HotnSpicyKitchen

Functional, convenient with some knock-out style - that’s what I can think of when I hear of custom kitchen islands. Apart from being the focal point in your kitchen, custom made kitchen islands are most suited to your unique style and taste. They probably come closest to defining your personality. Don’t forget that it is the kitchen that is regarded as an extension of your persona. So can there be anything better than a luxury kitchen island to mirror this fact.

Unique islands for unique kitchens

If you own a uniquely designed kitchen then I’m sure that your neighbors must be pretty envious of you. Such kitchens have the best of everything- be it the design, the intricately carved moldings and flooring, the color and the finish of the cabinets and the superior quality of the materials used there in. Custom made kitchens are the perfect embodiment of function and style that is created to suit every whim of the proud owner. You’ll find the best utilization of every inch of space in a custom kitchen.

If that’s the case, then I’m sure you’re family would love to spend every waking moment in this elegant space. So, why not add a custom built kitchen island and create a virtual hub for the family. That, in addition to creating more storage space, increasing the space available for preparation of great food and providing children the right ambience to do their entire home work.

What goes in to a custom island?

Here’s an insight in to the way custom kitchen islands are created:

* Custom kitchen islands come with two different levels. One is used for food preparation and the other level is utilized as a counter top for serving meals.
* Most custom built kitchen islands are equipped with deep drawers for all that extra storage space.
* The combination of several materials is probably the most striking part of custom kitchen islands. Don’t hesitate to go in for a glazed cook top for the kitchen island even if nothing else matches it in the rest of the kitchen.
* You also the have the choice between wood and cabinets. Open shelves are a rage to display the never ending collection of cook books and recipes.

If you’ve made up your mind regarding custom built kitchen islands, then the going is pretty easy for you. There are several sites on the Internet that offer all the information on custom kitchen islands in terms of the sizes, materials, color and finish.

Nothing can amalgamate beauty and efficiency effortlessly, the way custom kitchen islands can. So what’s it going to be for you-a custom walnut slab kitchen island or a curly maple one or may be something with an oriental flair like a traditional Japanese kitchen island made of reclaimed hard wood with sliding doors?

There are many amongst us who believe that kitchen backsplashes are all about function and little aesthetic value. Thankfully, such kinds of people are in a minority. Today, most home owners have understood the immense value of the kitchen backsplash. No longer is the most abused area in the kitchen given step-motherly treatment. In fact, more and more people are exploring ways to make this area extremely interesting. After all, it is the kitchen backsplash that sets the tone for the décor in the kitchen. Don’t be the least bit afraid to experiment; people are also opting for lesser known backsplashes like the cork backsplash. Surprised? Well, the cork backsplash is the perfect combination of form and function. It is a wonderful way to add an unusual but very eye-catching focal point to the kitchen décor.

Cork backsplash: Will get everyone talking

A cork backsplash looks similar to a blackboard kitchen backsplash design. It is extremely practical and gives a very neat and clean appearance. But the biggest advantage is that the cork backsplash can be used to post all memos, coupons, recipes, photos and notes. So that does away with the need for a separate post-it board. The cork tiles look cool and with their natural texture lend tremendous elegance to the kitchen.

Installing a cork backsplash

Installing a cork backsplash is relatively easy provided you make sure that you seal the tiles properly before the installation, as cork is washable surface.  Take a look at the procedure for the installation of a cork backsplash:

* Firstly, determine the area that needs to be covered and buy the required number of cork tiles to cover the area completely.
* Cut the tiles in to the desired size with the help of a utility knife.
* Coat both sides of each tile with polyurethane and let the tiles dry completely. This will ensure that the tiles are sealed fully.
* With the help of water-based cement on the backsplash wall and on the back of the tile, place the tiles on the desired position.
* The tiles must be placed one at a time. Complete the tiling without leaving any gaps.
* Once complete, wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

After all that hard work, it is now time to get used to the admiring glances. Cork tiles can be combined superbly with granite countertops and beadboard cabinets. Even a varnished cork backsplash looks refreshingly different.

If you’re looking for something that is practical and yet has a unique charm, then the cork backsplash is ideal for you. It is one experiment that will never fail you.