Category Archives: Kitchen Decorating

Tips for buying a pull out kitchen faucet

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A complete home has to be both functional and beautiful. For ensuring this, you have to add things that can take care of these aspects well!

Photo By: Hampton Design

A kitchen tends to be the most crucial corner of your abode. It is the place where you cook meals for your family for their health and well-being. It is also that zone where you share chit-chat with your person while indulging in a delectable drink or food. You spend countless moments here, regardless of its size. And all this becomes possible only when you well equip it with the right appliances. Only these can enhance its functionality and aesthetic value. Of such items, the kitchen faucet is one considerable example.

For every light and heavy work, you depend on it, right from cleaning dishes to preparing meals. It will be right to point out that a faucet can be the tiniest of plumbing fixtures in that space, but it helps you keep up with its busy spirit hassle-free. When it malfunctions or stops working, even a five-minute job can feel like a burden. To be more precise, it will not take much time for your kitchen to feel dysfunctional. Going by this, it makes sense to pay due attention to this kitchen accessory. In the market, you come across overwhelming varieties. Each comes with promising traits, due to which it seems impossible to decide anything faster.

However, if your lifestyle doesn’t allow you enough free time that you could use for exploration, then consider pull out designs.

A sneak peek into the pull out faucets

You must have seen many deck-mounted options. Pull out taps are quite close to them in looks. Some people believe that these can be a perfect match for kitchens with traditional aura. While this is entirely subjective, you don’t need to restrict your choices based on this. Many homeowners choose this model for their ultra-modern setups too. If you are not sure, you can check a pull out kitchen faucet by Kraus. Its mere appearance is enough to communicate the reality.

When you opt for pull out faucets, you virtually ensure better use for your kitchen space. You may wonder how. Well, these taps are usually shorter than their pull-down siblings. Due to this, you get adequate room for overhead cabinets. Also, the hand sprayer in this model is smaller, which prevents the risk of splashing to a great extent.

For the same reason, it can be a perfect consort for a shallow sink. Talking of the convenience, whether your pots and pans are in the sink or on a nearby countertop, you can extend the sprayer to fill water. There will be no or fewer risks of overflowing or spillage.

If you are not a busy cook, you can rely on this specific design to diligently serve your needs. Otherwise, it can be slightly inconvenient for you to work with it. The smaller spout can come in the way when you deal with taller cookware.

If you feel your kitchen requires a pull-out version, you can start searching for it online and offline. No matter where you look for it, you have to make sure that your chosen design has some user-friendly features. Here are a few suggestions that can help you find the most desirable faucet for your favorite place.

Selecting a pullout faucet for kitchen

Most of these are usually single-hole models. So, it can be the best fit for a sink that comes with a single-hole cutout. The installation process will be straightforward. Look around for self- or magnetic-docking technology that allows the hose to retract and lodge itself securely to its location. Or, at least, it should enable you to dock it hassle-free. If this is lacking, it may not be a perfect idea to consider this choice. You can end up struggling to put it back while handling other things at the same time.

Also, these single handle models run both hot and cold water at a moderate temperature. Some styles can also provide temperature control. No matter how it works, it would help if you had awareness about it. Go for options that feature nylon hose. Nylon can be fantastic looking. At the same time, you can trust it for longevity because of its tensile strength and flexibility. If you are opposed to doing too much of maintenance job, it is recommendable to chase spot-free stainless steel structures. As such, stainless steel is the most durable. It can mingle with any interior decoration theme without complaint. And if you find something that doesn’t catch any finger or water spots, you don’t have to look beyond it.

Already stainless steel is well-known for its easy maintenance. But faucets built with spot-free material can make your task easier. You don’t have to bother about its natural sheen and charm. It will not get tarnished even after repeated uses.

Just remember one thing, whether you buy a pull out or some other variation, knowing your kitchen behavior can help you make quick decisions. Also, you will never regret your choice, regardless of how expensive or budget-friendly it was. That’s why even when you shop for a pull out faucet, keep what you like and dislike about your existing plumbing. It can also give you enough hints about the proper selection.

Nowadays, many brands use advanced technologies to give you the most ergonomic and appealing designs. It is up to you to select what suits your needs better. If you are not comfortable with too advanced features, such as a sensor system, you should not invest in them. Ultimately, in a busy place like the kitchen, you require things that operate conveniently and empower you to do your work with a peaceful mind.

