Kitchen
This is a good article with info for both the kitchen and bathrooms.
Knowing where to stop the tile horizontally is easy if your kitchen runs wall to wall, but what if it ends partway along a longer wall? In a case like this, where the kitchen cabinetry ends midroom, the best option is to end the upper cabinets, lower cabinets and backsplash all in one crisp line. Notice at the right side of this kitchen by Cabri how the backsplash aligns with the upper and lower cabinets — while the counter hangs out over that line a little bit — rather than extending to the end of the counter and sticking out past the upper cabinets (which to me would be much less tidy).
Oversize rectangular tile. There are a lot of reasons to consider large rectangular tiles in a bathroom. Fewer grout lines mean less cleaning and less visual clutter. Plus, the large-format tile can help visually expand a small space. We’re seeing large tiles used in a variety of classic patterns, such as herringbone, stacked and brick. If you’re considering large rectangular tiles for the bathroom floor, professionals on Houzz recommend going with a matte finish, which provides some slip resistance. In this Tampa, Florida, bathroom by designer Kelly Pedersen of 7th House Interiors, 8-by-36-inch matte porcelain floor tiles with a wood grain finish make the 50-square-foot space feel larger than it is.
He adds: “At the risk of making the feature wall too dark, we went with a dark grout (between the blue tile - to the left), which avoided making the blue fan tile feel like a bathroom tile had we gone with white grout. The white tiles were flipped vertically to give the appearance of added space below the cabinets, while matching the lines of the cabinetry.” We could put vertical tiles below our cooktop hood to make the space appear taller...
Designer Rebekah Zaveloff of KitchenLab Interiors created an island with vintage charm for this kitchen in Oak Park, Illinois. Rather than a typical block of cabinets topped with a counter, she designed one with legs on the seating side and varied massing to create more of a custom furniture look. The island countertop is Sapphire Pearl quartzite. The designer specified a built-up mitered edge to give it a thicker appearance. This makes it stand out from the perimeter counters and adds to the custom look of the island.
note table leg with Shaker cabinets
Note the island leg style.
Note the island's leg style.
Sage green island
Notice how the white subway tile backsplash helps to brighten up this kitchen with Walnut cabinets.
No Doors under the Induction Cooktop!
Note the simple, square legs on this island.
I like this emerald green tile - maybe for a backsplash behind the kitchen induction cooktop and the vent hood? Color coordinated with a green island?
A green painted island. The cantilevered countertop is an efficient use of space when placing chairs on two sides of the island.
Notice the simple island with a cantilevered stone surface and no legs to get in the way of the stools.
I like the simple hood and how the tile backsplash wraps up both sides to the ceiling.
pic. 2
Notice the island leg design.
island with legs
island with legs
island with legs
island with legs
island with legs
island with legs
island with legs
island with legs
Island with legs - not that I particularly like them...
Neat closet to hold the booze!
Paper Towel Dispenser
The upper shelf for lids is a neat idea for our containers drawer.
When mixing shelving with seating, you’ll really appreciate not having to open a door to grab a cookbook or pot. At the same time, you’ll want to be sure not to display anything too delicate that could end up falling victim to a stray swipe from a foot. Cookbooks are usually tough enough for this task, so for those who still love to read a recipe from a printed page, this is a great option.
Half Doors - Half Seating: In either of these cases, consider getting the best of both worlds by putting seating and deep cabinets next to each other. This kitchen (the same one as the previous image) has just enough seats for a small group to gather around and chat with the chef, while the rest of the island is devoted to easily accessed storage.
Half doors, half seating. Some islands don’t have enough depth to include two-sided storage cabinets with seating in front like the past few examples do. Also, in many open-layout kitchens, it isn’t really necessary to include a large number of seats at the island when a larger dining area is available just steps away.
Storage with Seating: Another option is to place cabinet knobs lower than normal (about halfway up the cabinet) so they rest below knee height and above kicking feet. You’ll also want to make sure to choose a cabinet finish that can handle being gently kicked or scuffed from time to time. Quality, washable paints in a finish with some sheen will hold up well, and a dark color can’t hurt.
