I'm Dreaming Of.......

Someday when I get the nerve, I'll post pictures of what our current bathroom looks like.  I get nauseous just thinking about the tile-clad walls, floor, and countertop, not to mention that the tile is done in varying shades of flesh-tone.  Add to the mix a coordinating skin-colored tub, toilet and sink, and you have a whole pile of dated ceramic and porcelain--none of it good, none of it staying for much longer.  When we moved into the house last year, we thought we could live with this bathroom for a few years--sure, it's ugly, but everything appeared to be in great shape and we know it will be a great deal of sweat equity to take this room apart.  Slowly but surely though, over the past year, the sink faucet is now on its last legs, and the bath faucet drips constantly.  I'm sure the toilet isn't saving the world either, with its massive water-wasting ability compared to new water-saving toilet technology.  Since it looks like a bathroom renovation will be on the horizon sooner than we thought, I've been sort of keeping my eyes peeled for inspiration and a possible "place to start".  Then, last weekend when I least expected it, I came across this little gem:

 My company had a booth at the Midwest Home Show in Minneapolis the weekend before Thanksgiving, and I had the privilege of providing free "designer consults" there.  I spotted this little guy at the National Kitchen and Bath Association's "garage sale" booth, where there were a ton of overstock and discontinued items for sale at seriously discounted prices.  This pretty little sink is from Kohler's Serif collection, and to add to its beauty, the color is Vapour Blue--a gorgeous variation of turquoise and powder blue!  The price on this item was $75, and I told myself that if it was still there at the end of the weekend, I'd purchase it and use it as my inspiration for the (inevitable) upcoming bathroom project.  Imagine my delight when I went back at the end of the weekend, and not only was my sink still there, they were offering an additional 30% off as an "end of show special".  Obviously, I snagged it (for $50 nonetheless), and it's sitting in a box at my house, waiting to be worked into the design scheme for our new bathroom.  Since then, I've had turquoise on the brain, and have started to collect images of blue bathrooms to inspire this design....even if it's still in the very early stages.  Here are a few of my favorites:

House of Turquoise

This ensuite feels more like a glam retreat than a bathroom, which is maybe why I love it so much.  I especially love the un-bathroom-like glass lamps on the counter, and the plush area rug anchoring the center of the room.  Oh, to have that kind of space!

 Lynn Morgan Design

 

This bathroom doesn't scream turquoise, but has intentional hits of the beautiful color through the soft frosting on the shower doors, and gorgeous back-painted glass countertops that wrap the vanity and go to the floor.  What a great way to add color and drama to the space!

 

 House of Turquoise

Now here is a great way to do floor to ceiling tile!  This aqua banding around the entire room is so soothing, and is a great backdrop to the simple vintage fixtures.  I also love the way the aqua subway tile continues into the white without a bulky chair rail tile or other ornamentation.   Sometimes pure and simple is best.

 Southern Accents

Normally, I lean more toward green-blues and turquoise tones, but something about this sky blue bath calls to me.  I love the marble that climbs all the walls, as well as the "imperfect" nature of the glass tile on the tub surround and wall niche.  Stunning.

 

Sara Richardson

I saved the BEST for last, and had to post all of the pictures I had of this spectacular bathroom by Sara Richardson.  I fell in love with this room when it was featured on the first season of Sara's House, and it remains to be one of my favorite spaces of all time.  Just look at that glass-tiled wall in the shower and dark wood detailing at the vanity.  To top it all off, full length drapes?  In a bathroom?  It doesn't get much more glamorous than this!

So I think I have a nice little handful of inspirations as I start thinking about my bathroom re-design.  Of course I'll have to scale my champagne tastes back (a lot!) to make this happen, but hopefully in the end, I'll have a calming, turquoise-infused space to relax and start the day in.  I'll keep you posted!

Its Christmas in Canada!

