The Artful Kitchen: Permission to Dream

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

Tile Tuesday: In Valencia Art is a Way of Life

Welcome to today's installment of Tile Tuesday!  The second half of my adventure with Tile of Spain took us to Valencia, location of Cevisama the annual trade show held to showcase the latest innovations introduced by the Spanish tile industry.We traveled by train east from Sevilla to Valencia, which is situated on the coast about 300 miles south of Barcelona. At first glance Valencia appears to be very modern with a predominance of what I call “the new Spanish architecture” featuring waves, curves and a visually interesting asymmetry.But there is an older Valencia to explore as well. The heart of the city features structures such as The “Iglesia de San Juan del Hospital” which dates back to the 1200s! The current city grew from this center. What a crazy combination of styles!  You can see Roman, Gothic, Renaissance  and more because different sections were constantly added to the original structure.Again we had a passionate knowledgeable tour guide who did not allow us to leave one inch of Valencia uncovered!  One of my favorite spots was the Mercado de Colón, a beautiful example of the Art Nouveau style. Glass and tile adorn this early twentieth century marketplace, now a gathering place full of interesting bars and restaurants.Hallmarks of the Art Nouveau style include free flowing organic shapes,  rich earth tones and lots of tile! At the turn of the nineteenth century there was no aspect of living that was not touched by the movement.  It was a global trend as well.  In Germany it was known as Jugendstil, in Spain Arté Joven and Secession in Austria.  The American version evolved into the what we know as the Arts and Crafts Movement, a simplified, more linear version.   According to Art Nouveau philosophy,  art should be a way of life. No wonder I'm always intrigued by it!If you're looking to "Nouveau" your kitchen here are somethings you can include:-Rich brown wood stains-Green, green and green 

Traditional Tile by Los Angeles Tile, Stone & Countertops Filmore Clark

-Some curvy shapes (more affordable to do this with your counter top than with cabinets)-Oak wood floors or cabinets -Certain flora and fauna like the dragonfly, the ginko leaf and the thistle are all images often seen in Art Nouveau styling-Ceramic tile backsplashes (preferably with the above motifs)Next Tile Tuesday: More Cevisama and the future of tile. 

A New Way to Organize Your Kitchen

Technology is a great thing but what about the inevitable "cord spaghetti"?  There is a very cool solution for that. Check out this little video by Adorne.  They've got you covered for all types of under cabinet magic including lights, outlets, music and more.  High function with a lovely aesthetic. 

New Year, New Kitchen?

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.  

 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? 

5 Things To Do Before Remodeling Your Kitchen

A new kitchen can be life changing.  The process of obtaining one definitely is!  Make no mistake, it's stressful and expensive but it can also be fun and adventurous, with a little preparation.  Here are five steps, culled from my 20 plus years in the biz, that can help make the process less about stress and more about adventure! Collect Your Thoughts & ImagesI have always been a big proponent of what I call "kitchen scrapbooking".  It's the best way to begin. Collecting your ideas is now easier than ever with resources like Houzz.com, Pinterest and Modenus.  Just grab what appeals to you for whatever reason.  This is the way to identify your style.  Sometimes a picture is what it takes.  You may choose 12 pics and 10 of them feature black counter tops!  Maybe you hadn't even consciously thought of that preference.  Get the picture?Consult a proOnce you have some good ideas about what type of appliances, cabinets etc. you'd like to see in your kitchen run it by a pro.  I have always felt that the best projects are the result of great collaborations.  The more you bring to the table, the more your kitchen will be a unique reflection of your own personality and lifestyle.  My job is to make sure you know all your options and to translate them into a functional and beautiful plan.  A large (and fun) part of my job is staying educated on the latest products and technologies and I am excited to share that info with my clients.  Most kitchen designers will work with you at whatever level you require from simple consultations to full blown project management including design, supply and installation.  When you're making an investment in a new kitchen consulting with  a trusted and knowledgeable professional is a small price to pay!Create a temporary kitchenOnce the madness begins you can realistically expect your kitchen to be down at least ten days or so, maybe longer depending on various factors.  Having a functioning temporary kitchen will be your saving grace.  If you have a laundry room with a sink that is a good start.  Locate your refrigerator close by.  If you have a microwave hood you can set it on a table or other surface.  Just plug it in and you're good to go.  Slow cookers are a good idea too.  If you are a domestic diva, start freezing meals!  Pack a box with your everyday necessities such as glasses, plates, cutlery, cups etc. and don't forget the coffee pot.  The more time you take to think this part through and set it up, the happier you'll be during the process.  Trust me.Be prepared to go over budgetBudgeting for your new kitchen can seem daunting.  It is.  You think you've thought of everything but then something else is bound to appear.  There are some tools that can help.  Check out the free downloadable Kitchen & Bath Planner available here from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)Pick your battlesYou will be faced with an overwhelming amount of choices as you work  through the process and you're going to have to decide what your priorities  are.  Unfortunately, usually, we can't have it all.  Pick three.  Think of the  things that will add the most value for YOU!  Those should be your splurges.  You can save money elsewhere.  It's just like clothes.  Investing in that one  great handbag or pair of shoes or scarf can elevate the style factor of a whole  outfit.  In the kitchen it could be a counter top, a particular tile or cabinet  finish that you fall in love with but it can also be something like investing in a  counter depth refrigerator that doesn't stick out a foot if your tight on space. There you have it, if you've been looking for a place to begin, this is a great start.  Don't hesitate to email me for help at kitchensforliving@gmail.com.  If you've experienced a kitchen renovation, what would you add to this list? 

Color Your Kitchen for a Pop of WOW!

Whether your kitchen is New York City closet sized or vast and expansive, a skillful use of color can make it pop with interest or blend into adjacent areas.  Bold colored cabinets are certainly a commitment to say the least but also remember that a little goes a long way.Just a few doors in a vibrant red or juicy green create a focal point of visual interest that might not even be as effective if you covered the whole kitchen in it.Another way to use colors is on your walls.  After all they are the backdrop for your cabinets, plus they’re much easier to change if you need a new look. Fun accessories or a dramatic backsplash can do the color trick too! You can find more kitchen love on my Pinterest Kitchens board right here.  If you have kitchen questions I'd love to hear from you.  Leave a comment, drop a line...