Backsplash designs are the natural focal point in kitchens and bathrooms and, as such, can have a significant impact on a room’s aesthetics. Homeowners frequently use the backsplash to add a touch of style and class by incorporating unique or colorful elements. Unfortunately, these elements can quickly become outdated and do not complement the overall aesthetic of the kitchen or bathroom.

These once-trendy styles frequently clash with the more classic or neutral elements in the design, resulting in a visual disconnect that causes the entire room to appear out of style much sooner than necessary. Updating your backsplash is an essential way to revitalize your kitchen or bathroom, ensuring that it reflects current design sensibilities and maintains overall cohesiveness.

Outdated backsplashes can quickly date your entire kitchen or bathroom, but they do not necessitate a full room renovation. The backsplash is usually a relatively easy design element to change if you are considering updating a room’s appearance.

Tuscan or Mediterranean Themes

Tuscan or Mediterranean-themed backsplashes, with ornate patterns, small mosaics, rich earth tones, and intricate tile work, were once synonymous with elegant and inviting kitchens. These backsplashes now appear artificial and unnatural. They are thought to be too busy for the modern, more streamlined style that characterizes contemporary kitchens.

Small Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic tiles, with their small, multicolored pieces, were once a popular choice for bringing color and texture into the kitchen. While some mosaics remain popular, the majority are too busy for a modern kitchen, visually overwhelming the design and making it feel cluttered. The tiny tiles break up the design, which contrasts with the modern, minimalist aesthetic. These are also an impractical choice in terms of maintenance; cleaning between all the lines takes time and is difficult to do.

Glass Tiles

Glass tiles were once considered an innovative material for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes, offering a reflective surface that added brightness and a modern look. Now, glass tiles, especially those with iridescent surfaces or bright colors, have fallen out of favor. These bold and vibrant colors look out of place in kitchens with organic and earthy styles. They also contrast with the modern trend of favoring handmade elements, muted colors, and textured surfaces.

High Contrast

High contrast backsplashes have stark differences between the backsplash and the other kitchen materials. These were once popular for adding dynamism and visual interest to the kitchen or bathroom. However, high contrast backsplashes disrupt the design’s continuity, making it appear fragmented and incohesive. This bold approach now feels too harsh and out of sync with modern color schemes, which are softer and more integrated.

Decorative Themes

Decorative murals or themes with scenes were once a simple way to personalize a kitchen while adding artistic flair. These murals or themes are eye-catching and can quickly take over the space. Decorative themes are not adaptable and easy to combine with new looks and styles. This level of detail and pattern makes it difficult to change the appearance of a design without undergoing a complete overhaul.

Low Profile

Low profile backsplashes are those that only extend a few inches above the counter. These were once common in most kitchens because they were both affordable and functional. Low-height backsplashes now feel incomplete and less sophisticated than taller, more expansive backsplashes. They also do not provide adequate wall protection in busy kitchens.

Busy Patterns

Busy patterns, characterized by intricate designs and a multitude of colors, were once favored because they provided a striking visual element and were thought to add dynamism to the kitchen design. As design trends shift toward minimalism and simplicity, these busy patterns have begun to look outdated. The complexity and visual noise that these patterns create can overwhelm and dominate the kitchen or bathroom design. Busy designs clash with the modern trend of creating a cohesive, calm, and subtle design.

Lacquered or Stainless Steel

Backsplashes made of stainless steel and lacquered surfaces create an ultra-modern, contemporary aesthetic. These backsplashes were also admired for their seamless appearance and ease of cleaning. To the modern homeowner, these materials feel industrial and cold and don’t convey a warm and welcoming modern vibe. These materials do not effectively showcase the warm, textured decor or organic materials that are so vital in contemporary kitchens.

Glass Slab

Glass slab backsplashes were once a symbol of high-end, contemporary elegance. These backsplashes were also popular because they were simple to maintain and complemented a seamless design. Glass slabs can feel too impersonal and stark in modern kitchens. These glossy surface backsplashes are being phased out in favor of greater visual texture and countertop continuity.

Bright White Tile

Bright white tile was a necessary element in the crisp white kitchens of the past. These tiles were the ideal backdrop due to their simple and clean appearance, but this straightforward surface, which was once so prized, now feels too sterile and devoid of nuance. The trend has shifted toward backsplash materials that add subtle texture and depth to the design.

Highly-Textured

Highly-textured backsplash materials, such as pebbles or rough stone veneers, were once prized for their ability to complement a rustic or natural kitchen or bathroom design. Their popularity has declined because they easily collect dirt and grime in their crevices and are difficult to clean. The bold textures of these materials also have the potential to visually overpower a design rather than provide a balanced element within the design.

Modern Backsplash Design Trends

The most popular backsplash design trends contain similar themes, such as the use of natural materials, subtle colors, handmade design, and sustainable production. Homeowners are opting for natural materials for backsplashes such as marble, slate, quartzite, and soapstone in both tile and slab form. These materials feature natural texture on their surfaces, which gives the kitchen or bathroom design the look of subtle movement and dynamism.

