CHICAGO — LX Hausys America Inc. unveiled new brand identities for its  HIMACS Solid Surface and Viatera Quartz Surface brands, and a new brand identity for its resilient floorcovering line of products, HFLOR, at the recently held NeoCon. The new brand identities reflect the company’s name change this summer from LG Hausys America to LX Hausys America.

The new name is a result of the company’s position within the recently established LX Holdings Corp. The holding company is a globally diversified organization recently spun off from LG Group, the South Korean multinational conglomerate best known for its advanced consumer electronics.

Concurrent with the name change, the company introduced a new logo. It pays homage to the company’s roots, looks to the future and embodies the organization’s management philosophy: “Link to a sustainable future.” Of significance, the “X” within the LX Hausys logo is intersected with an ascending diagonal line, which is a visual representation of the company accelerating into the future, notes the firm.

An ascending diagonal line is now found within each brand logo. This subtle design treatment creates a unified look between the company and its three brands, the company continues. It also ensures the company’s mission for creating a more sustainable future is consistently visually represented across its portfolio of brands.

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AUSTIN, TX — The Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Association has named its 2021 DPHA Professional of the Year Award Winners, the Bethesda, MD-based trade association announced.

The winners, who were cited at the DPHA’s recent 20th Anniversary Conference and Product Showcase in Austin, include:

• Customer Service Department of the Year: Waterstone Faucets, Murrieta, CA.
• Manufacturing Professional of the Year: Bruce Reidel, Mountain Plumbing, Irving, TX.
• Representative Agency of the Year: Excel Marketing, Boise City, ID.
• Representative Professional of the Year: Kory Nelson, Premier Decorative Group, San Ramon, CA.
• Showroom Professional of the Year: Joshua Moss, Advance Plumbing Company, Detroit, MI.
• Showroom of the Year: Ultra Design Center, Denver, CO.

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CHICAGO — Cosentino, the major supplier of upscale surfacing materials for architecture and design, has opened an expansive new showcase for its Silestone and related product lines in Chicago’s design district, the company announced.

Cosentino in September hosted leaders from Chicago’s architecture and design community for the grand opening of its new Cosentino City Center, the first of its kind in North America and one of only seven in the world, the company said.

Cosentino’s $1.3-million, 4,600-sq.-ft. space “boldly bucks the traditional showroom model, offering a more holistic, streamlined and inspiring experience for industry professionals and consumers alike,” according to the company. An Atelier, or design workshop, provides access to Cosentino’s full product offering and an expansive selection of globally and locally sourced textiles, tile, cabinetry samples and plumbing fixtures, along with an augmented reality design space and full to-scale digital slab displays showcasing hi-definition imagery of the brand’s expansive offering, Cosentino said.

“Expanding our new City Center experience to North America is a pivotal moment for the Cosentino brand,” said Eduardo Cosentino, CEO of Cosentino North America and executive v.p./global sales. “Our new Cosentino Chicago City Center will ensure a greater immersion in the city itself, as well as a deeper connection to the industry professionals from across the region who visit Chicago’s design district.”

The Chicago Cosentino City Center is located at 217 West Illinois St. and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 312-649-4045.

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While bath accessories are often touted for the organization or comfort they provide, products such as medicine cabinets and mirrors can be statement-making pieces while they provide a needed function. Lighting is a key component of today’s mirrored fixtures, and many deliver different colors and temperatures to add brightness or a softer atmosphere, depending upon what is desired.

Some of the trends in bath mirrors and medicine cabinets include:

–Specialty lighting within mirrors that adjusts according to need and personal preference, including for makeup application and grooming as well as to mimic daylight and indoor lighting.

–Refrigeration within medicine cabinets to help preserve expensive face creams or properly store medications.

–Electronic outlets inside cabinets that supply power for hairdryers and electric shavers, as well as charging stations for cell phones and tablets.

–Backlighting on mirrors and medicine cabinets with color settings for drama and night-light displays for middle-of-the-night visits.

–Medicine cabinets and mirrors with smart capabilities for connected function, complete with disappearing television screens and computer settings for music, weather and other reports.

–Mirrors in dramatic shapes that enhance the overall design or act as the focal point of the bath.

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Sometimes two great styles are better than one. That’s what happens when the raw functionality of Scandinavian design fuses with Japanese nature-suffused simplicity, and it’s a look that fits American kitchens like a glove. Designers say it creates wonderful zen, with some famous Scandi and Japanese variants adding warmth and interest to sleek minimalism.

At first glance it may seem an unlikely design union, since Japan and Scandinavia are on opposite sides of the globe. But, in actuality, their design sensibilities are remarkably similar, and Denmark, especially, has had a close trade relationship with Japan for hundreds of years. The Danish design museum in Copenhagen even devotes exhibit space to Japanese design.

Thomas Lykke of OEO Studio in Copenhagen, Tokyo and Kyoto applauds the design fusion of the two countries, but dislikes that it’s dubbed a trend.

“Trends tend to pass by,” he says. “The Japanese-Danish connection goes far beyond that. I call it shared DNA. Meticulous craftsmanship and attention to details, simplicity and timelessness are deep-rooted in both countries’ culture. We want design that will be relevant 50 years from now. And we are, in our hectic lives, looking for meaningful ways to live, through craftsmanship and rituals, whether that’s a tea ceremony in Kyoto or a coffee break in Copenhagen. Also, neither country has vast natural resources, so we respect what we have and work with it.”

Although Japandi at its roots is the epitome of minimalism, two special concepts set it apart. One is “hygge,” a Danish word now known by designers everywhere, meaning cozy comfort. In Scandinavia this is achieved with lots of textures and touches of color. The other is wabi sabi, the Japanese concept of finding beauty in something imperfect. This could be a well-loved heirloom, perhaps a piece of furniture or a well-used utensil. Although Scandinavians don’t talk about wabi sabi, they, too, love to let the patina of something old and well-loved add charm to a space.

