A Colorful Kitchen

It makes me sad when people are afraid to use color in their home. Home is where the heart is, right? Express yourself, embrace yourself, and be comfortable with yourself! A house of beige is just plain boring. Even in the kitchen. I understand, kitchens are a huge investment and appliances, cabinets, tile, etc. are all expensive things to replace just because you're tired of it. So go with your gut. Choose colors you've loved forever, not just what's trendy.

Coastal Living, Stylist Janet Grayson, Photographer Deborah Whitlaw

There are certainly levels to the permanence of a color too. You can even accent with colorful dishes on open shelves.
House Beautiful, Designer Jonathan Adler, Photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo

You can incorporate vivid lamp shades, cushions with bright patterns and fresh flowers!

Coastal Living, Photographer Celia Pearson

A splash of color on your walls, even just one wall, or a part of a wall will make a big impact, but is still easily changeable.Designer Susan Serra, Photography by Meredith Corp.

What about subtle color? Simply painting the inside of your cabinets can make a big impact, and will nicely offset your dishes. House Beautiful
Left Photo: Photographer Matthew Hranek.
Right Photo: Architect Gil Schafer, Color Consultant Eve Ashcraft, Photographer Don Freeman

If you're feeling brave, I think colorful cabinets are just charming and add so much personality.
Southern Accents, Designer Susan Massey, Photographer Josh Gibson

If you want less punch, go with a neutral for your upper cabinets and use color on your lower cabinets. *Side Note* Do you notice the microwave? I love how this microwave blends like a chameleon. :)
Southern Living, Photographer John O'Hagan

Or how about neutral cabinets along the perimeter and a color on your island?
Southern Accents, Designer Amelia Handegan, Photographer Pieter Estersohn

If you have always loved a certain color, go with it for your tile. This blue back splash is stunning. The mix of subtle variations has an organic, free flowing feel.House Beautiful, Designer Frank Roop, Photographer Francesco Lagnese

So, go wild or play it safe but always have the confidence to use color in your kitchen, your home, and your life!

Thanks for reading. Have a lovely day! -The Kitchen and Bath People

The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" : Counter Balance Lighting by WAC

Simple, classic, and adjustable; WAC's Counter Balance lighting line is beautiful and appropriate in many applications and settings. Here is a photo of the chandelier over a kitchen island in our kitchen and bath showroom.

This is lovely over a kitchen island for task lighting, or a dining table or reception desk as an accent...
The wires are on a pulley system which allows you to easily manipulate the height of the fixture, or the distance of the fixture from a surface below.

You can adjust the length of the individual lights on this version.


And, as you can see, there are glass shade options; lots of them!

These lights can also be put on a dimmer switch; a "sustainable choice" that improves the flexibility of these elegant fixtures.

Thanks for stopping by! -The Kitchen and Bath People

The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" - Wall Mounted Faucets

One of those spots I hate cleaning the most is that tiny sliver of counter between the back of my faucet and the backsplash. It's a tight spot that gets gooey and grimy every time I wash my hands or do the dishes. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to cleanly swipe that surface without any obstacles? Well friends, that is one of the beautiful things about a wall mounted faucet! Paired with an undermount sink, even better.

Photo Credit: House Beautiful, Design by Ruthie Sommers, Photo by Don Freeman

A recent client of mine has opened my eyes to this... why didn't I think of this before?? Well, here are some great looking designs I've found for the kitchen and bathroom:

For a clean and modern look in the kitchen, here is Kohler's Torq faucet.Or, go with Danze's Opulence faucet for a more vintage, cottage look.But if you're feeling a bit daring and want ultimate flexibility, how about Kohler's Karbon faucet, available as a wall mount.
For your bathroom, here is a beautifully classic yet modern faucet; Showhouse by Moen's Solace faucet.

And for the traditional home, here is Brizo's Tresa faucet.
There are also single handle wall mounted faucets. I like Jado's IQ faucet...

Now, for a word to the wise. In case, heaven forbid, something were to go awry with the faucet, it's good to have an easy way to get to the source of the problem. Plan ahead by placing these types of faucets on a wall that's shared with a closet or somewhere you can strategically place a removable panel. Or, incorporate a detail like what's shown in the photo above. Notice that the faucet is actually mounted on a bulk coming out from the wall. It creates a clever little shelf; but I imagine perhaps the top slides away, allowing access behind. Great design can be practical and look great!

Thanks for stopping by! Give us a call at 919-933-7855 if you're thinking about updating your bathroom, or even just your faucets, and live in or around the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill triangle. - The Kitchen and Bath People

Kitchen Ideas "Outside the Box"

A few months ago I introduced some Bathroom Ideas "Outside the Box." Since then I have come across some creative ideas for kitchen design as well.

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Furniture Cabinetry

Let's face it, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house. It has not only opened up to the main "living" spaces, it has become a main living space. As such, why not design it to seamlessly flow with the rest of the house? Using furniture pieces, like a dresser or armoire, for kitchen storage is a unique, chic, and inexpensive way to update and personalize your kitchen.

