Overview:
For every one-hour spent in the living room, a person spends five hours in the kitchen. When you spend so much time in a single room, you want to make sure that room is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
In this article, you will be introduced to the different styles of kitchen cabinetry and hardware and discover how a change of faucet can completely transform a kitchen. You will learn the different needs of an informal and formal dining room and become familiar with a variety of tables and chairs.
6.1 Kitchen
This article will focus on enhancing the function and appeal of an existing kitchen and will not discuss appliances and plumbing, which are in the purview of interior designers, not decorators. Small changes and additions related to cabinetry and storage, faucets, hardware, and various details can have a dramatic impact.
Cabinetry
A kitchen has a wide array of storage needs, including cabinets and drawers for cookware, tableware, cooking utensils, cutting boards, cleaning supplies, and non-refrigerated foods.
There are two main styles of kitchen cabinetry: modern and traditional.
Modern cabinets tend to be sleek and minimal. They are made from a range of materials, including frosted glass, lacquered wood, and plastic laminate. These materials are often mixed to create variety and interest. Modern and contemporary cabinetry has flat surfaces and no additional ornamentation. They feature simple hardware in basic geometric shapes and have the advantage of creating an effect of spaciousness and cleanliness. Modern cabinets tend to be influenced by the bold angles and dramatic curves of midcentury modern design.
One way decorators create harmony and unity throughout a home is with color. Painting modern cabinets in bold colors is one way to incorporate color in the kitchen.
Traditional cabinets are made from wood and have more of an old-world cottage feel. They can be left in their natural wood state, or enhanced with a wood stain or colorful paint. Traditional cabinets can be broken down into further styles, which include Shaker, Tuscan, and Rustic, among others.
Shaker cabinets date to 1770s America and feature clean lines and minimal adornment. They have flat paneled doors and rail frames that look excellent in almost any style kitchen. When painted white, for example, Shaker cabinets are a smart addition to a more severe midcentury modern interior. In contrast, when left in a natural oak finish, Shaker cabinets enhance the hominess of a country kitchen.
Tuscan cabinets are made from warm, elegant woods like cherry and maple. They are often stained in rich natural browns and have decorative wood accents like shelves and cornices. Iron, bronze, copper, and brass hardware best compliments the deep colors of Tuscan cabinetry. To further play up the Mediterranean feel of a Tuscan kitchen, many decorators like to include Italian tile work and wrought iron pot wracks.
Rustic cabinets are large wood cabinets painted in warm, natural colors. They are often made with strong woods with natural grain so exceptional as to be a prominent design feature. Rustic cabinets look best in country kitchens with wood floors, ceramic sinks, and granite countertops. The goal of a rustic kitchen is homely comfort. To avoid a rustic kitchen from looking too dull, pair matte-finished cabinets with rubbed brass, wrought iron, or distressed gold hardware.
Hardware
The nobs and pulls on cabinets and drawers are small details that can make or break a kitchen. Hardware is repeated throughout the kitchen and leaves a lasting impression. This is why good decorators put as much careful thought into hardware as they do the overall color scheme. Hardware is not just a style element. It also serves a major function. A homeowner touches hardware multiple times a day. How the nobs and pulls feel is just important as how they look.
When selecting hardware, sample the nobs and pulls and consider which feels better to one's hand. Larger nobs are generally easier to use, and pulls are usually more comfortable than nobs. Traditionally, nobs are used for cabinets and pulls are used for drawers. However, many cottage kitchens prefer all nobs, and some contemporary kitchens use all pulls.
Once a decorator has decided whether to use nobs, pulls, or a mix of both, her next task is to choose the finish. The finish should complement the cabinetry and other metals in the kitchen, such as those on the major appliances and sink. While matching metals produces a clean, harmonious look, mixing finishes can be fun and exciting.
Organization
Whether cabinets are modern or traditional, they are only as good as they are functional. To maximize the utility of kitchen cabinets, a decorator must consider their organization.
Some of the most inexpensive, yet effective organization tool are sliding shelves, wire shelves, and nonstick shelf liners. All three are practical solutions that make organizing and cleaning a breeze. When choosing shelf liners, experiment with different colors and patterns. This is one of the simplest ways to add a touch of color to a kitchen.
Faucets
The sink is one of the most-oft used kitchen features. One of the easiest ways to spruce up any kitchen is to simply change the faucet. Faucets come in a wide range of styles and finishes that can amplify the desired mood or style of any kitchen. A faucet can even be a focal point of a kitchen.
When choosing a faucet, think about which type of faucet best fits the homeowner's needs. Does she cook with many large pots? Is she going to bathe a baby in the sink? How often does one clean fresh fruit and vegetables using a spray function?
The handle, spout height, and sprayers all effect how functional a sink can be. If one regularly cleans large pots, a high arc eight to ten inches above the sink will make cleaning pots easier and cleaner. However, if a window or low hanging cabinets restrict the height of the faucet, opt for a low arc of three to eight inches above the sink.
When replacing an existing faucet, a decorator must know how many holes are in the countertop and how many are required for proper installation. Single holes take up the least amount of counter space and tend to look most modern. They usually require a single handle faucet. Decorators should be aware that some single handle faucets require a two-hole configuration. Two-hole faucets fit single handle faucets and are popular for including a side spray or lotion dispenser. Three-hole faucets are most common in older, traditional kitchens that use two handle faucets. Four-hole faucets fit a two handle faucet, as well as an accessory, like a side spray or lotion dispenser. If a kitchen has a two- or three-hole sink, but a designer wishes to install a one-hole faucet, a deckplate or escutcheon solves this problem by covering the excess holes with an ornamental plate.
The next section re-iterates the four main types of faucets.
