Adding Storage Solutions to Kitchen Backsplashes

A beautiful backsplash can be a stunning focal point in a kitchen - but did you know this prime piece of kitchen real estate can work harder for you if you add a bit of dimension? We're not just talking textured tiles, laminates or other decorative surfacing materials... think storage rail systems, open and recessed shelving and ledges. Here are a few examples:

Although certainly not new to kitchen design, rail systems, such as the ones below, provide flexible storage options for commonly used cooking utensils, dish towels and even plants. 

Photo: 2012 Küchenmeile in Germany via Formica®

Open shelving can easily be mounted to a variety of backsplash materials, as seen below...

Photo: Formica® Laminate 180fx® in Calacatta Marble

Photo: Formica® Laminate 180fx® in Travertine Gold

... or integrated into the backsplash design.

Photo: 2013 imm cologne's LivingKitchen® via Formica®

Recessed shelving provides niche storage for commonly used cooking supplies. According to Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, in her recent article "Ideas for Smashing Splashes & Counter Designs" for Kitchen and Bath Design News, kitchen planning standards allow any surface 16" or deeper to be considered a functional work area, so keep these measurements in mind as you develop plans.

Photo: via Formica® 

Ledges also provide convenient resting places for spices, sauces and timers. As you can see, these are perfect for traditional kitchens...

Photo: via Formica

... as well as more contemporart ones.

Photo: via Formica®

(You are reading an article originally posted on Formica® Share the Love Blog)

Get Grout Magically Clean - Stains and All

If your grout is grossing you out, this deep-cleaning method will help it look new again!

Photo: American Cabinet & Flooring | Project Manager Randy WilsonTile - whether it's used as flooring, in the kitchen as a backsplash or for counters, or in the bathroom - has one great downfall: grout. Since grout is porous in nature, unsealed grout absorbs all kinds of stains, from mildew to coffee and everything in between. To say it's a headache to keep grout clean is an understatement.

NOTE: Be wary of using too much lemon juice with marble, since it can etch or damage the stone if left on too long. Hydrogen peroxide can be a safe alternative.

---

We inherited marble tile counters when we purchased our home. It's pretty clear that the grout was never properly sealed, so it soaks up stains like crazy. It makes our kitchen feel gross and grimy, even if it was just cleaned. While I'd love to replace the counters with a solid surface like quartz, it's just not in out budget - plus, we just can't justify getting rid of something that's perfectly fine otherwise.

Luckily, I have a foolproof method that will lift most household stains from that pesky grout. 

What you'll need:

• Oxygenated bleach (like OxyClean)
• Warm water
• Coarse scrubbing brush (like an old toothbrush)
• Towel
• Lemon
• Grout sealer

TIP: Cleaning colored grout should be done with special care. Bleaching agents (like chlorine bleach) can discolor and harm the colored grout. Fortunately, oxygenated bleach does not contain corrosive chemicals and is safe to use on all grout. 

1). Clean the surface thoroughly, removing any surface residue or debris. Let the grout dry fully.

2). Dissolve 2 tablespoons of oxygenated bleach in 2 cups of warm water. Wet the brush in the mixture and apply it to the grout. Let is soak in, then scrub the grout in a circular motion, which will loosen the stain more effectively than a front-and-back motion. If needed, dip the wet brush into the oxygenated bleach to make a paste. Wipe clean, then let dry.

TIP: To lift extra dark stains, squeeze lemon juice onto the stain, let it soak in, then scrub, wipe clean and let the grout dry. Use lemon juice sparingly, since it can damage some tile finishes.

3). Spray the tiles and grout with an ecofriendly cleaning spray and wipe them clean. Let the grout dry fully before making a final decision on whether your hard work paid off - damp grout looks darker than dry grout. 

4). Apply grout sealer after the grout has fully dried to avoid any future stains. Be sure to reapply it each year. 

Still having trouble getting that grout clean? For those impossible-to-remove stains, you might want to consider:

• A commerical tile and grout cleaner
• A coarser brush (avoid using metal bristles, though, as they can erode the grout)
• Grout Renew

If after you've tried all three, the stain is still hanging strong, you may have to resort to removing the old grout and replacing it with new. 

TIP: An electric multitool, like the Dremel Mult-Max, helps to make quick and safe work of removing the old grout. 

