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San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2011–The Kitchen & Cookbook Nook

san francisco showcase kitchen

{image via SF Gate}

San Francisco-based interior designer, Tish Key blended old and new elements when designing the kitchen in this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase. The completely remodeled galley-style kitchen features traditional pecan floors with a modern, glossy white painted ceiling.

kitchen clock tile backsplash range designer

Tish kept the original brick archway and added a state-of-the-art stainless steel range with sparkling white marble mosaic backsplash. Inset in the tiles, is a large Roman numeral clock that is fully functional.

kitchen cabinet sf decorator showhouse 2011

The clean-line, white cabinets showcase sleek pulls and large octagon knobs {which are actually door knobs} in polished nickel. Above is a detail of some open shelving that is backlit in a soft blue light.

calacutta marble sink waterworks faucet
Beautiful calacutta marble is used for the sink and surrounding counter. The faucet, by Waterworks is kept simple. Vintage Campbell Soup can lining the window add a splash of color and nod to the past.

blue lava stone countertops kitchen

Cobalt blue lava stone countertops flank the sink and again add that “new” element to the space.

breakfast nook SF decorator showcase kitchen

The sweet breakfast area is positioned next to an old stained glass bowed window which faces the front of the house. The area is also warmed by the chocolate wallcovering by Donghia. The vintage dining table is anchored with a simple white chandelier. The relaxed Roman shade in a Katie Leede & Company fabric adds a fresh, fun pop of blue that plays off of the colorful wall art.

san francisco showhouse cookbook nook

Just off the kitchen, sits a sweet, yet sophisticated “Cookbook Nook.” Designed by Brian Dittmar, the cozy spot is tucked underneath the home’s grand, curved staircase. Like the kitchen, Brian incorporates a bit of old and new in the space. A dark, 1930s Swedish Art Deco Secretaire desk is the perfect scale for the room. Above hands a playful vintage-inspired poster {“Phoebe the Lettuce Queen” by Cassandria Blackmore} – a nice tribute to the beautiful, modern woman that does it all!

lee jofa lounge chair kelly wearstler trimmed pillow

In the bay window, an inviting lounge chair is covered in a modern gray mohair with contrasting welt by and topped with opulent silk pillows {fabrics from Kravet & Lee Jofa}. The beautiful detailed trim in the yellow silk pillow is by Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa. The floor length drapes are made in an exquisite fabric by Oscar De La Renta {also for Lee Jofa} that pulls together the saffron and gray color palette nicely. In the corner a floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcase houses a collection of cookbooks, a small television and other decorative treasures. This room is a gem.

In case you missed it, here are some more images of the San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2011. Located at 2950 Vallejo Street on one of the most coveted blocks in San Francisco, the showhouse is open to the public now until May 30, 2011.


Today, I am also blogging over at Michaela Noelle’s and sharing what I love & what I don’t.

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Read full story By on May 4, 2011 in breakfast nooks, interior design, kitchens, textiles, upholstery

Built-in Designer Breakfast {or Kitchen} Nooks

With the kitchen being the heart of the home, more and more homeowners want to incorporate breakfast or kitchen nooks in the space. To maximize space and storage, adding a custom bench may be the best option. I am currently finishing up a project where we added a custom built-in bench and cushions and I hope to show it to you soon. Meanwhile, here are examples of some beautiful designer kitchen nooks.

designer breakfast nook saarinen table nate berkus{photo credit:  William Waldron  via Elle Décor}
Designers, Nate Berkus and Anne Coyle featured a custom table with stainless-steel top on a Saarinen base in this sleek modern kitchen. A pair of vintage side chairs are paired with an “L” shaped built-in beach covered with custom blue & white nautical stripe cushions and pillows. A contrasting light fixture from Lucca grounds the space.
kitchen nook yellow celerie kemble
Florida’s Celerie Kimble creates a light and airy breakfast nook in this Palm Beach home. The custom bench is topped with a boxed style cushion with a contrasting welt in citrine. The simple round table {with green top?} is paired with yellow bamboo chairs. The vintage chandelier adds just the right touch of whimsy.
designer breakfast nook ikat print weiss
San Francisco-based designer Palmer Weiss creates a cheery, retro breakfast nook in this kitchen. The banquette seating is upholstered in a sunny yellow and white ikat fabric and is topped with solid lime green and lemon motif pillows. Weiss pairs Bertoia chairs and a white rectangular table with a Saarinen base. The clean white Le Klint pendant is a great complement to the table. Don’t you just love the retro poolside photo?
designer breakfast nook nautical house beautiful{photo credit: Karyn R. Millet via House Beautiful}
Designer Kari Cusack creates a nautical feel in this breakfast nook with a blue, white and yellow color scheme. Overlooking the San Francisco Bay and passing sailboats,the nook features an eight-sided peak “tower” from which a chrome-plated chandelier is hung. The dark and chunky table adds a nice contrast to the white built-in bench.
built-in bench kitchen nook nisbet
In this coastal-inspired breakfast nook by designer Amanda Nisbet, a picnic style table and bench are paired with a custom “L” shape upholstered bench. The fabric in the bench’s cushion & pillows picks up the sea blues and lime green in the painted furniture. I love how a darker shade of blue was applied to the spindle chair – the varying shades of blue adds more visual interest. The darling artwork also picks up the color scheme beautifully. The coral chandelier adds to the “beach” theme without being too cutesy. 

