Fitted Kitchens - Tips Before You Buy a Kitchen

The Work Triangle or The Work Area:

One of the most important aspects of any kitchen and its one of the areas of planning that must involve the impact the cook or chef. There are three main appliances that will determine this area and these are, the cooker, the fridge and the sink or waste area. You may well ask why, well these when you think about it are the three most used places in any kitchen. If any of these areas are too far away from each other it can make using the kitchen to its full potential difficult.

So the work area or the work triangle should be given the attention it deserves before proceeding to the other areas of choosing your kitchen.

Available Kitchens:
When you go to any showrooms today you will see a huge range of kitchens displayed under strategically placed bright lights, and you think I must have one of these. A little advice, don't rush that decision.

One of the areas to check out is the kitchen carcass or the frame. This is where the doors are attached by hinges that will be used many times every day, and you certainly don't want to be adjusting doors in a few weeks after your purchase because some manufacturer decides to cut corners by using rubbish wood from framing, and the hinges and other fittings like runners become loose because the screws used for to attach such fittings are not gripping properly.

Maple Kitchens
This is a very valuable hardwood timber, we have in North America the Sugar Maple while in Europe we have the Sycamore Maple. Butchers blocks and bowling pins are mostly manufactured from hard maple from North America and it has a beautiful decorative wood grain.

Ash Kitchens
This wood is a tough hardwood and is used for making bows, kitchens, electric guitar bodies and one of the famous sporting accessories the hurley stick. Hurling is a sport played by sporting warriors all over Ireland and is deemed to be the fastest spot in the world. Not for the faint hearted.

Oak Kitchens
One of the hardwoods with a very attractive grain and is widely used for furniture making for centuries. It is also used for making whiskey and wine barrels and is one of the timbers used for the construction of timber framed houses. American Oak kitchens when manufactured and finished of well are just beautiful.

Knotty Pine Kitchens
Pines are mostly grown in the Northern hemisphere and are extremely important in the commercial world and is widely used in the making of kitchens, windows and roofing and floors.

In-frame Kitchens
These kitchens can be made of any wood and are simply manufactured by having the doors and drawers sit into the the frame rather than having them protrude like a normal kitchen. They are by far the best style available to day. Leinster Woodcraft are specialist in this type of manufacturing and you can see their kitchens by visiting the links below.

Painted Kitchens
These kitchens are where the kitchens are painted and can be refreshed over the years. A popular kitchen is where the kitchen base and overhead units are painted cream with an Oak work-top to add contrast and style.

Advice, look behind the lovely new kitchen door and ask questions, after all its your hard earned money your spending. Visit the links below this article to view images and get quotations.

Daniel is a freelance author and writes articles on home improvements and solar energy and for more information visit House and Homes and Solar Homes

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Undermount Kitchen Sinks – Important Installation Tips for Undermount Kitchen Sinks

While the undermount kitchen sinks could be the modern trend, you have to be careful about its installation. Faulty installation can result in leakage that you won’t like and that would cause you irritation and problems. On the other hand appropriate installation will give you sink long life and you will also not have leakages.

The pertinent question for you is that how are you going to ensure proper installation? One way is to meticulously follow the instructions that come from the provider of the undermount kitchen sinks. If it is from a good and reliable provider, they will invariably ask you to have beads of clear silicone caulk. Such caulk would be placed around the flat lip of the sink. Moreover, the continuous beads of caulk will play the role of waterproof sealing material in between the sink on one hand and the countertop on the other.

After the undermount kitchen sink is firmly pressed with the stone or other countertop you have in your kitchen the waterproof sealing performs the best way. You may be thinking that the installation process is quite complex or it might take a lot of time. Contrary to your feelings, a good professional installer will take barely thirty minutes to install the sink in your kitchen. Only a few ordinary equipments would be required. They include a 2 X 4 longer, a couple of bar clamps and hammer. You will also require two-part epoxy specially made for the purpose, caulk and the gun to spread the caulk.