Cabinetry in a Lykke kitchen is always the main event. In one kitchen, for example, cabinets aspire to be more a piece of furniture that fits naturally into living environments rather than a stand-alone kitchen. It combines simplicity and refined, contrasting materials. Lykke calls it “a quality culinary space rather than merely a show kitchen.” Another kitchen features modular cabinets, a popular concept in European homes. The modules are sectioned using slender metal dividers and sit on metal plinths creating a light, floating look.

Modern Nostalgia

When a 30-something guy bought a tiny, concrete cell of an apartment on New York City’s Upper East Side, he turned to architect Andrew Mikhael for help. The client showed Mikhael photos from his grandmother’s home, a place that inspired wonderful memories. When Mikhael saw the grandmother’s Danish serve ware and the simple, elegant mid-century furnishings, he knew exactly what to do.

“Since he loves to have people over and cook and bake for them, I knew the kitchen should be an unexpected centerpiece,” reports Mikhael, “a functional work of art. We removed the wall between the galley kitchen and the living room to combine the spaces. We also extended the kitchen into the entryway space, thus expanding the kitchen from 56 square feet to 87 square feet. Next, we installed an angled walnut wall that recalls a partially pulled-back curtain, dramatically revealing the sculptural kitchen.”

Mikhael used walnut throughout the kitchen as an homage to the client’s grandmother. He even wrapped a structural column that couldn’t be moved in walnut. The remarkable workmanship morphs and blends, wraps and anchors, and ultimately hammers out a rhythm.

Lighting was a problem in the apartment. “Because the ceilings were concrete, lighting couldn’t be recessed into them,” explains Mikhael. “As a result, LED tape lights were mounted in long channels one inch below the ceiling, and we then used wood slats to give them a home. The slats don’t just shield the lighting channels, they also hide the unsightly concrete.”

Cabinetry is frameless with simple finger pulls to keep the look minimalist, countertops are matte black Corian, the range and hood are wrapped in stainless steel, and backsplashes are backlit glass.

Mikhael warns that a meticulous carpenter is needed for this kind of work. “I asked my contractor if he minded if I worked with the carpenters at Conex Interiors directly,” he relays, “and he gave me his blessing. They did an incredible job.”

Japandi Meets Bungalow

Jennifer Gilmer, an award-winning kitchen and bath designer and principal of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath with showrooms in Maryland and Virginia, says that she tells clients, jokingly, that she designs “Western Feng Shui” kitchens. “But I am really quite serious,” she remarks. “The more I learned about Feng Shui, the more I realized that I was unwittingly doing just that. It has become my signature style. So no matter what the design is, and they are all very different, the one thing they have in common is that they make you feel good. That’s Feng Shui.”

Japandi fans will testify to its built-in Feng Shui, so it’s no surprise that Gilmer chose modern Japanese design as the look she wanted for her own home. “This was a Sears bungalow,” she tells. “It was a far cry from the elegant minimalism of Japanese design, but my architect magically made my aspirations possible with a modern addition at the back of the house. There, I got the beautiful and functional space I had visualized for cooking, family life and entertaining.”

Knowing that the cabinetry would be the main focus of the kitchen, Gilmer sought out Premier Custom-Built Cabinetry, which has developed its Mizuki style inspired by Japanese folk houses and traditional Tansu cabinetry.

“We chose an engineered veneer crafted to look like Macassar Ebony,” relays Gilmer. “The wood grain is horizontal, and the ‘striped’ look is so striking that everything else in the kitchen was chosen to complement the cabinetry. No other element was allowed to distract from its beauty. For example, honed black granite was used for the countertops and wenge for the island wood detail. Wenge is similar to cherry, but turns dark over time. The backsplash behind the cooktop is backpainted glass, the farmhouse sink sits on black granite to protect the cabinets from water damage, and dishes are kept on floating shelves.”

She’s especially fond of the pantry, with its retractable bi-fold doors. They open to reveal a countertop, and it houses a steam oven as well as a plethora of cooking accessories. When not in use, the doors are shut so the pantry looks beautiful when entering the kitchen.

The gnarly irregularity of the unclaimed wood floors and beams contrasts with the clean, sleek cabinets, creating precisely the kind of juxtaposition that’s quintessentially Japanese. “So, yes, modern Japanese design and American Bungalow can mix well,” concludes Gilmer. “This space will never go out of style because it honored and melded two very tasteful styles that have proven the test of time.”

Detailed Minimalism

Mick De Giulio, principal of de Giulio Kitchen Design in Chicago, IL, pays visits to near and far locales, and those influences have a way of creeping into his kitchen designs. Japanese and Scandi aesthetics may appear in a design here and there, but in typical De Giulio fashion, inspirations remain just that. From there they are carefully curated and translated into one-of-a-kind designs.

Such is the case of a kitchen he designed in Boston – a classic 19th-century Victorian with a modern addition in the back. “It was just right for a family friendly kitchen,” notes De Giulio. “It’s a contemporary, clean-lined space, but it blends seamlessly with the old part of the house, he remarks. “The design emphasizes asymmetry and horizontals, and the layout is straightforward. Materials play an important role in keeping the space serene. We used light walnut in an organic, almost natural color that we nicknamed ‘Norwegian’ for its sun-bleached, Scandinavian look.”

Of course, everything that De Giulio designs is actually not that simple. A kitchen may look minimalistic, but it’s sure to include exquisite details that don’t shout. The Boston kitchen’s cabinetry, for example, is framed in bronze and contrasts subtly with brushed Iceberg quartzite. The edges of the quartzite counter were mitered to make the slab look extra thick, and a stair-step design at one end provides room for extra seating. The quartzite is repeated on the backsplashes and wrapped the range area.

In another kitchen in Winnetka, IL, De Giulio, worked the wood, creating cabinets with seemingly unfinished, textured surfaces. The space was a riff on a style that the client called Belgian farmhouse, but it is also a look that’s beloved in Scandinavian and Japanese farmhouses. De Giulio achieved it using white oak, cross-cut against the grain. To emphasize the casual, freewheeling look of the light-filled space, he installed legs on the island and placed the cooktop on a table made of reclaimed wood. Finally, he introduced some freestanding stainless steel cabinets for a bit of an industrial vibe.

