Blog Archives | Innovative Kitchen & Bath

Four Benefits of an Open Plan Kitchen

July 27, 2020 By Innovative KAB

Enjoy the wide-open spaces of an open plan kitchen.

There are a variety of kitchen designs with each one of them offering something special. An open kitchen is currently one of the most popular choices in new homes. An open kitchen, as the name implies, does not have any walls separating it from the connecting rooms such as the living room and the dining room. Although some people prefer a stand-alone kitchen, an open kitchen does have quite a few advantages.

Be Part of the Conversation

If you love spending time with your family, then you will find when you are cooking in the kitchen, that the lack of walls in the open kitchen design allows you to still be part of the conversation in the living room. With no walls in the way you can still enjoy time together with conversations flowing easily from room to room. When you have guests over it not only gives everyone a chance to spend time together, you will find it easier to keep watch and make sure that everyone is having a good time.

Lighting

The overall atmosphere of your home can be affected by the lighting, which is why many homes have large windows allowing lots of natural light in. Your cooking space will not be cut off from that natural light if you have an open plan kitchen design. Essentially the open kitchen, dining room and living room all get the same lighting making your home feel more inviting.

Style

Your overall home design will certainly be more stylish with an open kitchen. This is mainly because an open kitchen looks bigger compared to a closed kitchen of the same size. Even though a closed kitchen would probably have plenty of space, people inside the open kitchen feel less restricted without walls blocking the way. It is less about practicality and more about inducing feelings of comfort when it comes to style.

Convenience

Although, practically speaking, an open kitchen’s style doesn’t do much, your home is generally made a bit more convenient by the overall design. It is easy moving between the kitchen, living room and dining room because they, in fact are one big open room, which is especially helpful if you have a large family.

Would you like to enjoy all the benefits of an open concept kitchen? Then call Innovative Kitchen and Bath today and let us make it happen for you. We will work with you to create a unique design catering for your individual needs and style preferences.

Antimicrobial Options for Cleaner Kitchen Countertops and Floors

July 13, 2020 By Innovative KAB

Help your kitchen countertops and floors stay cleaner and healthier.

Due to the global impact the hard to kill COVID-19 virus has had globally, we’ve been staying home more, and even though kitchens have always been considered “the heart of the home,” they have become even more vital and essential to daily life. A big plus of the current situation is that, in fact, we are spending more time with family and loved ones, and this means spending more time in the kitchen cooking.

If all this time spent at home has got you thinking about improving your kitchen and wondering how to make it more suitable to your lifestyle, we would recommend that you also consider creating a space that is bacteria resistant and stays clean longer.

How Do You Keep Your Kitchen Clean and Healthy?

Kitchen Faucets

The most efficient way to operate the faucet without adding potential bacteria to the same surface touched by others, is to install touchless, or touch-activated faucets offered by numerous manufacturers including Delta, Moen, Pfister and Kohler.

Kitchen Counters

There are a few good options in countertop surfaces that offer microbial properties and look great as a feature that stands out in a stylish kitchen.

Quartz or quartz-blend countertops have a nonporous surface which is naturally resistant to bacteria and comes in countless colors. These countertops are environmentally friendly, having been made from crushed natural stone combined with recycled glass and ceramic, and a cement-based or polymeric binder.

For another naturally microbial resistant option, copper countertops and backsplashes are a good choice. The best way to clean this relatively soft metal is mild dish soap and warm water. Avoid using harsh abrasives, they will scratch the surface, rather use a solution of lemon juice in saltwater followed by soapy water on a soft cleaning cloth.

There are laminate countertops being offered in the marketplace that feature enhanced, built-in, antimicrobial protection. It is extremely durable and protects the surface against odor and stain-causing bacteria, mold and mildew.

Kitchen Floors

Although, when it comes to the spread of germs, the floor is usually not the area we are most concerned with. There are excellent solutions for minimizing bacteria in this space too.

Bamboo is naturally bacteria resistant and even when it is growing it eradicates any bacterium attempting to attach itself to the surface. Bamboo flooring will not reduce the need to clean of course, but it will be resistant to germs and bacteria. When maintained properly bamboo has a long lifespan. As a natural fiber it is also strong and shock resistant.

An Epoxy coating can be applied as a seamless flooring offering antimicrobial protection for both commercial and residential use. Without openings and crevices in a surface there are less opportunities for dirt and bacteria collect and live. With the selection of colors and textures available, this is a great style-wise option with excellent adaptability.

