Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson

Best under cabinet lighting

There’s general lighting, which usually refers to the big wired-in light in the ceiling. Then there’s accent lighting or decorative lighting, designed more for ambience and fun than real function. And there’s task lighting, ideal for prepping ingredients, reading cookbooks and cleaning up properly.  Task lighting is a popular addition to modern kitchens, especially. Typically installed to the underside of cupboards and cabinets, they shine in areas where the big light can’t get to, heightening visibility and making it much easier - not to mention safer - to do jobs like dicing ingredients, prepping marinades and cleaning up thoroughly afterwards.  Click here to continue...

Fixer Upper-Inspired Laundry Room Ideas

Many people think a laundry room is just that — a laundry room. For this reason, activities in the space, including sorting, washing, and folding clothes, can seem like a stressful chore. However, an aesthetic environment is a recipe for motivation, and your laundry room shouldn’t be any different. Joanna Gaines of “Fixer Upper,” is a big fan of elegant and functional laundry rooms. On her Magnolia blog, Joanna explains how she’s married function and aesthetics in the space saying, “The beautiful materials and soft colors come together to create a laundry room that makes work a joy.” Read...

Drab to fab!

“Those butcher-block counters? Turns out, they were just planks of lumber made to look like the real thing. Then, there was the electric stove — touted as a space-saver — that was barely big enough for a Thanksgiving turkey. By the end of its service, it had just two working burners! So, after seven years of plenty of everyday cooking (including two-plus years of living intense pandemic life), we bid adieu to the original floor plan, cabinets, and appliances to renovate the kitchen of our dreams. Ready for the big reveal?” Click here to continue...

How to Add Ambiance (And Safety) to Your Kitchen

Universal Design is an interior design that adapts homes to homeowners, not the other way around. The goal is to make the entire home safe and easy to use. When it comes to kitchens, here’s one design tip that adapts your kitchen to your needs plus transforms it into a dining area with ambiance. You’ll be amazed to see how one small addition to your cabinetry can make such a difference. When it comes to base cabinets, most manufacturers include an indentation to make room for your feet called the toe kick space. Typically 3 inches deep and about 3 1/2 inches high, this space allows people to stand closer to the countertop so they don’t have to lean forward. Standing closer puts less strain on the back, shoulders and arms and minimizes discomfort, posture issues and chronic pain. The addition of light to this space adds both safety and ambiance. Here’s how. First, it clearly defines the break from floor to cabinets.  Especially advantageous at night, you minimize the possibility of bumping into things. This definition also aids early morning and evening meal preparation. Another advantage is that lighting placed within the toe kick can’t cause a glare. One goal of Universal Design is to balance lighting. It doesn’t matter if you have 20/20 vision, wear glasses or have a family member with sight issues; too much light is just as dangerous as too little. Foot level lighting balances overhead lighting and the combination eliminates shadows. Finally, toe kick lighting sets the ambiance of a kitchen. The soft glow creates an atmosphere that makes your meal more relaxed…...

Kitchen cabinets: reface or replace?

The kitchen is a busy room in many homes. That popularity likely has something to do with why so many homeowners spend sizable sums renovating their kitchens. According to highlights from the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, the median spend on major kitchen remodels grew by 14 percent from the previous year, and minor remodels increased by 25 percent. Spurred on by increased time spent at home during the pandemic, the main impetus for kitchen remodels according to the study was that homeowners wanted to make these improvements all along and finally had the time and means to do so. Click here to continue...