Posts tagged kitchen designs
Which is Greener? Gas or Electric? | kitchen
0Whether you are building a new home or you are remodeling your kitchen, the question of whether to install a gas or electric stovetop is somewhere near the top of your list. The question of whether one is greener than the other, well, I’m sorry to say there isn’t a perfect solution, but here are a few pros and cons to each option.
It is believed that most people spend a third of their waking hours in the kitchen. Knowing that, selecting a stovetop is an important decision when it comes to kitchen appliances. This kitchen is from the Chatham house plan and is great for entertaining.
According to the Department of Energy, 4.5% of the energy used in a household is from cooking, so deciding whether you want a gas or electric stovetop is more a matter of preference than it is reducing your carbon footprint. The fact is that gas stovetops provide instant heat and provide cooks with greater control over the temperatures, making them more efficient than their electric counterparts.
The energy for the stoves is either traced back to an electric power plant or a natural gas line. In short, you are still drawing power no matter what you decide to use. What are some green alternatives to a stovetop for those who love to cook.
Well, there’s a microwave. Most of today’s microwaves use convection technology and work well when cooking smaller dishes. If you are cooking for a larger family or plan on making roasts every so often, then consider a stovetop that uses induction heating. Induction stovetops create heat faster by magnetically accelerating metal particles in steel, cast-iron, and some stainless steel pots. Induction stovetops transfer 90% of the heat they generate to the pot, as opposed to 35 to 40% for gas stoves, and 70% for electric stovetops. The only drawback is the price tag. Induction stovetops can cost between $700 and $1,300 where as traditional gas and electric stovetops only cost about $300.
The Astoria house plan has an amazing exterior and a beautiful cozy kitchen and will be a great place to make a handsome stove a centerpiece.
Whether you’re a casual or a professional chef, how you choose to select your appliances and design your kitchen is a matter of preference. If cooking is your passion, take a look at our collection of fabulous kitchen house plans, any of which will look great with a gas or electric stovetop.
Sizzling Kitchen and Bath Designs | house plans
2Whether you were in Chicago or not this week at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), there’s been plenty of buzz about the newest, coolest kitchen and bath products. Check out this great article by Housing Zone, which covers the latest trends and innovations from the largest annual kitchen and bath show.
In honor of KBIS, we have assembled a list of our hottest kitchen and bath designs, featuring the most innovative and energy efficient products to satisfy your craving for a functional, professional kitchen and pampering master bath.
The Cariati House Plan is one of our newest Mediterranean designs. It is designed to capture the essence of indoor/outdoor living. See inspiring photographs of the interior and exterior of this home.
The Cariati House Plan is designed with luxury in mind. The master suite is situated off the foyer with a sitting area and access to the covered patio that overlooks the pool and hot tub. The master bath features elegant tiles with a long vanity area, separate whirlpool tub and walk-in shower. There’s also a sauna room next to the private toilet area. You’ll lack nothing when it comes time to creating wonderful dishes in the amenity filled kitchen with a center island. Added features include a sunken media room, game room, cozy breakfast nook, loft area and wine cellar.
The Holly Oaks House Plan is a beautifully designed two-story home featuring the latest in energy-efficient home building products. Take a tour of this new house plan.
The Holly Oaks House Plan has a spacious kitchen with dinette that opens to the great room wrapped by two large decks and sunroom. Retreat upstairs to a private master suite featuring a large bath with private toilet room, walk-in tiled shower, dual vanities and large garden tub. A finished basement includes a wet bar, media, game, exercise and guest room.
The interior design of the Ambrose Boulevard house plan is breathtaking. View over 24 color photographs of this 2,470 square foot, two-story home with bonus space.
The Ambrose Boulevard House Plan is a gorgeous two-story design featuring an open floor plan and all the latest amenities consumers crave. The kitchen features a unique galley design with pantry that overlooks the great room with fireplace making it perfect for entertaining. The secluded master suite features and office center and bath with whirlpool tub, private toilet, walk-in shower, dual vanities and 200 square feet of closet space.
Don’t miss out when The House Designers’ editors share their favorite kitchen and bath products from KBIS in the next issue of Home Ideas. Simply click here to start receiving their free weekly e-newsletter.
House Plans With Gorgeous Kitchen Islands
0It doesn’t matter the size or style of the house plan, all of our architects and designers feel that adding a kitchen island to their kitchen design is an integral element in creating a practical, enjoyable and gorgeous work zone.
To ensure that your kitchen is a clear expression of your taste and blends well with adjoining rooms and your home’s overall architectural style you’ll want to spend time selecting the right components to create a fabulous kitchen.
The first decision you’ll need to make about your kitchen is how you want it to look and function. Depending on your home’s architectural style, you may want a look that is inspired by European kitchens, contemporary themes or a more organic, casual design. There’s no shortage of design inspiration thanks to a multitude of kitchen showrooms, magazines and websites. And of course, just like borrowing recipes from friends and family, you can take the best elements from their kitchens and create your own custom look.
Our recent issue of Home Ideas focuses on helping you select the right kitchen island and countertop based on size, configuration, function and style. You can also browse our collection of Fabulous Kitchen Designs, featuring beautiful photography.
