The Great Love Affair With A White Kitchen

We love a dazzling kitchen and have been in love with the classic white kitchen for some time now. White kitchens repeatedly stand the test of time and unlike prominent misconceptions, they don't have to be stark and plain. Some may also say too much white can make a kitchen feel, sterile and unwelcoming. We are hear to debunk those pesky little rumors once and for all! Crisp, clean white kitchens with gleaming marble counter tops make our hearts skip a beat. White makes a space appear larger and airier and will enhance other design elements. Your light fixtures form into sculptural elements, your stainless appliances sparkle, and richer toned flooring gains an extra hint of luxury against white cabinetry.There are many variations to a white kitchen that can be adapted to your home. A grand and welcoming white kitchen can be quickly warmed up by adding a few key elements. You may desire to add a butcher block counter, a colored mosaic tile back splash, a copper chandelier or contrasting lower cabinets for warmth. Another great way to add warmth to an all white kitchen is in the form of flooring and furniture, which also adds a bit of charm and character to the space. White also makes for the perfect backdrop for small dashes of bold color too! If you are looking for a more untroubled and smoothing space, add other light neutrals, such as shades of gray, tan and beige. 

White cabinetry paired with a white tiled back splash is scrumptious!  With this real white on white color pattern, you can introduce pops of color like sunny yellow!

A great way to add warmth to your white kitchen is by adding natural wood flooring a different colored back splash and island.

  

Two toned kitchen cabinets are still having a big moment! The darker shade on the bottom allows you to make a statement while simultaneously helping to ground the space. It will also make the space look larger because the white upper will help draw the eye upward.

   

White kitchens give off a sense of luxury and when paired with bold statement looking pendant lights your kitchen is sure to make a lasting impression!

 

Adding wood tones furniture pieces to your white kitchen adds the perfect amount of warmth to the space.

 

Adding shades of beige, gray and taupe's make for a luxurious kitchen!

  

Spring 2016 Color Report- Pantone Color Of The Year

Harmonious and softly mindful are Pantone's colors of the year: Rose Quartz & Serenity.  Their gorgeous pairing bring a refreshing feel to one's home and I feel it's a nice departure from last years rich color, Marsala. They dance to a song of equality and peace. A beautiful story of well being can be told with these calming colors, in this uncertain world. Rose Quartz & Serenity give off a hint of whimsy. A magical being of sorts, created from sweetness and fairy tales. I see these colors working seamlessly not only in home decor, but in fashion and beauty products as well.

SERENITY

I love the color blue! It's been my favorite color from the moment I could feel the beauty in colors.  I love the blue of Key West, hydrangea blooms and my favorite blue jumpsuit with golden zipper details . I think of all that's good in the world when I think of the color blue. It brings a sense of peace and serenity to a mind that stays in constant motion. Pantone's light blue is like a cashmere blanket on a Fall's day. It can bring warmth and serenity to a space with its appearance. Once you acknowledge this pretty shade in a space you can truly appreciate its beauty.      

Rose Quartz

The color pink reminds me of sweet lullabies, cotton candy and pink lip gloss. It's an antidote to the stresses of life. I can see this compassionate color being used in a nursery a serene painting or a few well played accessories . Airy and light, I can see Rose Quartz in both modern or glamours spaces.  Appealing in many finishes this relaxing color can be surprisingly sophisticated and livable. I can see Rose Quartz paired with many colors. I can see it paired with cream, black, gray, teal, burgundy, taup or shade of metallic. 

The occasional chairs are adorned in a rose quartz fabric. The designer at Beasley & Henley Interior Design incorporated serenity into the stripe of the drapes.

Rose Quartz Wall Paint

    

Final Kitchen Reveal! Our Kitchen Remodel Is Complete!

 Hello There Beautiful... Is That Really You?

Drum roll please……..It’s been 43 days, six hours, seven minutes, 3 seconds (but who’s counting) since we started out kitchen remodel. With great relief and gratitude, I can finally say our kitchen is complete! I’ve earned my remodel wings this morning and will wear this pocket-sized badge of honor with pride. A ballerina’s pirouette has an uncanny similarity to this installation. It’s been a delicate dance of patience, dedication, balance and grace. I have to admit, the absence of a contractor was difficult and my graceful tactics may have wondered a bit, but the learning experience was priceless.

 Kitchen Before

 Kitchen After

The cool and calming effects of our kitchen have somehow placed all the trials and tribulations in a box, wrapped in a little red bow, far from my mind. (Except for the darn coffee pot debacle that continues to jump out of the box, from time to time.) As I walk through our kitchen I am elated with our tile selections and foyer layout. It makes a statement and reads our personalities in a desired fashion we were striving for, thanks to Troy Beasley. The decorative tiles delicate mixture of marble and stone mosaics serve as a stunning focal point. Did I mention it was fabricated in Italy? Why is it that I am naturally drawn to anything made in Italy?

