Bay Area Home Remodeling Including Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto ...

Pergolas, arbors, and patio covers remain popular landscape features and can set the footprint for additional living space. They block the sun while still allowing air circulation, provide architectural interest, and can add value to your home. Because the terms are often used interchangeable, here are the definitions for each type of structure and some questions to consider when selecting the right shade solution for your home:

Photo: Gaby Hartley Corder

Pergola: A freestanding outdoor structure of any size that uses joists and rafters for shade.

Photo credit: NT Windows

Arbor: An outdoor structure of any size that uses joists and rafters for shade with at least one side attached to a home or another building.

Photo: Furniture Fashion

Patio Cover: A freestanding or attached outdoor structure of any size, open on the sides, with framing and a roof that protects from rain and the elements.

1. Freestanding or Attached?

This question is the best way to start distinguishing between these outdoor structures. If the project is freestanding, then it is either a pergola or patio cover. A patio cover can also be attached. Arbors will have posts or columns on one side and be connected to a home/building on the other side. This can be a point of confusion because many refer to arbors as being freestanding arches or gateways to a garden or backyard. However, when you say the word “arbor” to a professional builder they assume the structure will be attached to your house or another structure.

2. Roof or Rafters?

Pergolas and arbors use posts connected by joists and rafters for shade and stability, but those rafters don’t keep rain or the elements out. Even if fabric or other materials are in between the rafters, if rain can get in from the top then it is considered a pergola (if freestanding) or arbor (if attached). Patio covers consist of framing over-laid with shingles or a roofing material to keep the elements out.

3. How Big is the Structure?

There are no size guidelines differentiating arbors, pergolas, and patio covers. All three structures can be small or expansive. Some may argue that smaller freestanding structures are considered arbors, but unless the structure is attached to a home or building it is still considered a pergola.

It is also important when determining placement, to evaluate how much sun/shade will hit it during the day, and to make sure it isn’t blocking a key view while inside the home and the continues to offer the desired view while inside the pergola.

4. Select the Materials

There are four reliable materials that are often used for building pergolas, arbors and patio covers.  The choice is based on the size, style, and purpose of your structure as well as your taste and budget. A combination of these materials also works well.

• Wood

The most commonly used material for building outdoor structures is weather-resistant wood such as cedar, redwood, mahogany, or teak. These woods are preferred as they are a sturdy, decorative, and they contain natural oils which make them resistant to rot, decay, termites, fungi, and insects as well as warping and shrinking. Regardless of the type of wood, it should still be sealed to provide extra protection against moisture from rain and dew and to reduce chipping and cracking.

• Metal

Metal is considered the most durable of the many materials used for outdoor structures. The main deterrent to using metal is rust. Galvanizing or painting the metal will impede rust and keep it looking new. Most often metal is thought of when a contemporary or minimalist look is desired, however, Parasoleil offers a unique line of architectural metal panels to filter and sculpt light that are not only engineered to withstand the elements but are profoundly artistic. They can be used to shade special architectural places and offer patterned nuance to structural detail or create visual breaks, barriers, and privacy.

• PVC or Fiberglass      

PVC is also a good option for outdoor structures. Using a thick type will provide a weather-resistant material that requires little maintenance. Fiberglass and plastic roofs are fairly inexpensive and are available in lightweight panels of different sizes that can easily be cut down to size as needed. Fiberglass may be harder to find but most fiberglass materials are made by using recycled materials so they offer the option of using a green material to your project.

• Fabric

One of the more versatile options for roofing is outdoor fabric. They offer sun protection, like other roofing options, and in addition, fabric canopies and fabric sails are a great way to add color and style to your patio. They are easy to install and remove and are just as durable as other options.  Fabrics from Sunbrella, Coolhaven, and others will not rot or mildew and are typically covered by a 10-year limited warranty.

