French Country Kitchens Friday!

I just uploaded another ten images into my now growing authentic, charming (admittedly not for everyone) French Country Kitchens album. I think it's because I just booked an apartment in Copenhagen this week for my vacation and I'm thinking vacation...villas...authentic European kitchens. I'll bet there are those who want to rent a home in France for vacation and experience living and cooking in one of these kitchens. I really hope they don't end up cooking meatloaf, that would be a crime and subject to banishment from French soil, FOREVER! But, I digress.

If you're inspired to create a French country kitchen, a word of advice. Look at these images. Get inspired. But, also look for the details. For example, you may not care for the general look and feel of an entire kitchen, but look more closely, and you may see that you like the hood or the shelving or another detail.  Don't judge any one of these too quickly. In a few cases, while I didn't love the kitchen, there was something about it which made me save it. Dozens and dozens and dozens of images I came across didn't make the cut. To me, these are the best of what I've seen. And, I'll lkeep looking.

(Someone REALLY needs to distribute foolproof and upgraded cameras to the French population. In most of the cases, the quality of the images are abysmal.) Luckily, I can come to the rescue with my major image tweaking skills!

Want to take a vacation and stay in a wonderful French kitchen? Contact the source of these images, Just France.

Kitchen And Bath Ideas Magazine

I like Meredith's Kitchen And Bath Ideas magazine, I always have. I used it many moons ago as inspiration for my own kitchen design before this profession sucked me in I began in this profession. I have always found them to be right on top of what's happening in kitchens today. Yes, they are a mainstream, old, company, under the Meredith Corp./Better Homes & Gardens umbrella of publications, but I'd strongly advise you to pick up a copy of Kitchen And Bath Ideas today, and here's why. They may not show all the up-to-the-minute, cutting edge, fabulous Italian kitchens over and over, throughout the magazine, but, truthfully, how many people own those kitchens? There's a kitchen style for everyone, and Meredith does a fantastic job of mixing it up in every issue, showing just that, something for everyone. Kitchen and Bath Ideas are as relevant today as they ever have been, and I absolutely use them as a go to source for inspiration. Likewise, on occasion, I am a go-to source for them!

OK, I'm also biased, they've been publishing my projects for 12 years! Two more of my projects coming soon later this year! The inside scoop is that the editors I work with on my featured kitchens uncover every last detail of what happened in the kitchen, why, how, and so on. They're professional, and VERY interested in the planning behind the scenes of the kitchen. It's actually why I have submitted my projects to them for so long.

Here's a sneak preview of the July/August issue. Just coming off totally inhaling Holly at Decor 8's post on the color orange, supplemented by Rachel Perl's words of wisdom, there are a few kitchens in here too. Meanwhile, I pick up the Kitchen And Bath Ideas magazine and what do I see but orange! 

If this is not enough, Decor 8 continues with an insightful post on color theory, just what you need to consider when planning all the materials and surfaces we use in the kitchen.

This is a full page image in the magazine. There are pages and pages of other shots of this kitchen which you need to see.  

Also in this issue is a kitchen that was set up at KBIS in Vegas in May. It's a great kitchen to just be in and only leave under protest! Here's another sneak preview, with many images surrounding this feature. I took my own pictures of this kitchen, and also interviewed Kit Selzer, Group Editor, Meredith Special Interest Media Kitchen and Bath Group, who took me around the kitchen. We'll get to that story in greater depth soon. Go get your copy!

 

Kitchen Planning In The New York Times

The New York Times is my home page for my computer, and I check it throughout the day. It's informative and entertaining, and that MUST be a slogan for some newspaper somewhere!

So, I see this blog in the Times Home & Garden section called "Dream Home Diaries" and this week, the homeowner is unsure about what to do with the kitchen plan. I immediately went into planning mode (as if I don't already have enough planning to do for my paying clients!) and plunged in.

But there's something really fun about putting your plan out there for the world to give you opinions on, especially for something as important as a kitchen. And, of course, the entertainment part comes in where you get all the many and varied people who have all the answers or chastise the writer for something or other.

