Kitchen Recipes | Cooking in Style With These Simple Tips

If you’re hosting your family’s holiday celebration this year, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed, especially when it comes to cooking and getting all your recipes just right. The good news is there are lots of steps you can take with Edmonton interior design to make your kitchen as functional as possible and help minimize your stress. Rediscover the joy of cooking and love being in your kitchen again with these five tips.

(Skeptical? Don’t worry – for good measure, we added a delicious holiday recipe with each tip to make sure inspiration strikes!)

Start small with the spices

Organizing your spices is an easy but effective way to make your kitchen more functional. Opt for storage options such as fully organized drawers or pullout cabinets that let you easily see everything all at once. While grabbing the pepper for your Christmas morning omelet, you might spot the cardamom and get inspired to make your own chai latte. The Minimalist Baker has a recipe for a vegan one we love.

Think about open vertical storage

There’s a reason almost every chef on a cooking show has open, hanging storage for pots and pans. It doesn’t just look amazing as part of your home decor; it facilitates grabbing exactly what you need with ease. With hanging storage, you won’t have to open any cabinets or drawers while you’re in the zone making your famous casserole (or the amazing broccoli cheddar one from Budget Bytes that we’ve been enjoying lately). 

Designate Spaces

Another great way to make your kitchen more functional is to have specific areas for every cooking step from prepping to plating. More designated spaces mean more efficient cooking, which leaves time for extra treats like these incredible candy cane chocolate chip Christmas cookies by The Cookie Writer.

Consider a flat stovetop

If kitchen renovations are in your plans, clean-lined surfaces are a great idea to optimize the functionality of your cooking space. When not in use, you’ll be able to use your stovetop for extra counter space to make mouth-watering side dishes, like our go-to kale and bacon salad from the Food Network for all the holiday season potlucks you’ll be attending.

Light your space

Great lighting doesn’t just apply to living rooms and bathrooms. Having great lighting in your kitchen makes your space more relaxing, and it helps you focus on your cooking and getting inspired. Make sure every corner of your kitchen is well lit so you can use all of your space to its full potential. When you look forward to being in your kitchen, you’ll probably feel up to trying more new things – like this tasty prime rib and gravy recipe from Dinner with Julie.

Functional kitchen design is one of the best ways to make sure you enjoy spending time in your kitchen. With a functional kitchen, even the biggest holiday meal won’t seem like a chore. At Jostar Interiors, we can help you get ready for hosting and cooking just in time for the holiday season. Interior design ideas and inspiration are just a click away.

Download your kitchen renovation guide today! 

What Does Your Style of Kitchen Say About You?

The way you present yourself says a lot about your personality, so it’s no surprise that the style of one of the most popular rooms in your home would say something about you too. Read on to discover what your kitchen design says, and determine which kitchen style is the best fit for you.
 

The Minimalist Kitchen

If your kitchen is sleek, uncluttered (including your drawers!), clean, and modern, chances are you have a minimalist kitchen. You believe home decor should be understated and timeless – just like you. Your go-to outfit is a little black dress/black tie, and most of your wardrobe is well, black. Having a minimalist kitchen means you embrace simplicity, and you aren’t afraid of letting things go. It takes a lot of willpower to be a true minimalist, and your kitchen style reflects your decisiveness and unwavering ability to always know what you want.
 

The Chef’s Kitchen

Do you own a spiralizer? More than one type of salt? Does your kitchen feature custom storage and an oversized sink? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you probably have a chef-style kitchen. Your kitchen is highly functional, full of prep spaces, has professional appliances, open shelving, and you always make room for the latest cooking gadgets and tools. Having this kitchen style means you’re meticulous in your craft, and there’s no recipe too challenging or too time-consuming for you. People with a chef-style kitchen are ambitious, clever, and hardworking, and their interior design style shows off their work ethic and dedication to being the best they can be.
 

