Monthly Archives: July 2013

To Open or Not to Open

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This post is inspired by a discussion on our Facebook page, around the pros and cons of having an open kitchen in India. Why is India even a factor here? For many reasons, which we’ll outline through the course of this post. We’re going to take you through our pros and cons of having an open kitchen and we’ll start with the cons.
OpenKitchen ReferenceCons:

1. Dust. This is inescapable in any Indian city. It is the endless plight of every urban household and the last place we want our dust is on the food we eat.

2. The smell of a lovely Indian curry… all over your house! We love our curries… but only at meal times. Nobody wants butter chicken in the bedroom.

3. Your domestic help, the people behind your pristine home, are in full view as they work. Most people in the city have hired people to help run the household but nobody wants to shatter the illusion that they’re doing it all on their own. When your friends are over and your trusty maid is doing what she does best in your open kitchen, it becomes pretty clear just how your home has managed to remain this perfect. A silly, superficial problem, but a problem nonetheless.

4. Space, or lack thereof. An open kitchen would deprive you of one wall, two even. That’s two entire walls of cabinets you’re missing out on. Where will all that kitchen apparatus go? It’s a vexing situation, not having enough space, and you might just be faced with it if you don’t have a separate storage room.

5. It’s a free-for-all play area for the kids. Even a wall can barely keep a determined 5-year-old out of a room he’s not meant to be in. Managing to keep your curious kids away from the dangerous equipment in your open kitchen will definitely be a challenge.

Pros:

1. It’s just beautiful. Open kitchens are magical. They are aesthetically so much more pleasing than a closed off room.

2. The light that pours in from the rest of your home will flood your kitchen and you’ll be able to bask in an abundance of sunlight as you go about your day. What difference does sunlight make? You’ll feel it when you’re surrounded by it and trust us, it feels good.

3. Entertain while you cook up a storm! You’ll no longer need to worry about entertaining your guests while your meal still needs attention in the kitchen. You can start cooking your meal when they arrive and it will barely be noticed. In fact, they’ll have a lot more to say about your culinary prowess at the end of the night.

4. Space. Walk, dance, run, long-jump or roller-blade around the island counter; you might be able to do it all in an open kitchen. Space is something that is very hard to change in a closed kitchen and something to be enjoyed in an open one.

5. Keep an eye on the kids as you cook. You don’t need to step away from your work every 5 minutes to check on your kids anymore. If they’re hanging out in the living room, doing homework on the dining table or playing Lego on the island counter, you’ll be able to keep them under your radar at all times.

As you can see, it’s a difficult dilemma to be in, choosing an open or closed kitchen. If this is your situation at the moment, we hope this break down of pros and cons helps.

Until next time,

The Atmosphere Family

Living inside a Rainbow

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Skeptics may disagree, but it is no lie that colours affect our moods and feelings. The power to keep your mood and energy levels up is actually in your hands, so use this guide and decorate wisely!

Green:

GreenWe spend our lives straining our eyes on computers and televisions. Green is known to be the easiest on the eyes, among all the colours of the spectrum. Being surrounded by green gives us a natural, at-home feeling. In this age of concrete and glass, some nature, or even a vague resemblance of nature, is what our bodies crave the most.

Yellow:

Yellow

This gorgeous colour is most commonly associated with sunshine, joy and excitement. It is said to stimulate our senses and keep the energy levels up. Yellow is a great colour for kitchens. Bear in mind, when used in excess, yellow can create feelings of agitation and frustration. When decorating, small yellow accents such as cushions or curtains are the best way to go. Everybody could use a little sunshine in their lives.

Blue:

BlueLike the element blue is most closely associated with, this colour creates a sense of calm and relaxation. Blue is not a great colour for a home, office or a kitchen, where one needs to stay alert and focused. Dining, living and leisure spaces would do well with a lovely blue wall, or sofa. Deep blue, on the other hand, has been known to create feelings of negativity. If you’re going the blue route, it’s best to stay on the lighter side.

Red:                                      

RedIf we’ve learned anything from the onslaught of the media, we’ve learned that red is directly related to passion, romance, love and all things exciting. This is true to some extent, only as far as stimulation goes. Red is known to create feelings of passion and excitement, sexual and otherwise. However, this dangerous colour, when used in excess or in deeper shades such as crimson, work in the other direction. It creates feelings of hostility, rage and frustration. Much like the colour yellow, red is best used in small, tasteful doses.

Neutral:                                    

NeutralBrowns, beiges and greys all fall under the neutral category. These colours don’t really do much for your senses or moods but act as an easy palate on which you can use splashes of colour and embellishments. When using reds and yellows, a neutral palate would make a lovely background to these temperamental colours.

White:                                    

WhiteAll-white interiors are spectacular. White as a colour is magnificent enough on its own and it can also be used as a palette for colourful embellishments. However, some say that the reflective quality white tends to amplify feelings that you may already have. This includes anything negative. As long as you’re happy, your beautiful white interiors will ensure that you stay happy.

The more colourful your home, the more exciting your life will be. Create a home that excites every sense, invokes all kinds of feelings and you will never tire of your surroundings.

Until next time,

The Atmosphere Family