The source? Everywhere.

Literally. My brain is a connection machine.  It doesn’t matter how remote the connection points might be, it somehow finds a way. Sometimes it happens in my sleep, & others it happens when I’m driving, or in the shower.

The Fringe

Almost every time, though, it happens when I’m focused on something else.  It comes from what I call the Fringe.  That peripheral scattering of stuff that hangs around on the edges, that you think is irrelevant. It’s not.

It’s like walking a really strong dog sometimes – & it’s fun to see where it takes me. Want to find ideas? Embrace your inner dog.

Out of the way, free up countertop space

I was tooling around on Houzz this weekend & came across this question about whether people who have drawer microwaves (specifically located in an island) like them.

One of our clients is very excited about the microwave drawer we’ll be putting into their island. They share the same reasons discussed in the Houzz thread:

• it’s not above the range or cooktop
• it’s tucked out of the way & doesn’t take up counterspace
• food can be stirred or flipped without removing the dish from the oven
• it’s a great way to teach kids how to prepare their own food, even if it’s just popcorn
• it’s easier to lift a hot dish out & up rather than out & down

Many drawer microwaves come with a childproof control lock so you’re not nuking Jr.’s favorite Tonka truck.

Another reason not to have the microwave over the range is if there are multiple cooks – or one main cook isn’t interrupted by someone who just wants to reheat their coffee.

Always a winning combo (simple + modern)

And if biodegradable is added to the mix, it just really doesn’t get any better than that. These pots & vases (kamipots, they call them) are completely biodegradable cellulose. I love them. They’re so calming.

[via Grassroots Modern]

Kitchen barricade removal specialists, can I help you?

Our latest & greatest kitchen makeover features an open plan, oodles of pantry space & upgraded appliances:

• Bosch ovens, cooktop & retracting downdraft exhaust fan
• Blanco siligranit sink
• Brizo faucet fixture
• Xenon undercabinet task lighting
• IKEA cabinets

BEFORE	AFTER

A few more detail shots from After:

Drool. Worthy.

Love love love these sinks from Native Trails.  Definitely on my list for KBIS.  ’nuff said.

The “quality” exam. Or something.

Every couple of months we get a call from someone scrutinizing our business. Not that scrutinizing itself is a bad exercise. One should know where their money is going.

Here’s how it usually goes:

• Them:  Why should I use your company over Lowe’s / Home Depot / Big Box?
• Us: simply put, we are yours.
• Them: what makes you different?
• Us: Do they come to your home?
• Them: No.
• Us: Do they do a separate, highly accurate CAD drawing in addition to the stock software that just calculates components?
• Them: No.
• Us: Do you talk to the same person throughout the lifetime of the project?
• Them: Not usually.
• Us: How well does the person there know the systems they are specifying?
• Them: I don’ t know.
• Us: Do they have design experience, not just retail?
• Them: I don’t know.

And there you go.

Free & cheap ≠ quality

If you want free, go get it.  If you want quality & thought, come to us. See also, Nick’s post at Cupboards Online.

We’re not the big box.  We actually give a damn! Our time is valuable. To everyone involved. Is yours?

16 months

We finished our own kitchen remodel over a year ago. At the time I was indecisive about our backsplash tile, so we painted semi gloss for ease of cleaning until we could figure out what we wanted.

It’s getting to the point that we need to put something more durable than paint on our backsplash.  Since glass shards, wires & metal shavings are less than an ideal choice, here’s some ideas I’ve collected.

Option 1

I love the variation in tile size with this one. We have some strong colors already in our kitchen, so I was thinking about using white or clear glass with this pattern.

Option 2

The texture on this one grabs me. It’s a single color, but a complex pattern. And probably a gazillion dollars.

Option 3

Then there is the tried & true: white subway tile.

What think ye, O Wise Kitchen Design Comrades? I’m leaning toward the garden variety subway tile in a stacked not staggered pattern, but would love other thoughts & ideas.

** Caveat: paint colors can change but it’s a BIG job!

Use only what you need

I toured a house a couple of years ago & it had a full bath that anywhere else would’ve been only a half bath. The sink was the kicker that actually made the room usable, since it was not a big basin mounted on a big cabinet.  It actually was a bar sink.  But that thing made the room.

It’s really all we need in a bathroom sink. Elegant, compact. simple, & wall or countertop installable.  Installable should be in the dictionary if it isn’t already.

Here are some nice options I’m keeping on the front burner for our microscopic bathroom: