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!

Do You Like this Kitchen?

If you ask me, Canadian House & Home magazine is one of the best design magazines available today.  This isn't a plug for my Canadian heritage, or a bias because I'm from that country, but I do think that this publication showcases some of the best and most beautiful when it comes to residential interiors across Canada.  What I like about the magazine is that they feature spaces that are high-style, high-end and impeccably pulled together, but still manage to appeal to the average homeowner and design enthusiast.  It takes a team of talented editors to create a resource for design professionals while still inspiring the everyday homeowner, and I think this magazine does a great job of it.

Every year, they feature a tour of the Princess Margaret Showhome, and I have absolutely fallen in love with some of the kitchens in those homes (designed by the House & Home team).  In 2008 they pulled together this classic-meets-weathered look that showed off current trends while still maintaining a classic aesthetic:

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And in 2009 produced this to-die-for modern meets country kitchen--so many unexpected, yet perfectly executed elements:

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So with a history of loving the kitchens in these homes, I have to say that I'm not over-the-moon with the most current one from the 2011 showhome:

As a kitchen design professional, I'm always on the lookout for current trends, whether it be a new and innovative material for surfaces, functional hardware that allows for improved useability, or interesting colour directions for the kitchen space.  I hope I'm not coming across as totally clueless or style-less when I say that I can't quite embrace the abundance of "mustard" happening in this room.  While the colour tone itself is quite beautiful and there are other elements in the space that I love, such as the range/hood combination, stone floor and rustic work island, for me, the colour is just too much of a good thing.  

I do love the dresser-style hardware on the base cabinets, as well as the grandness that's achieved by taking the wall cabinets all the way up to the high ceilings.  And I do appreciate that they committed to the ochre color in its primary state without gobbing it up with glazing or distressing.  I want to know what other people out there think though.....am I the only one struggling with this "new" design direction?  Opinions please!

Why Does Everyone Want a White Kitchen?

I haven't chatted about kitchen design for a while now, and since the arrival of a new bundle (of joy!) will probably take center stage for the next little while, I wanted to take the opportunity (while I have it) to talk about something career-related.  White kitchens have been "on trend" for a while now, and they seem like the right choice for so many interior spaces.  Besides the obvious though, why is it that this is now the go-to for homeowners and designers alike?

  Pinterest

1.  Designers are still excited about white.  When I see a beautiful white kitchen, my heart beats just a little bit faster.  When clients come to me asking for white kitchens, I never tire of the request, and look forward to pulling together all of the elements that will make their "white" kitchen a success.  I'm not even sure I can pinpoint an exact reason, but I think it has something to do with white's ability to be the perfect backdrop, while at the same time being the star of the show and setting a tone for the entire space.

Charlie & Co. Design

2.  Everyone wants what everyone else has.  While I realize that this is a major generalization, I do see the "white" trend driving more of the same trend.  This look probably won't be popular forever, but for the moment it has a captive audience that continues to breed more and more interest.  But really, who wouldn't want to live in this white-on-white kitchen pictured above?

Pinterest/Kitchen designed by Mick de Giulio

3.  There's a sense of the "non-committal"--in a good way--when you choose white.  In a way, white is the perfect choice for those who are afraid to commit to a color or wood species that they might tire of in a few years.  However, instead of defaulting like we sometimes do by painting all of our walls white because we're overwhelmed by all of the choices, white kitchens don't have the yawn factor that white walls can.  There's so much opportunity for layering of textures and materials in a white kitchen (think glossy white backsplash tile with silky smooth honed marble countertops), that the end result is anything but monotonous.  Add to that the dimension and depth you get from paneled doors, moulding details and wall paneling, and an all-white kitchen can really come alive.  Now the only choice is what shade of white to go with.......:)

Martha O'Hara Interiors

4.  White is versatile and complimentary, making it easy to transition to other colors and finishes.  I love the kitchen pictured above.  It has an abundance of lightness and brightness, definite injections of white, but is perfectly balanced by the addition of that gorgeous smokey charcoal color.  In the same way, white can be the perfect partner if your mood changes with the seasons and you like to incorporate bold shots of accent color.  It allows you to experiment with different colors, wood species and finishes, and add a dose of something different without completely straying from classic white, like in the kitchen below.