Backsplash tiles in subtle color palettes such as off-white, beige, and earth tones are popular in both contemporary kitchen and bathroom design. They complement, rather than overpower, most designs and provide a timeless, calming aesthetic. These colors are frequently used in handmade backsplash elements such as zellige tiles, which add artistic flair to the overall design.

Sustainability and eco-friendly materials are another popular design trend in the modern era. Some specific examples include using recycled materials or materials sourced from reputable suppliers or craftsmen. This means that backsplashes will not only be visually appealing but will also reflect the homeowner’s dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship.

The post 11 Outdated Backsplash Designs That Will Quickly Date Your Home appeared first on Homedit.

The style of a well-appointed kitchen lies in the numerous details that come together to create the room. The kitchen cabinet style is one of the most essential details that define the look of the kitchen.

However, as design trends evolve, certain kitchen cabinet styles that once were considered the height of contemporary fashion can begin to feel outdated and out of touch with current tastes. Outdated kitchen cabinet styles can detract from a kitchen’s functionality and visual appeal, potentially reducing both the owner’s enjoyment of the space and the home’s market value.

When it comes to updating their kitchen, homeowners should be aware of outdated kitchen cabinet styles in order to choose a cabinet type that will last for a long time.

Outdated Kitchen Cabinet Styles

Outdated kitchen cabinet styles frequently reflect design trends from previous decades that no longer appeal to contemporary tastes. Kitchen cabinet renovations are costly and should always be approached with care and caution.

There is no reason to replace your kitchen cabinets if you like their style. Your home should always be a place where you can make design choices based on your own needs and preferences, not current trends.

Overly Ornate Cabinets

Overly ornate cabinets, with heavy wood carving, scrolls, raised panels, and decorative brackets and corbels, exude the formality and opulence that were popular in kitchens two decades ago. This aesthetic can be overwhelming and out of place in modern kitchens, which favor a simpler, more streamlined style.

Clean-lined kitchen cabinets, such as flat-front and modern Shaker styles, are more appropriate for the versatile and inviting space that modern families desire in their kitchens.

Laminate Cabinets

Laminate cabinets, with a surface made by bonding layers of paper or fabric with resin under high pressure to create a plastic-like finish, have long been a popular choice due to their low cost and versatility.

Laminate cabinets are prone to damage and difficult to repair. They also lack the warmth and high-quality appearance of cabinets made from natural materials. Traditional laminate cabinets are no longer the most popular cabinet style, but other options, such as thermafoil and textured laminates, have emerged in the market and have proven to be a good cost and style alternative.

Distressed or Antique Cabinet Finishes

Distressed or antique cabinet finishes were once favored as a way to make a kitchen feel more cozy and authentic. These include stylized surface flaws, glazing, color variations, and textural contrasts. Now, these finishes have the potential to give a kitchen an unnaturally kitschy vibe. They contrast sharply with the prevailing clean and organic style that is popular in cabinetry.

A more current approach to making a kitchen feel real and inviting is to use natural wood accents or bold color choices on the cabinets to create a more dynamic and personalized kitchen design.

Bright White Cabinets

Bright white cabinets, which were once the foundation of the all-white kitchen, have suffered from an oversaturation in the market. This style has also declined because people are using their kitchens more, and white cabinets are notoriously difficult to keep clean and maintain.

White kitchens are still popular, but homeowners and decorators are turning to off-whites and other pale neutrals like greige to create a more textured, light kitchen look. These alternatives not only provide a softer look than white and one with more depth, but they are also more forgiving in a busy kitchen space.

Ultra-Modern Cabinets

Ultra-modern cabinets, with their sleek lines, glossy surfaces, and minimalist design, can appear cold and impersonal. Now more than ever, homeowners want to make their kitchens more personal and livable. They want kitchens that fit their busy lifestyles, function effectively, and showcase their style and preferences.

Sleek cabinet styles remain popular, but they are increasingly combined with organic, earthy materials such as natural wood, stone, and metals to create a balanced look that is both current and inviting.

Handle-Less Cabinets

Handle-less cabinets, that feature push-to-open mechanisms or integrated handles look clean and simple, but they can be impractical and difficult to use. Additionally, their handle-less fronts can appear too clinical for modern tastes.

Hardware for cabinets is a simple way to add sparkle and style to a kitchen design. Even if you do not want your kitchen hardware to detract from your kitchen design, there are plenty of great options to choose from. Consider simple, clean knobs or pulls that are not overly large and add functionality to the cabinets without dominating the design.

Stark Gray Cabinets

Gray cabinets, once a trendy design style and a popular choice among home flippers, have reached a point of saturation. Gray cabinets can also feel dull and uninspiring if the color is not chosen carefully. The most unpopular gray cabinet colors today are those with cool blue undertones. These, in particular, make a kitchen feel outdated and cold.

