Two tone windows, so tempting...

We did two tone windows in a home about 5 years ago, loved them then and I still do. Now that I am having to brainstorm and get some selections made for our own home I need to pin this down since the windows are one of the first things that we order.

 Image via My Home Ideas

The windows typically take 6 - 8 weeks for production and I will need to decide on screen & hardware color before production begins, we wouldn't want white screens and cranks on dark windows now would we?

Image my own

The more images that I see (and there are not that many) the more I think I want to incorporate it into the main level of the home.

 Image via Atlanta Home & Lifestyle

If we do go painted I wouldn't use such a harsh black; it would need to be a soft black, a color that would help soften the lines of the windows.

 Image via Atlanta Home & Lifestyle

Or it could be stained since the windows are hemlock fir on the interior, another option that would give it a less modern feel, a way to warm up the environment.

 Image via BHG

Oh decisions, decisions. Have I mentioned how much I do not enjoy doing this for myself??  I know, I could have worse things to consider, but with the options out there and loving everything it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what I want to do, so bare with me over the next few months...and my rambling. :) 

Image via Elle Decor

The weekend went by way too fast for my liking, hopefully this week will as well. Enjoy your day! Mel xo

Kitchen concepts...

A couple of weeks ago I posted about one of my amazing clients with great style. She sent me some inspirational photos for her kitchen and I was beyond thrilled when I saw the images. Here is the one I picked as a starting point...

I sketched up 3 quick concepts to get the process started, it is a small kitchen so my space is limited but I wanted to make the most of what they have. Here is what I came up with for them...

The first is your basic as to be expected kitchen design. Blah if you ask me, nothing new & innovative, but I had to toss it out there. Fortunately they were not wowed by it either.

This was the second option. It does reduce the counter space a bit, but it also moves the microwave from the island to the perimeter. The detail in the center will be the corner pantry, instead of doing what most would do and just case the opening we are doing what is refereed to as a 'pantry wrap', the top cornice, freeze, and paneling detail will continue giving the entire area a built-in look and making the appearance of the kitchen larger.

Finally the last option, which is my favorite (theirs too). I used the detail of the open shelves on the right from the inspiration image as a concept for the area to the right of the pantry. Open shelving is all the rage right now in kitchen design and this will accommodate the requirements of the clients and look fab.

Our next step is plumbing selections and then we are off to finalize the drawings, selecting door & cornice detail, and start with the color selections. They did toss around the idea of a white perimeter and gray island, amazing. I really do have great clients! Hope your weekend was perfect and have a good week ahead. Mel xo

White marble, do I dare??

I have long admired white marble counter tops in kitchens, whether it is Bianco Carrara, Calcutta Gray, or Arabescato Vagli, they are all stunning. It is classic and a if you get the right slab, a piece of art. Do I dare use it in our next home?

 Image via DecorPad

My first concern is the most obvious, the maintenance and care required. To put myself at ease I am picking up a larger sample from our supplier to keep in our kitchen for the next few weeks. I need to see how our life in the kitchen will blend with it, so I will be introducing it to coffee, wine, citrus fruits, and oils, all the things I tend to spill on occasion.

Image via DecorPad

My second concern is the tone to it, it is a very cool material and since we live in a climate with limited warm days and little sun in the winter you have to keep in mind the tones and warmth that the materials in your home carry, I don't want to feel like I am living in a sterile environment.

Image via Lucas Studios

Finally the size, I must make sure that we can get a complete slab for our over sized island. It also has to be the perfect slab, not too much gray and good movement with the veining.

Image via DecorPad

So tell me, if you have used white marble in your kitchen I would love to hear your experience with it, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks so much in advance and I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Mel :)

Gotta love my cleints...

I really have the best clients ever. Between the ones on the Internet and those that we are building for I am just surrounded by fabulous people who all have very specific and definite taste, no one is alike, and that is what keeps me on my toes! Yesterday I received an e-mail from my clients that we are building for. I asked her to send me her inspiration for the kitchen so I can get started on the design process. Here is what she sent me...

Image via Houzz

 

 Image via Houzz

Image my own

Now can you see why I adore her? I am going to be tossing the idea at her for beautiful gray vanities for the mast bath, simple white marble counter tops, possibly a nice clean lined free standing tub, beautiful mosaic tile flooring, and shiny chrome accents to finish it off. After seeing her inspiration I am even more inspired to get this going!

We are enjoying a massive heat wave during our last week at our cabin, 101F is the expected temp today. We will not complain once since I know in a matter of weeks we could be shoveling snow back home. If you are in the heat take a moment to enjoy it, if you can. Mel :)