Designing a new kitchen can be a big and expensive undertaking, but as long as you keep the appearance and practical design of your kitchen cabinets in mind when brainstorming ideas, the end result should be one you’re very interested in. proud.

make it sociable

The design of your kitchen will reflect its main use. Remember that kitchens can be very sociable spaces and to make it a fun space to hang out with friends and family, you need to keep it open and uncluttered. By installing plenty of storage, you can keep the social space uncluttered and ready for meals together. Installing corner cabinets can also create a cozy space where you can spend time together.

Have space for gadgets

If you have high-tech kitchen appliances, keeping them in plain sight is easy with glass kitchen cabinets. Glass not only makes it easier to find all the kitchen appliances, but also maximizes kitchen space and brings light in from every corner of the room.

efficient design

Always plan your kitchen layout before finalizing the layout. Keep the sink, food prep area, and oven within easy reach and keep enough storage space in each to ensure easy access to cutlery, utensils, dishware, pots and pans, etc.

Open and Tranquil Plan

An open kitchen is a great way to create the illusion of more space, and can also create a real sense of serenity within the room. Open up the kitchen and dining room and create an open plan kitchen diner where the whole family can cook, sit and eat together. For an open-plan storage solution, you can add a kitchen island or storage under a breakfast bar.

colors to make room

If you have a small kitchen space, sticking to pale colors is a great way to maximize light reflection and space in a room. Choose a pastel color palette for a soft and calm space, using creams and whites to bring lots of natural light into the room. Cabinets made from sleek contemporary materials or painted with a gloss are ideal for reflecting light and giving the illusion of more space, and can make even small kitchens seem so much larger.

suitable for children

A kitchen can be a fun and practical space, so you’ll need to keep this in mind when choosing the right cabinets and color schemes for the room. Bright colors can appeal to both children and adults and make the kitchen a much more fun space to cook and eat. If your goal is to encourage your children to participate in the cooking process, then making cabinets accessible (i.e. keeping pots and pans low) can make it much easier for them to get involved. “Soft Close” cabinets are also a great way to prevent kitchen injuries and you’ll never have to worry about hearing cabinet doors slam again!

First of all, as in practically any form of cleaning, you should try to work from the top down, that is, clean the upper surfaces before the lower ones, in this way you will avoid splashing areas already attended and having to redo the work

1. Clear any surface by removing toiletries, jars, and packages.
2. Clean chrome fixtures with a proprietary scale remover and leave as directed.
3. Spread a generous amount of bleach around the rim of the toilet and let it
4. Remove cobwebs or dust from the top of the walls and ceiling.
5. Wipe with a lightly bleached cloth around the window frame and inside the frame of any open windows. This will prevent mold growth.
6. Wipe top surface of wall cabinets with a damp cloth. Rinse and repeat.
7. Clean mirrors and shower panels with a proprietary clear window cleaner and a piece of kitchen paper. Re-wipe with a dry blade
8. Rinse Chrome Accessory Scale Remover
9. Spray all surfaces with a bathroom cleaner designed to remove soap, scum, and body oil, making sure to spray all around and under faucets and shower fixtures.
10. Leave the cleaner on the surfaces for a few minutes (according to the manufacturer’s instructions), then fill the sink and tub with a couple of inches of warm water.
11. Take a clean cloth or similar and use it to flood surfaces and faucets allowing the water to run back into the sink/shower. Repeat this procedure, then drain the water and rinse the sink/tub
12. If you have a detachable shower head, carefully flood areas with clean, cold water to rinse; otherwise, use a rinsed cloth.
13. Wipe another slightly damp cloth over the entire area to dry and polish
14. Use a toilet brush inside the toilet to thoroughly scrub with the bleached water, then rinse.
15. Pour surfactant toilet bowl cleaner into the bowl (this sticks to the sides and gives off a fresh smell), but make sure you’ve removed the bleach first.
16. Finally, sweep the floor and wipe it down with a damp cloth (depending on the floor covering).
17. Lastly, open a window for an hour or so and get some fresh air in. This will keep the bathroom cool and inhibit mold growth on windows and ceilings.

Use this as a guide for cleaning your bathroom and it will keep your bathroom clean and fresh.

