There’s a saying that says you can tell a lot about a person just by looking at how they keep their homes.  And since the kitchen is the center core then its maintenance is of pretty high importance.  A kitchen remodel is one of the best ways to add value to your home and increase your return on investment (ROI) when selling your home.  Now it can be a costly venture however, there are ways that you can update and switch out certain areas of the kitchen without having to go off the financial deep end.

Image via:  Houzz

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Get all the Information and Research

Before you decided on your kitchen remodeling project, do some research first.  Figure out what style kitchen you want in your home, the budget you intend on working with, a timeline that you plan on starting and finishing the projects, and if you decide on working with a contractor or interior designer or I you plan on doing the projects yourself.  Get all the information you can first before starting anything.

A Fresh Coat of Paint and Backsplash

One of the ways to update any interior space that you can do yourself while not diving into your wallet so much is by adding paint.  You can transform your kitchen by painting it a brighter or lighter modern color that will give it an entirely different look and make the space seem larger for the visual appeal.  Also, adding backsplash to your kitchen is another cost effective way to update your kitchen that you will be able to accomplish yourself.  Just look for a video tutorial or home repair guide to help you.

Image via:  HGTV

Add in More Storage

Storage is major selling points when it comes to home purchasing plus, the more storage that you have within your home the more functional the home will be for you and your family.  So think about adding in some pull out shelves, drawer organizers and/or small movable islands.  By adding the storage you are adding to the space within the home and should not eat up your set budget.

Replacing or Updating the Fixtures

Replace those outdated or unattractive fixtures that you have in your kitchen.  You can actually replace some of your fixtures yourself, by taking a class or two from Home Depot or learning from online tutorials.  They should help you in removing and installing old fixtures for more modern ones.  From the lighting to the faucets if you want it updated the information, guidelines and tools are out there for your taking.

Image via:  Motiq Online

Every once in a while you crave change and variety, most definitely when it comes to redesigning or selling your home.  The kitchen is one of the most used places within the home so make it special to you or those you intend on selling it to.  Take a look at the tips above and see how they work out for you and the ‘heart’ of your home.

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Looking to clean your kitchen this season in less time?  When the season changes and temperature drops, you just cannot come back to your home and have the kitchen ready for cooking. You have to clean it to make it ready for the colder days. Check out some ideas about how you can do the cleaning job:

Image via: Homes by Architects

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Clean the Refrigerator – Inside & Out

The refrigerator is one of the main points from where you can start your cleaning task. It needs a deep cleaning because the drips, spills, and other spots can get very dirty. Switch the power supply of the refrigerator off and remove the shelves, trays, bins, racks and other contents. Use an antibacterial cleaner to wash everything.

Clean the condenser coils, vacuum cleaner, and the decorative grill below the door of the refrigerator. Put everything back carefully and seal the door with door gasket to keep the cool air in and the warm air out.

Dishwasher: Clean your Kitchen

This appliance is used to clean up plates, dishes, cups, and glasses. However, it can get dirty too if not cleaned for a long time. To clean up the interior liner of the dishwasher, use some baking soda on a damp sponge. Use plastic scrubber if there is any stubborn stain. Use a deodorant, applicable for dishwasher, during the cleaning to make the appliance smell good.

Image via: Tidy House

The Pantry

Some people bake more in the fall. So, it is the good time to check your pantry and get rid of the expired baking supplies. Use up or donate any boxed or canned goods that will be expired in the next few months.

Stove/Oven

Cleaning the stove is a hazard but you have to do it because buying a new one will be expensive. You can skip some of the scrubbing works if your model is self-cleaning. The safest way of cleaning the oven will be to read its manual, which will surely have some cleaning recommendations. You can use oven cleaners or ammonia for the cleaning purpose. Do not forget wearing gloves and opening all the nearby windows during the cleaning job.

