Top notch planning, labor saving appliances, glamorous new
materials and accessories combine to give today’s kitchens an
updated new life.
Kitchens have undergone a vast change in recent years. The final
result today is a totally new concept in kitchen planning, and
most important, decor. New materials for walls and floors,
modern refrigerators, ovens and appliances and the use of vivid
color schemes transform the average kitchen into a room of
beauty.
Kitchen…Planning
A well planned kitchen makes good use of all available space. To
be a success, every kitchen must be well planned, down to the
last detail. Convenience is just as important as appearance in
kitchens that are large, small, new or remodeled. Work out your
plans on paper first. This not only saves time and headaches,
but money and disappointments as well.
There is no point in learning too late that the ultra large
refrigerator you want won’t fit into the space between oven and
work counters. If you are arranging cabinets and other
appliances, work on graph paper to exact scale. Remember that
you can utilize walls from floor to ceiling for storage units,
that will save floor space. Do this preliminary planning before
you go to your designer or builder, so that you know what you
want.
Versatile Peninsulas and Islands
Peninsulas and Islands have manifold merits, they are, in fact,
essential in the well planned kitchen. One of the secrets of
good kitchen design is to avoid wasted space. The less walking
you have to do between oven, sink, range and refrigerator, the
better. Islands and peninsulas help to bring work areas closer
together, and in doing so alleviate this traffic problem.
An island is any free standing base cabinet, with counter top,
set out in the middle of the kitchen floor. In many ways it it
the modern version of the kitchen table. Certainly it serves the
same purpose but with a difference. The difference is that it
combines a sink or cooking top, or both, in it’s work counter
and cabinets or drawer storage in the base.
A peninsula is any counter extending from a wall, so that it is
accessible from three sides. Peninsulas can also accoommodate
range tops, sinks and base storage. Peninsulas and islands also
solve other kitchen traffic problems, especially when more than
one person is working in the kitchen. By isolating various areas
of activity, two, even three, people can work happily at
different chores, without crossing paths.
Kitchen…Floors
Kitchen floors are designed to flourish with any decorating
scheme, and are more glamorous than ever. Careful thought should
be given before buying flooring materials. These are: traffic
expected, amount of exposure to sunlight, moisture, durability
wanted and amount of quiteness desired.
Many types of vinyl flooring are available, and continue to be
popular because they are versatile, practical and not too
expensive. All wear well, look good and are grease resistant.
Many of these vinyls simulate brick, tile, wood and marble and
can create a luxury look in any kitchen. Ceramic tiles are hard
wearing, easy to keep clean and come in various color. Linoleums
are less expensive than vinyls and ceramic tiles, that wear
fairly well. Vinyl carper and other fiber carpets that resist
moisture, spots, and are easy to maintain can also be used
successfully in kitchens.
Kitchen…Walls
Kitchen walls come alive with color and beauty today. The
choices of wall coverings is wide. Washable wallpaper, plastic
finished hardboard paneling, laminated, wood paneling, ceramic
tile, metal and copper tiles or stainless steel sheets all give
walls a new impact. When color and texture are matched to
floors, they give the kitchen an integrated truly decorated look.
Remember also to plan your lighting and ventalation carefully.
lights should be well placed, so that you work in shadowless
comfort and avoid eye strain. Ventilation keeps kitchens clean
and fresh. Ventilation fans and hoods remove food odors, grease,
smoke, heat and moisture before they do any damage to walls and
furniture.