The Eclectic Kitchen

Do you create your own art? Believe in always having more than one conversation piece? Would you decide to start kitchen renovations in the spur of the moment? Yep, you probably have an eclectic kitchen style. Your kitchen is a mix of diverse textiles and fun colours within an unconventional layout. In Edmonton, interior design possibilities are endless, and you embrace new ideas, bold patterns, and quirky designs with confidence. You’re creative and adventurous, and you aren’t afraid to say what you think, stand up for what you believe in, and take a risk.

The Traditional Kitchen

If your kitchen has soft, warm colours and natural wood, stone, or brick elements, you probably have a traditional-style kitchen. Everyone loves a classic, and you’re no exception. These kitchens have a homey, antique design, a lived-in feel, and the people who have them tend to be reliable, welcoming, and loyal. A traditional kitchen style tells others that you have a big heart, are a great friend, and there’s always an extra seat at your table.

If you want to update your kitchen to make it even more “you”, Jostar can help! We think kitchens should be as unique as you are, so we offer personalized solutions and expert interior design ideas.

Pulling Power: Clever Drawer Tactics To Declutter Your Home

Whether it’s a drawer full of twist ties, rubber bands, and miscellaneous keys in your kitchen, or a drawer bursting with nail polish and tester-sized lotions in your bathroom, there are ways to stop the cycle and correct cluttered drawers throughout your home.
 

Invest in drawer organizers

This seems like a trivial solution – but trust us! They really work. You can even make your own by fitting different sized boxes together. Sure, it only takes a second to neatly place something in an open drawer, but that way of thinking is usually out the window when you’re running late. In the bedroom, try dividing your sport socks from your dress socks or tights to create a more organized feel.
 

Designate spaces

There’s nothing worse than looking for something for hours, only to find it in the wrong room. Planning your drawers with designated spaces will help cut down the chaos. For example, if you’re always finding your hairbrush in the living room, the problem could be that you don’t have a designated space to store your brush in a bathroom drawer.

Be practical

So you’re planning to walk to the kitchen to put your keys away in their new spot every time you come home? Try to keep in mind that drawer organization should make things easier for you, not work against your natural movement. Be practical with the commitments you’re going to need to make to maintain your organization. In the entryway, add a side table or bench with drawers and create compartments inside for your essentials like keys, a lint roller, and the dog’s leash to stop clutter from migrating to other rooms.  

Communicate

If you spend a lot of time organizing, but don’t communicate to your spouse or family what the new systems are, your hard work could go to waste. Get everyone involved with the planning and organization process to make sure they all buy in and contribute to the most impactful solutions. For example, talk about your kitchen design and storing items in drawers where it makes the most sense like resealable bags near the fridge or spices near your prep space.

Don’t let clutter build

Long-term decluttering takes trial and error. Try to stop and think about why clutter is happening and keep only what you really need in problem spaces. If you have a kitchen drawer that won’t stay organized, think about how many items in the drawer you actually use. Remove what you don’t need (hint: you don’t need to save soy sauce packets), and free up compartments for the essentials. You don’t always have to do kitchen renovations to make a big difference in how your cooking space feels.

We know that in Edmonton, interior design needs to be functional and beautiful. It’s hard to get organized all at once, so our best advice is to start planning and making small changes so the task is less daunting, one drawer at a time. If you have any questions about organization or interior design ideas throughout your home, Jostar is fully equipped to help. Our experts love creating personalized spaces and kitchens, so you can live easier.

Renting? Eight Easy Ways To Make Your Space Your Own

If you’ve experienced Edmonton rentals, you know there are some drawbacks when it comes to what you can and can’t do with your home decor plans and interior design ideas. It can be frustrating when you don’t have full control over your home’s permanent elements. That’s where Jostar can help. There are easy things you can do to make a rental space feel like you own it (all without jeopardizing your security deposit too).

Here are our top tips:

In the bedroom

Paint

You’ll have to clear it with your landlord, but adding a fresh coat of paint that suits your bedroom furniture and textiles is a great way to feel more at home. If you can’t paint, try covering a wall with a tapestry or a fabric panel to hide something like an accent colour that doesn’t suit you.