As soon as the underside of your countertop is made dust free, the installer will start using the silicone caulk applying it first on the sink lip. He will proceed on pushing the undermount kitchen sink slowly upwards at the underside of the countertop. The push up continues till the sink is centered under the polished cutout. Thereafter the installer will place the top of the countertop which spans across your sink. While installing the installer would pass one side of the bar clamp through the hole in your sink. The other end of the clamp will pass on top of the 2 x 4. If your sink was double bowled it would require two clamps because there are two drain holes.

This is one of the advantages you have with undermount kitchen sink. You require only one clamp. The clamp is tightened in a way that the sides are even on all sides of the countertop. The installer will now go on to mix the epoxy and thereafter apply the same to the small sized bolt posts attached near the lip of the sink. The installer will ensure proper installation being on their backs in the sink base. Normally, the epoxy will take no more than ten minutes to set in. After this is accomplished the installer will install the rest of the parts.

However, you may not go on connecting the drain pipes or disposer to the sink before at least 24 hours is completed after the installation. Also never keep the nuts loose nor make them over tight. Fine balance is the keyword for proper installation of your sink. Finally, remember the million dollar proverbs “haste is waste” and “slow and steady wins the race”. Never allow the installer to rush therefore.

About The Author:
For the best undermount kitchen sinks that boast high technology and innovative design, visit us at http://www.vigoindustries.com. Our extensive experience coupled with knowledge of customer demands will ensure you get the kind of sink you want!

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What to Look for When Choosing a Kitchen Remodeling Company

Thinking about hiring a kitchen remodeling company to design your new custom kitchen? This
article will provide you with things to look for before you hire a custom kitchen remodeling
company. Whether you're looking to add storage through expansion, reorganize your existing
kitchen or remodel your entire space, the following information will be beneficial to you.


A Professionally designed kitchen can increase the value of your home dramatically. In fact, it's
one of the first impressions people get when they walk into your home. Custom kitchen design,
however, isn't just about cabinets. Professional designers work with you to assess all your needs.
Whether you're looking to re-face your cabinets, replace your countertops or add new storage
elements, you want a design that makes everything flow perfectly. That's why choosing the right
custom kitchen remodeling company is crucial.


So, what should you consider when choosing a custom kitchen remodeling company? Well, let's
review each element in detail so that you can get a full understanding of what to look for and
what to avoid.


Choosing a Custom Kitchen Remodeling Company: Your Unique Needs


Defining your unique needs and wants will help you choose the right kitchen remodeling
company to work on your home. Chances are, if you're looking for a professional custom kitchen
designer, you want more than just a few cabinets. By now, you're probably ready to make your
dreams a reality. Maybe you've always wanted a walk-in pantry or built-in wine refridgerator.
Or maybe you have a brand new home, a blank canvas on which you'd like to impose your
imagination and ideas.


If you haven't done so already, spend some time looking through various custom kitchen design
galleries online or in magazines. Look at layouts, color combinations, shelving and drawer
patterns, lighting, hanging features, item visibility and accessibility, etc. You may think you know
exactly what you want but the more you see, the more ideas you'll have and the more
comfortable you will feel with your final decision moving forward.


Choosing a Custom Kitchen Remodeling Company: Services Provided


A custom kitchen company can provide services that range from one solution to a dozen or more.
Some may just do kitchen organizers like the ones you would find in a typical college dormitory.
A few may focus strictly on kitchen design and installs in bedrooms. Others may offer a variety
of custom storage solutions that include kitchens, offices, garages, kitchens, utility rooms,
pantries, wall beds, media centers and more. Many custom kitchen design companies provide a
combination of many or all of these services.


Make sure you choose a professional custom kitchen designer that will be able to design,
manufacture and install your solution. Having more than one company work on the same project
can become confusing and expensive! It's best to find one company that can do it all - it will save
you money and bring continuity to your project.