Pinterest

 Selldorf Architects

5.  With white, you have the opportunity to inject the unexpected, and have it really stand out.  Because white is so common right now, spaces that incorporate white with some more uncommon elements can really steal the show.  This kitchen above is one of my all time favorites--the white cabinetry and coffered ceiling are beautiful in and of themselves, but also provide the perfect backdrop for those steel-framed french doors--they punctuate that back wall and guide my eye easily through the space.  The herringbone pattern on the floor is another unexpected element, and really elevates this kitchen to a level of high design and well thought out detail.

There you have it.  My thoughts on why white continues to be the new white :)  How about you?  What reasons do you have for choosing a white kitchen?

An Accidental Favorite: Turquoise & Orange

Since the nursery color combo has been on my mind a lot lately, I'm taking notice of this combination everywhere.  I didn't realize it was so popular until I did some more digging, and now that I've found this collection of delicious images, I'm liking these colors even more......

Platt Byard Dovell White Architects

What a fabulous kid's space!  Its so chic and modern, but still incorporates a touch of whimsy with that zebra rug, fresh palate, and monogrammed pillows.  My favorite part--the antler chandelier!  What a great crowning touch.

House Beautiful via House of Turquoise

Since I have kid's rooms on the brain, this one obviously struck a chord with me!  My favorite part--that grandparent's-house-meets-cabin vintage-look sailboat wallpaper.  Love it!

 Caitlin Wilson Interior Design

 House Beautiful

I've always loved this room--so serene but that orange quilt adds such an unexpected zing of color.  

 Elle Decor

Never mind the delicious color combination, I want that chandelier!  The mix of styles make this room feel so lovely and fantastical....

 Emily Gilbert via House of Turquoise

This goldy-peach version of orange is handled so well in this space.  Perfectly complimented by a soft, seafoam tone.  Beautiful!

  Mabley Handler Interior Design

  Porter Design Company

Personally, I don't think I could live in this room, but I'd love to vacation in a space like this.  There's a lot to look at, and the whole room kind of wraps you up in a warm, graphic hug :)

 Tobi Fairley

Tobi Fairley

I could move right in to both of these spaces!  I love the jade tone in the first photo--an interesting and unexpected compliment to the orange.  In the bedroom, orange and turquoise is handled in such a sophisticated way--restrained pops of color, but an overall serene feel to the room.

Tracery Interiors

I haven't seen a space by Tracery Interiors that I don't immediately fall in love with.  There's a refined rusticity to both of these rooms that feels so comfortable.  Accents of orange and aqua are beautifully handled, adding interest and punch.  I especially love the wallpaper in that bedroom--so fun!

Gray & Gold

A long-time favorite color combo of mine is gray and gold.  Maybe its the tension created when mixing a warm and cool tone, or maybe its the quiet pairing of two luxurious hues that gets me.  I don't know, but I've loved it for years, and continue to be drawn to interiors with these colors.  Gray can seem so cold to some, but I think adding golds, yellows or chartreuse tones can inject a "ray of sunshine" and really bring a gray room to life.  I've experimented with this in my own homes, and hope to share more of this mix as I continue to play with these lovely colors.

I love my soft gray furniture--I've always wanted pure white, but this is more forgiving, and still maintains the light palate I'm always after.

My house at Christmas.....I love how gray, gold and turquoise work so well together.

Caldwell Flake

These acid-green pillows and charcoal upholstered wall are to die for!  I love how this room feels so luxe, even with a simplistic mix of elements.

 Fisher Weisman

I'd feel like a million dollars even if I were sitting in this room in my pyjamas!

Kelly Wearstler

Lonny Magazine via Pure Style Home

 

 House Beautiful

  

 Sara Richardson

It might be a stretch for this room to qualify as gray and gold, but I've loved this space forever, and thought that the small brass and mirror side table made it worthy.  And I can't get enough of the glorious built-in banquette!

