Movie Review: Our Family Wedding

My husband and I saw a movie last night- Our Family Wedding. The movie itself had some funny parts- but overall wasn't that great- it was all right.

With that said- the interior design was an interesting juxtaposition, no doubt as an extension of the juxtaposition of the two families in the movie. America Ferrera's family home was a Victorian home with a traditional, cluttery welcoming mix-match decor. I was unable to find pictures for you of that place- but you can get a glimpse on this trailer.. The kitchen had the open shelf with colorful dishes and painted mixed with wood finish cabinets look. Architecturally it is really a beautiful home. They had carrara marble on the kitchen counters- which I love every time I see it, and yet it is so un-practical from a staining standpoint- that I would never suggest it.

Forest Whitaker's place was the opposite of the "homey family" feel. In contrast, it was full of expensive vases, high end everything, the latest technology, and a clean modern look. I loved his kitchen as well- you can see a peak above. The asymmetric combination of open shelves with smoked glass is really cool. This home had more of a sense of a place for everything, and everything in its place. There was no clutter, and nothing around that didn't absolutely belong.

Should you spend $21 plus babysitter to see it???? Yeah--- maybe not- but the interiors were great. Have you seen it? I am sure everyone else saw Alice in Wonderland this weekend- and maybe I should have... but Tim Burton is a little creepy to me. Anyway- if you saw it- what did you think?

One Door Style, Five Looks

This is a continuation of the last post. Here are a collection of five contemporary kitchens, all with a recessed panel door style. Sometimes this is called a "shaker style". But when I refer to a shaker cabinet, to me it also implies a more traditional feel and a very different overall look. Like the last post, I wanted to point out the other differences and options available after selecting the door style.

1. I like the style above. Notice how much more wide the edge is than the kitchen below. Also notice the different stain, species, and hardware make a totally different feel.
2. A natural finish and abundant use of stainless steel give this kitchen its flair.
3. This kitchen has some glass, like the kitchen above, but notice how the upper glass is not a separate door, but rather a split door- with a wood panel on the bottom and glass on the top. You might not always want a separate door, for a variety of reasons, but this split style can give you the look.
4. This kitchen has not only an interesting glass selection, but also a design created by changing the stain on the center drawer. Also notice the different hardware than we have seen previously.
5. This bathroom is very similar to the kitchen at the top of the post. Even a few subtle changes like wood species and hardware style can give a unique look all its own.

So- there you have it- five kitchens, all with a contemporary flat panel design, all with a different look. Have a favorite?

Photos from Great American Kitchens vol III and Kitchen Trends.

Nine Kitchens

A contemporary kitchen is frequently designed using flat panel cabinets- this, however, does not make them all the same, or in the least bit dull. I needed to collect some samples pictures for a client, and thought I would share them with you. What makes these kitchens, with the same cabinet style, unique?

1. The kitchen above is made with a beautiful burled veneer.
   
2. This kitchen has a sharp contrast with bright white and beautiful hardware.
3. I love the corner cut out of the drawer in this kitchen in lieu of hardware. Some of the drawers have hardware- which is very unique.
4. This kitchen uses a very unique veneer again.
5. Check out the strong horizontal line to this veneer...
6. Mixing up your wood species, or in this case, just your stain, adds style and personality all your own.
7. This kitchen is using contemporary metal shelves instead of the more predictable wood shelves.
8. Less truly can be more. This flat look has a beauty all its own.
9. Use different glasses- consider not only clear and opaque, but rain glass, or like in this kitchen, a square pattern.

So- there you go- essentially the same flat panel cabinet style- but none of them are the same "style". Photos thanks to Great American Kitchens vol III and Kitchen Trends.

Steve's Place

( I will interrupt in orange.)
Hi Christine,
I came across your blog and was very impressed! I have an apartment I want to put some creative touches in order to accomplish my goals:
1-Make the place look larger and possibly taller. You do this by keeping your wall colors light, and adding more of a vertical emphasis.
2-Improve the overall design/look. One way to do this is by increasing your variety of wall decor. I see a lot of walls with one picture on each wall. Check out this post where I addressed this in more detail.
3-Eventually add some better wall art.

