The Apple of Her Eye

I am tired of posting about kitchens and would like to show you a lovely Massachusetts farmhouse. Sandy Craig managed to put color and neutrals in the same home and blend them beautifully. The home is circa 1740. She hired a builder to put in wiring, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems. A hand blown glass vase filled with roses graces the top of a pickled painted coffee table. Photography was by Sam Gray. This home appeared in the September/October 2002 issue of Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication, Decorating.

The hand printed floral fabric on the lounge chair and ottoman is a reproduction of a historical pattern.

Gazing with seeming approval on the scene, the glamourous woman depicted in the antique French poster is a chic alternative to a more predictable ancestor portrait. Sandy hired an interior designer, Linda Carbutt, to assist her in decorating the home. They managed to use soft colors that would not compete with the natural light provided by an abundance of windows. She used florals, plaid, stripes and solids in a rainbow of soft yellows, greens, blues, peach, melon and rose colors.  

A new painted and glazed secretary makes a strong color statement in the living room.

Opening to the living room on one side and the dining room on the other side, the entry hall features faux-marble fruity green walls.

The charming floral pattern carpet continues up the stairs to the second landing.

With rose colored papered walls, warmed by the fireplace the low ceiling dining room is intimate and inviting.

A simple jabot in lime green silk softens the window. The new mirror above the bombe chest is a little jewel that might have come from an Irish country house not too formal.

A burst of color from a tasseled striped silk balloon shade adds to the serene scene.

The new bed is distressed to look like old iron with chipping paint. Taupe-color paper that looks like suede covers the bedroom walls.

The master bathroom is dressed in a crackle finish wallpaper with a pattern of classical urns. Marble covers the floor and tops the surround of the built-in whirlpool tub.

The Venetian mirror above the sink is new. Now who would not love this home?!

A Kitchen Budget Beauty

In 1997, Kathleen Wedin, shoved her old, broken stove off the deck of her home. Her farmhouse was built in 1915 in Washington state. Kathleen, an interior designer, decided she could re-do her old kitchen on a dime. The contractor had given her husband a quote of $35,000. to re-model the kitchen. She did it for a fraction of the cost without compomising her goals. The photographer was Philip Clayton-Thompson.

She thought her great grandmother's 1800's hutch would enhance the atmosphere and display her             collections of blue and white china, including the ones she brought back from Sweden. She asked her     husband to install an old oak gym floor that had been stored in the barn since the late 40's. Initially, he    said no because he didn't think he could do it justice. But she reassured him she did not want "perfect" , she wanted character and age. He tackled the job with the purchase of stain and a protective finish and  completed the entire floor for just $35.00.

 

This is what the kitchen looked like before she chunked the stove.

The windows were re-cycled from other parts of the house bringing in much needed light. And the          cabinets were freshened up with paint. She made her new countertops by using her own sheets of           plywood and pine lumber for edging. A carpenter installed these for her and she added a patina with      stain and wax. She hired a craftsman to fashion a pine table, an island and a pot rack to display her        copper collection. French doors off the breakfast room offer access to the deck beyond. The refrigerator is located near the formal diningroom, yet is still convenient to the work area. An island equipped with  an electric range routes traffic from the breakfast area around the work area.

                         
                               This is a picture of her great-grandmother's hutch with her prized dishes.

She used an old fashioned rose-pattern wall covering. She brought her favorite dishes and homegrown flowers to the table. White wicker chairs compiment her blue and white china.

The new wood floor beneath it all used to be a gymnasium. The total cost for her new kitchen was $3,500.00, a tenth of what the contractor had given them for a quoted price.

Let's Go Full Swing On Our Subject Of Kitchens

The ELLE DECOR magazine for December 2009 did a great piece on kitchens of today so we can compare them with the 1997 kitchens. The interesting thing is, what has become of kitchen islands. Are they here and are they needed anymore? I will let you decide the answer to that question. We are going to look at some rustic, contemporary and sleek 2009 kitchens.

William Waldron photographed this kitchen which features a farm table made for reclaimed barn wood, mismatched chairs and classic white cabinets creating a casual elegance to the kitchen.

This photograph was taken by Simon Upton. This kitchen is at a beachside getaway in Brazil. The polished cement counters are warmed up by tropical touches such as bamboo side tables, slatted wood cupboards and an array with woven trays and baskets.

This kitchen was photographed by Gilles Trillard. The red lacquered cabinets add a punch of color to a contempoary kitchen. It has an oversized mirrored hood above an expansive marble topped counter.

This kitchen was photographed by Eric Piasecki. This New York kitchen has stainless-steel open shelves installed along the walls and windows.

This kitchen was photographed by Martin Dyrloev. This industrial kitchen is in Spain and reflects rough-finished concrete floors and sculptural white Panton chairs surrounding a chunky wood table.

So what is your answer? Are kitchen islands as popular as they have been in the past?

Chemo Brain In Full Swing!

Oh yes, yesterday was chemo day. That stuff really makes me loopy. Gosh it is nice to have something to blame my goofiness on for a change! So I take the stuff and come home thinking the porta cath was a bad
idea since it has not quit hurting. The pain killer and upset stomach meds do not make me sleepy but send me into overdrive.

