Darren James - kitchen.bathroom.design.room.blog

ONCE UPON A TIME: .kitchenbathroomdesigner

Well here we are… we finally make the big leap into the sphere of social media - our own BLOG! It had to be done – there is just so much to share and it’s seems unfair to keep it to ourselves.

As kitchen and bathroom designers, we pride ourselves on creating unconventional, personalized and unique spaces for our clients. This means we are constantly on the hunt for stylistic and technological innovation – in other words ‘what’s hot’. It’s what keeps us at the forefront of the constantly changing world of interior design and the forever evolving Australian lifestyle. Our blog takes a realist approach to kitchen, bathroom and interior design in a way that you (the general public) can understand and access. In addition to posting ‘hot off the press’ industry news, we will discuss the latest designs and trends, feature new innovative products as well as provide practical tips and tricks for tackling your next kitchen or bathroom project. We will uncover some amazing "before + after" projects and who knows during the course of all that you may even come across the odd recipe, video and pod cast.

We invite you to provide feedback and comment, if there is something you would like us to write about or you are particularly interested in – just ask!!! We hope you enjoy and find some inspiration for your next project...

Happy reading!

Is 'EATING IN' the new 'eating out'?

Dinner at home is back. I don’t know about you but I am certainly cooking at home more these days AND truth be told I’m really enjoying it! Ok, so perhaps it’s partly due to the fact that I have two littlies under the age of two and opting to “stay in” is a far more enjoyable (not to mention cheaper) experience compared to the alternative… an unpredictable toddler trantrum in front of an entire restaurant where I am generally paying for a meal that is costing me an arm and a leg – not what I call enjoyable!

I would nearly go as far as saying that ‘eating in’ is the new ‘eating out’. Within my own circle of friends we have monthly dinner parties which we rotate – different home, different theme – and I know we are not the only ones. The truth is these days a lot of us are opting to stay at home and entertain family and friends – although the ‘reborn dinner party’ is a far different affair to my mother’s era where it consisted of a classic white tablecloth laid out with polished silver and crystal glasses. These days none of us have the energy to polish the silver and we generally serve dinner in a more relaxed ‘dressed down’ atmosphere, around a table in the kitchen or extended table from the kitchen. People like to go to the farmers' market on Saturday, buy some great food and then have their pals round the kitchen table that evening – sharing a good bottle of red (bought at a third of restaurant prices).

And this changing trend is having a dramatic effect on what we demand of our kitchens – both in how they look and how they function. We are seeing the request for seating go beyond that of the island bench/breakfast bar. Tables and furniture are now being incorporated and often built-in to the kitchen itself.

Tables: tables, seating and furniture incorporated / built into kitchen cabinetry (Photos from Euroccucina, Milan 2010 and Interiors By Darren James)

In equal demand is professional equipment, suitable for a real chef, to dignify the kitchen environment as a focal point for creativity and social gathering. Durability of materials plays a major role and for cooking surfaces and stainless steel is often the material of choice. It's heat resistant and hygienic qualities as well as the fact that it’s easy to maintain and can handle bumps and scratches means it’s highly sought after. Many love this material for its aesthetic and it’s commercial look, although not everyone wants the high tech kitchen. One way of toning this down is to mix stainless steel with other materials such as timber and wood - it allows for that organic touch and is the perfect combination.

Stainless Steel: the material of choice for cooking and preparation surfaces

Gourmet chefs are not the only ones that carry out more than two operations at the same time and if you’ve ever tried fixing a complicated meal when entertaining I am sure you will agree that having a sink with two or even three deep basins is much more functional as it permits less "walking" and transporting of pots and pans around the room, saving time and energy – which essentially allows you more time to spend with your guests.

Sinks: Large, deep and multiple sinks allow for more function in the professional kitchen

But it’s not all about what you can see – space permitting, serious entertainers are opting for the ultimate concealment with the inclusion of a butler’s kitchen / scullery – in short a kitchen behind the ‘show kitchen’ that hides the mess.

So without a doubt the masterchef phenominem is having a huge impact on our desire to cook and entertain at home. I know I am enjoying the mere fact that my husband is inspired to cook more - giving me a break from the kitchen. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us. Happy cooking!!!!

Kitchen Pantry: Food Storage Solutions

We recently had a comment from a client whom we have just finished a kitchen for. Her kitchen houses a fully functional butler’s pantry and she was looking for any suggestions we may have for organizing her pantry in terms of food storage i.e. containers and canisters.So here are our suggestions:

The first thing I would recommend you consider is 'how' you want to store your food? There are loads of different options out there....so a good place to start would be to read this article from Homelife on the pro's and con's of different types of storage containers i.e. glass / plastic / ceramic / metal etc.

