Kitchen lighting was the first type of lighting that I bought for my new home. Why? Because most people, myself included, spend the majority of their time at home in the kitchen. No longer is the kitchen just for eating- it’s for playing, homework, hanging out, washing dishes and maybe even watching TV. Each of these tasks requires a different type of light to ensure that you can complete your tasks as efficiently as possible. Choosing the proper kitchen lighting will not only make your space look fabulous, but it will make your kitchen a de-light-ful place to be.

The kitchen is a great place to use energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs. Full-size fluorescent lights that are mounted directly under top cabinetry provide a wonderful light for those working at the kitchen counter. Fluorescent bulbs are now available in a myriad of different designs, making it possible to add beauty to these environmentally-friendly lights. Additionally, fluorescent bulbs last 10-20 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs, so that you can enjoy the light without having to change the bulb frequently. Fluorescent bulbs can be used both as general ceiling lighting as well as directed lighting that is mounted under the top cabinet to provide extra light for your workspace.

Track lighting is another beautiful way to get directed light for all your food preparation needs. If you know where you usually stand during food preparation, consider track lighting that will enable you to direct the light onto your favorite work areas. Beware that while track lighting is beautiful, it is not recommended for eating areas, as it does not provide sufficient general lighting.

Finally, ceiling fans are wonderful additions to any kitchen, as they provide not only light, but also ventilation necessary for most kitchens. Get rid of smoke or unwanted kitchen odors easily with a ceiling fan. Hang the fan over your table for lovely light when you are eating. With so many fabulous options, you will surely find a kitchen ceiling fan that will blow you away (not literally, of course!).

If you took a survey about what someone’s favorite part of their kitchen is, you’d probably get a variety of responses. I know people who are thrilled with their countertops, others who are in love with their bar height breakfast bar. I’ve even been told by some that their favorite part of their kitchen is the backsplash tiling, simply because of the obvious beauty it brings to the kitchen. But if you were to ask me what I love about my kitchen, I’d tell you it’s my kitchen table. You may find this a bit strange, but believe me, kitchen tables are some of the kitchen’s most practical and (potentially) beautiful items. Here are 4 reasons to love kitchen tables (who knows, you may end up loving them as much as I do).

1. Kitchen tables are the most versatile pieces of kitchen furniture. It goes without saying that most kitchen appliances and accessories have specifically defined uses. You’ll never be cooking in your refrigerator and you’ll certainly never be washing dishes in your oven. The kitchen table, however, can be used for a myriad of uses. Kitchen tables can be used for the following tasks, among others: homework, extra counter space for food preparation (or storing food as it cools down), a place for a lovely family meal, a place to entertain guests, a surface for your child’s art projects, a place to relax and watch TV (if you have one in the kitchen)…the options are almost endless.

2. Kitchen tables make every kitchen more beautiful. Whether they are swathed in beautiful tablecloths or standing gracefully in their natural state, kitchen tables have the ability to add a unique style element to any kitchen. Kitchen tables can match your countertops, contrast the rest of your kitchen or introduce an entirely new look.

3. With a kitchen table, there is no need to work alone in the kitchen. If food preparation bores or frustrates you, you’re in luck- a kitchen table will provide friends, family members and guests with a place to sit while you prepare your food, taking the boredom out of the process. Who knows- your companion may even want to pitch in a little!

4. Kitchen tables help to develop proper eating habits. In today’s day and age, more children (and adults) are becoming accustomed to meals on the run and eating in front of the television. Having a proper kitchen table creates place to eat slowly and properly. Kitchen tables are a great place for families to discuss their days and for children to learn how to sit properly at the table.

A bitchen kitchen isn’t one that simply looks great- it’s one that works efficiently too. The thing is, kitchen appliances can work efficiently without being energy efficient. And when this happens, your appliances are needlessly destroying natural resources and polluting the earth. Although I would hardly classify myself as a tree-hugging hippie, I am proud to care about the environment and happy to help others protect our Earth easily (without giving up most of their creature comforts). One such way to do this is to purchase Energy Star appliances for your home. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as Energy Star stoves or ovens at the moment, but by following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that your kitchen will be as energy efficient as possible.

