kitchens
Long table and ten chairs
9 pic and extension table
L-Shaped These types of kitchen layouts use two walls or sections of cabinetry, forming an L. They usually include an island in the middle. Pros: L-shaped kitchens provide the consummate open-concept cooking experience. They’re ideal for entertaining and socializing, and can transform your kitchen into the true hub of the home. If we take layouts at face value, L-shaped kitchens are the most island-friendly layout because of how spacious they are. They have sufficient counter and storage space when they include an island. You can also better opt for work zones instead of the traditional work triangle in L-shaped kitchens. Cons: You almost always need an island to ensure that you have enough workspace. This added expense may not suit your budget. An island may not suit your cooking style either. The work triangle is more spread out in L-shaped kitchens. While some homeowners appreciate the space, others will grow tired of walking back and forth between their stove, sink and refrigerator. There’s usually more to clean. L-shaped kitchens often require more finishing material, and they can carry a higher price tag than galley kitchens and small U-shaped kitchens.
5. Install bridged upper cabinets. Depending on the available space, another option is to introduce a run of bridging cabinets along the top of your upper cabinets. These usually have tall cabinets on either side. Apart from extra storage, this creates a sunken effect for the upper cabinets through subtle changes in depth. The upper cabinets are about 14 inches deep, and the top cabinets are about 26 inches deep. The overall feel of this is a framed kitchen look, or a feature wall effect.
tom-designed island defines the open kitchen from the living area and includes an 8-foot-long rollout dining table. When stored in the island, the table is a breakfast bar for four; when rolled out, it becomes a dining table that comfortably seats 10. “It makes the house much more open,” Linnaea says. There’s still room for full-depth drawers on the opposite side of the island.
A powerful hood stays out of the way of sightlines. A slim 8-foot-long LED suspension light also keeps things visually open. The double doors on the right lead to a pantry plus storage for craft supplies and extra cookbooks. The single door nearby leads to the laundry room, mudroom and garage. Paneled refrigerator and induction cooktop: KitchenAid; vent hood: Best Range Hoods; LED suspension light: Cirrus Float, end feed, Edge Lightin
ichard unloads clean dishes from one of the two dishwasher drawers located on each side of the sink. “They didn’t enjoy having to reach so low to load and unload a traditional dishwasher,” Pangaea says. “The kitchen’s dish drawer is directly across the dishwashers for easy transfer of dishes.”
1. White or cream cabinetry. Classic kitchens are timeless yet fresh. This is a style that almost everyone feels comfortable in, even some the modernists among us. White kitchens define this style. 2. Simple architectural details. You may see legs on islands, feet or furniture-style toekicks, crown molding and even a paneled hood, but these details are often restrained in a classic kitchen rather than being over the top and ornate. 3. Honed black countertops. Classic kitchens often go the timeless route with blacks or whites, whether it's honed absolute black granite, soapstone, or cast quartz material. Traditional Kitchen by Gast Architects Gast Architects SaveEmail 4. White marble countertops. Cararra marble and Calacatta marble are the two that really stand out in classic kitchens. In fact, marble countertops are often the focal point of a classic kitchen. Even though many homeowners know there are maintenance issues with marble, they can't resist its beauty. 5. White subway tile. It really doesn't matter what size, though the classic is 3x6. It can be glossy, crackle, beveled or square edged, handmade or machine made, or even in white marble. If you're looking for a twist ...
Categorize. Once you have a fair number of inspiration images to work with, go back through them and put them into loose categories. You can categorize by style: Maybe you seem to fall on the fence between vintage and modern. Or maybe you find that you have a bunch of images of kitchens with dark wood floors. You can create a collection dedicated completely to islands or kitchen banquette seating. One for lighting, one for wallpaper, etc.
. Develop plans, elevations and 3-D drawings. Now that you've got a plan you love, let your designer really detail it out. Drawings will help you visualize what the cabinetry will look like. Note on the plans and drawings where spices, pots and pans, silverware and utensils will go. At this stage, it's not just about the practical and functional. This is where you get to be more artistic. Cabinet design is a bit like modernist art because it's all about the rectangles and squares of cabinet doors, and the way they relate and intersect. The proportions of doors and the scale of three doors next to each other, rather than two, make all the difference in making a kitchen look dynamic and interesting.
