BJ's Kitchen Reveal and The Ultimate Compliment

"My mother raved about it…" When the mother in question is a successful businesswoman, a gourmet cook and very particular, I know I've done good! Who doesn't want a mother's approval?

The view when you enter the kitchen. This alcove was transformed from a disorganized space crammed with clutter, to a useful buffet space, ideal for countertop appliances, with lots of needed storage. New light fixture and outlets are a practical addition. The brand new tin wainscoting adds vintage charm. Marmoleum Click linoleum floor tiles by Forbo are comfortable underfoot and an eco-conscious choice. 

Today for the first time I visited BJ's home since her current renovations were completed. I was blown away! The house was transformed from, (as BJ referred to it) what looked like a frat house to a vibrant, warm home for a young, busy family. 

Talk about color! If I told you we used cream, orange, blue, black, white and red together would you flip? The colors are bold, but in balance, so they work. 

I am so happy with the results, but most importantly, BJ and her husband are thrilled. Compliments from mom are just the icing on the cake! 

New paint finishes transform the previously "painter's tape" blue cabinets. The cream uppers blend in with the soffit and ceiling to open up the space, while the blue-gray base cabinets help black appliances blend in and anchor the space. The color also pops against the warmer "autumnal" colors of the flooring, creating a look that is classic, but not boring. The existing sink functioned well, but was updated with new oil rubbed bronze faucet. Walnut plywood (with custom-fabricated edge) finished with tung oil is easy to maintain, water resistant and food safe (though it should not be cut on). New light fixture (which is a larger version of the alcove's fixture) illuminates the space much better than the old flush mount, and adds a touch of old world style. 

Detail of the tin panels used on the wall and some of the homeowner's own accessories, which were able to be reused.

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!