It’s hard enough to get out of a warm bed in the morning, but when you know your feet will hit a cold floor, it’s enough to make you pull the covers over your head. Make your first trip to the bathroom, or your morning coffee-making ritual in the kitchen, more pleasant by stepping onto a heated floor.
Radiant-heat flooring is fast becoming a standard in today’s kitchen and bath construction projects. Not only can it be more efficient than other heating methods, it provides a luxurious feature for homeowners. Plus, its hidden nature means kitchen and bath design doesn’t need to be compromised for comfort.
Check out the radiant heat flooring options—as well as wall applications—on the market.
Nuheat’s Custom-Mat Electric Floor Heat System
For rooms with angled or curved walls, Nuheat’s custom mats can provide optimal coverage. Send the room’s dimensions and specifications, and within a week Nuheat manufactures a custom mat designed to fit the space exactly, resulting in easy installation and no cold spots. Nuheat custom mats are 1/8 in. thick—sandwiching heating wire between durable, porous fabric—and run off a standard household circuit. The mats can be rolled out and installed under tile, stone, marble, slate, laminate and engineered wood floors. The mats can also be used in shower pans. The heating level can be controlled with a thermostat, such as the flush-mounted Harmony programmable thermostat, which can sit behind a double faceplate for a streamlined appearance. For more information, visit Nuheat.com.
Courtesy: www.kbbonline.com
Page reference: http://www.kbbonline.com/kbb/content_display/news-and-features/features/e3i309cdb262cc7125e4630e1f08a6c360e
Radiant floor heating can greatly increase the comfort levels in your home, but it is best to have this work done by experts, if possible as part of a remodeling project. To know more about radiant floor heating options and installation or other home remodeling work, contact Mediterraneo Design and Build (MDB) of Menlo Park, CA. The phone number and email address are (650) 368-1361 and info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Kitchens With Multiple Work Zones
Since formal kitchen design research started in the early 1900s, we have constantly been analyzing what works and doesn’t work as each generation expands lifestyle issues, products and aesthetics around the most important room of a home. Ergonomics and efficiency in time/motion studies were the biggest parts of the early “work triangle” and subsequent placements of appliances, storage, traffic patterns and sinks. It was, however, all based on a one-person/primary cook kitchen. Now that we have multiple cooks, a double work triangle has emerged, and even more recently, labeled centers or zones for the activities associated with any kitchen today.
Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer Ellen Cheever, who has researched, authored, designed and taught in the industry for more than 30 years, recently made the distinction in space planning based on activity zones, not work centers as previously described. Her recent Pathways to Profits Seminar, sponsored by the National Kitchen and Bath Association and Kitchen & Bath Design News magazine, addressed the, “… phenomena as a change due to what families do in the kitchen as well as what they are eating at home.”
A myriad of non cooking activities such as watching TV, entertaining, homework and talking on the telephone have been a “but of course” staple for many families. Just as important, according to Cheever, is that shopping for pre-prepared gourmet takeout meals is more common than “from scratch” meals, impacting the activities we are trying to identify. Her major points are:
• Outdoor living is valued, impacting the grilling and outdoor kitchen rage.
• Multigenerational families are sharing the same space. Consumers want to stay in their homes (aging in place).
• Consumers want a kitchen within a “cooking room” to serve weekday warm-up meals in a smaller environment than needed for weekend gourmet feasts.
• Gathering spaces for personal interaction between cooks and non-cooks is valued.
• Appliances are broken up into smaller point-of-use pieces, along with special-purpose fixtures.
• Multiple cooking stations for shared cooking activities are valued.
As a designer who continues to deal with a lengthy interview process before attempting a space plan, I also have encountered the same activities that Ms. Cheever labeled as non cooking activities.
Communicating activities including the telephone, Internet, personal visiting and any type of correspondence demand more than just a desk or an Internet connection these days. I fondly call this the command center, but it’s more than just technology for cell phones and Wi-Fi. It’s the place where people can comfortably talk, share and maintain a master calendar.
Entertaining/educational activities seem to be growing in style (hanging-out bars instead of just eating-only bars). Video game activities for the family or any TV-based entertainment, and a children’s computer/homework area (to help control computer use) are on the top of many families’ lists.
Household management activities may have been just a desk in the past, but now include a family home office, security area, smart-home technology controls, multipurpose laundry/hobby area and a pet care/feeding center.