After the "enlarge" feature started working on the plan, on the Time's site, my opinion changed about the kitchen design regarding what should go where, since I saw a bigger drawing, and I wrote in again about some alternative ideas that came to me.

Lots of fun, check it out! 

Kitchen Countertops - Slate, Yes, Slate!

Slate is the quiet, little known, but serious, player in countertops for kitchens! Of course, slate is traditionally seen as a building material for flooring, roofing, cladding on buildings, wherever there is a need for a very strong, solidly performing material. So, why not kitchen countertops? I'll warn you in advance...mention slate to people in the biz, including countertop fabricators, and most likely you'll get, "No way, slate will stain and is too porous!" It could be followed by "You're nuts!" While I've been accused of being nuts on numerous occasions, it doesn't apply to this situation. Trust me...

Rarely marketed to kitchen and bath designers for some reason, slate is, perhaps, one of the strongest, if not the strongest, materials one can use as a kitchen countertop, even exceeding the properties of granite. Slate, as a countertop material, has numerous properties that we need in a hard working countertop surface. And, by the by, I'm VERY conservative in terms of recommending countertop surfaces to my clients. Countertops are expensive, permanent, materials, not to be taken lightly by a specifier. I don't. Slate works!

Color

Slate is available in a variety of colors. Mostly understated, in middle to dark tones, the colors of slate are generally seen as:

•     Red
•     Deep Purple
•     Deep Purple/Turquoise Combination
•     Turquoise
•     Gray
•     Black

The look is quiet, elegant, strong, simplistic, nature-like, minimalist, dependent on its application within the room. Slate is almost always honed, although it can be oiled for a slightly more glossy look.

Pattern/Graining

Depending on the variety of the slate, the grain type and pattern can vary. Some slates, as Black Lace, has a distinctive highly textural, high-style look. Other slates exhibit very little graining whatsoever. Others are mottled. Some are quiet, with little graining, except for one strong, localized grain pattern, running through the slate, for a look of pure, natural beauty! Graining pattern/direction/type cannot be predicted.  Unless you want to schlep to the factory in New England, pick out your own slabs and tell them where to cut and where not to cut. Short of that, pictures of existing installations should prove to be a good guide.

Edging

Typically, slate edges are simple square edges with a very small radius top and bottom. Variations could be any edge one would see in granite. Due to the understated look, slate is not often seen with an ogee (OG) edge. Slate is perfect for a rough cut, exposed, edge. Perfect for today's uber-rustic-eco aesthetics.

Properties

One of the best properties of slate is its extremely low absorption rate, lower than granite. Designers can consider most slates as being stain-free. I have performed testing on the turquoise/green colors and have found these slate colors to be stain-free. Slate in the gray/black family may need a sealer. As a result of slate's low absorption, the material can be considered anti bacterial in nature and totally eco friendly.

Some slates (and partially-metamorphosed “mudstones” which are incorrectly called slates) are significantly weaker, than the slates I am talking about and are more absorptive, softer and prone to delamination and “self-splitting”.  The slates that are good for countertops are found in the New England region.

Slab material generally is available in smaller sizes than granite, resulting in an additional seam or two. You should pay attention to seaming issues. Have your designer take a close look at how best to put the pieces together according to your cabinet plan.

Care

Soap and water, or even a tough cleaning product such as Fantastic can be used. If a sheen is desired, use a diluted solution of Murphy's Oil Soap and water. Apply, and buff off before it dries.

Scratches are easily removed, simply, with a sponge, during normal cleaning of the countertop. Deeper scratches are easily rubbed out with wet steel wool. Small white scratches are fairly typical to see during use over time, but are easily wiped clean during the day, if you see them at all.

Really only the gray and black stones need to be sealed as they are more absorptive in nature than other colored slates. Thus, mild soaps only should be used on these colors, so as not to strip the sealer. I usually get samples and then do a whole "food stuffs" test over a 24 hour period, beat it up in other ways and then evaluate.

I really love slate. It's eco friendly, it feels like butter to the touch, it's understated and fits many design aesthetics. I can't wait till I use it again for a project. Never had a client complain once installed, and I've installed quite a few slate countertops, only raves. And, THAT'S the test!

KBIS 2007 - Faucet Action!

