This kitchen goes more under the heading of "highly stylized" rather than "highly personal". More "showcase", less "high end catalog". And, that said, it's a viable look. Glam meets function meets texture. There was no other image of the working part of the kitchen.

I like the variety of elements, but what I like more is the strength, yet, restraint. I need to continue to explain to my clients that less is more. Fewer, larger, shapes and forms will enlarge a space as opposed to many, smaller, pieces, door sizes, accessories, etc. This is not a good vs. bad evaluation, simply an observation and another way to design a kitchen. The look is simple and elegant, so that the individual pieces say something meaningful yet are linked together in other ways, perhaps in color or tone, if not style. 

Here, my eye sees a variety of styles:

utility (stainless refrigerator)

rustic (dark wood island)

glamour (beaded hood)

something hip/fun (plexiglass chairs)

elegance/sophistication yet modern (prints on wall)

modern/sleek yet textural (floor)

contrast (floor and walls)

There are common threads among these elements which tie one disparate piece to another and it's fun looking for them.  I'm actually pretty crazy about this kitchen, although I'd probably want to change the prints to something A BIT more personal...give me that. But those chairs...what a WOW!

One question that comes to mind is, what came first, or simultaneously? Was the flooring color picked first, knowing that those chairs would be used, which relate to the walls in terms of tone? Was the big picture seen from the start, or were pieces brought in, to build on the previous concept. How were the layers developed? It appears to me that there was a desire to have a strong foundation first and foremost, as seen in the flooring and the island being similar tones. Other than that, it's hard to guess.

What do you think??

I like the horizontal dark element of the counters and I like the "important" or strong, feeling of the island in wood. 

The island, to my eye, does not overpower the other light colored elements. The reason it looks balanced to me is that there is so much MORE light colored elements in the room, balanced with just a few areas of the dark color. In other words, it makes sense proportionately in regard to color and tone balance. 

I also think this image goes a long way toward being serene, don't you? It has great interest, yet it is easy on the eyes and looks very spacious. The light floor, walls, and cabinetry, and understated backsplash, go a long way to achieve this quiet elegance. 

The floor...I think this type of floor, being quite textured, is fine in terms of being "busy enough" so you don't see every crumb immediately (unless you bake a lot of brownies.) The recent popularity of super dark wood floors is no better for spots, dings, dust, and so on. The best floor is a medium tone. But, to me, something REALLY speaks to me about a light floor. And, yes, for me, it would have to be textured. I'll have one, one day, in some form. This floor is limestone by Walker Zanger. Yes, limestone needs sealing and nervous care. I'm usually a conservative type, so I do not recommend it.

As seen in the June issue of Veranda.

What do you think of this combination of tones?

Anyone from New York City who has a fabulous kitchen renovation? HGTV is looking to shoot a commercial on Monday, the 7th of July! Email me your info and I'll pass it on.

Let me just make it simple and do a pros and cons evaluation:

PROS

1. A space saving appliance. For an apartment-sized kitchen, it's no less than a God-send.

(I honestly cannot think of another "pro" to the over-the-range microwave...geez.)

CONS

1. It is typically situated at an uncomfortable height. If one is short in height, or a child, it can be difficult to reach in and out.

2. Along with #1, of course, comes the possibility of danger, first, if the container becomes hot, and one is taking it out at this uncomfortable height, but also, if there are items cooking on the stove and one reaches for the microwave. Take care!

3. If the microwave cannot be ducted out, the fan is nearly useless, as it becomes a recirculating fan.

4. Most microwaves are approximately 12" deep, which only cover the rear two burners if the ducted fan is turned on.

5.  The typical 300 cfm fan capacity is a poor performer in terms of ventilating power.

6. Due to the height of the microwave, very tall pots pose a problem in cooking comfortably, including being able to see the contents of the pot.

I mentioned the reasons that I bought one of these in this post. It's definitely a love/hate thing, I'm sure, for many of us.  Image is from GE, which has a whole lot of choices in microwaves. Kelli, in a comment from the original post mentioned, asked, "What's the alternative?"

ALTERNATIVES

1. Do you REALLY use a microwave, do you really need one? A good question to ask, in general. 

2. Can you find any other space to build in a microwave? If built in, remember, you must have a trim kit for proper ventilation around the appliance.

3. Can you simply place the microwave (perhaps a small one) on the countertop?

4. Check out GE's Trivection range...not a microwave, but a speedy oven, with microwave technology inside.

5. Perhaps a microwave drawer?

6. Are you rich? Buy a TurboChef.

Much of this discussion depends on if the kitchen is being designed from scratch, or, simply, as in my case, a space is open, and now that space will be filled again with this type of microwave. I can deal with this solution for now.

You may have read about my apartment kitchen remodel.  Well, to get you up to speed, quickly, while some improvements continue to be done, we're putting the bulk of the renovation on hold for now. The basic issue is that we are undecided on what should drive certain important decisions...resale or personal wants and needs. Plus, since our son will be staying there for at least a couple of more years while in college, there is not an urgency to do the renovation.

SO...in the course of having to remove the existing over-the-range microwave this weekend, due to its extreme venting inefficiency and age, we stopped at Best Buy to pick up another one, a 400cfm model by Samsung, since we were told by our super we could duct it through the existing path in the ceiling. We found most new models were 300 cfms.

