Does it really matter if your next-door neighbor doesn’t like the way you’ve arranged your kitchen? Well, no offense, but not really. Sure you might want a second opinion, and that’s great. But when you’re decorating,...

With its streamlined country elegance, the Scandinavian style is an ideal solution for the heart of the home. Natural finishes and understated decorations combine to create a sense of warmth and hospitality for a family kitchen. With...

If you have enough space, a well-planned central island can become the functional heart of a kitchen, providing extra storage, work surfaces, or a venue for quick meals. An island kitchen is essentially one that is large enough to...

If you are feeling a little worried about what lies of head of you, that’s understandable. But don’t ignore it if the anxiety is strong. Decorating should be a fun, exciting adventure, not a painful event. If you’re...

Working Height Make sure the island is at the right working height for you. Standard working height is 36in (900mm), but some feel that the ideal height for cooking, kneading bread, and other culinary tasks is 31 1/2 -33 1/2 in (800-850mm)....

Create harmonious schemes based on the ancient tints of minerals, rock, and soil- the colors of the earth are part of our natural environment and make a perfect background to everyday living. The restful tones of earth colors are derived...

Warm Earth Tones These are the hot, spicy colors that glow with warmth and depth in Etruscan wall paintings and cave paintings alike. The names of artists’ pigments bring the colors alive – raw sienna from Tuscany, the...

Using the Island A simple island can provide valuable extra working space, or you can opt for something more elaborate fitted with a sink or a cooktop. The top of the island can be made from laminate, solid granite, artificial stone,...

Style Pointers WALLS Partial paneling, to wainscoting or high-shelf level, is a popular way of treating walls. The wood is painted in a typical shade of blue to set the color theme for the room. The wooden tongue-and-groove boards...

From jewel-bright reds to deep, dark purples, the plum palette is rich, gorgeous, and eye-catching, adding a sense of luxury to all interiors from the classic to the ultramodern. If you yearn to use strong colors but are wary of the...