Kitchen Case Study: Old Florida, New Vision

One hundred years ago Addison Mizner brought Spanish style to Florida.  Incidentally, the state's written history begins with the arrival of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513. Functionally, the tall open arches, windows and loggias typical to that architecture invite sea breezes within and were the perfect antidote to our hot steamy summers prior to air conditioning.

The range hood picks up rich wood tones of the new floor. Counter tops are quartz by Silestone. Photo by Shanna Morgaine

Mizner subtly adapted his designs to suit Florida and its warm climate. Although inspired by the art of Spain and Italy, his structures bear his own stamp and are a defining feature of what we think of today as Palm Beach style.

Addison Mizner’s design for the Cloister Inn, now the Boca Raton Resort & Club, relied on his signature Mediterranean Revival style.

Photo courtesy of the Boca Raton Historical Society

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Mediterranean Revival style lives on reminding us of Mizner and his contribution to the Palm Beach landscape.

Addison Mizner with his pet monkey, Johnnie Brown 

Courtesy of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County

Source

I was recently delighted to be a part of a kitchen remodel in one such home located in Boca Raton.  The homeowners were looking for an updated and functional kitchen for their family.  At the same time, they treasure and acknowledge the history of their hundred-year-old home.

Setting the Scene

See a new kitchen I designed in a hundred-year-old Addison Mizner home in Boca Raton. It's a bit of Florida history + updated style! For more about this interesting project visit my blog at ArtfulKitchens.net I would love to help you with your project too!

Design wise I saw my biggest challenge as taking the existing kitchen space plus a butler’s pantry area and making them into one decent sized unified kitchen full of function. At the same time, it had to feel fresh yet look like it belonged in the house.

Challenges of an Older Home

The previous main sink location before we combined the two rooms

Denali Construction Corp, with architect Adriana Finnvold, expertly addressed issues with the foundation which were discovered during demo.  They also were able to remove the wall separating the existing kitchen and butler’s pantry. Since we were removing a hallmark arch we added one on the entry to the dining room as well as one in the hallway.

Design Thoughts

The existing wood floor was in poor shape so it was replaced with a similar but darker wood with slightly wider, more updated planks. We picked up the rich finish with a matching range hood hood, traditional but clean lined.  Floating shelves in the same wood material tied it all together and added a modern touch.

Floating shelves add a touch of modern. Photo by Shanna Morgaine

Function & Flow

In order to really integrate the old butler’s pantry, I decided to locate the main sink and clean up work area there below an existing window looking out on a courtyard garden.

New main sink and clean-up work zone in former butler’s pantry area

The relocated main sink and clean-up zone with a new arch to the dining room. The apron style sink is the iconic IKON Silgranit sink by Blanco. Photo by Shanna Morgaine.

The old kitchen sink became a prep sink, closer to the refrigerator allowing the two separate functions of food prep and clean up to happen simultaneously.  Voilá we now had a two cook kitchen.

We also added some glass doors and took the cabinets up to the ceiling for maximum storage. A peninsula provides additional seating for the breakfast area. Bernier Cabinetry by Devine Design Kitchens & More brought this design to life with their careful planning and expert installation. I always say the best projects are great collaborations.

Some Final Words from a Happy Client

My client dishes on exactly what she loves about her new kitchen! Gloria@artfulkitchens.net 561-254-7736

See more photos of this kitchen here in my portfolio.

The Big Move Part V Progress Not Perfection

It's time for Part FIVE!!! I know how patiently you've all been waiting for this new installment of The Big Move.  It's been a challenging week including a meltdown that turned a Phase two project into a Phase NOW situation.

It's July in FLA and we just had to address the AC situation so as not to lose our dearly beloved labor force (Bob).  The result of the first service call yielded a $99 bill and no relief from the heat.  Granted the AC unit, we've discovered, looks like THIS!  

We need a new 2 1/2 ton unit and were quoted $6,500.  Next up, the second service call.  For this one, we called a smaller company who we have worked with in the past and guess what?  He's actually got the current unit working for the time being.  In fact, it's been cooling for about 5 days and counting so Bob is cool for now and we'll see what number two's estimate is.   I have high hopes since this AC guy is apparently a miracle worker.  I digress.  This week I promised a peek into what exactly is going on in the bedroom and master bathroom, which, to be sure, is a mini master.  Check out the tricks, tips and snarky commentary by editor Joe and see what we are doing to make small work in a big way.

