Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Kitchen

Whether you are moving into an existing kitchen, remodeling the one you have or building a new one, understanding a few key building measurements and organizational guidelines can help your culinary life run more smoothly.

Kitchens provide storage for your food and give you room for prep and cleanup, and of course, provide a place where you can cook and bake. When it’s thoughtfully arranged, these functions operate logically, making working in your kitchen a better experience. Here’s how to get the ideal setup.

Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Kitchen

Always wash these fruits & veggies

In the latest report about pesticide residues, the Environmental Working Group says that 70% of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables contain up to 230 different pesticides or their breakdown products.

The analysis, based on produce samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, found that strawberries and spinach contained the highest amounts of pesticide residues. One sample of strawberries, for example, tested positive for 20 different pesticides, and spinach contained nearly twice the pesticide residue by weight than any other fruit or vegetable.

The two types of produce topped the EWG ranking of the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest concentrations of pesticides the so-called “Dirty Dozen.” After strawberries and spinach come nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery, potatoes and sweet bell peppers. More than 98% of peaches, cherries, and apples contained at least one pesticide.

This year’s list nearly mirrors the one from last year, suggesting that little has changed in how these crops are grown. (The analysis applied only to produce that wasn’t grown organically.)

How dangerous is the exposure to the chemicals? Since federal laws in 1996 mandated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study and regulate pesticide use for its potential to harm human health, many toxic chemicals have been removed from crop growing. But studies continue to find potential effects of exposure to the pesticides still in use. A recent study, for instance, indicated a possible link between exposure to pesticides in produce and lower fertility.

More studies are needed to solidify the relationship between current pesticide exposures from produce and long-term health effects. In the meantime, researchers say that organic produce generally contains fewer pesticide residues, and people concerned about their exposure can also focus on fruits and vegetables that tend to contain fewer pesticides. Here is the EWG’s list of the fruits and vegetables lowest in pesticide residue, the so-called Clean 15:

Avocados

Sweet corn

Pineapples

Cabbage

Onions

Frozen sweet peas

Papayas

Asparagus

Mangoes

Eggplants

Honeydews

Kiwis

Cantaloupes

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Always wash these fruits & veggies

Change the Way You Look at Airplane Food ~ Revolting…

Gate Gourmet is the world’s largest airline catering company—you’re eating their products on United, American, and Delta Airlines.

If the thought of unsanitary commercial kitchens is enough to make you squeamish, the Food and Drug Administration’s investigation into the largest airline food service provider across the world is straight out of a nightmare.

The national safety agency issued a formal warning letter to Gate Gourmet after discovering a string of infractions and health issues at one of the company’s main production kitchens in Kentucky. The company began providing meals in 1992 for passengers traveling in over 60 countries, working with many airlines both domestically and internationally, including United, American, Delta, British Airways, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and Emirates Airlines, among others.

And the descriptions of their kitchens might motivate you to pack a lunch for your next flight.

It all started after Listeria bacteria had been discovered in Gate Gourmet’s Los Angeles production facility in November 2017. American, Delta, and Virgin Airlines immediately stopped using the service at the time, Food Safety News reports. In December, the FDA stepped in to inspect one of the company’s catering facility located in Erlanger, Kentucky and stumbled on a trove of health infractions that caused the agency to send Gate Gourmet a formal warning letter this month. Gate Gourmet is currently on a type of probation and the FDA is considering stripping the company of their approval altogether.

The letter, dated March 29, outlines the numerous violations to the FDA’s safety policies, including live and dead cockroaches “too numerous to count” throughout the premises, broken and filthy equipment lined with grease deposits in the food prep area, widespread food residue, and filth, as well as dirty cooking equipment used on a daily basis, including ovens and deep fryers.

The horrifyingly specific details highlight how inspectors discovered cockroach “fecal markings” on the kitchen’s floor and within walls, suggesting a widespread infestation. Cockroaches were found within dishwashing equipment, under appliances and freestanding kitchen equipment, and even inside of one of the kitchen’s in-use ovens.

1804w Virgin American Airline Food

In fact, the FDA found that nearly everything in the facility was not sanitary—even utensils used to cook and package food were not cleaned regularly. The report includes details of food residue caked onto the metal can openers in the kitchen prep area, and grease buildups on cutting boards and gas grills in the area that Gate Gourmet employees regularly cook in. You can read the full letter right here.

The airline food provider had 15 days to respond to the agency’s warning letter, Food Safety News reports, but the FDA’s report says it’s not satisfied with Gate Gourmet’s initial response. Apparently, Gate Gourmet said they had addressed many of the issues outlined in the formal letter and hired new pest management, but the FDA says the company has failed to provide sufficient evidence of such changes.

This incident confirms just how important it might be to spend extra time preparing your own meals before longer flights especially if you’re flying first class or internationally, where food service is nearly always offered. At the very least, consider these ready-to-eat essentials when traveling they might save you from what very well could be one of the most unsanitary meals served at 30,000 feet.

Change the Way You Look at Airplane Food ~ Revolting…

63 Kitchen Design Ideas from Sunset

 

Time for an update? Pick your favorite style from our gallery of beautiful kitchen designs

 

Multi-Purpose Kitchen

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When Sunset editor-in-chief Irene Edwards set out to remodel her Victorian home, the goal was to balance style with function. Because her husband cooks for a living, this is the most used space in Edwards’ home. But the original configuration felt cramped, with a low ceiling and a breakfast room separated by French doors. The architect removed those doors and reconfigured the kitchen into three zones: a cooking area with a prep sink, a nook for everyday meals, and a larger sink area for cleanup. Removing the dropped ceiling revealed almost three extra feet of height—a feature showcased by adding shiplap ceiling finish, pendant lights, and a library-style ladder.

