10 tips for designing an organized kitchen

When it comes to living an easy and convenient life, having an organized kitchen stacks high on the must-haves. Here are some ways you can design, or redesign, the room that we race into and out of every morning, spend family time in every night and enjoy lazy brunches and cooking adventures in every some weekends:

1. Use open shelving. Not only is it easy to access frequently used items, it also forces you to keep things neat when out in the open. It's also great for small kitchens because it opens up the space.

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2. Customize your cabinets. You can do this when you order cabinetry or you can do it yourself with existing cabinets thanks to all kinds of great organizational gadgets now available. Pull-out shelves, dividers for cookie sheets, custom recycling and garbage units, spice jar inserts and towel bars all keep things in their place and easily accessible.

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3. Drawer organizers are a must. Every single utensil and kitchen do-dad has its place, and it is in a drawer organizer. Get one. Or many.

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4. Use hooks. Hooks for towels, utensils, pots and just about anything else are so useful and help you avoid throwing things on the counters.

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5. Use counter space wisely. Keep counters open except for frequently used items. Store cooking utensils in pretty jars near the stove, and snacks in glass containers so you can clearly see what's there. 

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6. Look up. Utilize the space between your cabinets and ceiling, and on top of your refrigerator by throwing lesser-used items in baskets or pretty bins. Or if starting fresh, customize your cabinets and take them all the way to the ceiling.

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7. Utilize awkward corners. Open shelving that goes all the way to the wall in a corner is a more efficient use of space than a corner cabinet (and adds interest).

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8. Make better use of lower cabinet space. Open shelving below the counter is convenient for everyday items.

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9. Gather appliances. Carve out a spot for all your small appliances to keep them together, ideally one that is handy to an outlet and behind a closed door. An appliance garage (yes, they have been updated) is fantastic for this. 

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10. Give cookbooks their own space. Keep recipes and cookbooks together and handy on a dedicated shelf.

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green idea: painting old kitchen cabinets

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One of the most economical and environmentally friendly ways of remodeling a kitchen is to paint your existing cabinets. And yes, you can achieve professional looking results yourself if you take the time to do it right. 

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1. Clean the cabinets. Preparation is the most important step in the process of painting your cabinets, and it is very important to make sure that all of the surfaces you are going to paint are completely free of all grease, grime, food residue and whatever else may be stuck to them.When doing this remove the doors and hardware and lay them out flat. Use an all purpose cleaner and a rag and then allow them to dry thoroughly.

2. Sand the cabinets. Once dry, use a piece of fine grit sandpaper - 150 or finer - and make a few passes over all the flat surfaces of the doors. Don't forget to do the thin facing pieces on the cabinet boxes themselves. The slightly sanded surface will allow the primer to better hold onto the surface and greatly increase longevity of the paint job. 

3. Apply primer. After sanding, it's time to prime the cabinets. Primer forms a better bond with the surface than paint alone would.  If your cabinets are already painted and you are re-painting them the same color, it is OK to skip this step and go ahead and apply the paint. If, however, your cabinets are stained and you are trying to cover up the natural wood grain with paint, you must prime them first. The paint will not stick to the varnished surface and the color of the stain will most likely bleed right through your paint.

There are several types of primer that you can use, and which one you choose is largely based on what kind of paint you want to use over the top. If you are using an oil-based paint, an interior oil based primer is recommended. These products tend to have a very strong odor and they are best used when you can properly ventilate the room. 

If you are planning to use a latex paint for your top coat, then a shellac based primer is recommended. This product tends to dry fairly quickly, so make sure that you are ready to go before you begin applying it. The shellac based primers, just like the oil based, carry a very strong odor and caution should be used.

4. Paint the cabinets. There are a couple of ways to apply the paint. A pneumatic sprayer is the best way to get a smooth and glossy finish. If you don't have access to one, however, you can still get a great finish by using a high quality paint brush - 2 1/2" to 3" would be ideal.

The key to achieving a professional finish with a brush is to use very thin coats. It may be tempting to try to coat the paint on as thick as possible just so you can be finished, but DON'T. The best and most durable paint jobs are built up by consecutive thin layers of paint.

