When it comes to finding the right quality of light, Stephens considers two factors. “The first is Kelvin [K], which relates to the warmth, feel and quality of the light. I’ve found that 3,000 Kelvin is the sweet spot for bright, slightly warm light that’s not too yellow,” she says. “The second is the Color Rendering Index [CRI], which refers to how much objects will be seen in true color. I find that anything below 90 CRI can muddy colors.”
. Drawers instead of doors. Given the choice I will always choose drawers over doors on my base cabinets. It’s so much easier to organize and find things when you can pull out a drawer instead of having to squat down to dig around deep inside the cabinet. Tip: Extra-deep drawers are great for storing dishes, pots and pans. I also try to fit as many wide (36-inch) cabinets in as I can, because these can hold all manner of items yet still be within easy reach.
Tip: The minimum recommended kitchen aisle width is 42 inches. More comfortable, and the minimum I tend to design to, is 48 inches. If you live in a multicook household, I recommend upping that to 52 or 54 inches. The extra space really eases tight spots, especially around the sink and major appliances. But bigger isn’t always better. I wouldn’t want to go wider than 54 inches, because then your kitchen can become inefficient — you’ll spend more time walking than c
Stephens had them check out Marmoleum because it’s easy on the legs and sustainable. “These linoleum tiles stand for a healthier indoor climate. The main ingredient is linseed oil —a sustainable and renewable resource,” she says.
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