Living Room Updates: Sneak Peek

This past weekend was a productive one.  Thanks to my parents-in-law, who are very generous with their time, my husband and I were able to make a dent in a few projects while they kept an eye on the little guy.  One thing that's been on my to-do list for over a month is getting grasscloth wallpaper on the backs of two new shelves for either side of my fireplace.  I purchased these units from IKEA at the beginning of June, and they've been randomly sitting at the end of the living room since then:

I'm actually pretty pleased with how these look.  They are solid wood construction (surprising for IKEA), the ends are paneled, and they sit nicely on simple square legs.  The finish is kind of a white "wash", which I wasn't sure about at first, but it reads as a solid color in my space, so I'm happy.  Plus, they were on sale (also surprising for IKEA), so I feel like I got a deal.  In a perfect world, I would have an entirely custom built in fireplace surround like what I design for my clients, but that's not always "in the budget" :)  More on that in a future post!

After our grasscloth disaster got resolved I had a few feet of leftover material--just enough to cover the backs of my new shelving units.  The result is exactly what I was looking for, and gives them a more custom, 'expensive' look.  Here's a little peek:

It was easy to style these shelves, since I've had all of these treasured little items stored away just waiting to get out and on display.  I like to take the jackets off of all my hardcover books anyways, but feel like they look even more uniform and pretty when turned around so the pages show.  My plan is to have both shelving units accented with hits of turquoise and chartreuse--the colors really pop against the gray-toned grasscloth back, and tie in with the rest of my living room.

This die-cast, Franklin Mint car is a recent acquisition, and a most treasured possession.  My dad has collected these for years, and has a beautiful collection of classic cars that spans many decades.  This 1958 Chevrolet is one of his favorites, but he parted with it so I could have a little "piece of home" in my living room.  I chose it, of course, for its shape and color, and love how it looks.  Thanks dad, for sharing your toys!

After we got married, my husband would say to me almost daily "I love my life with you".  I loved hearing those words, and was so excited when I came across this graphic card that said the same thing!  I framed it in a simple IKEA frame, but wrapped the mat with natural linen to make the words stand out even more.  Its been sitting like this under my bed for almost a year--I'm glad I finally have a place to display it!

Let me tell you about this little piece.  For all of you Canadians out there, lucky you.  You likely have a Winners/HomeSense right out your back door.  Being in the USA now, I miss this store terribly because others like it--TJMaxx/HomeGoods just aren't cutting it for me.  The two retail chains are similar in concept, but I would say that the US version (HomeGoods) is like HomeSense but without all the stuff :)  Take this amazing find, which I spotted for $29.99.  Initially I thought it was a bit pricey, since small little objects like this are usually under $20.00.  Upon closer inspection though, I realized that it was a Jonathan Adler piece, normally selling for $110.00!  You bet I snapped it up.  I usually walk out of HomeSense with a handful of treasures, and this trip was no different.  More on that in a future post.

I have stacks of Canadian House & Home Magazine--I think I've had a subscription for over ten years now. I can't seem to part with any of the issues, largely because the content is so good, but also because the spines are so pretty and I've always wanted to display them like this.  I grouped like colors in a few colorways, and plan to fill the top row if each shelving unit with them.  Cheap, easy, and a great way to store and display my over-abundance of design magazines!

That's as far as I've gotten so far, but I'm having fun styling and playing around with this little decorating project.  Again, I'm so pleased with the way the grasscloth elevates the style of these units, and recommend it if you're looking for an inexpensive and easy way to add some style!

Client Work: A New Kitchen Beautiful

One of the things I love about my job as a kitchen designer is the ability (and honor) I've had to work with many talented designers and architects in the industry.  The company I work for is unique in that we're a design studio with trained and certified interior designers and kitchen designers, but we also represent a completely custom cabinet shop.  Often, homeowners will come to us to design a space for them from scratch, and ideally, we'll have the opportunity to follow the project through to completion and build/install the cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and all of the other wonderful elements that go into creating a unique and custom space.  Sometimes though, designers and architects will approach us with a space that they've already designed for their own clients, and ask for our guidance in sorting out all of the cabinetry details, and then furnishing that piece of their project.  In many cases for designers, its hard to relinquish control of a project and jump on the bandwagon of another professional's vision.  In the case of this project, however, it was such a privilege for me to work with a talented individual to help her kitchen design come to life, and I learned so much by being a part of this collaboration.  Rena Feldman of Inview Interior Design came to me with a set of plans that were designed to take this space:

 And transform it into this:

From the beginning, I enjoyed working with Rena.  Her talent and good design sense were immediately evident as she completely re-imagined the space and created a truly functional and gorgeous kitchen for a busy family of four.  It is really the focal point of the entire home--a 1930's two-story with some unique original features.

