#From the Pros: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Want a major new look for your kitchen or bathroom cabinets on a DIY budget? Don't pick up a paintbrush until you read this

How to paint your kitchen cabinets.

1. Remove the hardware and hinges and clean the surfaces thoroughly. Bob Miano of DeGeorge Custom Cabinetry recommends using a clean, soft rag or T-shirt and mineral spirits or TSP (trisodium phosphate). Don't just wipe them down — give them a good scrub to remove old oils, waxes and grime. This is a crucial step. "Paint is a very forgiving material, but the one thing it refuses to abide is a dirty, greasy surface," says Philip Storey of Redhill Painting.

2. Lightly sand the painting surfaces to open the finish surfaces. If there are any dents or grooves in the cabinetry, you may want to fill them in with a good wood filler first. After sanding, use a clean cloth to remove any sanding dust.

4. Finish the cabin ... Read more »

How to Make a Corner Kitchen Sink Cabinet | eHow

Review styles and shapes of corner sinks before you design the cabinet. Visit home improvement stores and kitchen websites to review the many shapes and materials available for corner sinks. Use your favorite sink's measurements to decide how to lay out the countertop plan. Plan to build the cabinet across the corner with anyone washing dishes facing directly into the 90-degree corner angle. Design the cabinet to have two doors at the bottom.

Use graph paper to draw the surrounding counter space to the left and right of the corner. Create the corner cabinet to be secured to side cabinets or a false wall at a dishwasher or stove. Design and build the cabinet to blend with lower and upper cabinets in style and finish. Revamp the countertop to cover the new corner cabinet and leave room in the countertop to fit the sink and faucets with no visible seams. Use tile to cover the counter around the corner sink, if the sink cabinet i ... Read more »

#Tom - s Kitchen: Gratin of Hearty Greens

I'm a greens fanatic: mustards, kale, collards, chard, you name it. I eat them in some form more or less every day, sometimes more than once. At this point, a meal even (or especially) something as simple as a fried egg for breakfast just seems naked, incomplete, without them. Their ubiquity in my daily life can make them seem unexciting for a special feast like Thanksgiving. Really, again, greens made like I always do them, saut ed with onion until tender and then finished with a lashing of vinegar? At the same time, there was no way I could imagine Thanksgiving without leafy greens especially since they reach their peak of flavor in the fall.

So rather than forsake them or serve them the same old way, I decided to dress them up into something richer and more elegant: a gratin. To get ideas on how to pull it off, I dug into James Peterson's excellent 2002 tome Glorious French Food. Along with rec ... Read more »

#Top 4 complete compact kitchens under $1400

Sometimes I have to smile when I read about tiny kitchens and the pictures show kitchens with even an island, lots of countertop space, 4-burner-stove with big oven and a huge refrigerator. And it reminds me that everything is relative, it’s just the way people look at it.  For some their kitchen is tiny and for others it’s really tiny.

The good news is that people prefer more and more often small kitchens. Tiny kitchens are getting more popular in contemporary and modern living spaces.

In this post I refer to the “really” tiny kitchens, the ones that are something between 30 and 60 inches wide. Yes, this is possible and real. These are the sizes of the pre-manufactures compact kitchens you can buy at Amazon. These modular kitchens are usually all-electric and come with sink, countertop, cooktop, refrigerator, freezer and some storage space. Did I miss something?

What’s amazing too is that most of these pre-assem ... Read more »

LED Kitchen Lighting

A great kitchen is all about the details, and even a simple element such as lighting can make or break the design. The newest trend in kitchen lighting is using LED, or light-emitting diode, technology. These long-lasting and energy-efficient bulbs give off almost no heat, making them perfect for reducing fire risk in the warmest room of the home.

