Rosemary's Kitchen - Can a White Kitchen Be Warm?

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My sister loves to cook.

We are half-Italian, half-British.

Rosemary got the Italian - she makes wonderful, savory meals out of nothing much at all.

I got the British- I love to bake goodies for tea :)

Rosemary moved into her home about ten years ago, and it had the original, 40-yr old kitchen.

Aside from changing out the knobs and a quick counter change she lived with it, waiting to remodel.

The time has come!

Really, this woman could be a chef, and spends her evenings and weekends exploring culinary delights.

  I am thrilled that she is going to have a better space to work in.

After talking to her earlier this week, we thought maybe I should head down to help her make 

a few picks on the finishes.

We are working with brand new white appliances, Rose doesn't like black or stainless.

She likes traditional. This would cause her to swoon!

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Rose said she wanted a "cream" kitchen, then told me she is considering

having the cabinetry painted with BM Ivory White - 

which is going to look quite yellow against her appliances.

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I don't particularly like that combination.

I would prefer either a grey-based white or something more saturated.

But Rosemary feels that white kitchens have a cold, sterile feeling 

and she wants a warm welcoming space.

So tomorrow I plan to show her the warm side of white.

Armed with oodles of examples, we are going to explore how a white kitchen

(with ceramic tile on the floor)

can actually feel cosy!

I'm also going to suggest that she brings in a little color - I know, you are surprised!

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I would like to end up somewhere like this.. pushing the traditional aesthetic a bit..

but I think Rosemary will be happiest here, and this is the pic I'm showing her last!

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I don't usually request before and after pics from clients, but  this one I will be able to share..

looking forward to spending a day with my sis, we don't get enough of those -

although two-hour phone marathons are quite common :)

Working on a color post to address one of my most commonly asked questions,

will try to get it up this weekend, along with pics of the living room!

Happy friday :)

til next time..

the fridge: decorated

for all of us who dream of replacing our old appliances with unattainable 

viking ranges and sub zero side-by-sides...

who needs 'em?!!

That display beats a mass of stainless steel any day.

Happy friday :)

Eye Spy a Trend: Mixed Material Cabinetry

For those of us who feel that reclaimed wood isn't quite sleek enough,

 and laquered cabinetry is too sleek-

 these beauties have the best of both worlds..

I spotted this on the lovely Ashlina's blog, The Decorista

There's much to see here, but focus in on those lower cabinets..

that's not a door treatment you see every day.

From French Elle Decor - c'est parfait, non?

Another example, for those of who are us white kitchen lovers..

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Here's the flipside, wood frames and laquered doors - I LOVE this one:

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A whole kitchen is quite a commitment.

Perhaps a piece of furniture to update a room?

There's loads of mixed bag options floating about:

Gorgeous wood and leather cabinet.. 

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The sexy Seguro media console from Crate and Barrel..

The Pratt Desk from West Elm..

The Dandelion Graphic Dresser is a decorative take on mixed-materials:

A few of Ikea's newest products:

Mandal Series

Stuva storage combo

and if you fancy a DIY, a so-easy-it-will-take-your-breath-away Ikea hack:

I like the contrast of rustic and refined,

smooth and rough,

light and dark.

It makes a space more interesting, yes?

til next time..

Must-See: The DeCesare Design Group

One word - scale.

That's what I thought when I first saw these interiors.

After exploring the site further, I took another look.

The DeCesare Design Group consists of one principal Designer, Caroline Tyler DeCesare,

 several design, office, and studio assistants, and an installation team.

I know this because Carolyn DeCesare has placed professional bio's

 of each of these individuals on her site.

Rarely does anyone fully credit the team that makes it possible to create these stunning spaces,

and I think that graciousness extends into her design.

So we have two words now - scale and graciousness!

Now these kitchens.. 

We don't all have the space, but the style can be adapted on a smaller scale -

the serene space..

for those who love to cook and entertain, the energy is amped up with contrast and color:

I need those lights. Need.

I am a white cabinet kinda girl, but his one has me dreaming..

A sultry dining room - love the mix of finishes in here.

The mirror - oh!

That dining room really needs a splashy living room to join it, don't you think?

How about a Fortuny light, my all-time favourite.

Baths you'd want to spend time in..

and somewhere to take it all in..

See what I mean about scale?

off to work.. color for three teen bedrooms this afternoon..

hope you all are having as super a day as I am..

Wouldn't it be nice to be working here :) ?

tomorrow I will show you some of their office spaces - fantabulous!

til next time..

black + white + art + kitchen perfection

Prepare yourself for some serious kitchen envy.

What do you do when space is limited and the views are so-so?

Paint it white, pare it down and add your own eye candy.

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Is it hhhhhot where you are? 

We've just cancelled our plans for the beach today because we can't even BREATHE out there.

The boys have been trying to work on the blisteringly-hot-south-facing-deck through this heat wave, 

and it's progressing a little slower than anticipated as a result -

but we gave them the day off, as well.

I lost the battle for having the decking laid in a herringbone or chevron pattern like this -

apparently the budget would have doubled, as it would have involved changing the structure.

I'm really starting to dislike that dirty "B" word!

But at least it's on a diagonal :)

And there is the beginnings of shade - yay!

Hope you're having a lovely, air-conditioned day :)

Pinstriping in the Kitchen

it's all in the details...

I love how pinstriped walls and black uppers pick up on the stove detail in these kitchens.

from Jeff Andrews Design.

(I expect we'll be hearing more about him shortly -

 he's the chosen designer of the Kardashians :)