Pleasurable pastime activity spaces include those for gardening, flower arranging, a cookbook library, photography/scrapbooking or even wine cellar/tasting areas. One of my customers collected pinball machines and it was high on his list of inclusions.
Ms. Cheever has certainly covered the range of activities and thus helps us evaluate how to include them in our expanded kitchen spaces. For food assembly, however, the activities could help to explain five activity zones, up from the initial three zones when the work triangle was used solely:
1. The Consumable Zone — This space contains food items such as rice, cereal, canned goods, pasta, staples, drinks and refrigerated goods. It usually is in one main spot, but could be labeled as such in two areas.
2. The Non-consumable Zone — These items are the dishes, glasses, plastic containers, storage items, silverware and even cookbooks.
3. The Cleaning Zone — The sink, dish-washer(s), trash and recycling as well as cleaning supplies are found here.
4. The Preparation Zone — This is the most important area in the food-assembly process. Utensils, mixing bowls, small electrical items plus items such as spices and oils needed to prepare food are kept here.
5. The Cooking Zone — The appliance package for cooking, including microwave, cooktop/range and oven is the start, but this also includes all pots/pans, cooking utensils, baking sheets and some spices, oils, etc.
I suggest there also are other specialty zones which could incorporate Ms. Cheever’s stated activities. There’s an entertaining zone, which in older circles could have been called the bar. Under counter refrigerators, ice machines, wine chillers, along with countertop or built-in coffee machines and all the accompaniments suggest a self-serve or hostess-run area strictly for guests. Some have bar sinks, but most don’t.
Some designers I know now incorporate a plating zone when entertaining which allows the owners or caterers a space for serving plates, appetizers, larger quantity of drinks, serving platters, etc., when entertaining a group of guests.
Sometimes this is in a butler’s pantry and sometimes is an extension of the kitchen/breakfast nook areas.
Courtesy- www.rdbmagazine.com
If you are planning a kitchen remodel or would like to consult with experts about the options open to you, contact Mediterraneo Design and Build (MDB) of Menlo Park, CA. The phone number is (650) 368-1361 and the email address is info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com. More information about MDB is available on their website www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com.
Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer Ellen Cheever, who has researched, authored, designed and taught in the industry for more than 30 years, recently made the distinction in space planning based on activity zones, not work centers as previously described. Her recent Pathways to Profits Seminar, sponsored by the National Kitchen and Bath Association and Kitchen & Bath Design News magazine, addressed the, “… phenomena as a change due to what families do in the kitchen as well as what they are eating at home.”
A myriad of non cooking activities such as watching TV, entertaining, homework and talking on the telephone have been a “but of course” staple for many families. Just as important, according to Cheever, is that shopping for pre-prepared gourmet takeout meals is more common than “from scratch” meals, impacting the activities we are trying to identify. Her major points are:
• Outdoor living is valued, impacting the grilling and outdoor kitchen rage.
• Multigenerational families are sharing the same space. Consumers want to stay in their homes (aging in place).
• Consumers want a kitchen within a “cooking room” to serve weekday warm-up meals in a smaller environment than needed for weekend gourmet feasts.
• Gathering spaces for personal interaction between cooks and non-cooks is valued.
• Appliances are broken up into smaller point-of-use pieces, along with special-purpose fixtures.
• Multiple cooking stations for shared cooking activities are valued.
As a designer who continues to deal with a lengthy interview process before attempting a space plan, I also have encountered the same activities that Ms. Cheever labeled as non cooking activities.
Communicating activities including the telephone, Internet, personal visiting and any type of correspondence demand more than just a desk or an Internet connection these days. I fondly call this the command center, but it’s more than just technology for cell phones and Wi-Fi. It’s the place where people can comfortably talk, share and maintain a master calendar.
Entertaining/educational activities seem to be growing in style (hanging-out bars instead of just eating-only bars). Video game activities for the family or any TV-based entertainment, and a children’s computer/homework area (to help control computer use) are on the top of many families’ lists.
Household management activities may have been just a desk in the past, but now include a family home office, security area, smart-home technology controls, multipurpose laundry/hobby area and a pet care/feeding center.
Pleasurable pastime activity spaces include those for gardening, flower arranging, a cookbook library, photography/scrapbooking or even wine cellar/tasting areas. One of my customers collected pinball machines and it was high on his list of inclusions.