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends and neighbors!  To celebrate this upcoming weekend, I'll be joyfully traveling back to my Canadian homeland to be with family.  Its not Thanksgiving there (us Canucks celebrate that holiday in early October), but just happens to be my mom's birthday, so why not make a mini-trip out of this long weekend?  The nice thing about going home in late November is that Christmas decor is already in full swing--with Canadian Thanksgiving out of the way, we have extra time to obsess over getting everything "just perfect" for all the glory that December brings!  I already know that it is going to be freezing cold this weekend, so I thought I'd kick off the decorating season by posting some Christmas-inspired, frosty-toned pics.........bundle up!

Canadian House & Home

I love anything high-contrast, and this setting is no exception.  Everything is as crisp as a winter's day......

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This flocked little tree reminds me of the real ones we see driving through the Canadian prairies after a heavy snowfall.  I also love the random birch logs standing behind--I'm seeing these everywhere this season, and can't wait to get my hands on a few for my own outdoor decorating.

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Doesn't this modern take on Christmas decor just make you shiver?  In a good way of course!  The combination of turquoise and sapphire blue adds another icy element to this scene, and for added sparkle, there's even a disco ball hanging from the ceiling!  The roaring fire is a wonderful juxtaposition to this room's cool vibe.

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I fell in love with this wintery living room scene when Canadian House & Home magazine featured it a couple of years ago.  I even spent almost two hours with IKEA customer service trying to get my hands on one of those discontinued shelving units before they were gone forever.  Alas, it was not meant to be, but this is still one of my favorite "icy but cozy" Christmas looks.

Country Living

This bedroom's cool palette makes me want to curl up under all of those quilted linens!  And what a great place to hang stockings.  This deliberate color scheme is beautifully pale, but has enough texture to keep it interesting and inviting.

Country Living

Lastly, this living room is a beautiful blend of white and soft grays--perfect if you ask me, and I love the wooden sock forms for stockings--how unique!  To see more of this serene home and meet its creative owners, click here.

And with that, off I go to adventure in the frosty white north.  I've packed my mittens and toques (that's Canadian for "stocking cap"), and am looking forward to spending the weekend with family.  Hope these images have you dreaming of a white Christmas......

Island Banquettes: Yay or Nay?

I've recently come across some photos of banquettes and that been beautifully integrated with kitchen islands.  This has brought to mind many preliminary design options that I've presented to clients in the past--and no one has ever chosen this option!  I think that when designed correctly, its a great way to squeeze in extra seating or a breakfast space, but I've never been able to get a client to embrace it and move forward.  So am I way off base in thinking these are clever and cool?  These images suggest otherwise.....there are some great designs out there!

 Tobi Fairley via House of Turquoise

This little bench sneaks in there so cleverly and quietly you hardly notice......which gives you the opportunity to drool over all of those lovely fabrics!

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This island bench is part of a much larger, very creative floor plan, which you can see more of here.  The idea works beautifully in the space, as do the other great details like the transom windows, contemporary coffered ceiling, drum pendant shades, etc......

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Not an island-style banquette, but I couldn't resist including this one because it's an excellent example of how to use built-in seating to enlarge and extend a galley kitchen.  I love the look of this space, and how the bench ties in so well with the rest of the cabinetry.  The dramatic mirror and ghost chair are great accents as well--very un-kitchen-like, which I love!

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I saved my favorite for last--this kitchen has so many beautiful details in addition to that banquette!  I love how clean and serene this space feels, and how there is such a beautiful transition between the interior and exterior--those black architectural doors are stunning.  As for the island seating, it looks perfectly contemporary and anchors the space so well.  

So any thoughts?  Do these images sell you on the concept of integrated island seating?  I'm sold!

The Best Countertop choices

Granite has held the spotlight for years as the "luxury" choice for kitchen countertops.  There's nothing wrong with it--its a durable, natural surface, comes in at a variety of price points, and offers a bounty of colors, patterns and types to choose from (I have it in my own kitchen).  The problem is that granite has become so mainstream, and despite its variation and natural beauty, is starting to look somewhat "predictable" from a design standpoint.  In addition, its becoming so overused and "expected" that its losing its luxury appeal due to mass market availability.  This Houzz Ideabook offers ten awesome alternatives (some new, some not-so-new) to granite, and has great visuals of each type.  Thanks Paul of Kitchen and Residential Design for expertly putting this together.

