Imagine yourself as a home designer forced to incorporate 12 appliances into a kitchen, including a wood-fired pizza oven, with the expectations of keeping optimum functionality and flow. That’s exactly what Hedy Shashaani, kitchen designer, was able to do for a home in Potomac, MD and the result was phenomenal. Wish lists like here can often be very overwhelming and challenging for some designers, however, Hedy was one of the lucky ones who was able to pull it off with style!

Key Takeaways:

• Extensive appliance wish lists can challenge even the most creative kitchen designer. This is even more evident when the designer is tasked not only with integrating the essentials and a few extra indulgences, but also expected to maintain optimum functionality and flow – without sacrificing aesthetics.
• In this Potomac, MD kitchen, Hedy Shashaani faced the mission head-on by incorporating nearly a dozen appliances, including two Bosch dishwashers; a Wolf range, ventilation hood, warming drawer and microwave; a Sub-Zero wine cooler, and a Miele refrigerator and freezer.
• But the most difficult appliance to integrate was the wood-fired pizza oven, which was a steadfast requirement of the husband who loves to cook for his wife and four children.

“Everything had to be planned so appliances are located in different areas of the kitchen, yet still reachable if several people are in the space at the same time.”

http://www.kitchenbathdesign.com/120895/appliance-placement-adds-function-flow/

Designing your new kitchen can be hard because there are tons of choices. This talks about ten tings you need to pay attention to. You wouldn’t want to leave something important out of your design so a list like this is helpful. There is more to it than just paint and tile colors.

Key Takeaways:

• Have you looked around at your kitchen lately and thought it could use a facelift? While binging shows like Fixer Upper, Design on a Dime, or House Hunters may have you ready to knock down cabinets and buy a reclaimed farmhouse sink, we all know how quickly diy can become a disaster.
• The layout of the kitchen is crucial. If it isn’t planned correctly, you might find yourself crossing the kitchen multiple times because things are never quite where you need them. The layout should be designed around the traffic pattern of typical use.
• I once lived in an apartment where I had to shut the door to the kitchen before I could open the oven. You have to ensure that not only do you have enough space to walk around doors and corners, but that there’s enough room to open the doors of cabinets and appliances without scratches…or injuries.

“The layout of the kitchen is crucial. If it isn’t planned correctly, you might find yourself crossing the kitchen multiple times because things are never quite where you need them. The layout should be designed around the traffic pattern of typical use.”

http://www.capecod.com/lifestyle/10-things-to-consider-in-designing-your-new-kitchen/

When considering remodeling your home, one must give at least some thought to the upgrades that will raise the cost as well as the longevity of the house. Some options are much better than others and pack a visual and structural punch. But with the variety of options available it can be hard to choose which direction to look first. Here are some things to get you started.

Key Takeaways:

• In our book, Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home, we polled members of the Remodelista Architect & Designer Directory to come up with a list of extras, large and small, that are worth the splurge.
• They may not be inexpensive, but they’re often money well spent. We’ve lived with many of these details ourselves and are eyeing several more for future remodels. Here, 15 worth considering.
• The favorite roofing material of every architect we polled? Hands-down the vote goes to “low maintenance, high aesthetic” standing-seam metal.

“If you’re looking to reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint, the time may be right to go solar.”

https://www.remodelista.com/posts/remodeling-101-luxuries-worth-adding-to-your-remodeling-project/

Lets take a leap into Orlando’s Kitchen where he started off with an empty space, turning it into an all new beautiful kitchen. Take a look at how well neat and put together this all new kitchen is, but on a budget! Using only a select few items he’s really been able to turn it around. Although he’s said to have went a little over budget but the outcome is absolutely brilliant.

Key Takeaways:

• Renovating in a rental can be trying and that it’s ultimately a huge waste of money. BUT! Spending money to make your surroundings beautiful isn’t a complete waste
• My advice to renters…would be to put together a budget beforehand and have your landlord agree to pay a specific sum rather than “half the cost”
• If you live in an impacted rental market like Los Angeles, you don’t have a lot of bargaining power because someone else will come along

“” All in all I’m very happy with my new kitchen. I think I did the best thing possible with the space. Would I do it over again knowing what I know now? Absolutely not. But sometimes when life gives you lemonade (a breakup, layoff, and sketchy landlord situation in my case) you make the best of it and move on. I’m excited to finally have a kitchen so I can make dinner for friends and not have to do my dishes in the bathroom anymore. You gotta celebrate the little victories in life…””

https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/orlandos-kitchen-reveal

The impact painting might have on improving the look of your rental kitchen. It’s easy to feel like you’re stuck with the typically lackluster or outdated fixtures of a rental kitchen, but with some creative thinking, you can enhance what works.Using the glass cabinet doors to display colorful dishes and play down what doesn’t work by bringing in elements that you love. Bianca’s use of colorful dishes and bright fruits and flowers makes what could be a very dull set of cabinets appear cheerful and pretty. Bianca also used chalkboard paint and a stylish rolling cart.

Key Takeaways:

• If it’s approved in your lease, consider the impact painting might have on improving the look of your rental kitchen.
• It’s easy to feel like you’re stuck with the typically lackluster or outdated fixtures of a rental kitchen, but with some creative thinking, you can enhance what works.
• Maybe you want to accentuate the vintage charm of your rental kitchen, or highlight the functionality of it.

“I think this kitchen is such a great example of the transformative quality of paint”

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/4-ideas-for-making-a-rental-kitchen-better-244223

Take a behind the scenes look at a kitchen remodel. The common goal of improving a new house is often met with delays, and unforeseen complications. However, the reward is seeing all your ideas, designs and visions come to life.

Key Takeaways:

• Unfortunately fate got in the way and they had to move in while finishing up their projects.
• We created a master plan which included knocking out all the walls to make the small rooms one large open concept, gutting the kitchen and master bath, replacing flooring, repainting and generally updating everything.
• I worked with two local woodworkers for reclaimed wood shelves and a mantle, along with a beautiful handmade sliding bedroom door.

“While the entire process from mortgage qualification to renovation was quite painful, it was beyond rewarding to see all of our ideas, designs and visions come to life. I have been concepting for my “first home” as long as I can remember, so a huge obstacle for me was simply editing literally years of magazine clippings, ideas and Pinterest pins.”

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-amp-after-hard-won-homeownership-infuriating-contractors-amp-a-dream-kitchen-244259

Windex is known for being the best streak-free glass cleaner on the market. What some might not know that this wonder-product offers a lot more benefits than advertised. Discover the ten handy uses for Windex that its creator’s never intended.

Key Takeaways:

• Windex is an incredibly useful product. Most of us have no clue that we’ve been missing out for years.
• However, much like pickle juice, this common household product hides secret uses that are under-appreciated by the general public.
• The myriad of Windex uses out there are pretty impressive, and it’s about time we all learn to appreciate them and put them to use!

“Windex is primarily designed to clean windows and other glass, but it can also be used as an all-purpose cleaner in an emergency.”

https://www.littlethings.com/put-some-windex-on-it/

We never realize how dirty our oven can get after using it repeatedly but it does in fact can get very, very dirty. Usually when we clean it we go to the store and buy kitchen cleaning supplies. Often, we use a foamy time of cleaning spray for our oven but this article gives us other things that can clean it just as well. This article says we can clean an oven with Baking Soda and Vinegar to get the same result, or better. Although it may cause extra effort the pictures in the article show the results are worth it.

Key Takeaways:

• Make a baking soda paste: In a small bowl, mix a 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. Adjust the ratio of both as needed until you have a spreadable paste.
• Coat your oven: Spread the paste all over the interior surfaces of your oven, steering clear of the heating elements. Let it sit overnight: Allow the baking soda mixture to rest for at least 12 hours, or overnight.
• Wipe out the oven: After 12 hours or overnight, take a damp dish cloth and wipe out as much of the dried baking soda paste as you can. Do a final wipe down: Take your damp cloth and wipe out the remaining foamy vinegar-baking-soda mixture.

“You can buy extremely harsh chemicals that will eat through any remaining debris, but the fumes are strong enough to singe off your eyebrows. The accompanying dizziness probably isn’t worth it either.”

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-an-oven-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-201191

When we are younger we love our toys, pictures, clothes and other souvenirs from our childhood. When we are older we love to look back at the stuff from our childhood to reminisce or to show people some stuff. However, collecting all of that stuff can become junk or useless clutter and can be considered hoarding. We wonder why it is we are so attached to certain stuff like that and according to this article it is because this is like our adult teddy bear. Which means, we love it dearly and never want to go anywhere without it. We can never let certain stuff go no matter how old we get.

Key Takeaways:

• According to Julie Holland, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine, “Sentimental clutter is the adult equivalent of a teddy bear.”
• Bid farewell to an object that holds sentimental value to you but that you no longer use or enjoy. This advice comes from Marie Kondo, author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
• Marie states, you can always take a picture of an item before parting with it—thus allowing you to keep a symbol of an item, which sometimes is all we’re really seeking.

“A study from the Yale School of Medicine found that “for many, letting go is literally painful” —meaning that for some of us, parts of our brain associated with physical pain are triggered when trying to part with certain items.”

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/getting-rid-of-sentimental-clutter-even-when-its-really-really-hard-243228

Do you want to dry your own herbs, but think that it is a task that is way out of your league? Put those negative thoughts aside, because drying herbs is something that most anyone can do. In fact, you need only an oven to dry herbs in a short time. If you want to learn the secret, you’ve come to the right place. Learn this awesome technique right away!

Key Takeaways:

• I really hate wasting things, so it’s always a sad occasion when I have to throw out fresh herbs that have gone bad.
• I always intend to use them! But sometimes life just gets in the way, and then you’re pulling a produce bag of greenish slime out of the back of your fridge.
• I’ll be showing you how you can make your own dried herbs in 3 easy steps. You don’t need any special equipment to do it, and it really couldn’t be any easier.

“I really hate wasting things, so it’s always a sad occasion when I have to throw out fresh herbs that have gone bad.”

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/how-to-dry-fresh-herbs-in-your-oven