Mr. Jackson
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7 dream kitchen upgrades experts promise you won’t regret

The very term ‘dream kitchen’ sounds unachievable, but it needn’t mean a full kitchen remodel or renovation. There are tweaks you can make to your current space that will transform it into your dream kitchen without having to totally overhaul it.  Rather than seeing your dream kitchen as one whole space, break it down into elements – what does your dream kitchen flooring look like? What is the backsplash made of? What color is it? By seeing your dream as a list of smaller details, you’ll be able to see how you can bring some of your dream kitchen ideas into your current space.  Click here to learn...

The Future Of Kitchens – Will They Be Open Or Closed?

We know some things in kitchens never change. Appliances may be sleeker, materials improved and color palettes may be broader. But let’s face it, the kitchen continues to be the heart of the home where most of the hard work takes place. Probably the biggest change we’ve seen over the years is to open the kitchen up to the rest of the house. And for good reason… After all, who wants to be isolated from company or the rest of the family while preparing food? Now the question is whether or not open kitchens are here to stay. According to Sam Cochran of Architectural Digest, “Kitchens will continue to be the gathering spaces, with dining nooks and multipurpose work surfaces where you can both roll your dough or type on your laptop. But it’s no longer a universal truth that a dream kitchen must be an open kitchen. “ In fact, many high-end homeowners are adding a second kitchen to serve as a working kitchen. It’s especially popular with those who entertain a lot. Second kitchens or “backstage workhorse kitchens” allow the “social” kitchen to serve as the gathering space.  This way the kitchen continues to be the place to hang out without getting in the way of food preparation. For those who have the space, two kitchens provide room for unhindered food preparation while maintaining the social kitchen we’ve come to...

Beautiful Bathroom Vanity Ideas

The bathroom vanity is where you primp and pamper yourself, or just wash your hands quickly. It can be massive or understated, modern or traditional, decorative or just plain practical. The bathroom vanity can be made up of one cabinet or several cabinets used to make a large vanity with plenty of storage options. When designing a bathroom vanity, you must first decide if you want one sink or two. If it is a small space, a single sink is all that can usually fit. However, you can incorporate an eye-catching vessel sink and a wall-mounted faucet to inject some style into a small unit. For dual sink areas, consider separating them with a tall storage tower to make a clean, clutter-free space. Create a rustic bathroom with rough wood cabinetry filled with natural knots in neutral colors. Substitute baskets on open shelving for drawers. A contemporary, ultra-trendy idea is the asymmetrical half floating vanity which attracts attention and features open plumbing. Floating vanities, in general, always give the illusion of a larger room and contribute to a minimalist vibe. Feel like royalty with mirrored cabinetry, a marble countertop, graceful carved legs under the vanity or ornate gold hardware. Consider a retro 60s vanity by adding a splash of bold color on the drawers or using sleek plastic laminate cabinetry with no hardware. Vanities don’t even have to be near a wall anymore either.  They can be an island near a free-standing tub or used to create a separate dressing space anywhere in the bathroom. Mixing styles is also a hot concept. Old materials, such as a weathered wooden...

The Smart Kitchen Trend – What Will Your Dream Look Like?

With the trend in adding a “work” kitchen to the “social” kitchen, let’s look at where kitchen appearance and function is headed. Last February, the Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas showcased a plethora of new views. Many kitchen designers now incorporate fashion-forward features like glass fronts and LED lights on refrigerators. Appliances and cabinetry have chic leather and metal hardware. Back-splashes now feature unusual finishes like shagreen, metal, raw wood and artful murals. Tech is also the buzz and smart kitchens are definitely going digital. Currently Smart-touch faucets turn on and off with just a tap. Refrigerators feature integrated cameras that allow people to check their groceries from both inside and outside the home. Induction cook tops save energy with technology that changes heat settings instantaneously. Now think of dishwashers responding to voice commands and appliances that could communicate with each other to create shopping lists, meal recommendations and cooking instructions. Not only futuristic, these features dovetail with the trend towards Universal Design – the approach that makes living at home easier for everyone at every age. This is why experts believe innovations for the sake of technology alone will be weeded out. They see the market moving towards technology that not only looks sexy, but improves kitchen function and ease of food...

Great Kitchen Cabinet Design Hacks

When building your dream kitchen, first consider your storage needs, kitchen size and shape, and your family’s personal style. Then, keep the following cabinet design hacks in mind: Craft an eclectic look by combining a variety of cabinets such as natural wood, gray and white. Different cabinet sizes and door styles create depth in the room. With a two-toned kitchen, paint the inside shelves of the upper kitchen cabinets to match the cabinets under your counter-top. This contrast will create a cohesive space. Combine cabinets and open shelving to make the most of a small kitchen. Also use sliding doors to help your small kitchen feel less congested. Consider lining only one wall with cabinets. This should provide enough storage while keeping the rest of the room open and uncluttered. If you have a dark wood floor, use light colored cabinets and counter-tops to avoid the kitchen looking too dreary. Choose cabinets that have a red tint to add color to the room while still giving it a natural feel. Contrast glass cabinet doors with solid black cabinets to make a bold statement. White cabinets will reflect natural light and brighten up the space but be sure to spice up bland white cabinets by adding texture. For more storage in your kitchen, install shallow cabinets or modify the inside of the cabinet doors to stash thin items like condiments and paper products. If you plan on entertaining guests, wrap your cabinets around a corner and have the lower set double as a bar. Plan ahead for easy access by installing a cabinet directly above the dishwasher to make it...

Latest Trends in Kitchen Pantries

New homes are being built with pantries once again and existing homes are being renovated to include one. Why? As open floor plans merge living rooms with kitchen spaces, kitchen counters must be kept clean and minimal, yet food still needs to be stored and prepped somewhere. For the budget conscious, a wall of cabinets tucked away in a corner nook with a fold-out work surface is a better storage solution than a walk-in pantry. Also consider a pull-out pantry to replace a broom closet. The key is to use all available floor-to-ceiling space. Designers prefer to hide small kitchen appliances like kettles and mixers. If you can afford a butler’s pantry, make pantry cupboards deep for all appliances. If you’re stuck on what appliances to get for your pantry, looking at online review pages can help in your decision, allgreatappliances can be one of the places to look. Cover beverage coolers with wooden panels. Trade old pantry cabinet doors for doors that hold jars, pans or utensils. Store your canisters or containers with the same shape and design on open shelving to look more organized. Install cubbies to house water cooler bottles or items bought in bulk. Labeled baskets and bins are a great way to contain your housewares with a touch of style while keeping your investment to a minimum. Customize the cabinetry of the pantry space to create a dedicated work zone that keeps all items related to a specific task (like a breakfast station or a baking center) in one contained area. LED task lighting affixed to cabinets is essential. Pantries with vintage-inspired features soften...