Renovating a Family Space

This is the 3rd and last post in the Design Dilemma series, I hope you have enjoyed the first two posts, TO SEE PART 1 CLICK HERE and TO SEE PART 2 CLICK HERE . Answering these questions takes time and care, just the same as preparing for a design project installation.
I must say I've had a lot of fun! So thank you for your questions. For those who did not make it on the blog, I will continue to answer via email.

Jamie's kitchen, breakfast room and family room is my final Design Dilemma, here is her dilemma.


Design inspiration: we have a rectangular space that our Kitchen and Family room occupy. Between these spaces is a large island which contains our fireplace. I am looking for inspiration for an updated kitchen dinette area (cabinets are cherry and table is currently a matchy-matchy cherry) to integrate into (also) a refreshed FR area. I wanted to freshen up the space for my young family of 4: darker/lighter table, fun chairs (maybe a couple upholstered?) So lost and would love your thoughts!

What a gorgeous home!
The first thing I see is the fab ceiling and classic architectural details, the room has great bones, it seems weird to me that with all the windows, high ceilings and open concept that the room looks so dark and dull. This is not a reflection of your young family!

As in most projects lets begin with 'demo'. The TV cabinet, both rugs and the dining set need to go.... Budget permitting, we can look at new sofas.

First off the walls are too dark, the grey is just bringing in a rainy day. We need to choose a light and bright  wall color, lets bring in a clear blue sky...carry the paint through into the kitchen and include the island.

Willard White by Benjamin Moore

I adore Willard White, it is a soft neutral with a hint of sky! You may choose to dd a little more color...

Grantham Blue by Benjamin Moore

I would also paint the ceiling in the same color as the wall and leave the coffers white, here is an example on how to emphasize the great architectural details you already have!

I was discussing this post on Twitter with @ShelleyHolmes Follow Shelley HERE and @FifthWallDesign Follow Diana HERE . Diana who is an Interior Designer based in Virginia mentioned linking the dividing wall to the ceiling, after a few back & forth this is the very sketchy sketch of the result, I think it grounds the wall, which otherwise looks detached, do you agree?

Replacing the wood media unit in the family room with a built in arrangement similar to the image below will totally transform the area and create good storage, with plenty of charm.

Via DecorPad

Back to the kitchen area where the breakfast area is somewhat tight. Chairs actually take up a lot of space, so my idea for seating would be to design a bench which will back to the dividing wall! The tiles would be covered with a paneled back and adding cushions will make a comfy place to hang out. There is no doubt that kids love banquettes (and so do I! Check out over 70 different Banquettes here: http://pinterest.com/dionnetrifiro/kitchen-banquettes-benches/ ;)

Here is a freestanding bench idea: Love the rattan chair too!

http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199296739491/

Or a fitted bench.

http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199297007806/

It would be lovely if the table was a washed out pine farmhouse style or a simple white one which would carry the white through the space.

http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199296908478/

I think this table would look great and I love the 2 upholstered chairs and the white lantern.

http://pinterest.com/pin/220746819205576773/

The living room needs a new rug, and a hard wearing one in order to keep up with a busy family of 5! A wool mix sisal will be a great option, the great thing about it is that it can be bought off a roll and cut to any size. I recently saw these at Worldwide Flooring. I would go for a light color to brighten the space and also to contrast with your existing sofas.

Worldwide Wholesale Floor Coverings

Last but not least, lets introduce some fabrics in the form of curtains, the bench seat cushion and upholstered chairs will be chosen in tandem with the curtains.

I saw a fantastic curtain today which inspired me to choose these fabrics. The family room really needs softening and whereas we do not want to have the curtains close off the light, some panels in between each window will make a huge difference!

All fabrics available at Calico Corners

Jamie, hopefully I have inspired you and my readers today to make something beautiful!

~D~

For info on any of the above products contact me on dionnetrifirodesignllc@gmail.com

I have a huge crush on wallpaper!

I'm totally crushing on wallpaper, keep an open mind and please refrain from picturing your grandma's floral bedroom walls.  Come on! Let me wallpaper for you... just one teensy weensy wall?

                                                      

                                                    HOT OFF THE PRESS!

I could paper your mudroom out in the country?

http://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/design-interiors/2012/march/st-judes-wallpaper

St Judes first ever wallpaper, designed by Mark Hearld ~Via House & garden UK

Or your formal dining room?

http://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/design-interiors/2012/february/zoffany-arden-collection

Designed by Melissa White ~ Zoffany's latest collection ~ Arden

Maybe re purpose an old cabinet to use in your kitchen ?

http://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/design-interiors/2012/april/did-you-miss-our-april-issue

Via House & Garden UK

Or even your kids bedroom

http://www.cavernhome.com/wallpaper/kids/i_see_you

'I see you' ~ From Cavern Home

I'm sure you'll be brave enough to let me paper your dressing room?

Clive.com

Indulgent Wall paper Collection from Clive Christian

Renting is not an excuse by the way...

http://www.tempaperdesigns.com/home.nxg

Tempaper NY has a fantastic selection of temporary wallpaper's to choose from!