As promised, here are the products we're using as mentioned in The Big Move Part V:

In the spirit of full disclosure, this showerhead was gifted to me by the lovely peeps at Brizo faucet a few years back.  It's our style, works great and we love it so it's moving with us.  The center portion pops out for hand held function.   It comes in chrome (above) and polished nickel.  Brizo is a part of Delta Faucets offering some really cutting edge design options but I actually love what Delta offers in their main line and it's what we chose for the shower and sink faucets.

We went with a single hole/handle model as it is what will work with our furniture vanity which is pre drilled and looks like this.

It comes with matching mirror and is a high gloss white finish which will look great with the shiny shower tiles.  Furniture vanities can be a great solution if they work with your space as you have the counter top and sink already done and included in the total price of your vanity.  The shower also will have the matching Vero design. I love the Vero styling because it incorporates square clean lines as well as the softness of the circle. I want it all!

We didn't want to sacrifice any precious space for a shower bench but a girl's gotta shave her legs, right?  I plan to get this cute shower stool. I love the fact that you can move it.

So now for the toilet.  As Joe so accurately pointed out, we did not, in fact, end up with a skirted toilet.  I thought that's what we ordered but it wasn't.  I'm okay with this and truthfully just thrilled to have a Toto toilet.  It is, however, a compact model just perfect for small spaces with a tank that measures just 14 1/2".  Incidentally, we also had an outlet put in right next to the bowl for a future Washlet and if you don't know what that is you should and you can read all about it here.

Since storage is at a premium we're going to include this mirrored medicine cabinet over the toilet. 

Last but certainly not least is the light.  I thought this lovely fixture was just the right style and size to illuminate this artful mini master bath. 

 

 

 

The barn door was an excellent solution for two doors that didn't get along very well!  So there you have it!  Please feel free to comment.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and don't forget to subscribe to the blog for more tips tricks and some upcoming behind the scenes revelations of this Artful Kitchen designer. xoxo

Artisan Shares Creative Vision with Mosaics

"Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials." -Wikipedia  At the intersection of "skilled artisan" and mosaic art" you will find Ariel Shoemaker.  Actually this talented artist found me.  She makes original art in a traditional or contemporary style utilizing the ancient technique of mosaic.  This tile style art, which dates back 4,000 years, is accessible today through her beautiful work.  She recreates the mosaic craft with a fresh new spin to make unique works that perfectly reflect her clients.   Ariel has a thriving business which she runs out of her home studio outside of Boston, MA.    It is my pleasure to introduce her to you so, without further ado, here is my interview with Ariel and some very artful kitchens featuring lovely examples of her work. Artful Kitchens:    What is your background? How did you get into creating with mosaic art?

 Ariel:  I earned my BFA in Writing Literature & Publishing from Emerson College in 2000, and my M.Ed in Arts in Education from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education in 2004.  From the moment I began tinkering with bits of glass in March of 2002, I was hooked.  It was satisfying to create and also a nice relaxing diversion from the monotony of the everyday.  Constructing art pieces from tiny pieces of broken glass and “found” objects 14 years ago, as a hobby, was also a way to distract me from the haunting memories of 9/11 and  the seriousness of the world.  I never in a million years thought that it would become a career, then friends, family and a small co-op gallery in Cambridge began to notice my work--and after years of marketing, developing a “brand”, a “signature style”, making connections and making work that truly comes from my heart, I can say I have a career as a Mosaic Artist.

Artful Kitchens: What has been your favorite project and why?Ariel: I actually don’t have a favorite, but I think that might be fairly typical for someone who LOVES what they do.  Each project is unique, and I love that about my work.

Artful Kitchens:  What do you do when you're not beautifying homes with your work?Ariel: I work nearly full time during the week while my children are in school and daycare (our boys, Simon & Max are 9 and 7 years old, respectively, and our daughter, Josie, is nearly 2 years old). And then there are many nights and weekends that I work to make deadlines, meet with prospective and current clients amd complete administrative tasks.  Fortunately, my husband is an incredible dad, and his working hours as an eighth grade math teacher gives him flexibility after school to be with the kids when I need to work.  We’ve developed a balanced partnership parenting our kids--and over the years, we’ve managed to work out most of the kinks.  Having three kids and a career is truly a balancing act.  I meditate every day and do yoga often.  Both keep me a saner, calmer, and more focused mommy/artist/creative entrepreneur.Artful Kitchens:  How do you come up with your ideas? What is the source of your inspiration?

