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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Kitchen Inspired At Art Basel

January 15, 2016 Gloria Graham-Sollecito

Where has the time gone? 2016 is off to a great start. I'll soon be heading to the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas (KBIS) to immerse myself in everything new the industry has to offer. Today I'll finish up my pondering of events during Art Week in Miami by segueing back into the kitchen realm.If you read my previous post you know that last month we experienced THE major annual South Florida art happening, known as Miami Art & Design Week. Art Basel Miami is the main event but it's actually much more than that. It's fairs, performances and gallery openings all over Miami. I promised to share with you my finds from Context and Art Basel Miami Beach but today I thought I'd make a pit stop in the kitchen because, after all, that's what I do! It's not surprising that elements of the kitchen can inspired artistic expression.Cooking implements, cabinetry etc. are symbolic representations of our past, childhood memories, emotional connections and especially the heritage of women. The above sculptural installation by Spanish artist Asier Mendizabal features a beautiful Zenish looking pattern, on closer inspection it is a garden variety laminate top with the surface stripped off in spots to create this effect. I bet you never thought of doing this to an old counter top, but how beautiful! Mendizabal is noted for his use of a wide variety of materials from fabric to wood to metal and, yes, laminate.I immediately recognized this work by Korean artist Do Ho Suh to be cabinet pulls! I, of course, am loving the repetition and the lovely color palette but what's it all about? Contemporary art publication Daily Serving explains the Rubbing/Loving series perfectly, "the work records the artist’s former New York apartment through a series of painstakingly executed rubbings. By covering every surface of his apartment with sheets of tracing paper and rubbing it with blue colored pencil, Suh and his team meticulously documented the various textures and patterns of the floors, walls, and built-in appliances. The entire process is chronicled in a short film on the series, also on display in the gallery." In this case he used pastels instead of colored pencil.Janine Antoni's sculpture, to quench, come under the category of feminist art in my opinion. A graceful breast over seeing the kitchen and also a lovely balance of rectangular form and soft curves. Doesn't it also make you wonder what is in the cabinet?Ok so this is straight up conceptual art but art that you love can be a big element of the artful kitchen. I would like to invite you to add that artistic element to your own kitchen. What better place than the heart of the home to locate something you love to gaze upon! Are you game?If so I'd love to help you, kitchens and art are my passions. Whether it's the ideal spot for a beloved painting or a sculpture gracing a perfectly placed opening we can do it and we can make it totally you. Take a peek at my "Kitchen Art" Pinterest board for some creative inspiration. Whether you already have the artwork or are looking for the perfect piece it would be my pleasure to work with you. Let's connect and create! Email me at ArtfulKitchensbyGlo@gmail.com

The Perfectly Practical Microwave Drawer

July 29, 2015 Gloria Graham-Sollecito

Every designer has a trademark. One of mine definitely is the microwave drawer. Why? It's safe, easy to use and very unobtrusive. Yes, a microwave drawer will cost you a bit more than the over-the-range type but it's oh so worth it!A little known fact is that all microwave drawers happen to be made by Sharp. Don't tell anyone I told you but whether you're springing for Wolf or Dacor they all come from the same place. The only difference is the exteriors which are made to match the collections by various brands.Microwave drawers come in 24" or 30" wide and are built into a base or tall cabinet. An island can also be the perfect location. Typically you end up with a nice big drawer below which is perfect for storing microwavable cookware.The ergonomics of lifting on to the counter top, out of a drawer, as opposed to reaching 4 1/2 feet up over a hot burner to access the contents is so much more safe and efficient.I would rather look at this instead of a microwave any day.There are so many details involved in designing a new kitchen and bringing it to reality, so when it comes to budget you have to pick your battles. If space allows, the microwave drawer is a great investment and the safest option for any age.

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