Home & Hearth - Series II

KITCHENS:

How many of us live in homes that have the same kitchen year after smoky grease filled year. Yet there is a new wave out these days. We now start our days in the kitchen giving it the status of a full-fledged room, part and essential parcel of the house. It is such an integral part of our daily lives that it is essential that we be comfortable with our kitchens and what they do for us. How do we change if we do need a change at all? Kitchen remodeling is a heartbreaking affair. When combined with a breakfast bar, the kitchen becomes the de facto heart of the house. The accent today is on ergonomics--a kitchen that's a comfort to use and be in. For this we have the manufacturers of modular kitchens to thank. Modular kitchens are planned around the workflow triangle of refrigerator-cooker-sink: minimising distances between these makes cooking a more economical and energy-saving process. For a dream kitchen, one must be able to pinpoint needs, aspirations, likes and dislikes. Then the manufacturers step in and do the rest. Colour preferences, textures and materials work at the psychological level to affect your perception of a space. If blue leaves you cold, then even the most well-fitted kitchen won't comfort you.

With the vast array of modular options available in the market, the consumer isn't really strapped for choice. Italian manufacturers have now entered the Indian markets. The advantages of modular kitchens are their superb finish, ease of installation and ergonomic design. Countertops and cabinetry are placed at the right heights, built with the right dimensions so that productivity is optimized.

Your lifestyle determines storage requirements and accessories for your kitchen. Factor in other determinants like the preferred method of cooking--whether you bake, or microwave, or use the cooker a lot; the number of hours the kitchen is going to be used--this determines the finishes. User preferences are the key to achieving a good design. For the kitchen to function as a family space, consider some extras like a television set or a music system. A table around which the family gathers is essential, as is adequate seating. Be sure to demarcate your personal zone, and accessorize using things that have a special meaning for you--kids' drawings, fresh flowers, potted plants, cookbooks.

Modular kitchen manufacturers also have accessories like napkin holders and storage shelves mounted on racks that can be run along the length of the kitchen wall. Also familiarize yourself with basic design principles such as balance, tone and symmetry. While Scandinavian blond veneers are currently the rage, ask yourself if they suit the demands you make of your kitchen. Most kitchen-designer showrooms have full-scale displays that give you an idea about the design, style and colour. The staff is trained to offer you the best solutions for your budget and needs. Visit these while shopping for a modular kitchen, so you can build an inventory of ideas and work out the most cost-effective option. Work out a wish-list of things that make you sigh when you see them in magazines or other people's homes. Then you can incorporate all, if not some, into your dream kitchen. They could be as simple as a herb garden on a sunwashed ledge, or as sophisticated as cookery videos over the Internet.

Bathrooms: Once the outhouse, now co-opted into the realm of fine living, bathrooms have been the focus of increasing attention from designers and manufacturers. No material or gadget is too base to be used here. Rare South American veneers (very politically incorrect), fine Italian marble, glass, chrome, and even gold can all be found in the well-appointed bathroom. Combined with this upswing in self-indulgent pleasures is the redefinition of what bathrooms are supposed to do now. They incorporate the functions of entertainment, dressing, exercising, relaxing and meditation. Grandiose baths, whirlpools, television sets, gyms, walk-in closets and plush lounges--all dot the modern day bathroom, faintly reminiscent of the days of the Roman empire. For contemporary design, look towards integrating spacious shower-stalls in your dream rooms Luxurious and spacious interiors combine with sleek looks to turn your bathroom into a fashion statement.

For those who are more austere in their taste, the minimalist aesthetic finds favour. Sinks are set in clear glass countertops, faucetry and fittings fashioned out of solid machine materials like steel and chrome. Or, instead of being recessed into the counter, they are mounted over it, to give the impression of a large bowl sitting atop a table. Pedestal sinks were out, but are now in again, thanks to their elegant styling and space-saving virtues.

Now what about the flooring of these dream rooms? In India there are now over 50 different tile manufacturers. How does one decide what is best for you? Relax, they have an answer to that too, there are modern day shopping malls solely dedicated to building materials and furnishings. Coming back to the floorings. Ceramic tiles can be laid in a wide variety of patterns. Some factors to consider include the size of the tile and the size of the room. Straight installations minimise wastage and are easy to do. Diamond patterns (also called a 45-degree pattern) look charming when executed in small-sized tiles.

Although a survey will affirm that no colour has escaped the ceramic tile manufacturer's attention, you, the buyer, should be a bit more sanguine. Strong hot colours are faddist while neutrals remain classic.

So go on ahead and shake out all those plans that you had stashed away for so long, and see if they are worth another dekkho!!! Happy dreaming !!