by Kitchen Queens | Jul 20, 2016 | Blog
No, I haven’t lost my dog! I’m talking about the amazing decorative sheeting made from synthetic materials which is suitable for feature walls, breakfast bar fronts, splash backs, bed heads, shower wall lining [some], shop fitting, trade show displays, built into joinery and much more. Sibu is available in a wide range of colour and design variations that provides interior exclusivity and elegance. It is easy to cut with a craft knife, can be drilled, cut on a saw or cut to shape. With curved Island Bars trending at the moment it is an ideal choice, as sheets can be installed curved and some can even be folded! Sibu comes in a range of metallic surface finishes, often heavily embossed and always a highly decorative feature which is great for adding features to your kitchen. The Leather Range extends from plain leather finishes to stitched, molded and vintage effects and is ideally suited as wall linings or built into joinery. The Sibu DM range of design sheets includes mirrors and polished metallic finishes as well as brushed metallics and mosaic mirror effects. Sibu also offers 2 mm Stone Veneer, available in over 25 colours and textures. It is suited to both interior and exterior use and can be incorporated in joinery, wall lining and flooring. Ecostone “wall paper” is 1 mm thick and is applied and used like a wall paper, but is real stone. It has a cotton backing so is extremely flexible and can even be folded around a corner! It is applied to a surface using wall paper glue designed for cotton backed wall papers...
by Kitchen Queens | Jul 12, 2016 | Blog
Gloss, Satin or Matt Kitchen – Choosing What Is Best For You For some, this is an easy decision, as they already know the look they prefer. Whether you love a high shine, prefer no shine, or want something inbetween, here is a break down to help you make an informed decision Gloss Finishes have a more opulent and expensive look. It’s a very eye catching finish, so it creates a bigger impact. Shiny surfaces, like mirrors, are very reflective. Light bounces off gloss,hence creating more light, which in turn also adds extra dimension and space. This is an especially good choice where there isn’t a lot of natural light, or your space is on the small side. The gloss level can vary due to light source and position though. For instance, eye level cabinets may pick up and reflect more light than lower level cabinets. Manufactured gloss finishes are usually more expensive and don’t have the same colour range. They also look best left sleek and devoid of cabinet handles. A warning if painting with gloss – Your preparation is paramount, as your surfaces will need to be perfectly smooth. A high gloss will show every single imperfection. So don’t take shortcuts. Satin or Semi-gloss Finishes are more forgiving. It is a more silky smooth look and will still reflect the light, but without an actual surface reflection. Although a more understated look than the gloss, it will still look sleek and fresh. Great for contemporary styles and is ideal for those who like a sheen, but don’t want to spend a great deal of time wiping...
by Kitchen Queens | Jul 4, 2016 | Blog
Once upon a time, the kitchen was considered a functional room, and while function is still important, the kitchen has become a designer focal point so it follows suit that lighting and light fixtures are a very important part of kitchen design. With so many work areas, nooks and crannies to illuminate and kitchen lighting ideas, what is the best lighting for your needs and where do you start? Smartly іnѕtаllеd lіghtіng іѕ one оf the most important considerations in kitchen renovations as іnаdеԛuаtе lіghtіng саn lead tо safety іѕѕuеѕ. There are three main types of lighting: Ambient lighting, accent lighting and task lighting. Ambient lighting is the general illumination you get from ceiling lights or maybe some wall-mounted lights. Accent lighting focuses on a feature in your room, and task lighting is specific to a work or eating area. Ambient lighting is basically overall illumination. It gives a room a comfortable level of brightness without glare. Ambient lighting was once the only light in a room, a single light in the middle of the ceiling. If this is still your only option, you can position your fixtures to focus lighting where you need it most by the use of track lighting, cable or monorail lighting or spot lighting. The most common form of ambient lighting is the inconspicuous recessed lights, however, more often in today’s modern kitchens we are seeing the use of bold and dramatic fixtures like creative chandeliers. Accent Lighting concentrates on an area or subject by using recessed, track, or wall-mounted fixtures. By drawing the eye to a subject or area, it creates a visual...
