As the movement for conscious living continues to gain traction, people are looking more and more towards themselves to make a change in the environment. Eating sustainably is one way to do this.

What if you could take this one step further? You could lessen your environmental impact, save money and eat healthily all with one solution – turning your kitchen into a little produce farm, and its easier than you think.

Let’s have a look at what fruits, vegetables, and herbs you can grow in your very own kitchen.

Scallions

Also known as spring onions or green onions, this versatile vegetable can be used in plenty of dishes like pizza and pasta.

All you need to do to regrow scallions is cut off the root and a couple of inches of the stalk. Place in a glass jar with some water, set in the sun and watch it grow.

 Bok choy

If you love to make a delicious stir-fry, then you’ve probably gone through your fair share of bok choy, which may also be referred to as Chinese cabbage.

Ensure that you leave the base of the bok choy intact and simply place it a shallow dish with some water. Once it gets plenty of sun, it will start growing beautifully.

Pineapples

Now, this is going to take some time, about two to three years actually. However, during this time, you can have a lovely tropical plant to add a unique aesthetic to your kitchen.

All you have to do is cut off the green part of the fruit, put in a glass jar with water and leave it in the sun. Once the roots start to grow, simply move it to a soil-filled pot and wait until it grows.  

Carrots

Whether its a slice of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or a delicious side dish of carrot puree, this orange vegetable is one of the most versatile that you’ll find.

Place some carrots seeds in a window box or pot filled with soil and water it. Make sure that it gets plenty of light and that the soil is always moist until it reaches the germination stage. Then, just wait for harvest time and choose that perfect dish to make with your fresh homegrown carrots.

Herbs

Vertical gardens are a great way to bring nature indoors and, of course, to have readily available fresh produce whenever you need it.

There is a range of herbs that are perfect for growing indoors. These include chives, basil, cilantro, mint, and chives. You could even get matured herb plants and then place them in a sunny space in your kitchen.

Now, if you don’t want to turn your kitchen into a disorganized version of a farmer’s market, we suggest setting aside some dedicated areas to grow your produce.

Luckily, here at All About Bathrooms and More, we can help. We’ll be able to redesign and renovate your kitchen so that it looks gorgeous while still providing a functional space to grow your fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

All you have to do is contact us today.

References

https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/herbs-indoors/8920.html

https://www.southernliving.com/garden/foods-to-grow-in-kitchen

https://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/vegetables-regrow-in-kitchen/#!green-onion

https://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/vegetables-regrow-in-kitchen/#!bok-choy

https://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/vegetables-regrow-in-kitchen/#!pineapple-sliced

Images courtesy of Pixabay.

Kitchen Trends for 2019

The kitchen is no doubt the hub of the home. Whether it be getting the kids’ lunches ready for school, cooking a casual weekday meal or slaving away for that all-important dinner party, the kitchen is where it’s at.

It stands to reason then that a lot of thought, energy and ideas will go into ensuring that your newly renovated ticks all of your boxes. It needs to be beautiful, stylish, and functional while still being a space that you want to be in.

If you’ve decided that 2019 is the year for you to get your dream kitchen, have a look at some trends that you could incorporate into your renovation.

Darker Tones

It appears as if bright white kitchens will be taking a break for a while as darker and richer hues come to the fore in 2019.

Earth tones like terracotta and dark green also seem to be gaining popularity. Darker blues and even grey are also great options.

All of the Lights

In order to brighten up your new darker kitchen, special attention needs to be given to your lighting choices. This could be in the form of larger windows to let in natural light or perhaps some copper light fixtures for a more contemporary feel.

Speaking of Copper

Metals like copper and pewter will make their mark this year. They are definite points of interest in any kitchen and are quite versatile.

They can be used as the hardware for your cupboards, for your taps and even for your open shelving.

Pops of Color

We know that darker colors won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and that’s perfectly understandable. A white kitchen will most likely always be classic as it gives homeowners a chance to experiment with different colors while using the white as a timeless backdrop.

We don’t mean an accent wall though, we’re talking about getting that fire engine refrigerator or even that turquoise oven to inject some color into your kitchen and to break the white.

Clean Lines

There appears to be a distinct proclivity for Scandinavian-inspired designs. This includes sleek lines with no mess, fuss, and clutter.

Another trend is minimizing the sight of your cooker hood as much as possible without losing its functionality. This includes opting for a slimmer design or one integrated into the cupboard.

There is a strong emphasis on natural lighting and a heavy reliance on wood.

Incorporating Natural Materials

In addition to wood, raw materials such as stone, concrete and even leather can find a place in your new kitchen.

Not only will you be doing your part in leading a more sustainable life but you could be saving money as well. You could refurbish many different items and reuse them in your kitchen. For example, you could sand down and repaint an old dresser and use it as your new kitchen island.

These are just a few of the trends that you can expect to see this year. However, whatever you choose to incorporate into your kitchen, we can help.

Here at All About Bathrooms and More, we want to make sure that we give you your dream kitchen. To do this, we rely on an open-communication policy so that you’re always aware of what is going on during the renovation of the heart of your home.