Get Grout Magically Clean — Stains and All

(You are reading an article originally posted on Houzz)

From Martha's Kitchen | Layout & Design Tips

In a dream parallel universe, I would've actually interviewed Martha Stewart for this piece, but instead I've mined the internets for the queen of domesticity's best advice on how to maximize your kitchen's design potential.

Over the years, Martha Stewart estimates she's designed more than 22 custom kitchens, so she's learned the hard way what works and doesn't work for her. Here is some of the advice she's shared recently.

Kitchen Storage Savvy

• Look for cabinetry with the most options for shelf-height adjustments, for maximum versatility when it comes to your organization options. The queen favors the "birds beak" style of shelving, which just slides into place.

• Hang your pots. A famous habit of celebrity shelves and an age-old tradition, it just makes sense. Get 'em out of drawers and cupboards, and up-up-and-away.

• Contain your crazy with containers. Martha likes pretty baskets and bins, but I'm a "better make it clear" or at least mesh kind of girl, as I'd like to see what's in storage rather than have to label it. Either way whether in cupboards or drawers, bins and containers make keeping organized much simpler, and also make far lighter work of periodically cleaning the spaces.

• Have lots of drawers and don't be afraid to label things. Embracing the nerd-side and labeling will keep you on a tighter path as weeks pass and chaos threatens your space. Store things together. All knives, all spatulas, etc., so you're not having things scattered between different cupboards when they're related to the same tasks.

• Martha recommends protecting your expensive silverware in a nice drawer lined with a special flannel from Pacific Silvercloth, which limits tarnish and keeps them looking nice.

Photo: Omega Contemporary Kitchen with a Metro Door Style

Layout Tips

• Work that happens together should stay together. Have a chopping station, a drinks station, a tea drawer, a coffee counter, and so forth. Keep knives near where you chop. Keep spices near the stove. Think about where you will most likely use things, and ensure you store it there. This gives you flow and purpose in your work.

• Pantry staples are things you really can't see yourself living without, and they should be kept close at hand and grouped accordingly. These are spices, oils, condiments, seasonings, vinegars, sauces and more. Again, they should all be in one area, close to where you cook and prep your food. Martha labels sections in her pantry so things get put back in the right place no matter who's in the kitchen (Asian Sauces, Oils, etc.)

• If you have the option of a lot of drawers, it's a great way to go. Think of narrower drawers for things like knife trays and other tools of the trade.

Photo: Omega Traditional Kitchen with a Delmar Door Style

Versatility and Convenience

• Open cupboards can be very useful. Martha likes them open for her towels, cutting boards, and strainers - things one often needs to grab quickly. She especially loves open storage under her islands, which she recommends being 4 feet long, 2.5 feet wide, with a 3-foot clearance around it.

• If you can't have a kitchen island, a movable cart or butcher's block on wheels can be the perfect extra workstation for those big cooking nights. 

• If designing your own kitchen, try to include as many plug outlets for different work areas as you can, since it makes life much more convenient.

Photo: UltraCraft Destiny Kitchen with a Amherst Door Style

 Lifestyle

•  Even Martha Stewart finds she's sometimes in the kitchen for far too long. She's got a large TV installed in her main kitchen, so she can catch up on shows while doing her grand meals. With today's mountable panel televisions, there's no reason it can't stay out of the way, mounted up high to be seen from any angle.

• A first-aid counter in the kitchen is the smartest place to have one, since it's "command central" of every home, and is also where the sharp knives do their work.

• Pets are family members too, and Martha's kitchen is loaded with pet care, all tucked into a handy station for her cat and dog buddies. From trays under feeding dishes to keep kibble from wandering, to toys, leashes and treats, it's all close at hand so meal time meals are more than just the humans getting fed. 

The big lesson we're learning today from the Queen of Domesticity is that it's all about staying practical, organized, and knowing what you need. Following Martha's kitchen exactly wouldn't work for my lifestyle or my space, but there's plenty both you and I can learn from her many years of kitchen designing and cooking mastery.

(You are reading an article orignally posted on Build Direct Blog) 

Easy Kitchen Updates for a Lazy Weekend

Have you ever had a moment of staring at your space, feeling all kinds of antsy and knowing that something has to change? It might be the wall color that you never liked anyway or that storage issue that is driving you batty. All you know is that in order to continue living in your house, you must embrace that urge to change something!

I often get the urge when I look at my kitchen. No matter how awesome it looks so far, there is always room for improvement. If you have kitchen restlessness like me, here are a few great ideas that you can implement in a weekend. They will make you feel much happier about the way your kitchen looks - for awhile anyway.

