We continue to deal with

 12:00 June 17, 2016

We continue to figure out how best to decorate the kitchen. Today we will talk about unusual materials for aprons: he talks about six types of non-standard materials for their design. interior designer Evgenia Topilskaya.

kitchen apron - one of the most important elements in the kitchen after the headset. Now there are many options in decorating an apron, and everyone can find something for themselves, but at the same time, even the wrong choice can ruinthe most beautiful kitchen. I would not like to talk about the standard ways to design aprons, there are many articles on this topic. I will mark only the most popular and tell you about the original and unconventional options.

The most common and oldest design technique is ceramic tile . This option is good because the market offers a huge selection of tiles of all imaginable colors, formats and textures, and, importantly, for any wallet. In the care of ceramic tiles is quite simple, but you will have to pay attention to the seams. You can use epoxy grout, it is less porous and more resistant to dirt.

The second way to design an apron - glass . Usually they use matte, plain or decorated with a pattern or ornament. In my opinion, the most interesting options are obtained using transparent glass, behind which, ifyou are a happy owner of a second home with a history,you can leave the old brickwork or worn wall. This technique is suitable for apartments in loft, vintage or Provence styles.

Another original way is not to press the glass against the wall, but to leave a gap between them. This space can be filled with a panel with coffee and canvas, pebbles, real stones, sublimated moss, a three-dimensional panel of dried or artificial flowers ... Yes, anything!

The third version of the design of the apron - natural stone or brick . In the previous method, we covered the brick with glass, but you can leave it as is. True, you will have to varnish it and pay more attention to care so that the masonry looks neat. The same goes for natural stone. If you decide to use porous rocks, then it is better to additionally protect them with varnish. If you are using a polished stone - marble or granite - then this is not required.

There are many options for laying stone. You can put it on the apron in one or several large layers, order a mosaic of several types of stone ... In any case, the apron will look very impressive due to the beauty of the natural material.

A quadruple way to decorate your apron is suitable for creative people: this is a homemade mosaic of fragments of tiles and dishes. The option is budget, and the effect can be stunning! The main thing is to clearly think over the drawing and choose colors. There are no ready-made options here, it will always be exclusive. You can lay out the apron with the whole family, especially like this process children.

The fifth way to unusually design a kitchen wall is an apron made from wine corks and lemonade caps. He suitable for youth or atmospheric kitchens in loft and vintage style. You can easily make such an apron yourself, the main thing is to collect a sufficient amount of material. This does not mean that you urgently need to start absorbing liters of any liquid, you can go to a nearby cafe or restaurant and ask them to save corks and lids that they do not need. Lids can be laid out in a circle or in strict rows - such an apron will never be boring! You can complicate the task and try to collect caps of certain colors to achieve gradient transitions. Wine corks can also be laid out in several directions or assembled into an interesting ornament. Like brickwork, it is better to protect such an apron from dirt and moisture with glass.

Finally, natural wood is gaining more and more popularity in the decoration of aprons. To decorate the wall, old boards, lining and even saw cuts of trunks of different diameters are used. The latter look best, especially after varnishing, when all the annual rings of the tree begin to appear more clearly. Considerable care will be required for such an apron, the varnish coating will have to be updated periodically, but adherents of natural materials will like this solution. But remember: it is better not to use such an apron with a gas stove or protect it with glass, behind which you can illuminate.

Those who are engaged in the repair and renovation of furniture in their apartment have probably already learned that although the kitchen is not the largest room, it is the most expensive for repairs and furniture. Indeed, furniture, countertops, built-in appliances are all very expensive and expensive. In fact, despite the main costs, you should always remember about the little things, because without them the main investments may not appear in all their glory, which means that your efforts will not be in vain, but let's say not quite effective ... Let's say an apron over the working surface of the countertop on the kitchen set. You can make it using a plastic panel, tile or something else. Our version will be just about something else, or rather about how to decorate a panel (apron) with wine and cognac corks.

The process of decorating a panel (apron) from wine corks over a work surface in the kitchen

The most expensive "item" of our expenses will be the presence of a large number of corks from wine and cognac. Where to get them is up to you. He can overpower all alcohol with his relatives and friends, which takes a long time and is not safe for your health, or he can simply turn to friends or to a neighboring bar, where corks are often simply thrown away, falling into the trash ...
The number of traffic jams must be really impressive. It is not difficult to calculate that for 1 sq. meters of surface, a significant number of traffic jams will be required. 10000 cm (sq. meter) / 8 cm (cork area) = 1250 corks. Here it is necessary to take a correction factor for seams and gaps, which will somewhat reduce their number, but in any case, there are a lot of traffic jams. So, before you start, be sure to evaluate your capabilities. If you are okay with that, then continue.
For the panel, we also need tempered glass, usually such glass can be ordered from furniture studios that manufacture kitchen sets. For glass, it will be necessary to purchase fasteners, as well as accurately mark the dimensions for sockets and communications. The thing is that tempered glass is made immediately to order. Cutting and drilling then the glass will not work, as it will simply burst.
You will also need tools and materials. Sealant and stationery knife.
Before you start gluing corks on the wall, it must be painted in a dark color. This is necessary so that the seams between the plugs are “not conspicuous”.
It is also necessary to dismantle wall cabinets, built-in sockets, switches. If you have additional sockets planned, then this is the time to provide a place for them.