by Kitchen Queens | Jun 30, 2016 | Blog
Want a great looking kitchen, but having trouble picking your own kitchen colour scheme? Whether you have a galley, u shaped, small or large kitchen, or simply trying to spruce up the kitchen in a rental property, you still want it to look as good as it can, right? Here are some easy, cheap and very do-able kitchen colour ideas and tips, that will transform your little space into something pleasurable to work in and is more pleasing to the eye. You can create a beautiful kitchen quite easily with some fresh paint and some imagination. Let us give you some kitchen inspiration In contrasts If the latest trending colour is one you adore, or just a colour that is prevalent to your flair through-out the house, use it as a contrast to a white kitchen. Strong and bright colours give you real kapow. Doesn’t have to be expensive to change either. All you need to do is put it in areas like a splash-back and cover it with clear glass. When you want a change, just remove the glass, re-place your backdrop with a fresh colour, a poster, bright wallpaper, or artwork, and then refit the glass. Voila! If you don’t like a real kapow contrast, use a much softer shade and add a bit of pop with some extras that can easily be changed up. For example, coloured barstools, bright light-shades or assorted crockery displayed on an open shelf As wall colour By using wooden blinds, putting colour on the walls, and keeping the...
by Kitchen Queens | Jun 22, 2016 | Blog
The Kitchen is оnе оf thе most uѕеd rооmѕ in аnу hоmе. If you are planning tо paint the kіtсhеn and dоn’t know whеrе to ѕtаrt, hеrе are ѕоmе uѕеful tірѕ аnd painting techniques. Firstly, сhооѕе the rіght colour scheme and colour combination for your kitchen. Choose a соlоur thаt also соmрlеmеntѕ уоur оthеr іntеrіоr ѕtуlіng to maintain the flow of your house. It іѕ bеlіеvеd that sunny yellow, peach, tеrrа соttа оr сіtruѕ lіmе grееn саn create a сhееrу аtmоѕрhеrе аnd еvеn іnсrеаѕе appetite. Bеfоrе starting, clear оut уоur kitchen, wash the walls, fix thе hоlеѕ, scratch marks and dents in thе walls and sand smooth bеfоrе the раіnt іѕ аррlіеd. Then mask around the perimeter of your walls on the areas you do not want to paint and cover your appliances and floor with drop cloths to prevent paint splatters ruining them. It’ѕ іmроrtаnt tо select a раіnt that is suitable for wet areas. Steam and moisture buіld-uр іѕ common in kitchens, ѕо рісk a paint that іѕ specially dеѕіgnеd fоr kitchen wаllѕ. Spending a little extra on a good paint is a great investment. If you are spending all this time to refresh your kitchen area, why would you want to waste it on paint that is not suitable and will fall off so you have to do it all again!! There are also different paint finishes to consider before you start. Sеmі-glоѕѕ аnd glоѕѕ раіntѕ аrе ideal due tо their ease of cleaning. Eggѕhеll finishes have a flat finish and not as easy to clean. Since раіntіng your kіtсhеn іѕ the most inexpensive way...
by Kitchen Queens | Apr 9, 2015 | Blog
Working With Your Contractors Finding A Contractor Ask trusted friends or family if they have any recommended contractors If you have hired a contractor in the past, ask them if they can recommend others to do work they don’t cover ie electrical, tiling, plumbing etc Ask potential contractors questions like How long have you been in business What type of jobs do they mostly do What references do they have – then check them out Are they licensed, and what guarantees do they provide on their finished work Their contact details for any follow-ups and do they have a website Do they do the work themselves, do the employ their own workers, or do they use sub-contractors What suppliers do they use Most of these questions are for your own piece of mind, but ensuring they are registered/licensed contractors and getting references are essential. Then check out their credentials and their references. Once You Have Secured Your Contractors You now need to make sure everything is in place and all the materials are available for them before commencing. You do not want to be held up waiting for your bench-top to arrive, or find the taps you ordered weren’t available. Time is money, and hold-ups may cause a domino effect that could cost dearly. Good contractors have their own schedules to work with-in, and if your timing is out, you can run the risk of having to wait till they are available again, or having to find someone else. Scheduling Your Contractors Make sure you have discussed and scheduled all your different contractors to come in at the most...
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