Choosing a Professional Custom Kitchen Remodeling Company: Number of Employees


Another thing to consider when choosing a professional custom kitchen designer is the number of
employees the company has on their team. If you hire a company that operates with two guys
and a truck, you may bump into a considerable amount of problems and delays that you
probably wouldn't experience with a larger company. Companies who employ more people
usually have skilled workers who have specialties in certain aspects of design, construction and
installation. While they may be a little more expensive, they'll serve you and your needs better
in the long run.

About the Author

Ann Lyons is co-owner of Sun Valley Interiors, a premier family-owned kitchen and bath remodeling and cabinet-design company who was voted #1 Kitchen Bath Remodelers by Ranking Arizona in 2009. For more information about kitchen remodeling, call us at 602-381-1289 or visit our website.

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Add Color Accents to Your Kitchen

When it comes to kitchen layouts, contemporary designs typically call for plain, mundane styles and arrangements. Why not kick up your kitchen design a notch by incorporating color? Appropriately mixing and matching elements of color with your current kitchen appliances and eating areas will instantly give your home a boost in energy and brightness no matter how cold or dreary the weather.

Decorate the Appliances

If you have purchased your home or apartment within the last two decades, chances are your kitchen includes all or mostly stainless steel appliances. Or, maybe your home features all black or off white fixtures. By replacing some of your home hardware, such as oven door handles or microwave frames, you can create a truly unique style of your own. If you do decide to pair your otherwise boring appliances (sinks included), be sure to select a few colors that match an overall theme. Otherwise, you can easily get carried away; you do not want your home hardware project looking like a rainbow exploded!

Trim the Countertops

Whether laminate, wood or metal, your countertop is an easy area to incorporate color. Unlike your appliances, however, using subtle hints of color to match your already existing materials is wise. Often, simply refinishing the wood or relaying a more decorate laminate top is all you will need. Speckled, multi-colored laminates work best as they look and match practically any color scheme as well as disguise burn marks and grease stains that can make wooden counters look messy and warn.

Similarly, your coffee bar or eat-in area should be consistent with your countertops. It is crucial that you consider your color palette prior to purchasing and renovating any aspect of your kitchen!

Get Fancy With the Flooring

As a child, it is endlessly entertaining to sprint full on into your kitchen and zip across the floor in your socked feet. Ensure that your flooring is safe and installed correctly to avoid any permanent water damage (critical around the dishwasher if you have one). What many homeowners make the mistake of doing is simply overlooking your flooring, erring on the side that plain is enough. Wrong! Simply replacing a few feet of your kitchen floor near the eating area will instantly add character to your room. Accent tiling that matches your overall style is uncommon and sophisticated, instantly transforming your room.

Wallpaper & Curtains

While many homeowners choose simple floor patterns, they conversely go overboard with loud, oftentimes obnoxious wall paper and curtain patterns. Keep it simple! By limiting the number of colors and bold designs (note: never choose checkers) used, you allow the eye to travel around the room instead of focusing on one area. This is crucial, as wall paper can easily become an eyesore competing with your kitchen cabinet hardware.

Dress the Door Knobs

What is a cabinet without proper door knobs and pulls? Again, as you paired your appliances with matching plastic frames or other drawer handles or pulls, do the same courtesy for your cabinets. Keeping the same colors consistent on varying eye levels will again help any onlooker's gaze move throughout the room, noticing how well the colors of your cabinet knobs compliment each other instead of how they compete for your undivided attention!

Accessorize With Pizzazz

Last but certainly not least, any properly decorated kitchen must include the proper accessories. From utensils to copper pots, you should again be consistent, especially if you plan to utilize any of these elements as decorations. Additionally, towel racks should match the same metal and finish as your cabinet knobs. If you think your kitchen colors are too bland, add an instant splash of color with bright, cheerful pot holders and hand towels. If you can't decide whether to add more color or not, slightly close your eyes and notice the overall colors, they should all mesh and blend to create a soft look, not a glaring reminder of the once popular neon colors!

