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KITCHEN DETAILS AND DESIGN

Simple answer: Absolutely!

But, does that mean always an involved, intricate design? No, it does not. In fact, in every project, the backsplash has to be evaluated..to see which direction the overall design might dictate. Often, I want to ignore the backsplash and not make it a focal point. In any case, I never want a person to come into a kitchen I have designed and say…”Wow, what a gorgeous backsplash” as the first comment they make. This might seem sort of odd, but it is not. I want the first impact be for the space as a cohesive unit, a work of art as a whole. Of course if you have a great design and tile or whatever, you want people to notice..but not as the primary element.  

So, I like to really consider the options for each design and I am known for not wanting to “finalize” it until we start to see how the entire space is coming together and speaks to us. Ok, sometimes we do have it all together like a small cottage kitchen we just completed. Julie, one of our designers, worked with the client and the backsplash selection drove the design to an extent. But, I usually prefer to let the other elements start to come together just a bit before really delving into the design aspect of the splash. The caveat to this is making sure you discuss location of switches and outlets prior to completion of electrical rough in.

Attention also must be paid to the transitions in a backsplash and the location of outlets and other “breaks” in the flow of the design. Often, I will recommend plugmold outlet strips that are installed underneath the upper cabinets to keep typical outlets out of the splash. There are pros and cons to this but my clients have indicated the plugmold is easy once you get used to it. If you typically have a coffee pot plugged in, then you might want to put a regular plug where this would be located so you do not have to have a dangling cord. However, if you have a highly stylized backsplash, it is worth considering plugmold to minimize your outlets. This is all part of evaluating the electrical plan as well as discussing options and pros/cons so you can make an informed decision. 

Stay away from side splashes of tile whenever possible…sometimes they can work but often they do not and just look out of place. 

Here are a few great splashes from our portfolio as well as from other websites that I have found. Enjoy! Please let us know what you think by commenting below!

This is a back painted glass splash. We are working with Joel Berman Studios on one for a client now. This photo is from Apartment Therapy

 

I was never a fan of the architectural hood until a few years ago…I have always preferred the sleeker and understated look but in my region, traditional style still is the norm so I have learned to embrace “Wowzer” hoods. So often the ventilation is left to be the last decision by designers and builders alike and often this is an important design element. And always, it is an important functional element in a kitchen!

It is one of my pet peeves when a builder refuses to address the venting in a kitchen and worse, when an architect does not plan well. I do not think you can design a house as an architect without knowing how the kitchen will be ventilated and the path it will take. I.E. the length of duct runs, where the duct terminates, and the size of duct. All these elements are critical to the successful execution of the installation.

But on to the pictures!! Here are a few that are exceptional!  I searched around looking for other identified pix of great hoods but was hard to find..so if you have some other great pictures of hoods you have either designed or seen, please share with me and I will post them here!

Francois and Company

This is one of our projects. This hood makes an architectural statement in this kitchen yet is relatively understated. It is manufactured by Francois and Company.

This gorgeous hood was designed by me and custom fabricated by one of our local artisians, Kevin Marchetti of The Renaissance Man. He is awesome and can build anything you can dream! We wanted cold rolled steel in this kitchen but were afraid to use it due to the close proximity to the coast So Kevin was able to take what I wanted and apply a technique to the metal to make it appear like cold rolled steel but with less problems!

Futuro Hoods

Handcrafted Metals

I have just completed a job with a Handcrafted Metals hood. Not the greatest photo from my blueberry phone but you get the idea! More pix to follow on this great remodel!

This house is for sale. Over 800k. I guess it is late and perhaps should not post while sleep deprived…but, I look at this kitchen ( cute family but that is just window dressing) and think to myself…why??? I suppose some might say it is nice blah blah. But, I look at it and think it belongs in my hall of shame. ( I just decided to start one so stay tuned) I mean really….for the cost to build this home, someone should have said to their client, “Hey we can do better than average or typical”. 

NOTE: The refrig sticking out. Says not custom. 

NOTE: The big box pendants…come on!! Check out your local lighting stores, Ylighting, Lightology….please!

NOTE: The offset travertine floor..ah so boring!

NOTE: THE 4X4 TUMBLED MARBLE BACKSPLASH…CAN YOU SAY NOT IN 9 YEARS????

NOTE:  Peek around the darth vader ref and get a look at the wood hood slanted panels…blech!

Ok, I know I will get grief because it does not look THAT bad. But, it really lacks any imagination or style and I just am in one of those sorts of moods. Will try to be more social tomorrow. 

Just some random cool spaces! 

Love the white..yes I do!

Makes me want to take a nap! Love the orange and green

Just feels good!

I am all over this one!

Very clever!

I thought about doing something like this in my bathroom..

This pix is from smallspacestyle blog

sneaking one of my new baths in!!

and...a new kitchen!

Great tub!

Cool storage

More interesting storage

In my goth mode....

What a view!!