Fortunately, there is still a large selection of warm grays that can add depth and interest to gray cabinets if you still want gray kitchen cabinets. Greige remains a popular choice, as do more obvious brown-grays. These colors work well in modern kitchens because they are versatile and easy to combine with natural materials such as wood and stone to add texture and depth to the space.

Trendy Colored Cabinets

Painting your kitchen cabinets in trendy colors, such as hot pink or bright yellow, was a popular cabinet design choice for a few years. While there is still a strong desire to personalize kitchens, painting kitchen cabinets is often prohibitively expensive. This means selecting a color or style that will last rather than one that will become out of style next year.

For the most enduring cabinet style and color, take your inspiration from classic colors that have endured the test of time. These include blue, green, and a wide range of neutral tones. For bolder color schemes, try painting only a few elements to see if you can live with them on a daily basis. If you like it, consider painting all of your cabinets this color.

Light Wood Cabinets

Wood cabinets of various colors and textures have found their way into modern kitchen design. Light wood cabinets were once so popular that they became difficult to find. Other wood options have gained popularity because they are more readily available. Orange and red-toned wood cabinets, in particular, are making a comeback to complement the earthy, organic colors that are currently popular.

Cabinet Styles That are Trending for 2024 and Beyond

If you are designing a new kitchen or are in need of a refresh of your kitchen cabinets, here are some up and coming kitchen cabinet styles to consider.

Modern Shaker Cabinets

Shaker cabinets, which feature a five-piece door with a recessed panel, have been a popular style for many years. This door style remains highly used because of its simple and versatile style. Modern iterations of this cabinet style feature a slimmer silhouette.

Traditional Cabinets

Many kitchen designers are shifting away from stark kitchen cabinet styles and toward the more dimensional look of traditional cabinet fronts. These may include a slim, raised center panel or a beaded inset panel that adds texture and softness without overpowering the kitchen style.

Two-Toned Cabinets

Mixing different finishes or colors on upper and lower cabinets or combining a neutral base with a bold color choice is a popular trend for modern kitchen cabinets. It is a trend that allows personalization while also presenting a cohesive look.

Inset Cabinets

Inset cabinets are an example of a historic style that has regained popularity. Inset cabinets are distinguished by doors and drawers that fit within the cabinet frame. These create an elegant and high-end appearance while also reflecting quality craftsmanship.

Frameless Cabinets

Frameless cabinets are sometimes referred to as European-style cabinets. These are characterized by drawers and cabinet doors that cover the box frames to present a single, smooth surface. They have grown in popularity in the United States due to their streamlined and clean appearance.

Open Shelving

Open shelving has been criticized as having outlived its usefulness, but it is still a popular feature in kitchen cabinetry. Open shelving is an excellent way to create visual interest in the kitchen. They are easy to adapt to specific kitchen layouts and provide quick access to essential kitchen items.

No Upper Cabinets

Some kitchen designers are eliminating upper cabinets altogether. This design approach creates an open and airy appearance and contributes to a modern and clean aesthetic.

Flat Panel Cabinets

Flat panel cabinets, also known as slab cabinets, remain a popular design choice in modern and contemporary kitchens. These have a particularly clean and uncluttered look. They are also easy to keep clean and maintain over time.

The post 9 Outdated Kitchen Cabinet Styles to Avoid and New Options to Consider appeared first on Homedit.

The space above kitchen cabinets originally served a practical purpose. It provided space for air circulation in kitchens without modern ventilation systems. These gaps were also used to accommodate structural elements of the home, such as ceiling beams and uneven ceiling heights.

The space above the cabinets became a standard look in kitchens, but it has recently fallen out of favor with modern kitchen designers and been replaced by cabinets built to the ceiling. This awkward space above the upper cabinets still exists in many kitchens.

Even though decorating above kitchen cabinets has a reputation for being kitschy and overdone, there are creative ways to make good use of the space above your kitchen cabinets.

Using the Space Above Your Kitchen Cabinets

The area above kitchen cabinets is a common design element in many homes. This presents both challenges and opportunities for creatively utilizing this space.

Create Extra Storage Space

Using the space above the cabinets for extra storage allows you to make the most of your valuable kitchen space while also increasing its efficiency. This is especially true if you have a small kitchen or limited cabinet space. This strategy necessitates a careful selection of items that work well for display as well as those that you need in your kitchen. Items can be placed directly on the cabinets or grouped with others that are similar. Make sure to vary the height and arrangement of the items to make them appear layered.

You can also use baskets or bins with the same shape, size, and design to store extra kitchen items. This strategy does not make a bold design statement, but it will make the space above your kitchen cabinets appear more cohesive.

Display Greenery

One trend that has always been popular is to use the space above the cabinets as more space for your indoor garden. This is an excellent idea for kitchens with ample light and for people who have the time and energy to put toward maintaining their houseplants. Placing potted plants or trailing vines above the cabinets is an easy way to add more vibrancy and life to the kitchen. Opt for low-maintenance plants like pothos or succulents to ensure that they remain lush and healthy with minimal effort.

