.


What are the key storage elements that are recommended when remodeling or building a kitchen?

Some standards might include a double trash/recycling pullout; cutlery dividers; spice rack either inside the cabinet door or in a drawer; deep drawers for pots and pans; drawers for snacks and leftover containers; and a set of vertical tray dividers. Roll-out shelves for base and pantry cabinets are a great addition along with peg systems and lid holder within pots and pans drawers.


What are some good organizers that you can retrofit or add to existing, older cabinets?

Try retro-fitting cabinets with roll-out shelves and bins in the vase cabinets, pull-out trash bins, cutlery and knife block inserts for drawers; pullout bins beneath the sink and tray dividers. Even in a new kitchen, interior amenities are often better outsourced from companies like Rubbermaid and the Outwater catalog so you can custom-fit them to your needs. Another company, Rev-A-Shelf, have terrific accessories. If you cabinets aren't too old, you may even be able to contact the manufacturer and order pull-out shelves for your base cabinets.

Do you recommend drawers rather than base cabinets, or some of each?

Drawers are great for pots and pans, dish storage, kids snacks- any area that gets a lot of use. You still need standard base cabinets for items like small appliances and then a roll-out shelf increases functionality. As great as drawers are, if you're on a tight budget, roll-out trays in standard base cabinets will save money.

What's the most common mistake people make that leads to a disorganized kitchen?

Not placing items within their particular work zone will issues. If you have to walk across the room, wait for your son to close the refrigerator door, dance around the dog and back again simply to get the flour or mixer for baking, you're taking more steps and time than you need to. Not storing like items together can also create problems. When you're making your grocery list, you don't want to go on a scavenger hunt to determine if you have baking powder. It can help to label shelves for pasta, canned goods, baking supplies, etc so everyone knows where to find and put away things.

What are some overlooked storage opportunities and ways to take advantage of them?

Go vertical: Install a rail system on the backsplash, like those by Hafele or IKEA to hold cooking utensils, paper towels and spices. Use the backs of cabinet and pantry doors Elfa door units can hold water bottles or soda bottles in the pantry or spices on a cabinet door.
Adding extra depth to a cabinet increases capacity too. For example, a standard upper cabinet at 12 to 13 inches deep can be increased to 16 inches without much added cost, yet it allows an extra row of glassware or food items. You might think about adding shallow base cabinets that are 12 to 18 inches deep to the end of a cabinet run, or on the back side of an island or peninsula. they're perfect for small appliances, cookbooks or toddlers cereal bowls at that heart-stopping age when they think climbing on the counter to reach the cabinets is fun! Another tip: Pull base cabinets forward to create a larger, deeper counter surface, which is helpful given all the appliances are accessories we tend to keep there, and it's better proportioned for today's larger kitchens!

Plumbing in a remodeling project

In new construction, the plumbing system can be planned with the new bathroom in mind. With today's new plumbing and connector technologies, plumbing can be placed most anywhere, so do not let it restrict your design. If you are working with a remodeling project, however, two questions must be answered early in the planning process:

 

1. Which fixture changes are economical to make?
 

2. How does the present plumbing structure affect plans for changing fixtures and fixture locations?
 

A new bathroom means selection all new fixtures, but when a client is remodeling a bathroom they can make choices as to which fixtures they replace. If cutting costs is a goal, some of the fixtures may be able to be reused, especially if they have been replaced fairly recently. If the client chooses to keep some of the present fixtures, can they be successfully removed and relocated if the new plan called for a new location?

 

When new fixtures are desired, will they be able to be installed using the old plumbing or will new lines need to be added? Another consideration with new fixtures is their fit in the old spaces. If the basic structure of the bathroom will stay, and the desire is to update the fixtures and look, select fixtures that will fit in the old spaces with minimal changes. For example, find a new shower or tub to fit the previous space, or install a new lavatory into a vanity cabinet and counter that you wish to reuse. With the use of many new finished wall materials, you may even be able to convert a tub space to a shower and vice versa. If you decide to relocate the water controls to the counter or wall, or offset for easier access, are there major problems with doing so?

For a new or remodeled bathroom project, think about the fixtures that you have in mind and the basic water and plumbing requirements for each. As an example, keep in mind that the type and location of pedestal lavatories or above-counter vessel bowls have specific requirements for drainpipes or wall mounted faucets. Corner designed fixtures, especially sinks and toilets may also have special requirements. You should also discuss the implications of your choices. Larger tubs and high volume showers can use a tremendous amount of water which will increase water bills. And, in order to provide a sufficient spray for massaging showers, a specific water pressure level must be maintained, which may be an issue with some water systems!

