I can't find that color tile! Help!

Here's an email I just received:

"Hi, I need help sourcing the tile found in the green and blue Scandinavian kitchen from your blog post of Feb 3.

I can't seem to find the green glass tile anywhere on the web or showrooms. Wondering what your rate would be if you are available for this little job.

Thanks for any consideration, K" 

Kathleen, you don't need to pay me to do this for you. Here's what you do. And, I know this because I've done it myself. The prices have been reasonable and the result has been great. And, it just sort of feels good to do it! Take a look at the link below, which is a google search under "handmade tile" and what you will find is a vast array of artisans and very small companies, look at those. Make inquiries. Show them the image. Now, understand that the image will show up differently on their monitors than on yours. That's #1. So having samples made up is a must. 

That said, enjoy the search, ask questions as to tile maintenance, thickness, strength, lead times, what ifs, and so on. I know you will find a wonderful artisan who will help this look come to life for you. And, after you do and the tile is in, would you email me a picture?

Handmade Tile Google Search

You can also do a search under hand made in two words or artisan tile or other such terms. 

One more idea...if you can make some water color shades of the colors you like, that could help. And, I could be wrong (I've been wrong once before) but I don't think those tiles are glass. 

All the best!

American - Scandinavian Kitchens?

It struck me with this latest collection of Scandinavian kitchens from the fantastic Scandinavian magazine, Vakrehjem & Interior, that elements of some of these images looked very American to my eye.

I'd like to offer some comments on these images. Here we go...

These first two images are castle-like kitchens, sort of down in the musty kitchen we go! I do not see those images as typically American necessarily. It's a bit of a mishmosh to me, this kitchen. I am not a fan of the modern chairs mixed with the traditional chairs, maybe it's just that style of modern or traditional. There are areas of this kitchen that are very charming, but I think its charm lies in the collection of pieces rather than the design of the space per se. That said, anytime one can have authentic beams like those beams in one's home, it's a gift. 

Some of these lower images look very close to American kitchens, and what I am seeing here is the shaker door style that is so popular in the U.S. Add in the beadboard, and I think we are in New England. 

Certain differences illustrate Scandinavian design. The wide use of white in the lower images is very typical. White, white, white. Note that the white continues on the door/window casings and some furniture pieces as well. Or, conversely, sometimes we see the abundant use of natural wood elements, such as ceilings and walls clad in distressed wood.

Platters on open shelves or other fine pieces are often seen on open shelves in Scandinavian country kitchens. Modern touches are too, and in the case of the white kitchen, it doesn't matter that the kitchen is 90% country in its theme, somehow, a modern touch seems never to be out of place and is freely included. I do not have a historical reference on the "X" design seen in the doors, but that motif is generally seen as a Swedish design element.

Splashes of color in the white Scandinavian kitchen are widely enjoyed, which we see in the collection of accessories on the tall shelf over the windows. 

I love sharing my Scandinavian kitchen finds with you. I hope you enjoy them too.

KBIS Sneak Peeks

It's that time of year and it's coming on so fast. I'm going to KBIS, as I do every year, and I can't wait! With thousands of products exhibited, and new technology, new trends and updated classics on display, it's a must see for me.

Shortly before the show, there are often some sneak peaks of new products, so here are a few.

WAC Lighting - I've used WAC lighting for years and years. They just make life simple, clean, easy, elegant, and so on. I don't get complaints from the electricians on the job, and the clients love the light. NOW WAC has LED light bars (love their light bars) and button lights (otherwise known as hockey puck lights). They also have invisiled tape lights for accent lighting. It's all just what you need. A real endorsement.

Eldorado Stone Gemstone Walls - Stunning transformations with stone. New walls are the VinoWall, ArtWall & CandleWall. Read their Sustainable Solutions for Leed Requirements brochure. Documented LEED categories where a project can earn LEED points.

Next is Baarz Decorative Hardware - This is a company that, from my view, offers hardware that looks different, fun, casual, earthy, or formal, for that matter. I've always said that hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen. It's funny...it's the choice that my clients put off as long as they can because you just have to wrap your head around all the choices available...like wallpaper or paint, tons of choices. I did not see a green statement on their website...would like to see that.