Like Batman and Robin or Ben and Jerry, the sofa and side tables look better together. What modern home would be without these functional and stylish necessities in your living room or any room they adorn? Of course, your chosen style and arrangement will reflect your good taste and thoughtfulness in providing family and friends with a convenient resting place for their drinks or a handy spot for books and magazines. Candles will provide an attractive lighting option and enhance the look of wood sheen.

The sofa and side tables make a statement in your choice of décor, just as they did when they were first designed in Europe in the 17th century. Since there was no BMW or Mercedes in the driveway to reflect one’s wealth, the fancy house was the ultimate indication of good taste and standing in the community. Back then, the sofa and end tables occupied the coveted space that accompanied two other popular pieces of the time, the chesterfield, or sofa. (These days we’d call them a sofa or loveseat.) Acting as companion pieces, they were known for their large carving and intimate details. Fortunately, crafts that existed in the 1600s are still available today, and period pieces are very popular in modern homes. As styles and design creativity have evolved, the variety of sofas and side tables has expanded to new and tasteful models that you can display in your “mansion”.

Wood choices for these pieces may reflect paint colors and window trim, or the homeowner’s desire to blend in other existing pieces. Decades ago, mahogany, maple, oak, and cherry were popular woods and continue to be a staple in furniture design. Bamboo and wicker are also a beautiful addition to modern homes and are popular for sunrooms and outdoor patios, especially if you want to evoke the look of the tropics. Laminates and metal, such as wrought iron, are also suitable options and can be combined with glass or stone to enhance other elements or colors in the room in which they are located.

Whether you prefer a contemporary, transitional, shaker, oriental, or rustic design, shopping online is simple and fun! It’s very easy to browse websites for styles to match your space, and it’s easy to visualize how these pieces will fit into a room while sitting in the area they’ll occupy. If you like your coffee and sofa tables upholstered, there are many fabric colors and selections to choose from online. This is especially popular on tables with hinged tops that can double as seating or contain storage areas. High-quality photos are enlarged to show detail and accurately reflect color, tone, and detail.

The sofa and side tables are known by other names; so try searching different categories online to find just what you want. Also known as console tables, end tables, and even some coffee tables, these convenient and attractive items come in a variety of sizes. Some feature multiple shelves, while others may have pull-out pieces that maximize space for everything from books to small TVs, laptops, or computer monitors. This would suggest that multiple pieces would maximize use and enjoyment in your home, and certainly the sofa and side tables are seen not only in living rooms and family rooms, but also in kitchens, bedrooms, sun rooms, even entryways and dining areas. laundry.

Trying to imagine your living room without sofa and end tables is like trying to imagine macaroni without cheese or yin without yang. Buy them in pairs and discover the many ways you can enhance your home’s ambience with a convenient location to display your favorite items.

It’s no secret that when it comes to clutter in the home, the kitchen can often be the worst offender. From unkempt spice racks to disorganized cabinets, adequate kitchen space is often a rarity in any busy family’s life.

Extra cabinet storage can transform your kitchen into an organized space for you and your family to unwind after a busy day.

These cabinet storage ideas for a tidy kitchen will show you that you don’t need a bigger kitchen to have more storage space…

… You just need a few tricks up your sleeve!

• Maximize your cabinet storage space by installing carousel swivel units – perfect for those corner cabinets! – or pull out trays inside your existing cabinets. Pull-out trays give you an extra dimension of space inside your kitchen cabinets, not to mention make finding things so much easier!

• Your cabinet doors are surprisingly useful for creating extra space in the kitchen. For example, you can install hooks or rails on the bottom of your cabinets for those extra dishes and towels, leaving your kitchen with a visually interesting look that is currently in high demand.

• Easily store dishes with open shelves, a great way to add color and character to your kitchen.

• Add visual depth and interest with pull-out wicker baskets or pull-out wire baskets inside the cabinet.

• Make cleanup a breeze with removable trash and recycling bins.

• Use dividers for cutlery compartments, spice drawers, and utensil drawers.

• Find the space to add a pantry to your existing kitchen plan.

By adding extra storage space to your kitchen, keep an element of continuity in your kitchen. A professional kitchen designer can help you select the perfect cabinet storage items to give your home a neat and aesthetically pleasing look!

If you’ve ever driven through Levittown, Long Island, you’ve seen the epitome of post-World War II housing. Designed for young parents birthing the baby boomer generation, the Levittown homes were built on the principles of manufactured housing built for the military, but incorporated the “must haves” of postwar life: large patios. , modern appliances, television antenna and other amenities. Promotional photos for Levittown over a period of years show that the garage’s evolution followed major trends in the changing American lifestyle.

Close-up house plans from the 1940s show Cape Cod-style boxy houses with a living room, dining room, bathroom, and two bedrooms. There were no access roads: the only car owned by most of the families was parked on the street. By 1950, the company’s brochure offered five houses in a modified Cape Cod/Ranch style, each with a driveway leading to a single attached garage. And in Levittown’s sister suburb, Pennsylvania, in 1954, developers unveiled a variety of homes that incorporated the latest in home design: an enclosed garage.

Today, if you drive through even the most moderate suburban neighborhood, you’re likely to see a massive two- or three-car garage that opens directly onto the street, with living quarters stretching behind and above. The garage has become the facade of the modern American home.

The growth in importance of the garage has coincided with the presence of more and more cars in the typical American family. When Henry Ford lowered the price of his Model T so that “the workers who build them can buy them,” the option of owning a car became a reality for low-income families, and during the 1910s through the 1930s ownership of automobiles grew steadily.

Car sales plummeted as World War II limited both revenue and the availability of raw materials, but millions more women learned to drive while serving in positions formerly held by the military. By the time the subdivision building boom began shortly after the war, almost any young couple could afford an $8,000 house and an $800 pickup truck. Usually, after driving her husband to the suburban train station, the housewife would use the car to shop and run errands. (African-American and other minority families, including Jews in many suburbs, were barred from housing opportunities by restrictive covenants in the North and Jim Crow laws in the South. But that’s another story.)

Soon, however, one car wasn’t enough: Dad wanted the family car, and Mom needed her own. In the 1960s, it was not uncommon for a teenager to get a vehicle, often a grandparent’s old car, for their 16th birthday. Instead of parking on the street or under a single driveway, a family now needed at least minus a double garage plus space to park a third or even a fourth vehicle. Today, in addition to a two-car garage (or, more likely, a car plus attic clutter), many suburban and rural homes include an oversized add-on garage for the RV.

Garage doors have also changed. Early ones from the late 19th century were simply barn doors that allowed a farmer to bring a horse-drawn carriage into the garage for loading and unloading or storage out of the weather. They hinged outward or rolled sideways on steel tracks like a sliding closet door and were used for mechanized vehicles (tractors, cars, and trucks) as they became more widespread. The coach houses, originally built by the wealthy for horses and carriages, also began to house automobiles.

In the early 1920s, as more and more middle-class families could afford the Model T, a modified version of the garage appeared. Usually a small shed (often only eight or ten feet wide), the garage was not wide enough for a sliding door. A single hinged door would be too heavy and ungainly to move, so a split-hinged door was used instead, each one half a meter or four feet wide and seven or eight feet high. These old wooden doors can still be seen in rural areas; they often look homemade, with small crystals and one-by-six-inch diagonal cross straps in the front. But their weight put a lot of pressure on the hinges, screws, and frame, and when there was snow on the ground, it had to be shoveled away before the doors could be opened.

The invention of the hinged (folding) door was the first real innovation in garage doors. A door divided into vertical sections on hinges could slide or recede into the garage itself. In 1921, Mr. CG Johnson designed a horizontally hinged up-and-over garage door. Lifted from below, the gate rolled up and out of the way, each section leveling as it followed the curve of parallel steel rails. Five years later, Johnson invented the electric opener to help weak people lift the heavy door. Johnson’s company became the Overhead Door Corporation, which remains a leading manufacturer of garage doors.

Later developments included the slab door raised on a strong track and doors using lightweight materials such as Styrofoam insulated steel and steel alloys and fiberglass that roll into a compact space – the roll-up security doors that are they see in many companies today.

