Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
Usually it’s the September decorating issue that seduces me into buying a copy of Martha Stewart Living at the news stand (or the grocery store since we don’t really have NY style news stands here). But a cover like this with such a bright cheerful kitchen and the promise of more great kitchens inside? I give in.
But this issue isn’t just about great kitchens. In fact, my husband stole it before I could even sit down! He declared it a great purchase because there are also articles on sandwiches (his favorite food group), and topless terrariums (my new dining room table is quickly being taken over by his growing plant collection).
You know my love of organizing runs deep, and Martha’s does too.
Not only does she have great tips in her classic “Good Things” column, but she also has a multi-page article on creating a room just for her cleaning and organizing supplies! (see below) Holy moly!
I have nice 36″ wide drawers that are perfect for storing pots and baking dishes, but if I had to organize them in a traditional cupboard I like this solution above.
Hanging the cleaning bottles on a tension rod under a sink is brilliant. It looks so tidy plus you get bonus space underneath them if the bar is set high enough.
I won’t make you green with envy by showing the photos of the giant room she has for her “homekeeping” supplies, but I like these detail shots showing how she groups supplies by function. I don’t think I need to stockpile 3 bottles of each of her cleaning line for Home Depot, but the bins work well for grouping smaller collections of similar cleaning supplies. Imagine all your different wood polishing creams and tools in one convenient place for the Saturday you decide it’s time to oil the teak and polish the walnut? Ahh, the joys of organization geeks are endless.
I’m not a knitter, but these knit stool slipcovers are brilliant! I have a pair of plain Bosse bar stools from IKEA from our previous home that I was planning on hacking into counter height stools until I can pick the perfect stools (which of course means I have to decide on chairs for the dining room since they are right next to each other, so this will take a while. See my previous post on the issue for the full story.)
Here’s the Bosse stool. Now look at the examples above. I think I could shorten the legs, paint the ends an accent color and add a nubby knit topper and have a completely reinvented stool for a tiny amount of cash! Too bad I don’t knit. Any volunteers?
As for another kitchen? Well, here’s another sneak peak to entice you…
Isn’t the pop of bright green wallpaper on the back of the open kitchen shelves wonderful? Not only do the colorful dishes stand out against it, but so do their white bowls. The rest of the finishes are classic neutrals, allowing the bright accents to shine. Making a commitment to color this way doesn’t have to be scary. This could easily be updated with another wallpaper or fabric covered panels down the line when you want a new look.
Thank you to the Martha Stewart Living team for another inspiring issue!
Tags: cleaning, color, green, Kitchen, knit, Martha Stewart Living, organization, sandwiches, stool, wallpaper
Posted in Hot off the Press | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
Do you notice the sets in TV shows and movies and wonder where they found all those great pieces? Set design is such an important part of the story telling process for shows and movies because they convey without words the personality, financial situation, and lifestyle of the characters. The same is true about homes and offices – the selections we make reflect our values, lifestyle and the image we want to project to the rest of the world.
Do you want to have an inviting home that all your teenager’s friends want to hang out at? Is your home a showpiece set up for fundraisers for 150 people every month? Do the piles of toys that never seem to be completely put away reflect your values that your kids are your focus and where you spend the majority of your time so formal entertaining isn’t a concern? These are extremes in different directions, but I think they help convey the idea.
One new TV show I’m watching this season is “Ringer.” The main character has taken over her twin sister’s life in NYC in a posh high rise building (due to a complex set of circumstances I won’t get into here.) The first introduction we get to the wealthy sister’s life is a visit to her beautiful home in the Hamptons. It clearly sets her place in the world in that she can afford such a large, beautifully furnished home.
Then we are introduced to the posh home in the city through the struggling sister’s eyes. The furnishings are so well done. I have a hard time focusing on the plot sometimes because I’m studying the light fixtures, accessories, side tables, etc.
So I was so pleased when I spotted these wing chairs and recognized one of my favorite fabrics on them!