When it comes to storage containers and canisters most would agree that plastic is the most practical solution for these simple reasons:

· clear base so you can see what's inside
· secure seals ensures food stays fresh
· modular abilities keeps pantry organized
· dishwashers / microwave and freezer safe
· 'one LID fits all' – eliminate having a million mix matched lids and containers.

Again when it comes to plastic canisters there are many options out there: Tupperware modular mate containers definitely tick all the boxes; however they are probably not your cheapest option. Decor is another great choice and easily accessible at Kmart, Big W and Bunnings. Another place worth checking out is Howards Storage World. They have a great selection of pantry organisational systems but be aware you will probably leave having purchased more than you set out to get – that place is organisation city). Whilst you are there – check out their OXYPOP range, a contemporary square design, made from BPA free plastic and has a pop button locking mechanism which keeps your food fresh and accessible.

Tupperware Modular Mates and OXYPOP Range from Howards Storage World

Glass jars create a great visual display feature in an open pantry

If you are more aesthetically inclined and want to make a display feature of your butler's pantry you may want to consider the glass and ceramic options. Obviously cost can be a factor and generally they are not as practical due to the inability to stack them and their tendency to break. Nevertheless they look great on display. It may even be worth considering having just a small quantity of them for display purposes. Colourful foods such as lentils and pastas can look really effective in glass jars as to can creating your own labeling system such as these DIY chalk board labels - a cute (yet practical) idea. Glass and ceramic jars are available from most home wares and/or kitchen specialty stores. If you are looking for a cost effective solution IKEA has some gorgeous jars which are also reasonably priced.

Lastly, one important note I want to touch on which is essential to ensuring your kitchen functions correctly is the need for specific activity zones. By this I mean items that are used in these areas should be stored there - eliminating excess traffic. For example, the cooking zone: all the items used for everyday cooking should be accessible and within easy reach (not stored in the pantry). These include: oils, sauces and spices. To read more on this topic check out Dynamic Space by BLUM .

Caesarstone Australia Congratulates IDJ

Caesatstone Australia congratulates Darren James of "Interiors By Darren James" who recently took away top honours from a strong field of kitchen and bathroom designers to win the prestigious title of 'Australian Certified Designer of the Year' at the 2010 KBDI Kitchen Bathroom Design Awards. This award is judged by a panel of industry professionals and is a tremedous accolade to Darren. To read the full Article click here

ANNOUNCEMENT: IDJ partners with Sampford IXL Appliances

Interiors By Darren James is proud to announce a new partnership with Sampford IXL Appliances - importers, distributors and manufacturers of some of the world's premium kitchen, bathroom, ventilation, heating and cooling brands including: Gaggenau, Neff, Bertazzoni, La Germania, IXL and Cannon.

Dedicated to offering products for the home which are not only technically and functionally excellent, but which raise the bar in terms of design aesthetics, Sampford IXL deliver appliances that not only make using them a pleasure, but which reflect individual style.

Aligned with our key desire to offer 'the best of the best' to our clients our mutual cooperation with Sampford IXL aims to satisfy IDJ's clients through both pre-sale and post sale stages.

We are excited about the new partnership and will be sure to feature some of our favorite appliances from the various ranges over the next couple of months.

In the meantime check out www.sampfordixl.com.au

‘Living Through a Renovation’

The New Year is just around the corner and for many of us it's a time to reflect on the changes we want to make not just personally but around the home.

A friend of mine who is about to start a major renovation in the new year approached me the other day with a really good question, a question no doubt any person undertaking or thinking of undertaking a renovation asks...

Should we live in our house whilst we undertake the renovations?

Ask this question to someone who has been there and done that, having lived in their house whilst renovating, and they will most likely tell you "Don't!" I guess this is great advice if money is not an issue and financially you can afford to live elsewhere during the remodeling.
Depending on the size of the project, staying in the house may not be an option, so if you do have to move out for some or all of the time, remember to factor this into your budget. It's also important to remember that staying in your house may not always save you as much money as you think. In some cases the project can take longer especially if by choosing to stay there the project then needs to be completed in stages to ensure you and your family continue to have some sort of facilities.

