Home Kitchen

Modern house plans and contemporary architectural house features

If you are looking for modern home plans, there are many different types of plans you can consider. The contemporary architectural features you want will be unique to your own needs, but will be very different from the traditional features of the home. Contemporary homes have been popular since the mid-20th century and are influenced by postmodern and neo-eclectic design elements. You can usually identify contemporary homes and modern designs by tall windows, unique shapes, and other architectural features.

When you inspect contemporary architectural design features for inclusion in your modern home plans, there are many different things to look for. You can usually spot these homes with contemporary features by looking for stone or wood exterior materials, minimal ornamentation, and tall, irregularly shaped windows. The exterior design of these homes takes a minimalist approach, and landscaping is generally used to create the curb appeal of the home, as the design is very minimal. Finding the best features for your home will include inputting these different design elements and determining which ones will give you the look you want for your modern home design.

Interior features of modern home plans that feature contemporary architecture include things like:

– Open floor plans

– High ceilings or high ceilings

– Exposed beams, gabled roofs

– Crown moldings

– Ceramic or wood tile floors

– Craft materials

– Gourmet kitchen designs

– Marble, stainless steel and concrete countertops.

Of course, the contemporary design features you choose for your modern home will depend on your specific tastes, but these are the types of elements you can expect to see in most home plans that fall under modern and contemporary home design. . The goal here is function and style above all else, and traditional features and kitschy designs are not present at all in these homes.

Clean lines and natural colors are other contemporary design features that will likely be in your modern home plans. Creating a contemporary and modern home is a wish of many people because the style is so popular. It offers something different from traditional house styles and allows people to have a more impressive and architecturally unique house for their needs. The décor you choose for your home must match the design features and architectural details, if you want to achieve a truly modern and contemporary look. These are things to keep in mind when looking for architectural design plans.

Home Kitchen

Range hoods clear smoke

If you live in a home where your smoke detector serves as a dinner bell, it may be time to choose one of the many new range hoods available.

There are times when cooking produces smoke. That smoke is usually a mixture of burned food, fat, water vapor, and other chemicals that should not be breathed in. To quickly remove that smoke from the room, an extractor hood provides ventilation to the outside or through a filtration system.

When high-fat foods are fried, particles from previous batches of foods often remain in the oil. When oil is heated, these particles can burn and release smoke into the air. The range hood can effectively remove such smoke from the air.

If your recipe calls for burning meat, you know the problems with smoke the process can cause. If you turn on the fan before you start cooking, that meat can be perfectly seared without filling the house with smoke.

Despite our best efforts, there are times when cooking when we have spills or spills. If those spills or boils hit the stove’s heating element, they can create some very unpleasant odors and smoke. Turn on that trusty fan on the hood and odors are eliminated in no time.

Have you ever had a spill in the oven? The spill may have occurred last week without our realizing it ever happened. However, fire up that oven today and the smoke will come out the door. The cooker hood comes to the rescue once again.

The cooker hoods are made of sheet metal. They can be ventilated or not ventilated. The vented style is connected to a large duct that leads to the exterior of the house. Smoke and cooking odors are extracted with a fan and dissipated into the air. These hoods require access to the outside from the kitchen.

A ventless range hood has a filtration system that removes smoke and odors from the air. Clean air is returned to the room.

Breathing smoke is not good for humans. There are chemicals in all smoke that can cause cancer and respiratory problems. A range hood is an effective way to remove smoke from the air in your home. Be sure to use your range hood whenever there is smoke in the kitchen. You will breathe better for it.

Home Kitchen

Convection Oven Recipe: Stuffed Rolled Flank Steak

A great side to the stuffed rolled skirt steak would be penne pasta with marinara sauce.

This recipe serves 5-6

The ingredients for the stuffed rolled skirt steak are:

2 teaspoons pink, green, or black peppercorns (or a combination)

Half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and finely chopped

flank steak (about 1 3/4 lb.)