Stainless Living - Stainless Steel makes a statement, or any metal for that matter. There is something strong about it, to me. Stainless Living manufacturers deeply textured metals for many applications. They also manufacture stainless steel countertops as well. 

Haier America- Haier introduces their eco-friendly small refrigerator line with the 2.8 cf NuCool model. A brand new technology achieves temperatures as low as 37 degrees, not previously possible with refrigerant models. It is ultra quiet and available at Target. 

Just a few sneak peaks. More product news to come!

Do You Serve Dinner?

A funny thing happened last night at our house around dinner time. My husband called me for dinner (of course I was in my office staring at my monitor).

I go upstairs to the kitchen and what do I see but my husband making a plate for himself of the foods we are having for dinner. What was different about that scene was that he was doing it sort of buffet style, and the dishes that held the main food items were on the kitchen countertop.

I stopped and cried "I can't believe you're doing that! Why have we not done this before now?!" He didn't have an answer. So, we filled our plates and walked over to sit in the family room area and had our dinner. I went on and on about it for another few minutes (was he listening?) I was thrilled!

Have you yawned at this piece yet? In our case, our kids are grown and up until last night (mostly) we've walked all the dishes, serving dishes, beverages, condiments, yadayada to the table and then walked all of these things back to the kitchen after dinner.

Is it a chore to do that? Well, not really, but doing a buffet style dinner seems SO much easier, convenient, time saving, and just less laborious "feeling." When the kids were growing up, we always ate dinner at the table with all the accompanying stuff. But, now with the two of us (our son still living with us doesn't often eat with us) why not make it easier??

I was so excited at this new way of streamlining the process, I called my daughter and told her about this light bulb moment enthusiastically, to which she replied, "We do that all the time for dinner" (she and her husband.)

A bigger issue might be...it is important to anticipate this dinner time behavior and consider designing a kitchen around it. A good question to ask...

What about you? Dinner on the table or buffet style? My vote at this point in my life is buffet, baby!

Around the Kitchen Interwebs

Let's see what's happening with kitchen topics around the web.

A partner in crime, Kelly, is talking about product finishes, always something guaranteed to drive homeowners nutty. Do you blend? Match? How far afield do you/can you go? Kelly gives her usual sage advice!

Met Home's Kitchen and Bath Sourcebook shows quite a few inspirational products for nearly anyone's dream kitchen or bath. I especially like their sharp-eyed pick of the Fisher Paykel dishwasher in the taller version for the big plates that so many of us have.

There's a pretty sexy sink in their slideshow too. Worth a look.

This site has really blossomed in recent months. It sure stimulates the senses!

Another partner in the kitchen design business, Laurie, from Kitchen Design Notes, is informing her readers about Dacor's new energy saving refrigerator. It's a huge 36" refrigerator and is even Energy Star rated, so no guilt there!

And in The Appliancist, all you need to do is scroll in wonder at all their fantastic finds...

Armstrong Flooring Ad

I hate to be negative, but that's part of life too, of course. My general goal is to try to be negative for as short a period of time as possible and then move on, leaving negativity in the dust. So, allow me this negative-centric post please.

I picked up my copy of House Beautiful, turned back the cover and what shouts out at me in a double page ad but a picture of Gilda Radner with a big smile on her face (on the right side of the ad.) Quite honestly, I wasn't sure if it was an old image of her or a look-alike.  I haven't given Gilda Radner a thought in I don't know how long, although she was one of my favorites.

Basically, Armstrong Flooring used Gilda Radner (look alike or real) to compare real wood floors to laminate (fake) wood flooring. I think comparing a beloved (by many) well known deceased person to a fake wood flooring material is misguided at best.

Here are some of the things I object to in this campaign:

• This woman died at a young age
• She truly suffered (intense physical and emotional pain) in her fight to live
• It's not all that long ago that she died, an important factor
• It's a huge corporate ad campaign
• No mention, having used her celebrity persona as the center of this campaign, of donating money to ovarian cancer causes for the privilege of using her perpetual celebrity influence
• Gilda Radner touched countless millions of people in her professional life and private struggle, earning immense good will, and this "capital" is being used for purposes of commerce
• Does Armstrong understand, as this campaign is widely viewed, how hurt a large number of people will be, as they suffer through ovarian cancer or remember the suffering their loved ones endured?

