retro kitchens - "kitchen nostalgia or shredder material #3"

So, here we are with our third installment of "nostalgia or shredder material", ancient kitchens from the 60s and 70s. This kitchen is "Kansas-in-Oz (see the tilted electrical pole in the window-somehow it reminded me of it) meets the Jetsons". As much of the design (seen at decor8) blogosphere is tuning into the color green right now, (also as seen at desire to inspire) and at Design Sponge, plus Happy Mundane and, as we are 4 days away from spring (forgetting the ice storm we had last night) it seemed like a good idea (not to mention, it's St. Patrick's Day) to listen to the pulse and go back to a green kitchen, an entirely different definition of green than we live with now!

OK, so now to pick apart comment on this kitchen. Here's my take:

• The microwave seems unnecessarily high, look at all the white space between the oven and the microwave, they should be closer together, that looks awkward to me
• As was typical, such a small window over the sink, AND, does the cook not deserve to look out? What if the cook is 4'2" tall? (Maybe the builder was 6'6"!)
• Something to try to avoid in one's planning, if the dishwasher and oven opened together, they would surely collide
• The round, white knob and white framing behind the green doors......charming in a high tech way?
• The extra thick countertop - a bit much, but not so bad!
• The color.....I'll be right back, excuse me..
• Plants/cabinetry below the window - truly, a good way to disguise this unsightly heating, and we KNOW the long spider plant is screaming, EARLY 70s!
• Interesting shelving around the island, not half bad

How about you, what do you think?

2007 NKBA Design Competition Finalists: "small kitchens"

Every year the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) holds a competition for the best designs in a variety of categories. Here are the finalists for the "small kitchen category", the winner to be revealed at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (it's huge!) in Las Vegas in May. There are numerous other categories which I will go through in the days ahead. Next up are the "medium kitchens" category, these are really cool and elegant. And, there is not just the "large kitchens" category left, there are a few more after that, so stay tuned!

Which one do you like and why? 

 

 

 

Trending nowhere fast

I got a call yesterday from a top editor at a top publishing house (do they still call them publishing houses?) who I have worked with before. She's writing a book (yay, I'll be credited!) and wanted to talk to me about my life kitchens. Where the trends are going. She was ready right then and there to plunge in and chat, and it was good timing for me, (to procrastinate) and I think we talked for an hour!

What I talked to her about is based on one fundamental feeling I have, but I only connected that puzzle piece later on. What I told the editor is this: I think that trends in the future will not be as strong to pull one into their clutches as they have been in the past. It used to be that a trend would be so blindly followed, really blindly. I see the internet as being responsible for this sea change.

The Blogosphere is huge, as we all know. Now, too, there are more social networking sites popping up, like Curbly and Houseblogs.net for those who want to remodel their spaces. I see the fundamental (let me use that word twice!) difference between now and previous internet message board use, as being one major aspect. It's the use of images BY those who are remodeling. Now, they can put up their images and view other homeowner's images, and create a continuing story that goes with it, by publishing blogs, mini websites, etc. Images give knowledge, power, and confidence to those who are remodeling. They were the missing link to the text, and the two have been combined to create an easy to understand, and (usually) interesting, story. Understanding and new ideas are greatly sped up. Sure, some joined flikr right away, but the mainstream, I think, is now beginning to move on this in a big way, like a lava flow, it's moving, and it's unstoppable, nor should it be.

We still have trends, yes. So, if I were to predict, I'd say, a relaxed traditional style will continue to increase, sort of that Hamptons look (but NOT all shabby chic, maybe a touch here and there). There was a HUGE response by my clients to the kitchen in "Something's Gotta Give" which was set in the Hamptons. Many of my clients talked about it. It resonated with them. Relaxed, white (always classic, not going anywhere) and the interest of contrast, darks and lights in terms of surfaces. I call it a "butler's pantry" kitchen style. I also call it "Kennedyesque" or "Cape Cod Kennedy". Do I have one drop of an idea what the Kennedy's Cape Cod kitchen is like? Um, no. But, I have this feeling about it....

I also see people becoming more comfortable with simple, soft, and not so soft, contemporary styling. This style, or any, would feature an increased interest in textures. I think we can finally begin to see a "less is more" understanding and appreciation.  

As a result, I see less trend following and more confidence in following one's own sense of style. I see more of a confidence in exploring and using new materials and new ideas, based in part, on the power of social networking.

There will always be the straight "themed" design focus, and of course, the other pieces to intertwine with this new found awareness is to consider the architecture of the home and decor of the home.

As a secondary result, I think people will be comfortable to be more eclectic in their styling of the kitchen, to move toward fun, different, and WOW, to even make up their own style, and to put more of themselves into their kitchen. More soulful touches in terms of bringing in meaningful objects, "living room" objects, to "soulify" the kitchen.  Oh, I made a new word!

I also see the distinct possibility of consumers making their own trends, as they communicate with others online. The viral power of a good idea going from one to another, until it becomes something significant, perhaps a movement. I see that as an interesting piece to all this, which is happening now in small ways, and will grow in the future. Trends coming from all of us rather than from corporate powers. Hmmmmmmm....

I think trends will be less powerful overall, the individual expression more important, and the human spirit will become more exposed in kitchen design and planning. Me, I think it's about time, I've been telling my clients that forever and it's often been tough for them to dislodge from the trend monster!

 
What do you think? 

Blogging The Architectural Digest Home Show, Kitchen Stuff

Went to the Architectural Digest Home Show Saturday, at Pier 94, in New York. It's a good show. There are awesome, very cool, and one-of-a-kind things to be found here.

 
I dressed for a client meeting I had in the morning. It was an outfit I got in Norway from a Swedish clothing design company. Gauzy, with a charming print, which went down to the knees and then with some leggings in a close, but different, pattern that went along with it. So far so good. Meeting went well, on to the city to meet the husband who worked that morning.

My feet hurt in the shoes I was wearing. I didn't know till after I left for my meeting that we'd be going to the show, so I needed desperately to buy a new pair of shoes before I walked the show. We went to Foot Action on 34th street and 7th avenue. The music was louder than I've heard at any party I've ever gone to, how is that possible? The staff was dancing with whoever walked by. I guess I got in a party mood, my husband's feet were tapping to the music, and so I picked out a pair of lightly sparkling goldy sneakers with orange trim and laces. I'm READY. I'm hip. The only problem was that we went to the Javits Center, only to find it was at Pier 94. A fight with a stupid cab driver later, we finally got there. I swear, they purposely take the long way. You know what I mean.

Back to the show. The items seen here are to die for. They are mostly innovative, luxury, items...a highly stylized point of view. A fair number of companies were showing green/sustainable products, nice to see. Of course, I concentrated on looking for kitchen related items and vignettes.