INSPIRING
June 2020
DESIGN
The Kitchen Issue
Unique Challenges Every space space has has Every problems but but problems these required required a a these bit more more help... help... bit
Kitchen Design by the Numbers Quick tips tips if if Quick you go go it it alone alone you
Made Made with with Love Love Howdid didwe wecreate create How thisbeautiful beautifulTuscan Tuscan this kitchen? kitchen?
INSIDE 04 Unique Challenges Every home has its own problems but here's a few ways that we solved those issues
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07
Kitchen design by the numbers It isn't always creativity that makes a good design
Healthy Kitchen These kitchen dfvices are perfect for any home
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19 A Case of the Blues This dramatic tile color sets the tone
What's hiding in your kitchen?
Made with Love
Our newest kitchen remodel is perfect for the family
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A bit of organizational help can make all the difference
Stylin' Spaces Everyone has their own style
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Building and Remodeling Window placement is done earlymake sure you get them right.
Sweet Recipes Here are a few of our favorite recipes!
WELCOME Welcome to our first issue of Inspiring Design. We have a jam packed magazine with beautiful kitchens to inspire you to create your own! We love it when you share with your friends and family. We appreciate your support of our small business!
T o n i
Liam, my grandson and the photobomber of Zoom Meetings!
ENJOY THE KI TCHEN I SSUE! Beautiful spaces, the best low cost, healthy gadgets to buy and lots on good kitchen design.
2 / Welcome!
Unique
Challenges No two spaces are the same and each brings its own difficulties. Balancing personalities, pricing, availability, and more can seem daunting. TLN Interiors has your back, though. Need some examples? Take a look at some of our previous projects and decide for yourself. 3 / Unique Challenges
As far as was odd to problems go,steps this project was doozy. Our goal stay two ahead of thea contractor. Why,keeps you may ask? Because someone decided tobut putita This everyone happy and less headaches fireplace in the middle a hallway justthe offsame the kitchen. takes all parties on theof team being on page. No, this is not a joke. You can fireplace past Most selections are done priorsee to the ground beingjust broken the end of the this island it was incredibly and of course is and the best way. But do awkward. not kid To make things worse possibly kid better), wasn't even yourself or let your (or contractor you- it there is no waylow all to the ground. The openingand waspart midway the of wall details will be anticipated of theup DNA a and would have worked better in a family room. to some custom home build are inevitable changes
design elements. So, what did we do? Turn it into a feature, more or less. We were already opening so we expanded This can sometimes delaythe theroom homeup, being completed into itthe hallway andtocleaned up you the bricks before but is also critical get what want. You are paying wrapping them around the wall. It creates a lot of to for it. We do our best up front to outline it ALL prior architectural interest. We also that the oddcontractor fireplace that first shovel of dirt and keepturned subs and into a pizza which made the whole family informed of oven, all pertinent information. Often the happy. problems arise when the contractor is not up front with a client In the expected end, usingcosts the awkward feature as a part of our about and getting estimates in advance. design was expensive thanthe getting ridprocess of it Failure to domuch this less will then squeeze design completely. and we have to pivot to make adjustments. Avoiding this is a high priority with us!
SMALL SPACES This kitchen wasn't necessarily bad but it definitely made working difficult because of its small size. Even with just two people living there, they were constantly running into each other. To make matters worse, the couple hosted gatherings at their home at least once a week. Instead of trying to get a bigger kitchen, we just made it easier to move around in. There was no need for a peninsula or island. They had extra work space at the kitchen table. We also opened it up by moving the pantry to either side of the table. It kept the cabinets hidden and kept the kitchen from encroaching on the rest of the room.
Keeping the colors light and warm help this space seem open while the dark counters and chairs keep it from becoming blinding.
NARROWING PERSPECTIVE
This was another small kitchen but we engaged in some extreme measures to make it larger. We couldn't expand on either side, so it had to remain narrow. What we did instead was get rid of a wall on one end so that we could expand the room lengthwise. We used a few tricks to make the room seem wider. Putting dark colors on the floor and ceiling but white on the cabinets creates an optical illusion that the room is actually shorter and wider than it is. White cabinets don't only make a space look fresh, they also brighten the room. Adding glass-front cabinets on the same wall as the window allows light to flood the room without being stopped by the cupboards.
Adding a splash of color over the window finishes the room and draws attention away from cramped quarters
4 / Unique Challenges
KITCHEN DESIGN BY THE NUMBERS CHERYL KEES CLENDENON
DGD- AUGUST 2019
5 / Kitchen Design by the Numbers
QUICK TIPS YOU Some of the biggest mistakes made in DIY kitchen design. Read through and take note of these
N e TO e KNOW d
good ideas!
