Design | Wellness | Cabinetry
I think most people fantasize about having their “dream” kitchen. My dream kitchen would be on a yacht. Here’s a picture of a beautiful Schiffini Galley Kitchen. I really like the juxtaposition of the shiny black cabinets and the rich wood floor. The corner sink gives more usable countertop space and the lights with the electrical plugs keeps the stainless backsplash uncluttered.
I decided I had to watch the HGTV Design Star Sunday night since they were making over two kitchens. The results were not good. The HGTV website tries to gloss over how bad the rooms are by taking photos from a distance and showcasing other areas like the Dining Room that were more the designers’ fortes.
The kitchen below was not finished. The designers did not allocate their budget or resources well. They chose to do a black ceramic tile countertop but they did not purchase enough material and did not even grout the tile they had down. No amount of accessories is going to fix this room – although they tried. The judges commented that they liked the old kitchen better. I’m not sure what the home owners thought, their reactions were not revealed. Other comments on the HGTV site are just as scathing citing the lack of lighting and bad material choices.
The “winning” kitchen was not much better. A heavy crackle finish was applied to the upper cabinets leaving the lower cabinets with only new hardware. The time spent faux painting the backsplash should have been devoted to finishing the cabinets. While the homeowners were pleased with their results, the judges commented that they should have had better.
Their is truth in hiring a Kitchen Designer to get the best results.
Say goodbye to all those unsightly plastic cabinet locks. Smallbone of Devizes offers wireless receivers hidden inside cabinets. Touch a button on the wireless remote and an inconspicuous steel prong on storage pullouts and drawers is activated or released. The technology allows parents to childproof their kitchens—or, with multiple receivers programmed to lock selectively, to limit entry by employees. These devices can be used outside the kitchen in office cabinetry and luxurious closet cabinetry. Each lock costs about $650.
I thought it would be nice to share some of the clever ideas that can be used when designing kitchens with awkward areas. This photo from House Beautiful shows serving trays nestled in a small corner.
Other options for a space like this include small shelves for a rolling pin, rolling cloth and biscuit cutters for someone who bakes often.