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Design Critique: House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year 2010

Aug 19, 2010

Every year House Beautiful magazine teams with a big-name designer to showcase their Kitchen of the Year in Rockefeller Center. It's a way to showcase current design trends and new innovations in kitchen appliances, fixtures, materials, and finishes. Here's a look at the 2010 House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year, designed by Jeff Lewis, house-flipper extraordinaire from the show Flipping Out on Bravo. His taste tends to be clean and masculine, and this kitchen is no surprise in that regard. He calls it "California Modern." It's quite different from past Kitchens of the Year with its solidly modern look.

 

 

 

Modern, for sure. Clean lines, crisp corners, contrasty palette. It's a little difficult to judge this the same way you'd size up a kitchen in a real house. It's a theoretical space designed for lots of foot traffic. A real kitchen wouldn't have such wide-open spaces. The space between work zones, in particular, looks too wide. I think the floor (by Mohawk) helps warm up the space, but overall it looks a little cold. Current trends on display here: large islands, open shelving, metal backsplashes, thick countertops.

 

 

 

 

 

The dark, simple cabinets are KraftMaid. Plumbing is Kohler; the unusual faucet is their new Karbon articulating model that pretty much eliminates the need for a separate spray nozzle. The wall mount keeps the counter nice and clean-looking. But I like a view while doing dishes!

 

 

   

 

 

There seems to be an awful lot of bar seating in this kitchen, and none of it looks that inviting. I much prefer a standard-height table in a dining space. Perching on a sleek stool seems to hint at fast eating for convenience's sake rather than a comfortable, drawn-out meal. The chandelier, the Dione model by Licht im Raum, is very cool. See below for The Look for Less… similar chandeliers at a regular-people price.

 

 

 

 

It does give off a nice glow on the salvaged wood table. Idea to steal: use runners across the table as double placemats!

 

 

 

 

At the other end is a seating area divided by a shelving unit set on the diagonal, designed to hold bottles. This, I do not like. At all. I get that it's kind of like a huge wine rack, but It reminds me of that cheap trellis material people slap under their porches. Plus, the function is very limited by the aesthetics—never good. I would have chosen a simple grid of shelving or a sleek reeded-glass divider. Better yet? An actual wall that can hold art and bring some color into the space.

 

See more photos and get more sources at House Beautiful's website.

 

 

The Look for Less: licht im raum dione chandelier

Try as I might, I could not find a price for the Licht im Raum Dione chandelier. Suffice it to say that it's "price on request," which translates to: very expensive. Here are a few ways to get the look for less! Click through to buy.

 

 

Sputnik Chandelier from Shades of Light, $350

Very similar vibe, complete with "dipped" bulbs.

 

 

 

 

Lite Source Marble Collection Modern Chandelier, $393

I can see a pair of these working nicely for a long dining table. Use it as a focal point in a modern entry way, or a shocking contrast in a very traditional space.

 

 

 

Axis Chandelier from Z Gallerie, $429

This is my favorite. I like the nod to tradition with the candle bulbs, but the rest is all modern. Exposed rivets add a touch of industrial flair.

 

  

 

 

Are you dreaming of a new kitchen? If your funds are limited or if you just need to refresh your current cabinetry, fixtures, and finishes, I can give you a creative plan that reflects your style. And then you can get the work done as time and money allow. My Spiff It Up eDecor Plan for kitchens and baths is a comprehensive cosmetic redesign plan for kitchens or baths. My do-able ideas can give your space just the lift it needs without gutting and replacing everything. Through August 31, get $50 off the Spiff It Up eDecor Plan or any other plan $250 and over. Questions? Just email me! —Diane

TAGS: house beautiful kitchen of the year 2010 jeff lewis fliipping out bravo modern monochromatic black white kitchen design trends what's new design critique analysis licht imraum dione chandelier light look for less discount sale price

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How much is too much for an outdoor room?

Aug 16, 2010

This morning is cool, sunny, and breezy in Northern Michigan— perfect weather for doing just about everything on the porch. But seriously. This?

 

PHOTO: Lisa Romerein for Coastal Living.

