STORAGE SOLUTIONS:

The Room Divider

If there is a need for a divider between two rooms, such as the kitchen and dining room in this example, the advantage of its potential is that it is more than just a barrier. This divider is packed with storage, from drawers for silverware and linens to end-cap cabinets and glass shelves.

A center opening also functions as a buffet or serving shelf, and cutouts at the top of the unit are perfect for storing baskets or bowls. The pass-through also lets light from the dining room doors into the kitchen, giving the whole area an open, airy feel.

The arrangement lets the cook be part of the group, while family or guests can sit comfortably and chat with anyone working in the kitchen. The setup also works well for families with children, allowing parents to observe from the kitchen while kids complete homework and school projects in the dining room.

The Fireplace Wall

Whether the fireplace is in the family room, great-room, or master bedroom, we can add storage with surrounding cabinets, shelves, and drawers.

In this example, the television tucks into a built-in cabinet above the direct-vent fireplace. A deep cabinet, drawers of various sizes, and pullout shelves for books, videotapes, and compact discs flank the fireplace surround.

Both deep shelves on each side and specialty shelves around the windows make great display spaces. Each side is set into a bump-out, so the whole unit projects into the room only as far as the fireplace.

The Kitchen

Unused wall space makes a great spot for a pantry with shallow shelves. Because the shelves fit within a stud wall, they're not very deep, but they can easily hold canned goods, boxed dinners, and baking mixes.

If we install the pantry in a high-traffic area, as in this example, the pantry can be covered with a pocket or folding door instead of a swinging door to keep aisles and doorways unobstructed.

Another advantage of this arrangement is the pantry's location near the mudroom. While arriving with groceries, the handy shelves provide a quick means of stashing the items. We can also build shelves tall enough to handle pet food, household supplies, or cleaning items.

The Dining Room

Most dining rooms include some type of display case, but this one offers quite a bit more storage capability than the average china hutch. Large, deep cabinets flank the main hutch, and a display shelf tops each set.

These shelves make great buffet-style serving areas during parties, freeing up table space elsewhere and eliminating the need for an extra table or portable serving cart. One side of the unit features glass shelves for displaying china and collectibles, and the other features more cabinetry.

Two panels in a different wood tone add visual interest and break up the continuous oak bank. Recessed canister lights highlight collectibles and china on the left side.

The Bathroom

The bathroom's prime storage capabilities should not be overlooked. To relieve a linen closet that's overstuffed, it is better to consider a decorative towel-storage shelf built into one end of the tub surround. Towels can be rolled inside and stacked for a colorful focal point.

For a practical place to store toiletries, an extra-wide shelf should be planned into the border of the tub surround and the whole unit can be finished in uniform tiles for a seamless look. A row of contrasting tiles is an inexpensive way to create an attractive accent.

The Master Bedroom

Space under a bed is typically wasted. In this example, deep drawers are set into the bed's base to offer extra clothing storage, taking pressure off closets and dressers and possibly eliminating the need for freestanding furniture in a cramped bedroom.

The large headboard unit also helps create a furniture look and could serve as a visual anchor opposite a large wardrobe, dresser, or armoire.

In lieu of nightstands, built-ins make perfect storage and display space. A wide shelf holds a reading light, books, and collectibles. Recessed canister fixtures illuminate artwork above.

SOME IDEAS FOR STORAGE:

Orderly Cabinets

Proper access should be kept in mind; it's easier to stay organized when we can reach the things we need on a regular basis. We will also have to consider how using storage might affect traffic flow through the kitchen.

Pullout Perfection

Pullouts make kitchen
storage convenient.

Usually fixed inside a cabinet, these vertical slots for baking trays travel on a platform supported by ball-bearing drawer guides. The ready access translates into less bending and reaching. Continuing the same theme, pans and other kitchen paraphernalia nestle on convenient sliding shelves.

At the Fingertips

The best storage tricks create interiors that are visually accessible and easily reachable, making it simple to see what we do and don't have. A pullout cabinet with wire racks keeps spices, oils, and vinegars visible as well as organized.

Wire racks make scanning labels easy.

Creative Corners

The corner space should not be wasted.

Spotting potential takes a creative mind. Angled or contoured surfaces often surrender valuable room to fixed structural elements. Instead, this island includes a tiered spice rack tucked behind an angled bump in the cabinet, saving steps and a lot of time for a busy cook.

Specialized Spaces

Some of the best spaces in our kitchen might be hiding. We will have to take a fresh look at space which might have been overlooked, and ways we might use it to add function to your kitchen.

Decent Drawers

Attractive storage drawers can be created
With proper care and decency

Storage in a backsplash isn't usually an option, but a pass-through wall into an adjacent dining room provides the depth for this stylish set of apothecary drawers. Small cubby drawers like these are an increasingly popular option in kitchen renovations, adding a lot of organizational punch in a compact and attractive package.

Feeding Station

Even pets have a vested interest in a well-planned kitchen. We can treat our dogs to a custom food drawer that elevates their meal for easier gobbling. The drawer is simply turned upside down and retrofit with stainless-steel bowls: Openings are cut in the drawer bottom just slightly smaller than the rim of the bowls; if the bowls are deeper than the drawer, they should be removed when not in use. Shallow bowls can be used and "leftovers" can be tucked away for the next meal.

Custom-made drawers for dogs or pets

Working Window

A window seat alternative.

Most window seats or built-in benches feature hinged seats that open for storage, but this alternative features drawers perfectly suited for storing linens, place mats, and oversized items. Or, an open niche underneath the seat could easily accommodate cookbooks, small appliances, or decorative serving ware.

