Idiomatic Design Build Company

25/06/2014

20 Remodeling Tips for the Kitchen

A kitchen is more than just a stunning backsplash and gorgeous cabinets. Integrate these thoughtful tips when planning your kitchen remodel for a space that is functional and easy to work and live in.

Eliminate Wasted Steps:
Think about how and where you use kitchen items. Store breakfast foods and bowls near the breakfast table. Keep wraps and plastic containers in one handy spot near a work surface for wrapping leftovers. Locate dishware and flatware near the dishwasher to ease the process of unloading.

Design Wide Walkways:
Paths throughout a kitchen should be at least 36 inches wide. Paths within the cooking zone should be 42 inches wide for a one-cook kitchen and 48 inches wide for a two-cook configuration. When planning, adjust kitchen islands and peninsulas accordingly.

Direct Traffic:
For kid-friendly kitchen designs, keep the cooktop (a stove with burners) out of traffic areas so children don't catch handles and cause spills when running through. Also, make the refrigerator accessible to both passersby and people working in cooking and cleanup areas.

Find the Right Height for the Microwave:
The best height and location for a microwave oven depends on the chef and the degree of kid-friendliness desired in the kitchen. For adults, 15 inches above countertop level is a good microwave height. For kids, a below-countertop setup might be safer and more suitable.

Stay Clear of Corners:
To make cabinet and appliance doors fully functional, plan space for the door's clearance and swing direction in your kitchen design. Keep appliances away from corners, and make sure doors won't bang into each other if open at the same time.

Determine the Island's Function:
When it comes to kitchen islands, form follows function. If you want to cook and eat on kitchen islands, plan enough space so the cooktop is safely separated from the dining area.

Plan Landing Space:
When designing your kitchen, allow 15 inches of countertop on each side of a cooktop and refrigerator. Landing space is also important near the microwave.

Consider the Countertops:
Those who cook frequently require more counter space -- ideally between the range and sink -- than those who cook infrequently or who prepare simple meals. Incorporating two countertop heights makes baking easy and helps kids who are involved in meal preparation.
Double Up:
A second microwave oven and a mini refrigerator or refrigerator drawer positioned at the edge of the kitchen work center can keep guests and family members in the kitchen but out of the cook's way. A bar with stools doubles as an after-school spot for kids and as a gathering spot for dinner guests.

Arrange the Range:
Place a shelf beside or behind the range to keep cooking oils, utensils, and spices handy. Place S hooks on the side of the range hood to hang frequently used pots and pans.

Fill It Up:
Tired of lugging water-filled pots from the sink to the cooktop? A swing-out tap -- also called a pot filler -- installed near the cooktop fills pots near where you heat them. Or you can install an extra-long hose attachment on your main faucet to fill pots on the cooktop.

Be Sharp When Storing Knives:
Have a designated spot for knives. This makes it easy to spot the right knife for a job and keeps dangerous items out of children's reach. A knife drawer such as this one has slots that hold knives in place and sheath the sharp blades.

Make Recycling Easy:
Equip a cabinet with separate containers for glass, plastic, and metal. A spare drawer could hold old newspapers.

Easy Reach:
Put kids' favorite dishes and snack foods on shelves or in drawers they can reach.

Add a Message Center:
Establish a message center near the kitchen telephone. Put a bulletin board, chalkboard, or whiteboard on the wall, and store a calendar, notebook, and writing utensils in a nearby drawer.

Plug It In:
Install multiple outlets along the backsplash and on the island so you'll have electricity wherever you need it.

Cut Cleaning Time:
Careful design decisions make cleaning easy. Glass refrigerator shelves catch spills that wire shelves let through. Flush-set or undermount sinks don't have a crumb-catching rim to worry about. Matte finishes don't show dirt as much as glossy ones do.

Break Up Cabinetry Blocks:
Avoid boring, heavy blocks of doors and drawers by adding interesting details such as glass doors and display shelving. Or try wine storage or windows.

Use Light Colors in a Small Kitchen:
Dark colour schemes shrink an already small space and make it less inviting. Use soft shades on kitchen cabinets and natural light to visually expand a small room.

Find a Focal Point:
Splashy tile, fancy floors, sizable range hoods, bright kitchen cabinets, and busy countertop patterns give the eye too much to look at. Pick one focal point in your kitchen design and complement that area with a few other quieter, eye-pleasing details.

24/06/2014

9 Big Ideas for Small Baths

A few things all house lovers are familiar with: Drafty windows, less-than-perfect plumbing, squeaky floors and small bathrooms. While new home baths have nearly doubled in size over the past 30 years, old home bathrooms average about 5- by 8-feet size due to lack of space and budget for remodeling.

Not to worry, though: You can combat the claustrophobia by scaling down to physically save space. A modern pedestal sink, the right colors and lighting, you can create the illusion of a roomy bath.

Keep it cornered:
Small bathrooms need to make use of all available space, so install shelving or build your storage units into the corner. Corners provide extra inches, and allow you to create unique design solutions.

Downsize your toilet:
Consider replacing your old toilet with a compact elongated model. It's the same size as a round-front toilet but provides the comfort of an elongated seat. Plus, newer toilets use less water, making them friendlier to the environment.

Stick with solid colors:
In a small bathroom, busy patterns can overpower and appear to shrink the space. Light, natural tones lend an open, spacious feel. If you want to get creative, play with textures rather than patterns. Keep prints light and to a minimum. If you really yearn to go bold, the powder room is a better choice for showing off your style.

Maximize your bath:
Consider installing a bathtub that’s designed to make the most of small spaces. A uniquely curved basin bathtub and curved shower rod in standard size makes it perfect for easy updating and renovation.

Choose a smaller faucet:
Change your sink faucet to a space-saving, single-hole model.

Streamline the shower:
Choose a sliding shower door or a shower screen. Sliding doors don't require space for door clearance, and the clear glass acts like a window, creating the perception of even more space.

Downsize the vanity:
Save real and perceived space by installing a smaller vanity, a pedestal sink, or a wall-mounted sink. Even if they're not particularly small, console tables help expand the perception of space thanks to their slender legs. If you choose to forego a vanity, you'll want to add shelving to make up for lost storage.

Take the tub down a notch:
Consider replacing your old tub with a lower-walled model to help open up sightlines and make the bathroom look more expansive. Try a 5-foot tub with a flat bottom. They're perfect for showering, but still deep enough for a pleasant bath.

Adjust your view:
Consider hanging your cabinet at a more comfortable height (around 34 or 36 inches) to avoid unnecessary bending. If possible, use niche shelving and a mirrored medicine cabinet to remove bulky furniture.

23/06/2014

9 Tips for Homeowners - A Successful Remodeling Project

Homeowners who have decided to start a sizeable remodeling project on their residence usually recognize there will be a certain level of inconvenience during the construction period. Living in a home during construction is not only unsettling it is also an extremely invasive process where construction workers are present throughout the day in the homeowner’s personal space.

Contractors understand this discomfort and address the concern with a level of professionalism. How does one go about achieving an exceptional level of professionalism which goes beyond the customers’ expectations? Knowing and anticipating problems in advance are a skill mastered by the best contractors.

Home Improvement clients desire safety and security from their contractors and the people that work for them. Homeowners want to feel secure that work will be performed as agreed and if issues arise they want to feel like you will make an honest effort to get the problem resolved quickly. Any remodeling project can seem overwhelming, but it's guaranteed to go more smoothly if you know a couple of insider tricks.

Pack Away Your Valuables
A remodeling project is going to affect every room in the house. The homeowners need to take down pictures, remove vases, and pack away valuables before work begins. While you're at it, take steps to protect your immovable fixtures, including built-in cabinets and chandeliers. Have flooring covered with cardboard sheets if it needs to stay in good condition.

Pitch a Temporary Camp
Speaking of lows, it can't get much worse than living without a kitchen for weeks on end. Minimize inconvenience by setting up a temporary one away from the construction area. Include a refrigerator and microwave oven, so you can continue to make light meals at home.

Plan Ahead
Making product selections early can prevent delays later. Proper planning can also help keep you on budget. You'll know what they're going to cost ahead of time.

Communicate Effectively
Remodelers can do some amazing things, but they can't read minds. Let the company supervisor or project lead person know if anything is unsatisfactory so they can deal with the issue. The contractor may not be aware that something is not OK with the owner.

Know What You’re Getting Into
Sure, remodeling is exciting. But there's also a lot of frustration as you encounter unexpected snags, delays, and the inevitable inconveniences that come from living in a construction zone. You'll handle the lows better if you know they're coming. A remodeler will condition your expectations before a project begins.

Design Ideas
When it comes to remodeling, there's no shortage of great design advice. The contractor and his design team will come up with several design options on how to make the most of your space.

Pamper Yourself
Unless you're a fan of luxuriating in a bath on a regular basis, skip the whirlpool tub. If you have no time for a bath, think about spending your remodeling dollars on something you'll use and notice every day, such as a luxury shower with dual heads.

Connect Spaces
Looking for a project with big impact? Opening up walls and hallways is one way to get the most from your remodeling project and create more livable spaces.

Be a Good Boss
The most important thing you can do during a remodeling project, other than write cheques, is treat your remodeler well. The perfect clients are easy to get along with, honest, and have an appreciation for what the contractor does.

28/05/2014

Area Rug Care

Regular vacuuming will help rugs retain their beauty and will extend the life of the rug.

Clean food and beverage spills immediately by removing the excess material gently with a spoon and then stain and soil remover. If you do not have a stain and soil remover use a solution of clear, non-bleach dish washing detergent (1/4 tsp detergent to 32 oz water). Gently agitate the pile and blot with white paper towels until no transfer of the spill or color. Rinse by spraying with clean water and blot dry. To help the area dry faster try placing a thick stack of white paper towels on the area and then put a smooth bottomed casserole dish on top. Use a milk jug filled with water or some other heavy object in the dish. You can switch out stacks of paper towels until there is no more moisture present.

Professional carpet cleaning is recommended using the hot water extraction method. Do not dry clean your rugs and or use bleach.

28/05/2014

Carpet Care & Maintenance

Carpet may be one of the easiest types of flooring to take care of. Learn how to keep yours looking great over time with a simple care and cleaning program:

1. Placing walk-off mats outside all entrances will help absorb soil and moisture and trap excessive dirt, sand, grit, oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that might otherwise be tracked into the home. Clean mats on a regular basis so they don't become sources of soil themselves.
2. A good carpet pad not only gives better resilience and comfort underfoot, it can extend the life of your carpet, especially on stairs. Because some carpets carry warranties with specific density and thickness requirements, be sure and review your warranty before purchasing your pad. Explore variety of carpet pad.
3. Moving your furniture on occasion won't just renew the feel of your room, it will also help avoid excessive pile crushing. Also consider using carpet protectors under the legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture to help distribute the weight. Damage can occur if you use chairs or appliances with rollers or casters without a chair pad designed specifically for carpet.
4. When moving heavy wheeled furniture (pianos, buffets, etc.), prevent damage by placing a protective barrier of heavy cardboard or plywood between the wheels and the carpet.
5. If you use area rugs on your carpet, be sure to clean them regularly, and make sure you clean and restore the pile of the carpet underneath as well. Also, be sure to check area rugs for colourfastness before placing them on carpet because the colour in some rugs may bleed through. After cleaning your carpet, allow it to dry completely before replacing rugs.
6. Protect your carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with blinds, shades, or awnings.

28/05/2014

Tile & Stone Care

Proper maintenance is the key to a flawless looking tile & stone floor.
Wipe down your ceramic floor with a damp mop at least once a week (or more often for heavy traffic areas) with a hard surfaces flooring cleaner. If the hard surfaces flooring cleaner is not available, make certain that any cleanser you have chosen is compatible with grout cleaning, (neutral pH), and will not stain the grout. Never use a detergent or soap, because it can dull the surface or promote the growth of mildew. Routine cleaners should never contain acids, vinegar, chlorine's or ammonia, as these chemicals can damage and discolor the grout or the surface of the stone or tile.

Caution: Wait at least 72 hours after installation (to allow new ceramic tile and grout to dry) before damp mopping.

Use Protective Mats

Good quality entry and exit mats will help protect your ceramic tile from premature wear. They trap the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked onto your floor. Mats are also suggested at heavy pivot locations, such as in front of your kitchen sink or stove.

Add Protective Pads to Furniture

Protect your tile by affixing felt or similar pads to the legs of any metal, iron, wood, or plastic furniture that will be placed on it. Exterior metal furniture, which rests on tile floors or patios, may rust and cause staining.

28/05/2014

How to Properly Clean & Care for your Laminate Flooring

In order to keep your original laminate flooring looking like new it’s important to properly clean and care for it. Laminate is very easy to take care of. In order to maintain the exceptional appearance of your flooring for decades, the correct use of the cleaning agents and proper techniques are required.

Stains:

There is no need to constantly worry about your flooring. Even the toughest of spills such as (Red wine, oil, jam, and nail polish) are easy to remove with just a damp cloth.

• In high-traffic areas with lots of dirt, such as entryways, mats will help to protect against abrasions.
• Rarely will furniture leave any indentations behind when it’s original laminate flooring. Furniture legs should be protected with felt pads to guard against scratching. Note that you can void your warranty should you not use felt pads. In order to prevent additional damage, furniture should not be dragged or pushed across the surface, rather lifted and put into place.
• Office chairs with wheels should use class W, soft castors, please use soft rubber ones.
• Standing water should be avoided at all costs; never allow liquids to stand on your floor.
• Take extra caution in areas with flowerpots, vases, and near water faucets.
• When cleaning, make sure the cloth is damp, not soaking wet.
• For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, or tar, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
• Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the be**er bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt and grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.
• Periodically clean the floor with cleaning products made specifically for laminate floor care; make sure that all residues are removed.
• Please never use cleaning agents that contain wax or oil. These materials can pe*****te the surface of the laminate flooring forming a film that attracts dirt like a magnet.
• Do not wash or wet mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
• Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners.
• Do not use any type of buffing or polishing machine on your laminate floors.
• For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• A more frequent dust-mopping or vacuuming schedule may be required in very sandy areas such as a beach home.

Unsuitable cleaning agents

The following cleaning agents are not suited for cleaning laminate flooring:
• Waxes
• Bleach
• Strong Solvents
• Abrasive polish that can damage the surface coating

If you do clean your laminate flooring using a cleaning agent, make sure that you dry the floor as thoroughly as possible so that no residue remains.

25/05/2014

List of Services Provided:

Home Improvement, Renovations, Architectural Services, Interior Design Services, Landscape Architecture, Facilities Management Services, Space Design Plans, Plumbing Services, CCTV Installation, Gypsum Ceiling Installation, PVC Ceiling Installation, Hardwood Floors Installation, Tiling, Electrical & Lighting Installation.

24/05/2014