Above, an old dresser has been transformed into an affordable kitchen island. I picture the storage inside looking something like this:

Imagine using a beautiful armoire, like this one pictured below, by Oly, to store dishes, mixing bowls, serverware, etc...With this perspective, Susan Serra demonstrated in her blog how an armoire could fit seamlessly into the overall kitchen scheme. (As a side note, I love Susan's blog - if you are looking for great insight, education, design, reading all things kitchen design... this one's for you!)
Check out the little piece nestled up in the corner on top of the counter. Do you think this may have served as a side table in a past-life?Resource: Cottage Living, Design by Tim Street-Porter

Okay, one last photo on this subject... armoire turned mini-bar!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass Doors

Glass doors on cabinetry is a popular look. In kitchens it's nice to have at least a few to display dishes, crystal and serverware while also adding a light and airy feel. Windows are also hugely desirable in the kitchen, but what if you have a less than desirable view?

Resource: Kitchen and Bath Design Ideas, Designed by Nancy Bernstein, Photo by Janet Mesic Mackie
The cabinet doors above are backless and placed right in front of a window, masking the view of the neighbors house while still allowing natural light to flow through. Genius! And beautiful. Below, you might understand this better in plan.

Shown below are some two sided glass cabinets. This beautifully functional idea allows access to dinner ware from the the butlers pantry and the dining room while also serving as a lovely, back-lit display for the dining room.
Designed by Amy Sandack
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Window Shelves

I LOVE window shelves. Open shelving is a great way to display neatly arranged dishes, throw in some accents like pottery or framed art, and cut down on the weight of a room full of cabinetry. But have you ever thought about hanging shelves in front of your window?

Design by Bosworth Hoedemaker

So light and airy! And located right next to the sink makes putting clean dishes away super easy! Have a lot of plates?...

Resource: Southern Living, Stylist: Rose Nguyen

How about this dish display storage unit?

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Glass Backsplash

A nice smooth surface like glass or resin is probably the easiest thing to wipe down and can still be interesting if backed with a pattern.

Resource: Kitchen and Bath Design Ideas, Design by Barbara Enburg, Photo by Ed Gohlich
Okay, this isn't glass, it's 3Form resin that's been embedded with real twigs and dried leaves, super cool, BUT... that's expensive. This article suggested using wallpaper and covering it with clear glass to get a similar yet more affordable look. I think this is a fabulous idea; there are SO many possibilities!

What out of the box ideas are you using in your home? Or dream of for your future kitchen? Let me know, I want to hear!

If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen (or bathroom) and live in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, or anywhere close by, give us a call! 919-933-7855 We would love to bring your dreams to life! - The Kitchen and Bath People

The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" - 3Form

What can I say, I love 3Form! Though it's seen and used more often in commercial design, it certainly has its place in the home. 3Form's product line has grown more and more extensive over the years, from simple, colorful resin panels to pressed glass, then exterior materials, lighting fixtures... all using the same basic idea. 3form will take their base material, be it resin or glass, and press various materials and or objects within the material to form interesting, translucent, textures and patterns. The material is flexible and can be bent or heat molded into various shapes if desired. 3Form also, conveniently, has an entire line of mounting hardware, addressing the more popular ways their product has been used. This material is SO flexible, I can't even begin to list all its uses... but here are some ways people have used 3Form in their kitchens and bathrooms.

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As a Kitchen Backsplash

Resource: 3Form Online Porfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, with Birch

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, with Beargrass

Resource: Kitchen and Bath Ideas, Designer: Barbara Enberg, Photography: Ed Gohlich
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As a Counter Top

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Chroma, Sea
Designer: GSBS Architects and Light Spot Design

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Chroma
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As a Light Fixture

3Forms Light Art designer Kevin Smith has developed several "stock"fixtures like the one above.

Or, they are happy to take on commissions like this one pictured above.
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As an Accent on the face of a Bar or Island

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Designer: King and King
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As a Privacy Panel or Room Divider

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin with Beargrass
Designer: Living Homes, Tom Bonner

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, Bios, Mango
Designer: Adrienne Gamba

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, Thatch
Designer: ADH
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As a Cabinet Inset

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin
Designer: Mitzi Sullivan and John Kendrick
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As a Door

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Chroma, Lagoon
Designer: GSBS Architects and Light Spot Design

Resource: 3Form Online Portfolio; Varia, Ecoresin, Tempo Copper
Designer: Jacobi Interiors
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As a Feature Wall

Resource: O Magazine; Varia, Ecoresin, Tea Party
Designer: Danny Seo

So, as you can see, 3Form is fabulous! Your imagination is the limit with this product. Click here for more ideas from 3Form.

The Kitchen and Bath People's "Product of the Week" - Linkasink

The "Magic Sink" by Linkasink is a fun way to add some panache to, say, your powder room! Crafted with your choice of granite or travertine, a tray of mosaics covers the bottom of the sink and hides the drain. Waste water runs off the face of the mosaic tray to the drain below. The mosaics come in a variety of styles; scroll down to see a few...

Linkasink also has some nice stainless steel mosaic looks for your kitchen sinks. These are available in the farmhouse look or for a drop in installation.

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