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Design Quickie: Sara’s Smokin’ Kitchen

June 14, 2010 By Liz - It's Great To Be Home 5 Comments

This latest e-decorating design board was created for Sara, who was craving an updated kitchen that flowed seamlessly with the adjoining family room. Here’s what she had to say:

Love your blog and I am interested in one of your design quickies. I need help with my kitchen. My home was built in the mid nineties and has those awful oak {I think} cabinets. I want to paint them and need help with a color and possibly hardware. Also possibly a new paint color for the kitchen. We will probably be moving next year so unfortunately the countertops, backsplash and appliances will have to stay. I just need help making them look better – ha! It’s an open concept so the kitchen opens up to the family room. I like the color in the family room and don’t want to have to repaint. Sorry for the novel!!!! ~ Sara

Sara was already starting out with a fab kitchen, so updating it and making it flow with her family room will be a breeze. The wallpaper border will be gone in a flash and since Sara’s keeping the flooring, backsplash, countertop and appliances, we’re spiffing up this space with a little paint and fabric. Olive-y greens and rich browns are Sara’s favorite and will completely transform this kitchen and allow it to live happily next to the adjoining family room.

Here we go!

Option 1:

1. Wall Color. 2. Cabinet Stain (Walnut). 3. Fabric for drapes and valance over kitchen sink. 4. Knobs. 5. Pulls. 6. Artwork.

{ Keep in mind that on-screen color representations may vary from actual paint colors. }

Nothing gives a kitchen a warmer, richer feeling than stained cabinetry, and the cabinets will pop against the pale walls {painted 3 shades lighter than the family room} Updating the cabinets with this simple hardware will completely change their look. The graphic, olive-toned fabric will bring life and personality into the kitchen, and provides a great jumping off point for adding accessories {like candle holders, dish towels, akitchen rug, etc.} throughout the space. {Sara might want to add a few olive pillows in the family room to tie the two spaces together even more.} Make simple pelmet box like this {but without curves} for over the kitchen sink {and hang it just above the upper window to bring the scale more in line with the cabinetry} and hang a panel on either side of the bank of windows in the breakfast nook. Think about painting the entire kitchen table and chairs a deep black for a more modern feel, and spray paint the chandelier either silver or black. {Note: for all the plans, think about adding molding to the tops of the cabinets and accessorizing them like this. Also, adding a white or cream slipcover like one of these to the floral couch will instantly transform Sara’s family room into a much more modern and cohesive space.}

Option 2:

1. Wall Color. 2. Cabinet Paint. 3. Drapes. 4. Knobs. 5. Pulls. 6. Artwork.

Option 2 brings a little more opportunity to add color into the space, as the artwork has about a zillion different hues to pull from. The wall color is the same pale shade as in Option 1, but the cabinets are painted a gorgeous sage green and accented with classic hardware. In addition to the drapes, add a brown linen valance over the kitchen window for light control. The chandelier can be spray painted black, and I would paint the kitchen table and chairs a shade or two darker than the cabinets.

Option 3:

1. Wall Color. 2. Cabinet Paint (for cabinets against outer wall) = same as trim. 3. Cabinet Paint (wrapping around entire island). 4. Column Paint = same as trim. 5. Fabric. 6. Knobs. 7. Pulls. 8. DIY Artwork {tutorial}.

Option 3 is the most daring of the different plans because of the treatment the island will be getting. This is the look we’re going for, with stark white cabinets, backsplash and countertop on the back wall, and a dramatically dark island for contrast. Since the island has a column on the right-hand side, that column will be dressed a bit more formally and painted the same color as the trim with a strip of molding added to the top of the column. A bit of color will be brought in through the drapery fabric, and the table, chairs and chandelier will be painted a deep black. Back in the kitchen, think about removing the upper cabinet doors on either side of the sink and paint the back of the cabinet in the same olive-y tone as the drapes – then Sara can show off her favorite dishes in the shelves. The final touch is personalized artwork in the form of silhouettes representing each member of the family.

So there you have it! One open plan kitchen, whipped into shape. Which option would you choose?

