Published and made the cover!
Such exciting news for my small business!
If you are in Ottawa you can pick it up at Farm Boy, Bridgehead Coffee, Tagalong Toys, Tamarack Model Homes, Chapters, etc… and also apparently it is in the Globe and Mail as an insert.
I’ve also written a few posts with more detailed information on our renovation of the cottage. Click here to read about the living room transformation and here for the bathroom reno.
Photo by STIL on Unsplash
It’s that travel time of year! The time of year when we dream about hitting the open road with clear blue skies above. I may be in the minority but I love a road trip! Well, let’s be honest I love any kind of trip. But I do not love clutter!
So regardless of where you are headed this summer, you will likely bring back a souvenir of some sort. But then you get home and that bright Mexican plate that you just couldn’t part with in the market, just doesn’t quite look as good in your very traditional home.
So what souvenirs can be turned into decor pieces that don’t just clutter up your home?
When I’m traveling, I think about these things before I pick up something that’ll also take up my precious luggage space.
So where are you heading this summer?
Photo credit: Melissa Kew Photography
This kitchen will soon be featured along with the rest of my log home cottage in a local magazine. I’m so excited. Once it’s published and available I’ll let you all know.
And did you know that it was an award winner? Click here or on the picture below to see the DDA video showcasing it.
Photo credit – Melissa Kew Photography
Ever wonder what standards there are for either a new kitchen or a kitchen renovation?
These industry standards will help you work out your plan properly so you don’t run into any unexpected surprises.
Standard oven width – 30 inches
Standard dishwasher width – 24 inches
Standard fridge width – 36 inches. Keep in mind that you should choose and order your appliances before building a new or renovating a kitchen, the cabinetry and countertops will be built around them for the most custom look.
Standard upper cabinet depth – 12 inches
Standard base cabinet depth – 24.5 inches
Standard counter height – 36 inches
Standard counter depth – 25.50 inches
Standard distance between bottom of cabinet and your countertops – 18 inches**. If you are installing under cabinet lighting, a must in my books, then you’ll have to give some consideration to the extra space needed for them and valances. Also, if there is a special appliance(s) you would like to store on your countertop, be sure that the 18 inches will accommodate it.
**This height will change if you are putting in a gas cooktop. Please check with your contractor or designer with regards to your building codes and safety requirements for your particular kitchen design.
Minimum distance between two working areas – 39 inches. 48 inches would be ideal but you can get by on the minimum of 39 inches.
Minimum island overhang – 12 inches with no brackets for support (depending on the counter material) or 15-18 inches with supports.
Minimum counter space on either side of the stove – 18 inches. A stove should never be placed right beside a wall, as this could be a fire hazard.
Bar stool height – 30 inches
Counter stool height – 24 inches
Height for hanging light fixture over a table or island – Standard is 30-36″ from the top of the dining table, however this can and should be adjusted for individuals using the space and for sight lines. I usually prefer to hang the light lower if it is a statement piece and if the table is large enough to accommodate it. For an island fixture – standard is 60-66″ from the floor, but again this can and should be adjusted for sight lines and for tall individuals.
So how do you properly light a kitchen? I was asked this question recently in my Facebook group – Empty Nesters – Reclaim your Space (click to join). Here’s how to light your kitchen so you aren’t squinting when you are trying to create your gourmet meal.
There are three types of lighting:
You really want to layer all three types of lighting so that you don’t get a spotlight effect in your room. And I always recommend dimmers for most lighting, even in a kitchen, especially if you will be entertaining.
Here’s a visual showing all three types of lighting.
So in this example, the ambient or general lighting is the potlights. The task lighting is the under cabinet lighting, the pendant lights over the peninsula and the fan light over the stove. The accent lighting is the in cabinet lighting.
To see more of this kitchen renovation click here.
Proper lighting in a kitchen is essential and should be one of the first steps when planning your renovation.
