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10 Upgrades for a Touch of Kitchen Elegance

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“Elegant” “sophisticated,” “simply beautiful” — are these words you would use to describe your dream kitchen? Even just adding a coat of paint, new lighting and carefully chosen decorative details can bring your current kitchen a bit closer to that dream. Here are 10 upgrades to consider.

1. Roman shades. Covering the window with a classic Roman shade gives the kitchen a finished look. Go with a color and a pattern that coordinate with your cabinet and wall color, or stick with natural linen, which goes with everything.

2. Topiary. A pair of topiaries flanking the sink is an elegant finishing touch. Use a vintage champagne bucket as a cachepot, or wrap a simple pot in burlap and tie on a velvet bow. If your kitchen gets a good amount of natural light, by all means get real plants — but if not, there’s no shame in picking up a couple of high-quality fakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Pendant lighting. Swapping out a plain ceiling light fixture for something with more style can be done quickly — and your new pendant light can become the focal point of the room. Don’t be afraid to go big; even in a small kitchen like the one shown here, a sizable pendant looks striking, not overpowering.

4. A rich cabinet color. Whether you paint your cabinets or stain them a natural wood tone, a rich color is a high-impact, low cost way to change the look of your kitchen. Try a saturated hue like the blue-green shown here, or a chic gray or slate on just the lower cabinets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Wall paint. If you don’t want to repaint or restain your cabinets, another way to bring in color is by painting the walls. With all of the appliances and cabinetry, kitchen wall space is often fairly limited — which means not only is it quicker to paint, but the color is less likely to overwhelm than in, say, the living room. Try a smoky blue, rich “greige” or warm mocha.

6. Upscale counter stools. There are so many options when it comes to kitchen counter seating that there’s no reason to stick with plain bar stools, unless you want to. Try classic bistro stools (like the ones shown here), sculptural wooden stools or sleek Lucite ones.

Also notice the pendant lights in this kitchen — if you have a long counter, placing a row of three large-scale pendant lights above is a great way to bring focus to the space. Glass pendants like the ones shown here are elegant and maximize light.

7. Glass cabinet fronts. Update old cabinets by having several of the doors replaced with glass fronts. This costs far less than replacing full cabinets and can completely change the look and feel of your kitchen. Remember, whatever is in the new glass-front cabinets will be visible at all times, so choose just a few cabinet fronts to replace and commit to keeping the interiors orderly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. A chic rug. If you’ve shied away from using a rug in the kitchen for fear of spills and stains, try a chic indoor-outdoor version. These rugs come in beautiful colors and patterns now, and no one has to know about the stain-fighting powers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re not frightened of spills, lay down a beautiful (but not priceless) Oriental carpet. Rugs made from wool and other natural materials are quite forgiving when it comes to stain removal, as long as you act promptly.

9. Branches in a tall vase. Branches last far longer than cut flowers — but more than that, they exude elegance. An armful of seasonal branches plunked in a tall vessel is an easy way to instantly boost the ambience in your kitchen.

10. Decorative details. Framed artwork on the wall — and not just “kitchen” art but art you could just as easily hang in another room — can add polish to any kitchen.

Mirrors are unexpected in the kitchen, and just like in other spaces, they can be a wonderful way to boost light. A small table lamp tucked onto the counter brings a warm glow that makes a kitchen feel more welcoming.

Not a Big Cook? These Fun Kitchen Ideas Are for You

Kitchen design tends to be centered around the presumption that you will be spending loads of time in your kitchen cooking. Not so earth shattering, right? But the fact is, not everyone loves to cook. Not everyonecould really use a supersize fridge, dual ovens and an enormous island. So what do you do when it’s time to think about a kitchen design, when all you’ve used your oven for is storage? While it makes sense for certain basics to be in place (sink, stove, dishwasher) even if you rarely cook, there is plenty of room for creativity. From wine storage to a library wall, here are a few ideas to consider.


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Wine storage. If you don’t have a large collection of cookware to house, it makes sense to shift some of that storage space to something you do use. 

Oenophiles may want to add a temperature-controlled wine cellar cabinet for bottles that need to be aged, in addition to open shelving for ready-to-drink bottles.


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You could even create your own home wine bar experience with wall-mounted bottle storage, paired with a “tasting bar” attached to the wall.