 

I'm all about blurring the indoors and out for three seasons a year, but part of the charm of a porch is that it's a mini-getaway from the day-to-day stuff. Like kitchens and TVs. Not to mention fancy-schmancy stuff that needs to be fluffed and vacuumed and dusted. This is merely a room without a ceiling. I don't know how they deal with rain— Coastal Living didn't address that in the caption. But don't you wonder? Upholstered seating, wood floors, framed photos… none of this belongs outside.

 

And there are more …

 

 

PHOTO: Emily Minton Redfield for Southern Accents.

 

 

PHOTO: Lisa Romerein for Coastal Living.

 

The more stuff we seem to require to relax and be entertained, the further we drift from making the simple connections to the outdoors that refresh our spirits. Enjoy your outdoor space on this beautiful day, and keep it simple. —Diane

 

 

Have you seen my new eDecor Plans for Exteriors? Just last week I unveiled the first one, completed for clients in Houston, Texas. I gave Angela and Dan lots of ideas for sprucing up their aging bungalow. Read all about it and download the eDecor Plan here. How can I help you? Just email me. There's never an obligation.

 

Angela and Dan's Inspiration Board from their eDecor Plan for Exteriors

TAGS: outdoor rooms spaces decorating design patio porch keep it simple edecorating e-decorating for exteriors house home plans design architectural color advice consultation

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The Best Design Ideas from the 2010 Parade of Homes

Jun 28, 2010

I spent Friday afternoon driving around following the red arrows to several of the entries in the 2010 Home Builders' Association of Grand Traverse Area Parade of Homes. It's always fun to see how home trends make their way into real life in Northern Michigan. I saw lots of distressed hardwood, shake siding, glass mosaic tile, and multiple finishes on kitchen cabinets. And I guess granite is still the king of countertop materials, despite my personal aversion to it!

 

I found lots of inspiring ideas that even homeowners with a average budgets could use, whether their house is new, remodeled, or in a state of constant decor flux. There were good ideas at even the most modest houses on the tour, and ideas at the ultra-luxurious homes that anyone could realistically apply. Here are my picks!

 

The Best DESIGN DEtAILS FROM the 2010 HBAGTA Parade of Homes TOUR

  

DESIGN STANDOUT: Using expensive materials in small doses in an affordable house. This strip of tile behind the sink is the only tile in this small bathroom, but it's enough to add a little flair to a spec house that normally wouldn't include materials like this. Shown: Prestige Construction Group.

 

 

 

 

DESIGN STANDOUT: Windows in walk-in closets. I saw a lot of these. It makes a closet feel more like a dressing room. Added benefits are the ability to air out the space, and coordinating colors in natural light. Shown: Meiste Builders.

 

 

 

DESIGN STANDOUT: Thoughtful layout in a small house. I noticed more attention to entry areas and separation of public and private spaces, even in the smaller houses.

 

 

DESIGN STANDOUT: Attention to ceilings. Cove lighting, beams, and touches like this built-up chandelier "frame" make a house look more finished. Shown: Pathway Homes.

 

 

 

DESIGN STANDOUT: Unique touches in a spec home. This unusual slate tile design makes a nice first impression. Shown: Schultz Construction.

 

 

 

DESIGN STANDOUT: Integrated support posts in a basement. This architectural treatment, along with a variation in ceiling height, turns an awkward support post into a space-defining element. Shown: Pathway Homes.

 

 

 

DESIGN STANDOUT: Unexpected decorating. This grid of hand-painted canvases by Reeniebeans adds a unique design element to this bedroom. (Budget tip: Headboard not required!) Shown: Bay Area Contracting.

 

 

 

 

DESIGN STANDOUT: Adventurous tile choices. In open spaces like a kitchen, it's easy to wimp out and go neutral, but this tile backsplash is the design focal point amongst the neutral cabinetry. Shown: Lakeshore Custom Homes.

 

 

 

And I can't resist mentioning a few design missteps I saw more than once…

 

DESIGN OOPS: Poorly coordinated materials. Seen: Rustic slate tile, glossy white subway tile, and sparkly black granite all used in the same shower. Arrange samples together before installation and edit them down.

 

DESIGN OOPS: Cheap hardware. Seen: White plastic knobs on closet doors in the entryway. All it takes is a few minutes and a few dollars to upgrade each knob.

 

DESIGN OOPS: Lack of style cohesion. Seen: Old World cast-iron stair railing with cottagey beadboard and Mission-style light fixtures. Pick a style and commit.

