I've been working on kitchens for quite some time and on various occasions come across some interesting cabinet options. Some of them are nice, but most of the ones I've posted today I just like to laugh about.
What do you think?
8.11.2010
8.04.2010
Kitchen Remodel
Hi everyone. I just finished a new project and wanted to know what you think. My friend Jackie just moved into her first home (Congratulations!) and needed some design work. She wanted a light and airy kitchen that felt modern, but still had a retro feel like the rest of her 1940's home. We used Ikea Akurum cabinetry, turquoise glass subway tile, a recycled glass Ceasarstone countertop, retro pulls, and a hexagon tile floor. I think the transformation looks amazing.
7.21.2010
Typography Blocks as Art
I found these amazing typography blocks at a local flea market and the creative juices started flowing as to what I could use them for. They are very inexpensive and can be a great way to personalize something in your home. Let's get creative...use paint, spray paint, gold leaf, you name it!
Here are a few ideas below. Its good to think outside the box. What would you use them for?
Blocks that have been individually painted or stained and then hot glued onto another piece of wood and them framed. Sounds like an afternoon's worth of work for an art piece you can enjoy for years. Maybe even hide hidden messages for your guests to find.
Etsy, the type junkie
I love the idea of a coffee table top. Its very unique and the deep red tones in the picture above add a sophistication to the playful blocks.
crate and barrel
You can use them in a kids room, or spell out inspirational words in your office.
poppytalk.blogspot.com
Functional and quirky works too.
www.eatdrinkchic.com
7.14.2010
Flea Market Finds
I recently spent some time back in my hometown and was lucky enough to be there during the Burton Ohio Antique Show (held twice a year). Here are some pieces that really stood out to me. Hopefully it gives you more reason to check out your local flea markets and antique shows before buying new. Enjoy!
These chairs are in terrific shape and could add a modern flair to any office, kids room, or living room.
Odd as they may seem, these cool anatomical illustrations would be really interesting framed and added to your art collection.
I love these gliders! They are in excellent condition and with some bright pillows can look summery and fresh while maintaining a retro feel. A perfect example of very unique pieces that you will have a hard time finding in stores.
One of the most interesting finds at the flea market that day were old art slides bought from a college art class. They would make a great art piece or be interesting in a window. Hmmm...how to use these?
This panel hiding behind a rooster looks like it needs a little TLC, but would be a really great room divider or wall feature after its been painted.
What a surprise to find these old silhouette portraits. Excellent choice for adding interest to a blank wall. They add personality without being too specific like a photograph. Check out recent work influenced by this art form at www.westelm.com. Their new art collection for fall is a modern interpretation of this form of silhouette art. See it here.
http://www.westelm.com/we-love/mike-miller.html?cm_re=10PF1.1-_-CB1-_-MikeMiller
Old dinnerware like this can be very expensive in stores, but is very reasonable at flea markets. I could just imagine these sitting on a shelf in Anthropologie going for $5 or more a plate. Reminder: The more you buy the easier it is to get a better price from a dealer.
A lovely piece to put up on your wall. Maybe even personalize it by putting photos between the spokes.
Orange candlesticks...OH MY! This color is awesome and very unique. They can be a great way to infuse a room with a little life.
Buying many chairs would provide stylish extra seating at a party...Buying one chair would spice up your desk area. Either way they are really cool and inexpensive!
Here is a unique find. This could be used in an office space or living room. Display magazines, a newspaper, books, or even art. You can keep it the way it is for an industrial look, or spend a little extra dough getting it powder coated to look like new (tons of color choices if this is the route you take).
This old gaming table caught my eye as being a cool tray for a coffee table, or as an amusing art piece for your wall.
Oh yeah! Bring on the vintage phones! Even if you only use your cellphone these days, a phone like this can be an interesting conversation piece in your home and add color where there was none before.
Love these cool painted milk jugs. They would make great umbrella holders. If red and black aren't your thing...then spray paint them the color of your choice (remember to use spray primer first). Using a bold color will make them look more modern and less country.
This lucite vanity stool was a surprise to find too! This would look wonderful under a console table / impromtu writing desk, and can provide quick extra seating with a touch of elegance and glamour.
These quilts could be accent pieces in a guest room or over an old chair.
4.14.2010
Spice it up with a little Suzani!
Suzani fabric is so unique looking and colorful that it has become one of my favorite fabrics. This style of fabric is a decorative textile, usually made of silk or cotton, and is made of several pieces of fabric that have been embroidered together using silk or cotton thread. A typical motif might include sunbursts, flowers, teardrops (paisley), leaves, fruit or fish and the non-synthetic versions use bold colors found in natural dyes like reds and blues. Although they are typically used as bed covers or wall hangings, the popularity of this fabric can be seen in pillows, upholstery, and other design elements. Historically, this type of fabric comes from Central Asia and were made by brides to give to their grooms on their wedding day as part of their dowry. Maybe this is why it is so commonly seen on beds.
pic courtesy of decorpad.com
pic from elle decor magazine
pic courtesy of house beautiful magazine
pics from southern accent magazine
4.07.2010
Headboards: A Look at Materials
Cutting corners when it comes to home decorating can lead to some brilliant discoveries. For instance, you are more creative than you thought, you can still use that stuff you thought was junk, or better yet you know how to use a glue gun! As many of you know, taking on the challenge of making things yourself or repurposing materials you already have can be taxing, but the payoff is totally worth it. Take these different headboards for instance. One wouldn't typically think that these would work as well as they do, but they are interesting resolutions to to where you lay your head at night.
A hollow core door was used in this pic. It's an easy way to get something substantial without having anything custom cut. You can paint it, add fabric, add upholstery tack detailing, etc. The possibilities are endless!
For a little drama and glamour add a mirror. A large mirror like this one will make your space seem larger and throw more light around the room.
Using a glass mosaic is very beautiful, but can be extremely time consuming. Instead, try breaking a panel of tempered glass for a similar look. Check out the HGTV version I designed on "Hammer Heads" below.
designconnectioninc.com
Wood gives a warm feeling to any room, and this example gives a traditional material a contemporary feel.
Also, just for fun...Don't want to get rid of your old headboard? Recycle it like this Do-It-Yourselfer did. You could also use it for the back of a bench, as an accent behind your minibar, part of some interesting wall lighting, etc.
3.03.2010
Furniture with Hidden Elements
As designer for "Hammer Heads", I was in charge researching and sourcing new and interesting builds we could feature on the show. A common theme that I came upon was that of hidden storage systems. They are multifunctional, and can be very useful when dealing with limited spaces. The difficult part is finding something that doesn't look too cumbersome or bulky. Below are some examples of interesting solutions to this design dilemma. They can be sleek and fun to use!
tables above designed by Akemi Tanaka
Images above from freshome.com
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