Photo: Charlie Gibson Photography

Hammerschmidt Project

In one of our recent projects in Los Altos,  we designed a pergola with a welded metal frame, containing eight removable plexiglass panels that slide into a custom-designed metal track. Underneath the panels, a durable fabric sail was added to provide addition sun protection and reduce heat in the summer months. It is easily retractable during the winter months to allow more natural light to enter the house.

Wow Factors

Regardless of where your structure is placed, incorporating add-ons into the structure will provide a wow factor and enhance your outdoor experience. Installing up-lights and/or down-lights will make the space usable both day and night. Climbing plants or vines, growing alongside, up the columns, and over the top, soften the structure creating a more natural look. Adding a misting system—running it internally through the beams—provides cooling relief in the heat and a tropical ambiance to your backyard. To complete your outdoor room, consider mounting a TV and sound system to the design.

June Resources

Visit ShadeFX for ideas:
Best vines for pergolas and lighting ideas to illuminate your outdoor space

Better Homes and Gardens:

11 Ideas for Landscaping with a Pergola

Fine Homebuilding explains the difference between a trellis, an arbor, and a pergola.

Visit Houzz for more inspiration and examples of arbors, pergolas, vines, lighting and more.

When you think of “good design”, it is common to think of what you see when you look at a room or a product. For example, the color, style, size/proportion, and the overall feel it imparts. However, good design is also what you cannot see. Good design has a purpose even though it may not be immediately visible. It is also functional and sometimes solves a problem. It must be sustainable in that the materials must be long lasting and not just a trend. Good design is also thorough – even to the last detail.

An example of good design is how some interior designers choose to hide functional items such as air registers in a home. We connected with one of our favorite designers, Hellen Hsieh, from Design Loft in Palo Alto. On a recent tour of a spec home she designed in the Crescent Park neighborhood of Palo Alto, we were drawn to the open and airy feel and the simplicity of the room. Visually, design elements such as the pendant lighting, clearstory windows, paint and furniture colors, and the proportion of the art and mirrors all add to the ambiance of the room. However, there is one element that is not initially noticeable – an HVAC supply air register.

Hellen pointed out that the air supply grate is hidden in the custom Austrian Walnut bookshelf above the TV. Designed to match the entertainment unit below, the bookshelf features made-to-order door inserts from Light Wave Laser which hide the grates.

Visit Ann Sacks new Spring Line.

Looking for the “pop of color” in your kitchen?

What??? A black stainless steel refrigerator with a view inside without opening the door?

The new year is symbolic of new beginning and fresh resolutions. Preparing your home for the New Year is the perfect time to decide what you want to keep and what to leave behind to create space in your life and home for new opportunities.

Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”) — which literally translates to “wind and water” — is the ancient Chinese art of placement to enhance the flow of Chi (life force or spiritual energy), and to create harmonious environments that support health, beckon wealth and invite happiness. At its most basic level, Feng Shui is a decorating discipline based on the belief that our surroundings affect us.

It examines how the placement of things and objects within your home affect the energy flow in your living environment and how these objects interact with and influence your personal energy flow. Your personal energy flow affects how you think and act, which in turn affects how well you perform and succeed in your personal and professional life.

Feng Shui affects you every moment of the day — whether you’re aware of it or not.

There are two dimensions of Feng Shui: the visible and the invisible. The visible refers to everything you can see and touch, such as doors, walls, furniture, etc. The invisible refers to the life force energy (chi). Chi literally translates as “breath”, “air” and figuratively as “material energy” or “energy flow”.

Elements such as colors, sounds, and symbols, along with the arrangement of furniture and other items within the home, are instrumental in creating a pleasing indoor environment. By inhabiting a living space that has healthy chi or good energy, your own life force is enhanced and preserved.

Here are a few Feng Shui principles to help you create a home with healthy chi or good energy.

1. De-clutter your space and fix what is broken as they are both obstacles to positive chi. They do not uplift the space or its occupants creating negative Feng Shui.

