Where should we put our kitchen appliances?
bhp19
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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bhp19
5 years agobhp19
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Kitchen - pantry storage - help!
Comments (5)Your kitchen looks lovely already; but I understand you need/desire for a microwave and dishwasher. Simple & least disruptive option: - Remove the boiler and cupboard surrounding (I'm assuming that's presently next to the fridge) - Relocate the wider 3 drawer unit to where the boiler cupboard was - Add new counter top to the 3 drawer unit - Put Microwave on the new counter top - Put the dishwasher next to the sink where the 3 drawer unit was originally (If the space left by the boiler cupboard can't take the wider 3 drawer unit then do all of the above using the narrower 3 drawer unit & buy a 'slim line' dishwasher to put in its place) I hope you find a solution - please post photos when you've finished so we can see what you did....See MoreWhere to splurge and where to save in our kitchen?
Comments (12)Unless buying custom manufactured wood cabinets, you are buying a series of boxes. A 100k euro kitchen installation of an Italian kitchen is one example from my portfolio. Differences are found in the hardware, the door/drawer pulls, weight of doors and exterior finishes. It is about the design, first. In our region, you can knock off 1200-2000 just be sticking with a full depth fridge--but it is design that will make it possible to install full depth and get a counter depth effect. In the Garden Oaks Fine Accommodation residential display suite I needed to prove that a high-end design can be executed for less. Again, it is design that does the trick. The owner of the kitchen above loves the pendants over the breakfast counter. I did not have the heart to reveal the price--$19 each. That owner likes/needs bling so the 14k euro chandeliers (2) in the foyer are a feature. But we get more comments on our pendants--because they are integral to the overall design. Real estate agents have pegged this kitchen at anywhere from 45-75k. It cost under 30k. DYI projects offer the opportunity to take the time that you might not otherwise allow to a designer (hence our need to come equipped with knowledge, contacts and suppliers that augment our services). I recommend drawing from images (Houzz is great for that) to start, then researching suppliers, collecting specs, and developing a document that covers all aspects of the kitchen from lifestyle needs to style to comparisons of product reviews. Whittle it down to an instruction for purchase and installation. Consider challenges such as the dreadful corner cabinet turntable and splurge on solutions that make your design truly functional. You'll appreciate the expense that delivers practical functionality. There are remarkable solutions for the corner cabinet--but my fav is to determine whether that space can become storage (cabinet or drawers) in an adjoining room. When not practical, articulated pull-out stainless shelves are functional--and cool. Undermounted sinks are great for clean-line counters. Well placed recessed lighting (design again) eliminates the need for other fixtures--and allows you free rein to purchase for focal point impact or (my preference) to fit seamlesly into the overall look. Enjoy the journey--have fun!...See MoreBeautiful kitchens for empty nesters
Comments (0)The kids have finally flown the coop, this is the PRIME of your Life! This is the time to choose the things you love - after all - you have earned it! It's also a time to prepare for the long term and a well functioning space, for your changing future. Personalise it to your taste and needs and buy the style you love. Whether it's the lack of being able to bend into low cabinets, overhead cabinetry simply being inaccessible, choosing materials that are suitable for failing eyesight or arthritic hands. There are many things to consider with the knowledge that our bodies won’t get any younger. Your kitchen design is important - make sure you get it right - for YOU! There are a few things to consider: Height of appliances As you head into the golden years, it's better to incorporate a wall oven tower into your kitchen design than an under bench oven as it eliminates a lot of bending down and twisting. It's much easier to pull a heavy dish out of an oven at waist height than it is nearer to the floor, and there will no doubt be plenty of that when the kids and grandkids pop around for a Sunday roast! The humble standard diswasher is an appliance that you can do away with completely. Don't get me wrong, it's not the time to pick up the dish brush and tea towels! Dish drawers at bench height are far more accessible than a standard dishwasher and because they are smaller they are more economical. If you do have a large family who regularly pop around, you could think about incorporating a double dish drawer for those occasions when there's lots to clean up - and ask the grandkids to empty the bottom drawer. They will love it! Corners and hard to reach places It's a great time to incorporate pull-out hardware in your kitchen design! Using pull-out units in your corners and kitchen cabinetry eliminates the "long lost items right at the back" that are unreachable. It also means everything is right at your fingertips and vastly increases the amount of storage space if you've got a kitchen that's on the smaller side. Drawers instead of cupboards Using drawers in your kitchen instead of cupboards eliminates much of the bending required to grab items out or put them away. Gone are the days of getting down onto your knees to reach items right at the back of your cupboard! Pull out bins It's a great idea to incorporate a pull-out bin in a separate cupboard at bench height. This makes is really easy to pop your rubbish into the bin and wipe the bench clean straight into the bin! Using a smaller bin will also mean there's less weight to handle when emptying. Colours Some colors can really help with eyesight. Use colours that offer you the best chance of finding items on the bench (usually lighter tones) and more muted colours on cabinets - this will hide the odd spill should it be forgotten to clean up straight away too. Lighting Lighting is really important in any kitchen. It's a great idea to spend the time and get a good lighting plan done. Task lighting over the benchtop will really help with meal preparation and clean up. Lighting can be really helpful in your pantry as well. If it's possible, think about bringing natural light in as well. This will ensure better quality of light during the day. Handles Our hands and skin need more protection as we get older, so using a handle without sharp edges will offer great protection for the hands (not to mention our hips as we pass!) Try and choose a handle with a large grip that will ensure arthritic hands can cope to open them. Walking and moving spaces are definitely worth considering if you need to allow for mobility access. Leave a little extra space if it's available. Even if these aren't things you're thinking about right now, having a little extra space to move in the kitchen will ensure the family can all help out when they are visiting! Your kitchen should be all about style, functionality and longevity for this next stage of life, and all the changes that may be associated with that....See MoreShould I put in a hedge or a screen?
Comments (1)Hi Joanna, It really comes down to three questions that you will need to ask yourself; 1. How much can you afford now 2. How patient are you... 3. How much maintenance do you want to provide Screens will give you an instant effect and won't require any ongoing maintenance and they would provide a more modern aesthetic to your space. They won't help to soften your space though, and as you have a lot of hard surfaces I would certainly recommend you look at trying to achieve this. You could achieve this by growing some climbers up the screen or by planting planters in front. In terms of colour, I would go or a darker one as this will contrast well to your existing surrounds but darker colours tend to disappear into the background visually, so it won't feel as cramped. In terms of cost, i'm not sure exactly how large of an area you need to cover, but they can get quite expensive. Prefabricated screens you can get from hardware stores are the most cost effective but are limited by design and colour. Custom ones are more flexible but will cost around $900-1500 per 2m H x 1m W panel, plus labour. As for plants, here is where the patience comes in.... If you can wait for the plants to grow in, this will provide you with the most cost-effective approach if you get the plants young. However, you can scale your decision to suit your budget with either small, medium or mature plants. Medium-mature plants are likely to cost less than getting custom screens built and installed, whereas small plants might cost the same as a pre-fabricated screen choice. Plants will also soften your space, but will also require the ongoing maintenance and without a strict schedule, you may end up with a similar problem with pests like your Portgegues Laurel. Gardening and garden design are all about weighing up your priorities vs your ability to compromise against budget, patience and ongoing maintenance. In answer to your question - It's not about what I would do with the space! You need to live in it (and pay for it!), so make a decision based on what you are comfortable with now and into the future. Whatever you decide, any change to your garden is worth the investment! Good Luck! Martin City Botanics...See Moreoklouise
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