Custom Cabinetry

With the bones of our kitchen completed, I thought it would be good to share some spaces which have helped inspire me (us!!) along the way. I've mentioned this gorgeous kitchen by Windsor Smith before and it still ticks all the boxes for me. I love the overall classic vibe to the space to which more informal and textural layers have been added.

The lovely Virginia of Blue Fruit left a comment the other day (thanks Virginia!) regarding our wall units (or lack of them). We opted not to use them in our kitchen this time round for a few reasons. Whilst they are fundamental in a space where storage is crucial, we're lucky enough that the number of base units in our kitchen will suffice and I've always loved the idea of simple open shelving on which to mix and match my kitchen items.

This was the space a month or so ago, looking from what will be the living/dining area into the corner of the kitchen. Our base units run the entire length of the wall to the right hand side with a central island and tall units to the top left corner of the room which is out of shot.

To me, open shelving has such versatility and the possibilities are endless. Simple, neutral crockery looks great stacked in a pared-back scheme, whilst splashes of colour can be introduced by displaying coloured vessels, glassware and favourite objects.

Clusters and collections displayed on these shelves almost become a work of art themselves in these spaces. I quite like the idea of using our shelves to prop up large pieces of art (once they're fitted) and interspersing them with items we'll be using on an everyday basis.

I have to say, I really don't think you can go wrong with stunning cabinets like these and if we were going for a more traditional look and had some extra pennies, I would definitely have considered a more bespoke option and would have designed something similar. I'm sure I would have found something to store in them!!

Whilst my style is a good dose of old with a splash of new, I have to say I do love the clean lines of these contemporary units.

Double-bank units look extremely effective if you're lucky enough to have the ceiling height.

More stunning joinery...

...and talk about saving the best till last. How about this for some bespoke storage? 

Complete with gorgeous ladders too. Mmm!

So, what does your ideal kitchen look like? x

Images via: To come tomorrow... (laptops about to die!!)

Accessorise...

Judging from today, our kitchen should be complete by tomorrow afternoon (minus our worktop!) and I have to say I'm really loving it so far! I don't doubt it's where we'll be spending most of our time and I'm looking forward to sourcing some decorative pieces to complete the look. We opted out of wall units so I'm very much on the hunt for some nice artwork and a gorgeous display unit like this wouldn't go a miss either. x

Images via: Color Me Carla, Brunch At Saks  

Nice busy!

A bit of a lame post I'm afraid. I've been on my own this week, holding fort in the office and overseeing things in the house. In the last few days we've had everyone in...the plasterers, floor fitters, our joiner, the kitchen fitters (yes, it's underway!) our electrician, plumber and a chimney sweep. Things are definitely starting to take shape. Near the top of my list, along with the reclaimed doors is to finalise our choice for the fireplaces. Two entirely different but lovely ideas. x

Images via: 1st Option, The Decorista

The Hallway

Finally, here are some snaps which I've been promising you, beginning with our entrance hallway. I thought I'd break it down into rooms over the next week or so, rather than bombarding you all with the hundreds of photos I've taken on my phone. 

On the lookout for a nice console table to display and store bits and bobs...yes keys, I will not lose you underneath piles of crap anymore!! Oh and I couldn't write this post without mentioning the jaw dropping entrance of Jenna Lyons' home, right. What a doorway!!

Removing the internal partition instantly made a huge difference to the space and it really took it from 'office' to 'home'. Removing the fire exit signs probably helped too!! 

I love a classic black and white staircase and we'll be incorporating this into our hallway, whilst adding decorative touches and colour in some form or other. Can't beat a statement floor.

Next on the agenda - sourcing some reclaimed doors for the entrance to the living/dining room on the right and a half glazed door for the lobby. Even though there's still quite a bit to be done on this floor, the kitchen and living room are the nearest to being completed (well, nearly dirt and dust free), so it would be nice to close this area off until the rest of the house catches up! 

We had the kitchen floor sanded today too - progress! Will show you tomorrow. x 

Images (clockwise from left) via: Greige, source unknown, Accessorize & Organize, From The Right Bank

We'll get there!

Steve and I seem to be saying that a lot recently!!!

I'm taking particular comfort in the few plastered walls throughout the house and it's beginning to look and feel like home! I WILL get more images uploaded over the weekend. Happy Friday folks! x

Not a Pine type either!

Yep, it's not for me!!

Ok, so stripped Pine was all the rage not too many years ago, but I'm with the Victorians on this one and I'm happy to pull out the paintbrush in a few of our rooms!

We've stripped back a piece of floorboard on the ground floor as we've got plans for the timber in both the kitchen and living/dining room and will be trying out some wax finishes at the weekend. It's always exciting to see the timber revealed after years of dirt, even if you know what will be revealed!  

I'll be posting more on this tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll be picking up the wallpaper steamer again tonight to tackle the remaining few bits of woodchip and will hopefully get some photos on here of the rooms so far, for those of you who have been asking. x

Pantone

So Pantone have named their colour of the year as 'Tangerine Tango'. I have to say I've never been one for any shade of orange really, interiors or fashion, and whilst the orange shade in these rooms is not on the reddy side of this Pantone colour, it is just enough 'tango' for me. I suppose that means I must be more of a Soft Satsuma type!!

The image above left is taken from the beautiful house tour on Design Sponge of jewellery designer, Jennifer Sarkilahti, whose rooms seem to flow seamlessly into one another.

Don't get me wrong, I think 'Tangerine Tango' has the effect that was intended, 'to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward,' but in terms of translating fashion to interiors, I'm very much veering more towards the pastels we saw on the runway for S/S 2012. I think the softer orange shades work fantastically as colour accents within a muted pink or lilac scheme. 

Lemon, however, would still be the shade of choice I'd team with pastels in my own home!

Are you loving the trend for tango?

Images (clockwise from top left) via: Design Sponge, The Plush Pad, scanned from World Of Interiors (Dec 2011), Daily Imprint

Here's to a great 2012!

Slightly belated as usual but wishing you, my family, friends and fellow bloggers all the health, happiness and laughter a year can bring!

My usual spell of de-cluttering and organising in between Christmas and New Year has left me feeling refreshed, inspired and ready for new challenges. So many exciting things to come and I look forward to being inspired as always by you all. x

Image via: Pretty Little World