Small Kitchens with Wallpaper

As I'm working out the details for my small kitchen,  these images are providing lots of inspiration for creating big style in a tiny kitchen.  Enjoy!

Source: natthefatrat.tumblr.com via natalie on Pinterest

Source: hayleyhurst.com via Hayley on Pinterest

The light fixtures are so fun!  I just included this star fixture in my roundup of flushmount light fixtures.  See it here.

Source: flickr.com via Una Vida Bella on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Liz on Pinterest

Okay, scrap my plan - get me a Saarinen table and some x-base benches, stat!

Source: paloma81.blogspot.com via Libby on Pinterest

Source: nestfully.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: thekitchn.com via ckampy on Pinterest

Source: compulsivelycompiled.blogspot.com via Anna on Pinterest

Source: bazaarofserendipity.blogspot.com via McNeill on Pinterest

Happy Monday, friends!


Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be !  Call Kimberly Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com 

Project Dollhouse - Kitchen Now and the Plan

I'm loving my little kitchen over at Project Dollhouse!  There's a lot to like about living with less space (and stuff.)  The work area of the kitchen is laid out well, all of the surfaces are easy to maintain and cooking in there is a breeze!  

Anyway, here's a look at the kitchen as it is today.  There's plenty more to do, but it's fun to see it coming together. Don't you think the best part of designing a space is the planning?

Originally when we looked at the kitchen, I didn't think there was room for an eat-in space.  Because there's no pantry, I assumed the wall above would be used for some sort of storage solution.  To my delight, my cabinets house everything I need to store (and I even have a few empty cabinets).  So, that leaves me room for this little dining space.  This is directly opposite the stove wall.

Here's the plan:

The old wallpaper will be covered with this new wallpaper, which I already have in my possession!

I'm keeping the small dining table - it's a Salvation Army find. The gateleg design allows the legs to swing in if you want to let the sides of the table down. It's super practical and I also love the bamboo detailing on the legs. I'm keeping the existing chairs, (possibly repainting them in a yet to be determined color) and the seat cushions will be changed out to Formosa by Waverly.

For extra seating, I'm going to bring in a ceramic garden stool, in cobalt.   Saw a gorgeous one at Southeastern Salvage this weekend, similar to this one.

Since this is a "created" dining space, there's not a good source of light directly over it.  This consignment shop lamp will sit right on the dining table.  I was so lucky to find this.  The marbleized shade must be at least 20 years old and it's in perfect condition.  

I had the hubs carry the subway tile up the wall where we had removed one of the upper cabinets.  

He will(!) install some shelves to display my small but much loved blue & white porcelain collection.

All together in a quick collage

Any thoughts on paint colors for the chairs? Should I just freshen them up with more white paint?

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

Do you think color is a crutch?

A few months back I was watching a show on HGTV called Showhouse Showdown.  I don't think they're running it now but in case you missed it, here's the premise of the show.  Two competing designers are each given a builder's spec home to decorate.  When completed, locals tour each home and give their feedback.  The builder of the homes then determines the winning design and that house becomes the showhouse.  Fun stuff!


I remember one episode in particular that really got my attention.  There was a male designer (sorry, I didn't think to write down names) who favored a more understated design. He likes working within a neutral palette and prefers very little embellishment.  We'll call him Mr. Neutral.

This is not Mr. Neutral's space, just an example of the look he favors - balanced, quiet and edited.

Image

 His competitor in this episode was a woman who likes a more layered, colorful look and has no fear of the pattern. She will now be known as Ms. Color.

Early on in the show, Mr. Neutral stated that he felt that color was a "crutch" that some decorators use, rather than using more proper decorating tools -  like scale, symmetry, texture and arrangement.  Jaw drops. Did he really just say that?

For me, color is everything! It''s uplifting, it's a mood creator, it's the fountain of youth for a tired space or a dated piece of furniture.  

Schuyler Samperton

Jill Sorenson

Image

Angie Hranowsky in House Beautiful

Meg Braff

Honestly, I don't even remember if Mr. Neutral or Ms. Color won that episode.  I was so distracted by his "color is a crutch" comment I couldn't focus on the show.  And yes, I have seen some lovely spaces that are completely void of color, but to declare that color is a "crutch" is a stretch.  Color is a tool, and an effective one at that.

Color fans, take a look at my color board on Pinterest.

I've also started a board devoted to neutrals.  See it here.

I'd love to know your views on the use of color!

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

  

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kimberly Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com