Back to showing more KBIS items after a too long hiatus! Some companies bring press releases to KBIS on products they have introduced some months back, even as early as the fall of the year before, with KBIS taking place in the spring. As I go through the press kits, I'm not looking for the newest product release dates, although that's always fun and "now." But, with hundreds and thousands of products out in the marketplace, I won't NOT show a product because it's already been introduced some months back. If I think it's cool (thus "new/cool products" category) meaning either good value, good design, finish, or whatever strikes me about it, I'll show you. It may not be THE newest introduction or THE most modern/innovative styling. I just have to think there is something special about it. That's good enough!

So, I saw this Price Pfister faucet, and thought, wow, that's traditional, affordable, Price Pfister? I mean, I don't associate PF with fashion forward high end innovation. But, this faucet looks pretty awesome to me, and you can bet it's not going to cost $1,000 either. I think it's very good looking.

This "Ashfield" pull down ergonomic sprayhead includes an innovative ‘anti-splash’ spray volume control. This allows users to adjust spray volume to a desired pressure level between 20 and 100 percent. The sprayhead also lets homeowners toggle easily between spray and stream modes. Equipped with 360-degree swivel spouts that permit custom handle positioning, the Ashfield™ single-control, kitchen pull-down faucets incorporates a 75-inch nylon hose with ball swivel spray connection that allows for maximum flexibility. Plus, longer levers on the single-handle design provide users a better grip and improved access.

MGS Designs has some great looking contemporary faucets. The VelaD, new for 2007, has a sort of industrial look to it which I like. Crisp/flat edges but with curves. I'm crazy about the pull out spout.

MGS Designs is one of the only "true stainless steel" fixture manufacturers offering products in North America. An integral component of the MGS design philosophy is innovative functionality.

An interesting note, prior to assembly, each element is hand polished. No additional materials such as brass or sheet metal, thus 100% polished stainless steel or matte SS.  

Graff's new faucet introduction (among others) for 2007 is the very cool Oscar kitchen faucet. Two versions of this faucet are offered, one with the black trim, which is my personal favorite, and one without the black trim, called Steelnox. I love the black half circle holder under the control!

This faucet is constructed of solid brass and designed in a minimalist style for modern kitchens. It has a pull down spray/stream configuration. Another good thing, it carries a lifetime warranty on all mechanical aspects of the entire product line. Nice, right? 

Is Your Kitchen Designer Driving You Crazy?

I didn't plan on writing about this topic, I haven't thought about it much at all recently. I don't currently have any conflicts with clients, all is quiet on the eastern front. To set the scene even more oddly, I was out in the quiet early morning taking pictures of my incredible delphiniums in the garden with just the birds as my companions, when these thoughts started creeping into my head. Truthfully, it's an issue I've cared very much about for years.

So, I got to thinking out in the garden about conflicts between clients and their kitchen designers this morning. And, this will not be about how kitchen designers are so wonderful and well, misunderstood. I won't go down that biased and defensive road.  Objectivity is my goal.

I'm going to go backwards, take the negative feeling and try to offer up ways out of it.

The one thing I will say is that what makes a kitchen and bath designer, "professional", besides our experience and expertise, is the way we handle stress, find solutions for problems, and so forth, to a point. It's not about the problem, it's how the problem is handled!

And, as always, I will be speaking very frankly, below...(oh no, they groan, not AGAIN, please, for all that is sacred...) I will be speaking to clients and to kitchen designers, my peers.

 
Annoyances

Clients - Be prepared for annoyances. You cannot do a remodeling project without being annoyed at something, or someone, sometime. At least I don't think it's possible.  Annoyances here and there are ok. The alternative, nightmares, make annoyances seem like a walk in the park. After a nightmare, you'll be looking under rocks for annoyances! Keep that in perspective and do not make an annoyance more than it is. Speak of the annoyance if it could potentially grate on your last nerve? Absolutely. You must. Annoyances? They come and go, not a biggie.

