Happy new year! We're back to the beginning again. There's just something about the early days of January that can make you believe all things are possible. That's the right frame of mind to be in when you start any new venture. It's all good; the editing comes later. There's a lot to look forward to in the new year. In less than three weeks I'm off again on my next big, great adventure. I will be traveling with the awesome folks from Modenus and a select group of my esteemed peers to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas. Follow me here, on Twitter, Instagram and on my NEW Face Book page to hear about all the new products and design trends. Wheels up on January 18th. Are you ready? Until then here's a little inspiration to get you started. 
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 some images to start you off. 
I love the juxtaposition of modern and African tribal elements in this photo above of a Nolte kitchen. 
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?