So, we take our corks and half with a clerical knife, lengthwise into two parts.

As a result, we get two parts, each of which can be attached to the wall. We begin to glue corks to the wall. It is better to glue them in a checkerboard pattern. So the general background picture of corks will be much more attractive than corks glued one opposite the other.

The process of gluing corks is long and painstaking, but the picture that will “loom” is mesmerizing. We glue the top plugs, and then cut them with a straight line.

As a result, after gluing the cork halves, they will have to be protected from dust and similar manifestations of a hostile kitchen environment. As we already mentioned, for this we will install glass. Glass is fastened with anchor bolts to the wall. Next, install sockets, switches, etc.

(glass fasteners are visible at the top left)

(sockets in place)

(General view. It remains to put the equipment in place)

(Final result)

That's basically it. Such decoration of the wall above the working surface of the kitchen set will be unusual, attractive, practical and appropriate.

When it happens that you want to change something in the kitchen, but there is no money for a new set, you can turn your attention to the kitchen apron. This element of the interior performs not only a practical, but also an aesthetic function.

This review contains 17 relevant kitchen backsplash design ideas that will perfectly diversify the interior and cheer you up.
1. Patchwork apron

An apron made of assorted ceramic tiles with bright patterns and drawings will enliven the interior and become the highlight of any space.
2. Slate board

A slate board or a sticker in the apron area is a stylish and modern solution that will allow you to change the interior of your kitchen every day, decorating the space with drawings or encouraging inscriptions.
3. Boards

Finishing the kitchen apron with boards.
Another interesting idea for decorating the kitchen apron area is wood planks. This design will perfectly fit into the interior of the kitchen, decorated in Scandinavian, country or rustic style.
4. Putty

The use of putty.
Brown ceramic tiles, carelessly rubbed with putty, will help create the illusion of masonry in the kitchen backsplash area.
5. Small tiles

Small ceramic tiles in similar shades are a great way to highlight the backsplash area and make it a prominent part of the kitchen interior.
6. Ceramic mosaic

Apron decor with ceramic mosaics.
Using fragments of old ceramic dishes in combination with decorative plaster is an original way to create your own exclusive design of a kitchen backsplash.
7. Corks

Wine cork apron.
Wine corks are a very original and affordable material for creating a stylish kitchen backsplash, which will undoubtedly become a merit of a modern interior.
8. Pebbles

A kitchen apron decorated with small river pebbles looks very original and atmospheric. Such a decorative technique will bring a touch of freshness to the interior of the kitchen and create an atmosphere of unity with nature.
9. Mirror tiles

Mirror tiles in the apron area.
Another effective technique is the use of mirror tiles for facing a kitchen apron. Using this technique will give the room a gloss and fill the kitchen with magical highlights.
10. Glass

Glass apron.
Glass kitchen apron is one of the hottest design trends. Behind the glass, you can place any image, thus adding volume and versatility to it.
11. Brick

Brickwork or its imitation in the area of ​​​​the kitchen apron looks very non-trivial and fresh. Such a solution will harmoniously fit into a kitchen decorated in an industrial, rustic or country style.
12. Oilcloth

Kitchen apron decorated with oilcloth.
Oilcloth, neatly pasted in the area of ​​​​the kitchen apron, is a cheap way that can transform the interior of the catering department.
13. Shiny tiles

Finishing the apron with shiny tiles.
A kitchen apron, lined with narrow shiny tiles, will emphasize and complement the interior of any modern catering unit.
14. Map of the world

World map in the interior of the kitchen.
A map of the world will help to design a kitchen apron in an original way. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is a good water-repellent coating.
15. Foam panels

Styrofoam panels painted in a stylish metallic shade are an original and budget solution for finishing a kitchen apron.
16. Buttons

I have been eyeing the collection of ideas for cork decor for a long time. Inspired, I decided (says the author) not to exchange for small accessories, but to decorate a kitchen apron with corks. And one of the objects has such an opportunity!
In this master class, I will tell you what came of it.

So, we need the following materials:
- wine corks;
- building glue;
- stationery knife;
- tempered glass, cut to the size of the apron;
- drill, fasteners for glass;
- as well as one man "with hands." :)


How many plugs will be needed? It took us about 1200 pieces to make an apron for the kitchen with a length of 240 cm! The corks collected by us, friends and relatives came in handy ... And still it wasn’t enough! When you see corks in a bag, it seems there are a lot of them, but it turns out that this is a drop in the ocean (in an apron). Had to "rob" a friendly bar! Have you seen such huge glasses in which bartenders put corks? That's from there! :)
The pattern laid out with traffic jams in a checkerboard pattern looks very nice. But the pattern requires corks of the same size. From a large volume, you can pick up the same ones for a small decor niche or rug. In our case, the surface is large, so we place the plugs vertically in lines.
For better grip and to save hard-earned corks, we cut them in half lengthwise.
All tubes are different sizes. So that a white wall does not shine through small cracks from a loose fit, we painted it in a dark color with ordinary water-based paint. If the interior is in light colors, then the wall can not be darkened.
Before gluing the corks, we install the lower kitchen cabinets and mount the countertop on them, so far without a rim. Here is a countertop made of artificial stone. We remove mechanisms and frames from electrical outlets. We remove the upper cabinets, having previously outlined the line of the apron.
Here is such a gloomy picture of poor quality, since all the work took place at night ...


