Make it Better.....a Quick and Easy Project

A few weeks ago, I found this hideous lamp at HomeGoods.  I should say it was hideous to me, but maybe others would have seen its beauty and been able to embrace it in its original state.  I didn't buy it right away, but after thinking about it for a few hours, I made my husband wait in the car while I ran in and got it because I was sure that someone else would see its potential and snag it if I didn't.  He took one look at the lamp, and said "Yeah, I'm sure people were waiting in line to purchase that pile".  Thanks.

Kind of a gross, pinecone-looking base, with an even worse application of several shades of gold and bronze paint.  The texture made it even worse, but I loved the burlap shade.  Yep, this thing had potential.

A close up of the cob-web texture, but I thought this could be an easy and inexpensive fix, and have a sort of 'paper-mache' look in the end.  A few (probably 5 or so) coats of white spray paint later, and this is what I ended up with:

Yay!  So much better, and now its a "unique" piece.  I think the white base elevates the burlap shade and makes each element stand out.

Now the texture looks intentional, instead of a bad "crafty" spray-on paint job.

The best part is that the lamp will light up the corner of our newly renovated (almost done.....) sunroom!  Its the perfect piece for out here, and I can't wait to post more photos--before and afters--of how we transformed this space on a serious dime.  Coming soon!

Client Collaboration: Another Kitchen Beautiful

I mentioned in this post that I often have the privilege of working on kitchen and cabinetry projects that aren't my own design.  I say privilege, because I'm always honored and excited to be exposed to what others are thinking and doing, and I think that in some cases, the best final products can come out of a collaboration.  Such was the case with this project.  The install was started just before Tate was born, and the job was completed while I was on maternity leave.  I stopped by the job site after I returned to work, but things were still in upheaval with painters, floor finishers and final details getting wrapped up.  Last week, I had the chance to peek at some shots of the cleaned up and complete space......

As with other collaborations I've worked on, the floor plan and kitchen layout was done by another designer.  On this project, I worked directly with the homeowner who came to me for guidance and expertise on the cabinet design, and details related to that part of the project.  Together, we determined the right color choices for the cabinetry--a custom white with a soft, feathery glaze for the perimeter cabinets, and a custom gray with a heavier glaze and some light distressing for the island and hutch piece.

Glazed and distressed finishes are tricky, because they can easily look cheesy and dated if not done correctly.  In my experience, finding an experienced custom finisher is key to getting it right--that way, you have the ability to customize the intensity of the glazing and distressing, and aren't limited by a pre-determined glaze/distress level.  In this kitchen, the glazing is really subtle, but gives just enough definition to the cabinetry details.

One of my favorite parts of the project was the client I worked with.  Besides being just a fun and fantastic person, from the start she had a clear direction of where she wanted to go, and an impeccable taste level.  She was responsible for all of the finish selections, including the countertops and backsplash.  Isn't that marble on the island just stunning?  We added the built up/mitred edge detail to give it some extra thickness and make that area really special.

I also love my client's lighting selections, and how they add some nice punctuation to the space.  You'll notice in most of the angles that the walls have vertical painted panels.  These were original to the home, and although the space was renovated and some walls were taken down, the homeowner had the new walls paneled so that everything would match and look like it had always been there.  When renovating older homes, I think its so important to remember those types of details.  It helps the overall look and flow of the home when features like paneling, original wall texture, etc., are maintained and/or restored.

I snapped this photo before construction was complete, which is why there's a bit of a mess on the floor.  This was one of my favorite pieces of cabinetry because it was customized to fit within an awkward area under the stairs.  From the side view, the cabinet is about 12" deep, but the base drawers are actually close to 30" deep because we were able to take advantage of the under-stair depth.  The depth and height of the countertop space was customized to fit the dimensions of the homeowner's coffee machine perfectly.

Just off the kitchen is this charming, light-filled office/seating area.  Having a place like this to get work done makes paying bills much more bearable, I think!

The guest bath (lucky guests!) is just off of the kitchen as well, and ties in nicely with the overall scheme.  We made this great little vanity, which is simple and clean-lined and allows the striking marble and tile detailing to really stand out in the space.

