Home Improvement, Furniture, Interiors Design And Gardening

Archive for the ‘Kitchen’ Category

PHOENIX, PEORIA, TEMPE, AZ…An “outdoor kitchen” used to mean roughing it over an open fire and sleeping on the ground. Nowadays, what items used to be considered indoor-only are making their debut outside, especially when it comes to outdoor kitchens—a hot new trend that’s taken cooking on the grill from a summer activity to a year-round thing. DirectBuy of Phoenix Northwest in Peoria and DirectBuy of Phoenix East in Tempe, the leading members-only showroom and home design centers, not only sells “outdoor kitchen” units and other accessories at manufacturer’s low prices, but also offers some helpful pointers on selecting the right equipment and setup for your home.

For starters, when it comes to selecting a grill, DirectBuy of Phoenix recommends considering:

* Stainless steel gas or charcoal grills – outdoor kitchen means just that: outside! Your kitchen will be exposed to sun, wind, rain, and in Arizona, extreme heat. Even covered, your grill will be exposed to the elements to a certain degree and you want a grill made of material that will withstand bad weather and corrosion.

* Free-standing or under-the-counter refrigeration units – help minimize trips to the “other” kitchen and gives you a place to store leftovers for the next cookout.

* Infra-red burners – make sure the grill you do select uses infra-red burners, which heat up faster.

* Storage – choose a grill with plenty of shelving and cabinets

“The beauty of the outdoor kitchen is it reduces trips to the real kitchen to get supplies. This means you can actually spend time with your guests while preparing your meal. That’s why it’s just as important when selecting your outdoor kitchen to not forget the comfort of your guests,” said Karen Hansen, co-owner of DirectBuy of Phoenix East. “DirectBuy also gives members the opportunity to save a lot of money by buying furniture for their outdoor kitchen, directly from the manufacturer.”

When it comes to selecting furniture for your outdoor “dining room,” there are a number of options in terms of style—sling, metal, cushioned and strapped to name a few–and materials—aluminum, iron, resin, teak, wood, wicker, fabric and vinyl. More choices mean more decisions on materials, fabrics and colors. DirectBuy not only has great outdoor furniture at manufacturer-direct prices, but also designers who can help you make some of those decisions.

“One safe rule of thumb is unless you’re planning to buy an entire set of outdoor furniture at once, stick with neutral colors like white, taupe or sandstone. Even if the shades aren’t a perfect match, it won’t matter if there’s a little distance between items,” said Hansen.

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. DirectBuy of Phoenix Northwest and Phoenix East offer consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

Locations of the two DirectBuy showrooms serving greater Phoenix are: DirectBuy Phoenix East, 2000 West University Drive, Tempe, AZ, 480-214-4305 and DirectBuy Phoenix Northwest, 8643 West Kelton Lane, Suite 101, Peoria, AZ, 602-288-5911.

For more information on DirectBuy of Phoenix Northwest and Phoenix East, you can visit http://www.directbuy-phoenix.com or www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy of Phoenix Northwest, which opened in 2004, and Phoenix East, which opened in 2005, pride themselves in providing excellent member service. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Phoenix Northwest and Phoenix East are part of more than 150 franchise locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com.

Choosing your kitchen design from the multitude of kitchen decorating ideas that abound can be an incredible experience into the insight of kitchen manufacturers. It is totally amazing exactly how many kitchen designs are sold on the retail market and even more of a surprise which ones are the most popular. Spend an afternoon in one of the many retail outlets that sell kitchens and listen in on the various conversations around you. People home in on the ultra-modern kitchens like flies round a honey pot but, as the conversation progresses, you hear them admit to not being able to live with such a design on a daily basis, eventually plumping for a more modest middle-of-the-road design, or even one of the many rustic designs. Kitchen decorating ideas naturally need to take into account the kind of kitchen furnishings you have installed – you couldn’t imagine a Belfast sink in one of those modern glass and stainless steel kitchens anymore than you could imagine a high-tech sink in a totally rustic setting.