A pull out version seems quite easy and friendly. It is neither old-fashioned nor too technical; you can acclimatize to it quickly. The moment you adjust with it, you will realize that it has turned your sink into a multifunctional zone. It would be best if you aim for this goal when replacing an existing faucet or going for a new fixture.

Kitchen Upgrades for Your Covid-19 Baking Goals

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The toilet paper shortage during Covid-19 was no joke, but there was another shortage that you might have noticed — flour!

Photos By: MacLaren Kitchen and Bath

Many people used the extra time at home during coronavirus to get to baking, everything from cookies to cakes to breads and pizza. If you are one of those people who discovered a new passion for creating baked goods during coronavirus, then you may be thinking about how you can upgrade your kitchen to help you achieve your baking goals. 

Open shelves

When you start baking, you suddenly accumulate a lot of dry goods: flour, sugars, grains, and other necessities. If you are baking a lot, it can be annoying to have to pull these items down from a high shelf every time you need them. Creating an area with open shelves above your workspace is the best way to organize a dream kitchen for bakers. If you don’t have one already, you can think about adding a half shelf on a wall, or see if you can rearrange some items to make room for your baking necessities. 

Tray and baking pan storage

The other new items in your kitchen are pans and trays — because cookies, cupcakes, cakes, and breads all need different ones. Upright storage is ideal but you don’t need cabinets made specifically for trays. You can place your storage in an upper cabinet and get a standup file divider from an office supply store to keep your trays organized. 

Rolling cart

A rolling cart can be a convenient way to add more storage to your kitchen, for a portable bakers’ nook that can travel anywhere. When you need it, you can move it around to the most ideal spot for easy access. The top of your rolling cart can also serve as your pastry table, and ideally it should be lower than a typical kitchen counter. Another advantage of the rolling cart is that it’s not a permanent upgrade and that can be attractive if you are thinking about moving after coronavirus, so you can take your baking station with you. 

Book/tablet stand

If you are new to baking, you are likely experimenting with many recipes to learn your skills and techniques. You might often be consulting recipes on your tablet, or recipe books. For books, you can buy an inexpensive stand and use that to hold whatever you are working on in place. 

Shelves for recipe books

Kitchens do not always come with bookcases, and if you have many recipe books, you’ll probably want shelves for them. You can turn a cabinet into a bookcase by removing a door and adding more shelves, or if you have the wall space, consider buying a bookcase to add to your kitchen. 

Acquiring or revisiting a passion for baking that you may not have had time for in the past, means your kitchen might need to take on a new life. But with these tips, you can find that you don’t need a complete kitchen overhaul to be well on your way to your baking dreams. Moving items around and adding a few tools can give you the space you need to get creative in the kitchen. And if you are thinking about selling your home during Covid-19, or in the future, these upgrades might be attractive to help buyers imagine themselves in your kitchen. 

Tips to Improve Your Kitchen Lighting and Ventilation

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Known as the heart of the home, the kitchen is where you spend time with your loved ones bonding – sharing memories and meals. We all want a beautiful, well-designed kitchen. However, a complete kitchen must consider function, as well as decorative elements!

Photo By: MacLaren Kitchen and Bath

When designing a kitchen most homeowners place a strong emphasis on the sleek appliances or beautiful cabinets to install, but it is also important to consider proper lighting and ventilation like what they did at apartments for rent in oxnard ca.

KITCHEN LIGHTING

To ensure safety and cleanliness while preparing food, adequate lighting is essential. The illumination of your kitchen lighting sets the mood whether you want a bright room for a family meal or dim room to entertain. Recessed, pendant, and LED lighting are the most common choices for modern kitchens. 

  • Recessed Lighting – Recessed lights are semi-flush or mounted flush. They work best if the home has a low ceiling or in a small space. 
  • Pendant Lighting – Pendant lights hang over a large or kitchen island from the ceiling. The ambiance from eye-catching pendant lights provide function and perfect for task lighting. Although, pendant lights are not practical in homes with low ceilings or in small spaces.
  • LED Lighting – The most energy-efficient and versatile lighting on the market today. LEDs produce less heat and last four times as long as a traditional bulb. LED track lighting not only provides customized task lighting but you can also install LED lights under kitchen cabinets and around baseboards to add a touch of flare.

KITCHEN VENTILATION

During the cooking process, toxic substances accumulate – such as – smoke, steam, and grease and release into the air affecting the air quality in your kitchen. If you use combustion-based appliances another threat is Carbon Monoxide (CO.)  CO is a colorless, odorless gas that in a small concentration can cause loss of consciousness, coma and even death. A CO detector will warn of any impending problems but prevention is the best policy and the best prevention is a range hood. 