  

Because of these particulars, in addition to building code requirements and many other details, it is important to work with a qualified designer and remodeler for your project. They will help you sidestep the pot holes and landmines of remodeling and assist with making the right choices for your particular project. The National Kitchen and Bath Association or NKBA, set the standards with professionals in the design industry and can be of assistance when trying to locate qualified professionals for your project. Use the link below to find a professional in your area.

NKBA for Homeowners

Count on Convenience in Your New Kitchen

When starting the design process for a new kitchen, why not explore some features that will make your life easier? Some hot trends in kitchen design are things like:

Themador makes a microwave that uses convection technology to provide the perfect combination of fast heating and an extra oven. With 10 power levels, hot air circulates within the unit, providing more even heating and faster cooking results without any loss of flavor.
www.thermador.com

For the next generation in instr-cookery, check out the Millennia Dacor Microwave. Black glass panels set against stainless details conjure an of-the-moment modality without looking colds. Cooking sensors cleverly detect when food is done, while programmable timers and on-screen recipes are ingenious ingredients for culinary success.



  www.dacor.com


Thanks to the EverBrew built-in coffee system, your morning java jolt is always right at hand. Thoughtfully designed, the space-conserving setup is mounted under the cabinet so that only the carafe touches the counter. Its direct connection to the water line and programmable features make it a fully automatic system.


www.waterinc.com


With a market-exclusive 6-to-1 compaction ratio, the Broan Elite XE trash compactor lightens the load on trash duty and local landfills. Plus, a microban antimicrobial protection fights the growth of odor-and stain-causing bacteria while an automatic odor control disc chemically reduces garbage odor.
  

www.broan.com

Color and it's emotional impact

Colors have an emotional impact on the viewer. A review of how color affects people follows.

Yellow
  According to some, yellow increases irritability: therefore more arguments occur in a yellow kitchen. Yellow also stimulates the appetite and enhances memory retention (think of a yellow legal pad, yellow highlighter or yellow Post-it Notes).

  Yellow will always remain an important part of the kitchen palette because it is sunny, bright and a happy color that works well with the natural color of food products. Whether a butter golden tone reflecting the creamy sense of meringues, or a punchy vibrant look reminiscent of a bouquet of daffodils, yellow can wash across the cabinets or be used as an accent. Yellow has become more intriguing recently as it enters the world of metallic golden tones.

Green
  The eyes see green as a neutral, the body treats it as a neutral. It's a suburban color indicating moderation, temperate behavior. In that it is the color of the earth, it provides true balance.

 Green can be used as a dark, yellow green that has been inspired by mature and its serenity, as well as a mauve silver-green that works well with neutrals and complementary colors. In the past, green was sometimes avoided, seen as a uniform or work clothing color. Today, it's a fresh, embraceable hue. It is often used as a neutral backdrop behind a stronger accent color.

Blue
  Blue reminds us of water. It slows the body system down; we feel we have all the time in the world. It is a color of logic, leading one to think conceptually. And good news dieters! It depresses the appetite!

  Blue-awash with white-continues to be a strong color preference and is popular in both kitchens and bathrooms. Navy or dark, rich blues are often specified for long-term living environments. Blue is an excellent complementary color to the orange hues seen in ginger, cinnamon or honey tones in other surfaces. Lighter, washed denim blue is another variation on the use of this color.

Purple
  Purple is a regal color often times associated with the spiritual, the wealth and with stature.
Home fashion leaders, the European press and some women clothiers continually predicted that purple would emerge as a color of the future-the result has been a recent increase in muted plums, warm purples and even intense  purples used for impact and effect.

Reds and Pinks
 This is the longest color wave. It sells food because people eat more and pay more in a red environment. Red lets us feel that we can focus on the impulse, indulge ourselves , have the courage or knowledge to be truly individualistic and live for the present moment. Interestingly enough, pink- a version of red- has a much different impact from its strong red foundation color. A natural stress reducer, it stimulates our interest in sweet, sugary things.

  Red is used extensively in the fashion world to anchor black. It is an ecellent accent color and is seen in dark vibrant, Merlot-type finishes in woods and in some solid surfacing and quartz countertop materials.

Oranges and Browns
  Orange is the past might not have had much "snob appeal", however orange is playful, fun and pleasurable.

  Global trends are leading designers to see a new use of intense orange tones in heavily structured geometric patterns emerging from the Africans and South American communities. this interest in orange is moving the color into a deeper, richer tone.