Pick the right kitchen decorating ideas in accordance with your fitments which, when decorating generally, would already have been installed and are generally expensive enough to remain in situ each time you feel the need to re-decorate your kitchen. Another factor that needs to be considered, when thinking through your kitchen decorating ideas, is the size of your kitchen. Size and function do tend to go hand-in-hand. If you have a spacious kitchen you are more likely to use it as a center for the family to congregate than if you your kitchen is one of the tiny, galley styles. Size does need to be taken into account: the kitchen may have the reputation of being the heart of the home but that was generally in the days when kitchens were large enough to accommodate the heart of the home, with a central table for the family to spend time around.

Modern homes are often much too small for kitchens of this size unless, of course, it is a kitchen/diner – in which case, the decor of your kitchen decorating ideas need to take that into account. There is often a lot of actual wasted space in a large kitchen, requiring the person who uses the kitchen on a daily basis to cover a considerable distance between cooker, sink and work surfaces. This is often not particularly conducive to the most efficient use of a person’s time. Reducing this ‘working triangle’, as it is called, is one of the more fundamental aspects of good kitchen planning and something that also needs to be factored into any kitchen decorating ideas. This has led to the innovative kitchen island which sits in the center of the kitchen and often houses the sink, work surfaces and usually the hob.  

Appliances that tend to be used frequently are then free to stand on the surrounding work surfaces, brought onto the central island when they need to be used. Not everybody, however, is blessed with a kitchen large enough to accommodate a kitchen island. In smaller houses the galley kitchen is the norm and, again, the ‘working triangle’ needs to be taken into account when implementing suitable kitchen decorating ideas. In most galley kitchens the hob is along one wall with the sink directly opposite and work surfaces either side of both hob and sink. This means the main working area is the triangle within the center of the kitchen. In Western kitchens, regardless of the level of cooking skills the kitchen user has, each kitchen houses very similar appliances. There are certain items that are found in all kitchens, such as washing machine, fridge, cooker – either fitted or free-standing – sink unit and fitted cupboards with work surfaces built-in.

Most kitchens, regardless of size, find room for a dishwasher, even if it is only a table-top size. Juicers, slow cookers, deep fat fryers and pressure cookers are the norm in most homes – as are food processors, coffee grinders and coffee machines of one sort or another. Breadmakers and microwaves are also common acquisitions. The problem arises in where to house these movable appliances and sufficient cupboard space needs to be given over to store these items. This has led to the majority of Western kitchens now being fully fitted with wall cupboards as well as base units, inevitably reducing the need for too many alterations in the way of kitchen decorating ideas – especially as the gap between the wall units and the base units are usually tiled. This leaves the opportunities for kitchen decorating ideas rather limited unless you are starting from scratch completely. However, for those of you who are putting together a brand new kitchen, you need to be extremely careful about choosing your kitchen decorating ideas as the outcome is likely to remain with you for many years to come.

A well organized kitchen is the key to success in today’s homes. Your well planned menu is useless without counter space for food preparation and your organized shopping list won’t help if your pantry is a disorganized mess. To help your home run smoothly, it is well worth the investment to focus on organizing your kitchen well. These kitchen organization basics and simple organization advice will help you on your way.

The three most important areas to spotlight when organizing your kitchen are your surface space, your storage needs and your eating area. In order to get the most of your space and have the least stress in your planning, focus on these main areas. You’ll be amazed by the difference that a few carefully selected items can make.

Kitchen Organization Basics for Your Surface Areas

Possibly the largest hurdle to overcome in a disorganized kitchen is inadequate workspace. If your counter space is insufficient, as many homeowners discover, seek alternatives. Use mobile kitchen carts for large appliances that would otherwise take up your workspace. Place these useful carts in corners, next to a table, or against a wall if possible. This will allow you to maximize its usage without wasting space. Islands also create extra surfaces. Islands have additional benefits including wide working surfaces, additional cabinet space, and, often create a more attractive kitchen.

