KITCHEN FASHION IN METAL!

 
KITCHEN FASHION IN METAL!

Just like your wardbrobe requires statement pieces, so too does good kitchen design!  Begin with a hood or sink.  Plan for at least one special show stopping element in the budget....  Maybe you distinguish the space with a metal counter top?  Careful not to overwhelm by using too much of this exquisite material!  Going overboard is for the untrained eye.  Always edit the space carefully by hiring an expert to help with very important placement of the statement pieces with all other elements in the kitchen.

Zinc

Zinc is a very beautiful option as counter material and has been used on counter tops, bars and back splashes for years. It can be welded to create seamless tops and sinks.  Also makes gorgeous hoods.

• Antimicrobial
• Living finish when unsealed
• Over time, scratches and marks from use enhance the antique look.
• Finish can be aged using chemical compounds

 

Note- when zinc is exposed to water, a white oxide forms on the surface; this material requires maintenance.
 

Stainless Steel
 
Impervious to bacteria and heat, stainless steel is the ultimate in counter top surfaces. Stainless steel has become the “in” product for modern, transitional and contemporary kitchen counter top design.  Scratches and marks give the stainless steel the feel of a working kitchen, but does not decrease its aesthetic value. Sinks are welded to create a clean, seamless a one piece unit; sink dimensions, shape and drain locations can be at the discretion of the purchaser.

• Stainless steel is heat resistant
• Antimicrobial and non-allegenic
• Sanitary pit-free surface

Maintenance: Use a specially formulated stainless steel cleaner. Scratches can be buffed with a fine scotch brite pad, never use steel wool!

Copper Copper is lovely to look at and a nice compliment to most decors, particularly modern contemporary, traditional and country.  In addition to plain sheet, it is available in many textures and finishes. Unsealed, it provides an antimicrobial surface 30 times more effective than stainless steel. Unsealed, it provides a "living" surface that will change colors over time, depending on what it comes in contact with -- most often, it will go to shades of brown. Antique or aged finishes can be obtained chemically, so you can choose the exact finish you desire. Sealed or regularly polished, it will remain its original color. If sealed (lacquer or other) it will like require periodic resealing to maintain its look.

Rich in character and charm, copper counter tops are have been used for generations and offer generations of enjoyment .

Bronze and Brass Bronze like copper, is lovely to look at and a nice compliment to many decors, especially modern, contemporary and traditional.  In addition to plain sheet, it is available in many textures and finishes. Unsealed, it provides an antimicrobial surface Unsealed, it provides a "living" surface that will change colors over time, depending on what it comes in contact with  it most often transforms or patinas into various shades of brown. Antique or aged finishes can be obtained chemically, so you can choose the exact finish you desire. Sealed or regularly polished, it will remain its original color. If sealed (lacquer or other), it will like require periodic resealing to maintain its look.     Growing in popularity rapidly as counter top material are the alloys bronze (copper and tin) and brass (copper and zinc). The mix of metals makes both of them harder than copper and both start out with more golden hues than their salmon-colored parent. Both will patina into dark brownish black tones.

Pewter
 
Often seen pewter counter tops in cafes, bars, and other dining establishments around the world, it's not difficult to bring the same warm and delicately worn look into the decorating scheme of your kitchen. These striking kitchen counter tops are lead free, made from a tin alloy.

The surface is completely safe for food preparation, making them an ideal choice for home kitchen counter tops. You can select from among a number of different edge styles, and these stylish counters can easily be wiped clean with mild soap and water. Pewter counter tops will acquire a natural patina over time, meaning that they will develop a unique glow and luster that can enhance the decor of your home for years, or even decades, to come. If you want to keep the original shine intact, simply use mineral soap when the counters need washing rather than other types of cleansing agents.

 

A Study in Gray! Solice and Harmony.

Gray is fantastic.  The neutral nature provides the perfect backdrop for adding your favorite color.  The gray scale can be explored at varying levels for a monochromatic effect as well.

 

The unexpected expanded honeycomb flooring here screams updated!  A color scheme of white and gray hues provide subtlety, while the crisp lemon yellow brings cheer to lighten and brighten up the space.  Marble subway tile and cement counter tops ground the space.  The roman shade with valance window treatment seals the deal!  

Here the scheme is softened with a gray-blue stain washed on cabinetry.  The warm-cool look is then refined.  Flooring ties in with the farm table top.  Touches of yellow accessorizing repeat the soft golden oaks.  The red accessories offer that touch of a third color to carry the eye around the room.  A purpose for everything.  Nothing is out of place here.  Note, no traditional upper cabinets.  The obstructions in this room offer an opportunity for an out of the box design!!

 

Taken to the extreme we see the monochromatic effect of gray scale here in this contemporary modern kitchen.  Now all the design interest lies in texture and shape.  Fabulously celebrating the clean architecture and smoothness of space.  Leaves a quiet.

The Baker's Kitchen - Reality Design!!

Ranch Style Kitchen!

