Tag: cool kitchen
Scandinavians, man- they even make country style look good.
No offense intended- I like a bit of country myself, especially when it’s paired with clean, modern lines or a rustic, vintage sensibility. But chintz, silk flowers and a cluttered-up countertop aren’t my thing. This kitchen, found via Hus & Hem magazine, is a perfect example of modern country. Charming yes, but twee? Not at all!
The country elements here are obvious- farmhouse sink, wooden units, touches of soft colour and wicker storage. What keeps it modern are the clean lines, abundance of white, open shelving and eclectic mix of accessories. I love the homey feel of this space, and can imagine whiling away hours cooking, reading or just hanging out here. Talk about a perfect country home.
Posted in Kitchens on June 8th, 2010 by Ele | 2 comments
Tags: cool kitchen, country, hus & hem, modern, scandinavian
The Kitchn is in the midst of their annual Small Cool Kitchen contest right now, and there have been some great entries so far. I was particularly taken with this one, posted just yesterday: Inés’ Opened-Up Barcelona.
When Inés bought her home, there was neither kitchen nor bathroom nor layout to speak of, so she was free to let her imagination run wild. I love the space that emerged, for its practical yet stylish nature. The white units, steel appliances and wooden countertops contrast so deliciously with the ornate mirror on the wall, and the cowhide rug in the adjoining living area.
But what I really love is the scale of this space. This isn’t a someday home, cavernous, it’ll-be-years-until-I-can-live-like-that kitchen. It’s real, approachable urban living. That just happens to resemble a design magazine.
Also, check out the space-saving, extendable island; normally accommodating three people, an extra section can flip out to seat two more! Genius, no?
Posted in Kitchens on May 17th, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
Tags: barcelona, cool kitchen, moden, open-plan, the kitchn
I love browsing location-rental sites like 1st Option and Inspace, both for practical decorating inspiration and for if-I-win-the-lottery-this-week type daydreaming. Too often though the kitchens are dull. Never ugly, but too showroom bland to really get my blood racing.
Not this space, though. Kingswood House from 1st Option has a great kitchen: modern and retro and strong and feminine, all at the same time. The first things I noticed were those fab industrial stools, and how well they go with the retro pistachio-coloured fridge.
I love the two striped rugs in this space, too. Bold and unexpected, they keep all the pastel touches from looking too sweet. The floating units also work well. The whole feeling of this space would be somehow different if they were built-in, don’t you think?
Of course, these photos are styled to perfection- right down to the gumball machine and retro tea towel. Still, I’d have to consider this space if I do in fact win the lottery this week.
What do you think of Kingswood House?
Posted in Kitchens on May 11th, 2010 by Ele | 2 comments
Tags: 1st option, cool kitchen, pastel, retro, stripes, white
Happy Tuesday, everyone! I hope you all had good weekends- it was a long Bank Holiday one here, so I took the day off yesterday. But it’s a new day and a new week, and I’m looking forward to sharing some great finds with you over the next few days.
There are few words which, when combined, delight me so instantly and completely as the words “Paris” and “apartment”. The idea of a bijoux Parisienne dwelling, under the eaves of a centuries-old building, perhaps looking down on a bustling street or a tranquil courtyard, fills me with a romantic nostalgia so pure I can almost taste it. I’m not even all that bothered about Paris itself, to be honest. Just the apartments.
So I was always going to fall for this space, which was featured on Design*Sponge last week. The slanted ceiling, exposed beams, utilitarian surfaces and rustic feel combine to create an atmosphere so utterly charming that my heart’s all aflutter. It would be easy to channel Julia Child here, non?
Posted in Kitchens on May 4th, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
Tags: apartment, bijoux, charming, cool kitchen, modern, paris, rustic
OMG, OMG, OMG. Why don’t I read emmas designblogg more often? With so many fantastic sites out there, some good ones are bound to get overlooked from time to time. I’m still kicking myself though, because if I had been paying attention to Emma’s musings I would have found this amazing kitchen two whole weeks ago.
From a home in the small Swedish town of Eskilstuna, this place has that industrial, slightly retro vibe that seems so typical of Swedish interiors (if we’re going by what the design mags tell us, anyway). The tile, wood-framed cabinets, stainless appliances and big wooden table are so tightly designed that the effect borders on austere. But those chairs! The bright green colour and fun shape add a playful edge that makes the room what it is.
I adore the tiled walls, too- so clean-looking! If this was my room I might have been tempted to leave the back one plain for some killer art, which I always love in a kitchen. Still, if someone feels like buying me this home (it’s up for sale-see the rest of the house here), I won’t complain.
Posted in Kitchens on April 27th, 2010 by Ele | Be the first to comment!
Tags: cool kitchen, green, industrial, retro, Sweden
It’s been a while since I shamelessly stole a cool kitchen out from under The Kitchn‘s nose, so let’s rectify that, shall we? Posted on the super-site just yesterday, Tim & Sarah’s Blue and Red Philidelphia Kitchen jumped right out at me, for obvious reasons. People, it’s blue and red.
As much as I love my clean white kitchens, this place just puts a smile on my face. The combo of light blue and dark red isn’t so much “Stars and Stripes” to my eyes as reminiscent of Cath Kidston, queen of retro prints. These colours are perfect for this space’s retro theme, carried through by the vintage-style appliances and bright red accessories. I also love the subtle patterns at play here- see how the mini-tile backsplash interacts with the striped tea towel?
See all the kitchen photos here, and the rest of Tim and Sarah’s charming house here.
Posted in Kitchens on March 23rd, 2010 by Ele | 4 comments
Tags: blue, colour, colour scheme, cool kitchen, red, retro, vintage
I was recently turned on to Swedish mag Elle Interiör via a post at Decor8. Though it’s another one that I can’t actually read (it seems like all my favourite mags are foreign, lately), the photos are gorgeous, in true Swedish style.
This kitchen is a little more grown-up and elegant than my tastes usually run, though I was still drawn to it immediately. It’s got the clean, white tiled look I love, with touches of stainless steel and wood for added interest.
The real success of this space is in the luxurious details. The marble counter top could make a convert of butcher block-loving me, and all the candlesticks add a certain ambiance. There’s even an aristocratic-looking portrait leaning against the backsplash. The glass-fronted cabinets are one of my favourite touches- check out the stunning silver locking mechanisms!
What do you think- does this space float your boat?
Posted in Kitchens on March 9th, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
Tags: cool kitchen, elegant, luxe, modern, swedish
It was when I was hunting down photos for this post that I came across this kitchen on Marie Claire Maison. I must have seen it dozens of times before (I do love that site, after all), but for some reason I’d never really seen it before.
Well, I’m glad I did this time, because I think this room is gorgeous! It’s in what used to be an old printing factory, and though there’s only the one photo, it’s enough to get an idea of why (I think) it works so well:
Art. No overhead cabinets, not even any open shelving to muck up the flow of this room. Instead, a collection of art creates a gallery-like feeling, making this room just as atmospheric as any other in the house.
Retro touches. That vintage icebox, probably used as a cupboard of some sort, is divine. I love how it breaks up the white cabinets and sits front and centre, rather than off to the side.
Eclectic mix. I like how the table features both classic wooden chairs and industrial-style stools. A soft-glow, vintage-looking lamp sits on the countertop to the left, while a sleeker pendant hangs from the ceiling at the right.
Posted in Kitchens on February 16th, 2010 by Ele | 2 comments
Tags: Art, cool kitchen, eclectic, gallery, icebox, retro
Today’s kitchen is actually that of a well-known design blogger, the talented Anna of Door Sixteen. Anna has been blogging about the restoration of her Newburgh, NY house since 2007, and her house was featured in an Apartment Therapy House Tour in February 2008 (where these pics are from).
I like this space primarily for one reason: it’s a great example of how to have a pretty and practical kitchen on a budget. Not including appliances, the budget for this space was approximately $1000, which isn’t bad considering how great it turned out. I like the freestanding units and how well they co-ordinate with the appliances; the result is a look that’s modest, considered, and somewhat industrial in feel.
The open shelving turns Anna’s everyday plates, bowls and cups into display items, which is a great idea for those of us with limited cupboard space. Other than a great print over the stove and a simple floral tea towel, there’s minimal “fuss” in this space. A well-edited collection of useful items (it helps to have a consistent “pop” colour; in this case red) is all this space needs for maximum visual impact.
Be sure to check out Anna’s inspiring blog, as well as the tour of her home at Apartment Therapy.
Posted in Kitchens on February 9th, 2010 by Ele | 2 comments
Tags: black, blog, budget, cool kitchen, door 16, practical, stainless steel
Swedish mag Skona Hem has some pretty cool kitchens on their site right now, and this lovely one particularly stood out to me. Now, I know what you’re all thinking-that I’m getting tiresomely predictable. Ooooh, Ele- it’s white with wood countertops and stainless appliances! Whatever will you throw our way next? But hear me out- this space has a few subtle differences that keep it from being just another white kitchen.
The first thing I noticed was those chairs- we get so used to seeing an old, worn wooden table surrounded by modern chairs, so this simple inversion of the formula looks fresh. You’ll notice that the wood is the exact shade used on the countertops, an old decorator’s trick for mixing styles while keeping things consistent.
A standing unit, whether antique or modern, means that open storage isn’t so open, and helps add character to the room. I think the black really makes the white dishes pop, don’t you think?
I think my favourite feature is the tiled wall. Regular square tiles are arranged like subway tiles for a look that’s one part modern and one part classic.
Ok, I told you they were subtle differences.
Posted in Kitchens on February 2nd, 2010 by Ele | 3 comments
Tags: antique, chair, contrast, cool kitchen, Skona Hem, white, wood