Archive for the ‘Kitchen Renovations’ Category
Kitchen Safety Upgrades: Eddy Currents (induction cooktops)
only the pan acts as a heating element
A current may not immediately conjure up an image of safety in a kitchen. Those that have ever dabbled in physics may well be familiar Eddy and any of you who have ever braved a roller coaster have most likely been in his safe hands.
In short, by varying an electromagnetic field we induce a current in an inductor whose field opposes our electromagnetic field. To the layman, it heats your saucepan and only your saucepan, the plate does not get hot. The saucepan itself is now the cooking element.
No more leaving the plate on, itching for some innocent to rest their elbow upon it, your stove now simply wills water into boiling. So, yes, you can put rubber stops on all your corners and child lock the cupboards below the sink but here is an element of kitchen safety that is a hell of a lot cooler. Add to this that the surface is not as hot as electric or gas and so a spillage will not remain baked on for further generations to discern your eating habits.
Besides the safety element here are some pros and cons of induction cook tops
Pros
- Change heat instantly and precisely
- No wasted heat (for those who are green minded)
Cons
- Your cooking saucepans etc have to be made of conductive material
- They are pricier than your average gas or electric cooker
For any and all enquiries regarding the installation of an induction cook top into your new kitchen renovation please do not hesitate to call Linda on 99 675 675
Kitchen Renovation Trends
Making the kitchen the true heart of your home
With the emphasis these days being on family entertainment and creating more of a focus on cooking and getting together with family and friends in the home, it seems that kitchen renovation trends for 2010 are moving towards making the kitchen another well-loved and much-used living area of the house.
Rather than closing the kitchen off somewhere in the back of the house, the trend is to open up the kitchen to the main living area and preferably link it directly to your outdoor entertaining area. This creates the ideal space for social gatherings and allows you to entertain, cook and socialise all at the same time, something that helps with our time-poor lives.
With the move towards integrating the kitchen with your main living areas, colours tend towards a more neutral palate that can then be co-ordinated and made to work with the rest of the colour palate in the home. A kitchen is a significant investment and by staying with neutral whites, off-whites or natural timbers you can update the colours in the rest of the room without having to go to the expense of changing costly features in the kitchen.
And, creating a modern look and welcoming ambiance, by moving towards a sleek, uncluttered finish with handle-free drawers and doors and appliances tucked neatly away, helps integrate the spaces and turns the kitchen into a room for entertaining rather than just a room that is functional.
If you have any questions about how to create the ideal kitchen for entertaining and everyday family life, call me on 99 675 675
Linda
Hollywood Bathrooms & Kitchens
www.hollywoodbathrooms.com.au
www.hollywoodkitchens.com.au
Willoughby, Sydney
When three is the perfect number!
When you’re thinking about redesigning your kitchen the most important consideration is the layout of the main work areas in connection to each other. This is known as the ‘work triangle’.
Making sure that you have the most efficient use of space between your sink, fridge and cooktop is the best starting point when you’re looking at a new design. Think about how often you move between each of these spaces in your kitchen, and what practical considerations you need to take account of, for instance, draining cooked pasta – travelling from one side of the kitchen to the other with a pot of boiling hot water may not be the idea solution. Realestate.com.au has a comprehensive article on how to work out your kitchen layout efficiently and effectively, taking natural flow into consideration.
Sometimes you are dictated by existing services such as plumbing and electricity supplies which may be too costly to relocate. However, if you can factor this into your kitchen renovation budget without exceeding what you’re comfortable with, it is a good idea to start from scratch so that you can get the most efficient, as well as aesthetically pleasing end result. Remember, your kitchen is a significant investment in your home, and it’s a space you use most often. Getting it right can dictate how you feel about being in your home.
You need to be sensible about your new kitchen design in terms of budget, finishes and, especially layout. But, don’t be in a hurry to simply change everything about your existing kitchen. Even if you don’t like the way your kitchen looks, the original designer may have already taken all the practical use issues into consideration and reinventing the wheel may not give you a better solution.
It’s important to really think about how the existing kitchen works or doesn’t work, and practical usage of the kitchen is the only way to find out. This is especially true if you have just moved into your house. If you’re not replacing the kitchen before you move in, take the time to use it as you plan to in the future, at different times of the day. This will give you an indication of where the light falls, both natural and electric, as well as knowing whether the existing layout is functional and practical.
If you have any concerns or questions about the practical considerations for your kitchen, just call Andre on 9967 5675
Linda
Hollywood Bathrooms & Kitchens