Kitchen tip #3
Kitchen tip #1
Lighting fixture height Hang dining light fixtures approximately
Kitchen passageways
36 inches off the table to the bottom of
Kitchen aisles should be 42 in wide.
fixture. This can be varied depending on
You can fudge this a bit if you must
the light fixture but this is a good rule
under certain circumstances but shoot
of thumb.
for 42inches. If you want more room, 48inches is good too but beware of
Over an island, consider hanging height
getting TOO much space... It makes it
based on the size of the pendants and
awkward to move about from one area
view- but 36 to 40 is usually a good rule
to another.
of thumb. It may vary to your eye and if
Kitchen tip #2 Kitchen islands Kitchen prep islands should be 38 inches high if you are average to above average height. This height is much more
your ceilings are taller than 8 to 9 feet then you have to reconsider again. Typically we go up another 3 inches for every foot of ceiling height. Mock up your ceiling fixtures to get a good idea of the girth of a selection.
comfortable for "most" people to prep foods at....if you are chopping etc. Less bending that way. 36 inches is standard height for a kitchen island. As for width? It depends on the space you have and the size of your the aisles. I wouldn't recommend 24 inches wide, so if there isn't enough room for something a large island, try for at least 30 inches. Designed by In Detail Interiors
"The best islands function like traffic copskeeping people DGD- AUGUST 2019out of the way of the cook" --Damn Good Designer
6 / Kitchen Design by the Numbers
"Kitchen design is a specialty in the building process. The technical requirements make a big difference in the final product."
Kitchen tip #4
Designed by TLN Interiors
Pot filler Location Pot filler height should be determined by several factors: the height of tallest pot you want to go under it, the drop of the spout, and the height of your burner grates. This is very different for many jobs. I would say it usually falls between 54 in and 57 in off the floor...but again depends on how the pot filler is designed so PAY ATTENTION and do not let the plumber decide for you! Of course there is so so much more! I am only hitting on a few while I am multitasking with other things but these are important! Hire a designer:)
Kitchen tip #5 Refrigerator Depth This kills me- make sure deep cabinets are deep enough to have the counters adjacent die into the side without any odd angle on the counter.
7 / Kitchen Design by the Numbers
A COHESIVE PLAN IS NOT SIMPLY LINES DRAWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER. UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE MAKES A HOUSE A HOME AND A MORTGAGE AN INVESTMENT. Pay to get a good plan. Then stick to the plan. ---Damned Good Designer
Your greens will stay fresh for longer with this Prepara Eco Herb Savor Pod
BluApple, a gadget that absorbs the ethylene gas in your fridge that's responsible for rotting your apples and berries
This product is a definite must-have for anyone who wants to get more veggies into their diet-in a quick and easy way.
The Healthy Kitchen 5 must have gadgets to help keep your kitchen healthy and sanitary The Ringer - The Original Stainless Steel Cast Iron Cleaner
Ultraviolet Disinfection Lamp Professional Air Purifier
9 / The Healthy Kitchen
Made With Love This beautiful family home in South Land Park was looking dated and lacked the organization it needed to fit this family's busy life. We tore everything out and started fresh. Bumping a wall out gave us extra space and helped us transform this into the spacious and calm kitchen the family always wanted.
We love how this home turned out! 10 / Made with Love
The kitchen used to be cramped and it prevented the family from working together. Instead of tight quarters they now have a large island perfect for working together, cooking, or entertaining.
Before
The original kitchen table looked too big for the space. We replaced it with a round one and added pantry cabinets. To give the homeowner a better place to work than the table, we created a desk for her, making it much easier to multitask while cooking and it's perfect for researching new recipes.
11 / Made with Love
The backyard at this home is expansive and we could easily steal a few feet to make the kitchen more comfortable. This particular family had a bit of a problem with clutter but the custom cabinets made sure that there was a place for everything and the clutter is just a bad memory.
Before
Light was in short supply when we started so we made certain that would no longer be a problem. Not only did we add extra lighting, we replaced the window with a bigger model and added a white wood-paneled ceiling to reflect the light.
Before 12 / Made with Love
Details
Special drawer pulls shaped liked hands, a neutral patterned backsplash, custom clad hood, and three chandeliers make for interesting details.
Every kitchen needs to reflect the people living there. As traditional as the room looks, there is modern technology hidden throughout to make life easier.
A copper prep sink adds an additional work zone and has antimicrobial characteristics.
13 / Made with Love
"Toni [gets] to know [her] client's style, wants, needs and has the ability to see their home through their eyes, which is so amazing! Â [Her] natural talents of design, color and outcome in [her] design are shared with the client-- that's me-- throughout the process. Â And it is a process, which [she] walks every step with the client. [I love] your subs, who exemplify the same high standard of the design trade and [are] true professionals in their own right." The White Family
14 / Made with Love
OK NOW IF YOU CAN ALWAYS KEEP IT LOOKING LIKE A PHOTO SHOOT THEN SKIP OVER THIS ARTICLE!
What is hiding in your kitchen?
Kitchens are the heart of the home. The place where
DRAWER STORAGE OPTIONS THAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY TO PUT AWAY THE DISHES
a long way over the years, and with them have come
everyone gathers…and with it gathers the clutter. Between the pots and pans, the plates and bowls, where are you supposed to keep it all? Everyone aspires to that spotless, perfectly staged kitchen. The ones on magazine covers that make you think, “does anyone actually live there??”. But is this dream kitchen even attainable? Kitchens have come some amazing storage solutions. There are so many internal storage components available that will optimize space and keep everything neatly stored and off the counters.
15 / What is hiding in your kitchen?
No more junk drawers!
FROM HAFELE. THE MOST ORGANIZED DRAWERS WINS!
Let’s face it, it’s hard to keep drawers tidy. Too often they become a jumbled mess of cooking utensils, chip clips, and bottle openers. Added slats divide up cooking utensils so that they are easy to locate. Creating small rectangular spaces give a home to little mischevious items that would usually get lost in the abyss. Can’t commit? Peg board drawers allow you to customize and change your drawers based on your storage needs. And they hold everything in place, so glass bowls aren’t playing shuffle board inside your drawers. FROM KESSEBOHMER- PLATE DRAWERS ARE VERY ERGONOMIC! LIFTING UP AND NOT DOWN.
FROM BLUM- SOME THINGS JUST MAKE SENSE!
ALSO FROM BLUM- NARROW STORAGE SOLUTIONS
16 / No more junk drawers
Want to see space saving in a real kitchen? There are all sorts of areas that standard cabinets overlook but can be used. Most people think about the corners, but what about the edges of the kitchen? Places where you don't want a deep cupboard where you'll lose small objects.
This narrow space is perfect for cleaning supplies and and a Large pantries aren't always possible but a pullout that sits alongside the fridge? Efficient and easy to use.
17 / No more junk drawers
stepladder but disappears when not needed.
A CASE OF THE BLUES Sassy and loving it!
18 / A Case of the Blues
This kitchen was too closed in for this busy family. The penninsula turned it into a one-butt kitchen, not something that two adults, three kids, and a dog could work with. Switching to an island made it easier to move around and work with someone else. The built-in bench seating in the breakfast nook was smart when the kids were smaller but getting in the way now that everyone was growing up. Getting rid of it gave us the option of relocating the pantry area and adding a small coffee bar, keeping the zombies in need of coffee out of the way during breakfast prep. What really spiced the place up? The vibrant blue tiles we used for a backsplash. They are dramatic and unexpected but we balanced them with white cabinets and lighter shades of blue splashed throughout.
We think our job here is done. 19 / A Case of the Blues
Before
SWEET DETAILS
Before 20 / A Case of the Blues
Stylin' Spaces I'm a big fan of timless styles. If you are going to spend a lot of money on something, why not on something that you will want around for a while? That doesn't mean that you have to only stick to a specific style. Check out these project photos, you might be surprised what we offer.
21 / Stylin' Spaces
In this bath we moved the matching windows- to each side facing front rather than on the wall with the mirror- this would have forced the mirror and lighitng to be awkward.
SO YOU HAVE YOUR DREAM PLANS AND...
BY: CHERYL KEES CLENDENON
Building a new home is an exciting and fun experience. Mostly. You have been reviewing with your Window placement, style and draftsman, Architect ( your mother, location as it pertains to father, sister, neighbor, mailman....) Is the furnishings. size of the family room big enough? Did you you know that windows are one of the Where will the piano go? Is Charlie's room first things your contractor will want to order? These decisions are critical because they are bigger than Susie's? Whatever is expensive and once ordered, they belong to important to you is probably what you you. have focused on during the plan creation I could do an entire book about this problem! phase of all this. That is great work. Let's talk bedrooms. You get to choose what you want, how it will lay out, select shiny new things- Joyous- until it is not. A bit of masochism is involved and no one will tell you this. You will love building a new home yet decision fatigue sets in early.
Especially the master bedroom If you have a common layout with a bed set between windows...where will your nightstands land? Meaning, if windows are too close then your bed overlaps the windows and this is not good at all.
You will second guess much of it and often will not know what you do not know- until it is too If too far apart then your nightstands are not late to change anything. There is a lot of trust centered under the windows and another major going on that all of the pertinent details are problem. handled in the planning stage but the simple truth is they are not. The best thing you can do is Pay attention the electrical outlets hire a very good designer to help you through the too. process. This service is worth every penny! Of course we would hope that you hire us! But if you do not hire a designer plan to spend time learning more than you may have bargained for about navigating the slew of details.