Creating More Storage Room

In terms of kitchen organization basics, everyone agrees that cabinets are essential to running an organized kitchen. Place a row of overhead cabinets above an island or counter for regularly used items. This is the place to store pots, dishes or utensils that you want to keep close at hand. Heavier and larger items should be delegated to lower cabinets to eliminate precarious balancing acts. Of course, if something is extremely heavy, it may warrant its own counter or cart top space. For additional storage room, consider a freestanding storage cabinet. Made from beautiful materials, such as oak, and often adorned with designs, storage cabinets are decorative as well as practical. These cupboards can be pressed flat against any wall and are thin and discreet enough to fit anywhere in the kitchen.

Positioning the Eating Area

The kitchen table can be a dual purpose eating area and work surface. Consider the use before deciding on a location. Some prefer the table to be the first thing they see when they walk into the kitchen. This is an easy place to put packages when first arriving home, and a good area for socializing with the chef. Similarly, if you plan to use the table as a work surface or a homework location, then you’ll want the table close at hand.

If the table will be used strictly for eating , you may want to create an eating corner for these meals. Bars and stools are also a terrific idea for space-efficiency. If room is really sparse, consider a folding butcher’s block table. Open such a table for a quick meal, and tuck it away when not in use.

Remember that implementing a few key features in the kitchen is integral to maintaining an organized and efficient space. Whether you have a small kitchen or a tremendous one, these kitchen organization basics can help you to create workable space and a practical layout. Use these tips and suggestions and maximize the pleasure you can derive from your kitchen.

Modern kitchens have changed.

They were once always at the back of the house but they are certainly not in the background now. The kitchen is the hub of the home and the focus of family activity or lifestyle entertaining. They are now stylish, open, well lit ‘living’ rooms -when space permits, but even smaller ones are now one of the focal points of the home.

Today’s kitchens need to function well in a variety of ways, they need to be not only well equipped, well ‘dressed’ and well lit but also properly laid out for all their primary functions.

Obviously the kitchen style and look is vital but getting the right layout is now more important than ever.

A good kitchen layout is complex but subjective, as what works for one person’s lifestyle can be a disaster for another’s.

Here are 5 basic principles to a achieve a good layout:

-Accurately measure the area for the kitchen in detail, showing precise positions of; doors, windows, electric points, plumbing, drains and other services.

-Demarcate the kitchen into 4 areas: 1] Storage.  2] Food Preparation.  3] Cooking . 4] Cleaning.

-Plan the functional layout, keeping the 3 main working areas of Prep- Cook – Clean (known as the ‘Activity Triangle’) in mind at all times.

-List all the appliances you have or intend to use in the kitchen. Make sure you provide the real space required according to their dimensions and services required.

-Keep these in mind and then design your kitchen in a style that suits your taste.

The following are the 4 basic types of layout generally used:

‘Galley’ or ‘Corridor’

This layout is for narrow, restricted areas where there are two facing rows or work tops. One row primarily for storage and preparation and the other for cooking and cleaning. Make sure the minimum circulation space between the two rows is 1200mm.

‘L-shaped’

This layout, with rows at right angles to each other in a L shape, is ideal for corner kitchen areas.  It maximizes wall space versus circulation space.

‘U-shaped’

This layout is the best choice for small kitchens, providing convenient access to all areas and maximizing the use of space. It can also be used for open plan kitchens as part of a larger living space.

Island’

This layout is ideal for larger areas where the cooking element can be installed in its own separate unit in the centre of the main kitchen area, with l shaped rows along the walls for preparation, cleaning and main storage. This layout is also ideal for open plan kitchens when combined with living/family/entertaining space.

These are the most common ways to layout a kitchen and if you follow these principles you can design one that really works for you – and your family and guests.

Designing a new kitchen that’s right for you is great fun and if planned properly will provide a fresh, stylish space that should remain functional and popular for years.

Now all you have to do is enjoy selecting the colours and finishes and choosing the appliances and kitchen accessories to create your own kitchen style  and really bring it to life!