Both Ogawa and Alper suggest making the walkway for a double-sided workspace a minimum of 4 feet wide — just avoid placing appliances directly across from each other to keep the pathway clear. For a single-sided workspace, stick to 3 feet minimum. If you have a kitchen island, Ogawa suggests aiming for straight access through the kitchen so no one has to navigate around it.
Alper likes to provide as long a counter as possible, but finds that 36 to 42 inches of workspace is workable. Don't forget to put counters around the refrigerator too, so there's room to set down items when raiding the fridge. "Elbow room on either side of a range or cooktop is important too," Alper says.
Counter Space Focus on your sink when deciding on your workflow. "The linchpin of the kitchen is the sink," says architect Heather McKinney. "That's where you spend the most time, and where it is most likely that you will want either a good view to the outside or a good connection to the social spaces in the house — or both." Aim to have at least 18 inches of counter space on either side before putting in other appliances — with the exception of an undercounter dishwasher, of course, which works perfectly right next to the sink.
After you've decided on your wish list, take a good look at what can actually fit into your kitchen. "Some things, like islands, require a lot of space and just don't work in narrower spaces," says Ogawa. "Refrigerators can only fit in certain areas, and the kitchen layout's relationship to windows and doors is also a big priority."
Playing with drawer and counter heights can add more storage space too. Make use of the leftover space beside deep refrigerators by deepening upper cabinets and counters, and taking cabinets all the way to the ceiling. Keep your countertop, island and cabinetry lined up and simple in design. "Linear alignments will make the room feel longer, as there are fewer visual interruptions to catch the eye," says Ogawa.
Maximizing Storage and Space While eliminating storage — particularly upper cabinets — tends to be the best way to visually open a kitchen, it's still possible to get the storage you need and the open feel you want. In general, maximizing storage can often make a kitchen feel more open because there will be less countertop clutter. Both Ogawa and McKinney suggest devoting one wall entirely to full-height storage, opening up space for a counter and getting rid of the need for upper cabinetry throughout.
Cabinet or Drawer? Although cabinets often cost less than drawers, these architects all agree that deep and wide drawers tend to be more useful. They allow you to use the entire depth of a space and are easier to use. "As a rule of thumb, we always find drawers more comfortable to use than lower shelving behind doors,"
Use handy cabinet organizers and inserts to make the purpose of each drawer and cabinet clear. Trash pullouts, sponge trays and silverware organizers can be very helpful. At the same time, keep in mind that you can mix and match items in cabinets and drawers too — there's no strict rule on dividing things up. "A drawer for pots and pans near a cooktop can also be a great place for cooking oil, salt and vinegar," says Alper.
Silverware drawers make for easy cleanup when they're near the sink and dishwasher. Spices set in a drawer close to the cooktop can make cooking easier. Keep everyday items near the sink or prep area, where you'll be using them the most. Items used less frequently can be placed farther from the main work triangle.
Single oven, microwave and warming drawer combo. This arrangement is also pretty typical. It's terrific if you've got room for a tall cabinet. (I like it best next to other tall pieces, like a refrigerator pantry, as shown here.) This setup is also a great way to make the room for all three of these appliances.
Stacked double oven. This is the most familiar setup, and most manufacturers carry versions of this appliance. Most cabinet manufacturers also offer standard tall oven cabinets for this type of appliance. The double oven unit often has one or two drawers below; the appliance is about 10 to 16 inches or so off the ground, including the toe-kick space.
You can also include two single dish drawers for better organizational flow. One could be located where you keep the drinking glasses, and the other could be located where you keep the plates and cutlery. Single or double drawers are also a great addition in a butler’s pantry.
Consider raising the dishwasher off the floor at least 12 inches to give those in chairs easier access and for less bending overall, especially for taller individuals.
