Black & White & Wood All Over.........and Some Exciting News!

The injection of rustic elements into a clean modern space continues to gain popularity and be seen everywhere.  Maybe its the unexpected pairing of clean lines with rough finishes that makes it so appealing, or maybe its that we're ready (and have been for a long time) to see interiors that aren't so matchy-matchy.  Currently, I'm drawn to the stark nature of black and white, paired with warm rustic wood and driftwood tones.

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

Love how this second image marries the very modern with those industrial, vintage chairs.  Such an unexpected mix, especially with that stone floor.  It all works, and is refreshing instead of stark.

via Desire to Inspire

This relaxed, but beautiful space uses a "colorless" backdrop to showcase and highlight various wood tones and textures.  It mixes the perfect with the imperfect so well, and looks very comfortable to live in.  Check out more great photos of the house here.

 via My Scandinavian Retreat

That pine ceiling has such a cottage-like vibe, but when paired with sleek surfaces, that great modern hood, and those architectural window coverings, there's a nice harmony here.

via Pinterest

Love some of the details in this kitchen--the natural rug against that gloss white floor, the leather pulls on the drawers, and the casual rustic cabinet for open storage of dishes.  The look is gracefully unfitted, and it works well.

 Tracery Interiors

I've seen this kitchen in many different places and can't get enough of it.  The strong, dark outline on those island pieces punctuates the space, while the rough-hewn beams flanking the doorway and grey-washed floors add a casual softness.  


And in other news........a certain other kitchen with some black and white tones of its own got a bit of recognition this week:

I revealed my own kitchen a while back, and got some great response.  On a whim, I entered it in a state-wide design competition, sponsored by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.  I'm pleased to announce that it took 3rd place in its category!  Maybe to some people, third place is the "second loser", but given the criteria and the other kitchen designs I was competing against, its a proud moment for me, and I'm thinking this space is truly "the little kitchen that could".  There may be some magazine recognition for me in the near future, so I'll let you know if that happens!

Painted Wall Paneling

Lately, I've had an obsession with painted wall paneling.  Probably because the last couple of months have revolved around weekends of a little DIY project in the nursery putting up board-and-batten paneling.  It was an ambitious project for us that turned out beautifully--photos to come!  I also used horizontal paneling in our recent bathroom remodel, and am so pleased with the results.

The idea of bringing dimension to walls with the addition of simple strips of moulding, wood or panels is certainly not new, but there are so many gorgeous applications, from cottage-country to contemporary that its somewhat of a hot look right now.  What I like most is the way paneling can create a great marriage between different design styles, as well as allow a single paint color to take center stage in a room.

 Elsa R. Soyers

You need little else in a space like this to add drama or interest.  The minimal accessories are enough to allow that towering wall of paneling and sweeping staircase to take center stage.

via Pinterest

Again, this floor to ceiling wall treatment provides the perfect backdrop for pared down art and accessories.  I love the perfectly equal panels that wrap the entire room.

via Pinterest

In and of itself, a black wall makes a statement, but the added panel detailing makes the look so intentional.  The traditional nature of the paneling is a perfect contrast with that ultra-modern bathtub.

Sarah Richardson Design

This bedroom vingette, created by the Sarah Richardson Design team for Toronto's 2011 Interior Design Show uses full height v-groove paneling to provide a casual backdrop for bold color and a mix of modern and traditional furnishings.  The dimensional white walls make a statement without getting in the way.

David Woolley via Desire to Inspire

This kitchen and bath are among my favorite rooms right now.  Both spaces utilize horizontal paneling in a decidedly modern way, but the addition of traditional elements like the rustic, farmhouse-style island in the kitchen, and the clawfoot tub and antique sconces in the bathroom inject interest and quiet drama.  I love the simplicity of that wall-mounted faucet above the bathtub.

Country Home

Board-and-batten walls started as an exterior application where flat panels were applied to the surface (boards), and vertical strips were attached to cover the seams (battons).  Traditionally, this treatment was common on old barn structures, and is also referred to as barn siding.  Its come a long way from its humble roots, and is used now in interior spaces to add height, dimension and interest.  It looks best when two-thirds of the vertical wall space is taken up with the paneling, and provides natural places to mount hooks, light fixtures and artwork.  

Sarah Richardson Design

Another example of vertical wall paneling working to unite both contemporary and "cottagey" elements.  This space shows it extending onto the ceiling surface, which adds great continuity and interest to the fifth wall.  

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

These last two spaces are absolute favorites.  There's a rustic, cottage vibe with the natural wood tones and horizontal paneling, but some of the accessories and furnishings have such modern flair that I can't decide which I like best!  I feel like I could move right into this space and love everything about it.  Plus, if you look close, you'll see that the last photo manages to showcase my two faves--horizontal paneling right alongside board-and-batton.  Perfectly done, if you ask me!

Check back soon for photos of my own wall-paneling adventures.  The rooms are almost done!

The "Weathered" Look

Whenever I get a new Restoration Hardware catalog (or "source book" as they now call it), I get a bit overwhelmed with the whole "weathered" look.  Not that I don't love it, because I do like the cozy, time-worn, earthy vibe a weathered finish conveys, I just struggle with how to correctly and beautifully incorporate it into my own space.  I have a lot of bright, light furniture and finishes, and lots of cooler tones, so sometimes I get lost at how I would bring in something weathered without having it look completely foreign in my space.  That said, I'm on a quest to be inspired by interiors that provide a mix of old and new, weathered and modern, and do it with effortless class.  Its a tricky mix, because not all of us can afford to go hog-wild and change styles based on what commercial/retail trends are putting out there.  Nor would we want to, really.....a mixed up/collected over time look is better anyways.

The above photos illustrate my point.  I understand that the company's mission is to sell this "look", but that's a lot of weathered oak/driftwood/distressed/tea-stained/Belgian linen covered stuff.  After a while it seems a bit like a dead flower arrangement to me.....where's the "life"?

 Source

 Lauren Liess

That's more like it.  The above two spaces integrate a piece of weathered furniture beautifully with other elements--some antique, some modern, all having that "collected over time" look.  The cowhide rugs are also a nod to a natural look, and its amazing how the addition of simple greenery brings so much life.

 House Beautiful

This open concept kitchen, belonging to my favorite Ina Garten, mixes clean white cabinetry and classic furnishings with a dramatic rustic beamed ceiling.  The pairing of bright, light and simple with the weight of those beams is spectacular, and makes this space so inviting.

Source

I love this space!  Who would have thought mixing super-contemporary cabinetry, countertops and fixtures with those stone walls and weathered floor would work so well?  It looks effortlessly pulled together (love that antique mirror in lieu of upper cabinets), and the addition of greenery injects just enough "life".

Feldman Architecture

The mod pendant lighting and acrylic Ghost chairs provide just the right amount of tension with the barnboard wall and rustic farm table.

Steven Gambrel

While this kitchen has a decidedly "country" vibe, there's still a great mix of elements.  I love the white cabinetry with the antique benches and time-worn table.  If this space had been all wood (as in wood cabinets and wood floors), it would be all wrong.  Its the mix that makes it interesting and "right".

That crisp white sofa provides the perfect backdrop for a unique rustic piece.  I'm starting to be inspired.......

Decorpad

I think I'm ready to move into this space!  The balance of crisp and rustic elements, differing wood tones, and glam crystal chandeliers is just perfect.  Those reclaimed wood beams set the tone for the space, but the more classic/modern additions really bring it all together!

Well, I think I'm inspired to believe that it can be done.  If you have any other great examples of rustic-meeting-modern in a smashing and spectacular way, let me know!  Hopefully soon, the lonely little piece of driftwood that I have managed to incorporate into my living room will be joined by a few other "weathered" pieces.....

I Want.......

I've been on an ongoing search for dining chairs.  From Craigslist to all of the usual retail haunts, I haven't found something I want to commit to.  In reality, I've probably found several worthy specimens, but my indecision has prevented me from actually making the purchase.  The problem is that I'm trying to accomplish a successful mix of old and new, and wanting to execute it properly.  We have an antique oak dining table available to us from my parents-in-law, and the piece is really beautiful.  A house full of antique furniture isn't really my style, but I LOVE the mix of antique and modern, so I think it can work.  Plus, the table is perfect for our daily needs, and it has a million leaves to expand for large gatherings, etc.  This (grainy) photo is similar to what we have:

I really love the base detailing, and ours is a nice "wood" color that will work well with our dark floors.  Now for the chairs. 

West Elm

I love these in white, and especially love the modern take on the Windsor chair.  Plus, these are smaller in scale than a traditional Windsor chair, which would work better for me.

Room & Board

Then there's this beauty.  Not quite a Ghost chair, but the same effect.  I like chairs without arms because they push in all the way (when my dining room isn't in complete disarray), and these take up minimal visual space.  My fear is that they would be too "lightweight with that heavy oak table.  Moving on.

  West Elm

Back to West Elm we go.  I stumbled across these just now, and they're on sale!  I like the retro lines, and think the white one would work well, but if I remember correctly, last time I was in there, this chair felt a bit "small" to me.  Kind of like a child's chair.  I'll have to double check though--this sale may be too good to pass up :)

Crate & Barrel

This Ypsilon side chair from Crate & Barrel is probably at the top of my list right now.  Its powder coated steel, which gives it a delicious glossy finish, and it would be so easy to clean.  Plus, its so different in style than the table, and it would be such a unique mix.  Maybe too different though.......see how I can talk myself out of anything?

Room & Board

If money were no object, this would be the one.  Hands down.  I shouldn't have even ventured into this territory, because I love these, and they're perfect in every way.  But at $855 a piece, not perfect enough.  Check them out here though, because they come in a ton of fun colors!

cb2

This is an interesting one from CB2.  I like it because its a little bit industrial, but has some softer lines.  Might be an interesting pairing of materials, and maybe pick up on the stainless elements I have in the adjacent kitchen.  Hmmmm......

So what will it be?  Any suggestions?  I'm sure I'll look through many more options before I decide on a winner......

Why Cottage Modern?

I started this blog as a way to chronicle the updating of our new (old, but new to us) home.  When we bought it, it was a love at first sight thing, even though it was SO evident that there were going to be years of upgrading and updating ahead of us.  The lovely little Cape Cod cottage had been so cared for by its previous owners, and our mission was to "love it into the 21st century"!  Thus, the concept of "Cottage Modern" was born, and as we've worked on the house, this idea has stuck with me, and I've realized that overall, I'm drawn to this mixed-up-modern design aesthetic as a whole.  I think we're at an interesting place right now in the world of design, with the resurgence of everything rustic, "machine-age", and industrial.  Recently, its been popularized by major retailers like Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn, but I think that good designers have done a beautiful job of mixing styles for years now, and that it takes a skilled eye to execute this properly.  As I move forward in my own design pursuits, this is a skill that I'm trying to hone, because I believe that the most beautiful and treasured spaces are the ones that appear to have evolved over time as a reflection of those who live there and what is important to them.  Go over to Pure Style Home for some great perspective on the trends we're seeing out there right now.  In the meantime, here's a collection of some of my favorite "modern farmhouse" kitchen spaces.

via Elle Decor

Love how unfitted this kitchen looks--I'd have a hard time keeping that glass door refrigerator looking neat and tidy all the time!

Steven Gambrel

This space looks so inviting, and I love how the designer used this mix of furniture in the center of the room rather than a gigantic island--very inviting.

Feldman Architecture

Of course I love the ghost chairs.....there are many levels of mixing old and new, traditional with modern in this design.

Source

This kitchen belongs to Canadian design icon Lynda Reeves.  She is a mastermind at the "farmhouse modern" look, and her rooms have a wonderful tension between old and new.

Source

 image via Pure Style Home

There's a lot of mixing going on in this kitchen, and all of it works for me.  The ultra sleek gray cabinetry, GORGEOUS architectural windows, farm table and iron-work light fixtures......a daring mix of styles, but all of it seems so harmonious.....

This kitchen by Bulthaup brilliantly reinterprets the farmhouse style table as a stainless steel work center.  Love the mix of woods and warmth that it brings to the space.

And finally, this white-on-white-on-white cottage kitchen has an unfitted furniture style that isn't for everyone, but I love it, and think it is an appropriate choice for a home that was built in the 1880's.  The worn leather and wood peeking out in the bottom corner brings some warmth to the space. Read the interview with designer Myra Hoefer (and check out the rest of this fabulous home) here.