I received a copy of Remodel magazine in the mail today, a Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publication. I'm definitely psychic, that's a fact, but I never know why I'm getting these thoughts! It's been forever since this project of mine was shot by BH&G. A long time has passed. The funny thing is, they were in such a rush to shoot it. Maybe they shot it a year and a half ago? Anyway, what do you know, just yesterday I wondered, where is this feature?? It was already in the mail to me, and it had been months and months since I last thought of it.

This was a crazy project. The problems just kept coming, one after another. It's a very old house and the house just did what it wanted to do, end of story. So, I was left to figure out the ceiling due to various beams not willing to move, but they had to relate to the different kitchen sections. It worked out very well, I think, although you can't appreciate it very much in the shots.

I think it's simple, yet elegant. Gena was so much fun to work with. I don't think she says more than a few words without laughing or smiling. That made everything very enjoyable. We had a few tense times, as can happen, but it all came together beautifully in the end. Take a look...

Quick note...as the weather warms...it's 73 degrees and not even 11 am(!) I like to lighten up the blog...so here is a fresh, crisp, change, along with some small new images just below the main image. It feels like summer already to me!

Here is the other Sub Zero booth from the 2008 KBIS show last week, by Bill Draper, of Draper DBS. Bill Draper shares his, always unique, always interesting, vision, creating a mix of materials, a fusion of smoothness, texture, shine, shimmer, waves, and grids in a simple, yet strong, kitchen design.

There is movement in this kitchen...it's in the "wave" drawer fronts, the rounded, amazing, Sub Zero pieces, made as one, the "moving" glass features, even the carved artwork of 3 people in slight movement. The colors are clear and warm, and the lines are strong. Bill Draper's designs for Sub Zero always delight the senses. We, in the biz, KNOW it will be something special if Bill Draper is attached to a project. His cabinetry is wonderful, and he has a policy that his factory will create anything buildable...just go ahead and dream...

Take a look at the Flikr slide show...it's a quick one, only 7 images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATE: I had a request to see the drawer fronts on this project. I did not focus on them, so they are not as sharp as they could be, but it's not bad.

Coming soon...an honest, green, kitchen.

 

A stunningly simple, organic, yet adaptable, point of view.

 

Solid wood. Solid design.

 

Available in the New York area (for the first time), in the first quarter of 08 from...me! (more details soon!)

 

There's a small part of me that would love to do a kitchen out west, if I had a home, or for someone else, for that matter. What would I do? The whole rustic Colorado/Montana/wild west look? Or, maybe a kitchen with a California mediterranean/Spanish ifluence. Or, an elegant, San Franciscan back in time look? I don't know, but I do dream about a western kitchen. Or, maybe I'd choose sort of a modern, yet, warm, kitchen in Oregon or in Seattle, maybe? That could work out quite well.

I first saw these at Apartment Therapy San Francisco. and gasped! What a treasure trove! They are from Western Interiors magazine.  Sometimes, less is more, and sometimes less is, well, less. You'll find your favorites, which, after all, is the point...there's something for everyone. :)

You've got to see it in the slide show...go ahead, waste a little time and get into the kitchen dream zone...zzzzzzzzz 

 

I'm excited to present to you this first kitchen, in a series of wonderful kitchens culled from the Desire To Inspire blog! Jo and Kim, the ladies who are the force behind this award winning blog, (recently named one of the ten most influential design blogs in the blogosphere) have an "eye," a vision for finding stunning interiors. It is the place I go to when I just want to look at interiors to get, well, inspired. In fact, it can be very addicting, looking at these beautiful spaces!

It is not quick and easy to do what Kim and Jo do. The time spent on research behind the scenes is impressive. To create a collection of spaces, which all flow from one to the next, is itself, a creative work. Whether the context is color one day, style the next, a showcase of a particular design firm, or any other theme, we understand what it is we are viewing. It all makes sense.

Let's look at this elegant kitchen. It just speaks to me. I think, because, it reflects my personal style. Maybe that's why I'm choosing this one first. Here's what I love:

• combination of cool and warm colors/shades and the larger proportion of warm shades
  
• contrast of woods
• contrast of colors
• the simplicity
• the artwork
• the personal, lived in, look (it's not sterile!)
  
• the natural, branch-like, touches
  

The clean, yet warm, lines are soft contemporary at its best. I'm crazy about it, what do you think? And, thanks, Desire To Inspire!

 

I arrived home last night from my vacation to see one of my favorite recent kitchens I've designed, finally, in print! The feature just came out in the September issue of Better Homes and Gardens. It's in a section called "Better By Design."

I designed this kitchen a variety of different ways for the client, in an extensive design process, and in the end, the client decided not to change the existing location of windows, doorways, and appliances. BUT, that was only the start of the story. Maintaining these same locations, I wanted there to be a renewed excitement and importance to the kitchen design, but, based on good design principles, rather than easy, but, uninspired "runs" of cabinetry as you can see in the "before" pictures. I also wanted to "lighten up" the area above the refrigerator, which was achieved. A much more spacious feel on that side of the kitchen than before.