Storage with Seating: Keep in mind when mixing cabinets with seating that there won’t be just stools tucked up against the doors, but people too. You’ll want to be sure to consider your choice of cabinet hardware and the placement of knobs or pulls to minimize bumped knees. Small rounded knobs placed high up, or door fronts with integrated reach-in handles that don’t protrude, will prevent discomfort.
Door cabinets with stools. Another smart option is to use either an extra-deep island or shallower cabinets on both sides to allow space for stools to tuck in, balancing storage with seating. To go back to our example of a standard 42-inch-deep island, if you construct it out of two rows of 15-inch-deep cabinets instead (placed back to back to put storage on both sides), this makes 30 inches of storage and leaves 12 inches of overhang, which is enough for dining stools to tuck in.
I like the cantelevered countertop on this island without legs.
Lights for Feeling Showcase lights, also known as accent lights, all have one thing in common: They help a space feel more inviting and comfortable. Whether you use illuminated cabinets, chandeliers, sconces or pendants, showcase lights should be visible from wherever you stand or sit in the kitchen. That way you’ll get the benefit of this feel-good lighting at all times. Showcase lights might also help you perform functional tasks in the kitchen, but their main purpose is to draw attention and make a room feel complete.
I like the toe kick lights around the island. Designers call it “ambient light,” but it is really just a layer of light to help us know where we are and where we are going. Recessed “can” down lights are a great option here because they light up the floor and bounce light off cabinet fronts to create a bright, well-lit space. Adding toe-kick lighting underneath cabinets and islands is also a great way to help prevent stubbing toes at night. Wall sconces are another way to provide ambient lighting that can help you better navigate your kitchen.
Special detail. Range backsplash tile in an arched frame. The tile is Bianco onyx and Thassos marble in a polished water jet-cut pattern resembling lily pads. “With the newly acquired focal point achieved by placing a large decorative cabinetry-style range hood in the center of the main kitchen run, I wanted to add a special tile feature above the cooktop,” designer Elena Eskandari says. Elena Eskandari - Case Design/Remodeling Inc. “After the homeowners chose Taj Mahal quartzite for the countertops, I was looking for the tile that was not too colorful, contrasting or geometric,” Eskandari continues. “Instead, I was looking to add something similar to the countertop texture that is more muted and has an organic shape. To make the area feel even more special, I added an arch to the top of the tile feature to mimic the lines of the range hood above.”
Note how the cooktop has been moved to the sidewall, near the double-ovens. Galley type of Island With fewer frills and a straightforward design, galley islands are built to be workhorses. They can be a good fit for any type of kitchen layout, assuming that there’s enough space for one. Pros. Often considered the quintessential island design for open-concept kitchens, galley islands ensure that your space has flow and remains efficient with their streamlined design. They usually maximize storage space because there aren’t any corners or curves. Appliances and stored items are always accessible. The design also favors bar-style seating.
Olive-Tan Cabinet color. Northampton Putty by Benjamin Moore. “With white walls and trim [Navajo White by Benjamin Moore] and natural wood ceiling paneling — natural oil on reclaimed tobacco pine tongue and groove — the paint adds color to the space while blending with the natural surrounding,” Laraby says. Homeowners’ request. “This home took four years to design, as the architect and homeowner revised it repeatedly to be sure it fit the environment,” says Kirsten Laraby, the selections manager at Terra Firma Custom Homes. “Located in a mountain valley, the home has sweeping views of the Continental Divide and other surrounding mountain peaks. Due to the open nature of the surrounding meadow, it was important that the house did not look out of place and was kept at one level with low-slung roofs. The exterior uses natural colors and materials. To mimic this, the interior also uses natural colors and simple lines. The architecture is not overly complex, and most of the interior finishes are composed of stone, metal and wood.” Other special features. Silver Macaubus granite slab countertop and backsplash. Walnut island countertop inserts. Custom steel range hood. Woodland cut whit...
Only one-half of the long side has seating. Interesting idea.
If we need to support the countertop, how do you like these supports vs a leg on each corner?
Seating on two sides. Turquoise Mist 695, Benjamin Moore
Seating on two sides; notice the cantelevered table top that doesn't require a leg on the corners.
Table leg style picked by Maria for our island 04-30-21. Vista al Mar on Houzz.
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