While there are many well-designed new features in the space, two elements strike me as particularly successful in making it really stand out.  The first is the use of symmetry and horizontal line throughout the room.  A range wall is a great opportunity to create a focal point and it makes a bold statement here, flanked by well-proportioned upper cabinets and anchored by the fridge and wall ovens on either end.  Additionally, there is a strong horizontal line around the top of the room--seen as the small-scale glass cabinet doors transition into horizontal flip up doors above the fridge and ovens, and then as they are followed through on the television cabinet.  This element looks planned (because it was--very carefully!), and small details like this make the design look intentional.

The second element that I love in this kitchen is the mix of materials.  This stands out to me as a beautiful feature because of how well executed it is, using just the right amount of wood tones with the white cabinetry.  I've seen this done poorly in so many kitchens, because often people choose a mish-mash of woods and finishes because they think it will enhance the design.  In this case, however, the ratios work wonderfully, with the walnut playing to the tones in the floor, and the painted finish adding just the right amount of contrast to make the whole thing pop.  This feature alone is proof that hiring a designer can ensure  that you'll get everything you love into your space--in the correct and most pleasing proportion.

Overall, I'm so proud to say that I played a part in helping to make this gorgeous design become a reality.  As I mentioned, it was such a privilege to work with Rena on the project, and it was her hard work and attention to detail that pulled this together for her clients.  I'm hopeful that they will enjoy a quality and well-designed kitchen for years to come.

To see more of Inview Interior Design's beautiful rooms, click here (you won't be disappointed!).

Client Reveal: Kitchen of the Week

A long while back, I posted here about a fabulous client before and after project that I designed last year.  I've been waiting to get it professionally photographed, and the time has finally come--the photos are in!  This project is a career highlight for me, both in the transformation of the space, and in the great relationship and collaboration I was able to have with these clients.  I truly believe that a successful project is the result of good communication and an honest working relationship, which I felt I had with these wonderful, stylish and intelligent clients!  Here's a look at what the space was like when my clients purchased the home--it was dated, segmented and related poorly to the rest of the home:

And here is the new space:

In designing this kitchen, along with reworking the back entry, staircase, and the guest room hallway, we looked at many different floor plan options before settling on this one.  Usually I like to present clients with a few different design scenarios so they can see what could be, and in the end, what works best for their space and their needs.  Here's my take on why this design works best, and why I think it will serve the home and the homeowners for years to come.

1  Open, but not too contemporary
I definitely think there's an urge these days to create open and free-flowing space within a home.  In many cases, this can dramatically improve the everyday use of the space, the way that family interacts and congregates in the home, and the way homeowners are able to entertain guests.  Older homes are notorious for having kitchens that are completely cut off from the rest of the home, and while these spaces often benefit from being opened up, the temptation to get rid of all the walls and create one large room can prove disastrous in a period home.  In this space, we combined two smaller rooms to create a kitchen and seating area, and also opened up the wall to the dining room.  However, the addition of trim and casing that matches the rest of the house defines the new opening, making it look planned and part of the original design--not like we just cleared out all of the walls for the sake of a more open floor plan.

2  Material choices that read as "period-appropriate", rather than "on trend"
With this home being built in 1931, we wanted to incorporate modern convenience and good design sense while still respecting the age and character of the house.  A typical 1930's kitchen (in its original state) might have had painted cabinets, but for this space we took our cues from the warmth of the original dark wood mouldings and trim, as well as the natural oak floors.  The cabinetry is natural cherry, which is a lovely wood species to use because it marries well with other wood tones in the space.  Cherry also mellows and darkens with age, and over the years will develop its own beautiful character.

Another period appropriate material choice are the soapstone countertops.  Soapstone has been used for centuries as a durable surface for high-use areas.  It is non-porous, so won't stain or trap bacteria, and is so resistant to chemical abrasion and acidic foods that its a preferred surface in chemistry labs.  Plus, it has a natural, organic beauty, and no two slabs are alike.  A classic element is also found in the backsplash, which is composed of elongated subway tiles that pick up on the beautiful green hue in the soapstone.

3  Floor plan that emphasizes style and function
A successful part of this design is the way that the layout works well for two or for twenty.  The kitchen is essentially a galley style, with the sink, range, and refrigerator placed adjacent to, or directly across from one another.  A large island allows for comfortable prep space when two people are working in the kitchen, while the seating and additional beverage center/buffet create another work area for the homeowner, and keep guests out of the main prep space.  The gentle curve of the island adds an element of modernity, while naturally guiding traffic toward a comfortable seating area at the other end of the room--a space designed to enjoy a morning cup of coffee, or casual conversation while entertaining friends.

So that's the tour!  I could go into much greater depth about all of the details and planning that went into making this space a success, but I'll let the pretty pictures speak for themselves.  As I mentioned before, this is a most favorite project of mine, and I hope it results in many great years of good living for these wonderful clients.

My New Kitchen: A Favorite 2010 Project Revealed!

Since this is my official week back at work from "Christmas vacation" it sort of feels like New Year's just happened, and its the beginning of the year for me.  I'm looking forward to a productive and rewarding 2011, and hoping that I can stick to some of my resolutions.  I'm the kind of girl with an ongoing "to do" list and I love projects.  However, I also get overambitious and have a tendency to keep adding new things without first completing the old ones.  I'm resolving this year to be a little more strict with myself, and not let my creative mind wander all over the place before finishing the tasks at hand.  That said, I'm looking back to my favorite completed project of 2010, hoping to be inspired by the work that was done, and motivated to keep going and make my little "cottage" feel more and more like home.  Hope you enjoy the transformation!

Even though this kitchen was tired and in desperate need of modernization, it had such nostalgia and charm.  The family who lived here for 40 years previous to us buying the home had been great hosts, and welcomed countless guests into their home.  I know this little kitchen worked very hard to produce wonderful meals and create meaningful fellowship among friends and family.  Needless to say, I was glad to get rid of the golden oak cabinets, wallpaper, laminate flooring, and quirky layout!

Here are a couple of drawings I did to conceptualize the space.  These are the ones I settled on as the final design, but I did multiple layouts and design plans during the initial stages.  I usually do this with client projects as well--there are often many ways to achieve a well-designed layout, and the hybrid of a few ideas can form a great final design.

Here it is.....the finished product!  I'm pretty excited about how it all came together, and at how drastically transformed the space was.  The major things we did were removing the wall that separated the dining room from the kitchen, and removing two small kitchen windows in order to add one large one.  This opened the space up tremendously, but still respected the age and existing layout of the home.  Open concept homes have been a trend for a few years now, but I'm noticing that trends are moving toward floor plans that are more compartmentalized.  This house needed to maintain some separation, and opening up just one wall keeps things proportionate while still adding an airy feel.

It wasn't hard to decide on the cabinet color, given my love of white kitchens.  I opted for a door style that is a little more contemporary, adding pilasters that come to the floor to give the base cabinets a more unique look.  The overall feel is kind of "bistro-modern", using classic elements like honed granite, marble and polished nickel, and mixing them with contemporary lines and cool stainless steel.  That little island is an IKEA find, and is just the right size.  My kitchen didn't have the width for a traditional island with seating, but still needed something for additional work space and storage.  I bought this one, and had a marble remnant cut to fit the top to make it look a little more customized.

And finally, here's the kitchen "in use" by my precious little niece.  That little sink was the perfect size for her "bathtub".........I love her to pieces, and think it doesn't get much cuter than this!

Thanks for checking out my new space.  Cheers to a great start to 2011, and may it hold lots of new design adventures and completed projects!

Before and After Bathroom: From the newlywed nest

After my husband and I got married, we lived in the house that he'd purchased during his bachelor years.  It was a charming little Cape Cod with many adorable little features--he did very well on his first home purchase.  Of course the moment I moved in, my nesting instincts took over, and  it was time to re-vamp, re-decorate, and re-design!  This bathroom project is one that I'm kind of proud of, and it actually managed to win a first place design award in a state-wide competition.

This bathroom contained a mix of cobbled together elements--peeling mirrored wallpaper, linoleum flooring, plastic wall tile, and a child-size vanity.  Not the cool, relaxing oasis we were going for.

 

Say ahhhhhh.........The makeover brought such a classic cool to the room.  I love Cararra marble (can you tell?), and in this case, you can't have too much of a good thing!

                                          

                                            

 

These photos bring back fond memories for me of my first home as a newlywed, and that bathroom was a wonderful spa/oasis that it was hard to say goodbye to.  But we parted ways when we sold that first little house over a year ago to move into another wonderful house that is full of projects.  Hopefully, this new "nest" will lead to many great makeovers--we'll just have to wait and see!