Kitchen Designers - are allowed to be annoyed, it's a human emotion. Being a professional, however, means keeping annoyances in perspective, dealing with them, and stress, quickly, or overlooking them where appropriate. This includes clients, suppliers, coworkers, whoever, with annoying habits. I have had clients where every conversation, even about something quick and small, can be 20 minutes, as the client goes on tangent after tangent. A needless disruption in my day when I got the point immediately? No doubt. Am I very happy that the client feels comfortable with me to go on and on? I really and truly am. Find the good. It's there. Look at the bigger picture. Are you annoying? Ask your coworkers. You need to know.

Mistakes

Clients -  If your kitchen designer is a human being, there is a real possibility that a mistake will be made somewhere. Doesn't mean it will happen. But figure it might and you're prepared. Gauge how serious the mistake is to determine your response, if any. Stop, think, evaluate and then reevaluate a response. Are you in any way responsible? If so, take whole or partial responsibility! What you want is peace and harmony, not conflict. If you're in constant blame/paranoia mode, your remodeling experience will be misery. Be aware of mood swings and your ability to handle stress. Self awareness will get you through the entire process. There are tough times in the best of projects! Oh, and let me also say this. It is absolutely not unusual that a mistake makes for a better solution than was originally planned. That has a funny way of happening sometimes, so please be open to solutions and you just may be rewarded with something better than expected!

Kitchen Designers - Again, there are many people on a project who can make a mistake including yourself/myself. Deal with it professionally and quickly and move on. Speed is everything and is often where we fall short. Mistakes should be handled as an urgent matter to resolve. People's lives are disrupted enough in this process. They want and deserve progress in a timely manner. Get tools such as a camera, voice recorder, software, plain daytimer, etc. to have an organized way to note details. It's all about details and documenting those details, and then, getting things done!

Entitlement

Clients -  Understand that, although you may have a fairly close, enjoyable relationship with your kitchen designer, the designer has other clients and other obligations and cannot always respond to your request immediately. The contract you sign should be for specific materials and services. If you desire more services and materials, please be prepared to pay for same. Sometimes, in fact, often, in a spirit of goodwill, a designer will go above and beyond what is written on the contract or invoices, but this should not be assumed. Abide by a company's policies and what you have agreed to on paper. Anything that happens beyond that is good fortune for you, but is not to be expected.

Kitchen Designers -  We cannot control everything. Our clients have their own agendas and short of factory deadlines, our job is to cater to their agendas and timing, as they arise, not ours. We serve their needs, not vice versa.  It means that we need to take seriously what their needs, desires, and issues are. Our clients are entitled to good service, end of story regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, sex, age, physical disabilities and yes, even difficult behavioral issues.

Disrespect

Clients - I had a client not too long ago who gave disrespect a new name. This client was arrogant, difficult, miserable, well, I won't go on. Another was purely sexist. Be careful about that. The response of the professional you hired will most likely be that they will shut down emotionally (yes, we care deeply about our projects more than you will ever know!) and honor their contract in its most minimal way to hurridly get out of the bad karma abode. When I had these clients, I went into "self satisfaction" mode. I wanted the kitchen to be done the right way, so I disregarded this (continual) abuse and sort of worked on the kitchen for ME...and I did go above and beyond, as noted above, but for my personal satisfaction. That worked for me, but I'm not sure how common this approach is. Don't be disrespectful. Just don't. If you have a spouse who is, please speak to them about it. You're really doing yourself more harm than good. If there is a real issue, talk about it.

Kitchen Designers - Designers' preoccupation with our clients' socioeconomic status, judgments on how they live and ensuing (dis)respect can be intertwined and confused and has no place in the design service business. Satisfaction is there in abundance for any designer working with smaller budgets, whose kitchens mean the world to their clients and for bigger budgets where design satisfaction is equally attractive. People have needs to be met, and they trust us to put aside our "issues" to help them achieve their goals. By us accepting their money, they deserve our respect and attention.

High Prices

Clients -  Are your kitchen designer's prices too high? Compared to who? In truth, there really is no easy way to compare a business's operating costs, or their own perception of value, vs. what region of the country they are in, how much time is involved behind the scenes, quality control steps, who else is involved in the transaction, office workers or sub contractors, handmade vs. manufactured, and on and on. And, on. So many factors go into setting pricing, including, interestingly, confidence, or lack thereof. Likewise, industry experience, and lack thereof. And, let's not forget the level of risk involved in various methods of executing a purchase that the client is unaware of. Someone may take two times longer to delve into a greater level of detail surrounding a purchase than someone else. Do not assume the worst because the price you get is not what you think it "should" be. Accept it and either take it or do not take it, leaving judgment behind.

