Something Blue

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Take It to the Ceiling

I really love, when the budget allows, to take upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling, i.e. eliminating the dust shelf. I am working on a fun little kitchen makeover here in Boston. The existing kitchen already has some great elements, like soapstone countertops, that we are preserving. But among other things, the plan is to add some additional millwork, a new backsplash, new hardware, and new appliances. The goal with the additional millwork will be to extend the existing cabinets to the ceiling. At almost ten feet, I think it's going to be a pretty dramatic addition.

 See Anne Turner Carroll's kitchen makeover for a creative and inexpensive way to 

get the full height upper cabinet look without going custom.

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Before and After {Annie's Kitchen}

before
(which compared to my scary city apartment kitchen is amazing)

during

 after

I do not remember how I got there, but earlier this week I happened upon Annie and her amazing kitchen renovation. I love, love, love every little detail, especially that brick arched opening. To learn more visit Lovely Things.

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Neutral Nelly

I'm not one to shy away from color, but every now and then I have a project where sticking to a neutral palette just feels right. There is something fresh and calm feeling about each of these tonal spaces.

  How about the window behind the cabinet above? Pretty creative use of existing space.

 What about you? Do you crave color or are you a neutral nelly?

images Traditional Home

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Kitchens That Make Me Want to Cook a Turkey

from Lady Antebellum to Lady Gaga...

This last one may still be a bit subtle for Miss Gaga.
images: Traditional Home, George Interior Design, Dwell

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I'll Buy That

I'll buy that is a phrase my most recent neighboring co-worker would use when someone in the office designed something he really liked. Well, George Interior Design, I'll buy this...

I adore this kitchen. And the best part is, they take you through bits and pieces of their design process on their blog. Great blog, great firm, you should check them out. They are the real deal.

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Something Fun

I am zonked.
Working two jobs is making me very tired.

But I am really enjoying working with my first solo clients. I have even enjoyed the residential contractors. After working with GC's on million dollar corporate headquarters buildings, talking to a guy about framing up a new walk-in closet is easy peasy. I was going through some saved imagery tonight and found the one to the left. My clients are a young married couple. He leans modern and she more so on the traditional side. When discussing what we wanted to do in their new kitchen, she says simple and clean and he throws in but something fun on the backsplash. I think this image is pretty simple with something fun on the backsplash, what do you think?

 We also talked about looking at butcher block or other wood options for the counters. Could be interesting.

As is the case in most city dwellings, their kitchen is going to be a bit on the petite side. One of my other clients also has a very petite kitchen space, probably even smaller. And in my research to find appropriately scaled appliances I found Summit. Has anyone had any experience with them? I am pumped about this teensy tiny, but full height, stainless steel fridge I have specified for the project. Isn't it cute for an "apartment" fridge.

And good news! The Sabbes found a new apartment! We'll be leaving the South End for the Fens and we are really excited. Mr. Sabbe can walk to work and I can still walk to the mall!

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Happy St. Patty's Day

Hope you remembered your green! I pinch.

Images: Milk Decor, Interior Design Magazine, Unknown

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The Upgraded Chevron

It's no secret that the chevron has made a huge splash in the design world over the past couple of years, in a mostly modern way.

{Lonny}

But the chevron, or zigzag, or whatever you want to call it, has been around forever. One of my favorite uses of this geometric pattern is with herringbone wood flooring.

  I also love the same technique with rectangular floor or wall tile.

I could not find a photo, but my favorite is the classic subway tile installed with a herringbone pattern. I love using conventional materials in unconventional ways.

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