AutoKitchen Kitchen Design Software

A little bit of shop talk here, but I'm happy to share news of this new kitchen design software and technology that I am using.

I'm excited to debut and share information on my new kitchen software with you. It's called AutoKitchen and it's truly state of the art! The AutoKitchen representative, knowing that I am a working designer, offered to provide me with a copy of AutoKitchen software to review and to use in my practice, gratis. I already was using design software, but having recently upgraded my software and being disappointed in the quality of the renderings at the highest level of detail, I thought it a good time to take a look at all the competitors in this narrow field of kitchen design software for professional designers.

As with any product I review (in 3 years, this is my 3rd review) and as is a typical policy for many bloggers, it has to meet my own personal standards as a useful product with qualities that I feel have merit. Otherwise, I decline to review the product, which I have done once after using a particular product and twice in the case of books.

In this case, the graphics (crazy photo realism) were noticeably better than my existing program. I didn't "need" a new program. I was not looking for another program. In fact, I had just recently upgraded my existing program for a nice sum of $$. But, when I looked at this program in more detail, first, in comparison to what I was using, another very reputable program designed for the kitchen/bath industry, there is no question that I was immediately "wowed" by the super sharp graphics that AutoKitchen produces.

This program, from my perspective, IS state of the art! It's a significant enhancement to my business, an upgrade for my clients who will see their kitchen in better detail, and so, I'm extremely happy to share my thoughts on this program with those who appreciate beautifully designed graphics.

As I become more proficient with AutoKitchen (these images are from AutoKitchen's files) I'll be sharing the very cool drawings that it produces. If you are a designer and looking to make a change, I encourage you to take a look at AutoKitchen. If my existing program had been comparable, I would have had no need to a) learn a new program b) learn a new program c) learn a new program, all of which is extremely time consuming and quite honestly, always slow going at first, then takes more time to get fully up to speed, which designers understand. But, as a designer, beautiful graphics are extremely important, which trumps time spent learning a new program, for sure.

Having used my program (with regular updates) for 18 years, I did not make this change lightly; the software had to produce compelling solutions for my business. After my careful analysis of AutoKitchen and its competition over the course of two months, it does. I did not go for test drives with other software companies, but I very closely analyzed finished renderings on the companies' websites (the ultimate issue for me), talked to industry colleagues, and took a hard look at my existing software as well, which involved several sessions with the manufacturer to make completely sure that I was familiar with its top quality renderings options.

Had I not believed that AutoKitchen produces THE finest graphics in the kitchen design software industry, I would not have been interested. Why change a program I was comfortable with after 18 years to something that is second or third best? That would be a bad decision on several levels.

I can report that AutoKitchen's customer service is superb, otherwise, that would surely be a dealbreaker for me. CAD compatability is a big plus too. There is no question in my mind that the time invested is, and will be, worth it. I'm happy to share my perspective on this program. Miguel, from AutoKitchen, is a delight to work with and endlessly patient. 

For further information, call Miguel Merida. Phone: 201-568-3555 or miguel.merida@microcadsoftware.com.

Electrolux and More...

Electrolux Kitchen Stories

I want to show you kitchen stories - 89 of them to be exact, courtesy of Electrolux, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. SO...these 89 people with stories are all "kitchen stars", but Electrolux needs just one more to reach 90 - will that be you?

I'm crazy about this concept and find it absolutely fascinating looking at all these (real) kitchen stories from all over the world! You can be the 90th kitchen star! To enter, you must have an Electrolux appliance, even a small countertop or small vacuum appliance is ok. I don't love that requirement, but I DO love the kitchen stories! Enter or not, the kitchen stories are there to enjoy.

Susan's in the Houzz

I just started writing/editing ideabooks for Houzz on kitchen design. I certainly knew of Houzz but due to my busy world, did not focus on the site in depth until I was asked to take a look at it and to add my expertise on kitchen design as a regular ideabook (love that name) contributor. 

I think I may be addicted. I have no time to be addicted, and you may not either, but, the site:

• is too user friendly as well as beautiful
• is too much of a (truly) friendly, positive, community
• has too large of a library of great interiors to ignore
• allows you to hone in on exactly the style you're looking for
• has great information
• has ideabooks that are crazy/fun/beautiful/cool/etc.

to not immerse yourself. So, go ahead, you'll be glad you did, and don't blame me for your time lost! I do think it would only be fair for the universe to give us 2 more hours a day - life is very fast paced, more time is needed to take it all in! Here's my first ideabook... 

Color In The Kitchen

houzz- kitchen design, bathroom design, landscaping and more

Here are a couple of recent posts I have written that I'd like to mention.