5. Sand and add additional coats. In between coats, take some 320 grit sandpaper and very lightly sand the flat surfaces again so that you have the smoothest possible surface for your next coat. Use a tack cloth to wipe away all the dust, and go on to your next coat. You will likely need 2-4 coats. 

Let dry 24 hours and then hang the doors and install the hardware. Viola- new kitchen without consuming new materials.

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Check out my posts on green backsplashes and countertops as well. 

i'm obsessed with...retro mod style

Did anyone else get hooked on the miniseries "The Kennedys"? I loved seeing the mid-century modern furniture and decor styles (not to mention Jackie's fab dresses). Lately I've been more and more drawn to retro styles from the 50's and 60's. The clean, simple and flowing lines are attractive, and the pops of colour create irresistible interest.

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I must say, however, that I like mixing this style with a 21st century approach, meaning I don't want my home to feel like I am actually living in the mid-20th century! So a few key elements go a long way. Pick one or two and don't over-do it.

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What to look for?

One or two great furniture pieces: fibreglass, plastics and plywood were big, and chrome elements came into play, which work for today as well .

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Bold colour: turquoise, avocado, mustard yellow, navy, orange and brown.

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Big patterns: wallpapers or fabric covered chairs and sofas with bold, graphic patterns.

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Accessories: quirky and odd-shaped decorations plus utilitarian items like radios or salt and pepper shakers in great mod colours.

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Do you like the mid-century modern style? Do you have anything in your home from this era?

5 essentials in designer kitchens

Well-designed kitchens make a home, so you really need to consider the essential details when planning. Take a look at these fantastic kitchens in the homes of top designers. Notice the similarities:

1. Good lighting.  This includes both natural light through ample windows plus task lighting. There is a focus on ample stylish pendants over islands, tables and work areas. Lighting needs to be super-functional in kitchens, but can also be the place to make a style statement.

2. Lots of prep space. Again, function is key here, but counters are another place that can make or break a kitchen. Countertops are such a great way to make an impact. See my previous post on choosing stylish eco-friendly countertops.

3. Taking advantage of vertical space.  In addition to extra storage, cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling are more visually appealing and give a custom look. Or forgo upper cabinets for open shelving that also takes advantage of the full height of your walls.

4. In-kitchen eating areas. Whether at islands or tables, well-designed kitchens have comfortable spots for the family and guests to mingle with the cook and do everything from have a glass of wine to finish homework. Check out my previous post on eat-in kitchens.

 5. Personality. Whether through collectibles, colour, interesting lighting or unique and unexpected accessories, designers know how to inject personality and character into rooms, even kitchens.

So do you have these elements in your own kitchen?
(All photos courtesty of House Beautiful, where you can see even more designer kitchens).

weekend breakfasts

Happy weekend everyone! Hope you have a relaxing weekend and get to enjoy a late breakfast in a sunny kitchen or breakfast nook. I could certainly be happy in any of these ones by S.R. Gambrel.

green idea: eco-friendly countertops

Countertops are an important element in a home, since they make a huge impact aesthetically and add value. They are also an easy way for homeowners to start incorporating eco-friendly elements into their space. There are more and more choices these days, and although most options cost more than the standard laminate, I recommend making the upgrade- it will pay off both for the environment and for your pocketbook due to the durability and impact.

Let's start with what is NOT eco-friendly: laminate and stone, the two most popular choices for countertops today. Laminates are made of plastic-coated synthetics, and most include urea formaldehyde.  If you need to go with laminate because of the low price, look for ones without the formaldehyde. 

Stone options are not good for the environment because they are not renewable, and they are a massively energy and water- intensive product to produce. Yes, use of stone countertops gains some LEED points for the indoor air quality, but they are still not a responsible option when thinking of the planet. Along that same thinking, while solid surface countertops such as Corian, Swanstone and Avonite could be considered slightly more friendly than stone, because they don't require sealants, they still don't have the same kind of low-impact manufacturing process as the choices below. 

So what are good options?

1. Composite and recycled materials - fantastic countertops made from recycled paper or glass mixed with resins or concrete to form a hard surface. They come in many colour variations, have a long life span and are heat and scratch resistant. Products include:

PaperStone - an alternative to laminate in that it looks similar but better. Made of paper, but hard as stone.

