Category: pendant lights

  • Traditional kitchens, stunning and white, from architect John B. Murray

    Traditional kitchens, stunning and white, from architect John B. Murray

    Below are some jaw-dropping traditional kitchens from the John B. Murray Architect. I’ve featured their work before, as I’m a big fan of the mix of modern efficiencies with the character and novelty of more traditional interior design principles.

    My kitchen is nowhere near the size of these. In fact, I only have 4 drawers, but it is streamlined and efficient, so until we move or plan a massive remodel, which is NOT in the cards, I’ll be happy with my little kitchen having all cooking utensils such as good quality kitchen knives and simply admire these.

    white large kitchen

    A huge island is a no-brainer when it comes to adding prep space, and the extra storage below can double your storage space. I love the plank ceiling and the matching pendants over the island.

    white country kitchen

    Loving all of the windows here and the rustic wide plank hardwood floors are beautiful.

    beautiful modern kitchen

    modern white kitchen

    I guess this kitchen is more modern than traditional, but I thought it was worth sharing. In a narrow space the more light you can get the better. I love the sleek marble slab backsplash.

    white kitchen island

    Love the classic use of subway tile as a backsplash in this elegant modern kitchen.

    kitchen with tile backsplash

    This kitchen may be large, but the tile backsplash, wood hutch, and country table and chairs keep it cozy.

    rustic kitchen sink area

    I don’t know if this is from a kitchen, but this shot was so pretty I thought it worth sharing.  The cabinetry and wood paneling is gorgeous!

    via John B. Murray Architect

  • Traditional kitchens, stunning and white, from architect John B. Murray

    Traditional kitchens, stunning and white, from architect John B. Murray

    Below are some jaw-dropping traditional kitchens from the John B. Murray Architect. I’ve featured their work before, as I’m a big fan of the mix of modern efficiencies with the character and novelty of more traditional interior design principles.

    My kitchen is nowhere near the size of these. In fact, I only have 4 drawers, but it is streamlined and efficient, so until we move or plan a massive remodel, which is NOT in the cards, I’ll be happy with my little kitchen and simply admire these.

    white large kitchen

    A huge island is a no-brainer when it comes to adding prep space, and the extra storage below can double your storage space. I love the plank ceiling and the matching pendants over the island.

    white country kitchen

    Loving all of the windows here and the rustic wide plank hardwood floors are beautiful.

    beautiful modern kitchen

    modern white kitchen

    I guess this kitchen is more modern than traditional, but I thought it was worth sharing. In a narrow space the more light you can get the better. I love the sleek marble slab backsplash.

     

    white kitchen island

    Love the classic use of subway tile as a backsplash in this elegant modern kitchen.

    kitchen with tile backsplash

    This kitchen may be large, but the tile backsplash, wood hutch, and country table and chairs keep it cozy.

    rustic kitchen sink area

    I don’t know if this is from a kitchen, but this shot was so pretty I thought it worth sharing.  The cabinetry and wood paneling is gorgeous!

    via John B. Murray Architect

  • Why you shouldn’t neglect your hallways

    Why you shouldn’t neglect your hallways

    It’s not a new idea to utilize your hallways and not let them be wasted space, but some – myself included- are still guilty of this.  Now that the weather is cooling we will be spending more time indoors, therefore freeing up time to show your halls some love.

    A lot of the examples below are foyers, but entryways often pose similar design conundrums as halls, and similar solutions.
    via Pinterest 

     I love that this hallway is so glamorous but gets cheeky with the addition of a giant framed chalkboard.
    via Pic toViral

    Our hallway is narrower than this one, no kidding.  Wainscoting and a lovely collection of framed art give this hallway a studied feel.

     So, this hallway is all about amazing bones.  The vaulted ceiling is so pretty.  The horizontal shiplap creates a sense of length.
    via ?

     I love a round table in the middle of an entry.  It boasts – “hey look at all the space I have!”  It is not a boast I can make.
    via Fresh Designpedia

    If you have enough width in your hall to allow it, built-ins or shelves are a great way to display more than art or serve as additional storage.
    via Foter
    Traditional and pretty.

  • The complete kitchen

    The complete kitchen

    What Exactly Is It That Your Kitchen Lacks?  For me, it’s ventilation, natural light, and counter space.  Since I rent however, there isn’t too much I can to to fix these issues.  When your kitchen has everything it needs, it just works.  Cooking is a more streamlined process, and entertaining is more pleasurable than stressful.

    A Table/Island If your kitchen is big enough to fit it in an island/breakfast bar is a great idea. By doing this you immediately turn it into a dining room and gathering place. Even if it is a relatively small surface you can still use the kitchen as a cosy place to have meals. I think it would be especially useful in the mornings when you are sitting the family down to breakfast and going over everyone’s plans for the day. If you have enough room for something bigger then full scale parties and dinner parties become a very real possibility.

    via Pinterest via BHG

    via HomeLife.com.au

    via BHG

    More LightA common problem in many kitchens is a lack of light. This can lead to a horribly dark and old fashioned look, even if the rest of the room is perfectly acceptable. Luckily options abound when it comes to options for extra kitchen lighting, my favorite being pendants and under cabinet lights.

    Not only functional, these pendants over the counter are STUNNING.
    via Clerkship Scramble

    via Kitchenmaking.com

    FlowA danger is any kitchen is that it can feel cut off from the rest of the house. If you are still in the process of designing the place then arches, breakfast bars, French doors and conservatories are all clever ways to maintain the contact with other parts of the house. If the house is already finished then it might be more difficult to do this, but keeping the door open and encouraging more use of the kitchen can help it feel more a part of the home.  It sounds small, but I rent and have a galley kitchen, so to “open” it up, I keep the door open, and have a framed picture and open shelves in the kitchen that you can see from living room, thus visually inviting you into the kitchen.

    The floor graphic in the kitchen is also in the dining room, creating a visual continuity which helps combine the otherwise separate areas.

    Excellent lighting, a runner, and an intriguing graphic keep this kitchen from looking like an after thought and more like a well considered, frequently used space.

    2 above via blogbuilddirect.com

    Smart AppliancesA well equipped kitchen is a joy to work in or to eat in. It can be pricey to start from scratch, but if you already have great bones in the kitchen, a few finishing touches might be all you need. Thankfully, there are plenty of smart, inexpensive appliances and gadgets around from websites such as the popular Lakeland one. If you have all of the basic kitchen appliances already then maybe something exciting like a food processor, a juicer (I’ve been wanting one for a while!) or one from the modern range of coffee machines could give you the little extra something that you are looking for.

    What is your kitchen missing?

    This article is written in association with Lakeland home shopping pioneers.