Posts Tagged ‘kitchen redesign’
Kitchen Fundamentals: Design
The beauty of renovations is that you can fashion for yourself the kitchen you have been wishing you had since you moved into your home. You can have that extra bench space, those drawers you covet in your friends kitchen, that stove top with the industrial wok burner. However the process of designing your new kitchen comes down to more than a wish list and requires the consideration of several factors. We will try and outline some points here that you will need to address.
- Budget, Budget, Budget – So much of your design is going to be determined by the amount of money you are willing to spend.
what to consider in design
- The most important part of kitchen cupboard design is to consider how food moves through the kitchen from storage to preparation to cooking and washing, etc. As part of the plan you also want to minimise the movement triangle – fridge to sink to oven.
- The kitchen sink is usually located under the window (so you can look at things whilst washing the dishes) The sink size being dependent on wether you are having a dishwasher or not.
- Now is the perfect time for you to vent the range hood outside, so this might put restrictions on your plan.
- Give the flooring consideration as different materials are more prone to slips and falls.
- Don’t Forget Lighting! There is nothing more frustrating than trying to cook or prepare food while you cast a shadow over your area of work
- Design a Safe kitchen, especially if there are children in the house
- If the kitchen’s sink features prominently then your bench top is King. Make sure it is large enough to accommodate your needs and situated such a focal point. It will also consist of a large amount of material, so If you are splashing out on granite pay close attention to its size and design. Incorporate a breakfast bar?
For all enquires please contact Rosemary on 99 675 675
Bathroom and kitchen Renovation Ideas – Mosaics
If you were to wiki Mosaic (and if you are reading blogs then you are no doubt wont to) it would tell you that it “is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials”. Whilst this form of art has historically found expression in cathedrals and Roman public baths it can now be effectively used to brighten up and truly individualize your own bathroom or kitchen. Does this fall into the “trends of 2010” category? No, it is actively distancing yourself from a trend and making your own unique voice heard… or rather seen.
- Stone Mosaics are smooth and non-slippery so they are perfect for bathroom floors. A natural cascading zen flow can be fostered from pebble wash or slate, marble or travertine may be used to give the impression of natural stone
- Glass and Metal Mosaics find their place on bathroom walls and kitchen backsplashes, the pair of them (glass and metal) always conspiring to bring more space, light and colour to whatever room they grace. Common materials used here are vitreous glass and smalti (Byzantine glass).
So when you are considering your dream bathroom or kitchen renovation remember that there is the accent of mosaics available to you, truly making your dream a unique one. For any and all queries regarding mosaics and bathroom and kitchen renovations please do not hesitate to call Linda on 99 675 675
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