Richlite- another paper-based alternative made from both FSC certified pulp and post-consumer paper waste products. 

Ecotop - the next step from the PaperStone people. Made of 50% recycled wood & paper, and 50% bamboo.    The resin that binds the wood, paper, and bamboo is 100% water based, and VOC and petroleum free.

Vetrazzo^® - a recycled glass surface comprised of 100% recycled glass. As their website says, "A high glass content ( 85% by volume), expansive color palette, and story in every surface make this material sparkle." 

IceStone - manufactured with 100% recycled glass in a cement matrix. "It is the only durable surface in the world to receive the Cradle to Cradle™ Gold certification, which assesses products on a number of criteria, such as the use of safe and healthy materials, design for material reuse and recycling, efficient use of energy and water throughout production, and the instituting of strategies for social responsibility."  

EnviroGLAS - 100% recycled glass and porcelain terrazzo. 

Squak Mountain Stone - a fibrous-cement material made of recycled paper, glass and low-carbon cement. Resembles soapstone or limestone.

Environite - 90% composed of recycled glass, refractory and other commonly discarded post consumer and post industrial materials.  

Fuez Glass - 100% curbside recycled glass, low-carbon cement, natural aggregate 

3Form - transforms 100 percent post-consumer HDPE (high density polyethylene) into elegantly designed engineered panels

2. Recycled ceramic tile- recycled ceramics are biodegradable, inexpensive and durable. 

3. Recycled stainless steel and aluminium - again, because it is a product that avoids going to the landfill, it gets the green thumbs up. Check out Alkemi, which make a countertop made of post-industrial scrap waste of the fine flakes left over from aluminium milling.

4. Bamboo - rapidly renewable, water resistant and naturally bacteria resistant. Teragren has a few different bamboo countertops to choose from that are durable and up to 154% harder than red oak. 

5. Wood or butcher block - hardwoods such as maple or oak with FSC certification and use of low-VOC sealants and water-based finishes are a great choice and have a beautiful warm look. 

6. Glass - Glass countertops can be as simple as a transparent sheet of glass or they can be designed into translucent sheets with smooth, etched, sandblasted, patterned or grooved finishing. Most glass countertops are made of recycled glass that includes mirrors and windows. Great for a modern look. 

7. Concrete, but only if recycled - concrete manufacturing is one of the most energy and water-intensive practices around, but lately some companies are coming out with recycled concrete products, replacing 80-90% of the cement with recycled cement materials. Once such company is Concrete Elegance, which uses an interesting process and makes beautiful finished counters. 

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I hope this helps clarify some of the green options for countertops, and I hope you consider making the switch! I would love to hear your thoughts on sustainable countertops and if you think they are worth the investment.  

friday favourites!

Two great kitchens that use wood in very different ways. I love them both! Which do you prefer?

modern kitchen design by atlanta interior designer Niki Papadopoulos

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a showhouse-inspired slow home

The real life Houston home featured in the latest issue of Traditional Home is based on ideas gleaned from show homes, but it also stands out as a great example of what I consider a slow home. Virginia Mary Brown carefully considered the design of her home to suit her family's needs, to preserve history, and to responsibly re-purpose materials salvaged from her grandmother's home that used to sit on the property.

For example, look at all of the light coming through the windows that were put on three sides of the house for maximum ventilation. The sofa is handed down from grandma and recovered in white cotton duck.

The wonderful brick pavers that run from inside to outside are from her grandmother's home. The downstairs is open concept in order to keep the family close together, but the big sliding barn doors can be closed to separate the family room from the kitchen when needed.

The reclaimed pine floors are warm and stand up to kid traffic.

The kitchen is deliberately placed so that everyone goes through it to go in and out of the house. It is therefore a gathering spot, and has a big table in the middle to accommodate all kinds of activity.

All of the bedrooms were placed upstairs, bucking the trend for a downstairs master.

The fantastic marble mosaic tiles in the bath were purchased at a hotel salvage sale.

This home was obviously well thought-out and its contents were found and purchased with deliberation and patience. Finding the right pieces can take time, but it is worth it in order to end up with a home that is highly functional and durable, will grow with your needs, and will last for generations. All that and high style as well! Not bad.