TYPES OF RANGE HOODS

Duct/Vented Hoods – The most efficient and effective hoods available are duct/vented range hoods. Although, you may need a HVAC engineer to help design the ventilation to ensure capability to your home. It is easier to consider duct/vented hoods as part of the original design instead of an afterthought because it may not be an option during a remodel.  

Ductless Hoods – The most affordable solution to kitchen ventilation is a ductless range hood. Ductless hoods use a carbon filter to filter the air through and return the clean air back into the kitchen. The carbon filter will need to be cleaned regularly – most are dishwasher safe.  

Downdraft Hoods – Downdraft hoods require unique design plans and are often used over a stove top on an island in the kitchen.

Sometimes circumstances do not allow for a kitchen range hood. For instance, a tiny rental apartment may not have room for a hood so you can use a small fan, preferably in a window, to remove the stale air or a portable HEPA air filtration system. Although these will not work as well as a kitchen range hood to help control grease settling on surfaces, they can improve the air quality in your kitchen.

AUTHOR’S BIO

Michael Tobias is the founder and principal of Nearby Engineers and New York Engineers, which is an Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Company in America. He leads a team of more than 30 mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineers from the company headquarters in New York City, and has led numerous projects in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, and California, as well as Singapore and Malaysia. He specializes in sustainable building technology and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Importance of a Clean Kitchen

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The kitchen is one of the most important areas of your home. While it’s important to keep your entire home clean, the kitchen is a space where cleanliness is essential!

Photo By: RLB Architecture

The benefits of having a clean kitchen are far-reaching and in some cases potentially life-saving. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of a clean kitchen:

1.Pest Control

Pests can easily get into food containers if they’re not sealed and stored properly or if they’re left unattended too long. If you do a lot of baking, the sugar, flour, and other dry ingredients used may act as a beacon to pests. As a result, you could have mice, weevils, ants, or other creatures that you don’t want in your kitchen.

Making sure that you store food securely, check it for any signs of contamination, and keep on top of spills and debris which attract pests can be a big help in prevention. When it comes to pests, prevention is critically important. Once you have to fight an infestation, it’s much harder to deal with.

2.Hygiene

Hygiene is vital when it comes to food and food preparation. Food that’s rotting can spread bacteria to everything around it and cause serious illness. Making sure to be rid of expired or moldy food will help the overall health and safety of the kitchen.

If you aren’t careful while working with meat, you could cross-contaminate other foods you prepare on the same surface without proper cleaning. Bear Brothers Cleaning states that it’s necessary to keep kitchen work surfaces such as counters and cutting boards clean and sterile for safety. Utensils and cooking tools need thorough cleaning as well.

To ensure the highest standards of hygiene for your kitchen, you may consider hiring a cleaning service. You can look at your schedule and needs to assist you in knowing how often to hire house cleaning service professionals to clean your kitchen. You might want to consider having them regularly clean the rest of the house as well.

3.Safety

Cleanliness in the kitchen is necessary because there are sharp tools, hot surfaces, also other potential hazards. Spilled liquids can be fall risks. Oil buildup on stove hoods or food residue in the oven can cause dangerous kitchen fires that are difficult to extinguish.

Cleaning as you go and storing tools and utensils safely when not in use assists in accident prevention. The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most dangerous rooms in the home. Being proactive and taking steps to reduce risks can save lives.

4.Setting a Positive Example

If you have children, keeping a clean kitchen shows them skills they take with them later on in life. Teaching children how to properly run and maintain a household starts with their parents. You can show them how to clean the kitchen by watching you or let them start with small chores like sweeping or taking out the trash. Helping your child learn life skills is a rewarding reason to keep your kitchen clean.

5.Saving Money

One way a clean kitchen saves money is that when your kitchen is clean and organized, you won’t purchase foods you already have at home. You’ll know which foods you have in stock. You can avoid food waste and wasting money. You can also save money by taking the time to clean your appliances after you use them. This lets you avoid repairs and replacements for much longer.

Keeping your kitchen clean is worth it for many reasons. You and your entire household will benefit from a little dedication and elbow grease.

Tips and Tricks To Turn Your Kitchen Into a Baker’s Dream

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Maybe you bake so that you can take chocolate chip cookies to your office once a week, or perhaps creating a multi-layered Red Velvet cake is a way for you to relieve stress, or, perhaps, it’s always been your dream to open your own cupcake shop. Whatever the reason, if you love to bake, there are some ways to make your kitchen more baking-friendly!