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Fancy coffee station. Love your morning latte or cappuccino? Splurge on a top-notch espresso maker so you can whip up your morning beverage of choice at home. Since you’re not spending as much on fancy knives and cookware, why not?


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When less work is what you want, look into a fully automatic coffeemaker. With the push of a button, you can have a cup of delicious coffee or even an espresso drink, depending on the model you choose.


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Library wall. If books are one of your great loves, consider dedicating a kitchen wall to bookshelves. You can house a good portion of those books that seem to multiply when you’re not looking, while keeping kitchen storage options flexible. As long as the shelves are large enough, a future owner could just as easily use them to store dishes, cookware or cookbooks.


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Cover (but rethink) the basics. Even those who rarely cook should include a few basic appliances in the kitchen. You never know if you may one day decide to cook at home more often, and even if you don’t enjoy cooking frequently, most people occasionally need a kitchen stocked with the basics. 

A fridge and freezer, a stovetop, an oven, a sink, a dishwasher, a toaster and a microwave are the bare bones for most kitchens. That said, these pieces do not need to be massive to get the job done. In fact, going overboard on appliances may just make cooking in your kitchen seem more intimidating.


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If your kitchen is small and you rarely cook, one alternative to the classic big oven is a separate cooktop paired with a compact oven, or even a convection toaster oven, for cooking (or warming) food.


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And if you really have no use for a giant fridge and freezer, consider instead a few handy fridge and freezer drawers. They can be tucked into small nooks and don’t overwhelm a space like a full-size fridge can.


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Delightful seating area. When you don’t need to worry about maximizing cabinet space, some fun possibilities open up; a lovely little seating area in the kitchen is one great option. After all, even if you don’t spend hours cooking, you likely do want to be able to sit down in a comfortable space and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, or a simple supper (even if it’s takeout) after a long day.

8 Kitchen Organizing Ideas for Messy Cooks

Article By: Lisa Frederick

I’ve always loved to cook. My stove gets a daily workout, my recipe books number in the hundreds, and I have so many pots, dishes and kitchen gadgets that I rotate them in and out of storage. With enthusiasm comes a price, however: an unruly mess that somehow has overtaken every flat surface by the time I untie my apron.

My husband, who is of the clean-as-you-go school of cooking, is mystified at how I can use every one of our five sauté pans, or three different sets of measuring spoons, to make a single meal. Honestly, so am I — I’m not sure I could tell you exactly when the jumble hits critical mass. But since the kitchen in our suburban split level has less counter space than some New York apartment kitchens I’ve seen, I suppose it’s time to get the clutter under control. 

 

1. Block the view. If you can’t avoid making a mess while you cook, you can at least shield it from guests.A two-tier island or peninsula, with the back higher than the front, screens flotsam from those seated opposite the cook. 

This island has more height than some, so if the owners add a few bar stools that aren’t too tall, guests would be hard pressed to glimpse more than a sliver of mess.

 

 

2. Build in trash receptacles. I’m a little squeamish about keeping a trash can right in my kitchen (yes, I know people do it all the time). So mine stays in the garage, and I gather trash and food scraps in a small grocery bag that I carry outside when I’m done cooking. It’s not the most efficient or attractive solution, I freely admit.

But bins like these, built right into the cabinetry, could change my mind. Having a spot where you can sweep away waste and compost as you go is a huge part of keeping counters tidy, and built-in bins sure look better than my stash of plastic bags from Target.

 

 

3. Choose an extra-large sink. As cooking progresses, dirty dishes mount. An oversize sink can corral them and keep them below eye level. Apron-front and single-bowl models work especially well.

 

 

4. Build in a prep sink.If your kitchen has the space, try a dedicated prep sink to keep eggshells, vegetable peelings and more out of the main cooking area.

 

 

5. Add baskets galore.When I’m making a meal, jars and boxes don’t always get returned to their proper homes right away. Having a row of baskets to toss things into helps to keep the kitchen neat. These are in a full pantry, but you can use the same tactic on open counter space, or on built-in or freestanding shelves.

 

 

Similarly, a shallow basket right near the work area keeps staples from migrating all over the kitchen.

 

 

Baskets on the end of an island could conceal stacks of folded towels, recipe binders and miscellaneous tools.

