Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
When having a kitchen modeled or remodeled, it is crucial that the kitchen contractor has the kitchen layout very well planned out and a good sense of how the work triangle works. If the work triangle is not established in the kitchen then it will be a very difficult kitchen to work in. The point of this work triangle layout is to make it easier for the person in the kitchen to get from one place to another of the essential items. Therefore, kitchen contractors will strategically locate certain kitchen areas such as the sink, stove and refrigerator all into a triangular area so that one does not have to walk form one end of the kitchen to the other. This is also known as kitchen efficiency.
The work triangle is not necessarily a perfect 90 degree triangle but the work triangle does exits and it creates efficiency. One kitchen layout design that does not incorporate the work triangle is the corridor layout. This kitchen design is like a narrow hall which the homeowner has to walk back and forth down the hall to get his or her work done. In certain remodeling cases, the work triangle can still be achieved depending on the space that the kitchen contractor has to work with. Nevertheless there are tons of kitchen layout designs which do incorporate the work triangle well. The following is an extensive list of these kitchen layouts which you can use for your home:
L- Shaped Layout
U Shaped Layout
G Shaped Layout
Double L Shaped Layout
Single Wall Kitchen Layout
Galley Shaped Kitchen Layout or the Corridor Layout.
The most popular of these kitchen designs with the work triangle is the L shaped layout kitchen design. It is popular because it can be used in small and large kitchens alike consisting of a longer kitchen leg and a shorter kitchen leg to form the actual L shape.
The approximate distances for these work triangles to be the most efficient is by having the total distance of the perimeter from the sink to the refrigerator to the stove and then back round to the sink should be between 12 inches and 27 inches, no more and no less but anywhere in between. It is approximated that each kitchen triangle leg should measure anywhere from between four feet and nine feet long. When contemplating the walking space in the kitchen, there should be approximately six feet of a kitchen aisle walking area.
If you are interested in hiring a kitchen contractor to create one of these kitchen layouts then it is advisable that you find someone who adheres to the National Kitchen and Bath Association guidelines which ensure that you receive the best quality remodeling kitchen and bath jobs. These guidelines provide standards as to how much space should be between kitchen appliances and standards for cabinets, kitchen efficiency and counters. Furthermore, your kitchen contractor should be evaluated as a Certified Kitchen Designer or what is commonly referred to as a CKD.
Choosing the correct kitchen remodeler with the right kitchen layout and work triangle, this can increase your kitchen efficiency.
Tags: Kitchen, Layouts, Triange, Work
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Saturday, February 21st, 2009
When it comes to office furniture, does it really have to be a battle between form and functionality? Who says that you can not have both? Gone are the days when heavy duty office furniture meant solid, heavyset wooden pieces with intricate gargoyle like carvings; and seat cushions with just as much padding as a pancake run over by a concrete paving machine. Fortunately, there are now solidly made furniture that are both ergonomically designed and built for long term use. A very good example would be the numerous heavy duty office chairs coming out every season. Although most of them are still relatively bulky (as compared to flimsy looking counterparts,) they do get better mileage.
For one thing, heavy duty office chairs are quite comfortable for people who have larger builds. As most of you would know, there really is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all category, especially with chairs and most other seating pieces (like benches, couches, ottomans, sofas, stools, etc.) There are just some pieces that seem to fit people with zero gravity and just about the same dress size. Fortunately, heavy duty office chairs now have the support systems with the capacity to sustain heavier weights. The support systems for some office chairs can be fantastic. They can literally make sitting for long hours at a time easier on the back and the hind quarters, no matter what how lean or heavy you might become.
This is particularly great if you have to be stuck in that same chair for more than 8 hours at a time, (overtime and breaks not included, of course.) And since most office furniture chairs that are coming out now are ergonomically designed, these larger chairs can be moved about the room with ease. Speaking of designs, most of these chair pieces are leaning towards the modern but comfortable look. So you do not have to worry about chipping the gargoyle carvings off, or ruining the varnish in case you are prone to coffee spills in the morning.
Some of these chairs will definitely not win the artsy award for futuristic design. However, with comfortable padding and easier maneuverability, they can win candy-and-potato-chip awards from the happy office employee who once had to settle for straight back dinner wooden chairs behind those bulky office tables.
Admittedly, some heavy duty furniture pieces are rather on the expensive side of the price catalogue, they do get better mileage than the cheaper alternatives. Naturally, cheaper alternatives need constant replacing. Some of the en vogue signature designs usually go out of fashion very quickly. And if you are promoting a certain look for your company, you would want to be stuck with a furniture faux pas. Besides, if you have not noticed, some of those mass produced mono-block pieces have all the elegance of a backyard barbeque party. Additionally, with all the wear and tear of daily use of most office furniture, it would be a bit more sensible to invest in expensive but heavy duty pieces. At least, with such pieces, you know that you are really getting value for your money.
Tags: Chairs, Duty, Heavy, Office, Using, Work
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Friday, January 23rd, 2009
Growing tomatoes in pots allows you to put your garden almost anywhere that has enough sunlight. But it brings with it the added advantage of mobility for your garden. In addition, you can put your garden in spots that just are not feasible most of the time. But there are a few concerns that are unique to growing tomatoes in pots that require a little more up front planning. Keep these in mind and your will be treated to a bumper crop.
Some key factors to successful growing in pots include:
The Pot or Container:
A standard clay pot that has a diameter of 12 inches or more is recommended for tomatoes. Your pot should be drained well, usually with drainage holes in the bottom. Good drainage is needed to avoid rot. If you want something a little less traditional, try using a half whiskey barrels or a bushel baskets to give a different look.
The Right Tomato Variety:
Many types of tomato can be grown in a pot, but it’s important that the variety fits the growing environment you’ve created. If you are in a warmer part of the country, try growing smaller varieties like cherry tomatoes since they will set fruit and not drop blossoms at higher temperatures. Sweet 100 is a real favorite small tomato variety.
Where to Get Seedlings:
The lazy man’s way to start the plants it to just buy them from the the local home improvement story or nursery. One problem with buying at national chains is that they often do a poor job of selecting varieties that are suited for the local climate. If you can’t find a a variety that you want, you may have to start seedlings yourself. Using peat pellets or pots makes this much simpler.
Potting Soil:
When using a pot you can easily tailor the soil to your needs. The key starting point for good soil is lots of organic matter, which will improve drainage. A soil mix that is not difficult to mix is one part each of potting soil, sphagnum peat moss, perlite and compost. Tomatoes are fairly heavy feeders, to plan on using some type of fertilizer. But make sure that it’s a tomato fertilizer, as it will have a slightly different formulation than a standard 15-15-15 or the like.
Putting Tomatoes in the Pot
Start by filling the pot most of the way with the potting soil mix. Put the tomato plant in the soil, and fill to the top, covering the tomato plant stem up to the first set of true leaves, which will be deeper than it was planted before. Tomatoes can grow roots from the stem, so this will encourage a healthy root system. Water and add soil to the top of the pot.
Staking Tomato Plants:
Larger tomato plants will need to be staked. It’s good to put in the stakes when you plant the tomatoes so you won’t damage the root systems adding stakes later. For really tall plants you may want to support the stakes outside the pot, so the pot doesn’t become top heavy and tip over, especially outside in the wind.
Water your tomatoes at least weekly, take care to stake them if needed, fertilize as often as the label suggests, and enjoy your tomatoes. Move them into shelter for the first freeze of the fall, and enjoy an extra week or more of fresh garden tomatoes.
Tags: Balcony, Growing, Patio, Pots, Tomatoes, Work
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