We’ve outlined a few of the top home improvement projects, to help you make your baking dreams come true. 

Open shelves

The raw ingredients of baking involve a lot of dry goods and that means big jars of flour, sugars, grains, and other necessities. You want to access these items quickly and having an area with open shelves above your workspace is the best way to organize a dream kitchen for bakers. If you don’t have an open space already, you may need to remove a cabinet door and add shelving. A professional is your best bet to tell you what you’ll need to renovate your kitchen and perhaps reconsider its layout. 

Tray and baking pan storage

Do you have more baking trays and pans than you know what to do with? If your baking goes from cookies to cupcakes to cakes to pies to breads, then the answer is probably, yes. Upright storage will make it easier to get to the tray or pan that you need. Cabinets made specifically for trays will be narrow and tall with dividers, but if you don’t want to make a big investment you can place your tray storage in an upper cabinet and get a standup file divider from an office supply store to keep your trays organized. And in that case, you may also want to invest in a step stool.

Rolling cart

As an alternative to a complete kitchen storage overhaul, you can invest in a rolling cart that can hold all of your baking ingredients and tools. That way when you need it, you can move it around to the most ideal spot in your kitchen for easy access. 

Pastry table

To get serious, you’ll want a dedicated pastry table, which is lower than a typical kitchen counter. This area should be in your main work area, and will have a marble or wood top, which will make it ideal for rolling.

Double oven 

If you are often baking for a crowd or creating cakes with multiple layers, you might go for the ultimate upgrade — a double oven. If you have a large built-in microwave above your current oven, consider if you could remove it and add an oven in its place. When going for this indulgence, consider convection heat, which works with fans that recirculate heat, and is ideal for evenly-baked cookies and crusts. 

Book/tablet stand

Are you often consulting recipes on your tablet, or recipe books? For books, you can buy an inexpensive book stand, or get one built-in in your work area. You can also consider adding a charging station that is specifically for your tablet. 

Shelves for recipe books

Kitchens do not always come with bookcases, and if you have oodles of recipe books, you’ll want to be sure to have this amenity. You can turn a cabinet into a bookcase by removing a door and adding more shelves, or if you have the wall space, consider buying a bookcase to add to your kitchen. 

You don’t need a complete kitchen overhaul to be well on your way to your baking dreams, with a few simple upgrades you can make your space more baking-friendly. 

10 Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas

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If you think wallpaper is confined to libraries, half-baths, and your Aunt Linda’s sitting room, think again. Wallpaper is an affordable, chic way to add color to your kitchen!

Photo by Chronicle Books

The next time you collaborate with your interior designer Los Angeles, keep these 10 kitchen wallpaper concepts in mind.

Create an Accent Wall

Not ready to go all in on wallpaper? Paper just one wall and make it the room’s focal point. Keep your paint, cabinets, and backsplash neutral, and don’t be afraid to use that papered space to showcase your style.

Warm Up Your Pantry

Your pantry maybe under constant assault by your family, but that doesn’t mean it has to look dull. A pop of color between shelves can liven up even the most mundane stockpile of chickpea rotini and canned tomatoes.

Add Texture

Wallpaper is a tremendous way to add texture to a space and decorate your kitchen. Go for grasscloth, make it mica chip, or simply create the illusion of texture with a classic plaid print.

Add a Graphic Print to Your Mid-Century Modern Kitchen

A bold, graphic pattern can fit a variety of kitchens but works especially well in kitchens that have a mod vibe. Team up with your kitchen designer Los Angeles to find a colorful print that fits your space.

Paper the Front of Your Fridge

Got an eyesore of a fridge? Update that drab icebox with wallpaper. It’s an inventive design touch that can be completed in an afternoon. Just make sure to waterproof your paper with a clear sealant as your final step.

Add Depth to Storage Furniture

If you have open cabinets or furniture such as a hutch, papering the back wall can make the items inside stand out. Plus, choosing a brighter shade of paper can lighten up even the heaviest of furniture.

Turn a Corner Into a Breakfast Nook

Using wallpaper to delineate one area of your kitchen from another is an easy way to transform an ordinary corner into a cozy, separate space dedicated to eggs, waffles, and cup after cup of coffee.

Draw the Line Between Kitchen and Dining

In the same vein, you can use wallpaper to define your dining room. By applying wallpaper strictly to the walls surrounding your table, you can mark that spot as separate and inviting in its own right.