 

Natural Colors

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The Underwoods gutted their outdated kitchen, shifting it to a more central spot in the house. Formica and 1950s painted knotty pine gave way to modern raw-oak cabinetry and Caesarstone countertops; large-scale slatted-wood pendant lamps act as striking art elements.

Customize Cabinets

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“The kitchen is all about maximum function in minimum space,” says homeowner Grant Kirkpatrick. “Everything has to be able to store cleanly.” The alderwood cabinets have drawer pullouts and racks to pack away all utensils; pantry items and cleaning supplies are stashed in a more generous cabinet across the living room.

 

Moody Touches

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By eliminating a breakfast nook, Eva Kosmas Flores and her husband, Jeremy, opened up the kitchen and made room for the vintage Roper range they scored on Craigslist. “I like to think about all the food that’s been prepared on it over the years,” says Eva, who learned to cook at her parents’ Greek deli. “I hope that all the good food karma carries into what I cook on it too.” A contractor installed the Shaker-style cabinets and oak floors.

 

Portland Loft Kitchen

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When the kitchen is the highlight of a floor plan, tile is a statement of style. The textural glazed thin brick rises to the soffit and covers the range hood. This kitchen also features drawers instead of standard kitchen cabinets that often unreachable, wasted back corners.

 

On the Water

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The Bertrams, avid cooks, and entertainers went through their kitchen dish by dish to come up with the right division of space. Nebolon designed hanging racks for their favorite glassware and pots; the island includes custom spice drawers, a pullout chopping block, and shelves for cookbooks. The fog blue paint on the cabinets helps them blend in with the main living space.

 

Budget Makeover

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The Emericks removed all of the upper cabinetry, adding new native-fir open shelves and countertops. Cream-colored cabinets, brass hardware and light fixtures, and 
the farm sink give the cottage a farmhouse vibe. The back 
of the fireplace became an architectural frame for the stove, which the couple 
found at a garage sale.

Save to Splurge Kitchen

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Staying on budget involved a series of compromises and calculations. To save money in the kitchen the couple did without upper cabinetry, instead repurposing shelving from their previous home. And by paying less for a lightly dented refrigerator, they were able to pony up the cash for something else they wanted: “We splurged on a nice, quiet Bosch dishwasher,” says homeowner Anna Smith. “It’s worth it with kids.”

 

Smart Kitchen

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Designer Jessica McCarthy opened up the kitchen by swapping out the upper cabinets for white shelves against counter-to-ceiling subway tile. She brought warmth to the space through butcher-block countertops; a rust-colored rug; and wood, brass, cork, and copper accessories. The porcelain farmhouse sink and blue cabinets reference traditional country style.

 

Beach Cottage Kitchen

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Varying finishes give the kitchen and dining room character. “It’s like a math problem: You start with one thing and play off that,” homeowner Dana Marron says. A dark green La Cornue stove contrasts with light, modern oak cabinets; shiny metal chairs offset the rustic chipped-paint dining table. “The irony of having white floors is that you worry less about them. Scratches don’t matter, because that’s the character you’re going for in the end,” adds Marron.

 

Bright Assets

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The main attraction in the kitchen is the bright yellow stove, which the couple decided to buy during one of their first appliance-shopping dates. They chose a soothing blue Heath backsplash to complement the yellow and added a chalkboard for their “absurd lists of grocery items,” says Ellen Bennett. To save space, Casey Caplowe designed their kitchen pantry to fit underneath the staircase, which is wrapped in solid oak.

 

Splashed with Color

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The interior designer wanted more color in the kitchen than a typical backsplash would give, so she extended the tiles to the ceiling and onto the floor. The stunning result delineates the kitchen from the rest of the open space.  Open glass shelves along the rest of the wall get the most impact out of the tile.

 

Bold Kitchen

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Instead of replacing the unremarkable wood kitchen cabinets, the couple painted them charcoal and added black hardware. By painting the wall and window trim the same color, they put the focus on the floor tile. Moreover, deep charcoal acts as a neutral. Both warm and cool tones pair well with it.

The hexagonal tile makes the room. Two shades of gray relate the tile to the wall color. The blues add shock value. Hexagon 8 tiles in Original Blue, from about $20/sq.

Cupboard Free Kitchen

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Designed and built by the family, this vacation home was customized down to every detail. The kitchen features open shelving, so dishware serves as art. “You don’t end up having a lot of stuff just hidden away,” says homeowner Chad Robertson. “All the things you use on a daily basis are right there. And with so many of us running around, nothing can be too precious.”

 

Indoor/Outdoor Kitchen

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This modern cabin is full of natural materials and expanses of glass. The kitchen walls slide aside to access the 450-square-foot deck that includes a barbecue station, effectively doubling the room’s square footage. The ipe flooring flows from indoor to out, creating a cohesive look between the spaces. The refrigerator and pantry doors almost disappear into the walls.

Eco-Friendly Kitchen

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Though it has a similar foot­print to the prior kitchen (“low 8-foot ceilings, red cabinets, dismal,” Beall says), the new walk-through space feels bigger thanks to higher ceilings, glass-front cabinets, floating shelves, a pull-out pantry, and bright white surfaces. The recessed energy-efficient LED lights in the kitchen and family room certainly help as well.

 

Modern Meets Old-School

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One of the first things you notice about this San Francisco kitchen is the open space and clear countertops. While this family designated their home a technology-free space, the design and function of the kitchen certainly don’t suffer. Modern lines and electricity are present in the kitchen, the family opted for simple household products like manual appliances, stove-top coffee, and basic electronic appliances without an LED interface.

 

Cottage Kitchen

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Oversize windows and skylights invite in the sunshine. Walls are painted a light-bouncing white, while white ceramic subway tiles brighten the kitchen and baths.

For contrast, the wooden floors are stained with a custom mix of ebony and dark walnut shades; the high-gloss polyurethane top coat reflects even more light.