In addition to this great collection of images, I also want to highlight Cambria's release of a new line of colors.  In the past, I haven't loved Cambria surfaces because of their uniformity and sometimes unnatural look.  I'm now a lover, however, and can't wait to use some of their new colors/patterns in a future design project.  A little fun fact about Cambria is that, unlike granite and marble, its quartz composite surface is completely non-porous, making it NSF certified.  This means that the surface doesn't allow liquids to penetrate, thereby reducing the risk for stains and bacteria growth. Additionally, Cambria doesn’t require sealing or on-going maintenance to protect the surface--how easy is that?  Here are a few of my favorites from their new collection:

The photo doesn't do it justice, but this one, called Windermere is a great greeny-gray with some pretty umber accents throughout.  It has subtle movement, and a fossil-stone look to it.  I would love to see it with white rift-cut oak cabinetry, or in a classic white painted kitchen.

I like Minera for its sparkle and bit of "edge".  It has the industrial look of concrete with some glam, mirror-like flecks in it

Called White Cliffs, this one is outstanding.  Its the purest white I've seen in a quartz surface, and has such a clean crisp quality to it.  Great for that modern kitchen or bath that demands beautiful simplicity.

This photo doesn't look like much because the sample isn't showing it in its full back-lit glory.  Yes, they've come up with a quartz surface that has an onyx-like quality, and can be lit from behind to achieve a gorgeous amber glow.  See a lighted version here.

Well, those are my favorites, and I think Cambria has done a terrific job of engineering a look that is natural, timeless and unique.  See the entire collection here.

Great Ideas when starting your Kitchen Re-Design

Even though you may seek the professional advice of a designer at some point during the process, you are the ultimate end-user and the reason for the re-design, so this renovation starts with your preferences and ends with your satisfaction.  Because kitchens are so reliant on function, you are creating more than a pretty room--you are creating a beautiful and highly functional room as well.  In order to not get overwhelmed in the beginning stages, here are some tips for getting the process started and setting yourself up for a successful end result.

1.  Be honest about what you hate about your current space.
There are the obvious offences, like unmatched appliances, dated cabinetry, etc., but look at it from a function standpoint.  As a designer I'm always conscious of how a kitchen relates the rest of the house.  Consider all of the daily activities that go on in your kitchen, and if there are features in the current space that make these things difficult.  Maybe its an awkward peninsula that visually and physically interrupts the flow from one room to the other, or maybe the kitchen is too cut off from the rest of the house.  Think about the basic layout and consider how many steps it takes to prepare a meal.  Maybe you've been living with a poor layout for so long that you've become used to it, so trace your steps for a day and pay attention to what bothers you.  A great goal is to tighten up the distance between work centers--no more than 9' and no less than 4' is comfortable, and makes a cook's job more efficient.

Design Inc.

2.  Make an outrageous wish list

Even if your budget only allows for a "facelift" and not a complete overhaul, keep a file of what you'd love to have if the sky was the limit.  Your wish list will reveal recurring preferences and tastes, and as you accumulate photos, notes and product information, you'll have something to refer to to get the look you're after--even if it ends up being "the look for less".  Besides, if you end up hiring a designer, there's no telling what tricks they have up their sleeve for capturing exactly what you're after and creating the space of your dreams.

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3.  Don't let others dictate your tastes

Everyone has an opinion these days, and with so many options to choose from, it can become overwhelming to try and take it all in.  Be confident from the beginning in what your likes and dislikes are.  A great example of this is when it comes to countertop choices.  Marble is all the rage right now, and there are varying opinions on how practical it is over time since it is a "softer" stone.  Some will say to stay away from this type of surface for durability's sake, but a great kitchen designer once told me to "buy what you love and be aware of its limitations".  This is fantastic advice--knowing what you're getting into and understanding that it may need a bit more care and attention gives you permission to choose something that suits your taste.