Tori works for Your Home Supply (YHS) t

When it comes to kitchen layouts, contemporary designs typically call for plain, mundane styles and arrangements. Why not kick up your kitchen design a notch by incorporating color? Appropriately mixing and matching elements of color with your current kitchen appliances and eating areas will instantly give your home a boost in energy and brightness no matter how cold or dreary the weather.

Decorate the Appliances

If you have purchased your home or apartment within the last two decades, chances are your kitchen includes all or mostly stainless steel appliances. Or, maybe your home features all black or off white fixtures. By replacing some of your home hardware, such as oven door handles or microwave frames, you can create a truly unique style of your own. If you do decide to pair your otherwise boring appliances (sinks included), be sure to select a few colors that match an overall theme. Otherwise, you can easily get carried away; you do not want your home hardware project looking like a rainbow exploded!

Trim the Countertops

Whether laminate, wood or metal, your countertop is an easy area to incorporate color. Unlike your appliances, however, using subtle hints of color to match your already existing materials is wise. Often, simply refinishing the wood or relaying a more decorate laminate top is all you will need. Speckled, multi-colored laminates work best as they look and match practically any color scheme as well as disguise burn marks and grease stains that can make wooden counters look messy and warn.

Similarly, your coffee bar or eat-in area should be consistent with your countertops. It is crucial that you consider your color palette prior to purchasing and renovating any aspect of your kitchen!

Get Fancy With the Flooring

As a child, it is endlessly entertaining to sprint full on into your kitchen and zip across the floor in your socked feet. Ensure that your flooring is safe and installed correctly to avoid any permanent water damage (critical around the dishwasher if you have one). What many homeowners make the mistake of doing is simply overlooking your flooring, erring on the side that plain is enough. Wrong! Simply replacing a few feet of your kitchen floor near the eating area will instantly add character to your room. Accent tiling that matches your overall style is uncommon and sophisticated, instantly transforming your room.

Wallpaper & Curtains

While many homeowners choose simple floor patterns, they conversely go overboard with loud, oftentimes obnoxious wall paper and curtain patterns. Keep it simple! By limiting the number of colors and bold designs (note: never choose checkers) used, you allow the eye to travel around the room instead of focusing on one area. This is crucial, as wall paper can easily become an eyesore competing with your kitchen cabinet hardware.

Dress the Door Knobs

What is a cabinet without proper door knobs and pulls? Again, as you paired your appliances with matching plastic frames or other drawer handles or pulls, do the same courtesy for your cabinets. Keeping the same colors consistent on varying eye levels will again help any onlooker's gaze move throughout the room, noticing how well the colors of your cabinet knobs compliment each other instead of how they compete for your undivided attention!

Accessorize With Pizzazz

Last but certainly not least, any properly decorated kitchen must include the proper accessories. From utensils to copper pots, you should again be consistent, especially if you plan to utilize any of these elements as decorations. Additionally, towel racks should match the same metal and finish as your cabinet knobs. If you think your kitchen colors are too bland, add an instant splash of color with bright, cheerful pot holders and hand towels. If you can't decide whether to add more color or not, slightly close your eyes and notice the overall colors, they should all mesh and blend to create a soft look, not a glaring reminder of the once popular neon colors!

Tori works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of matte black cabinet knobs and matte black door knobs. Visit them now to see their selections. With a wide range of finishes and styles Your Home Supply can help you add color accents to your kitchen.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tori_Spade

he definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of matte black cabinet knobs and matte black door knobs. Visit them now to see their selections. With a wide range of finishes and styles Your Home Supply can help you add color accents to your kitchen.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tori_Spade

Kitchen Design Tool - How To Achieve The Kitchen Interior Design You Want

Be your own designer with the help of a kitchen design tool. A kitchen design tool can be downloaded at a small price or free, is a time saver and also saves you from that trip to a designer’s office.