I could perhaps also paper your ceiling?

http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199296772222/

Here are some other ways to enjoy wallpaper.

http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199296834158/

http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199296742251/

http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199296700413/

http://pinterest.com/pin/234750199296700695/

Wallpaper really is one of the easiest ways to update and transform an area of your home. If you too are having a crush on wallpaper and need some help give me a call :)

~D~

I don't think I've done this before. I just had to come back to this post and add in this wallpaper. I couldn't contain myself... I'm a wallpaper loving freak!

The paper is from Philip Jeffries who explains "Voyage Travel is an eclectic series of twelve boldly scaled designs are printed by artisans on a selection of handcrafted Manila Hemp, Linen, Japanese Paper Weave and Jute wallcoverings for a unique and innovative play on pattern and texture."
You can find this and many other gorgeous and natural wall paper at http://www.phillipjeffries.com/

I also love this colorway~ 

There.... now I feel better ;)

~D~

The Hamptons ~ A kitchen project

I love working on a beautiful project, what I love even more is working with great clients and respectful architectural and design companies.

This project came to my desk before the house was even built. The design criteria was clear, build a kitchen that could cater for 100 people but feel cosy for their family of 4 people.

After just a few design meetings I designed a perfect cooking triangle on one side of the island (shown below) and a whole array of industrial appliances on the opposing wall. 

This gave the family easy access to the refrigerator, range cooker, sink and dishwasher, and a plumbed in steamer on the island. And giving the caterers ownership of the other side of the island, with an industrial grade refrigerator, coffee machine, separate sink, double wall ovens and and appliance garage.

This part of the kitchen was hand painted, the bar was built in an American Walnut.

By looking at it, you would never guess that functions for over 100 people could be held with total ease!

A request I couldn't resist was for a bar, where the clients and their associates could catch a game of baseball or watch the news, during a breakfast meeting. 

The bar is raised on a mirror plinth making it 'float' and the countertop and backsplash are made out of a single glass sheet. It incorporated two SubZero wine refrigerators a 60" TV and a raised glass bar making sure that the family had ample space to socialize, and enjoy the views of the nearby beach. 

~D~

7 Spring Colors For Your Kitchen

IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

Whether you are designing a new kitchen or renovating an existing one, the color of the walls is an important element which will have a big effect on the overall design.

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your colors.
 ~ Is the kitchen open plan to the rest of the home?
 ~ Does the kitchen get plenty or no natural light?
 ~ Is painting the existing cabinets an option?
 ~ Do not ignore the color of the cabinets, floors and back splashes, it all needs to work together!
 ~ Do you have to work around existing soft furnishings?

Below are some of my favorite spring colors and paint chips. I have included some great links from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams at the end of the post to help you along the way!

Designed by Architect Gil Schafer & color consultant Eve Ashcraft

This fresh and inviting kitchen is mostly white, the apple green interiors sets off the white china beautifully. The green color is carried through onto the bench seat cushions in the dining area.

Benjamin Moore White Ice

Benjamin Moore Apple Green

Designed by Lindsey Coral Harper

Nothing says Spring like yellow!
The walls are Benjamin Moore's Inner Glow. The table is a tangy citric lemon which if too bright for your tastes could also look nice in gray or white.

Benjamin Moore Inner Glow

Benjamin Moore Gray Owl as an alternative color for the table.

Jamie Gottschall's Pennsylvania Kitchen

Benjamin Moore Chocolate Candy Brown

Try Benjamin Moore Classic Brown for a deeper color

What do you think of this "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" inspired kitchen? The wall color ties in nicely with the checkered brown & white floor and with the accessories above the mantle.

Give your existing cabinets a new lease of life. Benjamin Moore's Dove White was used in this kitchen, and the walls are grass-green (source unknown).

Benjamin Moore Dove White

Benjamin Moore Pear Green

Here is another green wall color although much paler by comparison. I find greens and blues to be very usable colors for the kitchen. Both these colors go equally well with dark and light wood alike.

Sherwin Williams Gleeful

I love the way they extended the blue paint to the ceiling, it gives an airy feeling making this galley kitchen feel bigger.

Benjamin Moore Antiguan Skies

Benjamin Moore Clear Skies

Designed by Kathy Smith

Neutrals reign in this traditional kitchen. The cabinets and the walls are Farrow & Ball's Biscuit and the ceiling cornice and ceiling are painted Lime White also by Farrow & Ball.

Farrow & Ball Lime White

For an alternative to Farrow & Ball maybe try French Toast by BM , image via wendihiebert.com

When choosing paint, buy sample pots first and paint large squares in different parts of the room and study them at different times of the day in natural light and artificial light. It may be a good time to see what type of bulbs you are using, some give off a yellow light which will change the color of the walls substantially.

Benjamin Moore and other paint manufacturers have some online tools to get you started like the Personal Color Viewer (R) CLICK HERE!

See GREAT COLOR TIPS HERE from Sherwin-Williams on how to choose Interior Paint Colors.

Choosing colors is no easy feat and I would always recommend hiring a color consultant or interior designer to help you avoid costly mistakes.

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR, SPRING IS THE TIME OF NEW BEGINNINGS, ENJOY YOURS! 
~D~