That's really all I need to know. For me, it was an immediate, strong, negative reaction upon seeing the ad. There WAS only one Gilda Radner, as Armstrong notes.  

End of negativity for today! All comments, no matter what they are, are welcome.

One more note. Armstrong, I would ask that you put out a  press release with your intention to donate money to Ovarian Cancer causes in recognition of Gilda Radner being the center of this campaign. I'll report on that with pleasure.

UPDATE OCTOBER 13, 2009:

Here is what I received  on October 12 from Armstrong's PR agency: 

"Armstrong Flooring is partnering with retailers Abbey Carpet & Floor and Floors To Go for a national consumer sales event Sept. 15 to Nov. 15, 2009 to benefit Gilda’s Club Worldwide, a non-profit cancer support organization founded in memory of beloved comedian Gilda Radner. Armstrong will contribute $.10 to Gilda’s Club for every square foot of material a consumer purchases through Abbey or Floors To Go Sept. 15 through Nov. 15. So, if a consumer purchases 1,000 square feet of Armstrong's laminate flooring, Armstrong will donate $100 to Gilda’s Club. Armstrong has guaranteed Gilda’s Club a minimum $30,000 donation."

I'm very pleased to see this development. Thank you Armstrong for stepping up! 

Beautiful Kitchens

Yesterday's post was a first course. Today is the entree!

It is always a pleasure of mine to show you Scandinavian kitchens, as you may know. The reason is that I think the Scandinavians have a very, very special gift for combining their modern design point of view, which seems to be in the collective DNA, (always with some exceptions) with historic surroundings or smaller traditional elements. They do it well, very well. 

If you can, go through this slide show slowly. Examine the parts and pieces of each kitchen design. Think about what you like and what you do not like. 

Some of these kitchens speak to me in a strong way, others do not speak to me at all. I do know one thing....I need about 6 houses to express myself in all my kitchen design "moods".

If you click on "notes" you will see my comments. What speaks to you and why?

The Kitchn Cure Is Coming

I'm a huge fan of the kitchn, Apartment Therapy's sister site on all things cooking and many things kitchen related. Apartment Therapy does their 8 Step Home Cure every spring, but the kitchn focuses just on, well, the kitchen, a space certainly worthy of singular introspection and periodic hair pulling sessions!

With the kitchen being ground zero for the need to physically nourish one several times a day in some cases (except for those who use the kitchen counter to place the take out food or pick up keys on their way to eat out) issues such as organization, storage, work habits and so on are worth taking a fresh look at now and then. 

In their effort to go back to basics, as the kitchn often does in a satisfying way, I wanted to give the kitchn cure a special shout out. Ok, the truth is, too, that I adore reading all the colorful comments on kitchen angst!

Sleek Scandinavian Kitchens!

OK, it's Friday, I'm feeling good, and I want to show you some modern kitchens from my latest Scandinavian magazine collection! I've now accumulated maybe 4 or 5 subscriptions of my fave Scandinavian magazines (and don't ask me the cost of a subscription, I don't want to remember, and don't tell my husband!)

I absolutely think there are things to learn by looking outside our normal kitchen bubble, to see what else is happening in kitchen design. Let's see what we can learn, dissect, and have fun with today, and also admire. These images are from the very chic magazine Rum Interior Design.

Below: Love the simplicity, the boldness, the white foundation. I also LOVE the artwork, as many of you may know.

Below: You know, I'm noticing more doors and windows with black trim for some reason, and I like it. Liking the skinny windows here.

Below: Interesting! Sure breaks up the mundane gray everywhere and creates more importance and weight to the upper section of the kitchen. And it's fun, and fun is always good in my book.

Below: I really like this one because there is a great juxtaposition of the profuse green landscape and the modern interior. Not to mention the artfully displayed accessories. Look at that!

Below: Now, this is not normally my style, but I could move into this space! I love white, I love texture, and I love windows. I'm good. 

Below: And, who can't smile at this one?? I sure am! We have white, we have major whimsy going on, and a modern point of view...mostly. Love. 

And you? What do you like/not like??

Want To Sell Your House? Clean The Kitchen!