 

Steven Gambrel

And finally, these last three rooms, all designed by Steven Gambrel offer an amazing mix of gray and varying shades of gold.  There is definitely a warmth to these spaces, and the bold patterns and rich textures really add to the visual interest.  Beautifully done.

Happy Friday, and have a great weekend! 

Do You Like This Kitchen?

I'm a big fan of Lynda Reeve's design sense, and have followed her with Canadian House & Home Magazine for years.  She has a signature style, and a unique way of mixing disparate elements and making them look polished and pulled together.  One of my favorite homes (and kitchens) of all time is the 2008 Princess Margaret Show House that the House & Home team designed.  That said, I'm just not feelin' this black kitchen, featured in the December issue of the magazine.

One reader RSVP'd to the magazine and described the kitchen as dark and "soulless".  Mr. CottageModern disagrees, and says that the moody and masculine feeling is appealing and unique.  I love a good dose of black, and think that every room can benefit from a few shots of it here or there, but this seems overwhelming.  Am I missing out on a huge trend and overlooking the 'next best thing' in kitchen color schemes?

Source

What do you think?  If the above image hasn't left you out in the cold, click here to see images of the rest of this house--despite the darkness of this "heart of the home", the other rooms are light, bright, and stunningly beautiful!

Color in Kitchens

All of the many Christmas schemes have me thinking color, color, color.  Normally, my preference when it comes to most things is white on white on white on white on white on white......(you get the idea), but I love an injection of color here and there to add an element of the unexpected.  That said, here are a rainbow of kitchens that definitely aren't shy when it comes to unconventional life and color.  I couldn't live with this look long-term, but definitely love the eye candy that these spaces offer.

 Source

Red lacquer with a nod to an Asian influence--love how daring this is, yet so pulled together and deliberate.

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This citrus-injected kitchen was featured on HGTV's Bang for you Buck, which showcases clever (and some not-so-clever) homeowners who renovate their space for a specific dollar amount.  If I remember correctly, the homeowners who created this mod kitchen were criticized for the "too design-specific" hits of orange they used.  I think its brilliant though--the high-gloss orange adds just the right amount of punch, and speaks to the mid-century flavor of the rest of the home.  Well done!

image via casahaus

via Canadian House & Home

For me, the idea of a yellow kitchen conjures up images of the "harvest gold" appliances I grew up with.  While I would find a soft cream more livable than all over yellow, the bright lemony pops in these photos add an unexpected, yet tasteful hit.  If you're daring enough to invest in a colored appliance, click here to see the full range of gorgeous hues Bertazzoni has to offer.

Coastal Living

This apple green kitchen is fun on so many different levels!  I love the mix of modern and traditional elements (where can I get some of those counter stools?), and the alphabet lettering on the glass doors.  Not to mention the "christmasy" color scheme....perfect for this season!

Miles Redd via House Beautiful

Speaking of green, I couldn't leave this one out--so much drama in such a tiny space!

image via Storibook Designs

Lynn Morgan Design

Turquoise has become so synonymous with blue I can't even think "blue" without first thinking "aqua".  That first kitchen is the ultimate in commitment--what a bold hue, and used so liberally throughout the space--beautifully done.  If you're like me though, the glossy pop of turquoise in the second kitchen is just enough to make a statement, but keep me from tiring of this popular color.

Miles Redd

There's so much mystery and depth to the color indigo, yet there's a gentlemanly, traditional feel to it.  Both of the above kitchens are "go big or go home" on this inky shade, yet there's a very serene, understated luxury here. 

McGill Design Group

I recall seeing that violet kitchen in an issue of Canadian House & Home at least five years ago (if not longer).  Yet despite its deliberate color choice, this beautifully designed space still looks current and very unique.  The second photo is also shown here, and is seriously daring.  I'd love to know how the designer convinced the clients that this was the "right" design for the space.  Or maybe the clients had to convince the designer!