Click on the following link to snag some design advice of your very own – Interior Design Services.

What Would You Do?

February 17, 2010 By Liz - It's Great To Be Home 13 Comments

As you may have guessed, we have been dying to flip another house since the last one sold in November. Dying, I tell you!! We’ve been trying to be prudent, going over all of the costs associated with the last flip to see where we can increase our profit margin, scouting around for better financing options and, of course, trolling the city for ugly-with-potential houses. While we’ve been doing our due diligence a few incredibly tempting houses slipped away, which was a total bummer.

Anyhoo, we are now very close to having our ducks in a row and we’ve got our eyes on a few little gems. Here’s the kitchen from one of the front-runners:

Ick, right? That being said, this baby has a lot of potential – I mean, just look at the floor plan!

I think this kitchen has the potential to be a true entertainer’s kitchen – it’s right off the dining room, can be opened up to the den, has double ovens and a gas cooktop, a bar for seating and setting out food . . . all in all, great bones. And it makes my heart go pitter pat to think that we wouldn’t have to move any gas or plumbing lines!!

That being said, this is one ugly kitchen. There are a few options as to how to approach it:

1. Demo the whole thing and start from scratch with new cabinets, etc. Pros – cabinets would be much, much cuter, there would be more vertical storage, we could rework the existing storage, add a wine fridge. Cons – could be an unnecessary cost since the cabinets are in good shape and the layout is essentially staying the same.

2. Paint the existing cabinetry and just spruce everything up a bit with new countertops, appliances, etc. Maybe give the cabinets a similar treatment to what Kristin did? Pros – costs would definitely be lower. Cons – I know that we wouldn’t get the look that we want (like getting rid of the curved detailing on the doors), storage would not be maximized.

3. Mixture between 1 & 2 by refacing the doors. Pros – still not as expensive as new cabinets. Cons – still not as cheap as keeping the cabinet doors, and storage still isn’t maximized.

And once the choice is made between 1, 2 and 3, there’s the fun of deciding on the finishes!! I’ve been wanting to do a remodel with somewhat modern finishes, but I don’t think this is the house for that – the rest of the house (and if the kitchen cabinets stayed) is fairly traditional.

So here’s my question – what would you do with this kitchen? Which option would you pick, and how would you finish it out? Subway tile or glass tile, wood floors or tile, pendants or recessed lighting . . . there are so many things to think about!! I would love your input, I know you guys have great ideas – let the brainstorming begin!

Design Quickie: A Cottage Kitchen

October 5, 2009 By Liz - It's Great To Be Home 9 Comments

Remember that cozy, cottage-inspired living room that I designed for a lovely client a few weeks back? Well, I promised you guys that I would also share the plans for her kitchen and dining area, so I’m back to deliver!!

Here’s a sneak peek at what we’re working with. As you can see, everything is in great shape but it just needs a little tinkering to make it fabulous:

Each of the three design plans I created is totally affordable and provides a neutral base (per request) that my client can easily spice up with accessories, inexpensive rugs, or whatever she likes! You will notice that all of the design plans feature the neutral walls and gorgeous hardwoods that are found in the design plan for her living room. With an open concept plan like my client’s home, keeping the flooring and wall color continuous throughout the living room, dining area and kitchen is an important design factor that instantly makes the space appear larger because the rooms are not chopped up by different floorings and paint colors. Because of this, the soft beige paint and oak floors that are featured in the living room will be continued into the dining area and kitchen for a seamless, flowing look.

Let’s take a look at Option 1, which is simple and classic and can easily be dressed up or down as she pleases:

Cabinets: The existing cabinetry will feel fresh and new with a coat of crisp, white paint. White cabinets are classic, and create an open and airy feeling.

Countertop: This medium toned laminate countertop is made to look like natural stone, and will be a lovely complement to this neutral palette.

Backsplash: Subway tile grouted in white will add to the airy feel of the kitchen, and at only 21 cents per tile my client won’t feel like she’s breaking the bank to achieve such a stylish backsplash.