Get the look: Wall paint is Decorator’s White eggshell with semi-gloss trim throughout (benjaminmoore.com for stores) Kitchen tile is ceramic 3- by 6-inch in white K101 (daltile.com for stores)

Open Craftsman kitchen

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The ground floor of the once single-story house is now essentially one combined kitchen, dining area, living space, and home office, with bedrooms in an upstairs addition.

 

Dual-Family Kitchen

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The kitchen in this shared vacation cabin is a simple line of cabinets, counters, and stove along one wall of the main living space.

 

Heath-Tiled Kitchen

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Flush-mounted lights on the soffit and under the cabinets show off hand-tooled yellow Heath tiles on this kitchen wall. The soft gray walls and mushroom-colored concrete counters subtly complement the tile.

 

“Unfinished” Kitchen

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In designer Cisco Pinedo’s house, knickknacks are few and far between, which results in each item gaining a sense of importance and meaning. The kitchen counters are recycled granite, and the cupboards are made from unfinished wood. “If it’s a great material, let it be,” Cisco says.

 

Creative Renovation

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In this home renovation, a new island increased counter space and allows for a prep sink beyond the main farmhouse sink. The kitchen cabinet doors were removed: If a door’s closed, you have a tendency to forget things are there. To maintain the integrity of the house, the owners had the walls repaired with plaster, not drywall.

 

Casual Cabin Kitchen

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Thrifty choices in this cabin’s kitchen include a mix of open shelves and laminate cabinets.

 

Kitchen the Colors of Sea Glass

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This turquoise and white kitchen is inspired by the sea  and by the beautiful tumbled glass you can find along the shore.

Moroccan Bungalow Kitchen

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Paint and tile took this 1920’s kitchen from glum to glam. Pale green upper cabinets and backsplash tile set off the cool Hawaiian blue granite counters, the warm tones of the mahogany cabinets, and Dylan Gold’s reclaimed-wood island.

 

Remodeled Victorian Kitchen

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Colorful backsplash tiles contribute a mix of whimsy and history in this updated Victorian in San Francisco. The Iznik design (annsacks.com) is based on 16th-century Turkish originals. The kitchen also features eco-friendly cast-stone countertops and reclaimed wood floors and cabinets.

 

Kitchen Island for Socializing

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Centered on a sociable semicircular island, this kitchen has plenty of space for multiple chefs to work while guests sip and chat.

 

Kitchen in Plain Sight

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Featured in Sunset’s May 1966 issue, this award-winning La Mesa hillside home near San Diego was considered a model of indoor-outdoor living.  The renovated kitchen retains the original footprint minus the overhead cabinets that isolated it from the dining area.

 

Retro Ranch Kitchen

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Matthew and Jennifer Hibbard of Scottsdale, Arizona, did most of the work on their retro ranch themselves. Jennifer found the Silestone quartz countertop online, never seeing it in person. It arrived a perfect fit for this kitchen-dining area.

 

Open Kitchen Shelving

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Open shelves feel hospitable―guests can just grab wineglasses off the shelf―and force you to edit.

Try following this homeowner’s rule of thumb: “If you use it more than once a week, have it out. If you use it a few times a month, stick it in a cabinet. Once or twice a year? It belongs in the basement.”

 

Kitchen Storage Solution

 

If the kitchen lacks a proper pantry, get creative. The owners of this 700-square-foot bungalow mounted a wall rack to store their wine.

 

Innovative Kitchen

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This white kitchen is in one of three apartments in an innovative triplex. The top-floor unit shown here overlooks the park next door. Flat cabinets and sleek counters in the kitchen enhance the spacious feeling.

 

Sunny Kitchen Remodel

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Rich and Linda Peters wanted to preserve and enhance the architectural style of their 1929 San Mateo house while opening the kitchen to the outdoors.  They selected concrete counters, a farmhouse-style sink, and white wood cabinets.   A long center island with a butcher-block surface and deep overhangs is great for two-person cooking, prep work, and entertaining.

 

A Kitchen with Layers of Color

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The clean design of this blue and white kitchen is layered with pops of energetic color. The red drum pendant from Croft & Little illuminates the bamboo island top from Teragren. Glass-front cabinets provide a showcase for colorful pottery.

The bamboo-topped table on casters tucks under the island and can roll away for use throughout the house or outside. Mixing up the chair styles adds casual appeal.

 

Midcentury Kitchen

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The owners of this 1953 ranch wanted to strip the home back to its roots and open the interior to the surrounding yard.  New walnut veneers restore period charm to the original kitchen cabinets. Existing slate flooring was kept in place, and the interior of the concrete block walls was sandblasted to add texture.

The 1950s aesthetic was hardly limited to stainless steel and molded plastic. The use of wood, especially walnut and mahogany, was a main design feature of that era.

 

Warm Kitchen

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A modern farmhouse is what the designer had in mind when she remodeled her kitchen.  By removing the wall that closed off the room from the rest of the house, they gained 5 feet of living space and united the layout.  After opening up the kitchen, they devised a means of closing it off when needed. From the kitchen window, you can see goats and a big barn up the hill. That inspired the sliding barn door.”

 

Big kitchen

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When your home is less than 700 square feet, you have to pick your priorities. In this 1907 San Francisco cottage three cramped rooms made way for a spacious, light-filled kitchen with garden views.

 

Cool and Bright Kitchen

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This kitchen’s color palette robin’s egg blue walls, smoky lilac cabinets is like a muted Monet painting. Several paints and even the floor stain were custom-mixed. White field tile by B&W Tile keeps things light.

 

 

Kitchen Nook

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A built-in banquette opposite the central cooking station is a cozy family gathering spot for games and casual meals.