Create a Bold Backsplash

Striking prints and patterns work best in small spaces, including the backsplash behind your sink or stovetop. After applying, be sure to cover your work with a coat of polyurethane or a sheet of glass in order to protect it against, well, splashes.

Test Things Out With Temporary Paper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is perfect for those who aren’t ready to commit to wallpaper or who want the ability to change the look of their kitchen frequently. Simply remove the backing and apply it to the desired surface. Don’t like it? Ready for a change? Peel it right back off again and marvel at the lack of damage to your wall.

A little bit of wallpaper goes a long way in most kitchens thanks to their cabinetry, making it a fun, inexpensive way to add style to the space. When you’re ready to update the heart of your home, don’t be afraid to add a bit of color, a bit of depth, or both.

How to Eliminate Unpleasant Odors from Your Kitchen Carpet?

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If there are carpets in your home especially in your kitchen, then you probably already have faced a very common problem – an obsessive bad smell. A musty smell haunts you throughout the house and does not allow you to relax. The way out of this very unpleasant situation can be carpet cleaning.

There are many methods to clean a carpet at home. In this case, you must follow the following rules:

  • Use only soft bristles during cleaning;
  • Exclude penetration of a large amount of liquid on the pile. It could ruin it;
  • Never rub the coating against the direction of the pile;
  • Let the carpet dry before using. Open windows to speed up the drying process;
  • Do not use high temperature water for carpet cleaning.

Cooking salt will help you remove the repelling smell from the carpet. At home, this method is very easy to apply. It is only required to scatter it evenly over the area of ​​the carpet, and wait for a while. Then remove everything with a whisk and vacuum. If necessary, this cleaning procedure can be repeated. The same can be done with used raw tealeaves or sawdust. The broom needs to be moistened in a mild soapy solution – 1 teaspoon of grated soap in 1 liter of water.

Starch powder and ground soap are also used for coping with bad carpet odors. All you have to do is spreading 0.5 kg of starch and 3 tablespoons of soap over the area of the carpet and level with a brush with soft bristles or a broom, and carefully vacuum after 40 minutes. You can remove an unpleasant odor with a mixture of sodium chloride and citric acid. Mix one part of salt and two parts of citric acid and clean with a soft brush in the direction of the pile. Then sweep away excess and vacuum.

Baking soda for removing odors

Soda will help not only to remove the musty smell, but also to revive the color of the carpet. Baking soda should be evenly sprinkled on a rug and cleaned with a soft brush. Then sweep away residues and vacuum. Besides all the described methods, you can try wet carpet cleaning procedure. What you need to do? Dissolve 1/2 cup of soda in 5 liters of warm water and use a spray bottle to spray the composition onto the carpet. After half an hour, vacuum the carpet and enjoy the cleanliness.

Turpentine odor removal

For this method, we need a weak solution of laundry soap (0.5 teaspoon of ground soap per 1 liter of water). Pour 1 teaspoon of turpentine into the solution with soap and carefully stir. We put the resulting solution on the carpet, wipe it with a damp, and then with dry rags. Dry thoroughly, preferably in suspension.

How to remove odor, using ammonia?

This technique may not be used with all carpets. Before proceeding with the removal of odors in this way, conduct a test: take a light-colored cotton cloth and moisten it with the composition. In an inconspicuous place, attach to the rug and rub lightly. The fabric should remain clean. If this happened, then you can use the product without a doubt, if the fabric sheds, then this solution should not be used. The cleaning mixture consists of 2 tablespoons of ammonia per 1 liter of water. Later, the carpet needs to dry well.

Acetic solution – effective method for coping wet bad carpet odors

Acetic solution can also remove the smell and update the colors on the rug. It is prepared very easily – you need to take a liter of heated water and combine it with a tablespoon of vinegar. Dampen the brush in this solution and rub the coating in the direction of the pile. Wait 30 minutes, pat the carpet with a sponge or soft cloth and vacuum.

Special solutions for carpet cleaning

If possible, you should go to the store and get acquainted with a variety of liquids for cleaning carpets. Modern products are not only an effective, but also a safe way to remove unpleasant odors at home. For each such product, there is a simple instruction for use. If you follow the directions on the packaging, you will surely get a good result. Also, before using the product, we advise you to conduct a test, which is described in the ammonia method.

If you want to get some professional help in coping with repelling carpet odors, you should contact ProLux Carpet Cleaning – the most highly-trusted cleaning company in London!