Ariel: I am inspired by nature, music and other artist's work.  I root myself In the colors I choose before setting out to design a piece, or to develop organically formed patterns that become the mosaic work. The results are unique, complex works that endlessly change with the light and one’s vantage point. Some evoke images of Gustav Klimt’s and Georgia O'keefe's more luminous works of art.

Artful Kitchens:  Please include anything else you would like peeps to know about you and all the info we need to get in touch.

 Ariel: In a nutshell, I create the highest quality customized mosaic art pieces and backsplashes for the residential, hospitality or corporate environment.  I love working with interior designers, architects and home owners.  We collaborate to devise a piece that will bring them the most joy.  Please check out my testimonials on Houzz

To find out more about the process and the price to commission a custom mosaic piece of your own contact me via cell: 617-905-6629 or email: ariel@mosaicsbyariel.com

The Art of Ceramics: Innovations with Tile of Spain

Last week Artful Kitchens hit the road again for a mini-trip to my hometown, Miami.  I was excited to re-connect with some of the great people I met earlier this year on my visit to the Cevisama tradeshow (if you missed that, you can read about it here) with Tile of Spain.  I was not disappointed!Ceramic Solutions-Innovations Pushing Boundaries of Design was held at the Miami Center for Architecture & Design, presented by Tile of Spain.  Several of the big Spanish tile companies were also on hand showing their wares and I'm happy to report that their innovative products are readily available to us here in South Florida and other parts of the US.The big "takeaway" of the evening, besides seeing my peeps,  was hearing Dr. Martin Bechthold, Professor, Harvard GSD,  talk tile from a historical and architectural point of view.  Clay has been used in the arts since ancient times and  ceramic tile has a long history as a covering, or finish material. Now new technologies are utilizing ceramic tile architecturally and structurally!Next up was Tile of Spain Consultant Ryan Fasan who gave us an overview of the latest tile trends along with solid knowledge that is so useful in helping me to educate clients on the best products.  The sleek thin look of large format porcelain for counter tops is a current favorite of mine.  Can you blame me?  Consider it as an option if you're looking for a contemporary Euro vibe in your kitchen.Breakthroughs in digital ink jet printing on tile allow for infinite possibilities.  Tile can also be used to cool or heat your home due to their thermo dynamic properties.It's just like Tile of Spain to round out the experience with a literal taste of Spain!  We enjoyed tapas, a traditional paella and Spanish wine. Tile of Spain is the international brand representing 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer's Association (ASCER).

Tile Tuesday: The Many Meanings of "Encaustic"

What is encaustic painting?As an artist, I love the sensuousness of working in the encaustic medium which I discovered in 2008.  Encaustic painting involves beeswax, resin and pigments in varying combinations.  They are mixed together and applied to a panel in layers which are fused  with a torch or heat gun.  This is where the name comes from.  The Greek work “encaustikos” means to heat or burn.Encaustic painting predates oil painting and was used to create portraits on mummy casings dating back to 100BC in Egypt. These paintings are known as the "Fayum" portraits. Many have survived because beeswax is extremely stable so the pigments do not fade over time. The technique fell into obscurity but was resurrected in the 1950s by artist Jasper Johns.  You remember this painting, no? It’s an encaustic painting! Fast forward to the twenty first century and you will find more and more artists working with wax and incorporating it into their repetoire.  The Name GameIn the pursuit of all things tile, while on my trip to the Cevisama tile trade show with Tile Of Spain, I discovered something called “encaustic tile”.  No one could actually tell me how it was connected to what I knew to be encaustic art  so I decided to find out. Guess what?  There is no connection.  Here’s what I discovered:Encaustic tile is also referred to as cement tile, inlaid tile and hydraulic tile.  The name“encaustic” with reference to tile, comes from the nineteenth century.  Turns out there is a third type of encaustic! It is also the name of a process of medieval enameling involving wax.  Victorians thought that inlaid tile resembled this enamel work and began to refer to it as encaustic.  The intricate patterns and designs of encaustic tile mimic the encaustic enameling process. It is a total misnomer but the name “Encaustic tile” stuck. So what is encaustic tile?Cement tiles are not fired; there is no glaze layer on the surface of the tile. They derive their durability from the combination of finely dehydrated ground Portland cement layer and a more coarse layer of sand and cement. The pigment layer is hydraulically pressed into the surface and becomes a part of the tile. This merging of two layers creates the typically crisp clean patterns. Originally these tiles were handmade but naturally today they are mass produced as described above. Encaustic, or cement tiles are known for their durability as floor tile and have lasted centuries. This explanation only scratches the surface as each country town and village in Italy, Spain, Mexico, Turkey etc. has its own history with the technique.In my research I also came across the work of Benedicte Bodard. She lives in Barcelona where she salvages cement tile from dumpsters.  With a little TLC ,she recreates them into furniture, wall hangings and more.So there you have it.  If you have more info or would like to continue the conversation, email me or come by and visit on FaceBook.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Update: Since posting this on Tuesday I have heard from designer Lundy Wilder of Villa Lagoon Tile.  Not only is she an expert on cement tile, she even has a blog devoted to it! Here's what she had to add to the conversation: "Today's cement tiles are indeed still hand made all over the world.  Ours are made in the Caribbean, Morocco, Vietnam, and Mexico. We have been to the factories (workshops is more fitting word)  and know the owners well, all our cement  tiles are made by hand. 