2. Achieve Balance within a room by incorporating each of the five basic Feng Shui elements: Earth, Fire, Metal, Water, and Wood. These elements are the basic principles of Feng Shui and interact in specific ways, generally defined as the Productive and Destructive cycles. Each one of these elements has a unique quality of energy that is expressed in specific colors, sounds, body organs, compass directions, planets, and flavors, etc. and can be represented through textures, shapes, and colors. For instance, to incorporate the water element in a room without literally bringing it inside, incorporate dark, shiny, reflective surfaces and fabrics with wave-like patterns.

It is important to choose colors that create positive Feng Shui in specific areas of your house (unless you paint your whole house in one neutral color). For example, it is considered bad Feng Shui to have a strong presence of blue or black in the South area of your home, or too much red or fiery orange in the East area. See How to Choose the Perfect Color the Feng Shui Way and the Color Meanings in Feng Shui “Cheat Sheet” in House Beautiful.

Learn more about incorporating colors and other elements in Feng Shui Tips for a Healthy Happy Home.

3. Define the “Bagua” or Energy Map of Your Home

Feng Shui Bagua (also known as Pakua or Ba-Gua) is the Feng Shui energy map of a space. To create good energy in your home or office, create the Feng Shui Bagua of your space and balance its energies accordingly. View How To Define Your Bagua Video for an overview.

Resources

7 Feng Shui Steps To A Harmonious Home

By Rodika Tchi Feng Shui Expert

2017 PHOENIX YEAR FENG SHUI

Chinese New Year is on January 27^th.  2017 is the year of the Rooster(Phoenix) and it brings opportunities for rebirth and transformation.

In her book, The Holistic Home, Feng Shui expert Laura Benko shares her experience of giving your space—and ultimately your whole self—good healing energy.

Life Compass found on iTunes App Store. Discover favorable energies and personized insights with this unique app that combines traditional Chinese Feng Shui with modern technology.

Imagine your life…

• Restful sleep in a flow of Health Qi.
• Working in a stream of Success energy.
• Meditations supported with abundant Spiritual Growth energy.

If you entertain frequently, consider having a designated space for a bar in your home. It makes hosting company convenient as it keeps the guests refreshed and it might even help by keeping them from getting in the way of the cook.

If you decide to install a bar in your home, you have the choice between a wet or dry bar. The main difference between the two is that a wet bar, at the bare minimum, includes a sink with running water and a drain and a dry bar does not. Often a wet bar, if it is separate from the kitchen, includes a small refrigerator/freezer and a dishwasher. For a wet bar, the drink preparation area should be designed to both prepare cocktails and contain spills. And, it must have a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) installed in the electrical outlet to protect against dangerous electrical faults that could occur in drink mixers and other electrical devices. A wet bar allows for drink preparation and clean-up to be completely separate from the cooking area, however, it is more costly than a dry bar due to plumbing and electrical requirements.

A dry bar can be set-up for a party on a buffet, counter, or a table with glasses, ice, wine, beer, spirits, mixers, and garnishes, or it can be configured in your current kitchen space. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, even if you don’t have room for a sink, a dry bar can be incorporated as part of your cabinetry and electrical plans should you want a built-in refrigerator and/or dishwasher. When you plan the interior cabinets, consider slide-out drawers instead of stationary shelves or drawers. As for the cabinet doors, clear glass or frosted glass make a very attractive covering to the cabinets.

If you don’t have the cabinet space in the kitchen, alternative spaces can be used in nearby rooms. Consider converting a closet to a dry bar as pictured below.

Sutro Architects

A dry bar can also be a piece of furniture that can hold the bottles, glasses, and accessories and it can be portable which is very convenient. Visit Create and Barrel for a wide variety and styles that would complement any space.

Resources

A guide from Front + Main will help you to build your bar, from a list of must have beginner bottles to the perfect glasses and tools to help you create killer cocktails.

Looking for Tips, Tricks and Recipes for your holiday party? Check out Lou Bustamante’s book. He is the Spirits, Bar, Cocktail, and Food Writer for SF Chronicle.

