September is the time for seasonal changes. Children are returning to school. Leaves are falling from the trees. And pumpkin spice season is in full swing. For me, autumn is a chance to switch up home décor – and I don’t mean throwing a couple of gourds on the table! The changing colors of leaves are the perfect inspiration to update the heart of your home. At the top of my list this year? Fun, vibrantly colored appliances, reminiscent of the colors of fall. The changing colors of leaves are the perfect inspiration to update the heart of your home. Although neutral kitchen appliances have dominated kitchen design for years, bold hues are making a major comeback. Keep reading for my tips on making this trend work in your space: Pops of Color in Appliances For decades, stainless steel has been the go-to for everything from refrigerators and stoves to toasters and tea kettles. It was clean, neat, and oh-so neutral – a far cry from the brightly colored pastels of the 50s and harvest golds of the 60s. Photo courtesy of AGA But as they say, everything old becomes new again. Homeowners today are experiencing a bit of “stainless fatigue” and color is back on the rise. People want to get away from the cookie-cutter, show home look and add in a little fun. Black and white are quickly gaining in popularity, but so are unexpected hues like red, midnight blue, and even avocado green. Many high-end, quality brands are now offering whimsical colors in addition to their standard fare. And along with their beautiful design comes high functionality. Choosing the Right Colors for Your Kitchen When choosing the finish for your kitchen’s appliances, there are several factors you must consider including your overall décor and your reasons for buying new appliances. For instance, are purchasing a replacement piece? If so, your new appliance should complement existing equipment. Cabinetry, floor, lighting, and more should all play into your decision. You may choose to use color for all your kitchen appliances or just one or two for a whimsical touch. If you have the budget and don’t mind updating often, purchasing a large piece (like a refrigerator) in an unexpected color might be the right option for you. If you want something that is going to stay on-trend a little longer, black or white might be the way to go. I like to recommend AGA kitchen appliances to my clients looking to make a bold, eye-catching change. The luxury brand (which manufactures premium quality kitchen appliances, including ranges, ventilation hoods, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more) offers colors as wide ranging as Pistachio and Aubergine to Matte Black and Pearl Ashes, so there is something for everyone. Photo courtesy of AGA It’s important to note, however, that you don’t need to “go big or go home” when it comes to color. Small touches here and there can have a huge impact. Several appliance companies, like Blue Star, have introduced hardware, hinges, handles and more in interesting finishes such as brushed copper, brushed black, and a variety of more unique hues.
There are also smaller appliances that are affordable, fun, and easily replaceable when the time comes. This can be done with something as prominent as your range hood or as inconspicuous as a blender or toaster. Get Started Today There are many options available to homeowners who want to individualize their kitchens today – and vibrant appliances, whether they’re large or small, can really stand out and create a striking space. Are you feeling inspired by the colors of the season, just like me? Reach out to learn how we can add some fun to heart of your home, just in time for the holidays! For more information, call 215-860-5059 or email [email protected], and follow me on Instagram, Houzz, and Facebook for all the latest design news!
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If you’re like me, you feel like summer has just started. Yet here we are, already in August!
Before you know it, the weather will be cooling down and the kids will be headed back to school—virtually or in person. And, whether you work inside the home or out, it can be a struggle to keep the kitchen under control on those hectic mornings. Take cues from professional chefs and think about your kitchen in stations.
Organizing your space for your busy life is the first step in making those days run smoothly.
Want to know how? Take cues from professional chefs and think about your kitchen in stations. Organizing Your Home Kitchen Have you ever been in a commercial kitchen? It likely had a prep area, several cooking stations, a pass through, and a dish washing station. Your home kitchen also has several areas designed for specific functions: A range and oven, a sink, storage spaces, and likely, a spot where you prep meals or plate food. You may even have a bar or a seating area. Also called “work zones” or “work centers,” these areas of your kitchen are designed to house the equipment and ingredients necessary for a task, and also take into consideration the space and work surfaces best suited to those tasks. “work zones” or “work centers,” … are designed to house the equipment and ingredients necessary for a task…
Let’s look at some of the most common stations in more depth:
Prep Station A prep station is the work center where food is prepared prior to a being cooked. You may use this space to wash, peel, chop, measure, or mix ingredients. A prep station should:
Note: If you have a small kitchen with limited storage and counter space, a kitchen cart can be a viable alternative to a dedicated prep station. Cooking Station As the name implies, the cooking station is where the food is cooked. The primary tasks here are stove top cooking, baking, and roasting. In homes where a lot of baking is done, you may choose to have a separate station exclusively for that purpose. A cooking station should:
Cleanup Station The cleanup station is where items used during the preparation and cooking of the meal are cleaned. A cleanup station should:
Eating Station The eating station is where family, friends and guests can gather to eat, rather than cook. An eating station should:
Planning Your Kitchen’s Workstations Now that you know what workstations are and how the work, the next step is to plan out your kitchen. Start by determining the total space available in the kitchen, as well as the traffic patterns through the room. In a professional kitchen, food funnels from storage to prep to cook – it’s likely that’s how things move in your kitchen as well. Home kitchens are almost always designed around a triangle, which connects the refrigerator, sink, and range: It enables that storage/prep/cook flow to happen smoothly. As noted above, many workstations have certain requirements in common that should be taken into consideration. For example, both the prep station and the cooking station should have easy access to commonly used utensils and spices, and both the prep station and eating station should be near the refrigerator. In addition, while it’s traditionally not placed in the triangle, storage should be easy to access and well-organized. Final Thoughts Having your kitchen organized into different stations makes it easy for multiple people to be in the room at one time – without getting in one another’s way. Call on me for kitchen design services, to purchase quality, US-made kitchen and bath cabinetry, and for installations.
Call on me for kitchen design services, to purchase quality, US-made kitchen, and bath cabinetry and for installations.
For more information, call 215-860-5059 or email [email protected], and follow me on Instagram, Houzz, and Facebook for all the latest design news! Worldwide, multiple generations living under the same roof is the norm. These days, it’s becoming commonplace in America, as well. Sixty-four million people, or 20% of the U.S. population, live with older loved ones. With the baby boomer generation rapidly aging, that number will only increase. The reasons for choosing this route are many: Saving money, helping parents age safely, and warding off loneliness are just a few. Often, multigenerational living calls for a renovation. With the proper design, homes can serve their owners longer and can comfortably accommodate loved ones from other generations and life circumstances. Here are some tips for adding functional, attractive renovations for multigenerational living circumstances: Making Multigenerational Living Work |
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