Category: recessed lighting

  • Small kitchen inspiration and ideas

    Small kitchen inspiration and ideas

    Small kitchen?  Me too.  Why is that a good thing?  Because everything is closer at hand!  I actually prefer a smaller kitchen to a large one because everything in my kitchen is at most 3 to 4 steps away.  We actually only have 3 drawers.  In a small kitchen the biggest challenge is adequate storage space and work surfaces.

    I don’t keep my cabinets tidy enough for open shelving, but they do make a space look larger because they allow line of site to the walls.

    Another example of open shelves.  Also a work surface, either standalone or built-in that doubles as dining area is a great way to multipurpose.  We have a breakfast bar and a small butcher block island.

    3 above via Domino

    Loving these gray cabinets. We have a pegboard installed as well a’la Julia Child because we have so little cabinet and drawer space.

    3 images above via DecorPad

    Do you have a small kitchen?  How do you make the most of your space?

  • Real small houses: Ranch Renovations

    Real small houses: Ranch Renovations

    I’ll take my small 50’s rancher over a 90’s McMansion any day – who has time to clean all that anyway? Okay, maybe I am envious of the storage space – we have no garage or basement, just a hard to access attic and a scary crawlspace. My point is, there is something nice to having the family all on one floor and in a home that forces you to keep your possessions in check.

    However, while Ranch houses can be described as a blank canvas, or family friendly, I don’t completely agree with that.  Especially if your ranch is from the 50/60’s it’s probably partitioned off into extremely small rooms that don’t really suit today’s lifestyle.  We knocked down several walls to make our living room, dining room, and kitchen one great open concept space.  We lost a hallway, which as our realtor cleverly spun as “making the home feel like a large sprawling estate,” but the open space and light is worth it. There is a breakfast bar dividing the kitchen from the dining room, but the open layout allows me to keep an eye on little Leo playing in the living room area while I’m making a bottle in the kitchen.

    Below are some other ranch remodels (undoubtedly all with much larger budget’s than ours) that I think really make the most of the square footage. If you’re looking for a qualified local contractor to take on your ranch renovation, check out the Get Assist app.

    I have a weakness for exposed beams…and wide plank wood floors..and built ins…

    Love the contrast of the rustic/industrial stools with the sleek white kitchen.  A lot of people are making statements with lighting these days, but I actually like how understated these pendants are.

    The blue vanity is so pretty.

    3 above via Pneumatic Addict

     

     

    In the house featured in the image above, as well as the photos below, several wall were taken out to turn a small kitchen and den into one large open kitchen.

    Recessed lighting is also a great way to visually expand a space!

     

     

    The vaulted curve in the ceiling makes this home look even more spacious and open after it’s remodel!

    Do you now or have you ever lived in a ranch house?  Did you ever remodel it, and if so, how?

    images above via Style Blueprint

    *Thanks to Get Assist for partnering on this post!
  • Ideas for lighting your home

    Ideas for lighting your home

    Lighting in a room can really make or break a space! Unfortunately, the lighting fixtures in my new home are as far from my style as you can get, so I have my eye out for some inspiring solutions to light my dining room, kitchen, halls, and master bath…

    I’ve been scouring ebay and craigslist for a mod brass chandelier like this one to hang above my dining room table.

    I’ve been crushing on sleek chrome or silver lighting in the kitchen like the fixture hanging over the island in this GORGEOUS kitchen

    Lacking in natural light?  Join the club. There are a variety of light choices for any space you have in your home. What do you think of the multiple sconces used in this space?
    I love how this homeowner jazzed up an affordable light fixture by winding rope around the cord.
    I’m not generally a fan of recessed lighting, but done unusually I think it can add to a space.  Just make sure it’s on a dimmer!!!

    Basements can be the hardest to light because there isn’t much natural light there. I like the idea they have here of using the long drapes to create the feel of a large window and using larger lights to warm up the space.  If you live in a basement apartment or spend a lot of time in your basement this is such a cool idea!

    this post in partnership with mailorderlighting.co.uk