One last look at the overall project.  I had so much fun working on this, and am grateful for the experience of being involved with such a talented team of designers, contractors and a wonderful homeowner.  Projects like this don't come along everyday, and I was blessed to learn so much through this one!

Bananastrudel & My Bathroom

I came across the Etsy shop Bananastrudel when I was working on Tate's Nursery.  It is filled with vintage maps, prints, lithographs--you name it.  There is a ton of subject matter to choose from, and the shop owners have done a wonderful job curating many beautiful frameable items.  I like to visit often because there are always new things popping up.  A while back, I found two beautiful botanicals and purchased them right away, knowing I had the perfect spot for them:

They arrived in the mail beautifully and carefully packaged--it was such a treat to open and find goodies and even a handwritten thank you note inside.  These guys know customer service!

I've had these framed prints for years and years.  I worked in a custom framing shop during college (LOVED that job), and ended up with some nice artwork after my time working there.  As for these prints, I liked them at the time because they are sort of architectural, but now I think its kind of dorky that I chose them.  I believe that art should be personal and reflect something about us, and I've never been to France or England, so why do I have these hanging on my wall.  Good question.

I love the frames with their subtle gold detailing, and although they were custom, they were the exact right size for my Bananastrudel botanicals.

The mats wouldn't work, but I wanted to do something different anyways, so I just mounted the prints on off-white foamcore using some 1/8" thick adhesive foam strips to "lift" them off of the foamcore a bit.  Here they are, nicely filling some blank wall space in my newly renovated bathroom (photos of that coming.....hopefully soon):

The prints themselves are of wild buckwheat and wild oats.  They remind me of home--Saskatchewan, Canada, where grain farming is abundant.

A tiny sneak peek of part of the bathroom.  The ledge is Cararra marble, and is wonderful as extra "counter space".  The toilet is an Aquia Dual Flush by Toto.  Best looking, functioning, and easiest to clean toilet ever, and I recommend it all time.  Check out some before shots of this bathroom here, and as I said, a complete reveal is coming soon.

Accessorizing in the bathroom is fun, but things get covered in that dust/towel lint so quickly!  This is our primary bathroom right now, and its hard to keep all of the hard surfaces and collectibles dust-free.  Especially if you're me, and you haven't figured out why your house seems so dirty all the time and everyone else's seems so clean.  Something I wonder about all the time :)

The blue bottles are antique apothecaries that my parents-in-law dug up in a friend's backyard years ago.  Quite the find, and I love how they look displayed in a collection.  The brown bottles are part of a much larger collection that I amassed while working for many years with my pharmacist dad in his dispensary.  I like the history that these things suggest--medicine typically doesn't come in glass bottles anymore.

And for a modern touch, this little clock from West Elm is the perfect size and shape.  Took me a while to find something that would work here, and for $12, I'm more than excited about this one!

Have a great weekend!

I've Got the Blues......Cobalt, Royal & Navy

I've had a pair of these chairs since we bought our house.  The seller had a bunch of old furniture for sale, and we were offered more than a few pieces for quite a steal.  

Naturally, I picked up these chairs (and a chest of drawers.....and night stand.....and other various and sundry items........) and had the best intentions of giving them "new life" for our space.  As I've come to find out though, nothing gets done quickly at my place, especially with the laundry list of projects we have with this house.  These chairs have been shuffled from room to room over the last couple of years with the hopes (and the budget) for re-covering them slipping to the bottom of my list.  You know what though?  They've really grown on me in their current state, and I'm starting to think that painting the wood frame might be all they need to bring them back to life.  The fabric is in great shape, and apparently, the color is right on trend.  Check out the cover of the September issue of Canadian House & Home magazine:

Here's a scan of the cover photo from the article that shows off the punchy blue details (love that garden stool!).  You can also tour this tiny, but beautifully designed condo here.

And another article from the same issue that features a graphic art piece in some rich and lovely shades of royal blue:

So I started digging through my pile of "someday I'll make pillows out of this" fabric, and came across this lovely ikat print that I picked up a while ago for $5 a yard:

I think if done right, shades of royal and navy can tie in beautifully with turquoise and chartreuse--both of which already exist in my living room:

Look how beautifully it plays with gold as well (Not my house. Wish this was my house--that chair is great, and I love the creepy portrait and general composition of the artwork):

Or in a more monochromatic setting:

house to home

And finally, check out the gutsy use of this rich shade in a kitchen setting.  Certainly a commitment, but I think it is well executed and almost has a classic appeal in this setting:

So what's the consensus?  Will the existing fabric on those chairs work, or do they still need an overhaul?  If the pros at Canadian House & Home magazine say that this color is coming back to life, maybe I can work with it!