Paint Something

Photo Credit: Build Direct BlogEveryone knows that a fresh coat of paint can make a room look like new. But did you ever think about painting not just the wall, but anything else that takes well to a paintbrush. Put chalkboard paint on the front of your refrigerator (assuming it's no longer under warranty), paint your cabinets or create a new backsplash with designs painted directly onto stick-on tiles.

Add in a New Material

Painting is one thing, but an entirely new material is another. Spruce up that boring ceiling with beadboard panels, painted a lighter shade than your walls. Into something more intricate? Try tin ceiling tiles for a much more traditional look. If you don't want to go that far, consider simple new molding in a contrasting color. 

Get Rid of the Doors

Cabinet doors are nice, but it might be even nicer to remove them. If you have a great collection of china or colorful pots and pans, getting rid of the cabinet doors can allow your creativity to shine in new ways. This can also force you to do some spring cleaning on your cabinets, and who doesn't  need a bit of that?

Light Things Up!

Photo Credit: Build Direct Blog

Sometimes the kitchen can seem dreary, especially if the summer sunlight is shining through the windows. Brighter lights, lights that highlight certain areas of the kitchen and fixtures that make a sunny statement are all good options for chasing away the shadows - and the doldrums.

Change the Hardware

It might be a small thing, but it has a big impact. Changing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets and drawers can be as easy as looking at a home improvement store, estate sale or speciality boutique. Choose something that suits your cabinet style but adds a pop of color to your space. It can be done in an afternoon with little cost, and can brighten up the space and your mood.

Get Some New Furniture

Are you tired of that little space beside the fridge? How about that old desk that has seen better days, the one that you parked beside the counter for a place to catch the mail? Plenty of kitchens have furniture, and you can spruce things up with a gorgeous piece of furniture that seems as though it wasn't meant for a kitchen. For instance, a big bookcase to hold all those cookbooks and lovely dishes can make a nice new attraction for the eyes. 

Plant Something

Finally, bring the outside in with a tiny herb garden. Colorful pots that line your windowsill can play host to such delicacies as sage, parsley, chives and rosemary. Depending upon your climate, you could even include a few dwarf trees or plants, such as a Meyer lemon.

You don't have to spend a fortune to make your kitchen look like a million bucks. All you have to do is take a weekend, invest a small bit of money and elbow grease, then step back and admire your new place to cook and entertain.

(You are reading an article orignally posted on Build Direct Blog)