Absolute granite counter tops surround while black bakers island in bianco carrara marble top gives the homeowner the perfect workspace opposite the double ovens!

Angled peninsula/breakfast bar to accommodate passage from front foyer to kitchen to family room areas. Wonderful flow and function for entertaining. Just think of the buffets on that space to the left!

 Enter from garage through kitchen side door into the ample pantry area and move onto the great sink! Undermount deep stainless steel sink paired with a very functional pot filler faucet!

Can's see the dirty dishes from the table but you can see the gorgeous gray hued                glass verticle tiles....ahhh!

Opened the wall of this ranch home to allow light flow, conversational flow and overall open feeling to the kitchen. Allowed enough wall space to remain for a double oven.... see above for more photos.

Breakfast break or stop and chat with chef!


This is your classic ranch home!  The removal of two walls, one in common with the foyer and the other in common with the family room opened this kitchen up to light and functional flow! The updated lighting and angled peninsula give it an unexpected twist. No more dungeon kitchen. Reconfigured completely. Not pictured, to the right of the refridgerator is a office area desk space underneath a lovely front window! Just knock out, REASONABLE solutions!! Just add: art and accessories....

NEUTRALITY! Always a good place..............

The ground is crisp white cotton and the floral is marked with palest gold, deep charcoal, medium gray.  The stripe is a lush cut velvet in deep gray, taupe on a pale gold ground.  The stunning plaid/herringbone cotton weave is grounded in white linen woven with palest gold herringbone pattern with larger all over simmering gold metallic checks. Lastly the solid textural woven cotton gray nubby needle point.  What to do?  Oh that is easy.  This ensemble would make a striking family room.  Sofas in a very durable soft cotton chenille solid pale gold.  The textured plaid for the comfy chairs.  The ottoman in the solid needlepoint, tufted with nailheads!  Combine the velvet stripe and floral pillows with thick soft brush fringe, oh please do!  For the adventurous, the floral on the windows!  Or for a more transitional look do the windows in a natural wood shade.  Set yourself up with some end tables in a soft black finish,  some white porcelain lamps with linen shades, some soft gold woven baskets for storage.  This is divine neutrality at its best.  

Go ahead an throw in a ginormous plasma TV and DONE.

The magic of fabric!

Whether it is a neutral scheme like the first,or the neutral scheme like the last, or bold colors in between offset by natural linen ground, the colors and textures, fabric scale and content all contribute to an amazing collection! The first all neutral scheme says a calm and sophisticated romantic bedroom or formal living room.  The second linen, chartreuse, turquoise scheme speaks coastal family room!  The classic blue and white floral with blue chenilles makes for a bright casual living room.  Now the cool warm neutral floral combined with the slight shimmering gold, ivory plaid in cottons and linens are offset by the cool cotton woven fisherman's knit that would make an amazing sofa paired with the silk cotton chenille stripe that marries all the colors in the floral.  This would make a great room anywhere!  Which one do you identify with?

A Natural Inspiration

Here is a photo I took the other day at around 2:30 in the afternoon after a soft rain.  Look at the color inspiration here!!  This is a color scheme begging to be translated into a room or an entire home!  The assorted browns are obvious.  Flooring, larger pieces of furniture offer the sleekness and richness of brown.  Greens are window treatments and wall color.  Greys are stainless steel accents such as tables or more literally actual stone in a fireplace!  Deep purple and orange are wonderful accent colors that could be showcased in art, florals, pillows and accessories.  This could be a subtle or bold scheme depending on the saturation of color used.  For a spa like quiet feel add gray hues to soften each color. 
The lesson here is not to be afraid of color, IF you know what you are doing with it.  A purpose is required of course.  It is all in the way color is combined, how intense and knowing when and where to punch it up.  Texture can not be ignored with this inspiration either!  Look at the smooth bark, the chunky stone, the wavy ivy ground cover, whispy grass and lacey branches.  There is a balance among the massive variety so perfectly provided in nature.  Don't be overwhelmed, just look outside for your inspirations.  It is all there before you.  Translation is the key and sometimes requires an expert eye to make the transition from the natural environment to your home environment.

What is your Style? You do have one.

A very simple way to determine your style is to go onto google images and just put words for objects you would like to see.  Now make a selection of about 20 - 30 things/objects that appeal to you.  Copy them onto your photo alblum space on your computer.  Very quickly you will see a development of your style appear.  Keep doing this until you are satisfied that you have covered enough subject matters and given yourself the opportunity to consider texture, color, light and dark. 

This exercise will be most helpful to determining your style.  It may be that you are acclectic and really just appreciate all kinds of shapes, sizes, color, texture and designs and that is okay.  You may become overwhelmed by how your selections don't seem to define your sense of style.  Someone who is trained in design will be able to interpret this for you and will translate it into a most magnificant space that will speak to you.

Here are some examples of very different table top designs.  They all have very different styles and may not appeal to everyone.   Choosing just one will begin revealing your style to you.

Enjoy!

Amy