Category: Latest News

The Truth About White

White, in all its hues from snow to cream to the barest hints of blue or gray, makes a timeless base for kitchen design. Homeowners who hesitate to take the plunge on an all-white kitchen have no reason to fear. We debunk five commonly held beliefs about a white kitchen.

Myth #1: White is hard to keep clean

Fact: The right materials can make all the difference. New and improved stain-resistant countertops, sinks, and flooring give you all the beauty and elegance of white without the traditionally dingy surfaces. Some manufacturers offer pre-sealed granite countertops that keep spills—even wine!—from leaving marks. Other smart choices for white countertops include recycled glass, engineered stone, and quartz. Discuss your options for white countertops, sinks, flooring, and cabinets with a professional designer who can guide you toward materials that are easier to keep clean so dirt, food spills and other stains aren’t an issue.

Myth #2: White makes a kitchen feel cold

Fact: There’s more than one way to wear white, and the same holds true of kitchen hues. Choose warmer shades for walls, floors, and surfaces (think cream, vanilla or parchment, with undertones in the yellow-red part of the color spectrum rather than the crisp white that comes from the blue-green end of the spectrum) to keep the room from feeling chilly. Wood accents, such as bar stools, can add warmth. And don’t forget to let in plenty of light, paying special attention to work areas such as the kitchen sink, island, or peninsula. Well-positioned lighting can add character and definition to a white space.

Myth #3: White is too traditional

Fact: White is timeless and makes the perfect backdrop for contemporary kitchens. All-white kitchens, with their ability to create interesting contrasts and shadows, can emphasize the sharp angles of modern lines. For a sleek urban vibe, go all white and add stainless steel appliances and stone floors. Mix contemporary pieces with vintage to add interest. Or introduce a bit of color, painting the interior of open or glass-front cabinets or adding a colorful backsplash. It’s also easy to add drama with punches of color in lampshades, art, or accessories.

Myth #4: White is cookie-cutter

Fact: White is a blank slate that allows you to infuse your own personality into a space. Introduce color and texture through flooring, countertops, backsplashes, window treatments—the possibilities are virtually endless. Show off your style through appliances, adding some shine with stainless or character by going retro. White also lends itself well to creating a contemporary space that doesn’t feel overly trendy.

Myth #5: White only works for small kitchens

Fact: White does work well for compact spaces, because it makes these areas appear larger. However, it also makes a great choice for homes in warmer climates, give the space a cooler feel. White can lighten and brighten a home that doesn’t get a lot of natural light. No matter a kitchen’s size, white creates an open feeling and helps the eye flow, creating visual continuity. Whether you want sleek and stylish or warm and welcoming, white makes a great choice for the home’s most popular gathering space.

Article Publish on: http://www.cultivate.com/articles/5-myths-about-white-kitchens?pagenumber=7

If you’ve done any research on kitchen design, or even casually flipped through the pages of a home design magazine, chances are you’ve seen the term “kitchen triangle.” A theory developed in the 1940s by the University of Illinois School of Architecture in which the cooktop, refrigerator, and sink are all placed at points on an imaginary triangle, the idea became the foundation of modern American kitchen design. The purpose was originally to suggest specific guidelines for design professionals to follow in order to achieve truly efficient kitchens. It had a good run, don’t you think?

Multiple Generations

Not to disparage the overall sound reasoning of the theory, but society has changed and people are ever more comfortable—and eager—to express themselves creatively. As a result, kitchen design has evolved too. Rather than blindly following the kitchen triangle directive, families are now designing kitchens to better fit their modern lifestyles. It’s becoming more common, for example, for multiple generations to live and cook within the same kitchen. Different generations have different needs, so in order to make the food prep and dining more efficient, accommodations may include seating at a prep area for seniors. Or it may mean that the refrigerator is placed in a location perceived as inconvenient, but which serves to create a better workflow for those who use the kitchen at the same time—so that children can serve themselves snacks while their parents prep for dinner. Specialty accommodations and/or kitchens designed solely for aging-in-place seniors, Boomers, or Gens X, Y, and Z may also be good reason to violate the sacred kitchen triangle.

Multiple Lifestyles

The new “traditional family” bears little resemblance to the traditional family of a generation ago. A family’s cultural needs, varying work and play schedules, possible single head of household lifestyle, and any other permutation that defines a particular family requires and deserves its own unique solutions to live and work efficiently in the kitchen. Perhaps one family wants the cooktop to end up on the opposite side of an island to ease their transition to the table. Or another family comes from a culture where cooking takes place in a separate area, such as in a basement or smaller, enclosed space—certainly not efficient according to the kitchen triangle theory, but it is that family’s favored way to function. In other words, vive la différence…and design accordingly!

The Social Kitchen

Designing a kitchen for social interaction often results in a different layout than the overly efficient aims of the work triangle. Instead of focusing only on how people can best prepare meals, designers now take into account the ways families and friends spend time together in the kitchen. Large or multiple islands are able to accommodate people who wish to gather near the action of food preparation and cooking. Comfort in the form of soft furnishings, banquettes designed for seating flexibility, and large-screen TVs and other media add-ons encourage more activities within the boundaries of the kitchen than ever before. Additionally, cooks may want appliances such as wine or beverage refrigerators, coffee stations, and grilling or other specialty appliances close at hand, disrupting the kitchen triangle further if these items take precedence in the cooking process over the sink/cooktop/refrigerator trio.