Time is money and if trades are forced to make several more trips to site its' fair to say the overall price of the project will increase. Not only that, but productivity can be effected by trades having to work around you. Picture the plumber turning off the water while you are getting the kids ready for school.
Again, it really comes down to the size of the project and your individual circumstances, but many of you will still decide to 'live through the renovation'. As with anything in life, knowing what to expect and how to handle it will not only softens the experience but allows you to make the necessary preparations. By no means will it prevent your life from being disrupted (there is no escaping this), but it will help you survive and get through it - After all, living through a renovation can test the strongest of people and their relationship.

Her are out tips:

1. Know the project timeline and scope. It's important to understand the scope of what is involved in the renovation project and the timeline – results in less surprises and makes the process easier to endure.
2. Accept the inevitable. There will be dust, noise and disruption. The sooner you accept that the sooner you can get over it! In saying that any good builder, tradesman and project manager should be able to ensure this is kept to a minimum.
3. Have a flexible approach. In order to survive the project, it's important to have a flexible approach and be aware that normal household flows will be disrupted. You may have to get up earlier in the morning – trades start early. There also may be times when there is no hot water.
4. Don't sweat the small stuff. Sometimes small things and unforeseen circumstances to occur which may even cause a delay i.e. bad weather – don't let it get the better of you!
5. Enjoy overseeing the project. If you are like me this is the fun part - watching it all come together. It really is fascinating and interesting seeing how it's all done. BUT my advice is to keep changes to a minimum – ripple effects are costly, not only in time (delays) but money (extra costs).
6. Communicate communicate communicate – It's important to communicate with your builder, trades or project manager. Don't be afraid to ask them questions, but keep in mind there may be good reasons why something is off spec or not quite completed. Always communicate changes in writing and keep paperwork for everything. It's important to communicate as a family also – if there is something happening that will affect everyone e.g. water is being turned off or there is going to be a delay in the project, keep everyone updated. That way there is no surprises.
7. Remember the vision. Focus on the vision ahead and what you are doing it for – the temporary mayhem won't last forever...

Seasons Greetings from IDJ

Well that wraps up another successful year for IDJ. I think it’s fair to say we have designed and produced some of our best projects yet. To all our clients, suppliers and friends who have helped make 2010 a big success, we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. There is a new year to embrace and 2011 promises to be one with so many exciting things planned!

Kitchen Design Trends: What's hot in 2011?

Darren James shares what's hot in the world of kitchen design right now...

1. The 'Social' & 'Living Room' Kitchen + Technology. Following closely with our evolving social structure the open plan kitchen integrated with the living space continues as a trend and is growing even stronger as technology and other smart solutions transform the kitchen. Flat screen TV's, internet connections for laptops and cleverly concealed docking stations for portable music devices allow us to function and perform different activities in the space simultaneously. (watch out for is touch screen computer incorporated into the benchtop – allowing the chef/cook to email and even jump on oline
to view receipies whilst preparing dinner).
2. The Professional 'Gourmet' Kitchen – with the growth in popularity of shows such as Masterchef it is a no wonder that we are spending more time in the kitchen whether entertaining or nesting in the home. And home owners are demanding all the bells and whistles (similar to that of a chef). These days kitchens can hold everything that a chef could want.
3. Hidden work spaces / Reveal and conceal. The demand for hidden work spaces and clever concealment continues to grow and where space permits butlers pantries and scullery's are still sought after to hide the mess. Appliances these days can be beautiful elements in a living space, but we are seeing more and more appliances being concealed – refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers and even the hood (ranghood) are commonly being hidden behind cabinets, sliding doors and lifting panels. Eg. Work spaces such as cooking zones and appliances are hidden behind large sliding and retractable doors. Mechanical pop up mechanisms are being incorporated into becnhtops to conceal items such as down draft rangehoods and can even conceal the storage of specific cooking utensils which are revealed only required when cooking.
4. Integration & Automation. Automation is an important element of this look. Thanks to technology the kitchen can transfer from a stunning furniture piece to a fully functional working space with the simple press of a button. Manual drawers, doors, sliding mechanisms and lifts are all being automated with electronics. We are even finding ways of hiding the kitchen sink. An example is a benchtop surface covering the hob and
sink area which is motorized to slide out.
5. Changing shapes. The use of miters in the joinery give the illusion of thin cabinetry and benchtops , variable and in some cases adjustable benchtop heights for different work zones, irregular shapes in cabinetry and lots of cubes – different widths and different heights.
6. Light it up. LED lighting is seen everywhere for both ambient, feature and practical purposes particularly highlight design cabinetry features (underhsleves, hidden inside door fronts and drawers. Island bench featurelighting. Often forgotten in kitchens.
7. Eco and honest. The green movement looks set to continue in the kitchen. There is a growing trend with home owners taking responsibility for what they have their homes - beyond just buying energy saving appliances and water saving taps. The emphasis is on sustainability. Eco friendly products, recycled materials, materials that can be recycled without losing their properties and materials that can retain value for a long time.

