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5 great pendant lights

phyllis — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:10:50 +0000

In my kitchen reno madness I’ve come across some great pendant lights. I find with pendant lights it really depends on what your intention is for them…..do you want them to grab someone’s attention the second they walk into a room? Or do you want them more just for function so in that case they should blend into the backdrop more and let something else in the room take center stage. I like to think of pendants as the jewellery of the room or as the finishing touch so I do like the ones that have some sparkle to them.

Here are 5 of my fav’s:

Bocci "14.1" - $268.20

Global Lighting "Frost s70" - $1460.06

Metalarte "Josephine T" - $1219.60

Eureka "Snowlab 1"

Studio Italia "Lace" - $935.88

Kitchen Reno Update

phyllis — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:05:27 +0000

We’re officially in “permit process”……must say we are getting a bit antsy and tired of this waiting process! Now I know how our clients feel! =)

We have managed to make a bit of progress in the meantime though. We were able to make a decision on the appliances recently. Ever since we started looking we knew that we loved the sleek and modern look of the Fisher Paykel appliances. Keep in mind we didn’t even bother looking at the Viking and Wolf appliances. We didn’t see the point in looking at the Porche when the Audi was a stretch! So we finally closed our eyes and pulled the trigger! Here’s what they look like…..what do you think? Can’t wait to actually use them!

Fisher Paykel Fridge E522BRXFD

Fisher Paykel Gas Range OR36SDBGX1

Fisher Paykel Double Dish Drawer DD24DDFX6V2

Our Kitchen Reno Update!

phyllis — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:30:09 +0000

So our kitchen reno is progressing…..s-l-o-w-l-y but surely. I FINALLY managed to choose some finishes…..not sure why I have soooo much trouble choosing for ourselves and no problem at all choosing for other people. Must be one of those things….everyone is always their own toughest customer and critic!

I had talked a little bit about the reno a little while ago: Previous Post

I’ve decided against the original white shaker cabinet idea. Decided in the end it’s not what I really like and I know hubby tends to lean towards a more modern look as well. So here is where we are at with the finishes so far…..it looks like quite a dark scheme but it won’t be. We have no upper cabinets on one side of the kitchen and the backsplash will go to the ceiling. This will dramatically brighten everything up.

Finishes:

Everything is in permit process so construction will hopefully start in September if all goes well. Will definitely keep you updated on how things go! In the meantime, feel free to let us know your thoughts! It’s not too late to make changes! ;-)

Project Update: Richmond House

phyllis — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:00:59 +0000

We’re so excited……one of our summer projects is almost complete! It was a fun project and we’re so pleased with the end result! The house was from the 70′s I believe and hadn’t been renovated much since. It needed a massive overhaul which is what we did for the clients and within a reasonable budget. Now the space shows the fun and youthful vibe of the people who live there.

Here are a few images to tie you over until we can get some fully completed pictures! We’ll be sure to give you a more detailed look into what was done soon!

This first image is the kitchen before. As you can see, it is typical of a home of that age.

Kitchen Before

As you can see, it is still not complete but I think it gives you a good idea as to how drastic the change was…..

Kitchen After

The living room before had a lovely railing detail to it. As much as I loved it, it had to go =)

Living Room - Before

Living Room - After

Next we have the tub area of the Main Bathroom. Not sure why the coloured tubs and toilets were so big back then but let’s hope it is a trend that doesn’t come back. Not a big fan especially of the pink toilet fad.

Main Bathroom - Before

Main Bathroom - After

The Master Bath area was tough…..it had a vanity that was open to the bedroom as in hotel style and an accordian door to the rest of the washroom. We had to completely reconfigure the whole room to make the washroom more attractive. You can sort of see from the after picture that we changed the orientation of the room.

Master Bath Vanity - Before

Master Bath Vanity - After

more to come! Let us know what you think so far!

