After all that talk about how to create a modern look in your kitchen, I thought it might be helpful for my dear readers if I went into the topic of how to buy the right appliance pulls for your cabinets. Last time I was really just focusing on design, which is of course important, but this time i want to take into account both style and function. Here are a few of my best tips on how to shop for the right appliance pulls:
 
Plan Ahead:  When choosing appliance pulls for your home, consider the big picture. What is you kitchen’s general atmosphere? How abou tthe rest of your home? How are your appliance pulls going to fit with that? Do you want them to match, or add an element of surprise? Where are the appliance pulls going to go? How many do you think you will need? Be sure to write down everything, since this will be helpful when making your purchases later on. Otherwise, you may end up getting too caught up in other details to really think about the general look you are going for. I’ve made that mistake before, and it’s just plain annoying to end up with the wrong number of appliance pulls at your door.

Materials: While most cabinets and drawers are made of wood, they vary greatly in terms of type, color, and design. Depending on what your cabinets are like, you should make sure the material of the appliance pulls you choose match them well. Appliance pulls come in several different materials and finishes: brass, bronze, chrome, pewter, silver, iron, nickel, etc. Even within these larger categories, appliance pulls can have specific finishes, such as polished chrome or oil rubbed bronze. Some look better with certain types of wood, so think about that when choosing. Another issue with materials is their sturdiness. Some materials, such as iron, are much stronger than others. Brass is bacteria-resistant, while Chrome is corrosion and rust-resistant. These are just some of the benefits of different metals, and you should look into what each one can offer you before deciding which to go with.

Designs: Appliance pulls come in many designs and types, so definitely think about whether you want a simple look, or a funkier décor. Again, you always need to consider your existing cabinets before making this decision. Even a small detail like a bordered edge can help your appliance pulls stand out and add flair to your kitchen.

Quality: Not all appliance pulls are made alike! I definitely recommend purchasing only from well-known brands, such as Amerock and Belwith. You’d be surprised what kinds of lousy companies exist out there, so ask around and check for customer reviews before giving them your money.

Never Settle: Once you’ve chosen a couple of appliance pulls that you like, don’t force yourself to immediately pick one for good. First, order a few samples of all of them, and try them out at home. This will save you time, hassle, and money later on, should you decide you don’t like a particular finish or material once you see them in context. Ask your family and friends for their thoughts, as well. I’ve definitely chosen some pretty hideous cabinet pulls before, and thankfully I had friends to let me know before I made the final decision! Aside from the look, make sure to test out your new appliance pulls at home. It makes a big difference, trust me.

I hope these tips were helpful in your search for the perfect appliance pulls for your kitchen! Enjoy…

Greetings, kitchen lovers! Usually in this blog I go into specific decor and organization ideas, but in this post, I wanted to talk a bit about general ways to get your kitchen to look modern and chic.

In my humble opinion, less is almost always more when designing a kitchen for a modern look.  Creating a contemporary ambiance in the kitchen means clean lines, dramatic colors and bold hardware.  Creating the look of a contemporary kitchen doesn’t have to cost a lot – it simply needs to employ a few key elements within the design scheme.

Creating a modern look in the kitchen is easy when completely redesigning the space.  One option is to use wood cabinets with sleek, satin nickel curved pulls on the doors.  Purchase appliances in a silver color and finish the floor with a hardwood or laminate in a similar hue to the cabinetry.  A second idea is to finish the cabinets in a colorful hue such as light blue, cranberry or yellow.  Select pearl nickel plaza knobs from Liberty Cabinet Hardware and match the appliances and the appliance pulls to this modern design.  Finish the look with modern silver stools at the island and with a light colored stone floor.

Anyone who is looking to renovate and isn’t completely overhauling their kitchen can still achieve a modern look pretty easily.  Focus primarily on the color choices and the hardware.  Reface existing cabinetry with either a sleek black look or a light, unusual color.  Select modern cabinet pulls with curved edges and bold looks.  While there are certainly many more suggestions for creating a modern kitchen, these two simple changes will create a new, contemporary décor in the space.

Hopefully this was helpful to anyone looking to update the look of their kitchens! I’ll be back soon with more tips.

Thanks for reading!

Hi again! 

It’s been a month since my last post, and hopefully my hinge tips helped you out a bit in that department. This time, I wanted to go a bit more general, and talk about general kitchen organization.  

