Category: open shelves

  • Timeless kitchens

    Timeless kitchens

    Timeless Kitchens design

    We spend so much time in the kitchen, especially with little ones I’ve discovered.  For me it’s become more important than ever that my kitchen has a timeless appeal and design, because with kids and trying to work from home, we won’t be having time to do any renovations should we decide a trend wasn’t for us!

    A dramatic pendant over the sink.
    via BHG

    A wall mounted monitor – most of my recipes are from the computer, and I don’t like to waste ink or paper printing out a recipe that I may not like.

    Open shelves aren’t for me, but otherwise this kitchen is a dream…
    2 above via House Beautiful

    The gray brick is really beautiful, but I wouldn’t want the stainless steel counters.
    via Interiors Porn

    The three below are all from the same kitchen.  I think I’m definitely going to go with white cabinets.  I also love the marble countertops, but that won’t be in our budget for a long, long time.

    The hood is really cool

    Love those stools too, and the pendant lights

    3 above via House Beautiful

  • A kitchen transformation: dark and cramped to bright, open, and beautiful

    A kitchen transformation: dark and cramped to bright, open, and beautiful

    This kitchen transformation is going to knock your socks off!  As you’ll see in the before pictures below, this kitchen started out dark and stifling and closed.  Interior designer Carla Aston worked her amazing magic and turned it into a bright, open, and beautiful space to be in.

    First, just a little teaser of the “after”  So pretty…white cabinets, subway tile backsplash…

    Okay…here it was before.

    Sorry, that had to be done.  All that dark granite and honey wood is too much in this space.  Let’s go back to where we can breath..

    Ahhhh, that’s so much better. Wouldn’t this be a lovely kitchen to walk into each morning?

    A love that the backsplash tile goes all the way to the ceiling.

    There used to be a doorway on either side of the fridge but Carla cleverly reclaimed some of that space for cabinets.

     The sandy hue of the counters add some warmth to the space.

    The open shelves break up the white wall and allow the owner to show off decorative items.

    What do you think?

    Go to Carla’s Aston Designed to read more about this project.

  • Oh what a rug can do: Space transforming rugs

    Oh what a rug can do: Space transforming rugs

    I’m not getting tired of seeing the amazing ways designers are incorporating oriental rugs – both antique and modern spins, into homes.  Some trends I get tired of, but this one I can’t get enough of.  Granted, oriental rugs are a classic, so even if they fall out of favor for a little bit, I know they’ll be back.

    This antique oriental rug makes this foyer.  The reds add so much warmth while the white furniture and walls keep the entryway fresh.

    It’s not often one sees an oriental rug in pink, but isn’t it perfect in this bedroom?  A lot of modern reproductions combine traditional patterns in bright colors.

    A small rug still makes an impact but still allows wide plank hardwood floors to take center stage.

    Wow.  What an amazing island.  I love the gold fixtures with the warm wood. 

    Oriental rugs are also great for adding pops of color in white or neutral interiors.

    Do you have any oriental rugs in your home?  We have one from Iran in our master bedroom that is perfect against our lavender walls.

    All image via Kate Marker Interiors

  • Ali Cayne’s light-filled family friendly NYC townhouse

    Ali Cayne’s light-filled family friendly NYC townhouse

    I was pretty darn excited to run across this house tour on Domino magazine because I’ve seen and featured rooms from it individually in previous posts (her bathroom is one of my favorites)! Ali Cayne is a restauranteur who moved to a downtown Manhattan townhouse and took the opportunity to update it to be a warm and inviting family home for her and her five children.

    Ali really made her subway tiles pop by using a dark grout (darker grout also hides stains better than white).

    What an oven!
    Open shelves full of beautiful dishes looks like a chef’s delight!
    I love the light gray cabinets with the brass cup pulls.
    Not only would I be thrilled to have a dressing room, but a dressing room white built ins and herringbone hardwood floors?
    The Greenwich Village townhouse has amazing bones, and the renovations really are a breath of fresh air.
    I don’t usually love accent walls, but I love a dark accent wall in a master bedroom.
    This dining room is heaven.  A white gallery wall, and beautiful dining table and chairs.
    I like the glam version of a sawhorse desk.  The giant inspiration board is great too.
    Ali’s workspace is also light filled and features built in bookshelves.
    This is the bathroom I’ve posted before.  It is an all time favorite.
    Read and see more at Domino Magazine.
  • Blog Love: What I’m loving from other blogs

    I love blogs and bloggers.  Today I’m paying a little homage to my fellow partners in helping to keep the web inspiring.

    From Rdeco

    From Coco & Kelley

  • Fresh home office inspiration

    Fresh home office inspiration

    I’ve been kicked out of my home office since my husband started working from home two days a week. I love having him at home, but working from the dining room table has lost it’s novelty.  I figured getting some inspiration by finding some home offices that are beautiful and functional would help motivate me to move back into my office.

    For me, I need a crisp, well-organized space in order to focus and get started on the project at hand.  It looks like the curtains can close and hide the shelves if needed.


    An office in the pantry!  For a chef or food blogger this is genius!  It would be dangerous for me to work so close to food.A nice view is really important to me too!

    Whether decorative or utilitarian, storage is important no matter what you do.If you’re a creative type, objects you find beautiful are really important to have around your workspace.  For me, flowers are always inspiring.

    Crisp and minimal is a great place to start if you tend to have trouble getting into the “zone”

  • A sweet, serene Swedish interior

    Scandinavian style interiors…

    I used to feature them a lot. Recently I have been veering away from that style. And while I may only hint at it in my home, I do still admire the simplicity and warmth of it.

  • Beautiful office and workspaces

    Beautiful office and workspaces

    A little beauty to get you over hump day

  • Super Dreamy Kitchens

    Super Dreamy Kitchens

    Happy Friday everyone!  I am excited to create my dream kitchen in our new home, here are some looks I’m loving…

    A dramatic pendant over the sink.
    via BHG

    A wall mounted monitor – most of my recipes are from the computer, and I don’t like to waste ink or paper printing out a recipe that I may not like.

    Open shelves aren’t for me, but otherwise this kitchen is a dream…
    2 above via House Beautiful

    The gray brick is really beautiful, but I wouldn’t want the stainless steel counters.
    via Interiors Porn

    The three below are all from the same kitchen.  I think I’m definitely going to go with white cabinets.  I also love the marble countertops, but that won’t be in our budget for a long, long time.

    The hood is really cool

    Love those stools too, and the pendant lights

    3 above via House Beautiful

  • Gathering inspiration for my home office

    Gathering inspiration for my home office

    As some of you know, we just bought a home and I will have my first true home office. Not in the dining room, or the nook of the bedroom, a whole separate room!

    Here are some office spaces I really like:

    The 4 images below show the office of Apartment 34‘s Erin Hiemstra

    Loving those gold pendants!

    This sitting area is great for flipping through magazines, sketching, etc..

    via Rue Mag

    The office of Maison Luxe, based in Seattle.

    Great use of the nook!

    via Rue Mag