5 Kitchen Cabinet Handles You Need to Know About

5 kitchen Cabinet Handles You Need to Know About

Kitchen handles and knobs and finding the right fit for your style and your home may be more important than you think. They’re about beauty and functionality and can provide the perfect finish to your kitchen space as well as make access to your cabinets and drawers effortless and convenient.With all the thousands of styles and materials used, there are 5 handles to look out for and consider adding to your kitchen.

Stainless steel bar pull

Great for a modern kitchen, the pull bar is sleek and may work perfectly for the minimalist. The round shapes of the bar give a contrast to the 90-degree shape of the cabinets and drawers. Easy to grab and soft to the touch. Be wary of the length of the pull- you’ll want something on the lengthier side, again for easy grip, this also lends itself to design.

Crisscross rope

A trend which has come about is the use of rope crisscrossed to shape a pull. The look definitely lends itself to a more rustic, earthy kitchen design. It provides a beautiful and original look. Bare in mind the grip may be a nuisance and depending on the finish/protectant on the rope, it may wear easily. Being rope though, it is easily replaceable.

The gold bar

Going gold can give your space elegance and class. The colour provides enough oomph to be the accent colour and can be used throughout the space, contrasted with more simple colours that aren’t loud. White cabinets with turquoise or periwinkle and gold accents work brilliantly. A gold bar may not be the best option if you have little ones running around. Being on cabinets and drawers, the sharp corners become a potential hazard for head bonks.

Don’t forget the knobs

Kitchen cabinet knobs are important to consider for your space. While some folk find them more of a hassle for everyday use due to a lesser grip (depending on the knob), there is a huge variety of styles and shapes that you may fall in love with. For a more artsy space, porcelain knobs with floral or abstract patterns can become the main attraction in the kitchen.  A square, wooden knob works for a more rustic or modern space.

The cup handle

Cup handles can come in various metals and materials. They provide an easy grip, give an aesthetic of elegance and work well with almost all kitchen styles. Take into consideration the hand to cup size ratio of the household. Sometimes they can be too small for some members of the house to grab on to so make sure they are a decent size. Copper cup handles to give your space an exquisite and unique touch.Figure out which pull or knob works best for your lifestyle and needs when considering functionality. Always remember comfort, finish and don’t break the bank getting the perfect look. There is more often than not something for you in all styles.

5 Dog Friendly Garden Features

When it comes to dogs, what they find appealing doesn’t quite match up with what we do.Here are a few ideas for outdoor dog friendly features and designs that will delight both you and your pooch.

5. Keep the water flowing

A fantastic feature to add to your garden is a small fountain or pond. This is great for you aesthetically, it’s peaceful to listen to and your dog will always have water to drink. Be sure to keep the water clean. It will be hugely beneficial to have a feature that has a system which processes and cleans the water and then refuses it. Maybe give the fish a skip if you're worried your fish pets may turn into dog sushi.

4. Available shade and shelter

Your favourite tree can provide beauty to your garden as well as a spot for your dog to rest and cool down under. Tarps can also add a bohemian look to your outdoor space and will benefit everyone lounging outside on a warm day.

3. Add some paths

Dogs love to explore and wonder, they also make use of paths brilliantly. Create a path that both you and your dog can enjoy. Be sure to use comfortable materials! Use materials that won’t overhead and burn your dogs paws or catch onto its fur. Mulch and small bark chips make for a natural and easy to create path.

2. Safety first

Of course always bare in mind your dogs safety. Go for a fence that lends itself to your personal style, ties all elements of your garden together and provides a safe space for your dog to roam around in. Try a white picket fence if you’re going for a cottage look or sleek horizontal boards for a more contemporary look.

1. Something just for them

Granted your dog doesn’t bark at every little sound or falling leaf, one can give him or her their own personal window in a fence to peak out of. Or perhaps you’re aware of what your dog enjoys during play time, create a play area designed specifically for them. Make use of plants and hardscaping to create obstacles to weave through, to balance on or tunnels to roam through.*Remember to always know which plants can be fatal if ingested by your dog.The possibilities are endless when thinking up a space for both you and your furry friend. Create a beautiful space that works for both you and for them. 