Kitchen designers recommend using a variety of LED fixtures to create layers of light. Even in the smallest kitchen, a single light source cannot provide all of the illumination needed to make the space functional. A good design plan starts with overhead lights, such as ceiling fixtures or track lighting. for general, or ambient, lighting. Next, use task lighting, such as under-cabinet fixtures or recessed cans, over each work zone to give extra light without casting annoying shadows. Finally, add visual interest by using accent lighting to call attention to architectural details or decorative items (for examp ... Read more »

#Wire Shelving Units in the Kitchen: Simple, Cheap, and (Yes! ) Stylish Organization

If you need extra storage in your kitchen, it doesn't get much simpler than a basic wire shelving unit. You can find tall units for around $60 at Home Depot, and with five or more shelves per unit, that's plenty of space to work with. But if you've always thought they were better suited for storing, say, golf bags out in the garage, then these photos may surprise you. Wire shelves in the kitchen can be both practical and  stylish! See a few more examples below:

The key, as with any open shelving, is to keep it neat. Don't cram things onto the shelves. Retain a little breathing room. Create mini tableaus: a hanging row of stainless steel pots; a pretty pastel KitchenAid next to neatly stacked bowls; a row of copper pots with the handles all facing the same direction.

This is a great place to put a few baskets, too, for those items you're not keen on displaying outright.

Cheap Kitchen Countertop Fixes | eHow

Many people desire an attractive kitchen, but a kitchen renovation can be very expensive. Although a kitchen renovation can be a costly project, there are a few quick fixes that can inexpensively renew the look of your countertops. Painting over laminate or tile, tiling over laminate countertops or adhering inexpensive plywood to existing countertops are all affordable ways to spruce up a kitchen.

Laminate countertops provide a smooth, easy-to-paint surface. Lightly sand the surface, using 120-grit sandpaper to remove any sheen. Wash the laminate, using trisodium phosphate (also known as TSP and found in home improvement stores), then rinse to remove the TSP. When the surface is dry, apply melamine paint using a high-density foam roller for the best results. Apply three thin coats for the best coverage. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for drying time.

Remove the sink and faucet from countertop and sand well, using an or ... Read more »

Kitchen Design Pictures

Color Schemes For Your Kitchen

By Richard McIntyre - Ezinearticles

The color of your kitchen should be exciting but not overwhelming with a reflection of your personal style and taste. It is important to consider whether you are going to use kitchen appliances that will add to the appearance of your kitchen or if you will use more sedate finishes, opting for smaller touches to give you the pops of color that you need. From refrigerators to stoves and smaller appliances like microwaves and others, there are several choices to look at. These include:

• Neutral colors like white, black, and almond
• Metallic finishes like silver or gray
• Minimal schemes like glass fronts
• Bright colors

How do any of these fit into your kitchen color scheme?

The easiest colors to find in everything from walls, flooring and all of your kitchen appliances, neutrals can be a great way to anchor your kitc ... Read more »

#Valspar New Traditional Kitchen 1

INTERIOR STYLES

New Traditional

A fresh take on historical design that's what new traditional is all about. This style uses traditional structural elements, like furniture and architectural details, and combines them with lively and contemporary colors, fabrics and accessories. The result is a nod toward traditional elegance but in a way that breathes life and livability into your home.

New Traditional Decorating Tips

Provide a fresh balance to traditional furniture by choosing a modern rug that's monochromatic, has an overscale pattern, or has a texture such as sisal or sea grass. Bring in accessories, like vases and lighting, that have clean lines and a flood of color.

Traditional woodwork, such as kitchen cabinets, can take on an updated look with an unexpected color. Forego the traditional white cabinets in favor of a color-infused neutral. A kitchen island with milled legs takes on a new look in a ... Read more »

#From smoothies to pesto to almond butter: 13 blenders reviewed

Blenders are fun, but buying the wrong one is anything but. With countless models available at a wide range of prices, it can be hard to tell the upgrades from the downgrades. Are more watts always better? How much does the shape of the jar matter? Could a top-of-the-line blender be the smartest upgrade you'll ever make? The dumbest?

If your head spins just thinking about it, don't worry -- our handy blender roundup will help you find the perfect machine for your needs, whether you're looking to spend $50 or $500.

Colin West McDonald/CNET

Blendtec Designer Series WildSide Blender

Will it blend? If you're using a Blendtec Designer Series WildSide Blender. the odds are in your favor. With 1,560 watts, more than any other blender we tested, this powerful little appliance is capable of blending everything from smoothies to cheese to Apple products. and its unique touch-sc ... Read more »