Appliance Buying?

phyllis — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:05:54 +0000

Anyone out there doing a kitchen reno? Seems like alot of people are jumping on the renovation bandwagon these days and doing renos in one form or another. For those of you doing a kitchen reno, one of the most expensive parts is definitely the appliances so it is good to know what you’re getting into and not be sold on just the looks!

I had come across this appliance buying guide on HGTV’s website that I thought was worth sharing.

Buying Guide: Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen appliances are a hefty investment, and aside from design efficiency, are the most important part of your kitchen. Use this appliance buying guide to discover how to choose, when to splurge and what’s new on the market when it comes to kitchen appliances.

Dishwashers
The newest dishwasher designs are so tasteful they blend right into your kitchen design so quiet they barely make a peep when turned on. Look for models with concealed control panels and stylized paneling built into the door for even more design subtlety and versatility. To minimize noise, choose a dishwasher with a quiet motor or sound buffering stainless steel interior. Noise control is especially important in a kitchen that’s open-plan or built adjacent to another room in the house.

If you own a large home, have a large family or love to entertain, some designers may recommend splurging on two dishwashers. Dishwasher drawers, a very hot new trend, can help make this double dishwasher dream come true. The drawers – which are currently made by companies such as GE and Kitchen Aid – are two independent dishwashers stacked one on top of the other. However, if space is a challenge, choosing a single dishwasher drawer can be a real square footage saver, too, and keep you on the cutting edge of kitchen appliance trends.

The wave of the future when it comes to dishwashers is all about energy efficiency. Many companies are now introducing models that use less water, require less detergent and boast shorter cycles – which is good for the pocket book and the environment!

Cooktops
More often than not, cooktops and ovens are now separate entities, which opens up myriad options when designing a kitchen. Rather than choosing a cooktop that sits atop an oven, homeowners can go big with commercial cooktops and high end gas models which can be placed anywhere in the kitchen and allow for a range of burner configurations. A popular choice is an island cooktop, which allows hosts to face their guests as they cook – or watch over children while preparing the family meal with greater ease. A cooktop is an excellent area on which to splurge. Electric residential cooktops are still available, but gas models are much more precise than electric ones and industrial size cooktops often contain extra burners or griddles.

Ventilation systems have also seen a great deal of change over the past few years. Rather than unsightly range hoods, new technology such as downdraft ventilation means more efficient cooking with less bulk. Also look for a system called induction cooking to emerge on the scene as a major player. This new cooking technology is ultra-safe, flame free and involves magnetic force fields.

Ovens: Convection and Conventional
An oven is another prime opportunity to splurge when constructing or redesigning a kitchen, if budget allows it. Convection ovens cost more, but the extra cost is worth it, especially for those who love to cook. The convection system features a powerful air circulation system that allows for more even heat distribution and faster cooking.

One oven alone is no longer enough when designing the ultimate kitchen. As with dishwashers, homeowners are now often opting for double ovens, which can be mounted on the wall or installed below the cooktop. Having two ovens means greater flexibility when cooking, and opens the door to a wide variety of culinary possibilities, especially when entertaining or feeding a large family. Warming drawers, which are not a new concept, are popular as well. These drawers keep cooked food at optimum temperatures without drying it out and are a wonderful addition to any kitchen – but particularly those that get a lot of use, whether due to entertaining or family food preparation frequency.

Refrigerators
This standard kitchen appliance now comes in virtually all shapes, sizes and styles. Start by thinking practically. How big is your family? How often do you eat at home? Going over the realities of the lifestyle of your family should help you choose a refrigerator size, if nothing else. And don’t be conservative – when it comes to fridges, if space allows, bigger is always better!

The options for refrigeration units are virtually endless and include side-by-side, top-and-bottom, built-in, multi-purpose, paneled, drawer or pantry styles. For those who live in lofts or small condo units, Liebherr (distributed by Euro Line in Canada) has created a 21” wide fridge that fits into pantries and other small spaces. As long as the size of your fridge is right, style and installation mode is a matter of personal taste. Think about additional features, such as ice makers, water dispensers, beverage racks, specialized compartments and user-friendly, transparent drawers, too.

