10 Design Topics for 2011

Another year has come and gone.  We asked our daughter this morning if there was anything she didn't get to do this year... 'cause today is the last day!  She replied that there's always next year.  Well, I guess that's true but most of the time I feel like we're trying to cram one more thing in the day just to cross it off the list.



So in that spirit, here's my last blog post of the year.  Over the past months, I've compiled tons of inspiring photos for client discussions and many would make great blog posts.  Here are few photos on each topic and you tell me what you'd like to read more about in 2011!



1. Built-in shelving along a fireplace wall...

Design by Jessica Helgerson

2. Painting an interior brick wall...

Via Apartment Therapy

3.  The inspiring work of residential architect, Joeb Moore...

4. Not your grandma's drapes...

Via Decorpad

5. Thinking about bunk beds for a cozy cottage retreat...

Design by Sandell Sandberg

 

Via Apartment Therapy

6. Kid's rooms and built-in beds...

Via Remodelista

7. Kitchens with fireplaces... 

Darryl Carter's Townhouse featured in Elle Decor

8. Another inspiring residential architect, Mark Hutker...

9. Dark sash steel windows...

Via Southern Accents

Design by William Hefner

10. There is something about a white bathroom...

Designed by Joeb Moore

There you have it... my first top 10! And to think I woke up this morning wondering what there was left to write about.  So please cast a vote... or my next post might be in 2012!  (Wen, I'm talking to you...)



It's hard to believe that I started 2010 with my first blog entry.  It feels so long ago and I'm in a different place now... as we all are.  The events and moments of the year have added to who I am and the work I do.  Its fun to look back at what I was thinking about from month to month.  I've enjoyed the process and I hope you've enjoyed reading.  Thanks to all of you who have followed my blog this past year.  I appreciate all your comments and positive feedback.  Here's to 2010 and what 2011 might hold for all of us! 



Have a Happy New Year! 

                          -Jennifer Marsh

Stylish, Green, Modern Kitchens From Valcucine

Today’s post is all about a brilliant new kitchen available from Italian company Valcucine.

The Artemica Multiline Titanium kitchen requires the bare minimum of maintenance but incorporates maximum modern style in it’s design.

Although at first glance the Artemica Multiline may not scream ‘environmentally friendly’, it is in fact stuffed full of green credentials making it an ideal choice for home owners who have a green conscience.

The kitchen is constructed from recycled no-polluting components and uses energy efficient technology in it’s appliances so you get all the benefits of being eco-friendly but without losing out on a bit of style.

The Artemica Multiline is truly unique in it’s appearance but if you had to describe it’s aesthetics in one word I think most people would agree that it is industrial style.

Titanium is in fact used a lot in real functioning industrial settings because it weighs very little but is one of the strongest metals available.

As far as kitchens go this is a pretty nifty one because the fact that it is long lasting, heavy duty and durable means it will last a considerable amount of time plus the actual design of the kitchen is beautiful and full of clean lines and sharp shapes meaning that it will stay looking modern, trendy and chic for many many years to come.

New Kitchen Counter

We've been living with our new kitchen counter for two weeks now... and I have to say, it's heaven!  To give you a sense of our enthusiasm, as it was being installed my daughter said... "This is the best thing that has ever happened!"  Okay, so maybe my kid is a little bizarre... or maybe she's just an architect in the making who appreciates good material?!  But it really is fantastic.  I swear this apple tasted sweeter!

In a previous post, Back to the Kitchen, we were trying to decide what counter material to choose. Ultimately, we picked quartz, Chroma in Cascade White. As much as we loved the idea of marble, the modern feel of the manufactured material seemed to fit the style of our home.  It was an exciting process getting it installed, so I thought I'd share some photos...

Here's a good close up of the green tile we started with. Half the joints were caulked which made it especially terrible to clean, particularly around the lip of the sink.

Brian removed the wall tile and some of the sheetrock to get a good fit when they made a template for the counter...

Photography by Lillian Marsh

The tile and counter substrate were removed the night before.  Thanks to TM & DS for helping haul it to the curb.  When the plumber saw it on the sidewalk, he said..."Goodbye 80's!"  Amen to that.

The next morning we were ready for the install.  (Looks like my pots could use some organization!)

I wish I had some photos of the installers bringing in the counter and setting it in place... it was a real beast.  A big thick slab and a super tight fit.  It took three guys from Atlas Marble & Granite to get it in... thank you!

Here they are preparing the epoxy to apply to the seam...

We have one seam centered on the cooktop.  They leveled the two slabs for a good alignment.

A compressor was used to create suction for a tight joint.

Then we got the plumber to reinstall the faucet and put in a new drain line.  Thanks to Bo Turonis for fitting us in at the end of the day on a Friday!   Here's a shot with the faucet in place... the single hole lever is great for easy clean up!

I have to say I'm loving this sink. It's from Vigo and a great bargain at $290.  At first I was worried about the depth but once I started using it, the deep bowl feels luxurious...well, as luxurious as a sink can be?!  And  best of all, the dishes are hidden from view!

I talked about our appliance selections in my post, Still in the Kitchen.  Here's the new Maytag cooktop we chose.  Another good deal for stainless steel at $480.   I tried to see it in a showroom before we bought it but had no luck.  The price was so good, we took a chance... so far I'm pretty happy with it and it looks great.

