Minimalist Interior Style :Kitchen

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Kitchen Design Ideas

Your kitchen can be the best place in your home to relax and unwind. The living room simply makes relaxing easier, with the TV and stereo to keep you company. The bedroom makes relaxing the order of the day, as the bed beckons and tells you to leave your world behind and do nothing but sleep. The kitchen, on the other hand, presents a challenge: it can make you hang up your dinner jacket, set aside that formal gown, take off those stylish shoes, and get down to cooking business as you let the day’s tensions go down the drain.
A well-designed kitchen, indeed, can turn even the most staid office worker into an enthusiastic chef. Kitchen design ideas are therefore always in demand. If you are searching for kitchen design ideas, you can find them in your local furniture and design store, where pre-fabricated set ups can show you how your dining set, kitchen island, and cabinets can all come together to create a great kitchen.
You can also find great kitchen design ideas in your favorite fashion and interior decorating magazine. These kitchen design ideas, however, can often be expensive, and can tax on your budget especially if you are looking to use your kitchen design ideas out on a limited amount of space. You can also pick up kitchen design ideas from the homes of your friends or family, and then use these as a starting point for kitchen design ideas of your own.
Here are a few basic kitchen design ideas that you might want to use to make your cooking area a wee bit prettier, and your cooking hours a little more exciting.
Kitchen design ideas are useless if they do not match your home. You may want a country kitchen, but this can stick out like a sore thumb in a modern home. You might want a minimalist kitchen, but this can look drab if you have a richly-designed apartment. Make sure that your kitchen matches the theme of your home before you pick out utensils, pots, cabinets, and appliances to decorate it.
The key to a good kitchen is neatness and wideness. A neat kitchen can make you want to cook (and, in effect, make a mess in the absence of chaos); a wide kitchen can keep you from feeling constricted or confined. Keep this in mind as you search for design ideas to fit your kitchen needs.
Do not go overboard on anything. Many cabinets can make your kitchen look orderly, but if most of these cabinets will go unused, then they will simply gather dust and give you allergies every time you work near them. Fewer cabinets can lessen the clutter, but if your pots and pans end up on the kitchen counter, you can have a messier kitchen at the end of your busy cooking day. Before having cabinets or drawers installed, calculate how many appliances, utensils, plates, and pots you need to store.
When in doubt, go white and bright. Lighter neutral colors, such as white, beige, off-white, or light gray, can make your kitchen appear wider and neater. When selecting a place in which to put your kitchen, find a corner with windows. Natural light can contribute to a wider, neater feel.
For more kitchen design ideas, visit online sites that feature pictures of different kitchens, and how you can use your floor space efficiently. The best kitchen design ideas should allow you to have the best kitchen for your budget, so make sure to scout for as many deals as you can before finally settling for the one theme that will make your kitchen the culinary universe of your dreams.

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5 Tips For Planning a New Kitchen

A kitchen that looks great but does not offer much in the way of storage, usable work space or other points of functionality is pretty worthless. You will not be happy with it, and it will be difficult to complete your daily tasks.
So when it is time to plan your new kitchen, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help ensure you get the kitchen of your dreams - one that looks great AND works great! As you plan your new kitchen, ask yourself the following questions to help get a better grasp on what you do and don't need:
1.) How do you cook? - When you ask yourself how you cook, what you must consider are a few different factors. Is your family large or small? Do you prepare small meals with only a few courses or dishes the majority of the time, or you do you prefer to prepare large, multi-course affairs the majority of the time? Answering this question will help you determine whether or not you need a large oven or cook top with more burners than usual. If you commonly prepare 7 course meals, then a cook top with more than the standard 4 burners will come in handy, but if you do not, then there is no need to take up that space with something you won't use.
2.) How much storage do you need? - Storage is a very important element of any kitchen that runs smoothly. Lack of storage is frustrating, especially if you have a large collection of cookware, utensils and dishes that you must stow away in addition to food stores and the like. Your cabinetry, therefore, should be large enough to accommodate all of your needs, and designed in such a way that it makes things easy to get to - pans near the oven, for example. And if you like to throw parties often or entertain dinner guests, then you may have serving platters and other items that are larger than the standard cabinetry can house, so having a few larger cupboards that will fit those items properly will make a big difference.
3.) How much counter space is ideal? - Large families or homeowners that enjoy entertaining will find it easier to have more counter space to work with. Preparing large amounts of food without the room to do so is an exercise in frustration, much like the lack of storage options can cause. If you need room to work, plan accordingly.
4.) How much food do you usually keep in the house? - Answering this question will help you determine how large your refrigerator needs to be. If you make small shopping trips throughout the week, then you do not need to store large amounts of food at once, but if you prefer to shop less often, having a large fridge will help keep everything safe and sound until it is needed.
5.) Who are you? - The last question to ask yourself involves your personal style and is what helps add those special touches to the kitchen that make it "home." If, for example, you like to bake, then you may want to consider a special, larger capacity oven for that. If you are concerned for the environment, then you may wish to include a special compost bin for food wastes. To show off your design tastes, consider applying them to your cabinetry finishes and cabinet hardware. For a modern feel, try sleek white surfaces and satin nickel cabinet hardware, with door knobs to match. Article Source: EzineArticles. com