Preparing the steak:

1. Crush the peppercorns with a mortar. If you don’t have a mortar, you can use the bottom of a glass. The steak calls for coarsely crushed peppercorns, so don’t overdo it. Put the crushed peppercorns in a small bowl and mix them with the cheese and tomatoes.

2. Rinse and dry the skirt steak. After that, you need to trim the fat; Not only does this make the steak healthier, it also helps keep the meat firm, helping it retain its shape after stuffing. Lay the steak flat on a board and start spreading the pepper, cheese and tomato mixture over the meat. Make sure you do this evenly. Begin to roll the steak into a tight log, with the filling in the center. Use cotton thread to tie the log at two-inch intervals. Wrap everything in plastic and then put it in the fridge for up to a day to help it set.

3. The next step in preparing a stuffed rolled skirt steak is to brown the steak. To do this, you need to heat a 10 to 12-inch skillet. Make sure you get one with an oven-safe handle. When skillet is hot, unwrap steak and place in skillet, brown evenly on all sides. This will take 3 to 4 minutes.

4. After the meat is browned, place the skillet with the steak in a 400 degree convection oven. Bake the steak until the center of the meat is 135 degrees (medium raw). This will take between 45 and 50 minutes. You can alter the baking time of the stuffed rolled skirt steak depending on how you want it.

5. Let the steak rest for about 5 minutes on a cutting board. Remove the strings and discard them. Serve the stuffed rolled flank steak by cutting the log crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices.

Home Kitchen

Cabinet Repair Cost Compared To New Replacement Cabinets

Cabinet lining can be done in both residential and commercial settings. All cabinets can be clad (wood, laminate, thermofoil, even MDF). Worn and outdated cabinets can easily be transformed into rich cherry, maple, walnut, walnut, and alder cabinets in a variety of door styles and finishes including paints, enamels, and distressed finishes. Cabinet siding will transform any outdated kitchen into a modern custom kitchen at half the cost of new cabinets.

The renovation process involves replacing the old doors and drawer fronts with new completely overlapping doors and drawer fronts for a modern and updated look. Four and six berth doors are also available to accommodate glass inserts. In some cases, specialty glass, such as stained glass, can be reused on new doors. Cabinet boxes generally stay in place, which is environmentally friendly and preserves existing countertops. Home and business owners often have expensive granite countertops or hard surfaces that they want to preserve. However, preserving existing countertops is often not an option when installing new replacement cabinets.

During the cabinet lining process, a matching genuine wood veneer is applied to the outer frames of the cabinet. Veneer is very expensive and has been used in the production of fine wood furniture and musical instruments for hundreds of years and will last for many years. To ensure proper adhesion of the veneer, the cabinet frames are thoroughly cleaned and abraded and commercial water-based adhesive is applied to both surfaces, the veneer and the cabinet frames. Ask your aftermarket contractor to use an environmentally friendly, low-VOC water-based adhesive to reduce the odor and fire hazards associated with solvent-based adhesives. As a final step in the siding process, the edges of the interior three-quarter-inch cabinet frame are painted with coordinated commercial paint to seal the edges of the paneling and provide a professional appearance; make sure your siding contractor includes this important step.

Since cabinet frames are the least attractive part of cabinets, when repairing it is important to use completely overlapping doors and drawer fronts. The overlap affects the amount of cabinet frame that remains visible after installing the new doors and drawer fronts. Full overlap means that there is very little cabinet frame around each door and drawer front (one-quarter to three-eighths of an inch compared to two inches with standard overlap doors and drawer fronts), creating a modern look and seamless for upgraded cabinets. Additionally, the exposed end panels, including the oversized refrigerator, island, and peninsula panels are covered with matching quarter-inch flat wood paneling or three-quarter-inch solid wood full-overlay decorative panels. for a high-end custom look.

