Before & After The Torres Project is a 400 SF addition located in Paso Robles, California. Artifex provided all construction services: framing, stucco, drywall, roofing, electrical system, etc. Some key features behind the project include: the large windows, the custom fireplace mantle, the gabled ceilings, and finally the electrical layout. Artifex completed this project in…
Your kitchen cabinets are generally the outstanding characteristic of the kitchen. They are always the most visible part of the room, although they can blend into the wall to such a degree that they seem invisible. Cabinets are usually the biggest investment in the kitchen. Typically, contractors and cabinet makers want you to decide on…
The kitchen is far more than just a place where you prepare and cook food; it is the most varied and widely used room in your house. For some people, the kitchen is a home office, a homework area for children and a gathering area for friends and family. Good lighting control is very important…
There are four basic kitchen layouts and common modifications: 1. One-wall or I-shaped 2. Galley or Corridor, 3. L-shaped, L-shaped with an island 4. U-shaped, U-shaped with a peninsula or G-shaped There are other less common configurations that are not discussed here. Usually the unusual layout use some combinations off the basic layouts. The Standard…
Kitchen layouts are based on what is called the zone concept. The most popular zone in a home is called the Work Triangle. The Work Triangle consists of imaginary lines that connect the refrigerator, range, and sink at the triangle vertices. For maximum comfort and efficiency, the three legs of the Work Triangle should total…
The optimal way to design a kitchen is to first understand how food flows through the kitchen. Then when you evaluate the different kitchen layouts, you will be able to visualize how to organize major kitchen components to get better harmony and rhythm in your kitchen for high efficiency. Try to position work centers in…
One of the most important concepts to come out of the early days of industrial engineering is the idea of a ‘work center’. The basic idea is that any workstation, whether a carpenter’s bench or a kitchen work area, should be set up to accommodate the specific details of the work performed that is to…
The next step is usually the most fun because its about you new kitchen. Chances are, you have seen kitchens that you like in magazines, other homes, in movies or over the Internet. Start asking yourself the following questions: Does the style I like best fit with my home? You may love some cabinets that…
Next start thinking about the features you want. These are the specific items, tools, appliances, storage etc. The list can be long at first. Once you start to realize how much the overall project is going to cost you can expand or reduce the list accordingly. Do you need an island (and have room for…
First, you will need to clearly identify how you use your kitchen. To do that, go through the following questions and write down your answers in as much detail as you can. Keep in mind that a clear understanding of what you want in the beginning will give you what you want in the end…