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The height of the backsplash, the space between the countertop and the bottom of the wall cabinets, is often left as an afterthought by many kitchen designers and homeowners. It’s rare in my experience that the client expresses an opinion about the backsplash height. However, If the height of the backsplash is not considered carefully, comfort and function could very well be at risk and affect one’s lifestyle in the kitchen – for a very long time.
Below, a backsplash height calculated for a variety of issues: a concealed microwave, height of the client, function and display.
Just this morning, I received a question from a fellow kitchen designer. I wrote back an answer and realized that the answer was good information for a blog post.
Hi Susan,
In discussions with my design team I am questioning the distance between the counter top and the bottom of the wall cabinets. Two of my designers, who have over 75 + years of experience feel strongly that “custom design” should be a distance of 15” to maybe 16.5”
I, on the other hand , being 6’3” tall feel that anything less than 18” (or with a [...]
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I’ve been thinking quite a bit about decorating the kitchen for Christmas, and that does not mean that it has to be this big, ambitious, undertaking. Chances are you already have nearly all the “ornaments” that you need on hand to do the job.
 Prior to decorating my own kitchen for Christmas (disclaimer, we moved to this home 3 years ago and have not yet renovated the kitchen so it’s definitely not “me”) I was a guest on Martha Stewart radio on Monday, December 2nd to talk about this very topic. So, let’s get on with the ideas!
Around the same time, I had a lovely offer from Balsam Hill, retailer of artificial Christmas trees to use some of their products in my home. Of course, since the kitchen is usually the poor step sister in terms of Christmas decorating, I thought it was a great topic to share. Here we go!
1. Frame a kitchen window with greens and twinkling lights – or a huge, oversized wreath!
2. Change out dining chair seat cushions, placements and other easily changeable [...]
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If you are a retiree building a new home, you can plan your kitchen and laundry areas to accommodate your aging body. For those of us who plan to stay right where we are, some simple adjustments and purchases can make daily tasks easier.
So, let’s start with the easy ones, like the Washer & Dryer. Front loading models are very popular today, but bending over and getting inside for the very last sock can be a problem for those with mobility issues. Most brands, including Bosch, Whirlpool and Frigidaire make pedestals for all their newer models, and can retrofit them to older models.They range from 11″ to 17″, depending on the brand. The other solution is to pull the machines out, and have your contractor frame in a raised platform at just the right height for you, cover it with linoleum, and your washer and dryer will be much more accessible.
Another place to ‘right height’ appliances is in the kitchen. Here are more tips from HB Building and Design: One popular solution is a lowered cooktop with the controls on the front. If you have room to make this modification, and lower this part of the [...]
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Excellent choice if you are looking for a custom outdoor kitchen, the very capable Napoleon Oasis modular islands will help you personalize the outdoor living space, fitting your lifestyle and budget. Developed with versatility in mind, the Napoleon Oasis modular island series cabinets can be assembled in virtually any combination to suit your individual outdoor needs, including refrigerator cabinet, full cabinets, garbage dispenser, paper towel and utility cabinets, and variety of drawer units. All cabinets are 35″ tall and 24″ deep with 4 leveling feet for easy adjustment for any surface. The Oasis outdoor modular island series can be assembled against a non-combustible wall of your home or as a stand alone island. Fits perfectly with Mirage and Prestige ll built-in heads.
Key features of Napoleon Oasis modular islands include, – customization to build a modular island to suit your individual needs – four island configurations, Oasis 100, 200, 300, 400 – quick adjustment leveling feet on each modular unit – knock outs for easy electrical and gas piping installations – stainless steel doors and drawers for longevity – endless design possibilities – powder coated galvanized steel [...]
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A few weeks ago, Kathy Price-Robinson, a writer, knowledgeable on many and varied remodeling topics, asked me for comments on how to get the look, for less, of Lance Armstrong’s kitchen.
I proceeded to write paragraphs (and paragraphs) on elements that I observed that one could replicate fairly easily. I’m thrilled to have been quoted in AOL for this feature, but, unfortunately, many of my paragraphs did not make the cut. There were some good points!
BUILT IN BANQUETTE
One could buy short stock refrigerator cabinets that are 24″ in depth, mount the pieces on a platform of studs, put a sturdy top on top of them, and wa-laa you have storage and seating. Those cabinets should be somewhere between 12-15″ tall depending on the structure below and above the cabinets and the height desired for the bench. Take a look at this earlier post I did on banquette seating.
 COUNTERTOPS
There are GORGEOUS laminate countertops now that truly look identical to granite or other stone except for the touch. They are worth a serious look. Alternatively, in one of my own kitchens, years ago, I used granite tile and wood [...]
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Thermador® Built-In Ovens
Units: About 37,000 (42,000 built-in ovens were previously recalled in June 2007)
Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp., of Huntington Beach, Calif.
Hazard: The ovens can have gaps in the insulation where overheating can occur and when used in the self-cleaning mode it can cause nearby cabinets to catch fire. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: BSH Home Appliances has received three additional reports of incidents, including two that resulted in fires that damaged surrounding cabinets. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves Thermador Brand built-in double ovens with model numbers C272B, C302B, SEC272, SEC302, SECD272 and SECD302 and serial numbers between FD8403 through FD8701. Model and serial numbers are located on the underside of the control panel.
Sold at: Appliance and specialty stores nationwide from June 2004 through July 2007 for between $3,000 and $4,400.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the oven’s self-cleaning mode and contact the firm [...]
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This large ageing wine cabinet, Climadiff AV305 can take 294 traditional Claret bottles, letting you store a sizable wine collection in one place. Electronically regulated, single-zone wine cabinet, the Climadiff AV305 maintains 12°C temperature within ±2° throughout. It has 5 collector reversible shelves, with one sliding, and specially designed Winter System that keeps temperature from 0°C to 40°C in unheated locations. Features include stabilized hydrometry, double thermostat, digital controls, subtle LED light, anti-vibration system, metal inner liner, charcoal filer and lock. Climadiff AV305 sells for £1,475. Climadiff also offers the AV305GL ageing wine cabinet with anti-UV glass door, priced at £1,750.
The kitchen episode of the 2009 HGTV Design Star was so revealing and the design work so yeesh(!) (I take NO pleasure in this criticism) that I could not let it go after my previous post on this episode. A busy summer allowed my angst to go on hold for awhile, but tonight’s Design Star finale put the pressure on me to share more insight on kitchen design issues from that episode!
My good friend and colleague, Kelly Morisseau of Kitchen_Sync and I have teamed up to deliver the insight. Kelly took the warm modern kitchen, and I took the Moroccan/Italian-fusion-ridiculousness kitchen. I’ve been to Morocco, I love Morocco, but Moroccan/Italian fusion?
 Kelly and I are each equally comfortable with modern and traditional design. Together, we have decided to show our readers that great things can be done with stock cabinets. You just need creativity. Kelly understands this and has worked HER magic to design a better version, in many ways, of the warm modern theme, the second kitchen on this episode.
Here’s another piece of insight: For those who are committed to producing good design, a kitchen meant to last 20+ [...]
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BEFORE KITCHEN PLANReusing kitchen cabinets to create a new kitchen design is both a real challenge and extremely gratifying. I’ve done it, albeit in an experimental way in a previous personal kitchen. In my case, it was an opportunity to try out some design ideas and at the same time hold us over until we were ready for the big remodel down the road. Here is a reader’s question on the topic of reusing kitchen cabinetry:
The choices available when choosing kitchen cabinets can sometimes be overwhelming and it is difficult to know where to start.