This first kitchen is one of my favourites; classic and hip at the same time. The white units and wood floors are beyond pristine, and the marble subway tiled walls are a great finishing touch:

This next space is similar, using many of the same elements. I’m already seeing that white units with black pulls, glass-fronted cabinets and pops of colour are key in a Helgerson kitchen. This one has a more relaxed vibe, with the addition of those awesome vintage chairs:

This kitchen is much more modern, but the general idea (lots of white, streamlined design, a sense of elegance) remains the same:

Helgerson design, on a more modest scale. This sweet and compact kitchen allows the view to take centre stage:

This ranch house kitchen is a great example of adapting an aesthetic to fit your surroundings. The glass-fronted cabinets, subway tile backsplash and wood are all there, looking perfectly at home in their rural surroundings:

The inspiration for this last space was “a Swedish cottage by the sea”, and I can see it in the result. The red and retro accessories (love the 50′s stove- my parents used to have a similar one) add fun and colour to the otherwise white space:

That second distinction struck a chord with me. As a renter, I know that those of us not yet on the property ladder can be somewhat limited in our decorating abilities. We don’t necessarily have the countertops, cabinets or layout of our dreams, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have attractive kitchens! Here are my top five tips for adding style to a rental space, using the latest batch of small, cool kitchens as visuals.

1. A Lick of Paint (or Paper)
So, maybe your floor is ugly linoleum and your countertops are faux granite (mine are). You still have walls, right? Paint is one of the fastest ways to add colour and interest to a space, as this bright blue New York kitchen proves:

If you think your landlord would allow it, you could even paint the cabinets, as in this sunny San Francisco kitchen:

Wallpaper is another good option. It works especially well (and is less time-consuming to tackle) on one statement wall, as in this sweet space:

2. Look to the Lighting
As any kitchen designer will tell you, lighting is imperative not just to the practicality of your kitchen, but to its ambiance. Unless you have pot lighting in your rental, a simple change of fixture could be all your space needs. I like how the lights in Kate’s kitchen contribute to her colour scheme:

And the modern-retro pendant in this eclectic Philidelphia space works great, too:

3. Let Art Impart Style
We already know I’m a fan of art in the kitchen, so this tip should come as no surprise. Use what wall space you have to add colour, humour, or communicate who you are. The poster in this Portland Bungalow kitchen works perfectly with the tiled backsplash:

While Addie’s Cape Cod home features an oldie-but-goodie:

I especially like the sweet vintage-feel art in Alysia’s lake house:

4. Fun and Funky Accessories
If you don’t have the wall space for paintings and posters, you can still add colour in other ways. Pick your kitchen accessories carefully, and arrange them in an artful way. I love the turquoise dishes (and door knobs- how cute!) in this Las Vegas kitchen:

Alison has made storage work for her, with retro steel, blue-and-green touches and wicker baskets in her Burlington home:

5. Stand-Alones that Stand Alone
If you can’t move everything that you don’t like out, how about moving something else in? Megumi’s Brussels kitchen features vintage filing cabinets under a wooden worktop, which she uses as regular cabinets:

Ronna is a professional cook, and she added a big wooden island (for work space and storage) as well as an awesome metal equipment shelf to her Brooklyn kitchen:

Cozinha da batain by Alexandre Hamata Possi:

Sala da pronzo by Ricardo Francone:

THE KITCHEN by Villa Regina:

kitchen in … Dubrovnik by hyperborea:

Outdoor kitchen by jula julz:

another travelogue 8 by tim caynes:

a view of a kitchen from a doorway by tashalutek:

I was particularly thrilled with the April 2010 issue, which I picked up last week. A feature titled Kitchens for Cooks – How to plan your perfect work space was clearly going to catch my eye, and I wasn’t disappointed on reading it. I thought it might appeal to some of you kitchen-lovers, so here’s a sneak preview for you…

The article focuses on 12 kitchen design ideas, interspersed with useful information on choosing countertops, floors and appliances. Gorgeous photos, product comparisons and random tips (did you know it takes 10 minutes for an extractor fan to reach optimum strength?) mean the whole thing is chock-full of information.