Along with changes in technology came changes in styling. As garages were gradually incorporated into homes, that is, moving from a separate building to one attached to part of the structure itself, the look and palette of garage doors evolved. No longer limited to the red-stained barn door pattern or white paint of early 20th century design, they began to echo French Provincial, English Manor, Colonial, and California Ranch homes, among other popular architectural styles.

Far from being an outbuilding or an afterthought, the modern garage is as much a part of the typical American home as a living room and kitchen. And, in keeping with that status, garage doors today come in all the materials and styles preferred by homeowners: traditional wood, with or without glass inserts and with or without resin impregnation, articulated steel and alloys, fiberglass. , vinyl and aluminum siding.

Although the most common type of filing cabinet found in the office or home is the vertical filing cabinet, a lateral filing cabinet has numerous attractive advantages. Built with strength, volume, and style in mind, a lateral file cabinet can hold large amounts of paperwork with less floor space. It is also more efficient compared to stacking multi-unit vertical filing cabinets.

A side cabinet mimics a regular utility cabinet, with horizontal drawers resembling those in a standard dresser. Files are stored side by side instead of front to back, like in a vertical cabinet. Several models of lateral files come with flexible operating inserts that can be operated in any way.

Storing files side by side, a lateral file cabinet’s spacious drawers make it easy for its users to review large numbers of files with ease. This feature becomes more useful in confined spaces where users are presented with a limited workspace. Due to its flexibility to store more files, this office furniture is found most of the time in schools, police offices, hospitals, doctor’s offices and other spaces that need continuous retrieval of files or paperwork. Depending on the model, this office unit can have two or more drawers, which can be placed side by side if preferred.

Several models of this type include adjustable or counterbalanced drawers. This helps the cabinet not become wobbly or heavy when all the drawers are opened. The taller units are usually made with a mechanism that allows only one drawer to be opened at any given time. A double-walled or reinforced lateral file cabinet will ensure that the furniture retains its shape for years to come. With steel ball bearings for rollers, suspension and other design features, it makes a big change with the ease of operation of the furniture.

Common components of lateral filing cabinets are wood and steel. Most designs employ a storage cabinet or office supply pantry at the top and a few additional file drawers at the bottom. For aesthetic reasons, a two-drawer lateral filing cabinet made of wood can act as a functional printer, fax, or phone holder. There are also several lateral file cabinets that can be mounted on the walls.

Is your home safe? More than half of older Americans who insult themselves by falling do so at home. To reduce the risk of falling in your home, you need to make sure that you have done everything possible to make your home as safe as possible. To make this task easier, it will help to divide your home into six distinct areas. The six areas to consider are floors, stairs, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and garage.

Floors

You need to make sure your floors are clean, dry, and free of obstructions that could cause you to trip. Pick up any magazines, books, or other loose items that may be in your way. Accent rugs are usually a no-no, but if you must have them, make sure they’re secured with anti-slip tape designed for this purpose. Be careful with wires and telephone wires, as they can go under your feet too easily. Try to arrange your furniture so that your path is clear.

Stairs

The stairs must be free of obstacles such as shoes, papers or anything else. Stairs should be well lit and have at least one handrail strong enough to support your body weight. There should be a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs so you don’t get stuck in the dark. Replace loose carpeting and repair loose or broken steps.

bedroom

Furniture in the bedroom should also be arranged so that each area is easily accessible. If you use a wheelchair or walker, make sure there is room to maneuver them freely without obstruction. There should be a clear path from the bedroom to the bathroom and consider motion-sensing night lights to light your way in the dark. There should be a lamp within arm’s reach of the bed.

bathroom

Bathrooms tend to get wet, so make sure all surfaces are clean and dry. Your tub/shower should have a non-slip surface. Properly positioned and installed grab bars are a must. Also, consider a shower bench and a removable shower nozzle to help you reach those “hard to reach” places. A grab bar or raised toilet seat for the toilet is also a great idea.

Kitchen

You may have heard that most accidents in the home happen in the kitchen. Well, the truth is that it is where we spend most of our time and also where we are most active. Items in your cabinets should be arranged so that heavy or bulky items are kept low and smaller items are kept high. I’m not a fan of stools, but if you must have one, make sure it’s sturdy and designed for the surface it’s going to be on. Rushing creates waste, so take your time and make multiple trips to get food and plates on the table. Try to carry too much and you could end up on the floor with all your fine china.