Before I give you the advantages and benefits of a kitchen design tool, you need some quick instructions on how to establish your desired kitchen design before staring. First of all, set up a budget for how much you can afford to spend for your new kitchen. Don’t ever break the bank during this process.

If you find your desired kitchen design costs more than you can handle tat the moment, then you might consider doing part of it now and holding off on the rest until you can more readily afford it.

Once you’ve accomplished this process, finding the right kitchen design is relatively easy. Start off by researching on the internet.

You can quickly and easily find many different kitchen design options on the web, much quicker than you could at your local store. Once you’ve chosen the right design, now it’s time to start using a kitchen design tool.

Each kitchen design tool includes clear instructions. All you need to do is follow it patiently and you will have your designer kitchen ready in no time.

You will have to work with different buttons like manual or auto-design. You can add or delete any cabinet you would like.

There will be a view button to have a 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional view of your kitchen walls. It has been made user friendly and is just like working with your power point.

All you need to do is know your kitchen measurements and shape and the kitchen designer tool will give you a dream kitchen. While measuring your kitchen you must write down few details or you would forget.

Measure the walls where you would want your cabinets to be installed. You need to know the size of your kitchen windows and doors, and the shape of your kitchen. These are the details you ought to provide the kitchen design tool in order for it to work.

This kitchen design tool has a planner that will choose the type of cabinet that will fit and suit your kitchen best. Select what corner and wall you would like to have the cabinets. It will also ask you to mention the appliances you want to have in your kitchen.

Once you click on one of the buttons mention above, the kitchen design tool will make a kitchen with the information you provided and lay it in front of you. Print it or mail it to your contractor and get it done soon.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
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Going Green in the Kitchen

The NoteBaert Nature Museum hosts a multi-level Extreme Green House, inhabited by the fictitious and wacky Green family, who shows you how to be "green" in your bathroom, your basement, your dining room, and of course (the reason why we're here)...your kitchen.


Demonstrating landfill capacities, and displaying live rotting meals, museum experts offered loads of information from the simple recycling tip, to the science of composting. They showed us what bacterias were good and bad for us, as well as what cleaning products are more eco-friendly than others. They even sold a kit for making your very own cleaning products.


I didn't have the time to take in all of the Green family's great tips, but I was inspired to do more research about how one could consciously maintain a greener kitchen. From the simple tip, to more structural tips, here is what I found:


1. Induction cooktops - Heat is released directly toward the pan or pot only,. Not only does this save a great deal of energy, but the rest of the stovetop isn't hot.


2. Countertops made from recyclables - Supposedly sleek, these suckers would make for the truest green kitchen out there.


3. Use recyclable products AND recycle them - I am a hypocrite sitting in an office that uses styrofoam cups and plates, but I know that we should use paper so that it can be recycled. Go out of your way to purchase recyclable products, and make it your mission to recycle them! All paper can be recycled...even paper towels!


4. Water conservation - Never walk away while the faucet is on. Even if it's just for a second, it's not like electricity where it costs more to turn it on and off. It costs more to leave it running! Even though we're not always savvy to this fact, we really do need to conserve water in this country.

About the Author

Hillary Marshak is a writer and editor for Recipe4Living.com, an up and coming recipe sharing Website. For more articles like this, or for a large collection of recipes, visit the site at http://www.Recipe4Living.com.

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Kitchen Clocks: The Evolution Of The Kitchen Clock

Kitchen clocks have been used throughout history as a means of keeping accurate time for meal preparation, baking, and simple as a charming addition to the busiest room in the house. Over time kitchen clocks evolved from more than just a necessary means to keep track of time and are now stylish additions to kitchens around the world.There have been literally thousands of versions of the kitchen clock, some featuring cartoon characters, celebrities, and any number of inventive, unique designs. As the times change, so do the available patterns and styles of kitchen clocks. You can purchase a basic kitchen clock for very little expense or you could opt for a more upscale, sophisticated model depending on your needs and your budget.