“There’s nothing sleek about this space,” comments De Giulio. “It is full of textures and juxtapositions. Nobody ever heard of Japandi when this kitchen was designed, but I think it plays into the style. It’s a strong style, especially because it is so adaptable.”

Globetrotting Style

How do a couple of world travelers get a kitchen that reflects their global style, works as a canvas for treasures from many countries and yet functions for everyday life? They get together with award-winning designer Marcus Otten of Exquisite Kitchen Design in Denver, CO. Otten is known for a singular motto: “There are 10,000 different ways to do things, but only one way to do it right.”

For the world travelers, he designed a space where everything tells a story and brings up memories. The couple’s objets d’art are displayed throughout the space, including on floating shelves. The most stunning element, however, is the cabinetry featuring Royal Ebony veneer.

“It’s the most beautiful material I have ever seen,” remarks Otten. “It features unique color patterns and is very rare. There simply are no more logs. This African tree grows slowly and can only be turned into lumber when it’s 100 or so years old.”

Rift-cut oak for other cabinets and the island plus steel accents provide the layers and textures that Otten favors. Altogether, the space contains a lot of the Japandi influence: meticulous craftsmanship, beautiful wood, thoughtful contrasts and artistic accents.

Japandi’s elements are expected to continue to resonate with designers, who find its sophisticated minimalism warmed by craftsmanship and artistry endlessly adaptable. Many homeowners also understand and embrace the concepts of hygge and wabi-sabi, which Japandi fans call “yin and yang” at its best. Gilmer’s reference to it as “great Feng Shui” reflects its staying power in design.

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Space is at a premium in most apartments. You want to grow your food, but you don’t have the space for a full-sized greenhouse or even a small one. Well, with that limited space you have in your apartment, Ikea cabinet greenhouse hacks are the best way to go.

For plant enthusiasts, finding the perfect balance of creativity and plant displays is an art. Everyone loves it when plant parents show off their favorite tropical plants while creating a perfect environment for the plant. And that’s where the Ikea greenhouse cabinet hack comes in. 

Countless individuals have turned their IKEA cabinets into growing systems by adding home components like grow lights, fans, and special herbs. Here are some great ideas for transforming your IKEA cabinet into a greenhouse:

Features of the Ikea Greenhouse Cabinet

Robin Schouten, the founder of a popular Instagram page @Ikeagreenhouse cabinet, states that the Ikea cabinet greenhouse features IKEA cabinets that were converted into greenhouses for tropical plants. 

Schouten, the founder of an Instagram account called Ikea greenhouse cabinet, was looking for a glass greenhouse for her humidity-loving plants and found people using these Ikea DIY ideas. In this trending DIY hack, plant parents transformed glass Ikea cabinets into indoor greenhouses, making it ideal for plant enthusiasts to deal with their limited space. 

It’s fairly easy, and all you need is a glass cabinet, grow lights, a small fan, and a humidifier. These Ikea greenhouse cabinets are versatile and can be cheap and simple or expensive and complex as you want. It all depends on your budget, DIY skills, commitments, and the type of plants you want to keep inside them.

Acquire Ikea Glass Cabinet Choices for Greenhouse Hacking

Ikea offers a lot of glass cabinets that you can transform into a greenhouse. These include the detolf, fabrikor, milsbo and rudsta. These Ikea glass cabinet hacks are available in different colors and sizes. Make sure you find one that suits you.

Install Grow Light

You can install fluorescent grow lights and a simple timer to keep your houseplants alive. Fluorescent tubes are cheaper, relatively cool, and very easy to set up. You can also use LED grow lights that are more expensive but last longer. They are very efficient compared to normal light bulbs. A fan is also necessary because it helps circulate air inside the cabinet.

Perfect the Air Environment

You can grow any plant you want in your greenhouse, but these plants are helpful for tropical plants which require high humidity. In this case, add a small humidifier and tray filled with water. Include mini fans to help with air circulation and prevent mold from growing. You can also monitor the climate by keeping a temperature and humidity gauge on one of the shelves.

Customize Your Liking

You can customize your greenhouse. There are shelves, hooks, and baskets that you can glue to fit your needs. You can also use Ikea cabinet doors or covers to make sure all of your plants do not go directly on the wall or floor of the cabinet. This is an awesome way to reuse old cabinets. 

This greenhouse will help produce healthy plants, vegetables, and food for your family. Some people add pegboards, fern wood panels, and a wire rack to the back of the cabinet to clip stems and vines as plants grow. Others like adding heat mats, weather stripping, and replacing glass shelves with wire or acrylic ones.

All of these are not necessary. Beyond the main function of houseplants, indoor greenhouses are meant to please the eyes, so arrange the plants as you wish and keep monitoring their conditions to ensure their success.

Ikea Greenhouse Cabinets

Robin Schouten’s Fabrikor and Milsbo Greenhouse Setup

Robin Schouten’s greenhouse setup is pretty simple. A 3-tier Fabrikor shelving unit was attached to the wall, then a Milsbo cabinet just below it, followed by smaller plants on the top shelf. Two mini fans were used to increase airflow, and she uses grow lights in an area that doesn’t get much light. This would be perfect for growing strawberries or other vines that need support to hold them up.

A Vancouver Collector’s Milsbo Cabinet DIY Greenhouse

The plants inside this setup include basil plants and fig trees, both taking advantage of growing on top of cupboards that have fluorescent lighting that can be turned on at any given time. The Milsbo is retrofitted with wire shelves to allow better airflow than the glass shelves it comes with. 

There are also three grow light panels, weather stripping, a small fan for air circulation, and a water tray to boost humidity. There is a hygrometer to monitor the temperature and humidity.

A Gorgeous DIY Terrarium from an IKEA Fabrikor Cabinet

There are a few steps involved in the process of building one of these units. One of the most important is to find an existing cabinet with a backlight that you can remove or buy a Fabrikor piece that allows for this feature.

