Virtually Yours

It's very easy for me to tell a client what I think will work, but sometimes it can be difficult for them to visualize. My clients trust me, but being able to show them realistic virtual mockups really helps things click. As a designer, I like to take a few risks to keep things interesting. Being able to show a client a new idea in a virtual mockup helps them take the leap of faith.

BJ's Kitchen Plan Part 1

To make the space feel brighter, larger and more cohesive I made the upper cabinets and walls a creamy white. Base cabinets in midnight blue help the black appliances disappear visually. Tin ceiling panels can be applied over the existing tile backsplash but also used as wainscoting in the alcove to help unite the two spaces and make the small kitchen feel larger. Wood counters finished with tung oil are food safe and can be fabricated fairly inexpensively. They also warm up the room. Cork flooring is one possibility, though BJ would like to see the floor done with a checkerboard linoleum—another option we discussed. To add more light, I found simple iron lanterns that will work in the main part of the kitchen and the alcove in two different sizes. Bronze knobs and a new, yet classic, faucet feel more current and add a finishing touch.

Refresher Course

My client BJ contacted me last week about some issues in her home. Without doing major construction, she wanted to update her space. Could I help? Of course! This is one of my favorite kinds of projects. With permission, I will document some of my ideas here.

The kitchen in a 'nutshell'
Several years ago the walls and cabinets were painted. The cabinets are structurally sound and the overall layout works for the family, though there are some storage issues we need to resolve. With some shelves added to a tall cabinet flanking the refrigerator we can create more functional pantry storage or get recycling hidden from view. The kitchen is somewhat dark. Peanut butter colored walls and bright cobalt blue cabinets—the color of painter's tape—(BJ originally chose an aubergine color but her painters didn't like the color and wanted to use a blue!) show personality, but are not exactly cohesive.

Finding inspiration on a shelf
Initially I looked at some fabric valances in the space and considered pulling colors from there, but we determined those will go to the attic. BJ said she likes distressed black cabinety, and with the black appliances this is certainly an option, but my concern is it will seem to dark and heavy in this small space. Perhaps we could choose a darker color for the base cabinets but keep the uppers lighter and brighter? BJ loves the color combination of blue and white and has a few pieces of pottery with these colors, so my thought is to choose a medium-dark color in the blue family for the base cabinets but do the uppers in a white or off-white.
I will also look into new light fixtures, new flooring, a freestanding storage piece/buffet, window treatments and new countertops.

I took some photographs and my next step will be to present BJ with some virtual mockups showing some different color options.

Once in a Blue Room

Though blue is not necessarily one of my favorite paint colors, I am inspired by House Beautiful's March 2010 "All About Blue" Issue.  Don't get me wrong...I love blue. Blue eyes, blue jeans and blue skies. I think I mentioned my "Bordello Blue" bedroom below ("Looking Up" post)...so it's not as though I haven't experimented with blue. As a matter of fact, I do find myself being drawn to certain deep blues. Here are some ideas:

Blue cabinetry: in my daughters' bathroom, I chose a deep blue gray color for the custom built-in vanity. We went with Benjamin Moore Affinity color Flint, but I was inspired by the Farrow and Ball color Down Pipe. There is a great stained glass window in there and I considered using a lime green instead, but thought this would fit the character of the house and feel more neutral. With all the crisp white tile, carrara marble and "French gray" grout, the end result is VERY neutral but in no way boring. The walls and trim are all painted a very soft warm gray (Restoration Hardware Ash) so there is plenty of contrast, but the end result is still soothing and spa-like.

Blue walls: The right blue can be a perfect complement to wood tones. For a room with lots of wood trim and built-ins I chose Benjamin Moore Quarry Rock. It is a murky blue/green/gray color. Imagine the color of the ocean at night when you are on a cruise. It doesn't scream "blue" but it works really well with warmer colors, black, all different metal finishes and wood tones from light to dark. It evokes "sea" enough to use it as an accent in a beach house (especially in a room used at night). A similar color is Restoration Hardware's Blue Sage, and another Benjamin Moore deep blue I love is Knoxville Gray.

A friend recently asked me what color to paint her media room. Instead of the typical deep red, I suggested Restoration Hardware's Dusk. Similar to the colors mentioned above, it has enough gray in it and it works really well with wood/leather, all browns, grays, blacks and yes, even red accents. Want to brighten it up? Use a creamy white or very pale gray trim. Because it's a cool color, it will recede and make the space feel larger.

Any of these blues mentioned can work in a more masculine room with wood and leather, or be brightened with whites, creams and soft grays.

Come to think of it, maybe blue IS one of my favorite colors. It just needs to be the right blue!