Decorating a Holiday Rental - The Kitchen/Dining Space

Above: A holiday rental in Alabama with cabinets by Vance and Sons 

Want to find out how to create a desirable holiday home on a limited budget, today we focus on the kitchen/dining area. This is part of a series of posts to help get maximum bookings for your holiday rental.

Interior Spaces to Love - Week 6, Beautiful Kitchens

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This week I have been browsing beautiful kitchens and I'm definitely drawn towards a traditional look.

Updating My Kitchen - Lighting

 ZeroEnergy Design

Lighting is an important factor in a kitchen, especially at night as you want to be able to see those culinary delights your whipping up, and If you have an island work top, make the most of it by adding a statement light.

Open Shelving Ideas - Traditional and Transitional Kitchens

Above: Kitchen by Brooke Graftstrom Interior Design

When we think of open shelving in kitchens, one might envisage a cluttered look that's a little dated. However, with use of symmetry, balance and good design, open shelving can be the perfect way to show off your cherished items and a little of your personality at the same time.

Making the Best of Open Plan Living - Creating Workable Zones

Image source via Design Mom

Open plan living is what most of us want today, and if you have a cottage or smaller home, removing a wall or walls, is a great way of creating a sense of more space. 

Kitchen Inspiration - Week One, Hamptons Style

1.  ZeroEnergy Design

Last Friday I featured a post on butlers pantries and one of my readers made a comment on Facebook that she was looking for some kitchen ides. Of course a kitchen comes before a butlers pantry, so I decided to create a few posts on different kitchen styles, beginning today with my favourite style, 'Hamptons'.

The Popularity of The Butlers Pantry

1. Crisp Architects

If I could possibly squeeze a butlers pantry into my home or I was building from scratch, this is a space I would definitely be making room for. Most new homes feature this 'must have' space, so I went on a mission to find some traditional style butlers pantries to inspire you.

Creating A Modern Country Look In Your Kitchen

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I would have to say on Lee Caroline, that the most popular posts feature the words, 'country, French, or cottage'. I live in a cottage and love to incorporate a little country, yet at the same time I like to portray a fresh modern approach rather than a shabby chic look. How can one achieve a balance of modern country, lets find out, starting with the kitchen.

Kitchen Tile Inspiration - Subway style

To tile or not to tile, that is the question? Well, not exactly 'my question', I want to tile but which tile is my question? If you have been following my blog you will probably have read I am planning to renovate my kitchen. It was meant to be ready for Christmas, however a rather high quote for replacement doors and bench tops has led me to the decision of a complete 're-design'. I've been dreaming of a kitchen similar to the one made famous in the movie 'Somethings Gotta Give' and was going to use simple white subway tiles, but after viewing tiles first hand, its not as easy as I had envisaged. Subway tiles come with straight or bevelled edges and once you have decided on your tile shape, you then need to select the finish, as gloss or satin will each achieve a very different look. Subway tiles can also be laid in different ways as you will see below. Where does this style of tile originate from? My childhood memories took me back to London's underground lavatories...eeww! However as the name suggests, they are derived from the tiles that lined the subways in early 20th Century New York.

My existing kitchen has a stainless steel splash back installed by the previous owners. I can see the reasoning for hygiene, however it is the bane of my life when it comes to keeping it streak free, not to mention it doesn't work with my decor in this open plan living area. High gloss tiles can be easily cleaned, and modern BAL grouts with Microban technology prevent the growth of bacteria. It is important therefore, if you decide to tile your kitchen, make sure you use a grout that contains this technology. If you are not sure about what colour to grout your tiles, The Yorkshire Tile Company have a nifty, 'grout selection tool' that allows you to choose a tile design and then try different colours of grout to see the effect before you buy. This tool is on their website and free to use.

Above: Bevelled edge tiles will suit both traditional and contemporary styled kitchens. Breaking up the white tiles with a double row of black tiles, looks smart and less clinical. You could also use darker grout between the tile if you are worried about discolour. A pale grey grout works wonderfully with sharp, white tiles, ultimately grout colour is a personal choice. Hence a good idea to use the grout tool I linked to above.

I think the bevelled edges soften the look. If using all white tiles, an off white such as alabaster, will look less sterile.

The relief patterned tiles above add texture and interest to the surrounding white, gloss subway tiles. They have a Scandinavian feel about them and would work well in a contemporary kitchen.

A herringbone effect

Flat sided tiles in a semi gloss. Remember when 'avocado' was all the rage in bathrooms, I actually had a bath and vanity in 'avocado', very similar to the colour of these tiles......eek! Although I wouldn't use the colour again, it is nice to see this shade returning as it actually looks acceptable as a subway tile and this green has more depth to it.

High gloss tiles laid adjacent to each other achieve more of a seamless, contemporary look.

 Images and tiles above from the The Yorkshire Tile Company.


More inspiration via Pinterest...

1. A modern kitchen with smaller subway tiles and grey grout.

2. Subway tiles work nicely with the concrete benchtop in a kitchen I would describe as country versus industrial.

3. A traditional  'subway' look, the dark grout makes the pattern quite distinct. Use a grout matching the colour of your tile if you want a subtle look.