Update window coverings

Window coverings can feel like a permanent part of your space (even if they aren’t) and are a great way to make your bedroom unique, especially if your rental doesn’t come with them already. Choose coloursand prints you love, and pull complementary tones into the rest of your bedroom to unify your space.

In the living room

Add houseplants

Adopting plants can completely change the tone of a room. Bring a boring space back to life with a row of succulents on a windowsill, or pick up a leafy fig tree to fill an awkward corner.

Upgrade your furniture

Adding a couple new furniture pieces selected specifically for your living room can help you “own” the space and work with what you can’t change.

In the bathroom

Hang wall art

A simple framed photo, vintage wall cabinet, or your favourite mirror can help you claim an often forgotten area: rental bathrooms. Just stay away from anything sensitive to humidity!

Focus on the details

All the little things in a bathroom from shower curtain hooks to a toilet paper roll holder go a long way to infuse your personality in the space.

In the kitchen

Take off your cabinet doors

If you know your way around a toolbox but can’t do full kitchen renovations, removing cabinet doors can open up your space and give you total freedom over what’s on display. Just remember to put them back up when you move out! Be mindful of clutter, but you can even tape wallpaper or textiles to the back of the cabinets for an extra pop of colour and personality.

Add shelves and storage

Try hanging a removable shelf (if you’re allowed to put holes in the wall) to show off your favourite vase, or add a little storage cart (if you have room) to serve coffee or cocktails from. Making space for the things you love will help your rental kitchen design feel more like your own.

Always double-check your rental agreement before making any changes to your space. If you run into any problems, one of the best things you can do is have a conversation with your landlord about what doesn’t work for you. The worst thing they can do is say no.

Trending Now | Jostar’s Top 20 Kitchen Inspirations

Nothing gets our creativity flowing like a beautiful, functional kitchen design. From Edmonton interior design to homes across the globe, fall kitchen inspiration can strike anywhere! Here are the top 20 kitchens from around the world that have peaked our interest at Jostar lately.

Disclaimer: We are not liable for any spur-of-the-moment “research” trips or demolition costs associated with sudden inspiration from reading this post!

MOROCCO

Architectural Digest

We love this Moroccan space because it looks so unique. The open shelves add depth to this space, and the detailing on the cabinets makes us want to get creative with wood carving!

JAPAN

Curbed vis DEZEEN

This kitchen in Japan is a great example of how a small space can feel huge. Modern elements and the contrast of clean lines and curves create visual intrigue.

GREECE

Decoholic Interior Design

Maintaining the authenticity of the space is what draws us to this beautiful kitchen in Greece. We love the juxtaposition of the playful appliances with traditional stone elements.

SOUTH AFRICA

The Style Files

We love that the design behind this South African space used the high ceilings and natural light to accentuate what this space organically had to offer.

THAILAND

Zeutch

This space in Thailand is actually a restaurant, but those light fixtures are making us want to move in!

ICELAND

Trendland

A good island makes a huge difference, and we love that the kitchen design flows seamlessly into the dining area and living area. Imagine the dinner parties in this Icelandic space!

MONTREAL

freshome

We love the minimal home decor and the smart seating at this island. What’s more, we love that this design lives in Canada!

AMERICA

Tiny House Talk

This tiny home in America goes to show that a great layout can make any kitchen feel spacious.

BRAZIL

Casa Vogue

Pops of colour in the home decor and sleek, luxurious design are making us swoon for this Brazilian dream.

PARIS

My Paradissi

Clean lines and hidden storage make this Paris kitchen stunning. We love the understated look, and the elegance of the white, cool colour scheme.

SWEDEN

Nordic Design

This dreamy stovetop in Sweden is a ten in our books.

RUSSIA

My Unfinished Home

This compact kitchen in Russia inspires us with neutral colours that feel warm. We love that this tiny kitchen feels so functional!

CHINA

The custom brick in this wine bar in China is the perfect balance of whimsy and bold design.

CANADA

Nordic Design

This Nordic space may have you thinking of Europe, but it’s right here in Canada! We love the open-faced storage, and that sink made our jaws drop.

