Thursday, August 28, 2008

Click here to watch the video version of Designing with Jessica.

A spice rack on top of the counter near the stove can be handy for cooking, but it can also collect dust when it is not in use, not to mention, it takes up counter space. "The most important thing is figuring out where to put the items that you're using often and make them easy to access," said Matt Kernodle, owner of Jamestown Designer Kitchens.  Kernodle drew up a kitchen design for a Savannah couple who said countertop space to prepare food was important to them.  Now that the kitchen is done, a narrow pull-out spice rack situated next to the stove provides a convenient place for the herbs.  Since the drawer pulls out, the spices in the very back of the drawer are a quick grab from the stove.

Trash cans are necessary in the kitchen, however, they are not the prettiest items to display.  Cans, custom-fitted to the interior of a cabinet make best use of the space and get the cans out of sight and out of the way.

There is something else in this Savannah kitchen that's worth mentioning.  Sliding shelves inside the cabinets hold the pots and pans.  This way, the frequently used sauté pan is as handy to grab as the wok.  Maybe a stir-fry dinner isn't as much work as it first seemed during the planning? 

What's becoming pretty common in new and renovated kitchens these days is "soft close" hardware attached to every drawer and door.  The mechanisms prevent the cabinet drawers and doors from slamming shut.  There is no need to empty your full hands in order to guide a drawer closed.  Give the cabinet a bump with your rump and the door quietly closes.  Hard door closes not only sound loud, but over time the hinges may loosen. 

Copyright 2008 by WJCL 22 / ABC and WTGS / FOX28, The Coastal Source