The Cooking Process

The art and process of cooking is personal to each of us. Whether you want to get a meal on the table as simply and quickly as possible or whether you regularly attempt to make gourmet meals at a leisurely pace (or whether you’re somewhere in between), the placement of appliances, storage, and countertop distribution must be designed precisely for your functional needs. Today’s enormous selection of appliances and their varying sizes and configurations further enables cooks to tailor the kitchen to their specific requirements.

Considering the expense, time, and care spent on a renovation, it makes sense to find out how your family uses, and wants to use, your kitchen. Forget the rigid structure of the outdated triangle. Instead, express your inner chef—however that translates into your new kitchen’s design.

 

If you’ve ever noticed that your family (and your party guests) tend to gather in the kitchen, there’s a reason: A kitchen is both the heart of the home as well as a living room. “A kitchen isn’t just a place to prep and serve,” says Paula Kennedy, a certified kitchen and bath designer at Timeless Kitchen Design in Redmond, Wash. “It has become the hub of the home.”

Fact is, the kitchen is where everyone tends to convene, whether they’re eating breakfast, baking cookies or just talking with friends, says Sara Story, an interior designer in New York City.

“Your kitchen should always be a warm, casual and inviting location in your house,” Story says. “And, since it’s a hub of activity, it makes sense that the design should be comfortable, yet crisp and interesting. Kitchens should also convey your personal style, reflecting your likes of bold colors, exposed cabinetry or whatever you like most.”

So, if you’ve ever gazed at your cabinets wondering what you can do to make them more modern or stood at your counter dreaming of ways to update the look of this all-important room, read on.

Create an “action center.” Gone are the days when an office space has to be a hasty kitchen addition. Instead, consider creating an organized space for everyone in the family that includes cubbies for mail, drawers for bills and a dedicated place for calendars, chargers, etc.

“Make room for your own office area by placing your tablet or laptop on a section of countertop,” Kennedy says. “Then place a corkboard on the wall or install a blackboard backsplash. This is a great way to keep the family organized, and it looks modern, too.”

Add conversation pieces. If you’ve started a collection of antique coffee tins or have recently begun taking black-and-white photos of your favorite local diners, display them. “You’ll be amazed at how many people will notice your unique design taste,” Story says.

Don’t forget the hardware. Whether you’re into a European style or clean, modern lines, cabinet hardware is a great way to personalize your space. “Think of your cabinetry as furniture and vary the size of pulls and knobs to really give it a unique look,” says Kurt Knapstein, an interior designer in Kansas City, Mo. “Mixing up the hardware is an innovative way to keep your kitchen from looking like everyone else’s stock kitchen.”

Consider the banquette. For the first time in years, built-in banquette seating is hot, Kennedy says. “By adding a banquette to your kitchen, you’ll create a room that’s less ‘kitchen-y’ and feels more like a living space. Add a built-in banquette plus a freestanding table and you’ll create a versatile, flexible space.”

 

Modernize the light. Lighting is a cost-effective way to update the look of your kitchen. “For example, crystal chandeliers or sleek modern fixtures will keep your kitchen aglow for countless years to come,” Knapstein says. “Don’t be afraid to mix up metal finishes. This is a creative way to lend a modern touch to the room.”

Make the walls unique. While wallpaper can certainly enhance a kitchen’s look and help bring out your personality, you can also paint the walls in a colorful shade that’s as unique as you are. Accent that color palette with your favorite piece of art, Knapstein suggests. Travel memorabilia, framed kids’ art or even antique mismatched plates also make for great wall décor.

 

Spend time on your countertops. Anchor your kitchen with countertops that have a simple pattern and simple lines. “Then, build from there,” says Summer Baltzer, former host of HGTV’s Design on a Dime. “With a simple countertop, it’s easy to layer in creative backsplash tiles or accessories. The goal is to create a base look for your kitchen and then layer on your personality through color and accessories.” And, if you ultimately decide to install marble countertops and subway tiles, chances are your kitchen will stay chic over time.

 

Accessorize. Since your kitchen is ultimately all about food, look to foods—and textures—for inspiration. “Natural-wood cutting boards along with fruit and vegetable baskets are a great way to bring in color,” Baltzer says. “Cookbooks and interesting collections of cookware are also a beautiful way to add texture and interest in the kitchen. Showcase colorful baking pottery, wooden salt and pepper mills or hand-painted tiles that have been framed.”

 

After all, it’s your personal touch that will help keep your kitchen looking modern and stylish for many years to come.

This article is excerpted from USA TODAY Home magazine. The special publication contains articles on home decor, home improvement, style and entertaining. Find it at magazine newsstands across the USA and Canada or at home.usatoday.com.

 

Copyright 2013USATODAY Home magazine