Sink: This single bowl stainless steel undermount sink is the perfect addition to any kitchen, and its simple, clean lines will work perfectly with the classic design of this space.

Hardware: These oil-rubbed bronze pulls and knobs will highlight and repeat the iron accents that are found throughout the living room and dining area. A pop of black adds instant sophistication and drama to the white cabinets, and gives the cabinetry an added bit of personality.

Dining Table & Chairs: The dining area is the perfect shape for this round table, which is lovely because it invites conversation. The clean lines of these woven banana leaf chairs are a nice contrast to the curves of the table, and create visual interest with their beautiful texture. The existing barstools will look fabulous after receiving a coat of this walnut-toned stain.

Lighting: The shape of the round table is repeated in this chandelier that will make the family feel like they are dining by candlelight.

Curtains: The pattern of these cream and mahogany curtains add another layer of texture and interest to the space, and will look lovely framing the sliding doors.

Turning to Option 2, this design plan really plays upon the cottage features of the living room design plan to create a breezy and comfortable space:

Cabinets: The kitchen cabinets are kicked up a notch in this design plan, featuring khaki insets on a white background to add definition and visual interest to the cabinets. This simple painting technique will be applied to each panel on the upper and lower cabinets.

Countertop: The white accents in this stone-like laminate countertop will pick up the white in the woodwork throughout the room.

Backsplash: Since we are going a bit more cottage in this design plan, a crisp beadboard backsplash is just the ticket. As an added bonus, the beadboard will be a lovely tie-in with the beadboard in my client’s entryway.

Sink: This farmhouse sink is just the right combination of rustic and refined.

Hardware: A bit of shine and shimmer is always a good thing, and these chrome knobs and cup pulls will sparkle on the existing cabinetry. The cup pulls on the drawers will help convey the cottage-y feel of the room.

Dining Table & Chairs: This dining room is all about being comfortable with family. From a rustic trestle table to a cozy bench, family and friends will feel instantly at home in my client’s dining room. The bench will look best placed so that it faces the kitchen, and the other side of the table will be flanked with these cross-back chairs. Painting the bench and bar stools a crisp white will tie everything together perfectly.

Lighting: This pendant light will look great hung above the table, with its natural woven shade adding oodles of texture and interest to that side of the room.

Curtains: By repeating these curtains on either side of the sliding doors in the dining area, the living room and dining area will instantly feel cohesive.

Now for Option 3!! This third option is the most formal of the design plans, but still allows for a cozy, family feel to the space:

Cabinets: With this plan, the upper cabinets (as well as the larger pantry-sized cabinets) receive a coat of fresh white paint, while the lower cabinets and drawers become rich-looking with a coat of walnut stain. This beautiful combination of finishes on the cabinetry will be both visually interesting and eclectic, which is a hallmark of cottage design.

Countertop: This granite-like laminate countertop provides the perfect transition from the rich lower cabinets to the fresh and crisp upper cabinets. With touches of caramel, white, black and cream, the countertop embodies the color palette for this space.

Backsplash: I would love to see this classic subway tile used for the backsplash, finished with black grout to define each tile and add a touch of drama.

Sink: An undermount double-bowl stainless steel sink is the perfect combination of form and function, and will fit perfectly into this design plan.

Hardware: These iron cup pulls and knobs will look fabulous against the cabinetry, adding pops of black that will stand out against the white upper cabinets and look rich against the stained lower cabinets.

Dining Table & Chairs: This dining set is just beautiful, and will be perfect for family dinners. The existing bar stools will fit right in with the rest of the wood in this space after a coat of walnut stain.

Lighting: This textural pendant lamp mimics the shape of the dining table, and will provide a great focal point for this room.

Curtains: These beautiful striped curtains add a refined touch to the kitchen and dining area, and will look fabulous flanking the sliding glass doors.

So there you have it – one space, three ways! Which of these designs tickles your fancy?

P.S. Thanks for all your advice about what to do with that corner of our den – most of you were thinking the same thing I was, which is always reassuring! Hopefully I’ll have an updated photo for you guys soon!

This post is shared with DIY Day on A Soft Place To Land.