Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Delicious Design

kathy ireland Home Cabinetry 

kathy ireland Home by Window World
Unleash Your Personal Style...Want to breathe new life into your home, as Kathy says…"take your home on a vacation?" From the kitchen to the bedroom, you can perform a complete makeover or add just a little spice by updating your kitchen. Changing out elements that range from faucets and hardware to countertops, kitchen lighting and home accessories, we'll share with you how the combination of product, color, style guides, and placement can make a home uniquely yours.
Home Builders:
For home builders, the NEW KITCHEN is more than just a place to prepare food. It's a place that will accommodate preparation, eating, storage, entertaining, surfing the net, family talks, and homework all with the use of classic lines, modern appliances, task lighting and functional design.
Kathy says not to be afraid of a theme (Style Guides), whether it be Architectural/ Modern with its simple, streamlined and more functional than fussy feel, or La Vida Buena/Rustic with its warm, woodsy, and inviting charm. Embrace whatever fits your motif, as well as your family's needs. The kitchen need not be a sterile and clean-lined laboratory space. Enhance your kitchen and home with sizzling, appetizing, rich food colors or dazzling, cool, earth tones from the outdoors.
Kitchen:
The New Kitchen is truly about storage and function, with compartmentalized drawers, narrow pull-out cabinets for spices, vegetable bins, deep pull-out pot drawers, pantries and trash & recycling bins. When it comes to countertops and flooring, there are many choices.  Linoleum, wood, tile, granite and even concrete are popular for flooring. Countertops come in a wide variety of choices, from stainless steel, marble, honed stone (which is softer to the touch) to ceramic tiles. And don't forget about the lighting. Adding ambience lighting will make your home warm and inviting, while task lighting is a must for function and safety.
But the #1 design solution should be "Understanding the needs of those who will use the kitchen".  (The family’s needs)
Organization: keep things you frequently use where they are easy to reach.
Built-in ovens, microwaves and storage for small appliances will make your kitchen appear less cluttered.
If there isn't room for any type of pantry, consider converting a closet outside of the kitchen to a storage area for fine china, large pots and infrequently used items.


If you want to instantly transform your kitchen, and don’t have the budget to remodel.

By refacing or replacing your current cabinets, you can dramatically improve the look of your kitchen - without the mess, expense or hassle of a major renovation.
Your choice of cabinet style and color will set the tone for the look of your kitchen.
Make your kitchen kid friendly; rounded soft corners, kid height counters that are easy to clean and scratch resistance.
 
Solutions for a Custom Look
Vary cabinet height: Lowering cabinet height allows more display area above, while raising it allows more storage area.
Use specialty cabinets: Sections include wine and plate racks and display shelves.
Adding glass and light to enhance and give a custom look and feel.  These options add interest and break up the space of a wall lined with cabinets.
Add appliance panels: Panel inserts made to match existing cabinet fronts can be added to built-in appliances (usually refrigerators and dishwashers).

A Kitchen Island is another way to increase storage and counter space it can also provide addition sitting for meals or entertaining.

For an instant update try installing a fixtures, handles, knobs, faucets, and lighting, you will find that this is a very simple and affordable option that will give your kitchen an extra special touch.

Home:
Whether it's just a room, or an entire home makeover, you should seek out what's new in the market place, while keeping some of those classic design elements in mind. This will enable you to develop a personal style all your own.
Elements of color, function and style will blend together to produce a look that is just for you. A lighter color and higher ceilings can make a room seem more airy. Adding French doors will give the sense of bringing the outdoors in. Lots of light and easy access to outdoor living spaces are key elements to the new home.
What's new? Adding bold sensual colors to your home will truly reflect your personal style. From dish towels, pillows, area rugs, art, napkins, window treatments to dishes and bed linens, an accent of color can go a long way. Even that classic toaster and mixer can be brought up to date in a cocoa brown or cherry red. Remember it's not your mama's kitchen anymore.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Fall Flooring Days

For all your flooring solutions please check out kathy ireland Home by Shawfloors.com


kathy ireland Home by Shawflooring is dedicated to creating beautiful sustainable products. So you get flooring that leaves an impression on guests, not the enviroment.


Make sure you don't miss out on the Fall Flooring Event - Improve My Nest
Shawflooring is giving away area rugs, $500.00 gift cards and more Grand prize is a $5000.oo gift card. Please vist Shawfloors.com and contact your local Shaw dealer for more details.