Friday, March 25, 2011

Home Office Desk: Kiera Project Table

Home Office DeskHome Office Desk

Overview:
Rich in character and generous in scale, this table is the perfect place to spread out and create. With its long, narrow silhouette and convenient counter height, it also makes a great kitchen island.
  • 80" wide x 33" deep x 36" high
  • Crafted from pine with a deeply weathered finish that hints at many years of use.
  • Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
  • Catalog / Internet only. To design and price info please see here.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Modern Kitchen Design - 5 Great Ideas

Planning a modern kitchen design? Well, here are five great bits of advice I can offer you on getting every element of your plans bang on perfect.
Let's start by talking about planning. A modern kitchen could look and feel any number of ways but what will determine how yours looks is your lifestyle. Think about how often you use your kitchen, what you use it for and the type of things you do in there. Then write down all the things you need to have in there to enable you to work better. Planning isn't the most glamorous part of any kitchen design, but you'll be rewarded for your work by the end of the process.
  The second tip is choosing the right materials. You'll want to invest money in strong materials that not only look beautiful and modern but also last for as long as you need them to. Things like stainless steel are popular in modern kitchen design and will also stand the test of time. Make sure you think about every little thing you put into your kitchen and consider if you'll get your value out of it.

Next, incorporate an island into your kitchen. No modern kitchen design is complete without a central unit these days. An island can also be remarkably functional and you can have it purpose built to suit your own needs. For instance, if you do a lot of cooking you can have a sink or chopping board built in. An island is also useful for entertaining guests so if you have a lot of dinner parties, it will usually become the central hub of activity.

Make sure you keep those lines clean. When I say this I mean that in a modern kitchen design, all the surfaces should have very straight edges and line up perfectly. A nifty tip is to ensure you overhead cupboards reach the ceiling. This is something that easily gets overlooked but can really give you that streamline effect, which is essential for a modern looking kitchen.
Last but by no means least; involve yourself in the process from start to finish. If you're passionate about how you want your kitchen to look then make sure you stay on top of the design process right through to the fitting. Designers and builders will take liberties and make key decisions if you don't make yourself clear. Stay involved with the project and see it through to the finish. You'll be rewarded with a stunning modern kitchen.

Thomas Baugh offers more advice on planning a modern kitchen at the Kitchen Design Site.
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Kitchen Design Ideas and Layout Article

Kitchen design ideas -
Are You Designing Your Kitchen?
A kitchen is the central headquarters for the family. Kitchen is often the showplace of the home, and yet it is required to function well for a wide variety of tasks. A well-equipped, beautifully dressed kitchen will provide both a sense of well-being and a favorite place in the home. As you plan your new kitchen, you must consider both the utility and the look factor.
Kitchen design ideas - choose the one that suits you best!
When thinking of ideas for designing your kitchen, you could either consider one- one part of the kitchen at a time or pick up a complete theme.
 A complete theme could be something like a design based on Feng Shui which incorporates all its principles. Feng shui concerns the art of placement and you could help you to arrange your kitchen in a way that enhances its good energy. For instance, according to Feng shui, the cook's back should never face the kitchen entrance so you must design accordingly
Now according to the other way, you could choose a particular look for the kitchen floor, the walls, the storing place etc. this can be done in various ways depending upon the amount of money you are willing to spend, the lay out of the kitchen and your taste. Here are some specific design ideas for your kitchen -
* Kitchen floor- Your flooring choice is important as it will set the tone for the whole kitchen. The textural quality of the floor always appeals to eye and has a radical effect on how one perceives the room as a whole. For kitchens, the two most elegant floors are tiles / stones and laminated or hardwood floors. Ceramic tiles are a premium product for a kitchen and represent an impressive upgrade over any other floor. The only disadvantage is the cold feel. However if you want you can also opt for a floor heating system.
* Kitchen countertops - While choosing your countertop, select a color and texture that will compliment your cabinetry, floor or paint selection. Don't be afraid in combining two or more countertop materials. Complimentary colors and textures on adjacent surfaces create visual interest. Also remember, it pays to select a material, which will withstand years of use without extraordinary maintenance requirements and is easily repairable should an accident occur. Granite and marble are strong options.
* Kitchen lighting - you might have a large ceiling fixture, equipped with energy-efficient fluorescent tubes that supply plenty of well-diffused general lighting. However it may leave you working in your own shadow at the sink, range, and countertops. These areas in your kitchen need supplemental task lighting. Also placing your windows is a tricky question.
Kitchen design layout -