Most of the features available in new cabinets are also available in the cabinet skin. Concealed soft-close hinges, replacement drawer boxes and drop-down trays with full-extension soft-close glides, pivoting lazy susans in blind corners, and full-extension soft-close trash can units are just a few of the many features available in the lining of cabinets. To further personalize the renovation project, solid wood trim, including top crown molding, light valance (bottom crown molding), corbels, table legs, and bead board can be added to the renovation project. Below are many of the standard features included in cabinet siding projects:

1) Full overlay, solid wood doors and drawer fronts (avoid vinyl and thermofoil doors and drawer fronts, which are less expensive and standard, if possible)

2) Concealed soft-close door hinges

3) Matching real wood veneer for closet frames

4) Quarter inch wood end panels and matching skid plates

5) Matching solid wood trim including decorative base trim for exposed bottom panels

6) New cabinet hardware (knobs, handles and pulls)

7) Commercial silicone bumpers to protect new doors and drawer fronts.

8) Removal of old doors, drawer fronts and trim

As a bonus, some US cabinet manufacturers also offer replacement doors, drawer fronts, and trim in addition to new cabinets, allowing home and business owners to add new cabinets to their renovation project. A new utility or pantry unit, a new pull-out trash unit, a new drawer unit, or even all new 42-inch top wall cabinets can easily be added to your renovation project. New cabinets are typically installed during the five-day renovation process. Best of all, your friends will think you spent thousands of dollars more than you.

Home Kitchen

Create stylish home interiors with gorgeous wall tiles and forget about paintings

When you want to set up colorful environments, traditional painting may not be enough now that ethereal wall tiles are so common. Along with the color, you get modern or classic styles with great patterns and textures. Choose from an infinite variety for the tile of your dreams.

Canyon Cream Dekora Porcelain Panels

Go for surprises and tiles are not limited to kitchens and bathrooms. The tile accent wall in the living room or dining room would wow the guests every time. Canyon Cream Dekora Porcelain mimics rural natural stone and the shades of gold and beige are truly eye-catching. Certainly, you can’t get as much depth and texture on walls with paint.

Taupe Brick Stone Porcelain

Go modern or classic, Taupe Brickstone Porcelain fits both and how. The textures are deep and the interest is high. Farmhouse kitchen backsplashes and modern living room accent walls, the brick look will never fade, unlike paint. Also practical solutions that are quite easy to maintain.

Porcelain Series Dimensions

(With Dimensions series in glacier porcelain, graphite and gray)

Some damp areas around the house, like kitchens and bathrooms, cannot tolerate paint, while smooth backsplash tiles would fit in well. Graphic patterns must be very attractive. Dimensions Glacier, Graphite and Gris porcelain tiles create the modern look and feel that paint cannot. Although tiles look expensive, they will last longer than paint and provide good value for money in the long run.

Mixana Kenzzi porcelain

The tiles are full of happy surprises like the Kenzzi collection, of which the Mixana mosaic is part. Decades of dynamic performance are guaranteed with little maintenance or replacement expense. Available in 7×8 beige and gray hexagons, the wall expresses so much that it is fresh and smart with this tile.

Porcelain Brina Kenzzi

If you prefer black, gray and white, what you are looking for is the Brina Porcelain, from the Kenzzi collection. It feels classy and adapts to your needs, while paint can’t mean that much. This tile accentuates walls rather than just blending in and makes powerful statements.

Faux brick and faux concrete and wood surfaces, along with many more, you should go for some smart wall tile options for your next project! See many more examples of geometric wall tile ideas. By comparison, paint has limited use or variety.

Home Kitchen

Options in white kitchen cabinets

White kitchen cabinets are a versatile option for every home’s kitchen. When it comes to cabinets, they are an important part of every room, be it a bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. They are not only intended to increase usability and store things, but also complement the room.

Kitchen cabinets can be available in many types, styles, and designs. You can get the most luxurious ones for your kitchen but like many people, you will get tired of seeing them. There are not many people in this world who can afford to remodel their kitchens every year. Therefore, it is wise to select a design for your kitchen cabinets that can be pleasing to the eye all the time.