Ok, I am going to admit one of my greatest vices….drumroll please! I have  a “thing” for chairs.  In fact, cannot seem to pass up a cool chair of any sort which drives my husband to  distraction and is starting to clutter my barely 1900 sq foot house a bit. Maybe this is not so bad as far as vices go but I have been forbidden from ebay, auctions ( live or otherwise), flea markets, rummage sales and even of late..my fave little antique store, Blue Moon.

In fact, while shopping with a client and one of our other designers, they both had to pry me away from a darling chair that needed a little of my TLC….forcibly. I think it really is an addiction because I felt a certain withdrawal as we drove away! Seriously!

Some of my recent purchases are Phillipe Stark Victoria ghost chairs ( love them!), two Hans Wegner knock offs, and two mismatched mid century modern danish pieces. I stripped one down to original fabric seat and it is sunny yellow! I favor mid century modern but also like whimsical chairs, and delicate old chairs.

I think old chairs tell a story and have a history that emanates from them and adds personality and charm to any space! New chairs are just waiting for history to be created!

What does this have to do with kitchen or bath design? Eh, not much and yet it is all about the design!!!!

Some faves:

How cool is this???

I cannot for the life of me remember where I found this pix but it is really cool….if anyone knows…please tell me! I want them! I do I do!!

My beloved Victoria! Available at Smart Furniture

Whimsical and clever!!

Are these not the cutest things? Available at toxel. These cool chairs were designed by Bora Cakilkaya. This is a very, um, interesting site! Check it out!

My Wegner knock off y chair

I love this chair! This Danish Designer was just amazing. A great website for more information is Danish Furniture. This site has much info on Danish Design from abut 1925 to 1975. Great resource!

More Wegner:

Wegner Shell Chair

Wegner Easy Chair

Wegner Swivel Chair

Another great website for original chairs that is awesome:Lushpad…have found a few on here I really like!

British designer Charlie Davidson has just finished his latest hand made piece entitled Is this the coolest chair ever made? Made from 2mm punched steel sheet, brazed together and powder coated. Based on a prototype for a plastic chair called Duck, this limited edition piece takes over a week to fabricate and finish. Check out site: plusmood

This takes a week to make!

Another odd but rather cool one!

Almost weightless (approx. 2.1kgs), designed by Junio Design which was established on 2007 by Jun Hashimoto.

MYchair is sweeping and expressive, it aims to be “quirky” and provocative in shape – like a sculpture in space. This is a Reddot design award winner

for 2009. I like it!! Sign me up!

MYchair

Ok, some of these chairs are pricey I will admit…but we can dream..yes?? Here are a few that us mere mortals can afford!!

If you love the ghost chairs of Phillipe Starck, then try the vapor chair from CB2. At 179 each it is half the price of my victorias!

Vapor chair from CB2

CB2 is awesome for cheap chic decor. This recycled leather chair comes in 3 colors and is a paltry 119.00!!!

Diego chair from CB2

This cute chair was a steal. ( And only took me 20 minutes to make!!) I bought it for 30 bucks and spray painted it chrome. My friends look at my victoria’s with barely a glance ( some even ask me why I bought the “plastic” chairs!) but this one has been a hit. The metal work is tiny flowers.

This just hit the streets. Please check the model numbers to see if your Refrigerator is affected.

Viking Range Corporation Recalls Built-In Refrigerators Due to Injury Hazard; Doors Can Detach

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Viking Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator/Freezers and Refrigerators with Bottom Freezers

Units: About 45,326

Manufacturer: Viking Range Corporation, of Greenwood, Miss.

Hazard: The refrigerator’s doors can detach, posing an injury hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Viking has received about 57 reports of doors detaching, including four reports of injuries involving bruises, broken toes/fingers, and strains. Also, several incidents of minor damage to floors and counters have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Viking built-in 48-inch wide side-by-side refrigerator/freezers and the built-in 36-inch wide refrigerators with bottom freezers with model and serial numbers with date codes listed below. The refrigerators come in stainless steel and various colors and wood finishes and are built into the kitchen cabinetry. “Viking” is written on the front of the refrigerator. The model and serial numbers are located either behind the produce drawer or on the ceiling of the interior of the refrigerators. The 42-inch wide or freestanding refrigerators are not included in this recall.

The first six numbers in the serial number are the manufacture date of the unit in [mm][dd][yy] format, e.g., serial number 051903G0000000375 was manufactured on May 19, 2003 and serial number F01250210170 was manufactured on January 25, 2002.

Sold by: Appliance and specialty retailers nationwide from July 1999 through April 2006 for between $4,725 and $6,400.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers with recalled refrigerators should contact Viking immediately to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled refrigerator if the door isn’t sealing properly, is sagging, or fails to open and close properly. If the door is functioning properly, consumers may continue to use the refrigerator until it has been repaired.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Viking toll-free at (888) 345-2650 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit Viking’s Web site atwww.vikingrange.com