Thursday, January 21, 2010

Design Inspirations: Kitchens







I chose these kitchens at random from a set of almost 300 images. All share clean lines, natural light, functionality, silver metal finishes, wood, and warm but natural colors. Vintage-rustic-meets modern-industrial. I know the trend is for large, open 'entertainment spaces' but I still like the idea of the kitchen being a space all its own; with a cozy nook for sitting, and maybe a hidden little spot for office duties.

What's your kitchen like?

Images via my home ideas.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Neat Things: Kitchen



mixing bowls $35 from HERE.


enameled cast-iron pot $190 from HERE.



moon napkins, set of 2 $18 from HERE.



vintage yellow scoop $7.07 from
HERE.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Design Inspiration: Espresso and White Kitchen

Oh, to have a kitchen with flow. Modern, clean, open, bright, organized, with flow. Makes me want to cook, to bake, to just hang out in it. Fave elements: pendant lights, bar stools, stainless steel, glass, dark wood floor, double ovens.

FOUND HERE.

My 11' x 9' pre-war era apartment kitchen will never rival this wonder space (designed by Candice Olson of HGTV fame) but I've started the process. See that cheap wallpaper border around the ceiling? It's going bye-bye. Those white metal cabinets that don't allow for painting to infuse color? Seeking out vinyl wall decals to perk them up. All those plain white walls? The longest, behind the stove, soon to be tomato red. Before photos shown below, after photos will come when I'm finished!



Friday, February 6, 2009

DIY Projects: Kitchen Art, Dresser

Last weekend I switched out the art in my kitchen. I've had this poster, Plaza after the Rain, hanging by my stove for almost six years. I was photographing all my projects from last term's drawing class when inspiration hit. Why not reuse the frame to display MY art in my kitchen?



before (Plaza after the Rain poster, 20" x 30" by Paul Cornoyer)

The after photo is one of my charcoal drawings sans frame. It's now hanging boldly, graphically, and proudly in my kitchen. There are other projects brewing for my kitchen so stay tuned for future improvements.


after (charcoal negative space drawing, 18"x24" by me)

Last weekend I also decided to do something about our bedroom. You might remember a few weeks back I shared a few photos of our home. The kitchen and bedroom pics were so cleverly titled as "snippets"...and with good reason. In six years we have still not settled on a decor plan for our bedroom, and, sadly, it has become both a catch-all room (read: boxes of stuff that need to go to the garage) and the bain of my decorating existence.



The storage (or rather the lack thereof) is far less than efficient. We paid a visit to what I consider a home furnishings nirvana land--Ikea. We selected the grand-daddy 8-drawer HEMNES dresser in the infamous brown-black color. We redeemed a gift card from Christmas.
The plan was in motion.



Carrying it home in our 2-door coupe (same car, different color) was exciting enough, and as you see, I promptly opened the packages and piled up the hardware. I actually like assembling things myself, especially since it saves us money. No, these aren't family heirloom pieces but life is short. I'm thankful for Ikea's marketing savvy as it allows us to change our look as we change our mind!



Of course, right after I unpack all the pieces and the packets of hardware, I get the smack down with this head cold. So my project sits waiting for me to return to the land of the living. Sometimes I just have to hit that pause button...*sigh*

Hope you all have a very relaxing weekend!