Kitchen of the Week: 5 Steps to a Modern Transitional Kitchen

White kitchens are top of mind these days, and so many of them have a classic appeal, with traditional elements inspiring the design.

This kitchen shows classic inset cabinetry, a subway tiled backsplash, traditional moulding details, and restoration-style pendant lighting.  Personally, I love this look because it shows off a strong attention to detail, and a warm mix of materials that will have nice patina over time.  Same with this one:

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The dark stained furniture-style island, as well as the arched valances on the toekick moulding nod toward a traditional point of view, as does the lovely crown detailing.  Trad styling can even be seen in the small details like the exposed hinges on the cabinet doors.

While I love the history and craftsmanship that a traditional space represents, and even though it seems like everyone is after a white kitchen these days, not all folks are into the classic detailing that is seen in so many of these spaces.

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So what about a "modern-transitional" style?  I'm seeing a lot of this lately, and would describe it as one that has contemporary elements, but is neither completely modern, completely transitional, and certainly not traditional.  In this week's Kitchen of the Week, I thought it would be fun to discuss this style by featuring a current project done by one of my extraordinarily talented co-workers, Carol Sadowsky.  She's a designer with 30+ years experience, and I'm honored to work with her and learn from her on a daily basis.  

This newly renovated space is fresh, airy and full of light.  Contemporary detailing is a nod to a more modern aesthetic, but a balance of elements keeps it from looking too modern and spare for the young family who lives here.  

MODERN-TRANSITIONAL ELEMENT #1 - Shadowline at ceiling instead of crown moulding.

This detail could be easily overlooked, but if you imagine a traditional crown or cove moulding at the top of the upper and tall cabinets, the look would have been totally unbalanced and out of place.  Eliminating an upper moulding completely keeps a quiet, clean line.

MODERN-TRANSITIONAL ELEMENT #2 - Shaker style doors with extra-wide styles and rails

Shaker style doors have their place in many different kitchen settings, but here they add just enough detail to keep the look from going too modern and spare.  The wide (approx. 4") stiles and rails give just enough contemporary edge.

MODERN-TRANSITIONAL ELEMENT #3 - No mouldings, anywhere.
This relates to the elimination of the crown moulding, but also notice that at the island, where you'd typically see a 4" high applied base moulding, the cabinets are scribed right to the floor with a nice wide rail at the bottom.  There is no additional detailing at the wall cabinets either, where you might typically see a "light valance" moulding applied under each wall cabinet.

MODERN-TRANSITIONAL ELEMENT #4 - Fully integrated appliances.

On the far left hand side of this photo you'll notice a fully integrated fridge.  This type of application is an investment, but definitely worth it as it is the only way to get a completely flush look, keep everything on the same plane and make the fridge disappear.  Its hard to see in the photo, but to the immediate right of the fridge is a fully integrated microwave drawer.  Also a key piece that "disappears" as it sits on the same plane as the cabinet doors.  

MODERN-TRANSITIONAL ELEMENT #5 - Back painted glass backsplash

This is one of my favorite elements in the space, and one that I think is truly modern and sleek.  The soft aqua color adds some subtle contrast, but besides that, this is a quiet element that brings in a highly contemporary feel.  Add to that its SO easy to clean, and I think its the perfect choice.

Overall, the result of this kitchen is a perfectly executed mix of elements--an excellent example of modern-transitional style.  In looking at the simplicity of the space, you'd think it takes less planning, designing and attention to detail than a highly decorated and ornate traditional space.  In fact, the opposite is true.  These spaces are often the most difficult to plan and execute because the sleek and simplified nature of the design allows almost no margin for error.  It takes a skilled eye and trained design aesthetic to understand the building blocks of putting a contemporary space together, which is exactly what Carol has.

