Color Outside the Lines

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day 16 - Rugs in the Kitchen

2012-02-16T07:22:00.002-05:00

Designer Credit: Joan (for the love of a house)

Kitchen Inspiration Month - Day 15: Art in the Kitchen

2012-02-15T07:20:00.001-05:00

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Fourteen - Floor to Ceiling Subway Tile

2012-02-14T07:41:00.003-05:00

Oh, and Happy Valentines Day - xoxo, Artie

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Thirteen - Shelf Stying

2012-02-13T09:01:00.003-05:00

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Twelve - Glass Front Cabinets

2012-02-12T08:59:00.005-05:00

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Eleven - Gray and White

2012-02-11T08:58:00.004-05:00

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Ten - Spring Kitchen Faucets

2012-02-10T09:00:00.008-05:00

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Nine - Antique Cabinet Latches

2012-02-09T09:00:00.007-05:00

For upper cabinets, I opted for antique cabinet latches. They're fun to use, and beautiful to look at! Need inspiration? Here we go:

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Eight - Bin Pulls

2012-02-08T09:00:00.003-05:00

Well, it seems like you all are in my shoes - torn between carrara and beadboard. Our new counters are solid surface walnut (tentatively), and carrara in one little area. More on that later.

When it comes to inspiration for cabinet hardware on lower cabinets, I look no further than bin pulls. They're really a beautiful silhouette to any style and will perfectly coordinate with my kitchen. Check out these great inspiration photos ...

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Seven - Carrara Marble Backsplash

2012-02-07T09:00:00.003-05:00

So yesterday we looked at option one for CDLV kitchen backsplash, beadboard. Now it's time to look at option two - carrara marble. Comment to let me know which one you'd choose now that you've seen inspiration pictures of both. Here we go:

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Six - Beadboard Backsplash

2012-02-06T09:00:00.005-05:00

I can't really decide whether or not I want beadboard backsplash (to coordinate with the beadboard ceiling) or carrara subway tile. Scott is happy with either, and I've certainly pinched enough pennies in other areas to be able to splurge on the subway. Still, it's not so much about the money and more about the look ... they're both really beautiful. So, today: Beadboard Backsplashes, tomorrow Carrara. Then you can leave me a comment letting me know which one you'd choose! :)

Here we go:

Joan's Kitchen: http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Five - Beadboard Ceilings

2012-02-05T09:00:00.006-05:00

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Four - Exposed Hinges

2012-02-04T09:00:00.006-05:00

There are several hinge types for kitchen cabinets. For our kitchen, (note not all kitchens) I prefer exposed hinges as they give a more period feeling to our kitchen. Lots of pictures here, but before we get started let's see the difference:

Now, for some kitchens, I believe that exposed hinges can be too busy, but lucky for me - I don't have enough doors to worry about hardware being too busy. Plus they didn't have European hinges in 1923 when my kitchen was built! Ha-ha. Alright here we go:

Told you this picture would be in nearly every post!

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Three - Inset Cabinet Doors

2012-02-03T09:00:00.003-05:00

Inset kitchen cabinets are almost always a custom cabinet design element, so if you can't find them at your local cabinet supplier, they're more than likely only going to be available custom order or through a cabinet maker.

I might mention quickly that you'll see this picture A LOT in this series, because it's my idea of the most perfect kitchen for CDLV. Oh if you could only lift this up and drop it off here, but ah well! Here we go:

There are several ways to hinge your cabinet doors - and tomorrow, we'll take a look at the way I prefer them for our kitchen.

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day Two - Butcher Block Counters

2012-02-02T08:50:00.001-05:00

Designer Credit: Giannetti Architects, Brooke Giannetti - Designer

Gorgeous right? A million dollar kitchen - who could complain?

So, what do you think? Would you use butcher block in your kitchen remodel?

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In other news, my friend Lynda from :::FOCAL POINT::: has entered her version of a mancave into an Olioboard Contest, and I'd love if you'd pop over and give her a thumbs up!

Click here to vote for Lynda's Moodboard Challenge.

Kitchen Inspiration Month: Day One - Brick Floors

2012-02-01T09:00:00.003-05:00

Kitchen inspiration is all around us, but sometimes it's hard to find it all in one place. We have been, and are still in the middle of a kitchen renovation at CDLV, and I've been collecting inspiring photos for almost a year.