1. Whenever possible, use a toaster oven or microwave to heat up your food. These ovens are significantly smaller than conventional ovens and use considerably less electricity. Microwaves alone use only 1/3-1/2 of the energy of standard ovens.

2. Use the burner size that is closest to the size of your pot. Although many cooks are tempted to use the biggest flame in the hopes of cooking their food the fastest, this practice causes much energy to be wasted.

3. Cover pots and pans on the stovetop to help cook (or boil) your food faster.

4. Consider gas stoves and ovens instead of electric, as they use a tad less energy. There may not be any Energy Star stoves and ovens, but we can do our best to create our own!

5. Those who are truly dedicated to the cause can use solar ovens to cook their food. Heated by the sun, these ovens can reach temperatures of up to 360-400 degrees. Worried about a lack of sun? Consider a hybrid model that combines the heat of the sun with an energy –efficient electric backup.

6. Use an oven with a glass door so that you can monitor the progress of your food without opening the door (which causes heat/energy to escape needlessly). In fact, 20% of the oven’s heat is lost every time the oven door is opened.

7. Turn off the oven a few minutes before the food is ready and let it cook the final few minutes in the residual heat of the oven. Cutting down on even a few minutes of oven usage can do a lot to conserve energy.

8. Purchase a gas stove with an electric ignition rather than a pilot light. You can waste a lot of energy keeping a pilot light running when the oven is not in use.

When I built my kitchen last year, I wanted a really natural look, something dynamic whose pattern varied throughout.  I wanted countertops that would be easy to clean, would hide dirt easily and would not crack, scratch easily, chip or break.  I chose granite countertops for exactly these reasons. 

Granite countertops are earthy, natural, and beautiful.  They can be edged with a bullnose,  ogee (one of my personal favorites), square edging or chamfee, as well as various other edging designs.  Granite countertops can be found in a variety of colors including red, tan, black, and green.  There are infinite different contrasting and complementing colors that can be seen running through the natural stone.  There are granite patterns with small patches of color running through and many with obvious swirls offsetting the background, allowing each homeowner to find something that will truly reflect their style preferences and match their decor.  They look beautiful with wood cabinets, laminate cabinets, glass cabinets…you name it.  Granite countertops can match black appliances, white appliances, stainless steel appliances…they are versatile, functional and classic in a way that many man-made countertops are not.

Granite is a natural material that is more durable than marble, another popular countertop stone.  When properly sealed, granite is impervious to water, heat-resistant and resistant to chipping.  Mose granite countertops that are used in the kitchen are shiny, which makes the kitchen look new (and clean!) long after the construction or remodel is finished.  Additionally, because granite countertops vary naturally in their design, crumbs and dirty patches don’t show easily.  Because they are durable enough to last a lifetime, installing granite countertops is a great way to add value to the cost of your house.

Sure, there are many other countertop materials that can make your kitchen look fabulous.  I will address them in future blogs (so stay tuned!).  But I can tell you from personal experience that granite countertops are comfortable to use, easy to upkeep and enjoyable to look at.  What could be better?

There’s something about bar stools that attracts attention. Perhaps it’s their graceful stature, their inherent charm or their mysterious allure. For some reason (and clearly for many reasons), both adults and children love bar stools. I am just one of their millions of fans.

Bar stools are not just for bars anymore. This is quite lucky for me, as I can’t honestly remember the last time I had time to go to a bar. I can, however, remember the last time I sat on a bar stool. It was last week - I was peeling potatoes at a cousin’s house, perched on a cushy and perfectly-sized bar stool that enabled the potato peelings to fall directly into the trash can below. It was a comfortable working arrangement to be sure- so much more enjoyable than peeling hunched over the garbage like I do at home. The interesting thing was that my cousin doesn’t even have a bar height table or counter to give that bar stool a proper home. She just has the stool floating around her kitchen, so that she can use it wherever she needs it- at the counter, at the sink, or even in front of the garbage if she so desires. She may not be able to tuck her legs under the counter, but she can definitely make her workspace a bit more comfortable- and a lot more stylish. (And, of course, when the stool is not in use it can be tucked comfortably into the corner of the kitchen).

