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10 Fresh, Out-of-the Box Kitchen Designs
I'm a home makeover TV show producer, interior designer and the creator of Decor Demon, lifestyle editorial with an edge. http://www.decordemon.com
I'm a home makeover TV show producer, interior designer and the creator... More »
Kitchen design is kinda like television production; it takes a group of skilled professionals, 5-hour logistics meetings, meticulous scheduling and a ridiculous amount of money to produce a hit. Since I simply use my own kitchen for toasting Pop Tarts and adding ice to water, I’m not overly enthusiastic about these so-called hearts of the house. In fact, I consider kitchens the purgatory of design since they often leave homeowners in I-don’t-wanna-spend-that-kind-of-money limbo.
For the past seven years, I’ve been freelance producing and casting home makeover programs while moonlighting nights and weekends as a decorator. Kitchens are TV producer hell. From electrical to plumbing, cabinet installation to appliance delivery, there’s enough margin for error to spend a network’s budget all on one episode. Ever gut and rebuild a 40-year-old kitchen in three days with a camera in your face in the middle of a hurricane with the power being knocked out by a tree falling three feet from the house? I have.
I could go on about the trials and tribulations of kitchen design but instead shall take you to many a culinary happy place. These fresh, outside-the-box kitchens are inspiring, unique, practical, and in some cases, cost-effective. You know what else is cost-effective? Pop Tarts, there’s only ONE left and guess whose gonna eat it? Me.
For the past seven years, I’ve been freelance producing and casting home makeover programs while moonlighting nights and weekends as a decorator. Kitchens are TV producer hell. From electrical to plumbing, cabinet installation to appliance delivery, there’s enough margin for error to spend a network’s budget all on one episode. Ever gut and rebuild a 40-year-old kitchen in three days with a camera in your face in the middle of a hurricane with the power being knocked out by a tree falling three feet from the house? I have.
I could go on about the trials and tribulations of kitchen design but instead shall take you to many a culinary happy place. These fresh, outside-the-box kitchens are inspiring, unique, practical, and in some cases, cost-effective. You know what else is cost-effective? Pop Tarts, there’s only ONE left and guess whose gonna eat it? Me.
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Dear person who designed this kitchen, I would like to pay you to have baby kitchens like this that I can adopt. This kitchen is what I'm tawkin' bout. First up, it makes me feel Palm Springs-ish which is always nice. Next, it feels more like a room than a place to boil water and sneak expired milk down the drain as guests turn a blind eye. The gray is neutral and sophisticated and really allows the masterful green table in the center to shine. Don't even get me started on the Mademoiselle chairs. I would spend two months delivering pizzas to other people's kitchens all night just to eventually have those in mine. If this kitchen were a TV series, I would TiVo every episode and nominate it for every Emmy possible.
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Ah, the classic, contemporary, white kitchen. You can't really ever go wrong with this choice; however, you can kinda enter One-Flew-Over-The-Cuckoo's-Nest if you go too stark. The playful, summery green mosaic takes the sterility out of the white. I also see some cost-savers here which I won't point out. Hint: blue and yellow branding, where ABBA is from and gummy fish that are usually red.
by Robert Hawkins
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You know that obnoxious, faux-reclaimed look that's been sucking the soul out of home boutiques and dollars out of wallets worldwide? Yeah, this so is NOT an example of those. The successful modern rusticity of this kitchen/great room design relies almost entirely on texture to tell its story. This is not a just space or a kitchen, it's a HOME. And each element is like a family member. In fact, the kitchen is snuggled in the back like a little baby wrapped in swaddling of aged barn siding. Maybe this homeowner should give those imposter reclaimed places some tips.
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Ah, un-boring farmhouse traditional. Is it just me or has anyone else been inspired by updated traditional kitchens lately? I usually won't go anywhere near cream or beige; however, a few aged pieces or school house industrial accents kinda open my mind to becoming more of a neutral traditionalist. One that considers ordering Papa John's to be a traditional Tuesday night meal.
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What I said above. Minus the Papa John's. This space makes me want PB&J or a chocolate milkshake. With a colorful, bendy straw.
Right, so I'm like a pseudo-professional decorator and all, and banquettes are one of my personal calling cards both for kitchens and dining rooms. This traditional banquette is seriously well-done; however, it's simply clad with beadboard. Something to keep in mind when it comes to breakfast nooks and banquettes: The carpentry costs are usually about the same as buying tables and chairs from showrooms. Don't let "custom" scare you; it's all in the choice of materials. Now, if you choose imported, magic, gold-dipped wood from Antarctica as your material, that's another story entirely.
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| Something this serene and simple is not only tough to pull off, it most likely takes pockets so deep, they reach China. Although I'm kinda/sorta good with the design stuff, I think I would hire a kitchen designer to pull this off. This is not just a kitchen, it's an A-List star. |
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| Same as above. But pockets only reaching to Saskatchewan. |
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| Same as above. Like, literally, it's the same kitchen from a different angle. |
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Lastly, another reason traditional kitchens are winning me over: space to display objects. Although I despise clutter, a few relevant objects placed on display can really act as accessory-like invitations. That is all. Time for another Pop-Tart. Just kidding, a cheeseburger.
Ideabook updated on Oct. 28, 2010.
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Good, well rounded idea book :)
Angie @ SeriouslyAHomeMaker.com
ahhh...Pop-tarts, those were the days! I don't think I have room in my arteries for them now.
love the reclaimed kitchen. beautiful testure and hues.
For additional ideas, check this out http://www.pediniusa.com/products/accessories/index.htm or visit one of our showrooms.