8 Amazing Outdoor Trends for 2019

Outdoor is the new indoor when it comes to trending out your space. Having an outside space that allows peace, tranquillity and aesthetics is what it’s all about. Here are a few outdoor trends to incorporate in to your outside space.

8. Traditional craft, new materials and durable fabrics

Combine the new with the old while making sure the materials are both eco-friendly, attractive and durable. What used to be seen in your living room, outdoor design is adapting. This allows you to create an extension of your home with a different dynamic.

7. Mixed materials

It’s the year to incorporate a little bit of everything. Expect to see combinations of rope, timber, metal and upholstery in 2019- think powder-coated metal frame with rope detail and an earthy fabric. The same effect will be created by using gracefully aged and contemporary materials.

6. Entanglement with nature

Another trend into your 2019 outdoor makeover is the contrasting pairing of nature with hardscape instillation. A great example of this the use of porcelain pavers spaced out with strips of grass to create a checker-board or stepping stone pattern.

5. Chunky timber

Expect to start seeing furniture design that uses chunky timbers. Whether it be in tables, side tables or sofas- timber is making its way into 2019’s outdoor must haves.

4. Modular sofas

Modular sofas are great for both indoor and outdoor spaces. They’re multi-functional and easy to move around and can therefore adapt to suit your changing design needs and wants.

3. Neutral colours

Minimalism has reached popularity around the world and for a great reason. Have only what you use and need. This way of life has encouraged a growing use of more neutral colours. These colours provide more light and air. Giving a calm, clean feel to your space. These colours also contrast beautifully with the colours naturally present in the outdoors.

2. Powder coated aluminium

Another element that provides contrasting effects that compliment each other is powder coated aluminium. The industrial look combined with neutral colours from your furniture and decor and that which nature provides is definitely the thing to add to your outside area this year.

1. Blurring transitions

A great trend to take note of is the blurring transitions between indoor and outdoor. This is accomplished with fully folding walls and screens that allow (for example) a family room to open up seamlessly to your outdoor area. This is also happening with kitchen areas which can open up to the outdoors at the flick of a switch.One of the beauties of design is that it is ever evolving. These points are a great start to your design year and we’re excited to see what else is to come.

How to Feng Shui Your Kitchen

Feng shui and funk out your kitchen- making it more enjoyable to be in for the time spent in there entertaining guests or cleaning, doing the dishes and cooking every day meals. Here's some tips on how to feng shui your kitchen.

Never forget the triangleAs mentioned in a previous blog. The work space triangle is of utmost importance in keeping a flow in the kitchen. Be sure to have a triangle layout that goes from the sink to the fridge to the stove.Light it up!Once your basic layout is accomplished, lighting comes next. Use warm lights for your kitchen (for anywhere in the house really). Bright LED lights tend to be quite blinding and will leave you feeling like you’re in a hospital. You and your guests will quickly be put off wanting to dive in to a feast.Down lights or can lights are neat and can be positioned to shine down on particular parts of the room, creating ambience. Also creating ambience and aesthetic are lights placed underneath cabinets. This brings a certain inviting, warm glow from kitchen.

Good Chi energy

Have good chi energy by making sure everything in your kitchen works. Going in to your kitchen knowing the proverbial world is your oyster and you’re able to finish what you started is satisfying, means less stress and will result in the want to create more or be happier in your space.

Put like with like

Organise like and like items together in the same vicinity. Not only does it create a better flow but it makes your life a lot easier when utilising the kitchen.

Colour it in

Studies have shown that yellows and reds increase appetite. Your kitchen, however, is not a McDonald’s.While warm colours are the way to go, use these colours as accent colours, whether it be in appliances, counter stools or hand towels or cutting boards. Calmer colours (no white!) for bigger areas will create an overall calming feel while the complementary accent colours will entice and invite.

Fire, water, metal, earth and...