The perfect arrangement
Kitchen designing is very subjective, so a layout that might be perfect for one can be disastrous for another. This is primarily because the tastes, and the ways of people in terms of working habits, styles are vastly different. Thus kitchen layouts should be done according to the necessities and specifications of the prime user of the space, who has definite ideas about how he/she would like their working space to be. But apart from this subjective outlook, there are certain steps that you should follow while designing your kitchen plan or layout. Following are the stages -
Stages in kitchen design layout
Follow these simple steps in order to get your kitchen space rightly utilized with a desirable look-
1. Measure your kitchen in a detailed manner, the position of the doors, windows, electric points, drains and sinks etc.
2. Demarcate the kitchen areas into three - Storage, cooking and cleaning. Go about planning the space, keeping these three aspects in mind.
3. Make a list of the appliances that you are likely to use in the kitchen, and provide space for them according to their dimensions.
Keep these three points in mind and then design your kitchen in a style that fits in accordance to your tastes. Following are some of the stereotypical kitchen design layouts that are used -
Kitchen design layouts - Types

These are the 4 basic kitchen layouts that are generally followed while designing a kitchen -
1. Corridor layout - This is meant for a narrow kitchen, where there are two facing rows. One for storage and the other for cleaning and cooking. Make sure there is a minimum 1200mm space between the two rows.
2. L shaped layout - This is a layout, where the rows are diagonal to one another, thus forming an L shape. This gets the kitchen working space into the corner, thus giving a lot of free space to move about.
3. U shaped layout - this is the best choice for small kitchens and very convenient too.
4. Island layout - This one on the other hand is meant for large kitchens. Here the cooking hob is altogether a different box unit, while the L shaped row is meant for the sink and storage purposes.
These are the different ways in which you could plan your kitchen layout, and also make changes and alterations according to your preferences.

Jamie is the author of other Kitchen Design [http://www.homeimprovementtips.net/kitchens/] Tips located at Home Improvement Tips
Also check out our Home Improvement Tips Blog [http://www.homeimprovementtips.net/blog/] for other Tips.
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Free Kitchen Designs

The kitchen is a room that is frequently used in every home. Hence it should be ensured that the design for the kitchen, and its fitments are thought of in detail, before actually following it up. In the present scenario there are lot of articles and catalogs available on the subject of designing kitchens. There are many options available for kitchen appliances, down to kitchen tables and sinks that are easily available on the net.Kitchen designs are available with professionals who create them in their distinctive styles. However it is difficult to get these free of cost from them. It is easier to check the designs, on online sites and various other catalogs that are available for the purpose.

The kitchen designs could also be got free from an individual who is not a regular professional, but would like to establish an individual style. For them, giving the designs freely would create a customer, who could be used for taking the idea further.
Kitchen designs deal in detail with all the aspects that go into creating a kitchen. Each area of the kitchen is worked out in detail, by giving measurements of all accessories, from the sink to the cabinets, and the lighting. There are various designing kits too that guide a person in creating their own designs. A person could also see the new kitchen layout of friends, and try to build the kitchen as per their designs and dimensions.

There are various manufacturers who hold exhibitions, to show the various styles and designs in kitchen accessories. It is possible to get copies of successful designs from them. They consider this publicity for their product, as it helps the designs in being widely acceptable.
Hence it is recommended for the homeowner to take stock of all the options and then go ahead and choose a design from the various options available.

