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~

There's been a lot of talk about ~MUD ROOMS

On yesterdays #DesignTV chat there was a lot of MudRoom talk, it transpired when we were 'chatting' about how to create chic interiors whilst keeping kids and pets in mind ~ DesignTV is a Twitter Chat hosted by the lovely Amy of ABCD Designs.

In my many years as a kitchen designer I have designed a number of mudrooms, my favorite project had everything and I mean everything one could wish for including an outfitted sports cabinet and full size wine refrigerator, then again, I was lucky to have a kitchen sized room to play with. You can see this mudroom as featured in House Beautiful HERE!
Lets talk about the concept of a mud room: Originally found in country houses, a mud room was just that.. a room where the family would remove their muddy boots and wet raincoats and change into house shoes before entering the kitchen. This  room would usually comprise of  flag stone floors, a bench, a couple of hooks and an umbrella stand.

potting sink
Nowadays a mudroom is integral to the rest of the home, and on many peoples wish list! It is a great room for storing seasonal outer wear, sports equipment, and items for your pets :)  Some mudrooms include extra pantry storage, refrigeration and for the very lucky a potting sink! You can use over sized, extra deep and hard wearing sink to re pot plants, cut and arrange your flower arrangements, wash muddy boots and paws or clean your gardening tools.

*LOVE THIS ARRANGEMENT*

Potting Room ~ Image via Country Living

It is a great place to inject your personality, let it set the tone for your home's style!


benches & baskets
For us who have smaller homes or city apartments, have pets or kids and need somewhere to store boots and coats here are a few ideas to get you started.
Use a stainless steel tray from your garden center and place wet boots in the tray by the door, place a small bench with baskets below for outer wear. Add some hooks to the wall above for coats and back packs, and a shelve above for additional baskets. All this will help keep the entryway clear, everything at arms reach and will ensure a quick exit in the mornings!

Simple free standing solution, image via ehow.com

built ins
For the lucky ones who have a service door or back door with some additional space a built in cabinet including bench, cubbies and hooks looks stylish and gives the opportunity to introduce some color. Possibly painting the cabinetry or maybe some patterned wallpaper inside the cabinet. You could also choose to use some pretty fabric for a bench cushion.

Built-in  storage, image via Better Homes & Gardens

What's on your mud room wish list?
~D~

Need help designing your mud room or any other room? Email me!

Email me!

House Beautiful & Other Publications ~ 3 Featured Projects

My friends and colleagues have asked me to share some of my work, so here goes :)

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL ~ Kitchen of the Month

This Long Island estate was built in 1913, a gorgeous house with beautiful landscaping and immaculate interiors. The kitchen however was small and crammed and had a chimney smack in the center of the room similar to a traffic circle, with cabinets built awkwardly around it.
I worked with the contractor to remove the chimney all together, and took over the 'exercise room' next door which we turned into a mudroom/flower room. Another factor to contend with was a low ceiling height, I took the attention off this by bringing the cabinets to the ceiling and painting the ceiling a fresh white.
The result as I hope you will agree is a bright functional and beautiful room where the family spend most of their time together.

Pin It I designed dual islands in the main kitchen area (in the foreground) in Natural Oak, with hard wearing and good looking CaeserStone countertops. Pan drawers, a Wolf Range with Pot Rack filler and Wolf vent above, SubZero Pro Refrigerator are some of the features in this part of the layout.
The Mud Room can be seen in the background.

Pin It The Mud Room has direct access from the garden, it houses some additional storage and refrigeration, and a pull out pantry. One drawer for outfitted and sized specially for incoming and outgoing mail with dividers for stamps and other related items. The lift up bench/island sits in front of a large storage cabinets (not seen) which houses outdoor wear, sport equipment and even a compartmentalized drawer for sunglasses!