Keeping the kitchen organized is a pretty difficult task, especially when you’ve got a whole family of hungry and messy people to deal with. Cooking, cleaning, eating, and general socializing all go down in the kitchen, so keeping it neat and tidy is very important. As with all organizing, the longer you wait to get things fixed up, the worse it will get, so I suggest taking some of these tips and getting started ASAP! 

Drawers: Keeping the drawers organized is really important. Luckily, there are lots of kitchen drawer organizers available out there, such as cutlery trays and knife racks. Remember, keeping drawers organized is about cleanliness AND safety. Don’t want any little fingers getting cut on knives swimming around amongst forks and spoons, right? It’s also a lifesaver when you’re cooking, trust me.

Cabinets:  You can purchase any number of cabinet accessories to help make things more accessible for you, even in hard to reach cabinets. One option is lazy susans for cabinets, or special shelving that increases available space and accessibility. Always remember to clean out the cabinets at least twice a year, since forgotten foods can get moldy and unsanitary, leading to health hazards.

The Fridge: Never let the fridge get too cramped and disheveled;  that will quickly lead to spoiled forgotten food. Try labeling the shelves and drawers, and specify where you want to keep different groups of foods. For example, I have a shelf for meat products, a shelf for dairy products, and a shelf for produce. You don’t have to get that specific, but having a general plan for things is always helpful in keeping it tidy.

Counters: Counter tops are these vast open spaces, most of which goes unused due to inefficient planning. Try dividing up your countertops with artificial dividers, and keep appliances like mixers and the like in drawers and cupboards rather than out on display. Also, make it a top priority to keep these clean. Most food we eat will encounter our counter tops at some point, and they are a haven for bacteria. Use Lysol or another disinfectant DAILY.  

The furniture: Most kitchens have your basic counters, stove, oven, and fridge. But there are other furniture options you can buy, to help organize and add counter space, such as kitchen cart islands.  This kind of addition will create a whole extra surface for cooking, as well as give you extra drawers and storage space.

I hope these tips have been helpful in keeping the kitchen clean and organized!  

‘Till next time, happy organizing! 

Hey all,

I know it’s been a few months since my last post, but have no fear, I’m still here to bring you my latest tips and ideas for how to create, design, and maintain a truly bitchen kitchen. I’m just a regular woman like many of you, with a stressful job, a couple of cute kids, a husband who works too hard, and a cat who gets too much attention. My favorite way to unwind and distress is to focus on home improvement and decorating, and my favorite room of all is, of course, the kitchen.  On my budget, I have to be creative and innovative with my purchases and additions, so trust me, I’ve got your wallet’s best interests in mind. Hopefully some of my ideas will make your life a bit easier when making the plunge to redo your kitchen, and I’d love to hear back from anyone who has ideas of their own.

In this post, I wanted to talk about hinges. Cabinet hinges, to be precise. Cabinet hinges are the underrated, underappreciated, and underserved glue that holds your whole kitchen together. Anybody who has been cursed with faulty hinges knows exactly what I’m talking about. I actually have a horror story of my own for this one: back in graduate school, I had a dingy rental apartment that I shared with two roommates. Our “kitchen” consisted of a corner with a stove and a fridge, and a few cabinets here and there. Since we had such little storage space, we had installed baskets on the inner surfaces of our cabinets, to hold more stuff. Big mistake. Heavy cabinet doors + bad cabinet hinges = disaster. One day, as if on a cue from a conductor, 4 of our cabinet doors came crashing down, along with many a clanging pot, pan, and spice rack. The place smelled like a mixture of garlic and rosemary for about a week. Anyway, the point is, had they not been a cheap, pretty much glued-on hinges, maybe our cabinets would’ve held up. And since you most certainly don’t want the same thing happening in your home, I’d say, remember to pay attention to those hinges, before it’s too late.

Now that I’ve scared you all into running to make sure your cabinet door hinges are intact, here comes the practical advice:

Know thy cabinets. Many a hinge has been rendered faulty or useless, simply because it was the wrong size, shape, or durability for the cabinet it was hinging. Make sure to get a good idea of the weight of your cabinet doors, as well as the size and shape, in order to be able to choose the right hinges. This also matters for your décor; hinges don’t have to be hidden behind the scenes, after all.

Invest. Much as I like to keep the spending low, hinges hardware is not the place to start skimping. You want to get the best possible quality hinges for the amount of money you can spend, and you may end up choosing to splurge a bit on the ones that will last you several years rather than the ones that will fall apart on you in a few months.