Cleaning Kitchen Areas:

Other spots in the kitchen that need to be cleaned are the sink, kitchen countertops, and backsplash. The sink can be nicely cleaned by using baking soda. On the other hand, use cleaner to clean the backsplash and the countertops. Scented cleaners are available in the market. Find one that will be perfect for the fall season.

Image via: The Kitchen

As kitchen is a busy place in the house, you have to clean it almost frequently. Occasional deep cleaning and regular maintenance will keep your kitchen germ and grease-free, looking brighter and smelling fresher.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I can’t count the days fast enough for my upcoming blogger trip to Los Angeles, California for #BlogTourLA with the other bloggers. In the upcoming weeks I will feature several designer brands that I love, and each of them as their hand in the Modenus BlogTours so it makes the entire experience wonderful for me and it brings you the latest in trends in home design!

Today I feature Poggenpohl – pronounced “Po-ggen-pole”. They are the world’s leading luxury cabinet brand and they have 35 kitchen design showrooms across the United States. Their European kitchen designs are innovative, sleek and contemporary and they create a kitchen working environment any novice or experienced chef will love to work in.

Poggenpohl was established in 1892 by Friedemir Poggenpohl and they are celebrating 120 years of leading the luxury kitchen market. Today Poggnepohl offers over 70 kitchen cabinet door fronts is varying finishes such as: wood veneers, laminates, lacquers, acrylic, glass, metals and custom RAL colors.  Their gorgeous cabinets and commitment to quality has put them into the billion dollar Nobia Group – Europe’s leading kitchen interiors company with more than 20 top brands!

Here’s a glimpse of their latest lines available:

Segmento Kitchen:

Poggenpohl’s +Segmento kitchen combines wide vertical segments with sleek worktops and features handleless cabinet fronts, shown here in the new Walnut veneer and high gloss Pebble Grey lacquer cabinetry. Interesting design accents include the aluminum toe kick and the raised breakfast bar in walnut veneer. The shelf system creates a perfect visual and functional link between cooking and living areas.

 +Edition Kitchen:

The new +Edition collection from Poggenpohl combines classic details with modern appeal. This innovative kitchen design features natural walnut wood veneer along with white lacquer cabinetry, available in flat panel or thin frame detail door styles. New black glass upper wall cabinets include the same thin frame details with finished interiors and LED lighting.

Core Ash Wood Kitchen

Poggenpohl’s new Core Ash wood veneer features a very expressive grain pattern and combines well with the Sand Grey matte lacquer cabinetry for a stunning kitchen design inspired by nature-influenced colors and textures. This kitchen features a new backsplash accessory system, thin profile framed Core Ash door fronts and motorized flip up upper wall cabinets with integrated LED lighting. Also shown is a floating breakfast bar in Core Ash.

Poggenpohl has a complete line of kitchen cabinetry lines that are perfect for your discrimnating taste. I thought the LED lighting in the cabinetry was innovative. Especially since traditional under cabinetry lighting can get hot, burn out quickly and often distribute light that isn’t bright enough for prepping food.

Here’s what Poggenpohl said about their latest LED lighting features in their cabinets:

“The glass cabinet fronts and LED lighting in the latest +Artesio kitchen received tremendous response from the architecture and design community. Many of the new technologies introduced in the +Artesio line were the locomotive for the main product line. The glass cabinets, LED lighting and new interior drawer inserts and accessories can be used throughout our entire product line”

Take a look at all of their products on their website: Poggenphol.com for modern kitchens and trends you love to see in your home!

For more BlogTour LA posts on Stagetecture, click here.

Your kitchen is one of the busiest areas of your home. A day will never pass without you doing something like cooking or slicing a piece of cake in your fridge. And with several chores that are involved in your kitchen, it is very essential to have adequate lighting.

