My Design Secrets

Whether you cook as a profession, hobby, or out of necessity, there is no reason that you have to suffer for your supper.  Wood and tile floors are beautiful, but they can be murder on your back.  So we try different things: rugs, slippers, sneakers or takeout.  Well here’s a stylish solution for you…GelPro Mats. 

These wonderful mats help relieve back pain, foot pain and arthritis by providing you a much-needed mediator between you and the unforgiving floor.  You can use them in so many places: the kitchen, at your work bench, in your bathroom or in the laundry room.  The non-slip mat has a gel core that helps absorb shock and the outside synthetic surface is stain resistant and easy to clean.  They are available in 6 different styles/textures and a multitude of colors with one sure to coordinate with your kitchen.  There are two sizes available – single (20″x36″) or double (20″x72″) and they have a 30-day money back guarantee.  Now you too can cook in comfort!

Visit Gel Pro on My Design Secrets!

Are you ready for a burst of design genius in the kitchen?  Well, if you have glass fronts on your kitchen cabinets, then you are in luck.  Bendheim Cabinet Glass opens up whole new world with beautiful and unusual glass inserts that are sure to make your kitchen a showplace.  The company has been working in the specialty glass business since 1927 and in the past had only worked with designers and architects.  Now they also work directly with homeowners, giving you access to an unbelievable assortment of glass with something sure to strike your fancy.

Bendheim carries seven types of glass such as Colored, Etched or Mouth Blown as well as five styles including Contemporary, Retro and Traditional.  They also clearly indicated which styles are available; Tempered (breaks in many small pieces on impact) or Laminated (plastic layer in the glass that keeps the glass fragments together).  You can choose Seeded Glass to go with your Farmhouse cabinets or mix it up a bit with a Contemporary patten for your Shaker style kitchen.  You have so many options.

Bendheim gives you specific step-by-step directions on how to measure for the glass and you can order samples online.  They import and stock everything in their New Jersey warehouse and carefully pack it so it arrives to you intact and in a timely manner.   They also have some cool videos to show you how the glass is made.  Have fun browsing, it is going to be hard to pick just one!

Visit Bendheim Cabinet Glass and shop for Kitchen furnishings in My Secret Database!

Designers have long known the benefits of high quality leather. It’s durable, long lasting and beautiful. A very cutting edge company called York Street Studio is finding new places for leather in your home. The company is making leather panels and tiles for walls and floors and they are gorgeous. They are water resistant, easy to install and easy to maintain. You can use them in the kitchen, office, or just about anywhere you please. Take a look at the selection offered on their website. You’ll be amazed!

Renovating your kitchen? Well here is a cool way to add some fun to your project. Elmira Stove Works has put a unique twist on some old favorites. They manufacture unbelievable reproduction appliances from two different eras.

Glass Knob in Sapphire with Polished Chrome Base $16.33

Paint an old dresser off-white and add these beautiful knobs for a fresh twist!

Decorative knobs are not just for kitchen cabinets anymore. Knobs on bi-fold doors and dressers are often over-looked as a place to add a bit of personalization and freshen things up. Breathe some new life into a a tired old dresser: sand it, paint it and add some new knobs! We also have cabinets in the laundry room and home office. Lighten up the mood and let your personality shine through with these fun options.

Camisole Knob (Antique Matte Silver) $7.60

This is a cute knob for the laundry room!

Sand Dollar Cabinet Knob (Antique Brass) $18.70

If you daydream of vacations by the sea while in your home office, these sand dollar knobs will bring a smile to your face.

The Kohler Prologue kitchen sink with work surface on right and storage drawer system is really sleek looking and you can order it with the work surface on the left or right. It also comes with a custom cutting board and colander.

When embarking on a total or partial renovation in your kitchen, one of the most important items is your kitchen sink. This is the workhorse of the kitchen. A bad selection could cause regrets for years and it is not easily changed after countertops have been cut.

Here is a quick review of the options I feel are best for the kitchen:

Stainless steel is an excellent option and the one I personally prefer but it also depends on the style of your kitchen. It is very durable and it won’t rust, stain, fade, chip or crack. You want to buy an 18 or 20 gauge stainless and in this case, a lower number is better. 18 gauge is thicker than 20. If it is 18/10, then is has a ration of 18% chrome and 10% nickel. 18/10 will not rust and will maintain its appearance much longer and is thicker. The thicker the gauge, the less apt the sink is to dent, bow or make noise. A good stainless steel sink does acquire some scratches along the way but it results in a nice patina. Also, look for a sink with an undercoating, it will be much quieter.

Enamel coated cast iron sinks are very attractive and can be ordered in a variety of colors. You do run the risk of chips or cracks over time. They are very heavy and usually require a support if they are being undermounted. Lighter colors can also stain from wine or berries if they are not rinsed out in a timely manner.

The Clarity™ undercounter kitchen sink from Kohler is a beautiful cast iron sink that comes in many colors.

Solid Surface sinks are made out of the countertop materials such as Corian. They give a nice seamless appearance. They can also stain but they scratches can be buffed out and they are heat resistant.

A few last tips:

• I would recommend that any sink be undermounted for a cleaner appearance and you will not have grime build up on the lip on top of the counter.
• Many people like the double bowl sinks but make sure one bowl is large enough to clean a roasting pan if you cook a lot.
• Did you know you can clean stainless with a little olive oil on a rag or towel? That way you can avoid using the expensive chemical stainless cleaners.
• Double sinks sometimes come with the option of a custom sized dish rack. Make sure you install the disposal on the opposite side.