5 Ways to Make Any Kitchen Your Own Stylish Sanctuary

May 3, 2018 Gloria Graham-Sollecito

Do you get frustrated looking at all the beautiful images on Houzz and Pinterest? If only, right? The good news is you don't always have to shoot the budget to have a kitchen that is your own unique design statement. This means you're going to have to forgo the temptation to slavishly emulate the trend of the moment in exchange for investing in a look that is authentically your own. Yes! Inject your own personality, make it versatile to allow for your moods and you will have something timeless that will always give you joy. Read on and I'll show you how.

5 Ways to Make Any Kitchen Your Own Stylish Sanctuary

Own Your Color

A favorite color is one way to create a personal statement in your kitchen. Perhaps you embrace all color bright an bold. If this is your cup of tea allow yourself open space and glass front cabinets to show your true color in all its glory. I recommend keeping the fixed elements such as flooring and countertops neutral so you can play more with color in ways that are versatile. This would include paint, dishes, artwork and decorative items. A nice crisp white is always a great backdrop to vibrant hues. If you are an adventurous soul because that's your personality, create a focal point like this beautiful back splash using your favorite color. Just keep it over one area such as the stove. Less is more and you don't want to dilute the power of the statement, right?

"Artful detail can literally be art such as paintings and sculpture but it can also be beautiful hand made utilitarian items, family treasures or books."

Embrace Your Architecture

Believe me, I have tried to "correct". Sometimes you can but often it just doesn't work. I have had much better results when I embrace the fixed conditions I am faced with when creating a new design. These issues can include angles, bump outs, ceiling height differences and last but not least the age and era in which a home was built. Your space should look like it belongs. This happens when you match the style of your design to your home. In fact, I always try to look for clues such as arches and fixed architectural elements that I will repeat in the design. If your kitchen "goes with" your home it will always be right.

In this kitchen which you can read more about here, we were stuck with some of the angles (yes there were more) as they are exterior walls. What we did do was move the refrigerator. It used to be where the hood is. It opens up space and gives us a focal point. We also eliminated angles on both the island and the peninsula. Now my client has a kitchen that makes sense and functions perfectly for her lifestyle.

Go Within

The way you customize your cabinet interiors is always based on the way you live. Think about it. Is there one particular item that just doesn't have a home with enough space in your kitchen? It could be food storage containers, pots or even trash! It's different for everybody. Even if you have a small kitchen you can maximize function. There are solutions.

Dish drawer, dish pegs, black plates, drawer cabinet — 5 Ways to Make Any Kitchen Your Own Stylish Sanctuary

If you're short (like me;-) or you're just short on upper cabinets, this drawer insert featuring dish pegs can be used to customize your dish storage. Food storage containers are so necessary but can be a PIA, if you know what I mean. You may even be able to retrofit one of your cabinets with one of these handy pull out organization systems by Revashelf. These are just two examples but there are so many options.

Customize Work Centers

Every kitchen has a work center for food prep, clean up and cooking. Sometimes in small kitchens, they overlap but those are the basics. Add your own as needed to customize your kitchen. Think media center or beverage center to house your coffee or tea stash and accoutrements. Those are two popular ones that come to mind. How about a pet center? It could be as easy as designating a certain space or cabinet and tricking out the inside. It can be planned in a new kitchen or created in your existing space.

A media center in a drawer! Measure your devices and make sure you have enough USB outlets and you're good to go. Sometimes it's nice to put the phone away. Who knows what could happen ;)

This is WoodMode's version of a pet center. They call it a Pet Parlor and you can create this with most cabinetry

Artful Detail

Artful detail can literally be art such as paintings and sculpture but it can also be beautiful hand made utilitarian items, family treasures or books. If you have the room I encourage you to try and leave some open space to display such items and change them out as the mood strikes you. This is perhaps the easiest way to make a neutral space very personal and joyful to be in.

Many kitchens have a wall on at least one end which is a perfect place for a small gallery of paintings, floating shelves or one big piece of art.

These hand-carved spoons could be considered "working sculpture" in my book. Speaking of books, I think they enhance every space. I love my well-worn cookbooks that probably contain bits of all the meals cooked from them!

This is a home run for me books + art!! I love it and if you do too we'd probably get along :)

COMING SOON!

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KBIS2017 Part II- Color Splash!

January 27, 2017 Gloria Graham-Sollecito

This is Part II of my KBIS2017 recap. You can find Part I here.

If you've read part one you know that I was off meeting old and new friends earlier this month at our big annual trade show known as KBIS2017. One of the best perks of being on Modenus Blog Tour is always the people. What a huge source of friends this whole blog adventure has been for me! Now back to the trends you need to know.