The Angouleme House Plan features a gorgeous open kitchen design with a center island and eating bar.
Celebrate National Ice Cream Month
3Thanks to former President Ronald Reagan, July is National Ice Cream Month, not that we need an excuse to eat this delectable confection, since it’s enjoyed by 90% of Americans and generates over $21 billion in annual sales. We would love for you to Tweet us your favorite ice cream flavor or better yet show us a picture of you making homemade ice cream or enjoying it at your favorite ice cream shop. If you enjoy creating edible masterpieces, you’ll want to check out our collection of best-selling kitchen designs and top kitchen products to create a professional cook’s kitchen in your own home.
Proper Kitchen Design
6A good way to ensure proper kitchen design is to use your present kitchen as a starting point. Do you like where your ovens are located? Is the refrigerator in a user-friendly location that doesn’t cause traffic while you are trying to cook? Would another sink or oven be helpful with food preparation? Is there ample space near a pantry to set down groceries? Where do you plan to prepare vegetables and meats? Is the rubbish drawer conveniently located to discard vegetable and fruit peelings? Is the dishwasher placed for efficient loading and unloading? Does your countertop space adequately allow for appliances and cooking utensils?
Appliances should blend in with other design elements in your kitchen. You can achieve this by having them built into the cabinets or paneled to look like them. Or if you prefer, you can make a statement with a stand-alone, like those made with a decorative vent hood and carved wood ornamentation or a stainless steel refrigerator. Keep in mind where you place your appliances will affect the other design elements in your kitchen. For example, a range or a separate cooktop and oven could change your countertop and cabinet space plans. Remember, the time to make changes is before the plumbing and electrical work is started.
Check out our collection of fabulous kitchens featuring creative floor plans for your dream home kitchen. Many of our house plans feature great kitchen photographs.
Helping Those Who "Need" A New Home
0I can’t tell you how many people called last week to order plans because they needed a new home. Not that they wanted a new home, but since they lost their homes in the crazy fires, tornados, and hurricanes that have been happening around our country. We heard some really sad stories this week from customers, and it made me realize how lucky I am and that it always can be worse. Across America, families are struggling because of the economy, but can you imagine the families that are living in their cars on the property that their home was once standing? The staff and I asked the owners of The House Designers if we could give $50.00 off plan packages to some of these people in crisis and they thought it was a good idea.
The person I felt the most for was a man that finally got his insurance check after losing his home and it was time to begin his new life. It took almost one year to receive the financial reimbursement to finally start rebuilding his life and home. He told me that finding this amazing house plan and imagining living in this beautiful home is what has kept his spirits alive. Check out the new home he’ll be living in, it’s the Ambrose Boulevard.
I agree that he has found the perfect family home. It has a creative blend of exterior materials with a stunning façade, a generous great room and it’ll provide the perfect place to gather his family again. It has a fabulous kitchen that flows into a breakfast and dining room where he can sit and talk to his family while eating a great macaroni Sunday dinner. I think sleeping in his own bed will be the best part of his first night in his new home because it really does have a spectacular master suite.
Homes Designed With A Mother's Touch
2With Mother’s Day around the corner it is only fitting that we recognize the women who truly make a house a home. From the cozy living room filled with pictures and keepsakes to the sweet smells of a home cooked dinner in a well-designed kitchen to the worn rocking chair in the corner of a master suite overlooking the backyard – these are just a few of the special rooms that mother’s love to spend their time in.
It is no surprise that when it comes to building a home and selecting a house plan that over 60% of house plans are bought by woman. They know how much space they need in their new home to make it functional, yet appeal to their tastes. They know exactly what they need – a large kitchen with cooking area and breakfast counter, a large dining room for special occasions, an open floor plan with lots of room to makes changes down the road and an outdoor living space to host birthday parties. Every mother needs and wants more than one full bathroom so they can expedite their mornings with the kids and privately pamper themselves at night.
Our latest issue of Dream Designs is a nod to our female designers, who have taken their motherly instincts to the drawing board to create some of the most beautiful and practical house plans in our collection.
Outdoor Kitchen Designs
14As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home – a place where families and friends come to share good food and company. Given the affection for the kitchen and outdoor cooking, it is hardly surprising that outdoor kitchens have become one of the hottest trends in the home building industry.
Gone are the days of fidgeting with hard-to-start, messy charcoal grills and broken starters on an antique propane grill. Today’s outdoor kitchen consists of anything from classic built-in grills on a cozy backyard patio to a state-of-the-art kitchen with multiple appliances that even include the kitchen sink!
Before you begin your product selection for grills, fireplaces, refrigerators and furniture be sure that you have chosen the right floor for your outdoor kitchen area. You’ll want to choose a floor that reflects your style and taste and compliments your home’s exterior decor. But don’t let fashion override safety, particularly if your outdoor kitchen adjoins a pool or spa retreat and is uncovered.
Homeowners want their outdoor kitchen to have all the amenities of their indoor counterpart. In fact, outdoor kitchens are becoming such a specialty in their own right that many architects and designers are including outdoor living spaces as an optional layout in their home plans.