Since February is a short month, and in my neck of the woods, miserable; (cold, white, wet, and well - not all that inspiring) I'm calling February Kitchen Inspiration month here on the blog. In an effort to make February skip-to-the-loo my darlin' just a little faster for me, and inspire both of us, I've got a whole month of inspiring kitchen photos lined up! All of which have fostered a change in the CDLV kitchen!

Day One: Brick Floors

Brick floors are a very southern element when used inside of the house. I find them beautifully organic and still very elegant and sophisticated. A lot of people hesitate thinking that install and upkeep will be difficult, but with all of the products online now, install is as easy as ceramic, and upkeep is easier than marble or wood. Let's take a peek shall we?

So you starting to love them too?

LOVE ... Blue and Gold

2012-01-31T08:00:00.005-05:00

LOVE ... Burlap

2012-01-30T08:16:00.004-05:00

Designer Credit: Brooke Giannetti

Designer Credit: M.Elle Design

Dirty, Sexy, Money - Darlings!

2012-01-29T12:27:00.000-05:00

Until recently, I've not been a big television watcher. Sure, I have my must-watch shows, but for the most part I haven't expanded onto others. I just didn't have the time. But during the arduous waiting of the past couple of months of helping family afar, I've found a bit of relief from painful realities in television, and have come to adore my "fancy movie box" and the glory of Netflix.

For those of you who have Netflix, you understand this already; for those of you who do not: Netflix streaming is essentially an immediately accessible library of television, movies, and documentaries in every genre right at your finger tips, and for only $8/month! Sure, the movies aren't right off the cinema line, and the television shows are past seasons, but it's entertaining none-the-less. Another perk, they recommend new shows and movies based on your viewing ... so when Netflix suggested I watch "Dirty, Sexy, Money" after I watched every single episode of "White Collar" (both seasons 1 and 2) I thought I'd give it a go. Boy, am I glad I did - and you probably will be too!

Set in Manhattan, and based on the fictional Darling family, the premise of Dirty, Sexy, Money is simple: family lawyer (protagonist lead) rushes around during each episode fixing the problems of the Darling family, ultimately seeking clues pointing to whom in family may have killed his father. It's not half bad, but the interiors are spectacular! Designed for television by Maralee Zediker (current set decorator for Hot in Cleveland), the Darling mansion isn't what you'd think of when you put wealthy, old money, New York, and 6-story family compound together.

The main rooms of the mansion are set up enfilade, so we'll start our little tour in the family study:

The Darlings love color! You see a great deal of red throughout the interiors in the Mansion, just like these grand overscaled wingback chairs in the library/study. Shaking hands over an agreement not to share family secrets, the family chauffeur and New York Times reporter shake hands over a walnut trestle table surrounded by leather chairs with a simple, modern line. The room is wrapped in book shelves, and modern art and lighting give the room a youthful, contemporary look - while fitting in perfectly with the traditional architecture.

Same room, looking into the other rooms of the home - this time the table styled with coffee table books and glass decorative objects. Note the corner of the modern line club chair in the left corner, and the round cocktail table to the right. One of the great things about the set of Dirty, Sexy, Money is the changes you see in the set in each episode.

The round cocktail table is gone, in favor of a rolling bar cart filled with crystal decanters, and the books are placed on a floating library table for a "cleaner" look. Moving into the living room of the space:

More modern art, and a better view into the study and those gorgeous bookshelves. I love that the set decorator wasn't afraid to mix lots of color and pattern. How many of us would think to pair faded apple green with rusty red, black and white cafe stripe, and a busy, matlesse patterned sofa? I sure wouldn't, but look at how great it all looks together!

A better view of the fabric on the dueling sofas. A little Charlotte Moss influence with the furniture layout, the rooms have no shortage of furniture. Each room has multiple seating arrangements and something beautiful to admire in every corner.

Here, with the furniture removed for the family photoshoot (with lion's none-the-less), you can see the gorgeous fireplace and the patterned rug otherwise unseen throughout the show. As I said before, this decor is a study in the pairing of pattern and color - brilliantly executed. The living room opens onto the sitting room:

Furnished more simply, the sitting room is still decorated with purpose and style. Two sofas, one backless, and two club chairs with multiple tables for drinks give a nice reprieve to the chair filled living room.