One of the huge trends at the recent Kitchen & Bath Show (KBIS2017) in Orlando was bold brilliant color. I saw bright color across all product lines including cabinets, appliances and even faucets. Cabinet Manufacturer Wellborn was no exception. This vibrant green was a big hit and showcases their custom color options. The Color Inspire program offers a broad selection of hues from Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Valspar. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

Color was also the star of the show for me at Metrie, North America's largest solid wood and MDF moulding company. These stunning pink doors are a part of their Then & Now Finishing Collections. This is actually a great concept that allows you to take a boring space and make it sing with character. They have curated perfectly coordinated mouldings and interior doors to create "the look". The styles range from the cutting edge "Fashion Forward", to girly "French Curves", to Minimalism with "Pretty Simple". There are even a few more. It's an awesome option for designers as it saves time spent hunting for the right crown to go with the perfect base board etc. It's a one stop shop for beautiful millwork and moulding details.

Just think of the chic "chick pad" you could create with Metrie...and then there were shoes. I'm sorry my attention wanders sometimes. Who can blame me for loving these shoes worn by Christine DaCosta aka Glamamama.

I've got more color! Check out these faucets by Grohe. This is the Essence Semi Pro Faucet, available April 2017. Notice the extended spout for added convenience in the kitchen. The display is showing limited edition brightly colored silicon hoses. Change your mind, change your faucet, just like a chameleon!

American Standard exhibited this smart faucet that actually measures water for you. Just think, it’s easy, accurate and environmentally friendly. Turn the dial and you get the perfect amount every time. So simple. Kudos to the team at American Standard for thinking of it. Speaking of good ideas, what could be better than a self cleaning toilet? The ActiClean toilet features a turbo type flush system that they call VorMax, with a fully integrated self-cleaning system. The CleanCurveRim omits that rim cavity and holes inside the bowl where dirt gets trapped and EverClean antimicrobial surface helps everything stay clean longer. Egaads!! I'm just the messenger but it's a good thing. I'm all for minimal toilet cleaning time.

Another American Standard company, the luxury line DXV showed their Modulus line for the bath. I loved the sensuous sculptural line of these vanity tops BUT how cool is this tray? it fits perfectly on the top and then tucks away in it’s own spot underneath when you’re done. Voilá!

Guess what folks? I've got more. Stay tuned for KBIS III -Just a hint, it has to do with rhino poop and a surprise in the shower (but not together)

Be Cool with Big Chill Appliances

August 18, 2016 Gloria Graham-Sollecito

There is a fresh new concept on the scene when it comes to kitchen appliances. For years the challenge has been to make them go away, visually, that is. Integrating your refrigerator and dishwasher using matching cabinet panels can be the perfect solution in some situations but let's take another look, shall we?What if you crave something different, you have yen for retro design and you LOVE color? If this is you, Big Chill has you covered. This Colorado based appliance maker was founded in 2001 by Orion Creamer and Thom Vernon, two guys looking for vintage style with modern functionality.In the early days of the company Thom and Orion studied vintage styling from the 50s, particularly automotive detailing as well as the materials that were used. Their wish was to replicate the quality of products from this bygone era and blend it with the latest technology. I am impressed with the wide variety of appliances offered by Big Chill! Think the 48" pro range, induction cooking, large capacities as well as compact counter top microwaves. Also, if you're not a fifties fan they have two other lines, Classic with 1920s detailing and Pro offering the same bold color selection in twenty first century design. Speaking of color, if none of their many options is just right for you, custom colors are available too. You can find dealers throughout the US but if they're not in your neck of the woods you can purchase on line with free shipping in the month of August. For much more info check out their website and blog.PS. I have no affiliation with Big Chill. This just came across my radar and I had to share!

