Kitchen Design Planning

May 17th, 2011 by admin No comments »

Why is it so important to get things right when engaging in kitchen design planning for a new home, or a remodeling project for an existing kitchen? It is true now, more than ever, that our kitchens have become the hub of the home. Keep reading for some useful tips to help you make good decisions as you start to plan a new design for this all-important room.

In times past, kitchens were more likely to be considered a place for cooking and food storage, but not much else. Today many of us expect our kitchens to serve multiple purposes, from food preparation and storage, homework station to family meeting place, and a central gathering room to share great food and fun together. In fact, when guests enter a home, one of their first destinations is often the kitchen!

Triangle Design Principle

From a purely functional view point, the main role of the kitchen is for meal preparation. Most kitchen design planning experts recommend stationing the sink, stove, and refrigerator in a triangular shape, not too far apart from each other, in order to facilitate ease of movement between the three most frequently accessed areas. Having to go around a corner, or through a corridor, to get to the fridge while cooking is not going to make life easy for cook or family. It would just create unnecessary stress! » Read more: Kitchen Design Planning

A Country Home House Plan For Rental Income

May 17th, 2011 by admin No comments »

A country home- especially one located on a lake, by the sea, or near other holiday destinations – can be an excellent source of income. In most cases the most important factor to bear in mind is location. However, in order to maximize profit there is another, less heralded but crucial factor to bear in mind, namely quality. A good design for a rental property doesn’t necessarily mean a country house living magazine plan featured in the pages of Country Home magazine. Rather, by quality is meant the selection of a good basic plan, as well as quality in terms of standard of comfort. This means paying close attention to the small details which beg vacation renters to return again and again. In order for a country home to give pleasure to vacationers and to return a fair profit on your investment, a certain amount of expertise is required.

Country homes should be inviting, comfortable places to live. A front porch which feels welcoming; symmetrical windows; and second floor dormers; are all marks of the average country home. Originally Southern in origin, and typical of the 1700′s and 1800′s, the basic design combines elements from different American traditional architectural styles. On many country homes the roof flares out over the front porch. The porch is actually the centerpiece of the design since it is the principal living and entertaining area in the summer months, the time when most vacationers rent. The symmetrical windows highlight the exterior while bringing natural light inside. The dormers also contribute to interior lighting, while increasing the second-floor living space. Even though the basic design is quite simple, one can find examples of the basic country home house plan all over the country. » Read more: A Country Home House Plan For Rental Income