Curate Artwork or Collectibles

The area above your kitchen cabinets is an ideal place to serve as a mini-gallery for artwork and decorative displays. Consider layering framed wall art with a similar theme or displaying a set of rarely used china. You can also use the space above the cabinets to further the theme of your home. This area is not just useful for storing those items; this strategy also allows you to display items that showcase your interests and personality.

Build a False Wall

Creating a false wall above your kitchen cabinets takes more effort than many of the other ideas, but it can be a good option in certain situations. This approach involves installing drywall to fit the space above the cabinets. Building a false wall is ideal for adding space to hide pipes and wires in your kitchen. A false wall also makes an excellent backdrop for crown molding or other decorative trim.

Creating a false wall above the cabinets results in a more streamlined kitchen design. Building a false wall will not only simplify the appearance of your kitchen but will also reduce the need for frequent dusting and cleaning in this awkward and difficult-to-access area.

Add Extra Shelving or Cabinetry

One of the best ways to make use of the extra space above your cabinets is to install additional shelving or cabinetry. This addition will also make your kitchen cabinets look more modern and expensive. You can customize this approach to your kitchen’s design and layout, as well as your storage needs.

You can either match your existing cabinets with new shelving and cabinetry or add a contrasting element. Open shelving allows you to create displays of items that you want to highlight while also giving your kitchen a casual and cozy appearance. Closed cabinets simplify the kitchen’s design and reduce visual clutter on display.

Distract With a Distinctive Ceiling

Adding texture and depth to ceilings is an excellent way to distract from the awkward space above the cabinets. This approach draws the eye upward toward the interesting ceiling design and away from the cabinets, using decorative ceiling elements like beams or molding.

When choosing a ceiling design, consider which style will complement your kitchen style. For a classic look, consider molding or panels that will elevate the style of the ceiling. Beams, both rustic and sleek, work well for farmhouse or traditional kitchens. Contrasting the ceiling decorations with the cabinets will further highlight this design feature.

Extend the Backsplash

One easy way to create more visual continuity in your kitchen without adding extra cabinetry or adding storage items above the cabinets is to extend the backsplash above the cabinets. The idea creates a continuous vertical area that draws the eye up and effectively minimizes the gap. This approach also gives your kitchen a streamlined and sophisticated look.

Whether you choose a bold geometric or striped tile to create a stunning visual display or just classic subway tile, the backsplash to the ceiling can become a standout feature of your kitchen and further your distinctive style. Extending the backsplash also has practical benefits. It can create a more durable wall surface than drywall and extend the sense of height and openness in the kitchen.

Incorporate it Using Open Shelving

Rather than focusing on the area above the cabinets, integrate more fully into the kitchen design by adding an area of open shelving. A set of open shelves in place of a standard bank of cabinets will make the open space above the cabinets look more natural.

Open shelving will detract from the space above the cabinets in other ways. They allow you to create a display of visually appealing and functional items such as cookbooks, glassware, and decorative items to add personality and warmth to your kitchen. Arrange items thoughtfully, combining functional and decorative items to create a lovely but functional design.

Add Windows

If you have extra space above your kitchen cabinets due to a high or vaulted ceiling, installing windows is a unique and innovative way to make your kitchen appear lighter and brighter. Depending on the window design, they can add architectural interest and create a striking visual feature in a kitchen.

There are many window shapes and sizes available to fit your needs, depending on how your kitchen is laid out and designed. If you need privacy due to the window’s placement, you can find specialized glass textures such as frosted or wavy, which provide light while distorting visibility.

Just Add Books

Books are not just practical and necessary in a kitchen; they are also a wonderful way to add color and texture to the space. Depending on the height of your cabinets, storing books like cookbooks is an ideal way to utilize the space above them and give your kitchen a more natural and colorful appearance. This also keeps your cookbooks visible and accessible, so that you can use them at any time.

Be sure to include a step stool in your kitchen area so that you can access the books easily when you need to reference them. Be aware that sticky residue will build up on anything above the cabinets, so depending on how much you cook, books may not be a good over cabinet storage item for your kitchen.

Leave it Empty

It might serve you better to leave the space empty if decorating the space above your cabinets makes you feel overwhelmed rather than energized. This is definitely the easiest way to “style” the space above the cabinets. This idea works particularly well for modern, mid-century, or minimalist kitchen styles. The practical benefits of this approach include ease of maintenance and a more neutral design canvas for other visual kitchen elements.

The post 11 Clever Ways to Use the Space Above Your Kitchen Cabinets appeared first on Homedit.

Tim Flach, “Flamingo Reflections.” All images courtesy of Vital Impacts, shared with permission

Since launching a few years ago, Vital Impacts (previously) has raised more than $2 million for conservation and humanitarian efforts. The nonprofit hosts annual print sales to raise funds for various causes, bringing together hundreds of photographers from around the globe who document the beauty and unexpected moments of the natural world. This year’s initiative encompasses images of both the minuscule and the vast, from a close-up of the tiny, bulbous tentacles of a blue button jellyfish to a stunning composite of a star being born.

