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      Decorating With Area Rugs in My Living Room

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      There is a new color underfoot at my house, not only in my living room, but also. in my kitchen.

      One good thing that came about while being sick last week was that I spent most of the week snuggled under a warm throw on one of the comfy recliners in my living room. In this state, I daily had my sights on the living room into the dining area.

      Not to be totally unproductive, I visually played around with a few ideas each day on how I could update the room decor for spring and the warmer weather months ahead.

      Living Room in 2019

      Of all the rooms in my house, the living room is the room that I have changed the decor multiple times over the years in both major and minor ways. I like everything I have done to the room.

      The only reason I have made so many changes is that I have too many ideas I want to try. The living room is the place where I do just that – try out and experiment with ideas.

      All through the dozens of changes to the room, the seagrass area rug has always stayed. It is such a durable “go with anything rug” that we brought with us from our previous home.

      The only change I had made to this rug is when I did a color tweak after I started using more blue in the room. The rug border used to be green, so I painted the area rug border beige.

      If you remember back in the fall I added a patterned area rug over the existing seagrass area rug in my living room to cozy up the space for the cold months of the year.

      After the holidays, I added blue accents and a new X side table. I liked this look very much.

      Back in 2019 after we had the hardwood floors refinished was the only time I removed the area rug. Since it was summer and the floors looked perfect, I liked the simplicity and enjoyed the floor for a while without the area rug.

      Fast forward to this past week. I wanted to lighten things up again since spring is here and summer soon behind. When I was finally feeling better, the first thing I did was to roll up and store the dark area rug until next fall.

      After some online shopping I found this very affordable Tommy Bahama Marlin Transitional Indoor/Outdoor Rug to layer over the seagrass for a Modern Coastal look.

      Normally when I am looking for a color change in a room, I do it with paint – but a gallon of paint these days is so darn expensive! I am finding area rugs can be a less expensive option depending on what the rug is made of and the size.

      My new blue rug (7′-10″ x 10′- 2″)is slightly smaller than the seagrass (9′ x 12′)so layering was easy.

      I unrolled it and centered it right over the seagrass. As you can see the rug hasn’t flattened completely yet, but this photo was taken right after I unrolled it. It has flattened since.

      The new rug is just what I was envisioning – a little coastal, a little modern.

      I have been leaning to using blues in the room and really like the mix patterns of the large pillows I covered the no-sew way with the blue texture print fabric. They give the sofa a modern coastal vibe.

      New Kitchen Mat

      While I was changing the area rug in the living room, I also wanted to replace the green GelPro mat I had in front of the kitchen sink with a blue one.

      I have been using anti-fatigue mats instead of a small decorative throw rug to stand on when I am in front of my kitchen sink for years. They are the best and worth every penny! I have had a few different brands.

      I like my GelPro ones the best. I have a green one for the fall/winter and bright blue check for the summer. Since I rotate them seasonally, they last for years.

      Now I have this Lucky Brand Anti-Fatigue Wellness Mat that I found at HomeGoods, (also sold on Amazon). It is thinner than the GelPro brand, but for $15.00 it was worth a try.

      Anti-fatigue mats make standing less tiring, promote better posture, circulation and muscle conditioning, plus they are skid resistant and so very easy to clean.

      Seeing new color around the house for spring is making me feel cheery and ready for the warmer weather.

      Over the last few years I have embraced the slow living method to life and that includes decorating. I love to decorate and make things look pretty and updated, but I do it now at a much slower pace. I still have a few more spring tweaks for both the kitchen and living room that I will share with you in my next few posts.

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      in Rooms

      Eight inviting breakfast nooks for easy-going mornings

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      For our latest lookbook, we’ve rounded up eight kitchens with welcoming breakfast nooks of different shapes and sizes that provide a relaxed place to enjoy a meal.

      Typically tucked into a corner in or near the kitchen, breakfast nooks offer compact dining spaces that are more casual than a formal dining room and cosier than an island bar.
      They are usually characterised by banquette seating fixed to the wall with a freestanding table and chairs, but the examples in this lookbook show how the idea of a breakfast nook can be adapted to suit any size space.
      From L-shaped benches in awkward kitchen corners to curved banquettes under bay windows, read on to see how a breakfast nook can be nestled into any home for the perfect morning coffee or casual meal.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring homes with oversized windows overlooking lush views, houses with closed staircases and interiors that embody the “bookshelf wealth” trend.