The Best of KBIS 2016

January 30, 2016 Gloria Graham-Sollecito

Bam! Another show is in the books and although it's been a busy week "back at the ranch", I've been dying to share my finds with you right here on Artful Kitchens.Las Vegas was host to three days of networking and education for the best of the Kitchen & Bath industry. As a member of the Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine's Advisory Board, I had the pleasure of appearing on the KBIS Next stage as a part of the panel discussion entitled Trials & Tribulations-Solutions to Your Biggest Kitchen & Bath Challenges. It was an exciting exchange of ideas between both the pros on the panel as well as a savvy and engaged audience. I also had the opportunity to spend some time in the Las Vegas I like best, off the strip! I hiked in the Red Rock Canyon and visited my friends at Retro Vegas on Main Street. My digs for this trip were with my dear pals Karen, Barry & Wink. They live in a midcentury modern gem that, rumor has it, was briefly home to Lucille Ball! They are avid Airbnb'ers and wonderful hosts. Check it out if you find yourself in Vegas. This location is so convenient to the Convention center I could walk, which I did, once. Mostly I Ubered. Enough walking happens on the show floor! So without further ado, here's my recap of the biggest and most notable trends and products that caught my eye at KBIS2016. ColorWhite still reigns. In fact paint giants Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have both selected shades of white as their color of the year. You know I am a huge white fan. It is always the best backdrop for art and design. It also continues to be the favorite cabinet color in my area. Remember white is not just white, there are an infinite number of varieties you can have fun with. If you need more punch in your kitchen you could find some great options at the big show. I saw bright saturated colors in several appliance brands including Bertonazzi, Viking and BlueStar which offers 750 colors! Grey has not left the stage. The newest versions are warm, venturing into taupe territory. Textured wood grains such as cerused oak are really popular. Wood-Mode showed both traditional and contemporary versions of ribbon Mahogany. The Perfect TouchTouch latch technology was EVERYWHERE! If you prefer a sleek, uninterrupted look for your cabinets and appliances this is for you, a gentle nudge will open your cabinets. This is nothing new but it's taken off. I also loved the button that allows you to close this cabinet when you're done without resorting to dangerous acrobatics (I'm short).Feeling BrassyActually brass, copper, bronze and myriad versions are hot for plumbing fixtures and hardware. My favorites were the new BauHaus inspired Litze collection by Brizo Faucets. and Kallista's Vir Stil collection.Not Your Grandma's CorianIf you're like me Corian has been dead to you since about 1998. That sentiment has now ended in my book. I saw a 2"thick sleek contemporary version of Corian that was perfectly at home in The New American Home. The other exciting thing I saw in counter tops was this quartz by Silestone. Yes, it's GOLD! I just wish the photo could capture it's sparkly beauty.Thrills from ThermadorAppliance brand Thermador held a press conference on the show floor to introduce a couple of impressive new products, the 60" pro range available with steam and a double oven featuring steam and convection. These are firsts in the industry.Organize ItJust when I thought we had it all the category of organization it goes to the next level. There was a great representation of brands ranging from Hafele to Rev-A-Shelf to Hardware Resources but Glideware is taking the market by storm. If you've got a mess lurking somewhere I guarantee there's a way to make it neat and accessible Tile StyleMy two tile favorites were Michael Berman's Collection from Walker Zanger and, of course, Ann Sacks who are featuring a new line by L.A. design maven Kelly Wearstler. Love!I can IKONIf you read my blog you know I love me my Silgranit sinks, meet IKON the apron front version which easily works in any style kitchen from Traditional to Contemporary. Their Artona faucet perfectly complements the Silgranit sink.Stikwood Rocks!

Stikwood’s line of lightweight, real-wood planking offers designers and DIYers a peel-and-stick solution to achieve that perfect, sought-after blend of rustic and modern. It can be used on walls and ceilings and comes in tons of colors, even prints! I'm thinking this could be great on the back of a kitchen island.

Believe me, all this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There was so much more to see and learn about at KBIS 2016. Check out this year's winners of Best of KBIS for more info and of course if you'd like any more info on what you see here email me at artfulkitchensbyglo@gmail.com

5 Elements of an Artful Kitchen

July 8, 2015 Gloria Graham-Sollecito

Summer projects are underway in South Florida! In fact, it's the height of the busy season for most design professionals here.

I don't have to tell you that a new kitchen is a big investment, in fact the kitchen is the most expensive renovation you're ever likely to undertake. It stands to reason that you'd want a kitchen that is tailor-made for you whether you can afford custom or not. This is what we're all about at Artful Kitchens.

The concept of an "artful kitchen" has many different facets. It is not just about budget or the amount of space you have but the skill you employ using what is available to you. Here are five tips to consider along with some visual inspiration featuring products I saw this year at the Kitchen & Bath Industry (KBIS) trade show in Las Vegas. Implement these with style and confidence and you will be the proud owner of an artful kitchen!

1. Flawless Function

I'm all about artistic expression but a major part of creativity in the kitchen comes from devising flawless function. This quality is not something you see but something you can experience if artfully accomplished. When I say function, I mean work centers comprised of cooking, clean up and food prep areas.

Those are the basics but you could have more such as a beverage center (think coffee, tea, wine), a computer station or a baking center. If you have a two-cook kitchen, your layout should be designed so that any one of the major functions can be performed without anyone getting underfoot.

