design cornertorn and sanrjra kaye

Let's TaLk about Kitchens:the place where the family gathers oftenthroughout a typical day. This is the areaof the home that has special meaningand deserves the thought and planningin design to create the feeling of warmthand comfort in our homes.

Often the kitchen design starts witha theme. It could be flow

ers, bringing the out doorgarden into your kitchenand nook. It could center

on a collection of plates,teapots, baskets andeven ceramic roasters

or figurines. Or it couldbe as simple as mixingplaids and stripes ofcomplimentary colors.Once we determine a

direction of theme and

color, it's time to discuss

the style of furnishings.Will it be French country,retro 50's, neo classic,modern or early American cottage designs? Weall have a different idea of the look of ourkitchens, often they end up emulatingour first home, where we grew up aroundour mom and dad, with brothers and

sisters in attendance.

The walls and windows are consid

ered first. Dowe wallpaper or faux paint,should we stencil our use crown mold

ings? What colors are best suited for themood is it garden greens and whites or asplash of complimentary colors to matchthe rose garden. The more formal colorsof faux painting mixed with wall texturesin plaster. Whatevercolors are chosen,theymust blendwithexistingtones andhues within the floor tile, cabinet stain or

paint and the counter tops. The windowsare coveredaccording to light control,temperature control, utilizing the vastselection of products on the market.

54 FRESNO HQME5 &UPE3TYIEB | JAN/FCB 2004

Shutters are one popular answer, made ofsolid wood or the new PVC resin materi

als, always in style and veryenergy efficient. If the view to the garden or poolis paramount then the Silhouette andDuette shades are the answer rising upto disappear in the window. Fauxwoodblinds are a price point alternative in the

2" slat size or the new shutter blind with

the wider slat de

Textiles add the softness and color

using coordinating valances in hundreds of styles. Don't forget the chairseat cushions reupholstered to match orcontrast the valances. Also the finishingtouch of coordinated place mats, tablerunners and napkins can be sewn. Thefabric on the barstools must be considered too, so all colors blend.

The furniture should blend or con

trast the cabinet stain or paint. Thereare manystandard wood finishes, includingthe newer distressed painted whites,blacks, greens,and yesred and black. Isthere wall space for a china hutch withglass doorsto show offyourcollectablechina or is a corner hutch used wherespace is at a premium. Maybe an iron

baker's rack with greenery contrastingyour collectables is morewhat youhavein mind. Where there is no space for apiece of furniture a plate rack or wallmounted cabinet ads dimension to your

kitchen design.The kitchen table generally placed

in the nook is most important. This is forthe family to gather formeals daily, during holidays and other events.The first consideration

is size of the room, takethe width and lengthmeasurements. Use

these to purchase thecorrect shape dimension table. Remember

that the ideal spaceto pull out a chair tosit down is at least 30

inches from the edge ofthe table to a window

or wall. The tables can

be rectangular, round(with leafs) or the newsquare designs. Woodis the standard, avail

able in stains, paints with inlaysand distressing. Apedestalbasewill allow moreseating but some of the four legdesignsmight bemoreinteresting. Aglasstopwill make the room feel more spacious,but isn't always childfriendly. Purchasetables with stone and faux stone topsto ad drama and a natural surface thatblends with your kitchen counters. Ironis verypopular in a varietyoffinisheswhich are used on the table base, chairbacks and legs. Don't forget the bar-stools in a complimentary fabric colormatched with wood or iron.

Please send questions or comments toDesign Cornerat info<afresnomag.net. orDesign Corner c/o Fresno Magazine, 1060Fulton Mall, Ste. 415; Fresno, CA 93721

66 FRESNO MAGAZINE | JULY 2004

fresno magazine fi APRIL 2005 45

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