Single handle or single-level faucets have one handle that controls the temperature and pressure of the water. This type of faucet has a minimalist aesthetic and is easy to use and easy to clean.
Two handle or duel faucets have one handle for cold water and one for hot water, positioned on either side of the spout. Two handle faucets are more traditional and have the benefit of easily making precise temperature and water pressure adjustments.
Pull-out and down-spray faucets have high-pressure spray functions that make cleaning easier. A pull-out faucet has a faucet head that pulls outwards, while a down-spray faucet has a tall, arcing faucet head that pulls straight down into the sink. A pull-out typically has a longer hose in comparison to a down-pull. The longer hose makes the pull-out faucet easier to maneuver. In contrast, a down-pull is better than a pull-out for filling taller pots and pitchers.
Each of these faucet types is available in modern, traditional, and transitional (mix of modern and traditional) styles, as well as a range of finishes, from chrome to ivory, and from polished nickel to matte black.
Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important design features of any room. Good lighting can enliven a space, while bad lighting can dampen the mood and drive people away. Lighting fixtures are fantastic style elements and one way to unify a kitchen space. In addition to recessed lighting, installed in the ceiling for ambient light, kitchens can feature pendants, chandeliers, long island lights, track lighting, and industrial style hanging light bulbs, among other styles.
For small kitchens, a central light fixture for ambience and under-cabinet lighting to increase function is a winning combination. Under-cabinet lighting focuses lighting directly on the task at hand and minimizes shadows. Under-cabinet lights often have multiple controls, making them energy efficient and budget-friendly.
6.2 Dining Room
Dining rooms can be very different spaces, depending if they are intended to be formal or informal.
Informal dining rooms often have a view to the kitchen and are part of an open kitchen and dining room floor plan. Like the focal point in a living room, a successful dining room has an interesting talking point that draws people into the living room and over to the talking point. A bar cart, fireplace, outdoor view, or artwork are all examples of dining room talking points. With the exception of the talking point, the dining room should be left clean and simple.
Formal dining rooms, on the other hand, are often much busier. Sometimes, a formal dining room doubles as a library and study when guests are not around. Instead of a talking point, a library-cum-dining room may have a bookshelf-lined wall as its major feature. In contrast to informal dining rooms that have easy and immediate access to the kitchen, formal dining rooms have a greater need for additional storage. A china cabinet is useful for displaying prized glassware and tableware. Decorators who prefer to keep tableware hidden may opt for a buffet or side table, both of which are available in a range of traditional and modern styles.
Both informal and formal dining rooms require the same basic elements: a table and chairs. They also require light. An interesting light fixture can add to the overall style. It should provide warm light that is bright enough that guests can comfortably see their food and each other, but low enough so as to create an intimate setting. One way to achieve the perfect lighting is to install a dimmer switch. Candles are a great addition for ambient light. When using candles, keep the light below or above a diner's sightline.
When it comes to textiles, rugs and tablecloths offer decorators the chance to introduce variety or to continue a color scheme seen elsewhere in the interior. Rugs harmonize space, absorb sound, and prevent scuffing. Tablecloths are interchangeable and an easy way to decorate for a particular occasion. For those who do not want to use (and clean) a tablecloth for everyday dining, placemats are a great method for protecting the table, while adding a pop of color and texture.
Furniture
The main feature of a dining room is the table and chairs. The style of the interior, as well as the scale of the room will inform the size and shape of the dining table, as well as style and number of chairs that go around it.
Table
Dining room tables can be square, rectangular, circular, ovular, or free form, meaning the table does not follow a typical geometric shape. As a general rule, four people fit around a 40-inch round table and 38-inch square table. Six people fit around rectangular tables of 60 x 36 inches and 72 x 36 inches. Eight people are comfortable around a 56-inch round table, and rectangular tables of 72 x 36 inches, 84 x 36 inches, and 96 x 48 inches.
Tables either come as a single piece or with their frame and dining surface separate from one another. Wood, glass, laminate, metal, marble, and tile are just some of the available dining surfaces available. Each has its advantages and lends a different style to the overall space. A traditional wood table for example, can feature elegantly carved legs and have a strong presence. In contrast, a modern table with a thin stainless steel frame and glass dining surface looks sharp and clean. A naturally finished farm table with a simple silhouette can fit into nearly any home with an open kitchen and dining room, as the long, easy frame functions as both a dining table and organic room divider.
No matter what style of table a decorator chooses, there are crucial elements to keep in mind. Each place setting should have a minimum of 24 inches of space, although 30 inches is ideal. If a table has an apron, or wood panel below the tabletop, be careful to select chairs that allow guests to comfortably cross their legs without hitting the apron.
When choosing a table, it is important the table is not too large as to be too close to the wall and limit traffic flow. There should be a minimum of 24 inches between the wall and chair when a person is sitting. Account for this measurement when deciding what size table to use.
Chairs
Dining chairs should feel proportionate to the dining table. Traditional styles include dining chairs with elaborately carved decoration and curved legs; wooden Shaker chairs with vertical carved panels; Ladderback chairs with horizontal wood slats and straight legs; and English style Windsor chairs with spindle legs and a bowed or hooped back. Modern dining chairs come in a plethora of styles and like traditional styles, can have arms or be armless. If using armchairs, measure the table and chair height to ensure the arms slide beneath the table and do not bump into it, causing scuff marks and chips. Generally, modern dining chairs have more simple lines and are made from a range of materials.
Dining chairs do not have to match the dining table, nor do all the dining chairs have to match one another. Shabby chic, Country French, Bohemian, and other styles of interiors can support different styled chairs. When mixing and matching chairs, a decorator should take into consideration proportion, texture, and color scheme. The chairs should be of the same relative proportion to one another and their materials and colors should be complementary.