TopShop News | May 2013

TopShop News | May 2013   How are we doing? We love to get feedback from you, our valued customers, and we are always striving to provide the very best in quality products and service. It is important to us to know how we are doing. Did we exceed your expectations? Did we have the products you were looking for? Was your Sales Representative/Design Specialist friendly & knowledgeable? Where you satisfied with the service you received? Is there something we could have done better? When visiting our showrooms; where you greeted in a welcoming and professional manner? Let us know by clicking on any of the buttons below to submit a review on your experience(s) with American Cabinet & Flooring, Inc. We look forward to hearing from you! In Praise of Julia Child & The Well-Cluttered Kitchen by Steffanie Cameron | Build Direct Blog | April 29, 2013 Ahh, the French Chef. For many, the arrival of the 1963 PBS series was a doorway into a whole new world.  In 1948, Julia Child, was stationed in post-war Paris with her husband, and little did she know then, but she'd change America's cuisine forever in the years to come.  She spent much of the next decade writing Mastering the Art of French Cooking, the cookbook that would introduce French cooking to "servantless American cooks" once published in 1961. By then, she had returned to America to settle down with her husband in Massachusetts. Upon getting the word that her book was being published, there was no looking back for the towering dame who'd dominate the food scene for the next four decades.  Photo via Build Direct Blog Julia Child's Kitchen The quaint rural kitchen became the most famous kitchen in America, so, fittingly, at the turn of the 21st century, the Smithsonian Museum adopted it as a permanent exhibit, almost completely intact with the chef's collection of over 800 knives and endless tools, and, yes, those incredible pegboards.  Last weekend, I was kind of wistfully dreaming I could live Julia Child's life and cook in her kitchen. I blame Nora Ephron, rest in peace, thanks to her delightfully fun movie Julie & Julia. The DVD extras came with a long feature about the Smithsonian's adopting of Julia's kitchen when she decided to move into a retirement community at the end of her life. It was a passionate tribute to a legendary kitchen, and I watched it rapt. Today, kitchens often look almost sterile. So clean and clear of clutter. It feels almost like kitchens are meant to be seen but not used.  My Dream Kitchen No one could ever have accused Ms. Child of that sin of kitchen neglect. Everywhere, pegs and clips and hooks were filled with tools and pots and pans. Her kitchen was to cooking what a master carpenter's tool shed is to his woodworking mastery: A place for everything, a tool for every job, with instruments displayed so you simply reach out, grab it, and work. Looking at Julia's well-cluttered kitchen, one can't help but think there isn't a designer alive who'd put that kitchen in a showhome today, and yet it would be my dream kitchen, and I imagine I'm not alone. Julia Child didn't live to eat, she lived to cook. And then eat. And then cook some more. The woman had a mirror and a makeup drawer in the kitchen, for when guests would call, because she spent so much time in there! Toward the end of Ephron's film, you see Julia and Paul assembling that famous kitchen upon moving into the house. Paul armed with a Jiffy maker, outlining pots and tools on these walls covered with a carpenter's pegboards, so they's always know where the pot was supposed to hang. Between that, the endless drawers, the knife slots on her butcher's carts. the magnetic strips filled with knives, and the knick-knacks that made it feel like home for her, the kitchen was a place meant for work, for creating amazing foods, and for sharing them with the world, and we're all the better for her single-minded passion.  Photo via Build Direct Blog Life Happens in Kitchens I'm no Julia Child, but I've taught people to cook for a living in the past, and I believe there is no more valuable nor rewarding skill one can learn in life. Nothing beats being able to walk into your kitchen and make incredible braised chicken, or serve your lover an eggs Benedict on Sunday morning, or whip up the best cake ever for your kid's birthday, or just cook yourself a killer steak when you want a quiet Friday night catching up on your PVR. When you can do it for under $10 in ingredients versus shelling out $40 in a restaurant, you bet it's a quality-of-life skill that makes you happier in heart and mind. And providing that tasty joy for others is even more rewarding, as Julia spent a lifetime teaching us. Cooking can be done with a minimum of tools, but someone who loves to cook doesn't just have tools - they burst at the cupboards with spices and sauces and condiments and all kinds of pantry ingredients. There are books, squeeze bottles, weird utensils, and more that we need to truly excel in the kitchen. Show me an empty, clutter-free kitchen, and I'll show you a homeowner that doesn't cook. But show me a cluttered kitchen that's poorly organized, and I'll show you a cook who burns more than their fair share of dishes. Organized Clutter is Good If any one room should have some organized clutter, it's a well used kitchen of a passionate chef. Looking around Julia Child's hub, one instinctively knows there's not a dish in the world that Julia wouldn't have had the tools to cook. In today's global-village world filled of fusion foods, international ingredients, and a more savvy dining public, you'd think our kitchens would be getting more cluttered with awesome instruments, not less. Don't be afraid to fill your kitchen with tools of the trade. If Julia could do it, so can you. Maybe, just maybe, through the utilitarian-yet-loving tribute to her tool-heavy kitchen at the Smithsonian Museum, Julia Child will continue teaching us the glory of cooking, and the greatness of a well-cluttered kitchen, for years to come. Thanks for the memories, Julia! Due to popular demand... we've EXTENDED our Spring - Granite Vanity Tops -  Sale through the Summer! Check out some of these fun events happening in Denver, CO this month! 25th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and Parade May 4-5, 2013 Free Day at the Denver Art Museum May 4, 2013 Furry Scurry May 4, 2013 Denver Derby Party May 4, 2013 Buffalo Bill Birthday Celebration May 5, 2013 May 12, 2015 Tesoro Annual Indian Market and Powwow May 18-19, 2013   Five Points Jazz Festival May 18, 2013 Downtown Denver Arts Festival May 24-26, 2013 Denver Day of Rock May 25, 2013 May 27, 2013 Denver Comic Con May 31, 2013 Attractive. Economical. Simple. Our in-stock Merillat Cabinet Collection features a clean, modern style with a traditional overlay door and a flat center panel design providing a straightforward choice that creates exceptional looks.  All at a price point that makes this collection  practical and extremely simple. Fast. Smart. Simple. Quick credit decisions Simple and fast application process Low minimum monthly payments See a Sales Associate for complete program details and to apply today!