Kitchen Designs provides detailed information on Kitchen Design, Kitchen Cabinet Design, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Design Software and more. Kitchen Designs is affiliated with Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas.
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Country Kitchen Designs

Kitchens figure amongst the important rooms of the entire house. Recently, a lot of attention is being paid to their presentation and decoration. This is because the concept of a kitchen being just an interior-cooking place has undergone transformation. Today, kitchens attract architects to provide them with the challenge of designing and decorating each kitchen uniquely. The designs of a kitchen can be done in numerous ways depending upon the desired style, preferable location, available area, and specific budget. The basic elements of the kitchen are to attribute the right kind of items to their appropriate places.

 A country kitchen differs from a regular kitchen on the grounds of its plumbing fixtures, ventilations, dishwashers, flooring, and refrigeration. The peculiarity of country kitchens is that all its cabinets and counters are made of wood to give an authentic atmosphere. Two types of wood are used to make the furniture, namely Cedar wood and Oak wood. Another specialty about these kitchens is their in-house plant life and window dressing styles. Flowers such as daises and posies provide freshness to the kitchen. The window-dressing, if done in bright colors such as in red, yellow, or blue, illuminates the entire surrounding.

The country kitchen tables are traditionally round or oval, having matching wooden chairs that can be cushioned with pillows to complement the window dressings. The color combination of the furniture, window dressing, and other modern appliances should be harmonious. To give the kitchen a touch of inimitable charm, accessories such as old model car candleholders, old aluminum serving trays, wooden clocks, and variety of mug collections can be used. To make the bona fide atmosphere complete, country kitchen floors can be made of hardwood floor paneling for the required rustic look.
Country Kitchens can be designed according to the needs of the family members and their tastes. Sometimes professionals are hired to provide expertise on the designing and setting of the entire kitchen.

Kitchen Designs provides detailed information on Kitchen Design, Kitchen Cabinet Design, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Design Software and more. Kitchen Designs is affiliated with Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas.
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Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas

While so many apparently modern kitchens are in concept deeply rooted in history, or at least have some nostalgic reference point, real contemporary style is always original.
To be successful this very individual approach takes a good deal of expertise and experience and, of course, supreme confidence. These kitchen interiors are unforgiving and exacting, devoid of clutter and superfluous decoration. If necessary, in order to achieve what is considered correct proportion, form and an appropriate quality of light, rooms are dramatically restructured: ceilings are raised, windows replaced and doors moved from one wall to another.
You have to find ingenious ways to solve conventional problems, for compromise is not a word that finds space here.
 Color is used dramatically and boldly; textures and surfaces are chosen for maximum impact. Everything exudes precision; every detail is completely perfect and each piece of equipment has its own carefully considered space. Whether it is constructed of natural or synthetic materials, furniture is generally custom-made.

Contemporary kitchen design style suits those who enjoy clear, clean and open interiors, those for whom comfort means a room that makes them feel soothed and serene. If contemporary style were to have any connection with the past, its minimalism is most likely to have been inspired by Zen philosophy, which aims to create stillness and simplicity
Employing an architect or designer to help you to create a unique kitchen can be a very successful collaboration; the more you involve yourself in the project the more likely it is to reflect your personality and not just be a showcase for someone else's style.

Michelle has been involved with her interior room design ideas business since early 2000, and has been publishing her kitchen design plans and tips online since 2005.
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Home Office Desk: Printer's Office Suite

Home Office Desk - Office Computer Desk

Overview:
A vintage printer’s cabinet with dozens of small drawers for storing type was the inspiration for our newest home office collection. Designed for ultimate versatility – at an exceptional value – its components can be combined in any configuration to create your perfect workspace. To create a configuration ideal for your space, click here to view our Build Your Printer’s Set Tool.
  • 96" wide x 20" deep x 69.5" high
  • Includes one keyhole desk, one file cabinet pedestal, one cabinet pedestal, two bookcase hutches, one large hutch, one letter file hutch, and two single tops.
  • The Tuscan chestnut finish is hand applied in layers, with distressing and burnished edges that give the collection the look of a well-loved antique.
  • Fitted with antique bronze cup pulls.
  • Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
  • Watch a video about the versatility of our Printer’s Collection.
For the purchase of the Home Office Desk information please see here.