Having an ideal kitchen lighting requires proper planning and technical advice. You can’t just play around with your lighting fixtures and have them installed as you desire. But since the technical areas can be assessed by experts, you can look into these ideal lighting ideas to enhance your kitchen:

Image via: Daniel Dubay Interior Design

Ambient lighting

Having this type of lighting ensures not only comfort, but also safety. The ambient lighting allows your kitchen to have a pleasant ambiance. It’s like you are influenced by the lighting to perform your tasks in the kitchen intensely. This makes ambient lighting as one of the best options for your kitchen lighting. The availability of modern lighting fixtures that you can control the illumination or radiance makes the ambient lighting possible.

Image via: Teri Fotheringham 

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Accent lighting

Accent lighting for your kitchen provides a highlight on a specific area you want to emphasize. It tends to command attention to a particular area to stand out. This type of lighting for your kitchen can be placed in areas where you have your decorative kitchen accessories. Equipment or even your food preparation area.

Image via: In Detail Interiors

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Task lighting

The name speaks for itself. The task lighting system aims to provide better lighting in areas where you perform your kitchen chores. These areas are the cooking area, countertop, lavatory, pantries and cabinets. This type of kitchen lighting goes to the advantage of smack light sources. It will definitely make you perform your task easier and faster.

These are just some of the effective kitchen lighting that you can choose for your home. You can truly make the most of your time in your kitchen with the help of proper lighting.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Cabinet Door Style

 

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Kitchen Cabinet Door Shaker Style

The most common style of kitchen cupboard door around today are Shaker-style ones, this means these doors adopt simple clean lines with an emphasis on utility rather than stylistic flourishes. Shaker doors have a single flat center panel surrounded by a frame made from four pieces; they are available in a selection of different wood types and colors. The price will vary, depending on the wood used; some doors are available with a cheaper material making up the larger center panel, in order to reduce cost.

Kitchen Cupboard Acrylic Doors

Acrylic kitchen cupboard doors consist of high-density MDF wrapped with an acrylic fascia, available in a wide range of gloss finishes. They are more durable than the commonly found vinyl kitchen cupboard doors. They are mass produced and therefore often cheaper than most other cupboard door options. The one down side to acrylic cupboard doors is that due to their shrink wrapped nature they are often difficult to repair if damaged.

Kitchen Cabinets Louvered Cupboards

Louvered cupboard doors are a traditional looking slatted design. This design allows for ventilation into and out of the units, making it ideal for concealing various appliances that require ventilating. The amount of wood paired with construction time leads to a slightly higher price, however, they will give your kitchen a distinctive and memorable look.

Kitchen Cabinet Door Ideas: Inset Doors

Inset cupboard doors are so called because they’re set inside of the frame of the cupboard, as opposed to the majority of others. An inset cupboard door is fabricated with precision so it can be opened and closed whilst resting in the frame, even if the wood contracts or expands. Inset cupboard doors also require external hinges, so bear this in mind when choosing your doors as you want them to be in keeping with your design.

If you really can’t find a kitchen cupboard door style you like, then consider getting doors custom made. Although this could prove expensive, there are many companies and designers that can help you design and make your perfect kitchen cupboard doors- personalizing every detail, from the material they should be constructed from down to hinges & handles.

In summary, there are many different types of kitchen cupboard doors out there, and this article has only touched on a few of them. Take your time to consider what it is you require from your new doors and weigh up the pros and cons of each design and the impact that they will have in your kitchen, then make a decision that you’ll be happy with for many years to come.

For more kitchen ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

How to Easily Upgrade your Boring Kitchen

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Paint:

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to refresh the interior of your kitchen is to give it a fresh coat of paint. Firstly identify the areas of the kitchen that need refreshing as not all the walls will require spicing up. For optimal effectiveness, focus on adding striking colour to feature walls- but do your research first as colour can have a huge impact and shouldn’t be underestimated. One recommendation would be to add paint selectively to one particular are of the kitchen, creating a focal point and creating an immediate impact. However, it is crucial that you select colours that will complement the existing colour scheme present in your kitchen, matching things such as the cabinets, backsplashes, and flooring.