My new Twitter buddy, Julia, from hooked on houses, has a post today on images that a realtor takes for a home listing. This struck a chord with me, having just bought and sold a house (not in that order!) And, having gone nuts over staging, tweaking images...and cleaning.

In my months of house hunting recently, I cannot tell you how much an unkempt kitchen was a total turnoff. It didn't even have to be a dirty kitchen (that's a definite turnoff.) But, even a slightly messy kitchen was...distracting, yes, that's the word. Distracting in a negative way is a negative thing (oh, how profound.)

Every realtor will tell you that a house, these days, needs an edge to be noticed. The house has to stand out among its competition. The chances of standing out greatly diminish if a home is in disarray, especially if the competition in the same price range shines...literally. The kitchen and bathrooms are viewed as utilitarian spaces, where cleanliness is important. That's sort of an undercurrent in one's mind, I think, when one visualizes oneself cooking and living in the kitchen. Therefore, it should be a clean slate, devoid of clutter and mess. 

In addition to the tips I previously mentioned on getting your kitchen ready for resale, in which I mentioned cleaning, I'd like to go a bit further... 

LIST OF THINGS TO CLEAN IN THE KITCHEN:

• floor
• window glass
• window trim-oftentimes it's just a wipe with a rag. If the trim needs to be painted, paint it!
• baseboard molding - clean or paint it
• cabinets - clean your cabinets and all their cracks and crevices on the outside
• cabinets - clean your cabinets on the inside as well
• joints - such as at the floor and the cabinet toekick molding, the baseboard molding and the floor, anyplace where grime accumulates
• walls - does your kitchen need a fresh coat of paint?
• dust all surfaces, shelving, decorative items, and so on
• clean the garbage pails - take them outside and hose them down/clean them
• clean out toaster/toaster oven
• clean/wipe down all countertop appliances. Move them from their places and clean all around them.

GET OUT YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AND CLEAN THE...

• sink(s)
• refrigerator
• dishwasher
• microwave - there are numerous solutions, but it's a must-do
• backsplash
• cooktop and especially grill
• vent hood

Basically...clean everything. Wipe down everything. Dust everything. Leave time before showings and open houses to do it again and again and again, as the showings present themselves. 

I promise you your house will have much more of an edge than it did before. I know how important this is...I just sold my home in a very tough market. Tough, because my home's price bracket was completely stagnant - lower priced homes were selling to first time home buyers and much higher homes were selling, although a bit less so. But, the middle/upper priced homes were, and are still, simply not moving in my area. Fortunately, ours did! And, every time we had a showing or an open house, we all pitched in and strived for near perfect cleanliness (and not because we enjoyed doing it.)

I think that helped immensely, and I remember how I reacted as I looked at potential homes for our family. Here is a link to eco-friendly cleaning supplies. 

Apartment Therapy Kitchen Features

It seems that I've come across a variety of kitchen features on Apartment Therapy as well as the kitchn so I'll point out a few kitchen related links for your brief reading enjoyment.

First, on AT, take a look at this post in the New York version. Brick, a fireplace, big TV, open kitchen (I love an open kitchen.)

Here, in the LA version, is a discussion on TV's in the kitchen. (Me, I like 'em big.) This comment: "It's a great concept... especially for dysfunctional families" I would call classic AT (but then, I'm from the New York area so I like snarky!)

Not to be outdone, the San Francisco version of AT shows 10, count 'em 10, galley kitchens!

On the main AT page, here's an unusual island (I don't love it but it's interesting to see.)

More galley kitchen love on AT's DC page right here with lots of images.

In Boston, a discussion on where to put the microwave (above the fridge?)

And, the kitchn has a bunch of images on pot racks along with frequent random kitchen design features. Also, an interesting post on recession eating and cooking.

So, that's the roundup on AT's mother and sister sites (or whatever they're called.) Have fun!

Classic Kitchen Design In A NYC Apartment

Here is a treat (at least for me!) I'm not allowed to talk much about my kids (although I have SO much to talk about, trust me) so, I say very little. Much to my surprise, after a casual question to my daughter on Saturday, asking if I could shoot pictures of her kitchen (with her in it) for my blog, when we would visit later that day, she said "OK, only if you remember to bring in the candle we left behind last weekend." Yay! I made sure to remember the candle.