This unit gets air from a small computer fan that blows into it from the back, and there is a removable water tray for easy watering of the plants. It’s sealed and waterproofed by installing fiberglass at the bottom so that it can open and close.

3 Cabinets for a Huge Aroid Collection

The owner of this house has a nice IKEA Fabrikor unit that he mounted to the wall to store his impressive colocasia and yucca collection. As you can see, it also houses some other plants, like an interesting-looking cactus.

The interior is filled with soil, and drainage holes were added to make it easy to keep plants alive. It’s a cheap but interesting approach to home plant storage.

FAQs about Ikea Cabinet Greenhouse Hacks

What can you grow in your greenhouse cabinets?

You can grow anything in your greenhouse Ikea, ranging from succulents, vegetables, and cacti.

Can you use perlite instead of a humidity tray?

Yes, this is an alternative way to increase air moisture for the benefit of your housing plants.

Final Thought about Ikea Cabinet Greenhouse Hacks

Well, that’s all about Ikeas cabinet greenhouse hacks. So, pick one according to your budget, DIY skills, and plant requirements to enjoy your indoor greenhouse.

 

 

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If you are looking for ways to make your kitchen look unique, then try out kitchen wallpaper. Decorating your kitchen is not an easy task. You need to consider the design, colors, and patterns of the wallpapers before you start decorating your kitchen walls. Wallpaper can be used in any room of the house for a stylish look with minimal effort.

Kitchen wallpaper is one such type that adds elegance to any home décor. It can transform an ordinary space into something extraordinary and unique. These days, there are many options available when it comes to choosing from different designs of wallpaper for kitchens.

If you want a creative way to makeover your kitchen wall, try out these new ideas on how you can use wallpaper on your walls instead of paint, tiles, and marble pieces.

1. Pantry Makeover

Adding wallpaper in the kitchen pantry will instantly hide any stains on your walls. However, you must choose the right color that will complement the design of your cabinets. Consider a small pantry that uses uplifting, colorful floral wallpaper as a backdrop for shelving and storage.

Taking risks in this small risk space is a great way of experimenting without huge investment and commitment. Dressing up the utilitarian corners of your home in bright colors and patterns is a small life-affirming act of care for your room.

2. Backsplash

Instead of using a tile backsplash, consider vinyl wallpaper that is easy to clean and replace. If you think that tile might be too permanent, you can try samples of stone-look textured wallpaper attached only temporarily onto the wall with double-sided tape or light adhesive.

This way, if your taste changes or you decide to change your kitchen layout,, you can quickly use wallpaper remover to remove it and restore your kitchen to its original look. Vinyl wallpaper will also save you a lot of money in the long run.

3. Feature Wall

Feature walls are a great way to make your kitchen look one of a kind. While everyone else uses subway tiles or standard white tiles, you can stand out from the crowd by putting up wallpaper. You might think this idea sounds too bold, but remember that you can always use accent colors and patterns and be as daring as you want.

Install an accent wall of wallpaper in any pattern that strikes your fancy. Don’t worry about coordinating colors and styles if you want to keep the rest of the space neutral. Feel free to go bold by dressing your contemporary cookie kitchen.

4. Get Inspired by Art Deco

From the late 1890s through the early 1940s, art deco was all about bold colors and geometric patterns. This trend has made something of a comeback over the past few years in interior design, so you can even find wallpapers that look like they came straight from an art deco painting.

These art deco prints will never get old despite their age. So, get a huge range of art deco-inspired patterned wallpapers. Make sure you line them up well due to their intricate pattern.

5. Add a Geo Backsplash for a Special Pop

To add a special touch to the kitchen, you can use this glazed Geo backsplash tile. These handmade tiles come in all kinds of colors and shapes. You can choose the right combination for your wall and decorating palette with different colors and patterns. The silky smooth surface of these handmade tiles makes them easy to clean.

However, to keep them in top shape, you need to wipe them with a damp cloth at least once daily. If the bright color doesn’t look appealing, opt for black and white wallpaper in a neat geometric design. Geo patterns can go well with any kitchen color scheme.

6. Consider Shades of Green in the Kitchen

Choosing a green color for your kitchen wallpaper is a great idea. It will add an organic touch to the room without making it look dull and grey. If you want something more striking, use bright lime or grass green shades in your wallpaper design. The dark background makes these colors stand out beautifully to give the room a bright look.

An otherwise simple white kitchen is the perfect blank canvas for a bold usage of pretty graphic wallpaper. Green is also a great color for bringing plants into the kitchen. Grasses, ivies, and ferns will look stunning when paired with these colors. If you aren’t comfortable with grasses and plants inside your home, use different shaped plants like bottles of ferns to give the same effect.

7. Consider Tie in Statement Colors with Existing Wallpaper

When designing your kitchen, you can go bold by using striking wallpaper for the whole room or around one wall. If you want to have an interesting statement wall in your kitchen, try creating a beautiful pattern with various shades of green.

The blue and white wallpaper print makes the teal shiplap and marble countertops look like a match made in home decor heaven. Blue and white is a classic kitchen colorway that always feels fresh.

8. Bring in Dark Floral Prints for a Hint of Dramatic Flair

A pretty floral print on wallpaper can turn your kitchen from dull to fab in one simple stroke. To keep the look from being overwhelming, use it as an accent wall. In this smart and stylish kitchen, there is no room for boring or bland, so they have used their statement wallpaper to beautiful effect.

Green patterned wallpaper is used on the kitchen ceiling, which is unusual, but it adds an interesting feature to this contemporary kitchen. If you are looking for a bold statement and a stylish focal point, go for a dark geometric pattern. The black dots are also echoed in the tiling on the wall behind the cooker unit and the hob.

9. Bring the Texture

The texture is a very important addition to any room, kitchen included. The right wallpaper not only adds visual interest to your wall but can also bring elements of texture to your entire kitchen.

