Open Plan

So I guess almost year between posts in normal when you have a baby, right? Here's hoping to a little more consistency as I now have a TODDLER! (How did that happen?)

I love Jenny's blog Little Green Notebook and was perusing her posts last night when I saw THIS:

everything. I love everything.

It literally took my breath away. As I scrolled down looking at each beautiful image, I realized my appreciation was not just for the style and aesthetic, but also for the open plan. I've often been an open plan snob. Often clients ask me for a melding of the formal and casual spaces which can often look mish-mashed. And often times builder-ready homes marketed to have "open plans"really just look like a great room with no delineation of space.

paintings above the sink

But now that I am a mother and have a VERY busy toddler who always wants to be under my feet, I am COMPLETELY ENAMORED with the concept of an open plan living space. I mean, wash the dishes in a closed off kitchen that's separate from the family room? Last week when I did that, I found my 15 month old, in the powder bath, stirring toilet water with one arm up to her armpits, and holding her can of puff snacks with the other- I presume she was attempting chip 'n' dip. ::Shudder:: Gross.

fridge, microwave, beg area opening into the dining area

So anyway, I'm a recent convert to open plan homes. And THIS one does it so well.

those shades WITH the patterned draperies! (She's also a textile designer and that fabric is her own design! Love a woman who creates in several media!

You may have already seen these pics in Domino of Lauren Liess's incredible renovation. She tore down walls, re-configured the kitchen layout completely, added a big beautiful island, and made a bar/fridge nook off to the side near the dining space. It's so incredible.

the flavor of her kitchen just flows right into the open family room. 

She did such an amazing job creating a large multi-tasking space with style that flows. I love how well she did that!

The space has such a great vintage/country/industrial vibe that is inviting, unique, and casual while staying stylish and cool. I think those open iron shelves are my favorite too- although I'm still not convinced I could do open shelves in my own kitchen (too many mismatched messy things!).

I also LOVE the barstools and that leather living room chair in the bottom left-hand corner of this photo.

For more photos, check out her blog here.


 

Kitchen Lockers

Remember this picture from last week? From a stellar kitchen renovation featured on D*S?

 Well, thanks to this post from Bandelle, I found the perfect source for used lockers in just the right color!

What a great idea for kitchen storage! I am still loving that kitchen. If you haven't seen the full post yet, click here.

xoxo,

Dream Kitchen: the One

  I think this might be my dream kitchen..... you know that feeling you get when you meet "the One?" I think I feel that way about this kitchen (sorry, hubby).

The entry way leading into the dining/kitchen area is even wonderful.

It doesn't hurt that the rest of the house is amazing, either.

(source: Palmer Weiss)

xoxo,

Dreamy Kitchens

I like to bake. And I'm good at it. Does this make me sound conceited? No really, in one of my college art classes, we had an performance art assignment and I made my favorite chocolate chip cookies as my "piece." Ha ha! Anyway, I've really been wanting to putter around in the kitchen lately, trying out new recipes (hence the glut of recipes I've been posting) so I guess that's why all these kitchen images are speaking to me...

First, a DIY glass etching tutorial from Martha Stuart (via Simplified Bee). If you couldn't find a set of old-school vintage jars, maybe these or these would work.

More kitchen organizing tips from Martha here.

So back to kitchen organization....

I like the pegboards, baskets, and jars- everything looks so contained!

Would you be inspired to cook or bake more if your kitchen was clean, lovely, and organized?

 Images from Apartment Therapy, UrbanGrace, SandStudios.

These kitchens... just gorgeous. My favorite is the last one, with the industrial-frosty-glass cabinet doors.


xoxo,