Upgrade Kitchen Cabinet Hardware:

Once the paint has dried, it is time to continue with the facelift by upgrading that dated kitchen hardware. In the grand scheme of things this can be considered a small change; however replacing tired old hardware can have a huge impact without having to go to the expensive of replacing the whole kitchen cabinet. Focus on finding hardware that suits and compliments the tone of your kitchen; investing in quality replacement drawer knobs, cabinet handles, and light fixtures.

Don’t Settle for Boring Kitchen Flooring:

If you are hoping for a brand new look for your kitchen nothing achieves this better than replacing your flooring. If this is a route that you’ve decided to take, a recommendation would be to consider using vinyl flooring titles. Vinyl flooring is probably the most suitable type of flooring for a standard kitchen – it’s relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, comfortable to walk on and extremely durable. However if the budget can stretch a little further than investing in a more natural flooring material is advised, such as wood. Although over double the price of vinyl flooring, the finish and impact it has on your kitchen are second to none.

Combat your Boring Kitchen with Creative Lighting:

Cleverly selected lighting can have a major impact on your kitchen, creating a mood and atmosphere at the flick of a switch – giving the feel of a complete kitchen remodel without the added expense.

There are 3 main categories to consider replacing lighting in the kitchen outlined below:

– Task Lighting

– Ambient Lighting

– Decorative Lighting

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

A kitchen pantry is often added to a kitchen to increase the storage space. However, the pantry is also needed to be cleaned, organized, straightened, and spruced in order to make the space more functional. Here is given some pantry makeover ideas that will help you with the storage of your kitchen.

Image via: Mark WIlliams Design Associates

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Choose a Functional Design

The design of your pantry plays big role in adding functionally to your kitchen storage space. Walk-in closets and pantries are popular choices but some pantries can be super functional without being the walk-in variety. Instead of a walk-in pantry, you can use a closet that is reasonably wide and only a couple of feet deep or you can go for an open floor-to-ceiling pantry type that can offer a quick view of what is in stock and can store a lot of items. To get the maximum storage space from the pantry, its design should be based on the available kitchen space and the type of things you are going to store in it. If you live in a smaller home – a closet can be converted into a pantry and separated with accordion doors to hide pantry items and to provide versatility & separation of areas.

Add Drawers, Shelves, or Racks

Pantries are good for storing bulkier items like plastic storage containers or paper towels. However, not all the things you store in the pantry will be of same size. Some things are likely to be quite small than the standard size. So, for the smaller loose items, consider adding a few drawers. One or two racks or mini-shelves can be added to keep the spice cans organized.

Image via: Schappacher White Architecture D.P.C.

Use Storage Gadgets

One effective way to make your available space more functional is to add storage gadgets and devices. Accessories like baskets, spice racks, drawers, tray dividers, etc. can keep your pantry ordered. Use bins to keep lax items together. Use pull out shelves to access the back area of deep shelves and access the corner areas by installing Lazy Susans. To maximize storage, you can also use shelves on the backs of pantry doors. However, before purchasing, be sure what add-ons will fit your pantry closet design. If you share a space with a roommate consider personalizing your storage gadgets with labels on built-in shelving, wire shelving, rubber bins/drawers and use accordion room dividers to separate individuals items from other roommates.

Image via: Bess Jones Interiors

These ideas will hopefully make your pantry more obtainable, practical, and functional and help you to get an organized and beautiful food storage area.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Looking for inspiration for your bespoke kitchen design? Today’s trends are about new and innovative materials, using natural influences and that little touch of something special. Vincent from London interior designer Increation says that “something we have been doing for a while but really coming into the fore in interior design is the use of organic form and shapes. This, plus a return to a little glamour. Many clients are tired of the minimalists look.” 

 Image via: Bruce DaMonte

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Quartz Worktops

Quartz resin is getting a lot of press at the moment as a good worktop alternative to granite. Also known as engineered stone, the process, developed by Italian company Breton combines a mixture of crushed quartz resin and dye in molds where the mixture is heated and vibrated.