  Browns-in many cases simply a tone of orange-are safe colors, oftentimes specified by the ultra-conservative. However, they are being given a new life as they become textural mixed with metallics. the dark, earthy brown colors or oak and cherry are used in the furniture world. These brown tones are returning to popularity in the kitchen and bathroom settings.

The History behind the popular "Shaker-Style" Kitchen

Historical Overview:

 "Shaker styling" is a term used in Europe , as well as North America, to define a beautifully executed, but sever in sensitivity and simple in detail, woodworking styling that is attributed to the craftspeople of the Shaker villages located in the Northeastern part of the United states. this was a religious sect known as the "Shakers" because of the activities the group engaged in during religious ceremonies. One of the tenets of this religion was celibacy: although the followers actively adopted children to continue the community, the last Shaker village closed in the early 20th Century.

 The Shakers believed an important part of celebrating God was always to be busy and active in worthwhile tasks and to demand the best of oneself in the way one lived, as well as in the products created. The Shakers' homes were really dormitories-with men living in one and women in the other-and therefore, were designed with multipurpose rooms. Chairs hung on pegs along the outer walls so floor space was available for other activities.

The design elements detailed under American Colonial Rustic are appropriate in Shaker design, with a focus on simplicity of detail and refinement of craftsmanship.

 Cabinetry/Millwork: Use stile-and-rail recessed panel door with a plain inset, or flat panel door with lip construction; simple outside edge detail. Cherry and maple woods used extensively. Some figured wood, such as bird's eye maple or tiger maple used as well. Waxed or oiled warm-medium range wood tones. Occasionally, some of the woodwork, such as the window frames, peg rail, skirting or beaded board wall system, may be painted one of the Shaker colors detailed below.

Hardware and Accessories: Shaker artisans made a large variety of woodturning for everything from cabinet pulls to pegs for wall hanging systems. Therefore, wood pegs are most authentic. Simple metal or hand-forged finishes are acceptable.

Countertops: Use square-edged solid surfaces, slate soapstone, granite and limestone.

Colors: The Shaker swellings were inevitably white plaster, against which a set range of colors were used in both paint and textiles. The distinctive color palette made use of the dyes and pigments from the clays and plants around them, ranging from pinky tones and terra cotta earth shades, through yellow ochre and olive green, to greenish blues and denim.

Surfaces:

• Floors: Typically, floors are varnished timber or wood, in some cases stone. Simple woven wood or rag rugs were laid on top of these hard surface floors.
• Walls: Painted or finished off-white or in earth tone colors. Typically, tall beaded board wainscoting was used with pegs.
• Ceilings: Plaster ceilings, painted white or off-white. Beams could be introduced.

Accents: Needless to say, fabrics were hand-woven and were frequently plain, as the Shakers avoided pattern. However, to lend relief to the otherwise plain interiors, they often wove checked fabrics: miniature gingham, window checks, or checks that incorporated more than one color.

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

The trend toward greater energy efficiency in homes means homes are sealed up against cold drafts. There is, unfortunately, a downside to tight houses. By sealing them up to keep cold drafts at bay, we also shut down the fresh air that would otherwise cleanse the interior of contaminants. The gasses and particles that pollute the rooms of our houses haven many sources: smoking, burning wood in stoves, operating unvented gas appliances, bathing and cooking, to name a few. Chemicals used for cleaning are other sources. But indoor air pollution comes from items the occupants have no control over. Formaldehyde and organic chemicals  used in the manufacturing of carpeting and building materials gradually release (out gas) air in the room.

Some of the culprits that contaminate the air of our houses are not necessarily unhealthy, simply objectionable. Odors produced in the kitchen and bathroom fall into this category. Others, such as second-hand smoke from cigarettes are definite health hazards. Regardless of contaminant, the occupants will be healthier and happier if it is removed to the outside!

The culprits that contaminate indoor air are many and varied in the potential for damaging health and well being. Here are some of the major offenders in homes.

Radon, a colorless. odorless gas is a radioactive product of the radium that naturally occurs in the earth's crust. Radon poses a risk to people in regions with high concentrations or certain types of rock strata. It is believed responsible for 5 to 15% of all lung cancer. Radon seeps into houses through minuscule cracks in foundations and basement floors and can also occur in water from wells.