 

Eat-in Kitchen

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This eat-in kitchen opens to the rear porch through a glass door. Double-hung windows above the sink allow in air and light. The table legs are painted white to match the walls, ceiling, and cabinet trim. The flooring is reclaimed from old schoolhouses.

 

Jewel-Like Cabin Kitchen

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The open, well-lit kitchen is the central gathering spot in this house.  The appliance-free island was made from a stainless steel and butcher block workspace purchased at a restaurant-supply store, then covered on three sides with plywood.

 

Modern Boathouse Kitchen

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This boathouse anchored on a Seattle lake features bamboo-finished cabinets and ample natural light and ventilation.

 

Fresh, Colorful Kitchen

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White Shaker-style cabinet fronts are a bright foil for the vibrant glass-tile backsplash. New niches display cobalt bowls. A two-toned, two-tiered concrete counter pale green above and charcoal gray below adds sleek style to the work and serving spaces.

 

White Victorian kitchen

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Calacatta marble gives the kitchen island and counters a lustrous look.

It may be traditional, but it certainly isn’t stuffy. The remodel stayed true to the home’s period details and old-fashioned charm while infusing it with youthful, contemporary sophistication.

 

Revitalized Craftsman

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An unlikely blend of materials and salvaged goods finds visual balance in this kitchen. A painted tin ceiling, stainless steel counters, and blue glass tile mesh seamlessly.

 

Reunion ranch: Cookhouse

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The cabin’s cookhouse is where everyone gathers to eat and spend time together. The unique arrangement of this retreat allows for plenty of space for group activities.

 

Kitchen Bar

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A gap in the L-shaped counter (to the right of the chairs here) created a better flow from this family kitchen to the breakfast nook, and out to the garden.

 

Prefab Kitchen

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The open kitchen (with white Ikea cabinetry) makes the scant square footage in this modern prefab seem expansive.

 

Eco-Conscious Kitchen

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Smooth slim concrete counters from Concreteworks edge the kitchen’s perimeter. A thick concrete slab on the island gets its texture and golden flecks of color from recycled rice hulls.

Light-Filled Kitchen Makeover

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Two decisions in this remodel were key: replacing a window at one end of the gallery-like space with a glass Dutch door and wrapping three sides of the room with a counter. The counter passes in front of the Dutch door, becoming a breakfast bar; light coming through the door washes the floor and walls.

 

Summer Retreat Kitchen

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The kitchen appears bigger than its 15-by-15 footprint thanks to its spare coastal palette of white paint (Benjamin Moore “Super White”), bamboo countertops (Teragren), reclaimed barn wood flooring (Black’s Farmwood) and blue/cream ceramics (Soulé Studio).

Basket pendant lamps by Beach House Style highlight the kitchen island (Woodenbridge, Inc.).

 

Tahoe Retreat Kitchen

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A mix of redwood, stainless steel Electrolux appliances, and slate floors makes for a contemporary cabin feel in this expansive home. A band of picture windows by Pella creates a vivid transparent backsplash.

 

Playful farmhouse kitchen

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Formerly a slender galley, this kitchen is now an open, multipurpose space with an adjacent hallway that serves as the drop zone for backpacks, mail, and shoes.

An antique barrister card catalog serves as an ingenious storage system for miscellaneous household items.

An 1887 tavern table serves as the island in this family-friendly kitchen. The 1920s utility sink is from a salvage yard.

 

Flexible Galley Kitchen

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Seattle architect  opened this 250-square-foot galley-style kitchen to adjacent rooms and used subtle level changes to define each area. The flexible plan makes the space ideal for breakfast for 1 or a dinner party for 10.

 

DIY Concrete Countertop

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The kitchen in this Alaska cabin was rebuilt from the bare studs. Vertical storage keeps cooking tools handy. The owners poured the concrete counter themselves.

Airy Kitchen-Living Space

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Floor-to-ceiling French doors open off the kitchen onto a small deck. A wood table and benches mixed with metal dining chairs create a relaxed look. The breakfast bay acts as a daylight-catcher that brightens the rest of the kitchen. A marble backsplash and wood display shelf make the kitchen handsome enough to entertain in.

 

Red Kitchen Island

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A coat of brick-red paint makes the island the star of this kitchen. For a sophisticated look, try pairing one red object with neutral tones. Here, dark-wood surfaces and stainless steel appliances do the trick.

 

Light-Infused Kitchen

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Built in 1869, this home needed an updated kitchen and more light in interior rooms.  Owner and architect replaced a 1920s shed-roof addition at the back with a slightly larger addition that allowed the kitchen to move out of the historic part of the house.

She turned the new kitchen into a large light box with a translucent roof made of aluminum-and-fiberglass Kalwall panels. Widened openings between the major rooms further brighten the interior.

 

A Cook’s Sophisticated Kitchen

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Maple cabinets in a natural finish and countertops in a light green concrete give this kitchen an earthy but sophisticated feeling.

 

Sleek, Open Kitchen

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Bright lights, large rectangular openings, and a simple palette of green, blue, white, and stainless steel create a clean look and a handsome foil for the curvilinear barstools.

Open shelves around the sink and range hold smaller objects, such as dishes, serving bowls, and glasses—items the couple uses every day.

 

Wide-Open Kitchen

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Big curved beams create a wide-open kitchen/family room. Clerestory windows bounce the light off the ceiling, brightening the space.

 

Updated Victorian Kitchen

 

In the kitchen, a Carrara marble counter and backsplash and black-and-white checkered flooring form graphic backdrops for this refurbished Victorian.

63 Kitchen Design Ideas from Sunset

11 Mistakes to Avoid When Grilling Steak, According to Chefs

It’s never too early to start prepping for barbecue season—so go ahead and bookmark this.