A friend suggested the following:
1. Take one wall, the one with the TV, and make that all wallpaper, essentially the focus wall with a single color but a texture design of some sort. This wall is what you see first when you walk in. It is so good to get advice from friends. Especially when their own home is clearly well put together- it is a great idea. In your case- I am glad that you are asking for a second opinion. Do not break up the space by having a different wall surface on one wall. This will do the opposite when trying to make the room feel taller. What I would do with that wall is this: Eliminate the trunk- make it go away. It is giving the space a cluttered feel. Get a smaller table (if you have to), and pull it out from the wall. I see one at a pub height, with barstools that tuck in to save space. Replace your drapes on the slider, and add matching panels flanking this window. These strong vertical lines in the window treatments will help make your room feel like it has a higher ceiling. I would mount the drapes from the ceiling- maximizing the possible height. Use a clean simple black metal rod. Make sure the drapes go all the way to the floor, but do not puddle on the floor. Have them hit perfectly.
2. Add a chair rail on all 3 of the other walls, about 42inches in height and take the darker color on the bottom. No no no- a chair rail will emphasize the horizontal and make the room feel shorter! Plus- there is no reason to have a chair rail in a room small enough where you have to have the furniture against the wall like you do. It would be awkward. In addition I am not a huge chair rail fan to begin with- as shown in this post. Also- you have a modern contemporary feel to the room- and a chair rail is traditional and formal. Was I too blunt on that one? Don't have your friend read this- it might hurt his or her feelings.
3. Then above the couch add a molding frame long rectangle with accent color inside (darker inside) and leave about 10 inches of wall space on the outside of the lighter color. No- no no no...
4. Then on the other 2 walls add a molding frame as well to be able to hang art and such.
Attached are some photos... no- no.

hope these help.
Your thoughts?
Suggestions?
Thanks
Steve

Dear Steve,
Let me give you a few more ideas- You have a contemporary/modern feel going here- I love it- it says, "I'm a super cool dude." OK- maybe it doesn't say that exactly- but I say- keep with it- make it work even more- add more contemporary elements- not the traditional ones your friend suggested. Check out the artwork below from Mike Klung. A fabulous piece like this, hung horizontally above the sofa would be awesome. (you need a larger one- about 60 x 36 or so) It would fill a horizontal space with a horizontal item that has good scale and balance, but the nature of the piece itself would still add a vertical emphasis.

To give your room more style- consider grasscloth all around. This will add texture, warmth and interest. When selecting the paper- find one like the piece below with a subtle vertical line.

Here is a little unsolicited advice. This is where you are getting what I try not to ever give to my friends- but since we don't know each other... Your sectional is wrong. It covers up half of the slider... Christmas is coming- be good to yourself- go get a new sectional- facing the other direction- where the L comes out into the room on the left side, not covering up the window on the right side. I like the sectional below- from West Elm- it has a nice low back- which will make your walls appear taller again. I would go for the color as well- and the two trunk looking pieces for a coffee table. It would be fun.

I can't see much of your rug- but from what I see- it doesn't work like I'd like it to. It is the only strong pattern in the room. You can't have just one. Your patterns need to be in balance with each other. I see the place with a super subtle pattern like the one in the "sweater rug" from West Elm below. I like the name of it- "sweater rug." Isn't that inviting...

While I have you spending all of your money- add can lights also. The darkness of the ceiling adds to the lowering of it. Your track lights are good- but more lighting is needed. Have you read my rules on lighting? You need a minimum of five sources. Check out this post. In your case, I would add to what I told Kim- to put in can lights- in general- your room is too dark.

Hey Steve- that's that. I hope that wasn't overwhelming... ;)

Suzanne's Modern Kitchen

Hi Christine,

I am currently working on a kitchen redo and need some design help. Kitchen Details:
We have ordered cherry cabinets in a honey color (the style of the doors are Manhattan, flat front).
Our appliances are black.
The countertop I have chosen is a laminate slate color (this is not ordered yet, so can be changed).
We are thinking of going with cork flooring but are not sure what color or pattern.
We are replacing the railing around the stairs going into our basement (I am thinking a metal frame and glass panels (is this a good idea?).
We are installing 4 – 4 inch spotlights and are planning on putting 2 pendant lights over the island.

I need advice on colors, backsplash, flooring, railing ideas, window treatments, etc. I am trying to go for a modern look, using earth tones and metals. Can you give me any advice? Should I paint the kitchen, dining room, living room, back entrance and hallway the same color? Oh yeah, we are on a fairly tight budget.

Thanks!
Suzanne

Dear Suzanne,
They key to a beautiful modern look is oftentimes restraint. Keep your selections simple, not busy. For example the backsplash above is large glass tiles. You can get these in a number of different color tones. I also like using a juxtaposition of cool and warm tones, keeping the entire pallet pretty neutral.

Cork seems too busy to me for a flooring selection. I would go with linoleum. That is not the same as vinyl. The photo above is marmoleum, a brand of linoleum. Linoleum is made of linseed oil. It has a very natural feel to it, similar to cork in that way, but less movement in the patterns. You can get it in sheets or squares. It is also a very green, earth friendly flooring- and not too expensive :).

For your banister/railings, use metal combined with wood. I like the interest in the design above- adding a cherry wood rail to the top would be fabulous. Your idea would also work well- but I would add wood- all metal is a pretty stark feel.

For your window treatments- keep it simple again. Go with a solar shade. They are available from Hunter Douglas and all of your major brands. Again- you can get them in a number of different colors from brown to gray to white and everything in between.

Don't get all colorful in your paint selections, but feel free to use more than one color. Frequently one side of the home gets more light than another, and using lighter shades combined with darker can add dimension to your architecture.

Add some great contemporary art to be your focal points- keeping your rooms streamlined and beautiful.