Visit 1stdibs for Antique, Vintage, Art-Deco and Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars.

Visit Pottery Barn for a wonderful selection of home bar furniture. They offer bars and portable bar carts that look as good in a den or home office as in the dining area of your home. It includes options for small space and decorating pieces that look great alongside a bar, such as tall and narrow bar towers or decorative mirrors.

Need more ideas of Dry Bars? Get hooked on Pinterest!

From Sunsets blog Westphoria – Learn 3 drinks To Make the Holiday Season More Merry

When designing the perfect house, there is one area that is often overlooked –the entry/foyer of a home. The entry experience is important for a few reasons: It is a transition from the public domain of the street to your private domain of your home. It’s the “middle place” to let one adjust and ease into other rooms that may be more private. It’s the first thing you and your guests see as you enter your home. You want it to be warm and welcoming, to reflect your personal style and make you feel happy and comfortable as you walk through the door. This space sets the tone for the rest of your home.

Just as you would evaluate and design for every other room in your house, the entryway deserves just as much attention. Here are some ideas to consider.

Personalize the space. Decorative accessories, such as artwork or family portraits etc. will help to reflect your personal taste. Display a collection of mementos from your travels. Even if your space is small, you can make a large impact. Experiment with eye-catching wallpaper and bright patterns. If you’d rather keep your walls neutral, opt for a colorful hallway runner. Just make sure it is hard-wearing to accommodate this high traffic area.

Lighting here is just as important as any other room. Make the most of natural light by selecting a front door with sidelights or a transom. Installing a skylight can also make a world of difference to small spaces. Depending on the height of your ceilings a large hanging pendant or chandelier adds drama and can set the tone and style of the adjoining rooms. For larger hallways, scones and uplights are both practical and stylish and perfect for giving hallways that welcoming feel.

Storage and “drop zone” features are critical in preventing the entry from becoming a dumping ground for shoes, backpacks, coats, and all that is needed to get out the door in the morning. With a few decorative pieces, such as a side table, coat rack, or storage unit, clutter can be kept to a minimum and keep you organized. A bench is useful for putting on and taking off shoes and may offer hidden storage for out of season items.

One of our favorite entries is this beautiful one we built for this Craftsman whole house remodel in 2014. From the moment you enter, you feel welcomed and have a sense of the entire home.

Beginning with the elegant, handcrafted front door, the natural light shines through the door lights and architectural side light panels.

A hanging pendant complements the stained glass door panels and adds color and artistic interest.

Because this is the clients’ “forever” home, the hallways are extra wide creating an open, spacious feeling while allowing for “aging-in-place” in the future.

The wood floors are embellished with a simple yet pronounced design.

Placing the hutch, close to the front door provides a convenient and organized place for keys, and other items necessary for arrivals and departures for the day.

Midway down the hall, a darker trim is used to break up the space and add interest.

And finally, aside table indicates the entry into of the rest of the home and provides the perfect place to display seasonal items or personal treasures.

More photos of this project can be found on our website under Projects/Whole House Remodels/Craftsman, Campbell CA.

Resources

Stay organized as soon as you step inside, with modern entryway storage furniture at CB2. Hang up your jacket on one of their unique coat racks and keep shoes and bags tucked away in a stylish storage bench or sleek credenza. Perfect for foyers, mudrooms, and hallways, their entryway furniture and accessories will stop clutter right at the front door.

Stanford Electric Works has a great new showroom at 126 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View, just a few short minutes off the Bayshore Freeway.  They have a large selection of quality and stylish products that’s perfect for all homeowners. Find out more on their website.

Make a statement with FLOR Carpet Tiles. A modular and sustainable design process.  Customize to your heart’s content. You can get exactly what you want – the right size, the right style, one square at a time.

By Liza Riguerra

When it comes to old or unused fireplaces, there are a variety of options that will transform the space from an eyesore to a treasured focal point.

In this traditional Noe Valley home in San Francisco, we transformed the living room by dressing the inside of the fireplace with birch logs and replacing the mantel with a more distinctive one. This low-profile fireplace now makes a statement as a beautiful central feature of the room. More photos of this timeless and elegant home can be found on www.riguerradesign.com.

From the easiest to the most labor intensive, here are four ways you can give your fireplace, and thus the entire room, a brand new look.

1. Dress the inside. The easiest way to give your fireplace a facelift is to simply liven-up the empty inside space. If you don’t use your fireplace for heating or ambiance, adding a pile of logs, a plant, or a piece of art such as a sculpture can immediately make the space look more finished.
2. Paint it. It sounds so simple, yet the effects can be astonishing. A coat of paint can freshen up the whole area, breathing new life into a room. Whether you choose a subtle, neutral tone or a vibrant hue to make the area stand out, this effective method will immediately make the fireplace come to life.
3. Replace the mantel and/or the surrounding tile. While adding an inside feature or a coat of paint may be the easiest methods of updating an old fireplace, replacing the mantel or tile are two of the most effective ways to create a standout look. John Hammerschmidt agrees that re-facing a tired fireplace can make the whole room feel fresh and current. “Try a new mantle, a tile surround or even tile all the way to the ceiling,” he says. Look for a ready-made mantel or have one custom made to suit your unique taste. Either way, a new mantel or tile surround can create a dramatic, lasting change.
4. Remodel. Maybe you bought a house with a fireplace in the corner, but would prefer to have your entertainment center occupy that space. Or, perhaps you didn’t want a fireplace at all. If this is the case, you can move the fireplace to another area in the room or another room in the house, or remove the fireplace entirely. According to John, “Some people remove the existing wood-burning fireplace altogether because they want to reclaim the space that a brick and mortar fireplace takes up, or they want features that a standard fireplace can’t provide; energy efficiency, lower maintenance, air cleanliness, linearity, remote control, or a see-through option that shares the fireplace between two rooms. While removing a fireplace can be a big job and one that requires the services of a professional, it may be worth the investment to create the look you want for your home.”

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Riguerra Design is an innovative, award-winning design firm that has helped many clients create their dream homes. If you have questions about interior design, our services, or our process, please give us a call at 415.662.8882 or email us at info@riguerradesign.com.

The fodder of cocktail party conversations, everyone has had, or knows someone who has had, a horrible experience with a contractor and is happy to share it. What homeowners often don’t realize is that the traditional Design – Bid – Build process is inherently flawed and that they may have inadvertently contributed to creating their own horror story. When Lynn Hammerschmidt moved from the corporate world 18 years ago to join John in his booming remodeling company she set out to learn more about construction and before the end of the first week, she said it became clear that something was terribly wrong. Read more of Lynn’s account and find out how to download a PDF Guide on how to avoid your own remodeling horror story.

“Shocked at how poorly we were treated, we found that many customers and potential customers assumed that they were smarter than we were and gave no value to our experience in remodeling. They assumed we were trying to rip them off and that they could decide, even after they had agreed on a price, that they did not have to pay the amount to which we agreed, and that we did not need to make a profit to stay in business.

While most of our relationships with customers were not stressful, there were enough to warrant a review of how these came to be and in so doing it became clear that the whole process of remodeling was broken. Continually presented with beautifully-drawn sets of plans and asked to estimate them, we spent countless (unpaid) hours creating accurate estimates only to see the look of shock on the homeowners’ faces as we presented the estimate. They told us that they discussed their budget with the design or architecture firm who drew the plans. They asked why we were “so expensive.” When we explained that our estimate was a reflection of the cost of constructing the plans as drawn and it was not what they wanted to hear, one of three things happened:

1. the customer tried to find a contractor to do the work within their budget
2. the plans were redrawn (with a smaller scope) at additional cost and rebid or
3. the project was abandoned.

We even found statistics that showed 75% of plans are not built as drawn or never built.

We often lost projects to companies that we knew were underbidding to get the jobs – knowing they would try to make it up throughout the job with change orders, or who had bid jobs lower than we could because they did not carry appropriate liability or workers’ compensation insurances. As the “Bearer of Bad News” we were in a no-win situation. More than a few times, we got a call from a homeowner, after the fact, who said: “We wish we had chosen you, you told us the truth.” While it felt good to hear that someone realized we had been straightforward with our quotation, it didn’t change the paradigm. And, it just didn’t make sense for everyone concerned.

Download a free PDF copy of the entire article by clicking on this link 10 Lessons Learned.

If you would like to learn more about our design-build process, visit our website.

Resources

For a step-by-step consumer guide to remodeling visit NARI 

Be Inspired and collect design ideas at these home tours in August & Sept

Saturday, August 6th

Open to the public, this self-guided tour showcases the finest residential architecture in Silicon Valley. Each house on the tour is designed by a local area architect and was completed within the last five years. Houses are chosen to showcase a variety of design styles demonstrating that excellence in design is not limited by size or dollars. The dwellings feature cutting edge, modern environmentally sensitive residential design, with a focus on sustainable features that demonstrate the wealth of talent possessed by our area’s best architects.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Back by popular demand, the always-popular Dwell Home Tours makes its way back to Silicon Valley this year. This home tour provides an opportunity for design seekers to immerse themselves in “Dwell-like” domestic spaces found along the peninsula. These unique homes are specially selected by Dwell to reflect the rich diversity of livable, innovative modern architecture and design in the Silicon Valley area.

Mention the word wallpaper, and homeowners conjure up the vision of their grandmother’s flocked velvet prints and old-fashioned busy designs and remember the miserable task of having to scrape it off years later.  However, today’s wallpaper is back and better than ever and new technologies are making them easier apply and adhere better. If you’re planning on redecorating your home and not sure what to do with the walls, consider wallpaper as an option instead of or in addition to paint. With all of the new styles, graphic patterns, and gorgeous prints to choose from, one can transform an ordinary room into one with serious style.

Are you “brave” enough to try wallpaper in your home?

• If you’re not ready to commit to wallpapering an entire room, a popular way to incorporate wallpaper is to create an accent wall that infuses style and interest in your space. And in some cases, a single sheet of wallpaper can be used as an art element. In this Austin, Texas Midcentury-style home, take a look at how a bold geometric wallpaper as an accent wall transformed a formal dining room into a casual TV room.

• Affordable? Prices today run from as little as $15 to as high as $600 per roll, dependent on the paper’s material, designer, and uniqueness.

• Skill required? Although putting up wallpaper takes far more patience than skill. It definitely requires equal measures of artistic and engineering talent to assure it is assuring it is hung straight and edges are aligned. For novice wallpaper hangers, having an easy-to-match pattern will certainly reduce the complexity. If it is still more than you want to do yourself, visit Wallcovering Installers Association to find an experienced wallpaper hanger.

• As with most other elements of remodeling, the key to a flawless outcome is good preparation. Like form fitting clothes, wallpaper reveals every bump and flaw underneath, so good wall preparation is essential.

Coldwell Banker Concierge summarizes 5 Great Reasons Why New Wallpaper Beats Paint

1. More Options
2. Conceals Blemishes
3. Durability
4. Easy to Change
5. Adds an Accent

See the full article here.

Wall Paper Revival … What’s available these days?

When it comes to wallpaper styles, your options are limitless. From contemporary to traditional, a myriad of textures, metallic and animal prints, there is something for every taste. As a start, instead of wading through a mountain of wallpaper books, start by viewing manufacturer’s websites for an overview of the types of material, styles, scales and prices. Some allow you to order free or low-cost samples online. Log on and check out: abnormalsanonymous.com, kremelife.com, clarencehouse.com, brewsterwallcovering.com, seabrookwallcoverings.com, rlhome.polo.com, and waverly.com. A few more are listed in our Resource Section below.