Balancing the elements in your kitchen means having a bit of everything and adding what is needed. If your kitchen already has the afore mentioned elements, add some wood! Wooden flooring or even things as simply as a wooden bowl or a plant or even a picture of these things will tie it all together. If you already have wood in the kitchen, pick the missing element and find an accent piece to finish it all off.

Artwork

Artwork is good for anywhere in the house but artwork in the kitchen is vital. Tasteful and, sometimes, kitchen- related artwork will create feng shui. Artwork is pleasing to the eye and brings comfort to bare walls. An added bonus is if you, yourself are an artist- it’s the perfect gallery to display your work.Be mindful of your space and keep your kitchen clean in order to perfect the perfect feng shui for your personality and your kitchen.

Is your Kitchen a Bermuda Triangle? How to Keep Your Kitchen Organised

Kitchens are kind of like babushka dolls. In one area/room we have other compartments forthings, in those compartments we put other things and so on and so forth. We always anticipateneeding more space. More space for our things can mean more space in our heads.When we don’t have a choice as to what size our kitchen area will be, whether it be indoor oroutdoor, we have to make do. And believe it or not in this case, less can be more.Here we have a few simple tips and tricks to keep your kitchen space organised and flowing:

Be mindfulBe mindful.. period but when it comes to the kitchen be mindful that everything needs a spot. Ifyou’ve picked it up from somewhere to use, make sure it goes back there. For some people thiscomes naturally, for others not so much. If you’re part of the not-so-much group. Put a little extracare into knowing where each item’s home is.

Be logicalIf your mugs are near the cleaning supplies, well, you’re in for a frustrating and potentiallyhazardous time. Generally, kitchens are laid out to assist you in this. If not, do your best to haveitems in their designated groups. For example, have the mugs above the coffee machine, thetoaster near the spreads and the cutlery within reach of all of this. This creates a better flow andis more convenient.

Be in the flowOn that note, flow in the kitchen area comes in the form of an invisible triangle. The “kitchenwork triangle” means that if you had to draw a line from your refrigerator to your stove, to yourwashing up area/sink, you would have drawn a triangle. This concept is used to determineefficient kitchen layouts that are both aesthetic and functional. Some of us do not have theluxury of having a room that allows this triangle flow and in that case, logic as mindfulnessprevail.Leave out the packaging and condense your goodsMason jars play a huge part in keeping an organised kitchen by keeping storage aestheticallypleasing and in unison. This looks neater but most importantly, you’re cutting back onunnecessary packaging. Which brings me to...

Reduce, reuse, recycleThey weren’t kidding when they came up with this. Not only for your own living situation is thisbetter, cleaner and actually more convenient but to be captain obvious, it does a great deal forthe environment.

At the end of the day. If everything has a well thought out, permanent place- there is less spaceto fuss with and less of an area to clean.

Creative Ways to Store Books in Your Kitchen

Sure, recipes can be Googled. But there's nothing quite like cracking the spine of an old family cook book! With recipes being so readily available online, you might think people aren't even buying cookbooks anymore. A 2017 article from the Huffington post exclaims, just how un-dead cookbooks are.

“A modern way to think of cookbooks ― and this is the way I tend to think of them ― is to think of them as a book. A book you’ll want to read; a book that has a story; a book that might evoke emotion in you; or that might provoke you; or that might challenge you; or that might ask you questions about society and culture; and cause you to question some things that you didn’t think about before,”

So, without further adieu, here are some creative ways to store books in your kitchen.

Rack em' up!

Turn your spice rack into a book shelf. Use what's already there, slap a lick of paint on it and voila! You have a new book shelf for all your favourite recipe books.

Keep it old school

I love these vintage Pepsi crates. You could easily whip one up yourself or you can grab one off of eBay. They look great in the kitchen and give you extra storage space for your cookbooks (or anything else really!)

Book basket

These can be hooked up to the wall or placed on the benchtop if you have the space. For traditional kitchen styles, use a wicker or material basket and for a more modern look try a metal basket.

Use the unused

Use any unused storage areas or shelving spaces. Try the cutting board shelf for the minimalist look.