If I am the Queen of our family, my daughter is surely the princess (2 sons come after her) and NOW, as you may notice, we are all eagerly awaiting a BABY princess in a few months! Does life get any better?

My daughter and son in law are renting a great apartment on the upper west side of Manhattan, close to Central Park. It's in a quiet residential neighborhood and the building is one of those old, grand, buildings. The entire apartment was renovated beautifully before they moved in, including the kitchen.

It was a beautiful renovation of the kitchen. Custom cabinetry, fit to perfection. Appliances include a fabulous Sub Zero refrigerator (I told my daughter she's too young to have a Sub Zero), a Miele dishwasher (likewise) and higher end GE cooking appliances.

I'm not sure what material the countertop is. Maybe some sort of soapstone, although it does not appear to be affected by food substances. The lighting is fantastic and presents a vintage design statement, as do the multiple glass cabinets. And, what about that floor!? The kitchen has the flavor of a retro but classic New York City apartment, with modern conveniences. The pull out narrow pantry is just so useful.

My daughter loves to cook. She always cooks with fresh ingredients, and the wonderful gourmet markets in the area offer culinary inspiration, so we always look forward to being invited to dinner! Last night was black bean and cheese enchiladas, fresh guac (as we call it) and yellow rice.

And, I can tell you too that, no matter the size of the space, everyone ends up in the kitchen! My husband and my son and his girlfriend spent the evening with us too. So nice!

Note to daughter: Thanks for letting me shoot the kitchen! Love you!

7 Paths To Selecting Your Kitchen Cabinet Finish

"Hi Susan: A quick question if I may- with an open log cabin kitchen, wood floors, and a wood ceiling with beams, what color cabinets would you suggest? The wood is a light color on the walls and ceiling. Thank you, Patty"

Hi Patty (hand waving!)

First, I never see ONE answer to a question like this. Instead, I prefer to drive my clients crazy with six (or more) additional questions of my own to help them get focused! The method to my madness is as follows and represents off the top of my head questions as a response to this "quick" question.

• The wood may be light, but how much light is there in the kitchen, either via windows or lighting? Could the room use help with reflected light from a large block of (light) cabinetry?

• What are the colors/theme in the surrounding rooms? Is there any trend of wood finishes or colors that you will be seeing that you may want to blend or coordinate with, in the kitchen?

• Do you like contrast or do you prefer colors to be soft and flow within the space?

• If you are interested in, say, an opaque white, are you aware that, especially if children are in the picture, your cabinetry will look worn far more quickly than if you had other colors/finishes?

• Are you going after a certain theme? Tailored, rustic, formal, modern, transitional, zen, other? That could give you a clue. Do you want to contrast the rustic framework of your log cabin with another theme to create an eclectic look? Perfectly acceptable. Note your other furnishings as a guide.

• Could you be open to alternative colors that you normally do not see such as a soft khaki, an oyster grey, grey/blue, a light mushroom color, sort of a cool/warm soft contrast? Speaking of cool/warm, be aware of this color differentiation in the context of the overall color scheme as well as what's happening beyond the kitchen. 

• You also may want to consider what finishes you want your countertops and appliances to be. These choices will also send a message about the total look of the kitchen. Likewise, the backsplash to a lesser extent.

• What size is the room? Color/finish of cabinetry plays a role in space perception along with my first item to consider, above, lighting. I feel if the room is small but very well lit (very) perhaps with a light countertop and walls, then dark tones in the cabinetry are fine to use. Of course, a mix of light shades in a small room will allow the space to flow and not appear choppy/busy, something to seriously consider in a small space (choppy/busy).

So, unfortunately, I have no answer for you, only additional questions which should definitely put you on the path to focus and insight! Only you know these answers and it should take a little time to consider the various issues involved in selecting just ONE finish. No pressure or anything! I just can't make the decision for you.

Is a Kitchen Design Trend Always A Trend?

I received an email from Jenney and this is what she is asking:

"I am buying a new house. I am planning to have the kitchen counter in white and cabinets in dark brown, but I am afraid the trend will go out of style. what do you think? what is the most classic color for the kitchen?"

