The Successful Measure

June 30th, 2009

0
By : Jacob Solomon

“ Wow, my kitchen cabinets are finally being installed and they look beautiful BUT now it’s time for my stone countertop to be measured. At least I have been to my stone fabricator and picked my stone and edge profile ahead of time, but now what? The templator is coming on Monday and I’m not sure what to provide him so he can begin the fabrication process.”
Well, hopefully this story will provide you with an overview of what the countertop templator requires in order to achieve “The Successful Measure”. A “Successful Measure” is the key initial element to start a smooth process and to allow the fabricator to deliver the finished counter top on time.

First, your lower cabinets need to be 100% installed. This means all doors and finished gables are in place and all cabinets are attached to the walls. Also your cabinets need to be level! Not just each cabinet, but a continuous run of all boxes needs to be level and straight. The tops of the base cabinets need to be completely clear so that accurate dimensions can be taken.

Next, you will need to have on site all sinks, faucets, stove/cooktop for the templator. He will require these items in order to complete accurate dimensions. If one of these items is not available at the time of measure there may be delays and possibly increased costs if a return visit is necessary. It is also important to already have confirmed that these items fit properly in your cabinets. Your edge profile should also be confirmed with the project manager so that the templator can establish specific overhangs throughout your kitchen.

Some kitchens are designed with specific shapes and/or overhangs of the countertop. These specifics should have been designed by you or your cabinet manufacturer, since extended overhangs and shapes need to function properly. The templator can then trace or digitize the patterns that you have created prior to his arrival.

The time to ask final questions is during templating. Here are a couple of the concerns that most people have:

Q: Where are the seams located?

A: The templator will show you the joint locations which make the most sense. Remember, quite often just getting the piece into your kitchen has a bearing on the size of the pieces.

Q: How will my sink and faucets look?

A: Your sink will be located and all faucet holes, soap dispensers etc., need to be placed so that they work both functionally and look the way you want them to.

Please, ask questions. If your templator cannot answer them then contact your project manger. It is from all this that you achieve “The Successful Measure” which results in beautiful stone countertop that is successfully installed in your home.

Tags: ,
Posted in cabinet | No Comments »

Kitchen Wall Pot Rack – Utility and Charm

June 30th, 2009

0
By : Mahjong Writer

If you are like me, then you like to cook. When I am at home I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. When friends or relatives drop by my house we spend most of our time sitting around the kitchen table. In most homes around the United States the kitchen is the main meeting room in the home.

When it comes to setting up my kitchen for style and convenience I try to do everything in an orderly fashion. I have stain resistant tile backsplashes on the walls above my kitchen counters. I have an island counter in the middle of my kitchen floor with a large butcher block cutting board inserted into the counter which can be removed for cleaning.

I have all my counter top appliances (mixer, bread machine, toaster / oven, blender, juicer and coffee maker) strategically placed around the counters with cloth covers over the least used appliances. Everything is in place and ready to use when the time comes to use them.

One of my most treasured kitchen additions is my wall pot rack. It used to be (not so long ago) all my pot and pans were buried in my lower kitchen cabinets. Going after the one pot or pan that I wanted to use was like digging for buried treasure. If I wanted a larger fry pan or pot, I would have to unbury it from all of the other smaller pots or pans stacked above it. This chore got to be old in no time at all.

The solution to my pots and pans storage problem was a kitchen wall pot rack. I knew very little about kitchen pot rack at that time, so I went online and researched what was available in respect to style and options.

Much to my surprise I found out that pot racks come in a variety of styles, sizes, finishes and shapes. This really rocked my world knowing that I had so many choices and that there was a wall pot rack with the exact features to match my needs just waiting to be found by me.

So let me explain to you what my choices were and how I came to my conclusion on the perfect wall pot rack match for my kitchen.

I started out my search by going through what finishes are available to me in a wall hanging pot rack. Among my choices are Antique Brass, Satin Brass, Black Iron, Natural Iron, Brick, Bronze, Rust, Brushed Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Copper, Verde, Polished Brass, Polished Gold, Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, Rattan, Wood, Stainless Steel, Tans and Browns.

My decision at this point was easy. Because all my major kitchen appliances are stainless steel, I decided to go with a stainless steel finish on my new pot rack.

Next I had to choose a style to match the decor of my kitchen. This took a little while longer to come to my decision. In my search for wall pot racks I found out that the styles for kitchen wall pot racks are Contemporary, Early American, Mission, Old World, Rustic/Lodge, Southwestern, Traditional, Transitional and Victorian. I looked at each style category over and over again. I wanted to be sure that my final choice was right on target.

Then it came to me. I picked out a simple traditional wall pot rack that combined a shelf above with enough space to hang 10 pots and pans on hooks below the shelf. I thought that this was a good idea since having space to hang up to 10 pots and pans is a good option to have. Also, with the shelf above I could have the option to put cookbooks or spices or a potted plant to add to the decor of my kitchen. I had a 4 foot wall space in my kitchen above the dish washer which was the perfect place to hang this 39 inch wide 13 inch deep wall pot rack/shelf.

Perhaps your kitchen is smaller than mine. Maybe you only have the space for a small wall pot rack. Maybe you have 2 small places on your kitchen walls that could hold a small pot rack in each place. Whatever size or shape your kitchen is, this convenient organizer can work wonders for giving you more cabinet space and less work finding the right size pot or pan for your cooking needs. See for yourself what a convenience and attractive addition a kitchen wall pat rack will provide for you and your kitchen.