Proceeds from the sale will go toward Retei Elephant Sanctuary, Africa’s first Indigenous-owned and-run group seeking to return 13 orphaned elephants to the wild. Shop the collection on Vital Impacts.

Michael Nichols, Jou Jou and Dr. Jane Goodall, Brazzaville Zoo, Republic of Congo (1990)

Mitch Dobrowner, “Lightning Strikes”

Ami Vitale, “Mary and Lodokejek”

Jody MacDonald, “Rajan Morning Walk”

James Webb Telescope, “Birth of Sun-like Stars”

Jim Naughten, “Muledeer”

Javier Aznar, “Two Owls”

David Liittschwager, “Blue Button”

Michelle Valberg, “Mid-Air Flurry”

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article More Than 100 Photographers Team Up for Vital Impacts Print Sale Supporting Elephant Conservation appeared first on Colossal.

“I would never wear this in public” (2022), hand-knit with wool the artist hand-dyed for Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City. All images © Kendall Ross, shared with permission

Creating pieces that are part artwork and part fashion, Oklahoma City-based artist Kendall Ross of I’d Knit That imbues her knitwear with plenty of personality. “My I’d Knit That project got started because I thought the name was funny, and I was convinced I needed to claim the Instagram handle before someone else did back in 2019,” she tells Colossal. “Originally, it was a very casual way for me to share photos of what I was making and to organize knitting meet-ups with my friends from college. Still, I started taking it very seriously, and it ended up being a very important way for me to share my art and connect with other artists.”

Ross emphasizes bright hues in her pieces, using stitching methods like intarsia or Fair Isle colorwork—also known as stranded colorwork—to illustrate playful graphics and incorporate original texts. In a statement on her site, she writes that she is “drawn to telling unapologetically intimate, complicated stories of feminine, overlooked moments…putting private emotions on display for people to wear on their chest in their public lives.”

All of Ross’ vests and cardigans are hand-knit from either acrylic or wool yarn, the latter of which the artist hand-dyes herself whenever she is able. “I have done a lot of hand-dyeing in the past, and I really love the process of it,” she says, sharing that space is limited in her home studio, so she isn’t able to add color to all of her materials. This winter, she’s looking forward to a residency at Penland School of Craft in January, where she’ll focus on the hand-dyeing process.

Ross is currently working toward shows in 2024 in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and the Pacific Northwest, and she also teaches at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, where this winter, she is offering a class on how to knit sweaters for dogs. “I think they only agreed to let me do it because I talk about my basset hound Frankie so much, but I’m very excited about it!”

Find more in the artist’s shop, and follow updates on Instagram. (via Kottke)

“Girl Talk” (2021), hand-knit acrylic

Left: “Stress Knit” (2022), hand-knit wool. Right: “Bad Driver” (2022), hand-knit with wool the artist hand-dyed

“Product Placement” (2023), hand-knit wool

“Fake Vest” (2023), hand-knit wool

Left: “Storyteller 2” (2023), hand-knit with wool for La Colombe Coffee. Right: “Company” (2022), hand-knit with wool the artist hand-dyed

“Everyone will forget about this” (2023), hand-knit with wool the artist hand-dyed

“Boring” (2023), hand-knit wool

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Kendall Ross Gets Personal with Her Colorful Sweaters Embedded with Stories appeared first on Colossal.

All photos by Joe Michael, courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum, shared with permission

From the mid-1800s to the 1930s, father-and-son artist duo Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka crafted thousands of glass models of flora and fauna (previously) in exquisite, scientific detail. Sea creatures were an area of particular fascination, as delicate spines, tentacles, and frills rendered in lifelike color extend from the bodies of squid and sea anemones. And at the Mystic Seaport Museum, a major exhibition of more than 40 of the remarkable specimens come to life in Spineless: A Glass Menagerie of Blaschka Marine Invertebrates.

Spineless dives into the history of the Blaschkas’ extraordinary contributions to scientific education, starting with the elder artist’s fascination with ocean life. Leopold was inspired to recreate specimens he saw in the wild and successfully completed a commission for a nearby natural history museum in the 1850s. He realized there was a demand for lifelike versions of creatures that scientists found challenging to preserve and document, and the glass variety required no special jars or chemical treatments to keep them looking as good as new.

Leopold found his audience in universities and museums around the world, establishing a mail-order business to ship the fragile pieces to institutions where they were used for teaching or put on display. Eventually joined by his son, the two “relied on their relationships with scientists, along with observations of live specimens held in aquariums, wet specimens, books, and scientific journals,” the Mystic Seaport Museum says in a statement.

The Blaschkas are also known for their fifty-year endeavor to make 4,300 models that represent 780 plant species, comprising the Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, which you can visit at Harvard Museum. Spineless continues in Mystic, Connecticut, through September 2024. Plan your visit and discover more on the museum’s website.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Remarkably Realistic Marine Invertebrates Made of Glass Surface at the Mystic Seaport Museum appeared first on Colossal.