Linoleum and vinyl flooring are budget friendly options with much the same aspects as the epoxy coating.

Kitchens of today, as well as kitchens of the future, are expected to be sustainable, cleanable and affordable. Leading the way in healthy kitchen materials are bamboo and copper, which have been around the longest. Today homeowners can create a balance between the high-end look and hardworking functionality.

Gas or Electric Stove – Which One is Right for You?

June 22, 2020 By Innovative KAB

Gas or electric? Make the right stove choice for your kitchen remodel.

Are you considering new appliances for your kitchen and can’t decide between a gas or electric stove? They not only look different from each other, but they also function differently. To help you decide which one is for you, we have listed the main pros and cons for each one.

Gas Stoves

If asked, 96% of chefs will tell you that they prefer to cook on gas stoves. That is because the burners and oven heat up much faster than electric stoves, and different types of cookware, including uneven bottoms, work better on the gas flame. Gas cooktops are easier to maintain than a cooktop that has to be specially cleaned.

Gas Stove Pros

Because in most states, gas is cheaper than electricity, cooking with gas can save you 10% to 30% in energy costs. If you cook a lot that can be quite a saving, and if you are comparing gas against electric the cost should be a consideration. So, in a nutshell:

In most states gas can be cheaper than electricity
Stove and oven heat much faster
Heat can be controlled instantly from high to low
More useful for grilling, searing and simmering
Easier to clean the stovetop
Suitable for many different types of pots and pans

Gas Stove Cons

While there are many things to enjoy about gas cooking, there are a few things you should consider.

Turning them on can sometimes be tricky
Occasionally the burner won’t light
The pilot light goes out
There can be a weak burner flame
Ventilation can be a problem
Gas can cause a greasy surface

Electric Stoves

Often it depends on what is already there for you to choose between an electric or gas stove. It’s easy to just plug in to the electricity already running through your home.

Electric Stove Pros

The kitchen doesn’t get as hot with an electric stove
There is a flatter surface to clean with a cooktop
Pots are more stable on a flatter top
It is easier to turn them on and off
Installation is easier and less expensive
You probably already have 220v in your kitchen

Electric Stove Cons

Electric stoves use as much as three times more energy than gas
If the power goes out, you can’t use the stove
Because you often can’t tell if it’s on, it is easier to burn yourself
Newer models with the latest features can be more costly than gas
If something is dropped on it the cooktop can get damaged
Electric stoves cook food slower than gas

Whether you choose electric or gas for your next kitchen remodel, Innovative Kitchen and Bath can help you design your dream kitchen. To find out more, contact our Kirkland, WA office and we can walk you through your options.

Innovative Kitchen & Bath is Now a Cambria Premier Dealer

June 17, 2020 By Innovative KAB

Innovative Kitchen & Bath: Cambria Premier Dealer

We are proud to announce that Innovative Kitchen & Bath is now a Cambria Premier Dealer. Cambria quartz countertops come in a huge variety of colors and patterns, while offering the ultimate in safety, quality, and durability.

What is a Cambria Premier Dealer?

Cambria Premier Dealers are countertop retailers that live up to Cambria’s highest standards of excellence and provide an exceptional Cambria sales and showroom experience. Innovative Kitchen & Bath is a Cambria Premier Dealer, with years of experience in kitchen and bathroom renovations with all types of countertops.

Cambria Premier Dealers are:

Trustworthy: Cambria Premier Dealers work in conjunction with Cambria Corporate to deliver quality product with the best customer service experience possible.
Reputable: Reputation is everything, especially in today’s online age, where reviews can make or break a company. Cambria Premier Dealers have to uphold the Cambria name and brand. If your kitchen remodeler can’t get Cambria, that means their work is not up to Cambria’s standards, and you should pick another remodeler.
Genuine: All Cambria material ordered from a Cambria Premier Dealer is 100% genuine Cambria Quartz. Many may imitate but no one can match the true beauty of a Cambria Quartz original design.
Innovators: Technology & innovation drives the quartz surface market further into the future. Premier Dealers must be innovative too, keeping up with today’s trends and styles. Technological advances that any Premier Dealer should offer are CNC machinery, digital design layout, modern installation techniques, and more.

