Architecture & Web Art

Posts Tagged ‘kitchen’

The majority of people tend to stick to rather plain and under developed kitchen areas in fear that any unusual designs will be looked down upon or prove unsuccessful. However, a burst of creativity within interior design is allowing people everywhere to break the mould as they are given the chance to be different.

Adding an unusual feature to a kitchen area gives it a unique element that differentiates it from the typical, generic kitchen. This could involve anything slightly quirky, from bright orange tiles to a large chandelier. When designing a potential future kitchen creativity is essential as the area should represent personality and convey an individual style.

Small but significant differences

A random pop of colour throughout the room will bring the kitchen environment to life. This could be a bright and obvious colour such as orange or yellow or a more neutral colour like lilac or pale blue. This colour could be incorporated within the counter sides or feature in a coloured retro fridge.

Often described as the heart of the home, the kitchen is a space which requires careful planning to get right. Used as not just a place to prepare food, but also to eat, chat and generally hang out, there are lots of different factors to consider when deciding on the layout.

Kitchen islands are usually high on most people’s wish list, but there’s a new kid in town which is threatening to take over; the peninsula. If you aren’t sure what the difference is, or how to decide which one is right for you, here’s the low-down and what you need to know.

Understanding the difference

The two terms may sound confusing but they are both named after geographical features which make it easier to remember which is which.

If you spend any time at all shopping in consignment stores or browsing tag sales, you know that it’s pretty easy to find vintage dressers at great prices. While you may not need another dresser in your bedroom, a low profile dresser with drawers has lots of potential to add style and function to your home.

The great thing about these dressers, in addition to their low price, is their versatility. Since they are made of wood, they are easy to sand and paint, whether your style sensibilities cry out for the purity of shabby chic white or a glossy shade of jade green to go with Asian fusion style. So rather than pass by yet another ubiquitous vintage dresser, consider these fun and practical ideas.

Sometimes you look around a room and you know it’s time for a change. What once worked is no longer working and the room now looks tired and boring. But in the current economic climate, who has money for new furniture or the time and energy to install expensive upgrades like new hardwood flooring?  If the answer to these questions is, “Not me,” take heart because you can get a great new look in any room without breaking your back or bank account. Explore the exciting and affordable world of accessorizing, a.k.a. the lazy and inexpensive way to room renovation. Here are three examples:

A Warm and Welcoming Entry Space

If your entry or foyer is less than welcoming, try adding a console table with a stylish lamp, a tray for outgoing and incoming mail and a tasteful grouping of family photos. A wall mirror or sun metal wall decor above the table and a pair of wall candle sconces makes the entry more inviting than ever. If your foyer is not big enough for a table, a wall shelf can give you a similar look in a smaller footprint.

A kitchen can be what makes or breaks the sale of a house. If a home is otherwise appealing, but the kitchen is dated and ugly, potential buyers would rather walk away and keep shopping rather take on the work and expense of replacing the kitchen. However, a total kitchen replacement is not always necessary, particularly if the kitchen functions well but just needs a style update. Here are five affordable upgrades that can be used together or in any combination to update your kitchen.

Modern Wall Color:

Nothing says “1966” like avocado green walls. Refreshing your walls with new paint is one of the easiest and least expensive upgrades you can make, and it gives you lots of bang for your buck. Evaluate the space and the colors that must stay, then choose something new and fresh that complements those colors. You can never go wrong with serene neutrals like ivory or tan, but you can also add some panache with a focal wall in a trendy color like green tea, mimosa yellow or periwinkle blue.