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French Inspired Kitchen Design by Beverly Ellsley

Westport, Connecticut designer, Beverly Ellsley has been in the business for over 40 years and designs houses from the ground up. She is best known for her beautiful kitchen designs and most recent projects feature fine woodworking produced in her own cabinet shop.

Recently I read a wonderful interview with Ellsley on Decorati and fell in love with this French inspired Connecticut kitchen. The small splashes of blue in the tile, rug and dining chairs (in a lower photo) in this neutral color palette add to the kitchen’s tranquility.

The light and airy kitchen includes an incredible floor-to-ceiling French carved limestone fireplace which is beautifully centered between the cooking and dining areas. The romantic chandelier above the island coordinates nicely with the dark wood of the French woven rush seated barstools.

The dining area has a casual, yet elegant feel. Notice the cabinetry behind the dining table – it’s hiding a refrigerator and freezer. The panel of latticework houses appliances that need ventilation. Ellsley states in Decorati that she likes to hide appliances, “Not just because they say kitchen, but because they date one. Stainless steel may be the harvest gold of tomorrow, but the right cabinets for a home’s architecture are always right.” In fact, 30 years ago she designed her own kitchen and has no plans of remodeling.

The large kitchen island evokes charming antique qualities with ornate corner pilasters with shell carvings. The gorgeous top is made from salvaged French parquet flooring.

The farmhouse sink is framed by elegant cabriole legs from Ellsley’s Villa Collection for Enkeboll.

After looking at this gorgeous kitchen for the past few hours, I am ready to book my next vacation to the South of France. And if you need more white kitchen inspiration click here.

*images from Decorati

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Read full story By on August 23, 2009 in dining rooms, interior design, kitchens

Perfect Function – Mick de Giulio Kitchen Design

Chicago-based designer, Mick de Giulio founded de Giulio Kitchen Design in 1984. His firm’s innovative and acclaimed kitchen designs are in homes all over the world. de Giulio’s detailed creations seamlessly combine modern and classical styles while focusing on ergonomics.

This gorgeous kitchen in a neutral palette was exquisitely designed by de Giulio and is an excellent example of how he effortlessly fusses beautiful form and high function. The stunningly clean-lined marble backsplash behind the range slides open. The sliding backsplash has become one of de Giulio’s design trademarks.

When the backsplash is open it reveals wooden shelves stocked with cooking spices and oils within an arms reach. I love how the shelves complement the wooden floor. Combining contemporary and traditional design elements such as the modern elongated stainless steel hood and classic nickel hardware on the simple cabinetry give this kitchen a timeless feel.

Because the majority of kitchen tasks occur at the sink, de Giulio focuses on designing multi-task sinks. The ergonomic workstation was made to work left to right. It includes built-in colanders, sliding cutting boards, drainage boards and knife block storage. The system brilliantly interlocks and creates a hole so that the faucet can run while food is being prepared.

Have I mentioned this is my new dream kitchen? I’m loving the sophisticated modern lines, use of traditional materials and high function design. The best.

*images from decorati
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Read full story By on August 5, 2009 in interior design, kitchens

Clean and Simple – White Kitchens

Los Angeles designers and brothers, Ryan and Joshua Brown of Brown Design created this stunning open kitchen, dining and great room. This gourmet kitchen has simple clean lines and wonderful natural light from the skylight and wall of windows. It also features two islands each with a row of white and beige upholstered barstools. Perfect space for entertaining!

Designers, Berkley Vallone and Caroline DeCesare designed this beautiful, old-fashion kitchen in a Las Vegas home. The Grohe pot filler will extend to reach all of the burners on the impressive Wolf range – the focal point in the room. The stainless-steel hood with accessory rails is by Viking. The kitchen’s island houses a stainless-steel Manor House sink by Franke and is paired with the Vinnata faucet in brushed nickel by Kohler. The simple countertops are in a wonderfully contrasting Indian Premium black granite. The black is again picked up in the cabinetry hardware and Roman shades. And that gorgeous wooden floor is made of seven-inch-wide walnut planks.


The beautiful marble tile backsplash in this creamy white kitchen caught my eye. The darling glass pendants are nicely positioned on either sided of the double sinks. It also appears there is a third sink with wooden prep area on the other side of the kitchen. That must come in handy on Thanksgiving! 

I found this lovely simple white kitchen on DecorPad and discovered that is was designed by Washington DC’s Frank Babb Randolph – Thanks to Things That Inspire! The subway tile backsplash and marble countertops are beautifully paired. This kitchen like several others in this series has wonderful windows that provides lovely natural light.

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Read full story By on July 17, 2009 in interior design, kitchens, lighting, tile

East Hampton Dream Kitchen by Phoebe Howard

OK, this might be it – my dream kitchen! This casual, yet elegant East Hampton kitchen was designed by Florida’s self-taught Phoebe Howard. With her husband and fellow decorator Jim, they own an interior design firm, James Michael Howard Interiors and southern retail chain stores, Mrs. Howard and Max & Co. What a dynamic duo!

The neutral color palette and high ceilings give this grand eat-in kitchen a welcoming and peaceful feeling. The kitchen’s glass-fronted cabinets, marble counter tops and white subway tile back splash contrast nicely with all the wood in the space. I also like that all the wooden elements – table & chair, flooring, ceiling and cabinetry – are different hues.

Tucked in between large windows, the kitchen nook’s custom upholstered “sofa” benches are inviting. The pair of square wooden tables can be easily moved around to suit the home owner’s needs. What a fun place to enjoy a cup of morning tea!

If you need more kitchen nook inspiration, take a look at one of my earlier posts.

This gourmet kitchen has all the modern amenities including two sinks – one double sink located on the island and one farm sink under a window. A large professional-grade range and hood take center stage.

The stainless-steel appliances, polished hardware and pendant lighting fixtures provide contemporary elements in an otherwise traditional space.

The large kitchen island offers plenty of counter space for food prep, loads of storage and additional seating.

What a delightful space for entertaining. Love, love, love it.

*all images from Phoebe Howard
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Read full story By on July 7, 2009 in breakfast nooks, furniture, interior design, kitchens, lighting