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Trends in Modern Kitchens 2009

These days, the trend is to use the kitchen partially as a family room, or a place to gather with friends to chat. A lot of modern kitchens are built as a "great room", with a desk for the computer, and special storage areas. If you enjoy wine, you may want to make some space in the kitchen for your wine collection. A wine rack, or wine refrigerator on the counter, or in the corner isn't uncommon. Maybe you have a collection of gourmet cookware that needs a special storage space. Many modern kitchens have special drawers for pots and pans, or even hanging pot racks, to show off that beautiful set of copper pans.
Modern appliances are functional and efficient. While some homeowners choose commercial grade appliances for their kitchens, it doesn't meat that the kitchen needs to be plain and boring. Today's cabinets are finely built, with a lot of design choices, and several types of wood and laminates to choose from. Modern cabinets often look more like furniture, with tables, and decorative molding. The right cabinets and countertops will go a long way to prevent the kitchen from looking dull and boring.
Countertops these days appear in a wide variety of materials and finishes. Granite, limestone, concrete, butcher block... these are all popular countertop choices these days. The same is true with flooring options. Laminates, ceramic tiles, and wood flooring, are all popular options for kitchen floors, providing not only durability, but beauty as well.
Often, people will remodel their kitchen to get rid of dark and cramped spaces. The lighting selections available today go a long way towards lighting up a dim area. You can find traditional lights, as well as recessed lighting and track lighting, to put the light where you need it. If you live in a hot climate, you can get a combination of light and ceiling fan, to keep the air circulating. Many kitchens these days are being built with a light and airy feel to them. Another trend is bringing the earth inside. You don't have to shovel dirt into your kitchen for this, just use soothing earth tones when you paint the kitchen, and plan the decor. This will help to bring a peaceful feeling into your kitchen.
With all of the modern trends in kitchen design and decor, you really should consider remodeling your old kitchen. It will be worth it to start doing some research, and thinking about what you want in your kitchen. Take a look through some of the home remodeling magazines, and look at some of the articles and ideas about modern kitchens. You may just be intrigued with some of the options available to you. Once you have some ideas, visit your local home improvement store, and take a look at the options available to you. Soon enough, you could be enjoying a new kitchen with your family and friends

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Interior Color of Kitchen Trend 2009 : Painting Kitchen yourself to Save Money

Kitchen remodeling job seldom can be accomplished over a long weekend or about 3 days with the right kind of preparation and planning. Painting kitchen cabinets will save you money while making it look like you spent a lot on remodeling your kitchen.Depending on the area of the country you live in it is probably not a good idea to do this type of job in the winter months because you will need to have windows and doors open because of fumes from the paint and primer.

Painting your kitchen cabinets can be the fastest and easiest method to update a tired worn-out looking kitchen and increase the value of your home. Painting the cabinets is a simple and low-cost alternative to an expensive kitchen-remodeling job. Painting the kitchen cabinets can give them a fresh new look. You can easily change the kitchen cabinet accessories such as the cabinet knobs and handles. You can leave the insides of the kitchen cabinets alone except the insides of the doors to save even more money on the job and the hassle of having to take out everything that is inside the cabinets.
Preparing the Kitchen Cabinetry for Painting

First you can begin by take off the doors removing any screws and all the hardware from the cabinets.Make sure to clean the cabinets thoroughly before starting to paint with a wood cleaner containing orange oil. This type of cleaner is good for removing grease. If there is any grease, oils or even a little dirt the paint may not adhere to the wood surface correctly. Make sure the surface is totally dry before applying the primer.

Now check for any rough areas on the doors and the cabinet base, sand them down, and wipe away any dust or sawdust from the surface.Apply an even coat of primer-sealer to the cabinet doors, starting in the center and following the grain of the wood. By using primer-sealer you will not have to sand down and degloss the wood before painting it.

Painting the Cabinetry

When it comes to the choice of the type of paint either a high-gloss or a semigloss paint are recommended for cabinets. Some people feel that semigloss can provide a richer finish however.Use a good quality brush for applying the paint. This will insure a more superior finish. As with the application of the primer-sealer you should start in the center and follow the grain. Two or three coats are required to achieve a good quality finish. The paint should be allowed to dry about four hours per coat. Using thin coats make for fewer brushstrokes and less time for drying.Once you have all the doors painted, start on the bases. Follow the same steps you did for the doors: sand, clean, seal, then paint. You will not have to worry about doing the inside of the cabinets. It will only be necessary to tape off the edges for a clean finish and just leave them as they are. However you might want to start thinking about replacing the hardware for the drawers and doors to totally complete your new kitchen look.