Hand Picked by Cambria

Only the finest retailers are granted access to Cambria Quartz. Cambria handpicks and vets every distributor that they work with, to ensure a high level of quality and consistency that never tarnishes the Cambria name or experience.

We are thrilled to offer Cambria products to our customers in Kirkland and throughout the Seattle area. You can read more about Cambria products, view color choices, and get design inspiration here. Or if you’d like to talk to us about Cambria products for your next kitchen or bath remodel, please contact us.

Pros and Cons of Induction Cooktops and Ranges

June 15, 2020 By Innovative KAB

Induction cooktops and ranges offer big advantages, but a few downsides as well.

Besides the old standbys of gas and electric, we are seeing more and more Kirkland area homeowners choose induction cooktops and ranges for their next kitchen renovation. Every induction cooktop and induction range delivers fast cooktop heat and excellent simmering, and they are a great addition to any kitchen. Here’s what you need to know before considering buying an induction cooktop or range.

Induction is a two-step process. An electromagnetic field below the glass cooktop surface produces the power and precision of the technology. It transfers current directly to magnetic cookware, causing it to heat up. The intermediate step of heating up a burner and then transferring the heat to the pot is cut out.

With prices dropping some induction ranges are selling for $1,000 or less. However, even though induction cooktops and ranges do tend to cost more than electric smooth tops, the difference in performance is considerable.

The Advantage of Induction

Far from popular opinion, induction cooktops can get hot. The cooking pot transfers the heat to the glass through conduction. Very much as some of the heat is transferred from the pan to the countertop when you put the pan down to rest. That heating stops when the pan is removed. A nice safety feature is that if you mistakenly turn on an induction burner with no pot on it, it won’t get hot.

What is the Right Cookware?

To find out if your existing cookware will work with an induction range, use a magnet. If it sticks strongly to the bottom of your pot it will work on an induction burner.

Look for pots and pans marked “induction compatible” when you are shopping for new cookware.

Thermometer Use

An induction cooktop can interfere with a digital meat thermometer. This is due to the magnetic field, so you may need to use an analog dial thermometer to solve the problem.

To ask us more about induction and the best induction ranges, contact us at Innovative Kitchen and Bath in Kirkland, WA.

Update Your Bathroom in Time for Summer

May 18, 2020 By Innovative KAB

Make your bathroom lighter and brighter for summer.

Summer is a time to celebrate sunlight, warmth and beauty both inside and outside your home. We have an urge to freshen our home décor and the best way to do this is with fresh accessories, especially in the bathroom. We need to look at light and bright accessories for this hot and sunny season.

Here is a list of some simple ideas to help you update and refresh your bathroom décor in time for summer.

Get rid of the clutter. It is always a good idea to go through your cabinets and drawers at the start of each season and get rid of unwanted or expired toiletries and, if possible, pack heavy winter items in storage. By removing these products you can free up space to accessorize in keeping with the time of the year.
Change the curtains. Switch to bright accessories in your bathroom this summer if you want to update. Take advantage of the sunshine by hanging white curtains that allow light to diffuse into the room all day long.
Plastics are out. The changing season is a good excuse to swap out the plastic soap dish by the sink, with something timeless and durable. You can instantly give the bathroom a more luxurious look, whatever you go for, whether it is a ceramic or stone dispenser.
Swap the shower curtain. Try swapping out your current shower curtain, particularly if it is dark, drab or dirty. More light will radiate around the room with a bright and breezy summer-themed shower curtain and the right design will enhance your overall summer theme.
Replace the rug. Find a bathmat or rug in lively colors to give your bathroom a fresh breath of summer. When it comes to style, little touches make a big difference.
Deep clean. A good deep clean will refresh your bathroom for the season. Be sure to give those tricky corners a thorough scrub and you will be ready for the warm months to come.
Put fresh towels in a basket. Add a basket of freshly laundered towels to give an instant boost to the welcome factor. A crisp, clean towel is a sure way to make you feel pampered in the bathroom.
Add fresh flowers or plants. Finally, nothing says summer like the beautiful flowers and plants that bloom in the garden. Why not pick some fresh flowers and greenery for the vanity or counter to celebrate the season in the bathroom. You will love both the beauty and fragrance of the flowers every time you enter the room.

You might consider updating the fixtures as you are decorating your bathroom. You can transform the room from bland to beautiful just by installing a new vanity. Take a look at our great selection of fixtures at Innovative Kitchen and Bath. Contact us to schedule your virtual in-house consultation.