The sofa, backless for a clear view to and from the adjoining foyer, upholstered in linen with silk throw pillows: divine!

What makes all of these separate seating groups and color combinations work? Traditional layouts! Lots of symmetry in these spaces keep them inspiring when they could have been a flop. Check out the bullion fringe on the sofa. Something so formal mixed in with those very clean line, nailhead trimmed wingbacks - gorgeous!

A view of the arrangement from the side looking into the dining room. Much less color in the sitting room than in the rest of the house - but I think that's because it opens onto the foyer which has that amazing staircase!

Here, yet another settee in that rust red fabric, accessorized with jewel toned purples and mustards. Isn't that blue and white collection dreamy?

And taken from the staircase toward the sitting room and enfilade hallways - you get an idea of how truly large these rooms are. Given that most apartments in Manhattan are smaller than one room in this "house", you can definitely feel the wealth. And if the size wasn't enough - take a look at the maids found in almost every frame:

Another patterned rug under the round dining table, oversized to seat 12 comfortably, the dining room is my favorite with its red chairs, double chandelier, and wall of doors onto the patio overlooking Manhattan's Central Park.

As I said before, red is a favorite color in this space, and it's found in both small and large ways throughout every room:

Trip, the patriarch, behind the desk of his home office - painted red. So old-money, don't you think?

Opposite the desk (with a view to yet another patio) the office has a very eclectic, leather conversation area.

And to keep that modern, contemporary flair throughout the house - the rug here, is patterned and modern. Far different than the tabriz or oriental you'd expect, right?

The master bedroom - elegantly appointed with a four poster bed and two separate seating areas and an office. This room, beyond all others is definitely the most traditional of the rooms we see throughout the series.

Case in point, here in the youngest daughter's bedroom - a mix of avocado and pink - who'da thunk it! I absolutely love the size of these rooms, and the sconces they used in this room - so perfect for this sorta modern nod to the princess suite.

One of the most beautiful rooms though, is the bedroom we see only once, in the family's home in Italy:

I mean - really? Anyone know what this really is? What a stunning estate - definitely the proper exterior for the set of this bedroom:

Gorgeous right? Even those of you who are into the all white, Belgian look can't deny the beauty of this space. Gilded chairs, rich, warm colors, and architecture that will make you sing - this room is by far my favorite.

Another view, catching the corner of the knoll sofa - which we also see in the office of Patrick Darling, New York Senator.

And that fireplace, and screen!? I could move right in!

If I don't stop somewhere this post will continue to go on and on and on and ... you get the point. So for now, that's where we'll call it a day. I hope you enjoyed the photos - and for those of you who've missed my voice here on the blog, thanks for giving me a reason to write again!

LOVE ... Back To Back Sofas

2012-01-29T08:51:00.003-05:00

Designer Credit: Jeffrey Bilhuber

LOVE ... Large Mirrors

2012-01-28T09:45:00.000-05:00

Designer Credit: James Michael Howard

Designer Credit: Jan Showers

Designer Credit: Bunny Williams

Designer Credit: Sarah Richardson

Designer Credit: Paul Corrie

Designer Credit: Sarah Richardson

LOVE ... Nested Tables

2012-01-27T08:40:00.003-05:00

Like the bells? Remember - I have them for sale here: http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com/2012/01/few-great-things-for-sale.html

Designer Credit: Michael S. Smith

LOVE ... Window Seats

2012-01-26T08:44:00.000-05:00

LOVE ... White Painted Floors

2012-01-25T05:52:00.004-05:00

Designer Credit: Mark D Sikes

Designer Credit: Darryl Carter

Designer Credit: Thomas O'Brien

There's nowhere in my house to have white floors, and even if there were, Scott would kill me! Even so - I do have a plan for white floors in the future ... just where, we shall see!!

LOVE ... Antiqued Mirrors

2012-01-24T09:43:00.000-05:00

Whether a genuine antique or just fauxed to look like one - I'm in love with antiqued mirrors! The perfect addition to any room, wouldn't you agree?