Who wants to contort like a cirque du soleil performer to plug in your lamp, alarm or phone charger? Make sure you are locating these outlets where you need them- codes dictate spacing but you can add them where you need.
It is also very important to make
It is very true- you do not know what you sure you have enough room or stack do not know- until you have a problem or back space for window treatments. recognize and issue after it is built. Nothing like building a beautiful new home and BUT. There are things you need to pay attention to that shockingly have nothing to do with what may seem important to you.
then realizing someone was not paying attention to the window placement and window treatments are covering glass because not enough wall space to "stack them back".
22 / Window Placement
you do not know... what you do not know
WHAT ABOUT WINDOWS IN SHOWERS?
I personally hate windows in showers- they are a primary reason many people call us to start a bath remodel- mold, rot, leaking. So why? If you want light in your bathroom and of course we all dothen put a window where you will get natural light in the most effective space. Please oh please do not default to a window over a tub either- sometimes this is perfect but often is not- and becomes this huge issue to get to the tub valves leaning halfway across the tub if they are on the backside not to mention the issues with dressing the window . Lawd! (lots of grumbling here- cue one of our pet peeves) Why spend all this money on a great window showcasing your tub (???) then have to put obscured glass on it or some sort of shade where you have to contort yourself like Houdini to get it open and closed- so it mostly stays closed.
WHAT IS THE POINT? Put the window where someone is putting makeup on or contact lenses in- where you need the actual light and forget it over the tub if is just a default location- unless you love your neighbors and you are an exhibitionist!
In this new construction the windows are above the mirrors to allow light in but ceilings are tall so it works.
BE DARING WITH WINDOWS TOO! But you also want to be sure the type of windows selected flow with the rest of your design- in other words- it is important in this case to rely heavily on your Architect for guidance on the style of windows to fit your home's overall aesthetic. I am one to want to own a lot of the interior appointments and details of a new home build- but respect so much an Architect's ability to make the exterior vision cohesive. Do not neglect the creative options of custom design. In the kitchen,to the left, we created a window style to fit the style of the space I had envisioned- somewhat European and embracing curves and lots of glass visible.
This kitchen was a collaboration with Silestone and Kohler and a fun project to design!
23 / Window Placement
Creating custom windows is an added expense but in some parts of your home it might be worth exploring this if it adds to the overall appeal and value- one stunner like in the project above can deliver huge results.
Sweet
Recipes No kitchen is complete without a few favorite recipes! Here are some easy ones that will thrill your tastebuds without causing you too much trouble. Tea-Infused Whipped Cream
Raspberry Ricotta Cake
This is a simple way to make any dessert more sophisticated. You can use pretty much any tea that you like: lavender, chamomile, chai, earl grey... just avoid things like passion tea that have a tendency to curdle milk.
This is a new recipe for me. My daughter decided to try it so she could use up some extra ricotta and we all instantly fell in love. We used fresh berries, although they got a bit mushy... definitely a repeat, though.
- 1 cup chilled heavy cream, divided - 2 tea bags of your choice or 2 teaspoons loose leaf - 1 T of sugar Put half of the cream into a saucepan. Heat to a simmer and remove from heat. Place tea in heated cream and steep for 20-30 min. Remove teabags and chill for 1-2 hours. Combine flavored and plain cream. Add sugar. Whip to stiff peaks.
Nonstick vegetable oil spray 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder ¾ teaspoon kosher salt 3 large eggs 1½ cups ricotta ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted 1 cup frozen raspberries or blackberries, divided
Baking Better Brownies Okay, this isn't a recipe, per se. This is more a tip. Instead of using straight veggie oil when you make brownies, try adding a bit of flavored olive oil. My family's favorite is Sonoma's Orange Rosemary Olive Oil. We use it with both homemade brownies and with boxed mixes. Usually, we substitute about 1/3-1/2 of the veggie oil for olive oil and it always astounds me how much better they taste this way! Try it and let me know what you think! Also, if you are trying to find a good recipe for brownies, always remember that the best ones involve melting chocolate. I typically use Gheridelli's recipe but every time I tried a recipe that called for cocoa powder, I was disappointed in the lack of chocolate flavor.
Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9”-diameter cake pan with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk eggs, ricotta, and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth; fold into dry ingredients just until blended. Then fold in butter, followed by ¾ cup raspberries, taking care not to crush berries. Scrape batter into prepared pan and scatter remaining ¼ cup raspberries over top. Bake cake until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 50–60 minutes. Let cool at least 20 minutes before unmolding. Do Ahead: Cake can be made 2 days ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature. Recipe from Bon Appétit
24 / Recipes
Design
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