We stock up on patience and proceed to sticking :) Lubricate each half with glue and gently press it against the wall. We do not touch all the pieces that go beyond the marked line, at the end of the work they can be cut.


When gluing corks, we go around the sockets located on the apron, do not glue them!


This is what happened when all the corks are glued and neatly trimmed.


To protect the plugs from water and dirt, it is necessary to close the apron with glass. We ordered glass cut to the size of the apron with holes for mounting. We mount the glass, firmly attaching it with bolts to the wall.


On top of the glass, we return the mechanisms and frames of the electrical outlets to their place.


Glue the side of the tabletop:




Bring back the top cabinets.
All! Beautiful, practical and unusual :) You can invite guests!








Later we painted the wall above the kitchen black, still gray in these photos.
A piece of the wall can be seen here:




According to the same principle, depending on the conceived interior, the surface under glass can be decorated with a variety of materials: leaves, branch cuts, wallpaper, photographs, recipes, everything that fantasy tells!

Kitchen apron from CDs

This creative little idea is perfect for youth cuisine and for people who are not afraid of the unusual.

The technology is extremely simple, the main thing is to get a sufficient number of disks.

We choose the right tool, not every scissors can cut the disc and survive after that, so you need to pick up something more powerful, but it’s better to involve your husband in this business, men are better versed in the tool.

We cut our disks into pieces, you can of course make them the same, but it will be, believe me, difficult, because. the disks do not want to be cut and resist this in every possible way, so we cut it as it will.

The pieces will turn out to be different in shape and size, and it is advisable to sort them so that in the process of work you do not dig up the whole pile in search of a suitable piece

The fun begins: glue!

Just apply glue to each piece and press it against the wall, leaving small gaps between the pieces.

Let the glue dry and wipe the entire surface with a soft sponge, removing dust and dirt.

We breed obyachny grout for tiles and overwrite all the gaps. For work, we use a RUBBER (!) spatula, you will scratch it with a metal one.

When the grout dries, thoroughly wipe the entire surface with a soft sponge, washing off the excess.

Everything worked out!

I could finish this point, but on my own I would add that I would cover it all with glass, the surface of the discs is easily scratched and over time you risk getting just ragged plastic instead of a beautiful holographic effect.

DECORATE YOURSELF: APRON FROM CORKS. MK

I have been eyeing the collection of ideas for cork decor for a long time. Inspired, I decided not to exchange for small accessories, but to decorate a kitchen apron with corks. And one of the objects has such an opportunity!

In this master class, I will tell you what came of it.

So, we need the following materials:

Wine corks;

Construction adhesive;

Stationery knife;

Tempered glass, cut to size of the apron;

Drill, fasteners for glass;

And also one man "with hands." :)

How many plugs will be needed? It took us about 1200 pieces to make an apron for the kitchen with a length of 240 cm! The corks collected by us, friends and relatives came in handy ... And still it was not enough! When you see corks in a bag, they seem to very a lot, but it turns out - it's a drop in the ocean (in an apron). Had to "rob" a friendly bar! Have you seen such huge glasses in which bartenders put corks? That's from there! :)

The pattern laid out with traffic jams in a checkerboard pattern looks very nice. But the pattern requires corks of the same size. From a large volume, you can pick up the same ones for a small decor niche or rug. In our case, the surface is large, so we place the plugs vertically in lines.

For better grip and to save hard-earned corks, we cut them in half lengthwise.

All tubes are different sizes. So that a white wall does not shine through small cracks from a loose fit, we painted it in a dark color with ordinary water-based paint. If the interior is in light colors, then the wall can not be darkened.

Before gluing the corks, we install the lower kitchen cabinets and mount the countertop on them, so far without a rim. Here is a countertop made of artificial stone. We remove mechanisms and frames from electrical outlets. We remove the upper cabinets, having previously outlined the line of the apron.

Here is such a gloomy picture of poor quality, since all the work took place at night ...

We stock up on patience and proceed to sticking :) Lubricate each half with glue and gently press it against the wall. We do not touch all the pieces that go beyond the marked line, at the end of the work they can be cut.

When gluing corks, we go around the sockets located on the apron, do not glue them!

This is what happened when all the corks are glued and neatly trimmed.

To protect the plugs from water and dirt, it is necessary to close the apron with glass. We ordered glass cut to the size of the apron with holes for mounting. We mount the glass, firmly attaching it with bolts to the wall.

On top of the glass, we return the mechanisms and frames of the electrical outlets to their place.

Glue the edge of the table top.