 

DESIGN OOPS: Failure to think through function. Seen: Individual reading lights in a bunk room for eight, all wired to one switch.

 

DESIGN OOPS: Too much of a good thing. Seen: Bathrooms with oil-rubbed bronze faucets, towel bars, TP holder, flush handle, showerhead, and drawer knobs. A little skillful mixing makes a space look less out-of-the-box.

 

DESIGN OOPS: Front doors that are out of character with the rest of the house. Seen: Rustic, cottage-inspired architecture with a very traditional floral cut-glass door.

 

 

Are you building or remodeling? Overwhelmed by choices? I can help. A few hours of my time can save you money on expensive, deadline-busting change orders during construction, and result in a home that reflects your personality instead of the latest trends. I can help you choose materials that will flow seamlessly while still giving each space its own look. Just email me! —Diane

TAGS: grand traverse home builders association hba gthba parade of homes house tour 2010 traverse city leelanau design critique design ideas tips budget decor inspiration from luxury model homes

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Design Critique: Warm Contrasts Living Room

Feb 01, 2010

You know how sometimes you flip through a home magazine and see the perfect room? It's exactly what you'd do in your own house, if you only knew how? I found a room that instantly appealed to me in a back issue of Sunset Magazine, part of its Menlo Park Idea House. I broke it down element by element, so you can understand why it all works and how to apply the same principles in your own house.

 

Here's the gorgeous room:

 

 

Why it works:

 

Contrast

The obvious source of contrast is the wall color: steely blue plus its complement, orange, next to a warm linen color with soft white trim. The furniture and fireplace are pale and neutral, contrasting with the darker, saturated walls. Style-wise, the crisp and heavy lines of the fireplace, bureau, and coffee table contrast with the softer-shaped chairs and the delicate accent table. Amongst all the right angle and squares, the curvy chairs and table stand out as something special.

 

Repetition

Repetition done in a subtle, elemental way helps a room "stick together." In this space, metal is repeated in the accent table, the nailhead trim on the chairs, and in some of the accessories. Rectangles are repeated in a big way, from the gallery wall to the shapes in the fireplace and mantel.

 

Cross-Pollination

Cross-pollination is bringing a major element from one space into the next space as a minor element. Above, you can see that some of the blue shades are brought into the next room in the artwork. Below, notice how the drapes pick up on the wall color of the dining room. (The drapes are the one element I'm not very fond of… I think the space calls for more tailored drapes or none at all.)

 

PHOTOS: E. Spencer-Toy.

 

Scale

These rooms have a nice human scale. Just big enough for a small gathering, with a hint of separation between the spaces due to the wide opening in the wall. Furniture is grouped closely, and it's an appropriate size that keeps the smaller rooms feeling spacious.

 

Surprise

It's nice for a space to feel natural and comfortable, but it shouldn't be boring. A little design surprise here and there keeps it lively. The orange wall above the fireplace is unexpected, as is the floor-to-ceiling arrangement of art on the gallery wall.

 

See the rest of the house here.

Do you have a file of favorite room photos? Want some help understanding what makes them work? Send me one and I'll dissect it here on Room for Inspiration. Or, order an eDecor Plan and I'll take care of every detail to make your room feel like your inspiration room on your own budget! Just email me. —Diane

TAGS: sunset magazine menlo park idea house living dining room interpreting interior design principles

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Design Critique: HGTV Dream Home 2010

Jan 04, 2010

Happy New Year! If you're a home-show junkie, you might associate those words with rushing to enter the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway, ever since 1997. It's a big deal. Enter once a day, conquer mind-boggling odds, and you could win a deluxe home with every conceivable amenity in a drop-dead gorgeous location (and a whopper of a tax bill to boot, which is, for the first time, offset by an additional $500,000 in cash).

 

This year the house is a sleek, modern, pueblo-style structure in New Mexico with sweeping desert views in every direction. The architecture makes sense for the setting, but the house looks a little bit as if it popped up from some multi-million-dollar wellspring overnight. I'm sure as the landscaping matures it will look a little more settled. (And hey, they didn't plant any grass! Big points for native landscaping!)

 

 

I really wanted to focus this post on the interior design and decor of the place, though. There's a lot to like, but a few things that I'd do differently.