10. Add a Black Kitchen Backsplash

To create a sleek and modern kitchen, you can combine black kitchen cabinets with black countertops, backsplashes, and flooring. It looks very stylish even when it is done in contrast to other colors. Black-and-white geometric tiles give you the opportunity to put your stamp on the kitchen design project. This is an inexpensive alternative to tile and gives you a perfect kitchen backsplash.

11. Corner Booth

Wallpaper is a great way to add personality to any room, including the kitchen. One of the underappreciated aspects of this idea is using wallpaper in an unexpected place. When you are tired of plain tile or give up on painting cabinets, consider covering them with wallpaper instead.

12A booth can be used as both a decoration and a functional space, including a dining area where you can have family dinners and late-night drinks once the kids are in bed.

12. Go French Countryside with a Muted Floral Themed Design

You can even buy cloth wallpaper that looks just like the real thing. The best part of this idea is you will have a unique kitchen unlike anyone else’s in your neighborhood. 

Thanks to the paned windows and muted floral wallpaper print, a charming kitchen will feel like a traditional chateau off the French countryside. The sage-colored cabinets, marble countertops, and minimal conces add a modern twist that helps the kitchen feel more current and upscale.

FAQs about Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas

Is peel and stick wallpaper good for kitchens?

Yes, peel and stick wallpaper lets you add fun and color patterns to your kitchen without the permanence and expense of traditional wallpaper.

Is kitchen wallpaper a good idea?

Designers say wallpaper is a secret ingredient for creating a unique, whimsical kitchen. Whether you keep it in your backsplash, bar, breakfast nook, or cover every wall, wallpaper can instantly transform your kitchen.

Final Thought on Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas

As you can see, kitchen wallpaper ideas can be easily customized to your specific tastes and requirements. Today, we have seen how an elegant and stylish kitchen can be made just by changing the wallpaper, and this makes it easy for you to go ahead with the same idea to get that stunning kitchen you always wanted.

If you love fun and adventurous styles, then there are innumerable options available at your disposal. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give your kitchen a touch of elegance by changing the way it looks.

 

The post 12 Inspirational Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.

Removing wallpaper can be a difficult task, especially when you haven’t done so in the past. But with the right tool, removing old wallpaper becomes easy and fast. If you’re planning to remove old or outdated wallpaper from your walls, then we have got an easy solution for you. With the help of these best wallpaper removers, your home remodeling project will be very simple and fast. 

So without wasting any more time, let’s begin with our reviews on Best Wallpaper Steamers in 2021.

1. Wagner Spraytech Multipurpose Wallpaper Remover

Among all the wallpaper removers available in the market, Wagner Spraytech is an ideal choice for you. It’s easy to use and very efficient at removing even wallpapers with glue left on it. It will save you valuable time instead of using other methods like scrapping it out, which can consume a lot of time.

If you’re looking for an affordable steam cleaner optimized to use as a wallpaper remover, this pick suits you perfectly well. For those tough jobs that call for stronger tools, consider using this wallpaper steamer from Wagner. It’s an efficient and effective wallpaper remover. The steam plate has an easy-grip handle to help you complete long steaming jobs. 

With its large tank capable of producing up to 70 minutes of steam, you’ll get enough working time out of this budget-friendly steamer as you steam and soften wallpaper and its adhesive backing. The steam plate also attaches to an 11-foot long hose, stretching to those hard-to-reach areas.

2. WP Chomp World’s Best Wallpaper Stripper

WP chomp citrus solvent is a darling to many people, thanks to its ability to transform the tedious task into a quick spray bottle. This ready-to-use wallpaper stripper is effective on all types of wallpaper, including vinyl, grass, strippable and temporary wallpaper. Its commercial strength formula is designed to penetrate quickly, making wallpaper adhesive and leftover residue easier to remove. 

This strip wallpaper remover has a mild citrus scent that won’t leave a strong chemical smell behind. However, WP chomp recommends using this spray with a wallpaper scoring tool, especially when it is tough to remove water-resistant wallpapers.

3. HomeRight Steam Wallpaper Remover Review

The HomeRight Steam Wallpaper Remover is a steam cleaner that can take wallpaper off your walls. The powerful handheld steamer features touch-free technology, which enables you to remove old wallpaper without touching it with your hands. Whether you want to remove double or triple-layered wallpaper, this steam wallpaper remover is equipped to separate paper glued with the toughest adhesive.

It’s powered by 120 volts of electricity, a 40 ounces water tank, heating element, jet nozzle, and a steam plate. These elements enable it to discharge pressurized steam as the only mode of effective wallpaper removal for fast and effective cleaning. 

With different furnished nozzle attachments, this versatile cleaner isn’t only capable of wallpaper removal and works in showers, kitchen stovetops, bathtubs, and grills. This device is also equipped with a pistol-lock mechanism to promote continuous and intermittent steam discharge operation.

4. WP Chomp Wallpaper Scraping Tool

Apart from wallpaper removal, this device is also capable of scraping paint and rust. It’s an effective one-stop solution for various surfaces’ decontamination without the need to use a mop or brush. Vinyl is one of the harder wall coverings to remove due to its thicker construction and two-layer application. This makes it very hard to remove.

Fortunately, you can remove such stubborn wallpaper with WP wallpaper Chomp’s scorer. This wallpaper remover includes dual cutting wheels that are made of tempered steel for added strength and durability. It’s also easy to get into tighter areas, thanks to its compact size, plus the ergonomic design helps reduce fatigue.

5. Zinsser DIF Wallpaper Stripper

This wallpaper stripper from the house of Zinsser is a staple for any DIY enthusiast who wants to remove old wallpaper from their walls. It provides excellent adhesion and durability, giving you an easy time while removing stubborn wallpaper. 

This best solvent from Zinsser is a basic wallpaper stripper that will dissolve adhesive and soften paper, paving the way for a smooth transition to bare walls. You’ll need to dilute it before application with each 22-ounce bottle yielding two gallons of stripping solution. 

You’ll also need to put in some work when using this budget-friendly wallpaper remover solvent. You can pair it with the best scoring tool and a scraping tool to supplement your efforts.

