There are three main types of lighting to consider: ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Combining these three types will give your kitchen the optimum illumination.

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting is also known as general lighting. It provides overall illumination to the room. Some ambient light can be gained naturally from the sunlight that shines through your windows, but overhead light is also important.

Flush and semi-flush mount lights are popular choices for overhead light. Flush mount lights are mounted to the ceiling, while semi-flush mount lights feature a small gap between the light and the ceiling. Recessed lights are also an option. These lights, also known as “can” lights, are located within openings in the ceiling. Track lighting is another way to go. In track lighting, light fixtures are placed along a track that’s mounted to the ceiling. These lights can be moved and adjusted.

Task lighting

Task lighting is more focused than ambient lighting. It provides direct illumination to areas where you’ll be working. In a kitchen, these areas include countertops, islands, and sinks.

Under-cabinet lights provide light to the countertop area. Puck lights, which are small round or oval light fixtures, are common under-cabinet lights. Recessed lights can also be used under cabinets.

Islands and tables also benefit from task lighting. One way to light these areas is with pendant lights. Pendant lights are ornamental fixtures that hang from the ceiling. They are typically suspended from the ceiling by chains, cords or other similar objects. They come in a large variety of shapes, designs, and colors, so they can add a decorative touch to your kitchen.

There are other kitchen areas where light can be directed as well. The sink can be illuminated by recessed lights, for example, and the range can be illuminated by a range hood.

Kitchen Lighting – Task Lighting – Stainless Steel Kitchen – Futuro Futuro Streamline Island Range Hood

Accent lighting

Accent lighting highlights specific items in your kitchen, such as artwork, plate collections, and plants. You can achieve this with track lighting by focusing the light fixtures on the items you’d like to spotlight. Accent lighting is also a great way to showcase a special backsplash. The following example is a close-up of a kitchen project by BeautifulRemodel.com, in which the polished stainless-steel tiles are glowing with the light of the undercabinet LED strip. The twin cylindrical “Jupiter” range hoods by Futuro Futuro illuminate the cooktop with 6 bright halogen lights. For a complete breakdown of this remodel, visit the post “Kitchen Design Case Study: Contemporary Kitchen with Zebra Wood Cabinetry“.

Kitchen Lighting – Accent Lighting – SV Kitchen by BeautifulRemodel

Some lighting arrangements can perform a mix of functions. Undercabinet light strips are a great way to accent the backsplash and countertop, but also dispel shadows under the cabinets, letting the chef use the entire counter space for storage, preparation, and cool-down. In the following photo, an LED lightstrip shows off the dramatic texture of the wallpaper, while illuminating the countertop and sink area. The Murano Collection “Snow” range hood by Futuro Futuro adds focused lighting for the cooktop, as well as casting a soft glow on the upper backsplash.

Kitchen Lighting – Task Lighting – Contemporary Kitchen – Futuro Futuro Murano Snow Range Hood

Your kitchen lighting can be further enhanced with a dimmer switch. When you’re cooking, you may want bright light that lets you clearly see what you’re doing. On the other hand, when you’re entertaining guests or relaxing in the kitchen, you may want softer light. With a dimmer switch, you’ll always have just the right amount of light in your kitchen.

Light plays a big role in how your kitchen looks and feels. With the right lighting, your kitchen will be safe, fun, and easy to use.

Designer Shelves – Valcucine Riciclantica Laminate kitchen

The Valcucine Riciclantica kitchen is a design-conscious as well as environmentally-conscious masterpiece of advanced technology and Italian design coming together. Valcucine kitchens are in the $ 30,000 – $ 50,000 neighborhood, but the effect of the shelves can be replicated using commonly available materials.

Designer Shelves – Valcucine Riciclantica Laminate kitchen

Designer Shelves – Valcucine Riciclantica Laminate kitchen

This angle showcases the “flying” aspect of the designer shelves.

Designer Shelves – Valcucine Riciclantica Laminate kitchen

Designer Shelves – Valcucine Riciclantica Laminate kitchen

The angled intersections create an interesting visual effect that also makes individual “nooks” just waiting to be populated by bric-a-brac and mementos reflecting the homeowner’s memories.