Small Appliances - Blog Post

This first post was written for my colleage, Kathy Barlow, of the Home Workshop blog. It's about how to deal with those migrating small appliances on our countertops. Take a look! 

Open Kitchen Floorplan - Blog Post

Another post for Decorati that I have not shared with you is an in depth look at the open kitchen floorplan - is it for you? It addresses potential issues, provides ideas for dealing with common problems and gives a fresh look at this emerging concept that many are feeling more and more comfortable with. As a realtor friend told me, "the ad that people respond to is the one that says 'open floorplan' in it." Of course, it's not for everyone, but I think it's a concept worth looking at at this moment.

Kitchen Design Trends 2010

I'd like to share this piece with you that I wrote for Decorati.com on kitchen trends for 2010 and beyond. I spent much time in December contemplating where I feel we are now, and some "whys" too. I've thought about where I think we (many of us) are headed, for those of us who are contemplating changes in the way we live in our kitchens. Maybe these thoughts will ring true for you. 

I'd probably add one or two more things. I want to expand on my feeling about many of us wanting as much permanence or longevity in our design and products as we can get. I think that the recent recession, "The Big Recession" as I'm hearing it called, has truly been a wake-up call. I feel that there is a maturity, a sensible way of thinking, that has evolved. Where we can afford it, I feel we want quality. 

I feel that we want performance from the products we select over the long term. I definitely see that new clients seem to be more involved in the design process, more serious, and dedicated. They/you understand that this new kitchen truly may be a one time purchase, and it needs to be as perfect as it can be. That (importance) has been true all along, but, that call really woke us up! If you are planning a kitchen renovation in 2010, my guess is you will take it very seriously and you'll find it to be a very, very rewarding process. I hope you do!

HERE IS THE LINK FOR MY THOUGHTS ABOUT KITCHEN DESIGN IN 2010 Tell me what you think here, below, or on the Decorati comments page. 

Kitchen Odors On Soft Coverings - What To Do/How To Deal

Here's an interesting email that I just received this weekend:

Subject: Grass Cloth Wallpaper in the Kitchen
Message: Hello,

I'm toying with the idea of putting grass cloth wallpaper in my kitchen (but not behind any counter space or the stove) and was wondering your thoughts about this idea.  A kitchen designer we meet with suggested against it because it would retain smells from food prep.  This will be in my kitchen that is not heavily used...maybe one meal every other week.  Would you recommend grass cloth wallpaper in the kitchen?  People put fabric curtains up and sometimes have fabric covered furniture in the kitchen and would seem to be the same.

Thanks, Amanda

This is a great question, Amanda. As our kitchens become ever more integrated with surrounding living areas and/or decor, it's time to think about this question! I've been a strong advocate for some years of using soft fabrics, wall coverings that we love, as well as artwork, in the kitchen.

These decorative elements sometimes come with a "price to pay" for their inclusion in the kitchen. In my own kitchen, I have a sofa as well as good artwork, so I have lived with this issue.

Here's the answer you are NOT looking for, unfortunately. I cannot advise you specifically, as I am unaware of two things:

a. the proximity of the wallcovering to the main part of your kitchen. Even though you mention that it is not a backsplash treatment, it could well be surrounding your cabinetry, oven, and cooktop areas, and

b. whether you have adequate ventilation in the kitchen

In the end, it's really about the type of ventilation that you have in your kitchen. I'm referring to a hood or a downdraft (a poor cousin.) If your cooking ventilation is planned properly, cooking odors, fumes, and toxins are a minor issue at worst, but it depends on the proximity of the soft coverings to the cooktop or oven. "Prep" as you note, is a non issue. Cooking and moisture will affect the soft coverings. Cooking a meal once every other week makes this entire problem even more of a non issue, especially if you have adequate venting.

It IS important to understand that your fabrics in and around the kitchen, over time, may be somewhat affected by cooking odors, etc. Soft coverings in a kitchen, whether on the walls or on furniture, will also experience more wear than they would in other rooms...people leaning against or brushing against walls, frequent use of fabrics on chairs and pillows and increased general use of soft coverings.

Thinking flexibly about the durability of your soft coverings is the way to go. You may want to put "clean the fabrics" on your schedule for once a year. I happen to use and like Stanley Steemer but it's best to check with a professional fabric cleaner for more expensive fabrics and furnishings. Cleaning grasscloth is not easy or even recommended in most cases outside of using a vacuum for surface dust.

That said, you may need to reevaluate the overall durability of your grasscloth, say, 5 years down the road. Keep expectations for soft coverings flexible, again, as the durability will depend on use and ventilation issues. Small image from the book "Kitchens" by Chris Madden.