6. Bates Choice Scraper

If you’re planning to tackle a range of wall renovation jobs, consider this set of multi purpose scrapers from Bates Choice. This inexpensive dual pack comes with two metal scrapers to remove paint and wallpaper. The tool comes with a compact design, making it easy to work in tight spots like behind the toilet and underneath cabinets.

The scrapers can also scrape windows and remove old adhesive leftover from decals or bumper stickers. Each scraper comes with a thick stainless steel blade and wooden handle. The dual edge blade is sharp and rust-resistant, making it ideal for sliding beneath wallpaper, even in damp and steamy conditions. The comfortable and sharp handle provides a soft grip to tackle long jobs with ease.

This wallpaper remover is made for multi-purpose use with a pointed end and a cut-out design to function as a go-to tool for home renovations. It’s also helpful in spackling drywall and removing crown molding to get walls back to tip-top shape.

7. Zinsser Paper Tiger Free-Floating Wallpaper Remover

With its three scoring heads, paper tiger free-floating wallpaper remover can perforate an entire room of wallpaper with ease. It has self-aligning heads that cover greater surface area than single head tools to finish the job in less time and with less effort. Paper tiger also has an ergonomic handle that can fit in the palm of your hand, making it easy to zip across the wallpaper surface.

While it can be a bit challenging to use paper tiger in corners, it still does a great job of quickly perforating large areas of wallpaper. You apply pressure and glide the wheels across the wall for a trail of tiny holes for effective wallpaper removal.

8. Spraytech 915 on-Demand Steamer

The Wagner 915 on-demand steamer is a handheld device that works as a steamer and a wallpaper remover. It’s called on-demand because it heats up instantly when you pull the trigger, producing steam immediately to remove wallpaper.

Once the trigger is released, the device cools down quickly to save energy and help preserve your wallpaper. With warm air and steam cleaner, this steamer can loosen the adhesive and lift the wallpaper without using any chemicals. This steamer cleaner is an essential household tool that you can easily adapt to remove wallpaper from plaster and drywall.

While it includes various attachments for different household cleaning tasks, you’ll be more interested in the wallpaper steam plate. You’ll then press the plate directly against the walls to loosen the paper. Making a few rounds with the steamer for wallpaper removal will take you some time, but it’s worth waiting for a chemical-free experience.

9. Husk Soft Grip Wallpaper Stripper

Wallpaper removal is a tough task, so householders need to have a powerful tool. This wallpaper stripper from Husk does the job effectively. The most impressive thing about this design is its top-loading boiler tank which ensures constant steam pressure for ease of use. 

You can easily remove multiple layers of paper with this steamer within a short time. It features a replaceable blade securely held in a patented blade lock system with added tool-free blade changes. 

With a 4-inch soft-grip handle, this wallpaper scraper is comfortable to hold and offers a safe, secure way to use the razor-sharp blade to peel back wallpaper. Its long handle provides additional leverage and proves useful when you’re working on hard-to-reach areas like ceilings and behind a radiator.

10. Roman’s Piranha Liquid Wallpaper Remover

When removing old wallpaper, you have to deal with both the paper and the adhesive. Some processes might help you bring down the paper quickly and leave behind an adhesive glue. In that case, try to use Roman’s Piranha Liquid Wallpaper remover. 

This wallpaper remover is capable of dissolving wallpaper adhesives to give you a clean, smooth wall surface. Its spray bottle helps you quickly apply it to the wall without wasting too much of its contents.

FAQs about Best Wallpaper Removers of 2021

Do wallpaper steamers work?

Yes, wallpaper steamers use hot steam to soften the adhesive attaching the wallpaper to the wall. This makes it easy to peel and scrape away the old wallpaper.

What is the easiest way of removing old wallpaper?

This depends on the type of wallpaper you have. So, the ideal way to go about this is to know your wallpaper type; then, you’ll be able to use the tools of removing the old wallpaper.

Final Thought on Best Wallpaper Removers of 2021

Removing an old wallpaper doesn’t have to be an uphill task. Having the right tools and the required technology will help you do the job right and have a fresh new wall.

 

 

The post 10 Best Wallpaper Removers of 2021 appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.

When designers hear their clients utter the request, “I want a white kitchen,” it can be met with dread or excitement…or a mix of both. Regardless, whether designers love them or hate them, white kitchens continue to be immensely popular with homeowners.

Often defined and characterized by their foundation of white cabinetry, a white kitchen’s impartial palette gives it a go-with-anything neutrality that can serve as a backdrop for the introduction of color and personality via other design elements. However, when combined with an abundance of white elements, especially countertops and backsplashes, white kitchens can turn into a monochromatic sea of sameness.

This month, KBDN asked designers to share projects and design tips that take white kitchens to a new level.

Jena Bula, principal designer

Delphinium Design; Charlotte, NC

When discussing white kitchens, Jena Bula’s clients still often ask for white cabinetry.

“They want an aesthetic that is lighter and brighter with an airy feel,” she says. “While there are different ways to achieve that, people often associate it with white.”

However, she has noticed a bit of a shift in what exactly that means and what else is included.

For starters, white doesn’t always mean bright white.

“There are so many different ways to do white,” she says. “It can mean bright white, but it can also mean a warm white or a country white depending on the space, the aesthetic and what other colors are included.”

Plus, clients also seem more open about bringing in other colors.

“There was a time when white kitchens were a lot of
white-on-white-on-white,” she indicates. “But now, they seem to have a little more dimension. People are mixing in different colors and warmer materials. White kitchens aren’t always all white cabinetry, white countertops and white islands.”

Such was the case for a recent kitchen remodel completed in collaboration with Ekren Construction. White shaker cabinets serve as the base, but Bula brought in dark gray quartzite countertops and a lighter warm gray porcelain tile backsplash for added dimension.

“She didn’t want a white-on-white kitchen,” says the designer. “Countertops are an important element in the space. My client needed something durable because she cooks a lot for her family, so the dark quartzite was a great choice for functionality. It also has some texture from its honed and leathered finish, which gives it dimension. It’s a really special element, and in person you can really see that texture.”