At Anthropologie, you will find a wide range of “papers with personality.” From this simple yet elegant Golden Trellis Wallpaper ($118 Roll 27’L, 27”W Covers 60 Sq. Feet) to this Great Meadow Mural  ($548 Roll 9.75L 12.25 W Covers 119.5 Sq. Ft.) there are many artists and price point from which to choose.

For Kids or Kitchens- Chalkboard Wallpaper

Imagine letting your kids write on their walls! These Chalkboard wallpaper panels from Chasing Paper are decorative decal tiles that are simple to hang and easy to remove. These fully functional chalkboard tiles let you write, draw and erase right on them. They’re also handy in the kitchen for grocery lists- just snap a photo with your phone and you’re good to go.

Photo: Redtri.com

Other Wall Décor

Searching for something chic, functional and eco-friendly? Take a peek at these modern textured wallpapers from Inhabit Living. These 3D wall panels are lightweight and when placed together create an automatic repeat pattern to create a textured wall of any size.
Wall Flats, sold by the box, contain 10 tiles that cover 22.5 sq. ft. and run approximately $62.They can also be painted! For a quick demonstration watch their  DIY 3D Wall Panel How to Install Video.

Resources 

Budget Conscious

Yes! Even Target Online has a fun collection for the budget conscious.

Mid-Range Options

Hygge & West is a boutique wallpaper company in S.F. that has teamed-up with tableware and architectural tile master Heath Ceramics.

Flavor Paper is known worldwide for its mastery of the fine art of large format hand silk screening.

Luxury Wallcovering

Schumacher is one of the premier sources for luxury wallcoverings, fabric, and trim for custom residential projects.

Kitchen by Hammerschmidt Construction /Photo by Dave Edwards

Want to take your kitchen from great to spectacular? Consider adding a walk-in pantry. While adding a pantry may feel as if you are taking up valuable cabinet space, if it is carefully tailored to your household’s storage needs, it can add functionality and increase organization. Corner pantries are perfect for small kitchens with unused corner space. Stocking a pantry with staples can save time, money and stress in the kitchen. Tap the pantry for unexpected meals and reduce trips to the supermarket. Stocking it with frugal finds can also lower grocery costs.

Photo: Onekindesign

Storage Goals
It is recommended that you choose the style of shelving early in the design process so that shelf heights and depths for oversize goods can be incorporated into the design. The first step in the process is to make a list of the items you currently store so that your pantry can be customized to allow for oversize items and bulk storage. For example, if you need space for super-sized bags of dog food, incorporating movable bins or low drawers in the shelving designs assure everything has a place and can be accessed easily. If you buy bulk quantities of baking supplies and grains you might incorporate a shelf where you can both store and measure smaller quantities as needed.

Light and Air

Plan appropriate lighting for your pantry, just as you would any other room. Additionally, keep in mind that installation of electrical outlets is much easier in the building phase than after the fact. Having outlets in the pantry allows for of installing specialized appliances, a portable wine cooler or even for charging mini-vacs etc. If possible, planning for passive ventilation will help keep the air fresh and minimize odors.

Shelving Details

While we tend to keep this simple, the majority of the shelving that we have installed are uniform in size and are stationary. However, some might suggest that you resist the urge to use deep shelves to maximize space as it tends to promote contents being stacked and items not being used. This diagram from Everything Pantry suggests using shelves of mixed depths for maximum efficiency and adjustable shelving for flexibility.

Pantry Doors

Chalkboard Door

Panel Door with glass

Pocket Door

Barn Door

Depending on the location of your pantry, there are a variety of style options for pantry doors. If your pantry is located in a hallway or away from the kitchen, a pocket door may be an ideal, as it eliminates the space required for a swinging door and it can be left open without blocking traffic. A popular option of late, is the barn style door with a sliding track. These can be found in a variety of styles from contemporary to industrial. If your pantry is part of a smaller kitchen, a traditional panel door can be used to blend in with the rest of the cabinetry or painted an accent color which can add personality to the room. Other options that add flair and interest are doors with frosted or patterned glass panels doors with a window pane frame and clear glass panels and doors painted with chalkboard paint for grocery lists and creative drawings.