A microwave drawer placed just beneath the countertop is one solution for shorter individuals and for those managing a wheelchair or crutches. It eliminates the sometimes dangerously high reach, and locating it underneath the counter means there is always a landing surface available for hot items as they come out. Younger children have easy access to the unit at this height, too. Controls are also easier to see and read, although taller individuals might have to bend down to read the display. If you're placing the microwave above the countertop, consider the user’s height and abilities. Ideally a microwave should be placed 3 inches below the user’s shoulder. For those in chairs, locate the microwave controls less than 48 inches above the floor.
Wall-mounted ovens are easily the most convenient for everyone to use when placed at the proper height to fit the user.
Whether you need a leg-shaving shelf or just a seating area, a shower bench is an affordable and effective design feature.
An adjustable showerhead accommodates all members of the family and allows for easy cleaning of the shower and even the pets!
Layered light provides ambiance and functionality for all. Can lights on dimmers, natural light and accent lamps provide versatility for any time of day.
Katherine Kawaguchi SaveEmail Grab bars are one of the safety features that have traditionally screamed "institutional." That sterile public-restroom look is one reason that people resist installing them. But take a look at these: The shape and the oil-rubbed bronze color offer a warm, traditional loo
CliqStudios Cabinets SaveEmail Pantry Cabinet | CliqStudios.com AIP Resolution No. 8: I'll get rolling. Roll-out trays, swing-outs, Lazy Susans and other "pull-forward" cabinet accessories are much easier for aging backs and eyes to use. They also greatly enhance the storage capacity of your kitchen by making the deep recesses of your cabinets more accessible.
AIP Resolution No. 6: I will increase my lever-age. Levers are much easier for older hands to operate than knobs or cross-handles, especially for those suffering from Parkinson's or arthritis. Replace your door knobs, cabinet hardware and faucets with lever-handled versions for greater accessibility and absolutely no loss of style.
11. Make the lip around your tub’s entrance narrow. If you’re planning for a tiled tub surround, make the lip at your tub’s entrance as narrow as possible. When you have to step over a large lip, the gap between your legs gets larger, which can impair balance and increase the chances of falling. A narrow lip will keep your legs closer together as you enter, which will strengthen your balance.
10. Have a flat shower entry. This minimizes your risk of tripping over a step as you enter your shower. It’s also a wheelchair-accessible feature. If you forgo a shower step, your shower floor will need to be properly sloped to allow water to drain correctly. If you do include a step, don’t make it large and bulky.
Case Design/Remodeling SaveEmail 9. Look for textured flooring. No matter which kind of flooring you decide to put in your bathroom, choose one that has high slip resistance. A slick tile can increase the likelihood of an injury from a fall. You can spot a floor with good slip resistance by looking for grooves or feeling for texture. Generally speaking, the more textured a floor is, the higher its slip resistance. There are ways to measure a floor’s slip resistance. Tile, for example, is rated by measuring the coefficient of friction. A flooring material’s slip resistance can normally be found on the manufacturer’s website.
8. Choose porcelain wall and floor tile. Porcelain can last a lifetime, so chances are you won’t have to replace it as you get older. It’s also perhaps the easiest surface to clean. Water and a rag normally do the trick. If you’re concerned about grout, look for porcelain tile with a rectified edge. Finely cut edges allow for thin grout joints (as little as 1/16 inch in some styles). You can purchase a presealed grout as well.
7. Ensure that the space is well-lit. The better your bathroom lighting is, the less strain on your eyes. You also don’t want to miss any wet spots that can be hidden by shadows. Good lighting comes in many forms, including recessed lighting, vanity lighting, lamps and natural light. You may even consider placing lighting inside an enclosed shower.
6. Think twice about glass. Few things can open up a bathroom space like glass walls and doors, but if you’re looking for an effective way to age in place, they won’t always fit the bill. They typically require more maintenance. Expect to squeegee regularly to avoid streak marks.
5. Buy a comfort-height toilet. Most toilets are less than 16 inches high. Comfort-height toilets are 17 to 19 inches high, which makes sitting and standing much easier. This will reduce the strain on your back and kn
VANITY HT 341/2"
Large drawers don’t skimp on storage space. Any set wider than 30 inches can stow plenty of pots and pans.
breakfast bar into family room wet bar on dining room side/beverage bar on kitchen side?
bar
breakfast bar
Blue Counter stool
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