White kitchen cabinets are always the best option. These glazed or aged cabinets can look amazing. The key is to keep them and make sure they complement the kitchen. Take a look at the kitchen cabinet options available:

Wood and Cream:
Wood textured cream kitchen cabinets can look really amazing. The wood effect can make the kitchen look spacious and warm.

White and light green:
White can be combined with any color. Although white alone can look great too, but if another color is used in combination, it can be an additional addition to the kitchen. Pale green would be perfect in combination with white.

Pink walls and white cabinets:
Wall paint can also be a complementary factor for your kitchen. Pink walls and white cabinets can look fabulous. The pink wall is a light color shade that will make the kitchen look spacious. Also, if you put in some nice accessories like colored vases, you can make the kitchen look fabulous again. Those with glass door fronts should go for this idea easily.

Contemporary white:
If you just want your kitchen to look classy without anything cheesy, contemporary white is the best option. With high-quality furniture, it will be ideal to make your kitchen a charming place. Stainless steel countertops with contemporary white cabinets can look really shiny.

White cabinets and appliances:
Installing white appliances with white cabinets can be a great idea. Now, what can be your white appliances? It could be your dishwasher, pendant lights over the kitchen cabinet, white lanterns, or even a white refrigerator. This will make the place look warm and spacious.

There are many other options to do with white kitchen cabinets. The key is to always make the kitchen look as stylish as possible. However, don’t make decisions that may look good for a short period of time. This can be unfortunate in the end. Those who are planning to remodel their kitchens should go for this option. It can be much more affordable than buying new cabinets. You can also paint your old cabinets. This will be a profitable remodeling idea. Even those who are preparing their home can select white kitchen cabinets. These cabinets will never age. The trend for white cabinets was created a long time ago. Therefore, you can easily select this idea without worrying about durability. Personalize the kitchen as per your choice by completing it with various decor pieces along with the white cabinets.

Home Kitchen

If it sounds too good to be true, what do you think?

I seem to have reached a point in life where I have a hard time accepting the premise that when something sounds too good to be true, it is almost certainly too good to be true. However, it may not be related to age, but is ingrained in our DNA; we want more for less, something for nothing, always looking for the deal of the century. Later living to regret it.

Every day I am bombarded with countless advertisements and emails offering everything from useful gadgets to fabulous furniture, brand new kitchens or bathrooms, all at ridiculously low prices. As much as I try to avoid even glancing at these limitless offerings, my fingers are not paying attention to my brain. Taking on a life of its own, they click to open all the offers that have managed to avoid my spam or junk folder. And every time I succumb to the allure of the must-have LED flashlight with built-in can opener, which is “cheap at half the price,” I am disappointed once again. Why am I not learning?

I saw a young woman on TV who wrecked her car, whom I had named BRAD (while insured by a company we should switch to immediately). I think he took their agreement and created a website by the name of Brad that offers great DEALS, but only if you act very quickly. Most of these things are too good to be true or too cheap to be good. But that doesn’t stop us. I bought an outdoor furniture set (some assembly required); six chairs and two footrests, guaranteed not to rust for one year. I am too embarrassed to reveal how low the price was. Assembly took two full days, after a two-week wait for the missing parts to be shipped from California. Rust started 31 days after initial delivery. Company policy: 30-day return. I reported that I was out of luck with the return, but since the warranty was valid for one year, I was able to send the assembled chairs back to California (fine print: at my expense) for a replacement. After calculating that shipping the chairs assembled would cost three times the initial cost of the product, I now live with the rust.

But did I learn? Apparently not much, although my resistance to these offers is gradually increasing. And speaking of construction, the same goes for remodeling. Ads for incredibly low priced cabinets and countertops are popping up everywhere. Often times, cabinets and counters are imported from abroad, in countries where they have no scruples or standards. We have no way of knowing what harmful chemicals these products contain and what dangerous gases will permeate our home environment once they are installed. But by then, it’s too late, the damage is done, and we’re pushing daisies (which never grew because we ordered them from a cheap mail order catalog).