Purists assert that a good-quality cut of steak is done ill justice at the hands of an overzealous grill. Contrast that to cheaper cuts like chuck roast, for example, which come to their prime slowly and forgivingly when slowly cooked. Cooking steak, therefore, is a paradoxically delicate matter for a powerfully primal affair. So it’s understandable that many diners and home cooks err on the side of overcooking it, especially if the quality of the meat might not be top shelf.

Regardless of what your preferences are—and we’re not knocking any of ‘em—here are eleven mistakes to avoid on your next steak night.

Choose the right piece of steak. The quality of your final product depends on your starting ingredients.

“Finding the best product you can get your hands on is always the hardest part of cooking a great steak”. “There’s really only three things in my opinion that make for a good grilled steak: Beef, salt, and fire.”

“We only work with USDA Prime beef, which is the highest grade of beef available and accounts for only 1.5% of the beef in the nation. Fat is flavor, so look for beef that looks plump, bright red and has the most marbling. Marbling is the intramuscular fat present in high-quality beef that gives it a ‘marbled’ appearance. Grain-fed or grain finished beef will have more marbling than a grass-fed beef.”

On aged steak:

If you’re lucky enough to be able to find a butcher that has dry-aged beef,I highly recommend trying anything aged from 15 to 30 days until you become acquainted with the flavor.”

Chef Joe Cervantez agrees, specifying that “steaks eat best at 23 to 28 days.” He’s executive chef at Brennan’s of Houston. “Most steaks from the grocery store are aged 14 days,” he says. If you’re up for trying your hand at aging and are lucky enough to have access to a cryovac, he recommends packing the meat in an airtight seal until it hits at least 23 days.

On cuts and thickness: 

Certain types of steaks best lend themselves to grilling. Skirt steak for a hot grill, whereas a NY strip steak or ribeye is best for a cast-iron pan over a burner. (For pan cooking,  a 3/4-inch to 1-inch steak is recommended because the thickness gives you the time to get a nice crust on the outside without overcooking the inside.

Don’t cook your steaks straight from the fridge. 

Prentiss recommends taking out your steak from the fridge about one hour before you’re going to cook it and setting it on a roasting rack. (This is also the best time to season it with salt, ideally medium grain sea salt, he says. More on that below.)

Season your steaks a couple of hours in advance and then let them come to room temperature before cooking. There’s an exception, however: If [the steak] on the thinner side, starting it cold will give a buffer from overcooking the center.

While chefs differ about the amount of room temp time before cooking, chef Dinesh Jayawardena recommends not squeezing the time below a half hour.

Don’t use the wrong kind of salt, and when in doubt, oversalt.

True sea salt is always the way to go when seasoning a steak,” Prentiss says. “We use Jacobsen’s Kosher Salt from Portland, Oregon. The grains are medium sized and have a pleasant minerality that lends itself perfectly to grilled beef. Any true fleur de sel or sel gris type sea salt will work well for good beef. Avoid table salt, iodized salt or small fine-grain sea salts as they have more weight to volume than larger grain salts and you can easily over season with them. Just think medium grain, true sea salt.”

Always overseason your steaks a bit. When you think it’s enough, always add a little more. A lot of salt and pepper always falls off during the cooking process and doesn’t always penetrate the meat.

Now is not the time to be shy about seasoning, as salt is the most important ingredient you could ever add to a steak. Do this before you let the steaks rest so the seasoning has time to work its way deep into the meat.”

Don’t season your steak too soon—yes, that’s a thing.

With larger steaks, it’s always a good idea to finish with some large flake or finishing salt once it’s sliced. If you do not have an hour to temper and season ahead of time, season immediately before grilling, anything shorter than 40 minutes will only pull moisture out of the steak and not let the outside get those beautiful grill marks and crust.

Add a bit of olive oil as well, which he says help gets better sear or griddle marks. If you do decide to add some fat, stick with olive oil, not butter. There is no real need for butter when cooking a steak because it already has plenty of fat and flavor in the meat itself.

Make sure it’s super dry before it hits the heat.

Make sure you pat down your meat. Dry meat forms the best crust.

Don’t use lighter foil or charcoal briquettes if you can avoid it.

Always avoid lighter fluid if possible, and while convenient, charcoal briquettes can add an unpleasant kerosene flavor to meat grilled meats and should be avoided. If a wood/natural lump charcoal fire is unavailable or too inconvenient, propane grills will ultimately yield a better steak than charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid.

The best way to go, however, is hardwood or hardwood lump charcoal. Natural solid fuels add the most flavor to steaks while complementing their natural flavors instead of overpowering them.

Don’t start without a super hot grill.

Be sure to let your charcoal fully catch and heat up before attempting to grill on it, about 20-30 minutes. Your fire should have a bed of red-hot coals, [with] high, even heat across the grill, and minimal flames and smoke.”

A hot cooking surface is extremely important to caramelize the outside of the steak and secure in the flavor. This method will give you a crispy on the outside, yet moist and tender on the inside steak.

Don’t forget the thermometer—even if you’re a pro.

One of the most important things to remember. Temping a steak by hand can be tricky. It takes a ton of practice and a ton of experience. You have to cook a steak a thousand times just to suck at it.

Don’t have a meat thermometer on hand? use metal cake testers. People always are looking for secrets on how to get the perfect steak doneness. We use metal cake testers. They’re the best tool you can use for this. Insert the metal tester into the steak, leave it for five seconds, then pull it out and touch it to your lips or inner wrist. The internal temp of the steak will tell you how done it is. If it is cold, your steak is rare, if it is just warm, medium rare, slightly hot, medium and etc. No more pushing on it to test it what happens when you hit a muscle knot? and now it is even easier. Plus, cake testers are less than a dollar and you can get them in baking sections or on Amazon.”