In the 250 years since its fabrication in the studio of jeweler and entrepreneur James Cox, the “Silver Swan” automaton has beguiled viewers. The mechanical sculpture continues to live up to its original purpose, designed as a crowd-puller to the artist’s workshop in 18th-century London, which also served as a small museum. Today, it is an iconic resident of the The Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle in County Durham, U.K.

Cox modeled the life-size creature on a female swan, incorporating 2,000 moving parts, including 139 crystal rods and 113 neck rings. A slew of delicate pieces are encased in chased, repoussé silver, operated by three clockwork mechanisms that control a music box, a pool of glass with swimming silver fish, and the complex movements of the swan’s head and neck. At the 1867 Paris International Exhibition, its large scale and hefty price tag of 50,000 francs—today, that would be well over $200,000—created a sensation. Five years later, the museum’s namesake, John Bowes, bought it in Paris for a tenth of that price and brought it home to the U.K.

In a video produced in 2021, a specialist team of conservators and curators painstakingly dismantled the sculpture to examine the condition of its mechanisms and create a plan for its preservation. This year, the swan is undergoing meticulous repairs and cleaning, and the museum anticipates that the work will be completed by the end of the year.

Cox also designed the well-known “Peacock Clock” for Catherine the Great, a treasure of the State Hermitage Museum in Russia. Learn more about the “Silver Swan” on The Bowes Museum’s website. (via The Kid Should See This)

All images © The Bowes Museum

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Modular kitchens are highly organized kitchen layouts that utilize components that are designed and constructed in modules or units. Modular kitchens are a popular trend in modern kitchen design because they are affordable and efficient in space usage. It also takes some of the stress out of planning one of the most important rooms of the house by presenting you with beautiful options for any style.

What are Modular Kitchens?

Modular kitchens are built with pre-made standardized units, or modules. These units come in multiple sizes so that they can be fitted into unique spaces. The key elements of a modular kitchen include cabinets, countertops, appliances, and storage units that are designed to fit together seamlessly. Modular kitchen design is an extremely cost-efficient way to build a kitchen because the units are made in bulk. 

What are the Differences Between Modular and Non Modular Kitchens?

There are modular, semi-modular, and custom-built kitchens. First, consider modular kitchens. These use units that are built in the factory and brought finished to the kitchen.

Semi-modular kitchens feature cabinet units built off-site. However, the designs use parts unique to each kitchen.

They have custom-built cabinets made on-site with unique designs.

Modular Kitchen Cabinets

The most common materials used to make modular kitchen cabinets are plywood, engineered wood like MDF and HDF, particleboard, metal, and wood.

The materials have pros and cons. For example, solid wood is long-lasting but expensive. Meanwhile, plywood and MDF are cheaper but less durable.

There are four things to consider when planning a modular kitchen design.

1. Layout optimization (L-shaped, U-shaped)
2. Appliance placement
3. Cabinet materials and style
4. Additional accessories
5. Under-cabinet lighting

Modular Kitchen Design Types 

There are so many design styles that are possible in modular kitchens. Now, let’s consider modular kitchen design photos. You will see how much variety is possible. Also, you might be inspired to use modular kitchen cabinets to reflect your style. 

Contemporary Modular Kitchen

First, from Michael Woodall comes this contemporary kitchen design. The colors of deep gray and white contrast with the warm wood counter on the island. The kitchen uses flat paneled cabinets. Plus, there is no open shelving which minimizes clutter and maximizes storage.

Finally, consider the lighting. The vertical rod pendant lights add task light over the island. You’ll notice recessed lighting above the sink and mood lighting above the cabinets. They bring out the clean simple kitchen style. 

Minimalist Modular Kitchen

Next, consider this minimalist-style kitchen in London designed by the Do South Shop. Notice the modular shelves and cabinets. They are adjustable as needed to hold what you have. There is open shelving for accessible tools.

There are closed cabinets for tools and clutter. The light wood color balances the black accents throughout the room. While this design style is edited it’s not spare.

Eclectic Modular Kitchen

This kitchen is from Logan Killen Interiors and uses light gray-blue base cabinets. Although the cabinets are modular, the kitchen feels unique. Design elements include the mirror above the sink and the antique light fixture.

The butcher block countertops and Shaker-style cabinet fronts complement the kitchen’s design. 

Mid-Century Modern Modular Kitchen

From Cucine Lube, the kitchen offers a mid-century modern style with a refined wood finish and sleek cabinet doors. Also, the gray walls, ring light fixture, and bar stools highlight the mid-century style. Copper splashes provide a contrast to the dark-toned room. 

Rustic Modular Kitchen

Rustic style is not one that you think of as a modular kitchen option. However, DWFI Interiors creates a rustic kitchen using pre-built cabinets. The look is enhanced by the wood-paneled walls and ceiling beams. The brick backsplash and utensil bar above the range add to the kitchen’s practicality and rustic style. 

Industrial Style Modular Kitchen

This kitchen features elements of industrial style. This includes exposed metals, spare styling, concrete, and open shelving. The island from Aster fits well, providing counter space and storage. Also, the wood walls with open shelving add warmth and color.

Traditional Modular Kitchen

Consider this traditional-style kitchen design from Rencraft Ltd. The kitchen features two-toned basic cabinets. The design also showcases a deep gray island and soft white on the back wall cabinets for contrast.

The wood tones of the seating and plants add texture to the room. Task lighting over the island works well for reading and prep work. The undermount lighting removes dark corners.

Farmhouse Modular Kitchen

Notice the farmhouse kitchen from devolkitchens. Custom options are mixed with the dark blue cabinets. The open shelves, wooden table, beam ceiling, and stone floor complete the look. Plus, the antique gray-wash wicker chair and brass pendant lights add a unique charm. Finally, to create a similar style, consider using base cabinets. You can also customize the top with or without open shelving. 

Modern Rustic Modular Kitchen

From David Giral Photography comes this picture of a modern rustic kitchen. The white and wood-paneled cabinets are simple and clean.  Likewise, the chrome and black bar stools and the straight-lined kitchen island extend the modern style.

In addition, the antler light fixture over the island adds a rustic contrast. If you like this style, begin with cabinets that have straight lines. Next, add rustic pieces with leather and wood to accentuate the style.   

IKEA Modular Kitchen  

The most famous of all Scandinavian kitchen designers is IKEA. The Bodbyn doors shown are painted soft white with a raised panel door. Options for glass fronts with a six-light window are available.

The designer uses black and butcher block counters for different prep surfaces. Next, notice the two-toned gray paneled walls which bring the white and black colors together. IKEA provides free in-store kitchen design advice. Further, they provide in-home consultation for $50.

Small Modular Kitchens  

This small kitchen from Arclinea offers a modern design in a historic setting. The small galley kitchen uses two sections of white cabinet units. Although the kitchen is small, it has plenty of storage. In addition to the base cabinets, it has open shelving with a minimal style. Also, the cabinet wall offers more storage space. 

Modular Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets 

Cabinets can be included in outdoor areas. These outdoor kitchens can extend your entertainment space. Plus, they add to the enjoyment of your home. However, outdoor cabinets are outside, so you need to consider the weather conditions before choosing your cabinet material.

Experts recommend stainless steel as it is weatherproof and will not rust or warp. Also, consider adding wood elements to the cabinets. Wood adds charm and color. You need to use stain or paint to create a barrier against moisture. Wood will not be as long-lasting as metal.  

A cheaper way to add appliances to your outdoor kitchen is to buy a modular outdoor kitchen kit. These kits include a grill, refrigerator, sink, and bar area. One option for this is the Weber Modular Outdoor Kitchen.

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A Hoosier cabinet is a type of cabinet popular in the early 1920s, particularly in the United States. Hoosier cabinets featured both work and storage space together. Today, this cabinet type still combines the aesthetics of cabinetry, countertops, and storage. This freestanding unit is an American classic that is worth preserving.

History of the Hoosier Cabinet

The Hoosier cabinet was created at the turn of the 20th century, when kitchens were being planned for greater convenience and efficiency. They were manufactured by several companies, the most well-known of which was the Hoosier Manufacturing Company of New Castle, Indiana. This was how the Hoosier cabinet developed its name.

Hoosier cabinets contained a combination of workspace and storage space in one unit. Most cabinets featured an assortment of flour bins, sugar bins, spice racks, and pull-out cutting boards. Additionally, they featured many kitchen work tools, like rolling pins and built-in sifters, that were designed to streamline kitchen tasks. Some models even featured built-in ironing boards. As cooking and kitchen tasks shifted in the mid-20th century, the popularity of the Hoosier cabinet began to decline.

Hoosier Cabinet vs. Hutch

Although hutches are the closest modern equivalent of Hoosier cabinets, they serve slightly different purposes due to a few important distinctions.

The purpose of Hoosier cabinets was to serve as integrated workstations. They had a wide range of accessories that made cooking and cleaning easier. They first appeared in the 1920s and remained popular until the 1930s, when their popularity began to wane. Hoosier cabinets have a consistent design style due to their narrow design window.

Hutches are small pieces of furniture that have low cabinets or drawers on the bottom and open shelves or glass fronted doors on top. The primary function of a hutch is to display and store kitchen ware such as glasses, dishes, and other decorative items. Hutches, while versatile and capable of displaying a wide range of products, are not intended to be all-inclusive workstations. You can use hutches throughout the home in dining rooms, living rooms, and kitchens. Hutches come in a variety of styles, ranging from traditional to modern, because they are not limited to a single design period.

Elements of a Vintage Hoosier Cabinet

Vintage Hoosier cabinets are antiques. When you find one, there are elements that authentic Hoosier cabinets have that make them unique. Here are a few ways you can tell if a Hoosier cabinet is authentic or a reproduction piece.