You can easily purchase a cheap kitchen clock from your local discount or grocery store, but why not take a little time and shop for the perfect kitchen clock that expresses your special personality and style? A few minutes browsing the available options will open a new world of kitchen clocks that you probably never realized existed. There are sleek, modern styles, you will still find your favorite cartoon characters and celebrities, but you will also notice many unique styles that make a statement about your kitchen and your life.

Your purchase of a kitchen clock will be a great addition to your kitchen and will help to enhance that inviting, relaxing atmosphere that you have worked so hard to create. Make your kitchen the best-decorated room in your home with a new kitchen clock that expresses your family's lifestyle. You may also want to consider shopping for a vintage kitchen clock from the 1940s, 1950s, and beyond. You'll find an outstanding selection and prices that will fit any budget.

You can now buy clocks online! To view our complete and comprehensive selection of clocks, please visit: Wall Clocks Online

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Blinds For The Kitchen

When selecting blinds for your kitchen, you should consider that they will be in a room that you will occupy for a large part of the day. Studies have shown that for the 16 hours that a homemaker is awake, nearly 5 hours a day are in the kitchen. That is nearly 33% of the day. In fact, often the room itself is occupied third most in the house, after the bedrooms and the TV rooms. With that in mind, maybe the cheap ugly choice of blinds is not the best choice for you. I mean, geez- if you will stare at ugly, won't that spoil your appetite.

So, let's look at the good choices for blinds in the kitchen that complement the space and improve the value in that room. The concerns in a kitchen are that these are bright rooms which need to be kept bright during use, and they are rooms which can get wet and dirty quite easily. These concerns are important, and we can find products that comply well with these guidelines.

Since illumination in the kitchen is of primary importance, this brightness can be enhanced by the addition of blinds to the windows which will create a certain look and provide certain abilities to control exterior light. Controlling of exterior light and creating privacy is popularly achieved with mini blinds that can be raised as well as just tilted. Screen materials, which only allow the desired amount of light, are also in much demand for blinds. There also are many washable materials being used.

Because certain areas of the kitchen are subject to “intensive" use, wood blinds are not recommended because of the possible warping effect whenever exposed to water and high humidity. Whenever fabric blinds are used, low priced non-washable fabrics should not be used. Only washable fabrics that repel debris and dirt are recommended in kitchen blinds. Keeping in mind that no fabrics can be washed thoroughly, fabric blinds should not be machine washed or scrubbed aggressively.

The majority of fabrics used in kitchen blinds can be manually and gently washed in cool water and mild soap. Rinsing well is important and hang to dry. In the case of vertical blinds, rehang the louvers onto the track and place a towel under the fabric louvers while dripping dry. There are some interesting, attractive fabrics which are made specifically for blinds, which use a special treatment to make them washable. Look for these, but always assume that you cannot wash these in a machine, that will cost you your entire investment.

What of PVC blinds? Well, I am glad you asked. PVC is okay to use, in that it is not susceptible to water, and can help to moderate the light, however, remember that PVC is only safe is it is not heated up. If your kitchen is not well ventilated, or the blind is close to the windows, it is not recommended to use PVC blinds. This is not a chemistry lesson, but you should understand that the 'C' in PVC stands for chloride. If your blinds are exposed to too much heat, then the slats can cause a release of unhealthy and dangerous chemicals. Also, PVC blinds can absorb colors from smoke, and can be the hardest types of blinds to clean.

Several profiles of PVC for are available for blinds - flat, curved and expanded foam. The expanded foam profile is widely promoted to be used for kitchen blind applications. One must always carefully choose where PVC blinds are to be installed. Surrounding areas to the blinds may not experience abnormally high temperatures. However, windows themselves can reach unbearable heat, and the kitchen, when cooking for extended times, can also reach these high levels of calefaction. This contrasts with the common times of cold from air conditioning, as well as radiant cold from outside. These changes must be able to be withstood by your blinds.

Kitchens can be will appointed with beautiful appliances and countertops. Why not ensure that your blinds add to that look and do not detract. Consider the various options and make sure you are ready to manage the light with your blinds. Also, ensure that the material that you select for the blinds is not only safe, but also easy to clean. The elements in the kitchen can be beautiful and fun, but they can also be dangerous. Ensure that your blinds are safe in the way that they are installed and that they do not interact negatively with the rest of the space.

About The Author:
Judith Persit is a student of interior design. She started in this direction due to a search for design options in window treatments. Ms. Persit writes about roller shades. Roller shades can be interesting, you can learn more about shades at her website with many pictures.

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Kitchen Update in Old World Style With Cabinet Knobs

If you're nostalgic at heart or just want your kitchen to feel trendy but aren't ready to take the stainless steel plunge, you should consider updating your kitchen with older, classic architectural elements. Decorating your kitchen combining your modern appliances with a rustic style will transform your kitchen overnight and create a comfortable, cozy atmosphere instantly for any home.

The Must-Have Antique Essentials

No matter what style kitchen you have, adding a few dated furniture or accent pieces will give any home a warm, old-fashioned feel. The essentials to creating an antique look revolve around attention to detail. Old world styles, whether Greek, Roman or Old English, focus on craftsmanship.

Most traditional kitchens feature elaborately designed woodwork and cabinetry with equally intricate cabinet knobs. Woodworking styles include raised panel doors, inlaid beaded panels, distressed wood, hand-hammered drawer pulls and even copper, peg and tin drawer handles.

Choose Your Style

Depending on your tastes, you may want to research the possibilities of old styles to determine which suites your home the best. Traditional Greek and Mediterranean kitchens incorporate earthy tones and materials such as clay and ceramics. To incorporate this look in your home, consider adding accent tiling or mosaic pieces to your otherwise plain walls. A perfect area to try your Greek style is the backsplash of your stovetop range.

The Roman style kitchens focus on the fireplace. Most modern homes no longer have fireplaces; instead, ovens and stovetops do all the baking and cooking. However, it's still possible to incorporate the Roman theme in even the most contemporary kitchens. Romans utilized clay bakery and cookware. Why not apply the Roman theme to your home? Choosing a few decorative clay pieces to hang above your countertop, island or stove top immediately adds an authentic touch to your otherwise ordinary kitchen style.

Another traditionally styled kitchen comes from the Old English. English cabinetry features open display racks, so you can display your china dishes. For a modern twist, install a backlight behind the cabinet to really vamp up the spotlight. Other cabinet options include wood cut outs with dark finishes such as bronzes and oils.

Finally, French country kitchens focus on the natural. It's not uncommon for French-styled kitchens to feature bare materials, especially on the walls and ceilings. So if you've got beams in your ceiling, show them off! By coating your existing materials with a dark finish, you can instantly create a rich accent to your kitchen. Be sure that your French country cabinet knobs match the finish of your ceilings or complement your wall palate. Additionally, French kitchens focus on colors. Typically, most kitchens incorporated light hues of off white, ivory, taupe and beige to complement the natural woodworking and tiles.

Match the Accessories

Once you've chosen the style of your liking, be sure to coordinate all aspects of your kitchen with this theme. For instance, a Greek influenced kitchen will not mesh with bright yellow paint. Elements to consider are your cabinet hardware, backsplashes, wood elements and even bar stools or seating areas. Match wood and cabinet finishes with complimentary drawer pulls to create a seamless style.

Light It Up

After you've completed the hard work of redesigning your kitchen into a classically adorned eatery, the proper lighting will showcase your efforts. Most commonly, track lighting is used to highlight accent pieces such as pottery, hanging cookware or ceramic tile work. Other options include tear drop or hanging light fixtures that provide dramatic shadows on your antiqued cabinetry.