That fabric is this fabric:
It also comes in other lovely colors – such as charcoal, peacock, and grass. My favorite version that I already have in my box of inspiration fabrics:
How fun is that to know that you could have a wing chair (or other style piece) made for your home with that same fabric?! I love recognizing details like that. Knowing the resources is a big part of my job so it’s really satisfying to recognize a light fixture or end table and know exactly where to find that piece or something similar for a client.
Do you have a favorite TV or movie set? I know the kitchen in the movie “Something’s Gotta Give” starring Diane Keaton is a perennial favorite. Crisp white and classic, just like the character, Erica. For more images of the home, if you haven’t seen the movie, click through to this site.
Photo credits:
- Four room shots via CW TV full episodes online.
- Fabric samples from Schumacher (fabrics sold only to the trade (aka designers), so if you are interested in anything you find there please let me know!)
- Something’s Gotta Give kitchen photo from Modern Country Style blog.
Tags: chair, custom, interior design, Kitchen, Ringer, Schumacher, Something's Gotta Give
Posted in Where Did You Get That? | No Comments »
Thursday, September 1st, 2011
I know you are supposed to live in your home for a while to get a sense of how you will actually live and move in it before you start making big changes. But how many of us can resist plotting changes to a new space the minute you find out it’s yours? I think I have it worst than most as an interior designer since I am constantly finding new fabulous products that I’d love to live with myself, not just put into clients’ homes. Of course with the wide diversity of styles I like, if I did some of everything my house would look like a hot mess (I love that expression!)
So I’m working hard at being patient, letting the house speak to me, and keeping my eyes open for products that fit THIS house and OUR life. (I have a hard time writing the word “lifestyle” in print thanks to a high school english teacher who hated that word and was adamant we never use it in front of him.)
Our kitchen was completely remodeled by the previous owners only a year ago, and while they made some real improvements, some of their finish selections drive me bonkers. The rough slate floor varies in height by up to a quarter of an inch tile by tile, creating the effect under your feet my husband equates to walking on rocks in the Boundary Waters. I’m just waiting for that first toddler still finding their balance to try and walk across it…I foresee lots of tears and bruising. Yikes.
Here is a picture of the kitchen the day we moved in.
IKEA cabinets, black granite countertops, stainless appliances – a good foundation. I was pleasantly surprised how much I can store in these cabinets (the 36″ wide drawer units are fabulous!)
Since the kitchen is the heart of the home (geographically and figuratively), I’ve been trying to select new floor and wall tiles since pretty much the day we first visited the house to make it ours.
Now here’s where the waiting pays off. I recently was flipping through a design magazine and spotted an ad for Ann Sacks tiles that caught my eye and totally changed my vision for the backsplash.
Now before this I was looking in a couple of different directions to pull together the colors in the adjacent rooms.
I still love this tile I had in mind for our previous house, and it could work here.
It has some beautiful blues in it as well as browns, grays, whites, etc. The shape is updated from the typical glass squares you see in every big box store.
Then I thought about going with a ceramic with texture like these examples from Pratt & Larson Ceramics.
The shimmer effect of these glazes really sets them apart.
But with the darker cabinets and black granite countertops, these options were feeling too dark. The Ann Sacks ad made me think what I need to embrace it a lighter color palette, maybe even a gold tone to get that sophisticated drama I like in the copper tiles on the left above. Totally not my usual direction, but that’s the fun of it afterall.
So I did a little research and discovered a gorgeous kitchen example on the Ann Sacks website using this tile.
Talk about a picture selling a product! I’m loving it even more now. The light fixtures are a brilliant pairing and the lines of those stools would totally work in my house too. I just wish my cabinets were white too. Oh well.
Another idea is this beautiful arabesque tile, but I don’t think you would get to really appreciate its form in a space only 18″ high. Maybe that’ll be in the master bathroom (later on).