Pin It The second island also serves as a Breakfast Bar, with coffee machine and TV which can be hidden away behind the stainless steel tambour rolling door. A gorgeous duck egg blue hand painted china cabinet gives gentle reprieve to the otherwise neutral tones.
(Not seen is a large round pedestal antique breakfast table with built in bench seating with an intricately detailed spindle back)

Pin It I find that using unfitted furniture gives the illusion of space and adds interest to the overall scheme. The Pot Board Dresser topped with white marble is placed under the window. Apart from being a conversational point the client is an avid baker and so it is perfect for her and her children who enjoy helping. They can even reach at the kid friendly lower level!

Pin It Love these Limestone Flooring I chose from Paris Ceramics USA, ask for Lorraine Valenti at the A&D Building in NYC.

Pin It Large Franke pot filler faucet is perfect for filling buckets of flowers, clean sports equipment and wash muddy boots. 

Pin It The Natural Oak plate rack is filled with everyday dishes and glassware which make for easy access and good looks too! Glass back splash tiles from Waterworks.

For full feature including my interview by Christine Pittel go to:

http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/dream/hewlett-new-york-kitchen

GOTHAM MAGAZINE

This Maple and exotic Masur Birch kitchen was a Town House kitchen project in downtown Manhattan. This project had challenges: It was very narrow and very long.
We went for no clutter, clean lines with top notch quality woodwork and unusual grey toned Sienite Monchique granite countertops. We let the timber speak for itself, opting out for any decorative hardware and adding detail reflected in the serpentine curved drawers.

HOUSE & GARDEN UK

Moving country is hard work, designing and installing a very large and detailed kitchen, breakfast area and butlers pantry across the waters is challenging!
This lovely family originally from San Francisco, moved to the Upper East side Manhattan before making the big move to London. Having spent the last 15 years in London and knowing the product first hand made me the lucky candidate for this kitchen renovation.

As to be expected, space on House & Garden magazine is at a huge premium and the article is about the entire house renovation, so I was overly flattered to have an image included!
The kitchen is full of detail and there is even an office space for the family's PA inside the butlers pantry! So even though the image does not show too much detail in any case, as you can imagine I was over the moon.
I was ecstatic to get to specify a top of the line, utterly divine La Cornue Range Cooker! Organised in top fashion despite time differences, by the appliance department at Harrods.
The cabinets are a simple shaker style in white with a recessed mirror kicker that gives the impression that the island is floating. The pale blue walls are welcoming and the old fashioned stools add an eclectic feel and were purchased locally.

I hope you enjoyed some of my work and I would love to know you've visited so please sign in or leave a comment. :)

For information about hiring me for your design project contact me at dionnetrifirodesignllc.com

Have a stylish weekend!
~D~

Pin It

Kitchen Banquettes ~ You know you want one!

Bench seating in a kitchen is something I have been asked for by my clients more frequently, especially for larger families and families with kids.

It evokes relaxed lunches and quiet time with a magazine and a coffee.

Contrary to some beliefs that bench seating is dated and uncomfortable you will see that bench seating can be and stylish and very comfy. As it is part of the fitted cabinetry in some states it can be exempt from sales tax.. bonus?

When designing a custom bench you will need to keep in mind the access and egress of people sliding in and sitting down, in my experience I have found that pedestal tables work best, or tables that have the legs recessed back from the front edge of the table. 

Kitchen banquettes are also great for seasonal storage, access to drawers under bench seating can be awkward and not suggested for daily use, lift top benches are somewhat easier. 

The depths of benches may vary, a comfortable depth is 21" -24" clear, deeper if you want to add throw cushions. Not too deep though as you will want some back support.

Banquettes also save space as they are tucked away against a wall or in a window recess.

Upholstered seats and backs are a great way to introduce color and texture to a kitchen This, in an all wood room and hard surfaces found on counter tops and appliances is a well needed relief. 

Please enjoy the images that I have put together for you for some kitchen inspiration. if you have any questions please leave your comment below.

Designed by Kathy Smith, image courtesy of House Beautiful

This sculptured upholstered bench seat with decorative skirt is made out of a neutral faux