Please contact us today and let’s chat about how to we can help you totally transform your kitchen.

References

http://www.contemporist.com/10-common-features-of-scandinavian-interior-design/

https://www.decoraid.com/blog/best-kitchen-renovation-trends-2019

https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/g23693937/kitchen-trends-2019/

https://www.livingetc.com/whats-news/the-latest-kitchen-trends-for-2018-2019-197615

Images courtesy of Pixabay.

A Few Spring Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

The old year has finished, and a new one is easing into spring. There’s nothing like the promise and anticipation of new beginnings that the fresh breezes of spring can bring, which is why so many people use the season to clean up and make changes to their home. The design experts at All About Bathrooms have a number of bathroom remodeling ideas that are perfect for the season, and even better is that the results are almost immediate.

One idea that has an immediate and visual impact is to change the bathroom flooring. It’s no secret that floors can become tired and dull, so installing new flooring can quickly perk up a bathroom and make it feel new and fresh. Marble flooring is always elegant and quite aesthetically pleasing. Another great option is to install slip-resistant tiles to improve safety. This is a perfect spring idea to implement for older homeowners. A bathroom’s look can be dramatically altered by installing colorful, festive floor tiles. The experts at All About Bathrooms can show you a wide variety of different colors, textures, and styles to choose from. Continue reading A Few Spring Bathroom Remodeling Ideas →

A Few Bathroom Remodeling Ideas For the Holidays

The holiday season is in full swing, and many people are looking high and low for that perfect gift. While items such as clothes, jewelry, and electronics are often the main choices for a holiday purchase, the design experts at All About Bathrooms would like to point out that there are quite a few bathroom remodeling ideas that are perfect for the holidays. Whether one is looking to give something to a loved one or just to pamper oneself, there are a number of holiday bathroom remodeling projects to choose from.

If one has parents or friends that are getting on in years and having difficulty moving around, there are some tremendous holiday bathroom remodeling ideas that can benefit them through the entire year. The experienced craftsmen at All About Bathrooms can install grab bars around the sink, tub/shower, toilet, and even within the tub/shower itself. There are lots of interesting styles to choose from, which means that the new grab bars can easily be incorporated into a bathroom’s existing style. Grab bars help minimize the risk of falling, which is very important for seniors as 13,600 seniors of the age of 75 and over died last year after falling within their home. Another quick remodeling project for seniors is the installation of a seat in the shower or tub, which allows them to sit down while bathing.

Another easy holiday bathroom remodeling idea that is very useful is to make the bathroom sink wheelchair-friendly. This is great for both seniors and younger people with mobility issues. Pedal controls can be installed so an elder does not have to fight their arthritis in turning the water on or off. Anti-scald faucets can be installed as a holiday gift to ensure that young children or seniors are not burned by water that’s too hot. Another great holiday gift for seniors is a walk-in tub, which negates the hazard of having to step over a tub’s rim. A curb-less shower is also a nice holiday gift and is great for wheelchair users.

While it’s always best to think of others during the holiday season, it’s also nice to pamper oneself for being a good person throughout the year. Adding a bit of luxury to the bathroom is a great way to splurge during the holidays upon oneself. A shower with body jets is the perfect remedy for all those long, tiring hours of working. It’s like having a personal high-end spa at one’s fingertips. Just as relaxing is having an air tub with multiple water jets installed. Another quick holiday bathroom remodeling idea is to install a shower with a rainfall or waterfall outlet. To cap off this luxurious experience, a person can have a shower seat installed so they can sit and bathe in what feels like a gentle rain.

As the holiday season is also the coldest season, adding some warmth to the bathroom is another great holiday bathroom remodeling idea. A heated floor system can be installed by the experienced professionals at All About Bathrooms so one can ensure that their little piggies stay warm and toasty in the morning while going from the bed into the shower/tub. Another wintery idea is the remote-controlled shower that is controlled by an app. This system allows a person to have their shower running and at the right temperature before they even step foot into the bathroom. No more fighting off the cold while one is waiting for the bathroom to heat up.

One last holiday bathroom remodeling idea can change the nature of this most necessary of rooms with just a minimal of fuss: replacing an older toilet with a new one that has a lot of innovative features. The humble commode has come a long way over the years, and there are lots of new styles to choose from. Those who have issues getting up can swap out their old toilet with one that has a higher pedestal base. The design experts at All About Bathrooms can suggest toilets that feature some of the following: an electronic seat cover that will automatically open or close, automatic flushing, a seat warmer (which goes great with a floor warming system), a warm-water bidet, multiple cleansing settings, and temperature control. The sky is literally the limit when it comes to what today’s toilets can offer.

As one can see, there are plenty of holiday bathroom remodeling ideas to choose from. Some are great for seniors, such as grab bars, and others can be for everyone, such as a smart toilet. The project can be as simple as installing a new showerhead that has a speaker so that one can listen to some tunes while showering or putting in a new toilet. If one wishes to be more ambitious with their holiday bathroom remodeling project, the sinks and lighting can be replaced or a new shower/tub, such as a walk-in tub or curb-less shower, installed. The professionals at All About Bathrooms can help make this holiday season a merry one indeed.