Garage

Well, we can’t forget the garage, after all, it is part of the house. Remember that a clean garage is a happy garage. Keep heavy tools low and within easy reach. Make sure trash cans are easily accessible and if you park your car(s) in the garage, make sure there is enough space to walk around them. If you cannot fully open the car doors to get in or out, return to the driveway before taking passengers.

Remember that even with the most secure home, the risk of falls and injuries is still real. If you are over 65 and live alone, you must have a Medical Alert System to protect you in an emergency. At Alert 365 we like to say that we sell products that we hope will never be used. It’s like a seat belt, you never really appreciate it until you need it.

The task of cleaning stainless steel kitchen utensils and appliances is something that is too much of a chore for many homeowners. Stainless steel kitchen utensils and appliances are exceptionally preferred, but unfortunately, many of them start to show stains and marks rather quickly and this can be a cause for concern for many homeowners.

Check out these amazing tips that can work wonders to remove stains and marks from your kitchen utensils and appliances.

Cleaning Tip #1 – A pattern is usually seen on most utensils and appliances. These are the lines that can be easily seen on the surface. While doing the cleaning work, be sure to constantly clean in the same direction parallel to these lines.

Cleaning Tip #2 – To remove stains and marks, you should use lukewarm water, a small amount of mild cleaner, and a delicate cloth to wash the surface. Thoroughly wash the surface with clean water and then dry thoroughly with a towel so that no water spots show on the utensil.

Cleaning Tip #3 – While cleaning stainless steel to remove fingerprints, you should use a glass cleaning solution. Take a look at this homemade solution that can be very helpful.

• Take a 500 ml spray bottle and then add 50 ml of white vinegar and water. Then use this mixture and spray on utensils and appliances and wipe with a clean cloth to remove fingerprints.

Cleaning Tip #4 – In case the above mentioned tips are not effective on your utensils and appliances, then you need to use a stainless steel cleaner. Remember to rub in the same direction as the pattern lines. Before using any cleaning solution or product on your stainless steel items, first test it on an area that is not easily seen. This must be done to ensure that you get the result you need and that it will work properly on your stainless steel items.

You should always keep in mind that stainless steel is prone to scratches, so it is very important to take proper care of each utensil and appliance in your kitchen. Scratches become a home for dirt and grime, and eventually these scratches ruin the surface entirely.

One of the best options is to hire professional stainless steel rust removal services that can do the job for you without damaging expensive appliances.

The above four tips for cleaning stainless steel will make the job much easier for homeowners who have to deal with the difficulty of cleaning tough stains. Having the spray bottle close at hand means that fingerprints on utensils and appliances can be removed easily and quickly.

I needed a cup of coffee or a nap on this particular Thursday afternoon when I saw the “dinner” sign. Herbie K’s Diner in Cocoa Beach, Florida to be more specific. But a diner is a diner, right? And coffee at dinner should be just the ticket to give me a jolt and get me through nap time.

During the short drive from my car to the front door of Herbie K’s, it became clear that Herbie wasn’t interested in owning yet another restaurant. He wanted to own a piece of history. And, while he was more than happy for me to stop by for a cup of coffee, he was in the memories with a malt business. I went from the current tensions of the late 1990s to the mid 1950s just by opening a door and walking through it.

There is a pristine black and white checkerboard tile floor and lots of chrome waiting to greet you. If you’ve brought your sweetie and the kids, there are plenty of booths to the left.

I headed for a red padded stool mounted on one of those chrome bases that let you swivel in and out. Perfect background music played from a jukebox in the back. “Yakety Yak, don’t answer…”

There was a time when music was part of the menu. He’s still at Herbie K’s. Mounted on the back of the counter was an old friend, a chrome monument to rock and roll’s adolescence. Everyone of my day knows that you can reach under the front of this space helmet with a mind for good music and flip through the pages of the music menu behind the glass cover. I fumbled for a quarter to go along with my growing smile, but someone else beat me to it. There is only one drum opening like that. Clean. Pushbuttons S5. The buttons are just below the glass cover and connect to the large jukebox at the rear. This was America’s first remote control. Too bad we don’t keep the idea of ​​two options for a room.