Flooring is another way that Bula freshens up today’s white kitchens. Often, she chooses to use warmer toned hardwood for balance. Lighting and plumbing fixtures as well as hardware can also add diversity.

“We used dark hardware in this kitchen, which gives it great balance so everything isn’t all light and bright,” she says. “Fixtures, such as a really cool faucet or fun pendants, and hardware are also a great way to add personality.”

Mary Maney, CKBD, ASID, CLIPP

Crystal Kitchens + Bath; Crystal, MN

As a designer with a remodeling company, Mary Maney sees a lot of outdated kitchens, especially those from the 1980s with their distinctive abundance of oak…including oak cabinetry, oak flooring and oak trim.

“People want to tone that down so everything isn’t the same,” she says. “They also want to get rid of the busyness of oak, which, in those dated kitchens, usually has a lot of grain. Often, they do that by keeping the oak floor, and sometimes the oak trim, but they replace the oak cabinetry with white cabinetry. White doesn’t necessarily designate a decade or date a kitchen as much as wood like oak, maple or cherry. White is also popular because it allows everything else – such as a countertop, backsplash, flooring and island – to stand out.”

White inset cabinetry serves as the ‘quiet’ backdrop for one recent kitchen remodel where Maney’s client wanted a ‘statement’ ventilation hood that would serve as the focal point for the room. Reconfiguring the space, the designer eliminated an awkward, angled walk-in pantry to pave the way for the inclusion of a walnut hood that echoes the tones of the dark floor and island base cabinetry. She also tied the kitchen into the adjacent living room by replacing the existing maple bookcases that flank the fireplace with walnut bookcases.

“My client had redone the maple floor a few years previous with a dark stain,” she indicates. “She didn’t want an all-white kitchen, so it seemed logical to include other dark elements. We chose walnut because it allows some grain to show through, which provides texture and isn’t quite as harsh as black. Walnut also gives the kitchen an ‘upscale’ look that she wanted.”

A quartz countertop with a subtle gray veining pattern with ‘movement’ and a backsplash that features a light crackle finish reinforce the white theme while offering variety.

“You don’t want elements of the same color to all have the same tone,” she says. “When that happens, there’s nothing to define the different planes. It’s important to have some contrast.”

Adding paned glass doors to select perimeter wall cabinets also adds interest and makes this space feel special.

Scott Dresner

Dresner Design; Chicago, IL

Scott Dresner credits, in part, his love of white kitchens to growing up in a modern home with a white kitchen in Detroit, MI. Now, he incorporates that love of white into his kitchen design business.

“I’m pro-white kitchens,” he stresses. “The white kitchen – and stainless – is my favorite. White kitchens definitely are not dead.”

Part of that affection is due to its classic design appeal.

“A white kitchen will stand the test of time,” he says. “There are still mill shops making the same [cabinet] door they made in the ‘80s. A white kitchen is like Jackie Onassis and Marilyn Monroe…beautiful and timeless.”

Dresner also appreciates the hue’s diversity.

“There’s super modern bright white, warm white, cream white, off white…” he says, referencing a variety of white kitchens posted on his website. Some showcase multiple white elements, including one recent renovation that includes sleek, smooth, bright white back-painted glass cabinetry and a white quartzite countertop with a waterfall edge. Silver trim border details on the cabinets tie them to the countertop’s gray veining pattern, floor and stainless steel appliances. Conversely, another white kitchen features more traditional paneled cabinetry painted in a creamier white, similar to the color of a cameo, which he contrasted with a brighter white coffered ceiling to create separation. Dresner also included a natural stone white/gray veined countertop and matching accent wall and stainless steel appliances.

“I often use stainless steel appliances in white kitchens,” he says. “The combination is like peanut butter and jelly.”

While variations of white with stainless steel dominate some designs, others highlight a mix of materials, including one kitchen that combines white perimeter cabinetry, white paneled refrigerator and white quartz countertops with gray cerused oak island cabinetry ‘framed’ in a waterfall of white quartz. Dark wenge drawer interiors, visible when exposed, provide dramatic contrast.

“It certainly feels like a white kitchen, and everyone considers it a white kitchen,” he says.

This time, the designer blended the cabinetry with the wall color and ceiling beams to create a seamless visual.

“I wanted the cabinetry to essentially go away, to blend into the wall so the huge picture windows ‘speak’,” he says. “There is a lot of white in this kitchen, but it isn’t a sterile space. There are parts of ‘sterileness,’ such as the countertop that is white and shiny. But the rest of the whites have a matte finish so that, overall, there is a Zen, quiet feel to the space. People love this kitchen.”

Christina Simon, CKBD, ASID, president

c|s Design Studio; Clifton, VA

Christina Simon works in a relatively traditional part of the country – the Washington DC suburbs – where she often fields requests for white kitchens.

“People here simply love them, and we’re happy to oblige,” she says. “White is timeless, clean and bright…all things people want for their kitchens. White is also neutral and plays well with others, making it easy to coordinate with appliances and hardwood floors, which is a big element for us.”

These days, the white kitchens she designs often include updates via natural and rustic elements as a complement.

“We introduce texture and contrast into the space to make it more interesting,” she explains.

As an example, she and senior designer Brittany Gunst recently joined forces on a remodel where the clients wanted their new kitchen to have a modern farmhouse vibe with timeless elements, plenty of storage and an open concept…all with a foundation of white cabinetry, white countertops and a white backsplash, as well as a white farmhouse sink, which is another popular choice for her clients.

“When there is a lot of white, it’s important to bring in some statement pieces,” she notes. “In the case of this kitchen, the statement piece is some reclaimed wood corner shelves.”

Additionally, Simon indicates that black accents can add contrast, so she brought in black cabinetry hardware and lighting. In another recent remodel, she made a striking statement with a black ventilation hood.

