Friday, February 21, 2014

Material Focus ~ Beadboard

cococozy.com


What do you think about beadboard? I have a few designer friends and clients who wouldn't be caught dead with beadboard in their homes, but I rather like it. It reminds me of Nantucket summers - which feel so far away right about now - and makes me think of the ocean. After researching this post, I realized just how versatile it is.  Not to be confused with wainscoting, which is raised paneling that forms the shape of a square, it can be purchased and installed inexpensively, making it a quick and easy design element that can transform a space in a pinch.

There are countless uses. It is a great choice for bathrooms because it is durable and can be painted any color. If you use exterior paint, you could run it up behind a sink rather than having a tile or stone backsplash. I like how in the following bathroom images, you can see how the texture translates across different design styles- from cottage to Victorian.

Whitten Architecture

Buckingham Interiors

Supple Homes Inc.

Seth Benn Photography


Using a dark stained wainscoting on the ceiling adds drama and warmth to a space.
Fluidesign Studio
Be sure to pay attention to the height when using beadboard in place of wainscoting. 36", 48" or 60" are good heights, depending on the look you are going for.
Witt Construction
Having the boards run horizontally across a wall is a great way to make a room feel large. The boards lead your eye across the space. I like the blend of traditional and modern in this study nook below.
Erica Bierman Photography

Another fun idea if to paint beadboard in a high gloss. It amplifies it's texture and pushes natural light further into a room.
Tiffany Eastman Interiors





Used in a more traditional application, beadboard accentuates the notion of a summer home.


Houseandhome.com

Houzz




Finally, you could use beadboard to back shelving or cabinetry for a subtle definition between a built in and a wall.

makingitlovely.com






Do you have any creative uses for this adaptable texture?







Thursday, February 13, 2014

Island Life


Metaform Architects

The kitchen truly is the heart of the home- a place where families and friend gather, and where meals are prepared and shared. If you are like me, there is never enough storage, and counter space is prime real estate. The kitchen island is a design element that can serve as both a beautiful and utilitartian purpose.

One of the benefits of having a kitchen island is that it provides another eating surface. I like how counter or bar stools at an island bridge the gap between eating and cooking in the kitchen. The bench seating is a trendy take on stools that I find different and neat. Make sure you don't go wider than a two seat bench, or else the middle person gets stuck on the seat.

The Cross Design
Living in a tight space presents its own set of challenges, especially if you are an avid cook. Sometimes, I almost believe that smaller kitchens are easier to navigate, because all you have to do is make a few turns and dinner is ready. I think the mini kitchen below is quite successful. Rather than an island, a peninsula extends from the wall and is used as countertop space as well as to set the adjacent spaces apart from one another.

Apartment Therapy



The wood construction and legs give this farmhouse island a furniture feel. The wood brings a warmth, hominess, and casual air to the gathering place.


Pinterest
I'm pretty certain the image below is from a boutique, but I thought it interesting to share. In a larger space, a series of legged islands could work well.

Rue Magazine
A more industrial and modern approach, this island is wrapped in gray brickwork. The stone tile backsplash that stretches to the ceiling adds an earthy quality, and the light that streams through the three skylights highlights the space with natural warmth.

Passeoner.com
Don't forget how much storage you have the potential to squeeze into this design element. Whether it is with open or closed shelving, think about what needs to be stored. Is it serveware, cookbooks, or wine? - to name a few.
Houzz
Something I have been seeing a lot of lately are waterfall style countertops. This means that the countertop stone wraps down from the surface of the counter to the floor and acts as support for a countertop ledge like in the picture below. It is clean and streamlined. I like the way the design tucks a wine cooler and shelving underneath the lip, and the wood ceiling that mimics the flooring.

Zero Energy Design

What homes have you visited or pictures you have seen that have a successful island design?

Friday, February 7, 2014

Mixology ~ Which Patterns Do You Perfer?

Kathryn Ireland


We all have it - a tendency towards pattern or one towards solids. Just look in your closet. If you've never taken the time to notice, I guarantee that you will see a commonality of colors or styles that you lean towards.

The same is true with decor, but it is important to venture outside of your comfort zone to create a well balanced space by using texture, color, and pattern. When mixing patterns, I like to go for a connecting thread, literally. I find a color palate that it pleasing, and use that as a jumping off point to find patterns in contrasting scales that work together.

Generally, I like to use a solid, a geometric, and a more organic pattern together, I find that works best, but it is really up to you. Isn't that what design is all about anyways?

If you are a novice to mixing patterns, why not try your hand at it using toss pillows? They are can be found inexpensively and easily changed out if you don't like them.

Which pattern grouping do you prefer?

A.

Pinterest

B.
Kathryn Ireland
 C.
Pinterest



D.


E.
House Beautiful
 F.
Pinterest