Custom made

If you're a real cook book fan and have the space. HeyBluey woodworking, an Adelaide based carpentry business, makes some great shelves. If you're looking for custom made furniture we can help with that too!

Got any creative cook book storage ideas? Feel free to share them in the comments below!

Camper Van Kitchens

Happiness is...going away in your camper van. We love kitchens. And we love camper vans. So we're sharing the inspiration! Renovated a camper van? We'd love to hear from you! Comment below with your experience.

VW Camper Van Kitchen

It's unusual for a camper van kitchen to be placed at the front end of the car - but it totally works. The kitchen is warm, homely and functional with a chimney kettle and stove, mini basin, bench top and shelf. Minimalism at its best. See the full camper van here.

Pull Out Kitchen

A camper van pull out kitchen takes cooking outdoors to a whole new level. This more traditional looking camper van kitchen has a good amount of storage space, a stove top and oven. An oven is a massive perk for a camper van kitchen. Stove tops are great, but boiled rice and pasta gets boring pretty fast. An oven allows you roast veggies and make pizzas. Enough said!

Sprinter Van Kitchen

This quaint and traditional looking kitchen is compact with plenty of cupboard space and a bath sink for dishes or food prep. It has a two pot stove top and has been finished with some decorative tiles/splash back.

VW Cosy Kitchen

Surf's up and dinner is on in this warm and natural looking camper kitchen. Wide drawers supply plenty of storage space and the clever condiment holders allow a spacious bench top. This kitchen is complete with a neat basic and two hob stove top.

4x4 Sprinter Van Kitchen

Bear Foot Theory follow Kristen Bors on her adventures in her camper van. She converted her 4x4 Sprinter Mercedes into a practical, modern and super cool home. You can see the full tour of her van here. Or watch the video below. Her kitchen is modern and practical with a large basin and goose neck tap, two hob stove top, plenty of storage place and a fridge. I love the drawer knobs that you press in so the drawers don't slam open when driving.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R43D6xhUpVo[/embed]

Making an Environmentally Friendly Kitchen

Your kitchen is the one area of your home where you can make a real difference to the planet. Changing small habits can lead to big changes and your kitchen is a good place to start. Here are some tips on making an environmentally friendly kitchen.

Start From Scratch

If you're a new home owner or renovating your kitchen, start by using environmentally friendly building materials. Bamboo, recycled timber or stone are just some of the materials that are kinder to the environment.

Clean Green

Avoid using harsh cleaning products in your kitchen. Instead, use homemade cleaning products. Mix up a bit of white vinegar, bi-carb and lemon in a spray bottle as a multi-purpose cleaning solution that works wonders and is environmentally friendly.

READ: BBQ Cleaners You Didn't Know About

Energy Saving Appliances

Where possible, invest in energy saving appliances. They will reduce your energy bill and impact on the environment. Check the energy rating on your washer, dishwasher, dryer and/or fridge to determine its energy efficiency. You can read more about the star ratings your white appliances should have here or read the summary below.

• Dishwasher- 3.5 or more
• Washers or dryers - 3.5 for energy and 4 for water
• Hot water systems - 5 star
• Fridges and freezers - at least 3.5

Essentials Only

Probably the easiest and most convenient way to save the planet is to stop buying in excess or buying things you don't need. This goes for everything in hour household. Avoid purchasing appliances that you'll just never use - ice cream and popcorn makers, smoothie makers, blenders. These are just some items that often sit and collect dust in the kitchen. Clear out your kitchen, keeping only what is absolutely essential for day to day living.

READ: Tips on Creating a Minimalist Kitchen

Recycle

Install recycling bins in your kitchen cupboards or designate areas where you can conveniently recycle your waste. Use food scraps for composting in your own garden or for your green bins.

Reduce Food Waste

Meal prepping on a Sunday for the week helps reduce the amount of last minute takeaway meals that add to your waste heap. Freeze food that you know you won't eat in a couple days and find some quick and easy recipes you can make use of for last minute meals.