Dwell On Design: Kitchens + Baths

Before the weekend was finished at Dwell On Design, I was convinced no home is complete without a dishwasher that has a 'beer glass chilling' cycle, a built-in steam cabinet in the closet, and kitchen appliances that are wi-fi connected to alert you of maintenance issues. I was also dazzled by all the sleek shapes, fab colors, and impressed by the attention paid to every last detail in the kitchen and bath.  There are some really fancy solutions out there these days and we're come along way since this....

Not that I don't have a soft spot for vintage kitchens and I love browsing Pam's galleries over at Retro Renovation and her site Save The Pink Bathrooms.  But in a world where we consult our smart phones for everything, doesn't it make sense that we get a text if our refrigerator seems to be on the fritz? 

In addition to the high-tech products mentioned above from LG and Miele, here are some other brands that caught my eye including:

1. A sleek Duravit vanity with integrated towel bar

2. A new faucet collection from Kohler called Toobi, which has an unexpected shot of bold green color

3. Also from Kohler, a rainbow of finishes from their line of enameled cast iron

4. Infinity Drain, which is so much cooler than the average drain your contractor would opt for!

5. A trendy metallic tile from the Rondine group. 

All photos by Grace Hilton

Refresh, Not Remodel

What would you most love to improve in your home? Most homeowners are likely to answer with the kitchen or bath. These rooms are large investments and updates usually get put off while saving up for a dream remodel. That's why I loved this spread in Real Simple which shows you that you can breathe new life into your kitchen with a little cash and some smart organization. This 1950s kitchen was totally functional. It just needed a little love and a lot less clutter. 

There are some changes that are instantly noticeable like the shiny new range and the addition of a bold striped rug. Look closer and you'll notice some other quick tips to add polish. Aluminum toe-kicks covered peeling wood and a pendant from School House Electric replaced the ceiling fixture. What's one of the biggest (and easiest!) changes to help this kitchen look more pulled together? Loose the refrigerator magnets!  

Here are more detailed shots including one of my favorite features, the original built-in produce drawers: 

Great ideas, huh? Thanks to the folks at Real Simple for refreshing this space and saving some of its 1950s character. If your kitchen functions well overall, skip the major remodel and opt for a quick makeover instead!

Kitchens From Down Under

As one of the go to designers in Australia, Greg Natale certainly has an impressive portfolio and he knows how to create a kitchen worth swooning over.  In a few of his projects, however, he uses mirrored cabinets for kitchens and I'm just not sure how I feel about it.  Don't get me wrong, I love the look, the way it bounces light around the room and adds a touch of glamour to an otherwise utilitarian space.  From a purely functional standpoint though, I would personally hesitate in recommending this to a client. Maybe for someone who doesn't cook much and has a maid on standby to clean the mirror weekly, but it just seems like a lot of upkeep to me. Thoughts?  Would you put mirrored cabinets in your kitchen? Does style trump practicality here?

Christmas Countdown: Just 4 More Days!

Last Christmas, I received the most practical and certainly one of the most well designed gifts ever!  These snazzy Index chopping boards from Joseph and Joseph have a compact design, which translates to easy storage and less headache when trying to pack them in the dishwasher. Plus, they are super durable, look good even when left sitting on the countertop, and the color-coded boards mean no cross-contamination of foods.  

So, what's on my list from Joseph and Joseph this year? Well, their mixing bowl sets have won a slew of awards and the combo set below (the Nest 5) works perfectly with the color palette of my new kitchen.  Just like the cutting boards, the compact design is a total space saver and contributes to much tidier cabinets and drawers. Other smart ideas from Josesph and Joseph include a collapsible grater, a bread bin with a lid that doubles as a cutting board, and the Rinse and Chop, which is a cutting board that also acts as a colander.  Dual function items equal more space and less mess!  

The only question remaining: Where can you get these products with just four days left until Christmas?  In addition to the Moma Store, you can snag Joseph and Joseph items, amidst a great selection of affordable gifts, at Tara Riceberg's pop-up shop on 3rd Street, Tweak 99.  (Shopping tip: the store is divided into two categories - under $50 and under $100) Did I mention that the gifts are already pre-wrapped and ready to walk out the door?  Christmas shopping has never been so easy! 

 

Tara Riceberg(courtesy of the L.A. Times)

The Roxie Rancho Project: Kitchen Preview

We've experienced major victories and minor defeats over the last month as we've begun our Cliff May renovation. Well, this week we are closing in on a major accomplishment: Our new kitchen! It's been crazy busy this week with electricians, plumbers, cabinet makers, delivery people and appliance installers buzzing in and out.  So, the big question is, how is it coming along?  Well, here is a preview:

We've still got a way to go, but as you can see John McDonald from Handmade is installing some beautiful birch cabinetry and I'm listening to our appliances being put in place as I write this.  My dream of not having to go out to the refrigerator in the garage for my breakfast will soon be a reality!  Stay tuned for more photos and a wrap up of our kitchen project.  It will be finished by December 24th and we're excited to whip up a celebratory breakfast on Christmas morning!

Delicious Kitchen

Is it possible to be so in love with a kitchen that your heart skips a beat? That's what happened to me when I saw this Marmol Radziner home on HGTV's Top 10 Kitchens. Ron Radziner, from the LA-based firm built this 4100 square foot home in Venice CA and the kitchen is absolutely flawless!

The sunken kitchen and dining area create a room within a room effect. It has the intimacy that is so essential in a space, while also creating a connection with the other living areas in the home, such as the adjoining office (shown below).

The dining nook is upholstered in a durable outdoor fabric, so although the first thought when seeing white upholstery in a dining space is 'Yikes!' these homeowners needn't stress.

There are no upper cabinets and the walnut ceiling visually compresses the space, focusing the eye outdoors and creating seamless indoor/outdoor living. Check out that view above the sink and how your eye is drawn out across the pool. It's so dramatic and instantly enlarges the interior space by visually including the exterior. Washing dishes would no longer be a dull task if I had this view!

Here's a view of the exterior of the home, looking across the pool back into the kitchen and below is one last glimpse of this stunning Marmol Radziner kitchen. Delicious!

Do you dream of a kitchen remodel for your home? What features from this kitchen would you include? What do you think the most important element is in a well-designed kitchen? Let me know your thoughts and check out HGTV's other top kitchens for more inspiration.