31 January 2012

Kitchens on the Brain...

I'm working on a few kitchen projects at the moment and for the past couple of months, I've been collecting images.  One of the easiest places (besides a physical binder) to collect images is pinterest.com.  One of the kitchens we're working on is for our clients who absolutely love to cook and they're drawn to simple, functional beauty that feels timeless & as if it's always been there with a tad of a European edge. 


{House Beautiful,,,  I looooove these leather chairs!!!}}

And not that we're doing garden mazes in the kitchen, but although a bit more formal than what we're going for, I want to bring a little bit of that traditional garden- conservatory-vibe into the house...  But in a more relaxed way...

{image via rkw.blogspot.com}

We're looking at going with a beautiful French range by LaCanche:

{Kitchen by Mary Evelyn McKee via elementsofstyle.com}

...Except in stainless steel w/ brass accents:

They needs lots of space in the sink for washing large pots & pans & so we're considering a deep, wide farmhouse sink.  I love this laundry style sink:

{via moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com via Brooke Giannetti}

I haven't come across any 1 image that perfectly embodies the feeling we're after but Ina Garten's home is definitely in the mix:


{One of my favorite houses EVER, featured in House Beautiful}

...We just want it to be a teensy bit less "fresh" and a little more aged.  The house is also not a rustic one & so we really don't feel that the beams would be appropriate, although we love them.   

We're using a mix of finishes in the kitchen, many of them unlaquered brass and if you haven't already read this post last week by Brooke Giannetti about mixing metals in the kitchen, then you need to hop over to Velvet & Linen to read it.  Along with Ina & a few others, the Giannetti's aesthetic has also played a  big part in this particular kitchen design.  When I first met with my client & she showed me inspiration images, so many of them reminded me of Brooke & Steve's Patina Style and when I mentioned them, my client said she was an admirer.



{countryliving.com via Brooke on pinterest}

We're striving for the perfect mix of old & new, beauty & practicality.

{An old wooden tabletop...  I can't remember the source, but how amazing is this timeworn finish?!!}

I also love the baker's racks that Darryl Carter uses in many of his projects.  They're so gorgeous & functional:

We're planning on incorporating a pair flanking the range hood.

We're looking at doing plaster one similar to this (below) but with more of a curve to the front and back:

{HGTV.com by Jane Ellison}

Anyway, as we make more progress, I'll be sure to share updates. 
Because it takes a lot of this....


{image from investorspot.com}

and this...

{kitcheninteriordesign.net}

before you get to this...


{image from wonderingfair.com}


xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

21 comments:

  1. mmm, I do hope you get to share the final images from this kitchen project! Big sink for pots and pans and a 6-burner stove is high on the priority list for my next kitchen! Love the direction you're headed in!

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  2. Beautiful images. Love those leather chairs too! Can't wait to see the finished project.

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  3. I love the larger chair in the Ina Garten kitchen. Seeing an installed kitchen after all the hard work is the best feeling ever, don't you think?

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  4. Love the idea of the bakers racks flanking the range. And plaster hood? Perfect.
    It should be totally gorgeous.

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  5. I can see it will be gorgeous Lauren!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  6. I'm so excited to see the final results! I'm always inspired by your designs and I have no doubt this will be just as gorgeous.
    Abby

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  7. oh lauren what a fun project! and what wonderful clients you have been drawing, congrats......but then again for choosing you what smart clients!

    cannot wait to see the progress, this will be yummy
    xo
    debra

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  8. I can't wait to see how the kitchen comes out! I am jealous that you get to use a LaCanche range! Currently, I am doing a kitchen redesign. I am mixing metals as well, using a lot of brass and silver accents.

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  9. Lauren,
    I loved every single image in this post and have a few of them in my "favorite kitchens" file. How lucky your client is to be planning with you on what will certainly be a beautiful kitchen!
    Karen at Garden, Home and Party dot com.

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  10. You know how much I love your designs. To imagine that you and your client found inspiration on Velvet and Linen! That's so wonderful.
    Steve and I are planning to use a Lacanche range at Patina Farm. We have decided on the Sully in stainless with brass/stainless fittings.
    So many of my blog readers sent me emails telling me how much they love their Lacanche. Not one bad review! Elisa at Lacanche has been so helpful.
    I love Ina Garten's kitchen. One of our clients showed it to me yesterday as her inspiration. Must be something in the air...
    Thank you for sharing the link to my blog post!
    xo xo
    Brooke

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  11. Lauren,
    I love my new kitchen. It is white, mod, sleek and easy to clean. If I had a country home, my kitchen would be similar with a rustic farmhouse table.
    Check our "CREED" - you'll love her kitchen designs, she is linked on my blog roll.
    Hope you are feeling well.
    pve

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  12. I love your pictures... If I ever gonna get a new kitchen I really want a sink like that one on your picture and a fireplace is also high on my wish-list:-)

    Thanks for sharing
    X Judith

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  13. These are amazing and can't wait to see your finished projects. Do you mind me asking what your pinterest account is? I couldn't find it when I searched on pinterest and I'd love to follow more images you find.

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  14. I really love a combo of the industrial kitchen with the brick walls and farmers sink and the one right underneath it with the rows of 6 barstools at the breakfast bar. So inviting!

    peacelovedecor.blogspot.com

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  15. Lauren, i cant wait see the finished product! your inspiration images are ridiculous-- totally gorgeous!

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  16. Would you believe I found a 100 year old soapstone laundry sink on the Boston Craig's list for $50 last week! I really wanted to make it work for a bathroom I am working on, but it just would have been too large...plus the logistics of hauling it out of some guy's basement. And the Craig's List killer started here:) just kidding. But $50, crazy right!?

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  17. That range is amazing!!! I'd LOVE that! I actually just painted my kitchen cabinets high gloss black and I'm installing brass pulls (hopefully) tomorrow. So far it's looking gorgeous! Brass is getting so big.

    I love that contrast of industrial and farm you've kinda got going on. Can't wait to see it! -BOO

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  18. beautiful ideas, Lauren


    Bethany
    http://www.powellbrower.com/2012/01/hallway-zhushing.html

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  19. Thanks for an excellent article! I appreciate your insights and agree with what you wrote. ranch style house plans

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  20. Oh wow, it sounds gorgeous. I can't wait to see it all come together. I've always loved that kitchen with the bakers racks, that will be amazing!

    Jenna

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  21. Can't wait to see the outcome. What beautiful inspiration photos. Glad to have found your blog this am.

    MC

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I love hearing from you- thank you for taking the time to write!! :)

*If you have a specific question, I'll try to answer it in the comments section so be sure to check back! If you're looking at an older post, email me directly. Thanks!
~Lauren