BUT, while in Best Buy, all of a sudden, we saw this LG microwave and immediately had a WOW reaction. It's very sexy, it's a few inches deeper than normal, it's taller, which we needed, and best of all, it has a 470 cfm fan, which was very impressive. Our son and his girlfriend cook up a STORM  in our NYC apartment, nearly every night, and the gunk of small airborne particles that settle all over the apartment is not a pretty sight. So, THIS appliance seems to fit what we need for now.

As I've said before, I'm not a fan of the over-the-range microwave in general, for several reasons, but, in this case, the spot is open for it, so we'll fill it. This is the most powerful over-the-range microwave cfm rating I know of, which leads to healthier living in an open kitchen!

I LOVE the lift up door, the cfm capacity, the depth to better cover the burners, and the very cool look!

"We are remodeling our kitchen.  The look we're going for is whitewashed custom cabinets with chocolate glaze and a large black  island.  We planned on stainless steel appliances - 42" fridge and 48" viking range.  We were considering the 48" white viking range - would that color work in this kitchen or would a white range be better suited in another style kitchen?"

Maryann

Maryann, right off the bat, it sounds to me like you will be dealing with two different whites...a bright white (if that is what you are referring to) for the Viking, and a glazed white cabinet color, which will be somewhere in the ivory/cream family.

I'd be very careful when mixing whites. Some whites have a pink cast, some a green, some, a yellow, for example. It is critical that you see the actual Viking color samples alongside of your cabinet color, preferrably in your own home during different times of the day and lighting conditions. Pay attention to the tones.

I'll tell you what you may consider. Check out the Oyster Gray. I've used it before. It's deep enough to be enough of a contrast with your cabinets, but only you will be able to tell if the tones work well or not. It's a great neutral shade.

I will also tell you that a lesser used, but beautiful combination IS using white and cream colors together. You may want to carefully think through using white and cream elsewhere in the room as well so that it is viewed as a theme of sorts, rather than one item white and one item cream. Done well, I actually really love this look.

I hope this was helpful!

I've talked lots about the lightness in Scandinavian kitchens. Light tones are seen in many kitchen materials such as walls, cabinets, countertops, backsplashes and so on. But, I think what is, really, a very cool look, and one that is very UNcommon here in the U.S. are super light floors as are often seen in Scandinavian kitchens. There is SOMETHING about a light floor, and I'm not even sure I can express what it is, but I'll try.

I think light toned floors contribute a number of interesting attributes to a kitchen design:

• The space appears larger than it really is.
• If the walls are light as well as the floors, the space seems to float, almost suspended, and there is a flow to the space that, in all light tones, almost defies description.
• If the large elements such as cabinetry, are dark, the expected contrast is reversed and is a very cool look.
• The space looks clean! One may want to choose an imperfect light floor, so the inevitable nicks and spots are not so offensive.
• In my opinion, it is, at once, modern and elegant.
• The light reflecting work of a light floor contributes to well being, especially in the winter months 
• A light floor helps reduce the need for artificial lighting, a good green solution.

What do you think of light floors? Me, I'm crazy about them! If I didn't have red oak in my kitchen/family room area, I'd definitely bleach it, but it comes up pink. MAYBE, I'll paint them. Here you go, what do you think of light flooring?

I may have said it before...it's the perfect storm, something I could not have predicted. Projects, highly detailed, large, all needing to be ordered at once, all having come on board at different times, nearly all which should have been finished a long time ago, at different times from one another, except for architectural or construction delays. Or both. I swear, every project gets a life of its own! Will my clients be patient with me as I have been with them? I think they will.

I'm in the middle of all the detail right now. But, here's my philosophy. The day before Thanksgiving, I sometimes don't go food shopping till 3 pm or so (now THAT'S professional procrastination, although procrastination is not the issue), AND, I make everything from scratch, and I'm not kidding. When I come home and start preparing the food, I think, I'm not sure HOW a fabulous dinner will be on the table the next day, sometimes for 20+ people...but I know it will be. And, so, these projects will all turn out as they always do - correct.

Not to mention, 2 weeks back, when 5 Danish Vikings came to invade my home for one week in order for us to exhibit Hansen kitchen furniture at the ICFF. Long days, setting up/breaking down the display, rush hour traffic, talking nonstop, oh, let's add a visit to the Danish Consulate General's residence for a gathering of Danish companies exhbiting at ICFF in there too, and you have a bit of chaos! Fortunately, those Vikings invaded with fresh, new, Scandinavian home magazines. Would you like to see the latest interior ideas from Scandinavia?

In between, our garden of somewhere close to 200 roses is just beginning to bloom with a few blooms here and there. The garden has been a source of real excitement in recent weeks..real anticipation. I planned my kitchen mostly around the garden some years back, adding 20' of windows to have a panoramic view of all that happens beyond the house, which changes by the hour. The view from the kitchen window is always, always, an important consideration in the planning stages.

More stuff soon...green topics, Scandinavian kitchens, new products, and just the random things that come up. Good to be back with you!

I was able to get some very good shots without people in them, and, short of a few shots that are, well, cockeyed, my new camera did an excellent job! The Idea Center kitchens by Meredith, will be up soon. Enjoy it! And, Happy Mother's Day!

KBIS Kitchen Slideshow