MEXICO

Introspective Magazine

We love the colour and unique design flair of this amazing Mexican kitchen.

INDONESIA

Janice Tjioe

The open, airy feel of this kitchen in Indonesia is enough to make us consider doing away with traditional cabinets altogether.

AUSTRALIA

Style Files

We love the mix of dark wood and steel together in bright spaces, and this Australian cooking area is no exception.

AMERICA

Kitchn

This luxurious kitchen that belongs to one lucky American family has as green with envy. Who says you'll need overhead cabinets?

SPAIN

Decordemon

We love the mix of materials in this space, and the balance of rustic and modern components makes this kitchen in Spain one of our top picks.

JAMAICA

Coastal Living

Colourful, chic, and charming, this space in Jamaica makes us want to embrace pink doors with open arms!

Space Doctor | Make A Small Kitchen Feel Bigger

Kitchens are often near (or at) the top of the list for things homebuyers look for. They’re the central point of a home, where families and guests congregate, and where homeowners usually spend a significant amount of time. Words like bright, airy, functional, and open all come to mind to describe the ideal kitchen space.

But what if your kitchen is on the small side? The nice thing is, none of those words we mentioned necessarily depend on size. There are plenty of tips and tricks to make a small kitchen feel more spacious, helping you make even the littlest of kitchens feel like a perfect fit for you.

To follow are a few go-to tips and interior design ideas from our experts at Jostar to make your small kitchen feel bigger.

Replace solid cabinet doors with glass or transparent ones

Your cabinets have depth. A great way to take advantage of the extra space in your cabinets is to replace solid cabinet doors with a transparent alternative, such as glass. Being able to see all the way back to the walls will make your overhead space feel lighter and more open.

Paint cabinets and walls the same colour

Contrasting your walls and your cabinets draws the eye to the colour boundary and accentuates the divide. Cabinets that match the walls help to draw the eye elsewhere and add to an airy feel in your space.
 

Limit your stuff

Another great way to keep your kitchen feeling light and open is to have open space. Donate things you don’t need, and try to keep accents like vases, plants, and knick-knacks to a minimum.

Choose furnishings with a small interior design footprint

An oversized kitchen table is the last thing a small kitchen needs. When it comes to home decor, avoid bulky and large furniture that boxes you in, and opt for smaller, sleek, narrow pieces that suit the size of your kitchen.
 

Use storage units

Nothing shrinks your space like cluttered, out-of-place shelves and cabinets. Jostar has custom solutions for your space and can recommend storage units that will work with your kitchen design and style preferences to give you a kitchen that is organized and functional.
 

Merge your space into a larger one

Another option involves kitchen renovations to change your space and merge areas of your home such as a kitchen and a dining room. Something simple such as removing the divide between rooms can really open up your space and add to an airy, spacious feel.

Alternately, if you are currently using your kitchen as a cooking and dining area, consider moving your dining furniture to another space (such as an unused dining area or nook) to give your kitchen more room to breathe.

Edmonton interior design is vibrant and thriving, and there are so many resources available to make your small kitchen into your dream kitchen.

5 Simple Tips On How To Make Your Kitchen More Sustainable

The ideas of sustainability and sustainable living have been trending for a few years, but we’ve recently started to see a real shift in the Edmonton interior design world toward designing with sustainability in mind. When it comes to kitchens, in particular, there are a number of eco-friendly design options and interior design ideas that can help contribute to your kitchen’s sustainability.

The list below includes five of our top kitchen renovations, interior design, and lifestyle tips for a more sustainable, eco-friendly, and environmentally conscious space.
 

Switch your light bulbs to LED

LED bulbs are more popular and accessible than ever, and they come in many different styles for your home decor needs - from Edison to a chandelier. These mercury-free bulbs last longer, are not nearly as expensive as they used to be, and will save you money on your energy bill!

Select fixtures that will use less water

Water is one of our most valuable resources, and conserving it will only become more imperative in years to come. Being mindful of your water usage now will put you ahead of the curve as the trend progresses, and being water wise will help make your kitchen more environmentally friendly.  

