Bright White in the Kitchen!

Bright White in the Kitchen!

Does your kitchen have a color scheme?
Do you have a "favorite thing" about your kitchen?
Right now, I am really being drawn to all these WHITE kitchens!

And so are my clients!

I'm working on three custom builds right now and all
have white cabinetry. We're mixing up with some gray
glazed tile, another has white subway tile and the third
is a bit more on the modern rustic side... gorgeous!


Is it for you?

A white kitchen screams clean (when it is clean, so those of you that don't like to clean,
this might not be the best option for you ;).
 A white kitchen also opens up an area to make it feel light and airy.

Pinterest

Using an accent color within the white gives a pop of interest and a color splash.
Navy and white are excellent compliments.

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If only we could all have these open windows ;)
This picture was just to pretty not to drool over a bit!

What does your lighting say about you? The light fixtures in a room like a kitchen
can really tell the style in one piece. A traditional light, a modern
 or contemporary light, or eclectic!

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Opening your cabinetry with glass panes (or open panes) when neatly
stacked dishes are within, can make the room appear less
closed off and restraining.

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White barn sink anyone?

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Another example of light fixtures setting the style for the room.
Cover up the fixtures and the room has much less interest until these pop in!

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And over sized light fixtures (if they work for your space) are amazing too!
All around a wonderful photo.

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Until Next Time,

 

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Comments: 3

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Client Project: Space Planning Tips for a New Kitchen!

Client Project: Space Planning Tips for a New Kitchen!

Exciting project on the books...

Custom Build in Fairview

Here's my client's bathroom in her last house-
so this should be fun!

With blueprints scattered everywhere, we are beginning with
the kitchen design. I have a new appreciation for a red pen and liquid paper
correction tape used by Richard, of Richard Drummond Davis architectural firm...
-as we add, tweak (repeat:)

He's done a beautiful job on the plans and has captured
the homeowner's unique vision.

So, if you are planning a new kitchen or just a remodel-
keep reading!

Here are some pointers:

When planning a kitchen, it's important to give careful consideration 
to how the space will be used.

Some questions to ask yourself from HGTV:

A. What is your cooking style and the appliances that you are going to want?

B. Do you want people in the kitchen, or do you want people sitting on 
the other side of the bar, talking while you cook?

Space planning for your kitchen is very thought out and useful.

Check out these layouts. Source: Better Homes and Gardens

U Shaped Kitchen

Traditionally, the stove, sink and refrigerator are placed at points of 
a triangle for efficient movement in the kitchen.

This efficient, versatile plan usually puts one workstation on 
each of three walls.

Pros: Storage and counter space on three sides maximize efficiency,
 and the dead-end floor plan ensures that traffic doesn't 
interrupt the work triangle.

Cons: This isn't the best plan for entertaining or for 
accommodating multiple cooks.

Island Kitchen



The island floor plan, which continues to be popular, is a great way to 
add informal seating, as well as extra prep space and storage, to a kitchen.

Pros: This plan works best for large kitchens in which the work triangle 
would exceed the 26-foot rule if all three workstations were located against walls.

The "26-foot rule" dictates that for maximum efficiency, the perimeter of the work triangle should measure at least 12 feet but not more than 26 feet.

Cons: Island plans are not well-suited to kitchens where 
two work stations must be on opposite walls.

Islands, which continue to be popular, are a great way to add informal 
seating, as well as extra prep space and storage, to a kitchen.

L Shaped Kitchen



The L-shape plan puts two workstations on one wall and the 
third on an adjacent wall.

Pros: This layout is more space-efficient than a U-shape plan, especially 
if the main workstations are located close to the crook of the L.

Cons: Not well-suited to small spaces. Be sure to allow adequate open 
counter space between the two workstations that share the same wall
 -- at least 4 feet.

I have to confess that I think we are breaking all the rules mentioned
above... custom is custom!

Contact US to help you maximize your space for any room of your home!

Until Next Time,

Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Comments: 0

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A Custom Kitchen in Progress: Part 2

A Custom Kitchen in Progress: Part 2

Well, it has almost been three months and we are starting to see the finish line!  

My client, New York, New York, has taken a small "facelift" of a project and 

turned it into a complete "overhaul"!!!

This is what I've been looking at over there for the past two months...

Which started out like this...

And today looks like this!

Okay, I have to admit there is a long way to go... but this is progress!!!!

Read about the full project here...

As a recap, we settled on semi custom cabinetry by Kraftmaid 

and designed this beautiful kitchen and 

this awesome wine bar... yum.

If you are having trouble envisioning this...

here's some help-

and this...

A full suite of Viking appliances patiently awaits in the warehouse-

A combo of Caesarstone and Blue Azul granite go in soon!

And... multiple options for lighting

(which has been a power struggle...wink wink)

Here's some favorites:

Island pendant lighting... still pending-

While we are at it... there's more.

Powder Bath Before:

Last Week:

Today:

Emser Contempo Tile

Coming soon...

Sweet potty

 Ridiculously difficult tile to source...

thank you Homero-

Kohler floating vanity...

Cool lighting from Restoration Hardware and 

dark chocolate walls in Sherwin Williams

Well Bred Brown ...

New York, New York, has been an excellent general contractor

and lots of fun to work with... never a dull moment:)

There's so much more to show you... almost every room

in the house, so stay tuned for more.

Fingers crossed this kitchen is finished soon!!!!

Until next time,

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 Comments: 0

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A Custom Kitchen in Progress: Part 1

A Custom Kitchen in Progress: Part 1

Kitchen Envy...

I've started a new project- basically a gut of a kitchen in 

the Knox- Henderson area of Dallas.

My client, New York, New York and I have covered our 

bases, starting with the new cabinetry.

I recommended: Custom 

NY, NY wants: Semi- Custom

I recommended: Glass fronts

NY, NY wants: All wood

I recommended: The white kitchen above (to get out of my system)

NY, NY wants: The opposite:)

(you see how this is going!)

This is an example of a Designer/Client collaborative effort...

which is working...really it is!:)

Here's the before:

and here is the drawing for the after...

A bit more modern-

The drawing doesn't show the cove crown to the ceiling as well as the 

hardware or countertops... I'm crossing my fingers for Silestone and a granite island.

Here's a slight addition on my part:)

Before:

Proposed After:

Cheers!

Once we were satisfied with the overall design, 

next was the backsplash tile-

I recommended: 

Linear mosaic... great colors to go with a silver gray quartz counter

NY, NY wants:

But... with the removal of the tropical brown granite and 

addition of some white glass

(my original Plan A until I found the above!)

I'm pushing for the compromise:

Custom tile pattern from Arizona Tile

1. Choose your colors

2. From hundreds of choices

3. Put in the the computer program

by percentage of color preference...

and it's yours-

My job is to propose ideas that will work and 

the client makes the decision...

STAY TUNED!

The one decision made is semi-custom cabinetry

by Kraftmaid. I have to say I am impressed with the 

multitude of options available.

Visit www.kraftmaid.com to see what I mean

I will update as the plan progresses...

I'm glad New York, New York has good taste:)

Until next time,

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 Comments: 1

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