Instead of running the shelves across the full width of the storage niche, they’re cut off before reaching the opposite wall, in alternate rows, producing a neat effect.

Contemporary Kitchen – Wineglass Storage

“Ethridge” project in Austin, TX, by Greenbelt Homes. View more projects & see contact information on Greenbelt’s Houzz profile.

Like all other Futuro Futuro kitchen range hoods, the “Master” series hoods are made from highest-grade AISI 304 stainless steel, and feature advanced ventilation technology. The powerful yet quiet blower is mounted in the patented Futuro Futuro sound-absorbing chamber, which reduces vibration and noise. Multifunction electronic control panel provides access to convenient features such as delayed shut-off, filter cleaning reminder, and electronic reset. The integrated kitchen tool/towel rack adds to the convenience factor.

Cleaning and maintenance is easy, thanks to the high-grade stainless steel surfaces and lifetime grease filters that are dishwasher-safe.

The “Master” series wall-mount vent hoods are available in 36″ and 48″ widths, with optional 24-dish capacity matching dish rack (with independent lighting) to create a complete gourmet workstation.

“Master” series range hoods are available in the following versions:

• 36″ Master Wall (5 new photos added!)
• 48″ Master Wall
  
• 72″ Master Station Wall (36″ hood + 36″ dish rack)
• 84″ Master Station Wall (48″ hood + 36″ dish rack)

Professional style range hood “Master”

The “Master” range hood is easily integrated into cabinetry

Fiber cement consists of four ingredients: wood pulp which improves the flexibility as well as the resilience, fly ash which acts as a filler, Portland cement which binds the ingredients that contain clay, iron, limestone and last but not least water which dissolves the wood pulp and activates as well as hardens the cement. On average the fiber cement will run you about $1.70 a square foot, which also will depend on the finish, overall size and where you purchased it. However, don’t think of this as an opportunity to do it yourself. It may weigh only about 2.5 pounds per square foot, but due to possible mishandling, it has a tendency to crack – not to mention the specialized tools you would need to cut it as well as nail it, therefore it would be best left to a professional.

This type of material is very durable and outperforms many of its competitors in a vast range of climates. It is very popular in the western U.S. and areas that are prone to wildfires as insurance companies offer a discount for homes that use fiber cement because of its noncombustible nature, as well as it not being affected by the strong UV radiation if your home is set at a higher altitude. In the South, especially lowland places like New Orleans, termites and fungi may try to invade the dark, moist nooks and crannies of the house – but they will get no nourishment from fiber cement as opposed to other materials! On the East Coast it’s very humid, filled with salty air and accompanied by the bright sunlight. These are the constant challenges of the environment but these challenges have no effect on this particular siding. If it is attached correctly it can withstand wind speeds of up to 130 miles per hour. A little further north, in New England climates, fiber cement doesn’t become brittle in the cold weather, it easily withstands below-zero temperatures. There’s no need to worry about repairing cracks in the siding after each winter season – fiber cement lowers maintenance costs all year round, but especially in winter.

Fiber Cement siding is available in a stunning variety of textures, finishes, and colors. It can masquerade as wood shingles, complete with minute fiber textures and authentic color, or pretend to be classy stucco with subtle color variations, or imitate aluminum siding, right down to the groove styles. Here are just a few of the many available options:

Fiber Cement Varieties (from ConsolidatedGypsum.ca)

The big question starts on “Where do I begin?” and to do that you need to understand and plan out what you want this space to become. Before starting any renovations you will need to consider what you would like this space to be as it is crucial to know beforehand what your potential finished project will become, whether it will be your man cave, a media room, a gym or workout area, a home office or maybe even a spare bedroom for guests. Different rooms will need different materials and lighting so plan ahead to save yourself some money as well as your time. An exercise room will require some simple lighting, a few electrical outlets and adequate space for equipment while a spare bedroom may need some new walls to trap heat, new flooring for comfortable walking and other touches to make it livable and enjoyable.

After you have went through all the boxes and storage items you’ve probably realized that half the things you have there you don’t really need and the rest you can position around the house on shelves, cabinets or maybe make use of some half empty closets. Remember to inspect your basement closely now that it’s been rid of the clutter and keep an eye out for any water showing on the concrete walls, cracks in the foundation and any broken plumbing. To make this easier you may consider hiring a contractor or home inspector to take a look at your space before starting any renovations as any problems found should be fixed before you can move on.