Almost equal consideration is given to aesthetics and function, with the scale even tipping slightly toward the latter. I must say, it was refreshing to read an article that advocates keeping certain utensils, pots and pans out in plain view – you know, so you so can use them – rather than hidden away behind cupboard doors.

Of course, in typical design mag style, this article left me covetous. I’ve now added an induction range, a marble worktop section (for making pastry), and a hot water tap (to replace my space- and power-sucking kettle) to my “dream kitchen” list.

In addition to the kitchens feature, Living etc‘s April 2010 issue had some good articles. I liked all four of the house tours and a sweet editorial called Living with Heirlooms. It’s on the newstands now, so if you’re in the UK, go pick up a copy!

1. Vintage charm. If you’ve got a spare wall or part thereof, don’t automatically jump to adding built-in units. A vintage dresser or armoire can store your plates just as well, and adds a bit of personality, too. I like this painted hutch from County Living.

2. Open it up. With that same wall, you could also try some open, industrial-style shelving. These blue-painted shelves, also from Country Living, look lovely, and the metal boxes keep things neat.

3. Pretty pegboard. Pegboard might not be a new idea, but it’s still a pretty good one. You can paint it any colour, and use as much or as little as you like. Go for a small square on the wall, a larger piece covering the back of a door, even a whole wall. This lovely teal board comes from Australian mag Inside Out, via Apartment Therapy.

4. Through the cupboard door. The slim space just inside a cupboard or pantry door can be a great find. Think of a magnetic strip for knives, a hook for spare tea towels, or a slim custom-built spice rack. In this image from Martha Stewart, pot lids are held up with towel racks.

5. Frame it. Got something pretty to show off? A storage frame, like this one I found via Living etc, is fantastic for showing off cups and smaller items. This is from Heal’s, but I bet an old frame, some plywood and a lick of paint would make a great DIY version, too.

6. Roll with it. A butcher block, trolly or other small unit on wheels can make a great occasional storage and work space. Choose something that fits in with your decor, and then simply roll it where and when you need it. Bonus points if there are shelves underneath, like in this example from Apartment Therapy.

7. Hanging out. Simply looking up can reveal several unexplored storage options. The classic over-island pot rack is a good example, but even mounting a single hanging rail can keep utensils out of the way and free up your countertop. The space under cupboards works well, as does a patch of bare wall, like in this kitchen from Marie Claire Maison.

8. Up, up and away. In some kitchens the cabinets go right up to the ceiling, but in others, there’s a bit of headspace. Make that work for you by tucking rarely-used but attractive (or simply decorative) items out of the way, as in this room from Domino (RIP) which I found at Little Green Notebook. Just make sure you’ve got a sturdy chair or stepladder at the ready, if and when you need to get them down again.

9. Under covers. We don’t often see tablecloths in a kitchen anymore, but consider this: a floor-sweeping fabric can hid a multitude of sins- er, stuff. Choose a beautiful colour or print, as in this photo from Canadian House & Home, and it’ll add a whiff of French country glamour, too.

10. Skirting the issue. Similar to the last tip, I’ve got a total weakness for skirted work tops and tables. It doesn’t matter how messy the junk behind is- if you can hide it with a pretty fabric, who cares?! I like the skirted corner in this room from Marie Claire Maison.

Have you got any kitchen storage tips you’d  like to share?

The light in My Creepy Kitchen by rickyaustin reminds me of a horror film:

I think the Severalls Kitchen, by artwork_rebel, is pretty terrifying:

It might be light outside, but I can feel the ghosts in this Haunted Hospital Kitchen, by Mark_Strozer:

An eery Summer Kitchen from road_less_trvled:

The kitchen at Norrfly, an abandoned building in Sweden, by netzanette:

Cosy perhaps, but there’s still something off about The Kitchen Sink by Wonderlane:

Now that that’s out of the way, a second note: Please forgive the poor quality of the images in today’s post. It’s hell finding good screenshots, isn’t it?