Try the Cuisine

With all the hard work behind you, it's now time to host a debut for your new kitchen! Gather friends and family to show off your traditionally infused kitchen design. Whether your kitchen is Greek, Roman, English or French, to really boast your efforts, cook an authentic cuisine that matches your design.

Amanda works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of home hardware products to help customers with common household repairs, as well as decorative accessories for the home. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

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Old-Fashioned Family Kitchen

So you've finally decided to take the plunge and redesign your kitchen. Before you take your hatchet to your door frames or rip up the flooring, you'll need a thorough plan of what and how you'd like to reinvent the home's most valuable room. While contemporary kitchens may be ideal for the trendy thirty-something, a cozier, old-fashioned kitchen design is ideal for almost any home.

First things first: you must consider what aged style kitchen is right for your home. The general rule of thumb is to consider safety first; many styles are not conducive to homes with children or pets. Secondly, estimate the functionality of the style. A busy chef might need more space than some vintage remodeling allows. Finally, choose a style that fits the first two criteria and is aesthetically pleasing; chances are, your home improvements will increase your home's overall worth.

1950's: Vintage and Inviting

The 1950's kitchen designs epitomize the "comfort" kitchen. The color scheme includes soft, light colors such as pale blues, yellows and neutrals. Since most homes were much smaller, the colors are inviting, bright and open up smaller spaces. Contrarily, the cabinet knobs in this vintage décor were typically adorned with dark finishes. A focal point of any 50's design, however, includes properly showcasing your odds and ends. Everything from cookbooks, vases and empty milk jugs to even a classic bread box was put on display in open cabinetry units.

Tip: Put a modern twist on this design in your own home and include authentic pop art that emerged during this decade.

1960's: Swinging With Style

Known mostly for Woodstock and Vietnam, this decade's color scheme is quite different from the previous decade. Many homes featured bright blues, deep reds and vibrant yellows, often on tiling that surrounded the waist-high, wall-mounted oven unit. Home hardware typically included either tin cabinetry and matching cabinet handles or oil rubbed wooden cabinets that nicely complemented the influx of stainless steel appliances.

Tip: As a tribute to the beginning of rock and roll, add an mp3 player unit and of course, add songs from legends such as Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Janis Joplin, The Who and Bob Marley.

1970's: Progressive and Comfortable

This decade ushered in the hippie culture, the civil rights movement and the landing on the moon. As for design elements, the 1970's featured a relaxed feel, similar to that of the 1950's. However, colors were either more muted or the brightest colors in the spectrum. Designs often resulted in entirely white or neutral colored kitchens (including the floor!) with contrasting shockingly bright bedrooms and living rooms. And did we mention animal print? That's right. During this decade, bean bag chairs and shag rugs in faux animal print was the grooviest accessory. Kitchen cabinet knobs and cabinetry were primarily wood accented by bold tiling on the backsplash and walls between countertops and shelving units.

Tip: Accessorize by placing various sized candles around the kitchen-- it adds instant ambiance and is less tacky than the ubiquitous lava lamp.

1980's: Big and Bold

Believe it or not, many stylistic elements of today's modern kitchens include a few features that popped up during this decade. Wallpaper was preferred over wall paint, but the cabinetry was quite modern for the time. Made of dark wood, these cabinets are accented with dark stone (often granite) countertops and French country cabinet knobs in rich finishes such as oil rubbed bronze or antiqued chrome. Additionally, many 1980's light fixtures are similar to today's contemporary models that create a focal point in your kitchen. The dramatic lighting combined with the dark countertops and dark wood created a striking, bold kitchen.

Tip: Install a single hanging light fixture or recessed can lighting to create the desired effect. As a bonus, add a dimmer switch to vary the intensity level in your kitchen.

Amanda works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of home hardware and kitchen cabinet hardware products to help customers with decorative accessories for the home. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

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