Tags: ,
Posted in utility | 1 Comment »

Custom Cabinets For Your Kitchen

June 30th, 2009

0
By : Sean Noughtly

Kitchen cabinets are the most visible and used part of any kitchen. They represent your largest kitchen investment and are probably the most confusing of all the decisions you will make for a new kitchen.
So, before you take the leap, do your homework. Keep a file with pictures from magazines of designs and features you like, go to showrooms and talk to certified kitchen designers. The more you know, the easier the decisions will be. Once you have done your homework and know what you want, or even if you are not sure, then consult a certified kitchen designer.

Choose a designer you are comfortable with, because you are going to spend a lot of time together. Do not be afraid to ask for references and then call them. Get to know them and let them get to know you. The more they know about your family and your lifestyle how you entertain, whether you eat in the kitchen, even if you are right or left handed the more they can suggest options to enhance your space.

There are three categories of cabinetry, which include stock, semi custom, and custom. It is important to know the differences, the advantages and disadvantages of each before you begin shopping. Custom cabinetry is made to order. The cabinetry fits your space and your taste. Each cabinet is made to your specifications, one at a time, when your order is placed. Unlike stock and semi custom, nothing is pre-made or warehoused.

The biggest benefit of custom cabinetry is that it is yours. The space is designed and built especially for you the options are only limited by your wants and wishes. Stock cabinets are mass produced, pre-assembled, and warehoused prior to purchase. They are essentially off the shelf and are made in a limited number of designs and finishes.

Sizes are generally restricted to a range of standard industry sizes beginning at nine inches and increasing by three inch intervals up to the maximum forty eight inches. So, if your dimensions fall outside of the three inch increments there will be gaps. Filler strips are used to close these gaps usually between the cabinet and an appliance or wall. The more fillers needed, the more wasted space you will have. Semi custom cabinetry also follows the industry size format and uses fillers or trim to close gaps.

There are no standard sizes or filler pieces in custom cabinetry. Cabinet depth, height and width can be adjusted to fit corners or unusual spaces. Instead of using fillers to address gaps or dead space, custom cabinetry can turn that space into a unique storage solution or display area. Cabinet drawers and doors will be opened and closed many times a day so construction, materials and finishes are an important part of your cabinetry decisions. Cabinets should have solid frames, door and drawer fronts, reinforced corners and closed backs.

The most common stock cabinets are usually made of engineered wood with a melamine finish. Semi custom cabinetry offers more options and is typically constructed of engineered wood or plywood with solid wood doors or faces. The materials and workmanship tends to be higher quality than that of stock cabinetry. Custom cabinetry construction, materials and finishes are usually superior to that of stock and semi-custom. The drawer fronts, doors, and face frames are generally solid wood.

Posted in cabinet | No Comments »

Stainless Kitchen Sinks – the most sought after sinks

June 24th, 2009

0
By : Famous Decor

Every household dreams to have a beautiful kitchen sink that would be durable and would as well enhance the beauty of the kitchen. Today stainless steel kitchen sinks are widely used due to the low price, light weight and strong structure. With time it has become very popular and is extensively used in homes. There are different types, sizes and thickness of stainless steel sinks that are available in the market.

There is wide range in the quality of stainless kitchen sink giving a whole range of variety to choose from. Beware; if the choice is to buy a light-gauge stainless steel sink, it is susceptible to dents and scratches. The thickness of stainless steel is measured in gauges. Usually gauges eighteen and twenty are widely used but eighteen is widely recommended for kitchen sinks. As the number of gauge increases, the thinner the steel is.

Today everybody is renovating the kitchen and refitting the latest designs of kitchen sinks to enhance the look of their kitchen. Stainless steel kitchen sink are more widely used since they are easy to clean and gives a newer look for a longer period of time when properly cared for. A tip to reduce the scratches and dull look is to use a rubber or plastic mat in the sink that will protect the surface and would keep the sink looking new for a longer period of time.

There are lots of attractive, appealing, trendy and innovative designs of kitchen sinks in the market and they also come in different colours and styles. Before buying a kitchen sink it is important to measure the size of the sink that would ideally fit in your kitchen. Usually the standard measurement for kitchen cabinet is twenty four inches.

Since today every household‘s disposable income to purchase varies, hence there are different quality and prices of stainless steel kitchen sink to choose from. The latest trend is the brushed-stainless finish wherein the scratches are less visible. Another popular choice is the satin bowls with mirrored rims and the mirrored finish that gives a shinier appearance. There are lots of models to choose from like 1, 2 or 3 bowl models. The one bowl model is the basic one that usually has a depth of ten to twelve inches. The 2 and 3 bowl models allow multi-tasking wherein one can wash dishes in one compartment and store the clean dishes in the other or can simply leave the other bowl for differnet uses such as washing vegetables or leftover disposal.

Kitchen sinks have a huge range of price since the price is determined by various factors such as manufacturer’s brand image, the size and finish of the sink and other added features that makes the sink more useful. These days it is very easy to pick a kitchen sink since there are so many stores which showcase the items in such an appealing and effective manner, that purchasing these items becomes effortless and the decision can be made quickly. A plethora of beautiful and attractive kitchen sinks are available in the market to give your kitchen the look it deserves.

Posted in cabinet | No Comments »