Yes, Gossip Girl. The CW show about the lives of Manhattan’s young, wealthy elite, full of twisted love triangles, buried secrets, sexual tension and scandals-a-plenty. But please believe me, I don’t watch it for that stuff. Well maybe a tiny part of me does, but mainly I watch for the eye candy. Beautiful people, New York City, incredible fashion and inspiring interiors. It’s true; after the MCM gorgossity of Mad Men, this show has some of the best set design around (see this portfolio for some examples). While it’s all covetable, I’m going to stay somewhat on track here, and show you around the show’s kitchens.

The Bass/van der Woodsen penthouse is chic, modern and pure Upper East Side luxe. The kitchen in this apartment is a surprisingly modest size (I can’t imagine that anybody living here would do much cooking, after all), and has a clean, minimalist feel. I especially like the sliding blue panels and the open wood shelving (photos from this post at Apartment Therapy):

The dining area has a similar look, with a clean, mid-century feeling. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Upper East Side without a lush rug and an ornate chandelier:

The Waldorf home is more classic New York, all satin drapes and marble entrance halls. While that isn’t usually my style, I love the kitchen in this place. This image from Hooked on Houses shows off the white subway tile, marble countertops and industrial-looking appliances:

While no one can argue with the beauty of those spaces, it’s the trendy Brooklyn loft of the “underprivileged” Humphreys that gets the most love from me. Sure the exposed brick, random colours and retro paraphernalia might be cliché, but they’re good ones. I love the wall colour, open storage and cool pendant lamps in the kitchen:

The dining area is just as cool, relying on what looks like old diner booths for seating:

Until next time,
xoxo

(Sorry.)

I’ve always liked the floor in this kitchen, which I found at Brown Button. The horizontal stripes make the space feel wider, and are a nice take on the retro checkerboard look:

Sleek design makes the most of the available space in this modern galley, from Living etc:

You can’t see the other side of this kitchen, from Canadian House & Home, but I like what I do see. The quirky objects and bright touches bring character to the minimalist design:

This shorter, mini-galley is modern and pristine. I found it on Apartment Therapy and loved the open shelving and calming colours:

Also from Apartment Therapy, this kitchen is cheerful and traditional. I love the ceiling-height units, and all the bright touches:

I think the pale, soothing colour of the units in this kitchen from house to home create more space, as do the curved countertops:

I love this space from house to home. The white tile and steel island are set off beautifully by the pendant lamps and industrial fixtures:

The Kitchn recently featured this industrial-style space. It’s from Martha Stewart‘s NYC kitchen in the 1980′s, but I think it looks surprisingly modern:

From Canadian House & Home, this kitchen is what I’d call “vintage industrial”, and proof that not all industrial spaces have to be all metal, all the time. I’m loving the professional-style range hood and green light fixtures:

I like this kitchen from Marie Claire Maison, which despite its utilitarian leanings, has a charming country feel:

I guess the French like their industrial style, because this room is from the same source. With all the hanging pans, shiny surfaces and professional appliances, this place has a real “pro chef” vibe:

One of my favourite beachy kitchens of all time is this space from Coastal Living. I just love the mix of marble, blue subway tile and rattan roller blinds:

Come to think of it, I think rattan and wicker are particularly nautical. This kitchen from Sunset has a more modern, but still beachy, vibe:

This kitchen, from This Old House, positively sings seaside. It’s the weathered white wainscotting, the touches of blue and green, and the tiled countertop:

It’s the lovely green floor that does it in this space, from the photostream of sarahleeab. Oh, and the surfboards outside the window:

Big American kitchens don’t have a monopoly on coastal style; I like this seaside English cottage, too. Found via Apartment Therapy, the kitchen looks cosy and inviting, but still light and beachy: