Details : Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Thinking about an upgrade in your kitchen? A sparkling new sink can add a polished look, as well as make your life easier. Upgrading to a deeper sink helps quite a bit when cleaning large pots or pans.  Here are some good tips to consider when choosing a new stainless steel kitchen sink.

 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is heat resistant, stain resistant and easy to clean. Can’t seem to get it sparkling due to hard water? Try some Bar Keeper’s Friend.

       

Top-Mount, Under-Mount or Dual-Mount

Be sure you take note of what mount style you require for your kitchen. Top-Mount sinks (bottom photo) are easy to install and simply drop into the opening of the counter top. They have a lip edge covering the counter top. Typically, these are used with laminate counter tops. Under-Mount (top photo) attach below the counter top. It is a bit easier for cleaning; crumbs can be swept right into the sink. These are typically used for stone counter tops. Dual-Mount sinks can be used either way for your convenience.

 

Stainless Steel Gauge 

Stainless steel thickness is measured by the gauge. Thin steel has a higher gauge and thicker steel has a lower gauge. Less expensive sinks start at 22. As sink prices goes up, you will see the gauge around 18 or even 16. With a thicker sink (lower gauge), it will be more resistant to dents, the sink will be quieter when in use and it will hold up much better overtime.

Kitchen by Sawhorse Designs

Additional Options

After determining the basics, there are plenty more options to choose from. Beginning with the photo above, this kitchen has a single basin, apron-front style with a towel bar.

Double sink basins are not always the exact same size. In the Moen sink above, two different basin depths are available. This can be helpful when cleaning large items.

This Kohler Prologue sink has a work surface on the side. The sink includes a custom fit cutting board and colander. Many manufacturers have unique, custom sinks like this one.

For the serious cook or chef, this long Kohler Crevasse sink is perfect for chopping food. The water automatically sweeps the chopped scraps down to the garbage disposal.

Or if you don’t care about sinks, here’s the sink for you! It’s the Crystalline by Blanco. Hide it when you’re done! Excellent for small spaces.

Click on the above photos for more details about the products or designs.

Planning the Ideal Home Office

A home office is a space to escape from a chaotic home, become inspired and focused. Right now, I’m dreaming of my next home office. Currently, my home office is a bunch of studs and sub floor. I’m starting with a blank slate. My creativity is running wild with possibilities to transform a bare, newly constructed room into a productive, functional and inspiring space.

Home Office by Dana Lauren Designs

Storage

Aside from being charming, I admire the cabinets and they’re ample storage! Keeping the ugly office supplies concealed in refreshing white cabinets would keep the desk space clutter free. There is plenty of daylight, but the space does need more lighting for evening and night-time use.

Home Office by Armsden Architects

Office Chair

Spending quite a bit of time working at a desk, a comfortable chair is a must! As I always say – sit in the furniture before you make a purchase. Lean on it. Lounge in it.  Do what you would do if you were sitting it in for a few hours. You may feel silly slouching and lounging on a chair in public, but it will help you determine if the chair is right for you! Every person is portioned different and has different preferences on seating.

Home Office by Lindsay von Hagel

Desk

The style of desk needs to reflect your level of usage. Don’t use a desk often or have much to store? You could probably get by with minimal storage in the desk. Keeping the desk organized and tidy this well all the time is unrealistic for everyday use. Desk selection should be planned according to your usage level. Side note: This wall map is repurposed as wall art – just as Laura wrote about in a past Hepburn Interiors blog post here!

Home Office by Collaborative Design Group-Architects & Interiors

Lighting

Talk about a crafters dream room! This office space offers multiple types of lighting. The under cabinet lighting works as task lighting. This helps illuminate the spaces where the user is creating or making something. The incredible chandelier provides excellent overall ambient lighting. It illuminates the entire space with an even light. The recessed light above the computer area provides accent lighting directly over the computer work space.

Click on the above images to learn more about the designs!

Closets: Mess or Magnificence?

I trust you all had a great weekend!  I know I did.  But at the end of the day on Sunday it seems I am always cleaning up from fun times with family and friends.  Which got me thinking… can you use design principles in a storage space?  Sure!  Color, layout, and texture are just a few examples.  Let’s take a look at some closets ranging from everyone’s dream to the closets found in a typical home.

Traditional Closet design by Houston Interior Designer Munger Interiors

Contemporary Closet design by Los Angeles Closets And Organization Lisa Adams, LA Closet Design

I’d be in shoe heaven!

Contemporary Closet design by Detroit Kitchen And Bath EuroCraft Interiors Custom Cabinetry

Traditional Closet design by Raleigh Design-build Will Johnson Building Company

Closet design by Other Metro Closets And Organization The Stow Company

Contemporary Closet design by New York Closets And Organization transFORM | The Art of Custom Storage

Happy organizing everyone!  And if you need any helpful hints drop us a line!  We’d be more than happy to assist!

Bathroom Details : Train Racks

Sharing a bathroom? Space can be tight. There are plenty of storage solutions available, but I have one favorite solution for towels: train racks! Train racks are a clever and attractive way to keep the towels from appearing disheveled and consuming precious storage space. They remind me of luxurious hotel bathrooms and spas. Who wouldn’t want their bathroom to look like that?!

Bathroom design by 1 plus 1 design

Bathroom design by Leslie Stephens Design

Modern Train Rack – Restoration Hardware

Sussex Train Rack – Pottery Barn

Gatco Latitude – Lowe’s

Luggage Train Rack – Ballard Designs

Covington Train Rack – Pottery Barn

Click on the above images to learn more about the designs and products!