 Here are numbers to aim for: 

Rare: 120-130°F

Medium rare: 130-135°F

Medium: 140-145°F

Medium Well: 150-155°F

Well: 160-165°F

Don’t flip your steak more than once.

Keep away from overturning your steak. Let the Maillard reaction do its thing.” (That’s the fancy name for the chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars, which gives browned and caramelized food its distinctive flavor.  Ideally, you should turn the steak once on each side (to get those crosshatch grill marks), and only flip it once.

Avoid individual steaks, if cooking for a crowd.

Don’t be afraid to go with one large steak like a 32 oz Ribeye or 1-kilo Porterhouse for a group as opposed to multiple individual steaks. One large steak is easier to manage and monitor on a grill than multiple smaller ones and armed with a good thermometer, any cook can nail a perfect medium-rare every time. Larger steaks like those work well for two to six people because once sliced, the steak will have some slices that are cooked to the preference of each guest. Because of the inherent internal variation of cooking times within one steak,  you can accommodate diners who prefer “medium rare” and “medium well” with just one piece of meat.

Don’t forget to let the steak rest.

Cooking the steak to ten degrees below your desired temp and then resting it allows for the collagen in the meat to thicken the juices as it cools slightly. This creates a way juicier steak than just cooking straight to temp.

Let it rest. This is crucial. Just because the steak is out of the pan doesn’t mean it stopped cooking. Keep it in a warm place you don’t want a cold steak and rest it for about as long as you cooked it.

Allowing the steak to rest for half the cooking time before serving so if your steak takes 10 minutes to cook, you’d let it rest for five.

If you’re not able to keep the steak warm while it rests, or you want to eat it quite hot,  return the steak to the grill after it’s rested and bring it up to the internal temperature of your preference before eating.

11 Mistakes to Avoid When Grilling Steak, According to Chefs

Costco Tips From Frequent Shoppers

Last year we talked to Robert Kyle, a manager at the Costco warehouse in Waltham, Massachusetts,  who gave us his best insider tips for shopping at Costco.

Afterward, even the most skeptical among us was convinced that a Costco membership just might be the most worthwhile deal in town. And we knew there must be even more tricks for getting the most out of the superstore. So we scoured the internet and found Costco frequent shoppers’ best tips too. Here’s what they said:

Store policies can vary from state to state; check with your local warehouse to make sure the policy is available.

1. TRACKING PRICES CAN SCORE YOU AN EXTRA DISCOUNT

Costco’s unparalleled return policy is already legend whether you made it home with rotten produce or just didn’t like something you bought in bulk, you can return the product for a full refund (and in the case of that rotten produce, you don’t even need to return it). Less well known is the company’s price-matching policy: if any product you’ve purchased within the last 30 days goes on sale, you can request a refund of the difference. You don’t even have to wait around in the store to do it there’s an online form, but note that when submitting the request online the difference will be calculated based on the webstore price instead of the warehouse price, and the webstore price will always be a little higher.

2. DON’T LEAVE YOUR PARTY TO CHANCE

The deli department makes a set amount of party trays on a given day. Once they’re sold out, they’re gone. Now, you could always DIY it, but if you’re determined to let Costco do the hard work, you can order a tray ahead of time to ensure one is waiting for you when you need it. To do it, just call your local warehouse and let them know what size tray you want and what day you plan to pick it up.

3. GET HALF OFF A ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

No, but literally. Love rotisserie chicken but only want the dark meat? (Or maybe you’re more of a white meat fiend?) Ask a meat department attendant and they will split a chicken into two or four pieces so you can take home whichever half or quarter you prefer.

4. A BETTER DEAL ON BAKED GOODS

Save on bakery items, such as freshly baked cookies and baguettes, by buying them by the case in the freezer section. The items are individually quick-frozen so you can bake them off as needed at home.

5. IF YOU HEAR A BELL, RUN

That means freshly cooked rotisserie chickens have just been put out. They go fast.

6. WATCH OUT FOR PRICE CODES AND ASTERISKS

Most veteran shoppers know this Costco secret, but for the newbies: watch out for an asterisk mark in the upper lefthand corner of the price cards. The symbol means that the product is final stock and won’t be re-shelved (unless it’s a seasonal item, in which case it won’t be back for another year), so if it’s a product you love, buy extra. And while you’re looking at those price cards, pay attention to the final digit in the price. Any item with a price ending in a variant of $.09 (i.e. $5.49, $349.79, $10.99, etc.) is marked at Costco’s original low price, which is usually a good deal. But if you see something with a price ending in $.97, $.00, or $.88, that means the product is marked at a final discount (and is thus the cheapest it’ll ever be).

7. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK EMBARRASSING QUESTIONS

Costco employees tend to be a helpful lot. One such employee on Reddit recommends asking for a “chub of beef” if you want a discount on ground meat. A chub of beef (yes, that’s actually what they’re called) is a package of lean ground beef that’s only 92-95% lean). (The ground beef that’s packaged and sold on the floor is 88% lean—it’s made up of the trimmings from portioning steaks and roasts plus this leaner meat.) Ask a department attendant for a 10-pound chub (or “tube”) of ground beef if you prefer something leaner than Costco’s standard offer. Prices will vary according to location, but this employee says his department sells the chubs at 15% less per pound than the usual ground beef.

8. CAN’T HANDLE ALL THAT MEAT? YOU DON’T HAVE TO

If the package of chops or chicken thighs are more than you need, again, rely on your trusty Costco meat department attendant and ask for a half tray. Most stores will split the package in half and send you home with a more manageable portion.

9. DON’T SLEEP ON GETTING A MEMBERSHIP

In that earlier article, Kyle illustrated at what point a Costco membership actually pays for itself. But, if you’re still not convinced, ask a member to buy you a Costco Cash Card the company’s version of a gift card, which non-members can use so you can experience the warehouse on your own time. Oh, and, remember what we said about that return policy? If you decide within a year of joining that Costco just isn’t for you, you can get a refund on that membership too.

Costco Tips From Frequent Shoppers

The Easiest, No-Mess Way to Cook Bacon

Your days of hovering over a grease-spitting skillet are over. There’s a much easier way to cook bacon, and it’s so simple you’ll wonder if it really works. (Spoiler alert: It does.)Allreceipes shares the easiest and best way to cook the bacon we all love.

Breakfast Bacon

Why Bake Your Bacon

Why should you cook bacon in the oven instead of frying it the old-fashioned way? There are so many good reasons for cooking bacon in the oven, we have to count the ways:

  1. You can cook a whole pound of bacon at one time in just minutes.
  2. Baked bacon cooks flat and doesn’t curl up.
  3. No need to turn the bacon.
  4. No grease burns on your skin.
  5. No grease stains on your clothes.
  6. No grease splatters all over your stove.
  7. Free up space on your stovetop for other foods.
  8. While the bacon’s in the oven cooking itself, you can turn your attention to other things. Like mixing mimosas.
  9. Clean-up is as easy as it gets.
  10. Baking bacon makes it possible to make candied bacon.
  11. Bacon is it’s own best reason to cook bacon.

 

Bacon for the Family or a Crowd

 

Ingredients
1 pound thick-cut bacon

Equipment
Large rimmed baking sheet
Aluminum foil
Baking rack (Optional: Cooking the bacon on a rack makes the bacon crisper, and lets the grease drip off the bacon as it cooks. If you go the rack route, you should still line your baking pan with foil to make clean-up easy.)

Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 400° F. You won’t be broiling the bacon, so put your oven rack in the middle of your oven to distribute the heat evenly.
1. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Make sure the foil extends up the sides of the pan so it captures all the bacon grease and clean-up is easier.
2. Arrange bacon strips directly on the foil. It’s okay if the bacon overlaps slightly because it will shrink slightly as it bakes. OR place the bacon on a rack. Place the baking pan in the oven.
3. Cook bacon for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how chewy or crispy you like your bacon.
4. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined platter. The extra grease will be absorbed by the paper towels, and the bacon will crisp up a bit as it cools. You can then transfer it to a clean plate to serve.

Notes From Home Cooks

  • No baking rack? No problem. Line the baking sheet, then crumple up some more foil and lay the bacon on that to hold it up out of the grease.
  • Your baking time may differ. No two ovens bake at exactly the same temperature. You’ll probably need to do this a couple of times to find the right time/temperature that works for you.
  • Prevent oven splatters.  Lay a layer of foil over the bacon; this will keep grease from spitting all over the oven. Remove the foil for the last few minutes of cooking for “final crisping.”
  • Clean up is a snap. As if we need another reason for making bacon in the oven. Just let the bacon grease cool in the pan (save it if you want), then roll up the aluminum foil and toss it.

Save Your Bacon

Here’s the method as a recipe so you can save to your recipe box. Or pin the graphic below. Enjoy your new life, now with perfect bacon.

 

Easiest Way To Cook Bacon Graphic
The Easiest, No-Mess Way to Cook Bacon

10 Ways to Go for Color in the Bath

With bold hues, attention-grabbing tile, and creative details, the bathroom can be the most fun room in the house. Get inspired by these 10 spaces that aren’t afraid of piling on the color and pattern. Which do you like best?
10 Ways to Go for Color in the Bath

Kitchens That Rock Not-White Cabinets

White cabinets remain at the top of kitchen wish lists, but they’re not for everyone. The following kitchens, pulled from the most popular photos uploaded to Houzz, feature cabinets in various takes on wood, and paint tones to create spaces that range from rich and warm to light and airy. The most popular is saved for last.
Kitchens That Rock Not-White Cabinets

25 Backsplash Ideas

Here are some great backsplash ideas from Dwell Magazine.  Enjoy!
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation
An interesting backsplash can take your kitchen from average to extraordinary.

From eye-catching tilework to impressive slabs of marble, this collection of some of our favorite kitchen backsplashes will help inspire your next remodel.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 1 of 25 - In the kitchen, copper-colored stainless steel tiles from TileBar create a glowing backsplash. The cabinetry is by IKEA, the countertop is Caesarstone, and the induction cooktop is by Bosch.
In the kitchen, copper-colored stainless steel tiles from TileBar create a glowing backsplash. The cabinetry is by IKEA, the countertop is Caesarstone, and the induction cooktop is by Bosch.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 2 of 25 - The stools are from Crate & Barrel. The Hobsons chose a geometric-patterned glass tile backsplash by Island Stone. Induction cooktop and oven are by Bosch.

The stools are from Crate & Barrel. The Hobsons chose a geometric-patterned glass tile backsplash by Island Stone. Induction cooktop and oven are by Bosch.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 3 of 25 - In total, the renovation was completed for around $35,000.
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 4 of 25 - The showstopping material elements are the Borghini honed marble countertop and backsplash by Ann Sacks. Hasami porcelain vessels line the open shelving.