The resulting slabs are solid and impervious to stains, moisture and bacteria. They are also heat and scratch resistant. The appearance varies according to the quartz color and size of pieces that are used. Some companies are incorporating semi precious stones for an even more dramatic look. Quartz resin is also stronger than granite and so is more suitable for overhangs as it does not need rodding to prevent cracking. Brand names for this type of surface include Silestone, Caesarstone, and Cambria Quartz.  For an even more glamorous surface investigate other stone in resin such as agate.

Lava Stone Worktops

Another combination using natural stone, lava stone is hardened volcanic material cut in slabs much like other stone surfaces such as the ever-popular granite. Lava stone is then, however, coated in hard enamel glaze, which gives a surface that is extremely durable. Owing to the enamel coating, lava stone work tops are available in a choice of bright and beautiful colours. Essentially all lava stone supplies come from one source, Pyrolave, so these surfaces may be hard to come by in certain areas, but are all the more beautiful and exclusive for that.

Image via: Sub-Zero Wolf

Copper and Brass

These beautiful rich metals are big news this year across the home. Although hardly a new material for the kitchen, with copper kettles and pans being a staple for generations, these metals are being used in different ways. For instance why not think about a copper sink as a stunning accent piece for your kitchen?

Don’t be afraid that you will need to use copper as your metal of choice right across the kitchen. Many designers are using copper and brass in handles and light fittings as well as sinks and splash backs but teaming them with nickel or stainless steel for taps and appliances. Used in these different ways, copper and brass can be used to hark back to the traditional kitchen or give a contemporary design a warm luxurious accent.

Image via: Natalie DiSalvo

Real Linoleum Flooring

Lino, as the term is often abbreviated, has a bad press bought about by imitation sheet flooring such as PVC based vinyl, present in many homes in the 1970s, which is not the real thing. Real Linoleum is a natural flooring option made of linseed oil, cork, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments all pressed onto a jute backing. It is easy to clean, long lasting and extremely durable. It is cheap for an eco friendly product, and comes in lots of colours and patterns. Mainly because of its durability and environmental aspects this flooring, used for much of the first half of the 20^th Century is experiencing a revival. It’s a fabulous material for the vintage home.

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Styling a kitchen certainly isn’t easy. From tight budgets that prevent access to high quality materials to design fads that, while stylish at the time, simply didn’t age very well, the amount of potential styling mistakes that designers face can be extensive.

1. Falling for design fads and temporary trends

Have you ever cringed after seeing a photo of yourself in a dated outfit? Just like the world of fashion changed rapidly, the ultimate ultra-modern kitchen design trends are constantly changing and adapting to new tastes.

Walking along the cutting edge is risky, particularly if you aren’t willing to keep your kitchen updated frequently. If you want to avoid dealing with a dated kitchen, avoid falling for ultra-modern design fads and trends that won’t last.

Image via: Moen

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2. Using cheap materials to reduce short-term costs

Cutting corners when you build your kitchen means dealing with increased repair bills and maintenance costs as it ages. As tempting as it might be to cut down your budget with cheap materials, investing in quality is a far better option.

3. Spreading your kitchen appliances too thin

One of the most important aspects of effective kitchen design is the ‘kitchen triangle’ – a collection of three appliances that’s essential for kitchen usability. Avoid putting your stove, sink, and fridge too far apart, as it reduces your kitchen’s usability.

Image via: John Maniscalco Architecture

You don’t need to fill every inch of available kitchen space with countertops, shelves, and appliances. Instead of building a kitchen to fit the room, make sure your kitchen is designed to fit your needs.

4. Using materials that look good but damage easily

As wonderful as polished wooden countertops look, they’re far from hardy when a red-hot frying plan is accidentally placed on top of them. Some kitchen materials are stylish and great looking but lack the durability required for a lasting kitchen.