Jennifer Worts Design

4.  Determine how you want your kitchen to feel
 After considering function and form, seriously consider how you want your kitchen to feel when everything is complete.  Although "feeling" is often harder to describe or nail down, it will play an important role in your satisfaction with the final outcome.  Clients often ask for a kitchen that "feels like its always been there", or a space that feels like a gathering place--one where everyone will always end up hanging out.

Kitchen Trends

 Kitchen Trends

Love these last two images--this space is so soothing, but has a quiet energy to it.....for me, it "feels" perfectly perfect.......

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.

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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.

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 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.

Hire a Kitchen Designer......here's why: Part 1

I'm certainly not above putting together a shameless plug for my profession, which is exactly what I'm going to attempt doing here.  The blog world is home to many designers who are valuable sources of information--from the best design tutorials, to vast libraries of beautiful images, to amazing color advice and wonderfully written design and lifestyle advice.  Design bloggers who are also in the business of producing good designs all have one thing in common--they've established themselves as experts in their field, and their work speaks to their talent and ability.  I can almost guarantee that there's been no shortage of hard work and perseverance that has gotten them to where they are!  As a designer myself, I've worked hard to get to this place, and will continue working even harder to make sure that my clients get the best designs I can produce for them.  That said, here are my thoughts on why kitchen designers are a valuable and worthwhile tool when it comes to planning and designing your dream space.

1.  It will save you thousands. 
A complete kitchen or bath overhaul is not cheap, regardless of how you look at it.  Imagine then, spending even more than you originally planned due to costly mistakes that could have been avoided?  I've seen floor plans that look and function like a maze, trendy color and style choices that are completely wrong for the period of the home, incorrectly sized appliances, mis-aligned window placements......just to name a few things.  Rather than stumble solo through the process and spend the money to end up with a final product that is less-than-expected (and encounter mistakes and re-dos in the process), hire a professional to guide you through every step.  Kitchen designers are often extremely detail-oriented and particular people.  They are able to ask important questions that you wouldn't have thought of on your own, and plan a space that is perfect for your home, your needs and your lifestyle.  A good designer will have product knowledge that is up to date, and be able to educate you on your preferences and choices.  Additionally (and I certainly don't speak for everyone out there), many kitchen designers also represent the distributors of cabinetry, countertops and appliances, and may credit you back the design fees if you purchase through them.  This fact alone makes it worth hiring a kitchen designer to be involved in the initial planning phases, design and implementation of your project.

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2.  You need someone bring reality to your dreams.
Kitchen/bath overhauls are expensive, and more often than not, people are floored when the actual numbers and estimates start trickling in.  For this reason, it is so valuable to have someone who understands where your budget is, and can help you navigate through the financial piece.  In my career, I've seen people massively cut corners when they discovered that their "dream" space was way over budget, only to be disappointed in the end when they realized that they gave up quality and longevity just to get the project done.  I've also seen people become very discouraged when they over-design their space and realize that they can't afford what they want to put in.  A good designer will have an understanding of what you want to achieve with the budget you have, and be realistic, honest, and up front if your dreams aren't aligning with your cash flow.  Also, by hiring someone with a detailed knowledge of cabinetry construction, materials and product choices, you may be pleasantly surprised when that person can design a project that will give you the look and quality (I'm big on quality and product longevity) you want at a manageable price point.

Cecconi Simone

3.  You will add function AND style.
I'm all about "form follows function" when it comes to designing a working kitchen, but why conquer just the function piece when a kitchen designer can also help you gain a ton of style.  A good kitchen designer will be familiar with various home styles, and be able to provide a design that functions well, and works beautifully and harmoniously within the existing space.  Often (but not always, so be careful) a designer will have the product knowledge, industry experience and design background to bring an element of style to your space.    You have control over who you choose to work with, so do your research to ensure that you're working with someone who fits your style and aesthetic.

 Velvet & Linen

Whew.  Well, that's a lot of information in one post.  Almost too much for one post, so I'll stop there.  Look for part 2 of this post--there's still a lengthy list of reasons to seek out a professional kitchen designer--it could (and should) pay off!