IDJ Wins at HIA Gold Coast / Norther Rivers Housing Industry Awards 2011

IDJ wins... Kitchen Project Over $50K, Kitchen Project of the Year, Kitchen Design of the Year at the 2011 HIA Gold Coast /Norther Rivers Housing Industry Awards on Friday Night. Big win for both our production staff and principle designer - Darren James

'BRISBANE'S WORST KITCHEN' COMPETITION

Hiding from your kitchen nightmare? Share your kitchen disaster to be crowned ‘Brisbane’s Worst Kitchen’ and win an APPLIANCE and KITCHEN DESIGN PACKAGE valued at $11,500!

Over $14,000 in prizes to be won thanks to Brisbane Appliance Sales, Ilve Australia and Interiors by Darren James.

Join Brisbane Appliance Sales in the search for ‘Brisbane’s Worst Kitchen’ and you can WIN simply for voting! Brisbane’s largest specialist retailer of premium kitchen and laundry appliances is on the hunt for Brisbane’s biggest kitchen disaster. The contest will give exposure to all types of kitchens including the good, the bad and the ugly. Some consider a kitchen that is stuck in the orange and brown overtones of the 1970s and decorated with boxy bulky countertops as ugly. While others might argue that a kitchen that appears ravaged by flood waters with layers of erosion and slime is the ultimate indicator of ugliness.

The beauty of this competition is that the definition of ‘ugly’ is in the eye of the beholder and the public have the power to vote accordingly. Entrants submit an image of their ‘UGLY’ kitchen to comps@brisbaneappliance.com along with their name and suburb to be considered in the running for the crown title of ‘Brisbane’s Worst Kitchen’.

Visit Facebook.com/BrisbaneApplianceSales to Vote for your favourite or indeed ‘least’ favourite kitchen depending on how hideous it might be!

The proud owner of ‘Brisbane’s Worst Kitchen’ will be awarded a $10,000 Ilve appliance package to completely revamp their cooking experience as well as design consultation and full kitchen design service from award winning kitchen designer - Interiors by Darren James, valued at $1500. This fantastic prize package can be perfectly tailored to suit the winner’s lifestyle and design preferences, unleashing new enthusiasm within their kitchen and banishing its previous ‘ugly’ qualities for good!

Voters will also be in the running for fantastic prizes! Just for voting during the promotion, two lucky voters will take home either an Ilve Freestanding Microwave Oven valued at $599 or a Saeco-Lavazza ‘A Moda Mio’ Espresso Machine worth $379.

As if that wasn’t enough to make you excited for this fantastic local prize bonanza, the TWO highest voted entries throughout the finalist round of the competition will also be awarded as the ‘People’s Choice’ and be presented with a $1,000.00 and $500.00 voucher consecutively to spend in store at Brisbane Appliance Sales, Newmarket.

For more information and full terms and conditions visit http://www.brisbaneappliance.com

Promotion begins 12:00pm (midday) AEST on 1^st November 2011 and concludes at 5:00pm AEST Friday 27^th January 2012.

Interiors By Darren James wins multiple HIA Awards

PRESS RELEASE

19 August 2011

Interiors by Darren James wins multiple Kitchen Awards

Creative design techniques, the latest hardware and technology, together with premium quality products and superior workmanship in an Ormeau home, made Darren James Interiors the judges’ choice for Kitchen Project over $50,000, Kitchen Project of the Year and Kitchen Design of the Year at tonight’s 2011 HIA Gold Coast/Northern Rivers Housing Awards.

This visually stunning, free-flowing kitchen reflects clever utilization of a narrow space while perfectly suiting the owners’ needs and strong demand for quality in every detail.

Laminex partnered the Kitchen Project of the Year and Kitchen Design of the Year Awards and QLeave partnered the Award for Kitchen Projects over $50,000.

Congratulating Interiors by Darren James, HIA Gold Coast/Northern Rivers Regional Director, Colin Buttenshaw, said the awards recognise the achievements, both of companies and individuals in the region, who lead the way in the design, construction, innovation and technology of housing.

"Even in these challenging times for the housing industry, entries have remained steady and the quality has been increasing. The awards are a strong statement of the commitment of HIA members in Queensland and Northern Rivers to deliver quality housing that will stand the test of time. The evidence tonight shows they have risen to the challenge."