“Do you need a menu?” she asked as she stopped at my place on the other side of the counter. She was dressed in white and her long hair was tied up with a piece of red chiffon. She had a white waitress hat attached to the top of her hair. Her name tag announced that “Bettybop” had stepped out of the fifties to take my order. In a second or two, she was back with a cup of coffee and a white mug. “Cream?”

Hamilton Beach machines owned the back counter. Two machines could make three malts each. A friendly notice is painted on the back counter, “free java for cops in uniform.” That’s probably illegal nowadays, right?

In the corner was a glass-topped machine filled with small stuffed animals and a mechanical crane dangling over the furry trophies. Young males can still test their skills and prove their love for fifty cents. Behind me was a very familiar two-ton Polaroid with the curtain door. My father never understood why anyone would pay anything for those grotesque little image strips that fall into the outer slot after you and a few friends strike the perfect pose.

I should have gone my way, but Herbie succeeded with his concept. Herbie K has caught my attention. It was fun to sit, watch, listen and flip through the selection of music on the chrome monument in front of me. I started digging for that room. Damned. Beat again. Hang in there Sloopy. K2 pushbuttons. I really liked it because it reminded me of Pat Powers and The Barn Party at the frat house. Thirty years passed in an instant.

A couple of counter cards pushed the blue special plates. Yes, they had meatloaf. I was wondering what else they had. Bettybop was going at full speed writing in her order book as he passed.

“May I see a menu?”

“Of course dear”.

He handed me a four-page menu protected from grease or ketsup-coated fingers courtesy of clear vinyl protective covers sewn into black plastic edges. I’m glad I didn’t order fries. They are Murphy slippers. Order a “Murphy basket” and you’ll get plain fries. “Jack it” and they become cheese fries. “Make It Whistle” and your fries come with chili. Order a “crying Murphy basket” and you’ll get a half order of fries and a half order of onion rings. Don’t you like French fries? Try “Raised Elbows in the Alley.” Macaroni and cheese, of course.

If you like something healthy and light, try “Dragging One Around the Farm.” It’s a big garden salad with lots of turkey, ham, and sliced ​​boiled eggs on top of the garden salad. “Cackle In The Garden” changes the top to blackened chicken.

The menu is adorned with line drawings of old favorites. James Dean. marilyn elvis Herbie’s story is on the cover. He owned a restaurant up north and went fishing on a cold February day. The only thing he caught was a cold. He loves to fish, so he moved to Florida and opened Herbie K’s. He now he catches the “catch of the day” instead of a cold. Snowbird does well.

Yes, they have burgers to go with Cecilia de Simon and Garfunkels. push M8. Just order “One Blown Up”, “One Blown Up And Jack It” gets you a cheeseburger, “One Blown Up, With Jack Benny” gets you a bacon cheeseburger, and if you want a variety of these with chili , you guessed it, “Make him whistle.”

“Burn A Pup” is a hot dog. “Sour It” gets a kraut-topped hot dog. You can also order from a wide variety of other popular sandwich combinations. “Jack Benny With A Dame” Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich. “Bossy On A Raft” is a steak sandwich. “Butter, Liver and Tongue” is, you guessed it, a BLT.

For those with a bigger appetite try “Throw A Bone On” which is the pork chop dinner or “Endless Italian” in case you are a lover of spaghetti and meatballs. “Whiskers” is the catfish dinner that the menu promises is a real treat.

I looked up from the menu of desserts and treats like “fish roe” which is tapioca pudding and “fruta con tapa” which is cake and a song jumped right out of the portable jukebox at me. We used high-tech reel-to-reel tape recorders to record that song at every speed we could think of because we wanted to pick out the obscene words we knew it contained. I finally found the quarter in my pocket, turned on the machine, and dialed Q7, Louie, Louie. Nothing happened.

“I’m sorry honey,” Bettybop said when she came to my station with the coffee pot. “It does not work”.

Curse. A hi-tech glitch at Herbie’s just as my mind was ready to start the day. I didn’t have the heart to ask if all these memories were just props.