What strikes me is that you are calling it a trend. I don't see white countertops and dark brown cabinetry as a trend, at least not a strong trend, possibly a mini trend. But, more importantly, I feel this combination of colors can be considered classic.

The finishes you are talking about are neutrals, even the dark brown. It is a natural finish for cabinetry, and if the rest of the kitchen is designed and decorated in a classic way, as opposed to integrating all the latest design ideas from magazines, catalogs and web home design sites, then you're safe. You needn't worry about your kitchen being pigeon-holed as a trend.

As far as what is the most classic color, of course, white is classic. Most brown wood stains in the medium to dark tones are classic, and some medium to light tones in wood stains. Remember the pickled maple light stains in the 80s and 90s? They were a strong trend, very strong. But, I see that having been a trend partially because those pickled maple/oak colors were an unnatural color for the wood. If these are the colors you like, take note of the above advice, and I'd say, go for it!

Comments?

TRENDY:

MODERN CLASSIC:

5 Ways To Plan For Adequate Kitchen Dining Space

I've been thinking about space that is designed for dining in, or just beyond the kitchen. Having recently moved from a 3500 square foot house to a house that is less than 2000 square feet, dining space is very much on my mind.

It has been my experience that when plans are brought to me by potential clients, there is often not enough space planned for the dining area. It is the most overlooked area in space planning that I've seen. So, here are what I consider to be very important issues. Some of these may seem simplistic, but in the course of whole house plans, for example, it is an area that can be easily overlooked, and perspective on paper can be misleading for those unfamiliar with floorplans.

Take a look at the plans below. This is a client's home  and is a fairly large home for 2 people, no kids. The kitchen is a large kitchen. Notice the first plan with handwritten comments (mine) which is how it came to me.

Some time later, the second plan is what we came up with. I have some objections to that plan as well, as I had to defer to the clients' wishes, of course, but I was able to substantially enlarge the dining area and if you look at the lower wall of each plan, you'll see where some changes were made based on my suggestions. Not perfect, but much better. (The island and the table are too large for the plan, but that was the clients' wishes, and 42" is too narrow between the island and the cooking wall.) NOTE: the three big columns in the original plan in the south area of the image are outdoors.

It's a shocking example of how, if overlooked and accepted, this large kitchen would have had seating for 2, which, at the time, the clients had no issue with until I brought up additional lifestyle scenarios for their consideration.

Follow these tips for a more satisfying dining experience. That says a lot, and it should...dining with loved ones is one of the most beautiful things in life. To me, dining comfort is as important as anything that is planned in the kitchen.

1. What is the maximum number of people that you want to seat? Visualize several lifestyle scenarios. Planning for maybe 2-3 more people than you will typically seat, if space permits, is a common request and makes sense in most cases.

2. Analyze the space surrounding the dining area. Is there space to move around the table comfortably? Will people at the table feel confined? Is there enough room between fixed kitchen cabinetry and the table? Between doorways and the table? Account for chairs being pulled out as well. I will promise you that you will probably need more space than you think you need. Visualize people seated and others moving around the table. Those images will reveal the problems and/or solutions to you.

3. Is there another dining room? Under what situations will that dining room be used? Must it only be used for formal situations and furnished in a very formal style which may not be conducive to casual dinners with a large group? Think through how the dining room is best used...its frequency of use as well. This will help determine the size table to use in the kitchen or breakfast room.

4. Think flexibly! Can your table be expanded to accommodate more people? If so, are you ok with that? Can you create a hinged plywood top to put on top of your table top, covered with a table cloth if your table does not have a leaf? A great solution for rare occasions and if there is no other dining room or if you simply prefer to be in the kitchen.

In my case, I am finding in my new home, that, having expanded the table to accommodate 9 people in the breakfast room, I do not like the smaller space that is left over, even though I would not consider it cramped. As a result, I will be changing the living room into a dining room. Radical, but necessary, as, to me, ample space surrounding a table is conducive to comfort and relaxation and lingering meals.

The answer is this: There is no right or wrong.

5. Built in seating saves lots of space! Consider banquette seating to accommodate more people, save space, and sit with comfort (if planned properly.)

So much to think about, and all VERY important!

Here is the later version of the plan I referred to:

And here is the first one that was brought to me with this plan: