desousadesign

Can You "Handle" this Kitchen

2012-02-07T11:05:00.001-05:00

I thought I would start off the month of February by showcasing a kitchen designed by none other than Martin de Sousa and Anthony Binns. Not only is this design spectacular in terms of its clean lines and style, it was nominated for an award at the National Kitchen & Bath Design Gala recently held in Toronto.

To help you understand the design aspects of this kitchen, I have included the design statement that helps describe the challenges and solutions faced by the designers.

SieMatic S2 Designed by Martin de Sousa, Anthony Binns, photo by Keith Binns

Design Challenges

To showcase a small kitchen with Island for the downtown condo clientele
To design a modern and minimalistic display that doesn't compromise on function or storage
Wanted to provide “white on white” look
Existing flooring, ceiling and window had to remain
Wanted to showcase new horizontal and vertical channel
Use entry level laminate door with luxurious appearance

SieMatic S2 Designed by Martin de Sousa, Anthony Binns, photo by Keith Binns

Design Solutions

The fridge, and two pantries were intentionally recessed into glass cabinets, to hide their true depths and to create less visual weight in the space
Over-sizing the fridge panel, allows for vertical channel to be used alongside pantries, for streamlined appearance
The use of more tall storage and less upper cabinets achieves the goal of providing functional storage while maintaining modern and sleek style
Placing main sink and cooking area on the same wall creates an ergonomic cooking zone, while the island with secondary sink provides prepping space and unloading area for fridge

SieMatic S2 Designed by Martin de Sousa, Anthony Binns, photo by Keith Binns

Design Features

Touch-latch geometric glass cabinets surround the fridge and pantries, giving the illusions that they are decorative only
Combination of upper cabinets, lighting shelves, and countertop backsplash help emphasis the horizontal lines of the recess channel
Mixture of white laminate cabinets, white quartz countertops, and white glass panels create a simple yet engaging palette of materials and textures
Dark purple shade is used to give the kitchen dimension while adding some character

SieMatic S2 Designed by Martin de Sousa, Anthony Binns, photo by Keith Binns

The products featured in this kitchen include, SieMatic S2 White Laminate and White Gloss Glass, Silestone countertops with SieMatic 1cm profile edge. Franke Kubus undermounted sink and drainboard. Donrbracht Lot Faucet in brushed steel. A complete Miele appliance package including, Miele 30" fridge, 27" classic oven, induction top, wall hood, microwave and dishwasher.

A Sneak Peek at the Franke Peak Sink

2012-01-19T09:10:00.001-05:00

As we put the finishing touches on a new kitchen display, I thought I would take a few snapshots of the new Franke Peak Sink. I'm only going to show you the prep sink in the island as the main sink area is not yet completed.

I really like the lines of the Peak sink as it really compliments the modern aesthetics of the SieMatic Kitchen. Another design feature is the drain. This sink features a drain cover that is square! I hope to have more pictures in the upcoming week. Enjoy!

Faucet Jewellery

2012-01-13T13:41:00.001-05:00

Back in the day when kitchen renovations were simple, there weren't many options for faucets. Other then the manufacturer, your choices were limited to deck or wall mounted and spray option. Style was relegated to traditional spout with an option for single or dual control valves.

Well those days are long gone, and in today's market, there is a vast amount of faucet selection.

So now comes the hard part. Which one do you choose? For the most part, there is no wrong answer. Typically most designers will match the style and finish to other coordinating hardware such as handles. However a new trend that has emerged over the past few years is the concept of specialized faucet function.

What this means is that instead of having one faucet to rinse, and fill and clean, you have multiple faucets with separate functions and specific task.

In the example below is a Dornbracht faucet that features a separate control valve and side spray. I call this jewellery for the kitchen. It basically screams, "hey look at me." And It does so very well.

Some clients ask about the this particular side spray as it quite large. It's style emulates the type of sprays commonly found in commercial kitchens. They are used to clean large bowls, pans and pots. The spring at the top allows the spray to dangle above the sink for easy access. Dornbracht has a number of styles and options available. Enjoy!

Dornbracht Faucet, Sidespray, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

The Art of Storage

2012-01-04T16:47:00.001-05:00

Other than straight-up minimalists, everybody has "stuff". And more often then none "stuff" has to be stored somewhere. Other than Grandpas barn, dads tool shed, or aunt Sally's tickle trunk, the kitchen contains the majority of practical storage. Yet kitchens are often too small or stylish to have wall to wall, floor to ceiling cabinetry. So what can a "stuff" collecting junkie do?

Here enters the art of designing storage. There are obviously many different solutions, of which I will disclose a few design secrets.

SieMatic Cabinets, Frosted Glass Doors, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

1. Use a combination of open and closed storage. Nobody wants to see large boring cabinet doors with the same protudring hardware. Instead, create some funk, by using different sized doors in symmetrical or asymmetrical layouts. In this case, square cabinets are wall hung mid way up, with paneling surrounding it. The paneling creates a ledge at the top, which can be used for additional storage, for artistic items such as vases, artwork, or your model airplane collection.