Don’t Forget Décor. Like I said above, cabinet hinges don’t have to be hidden away. You can get hinges of any color or design, and use them to accent the décor in your kitchen. They make antique ones, moderns ones, brass, nickel, and copper ones…you name the material, they make a hinge out of it, I guarantee it. Don’t let this opportunity for improvement and decoration slip by. If you’re re-hinging those cabinets, may as well give them a makeover at the same time.

Consult. Cabinet hinges may seem like a simple enough matter, but once you start shopping around, you’ll realize how many different types of hardware are out there. You’ve got your self-closing hinges, your demountable and double demountable hinges, your face mount, flush, partial wrap, ball tip, and full wrap hinges. Since not everyone is such an expert on all these terms, it helps to have someone around who knows what they’re talking about, like your local handyman, or some sort of hinges for dummies reference book. I definitely didn’t buy my new cabinet hinges on my own. I’m more of a décor and organizing type than a gal with a hammer and nail. So trust me, there’s no shame in asking for help.

So there you have it, my four best tips on purchasing cabinet hinges. Take some time to browse around the net, check out friends’ kitchen cabinets, and don’t rush things. You don’t want to end up in a grad-school rental apartment situation.

Good Luck!

God help me! When I told my husband that I wanted to redo my kitchen, I was thinking that our Formica counter-tops were starting to fall apart, my fridge was not big enough to accommodate the amount of food my teenage son was eating, and in today’s real estate market it wouldn’t hurt to increase the value of our house. Little did I know what redoing my kitchen actually means! It means choices: Which of the many kinds of stone counter-tops would match best with our dark cedar cabinets? If I get a sub-zero fridge, which model should I get? And my FAVORITE dilemma (try to sense the sarcasm here), which appliance pulls do I get? That’s right—for my new, fancy, high-end appliances, my interior decorator recommended that I buy appliance pulls that match the rest of my kitchen. Any excuse to spend more money right?

So for those who were as confused as I was by “appliance pulls,” let me explain. Appliance pulls are essentially appliance handles, used to open fridges, freezers, ovens etc. Appliance pulls are a little longer than knobs, and therefore make pulling open a heavy fridge door a little easier. But the need to buy separate appliance pulls, as opposed to the ones that come with the appliances you ordered, arises when you hire an interior decorator from the Upper West Side! No—I’m kidding. The truth is, when you buy higher-end products, like the sub-zero that my son desperately needs, apparently the manufacturer leaves the refrigerator handles up to you! After all, if you’re going to splurge on a sub-zero, you want it to match with the rest of the kitchen hardware you spent ridiculous amounts of money on!

I know I’m sounding cynical, which I shouldn’t be because in reality my kitchen looks amazing. Though I was sorely tempted by the elegant bronze pull, my decorator convinced me to go with nickel pulls–the silvery-whiteness of the nickel matched so beautifully with my new stone counter-tops, and my whole kitchen seems to shine. But this should be a warning to all soon-to-be redecorating women (or men): appliance pulls is a business!! A good hardware pull pulls your kitchen together (pun slightly intended)! So good luck finding them! And don’t forget to match your new appliance pulls with equally convenient cabinet pulls; according to my decorator, cabinet pulls are the new cabinet knobs. Who would have guessed?! Enjoy your new kitchen!

Remember the TV show ‘Friends?’ I certainly hope so–it didn’t end that long ago, they still show reruns, and it was one of the best shows on television, at least in my opinion. I personally was, and in fact still am, a huge fan of that show. I own all ten seasons on DVD, and can often be found throwing in a quote from one episode or another. Some of my favorite episodes took place in season two when Chandler got a new roommate, Eddie. While Eddie was only around for few episodes, they were memorable! To put it nicely, Eddie had more than a few screws loose. In the last episode in which he made an appearance, Eddie had a new hobby: dehydrating food! In fact, in his words, he was a “dehydrating maniac!!” In much of that episode, Eddie could be seen standing behind what looked to be a 5 tray food dehydrator, loading different fruits and vegetables onto it, and providing an indignant Chandler with the results.