 

 

6. Store utensils in crocks. Not only do crocks keep wooden spoons, tongs and spatulas tidy, but they also keep tools close at hand so they’re a cinch to grab when you need them.

 

 

Of course, you could always take it one step further: built-in receptacles in a pullout drawer. If I could have one specialized cabinetry insert, I think this would be it.

 

 

7. Double up on dishwashers. Ample dishwasher space means you can tuck dirty dishes in as you go (or, if you’re like me, try to remember to do it). In a pinch you can also keep a cooler full of hot, sudsy water near the sink when you’re cooking a major meal.

 

 

Modular and flexible, dishwasher drawers work well near the main sink or prep sink.

 

 

8. Slip in a portable island. As in my case, messy cooks often lack enough counter space for spreading out. A small island on casters can be amazingly effective at extending the work area. Why haven’t I tried this yet?

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12 Great Kitchen Styles – Which One’s for You?

Style is easier to recognize with your eyes than with words: You know it when you see it, and the photo that inspires you most can often surprise you. Think you know your kitchen style? Check out these guides to a dozen favorite kitchen design themes, then tell us which one takes the cake.

#1 – Farmhouse Kitchens

Warm and homey farmhouses anchored a life on the land, and they still offer great functionality and comfort. Their open shelving, wide sinks, classic flooring and big kitchen table make them easy to work in and easy to love. 

#2 – Rustic Kitchens

“Worn”, “distressed” and “rough hewn” may not be the first words that come to mind when we think of kitchens. But today rustic kitchens rival the classic white kitchen in popularity – thanks to their timber, stone, brick, vintage appliances and fireplaces. 

#3 – Modern Kitchens

Definitions of “modern” vary widely, but when we think of modern kitchen designs, we often think of frameless cabinets, sleek and simple hardware, strong horizontal lines and a lack of ornamentation, with the natural beauty of the materials shining through. 

#4 Traditional Kitchens

Traditional kitchens are defined by their details, which can include arches, decorative moldings and corbels, raised-panel cabinets, a mix of antique finishes and furniture-like turned legs – even a chandelier. Whether they have a classic American or old-world flavor, they still carry the stamp of their owners’ personal style.

#5 Contemporary Kitchens

Contemporary kitchens can be very sleek, but while a purely modern kitchen often celebrates structure and grid, a contemporary kitchen is often more playful in form and finishes, including elements of other styles and creating its own reflection of the times.

#6 Transitional Kitchens

Think of a transitional kitchen as the great moderator. With the warmth and welcome of traditional design and the clean, simple lines of contemporary style, transitional spaces project balance and harmony. Because they offer a great deal of flexibility, they’re a great choices for homeowners whose taste spans the two.

#7 Craftsman Kitchens

Craftsman style arose in the early 20th century as a reaction to the mass-produced fussiness of the Victorian era. Its rich woods, built-ins, handcrafted tiles and well-made simplicity continue to charm us.

#8 Cottage Kitchens

Cozy, happy and unpretentious, a cottage kitchen harks back to simpler times and evokes a sense of easy, carefree living. Beadboard, soft colors, vintage hardware, wood floors and colorful accents and curtains will infuse your kitchen with cottage comfort. 

#9 Paris Bistro Kitchens

If you long for a sugar-laced café au lait on Rue Monmartre, why not bring a little Parisian style into your house? Intimate kitchen lighting, pretty cookware on display, tile floors and a striped awning ought to do it.

#10 Classic Kitchens

What is classic? The answer is as varied as cooks are. Still, white or cream kitchen cabinets, simple architectural details and black accents offer a blank slate that homeowners can personalize with contemporary, traditional and eclectic touches as they see fit.

#11 Mediterranean Style Kitchens

Flared hoods, hand-painted tile, warm wood cabinets, beamed ceilings and arched cooking alcoves are just some of the features that put Spanish revival kitchens on the most-wanted list.

#12 Eclectic Kitchens

Do you rebel against styles and refuse pigeonholes? It’s your housel you can mix and match for your own distinct kitchen style however you please. The trick: be a rebel with a cause. Get ideas for a very personal kitchen, with touches of modern and rustic styles, well-traveled flair, humor and irreverence.