Kitchen
A pull-out pantry gives you access to the items at the back, but they are heavy to move, can be overloaded and block traffic through to other parts of the kitchen. We find the most efficient solution is to use internal drawers instead of shelves. They suffer from few drawbacks other than the extra cost.”
Corner cabinets are full of space – it’s just annoying to reach into them,” he says. “Storage manufacturers have taken note and come up with a variety of solutions that give you better access. My favourite is the Le Mans unit (where curvy shelves twist out of the cabinet towards you), but you’ll also find shelving carousels and magic corners (which have shelves that extend towards you). While not as space efficient as standard shelves, they at least mean you don’t have to squeeze your body into a confined space to reach for
Solid surface is the product category, and Corian is the brand. All solid-surface products are made from mineral powder blended with acrylic and sometimes polyester binders. Before the big move to granite and natural stone 10 to 15 years ago, Corian was the go-to counter material. It's making a comeback with new colors and textures and as always it can be formed and shaped into anything someone can imagine. Corian and the rest of the products that make up the solid surface category remain the only material that be seamed invisibly. In its newer colors, this is a category that shouldn't be overlooked.
This is another concrete counter, though the addition of glass aggregate gives it the appearance of terrazzo. Because all concrete counters are one-of-a-kind, adding different colored glass or stone to the mix while it's being made can be just the thing if there are specific colors you'd like to integrate into a design.
The counters shown here are terrazzo, a form of concrete. Terrazzo is made from a concrete base with decorative aggregates added to the mix. After the mix cures, it's polished to a high sheen with a grinding wheel. The polishing is what makes terrazzo. Terrazzo's been used as a flooring material for the last 100 or so years; its leap up onto the counters is still relatively new.
Sometimes, a run-of-the-mill granite with a finish other than a high sheen can make it look altogether new and unusual. The counter shown here is Absolute Black granite with a honed finish. Honed is countertop-speak for matte. Honed finishes on granite make them easier to keep looking clean, and they demand less attention than their shiny cousins.
Tiled in. Like a window in a shower, this one has been fully tiled in, camouflaging the window frame and tying the window into the existing backsplash. Work carefully with your contractor or designer to create this look. You'll want to make sure that the window is properly aligned with the backsplash tile.
Extended height. The traditional backsplash is 18 inches high, but don't let that measurement restrict you. Do what this homeowner did and extend the measurement. This extra-large window lets in plenty of sunlight. Remember that a taller backsplash means any upper cabinets will have to be higher, too. You might just need a step stool to reach them.
Go wider if you can Jenefer Gordon, principal designer at eat.bathe.live says: If you’ve got the space, think about taking your benchtop wider. It can really increase the functionality of the bench, allowing plenty of space for preparation and seating. On a longer island bench, it also helps to keep things in proportion. I find that 1,100 centimetres wide seems to be the sweet spot – a great size for working on, while still narrow enough to wipe down from one side of the bench.
Blum HF bi-fold cabinet High-fold cabinets We find Blum HM bi-fold cabinets to be extremely practical for high and mid-level wall cabinets. They open smoothly, items are easy to access as there are no doors in the way, and when closed the cabinets create a long, sleek look. For added luxury, you can also upgrade to Blum Servo-Drive so the doors open with a light push. These cabinets are more expensive than standard overhead cabinets, but so worth it.
Vertical storage Storing cutting boards, trays and baking trays vertically makes them far more accessible than storing them horizontally – you simply pull them out when required. Plus, they’re easy to put back. Vertical storage comes at a minimal cost, but needs to be incorporated in the design phase.
Power points with USB chargers Today’s kitchens are used for more than just cooking – they’re where homework is done, emails are sent and families gather. Having sufficient power points with USB outlets makes practical sense. Position power points at the end of your kitchen island, on your splashback, or consider a style that pops up from the benchtop when required and sits flush with the surface when not in use, such as EVOline BackFlip.
Cutlery drawer
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