      Photo by Carola RipamontiTeorema Milanese, Italy, by Marcante-Testa
      Design studio Marcante-Testa overhauled an apartment in Milan with a rich mix of colours and materials, creating a clear separation between the kitchen and an adjoining breakfast nook with its choice of surfaces.
      Geometric floor tiles in the nook contrast with the marble kitchen floor, but the two spaces are tied together with the sea-green colour of the tiles and kitchen cabinets.
      Find out more about Teorema Milanese ›
      Photo by Prue RuscoeBudge Over Dover, Australia, by YSG
      This breakfast nook sits in the corner of an open-plan kitchen and living area, next to bi-folding doors that open onto a pool terrace.
      Interior design studio YSG designed the nook’s banquette seating to follow the curve of the wall and upholstered it in brown and green fabric to suit natural surfaces in the Sydney home, including terracotta floor tiles, dark wood accents and marble tabletops.
      Find out more about Budge Over Dover ›
      Photo by Daniëlle SiobhánZwaag home, Netherlands, by DAB Studio
      Generous U-shaped banquette seating wraps the walls of the nook in this kitchen, situated in a home in Zwaag, the Netherlands, that was renovated by Dutch interior design practice DAB Studio.
      The studio chose grey upholstery for the seating and placed an Arebescato Orobico marble table at the centre to balance the expansive use of wood on the floor, ceiling, walls and kitchen cabinets.
      Find out more about the Zwaag home ›
      Photo by Anson SmartPacific House, Australia, by Alexander & Co
      A circular skylight illuminates the curving breakfast nook in this oceanside home in Sydney, which architecture studio Alexander & Co renovated to make it more suited to family life.
      Aiming to create a calm and contemplative space, oak built-in seating was tucked against a concave window that overlooks a swimming pool in the garden.
      Find out more about Pacific House ›
      Photo by Lorenzo ZandriSteele’s Road House, UK, by Neiheiser Argyros
      Steele’s Road House is a Victorian terrace in London that was renovated and extended by local studio Neiheiser Argyros to increase natural light in the home.
      A breakfast nook was added to the kitchen, with curved bench seating built below a bay window offering a more casual place to eat than the separate formal dining room.
      Find out more about Steele’s Road House ›
      Photo by Jan VranovskyNagatachō Apartment, Japan, by Adam Nathaniel Furman
      Designer Adam Nathaniel Furman nestled an L-shaped breakfast nook in the kitchen of the 160-square-metre Nagatachō Apartment in Tokyo.
      The tabletop adjoins the cabinets in the U-shaped kitchen and extends along a herringbone-tiled wall. Pink shelving was built over the nook to provide additional storage in the compact apartment.
      Find out more about Nagatachō Apartment ›
      Photo by Benjamin Hosking.Brunswick apartment, Australia, by Murray Barker and Esther Stewart
      Architect Murray Barker and artist Esther Stewart created a breakfast nook in this 1960s Melbourne apartment by tucking an L-shaped fixed bench into the corner of the kitchen.
      The kitchen was originally too small for a dining table, so the duo removed a wall that separated it from the living room and added the custom-made table and seating, which is lit from above by a square skylight.
      Find out more about the Brunswick apartment ›
      Photo by Tamara UribeCasa Pulpo, Mexico, by Workshop Architects
      Local architecture studio Workshop Architects added a breakfast nook when renovating a Spanish colonial house in Mérida, Mexico, aiming to add a sense of cosiness.
      Seating was built in the corner of the kitchen between two archways that lead to the living room and a storage room. On the opposite side of the kitchen, glass doors give views of two purple concrete dwellings that were built in the garden.
      Find out more about Casa Pulpo ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring homes with oversized windows overlooking lush views, houses with closed staircases and interiors that embody the “bookshelf wealth” trend.

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      in Rooms

      Eight kitchens with floor-to-ceiling cabinets that cleverly conceal clutter

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      Kitchens can often be difficult to keep tidy, but this lookbook demonstrates how floor-to-ceiling cabinets are an effective way to streamline and create clutter-free backdrops for food prep.

      Traditionally, kitchens are designed with floor and wall cabinets dropped below the ceiling to ensure they are reachable. However, today many architects and interior designers are opting for full-height solutions instead to maximise storage space.
      The examples in this lookbook show that floor-to-ceiling storage solutions are suited to kitchens of any size and style, and can be used to conceal clutter, appliances and even doorways.
      A bonus is that these cupboards also minimise areas for dust to gather, requiring less time spent on cleaning and leaving more for cooking.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with net floors, mid-century modern furniture and perforated brick walls.