Mr Buttenshaw said the awards night had been well supported by the building industry. "Without the involvement of our many partners important industry events like this would not be possible," he said.

The awards were held at a cocktail function before a large audience at Jupiters, Broadbeach and was compered by well-known personality, Steve Hill.

HIA is Australia’s peak building industry body representing more than 45,000 builders, suppliers and trade contractors. The Australian industry is responsible for development projects, new homes, renovations and additions worth about $43 billion each year and generating 350,000 jobs.

For further information and photographs please contact:

HIA Queensland Events

Ph 07 3846 1298

qld_

Brisbane's Worst Kitchen Competition

We are on the hunt to find Brisbane’s Worst Kitchen!

Although we have found our five finalists we need your help to select our People’s Choice winners from the five.

Introducing – Karen of Woodridge

Karen is the proud owner of this lovely townhouse. Nestled within a larger complex it has served her well over the years. She has purchased and looked after the property on her wage alone and is looking for all the help she can get to ensure the security of her nest egg for both her and her family’s future.

Having a close family has certainly helped over the years as her two sons have assisted Karen to update the house bit by bit. A new deck and patio roof have been installed, along with the floors and a few splashes of paint. But the heart of the home has seen better days.

Since buying the property in 2003, Karen has seen to it that the house has been well looked after, unfortunately love can only go so far and the kitchen is starting to show the effects of countless family meals being prepared in a rather small space. It would be a dream come true if Karen was able to breathe some new light into the kitchen and allow the home to come into its full potential.

Some of Karen’s wishes for the space include; -To make the space more user friendly and durable

– Replace the cabinets and draws that are missing and falling apart with age

– Replace the stove and have a proper range hood installed, as you can imagine in a small property such as this, any fumes engulf the whole house very quickly without proper air extraction.

– Update the look of the kitchen

– Have a pantry within the kitchen

– Co-ordinate the adjacent cupboards and laundry (nestled opposite the dining table) to create a better flowing more usable family space

We are on the hunt for Brisbane's worst kitchen

We are on the hunt for Brisbane's worst Kitchen!

Who is the most deserving of the title as ‘Brisbane’s Worst Kitchen’!

Introducing – Candice of Everton Park

Candice is the proud owner of this cute little townhouse in Everton Park. A first home buyer and relatively new to the area she has big plans for the humble space that encapsulates vintage charm.

Although a fan of all things second hand.. Candice finds herself wondering if ‘vintage’ is a word that should belong in a sentence when describing ones kitchen. It would seem that when you are too scared to leave your toaster plugged in for fear of starting an electrical fire.. it might be time to update.

Since buying the property in August of 2011 Candice has already replaced the floors and carpets and is excited to be adding her own touches to the house. Unfortunately though.. it was due to some very ill placed hot water piping – that runs along the skirting through most of the kitchen and living space – the timber floors she dreamed of were unable to be fitted. Instead a vinyl flooring had to be chosen, much to her disappointment.

Highlights of this space include.. but are certainly not limited to; -Unusable cabinets, some don’t open at all due to sagging bench tops, some open but don’t close properly. -Draws that were shortened to make room for aforementioned hot water pipes and now fall out of their runners when opened -Energy guzzling fridge that also doesn’t run well due to the heat of the stove right next to it. – The unusual placement of appliances -Chipboard cupboards flaking and falling apart -Very little and very narrow bench space -Overall lack of functional space -No range hood -Ugly pipes intruding on the kitchen -Wallpaper that is in disrepair -Two power points for the entire kitchen -The fridge that has seen better days.. and although it does it’s best, often doesn’t actually keep the food very cold.

And the winner is....

A huge congratulations to Katherin of Ashgrove who took out the title of 'Brisbane's Worst Kitchen' on Friday!!!! A very deserving winner of such a great prize! We are super excited about meeting with her and getting the design process underway. We will be sure to keep everyone updated on the progress along the way...!

It won't look like this for long...

Also, a big congratulations to all the other winners in our search for Brisbane’s Worst Kitchen!

Meg Attwater who won a Saeco-Lavazza ‘A Moda Mio’ Espresso Machine worth $379

Kristina Ryan took home an ILVEFreestanding Microwave Oven valued at $599

Joan of Bulimba won our $500.00 people’s choice prize with an instore voucher

Conor of Mitchelton took out the People’s Choice with a $1,000.00 Brisbane Appliance Sales voucher.

Certainly some great prizes... so BIG thanks to Brisbane Appliance Sales and Ilve. Interiors By Darren James have loved being apart of such a great compeition AND for us (and the lucky winner Katherin) now the fun begins !!!