Amanda Hesser’s Best Tips for a Clean, Organized Pantry

From the perspective of a chef, Amada Hesser, an American food writer, editor, cookbook author, and entrepreneur, “Your pantry shouldn’t be a storage unit – it should be a toolkit. It’s not where you put things to keep them off your counter. It’s where you have all of your best culinary weapons at the ready to help you in the kitchen” How you design your pantry and arrange your tools should be focused on making your cooking more efficient and inspiring.”

Amanda Hesser is notably the co-founder and CEO of Food52, previously the food editor of the New York Times Magazine and winner of a James Beard award. In her March blog she offers a few tips, rules and designs from the Food52Shop.

• The ideal pantry has adjustable shelves. Add the shelves as you stock your pantry, not the other way around. This way you maximize your space.
• Buy lots of tins, containers, jars, and a set of wet-erase markers.
• Arrange by frequency of use.
• On each shelf, apply a similar level-to-us-system.
• Try to avoid stacking where possible.
• Keep dwindling supplies towards the front.

The full article can be found here.

Resources for Pantry Organization

11 Organization Tricks That Make a Pantry Feel Twice as Big

Hint #2 Add Lazy Susans!

Pantry Makeovers on Pinterest

Wallpaper your pantry

Chalkboard labels:

• Stick on many smooth surfaces K
• Removable adhesive leaves no residue
• Erasable surface for labeling with chalk

Kitchen labels:

• Stick to many kitchen containers
• Freezer and microwave oven safe
• Remove cleanly after one dishwasher cycle

Designer: John & Lynn Hammerschmidt/Photo by Charlie Gibson
Even if you don’t have room for an office, a small dedicated space in your kitchen can serve as your family’s “Command Center.” It can serve as a writing desk, high-tech hub, homework zone and first aid station. It creates the ultimate multi-tasking space!  Pay bills, sort mail, schedule appointments, and shop online all while your dinner in simmering.  Here are a few options if you are considering incorporating an office area into your kitchen:

Stand-Up Station Designer: David Raymond/Photo: Laura Moss

For folks on the run, a stand-up message center, armoire-like may be the answer. No space required for sitting and the extra bookshelves makes good use of space. With a corkboard backsplash and open bookshelves recessed on all three sides, provides immediate access to binders, calendars, and everything one might need to get out door in the morning.

The Convertible Photo: Shenandoah Cabinetry

Requiring a little more space, is this desk situated at the end of a long countertop. Close to the action but out of the working triangle, the beauty of this layout is that it can also be used as a buffet, or to prep food or roll out a pie crust, by just stowing the office supplies in the drawers. The counter top is high enough to function as a standard kitchen counter, or a counter-height stool can be used for seated tasks.

Mighty Movable Desk

To add an office area to an existing kitchen, a mobile desk is a good way to experiment. It can also transform into an impromptu bar or buffet for entertaining!

Looking for more kitchen office ideas? Homedit Interior Design & Architecture’s article, 20 Clever Ideas To Design A Functional Office In Your Kitchen, will convince you that an empty wall, small table, and a comfortable chair are all you need to incorporate an office into your kitchen.

Design Tips

* To coordinate the style, you can use the same table legs used at the nearby island.

* Designers generally recommend a desk height of 28 to 30 inches and a     knee-hole depth of 25 inches.

* A desk “backsplash” made of custom corkboard, chalkboard or dry-erase board keep communication organized. Visit Pinterest for unique bulletin boards creations.

RESOURCES

Kitchen Office Organization

Specializing in storage and organization solutions

The Container Store features elfa storage and organization systems which function beautifully in the kitchen!

From Meredith@unOriginalMom Creating a Command Center that Works for Your Family