 Foyer Before

  

Foyer After

 Adding square footage was not an option, so we opted for the removal of the soffits and the installation of white countertops. The combination created a magical illusion of statuesque ceilings and a feeling of openness our little galley-style kitchen has yearned for, all these years.

Kitchen Before

 Kitchen After

   The interplay of light and shadow reflects the profound depth of our iridescent glass backsplash tiles. Their reflective properties are brought to their highest level with the help of our under cabinet lighting. Their bowtie like qualities and wall space in which they lay, are a match made in heaven.It was important for me to incorporate a pendant light into our kitchen design. This little piece of art brings a pop of color and dazzling charm to the space. The first time it was turned on I instantly fell in love!   Finding the Lock Ness Monster has nothing on trying to find two banquets and a table to fit our small space. With that said, we asked our cabinet fabricators to custom make them. The tones and fabric choices were selected with the idea of bringing warmth to the space. I adore the idea of being able to sit and read the morning paper in a comfy, but very stylish space. The custom banquette, table and cabinetry were fabricated by JC Restorations.  

I have learned a lot during this remodel. As for my next remodel I raise my right hand and swear to:

1:   Ask the cost of any tile being imported from Italy, before the order is placed.

2:   Be as specific as possible when telling my workmen what I want. Sometimes I felt as though we were speaking two different languages. Having them repeat it back to me, may not be the worst idea

3:  Be more present during the install. A lot more gets done when you are there.

4:   Remember installation costs are always more than you think.

5. Remember to practice patience.

6:  Not to make judgments until the project is finished. It was a slow process, but totally worth the wait!

7: Never make quick decisions without fully thinking it through. Design takes time and a lot of thought.

8: Think of marriage counseling before the next remodel, or have Troy Beasley continue to help us with any disagreements.

9: Be more resourceful during a remodel. Eating out 43 days in a row was tumultuous.

10: Never make coffee in my bathroom again. That was a really bad idea!

 Till We Meet Again…

Kitchen Trend Alert: Stainless Steel Countertops

A lot of trends happening lately!  All of which I'm loving.  This week we're headed to the kitchen to find out what designers are seeing a lot of lately, and it's a lot of stainless steel!  Steel countertops to be exact.  Inspired by the industrial clean look of a commercial kitchen, designers have had fun mixing and matching styles with this trend.The best thing about this trend?  It's extremely versatile.  They're perfect for a sleek modern space but can also add some edge to a traditional style kitchen.  As well as being versatile, they are extremely durable.  (I guess they'd have to be if they're used predominantly in restaurants!) They're easy to clean, heat resistant and last forever.  Sounds like the perfect countertop to me!                                                                       The stainless steel countertop in this kitchen fits perfectly with the neutral palette and warm wood flooring.This is a great example of mixing styles together.  Stainless steel in a somewhat traditional country kitchen adds some sleek edge to the design!

This is definitely my favorite look.  Mixing different materials and color with the stainless steel is the way to go!  I think I see some concrete used for the island countertop.  There might be a lot going on for the eye to see but it's all visual appealing and meshes together in perfect harmony.

What I loved most about this kitchen was the stainless steel backsplash.  What a great way to continue with stainless steel throughout without going overboard. Mixing materials as well in this design with the concrete and wood is stunning to say the least.

Have you considered using stainless steel countertops in your home or for your clients designs?!

Top 5 Kitchen Trends for 2014

Top 5 Kitchen Trends for 2014Check out the Top 5 kitchen trends for 2014! I have a feeling these trends will be around for a long time.  They are great ideas to integrate into your existing kitchen!1.)  White and Wood TrendModern and warm, it’s the best of both worlds.  You can play around with textures and materials in your kitchen with cabinets and countertops as seen in the picture below and really create dramatic contrasts!2.)  Subway Tile TrendThis white ceramic tile has a traditional look to it that mixes well with contemporary/modern kitchen styles as well.  Because of its versatility I don’t see this trend going away anytime soon. 3.)  Marble CountertopsMarble, especially white, makes for a strikingly beautiful countertop.  It adds a bit of unexpected visual texture to a kitchen. 4.)  Two – Tone Cabinets TrendIt seems like mismatching elements are becoming more and more popular in all kinds of design, including kitchens!  As you can see in the picture, using a lighter color for the upper cabinets creates a more spacious look and keeps the design interesting. 5.)  Open Shelving TrendMixing cabinets with open shelving or having only open shelving can make a small kitchen appear larger.  This clean look is a great way to be creative with displaying your items.