Shape and Rhythm Details

You've heard time and time again... Its all in the details. I agree. We've been looking at some before and during pictures of a project and then some of the details. Today's detail is about shape and rhythm ~ two elements I pay very close attention to when I design.

In the detail picture above are the table, chairs, and chandelier I selected for the kitchen. First, the chandelier and table base have contemporary lines and finished in chrome ~ a nice connection. To warm it up and mix materials and periods, I used reproduction 19th century Parisian brasserie wooden chairs. To connect the great divide in material and periods, I echoed a shape. Note the soft V-like shape of the chandelier arms and the back of the chair. The eye is drawn to the shape connection adding a lovely vertical rhythm. I love that.

Do you see it?

Beautiful Details

On Monday I showed you a wide angle shot of this project. Here is a detail shot. You may already know this about me but I love using glass... art glass, glass tile..... I am always mesmerized but the play between light and glass. This leads me to state for the record ~ lighting is critical for great design. You can see I used glass tile that captures the palette. These are illuminated by under cabinet lighting. In this design, I also have lit top cabinets along the entire perimeter of this kitchen. Of course, the shelves in these cabinets are a bit too high for daily functional use but functional use is not why they are there. I designed these cabinets to hold a two art glass series that I love from Cyan Design. They are not terribly expensive ~ GREAT! They are, however, very impactful.



When these glass pieces are illuminated, they are spectacular. The entire perimeter of the kitchen glows with champagne and soft green. Hmmm.... maybe I should take a picture of them in the evening (duh!). Next time :)

More details to come!

Before and After Continued

It is always fun for me to see the design come to life! A great room project I am working on is getting better by the minute. See for yourself...

In the kitchen portion, here's the beginning...
Then...
Next...
And now...
Still more to do but you get the drift. So far so good?

Great Room on its Way to Beautiful Part III

Here we are again. I admit, these pictures were taken a little bit ago but I want you to see the progression from the last time. If you want to see it from the start, see Part I here and Part II here.

The cabinetry is completely installed as well as the hood...


There is one of the counter stools ~ from the Kristin Drohan Collection.

Recall how the cabinets ended prior to the door? Well, no more. This area was made into a slightly separated display area. My client will display a cherished collection she will get from her father. Lovely!


Now that is an island that my client will be able to do all her baking on. The granite is not installed yet but there will be a 12" over hang that will increase counter space even further. Now for the bells and whistles. Are you ready??


Large two tiered drawers under the Wolf cook top. Don't you love the knife block drawer? Remember this piece stored in the front hall?


Here is it!

And here's what it does...

Completely see through pull out pantry one may easily walk around. Nice! Here is a gadget every baker should have. Now you see it...

Now you don't. Don't forget to place on outlet inside the cabinet or very close on the outside so there really is no muss, no fuss.

Got utensils? Here's the place for them!

Got dishes and bowls? Two drawers for them.

Remember the half wall with the columns? It is now a full bank of cabinets and drawers (still under cover)...

The pulls and knobs I specified for this job are perfect transitional designs...





And the creme de la creme ~ the media cabinet the follows the stair line...

I can't wait to unveil it! Here's a fantastic detail... recall the cold air return? Those are a necessary nuisance. No problem ~ just conceal it in the cabinetry...

No one will ever have to know.

My client is so thrilled. She has moved all her kitchen items that were stored in the dining room to her new cabinets. Everything fits and she still has plenty of storage room remaining.

So far, so good?

Great Room on its Way to Beautiful Part II

YIKES!

Calm down, that is not where we are now but I think it is important to see the process. Yes, there is just like my post about wearing curlers. To get to the state of gorgeous, first comes stages that are less pretty.
The half wall and columns are gone.
The closet is also gone and the trip hazard has been filled in.
Here's a better view of the resolved 'floor just ending.'

Now we move onto the first phase of installation.
The fantastic wide plank hard wood floors are installed. Next comes cabinetry...

Here's a portion of the custom media cabinet...
The family room served as the holding zone until the cabinets were completely installed.
Except for this large one in the front hall. What the heck is that?
Stay tuned...

Tomorrow I have a guest post by Yelena from House Painting Tutorials on wall stripes. I've used wall stripes many times ~ vertical and horizontal. Sometimes it adds just the right amount of pizazz or texture I'm looking for. Later in the week > more on the great room.

Great Room Making Its Way to Beautiful

For me, it is always fun to follow a project along in its transformation. Here is a project I am currently working on that is coming along quite nicely. Today I'll show you some before pictures.
My client had the two tiered island which left little actual work space for her. She is an avid baker so counter space was very important. There also was not enough storage ~ a very common issue.
This was a closet that wasn't used very much. It stored items that were easily stored elsewhere. I knew I could put this premium space to better use.
Other issues ~ half wall with columns. Hmmm... half walls have their place (rarely if you ask me) and notice how the cabinetry ends prior to the door. More space to utilize.
This is a trip hazard and has adds no aesthetic or space value. An easy issue to fix.
The columns just closed in the kitchen. See the trip hazard on the right? The floor just ends.
Here is where the media cabinet was (and still is). They thought about placing the television over the mantel. I really use that option as a last resort. I know it is all the rage but disrespecting the lovely stonework would be a crime. The wall is awkward and we have the cold air return to contend with but not large issues to address.
Oh yeah ~ the powder room. This is just off the kitchen and in need of face lift and general updating just like the kitchen.

There you have it. See why they called me? Monday, I'll show you where is it now.

My kitchen, kitchens...

This great room (kitchen and family room)/butler pantry project is wrapping up. This is only a portion of the project as a whole. There are a few details to attend to but the major items are finished. I'm thrilled with results. In the next two weeks, their BeautifulX2 Curio Tables will arrive, art will be hung and accessories placed. I cannot wait for my professional photographer to take his shots to really show you its beauty. My Nikon can only show so much.

Here's one of my other great room/butler pantry projects...

YIKES!

Just remember the project at the top once looked like this...


That's a transformation they will never forget. Soon my other clients will be enjoying their new, beautiful, functional kitchen, family room and butler pantry. I love that part!