Divine Kitchens

I think kitchens can really tell a lot about a person. Do they cook a lot, are they messy or neat, modern or traditional, are they collectors or purgers..., etc.. Below are some lovelies I've pulled together...

I'm not usually a big fan of modern, but the rug and sheers adds softness.

Love the light fixtures, love the backsplash.  Kitchen tiles and flooring tile is really something that makes a huge impact and can't really be faked.  I'm sure when I'm lucky enough to design my dream kitchen, and floors, I'm going to try and look into every possible money saving option, like buying wholesale tile, click here for an example.

White is my favorite for cabinets.

Wow! 3 chandeliers, that wallpaper, that green island!  It all makes for one pretty and cheerful kitchen.

Sleek and efficient.

I don't think I've seen a kitchen with this much exposed brick.

Definitely the kitchen of a fun-loving, quirky chef.

What does your kitchen say about you?

1. Rue Mag,  2 - 4.  BHG, 6. House Beautiful, 7. Coco & Kelly  5., 8. Desire to Inspire

*disclosure: this post is in partnership with prosourcefloors.com

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Kitchen Love

I cook a lot more in the fall and winter, so I'll be spending a lot more time in the kitchen.  I imagine that in some homes, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house.  Our kitchen is a small galley kitchen, so it's not suitable for hanging out in, but one day I hope to have a kitchen that opens up to the living room.

This kitchen is simple, but white is my favorite cabinet color, and the light is really nice.

2 above via Apartment Therapy

If you are very good at keeping your items tidy, open shelves can be really attractive, and the open backs don't hide the eye-catching backsplash.

via Hus & Hem

Talk about amazing kitchen design, all those windows would make you feel like you're cooking outside year round.

via ?

via Heart Home

via House of Fifty

I like this unique kitchen layout.

via Home Designing

*disclosure: this post brought in partnership with thegoodguyskitchens.com

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Unique, beautiful, and functional kitchens

So pretty and light-filled...!

I like open shelving, but I (and boyfriend) are not quite disciplined enough to keep things that neat all the time.

Which do you like?

via Interiors Porn, Bolig Magasinet,Llamas Valley, Lonny, Southern Living, Sweet Home Style, Sweet Home Style

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The Dos and Dont's of Kitchen Decorating

Decorating magazines can be a great source of inspiration, but they can often overlook the basics. The problem is that basics are a big deal to the first-timer decorator. Getting your kitchen perfect is no simple process, and we can’t take anything for granted. So in order to help, we’ve assembled the most essential dos and dont's of kitchen decorating.

Do's

• Invest in a high-quality worktop. It is essential to the aesthetic and for maximizing space.

• Allow for numerous electrical sockets. You can’t have too many unless they’re eyesores.

• Separate the refrigerator from the grill, oven and similar appliances as much as possible.

• Make space for a dishwasher.

• Place base cabinets at least 21” deep.

• Place cabinets above countertops at least 30” high and 12” deep with at least 60” of frontage.

• Make your walkways 42” wide and your passageways at least 36” wide.

• Hire a professional fitter to connect the gas.

• Hire a professional electrician to handle all wiring.

• Hire a professional plumber to set up the water supply, waste disposal and drainage.

Below are some great example of kitchen Do's

via Christopher Peacock

via Kitchenisms

via Pinterest

via Schibsted Forlag

Dont's

• Overestimate cabinetry and cupboards; too much will make the kitchen seem smaller than necessary.

• Go with less than 144” of frontage for small kitchens or 186” for large kitchens (greater than 150 square feet).

• Allow for less than 15” clearance between counter and the bottom of wall cabinets; 18” is best.

• Carpet the kitchen. A kitchen floor will get wet, and it needs to be as hygienic as possible.

• Place a dishwasher farther than 36” away from a sink.

• Hang anything, including cabinets, over an oven or hob.

• Place an oven or hob directly beneath a window.

• Purchase elaborate window coverings. Simple blinds are the best choice.

• Underestimate storage needs. Any kitchen needs a combination of at least six drawers and cupboards.

• Account for less than 12” x 24” for each diner.

• Forget to place a smoke alarm and a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

This kitchen is a major don't...

via Ugly House Photos

These are some of the major decorating tips to look out for when revamping your kitchen. Happy decorating!

*disclosure: this is a sponsored post

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Small kitchens that still get the job done...

Chris and I don't have a very large kitchen in our new apartment. It has no windows, but a decent sized pantry - which really helps. Counter space is scant - so we purchased a long, narrow baker's cart at ikea - which was worth every penny. I'm about to stencil the kitchen with a sheen effect - high gloss and matte - in a lovely navy indigo to contrast our beige-pink backsplash and white cabinets. I've been searching through a lot of kitchen inspiration lately and thought I'd share some of my favorite finds...

This painted wallpaper looks stunning.  Our kitchen is going to be painted a very dark indigo - so I like finding other dark kitchens.
via Design Sponge

 Our kitchen absolutely wouldn't work with out our baker's cart.  They are essential for small kitchens.
via Apartment Therapy

via BHG

 Lots of shelving make up for a lack of cabinets.
via Country Living

a puppy in a basket - what else does a kitchen need?
via Rue Mag

oh my...the organization junkie in me gets a bit too excited by this armoire of canisters...
 via Pinterest

love, love, love, love a rug like this in the kitchen. beautiful.  It would look great in our navy/indigo kitchen, too.
via Little Green Notebook

Do you have a little kitchen? How do you make the most of your space?

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Lovely kitchens that will inspire you

Once the weather gets chilly we spend even more time in the kitchen baking up warm goodies. So I thought it'd be appropriate to post some kitchens which get me excited for the upcoming cooking/baking season - even though I primarily just eat the food - and someone else makes it. All of these images are from our dearly departed Domino.



What do you think of the back splash and counter?



Interesting wood paneling...yay or nay?

so bright and cheery - perfect for muffin eating in the morning

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Got a small kitchen in which to prepare Thanksgiving? Here are some really great ideas!

I found this gallery on Better Homes and Gardens, and I wanted to share with you my favorite ideas! Hope you see something inspiring!


I always have lots of hooks on hand because they are a life saver in kitchens. NYC apartments have maybe 4 cabinets on average, though I've dealt with less, and having items hanging from the walls is VERY handy, and makes for a nice cottage look.


Flea market finds like the section of iron fence, or the grate as a pot rack, make for inexpensive DIY projects.

Instructions for the image above - I'm a huge fan of using jars (after all - you buy the spaghetti sauce, eat-it, and then your left with a handy organizational system)

-"Adapt an idea from the garage workbench, but instead of storing nails, nuts, and bolts, store coffee beans or other goodies. Collect identical glass jars with screw-top lids (spaghetti sauce jars, for example) and screw the lids to the underside of a wood shelf. Allow enough space between the jars for easy access.

To keep track of a variety of coffee beans, use your computer to print labels on white paper and have them laminated at a print shop. Or use purchased tags and write the variety names by hand. Tie the tags to the jars with twine."


A great solution to a common problem, (too many cookbooks, not enough book shelves in the kitchen). Bring in a small bookshelf and top with stone (this you may need to make a trip to the hardware store to purchase and cut) - so now you have storage and more work surface.

Making a caddy (this one was a tool box given a new paint job), keeps things you use everyday handy and portable while cooking.

So, could any of these ideas work for you? Any ideas on how to adapt them for other uses around the house?

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