Other Ideas Which Didn't Make It:

Some of my ideas were not implemented that I would have liked, but I have to remind myself, it's not my kitchen! I had recommended that the rear wall, rather than subway tile, be some sort of subtle stone, a slab material, although the end result looks great. I also did not want to connect the cabinetry on each side of the range to each wall. I thought it would look interesting to be open, a bit unfitted. Then, I suggested open shelves with the wall showing behind, and no toekick. In the end, the client wanted a more "connected" look, but we did maintain the open shelving below, which makes it.  

New Ideas 

New design ideas were developed and explored, based on the proportion and scale of the space as well as taking into consideration the architecture and style of the home. I also created a personal style interpretation for the client, which bridges the concepts of tradition, a nautical feel, a bit of a "commercial" look, and some real beauty included in the mix too. Please see all of the images in the gallery.

 

As the cyclists in Le Tour de France make their way to Paris, a much smaller group than first started in London 3 weeks ago, but we won't go down THAT road, it is still time for celebration. Why? Because it ends in Paris, after all! The cyclists will be making their numerous rounds on the Champs Elysses this Sunday, to the delight of huge, cheering, crowds, always an incredibly beautiful sight. If you haven't seen the ending of le Tour de France, you've just got to!

So, where will you be? Perhaps you have rented an apartment in Paris for the event! Will you be spotted sipping a glass of champagne, or going to the markets for fresh baguettes and fabulous food? Perhaps you will create your own celebration in your luxury Paris apartment kitchen as you gaze upon the chaos below. One can dream of Paris kitchens...oui?

Au Revoir....away for the weekend (thank goodness for the DVR-le Tour is recorded!) Here is your source for luxury Paris apartments at which these beautiful images reside!

 

 

 

 

I received my copy of Better Homes & Gardens, which is sent to me automatically since I'm subscribed to Decorating Inspiration, a good resource by the way, and I saw a major featured kitchen in this issue that was also on display at KBIS. I had taken photos of this kitchen, which are the top three, below. This issue is out now with lots of other images and information on this kitchen. It is the August issue.

The real point I want to make about this kitchen is to encourage my readers to consider its style. My sense, which I hope I can communite effectively, is that this is one of a "type" of kitchen style, that, is just that, about (kitchen) style alone. It's not about history, architecture, or about one's unique personality being reflected in the kitchen design.

It's simply all about how to style a kitchen, end of story.  It's the kind of look that I know it when I see it! I've seen it many times before, and to me, it is a distinctive look, this all encompassing theme of "kitchen style," for style's sake. It's a really beautiful kitchen in many ways. It's not for me, personally, but then, I have the luxury to sit here and go into the nuances of all things kitchens and dissect it all! There are a good number of clever and interesting elements in this kitchen. It's beautiful in many ways, and certainly highly functional, but I cannot find the soul. It is subjective, don't forget that. AND, after all, it's a "set" kitchen, made to showcase products' versatilities, which it does quite well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are your thoughts?

 

Today is Bastille Day, commemmorating the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. Of course, on this national holiday, always falling in the midst of the Tour de France, it is traditionally the day upon which French riders will make a special effort to take a stage victory for France! 

And, so, it is appropriate to show some kitchens from France today, and I think I have a treat for you! Since the Tour is entering the treacherous and stunningly beautiful French alps, let's take a look at some French country kitchens in some luxury chalets, oui?  Images from the Oxford Ski Company, specialists in luxury ski vacations. I'm there...I just need to learn how to ski, just a detail! I hear tomorrow the route for the Tour is even more grueling in the mountains of France. I'm watching, are you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see in the first image, many of these chalets will accommodate from 10 to 20 people, or more. Some have 8-10 bedrooms, hot tubs, indoor pools, and of course, locations with amazing views of the Alps. Pretty good kitchens too!

Today Le Tour de France goes through Belgium, through beautiful Flanders, amongst chateaus, canals, and wonderful little villages. Unfortunately, there was rainy weather and a huge crash! Watching the peloton is really something awesome.

While I won't be updating you on the tour every day (I promise) I do feel compelled to give a bit of a showcase of Belgium by virtue of, what else, Belgian kitchens! Now, it's not the easiest thing to do to find Belgian kitchen design, so we have a mix of the very old Belgian kitchen by Belgian painters, and the uber-cool and awesome new kitchens, found in Design Addict.

 

The first image is called "A Maid In The Kitchen" by David Emile Joseph de Noter. I don't think the maid is doing her job, do you?  She looks awfully depressed!

 

Next up is a kitchen by Suzon Inber & Associates at www.inger.be  

 

Let's take a look at another kitchen from Suzon Inber & Associates.

And one more ancient kitchen. I think they had issues in those days. What a mess! This  was painted by Joachim Antonisz Uytaewael, 1605.

Here is an interesting explanation of this painting from lepg.org:"Another erotic kitchen scene, with the cook spitting a chicken in the center of the picture (apparently a suggestive activity to the 16th century mind). She is wearing the same type of clothing as the woman in the van Ryck kitchen scene, only her partlet is more decently done up. There are two men in the picture. they are wearing trunk hose, gathered to just above the knee. In both cases their nether hose (stockings) are falling down. I think this was probably pretty typical for working men.  The stockings come just above the knee normally and are gartered, usually just below the knee, but since elastic hadn't yet been invented, it would not be untypical for the socks to still end up coming down around your ankles all the time. This scene has wonderful details of redware, cooking utensils, and orange carrots. Most carrots at the time were white." 