• Setup – Original Hoosier cabinets have three areas. A deep lower cabinet, workspace, and shallow upper cabinets. Some antique Hoosiers have wooden countertops. Authentic Hoosier cabinets also have porcelain or enamel counters.
• Drawers – Traditional Hoosier cabinets featured drawers lined with tin. They were made to store bread. If the drawers are lined with tin, the cabinet is likely an authentic Hoosier.
• Flour Bin – Most Hoosier cabinets had a flour bin and sifter in the left upper cabinet. Many authentic Hoosier cabinets no longer have the flour sifter because they are delicate. One with the original flour bin and sifter is valuable.
• Measurements And Charts – The original Hoosier cabinets had charts on their doors. They would include measurements, conversions, and a place to write down what you need. Some even had recipes.
• Stamp – Older cabinets and furniture had date stamps. There should be a stamp with the manufacturer’s name and date. If it’s pre-1940, it is authentic.
• Ask An Appraiser – You can ask an official appraiser if your Hoosier cabinet is real. You can contact someone online and send pictures to them.

Other Hoosier Cabinet Alternatives

Aside from hutches, there are alternatives to Hoosier cabinets that work well and have some of the same character.

Pie Safe

The original purpose of pie safes was to store and display pies. Pie safes look like wood cabinets and have large glass panels.

Pie safes date back to German immigrants in the US, so the first pie safes were made by the Amish. The Pennsylvania Dutch community makes pie safes to this day, and they are the few remaining authentic pie safes in the country. There are many pie safe cabinet reproductions that can bring a vintage touch to your kitchen.

China Cabinet

A china cabinet has a bottom with solid doors and drawers and a top with glass doors. The glass top displays china and other decorative items. Homes with antiques use these cabinets to keep their valuable items safe.

China cabinets got their name because they were originally used to display china dishes. People wanted a special storage place where they could display their china collection because porcelain is fragile.

Welsh Dresser

A Welsh dresser is similar to a china cabinet, but with the optional addition of glass. The top has open shelving, making it distinct from the traditional Hoosier cabinet. A china hutch is a Welsh dresser.

A Welsh dresser is originally from Wales. The cabinets became popular throughout Europe. They are kitchen cabinets, but they can also be used as wardrobes and general storage units.

Kitchen Buffet Combo

A kitchen buffet is the bottom part of a Hoosier cabinet. To turn one into a Hoosier cabinet, you just need to add a top cabinet. You can even have one converted and customized, which is much cheaper than buying an antique Hoosier cabinet.

If you have someone build onto the buffet, you can save on material costs. All you need are small upper cabinets and something to secure them to the bottom cabinets. For a cheaper version, use open shelving.

The post The Hoosier Cabinet: Detailing the Origin and Purpose appeared first on Homedit.

While it might look complicated, the kitchen plumbing system is not complex. You’ll find most kitchen plumbing components under your sink. These series of pipes and hoses provide hot and cold water, supply your dishwasher, and keep debris from clogging up your pipes.

Parts of a Kitchen Plumbing System

• Basket strainer
• Drain Tailpiece
• Tee fitting
• Garbage disposal
• Drain trap
• Hot water supply line
• Cold water supply line
• Dishwasher supply line
• Dishwasher drain hose
• Shut-Off Valve
• Sink
• Faucet

Components of Under-the-Sink Kitchen Plumbing

• Basket Strainer: A metal piece in the sink drain that catches large debris and keeps them from entering the plumbing pipes. 
• Drain Tailpiece: A short pipe that connects to the basket strainer and a tee fitting. 
• Tee Fitting: A fitting with a “T” shape that connects to the drain tailpiece. The side portion connects to the garbage disposal. If you don’t have a garbage disposal, the tee fitting connects to the other side of the sink. The bottom of the tee fitting connects to the drain trap.
• Garbage disposal: A food waste system located on one side of the sink that grinds food, making it small enough to travel through the plumbing.
• Drain trap: A pipe that connects to the tee fitting and has a U shape on the bottom, allowing it to catch hair and debris that shouldn’t go out the pipes—the back end of the drain trap hooks to the plumbing outlet on the wall.
• Hot water supply: A supply line (usually on the left) that hooks up to the sink, providing hot water.
• Cold water supply: A supply line (usually on the right) that hooks to the sink, providing cold water.
• Sink water lines: The sink water lines are the hot and cold water supply. They have flexible braided tubes that connect to the hot and cold water and then run up to the sink connections.
• Dishwasher supply: A hot water supply line providing water for the dishwasher.
• Dishwasher drain hose: A drain hose that runs from the dishwasher into a tee fitting or through the garbage disposal.
• Shut-Off valve: A valve under the sink or near the bottom of the cabinet that allows you to turn off the water to the kitchen sink.
• Sink: A basin set into the countertop used for washing dishes, washing hands, and cleaning up.
• Faucet: The lever that controls the hot and cold water in a sink.

What About Refrigerator Plumbing?

If you have a refrigerator close to your kitchen sink, the water supply for the ice maker and water dispenser may run through the cabinetry, connecting to the water hookup on the fridge. If your refrigerator isn’t near your sink, chances are there’s a water line running under the flooring and then connecting to the fridge.

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