That episode was extremely comical. At one point, Eddie didn’t just dehydrate food, he wanted to see what would happen if he dehydrated a water balloon! I don’t recommend that, because you don’t want to ruin your food dehydrator. But dehydrating vegetables, and even fruit, can provide you with delicious results. Sun-dried tomatoes are delicious in salads and on sandwiches, and you can make your own if you own a food dehydrator. Produce your own raisins by dehydrating grapes! Dehydrating food is delicious, healthy, and if Eddie’s testimony means anything, a lot of fun! There is definitely more to be learned about the details of food dehydrators, but when you have enough information, get your own and you too can become a dehydrating maniac!

Enjoy Kitchen Cart Islands & More

Not everyone can afford to renovate a kitchen in order to create more space. However, many people can afford update the look and efficiency of their space by adding a kitchen island. Kitchen islands are a fantastic addition to any kitchen as they create extra counter space, extra seating space, and extra cabinet space. If you compare what you would have spent with kitchen renovations to the cost of purchasing kitchen cart islands, you realize how affordable and practical a portable kitchen island really is. Here are some great tips for getting the most out of your kitchen island.

1. Even a small kitchen can benefit from a kitchen island bar. Select a kitchen island that has seating room and place the kitchen island in the location where you would put a small kitchen table. Most small kitchen islands provide space for two to sit, and many even have a drop leaf extension, creating extra space for eating when you need it and folding out of the way when you don’t. In addition to the practical nature of kitchen islands, these drop leaf kitchen islands a trendy look for your kitchen space.

2. For a larger kitchen, consider purchasing a butcher block kitchen island. This type of island provides ample extra counter space instantaneously providing you with more elbow room for cutting vegetables, preparing food, and the like. The butcher block kitchen island creates a great work surface and expands the counter space without having to renovate. Many of these kitchen island designs also have wheels making it easy to transport garbage or heavy items to their proper locating without straining your back.

3. Wine rack islands create additional counter space while giving your wine collection a comfortable home in the kitchen. Storing bottles of wine in wine rack islands add a burst of color to any kitchen and is a practical way to avoid having overstuffed cabinets or the clutter of a wine rack.

4. Finally, consider the incredible benefits provided by kitchen island cabinets. Many spacious kitchen islands have cabinet space below the work surface. These kitchen island cabinets create extra storage space for everything from vegetables to paper goods to dry goods. You’ll feel like you’ve added an entire new row of kitchen cabinets to your kitchen just with the addition of these kitchen island.

Whether you’re thinking of designing an entirely new kitchen, or simply giving a face-lift to an old one, you’ll encounter many details.  Each decision seems monumental and time consuming when you’re in the process.  One of these discussions revolves around cabinet hardware.  What are the advantages to cabinet hardware pulls and what would lure you towards cabinet hardware knobs?  This small detail, and the answers to this question, can make a large difference for you in your kitchen hardware selection.

 When are Cabinet Hardware Pulls the Best Answer?

 Hardware pulls give your hand a larger space for grabbing the door or cabinet and for supporting the hand in the process.  In general, this means that cabinet hardware pulls better suit large drawers.  This would include not only large drawers per se, but also that must bear heavy items and need extra support for the hand.  Since pulls attach in two places, they offer extra support for pulling out heavy drawers.  In addition, pulls add a stylish touch to your cabinetry.  Since they are larger in size than knobs, pulls generally have more ornate designs on them, and can be found in many design shapes and materials.  Finally, if you’re doing renovations but not completely remodeling a new kitchen, then consider the other kitchen hardware that will exist side by side with these pulls.  Many people like to have complementary cabinet hardware in the kitchen.  Therefore, if you already have pulls in certain places that you do not intend to replace, you may want to continue with this stylistic choice.  If, however, you like an eclectic look, then you might prefer to mix and match for a funky overall appeal.

Sticking with Cabinet Hardware Knobs

For a classic, traditional look, cabinet hardware knobs never go out of style.  In addition to regular round knobs, today you’ll find fun and funky knob designs.  If you enjoy shapes, you’ll find square, oval, and diamond knobs, just to name a few.  In addition, you can combine a kitchen theme with your cabinet hardware, enjoying knobs of virtually any theme from cowboy knobs to animal knobs.  Knobs are generally found on smaller drawers and work best with cabinets that aren’t very heavy, as they pull from only one location.  They are easy to grip, but they do not cover as large an area as do pulls. 

When debating between cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls, it’s important to factor this cabinet hardware discussion into your decision.  Consider how you work best in the kitchen; evaluate the size and weight of your drawers and their function; and analyze your style preferences.  With these ideas in mind, you should be ready to find the right kitchen hardware for your specific needs.