SieMatic Cabinets, Frosted Glass Doors, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

2. Mix up the material. Not everything has to be vanilla white. Often kitchens lack character since the majority of the cabinetry is done in one particular finish. So bring some spice to your life, and go with a contrasting material/colour. Frosted glass doors, with aluminum frame is highlighted with light wood laminate panels. The frosted glass square doors add a reflective quality, while providing the illusion of organized storage. (Clear glass, although very classy, tends to be a chore to keep the "stuff" inside uniform and organized).

SieMatic Cabinets, Frosted Glass Doors, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

3. This last tip is often the hardest for most clients to comprehend. By hiding the true depth of cabinets, the bulkiness of storage is minimized, therefor creating the illusion of more space, without sacrificing practical storage. So in this case, the room is made intentionally smaller, by creating a half wall in which the square storage cabinets are recessed into. This half wall is then clad in the light wood paneling, creating aesthetic interest, providing a ledge, and visually merging the rest of the kitchen. Enjoy.

SieMatic Cabinets, Frosted Glass Doors, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

A Keyboard Worth Typing On

2012-01-03T01:37:00.001-05:00

So far I've blogged mainly about kitchens, bathrooms and some furniture and plumbing fixtures. But today I have something special.

Several months ago, I was on a hunt to replace my computer keyboard. Technically there was nothing wrong with it, a couple of buttons were sticky, the faux paint job was wearing. But mainly the keyboard was difficult to clean. My other requirements included mechanical keys as well as an additional USB port for mouse. I prefer a corded mouse for my home computer, as gaming and design software demand high precision and no compromise!

Well my search ended up with a pretty good result, which not only met my requirements but surpassed them. Not only is this keyboard highly functional, it's a thing of industrial design beauty!

This vengeance keyboard, made by the fine folks of Corsair, comes complete with brushed stainless topside, with black laser etched mechanical keys, and easy to use media buttons. But the greatest thing about this setup are the cherry red keys and palm rest. These keys are interchangeable, which allow for customization, and are replaceable. The palm rest doubles as storage for those extra keys.

Of course I had to get the matching mouse, to complete the package. It to has the ability to customize the weight and dpi settings for added fragging precision.

Although I'm not in the business of rating products, I would have to give Corsair Vegeance Keyboard and mouse 9.5 out of 10. Enjoy.
http://www.corsair.com/

Corsair Vengeance, Stainless Keyboard, photo by Martin de Sousa

Corsair Vengeance Mouse, photo by Martin de Sousa

A Shower Bench Worth Talking About

2011-12-23T13:20:00.001-05:00

Bathroom Renovations can be a lot of fun to designs especially when the involve custom showers. However what's not fun is dealing with shower benches. Built in shower bench (like ones made out of marble or slate tend not look that great and tend to function even worse. That's why freestanding shower bench is the preferred choice.

This shower bench would be my top choice in both function and form. Made of high density teak, this shower bench is highly mold resistant and is designed to be durable in high moisture areas such as saunas and shower. Also the hardware is made of stainless steel which is rust proof. So why does this bench have hardware?

It folds up! Yep, this cleverly designed bench can fold up and put away when not in use, thus freeing up space in your shower. Awesome!

A Shelf that is Above and Beyond

2011-12-20T16:58:00.001-05:00

We all consider shelves a necessity in our junk filled lives. But yet, we never seem to have enough. With today's kitchens being designed in more open layout concepts, there tends to be fewer walls for cabinet storage and shelves. What if I told you that you didn't need a wall to have a shelf! Whaaat?

Behold, the amazingly designed ceiling mounted shelf! A long slender price of tempered glass is supported by 3 rectangular tube stainless supports, each bolted to the ceiling. There is a stainless rod that intersects each support allowing utensils and other nic-nacs to be hung. Not only is this shelf functional and aesthetically pleasing, it also helps to physically separate the kitchen from the rest of the space while still respecting the open layout concept.

Glass Shelf, Photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

2011-12-19T17:56:00.001-05:00

Mirror, mirror on the wall, what's the prettiest mirror of them all.

When designing a bathroom, ensuite or simple powder room, the vanity mirror plays a critical role. Yet many people dismiss the qualitative feature and tend to choose wall to wall, non-discript mirror with no character. Well it's time to reevaluate the bathroom mirror and not yourself!
One idea, which isn't all that new, is to frame your mirror. A frame with subtle detailing and a simple bevel adds a sense of luxury that won't break the bank. To further enhance the look, this mirror is placed behind a vanity. This creates a sense of scale, while further emphasizing the idea that bathroom fixtures are like furniture. Vinyl wall covering, nickel finish Kohler faucet & knobs, and a rich quarter-sawn walnut vanity, rounds off this luxurious styled bathroom. Enjoy!