“More coffee?” she asked.

“No thanks. I have to be a businessman,” I told him and paid my bill and headed for the door. I turned and asked him a question before letting go of the past and opening the door back to the pressed future.

“Is there a place that sells fifties music around here?”

Cooperatives are business enterprises that are owned and run by a group of people who work for mutual benefit. The International Cooperative Alliance defines them as an independent group of people who collectively own and democratically control an organization that will meet the shared social, cultural, and economic needs of all members. Cooperatives are owned and operated by the people who work there or by those who make use of the company’s services. These organizations are what the academic study of cooperative economics is all about.

Cooperation, the sharing of resources and the organization of work for mutual return is nothing new for human beings, however, cooperatives (also known as co-ops or cooperatives) go a step further by organizing all the objectives and shared efforts of its members and defining the company itself. For example, when looking at the history of cooperatives, Europe appears to be the site of the first cooperatives that existed in the context of industry.

Cooperative Development

Robert Owen (1771-1858) lived as a social activist and leader of the cooperative movement.

The Fenwick Weavers’ Society was established to provide local workers with reduced-price oats in 1761. The group, formed in Fenwick, East Ayrshire, Scotland, eventually began offering savings and loans, education and emigration services.

In 1810 Robert Own and his partners bought the New Lanark factory and instituted better labor standards and quality of life, including passing profits on to employees through a discount store. After his success in New Lanark, Owen proceeded to share his concepts and experience by writing, lecturing, and creating cooperative communities in Hampshire, Indiana, and Glasgow. Although these attempts were not all successful, his ideas were passed on, thanks in part to The Cooperator, a newspaper formed by William King in 1828 to promulgate the cooperative concept.

The Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society, a group of weavers and craftsmen from Rochdale, England, founded a cooperative that is widely regarded as the first successful business of its kind. It was from this success that the “Rochdale Principles” were created and used to guide the creation of more cooperatives, including many modern cooperatives. After the success of Rochdale, over 1,000 cooperatives were formed across the UK.

The Tolpuddle Martyrs (created in 1832) and other solidarity societies also helped advance labor and consumer groups.

Cooperatives at the end of the 20th century began to use the multi-stakeholder paradigm, and from 1994 to 2009, the EU revised its accounting systems in order to recognize the growing economic importance of cooperatives. The co-op history has shown a tremendous amount of changes to co-op, while leaving the core themes intact.

The cooperative cause finds its roots in multiple influences and locations around the world. The Western world has seen profit-sharing systems in use since 1795. One of the key ideas behind Friendly Societies based on reciprocity and self-help has been the rejection of distinctions between the ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ poor that They were defined both in and religious welfare institutions after radical revisions of the British Poor Laws in 1834.

Instead of adhering to the belief that an individual had to own property to have a say in decision making, Friendly Societies adhered to the principle of one member, one vote. In fact, since the mid-19th century, universal suffrage and the advancement of democracy have been a central focus of many cooperative organizations. Before the rise of industrial factories and unions, consumer cooperatives and Friends’ Societies were the most common organizational institutions, with over 80% of British workers and 90% of Australian workers being members of at least one Society of Friends.

The concept of mutual ownership and operation of a company or partnership has been adopted in various economic enterprises since the mid-19th century. From merchants to cooperative stores and financial and educational institutions, common property has been the mutual property of those served by the association or company, with surpluses shared based on members’ cooperative cooperation rather than their capital investment. This is an important distinction, because in many other organizations, investment equals power and control. When asked what is a cooperative?, there is a decided preference for rewarding effort over investment.

Globally, economic democracy has been the driving force behind the cooperative movement. A socioeconomic philosophy that has drawn on and influenced many different approaches to promoting democratic principles, economic democracy proposes shifting decision-making power from the few to the many, from corporate shareholders to public stakeholders. Marxism, Leninism, anarchism, and socialism are tied to the basic principle of economic democracy, namely, the expansion of responsibility and decision-making power of all those who contribute to an economic organization. Although the decline of the USSR helped promulgate socialist strategies, advocates of economic democracy have yet to establish a basic challenge to the hegemony of global neoliberal capitalism.