Kitchen Organization

The key to a great looking kitchen is organization.

The key to a great looking kitchen is organization.  In order to have uncluttered counters and tabletops, your storage solutions must be smart, suited your lifestyle, and designed to avoid wasting space.

kitchen storage

A kitchen takes about 12 to 14 weeks to build.  It’s important to consider how the space will be used so the design includes strategic storage solutions.  Think about where you cook, how you clean, and where you can store specific items.  How close to the range do you want spices, oils, and utensils?  Which kitchen items do you need close at hand, and which do you only use rarely?  When designing a kitchen, I look for storage and organization solutions that work for each client’s needs.

spice storagebulthaup

Part of designing a kitchen involves editing out superfluous items.  It’s more difficult to be organized if you have too much of everything.  Do you need five wine openers?  Focus on the basics, not on overabundance.  I also plan for the client’s storage needs in terms of dinnerware.  Today’s plates are big, sometimes 12 or 13 inches in diameter.  Typical kitchen cabinets may not work for oversize dishes, so I find a 14 inch clearance is ideal.  I also love it when the insides of cabinets and drawers are finished.  They should look beautiful when you open them!

porcelanosabulthaup drawer system

If you plan to renovate your kitchen or are building a home, think beyond the surface beauty of kitchen design and explore organization solutions that will allow you to truly enjoy the space.  Think about how you use your kitchen — are you a baker, an entertainer, an accomplished home chef?  Thoughtful design is essential!

hobson woodworks incheartwood kitchens baking drawer

 

 

Favorite Things: Kitchen Faucets

We do a lot of architectural specifications, and one element that falls into this category is faucets.

We do a lot of architectural specifications, and one element that falls into this category is faucets.  Particularly in the kitchen, we really hone in on the faucet to ensure we have the style, form, and function to best suit the space and the client’s needs.  Everyone has a preference for the faucet, whether it operates by a touch system or features more traditional on/off function.  So many faucets now have features integrated into a seamless design without sacrificing utility.  Touch systems are very popular right now, as are pedals installed at the floor to turn the water on or off.  There are many beautiful options available today.  Here are some of my favorites:

1.  Vola, KV1.  One-handle mixer with ceramic disc technology, double swivel spout.

vola

2.  Kohler Purist

kohler purist

3.  Waterstone Contemporary PLP Extended Reach Pull Down Faucet

waterstone contemporary extended reach pull down faucet

4.  Waterworks Regulator

regulator gooseneck kitchen faucet

5.  Waterstone Fulton

waterstone fulton kitchen faucet

6.  Minta Touch, Chrome

minta touch

7.  Waterworks, Universal

universal modern high profile faucet

8.  Minta Touch

minta touch pull down

9.  Kohler Karbon

kohler karbon articulatin faucet

10.  KWC, EVE

kwc armaturen