Framed Mirror, Bathroom Vanity, Photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

The Butcher's Island

2011-12-16T11:27:00.001-05:00

Kitchen islands are great in providing prep space and clean up zone when paired with a sink or cooktop. But what do you do, when the island is too small or is not practical to have either the cooktop or sink?

Well, one solution is to make it into a giant butcher block. Not only does it provide a practical prepping surface, it also enhances the beauty of the island and ultimately the kitchen. Utilizing solid maple wood, this 4 inch thick end-grain butcher block is quite safe and easy to clean (with mineral oil) . To further enhance the appearance, an exaggerated ogee edge was applied all around. To finish off the island, open shelves for basket were added as well as a furniture style toekick detail. Enjoy!!!

The Butcher Block Kitchen island, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

End-Grain Maple, Butcher Block, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

Exaggerated Ogee Edge, Butcher Block Island, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

Butcher Block Island, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

Furniture Style Toekick Detail, Butcher Block Island, Photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

Abstract Painting by Martin de Sousa

2011-12-15T12:10:00.001-05:00

One of my personal goals this year was to get back to my artistic roots. Those of you that knew me way back, know that I always enjoyed painting. Well today I am happy to let you know that artistic guy is back!

Over the next coming months I hope to do a slew of #acrylicpainting . This painting although very abstract in color is actually an aerial view of my grandparents farm in #colchester #ontario.

I will be accepting commissions, so if there is something particular that you would like painted/printed, contact me below. Thanks

Abstract Acrylic Painting by Martin de Sousa

The Perfect Kitchen Sink Combo

2011-12-14T14:29:00.001-05:00

With so many sizes and variations of sinks, it's no wonder it's so hard to select the perfect kitchen sink. Long and behold, the Franke Kubus. Although its been on the market for several years, it's been a popular choice among our designers and clients. So what makes the Franke Kubus so successful? Style and function. The drainboard sink has the unique ability of providing a second drain while only occupying only 1-3/4" of depth. By draining into the same cabinet as the main sink, this allows placement of the drainboard over a integrated dishwasher. Style wise, the Frank Kubus works in both contemporary and transitional designs thanks to its 3mm radius corners. Optional accessories are available such as cutting boards and roll-able drain mats.

Kubus Sink by Franke, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

Dresser Style Vanity

2011-12-13T12:36:00.001-05:00

What do you get when you combine a bedroom dresser with a ceramic basin and faucet? A dresser vanity! Not only does it provide functional storage, it also brings warmth and a touch of coziness to any bathroom. With so many sizes and styles of dresser, anyone can find the perfect freestanding vanity to match their personal style.

Dresser Vanity, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

The Little Red Island

2011-12-12T16:18:00.001-05:00

One of the most desirable kitchen features that clients want in a renovation is an island. Yet many spaces, especially in today's condo market, simply do not have the depth for a fully featured kitchen island. So what can you with that unused or otherwise wasted space? Enter the little red Island that could. Measuring 10 inches by 39 inches at a height of 32 inches, this small antique-like console is perfect for any small kitchen. Not only does it provide additional prep space and storage for small items like spices, it also provides a centre piece that is bound to strike up conversations with you and your guests. I have seen many variations in color, material and dimensions, and can be often found in small Asian antique furniture stores.

Little Red Island, photo by Martin de Sousa, desousadesign inc.

The Secret of the Chinese Wedding Cabinet

2011-12-10T16:49:00.001-05:00

One of the spectacular components of a Beaux Art Kitchen is the Chinese Wedding Cabinet. The use of two different types of doorstyles, two different types of handles and combination of dark, rich and distressed walnut creates an unmistakable design statement. But wait, there's more! It's a fridge and freezer. Yep, behind that old world look is your ice box! Let's face it, stainless steel fridges, (although can be beautiful), has become the norm. And no one just once a normal kitchen, you want a spectacular kitchen!

Chinese Wedding Cabinet, SieMatic, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

Handle / Knob Detail, SieMatic, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

Crown Moulding & Walnut Distressed Detail, SieMatic, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

Surprise, It's a Fridge & Freezer! SieMatic, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

What Makes a Beaux Art Kitchen?

2011-12-10T12:42:00.001-05:00

One of the key components of the Beaux Art, is the use of doorstyles. A traditional kitchen typically uses one or two doorstyles. But the Beaux Art typically uses 4, sometimes 5 different types of doors!

Beaux Art, SieMatic, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net

The Original Beaux Art Kitchen

2011-12-09T14:08:00.001-05:00

I'm often asked "As a designer, what is your favorite style of kitchen?"
Well the answer is, a little bit of everything. I like contemporary, modern, transitional, and traditional. That's why the Beaux Art is the perfect style!

Beaux Art, SieMatic, photo by Martin de Sousa, Binns.net