Finally once everything is cleaned out and the area has been inspected, browse through some magazines to find any inspiration you may need as well as any remodels to see the possibilities. It’s always good to have pictures in case you aren’t doing all the work yourself to help explain to the contractor what you would like the space to potentially look like once it’s finished. Upon converting your space don’t forget that basements tend to be a little cold if they are underground so ensure that there is proper heating as well as ventilation and that both the electrical and plumbing meet all the requirements. This extra room will give your family more flexibility to enjoy themselves not to mention a higher return if you decide to sell your establishment.

Turning on the work light also illuminates the “accent light” strip on the side, making the hood look even thinner, and adding a cool visual effect.

Check out this designer hood installed in a customer’s kitchen:

Image courtesy of Appliance World. With locations in Huntington and Oyster Bay, Appliance World is the premier source for Long Islanders looking to update their kitchen with modern appliances.

One of the 200+ designer range hood models offered by Futuro Futuro, the “Streamline” hood is available in multiple sizes & versions:

• 48″ Streamline W Island
• 36″ Streamline W Island
• 48″ Streamline B Wall
• 48″ Streamline W Wall
• 36″ Streamline B Wall
• 36″ Streamline W Wall
• 24″ Streamline B Wall
• 24″ Streamline W Wall

The “Peace Symbol” was originally designed in 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist. The logo was adopted by the British “Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament” (CND), and quickly became an icon for the entire peace movement of the 1960′s. Along with the “Smiley Face”, the “Peace Symbol” is one of the most-recognizable graphic images of the 20th century.

Now, you can express your anti-war views in a tasty & delicious way! The “Peace Of Cake” mold lets you make 9″ cakes with spaces for creative fillings (a metaphor of different factions coming together in a common cause?) – a perfect way to celebrate any peace-related occasion!

Round out the peace theme with peace symbol ice-cubes clinking around in the guests’ glasses:

Sources:

• Amazon: Peace Of Cake 9″ Silicone Cake Mold
• Amazon: Peace Sign Ice Cube Tray

The easy to use sleek controls at the top of the unit help program your oven quickly and effortlessly, you can also enjoy the simplicity given by the control dial that makes it set the oven temperature or just cycle between the menu options in the meal preparation process. Prepare your favorite meals up to a whopping 8 times faster than a regular conventional oven without sacrificing the taste and juices. You can even speed cook a 5 lb roaster chicken in 33 minutes and still produce the taste and texture that you were hoping for and since there’s no need to preheat the oven before you use it you can relax knowing that you’ll have fast and consistent results every time that your family will enjoy and love while giving yourself some well deserved “me” time.

The stainless steel interior may look like it needs some tender love and care but it is indeed as easy to clean as it is to cook inside of. This unit comes with a grill tray for versatility as well so you can really enjoy the benefits of off the grill taste and a texture that will include those favorable signature grill marks. It also has 2 removable full-width oven racks that have the ability to handle a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish giving you more options than ever before with your cooking. The GE Advantium also provides an app for your smart phone with recipes, cooking instructions and even a shopping list to help you get through the day easier and more efficient as you can get the shopping done before you get home as well as plan ahead on what you’re going to make.

Now if this sounds vaguely familiar then you may benefit from a Miele Futura Diamond Series dishwasher. This just may be one of the quietest dishwashers currently advertised on the market and even upon having a full load you can still enjoy a quiet conversation without leaving the room. Not only is it convenient in it’s noise reduction but it also has a self closing door, powerful all round LED’s to illuminate the whole interior and two adjustable dish racks that are able to accommodate practically any cookware, dishes or cups.

It comes with numerous programs ranging from cleaning slightly dirty dishes to dried on, starchy or even cheesy foods, and it even has a built in water softener. The touch control panel allows you to program your dishwasher and even start it up to 24 hours in the future which is great because you can set it to clean dishes when you are not home. Upon registering your product it will connect to Mieles Remote Vision Wi-fi technology to monitor your appliance, as should something go wrong with your dishwasher Mieles client services center will contact you to set up a service call. A great feature that I wish all of my appliances included.