built-in bench breakfast nook ridder

New York-based designer Katie Ridder creates a  cozy breakfast nook with a bright red tufted banquette.  A 1950’s style table and wall art give a nod to the retro ice cream parlors. Ridder mixes it up by pairing the bench and table with cane & woven chairs. I love the built-in bookshelf as a backdrop – perfect place to house cookbooks, pottery and treasures.
 
contemporary breakfast bench banquette{photo credit: Joshua McHugh via Elle Décor}

In this kitchen, designer J. Randall Powers selects chunky Biedermeier chairs, a contemporary Christian Liaigre table, and a sleek custom upholstered banquette seating. The large scale  artwork is just the right size to frame the space.

Are you a fan of breakfast nooks?

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Read full story By on April 1, 2011 in interior design, kitchens

Yes or No to Carrara Marble Countertops in the Kitchen?

adler carrara marble white kitchen designer

Carrara marble. Quarried in the Italian province of Carrara, this gorgeous stone is used to make tiles, tabletops and countertops in homes around the world. Carrara marble is becoming more and more popular in all-white kitchens like this one by trend-setter designer, Jonathan Adler.

carrara marble white designer kitchen

Carrara marble, like other marbles is porous. Because of its light color it is more likely to show stains than other marbles and stones. It also needs regular care in order to maintain its beautiful surface. In addition, cleaning Carrara and other types of marble must be done properly with a pH-balanced stone cleaner. To learn more about cleaning marble, go here.

retro modern turquoise designer kitchen

We love the look, but is the maintenance worth it? I ask the question because a client of mine {with three young ones} is considering Carrara marble countertops in her kitchen and has received strong advice both for and against. I’d love to hear from designers and home owners who have experience using Carrara marble countertops in the kitchen… thumbs up or down? 

It’s also not too late to enter to win a $50 gift certificate to fab stationary store, Minted.com – go here.

{image sources: 1. Jonathan Adler, 2. James Radin, 3. William Diamond and Anthony Baratta  – all via House Beautiful}
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Read full story By on February 25, 2011 in interior design, kitchens, tile

Dash of Modern, Pinch of Traditional Interior Design

modern baby girl nursery room designer
This sweet modern nursery room was featured in a previous Simplified Bee blog post focused on Girly, Girl Bay Nursery Room Designs. I recently came across the article in Style at Home which featured images of the rest of this Vancouver Arts and Crafts style home and wanted to share them with you.
family room oly furniture cow hide rug
To help decorated the home, the owners turned to designer, Peter Wilds from boutique, The Cross. His task was to artfully blend the couple’s modern taste with the home’s classic look. A neutral white & gray color palette with blue accents is carried throughout the central living spaces. In the family room which is open to the kitchen, the walls and trim are washed in white.  A tobacco leather sofa is paired with the Oly Studio Pico Cocktail table. This round table has a beautiful scalloped shell top and industrial iron base. The spectacled cow hide rug provides wonderful texture and contrast.
white modern classic kitchen
Here in the all white kitchen you can get a good sense of how dark the wood flooring is. The classic white kitchen cabinets are paired with white ceramic subway and carrera marble. I love the white wooden stools with gray cushions selected for the kitchen island.
full length mirror dining room
In the dining room, a midcentury style Saarinen table is paired with traditional ballroom-style chairs. Painting the chairs a gray-turquoise is a wonderful way to carry the color palette throughout the space. The full length mirror and crystal chandelier add playful touches of glam to the room.
grey and turquoise designer living room
In the living room, the furniture arrangement emphasizes on the room’s focal point, the traditional fireplace and the painting by Douglas Walker. Again, cool whites and grays are mixed with bright pops of blue. The clear, modern coffee table helps keep the space light and airy.
designer modern traditional living room
Across from the sofa in the living sits a pair of white upholstered armchairs with contrasting nailhead trim. They flank an Oly Studio Pipa side table in pierced resin. The side table’s squiggly pattern is repeated in the Elisabeth bedside table also by Oly that features a beautiful woven pattern over an antiqued mirror. The same side table and silver lamp is placed on the other side of the fireplace for symmetry.
airy white bedroom design
In the bedroom, the cool color palette continues, however the cool blue accent color is replaced with warm and rustic reds. Centered above the bed is a modern, white flower mirror. You can find one similar here. Large ikat pillows are a perfect finishing touch on the bed.
Is this modern classic home fit your personal style?

*all photography by Janis Nicolay via Style at Home
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Read full story By on February 14, 2011 in bedrooms, dining rooms, family rooms, interior design, kitchens, living rooms