One more little sneak peek of her work......the space planning of this renovation was so well done that she was able to design in a separate office for both homeowners to work in--adjacent to the new kitchen.  Genius, and the perfect little "bonus":

Isn't this a great little space?  Small, yet functional and so sleek.  The best part--there's a door at the other end of this room, so the office mess can be hidden away at a moments notice.  I wish!

Have a great weekend!

Client Progress & Free Standing Islands

Creating an unfitted, "furniture look" is hot in kitchen design right now.  Clients are wanting to add interest to their spaces by having things look less matched, which I think is a good thing when done properly.  I'm not a big fan of highly contrasting cabinetry within the same space, and find that things can look contrived when perimeter cabinets and islands are completely different from one another.  I think that there has to be a unifying element, whether it be the countertop material, cabinetry color, or other detail.  Once you've established that element, then you can play around with other unique added details.

Canadian House & Home

While there is a lot of contrast going on in this space, I think the uniqueness of the island is appropriate and well-appointed.  The cabinetry and countertop match that of the perimeter bases, and add a much-needed dark element to balance with the depth of the backsplash.  The horizontal slatted look is the stand-out feature, but since the unifying elements were properly established and repeated, the look is intentional and well-designed.

I'm working on a project right now with some great and highly stylish clients.  They started their kitchen renovation and the homeowner built his own cabinetry (and did an amazing job, I might add) along one perimeter wall.  It looks fabulous, but they came to me a few months ago seeking help in designing the rest of their space.  They were stumped at how to effectively space plan, and needed another pair of eyes to guide them through the rest of the renovation.  We came up with a plan that actually eliminated two walls, and allowed for a functional working island--something that would not have been possible had we not opened up the space.  Even though the space was opened up though, the homeowners wanted to keep an airy feeling, giving the island a furniture-feel even though it would be a stationary piece.  After several versions and revisions, this is what we came up with, and it was installed last week:

The countertops (which will match the perimeter tops) have yet to go in, but I LOVE how this is looking so far.  The horizontal panel look, as well as the color (Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray) are unique to this piece, but the walnut base and the cabinet door style tie in with other elements in the kitchen.  Here's a look at the other side:

The exposed walnut roll outs are repeated on the perimeter, and add richness and an organic element.  I'll be sure to post more photos as the project progresses, but thought it was worthy of a sneak peek!

So with the free standing look being so popular right now, I thought I'd do a quick roundup of some of the prefab options that are available out there.  Its always nice to be able to design something from scratch that is specific and unique to the space, but I was surprised at how many affordable and stylish options that are out there.  Additionally, with most of these pieces it would be easy to identify a unifying element, and integrate them with your existing space at a fraction of the cost of custom cabinetry.

From Williams Sonoma, this one speaks to the weathered/reclaimed look that is so popular right now.  It has a dark stone top though, which is a classic finish that could be repeated elsewhere.  I think it would look great with white cabinetry in a space that also has a chalkboard wall in a prominent place.  Plus, this piece would get better with a little wear and tear--family friendly!

Also from Williams Sonoma, this piece is classic and unfussy.  Sure to blend with all of the white marble kitchens that are going on right now.

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Love this clean, utilitarian look that echos the stainless appliances.  Perfect in the space.  You can get the look here:

Or a less expensive version here:

This one from Crate & Barrel is one of my favorites, and I would have loved if it worked in my kitchen.  The dimensions were too large, but what I like is how delicate and simple this piece is.  It has style and substance, but doesn't take up a ton of visual space.

This is actually a 31" high console table, but with the addition of a few inches of countertop material, it could be easily modified to bring it up to a 36" island height.  I love the industrial nature of the piece, and think it could take some abuse in a kitchen and still look good with a few years of wear.  Find it here.

Ballard Designs has a nice version that looks more like a built in piece.  Simple with a nice combination of drawers and open storage.  I bet you could easily swap out the butcher block countertop for a piece of stone.

  

Same with this one.  Its inexpensive, and has durable stainless shelves.  I ended up getting this for my own kitchen, and replacing the top with a marble remnant, which ties in with my backsplash.  I extended the overhangs on each end to give myself additional surface area:

Check back for more progress on that client project I was talking about, and hopefully I've given you some ideas on adding that furniture look to your existing space!