4. A contemporary herringbone layout using larger tiles - Photography and styling by Paulina Arcklin

5. Black subway tiles in a more natural, rough, buffed finish, add interest by way of texture. I really like the way they have combined colour, texture and pattern in this kitchen.

6.The sides of the benchtop have been tiled to match the walls. White grout gives a clean look


Images via 1|2|3|4|5|6

Am I any closer to deciding my tile? I am pretty sure I will choose bevelled edge subway tile, colour, possibly alabaster, I have not yet decided on the finish. I will wait until my plans are drawn up and listen to the designer, but at least I have narrowed it down to a subway tile.

If you are thinking of updating a kitchen or bathroom with subway tiles, I hope you found this post helpful. Once work starts on my own kitchen I will be sharing the project from design to completion. If you don't want to miss out you may want to sign up for email updates (on my sidebar) which will come straight to your inbox. 

Lee oxo

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Kitchens - Tips for selecting the right doors and hardware

If you are thinking about installing a new kitchen you will probably agree that selecting doors and hardware is by no means an easy task. You want to be able to stand back on completion day and say, "its perfect, not "eek, those handles look terrible". A new kitchen is one of the biggest expenses in renovating and you need to get it right, so I want to share a few tips to help eliminate possible mistakes when it comes to selecting your doors and hardware. 

When it comes to planning your kitchen you first need to look at the style that will suit your home or new build. If upgrading an existing kitchen you need to take into account the surrounding decor and architecture of your home. An ultra modern kitchen can look good in a traditional style home but a traditional style kitchen can look out of sorts in a sleek modern home. If you are unsure, I recommend the advice of a kitchen designer. You may have a tight budget and want to install the basic kitchen yourself but it is important to have professional advice when it comes to the layout and storage options for your designated space. Alternatively you can hand over the project to a kitchen company who will cover everything from design to installation.

Before launching into your project create an inspiration board, this may mean cutting images from magazines or using Pinterest to gather ideas. If you are using a designer for your kitchen and plan to re-decorate adjacent rooms yourself, make sure the designer is aware of paint colours and any new furnishings, this will help them with their design.

Above: gather images of kitchens that inspire you to help find your style - These images I collected to help me with lighting ideas for my kitchen which is undergoing renovation in the next few months.

Once you have chosen your style of kitchen, whether contemporary or traditional you will need to select your doors and hardware, to help I have selected images of kitchen styles and commented below. The images are courtesy of Better Kitchens who have a wide range of kitchen designs.

When selecting your door and cabinets you first need to choose a finish. High gloss is more suited to a contemporary style kitchen, whereas vinyl can suit both styles. Hand painted wood is perfect for a traditional or shaker style kitchen, the advantage of a painted kitchen is that you can easily change the colour in the future. Your kitchens finish will determine your overall look, high gloss for a contemporary kitchen or a semi gloss for a more traditional look. You can read more about vinyl, wood and acrylic finishes.....here.

Above: This shaker style kitchen (Keswick in Olive) is perfectly suited for a country or traditional style home. The square sided tops and cabinets are more traditional, whereas the curved cabinets have more of a 50's feel. Personally I prefer square as I feel that this style is less likely to go out of trend, however curves definitely soften the look.

Above: Another shaker kitchen, Portland in Ivory. Compare this kitchen with the one above, the same cabinets but different hardware. The handles on this kitchen are smaller and this changes the overall appearance. The previous Portland has larger more ornate hand pulls. where this Portland kitchen has small knobs which are less obtrusive and create a cleaner, less cluttered look. The wooden top as opposed to the granite in the first image creates more of a country look to the kitchen, a little more rustic country than traditional. Handles alone can completely change the look of a kitchen.

Above: Combining two different colours can work well. In this kitchen the main cabinets are ivory with the island a blue/grey. The island instantly becomes a focal point. This combination would work for a larger kitchen, if you have a small space it is best to keep your cabinets a uniform, light colour. The dark handles on the cabinets can be a little overpowering against the ivory so it is important you have an idea of the overall effect of your hardware when choosing it. Looking at one door alone and deciding on the handle is not enough, you need to be able to picture the whole kitchen with your chosen handle. Mixing knobs and grip type handles can be another option as above, especially if you have many cupboards.

Above: Another version of the shaker kitchen, this time in Arcadia Walnut with chrome handles, the overall look is more contemporary than the previous kitchens. The stainless steel handles and knobs add a modern look. Personally I prefer floor to ceiling cabinets.

Above: A traditional style kitchen with curves, definitely more a 50's feel. The black handles do tend to dominate this light coloured kitchen, possibly a mixture of knobs and handles would have been more subtle. However, the black leather bar stools work well with these handles. Stainless steel handles may also work well in this kitchen and the wooden work top definitely adds a country touch.

Little details such as the architrave/cornice above the cabinets can complete a kitchen. If your cabinets are not floor to ceiling, using architrave/cornice will give a more finished look. I prefer to hide an oven extractor, such as above, gone are the days of overly large stainless steel hoods as a focal point. My opinion is, 'if you can afford the extra expense then 'hide it', unless of course it is a designer feature.