Following the guidelines set by the NKBA is a must to make sure all clearances are adequate. Sometimes we don't have a lot of choice about where to locate our sink or appliances but we can organize our utensils, dishes, pots and food items in a more efficient way. Don't forget the more flawlessly your kitchen functions the safer it is. You don't have to be an expert at this, just think about how you use your kitchen so that you will be a good collaborator when it comes time to work with a professional.

2. Personalization

This is, without a doubt, the biggest movement in the design world. An artful kitchen is your own personal statement customized to the way you live. It could be a steam oven because healthy eating is your passion or it could be a lovely furniture piece with glass doors to display your grandmother's china. Include the colors you love. Even though you must be mindful of your budget (everyone has one), strive to retain the essence of what you see as your dream kitchen.

3. Harmony

Harmony is one of the principles of design and a must for your kitchen. Whenever I design a two-toned kitchen I like to ensure that different finishes and details are carried through the space to create a cohesive whole. It's about how the floor relates to the cabinets and how the cabinet hardware relates to the faucet. You get the picture! It does not mean that everything has to match perfectly, it means elements should relate to and complement each other. It also does not mean that every element has to be perfectly symmetrical. In fact, consider this permission NOT to be! I find that the best rule of thumb is to follow the architecture and style of the home you're in. If, for example, the kitchen window is way off center you should work with that not against it. Never force solutions by sacrificing function.

4. Focal Point

Every piece of great artwork has a focal point. It is the "star of the show", so to speak. In a kitchen it can be a sculptural range hood, a granite counter with big bold movement or actually a piece of art! It is the item that makes you say WOW when you enter the kitchen. Just remember less is more here. One great focal point is probably enough. Too much and the statement gets lost. Less is definitely more.

5. Texture

The element of texture involves at least two of our senses, touch and sight. The textures you are likely to come across include the glossy finishes popular in contemporary design, prominent wood grains which can be traditional or modern and smooth honed surfaces that are more matte. A flat slab cabinet door is a great choice if you plan to use a wood with a lot of pattern and graining. In this case the material is the decorative element of the cabinet. On the other hand, if you are traditional and you are using white cabinets you can select a door with some molding or detail. Also let the wild patterns either be on your cabinets or on your counter, both would be busy and distracting.

This is only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. There are many more tricks and methods to create an artful kitchen. What are yours? Please keep in touch and contact me. Whether you need a quick consult or a full design layout I can help in person or virtually.

I'm located in the West Palm Beach area, so if you're local I can also help you shop for your kitchen products.

The Artful Kitchen: Permission to Dream

April 12, 2015 Gloria Graham-Sollecito

Welcome to Artful Kitchens! I have so much to share with you in the world of art and design and especially how you can successfully merge the two to find your own personal style in the kitchen. Thank you to Leslie Carothers of The Kaleidescope Partnership and Brian McDaniel of bkmacdaddy designs for their excellent help! In the coming posts I will be writing about color, elements of design, the art and artists that inspire me and much more. Please share, share, share and help me spread the word! Oh, and I would love to collaborate with YOU!! Email me at: ArtfulKitchensbyGlo@gmail.com

Beach Style Kitchen by Boston Interior Designers & Decorators Rachel Reider Interiors

The first step in creating an artful kitchen is to give yourself permission to dream. Doesn't that sound wonderful?As a kitchen designer I have several priorities in mind when I begin a kitchen plan. Aesthetics, lifestyle and especially function come into play. All are critical components. I also have observed that the most effective and complex kitchen creations are the result of evolution. The details reveal themselves from each decision that has come before. That said, you still need a starting place, one that will hopefully evolve into your own unique personal statement. The buzzword today is personalization and it’s here to stay. That’s where dreaming comes in. These color schemes from Color911 are inspired by nature. If you love them they go in your “dream file”. Don’t worry about “the hows” just yet.Just think if you could take function out of the equation! Heck, what if you didn’t even have space parameters? What would you like to see if you could do ANYTHING? With no editing allowed, at least not yet, you would get to the essence of your of personal style. This is step one. Have fun with it. The only rule is that you enjoy the process. Only the things that please and excite you are allowed. Seriously. it doesn’t even have to be a kitchen!! Use good old paper and colored pencils, crayons, markers, paint, a computer or Pinterest. It’s all good. Don’t think too much just dive in and do it!Share your vision with me and if you are chosen you may see your own artful kitchen come to life right here on my blog. Email me at artfulkitchensbyGlo@gmail.com Next in this series: Creating An Artful Kitchen, Step Two: Defining the Essence

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