Common sense: There is a legitimate price range for any product or project, so beware of absurd offers that don’t seem plausible. Every time I’ve succumbed to the deal of the century, whether it’s a lawn chair or a new computer program that will fix everything, I regret it. As attractive as low offers are, especially when paired with big promises, they should raise a red flag.

Do your research! Check reviews and references and use your common sense! In the case of remodeling, be sure to select a qualified company for your project, whose business and financial capabilities, past performance and reputation ensure that they will do a good job, with products that will perform as promised. I’m not saying you can’t find bargains, but remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and you may end up living with rust.

Home Kitchen

Why laminate countertops?

In the past, choosing a countertop for your home was a fairly straightforward process as the options were limited. However, today’s homeowner is faced with many options and will have to spend some time determining what best suits their needs, style, and most importantly, budget. But what might surprise many is that the laminate countertops of yesteryear are still available, but advancements in technology and design have made them a more practical option than ever.

For many, the idea of ​​laminate countertops is unwelcome as they think of those boring and cheap countertops from their childhood. In fact, a study by the National Builders Association found that only 25% of first-time home buyers would consider a home with laminate countertops. Why? Because what comes to mind are the worn colors and the kitchen look of the 70s and 80s! However, like many other things within home countertops, they have come a long way, especially when it comes to laminate.

So why are laminate countertops making a comeback? Here are some reasons:

  • Pricing: Priced at $ 40 or less per square foot, most in the $ 10 to $ 15 range installed, it offers significant savings over other materials.
  • Durability – While they may not last for centuries like some natural surfaces, laminate can last for several years.
  • Changeability – When you have granite, marble or other stone countertops, it is difficult and expensive to change them if you get tired of them or they get damaged. Laminate lends itself to updates, repairs, and even creates a look of its own.
  • Attractive: Old-school laminate rarely attracted attention. All the sheets looked similar and the colors didn’t seem natural. Today the colors are richer, available in a wider range of colors and can now be installed with the same beautiful edge that natural stone has.
  • Installation – Of all the countertop options, this is one of the simplest and fastest to install, in fact, the process is simple enough that many people choose to do it as a DIY project. Better yet, you don’t have to remove the existing laminate covering, if you want to install a new look directly onto an old surface.
  • Maintenance: no fancy cleaners needed. You only need a damp cloth and a basic cleaner.

Don’t feel pressured to go for a surface that might not be within your budget. With the beauty and durability of laminate, you can have a kitchen or bathroom that pleases both the eye and the bank. Talk to a countertop specialist today to learn more about how choosing laminate can give you the look you want at a price you can smile about.

Home Kitchen

Stainless steel railing

The basic elements of a stainless steel railing system are the posts (square or round), the top railing, and the infill. Common fill options are stainless steel cable, glass variations, or stainless steel bars. Other needs include base covers for the posts, post-mounted handrail brackets for mounting the top rails, and end caps or wall returns for the top rails.

Stainless steel railings are available in many shapes and sizes. The most common designs are square and round. While each style provides a modern touch, each offers its own individual characteristics. Square tubes are typically referred to as a very contemporary design, while round tubes are considered for a wider selection of applications.

A unique design can be achieved by pairing a round post with a square top rail and vice versa. The mix and match of post and top rail combinations along with various infill options offers consumers a wide variety of options when choosing a stainless steel rail system for their home, office or business.

Glass infill is a great option for maintaining a flawless appearance on an outdoor deck, balcony, or gazebo. The glass railing will create an invisible barrier that won’t obscure a phenomenal view. Glass is available in different shades, thicknesses, and even patterns. Glass and stainless steel railings do not require a top railing, but it is possible to mount one with post-mounted railing brackets. A top rail in a glass railing system frames the glass panels and offers a nice finished look.

Glass panels can often be expensive depending on the type of glass used. A more cost-effective option is wire or cable filler. Cable systems are very easy to install and require little attention over time. After initial installation, the cables may need to be retensioned after they have had time to settle. Beyond a quick retensioning, they are very easy to care for. While glass panels require regular cleaning to maintain a clear and perfect view.