So now I’ll marinate in the idea of that tile and see what I think in a month, two months from now. If I’m still in love I’ll have to start looking for the right floor tile to coordinate with it. Stay tuned.
What would you pick?
Tags: Ann Sacks, backsplash, floor, interior design, Kitchen, Pratt & Larson, tile
Posted in Design & Home Living Tips, Inspiration Boards | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, May 11th, 2011
I discovered the online shop Pot + Pantry via another blog today and had to share (thank you City Sage!)
There are so many products in this shop that we had in my parents’ kitchen growing up, and frankly most of them are still in their kitchen. That is a testiment to their quality craftsmanship, which we need to remember to value in our disposal society.
What are my favorite flashback pieces?
My mom used to make rosette cookies at Christmas every year (before she decided they were too tempermental) and this Vintage Nordic Ware Rosette Iron for only $16 would allow me to continue that tradition with my kid(s). Or I could just borrow my mom’s. But if your mom doesn’t have a set to share you could buy this and start your own tradition!
My mom picked up a saucepan similar to this Descoware Saucepan in Berlin when they lived there in their 20s. She got it for a steal because it was meant for a left handed cook. 40 years later it’s STILL difficult for us right handed cooks to use. Not sure if that’s worth 40 years of frustration, but it still performs very well.
Thanks to this shop I now have a brand name to go with this iconic mixing bowl. You might recognize this vintage Texas Ware Confetti bowl from Rachel Ray’s 30 Minute Meals show on the Food Network. Unfortunately the bowl we had was used for a very different (but necessary) function. There was a lot of throwing up in my childhood, and it’s helpful to have a designated bowl for said function if a person wants to be able to lie down with an emergency backup system. This bowl was our designated emergency backup system. Sorry if that’s too much information or if I ruined your memories of your favorite pancake mixing bowl. Every family has it’s stories, and that’s mine.
So go and check out Pot + Pantry and find some beautiful new or vintage pieces to incorporate into your own kitchen and start some new stories of your own.
Photo credits: all photos courtesy of Pot + Pantry.
Tags: Kitchen, kitchen tools, Pot + Pantry
Posted in Design & Home Living Tips | No Comments »
Friday, March 18th, 2011
Spring is hinting at a return of all things bring and cheerful. But until I see a week of 50 degree days I know not to get too hopeful. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t have spring fever and start craving bright, sunny, and upbeat spaces that look filled with sunshine and warm air. Here are few favorites to help you through this transition season.
The light floors, walls and ceiling open up this living room and allow the bright colors room to breathe. The open chandelier isn’t visually heavy so it doesn’t weigh down the space.
Spring and summer I start bringing bright colors and patterns back into my wardrobe in more frequent rotation. The same is true with interiors. Why not go for it with a mobile of paper lanterns? This works over a couch in a living room with high ceilings too. Add a fun border or wallpaper to add pattern to a otherwise simple room. Notice that the crib and couch both have black frames and white bedding/ cushions? The pops of colors come from the lights, curtains, border and throw pillows. The one olive green side table is a fun addition.
The green backsplash is the perfect fresh cut grass color to remind me of the grass finally breaking through the melting snow piles to reclaim their turf (literally). So cheerful!
A few well placed accessories transform a home office nook into a springy destination. And the daffodils on the windowsill? What better representation of spring is there? I love buying the bunches of fresh daffodils during the American Cancer Society annual fundraising drive.
This is the way I want summer to feel. Sitting on a big veranda, lounging amongst the cushions, surrounded by greenery with interesting leaves, and a little cafe table where I can have a morning cup of iced tea and a scone. Oh gosh, I’m so ready for it… maybe this wasn’t a good idea.
But if I’m going to torture myself, let’s go for the full fantasy.
This shingled beach house says Cape Cod or the Hamptons in the height of summer to me. You can even see a bicycle leaning against the wall on the left, ready for me to peddle into town for a lobster roll from the best fresh seafood shack.