The showstopping material elements are the Borghini honed marble countertop and backsplash by Ann Sacks. Hasami porcelain vessels line the open shelving.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 5 of 25 - In the bathroom, a custom ceramic backsplash designed by Meredith and Sample joins an iroko-wood tub created by their students a the University of Toronto.
In the bathroom, a custom ceramic backsplash designed by Meredith and Sample joins an iroko-wood tub created by their students a the University of Toronto.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 6 of 25 - Sasha samples berries at the island while Wes, perched on the counter next to Deborah, clutches the whipped cream—similar in color to the backsplash, made of traditional Moroccan tiles and available through Emory & Cie.
 Moroccan tiles and available through Emory & Cie.
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 7 of 25 - Backsplash from Porcelain and More
Backsplash from Porcelain and More

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 8 of 25 - Butler's pantry with herringbone backsplash
 Butler’s pantry with herringbone backsplash
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 9 of 25 - Heath Ceramics hex tile backsplash and counter with copper edge
 Heath Ceramics hex tile backsplash and counter with copper edge
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 10 of 25 - We had the stone counter and backsplash  cut from the same slab of Vermont marble, achieving a continuous graphic pattern.Stone counter and backsplash cut from the same slab of Vermont marble, achieving a continuous graphic pattern.
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 11 of 25 - The metal backsplash and drawer pulls were fabricated by 12th Avenue Iron; the cooktop is by Miele.
 The metal backsplash and drawer pulls were fabricated by 12th Avenue Iron; the cooktop is by Miele.
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 12 of 25 - In this California home, a red mosaic tiled backsplash balances the lower white marble counter.

In this California home, a red mosaic tiled backsplash balances the lower white marble counter.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 13 of 25 - Rendered in sharp blue, the timeless motif of Greek Key is used as this kitchen's backsplash.
Rendered in sharp blue, the timeless motif of Greek Key is used as this kitchen’s backsplash.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 14 of 25 - Kitchen Sink with J Schatz Platinum Formations Tile Backsplash and Brutal Coffeemaker
Kitchen Sink with J Schatz Platinum Formations Tile Backsplash and Brutal Coffeemaker
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 15 of 25 - The pendants over the kitchen island are from Cisco Home; the bar chairs are by Studio One for Lost & Found. The patterned concrete tile floor is from Mission Tile West, as is the mirrored backsplash (above), which was originally meant for the living room fireplace. "I think we over-ordered," Lena recalls. "So I said, ‘Let’s do a disco backsplash.’ It just needs to make you smile, and I think it does."
The pendants over the kitchen island are from Cisco Home; the bar chairs are by Studio One for Lost & Found. The patterned concrete tile floor is from Mission Tile West, as is the mirrored backsplash (above), which was originally meant for the living room fireplace.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 16 of 25 - Fresh white kitchen with warm wood wrapped island, black cabinet pulls and Dwell patterns Heath tile backsplash .
Fresh white kitchen with warm wood wrapped island, black cabinet pulls and Dwell patterns Heath tile backsplash.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 17 of 25 - A backsplash laid out in a herringbone pattern adds a subtle layer of texture while pendant lighting adds depth.
A backsplash laid out in a herringbone pattern adds a subtle layer of texture while pendant lighting adds depth.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 18 of 25 - Fireclay Tile in a classic subway pattern goes beyond the standard 18" H backsplash raising the ceiling visually.
Fireclay Tile in a classic subway pattern goes beyond the standard 18″ H backsplash raising the ceiling visually.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 19 of 25 - Detail of natural stone backsplash by Decorative Materials Inc. High gloss white cabinets by Vogo.
Detail of natural stone backsplash by Decorative Materials Inc. High gloss white cabinets by Vogo.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 20 of 25 - To complement the white-washed custom cabinetry in her kitchen, architect Julie Salles Schaffer has designed a tile backsplash to resemble "melting butter in a white pan". Daltile arranged her two-color AutoCAD design—white and off-white—onto a mesh backing for a small fee. To soften the edges of the cabinets’ drawers and doors, Schaffer requested radial edging.<br>
To complement the white-washed custom cabinetry in her kitchen, the architect designed a tile backsplash to resemble “melting butter in a white pan”. Daltile arranged the two-color AutoCAD design—white and off-white—onto a mesh backing for a small fee. To soften the edges of the cabinets’ drawers and doors, Schaffer requested radial edging.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 21 of 25 - Hand-made Moroccan tile backsplash by Mosaic House with contrasting niche; custom kitchen cabinets designed by MIRIAM BIOLEK Interior Design with Bendheim's mouth-blown glass inserts.
Hand-made Moroccan tile backsplash by Mosaic House with contrasting niche; custom kitchen cabinets with Bendheim’s mouth-blown glass inserts.
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 22 of 25 - In this urban townhouse, a Zodiaq® London Sky countertop wraps the wall behind it to become the backsplash, providing a polished backdrop for design details and vignettes. Its muted color complements dark wood cabinets and rich, metallic accents.
tIn this urban townhouse, a Zodiaq® London Sky countertop wraps the wall behind it to become the backsplash, providing a polished backdrop for design details and vignettes. Its muted color complements dark wood cabinets and rich, metallic accents.

25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 23 of 25 - The Ferry Building shop displays seasonal goods as well as items from some of Heath’s most popular collections. The top shelf here features serve bowls, platters, modern cups, bud vases, and a pitcher from this year’s Summer line in aqua/zest and ocean pacific. Heath worked with chef Alice Waters and designer Christina Kim to create the Chez Panisse line, named after the famed Berkeley restaurant, which is seen here on the second shelf: side bowls, mugs, and café bowls in Jicama, Cardoon, and Forrest. The backsplash is Heath dual glaze tile.

  The top shelf here features serve bowls, platters, modern cups, bud vases, and a pitcher from this year’s Summer line in aqua/zest and ocean pacific. he backsplash is Heath dual glaze tile.
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 24 of 25 - Owners Kirsten and Lloyd chose a muted mosaic tile from Modwalls to cover the backsplash and back wall of the kitchen. New cork floors from House + Earth give a nice feel underfoot. Perforated chrome lights from Rejuvenation under the bar soffit enhance the mid-century vibe.
 Owners chose a muted mosaic tile from Modwalls to cover the backsplash and back wall of the kitchen. New cork floors from House + Earth give a nice feel underfoot. Perforated chrome lights from Rejuvenation under the bar soffit enhance the mid-century vibe.
25 Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen Renovation - Photo 25 of 25 -
25 Backsplash Ideas