Out of sight storage:

Stunning "storage" in a hutch.

Storage spaces can be given a very stunning look. Behind its furniture-like facade, this built-in maple dining room hutch has abundant space. Open shelves on top with built-in recessed lights artfully display the homeowners' collection of fine glassware. Generous-sized drawers below keep china and linens accessible but out of view. Attached to one end is a slab of dark granite, which is used as a serving buffet.

Storage hidden in the background

Even the most generous storage spaces can be unobtrusive. With simple white doors, this row of closets blends seamlessly into the background when closed. Open doors reveal a meticulously planned combination of drawers and shelves. Recessed lights inside the closets triggered by opening the doors ensure that you'll never leave the house with mismatched clothing. Additional storage comes from a built-in bookcase.

Simple as child's play.

A simple storage design can make life so much easier. Clean up time is now a cinch for these kids, thanks to the three pull-down toy bins built under this window seat. Flanking bookcases and numerous well-designed cubbyholes offer space for bigger toys and books.

Tucked under the stairs.

Room for storage can be found in the unlikeliest places, even under the stairway. Rather than cover the area with drywall, these homeowners carved stereo shelves, display niches, and a fold-down work desk around the posts that support the stairs. Open treads allow natural light to reach this newfound space.

Built in Storage Spaces:

Built-in bookcases expand a
narrow room's usefulness.

Everything in a house should be useful. So if there was a need for bookshelves, the best solution to find the proper space is into the wall, so best idea is to build them in.

Savvy Storage Solutions:

The following are some of the solutions for savvy storage:

Prioritization of different items:

It is better to keep items which are used daily in the most accessible storage areas.

Storage items by weight:

The heaviest items can be placed in storage areas between hip and shoulder height; store only the lightest items overhead.

Use of "found" space:

Unused space can be used for specialized storage. The sliver of space beside the refrigerator can be used for a slide-out pantry. The space between wall studs can be used for cookbook storage.

Division of the available space to vertical spaces:

Installation of vertical cupboard dividers can be done to maximize storage space for pan lids, platters, and trays

Light/Dark Colours and Warm/Cool Colours:

LIGHT VERSUS DARK COLOURS

• Light colours reflect more light and make rooms look larger. Darker coloured rooms reflect less light and force a mood on a room. These colours are better suited to areas in our environment which we use for a specific purpose and in which we spend less time.
• Firstly, nature conditions us to seek balance and harmony in our surroundings, and offers us guidelines for the use of light and dark colours. Usually we find darker colours at our feet (e.g. the forest floor), medium values at eye level (trees) and the lighter colours above (the sky). It's often sensible to follow this gradation, but of course is not essential.
• Secondly, you should tend to use intense, dark hues in rooms usually occupied for a short time only (such as entrances, formal dining rooms, etc). Intense hues can become overwhelming. However, their vibrant and dramatic effects will always draw compliments from friends and family.
• Light, pale colours work best in rooms with little natural light as they make best use of reflected light. However, if a room is generally used only at night (e.g. a formal lounge, bedroom or study) a colour scheme that has a medium – valued dominant colour may be preferable.
• Refer to the pictures on this page for an example of where light colour has been used in a room, and dark colour has been used in another room.

WARM VERSUS COOL COLOURS

• In rooms where someone wishes to create a restful, peaceful atmosphere, the use of cool or pastel colours is advised. This gives out relaxed, harmonious vibrations. It is best to choose warm colours for rooms where activity is to take place e.g. the living room, study, playroom, workroom, studio, reception area, halls, stairways – where the stimulating qualities of warm colours are appropriate.
• Warm colours like reds, burgundies and bright yellows tend to close in a room.
• Blue and green colours can introduce 'coolness' to a room. They look best in sunny rooms where the colours seem to counteract the strength of direct sunlight. They should be avoided in shaded rooms. Pale, cool colours can also push walls back, giving a more spacious effect. Cool colours tend to 'go away' from one, or feel distant – they cause a room to recede.
• The restraints taken heed of are fixtures like carpeting, tiles or kitchen surfaces that cannot be changed.
• Large areas of colour often appear much darker once painted. For this reason it may be best to order the paints one shade lighter than the colour selected. Colours found at the top of the Colour Expressions display are warm, while those at the bottom are cool.

RATTAN FURNITURE

RATTAN FURNITURE

What is the difference between Wicker and Rattan?

Wicker is something that's woven, mostly from rattan (core or peel), but also from willow, straw, raffia, buri or bamboo.

Rattan is a palmwood that grows mostly in southeast Asia. Rattan is classified as hardwood. It is light weight, bends easily and lasts long. The finest grades of rattan grow in the Island of Borneo, Malaysia, the Philippines, Burma and Sumatra.

RATTAN FURNITURE CARE:

• Furniture should be dust regularly with small brush or vacuum.
• Spills should be taken care of immediately before they harden or stain, by wiping with a sponge wrung from sudsy water. Wicker likes humidity but it is not outdoor furniture. Rain, direct sunlight, and dew are damaging. Dry indoor heat dries wicker causing it to crackle and creak under pressure. Wiping occasionally with a damp (not wet) sponge may help.
• Perhaps once a year or every other year, "raw" wicker may need complete washing. It is to be dusted with a vacuum brush. Scrubbed with warm water and detergent using sponge or soft brush; spray rinse with a garden hose outside, or put under the shower. It should be as fast as possible by putting in the hot sun, using hair drier, or directing a fan onto it to keep air circulating. A windy day is good to aid drying. On painted wicker we have to wash and rinse & would paint wood; wetting as above may crack and peel the paint.