You can see we've started the subway tile backsplash (I should say my husband has started it... go Brian!)  It hasn't been grouted yet.  We are debating whether we should go with white or dark gray.  What you see here is close to what the gray would look like.  With the white grout, the pattern won't show up as much. Any opinion?  I'd love to hear it!  



Can't wait to post again once the tiling is done!

Double Island Counters

I've been working with a client on a kitchen with two islands.  It's a big trend but there's always the question whether you want to differentiate between them or tie them together stylistically.  Right now we're trying to figure out the counters.  We are set on the surrounding counter as soap stone and we're thinking about a big slab of Danby white marble for the square center island and maybe natural wood for the other.  I found the following images to help us in our discussion.

Here's a good example of surrounding soapstone counters and a center island with white marble.

Decorpad

Here's another thick white marble slab at the island with surrounding soapstone counters...

 

Simplified Bee blog

This kitchen was featured on Elle Decor and has two islands... a big center island to sit and work; and a skinnier island to separate the kitchen and provide storage.  I like how the kitchen revolves around a generous square slab of marble.

Elle Decor

We also talked about a dark wood counter at the island that separates the kitchen and the dining area. Here it offers a great contrast to the white cabinetry.

Southern Living

A wood counter might make the island feel more like furniture and add warmth and richness to our all white space. The coloring of this wood counter is particularly beautiful...

Materialicious

Another soap stone counter with two islands with dark natural wood...

Urban Home Design Blog

I'll leave you with this great kitchen I saw last week on Remodelista. Huge windows offer lots of light to this airy kitchen that looks so clean yet feels homey. And I was excited to see that they've used soapstone counters and a rich wood topped island.  The natural shelves and iron brackets offer a great focus... if you've got the height, show it off!

Brooklyn Home Company

Brooklyn Home Company

I'll post about our own kitchen renovation soon.  The Vigo sink came in this week; it looks great and for a good price.  I'll be ordering the cooktop and hood today! 

Still in the Kitchen- Choosing Appliances

We've started selecting replacement appliances for our kitchen renovation and the scope creep is happening!  This all started with just wanting a new counter and backsplash. My original thought was to only replace what wasn't functioning or aesthetically appealing.  I thought the cooktop could stay since it works fine and the cream color isn't objectionable.  I thought the double ovens could stay because the black would blend into the cabinetry and at least one of them works!  (Looking at this photo...I can't wait until those cabinets are painted!) 

But reality is setting in... if we get a beautiful bright white counter how could you stick a grimy old cream colored cooktop in it!  Yeah, that's going.  And since the hood matches the cooktop, it has to go.  And if the cooktop is new, why would we keep ovens that only half work!    Yep, they're going too. 



Fortunately, we installed a new stainless steel Bosch dishwasher when we first moved in so that's one less expense. We had one in our old apartment and I couldn't live without it for long.  Here's the unit so you've got the entire picture (just add lots of fingerprints)...

I like to shop for appliances at AJ Madison.   Just like IraWoods is great for fixtures and faucets, AJ Madison is a great place to see what's out there in the appliance world.  They carry most brands and you can select your specific requirements.  Once I find something there, I'll look around online for reviews and pricing.  In the end, they usually have a competitive price and I can save on shipping by using one supplier. But if you don't have a contractor and you need someone to install it, you might try your local Lowes, Home Depot, or Sears.



First, the cooktop requirements:  30", gas, stainless steel, simple grill pattern & knobs, and.... that it works!  Oh, and I don't want to spend a $1,000.  Maytag's cooktop jumped out at us...

Now I just need to find a store where we can see it.  It's considerably less than a lot of other cooktops so I want to find out why?!



My husband also wanted to consider an induction cooktop because of its simple design and ease of cleaning.  (If you want to understand how induction technology works you might try The Induction Site.)   I have to agree that it would be easy to clean but since we have gas I don't see a reason to switch at this point. I like gas.  But if we didn't have it, induction would definitely be my next choice.  This is a Thermador's version...

Here's an installation of a Diva cooktop on one of my projects.  If you want to put a wall oven under it as we did here, you'll have to do some planning in advance due to required clearances.  But it's worth it in the end for a clean look.

Next, the hood requirements:  stainless steel, fit our existing opening, recirculating, simple design and... that it works without it sounding like an airplane taking off!  Oh and I don't want to spend a $1,000.  This Zephyr model jumped out at us.   Who could resist a gentle breeze?  It's unassuming enough and the price is right.

Lastly, the double oven requirements: ...okay this one is a bit more complicated.  Do we need two ovens? The current ovens are 24" wide which makes for two small ovens when I'd rather one big one.  Right now everything I bake cooks too quickly on the edges.  But the only way to widen the oven is to move it under our stove but I'm concerned it's too low and our kitchen is too tight. I think we'll stick with the current location and just get one taller oven.  Here are the options we've been considering. 



This oven from Blue Star has an interesting design with a side hinged door. But the price tag, quickly eliminated it for us. 

This one from Delonghi has an elegant clean design...

I think we may go with this electric oven from Bertazzoni because it looks good and the price is right at $899! 

Right now we have a gas oven but I've heard electric provides more even cooking.  We just need to confirm that our current wiring can support it.



So those are the appliances!  Next step... hit the stone counter supplier to make that marble vs. quartz decision.  



I'd love to hear about your experience with new appliances...what you like and don't like. Or maybe there is an appliance you dream about owning someday.  Ahhh, it brings back memories of my first dishwasher purchase...