Thinking about redoing your kitchen? Trying to decide where to spend and where to splurge? What styles you love and which you could live without? The process involves so many choices, but they don’t all need to be difficult. Knowing your options can help make the decision making process easier- and that’s why I’m here to help. Since I’ve already discussed granite countertops, I’d like to bring another idea to your attention- specifically, that of Formica for kitchen countertops.

Formica is the brand name for a high-pressure laminate material that has been used for cabinet and countertop surfacing since the early 1900’s. Formica provides surfaces with a smooth, easy to clean finish. Because it is a man-made material, it is available in a plethora of colors that may not be achievable when using other materials. As such homeowners who want their kitchen to display a specific color should definitely consider Formica for kitchen countertops as a realistic and viable option.

My mother has had white Formica countertops for the past 15 years. And so, I’d like to share with you some of my personal experiences with Formica, so that you can better decide if you want Formica for your kitchen countertops. No sales pitches (I’m actually undecided about whether or not I like Formica for kitchen countertops- I definitely think it’s fine for bathrooms), no pressure, just real life advice about how it was to live with Formica countertops- and how they look today, 15 years later (besides, I think I’ve already expressed my appreciation for granite countertops).

• Formica countertops are quite easy to clean. I must say that sometimes white Formica can get stained with something like carrots or tomato sauce, if not wiped within the first few minutes. That being said, it is extremely responsive to most standard household cleaners. Formica’s smooth surface makes it easy to wipe down and hard for dirt to get stuck in grooves- since there are none.

• Formica does get scorched when a hot pot is placed directly on it. This can ruin the uniform surface of your countertop. However, when taking this into consideration, it is also important to remember that most other countertop surfaces can also be damaged by a hot pot. The best option would be to keep trivets close at hand, so that no matter what countertop surface you choose it will stay in pristine condition.

• Consider using Formica for kitchen countertops if you want a seamless integration between your cabinet facing and your countertops. My mother has white cabinets and white countertops, and the look is quite nice, if you like the monochromatic look. On the other hand, because Formica is available in a myriad of colors, you can also enjoy the look of Formica with a pattern for a more lively look.

• Formica can chip if you’re not careful. Of course, granite can crack or chip as well. So can Caesar Stone. So can ceramic tile. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I wouldn’t disqualify Formica for your kitchen countertops based on this possibility.

Stay tuned for more kitchen countertop analysis in coming weeks…and feel free to weigh in on what type of countertop you think makes the most Bitchen Kitchen.

Organizing kitchen cabinets is a chore that most people don’t look forward to…but it doesn’t have to be. Not only can organizing kitchen cabinets be made easier with cabinet organizers, but it can be done relatively inexpensively if you know what to look for. Here are 5 of my favorite kitchen cabinet organizers that can help turn your messy space into a more bitchen kitchen.

1. Pull out trash cans- These handy gadgets are a great way to keep your trash out of site and out of mind. With a pull out trash can, you won’t have to trip over your garbage can or put up with any unpleasant odors. One of my favorite picks for approximately $75 is the Rev-A-Shelf 35 quart ¾ extension trash can.

2. Door mounted spice racks- Make the most of your cabinet space with a door mounted spice rack. Your spices will stay organized and easily within reach, and you won’t have to go rooting through the back of your cabinet to find the pepper. What could make your life easier?

3. Lazy Susans- If you’re lazy when it comes to keeping your kitchen cabinets tidy, a lazy Susan could be just what you need. With a lazy Susan (or maybe even two), your pots, pans, condiments, spices (and pretty much anything else) you need is only a spin away. Organizing kitchen cabinets is a breeze with lazy Susans because they maximize your space so that you have more space to put things- especially in those hard-to-reach corner cabinets. And, because many lazy Susans cost under $75, you should be able to find functional and stylish ones for each of your cabinets.

4. Wicker Baskets- Wicker baskets are a great way to add beauty and functionality to kitchen cabinets. They allow your produce to breathe and add a delightful and different look to any space. And with wicker baskets available in a variety of sizes and shapes, you’ll definitely find some that you’ll love (for a price you’ll love).
5. Pot and Pan Organizer-A Pot and pan organizer can make organizing kitchen cabinets a breeze, by creating defined spaces for your pots- and their lids- so that you can find each set easily.

   A truly bitchen kitchen is one that looks great both outside- and inside- the cabinets. With these affordable cabinet organizers you can be well on your way to having a tidier, more beautiful kitchen.