If your new kitchen is going to be an expression of who you are and how you live it's helpful to have a little inspiration. One of the things I frequently mention is the benefit of something I call "kitchen scrapbooking". When you get your first inkling that a new kitchen may be in your future, begin collecting pictures and ideas. Use magazines, the internet or your camera. Then pay attention to that inner voice. That's your intuition and your cue to tear, print or click that shutter. Look for everything from specific details to general feeling. Let's begin today. I will share with you all kinds of interesting tidbits. Keep a file (real or virtual) of your inspirational loot. Before you know it you'll have all kinds of useful information and you will begin to see the patterns in your selections. For example you may find that in 5 out of 7 pictures, you selected kitchens with white cabinets, or glass doors, or shiny finishes. Oh, and remember it doesn't even have to be a kitchen! Your heart-of-the-home can also be inspired by non-kitchen images such as art, architecture, nature and more. Here are three images to start you off.
I love the juxtaposition of modern and African tribal elements in this photo of a Nolte kitchen.
This one, from luxury-ideas.com, is all about feeling natural, open and a little luxurious. Notice the interesting open shelves, the open island design and the lovely use of texture.
Lastly, I just love the feeling of this black and white kitchen. It represents a comfortable easy British Colonial aesthetic to me. How about you?