Choose finishes that are recyclable and made of recycled materials

Finishes that are created from recycled elements and easily recycled at the end of their lifespan help to improve sustainability and reduce the waste your kitchen produces. When it comes to home decor options, ensure things like sealants and stains are made with as few chemicals as possible to reduce your impact even further.

Buy local

Sourcing materials from local businesses (or at least from Canadian manufacturers or outlets) as much as possible is a great way to support your community and ensure your materials contribute to an eco-friendly kitchen. Being environmentally conscious means thinking about your impact at all phases of your kitchen design and/or renovation process.

Use nontoxic cleaners

Brands such as method offer a range of nontoxic options. You can also make your own cleaning products with white vinegar or baking soda. Why cover your new, environmentally friendly surfaces in toxic chemicals? Also remember, your kitchen doesn’t need to smell like harsh chemicals or artificial lemon scent to be clean.

At Jostar, we think kitchens should be beautiful above and below the surface. Creating your kitchen space with sustainable design in mind is a great way to start making your home function better for the planet and better for you.

Edmonton Fall Home Show

Clear your schedules and meet us at Edmonton Fall Home Show for your chance to win a FREE $2,500 Design Consultation Service with Jostar Interiors!

40th Anniversary Gala

This year, Jostar Interiors celebrated 40 years in business! It’s definitely a huge accomplishment, and one that Jostar Interiors’ Founder and President, Joanna Starko, has decided to celebrate and share.

To mark the 40th Anniversary, Jostar Interiors hosted a gala at the Art Gallery of Alberta on September 18th, 2015 and invited clients, trades, suppliers, and business partners. The event was MC’d by none other than Ryan Jespersen. Jostar Interiors loves to give back to the community, and at the gala we gave back to the University Hospital Foundation’s Brain Center Campaign.

We worked out every detail of the event as a team, each of us tackling our own area, whether it was collecting donations or organizing center pieces. We wanted to make sure that it was special for Joanna.

The event went off without a hitch! The venue was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the turnout was fabulous!

We want to extend a big thank you to everyone who attended and made the 40th Anniversary Gala the special event that it was. We also want to thank everyone who is going to be donating to the University Hospital Foundation’s Brain Center Campaign.

The Gala was catered by Zinc Restaurant, and sponsored by a number of suppliers, trades, and associates.

Platinum Sponsors: ATB, Consumer Choice Awards, Hunter Douglas, and Iconic Cabinets.

Gold Sponsors: JF Fabrics.

Silver Sponsors: Urban Timber Reclaimed Wood Co. and Zana Construction.

Bronze Sponsors: LED Lights Canada and Triple M Home Renovations.

Our Favourite Things Sponsors: BA Robinson, EMCO, FloForm Countertops, Maxwell Fabrics, Renwil, Starbucks on Calgary Trail, SunGlow Window Coverings, Tierra Sol, Urban Granite, and Zinc Restaurant.

Corsages & Flower Arrangements: Fabloomosity.                 

St. Albert Kitchen Renovation

This year, I finished a renovation for a client’s kitchen in St. Albert. At the initial consultation, my clients made it very clear that they were not happy with the oak that was present throughout their home.

We decided to remedy that by painting the oak trim throughout the home, replacing the oak kitchen cabinets, and removing the oak sunshine ceiling.

We started with some product & finish selections. The clients wanted something more modern and updated than their traditional oak. We decided to go with a high contrast kitchen and mixed media tile. The cabinets would be dark, almost black, with a plain shaker front. The countertop would be white quartz. The backsplash tile would be brushed metal and glass. After choosing the exact finishes, we chose the lighting – LED panel lights. We also picked new paint colours, trim colours, and furniture fabrics.

Once we finalized the finishes, we began the construction stage. We had quite a few trades on this job, including our tile setter, painter, ceiling scraper, and electrician. The construction went smoothly, even with the additional work and changes that came up.

The finished product turned out stunning! It was a dramatic change from the oak. The clients were very happy with the final product. It met all of their needs and had a high end feel without the high end price tag. The kitchen was not only made for my clients, but for their children as well. It is very easy to clean, functional, and modern.