I wake up this morning thinking something needs to be changed in my home to improve it and make the overdrive I am in, worthwhile. So see my little inset here. I removed the "shrubs" surrounding "Heme" and replaced them with a tall slender gold urn lamp and a tall brass and pewter candlestick with an ivory taper.  So there she is in all her glory. And here I am in mine with something new to gaze upon!

Now I can get back to my subject of kitchens.

  

Here Are Some Helpful Guidelines To Creating/Positioning A Kitchen Island

Kitchen size. You will need more than 10 feet between base cabinets on opposite walls to include an island. It is most functional when it is a minimum of 3 feet wide and 5 feet long.

Aisle size. Allow 3 feet or more on each side of the island to handle kitchen traffic.

Location. There should be a minimum of 42 inches between major work centers, including aisle space. Don't install an island where work areas are on opposite walls because you will be adding steps each time you walk around  your island.

Function. If you plan to include a cooking center, allow 12 inches on both sides of the cooktop to set dishes, and provide enough room so hot pan handles will not go over the edge of the countertop.

Work From All Sides. Equip the island ends with open shelves for storing cookbooks, or other collectables. Add a wine rack or small glass-front refrigerator. Include at least one set of drawers in the island. Store slilverware and utensils where you use them. A 12 to 15 inch overhang provides enough room for an eating counter.

Power Up. Adequate lighting makes the work area more effective. Install electrical outlets so you can safely use small appliances.   

"GRAND CENTRAL STATION"

Let's take walk back in time to 1997, to take a look at the different kitchen islands that were being created to serve a multiude of purposes. These photos were taken by Bob Greenspan, Rick Taylor, Jon Jensen, Maris/Semel,Taylor Woodcraft, Roy Inman, Gene Johnson/Hawks. These pictures were featured in Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication of Country Kitchens.

There is something about a kitchen that will never change. It is and always will be the heart of the home.
It is where everyone seems to gravitate too so the kitchen is our Grand Central Station. If that is true then what about the concept of a kitchen island? How do they serve us?

They shorten the distance between our work centers and minimize the steps necessary to do our chores.
They provide counter and storage space without adding square footage.
They divide the kitchen proper from other areas of the house.
They serve as a buffet or eating area.

This island offers elevated counters for serving, and the ledge hides messes on the lower cleanup center workstation.

 

Underneath a naturally lighted alcove, this two level island provides work space below and work space above. A semicircular dining table at one end completes the arrangement.   

Near the family room, the I-shaped island has an eye for entertaining. The multipurpose design features a cooktop and warming drawers at one end of the island. A second sink and workspace at the other end make food prep easy.

 This kitchen is equipped for two cooks with a wide center island. This island houses a grill, gas cooktop, second sink with garbage disposal with a maple butcher-block counter. Old tractor wheels that move easily for access, hold a collection of pots and utensils.

Pull out drawers give the island acess to storage. The drop leaf top doubles as a dining area and additional workspace using only minimal space.

  

This island has a built-in food center that can operate 10 small appliances. Below the vegetable sink is a recycling drawer with plastic bins to separate plastic, glass and tin and a canvas bag at the back to collect newspapers.

Located in a small kitchen only eleven and a half  feet square, the island really measures up. A swinging ninge at one end allows a top section of the solid-surface counter to slide and rotate 180 degrees to expand the workspace.

 This butcher's block is topped with a slab of marble. This old world piece serves as a baking center.

An antique general store seed-bin-turned-island makes a colorful divider between the kitchen and the breakfast area. The glass front bins store popcorn, rice and beans and more storage is located on the backside. 

This island separates a great-room work area and a living and eating area. Painted country blue, the island has display shelves and plenty of work space on both sides of the sink.

European Charm

The 2004, Spring issue of Better Homes and Gardens special interest publication, Beautiful Homes, featured the story of a couple who had recently married and decided to build a home based on compromise. The photographer was Michael Parteneo. Their homesite was in West Chester County, New York next to a 250 acre bird sanctuary. The lady of the house was an interior designer and wanted a cozy cottage while the gentleman of the house wanted a large home to accomodate family and friends.

Agreeing on the ample room, she still wanted to create a home that exuded warmth which was a challenge for a 10,000 square foot home, including a 2,500 square foot basement. They ended up with a Georgian Revival house with a European flair, resulting from the use of antiques.

          Time worn materials were used for the flooring and blended in with new windows and doors. 

Symmetry was featured from sidelights to garden urns.

The living room opens to the limestoned tiled entry foyer, where a staircase leads to upper-level guest rooms.

Two Ming dynasty statues adorn the living room mantle. The mill work and color scheme established a complimentary setting for the collection of Asian antiques displayed. 

The dining room chandelier is made from an antique French cloche. The Transom-topped French doors open to a deck that overlooks the gardens; niches on either side of the doors, painted to look like stone hold cut-flowers.

Even when morning light streams in, mahogany woodwork and dark green walls lend the library a rich, cozy feel.

A wall of hand-painted Portuguese tile looks good with the kitchen's stainless steel stove and wood countertop.

A window seat and forged iron light fixture from France define the breakfast area off the family room.

A screened porch next to the breakfast room looks onto the pool.

The master bath room sits in it's own bay. Roman shades provided privacy for day time bathing without blocking the natural light. The French doors open to a patio hot tub.

Antique linens adorn the four poster bed. The creamy walls and white trim give the master bedroom a soothing look.