Perhaps the ultimate refrigerator on the market today is the Sub Zero Pro-48. This Cadillac of cooling devices features sculpted steel, dual refrigeration, triple evaporation, advanced controls, sumptuous design and energy efficiency. But luxury has its price – $24,000 (Canadian) to be exact!

Bar fridges are gaining ground these days, too – and some come with fabulous front panel options, which means a beverage-only fridge can be subtly integrated into other cabinets. Door panels are an option for regular fridges as well, and are an excellent way to hide a fridge behind warm, wood panels.

Our Kitchen Reno!

phyllis — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:00:30 +0000

Hubbie and I have been talking about doing a major renovation on our kitchen lately. Here is a picture of the kitchen when we first moved in 3 years ago……

yes, yes it is pretty out of date and pretty blah. Since we moved in we have just painted so it pretty much looks the same! So the plan is to basically taking our kitchen and splitting it so that it becomes a suite kitchen on one side and a regular kitchen on the other. We would get rid of the wall with the fridge so that the kitchen is opened up to the adjoining dining and living room. Cabinetry on the left would also be eliminated to allow for a door to the backyard.

So frustrating that I have no problem at all choosing finishes and styles for other people but when it comes to our place I always find it such a struggle. Maybe I see too much of the new and unaffordable or maybe it is because there are too many great styles to choose just one!

What do you think of no uppers in a kitchen? Thinking that is what we want to do……I think as long as a kitchen is well thought out then it really shouldn’t make a difference! Don’t you just love the clean lines? And definitely we would do a chimney style hood fan!

Image from http://www.hgtv.com

I’d hate to say it but as much as I love the modern style cabinetry, it doesn’t suit our home =( We’ve decided (I think!) to go with a white painted shaker style cabinet which is a pretty universally liked and “safe” choice and with an engineered stone countertop to keep it more modern than granite. I do quite like this kitchen by Candice Olsen….it’s clean looking but not stark and I absolutely love the skirted island look……i’ll have to see how far the budget goes on that one! Will keep you updated as the project progresses along! Feel free to share any ideas!!!

Image from http://www.hgtv.com

Kitchen Reno Anyone?

phyllis — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:51:28 +0000

Image from http://www.counterpointkitchens.ca

Anyone out there looking to do a kitchen renovation this year? The kitchen is typically the most expensive room of the house to reno but it is also the one that will add the most value for both living and resale. Because kitchen renovations are usually bigger jobs that require much attention to detail, there are many things that can easily go wrong. Make sure to educate yourself before you start so that you know the in’s and out’s of what to expect for your reno.

I came across these top 10 tips for a kitchen renovation on the Style At Home website. I found the information to be quite informative and thought I would share!

1 Use quality materials.
-quality drawer slides and hinges mean cabinet doors will stay closed and drawers won’t stick. Stay away from drawers that are stapled together or made of particleboard. For cabinet interiors, wood veneer is more durable than melamine, laminate, MDF or particleboard.

2 Determine cabinet heights.
If you have eight-foot ceilings, choose cabinets that go to the ceiling. They offer more storage, enabling you to use extra wall space for artwork or open shelves. If your ceilings are higher than eight feet, leave 15 to 18 inches above the cabinets.

3 Decide whether to paint or stain.
Though stained-wood cabinetry is forgiving, most finishes date quickly and aren’t easily altered. Brush-painted cabinets can lend a unique personality.

4 Select an elegant countertop.
White Carrara marble (honed or acid washed and sealed) and stained wood add elegance and warmth. We also like honed Kirkstone slate, soapstone and Wiarton limestone, and plastic laminate with a wood edge for a sophisticated look.

5 Install an island that works.
Beware of placing a bulky cube in the middle of the room. We like islands that have an open, airy look. Ideally, an island should be unencumbered by appliances, but if you want it to house a dishwasher-sink combo or a cooktop, try to maintain the light look of a leggy harvest table.

6 Don’t overdo the details.
Design accents such as pediments over stoves and plaster mouldings on cabinet fronts can represent decorative excess. Remember that the style of your kitchen should be compatible with the rest of your home.

7 Avoid maintenance nightmares.

Natural surfaces with inherent texture — slate, terra-cotta, brick and tumbled marble — are more difficult to clean but camouflage the odd crumb. Smooth surfaces in light colours, such as white laminate counters or ceramic floors, are easy to clean but show everything. And as much as we love stainless steel, it’s not easy to keep smudge-free.

8 Stick to basic appliances.
Instead of lots of appliances and gadgets, consider selecting a few reliable basics. For example, a commercial-quality stainless-steel range makes an interesting focal point and takes up less space than separate wall ovens and a cooktop.

9 Incorporate an adjacent dining room.
A clever design, plus the appropriate lighting and furniture, will let you adapt the room’s atmosphere to suit any occasion. Consider a banquette design combined with slipcovered chairs for an efficient use of space.

10 Add interest.
Your kitchen should reflect you, not look like a showroom. Before designing the space, search for a piece of unique furniture and use it in your design — a room full of floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall kitchen cabinets looks boring and uninspired

[via: Style At Home]

Warendorf by Starck

phyllis — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:15:39 +0000

Philippe Starck, one of our favorite designers, has recently designed a series of innovative kitchens for Warendorf (formerly known as Miele Kitchens). The concept behind these kitchens is that the kitchen is a social hub so new functional elements such as bookshelves are introduced into the designs.

There are 4 designs:

The first design is “Library” where a kitchen is surrounded by bookshelves and a sliding ladder to access them. Best for cooks with lots of cookbooks!

Image from http://www.www.warendorf.eu

The next concept or design is “Primary” which is a small space solution. Best suited for lofts or small apartments, this kitchen has everything you need while keeping spacesaving in mind.

Image from http://www.www.warendorf.eu

The third design is the “Duality” kitchen where there are options to use the wall element as a divider. The kitchen island also does double duty as a regular dining area or as a worksurface.

Image from http://www.www.warendorf.eu

The last design is “Tower” where all the kitchen functions are hidden behing closed doors on two rotating towers.

Image from http://www.www.warendorf.eu

Living Smaller….the New Concealed Kitchen

phyllis — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:15:51 +0000

Wow…..this brings a new meaning to small scale living. Fendi Casa has come out with a new concept for places where space is a premium! Hidden behind high gloss doors with a Fendi logos, there is a sink, a stove, coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher! How cool is that! And when you’re done using the kitchen just close up the doors and it looks more like an entertainment unit than a kitchen! We’ll have to see if this catches on but what do you think? Love it? Hate it?

[via: Trendir]

Help me with my kitchen!

phyllis — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:00:50 +0000

I’ve been daydreaming about re-doing our kitchen lately……guess that is one of the downfalls of being a designer…..you always want the latest and greatest! I’ve collected a few of my favorite inspiration kitchen images. Would love your input to help me decide….I want them all!

Life by Scavolini - http://www.scavolini.us

I think this next one is my favorite of the bunch. Just unsure about the trendy color of it. Might date faster than all the others!

Image from http://www.counterpointkitchens.ca

Love the drama of this next one…..

Glam by Scavolini - http://www.scavolini.us

This next one is a good compromise between being trendy and being practical. The natural wood color would look good for many years even if the trends change!

Image from http://www.hgtv.ca

I do love this last one….I just don’t know how practical it would be to have no upper cabinets! Then again…..we don’t need to be practical do we?! I could learn to adjust!

Image from http://www.hgtv.ca