This Cambridge kitchen has deeper panels in the doors, a slightly heavier look, less subtle than the earlier Portland. The sloping panels on the doors are likely to be easier to clean than a straight edge panel. The tongue and groove panel at the side of the island is perfectly suited to both shaker and traditional style kitchens although this style of panelling wouldn't work on an ultra sleek kitchen.

 Above: A contemporary beech finish with wide stainless steel handles that give it a clean polished look.

Above: the same style kitchen as the previous image, however, a change of colour and handles create an entirely different look. Personally I feel the handles on this kitchen are a bit heavy and make the kitchen look a little dated.

If you want an ultra sleek kitchen, I would advise handle-less doors but be careful in your choice of finish as a high gloss finish may show all those finger prints and scratches easily. Make sure the finish you choose will be right for your family.

I hope you now feel a little more knowledgeable about selecting the right doors and hardware for your kitchen. Kitchen bench tops and layout are another post I may touch on in the future. Ideas and opinions are my own, therefore, I recommend if you are installing a new kitchen, you do as much research as you can on the topic first and if in doubt call on the professionals.

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Lee oxo

Help! Kitchen lighting ideas wanted!

Currently I am in the planning stages of creating an office and updating my kitchen. My guest room is almost complete and as previously mentioned I hope to publish before and after shots next week. My current 'inherited' kitchen is only a few years old, however it lacks storage and is a little too contemporary for my style. I am opting to replace bench tops, doors, oven and adding a few new cupboards if possible. I hope this will be a cheaper option, to achieve a new look without breaking the bank. My new kitchen will have a country/contemporary mix, however, I am unsure about the style of light above my kitchen island. The existing light fitting is a modern suspension fixture and will definitely not work with the country look I want to achieve.

Current kitchen

Existing light above island - Out with the old!

Changes to be made to kitchen:

• Window - existing narrow Venetian blind to be replaced with wide, white plantations style shutters.
• Stainless steel splash back will be replaced by white subway tiles
• Existing stainless steel sink and drainer to be replaced with a sleek white ceramic basin and co-coordinating tap
• Stainless steel cooker hood - This will be updated with a hidden extractor in an extra cupboard
• Cupboard Doors - These will be replaced by panelled doors in a neutral shade of white
• Handles - existing handles replaced with antique style, pewter knobs
• Bench tops - Current white Formica to be replaced with beautiful polished granite in Irish cream (a beige/grey speckled granite)
• Existing 5 bar light to be replaced -  2 or 3 pendant lights or ??

Lighting is a major part of any renovation and can be costly as it usually involves an electrician, therefore I need to select the perfect light so not have regrets if I make a mistake. Below are few examples of lights I think may work from the wide range available from Scotlight Direct. Should my lights make a statement? should I have a bank of lights?, two suspensions...or should there be three? At times I am a little safe in my choice, so this is where I would like your help. Picture a light, bright, country look similar to the kitchens above and help me choose the perfect light  above my island.

I look forward to hearing your suggestions

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Kitchen Inspiration - A Touch Of Country

I am currently seeking inspiration for my kitchen makeover which I plan to have underway by Spring. I have found a company in Auckland who will replace the doors and bench tops so I can keep the existing cabinets in place, to this I plan to add new wall cupboards and replace my overly large gas/electric cooker with a sleek induction top and under oven. My current kitchen is white, modern with a lot of stainless steel and cheap Formica tops and simply doesn't have enough storage. My house is 1940's, classic style panelled doors, high stud and wooden floors. The overall feel of this open plan living area is currently one of discord as the current kitchen is in contrast to the other end of the room which has more classic styling. I hope to achieve a more unified look in my makeover by replacing the flat doors with a traditional style and the Formica bench tops with a lovely granite. I also want to achieve more storage and better use of bench top space. I have been looking for lots of ideas and drawing some inspiration from the following kitchens...

Image sources: 1|2|3|4|5|6

Any thoughts or comments are welcome, next week I will post my kitchen mood board and a before shot of the kitchen. Hopefully my guest bedroom will be completed within the next week or so and I can post the before and afters shots.  I am waiting on the window treatments at the moment and also waiting for the foam for my headboard (I will be sharing how to create a headboard). The room is really coming together beautifully and I am looking forward to sharing images of the full makeover.

An entirely ecelectic home - Traditional, contemporary, country, vintage, you name it, this house has it all!

I'm in a terrible rush today, I woke up late and now short of time before my monthly hair dressers appointment. I have to admit Loreal is a bit of a lifesaver when you have a few greys coming through, (well maybe a little more than a few ;). However, after my appointment I have to rush to the fabric shop to choose linen for my headboard and then across town to view some lighting ideas for my guest bedroom, which by the way, is almost complete. I had hoped to bring you a post about "Hampton's style" but its not finalised, therefore, bringing you another house tour, an eclectic home with so much interest and variation it's hard to know which images to share. From classic to contemporary, I have narrowed them down to the most interesting ones, if you would like to view more, I have placed a link at the end of this post.

We hope you have enjoyed this most interesting home.

Images copyright of jjlocations - This home is available for photographic/film shoots.