To provide differentiation amongst white elements, Simon utilizes a variety of sheens throughout a space, such as in this kitchen where the matte finish of the cabinetry plays against the glossy sheen of the elongated 3″x12″ subway tile backsplash.

“This client wanted a simple subway tile backsplash,” she reports, “but its glossy sheen sets it apart from the other white elements. We also like to use handmade tile, which can have different glazing or it may be a slightly different white, such as an off white. We’re seeing a lot of people using a variety of different whites in their kitchens.”

When using white as a countertop, Simon likes to include materials with some veining, such as a marble or marble-look quartz.

“Instead of plain white, we like to use something with a light veining pattern against a white background, because those veins allow us to pull in other colors,” she explains, citing the marble-look quartz in this kitchen that gave them the opportunity to incorporate a taupe/gray painted island.

Nicole Zeigler, NCIDQ

enzy design; Salt Lake City, UT

With a trend towards design that integrates a furniture-style appeal, Nicole Zeigler sees many of her white kitchens offering an assortment of materials beyond just white.

“White kitchens are definitely still popular,” she says. “They never go out of style. They have always been around, and they will continue to be around. But I am seeing more mixed materials rather than straight white. I think that’s because, overall, there’s a trend in kitchen design that incorporates furniture-look pieces, rather than all of the same cabinets. For example, you might see an island with a wood finish and a furniture-style base, or something unique.”

Zeigler sees that updated look as offering a way to add personality and warmth to the space. In particular, wood – or even wood-look vinyl – floors are popular. The designer also adds personality via ventilation hoods or accent cabinets and hardware, which she dubs as the ‘jewelry.’ She also indicates there is still a trend for open floating shelves in a material or finish that offers a contrast to white.

Several of those elements were included in a recent renovation, where gloss white wall cabinets are combined with natural rift-cut oak base cabinets. The hood and the cabinets around it feature a charcoal finish.

“It’s stunning,” she says. “I feel like it’s still a white kitchen, but it’s not an in-your-face-white kitchen because of the other elements we’ve added to it.”

In another kitchen, where she collaborated with cabinet maker/installer Paramount Cabinet and builder Spiro Brothers Construction, wall and base cabinets are white, as is the island cabinetry and the backsplash, which is comprised of elongated hexagon-shaped subway tile. The tile’s glossy finish adds reflectivity while its geometric shape adds interest, without making it busy. However, to mix it up, she included a custom edge-grain walnut bar top on the island that coordinates with the floor and a few floating shelves that frame the window to make it feel more open.

“The wood bar top and shelves bring natural elements into the room and add some contrast,” she says. “They also bring up some of the darkness from the floor to create more balance, without overwhelming the light space.”

Another ‘dark’ element is the custom hot-rolled ventilation hood.

“It’s a really simple box shape,” she says. “But it has a beautiful finish that offers natural depth and subtle marbling. It’s gorgeous against the white backdrop.”

Quartz countertops that mimic honed concrete and slightly oversized pendants that offer the feel and look of linen also prevent the white space from being too sterile.

“Having those elements – the backsplash, the shades, the bar top, the ventilation hood and the countertops – are all important to make this white kitchen more inviting and less institutional,” she says, “especially since it has white slab cabinetry.” 

Tamra Pumpelly, operations manager

District Cabinets; Washington DC

Even though Tamra Pumpelly indicates that white kitchens can be a ‘safe’ choice for her clients, that doesn’t mean they can’t be special and beautiful.

“White cabinets can become a backdrop of a kitchen, rather than them being the focal point,” she explains. “Quality cabinetry is expensive, and I think homeowners see it as an investment they want to get right. Elements like hardware and lighting are easier to change out.”

As the foundation, those same white cabinets can also set the tone with their door style and construction.

“An inset or mission door style sets a completely different tone than a slab door,” she says. “The sheen factor also changes a kitchen. A rich matte finish represents a completely different style than a gloss finish.”

As an example, in one recent kitchen remodel, the designer collaborated with Build by Four Brothers to incorporate white inset Elmwood cabinets into their clients’ new kitchen.

“Inset cabinetry was appropriate for this kitchen because of the historic value of the house,” she says. “Clients often are concerned with losing storage with inset, but it immediately elevates a kitchen without looking fussy.”

The team also included a flat-cut white oak island, stained in Driftwood, to add warmth and depth. Incorporating it as an accent on the ventilation hood brings up the eye and ties the perimeter and island together.

The white cabinetry also complements the existing hardwood floor.

“Maintaining the floor was important to the client, so we didn’t want to take away from it,” she says. “The white cabinetry allows the floor to be the focal point and we built the kitchen around it.”

In addition, with a neutral foundation of white cabinetry, Pumpelly sometimes brings color or a wood element to an island to ground it while adding warmth and personality.

“Pops of color can also be used in the lighting, and we love mixing metals and textures in white kitchens,” she adds.

In addition, white cabinetry allows countertops and backsplashes to be the stars of the show in a traditional white kitchen, such as in a recent renovation where white cabinetry and white backsplash tile give the dark gray countertop and gray/white chevron backsplash insert the opportunity to stand out.

The post Doing White Right appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

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HARRISBURG, SD — Showplace Cabinetry, the Harrisburg, SD-based cabinet supplier, has completed a 16,800-sq.-ft. project linking its two manufacturing plants, the company announced.

The $2.5-million expansion provides a central shipping point for Showplace’s framed cabinetry and frameless cabinet lines, as well as enhanced warehousing and transportation efficiencies companywide, company officials said, adding that the project effectively increased Showplace’s production capacity by 30%. The project also streamlines logistics and handling, increasing shipping capacity for the company and creating a more efficient order flow from production to transportation.

“Demand is up for all our cabinetry lines,” said Bill Allen, Showplace Cabinetry president and CEO. “That demand required us to find an innovative solution to improved logistics and enhanced ShowplaceEVO production. The new warehouse and shipping link solves both challenges.”

“This new expansion gives us the space we need to take our quality production and customer service to the next level,” Allen observed.

The post Showplace Cabinetry Completes $2.5M Expansion appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

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