Take a look at that site, there's some very interesting kitchen scenes and analysis of the paintings.

The first stage of the 94th Tour de France began today in London, for the first time ever. They say one million spectators lined the streets to take in the start of Le Tour, the route going from London to Canterbury, 203 kilometers. 189 of the world's best cyclists are now on their way toward 20 stages in all, through villages, mountains, long flats, and ultimately, of course, into Paris (wait till you see the luxury Paris kitchens I already have lined up!)

I have a personal interest in the Tour. My son is a bike racer and aspires to great cycling accomplishments! We frequently attend races around our region. I'll be watching the Tour every day. I must say, the producers of the tour tv footage frequently include amazing views of the French countryside and villages. Turn it on for an hour, you'll see what I mean. It is a fabulous tour of France. Those aerial views are crazy!

So, in honor of the first stage of Le Tour, beginning in London, here is a collection of kitchens from England, in England's distinctive, and really wonderful, traditional styling. Images from Kitchens Bathrooms and Bedrooms magazines. More images will follow, coming from my binder of clippings I have accummulated for some time. More coverage of the tour, and of regional French kitchens will follow from time to time over the next three weeks of the Tour. If it's Monday, it must be Belgium - tomorrow's Stage 2! Enjoy!

Want to see some beautiful kitchens? Look through Coastal Living's kitchen section and get inspired! I love lots of things about this kitchen and have a couple of quibbles.

LOVE the same paint on the walls as on the hood

LOVE the dark brown accents

LOVE the contrast of the white floor and dark island/table

LOVE the use of white

DON'T LOVE the refrigerator enclosure

WOULD BETTER LOVE an integral open shelf toward the top of the island for useful storage

WOULD BETTER LOVE the ceiling fixture over the island hanging lower

WOULD BETTER LOVE a piece of artwork hanging over the recessed wall cabinet next to the blinds 

Overall, a winner for me. How about you?? Enjoy these inspiring kitchens.

 

 

Psychic things happen to me from time to time...I'm sure they do to you too. It's too much fun to think "coincidence." So, what comes in the mail the same day I put up yesterday's post? A new version of the GE Monogram's brochure on inspiring kitchens, called "Perspectives." I just know I'm connected to the energy of the kitchen universe! It finds me! Here are some more great kitchen ideas. And, I must say the appliances are very well designed into the kitchen, don't you think?

 

 

 

I have had this glossy GE Monogram brochure opened and folded back to a particular page for months. I have no idea when I got it in the mail. It has traveled from one pile to another pile to another, I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this. It's a reasonable attempt at organization...isn't it??

This first image of the red/cream kitchen just struck me immediately as strong and stunning. I know I would design the cabinetry in a different way, much different. Parts of the cabinetry "speaks" to me, much does not. But, as I often try to communicate to my clients, it's the "feel" of the room, not any one element, that makes a kitchen special. That's the secret ingredient to a wonderful kitchen. It may not be the countertops, or the cabinetry, or the appliances, but all of it and much more working together, each with an important place in the design to collectively evoke a feeling that the owner wants to feel.  Each piece is another layer in the entirety of the design. Each piece plays a key role.

As a kitchen can be an expensive proposition, enormous focus, and justifiably so, is placed on those three elements...cabinetry, appliances, and countertops first and foremost. And that is as it should be. BUT, as we see in this first image, the other layers of paint, yes, simply paint, accessories, and the use of texture, is, well, everything. I don't know about you, but this first kitchen speaks to me. The others are wonderful for other reasons. The message is, every part of the design has valuable work to do. First, however, one must dig deep to explore and discover what one wants and needs to be surrounded by to feel great joy, and comfort, or, for that matter, stimulation! More about that process soon.

Thanks GE Monogram for permitting the use of these images. As stated above, careful selection of appliances in terms of function AND design is also a critical layer. Very critical. These appliances work to enhance the design of the kitchen. That's the goal. Enjoy! 

 

 

I've got to say, the Sub-Zero booth at KBIS is one of the, if not THE booth to go to to see inspiring designs. More than inspiring, it is wild, wonderful, fantastic, design. This year does not disappoint. Seeing the Sub-Zero booth just gets the design juices flowing, broadening the possibilites for incorporating appliances into kitchens in a fabulous way. Spotlighting Jamie Drake of Drake Design, New York, NY, here is what Jamie Drake's design is all about, from Sub-Zero:

"Jamie Drake's design stems from the magical mystique of the number seven -- seven deadly sins, Seven Wonders of the World, seven seas. The seven deadly sins is a creation featuring a Wolf rangetop with charbroiler set in a red hot peninsula, paired with a series of Wolf wall ovens and a floor afire with glowing embers. This design creates an appliance-focused environment that is presented to designers in an unexpected way. The other two designs also whimsically invoke the number "seven".

The image is of Jamie Drake, himself.