I happen to love the look of bar height counters in kitchens. They are elegant and sophisticated in a way that standard height counters can never be. Likewise, bar stools, with their elongated forms, add an ‘oomph’ to kitchens that typical kitchen chairs can seldom provide. Bar stools, in this sense, turn an ordinary kitchen into a bitchen kitchen.

Bar stools are available in a variety of styles which enables them to fit into kitchens with country styles, European designs, antique flairs, contemporary themes or kitchens of any other style. Some of my personal favorites include leather bar stools (easy to clean, comfortable to sit on), swivel bar stools (just plain fun) and high-backed bar stools (for extra back support). So if you’re looking for an easy way to add class to your kitchen (and perhaps a bit of comfort too), consider finding bar stools for your kitchen- you’ll be glad you did!

Whether or not you have a dishwasher, much time is spent bent over the kitchen sink. It’s a vital part of the kitchen to be sure- not only for washing kitchen utensils (especially those that don’t fit into the dishwasher), but also for cleaning your hands and food prior to preparation. Many a mother has even given her baby a bath in the kitchen sink. When purchasing a kitchen sink, thought must be given not only to the size of the sink, but also to the best kitchen sink material. Peruse the following options to help you determine not only which kitchen sink material will look the best, but which one will serve you well for the life of your kitchen.

Stainless Steel- With its classic appeal and reputation for durability, stainless steel is one of the most for kitchen sinks. Having recently changed from porcelain to stainless steel, I can speculate that perhaps stainless steel really is the best kitchen sink material. For me, the most important benefit of stainless steel sinks are that they don’t cause dishes to break when they are accidentally dropped in the sink (I can’t tell you how many glasses I broke in my porcelain sink while I was washing them!). Most stainless steel sinks are coated underneath to reduce noise and enable better heat retention. Stainless steel is known for being resistant to chips, cracks, scratches and rust, and its silvery finish will not fade or stain. Stainless steel sinks can be mounted flush with the counter, providing a smooth, integrated look that looks lovely in any contemporary kitchen. And, because it is a timeless metal, stainless steel sinks will never go out of style.

Enameled Steel Sinks- Enameled steel sinks are true to their name- they are fashioned with an enamel coating over a steel base. These sinks range from inexpensive to moderately priced, and they are designed primarily for above-counter installation. Inexpensive enameled steel sinks are notorious for chipping easily and having a noisy finish, while more expensive models are often quieter and more durable.

Enameled Cast Iron Sinks- This type of sink generally has a deep enamel surface over a solid cast iron base which makes it significantly heavier and more durable than enameled steel sinks. Because they are exceptionally heavy, enameled cast iron sinks are almost impervious to structural damage and provide good heat retention.

Copper Sinks- Copper is the best kitchen sink material if you’re looking for a unique look inspired by Spanish style or with an antique European flair. Most copper sinks are built with thick and resilient copper that is hand-hammered for a distinct appearance. Copper is resistant to bacteria and its finish improves during usage, giving it a beautiful and hygienic finish that will last a long time. The copper casting process also allows makes the sink resistant to dents and scratches. Copper sinks are generally expensive, but many homeowners will agree that their stylish design is well worth the price.

Manmade and Solid Surface Sinks- One of the most popular kitchen sink materials for contemporary kitchens is manmade sinks, which is also known as engineered stone or Corian, one of the more popular brand names of this material. These sinks provide a smooth, easy to clean surface that makes time at the sink enjoyable. Available in a wide range of colors to match any kitchen, manmade sinks are designed for a seamless installation right into the countertop. Choose a color that matches the counter for a uniform look or a contrasting color that will surely be noticed. The color and texture of manmade sinks runs throughout the material and does not wear away. Any accidental chips or nicks in the surface will be less noticeable because of the deeply rooted color.

Fireclay Sinks- With a porcelain finish on a ceramic base, these sinks are known for their high gloss finish and are often considered the best kitchen sink material for country themed kitchens. The shiny, germ-resistant finish is available in a wide range of colors (including hand-painted designs), creating a wonderful match for any kitchen décor. Heavy items can potentially damage the sink’s finish if accidentally dropped in the basin.