Ms. Cheever has certainly covered the range of activities and thus helps us evaluate how to include them in our expanded kitchen spaces. For food assembly, however, the activities could help to explain five activity zones, up from the initial three zones when the work triangle was used solely:
1. The Consumable Zone — This space contains food items such as rice, cereal, canned goods, pasta, staples, drinks and refrigerated goods. It usually is in one main spot, but could be labeled as such in two areas.
2. The Non-consumable Zone — These items are the dishes, glasses, plastic containers, storage items, silverware and even cookbooks.
3. The Cleaning Zone — The sink, dish-washer(s), trash and recycling as well as cleaning supplies are found here.
4. The Preparation Zone — This is the most important area in the food-assembly process. Utensils, mixing bowls, small electrical items plus items such as spices and oils needed to prepare food are kept here.
5. The Cooking Zone — The appliance package for cooking, including microwave, cooktop/range and oven is the start, but this also includes all pots/pans, cooking utensils, baking sheets and some spices, oils, etc.
I suggest there also are other specialty zones which could incorporate Ms. Cheever’s stated activities. There’s an entertaining zone, which in older circles could have been called the bar. Under counter refrigerators, ice machines, wine chillers, along with countertop or built-in coffee machines and all the accompaniments suggest a self-serve or hostess-run area strictly for guests. Some have bar sinks, but most don’t.
Some designers I know now incorporate a plating zone when entertaining which allows the owners or caterers a space for serving plates, appetizers, larger quantity of drinks, serving platters, etc., when entertaining a group of guests.
Sometimes this is in a butler’s pantry and sometimes is an extension of the kitchen/breakfast nook areas.
Courtesy- www.rdbmagazine.com
If you are planning a kitchen remodel or would like to consult with experts about the options open to you, contact Mediterraneo Design and Build (MDB) of Menlo Park, CA. The phone number is (650) 368-1361 and the email address is info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com. More information about MDB is available on their website www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com.
Building a Gazebo or Deck
As part of a home remodeling, many homeowners would like to add a deck or patio to their existing construction. This appears to be a relatively simple project for which generic designs and drawings are readily available, or many DIY enthusiasts decide to design it themselves. Unfortunately these projects often are very disappointing as there are more aspects to consider in such an undertaking. Soil types and design loads have a role to play, the importance of which is often overlooked. In areas with less than perfect soil, the lumber footing, bolt sizes and many other details in pre-packaged building plans will not work. Pre-packaged plans often do not provide adequate detail. To insure that your deck or gazebo is high quality at a competitive cost, it pays to hire the services of an expert.
All Skills Under One Roof
Mediterraneo Design and Build (MBD) is a Menlo Park, residential design and construction firm that undertakes projects requiring complete architectural and construction services. The firm employs experts in all building-related skills so there is no necessity to invite outside assistance unless required for very specialized projects. When building a gazebo or deck, or making other structural alterations as part of a home remodeling assignment, MDB takes all necessary precautions including soil analysis. MDB offers services for custom new houses and major remodeling and home additions in the Bay Area. MDB has a proven track record of projects that may be viewed on its website www.mediterraneodesignbuild.com. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Are Your Windows Outdated?
Windows are not just for light and ventilation but are an expression of your home’s personality. At some point in time your windows might become outdated and require replacement. Replacing windows can be a bewildering task with an overwhelming selection of styles and designs offer. When looking at window replacements a homeowner should consider the design which must be in keeping with the existing style of the home, and they should be easy to maintain. The most popular styles are bay windows, single-hung, double-hung, bow, sliding, casement and garden windows.
Window styles can also be customized with specialty-shapes. One suggestion is to replace flat windows with bow or bay windows which create an illusion of space. The additional natural light that these windows provide adds to the texture and dimension of the house. These windows come in a range of styles, the most common being the angled bay window which angles outwards at a 30° to 45° angle. A 90° angle would make it a box bay which could be fitted with a glass roof to make it a garden window. Most bay windows allow for a window seat, as an added attraction. A window seat is a great place to sit and watch the world go by.
Specialist Advice
A remodeling specialist can offer suggestions on window replacements compatible with your existing structural style. One such company is Mediterraneo Design and Build (MDB), a Menlo Park, design and build company. They undertake all residential building projects including home remodeling. MDB is well staffed with specialist personnel which includes designers, builders and interior decorators. A homeowner gets the benefit of diverse expertise in one company. To contact MDB, please call (650) 368-1361 or email info@mediterraneodesignbuild.com.
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