They say "never say never," but we aren't entirely convinced. While the kitchen may be the heart of the home - central to cooking, eating, socializing, partying, homeworking, etc. - there are some things that should never take place there.
The following is a list of things you should NEVER do in your kitchen and, with almost 40 years in the kitchen design/build industry - believe us when we say, "We've seen it all!"
1. Leave Those Countertop Spills Until Tomorrow
Do you suffer from Scarlett O'Hara syndrome? "I can't think about that right now... I'll think about that tomorrow." If so, we have news for you - you don't want to think about it tomorrow either. And, guess what? Your countertops don't want to ponder your spills at great length either. In fact, oils and acids are notorious for staining, etching and ruining natural stone countertops. Now's the best time for cleanin'!
2. Talk on the Phone While Cooking
This may seem impossible in today's world - until you remember that people have survived hundreds of thousands of years without incessant phone communication. Use the act of cooking as a meditative time in your day. Be present, practice gratitude for the amazing privilege of having so much food available to you and your family on a daily basis, and rekindle a love affair with the sights, touches, scents, sounds and tastes that cooking a great meal brings together.
3. Make Sweet Sweet Love Without a Bullnose
Edge, that is. And you thought the edges of your countertops didn't matter? Come on, people. Even the simplest gestures of affection - like a good morning kiss while coffee is perking - will go from "Aaaah" to "Ouch!" in no time flat without the right attention to detail. Straight, hard edges are not comfy. We recommend using Bullnose or Ogee edges to keep the perimeter of your countertops as comfortable as possible. They're also more forgiving on passing hips and thighs as they pass by the peninsula, island or countertop corners and a little easier on little ones' heads.
4. Sacrifice Good Lighting For Storage
Natural light is clean, bright and airy. Don't make the mistake of covering up a window to gain more cabinet storage area. Instead, hire the right kitchen designer so we can help you gain space, light and storage.
5.Tap Dance on the Granite Slab
Granite is touted right and left for it's durability and hardness. What is lesser-publicized is how easy it is for a granite slab to crack if it takes a hard hit - or a few energetic shuf-fle-step, heel-toe-steps from an overzealous dancer. In fact, we recommend staying off your granite countertops altogether. Use a step ladder for those high-to-reach places because even the wrong "step" or "kneel" can cause a latent stone fissure to crack open - and you'll be stuck with hefty slab replacement costs.
Are you suffering from one of these Kitchen Nevers or Shouldn't Haves? Contact Kitchen Magic to schedule a free, in-home estimate.