Now is the time to transform your kitchen. Redoing a kitchen is like any other major decision; there is always an excuse not to do it, and always a reason to say, “Let’s just wait a little longer.” But, what does waiting longer really accomplish? With the right tips and direction, these ideas for kitchen make-overs can create a quick and easy transformation for you. Here are three easy ways to give your space a quick face lift without spending a fortune to do so.

Start with the basics. Rather than giving your kitchen a complete overhaul, use kitchen cabinet hardware to create a new, fresh look. The possibilities are endless with cabinet hardware. If you’ve always used cabinet knobs, try branching out and using pulls or handles instead. These items often make it easier to access your drawers and cabinets, enabling you to work more efficiently in the kitchen. Choose pulls that match your existing décor, with selections in iron, brass, oak, nickel, ceramic, and so much more. Or, create a completely new look. If you’ve always had silver colored, plain knobs, select a brushed nickel pull cup or a dark rubbed bronze oil pull. Whatever you decide, this is one of the easiest ideas for kitchen remodeling. It will add a splash of color, a new design, and a new look to a kitchen.

Organize, organize, and organize. A kitchen make-over doesn’t always have to concentrate on the aesthetic items. Most of us spend a great deal of time in our kitchen. Kitchen cabinet accessories rejuvenate a kitchen’s functionality and make it a much more enjoyable place to cook, socialize and function. From the hidden trash cans to the tip out trays and drawer organizers, these cabinet accessories clean up the kitchen and create a refreshing and invigorating look and feel in your space. Spice racks keep your spices within easy reach for convenient cooking, and yet organized and ready to use. Wicker baskets add that decorative look to the kitchen, and invite you to store your fruits and vegetables with flair. Whatever your needs, these ideas for kitchen organizers transform the usability of your kitchen space – without having to break down walls, build a larger kitchen, or hire an architect!

For a beautiful new look in the kitchen that will add space, organization and pizzazz, nothing beats new kitchen furniture. Kitchen islands today allow you to vastly expand your usable kitchen space without remodeling! These islands offer drawer space, counter top work space, extra shelves, hanging towel racks, and even hanging space for pots and pans. Similarly, kitchen storage cabinets invite organization and order in the kitchen, while offering a practical and elegant place to store your kitchen items. Finally, enjoy a new look in the kitchen with a new kitchen table and matching chairs or counter stools. Whether you have a small space or a large one to fill, the right kitchen table invites family and friends to gather and creates the perfect look for your style.

With these ideas for kitchen make-overs and your own creativity, your kitchen should be looking grand shortly. Concentrate on changing a few key items; you’ll be amazed by the difference that these small additions make to the look and feel of your kitchen space.

I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. A LOT. First off, I’m an insane workaholic, and my computer is located in the kitchen (a conversation for another time, I’m sure). Then, of course, there’s all the time I spend cooking, eating, and (unfortunately) cleaning the kitchen. All told, I definitely spend the majority of my day in this versatile room. Because the kitchen serves as both my office and my personal restaurant, I want to make sure that it’s nice. And not just satisfactory—if I’m going to spend so much time in a place, I’d want it to be fabulous. I’d want a really bitchen’ kitchen, if you will…hence the purpose of this blog.

In this blog, I plan on discussing creative ideas about how to make any kitchen spectacular, whether it’s with trendy style strategies, environmentally-friendly kitchen design ideas or products that will improve the beauty and functionality of your kitchen. At some times, I may reserve the right to bitch about my kitchen- and of course, I’d welcome to hear your own complaints- perhaps together we can come up with some really cool solutions!

As you’ll see, having a fabulous kitchen (or even having a few fabulous things in your kitchen) doesn’t have to cost a fortune, nor does it always require a complete construction job. Sometimes all it takes to turn a dumpy room into a dream kitchen is a couple of new touches or a fresh coat of paint. So stay tuned for practical proposals, sophisticated suggestions and inspiring ideas that will help you turn a kitchen worth bitching about into a truly bitchen’ kitchen!