Luxury Housing Trends & Home Improvement Ideas

Are you a pasta fan? Eat it several times a week? Then you may be depriving yourself every moment you live without your very own built-in pasta drawer. This kitchen accessory is put out by Medallion Cabinetry, but it’s just an example of one of the many fun customizations cabinetmakers are offering these days. Remember the built-in sushi drawer? There are all sorts of neat things available, so if you’re thinking of a kitchen remodel, shop around, and see what different companies offer. There’s no need to get stuck with bland old cabinets and drawers.

http://www.medallioncabinetry.com

Here’s a different kind of ironing board. Made by Casaleonti, the foldable unit has a cover styled after a surf board. According to the company, the Ironic Ironing Board makes ironing enjoyable. I don’t know about all that, but with the snazzy cover, at least it might not be something you rush to shove in a closet when company comes over. The price for the board is $350, and the machine-washable cover makes it easy to keep clean. Oh, and if surf boards aren’t your style, they have an ironing board that looks like a cactus too.

Ironic Ironing Board
via HGTV’s I Want That

Faucets have come along way. Today, kitchen designers are thinking ergonomics and giving us items like this wall-mounted mixer faucet from Bulthaup’s Technic line, which allows you to control the pressure and temperature with one hand. When you’re done working, you can swing the facuet in where it rests parallel to the wall. Since it’s wall-mounted, you can also choose the height at which you place it; unlike with counter-mounted faucets, this means you can place it high enough to fill big pots or wash bulky crockery without awkward manuevering in the sink.

http://www.bulthaup.com

All clothes dryers have something in common: they need vents to the outside in order to get rid of exhaust. Or at least they used to. This 220-volt, large-capacity washer/dryer combo from Apex uses an internal dehumidifier and a unique cooling process to remove moisture from the dryer’s exhaust. The steamy air cools, then turns into water that drains into your sewer line. The price for the ventless washer/dryer is $1,550, and it is available through the Thor Appliance Company.

Ok, you’ve decided on stone tiles for that new floor you’ve been planning for ages. But do those tiles have to be square? After all, square is so… square. GeoTiles from Island Stone offer an interesting alternative. When installed, they create an unique geometric pattern. Only one tile is used (just laid different ways), so it’s not hard to get the look you want. GeoTiles are available in seven different sandstones, two quartzites, and two marbles, and they can be laid indoors and outdoors.

GeoTiles

Yes, it’s a toilet paper holder. Surely, you didn’t think luxury bathrooms were just about whirlpool bathtubs and multi-headed showers? Style is in the details after all. From the Klimt collection over at Aquaware, this sleek toilet paper holder will make guests look twice at that oft-bland spot on the wall. The little knobs hold the roll snugly and eliminate the need for that old school spring-loaded tube you’ve got now.

Klimt Toilet Paper Holder

Here’s another kitchen sink that defies the stereotype, giving you a long rectangular “trough” instead of the usual double-bowled rectangle. Originally seen in commercial kitchens, the stainless steel trough sink is designed for the “serious cook.” It features four length options, ranging from 22″ to 60″, and includes wire racks and rinse baskets to maximize efficiency. The depth of the single basin runs 5-15/16″. The sink comes with the SilentShield, a sound-absorption system that is supposed to reduce disposal noise and vibration from dishes and running water. Prices for the trough sinks start at $1343.85.

Kohler Trough Sink

Wood countertops have a long history in our kitchens. Even today, when granite countertops are all the rage, some people still prefer the soft warmth that wood offers. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.

Pros of Wood Countertops

• Wood complements just about any other material.
• It softens a kitchen that already has a lot of hard surfaces like metal.
• Wood can be carved and cut any way you wish, so it’s easy to customize.
• If you drop a glass or dish on a wood countertop, there’s a good chance it will survive.
• Wood is fairly resistant, and small blemishes can be repaired.
• Depending on how you finish the wood, it can withstand the elements and be used in outdoor kitchens as well as indoors.

Cons of Wood Countertops

• Wood doesn’t resist heat that well, so you’ll need to use trivets when you set down hot pans.
• Wood needs to be stained or oiled frequently, because it scratches easily and untreated wood can absorb moisture where bacteria can grow.

Source: Work Surfaces And Countertops