Inspiration: Color in the Kitchen

November 7, 2013

This is the photo that started me on the quest for dark cabinetry in the kitchen. It is clean and fresh with modern accents. The white floor adds brightness to the space.Slideshow

The new or renovated all-white kitchen has become ubiquitous! I was recently on the jury for New York Cottages and Gardens design awards. It was difficult to find the definitive winner in the kitchen category. They were all well designed, functional and attractive. But, it was hard to distinguish one from the other with their Carrara marble counters and matching backsplashes. With that in mind, I went looking for examples of kitchens where dark cabinetry, tiles, counters, walls or floors added a bit of drama.

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Finding Home

November 6, 2013

The steep roof pitch and arched doorway create an inviting opening into this textured stone house. The intersection of the peak and the flat roof line creates beautiful imagery. Slideshow

Several months ago I received a very small and precious book as a gift. It was the collaborative work of the design firm McAlpine Tankersley Architecture. Photographed in black and white, poetic and thoughtful, the book is a testament to their love of creating homes. The spirit of the firm is to build houses with references to the past and a nod to the future. Following is a post from Greg Tankersley:

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Maison d'Object, Paris 2013

November 6, 2013

Paris covered in a light layer of snow. This was taken with the early morning light creating a gray cast on the landscape.Slideshow

I am sure many of you flew to Paris to attend the renowned gift fair, Maison d’Object. I, too, was there for the first time in many years. Personally, I did not find as much inspiration as I’d hoped although some old favorites continue to capture my attention. I think we can all agree there is a plethora of very ordinary “stuff” in the market and finding inspiration is one of the delightful challenges of attending the Gift Show in New York or Maison.

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Travel: Italian Hardware

November 6, 2013

Doorways of all kinds host lovely knockers to announce visitors. This charming and welcoming doorway is in Bologna.Slideshow

Last May I posted my photos of door hardware in Paris. I recently returned from Italy and have more photos to share. Not only is the hardware beautiful, detailed and well crafted–the textures of the doors themselves add to their charm.  I was drawn to the patina of rich colored woods and the peeling paint as well as the tarnished brass and corroded iron door knockers and pulls that have softened with age and environmental conditions. Each one reveals something about the style of the building and the taste of the owners. Clearly, they are all “vintage,” but I know nothing of their actual age. Somehow it doesn’t seem to matter.

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