Kitchens

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Kitchen Vignettes

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Plain, simple, uncomplicated. You all know how much I love a pretty vignette! How about in the kitchen?

Kitchen countertops should be rather simple to decorate. We already own tons of accessories in our kitchen to use. Plus, the only simple rule to remember is to not over-accessorize. Keep it clean and simple:

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Here are a few ideas I hope might give you some design inspiration:

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Simple and so beautiful:

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Isn’t that gorgeous above?! A corner of the kitchen. I love when I find such beautiful pictures to share with you!

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Notice how the kitchens are not at all boring using just a few simple items:

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I tried to use only photos of kitchens that actually looked lived in (coffeepot on counter, etc.), and not styled for a magazine (although they probably were!). I just want you to notice that the beautiful rooms we love are decorated very simply.

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Plain, simple, uncomplicated. My favorite. How about you? I hope some of these pictures have given you some good ideas to use in your home!

Only 1 day left for the Tobi Fairley contest! I am so thankful to you all for voting for me! I am #12 out of #408 entries! I am so excited about it! If you have a minute, please vote one last time. Thank you!

http://olioboard.com/boards/175487-for-the-love-of-color#

For The Love Of Color

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Posted in Decorating Hints & Tips, Floral Arrangements, Interior Decorating, Kitchens, tablescapes | 5 Responses »
Tags: artwork, color, Decorating ideas, decorating your kitchen, flower arranging, kitchen vignettes

Obsessing Over Open Kitchen Shelving

Saturday, June 30th, 2012

traditionalhome.com

I don’t know why I suddenly have such a love for open shelving in the kitchen:

younghouselove.com

img4.coastalliving.com

Maybe because it is bringing back such good memories of my staying with my Great Grandma Cain when I was little. Grandma Cain lived out (way out) in the country in Pennsylvania. I do remember she had an outhouse in the backyard (memories!) and I remember spending time with her in her kitchen. And I remember that she had open shelves!

northerncottage.blogspot.com

Or maybe I am loving the open shelves just for the simplicity of the look:

houseofturquoise.com

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You have to admit, it is a great way to show off your creativity:

newlyweddiaries.blogspot.com

And iff you get tired of it, just change it around!

bhg.com

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This look is a little to cluttered for me:

kitchenclarity.com

For myself, I like the thicker shelves better than the thinner boards:

houseofturquoise.com

I also think that I would want just a section of the wall in the kitchen used as open shelves that I can decorate:

younghouselove.com

So that I can bring more personality into the kitchen!:

beneathmyheart.net

Would you consider putting open shelves in your kitchen? I know they will be extra work, but do you think their beauty is worth it? Love to hear your thoughts!

If you need help decorating your home, contact me today.

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Tags: bhg, decorating, Decorating ideas, House Of Turquoise, Kitchens, white kitchens

Design Ideas For Small Kitchens

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

galley cottage kitchen

hgtv

Do you ever wish you had a larger kitchen? If a complete renovation is not possible right now, how about a few design ideas you can do now to make your kitchen appear larger?

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* Get rid of countertop clutter. This simple step will free up visual space to make the room look larger. Baskets and trays don’t only look great, but they work well as organizers and help keep collections together:

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countertop with rattan baskets and accessories

Patrick Wade

* A mirrored backsplash. This is an easy DIY project that will make any space seem visually larger:

kitchen mirror

Faye Cone

* Open shelving. Ok, you may have more dusting to do, but look how the open shelves really open up the kitchen:

remodelingidea.net

theinspiredroom

Martha Stewart

Small Kitchen 8: Vintage Display Shelves

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Cann you tell that I love the look of the open shelves??

* Glass front cabinets is another trick to make the room seem lighter and brighter:

white kitchen

* Good lighting. Many older homes do not have overhead kitchen lighting. It might be an investment to have lighting put into your kitchen, but image how nice the brightness will always welcome you. Maybe better lighting will help you cook better too!

hgtv

* Light walls, floors and cabinetry. A white or light neutral color throughout the kitchen is a certain way to visually lighten and brighten your kitchen and give the image of an open space:

Small Kitchen 1: Vintage Charm

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kitchenbuilding.com

I hope you have gotten a few good tips and ideas to make your kitchen appear larger than it is. Just because it is small, doesn’t mean it can not look fabulous! Pictures do not lie, right?

Any other tips or tricks you might want to share on making a kitchen not look as tiny? Comments?

If you need decorating help in your home, contact me today.

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Posted in Decorating Hints & Tips, Interior Decorating, Kitchens | 8 Responses »
Tags: decorating, Decorating ideas, Kitchens, mirrors, update

Best Wall Color For Oak Cabinets

Sunday, June 10th, 2012

freshhome.com

One question I seem to be asked frequently from readers is “What color works best in a kitchen that has oak cabinets? I cannot/do not want to change my cabinets at this time.” Which color would you suggest?”

furniture4world.blogspot.com

All woods have undertones. Oak has yellow undertones that we need to be aware of. If you want your cabinets to ‘pop’ off the wall, then I would suggest a blue or violet color which is the complimentary (across the color wheel) color of yellow. But most people do not want their cabinets as the main focus of the kitchen.

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I also feel blue in a kitchen gives you more of a country look:

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As I posted in my blog Best Wall Colors for Stained Trim , I typically do not like to suggest using a white paint with lighter wood cabinets for a few reasons. One-white has different undertones that do not always work with the yellow wood. Secondly, I personally do not like the look with no contrast since it looks a little too pale for me.

David Easton

Yellow seem to be the color of choice for many people that have lighter wood cabinets. Yellow might work but my but only concern with yellow is that this color doesn’t really create any personality in the room. Without any contrast, the room tends to look a bit too boring for my taste.

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thesavorynotebookblog.com

So, what is my suggestion for a wall color when you have oak/light cabinets?

hillcrestestategreenwich.com

Green!

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kitchenclarity.com

I am not talking about the hunter green color or a light mint green. My suggestion would be to look at the mid-range color greens, especially the yellow-greens such as Ben Moore Agave AF-420, Anjou Pear AF-425 and Wasabi AF-430:

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Another green I like to suggest working with oak wood is Ben Moore Hillside Green 495. I really love the look together:

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So green is my first choice when looking for a great color to work with oak or light wood cabinets. My color advice is based on working with oak cabinets. The floors or countertops were not taken into consideration for this example.

Do you agree green is the best color for kitchens with oak cabinets? I also like a few terra cotta colors but that is for another day! Comments?

If you need help choosing the perfect paint color for your home, contact me today.

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Posted in color, Dear Kelly, Interior Decorating, Kelly's Best Colors, Kitchens, Paint Color Selection Help | 25 Responses »
Tags: ben moore, color, green kitchens, greens, House Beautiful, oak cabinets