Preventing radon from getting into a house is easier at the construction stage than after it is built. Special care can seal up cracks in the floor and walls. Foundations can be waterproofed on the outside. A gravel bed below the basement slab can act as a continuous evacuation path to the outside when it is equipped with a fan that pulls air through the gravel and exhausts it outside.  The homeowner has few means available to mitigate radon in an existing home short of sealing up visible cracks in the foundation and basement slab and installing a ventilation system in the basement.

Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling yet colorless gas embodied in many common building materials, such as plywood and particleboard, as well as furniture, drapes and carpets made from synthetic materials. This gas can irritate the nose, throat and eyes and may cause nasal cancer. Materials that contain little or no formaldehyde should be chosen at the outset. Increasing the rate of air changes in the house helps after the fact.

Combustion Gasses: Several noxious gasses come from operating kerosene heaters, wood stoves and unvented gas appliances. Car exhaust in attached garages can also seep into the house through doorways. Deadly in high enough concentrations, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning all fuels. In lesser concentrations this gas can impair the lungs, eyes and brain. Nitrogen oxide has no color or odor while nitrogen dioxide does have an odor at higher levels. Long exposure to either can cause lung damage.

Mitigating pollution from combustion appliance begins at the device. Wood stoves should be properly sized and vented. Appliances should be adjusted correctly. Outside air into wood stoves and fireplaces in preferred to using room air. Chimneys need to be kept clean.  A car should never be left idling in the garage.

Particulates. Smoking releases particles into the air small enough to be inhaled. Minor exposure may result in irritation to the eyes and respiratory system. Long-term exposure can cause emphysema, heart disease, bronchitis and lung cancer. Other sources of particulates include unvented gas appliances, kerosene heaters, asbestos-bearing construction materials and dust. Solutions include not smoking inside, making sure oven doors don't leak, changing air filters regularly and providing an outside air source for combustion appliances.

Gasses from Household Chemicals. Many organic compounds found in cleaning agents, pesticide, aerosol sprays, paints and solvents can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and central nervous system,. Some household chemicals are available in "green" versions that do not harm health. Latex paints, for example, use water as their solvent, rather than solvents derived from petroleum. Other remedies include following the directions on the label, using chemicals only in well-ventilated area and keeping them locked away from children.

You may have noticed that ventilation, in one form or another, is mentioned as a remedy for all the indoor air pollutants. A grasp pf the techniques and devices that provide ventilation will help you achieve clean healthy indoor air.

Characteristics of wood in cabinetry

The following discussion details popular solid woods used in cabinetry

General color-that is categorizing wood by its color tones- is a good way to sort through the most popular species. Some hardwoods are used in the cabinet industry for both solid wood stock and veneer  parts: cherry is a good example. Other woods are very rare and are typically selected only for use as a veneer: Bird's Eye Maple is an example.

To begin the discussion about wood species, we have listed them in six possible color tones:

• Wood that is whitish: Ash, Bird's Eye Maple, and Sycamore.
• Wood that is yellowish: Birch, Lacewood, Ponderosa Pine, Primavera, Satinwood, and Zebrawood.
• Wood that is purple or crimson: Bubinga and Purple Heart
• Wood that is reddish or pinkish: African Mahogany, Beech, Cherry, Douglas Fir, Honduras Mahogany, Pearwood, Sapele and Western Red Cedar.
• Wood that is brownish: Alder, Brazilian Rosewood, Elm, Oak, Walnut, Teak.
• Wood that is blackish or has gray tones: Ebony.

A designer understands why wood parts finish differently and various wood species require special finishing considerations. For example, there can be different absorption rates present within one piece of wood. This defect is associated with random variation in porosity, such as the tissue around the knots in pine. Make sure that you discuss these characteristics with your designer/architect.

The variations can be caused by how the tree grows or caused by a bundle of fibers growing in a wavy fashion within the tree and at angles to vertical access. When the log is cut, some bundles of fiber are cut parallel to the main direction of growth and some are cut at an angle, exposing the fiber end with its open water conducting channels or pores. Such open surface inevitably will assume darker hues than surfaces composed of near parallel bundles of fiber, producing a "blotchy" effect when stain is applied. A similar variation in color caused by differing wood fibers occurs when veneer panels are rounded or solid wood molding are curved.

Additionally, some natural wood colors (in the presence of oxygen and light) will change to darker finishes. For example, cherry will become much redder during the life of the furniture piece. When this darkening occurs in lacquered veneers it is often viewed- mistakenly- as the fault of the finish.

 Whatever wood you choose for your cabinets, do your research so that you will fully understand the natural and beautiful characters of the species that you have chosen!