Another option is the railing of the bar system. Bar systems offer a unique aesthetic. The bars can only be used with square posts because the accessories needed to mount the bars are square and flat. Due to the square posts required, the bar system is a very contemporary design that suits very specific buildings and layouts. A round top rail can be added for a contrasting design.

The stainless steel railing is also an excellent application for exterior surfaces. There are two grades of stainless steel that are commonly used in stainless steel railing, 304 and 316. 316 stainless steel has greater resistance to corrosion. 316 steel is generally recommended for any application within five miles of salt water. 304 stainless steel is acceptable for all other indoor and outdoor uses.

Home Kitchen

Outdoor Bulletin Board Building – Ten Simple Features to Include on Your Display

When building outdoor bulletin boards for your school, church, community, or homeowners association, these ten simple features will make your message center more useful, project a professional image, and most importantly, provide easy, long-lasting maintenance. .

Larry Kontny, Secretary of the Magnolia Terrace Homeowners Association in Mont Verde, Florida, made the mistake of buying shoddy bulletin boards last year.

“The back of the first bulletin board we bought rotted,” Kontny said, “and water got in, and of course the water and moisture ruined all the letters.”

Water and humidity are a major concern for people living in this 130-lot community about 20 miles west of Orlando.

“Anyone who has lived in Florida knows about heavy thunderstorms during the rainy season. This new one that I just installed is much better built and the frame is much stronger than the old one we bought.”

1. Use an anodized aluminum frame that has a silicone sealant and moisture barrier backing.

“The first board we bought had a particle board backing that soaked up water like a strainer,” Kotney said. “The card board warped and got spongy.”

2. Shatter resistant door windows prevent injury and liability. Vandalism or stones kicked from a passing truck can break a cheap window.

Do not use glass, safety glass, or acrylic for the door window. Use a polycarbonate brand such as Lexan or Makrolon SL.

3. Make sure door windows and post surfaces have an UV inhibitor that reduces the destructive effects of sunlight. Some auto parts stores sell clear UV glass tinting films that can be applied to windows.

“The sun’s rays made the closed cabinet heat up like an oven. The south-facing dash faded in months and some of the letters melted and became brittle,” Kotney said. “We’re going to have to replace that one too.”

4. Louvered vent caps should be installed on the sides of the cabinet to dissipate any heat build-up or ambient moisture. Vent covers must be protected to prevent insects such as spiders or wasps from entering the bulletin board cabinet and nesting.

A ventilation grill also prevents condensation from fogging up the door window by preventing a temperature differential.

5. Locking doors ensure access to the posting surface so that publications are official.

“One morning I went out and discovered that some children had rearranged the letters to spell a profane message.” said Thomas Keane, former president of the Limestone Acres homeowners association in Wilmington, Delaware. “The neighborhood association was not amused.”

6. The door frame must have full length piano hinges to support the weight of the door when it is opened. Using just a couple of small hinges will quickly wear out and fatigue the aluminum case frame.

7. The door frame must have a rubber seal to prevent vertical rain from seeping through the gap.

A tight door frame is important especially for residents in coastal areas that experience strong vertical winds.

8. Cabinet should be at least 3-1 / 4 “deep. This leaves room for adding additional letter panels, chalk boards, dry erase boards or bulletin boards.

These additional types of panels make your community message center very versatile and allow for creativity for the holidays or different occasions.

9. A name heading may be included in the display case or on the front of the sign. A name header provides identity and recognition for outdoor bulletin boards.

10. Make sure the cabinet has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Any problems due to improper materials or assembly will occur within the first year of exposure to the elements.

Kontny says he appreciates his new bulletin board which was provided by a reputable manufacturer free of charge. “I like it, they didn’t have to,” Kontny says of his new bulletin board. “In fact, we’ll soon replace another one, which has been destroyed by the sun’s rays, and I’ll get another one just like it because it’s easy to maintain.”