I AM LUCKY!

 

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A ROSE WITH NOT ONE THORN.

THOUGHT  I WOULD SHARE A NICE LITTLE SCRABBLE OF IMPORTANT THOUGHTS AND MOTIVATIONAL WORDS. THIS IS THE KIND OF THOUGHT PROCESS THAT ALLOWED ME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND LEARN WHAT INTERESTED ME.  

I CAN HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT IF YOU DO WHAT YOU LOVE, AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO, IT WILL LEAD YOU ON A PATH OF HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS! I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO WATCH MANY LOVED ONES DO EXACTLY THIS. TODAY, I FEEL JOYFUL AND THANKFUL THAT ONE SPECIAL BOY IS NOW CLIMBING THE STAIRS TO HIS DREAMS AND I WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS HE CAN HOLD!

Descion Time! This post is dedicated to my long time friend Betty.

i have been pretty enamored with concrete for sometime now, say ten years at least.

this is the saw you need to use with a diamond blade to cut patterns into the concrete which will make your floor one of a kind!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this is what my floor looks like, it is the first thing people comment on when they come to my house for the first time.
 

ABOVE: concrete island counter and side panels make a modern statement coupled with that cool Ann Saks onyx glass tile wall.

A polished edge so the aggregate detail shows, adds texture.

          Concrete is here to stay, and if you should tire of it, just cover it with any other material.

   glossy sheen on a very mottled acid stain floor.

   when choosing your flooring and counter tops remember to coordinate them like you would an outfit, e.g.  your shoes and your blouse/top usually compliment each other. the cabinet acts as your skirt/pants. Of course there are other ways to choose but this is the simplest analogy to share.

a honed finish in the bathroom with a eased edge.

  

beautiful ogee edge detail following the legs of the island with a small clipped corner for safety as corners can be dangerous!

Betty you have great taste and whatever you choose it will be the right thing!

Anyone would who like a complimentary consultation on any and all design dilemmas just email me kal0707@gmail.com or leave a comment. Karen


note: working on learning to format, it will get better.

GREAT KITCHENS

This semester I am taking INT 240- KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN. We are learning about all the high end appliances and what it takes to get them in properly. So I thought I would post some great kitchens!

 High end integrated fridge hiding under panels on right. Contrasting black cabinets on left. Like the beams on the ceiling. A white kitchen never goes out of style.

A wolf  brand cook top. This is a great hood because it is about 6 inches larger than the stove which means it will capture all the steam and grease that rises.

This has another wolf range and a gorgeous carrera marble back splash and counters. Aren't the bar stools great! I don't care for the Asian inspired figures on the range mantle, vintage pottery would have been better. This kitchen is a bit over styled for the photo via House of Turquoise blog.

This kitchen feels European, the cabinets are two toned and are hiding a high end integrated fridge (behind the island). The mix and match of wood colors and counter top material keeps it interesting along with the zinc top table and Versailles pattern on the floor. Can old world really go out of style when it is done as clean as this?!

Balance

This pair of Louis tub chairs needed some partners in the room for quite a while. The room was out of balance so I added some brown cotton velvet drapes. The room began to level as soon as the first panel went up. They also have rythmn with the newly painted interior doors.

                      Brown as color is off trend now. It makes me love
                      it even more. Lots of Prints.

Keith Scott Morton for Country Living

    

Jonathan Berger for House Beautiful

...

 See in the back......Louis Chairs similar to mine with a lovely brown floral!

SHOCKING........I have dark doors!

A study in contrast........

Sad but true, in most modest track homes there simply are no special architectural details. In this case, calling attention to the height of the doors draws the eye up & makes a bit of drama in a rather plain space. In person the acid stain floor has always been the attention getter. Since going dark on the doors, the eye goes to the doors and then up to the ubiquitous 1990's pot shelf. The eye then travels around the room to see the  other elements such as the lighting fixtures that are also dramatically dark . The dark is foiled by a warm neutral paint by Sherwin Williams called Nantucket Dune. The trim is Sherwin Williams -Basket Beige and the doors are also Sherwin Williams, color Manor House. I say don't be afraid or better yet ordinary, GO BOLD-GO DARK!

If you want to see more dark doors go here and enjoy some glossy black doors that look so good! 

dreaming design........Karen