Kitchen Designers - Know your costs, your risks, and other factors, to evaluate the least costly way possible to deliver a product to a client. Be consistent, speak frankly about costs and above all, document all costs including estimates. Never order an item without written consent, otherwise your clients are not responsible if they changed their mind midstream, but you didn't "hear" it or they neglected to tell you. Badger your clients with details and documentation if necessary.

The Blame Game - It's Your Fault!

Clients -  This is really tricky. You blame the kitchen designer. The kitchen designer blames the installer who blames the contractor who blames the architect, and on and on. This is a tough one. Some professionals refuse to play this game. That doesn't mean that they are accepting the blame, it just means that they don't play. Take everything you hear from everyone with a mountain of salt, even your most trusted tradespeople, and focus instead on how to solve the problem at hand. Unless you, the client, are a remodeling professional and were at the scene of the crime at the moment it happened, you really don't know what happened and why. I cannot overstate this advice to move to more productive and positive territory as quickly as possible. Who needs the aggravation? Keep your wits and your head about you. But, beware that job dynamics are always at play for various reasons. Stay above the fray.

Kitchen Designers -  Do the right thing, take the time to go through the job with all of the appropriate people, and all should go smoothly. Do not allow room for misunderstandings, as the devil is in the details and the client deserves to have input on their investment. Be objective. Accept responsibility where necessary. Take the high road even if you suspect you are being blamed on occasion or continually.  Are you the outsider on the project? Just do your job in a professional manner and do not go down this negative road for any reason.  

 
Conclusion! 

Much of the above is about communication and interpretation. Our past experiences, our family and business culture can surely cause us to speak to one another in different ways, ways that each assumes the other understands. There are project "dynamics" present in every project swirling about, usually unnoticed or misunderstood. So, the saying "What we have here is a lack of communication" is  probably one of the issues at hand when a conflict arises. So, what to do?

Here are five suggestions for both clients and kitchen designers:

Communicate clearly, ask questions were necessary

Listen

See the other side

Accept responsibility partially or wholly

Be motivated to get along

Respect your designer/client

Do not allow your project "culture" to deteriorate, work toward a positive experience with all concerned, you will be glad you did. Find the good.

 

 
I hope this has helped bring further understanding to what absolutely can be a truly enjoyable experience. I guarantee it!

Scandinavian Kitchens - Summer Fresh!

Since my last Scandinavian Kitchens post, summer has arrived! Summer, to me, is one of those extreme experiences in many ways. I wouldn't want it all year, I like it just long enough to really enjoy it fully. I happen to like the summer garden better than my huge spring rose flush with thousands of rose blooms. Likewise, eating any meal of the day al fresco enhances the dining experience and creates summertime memories.

As another summer solstice-inspired change, I lightened up the look of the blog a little bit...also more light filled and clean for the summer. I hope you like it. 

Here are some fresh, summery, Scandinavian kitchens for you to dream on (ok, put wireless in the backyard and then bring your laptop, jump in the hammock, and dream that way!)

 

 

I'm especially excited this week because just this morning I found and booked an extremely (that word again) charming apartment in Copenhagen for our vacation this summer, for 2 weeks.

Made the plane reservations first and then began the search for as perfect a place as I could find. Think real brick floors and whitewashed stone walls. It's near the palace, a park, the harbor, and the street with the finest mid century furniture and art galleries.

You'll see pictures of that Scandinavian kitchen and others for sure. In fact, you'll get lots of beautiful images. I'm hoping to get a shot of my mother's cousin's kitchen in her tiny, hand built log home on a hill overlooking the water. That's a special kitchen!

There is truly nothing like Copenhagen in the summer. Unless it's in the winter!

And, as usual, Scandinavian blogs for inspiration this week are designe, interiorhuset, and Karna. Enjoy!