Or perhaps you’d prefer to escape to your rustic cabin with modern details. A modern sink and faucet are juxtapositioned against the raw wood planks and vintage mirror for an unfussy minimal aesthetic that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
In the end, the best part of summer is really the ability to hang out with friends outside, and the long nights which seem to never end and no one wants to go home. Get ready, because before we know it the warm weather will truly be here to stay!
What are you looking forward to in Spring? How about summertime?
Photo credits: 1 – Living Room by David Jimenez. 2 – Nursery source unknown. 3 – Kitchen by Eve Robinson. 4 – Home office by i-can’t-remember-her-name. 5 – Porch by Suzanne Rheinstein. 6 – Beach house source unknown. 7 – Bathroom source unknown. 8 – Backyard source unknown.
Tags: beach house, grass, green, home office, interior design, Kitchen, living room, nursery, paper lanterns, porch, spring, summer, wood planks
Posted in Design & Home Living Tips, Inspiration Boards | No Comments »
Friday, February 25th, 2011
Looking at the fall fashion show round-ups one trend I was interested in trying was bright colorful pants (no patterns – I’m not talking about Zoobas here!) Perfect for transforming a simple minimal outfit into a statement with one bold splash of color.
Which got me thinking, why are we so afraid of color in kitchens? So I rounded up a few favorite kitchens belonging to homeowners who embraced color with arms outstretched. I’d love to hear what YOU think! Could you be this bold?
Why does the adage “it’s only paint” apply to painting walls but not painting cupboards? Come on, let’s be adventurous!
To slowly transition into colorful cabinets, consider having some of your cabinets in a color while others are wood or white. Perhaps a pantry unit on one wall is red like a great Chinese cabinet that serves as an accent and conversation piece in a living room. Or you could paint just the island cabinets in an accent color.
Or you can go all out in one shade, head to toe (or ceiling to floor, crown molding to toekick, as the case may be.)
Apple green? Yes please!
Love this glossy turquoise color.
This kitchen has so much going for it. Gorgeous walnut butcher block countertops, a wall of subway tile in a warm cream tone that keeps it light and open feeling to balance the dark green base cabinets, and the green and cream floor tiles that pull together both the color palette and connect the indoors and outdoors in one continuous flow.
Isn’t this just like a pair of colorful pants with a cream blouse and brown belt and great shoes (maybe a strappy pair of wedges with green and white overlapping bands)?
Look what a difference the wall tile can make in a room - compare this space with green base cabinets and no wall cabinets to the kitchen above. Obviously the rooms have different spatial qualities, but the colorful tile on the walls here shifts the attention from the colorful cabinets. But the cabinet color supports the tile – imagine this with maple or white cabinets. Ehh. The dark green cabinets ground the room.
Still love this red base cabinet.
This is what I would call modern english country. The cabinet pulls are definitely not traditional. I love that the background is all crisp white and I could see popping just about ANY color on those cabinets and having it all still work. Though you might need to coordinate with a different cereal bowl.
This is exactly the way I think of the fashion trend – bright pants with a light simple top. Maybe a few pins on the shirt to balance the bright lower half (the art on the walls in the room plays the same role here.)
This kitchen is right on trend with Pantone’s Color of the Year – Honeysuckle. Honestly, I’m not sure I’m loving it on kitchen cabinets.
And finally, the piece de resistance, why not paint every door a different color?! You have endless options for accessorizing the room, and I doubt you could feel sad in a fun space like this! Perfect for those afraid to commit to one color… pick 10 instead!
But if you are stuck with a kitchen where you can’t paint the cabinets (aka. a rental property), painting the walls is still a great way to bring in your personality with color. Here inky deep blue walls add a moody quality to an otherwise plain kitchen.
Tags: cabinets, color, interior design, Kitchen, paint, rental, tile, twin cities, white
Posted in Color Pulse | 1 Comment »
Colleen Fox Slack | email: colleen@colleenfoxinteriors.com | phone: 612.868.0348
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