If you proceed carefully and follow all the necessary steps, you should have a like new kitchen with a fresh look to be proud of.

there are four main color trends 2009 that will be dominating our surroundings next year and beyond.

Raw: Horn says this palette is derived from the push toward minimalism, pairing life down to its most authentic. Horn said this palette is derived from unfinished wood, cinder blocks and other "make-do" materials and includes shades of white, sand and gray.Benjamin Moore's "Raw" colors include: Chantilly Lace OC-65, Mascarpone AF-20, Collector's Item AF-45, Fossil AF-65, Frappe AF-85, Hush AF-95, Jute AF-80, Tucson Winds 1024, Sterling 1591, Storm AF-700, Steel Wool 2121-20, Gray 2121-10

Urban Silence: Horn said this group of colors reflects the changing delineation between life in the city and life outside the city. "This is where the trees become houses and the houses become trees," she explained.As more urban buildings incorporate rooftop gardens and shipping containers are converted into living spaces, the city becomes a softer, more livable place. Horn said this palette reflects these changes by mixing the gray tones of urban living with vibrant, organic colors like green, rust and terra cotta.Benjamin Moore's "Urban Silence" colors include: Shadow Gray 2125-40, Lapland AF-410, Yellow Tone 370, Wasabi AF-430, Winding Vines 532, Old Gold 167, Glen Ridge Gold 301, Rattan AF-375, Rustic Taupe 999, Abbey Brown 1225, Bronze Metallic Bronze-30 (Studio Finish color), Copper Metallic Copper-40 (Studio Finish color)Simplexity: To understand this color palette, think about the pixels that make up a computer screen: thousands of tiny dots in different shades that come together to make a whole. These are colors that have more to them than meets the eye."The colors here are very complex, they have a lot of depth to them, but they're easy to use, so that's the simplicity part of that," Horn says. For example, she said, think of a color that looks black, but it's really purple. "It's almost black but it has an undercurrent of blue and redrunning underneath it and it just has a rich texture and a rich landscape, and the way that the light hits it, you start seeing the nuances of how those colors flip underneath it." Benajamin Moore's "Simplexity" colors include: Thunder AF-685, Meditation AF-395, Amsterdam AF-550, Carob AF-160, Caponata AF-650, Merlot Red 2006-10, Arroyo Red 2085-10, Dried Mustard 2158-10, Majestic Violet 2068-10, Hidden Falls 714, Buttered Yam AF-230, Gargoyle 1546 Private Identity: With the "Private Identity" palette, Horn said she and the other color trends experts were thinking about how we express our individuality in such an overwhelming, populated world. Here, the colors are bright, bold and unexpected."You're your own person so you're going to put together a personal statement color," Horn said. "You could do a bright red mixed with a powder blue and put a bold gold against it. So you've got this contrast of very bold color and then a very light color and that gives it an unexpected twist."Benjamin Moore's "Private Identity" Colors include: Desert Rose 2094-50, Mango Punch 154, Perennial 405, Pacific Palisades 762, Tricycle Red 2000-20, Blushing Red 2079-20, Thunderbird 675, Lucerne AF-530, Fire and Ice 1329, Black Satin (High Gloss) 2131-10, Silver Metallic Silver-20 (Studio Finish color), Gold Metallic Gold-10 (Studio Finish color)(The symbols after the colors listed above indicate their collection, so ones with an AF mean that they are part of the Affinity group of colors, OC stands for Off-White Colors and the ones with numbers are in their regular group of classic colors).Don't know where to start? Which colors story to use?I think you can use colors that are in keeping with the geography in which you live, the architecture of your home and most of all PERSONAL CHOICE. If you live on the 28th floor of a condo with a view of a major mountain and you over look a river ...its all about the view. So keep your colors to a dull roar. The color palette of RAW may be a good choice for you. If you live in a gray climate and want color, the rich hues of the SIMPLEXITY palette may be the right choice for you.I believe the real trend is personalization. People are tired of others telling them what is good for their home. When choosing colors think about what color looks good on you. What do you like to wear? What do you want to feel when you walk through the door? Color defiantly evokes a feeling. You may want to buy a sample of the color you want to you use and paint it on "mighty board." it's a thin, ridged plastic 2x2 sheet of material that will not warp when painted. You can get it at most Benjamin Moore paint stores. See what the color looks like at night and during the day, before you paint the whole room.

Most important, be daring - it's only paint. You can easily re-do it for a few bucks

by "Kimberlee Jaynes

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New Minimalist Kitchen Design 2009

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