Lighting 101

Lighting is often an aspect of interior design that is overlooked and under-appreciated.

In my opinion, lighting has the power to make or break the space. There are four main types of lighting to consider when designing a space: ambient, accent, task, or decorative. Ambient lighting is the general lighting that usually illuminates an entire space. Accent lighting is used to highlight an area or particular object. Task lighting is installed in areas that will require additional light, such as a work or reading area. Decorative lighting is just that, to add interest or decoration to a space.

To begin choosing lights, you must consider the function of the space. Is it a space that is primarily for entertaining? Or is it a more functional space that is used for reading or cooking? I begin by placing task lighting within the space to illuminate the work areas. I then move to installing ambient lighting to the rest of the space. Lastly, I consider accent and decorative lighting.
 

On the more technical side:

What is the best lighting for a hallway?

There should be a fixture every 6-8 feet and depending on the ceiling height, a flush mount or semi flush mount can be used. If you have wide hallways, you can consider adding wall sconces for added light and design. A general rule for wall scones is that they are placed 5 feet above the ground, and also 6-8 feet apart.
 

What is the best lighting for a dining room?

A chandelier or bowl over the dining room table can provide excellent ambient lighting, and with the addition of a dimmer, can emit diffused light to create an inviting atmosphere for dinner guests. Accent lighting can be used to highlight any art or accessories in the room without overpowering the focal point of the chandelier and dining table.
 

What is the best lighting for a bathroom?

If possible, the best lighting in the bathroom is a vanity light on or above the mirror and two wall sconces on either side. This prevents shadowing on the face while using the mirror. The vanity light should be ½ to 1/3 the width of the countertop, and installed 75”-80” above the floor. If you have a high ceiling, it is recommended to face vanity lights down. Otherwise, face vanity lights up so the light can reflect off the ceiling. In addition to this lighting, general ambient lighting might be required to illuminate the rest of the space.
 

What is the best lighting for a kitchen?

Layering lighting is especially important in the kitchen. General ambient lighting can be achieved through the use of potlights to highlight the walkways of the kitchen. Undercabinet lighting can be used for ambient lighting and is great for task lighting when working on the perimeter counters. Pendant lights above the island are a nice highlight to the space. Additional task lighting above the kitchen sink and other task areas may be required.

Urban Timber Reclaimed Wood Co.

We recently visited Urban Timber Reclaimed Wood Co.
for a breakfast & learn!

My first impression when I walked in was “That dog is so cute!”. Yes, they have their very own adorable boxer dog that greets you when you enter. And her name is Munch! If the dog isn’t enough to warm your heart, when you look up you can see beautiful reclaimed and re-purposed wood everywhere. The brick wall adds to the feel-good vibe of the building. And the staff is incredibly friendly. The entire atmosphere makes you feel right at home.

The staff walked us through the showroom, explaining what kind of products they had that they could offer our clients. We started with furniture: wood tables, metalwork, and expert craftsmanship. There were some custom-built pieces in the showroom that really wowed us!

Then they showed us Timber Tiles in various patterns. There were wall tiles made from reclaimed barn wood, hardwood flooring, and wood boats. There were herringbone patterns, mosaic square patterns, and linear patterns. The herringbone was my favourite! And as a bonus, they are sealed so that you can use them in a kitchen as a backsplash! There were also a variety of colours available.

Next, we looked at some of their beautiful options for hardwood flooring. You can see from the pictures that reclaimed wood flooring is definitely a feature piece that will have everyone talking! It is as durable as it is unique. The flooring is also low maintenance, and easy to finish yourself! It is available in different species of wood and different finishes, plank widths, as well as textures.

So why reclaimed wood? What is so special about it that we can’t stop talking about it? For starters, it is a natural wood product. Mother nature has a way of making natural products beautiful and unique. Secondly, It is a great way to re-purpose a great natural resource. It is also a great alternative solution for old barns. Rather than burning them down, you can have them re-made into something incredible! We are so excited to be working with these fabulous people and their incredible product!