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“Oven in the Pantry!” Oh My!

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In planning the new kitchen during an extensive home remodel, the goal was to keep the kitchen as open to the adjoining rooms as possible for great flow and to provide for lots of windows for great light.

The trick was to keep at a minimum the “tall walls”–those are the ones that normally contain a refrigerator, a cook top with adequate ventilating equipment above it, a full-height pantry or hutch, or a double oven.  Three of the “tall walls” for such appliances were located within the kitchen, but the fourth – in this case, the double oven – utilized space within the pantry, which is located just off the kitchen in the core of the house.  This idea of oven-in-the-pantry was spotted and reported on at an International Builders’ Show.

Oven in Pantry

Mary Armstrong Crane, CAPID

Cooks today don’t use their ovens as much as homemakers did even a generation ago. So with an average oven use of twice a week, this location works out beautifully.  Care was taken to provide a special ventilating fan in the attic directly in front of the oven, with the fan switch just inside the pantry.  This keeps the pantry a comfortable temperature even when the oven is on for longer periods of time.

Oven in Pantry

Mary Armstrong Crane, CAPID

By looking beyond the kitchen walls and into the pantry, the function and flow of this kitchen remodel were maximized!

Contributor: Mary Armstrong Crane, CAPID

Spice it up with Tangerine Tango!

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World-renowned authority on color, Pantone,  selected Tangerine Tango Color of the Year 2012.  This hot, happy and youthful color is perfect for your post-winter, post-recession “blues”!  Just add a dash of this zesty tangerine to your mid-century modern décor, saying bye-bye to the period’s traditional sour oranges.  Be daring with your traditional home – the pop of tangerine is, oh, so much more alive than the heavy wines, roses and brick shades that you are used to.

And it won’t be hard to find all of those tangerine accessories to work this magic.  The big retailers will soon be offering you lots of choices.  They’ll be shown with earth tones, blues and even barely-there shades.

Be bold and free-spirited – spice up now with a new, happy color!

Contributor: Kathleen Sheppard Roth, CAPID

 

Highlight Your Kitchen Windows

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Quite often kitchen windows are on the side of the house with a view of the neighbors, or the trash cans.  The right window treatments can make this design dilemma a surprising highlight of any kitchen.  Use shades that work from the top down and allow natural light while camouflaging an unpleasant view.  Faux wood blinds are great in the kitchen because they hold up well to moisture.  Decorative tapes hide strings and add color.   Consider using vintage towels or table cloths to create a unique valance while adding a splash of whimsy!  Treating your kitchen window right, will make doing the dishes a delight!

Contributor:  Julie Gerns, CAPID

 

 

What are the different ways to work with a designer?

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Designer Sample Board, Joanna Forbes

Joanna Forbes, CAPID

The best way is to schedule an in-home consultation with a professional interior designer to work out a solution that fits your budget and needs.

Depending on the scale of the budget, most designers offer three levels of services:

  1. Design Consultation: The designer provides guidance, ideas, and opinions for the client who wishes to purchase goods on their own. This can include color palette analysis, advice on window treatments, or even assistance with a ‘to do’ list to be accomplished over a longer period of time.
  2. Design and Implementation: The designer works with you on a portion of your home or office, or on a custom design such as a fireplace, with the option to purchase the materials through the designer’s trade resources at below retail costs.
  3. Project Management: For a full service project, from beginning to end, the designer is your representative and project manager coordinating with contractors, consultants and vendors. In short, your ‘go to’ rep to help iron out every detail.

Working with a designer takes the guesswork out of a project, minimizes stress and avoids costly mistakes. They can work on an hourly basis to hit the target problems, or establish a design fee based on the scope of the work to be done.

Contributor: CAPID Members             Edited by: Joanne MacCallum, CAPID

How do I update my kitchen and master bath?

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Joanne MacCallum

Joanne MacCallum, CAPID

Both have changed dramatically in design. If your budget permits, a full remodel is a good investment.

These days, people gather in the kitchen to socialize and cook together.

Change the cabinetry to update the look and function of your kitchen. It will add more efficient storage options. Kitchens now include islands and desks with a charging station for cell phones and electronic gear.

If a full kitchen remodel is not in the budget, give it a facelift! Try a new cabinet finish, new hardware, and new appliances. You’ll love the look and the energy cost savings too.

Updating the master bathroom is money well spent. Enlarge the shower, raise the counter height, increase the lighting, change the toilet and sinks and add a make-up mirror. Having a serene retreat for relaxation will boost your spirits. Designers are specifying materials that are easier to maintain, yet beautiful.

The best way is to schedule a consultation with a professional interior designer to work out a solution that fits your budget and needs. Working with a designer takes the guesswork out of a project, minimizes stress and avoids costly mistakes. They can work on an hourly basis, or establish a design fee based on the scope of the work to be done.

Contributor: CAPID Members             Edited by: Joanne MacCallum, CAPID

What is the newest design trend?

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design trends - Neutral

Jackie Rosenthal, CAPID

Color! Residential color palettes follow fashion, and there are two definite trends where today’s color is concerned:

First – Be bold!!! Don’t be afraid to use bright, beautiful color in paints and materials. Color can define our world with an optimistic outlook of vitality. Paint is the quickest and least expensive way to incorporate this trend.

Second –Neutral is not boring!! We are seeing all white kitchens with less contrast in the palette. However, a great look combines the two: punches of color in a clean white space.

In the past, our Conejo Valley clients have preferred more traditional interiors, but these days, the style is moving toward lighter, brighter, less cluttered spaces that have a contemporary feel.

Contributor: CAPID Members             Edited by: Joanne MacCallum, CAPID