 

 

LIKE: Long views upon entry

This is what you see when you enter through the front door. A nice, long view to the landscape in back and an approachable scale.

 

 

 

NOT SO MUCH: Entry "Welcome" area

This inglenook of sorts is right next to the front door. It looks like a hotel lobby to me—too formal for the rural setting, and the glass tile fireplace will soon be "so 2009."

 

 

 

LIKE: Great room, all about the view

This is one of the few rooms without a hulking big-screen TV. The conversation area is a realistic size and it's all oriented toward the view.

 

 

 

NOT SO MUCH: kitchen Too open

The open kitchen is over-rated. I lived with one for six years and hated it. There's so much space here. They could have created even an implied separation with a change in ceiling height or some rustic posts. Or how about a good, old-fashioned wall? It would still feel expansive.

 

 

 

LIKE: Minimal cabinetry in kitchen

Keeping the upper reaches of a kitchen open for windows or artwork is a good way to make a kitchen feel more welcoming. The trend toward filling every nook with a fitted cabinet can make a kitchen feel more like a tackle box than the heart of the home. So, nice that they kept the built-ins to a minimum here.

 

Not so much: Bad proportions in kitchen

The proportions in this room are very unbalanced. The high ceilings, the vent hood chimney that ends abruptly, and the tile all the way up only exaggerate the fact that the kitchen fittings look too small for the space. Lowering the ceiling here would have been a very smart move. Or at least give that height a purpose with some more windows.

 

 

 

NOT SO MUCH: Is a second kitchen really necessary?

So they call this a walk-through pantry. But it's basically another kitchen, the one where you can be messy because the first one is too open to the great room and it's impractical to actually cook there. But then they don't even give us the benefits of a real pantry (easy-access open shelving and a door to close) because it's an open room between the dining room and kitchen.

 

 

 

Like: Ceiling treatments

The use of rough-hewn white pine warms up the stark, modern lines of the house, and the color fits right in with the landscape.

 

Not So Much: With all this space, a dining room for ONLY eight?

In a home this size and at this level of luxury, a person wants to party. Knock out the pantry and give the space to the dining room.

 

 

 

Like: Home office is Cozy and adaptable.

The scale is functional, and the space could easily be turned into a hobby space or play room as needs dictate. This wall color works better than any other in the home.

 

 

 

NOT SO MUCH: Another pantry?!

This one is called the "recycling room." Looks like a pantry to me. This photo also nicely displays some of the terrible wall and trim color choices…

 

 

 

Not So Much: Color palette

I like that the designers went in a neutral direction for the most part, but there doesn't appear (at least in the online tour) to be good color flow from room to room. The palette contains several neutrals that are similar but just enough different to make the place feel a bit chopped-up, and there are few (pleasant) color surprises.

 

Then there's the trim color. I get that turquoise is a natural color choice in the Southwest, but on all the trim in the house? Seems like an odd way to incorporate a trendy color. (It is, after all, the Pantone Color of the Year for 2010). I think the color specification is at its worst in the kids' room and guest bedroom, below. The guest bedroom in particular looks like it belongs in a another home.

 

 

 

 

Like: The Toilets

Aren't they sculptural and beautiful? (They are from Duravit, my dream source for plumbing fixtures.)

 

 

 

Not so much: Wasted space in the closet

This closet is much larger than it needs to be. Taking advantage of more vertical space can fit the same amount of storage in a smaller footprint.

 

 

 

Like: Barn Doors

These are used here to open the tub area to the master bedroom. They're also found in a few other places throughout the house. I like the function and the hint of industrial edge they bring to a design.

 

 

 

Like: An unexpected luxury in the master bath

Now this is a nice touch: a warming drawer for towels in the bathroom. Smart solution.

 

 

There's a lot more to see at HGTV.com: photos, video, virtual tours, floorplans, and of course, the entry form. I recommend the 90-second tour over the hour-long endorsement-heavy TV version. Good luck! ALL PHOTOS ©HGTV

 

See more and enter to win at HGTV.com

Tour the HGTV Dream Home in 90 seconds

 

What do you think of the 2010 HGTV Dream Home? See something you'd like to incorporate in your own home? Let me help you figure out how to do it on your own budget with an eDecor Plan.

TAGS: hgtv dream home giveaway contest 2010 blog post interior design decorating critique pictures

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