Generally speaking, it’s best to aim for a balance of style and durability when you’re styling a kitchen. Stick with proven materials – granite for countertops, hard woods for shelving, and tempered glass for cupboard doors – and avoid weak materials.

Image via: Schwartz and Architecture

5. Sacrificing ventilation, light, and practicality for style

Nothing is worse than a stylish kitchen with terrible ventilation. Great kitchens need to have light for eliminating countertop bacteria, ventilation for removing the odors that can result from cooking, and practicality for stress-free food preparation.

If your kitchen design puts your stove in an unventilated corner, invest in a range hood to remove cooking odors. Likewise, if your kitchen lacks natural light, it may be worth investing in a skylight or daylighting solution to naturally kill bacteria.

This kitchen styling guide was written by BEST Hoods, the UK’s top designer cooker hoods company. Visit their website to learn more about how ventilation hoods are an essential component for a stylish, functional kitchen.

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No matter how excited you are about tearing out the peeling linoleum, chipped tile countertop, and sagging cabinets in your kitchen in order to replace them with the modern, functional, gourmet setup you’ve been dreaming of, there’s likely one aspect of the renovation process you’re not looking forward to, and that’s hiring a contractor. With plenty of horror stories floating around out there concerning contractors that jack up the price midway through the process, that cut corners during building, resulting in code violations, or that simply take the money and run, leaving you with a mess and a deficit, you’re no doubt worried about finding a contractor that you can trust. But there are definitely steps you can take to avoid such debacles. Here are some tips for finding and working with a contractor that will deliver your dream kitchen.

Image via: Kleppinger Design Group, Inc.

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Find someone licensed, bonded, and insured.

State laws differ when it comes to licensure requirements for contractors, but what a license implies is that your contractor has passed some sort of standardized exam proving that he is capable of carrying out his job. So you probably want to find someone licensed even if your state doesn’t require it for the scope of kitchen remodeling you have in mind. And make sure to confirm that your contractor is bonded and insured, as well. While your homeowner’s insurance should cover any accidents or injuries that occur on your property, you don’t necessarily want to have to use it. And you should know that it won’t cover the cost of hiring a new contractor should your old one walk off the job midway through completion. This is where a licenses and bonded contractor is preferable since you can take him to court for reparations if necessary. In short, ask for the necessary documentation before you start your project.

Referrals and references.

Finding a trustworthy and reliable contractor to handle your kitchen remodel is no easy task. There are many options out there and it can be hard to choose. By getting referrals from family members, friends, and colleagues that have had work done, you can be sure that the information comes from a trusted source. However, if you don’t have this option, at least interview several candidates to get bids and ask for a list of references that you can call, and potentially even visit to see the level of workmanship a particular contractor is offering.

Image via: Yamini Kitchens & More

Knowledge and resources.

You obviously want someone who knows his stuff and has plenty of resources for materials so that you can get a good price. But how can you find out? During your interview, ask questions about the style of design that will suit your home and the materials that should be used for the value of property you own (for example, you wouldn’t necessarily shell out the dough for marble flooring in a townhouse, whereas a million-dollar property probably wouldn’t benefit from laminate flooring). Ask questions about building codes. Ask which local lumber yards or tile houses he frequents for supplies. These types of queries should help you to determine if he knows his business backwards and forwards.

Sign a contract.

It is imperative that you sign a contract for work. This is not only a way to ensure that you’ve captured all the fine points of the job on paper (schedule, milestones, payments, and so on), but that you have legal recourse should something go wrong.

Image via:  Phillips Floor to Ceiling

Come prepared with samples.

Whether you love the counter in your neighbor’s house, a color scheme you saw in Architectural Digest, or a restaurant interior by Marchi, it’s important to provide your contractor with samples of what you want. This prep work will help you to figure out what you like and what you don’t, and with a budget in mind you can work with your contractor to nail down all the details before you ever take a sledgehammer to your kitchen, saving you time and money in the long run.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.