Some UK, Italian and Spanish ceramic tile companies have used ink jet technology to print an image of a real hand made cement tile on the surface of a ceramic tile and fire it under glaze. 

These are fake (or faux) encaustic cement tiles just like the popular 'wood plank' ceramic tiles are fake wood (or faux) wood.  Of course there are some large scale machine made concrete tiles on the market in solid colors like gray and black....but this is a different animal. They are usually called pavers."

A Tile Tale Inspired by Life and Process: Meet Guy Mitchell

Handmade products are one of the easiest ways to create an artful kitchen.  In fact there was a whole turn of the century style devoted to that concept.  The Arts and Crafts movement (1880-1910) was a reaction to the industrial age of machinery and mass production.  Proponents felt that items crafted by human hands were imbued with a soulfulness that was lacking in factory produced goods. I think they had a point and, although mass production definitely has its perks, it's nice to include unique handcrafted tiles, tableware or linens in your kitchen.

 Today we're seeing a resurgence of this philosophy in the "Makers' Movement". More on that later but, since today is Tile Tuesday, I'd love for you to meet Guy Mitchell, a tile artisan that takes his craft to the next level.  He has graciously agreed to an interview with AK.

AK:  What is your background and how did you get into making artisan tile?

Guy: All of my education has been art based, resulting in a degree in three-dimensional design, specialising in ceramic making and tableware. What I loved best was experimenting with glazes and finishes, so whilst other students were spending weeks sculpting huge ceramic art pieces I was making hundreds of tiles to test glazes on! After university I took up a voluntary placement in a pottery department at a day service for adults with learning disabilities. This led to paid work and then a career in the care sector, but a move away from art and craft. Jump forward to late 2013 and I was in a position to buy a kiln and set up a studio in the garden.

AK: I notice that you are in the UK.  Are your products available in the US?

Guy: I am based in the UK and I can ship to the US. There are no stocklists of my work in the US just yet but if any retailers over there to want to get in touch then please do!

AK: What is your inspiration?

Guy: I take inspiration from all sorts of places. I love the colours and patterns of Islamic tiles,the simplicity of Victorian English architectural and subway tiles and also British and Scandinavian mid-century studio pottery. African and Japanese textiles are also a big influence as is contemporary interior design. I like dark and glamorous rather than light and plain. Inspiration also comes from the process of making, and the results I get from experimenting with glaze colours.I think there is beauty in simple repetition and tiles are the perfect medium for this.

AK: Do you accept custom commissions?

Guy: Yes! Custom commissions are most welcome. I can supply wall tiles for any room but I can also design and make art panels than can be used as back splashes, counters or table tops. I'm happy to receive offers for any tile related work, just email me at guymitchellartist@gmail.com

AK: What has been your favorite project/tile?

In the last month I have been working on a couple of table tops and I am very happy with the designs. Like all of my work, the tiles are cut out by hand, from a slab of clay I've rolled out by hand. All of the glazes and colours I have used are mixed from scratch using raw materials.

Thank you to Guy for sharing his vision with us on Tile Tuesday.  His work is unique and beautiful. If you'd like to know more check out the following links:

www.instagram.com/guymitchelldesign

www.facebook.com/guymitchellart

www.etsy.com/UK/shop/guymitchelldesign

www.twitter.com/guymitchellart

email:guymitchellartist@gmail.com