A KITCHEN UPDATE - BYE BYE OAK

Kathleen's kitchen was kind of perfect,

except for the wallpaper border

the outdated window coverings

and the oak cabinets

and the fact that she wanted to change

everything 

except the layout

[which was the perfect part]

and the floor - a wood look tile that she loved

But, other than that, she was okay with her kitchen....

Now, however, 

she loves it.

Who can blame her?

Gone are the dated yellow oak cabinets -

in their place... creamy white.

A new apron sink,

new window coverings...

and new appliances.

The new colors are beautiful, soft and calm -

a palette of grays, navy and mustard

We added additional recessed lighting

and pendant lighting [Pottery Barn]

We kept the table and chairs but recovered the seats.

We added new bronze knobs and pulls

Pental Quartz counters

and tumbled travertine (subway style) back splash

(we tucked the electrical plugs up under the cabinets so that beautiful backsplash

wouldn't be interrupted by ugly outlets)

We topped the island with warm walnut butcher block.

Added a custom vent hood

A few accessories

and an awesome magnetic blackboard

for the desk area

We also reupholstered this funky little desk chair - 

for a pop of mustard.  

The result is a warm and inviting kitchen

Updated

Beautiful

custom kitchen cabinets by

Aplus Home Improvements

A KITCHEN WITH DETAILS

That is what we desire.

Oft times we just get a 'kitchen'.  

Without adequate storage.  

Without enough food prep areas.

 Without adequate lighting. 

 Without details. 

When we are able to make some upgrades,
in light of the inadequacies, the details are often the last things we pursue.

COLORS OF CHRISTMAS: SHADES OF PALE

Christmas brings visions of color.

However, red, green and vibrant color are not for everyone.

If you like a calmer, more neutral home - even for the holidays -

Pinterest

say hello to the beautiful shades of a pale Christmas

WHICH WHITE?

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  Sometimes subtlety is the order of the day.  When white is wanted, it doesn't have to be boring, or even very 'white'.  White, like gray or beige or blue, comes in many varieties.  

BEACH HOUSE NEUTRALS

Sometimes I feel that we are overdone here in the OC.  We have the ocean close by, the warm sand between our toes, ocean breezes to cool our summers, palm trees punctuating our neighborhoods and a surf board in every garage - but our homes look like carbon copy Spanish villas with red tile roofs and stucco walls and our interiors bear no resemblance to the coastal region we pay so dearly to be near.  

TRUE GRAY

NO UNDERTONES IN MY GRAY, PLEASE

Gray.
Bleak.
 Gray Day. Stormy Gray. Misty Gray. 
Cement Gray. Concrete Gray. 
Gray Hairs. Cold Gray. Plain Gray.
 You're looking a little Gray.  
Old and Gray.  
Gray Matter.  Gray Area. Gray Cloud.
Gray seldom has positive connotations.

Gray alone can be cold, hard, unemotional, sterile.

Kind of like concrete.

Or Rocks.
And yet, it is currently the most loved color in home decorating

REBIRTH

Keep Calm and Carry On .... turned out to be good advice.  Our first day in London I injured my knee.  The question became: stay there injured or go home...?  We applied ice packs, Advil, and anti-inflammatory medication - and prayer - and decided to stay.  We rented a wheelchair and changed a few plans.  My DH was amazing - pushing me all around London, which is not that wheelchair friendly and was definitely an adventure.  It could have been a disaster - but the group we were with was amazing, DH was amazing, and how can London NOT be amazing?  Even in the snow.  In a wheelchair.  

CHARCOAL GRAY MASTER SUITE

LISA'S BEAUTIFUL BEDROOM SUITE

I am way behind on posting on the projects I currently have in the works, but here are some photos to catch you up on Lisa's Master Suite....

I posted about it first here:

http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-process-current-projects.html

We chose a palette of charcoal gray, white, pale gray and beige with deep dark woods - a very soothing, serene color scheme.

PAINTED KITCHENS

I LOVE PAINTED KITCHENS

Greige Design

They don't have to be white, necessarily,
although the white ones make me happy

but there are other options, too...

like lovely dove gray

I wouldn't complain about this color - not even a little bit

A SIMPLE PALETTE

CHOOSING COLORS FOR YOUR HOME

It isn't rocket science to choose colors for your walls, but it can sure feel like it.  It is a lot easier if you keep it simple.   If you choose a simple palette and carry it throughout your entire house, your home will feel pulled together and the design will flow from room to room instead of feeling 'chopped up'.  

REMOVING THE MYSTERY

NON-MYSTERIOUS COLOR

Cactus and Tropicals

As you know by now, I have been spending a lot of time in the Great Salt Lake Valley.  My sisters and I visited this wonderful nursery, Cactus and Tropicals, looking for a Mother's Day gift while I was there.  It is essentially a very large tropical greenhouse (like a tent) and although it does have an outside area with bedding plants, most of this nursery is devoted to tropicals and cacti and indoor houseplants.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOR

ITS A QUESTION OF COLOR.....

LEGENDARY GRAY - DUNN EDWARDS
Your Nest Design

Remember to balance your grays with lots of white, warm woods, a touch of black and some reflection - chrome, silver, mirror.  Gray makes other colors look great, but gray on its own can be a little depressing.  Give it a little lift and it will do the same for you.

CHRISTMAS DECOR: DECK THE HOUSE

I have my favorites...

Like this amazing tree with snow laying on the branches, and icicles and snowflakes sparkling. 

HOME DECOR: WHITE KITCHENS

WHY I LOVE COUNTRY KITCHENS

Country has changed a lot since the 80's.  Today's country is clean lined, crisp, neutral and beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.  If the word 'country' still conjures up visions of heavy oak furniture and cluttered counters, let me show you what today's country looks like.

I admit, I like a white kitchen.  This country kitchen features simple doors, a country farmhouse sink, hardwood floors, honed granite countertops, bin pulls and glass front cabinets.  The coffered ceiling as an architectural element gives a feeling of elegance and age - like an old country farmhouse - but truly this is a very efficient kitchen. 

Clean lines, minimal accessories - warm wood floor.  I love the beadboard ceiling.

Butcher block topped island with big chunky country legs, a stone floor, simple lighting and the almost industrial look of the stainless appliances

Country kitchens should have a little of the rustic thrown in - like the weathered beams on the ceilings and  the washed brick backsplash.  The polished granite contertops provide a nice contrast to the weathered finishes - and I love the lantern styled lighting

An in-kitchen eating area and slipcovered upholstered chairs and checkered flooring are wonderful country elements.  I love the addition of the industrial style lighting and the stainless range with the steel backsplash.  It's all about the contrasts. 

Hardwood flooring with white cabinetry and wonderful columns and millwork.  The upholstered checkered barstools add a little fun.

Today's country is all about the feel of vintage without the inconvenience.  Vintage style subway tile creates a country backsplash in a slightly modern way.  An antique country table in this kitchen works double duty as a work space or an in-kitchen eating area.  Architectural vintage style range hood and simple cleaned line cabinets - it looks fresh, clean and uncomplicated.

I love the alcove above the range.  It creates a great architectural focal point and brings in that country vintage feel, as do the butcher block counters, beadboard and warm wood flooring.  The island features a curved seating edge - perfect for friendly conversation.     

Todays country - the elements remain the same:  farmhouse sink, simple hardware, simple lighting and simple cabinetry with a vintage feel, clean lines and no clutter.  Adding a little black brings a little drama and elegance to the table, but keeps the palette neutral

This country kitchen has a rustic feel - but at closer look is a kitchen for a very serious cook with double ranges and double sinks.

Its so easy to change the mood with a neutral palette.  Add a soft pop of color and you have a whole new look.   Floor to ceiling plate rack in this kitchen adds vintage country flavor, as do the rush seats on the stools.

Elements of a country kitchen are timeless.  A stone cooking alcove, stone flooring, honed granite counters and vintage styled lighting are set off by an island that looks like a piece of furniture was set in the middle of the room.  That was a common practice in a country farmhouse kitchen back in the day, and adds a true country element to this kitchen. 

Modern convenience combines with rustic travertine in this cooking alcove

Another country element - painted upper cabinetry and wood toned lower

Still keeping in the neutral palette, this elegant kitchen has a dramatic backsplash and simple honed granite countertops.  Rustic beams, vintage styled lighting  and beadboard add more country elements, while modern styled steel barstools add a playful element.

Again, simple vintage styled cabinetry, simple hardware, and serious appliances

This kitchen makes me smile.  Even without the cow.  Industrial stools and light fixtures combine with rustic table, beadboard and stainless steel.  This is NOT your mother's country-style.

Love these light fixtures and highly polished floor, subway tiles, country vintage style barstools

LOVE the top cabinets

Great cabinet - store your dishes and display treasures

Rustic island with stainless steel counter - a little bit of a contemporary backsplash with vintage styled cabinets and great lantern style lighting - contrasts - they are wonderful aren't they?

Meet the master cabinetmaker - Christopher Peacock.  This is inspired by Swedish country - light wood floor, dove grey painted chairs, rustic vintage table, black granite counters -  wink to the Swedish with the candle ring styled lighting fixture

A stone floor and stone wall surrounding the stainless refrigerator - and a pop of color.

So todays country - NO clutter, NEUTRAL palette, INDUSTRIAL/MODERN elements, EFFICIENT appliances, VINTAGE STYLED cabinetry and millwork, CLASSIC wood or stone flooring, SIMPLE lighting.  It all adds up to comfortable, usable, family style living

A neutral palette doesn't mean just white

I couldn't resist one more by the master:

Christopher Peacock.  Beautiful cabinet details.

what do you think of country now?????