      TS-H_01, Switzerland, by Tom Strala
      This minimalist kitchen, belonging to a home near Bern, features floor-to-ceiling storage concealing not only clutter but also a doorway to a garage.
      The white wall of cabinets is dotted by circular handles lined with smooth timber and forms a slick backdrop to the chunky prep counter, raw plaster walls and pale wooden floorboards.
      Find out more about TS-H_01 ›
      Photo by Fionn McCannChurchtown, Ireland, by Scullion Architects
      Oak-panelled cabinetry runs through the light-filled kitchen of Churchtown, a residential extension in Dublin informed by Victorian conservatories.
      While maximising storage, the cupboards are designed to conceal appliances and a pantry. The warmth of the oak is complemented by cool-toned white terrazzo on the floor and worktops.
      Find out more about Churchtown ›

      Sacha, France, by SABO Project
      Full-height birch plywood joinery is used to store the contents of this kitchen, designed by SABO Project within a Parisian apartment.
      The cupboards are almost disguised as a solid block, with small arched cut-outs subtly demarcating each door. One of the panels features a larger arched opening, which opens into a cosy nook for the owner’s cat.
      Find out more about Sacha ›
      Photo by Eric PetschekThe Amagansett Beach House, USA, by Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design
      The floor-to-ceiling units in this kitchen help draw attention to more playful design details in the room, including a sculptural custom island animated by exaggerated forms.
      Finished with wood and a lack of handles, the cabinets also blend into the floors and ceilings, disguising them as walls and creating a pared-back aesthetic for the room.
      Find out more about The Amagansett Beach House ›
      Photo by Eric PetschekBarbican Apartment, UK, by John Pawson
      Designer John Pawson used full-height storage in the compact kitchen of this London apartment to help achieve his signature minimalist aesthetic.
      The abundance of storage ensures the space is uncluttered, while a lack of handles on the cabinetry allows them to blend into the background. The rest of the home, which is located in the brutalist Barbican Estate in London, is designed with the same pared-back aesthetic.
      Find out more about Barbican Apartment ›
      Photo by Johan DehlinThe Parchment Works, UK, by Will Gamble Architects
      Matte-black cabinets with brass handles define the kitchen of The Parchment Works, which Will Gamble Architects created from the shell of an old cattle shed in Northamptonshire.
      Stretching from floor to ceiling, the kitchen units slot in beneath rows of timber joists belonging to the original structure. Their dark colour ensures focus retains on the tactile wooden surfaces above, as well as the adjacent whitewashed masonry walls.
      Find out more about The Parchment Works ›
      Photo by Pion StudioBotaniczna Apartment, Poland, by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio
      Polish studio Agnieszka Owsiany Studio married wood and marble throughout the interior of this apartment in Poznań.
      In the kitchen, full-height oak cabinetry lines one wall, punctured by a marble-lined recess containing a stove. The cabinets are finished with long handles in matching oak.
      Find out more about Botaniczna Apartment ›
      Photo by Kevin ScottPortage Bay Float Home, USA, by Studio DIAA
      These storage units follow the gabled roofscape of The Portage Bay Float Home, which Studio DIAA co-founder Suzanne Stefan created for herself in Seattle.
      The wooden cabinetry sits flush with a cooker hood above the stove, which is finished with juxtaposing stainless steel that has a brushed look.
      Find out more about Portage Bay Float Home › 
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with net floors, mid-century modern furniture and perforated brick walls. 

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      Eight homes with light-filled kitchens from Australia to Slovenia

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      For our latest lookbook, we’ve chosen eight kitchens in contemporary homes where strategically placed windows and glazing create well-lit spaces for cooking and spending quality time with family and friends.

      These light-filled kitchens feature different finishes, including marble, concrete, wood and glass, but are joined together by the sunlight that streams through their large windows, glazed doors or skylights.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with furry walls, sculptural wooden staircases and rustic Italian interiors.
      Photo is by Matthew WilliamsMonroe Street House, USA, by TBo
      New York studio TBo updated a 124-year-old townhouse in Brooklyn to meet the demands of a modern, multi-generational family’s lifestyle.

      Featuring a window that stretches from the worktop to the ceiling and glass doors that lead to an outdoor deck, the kitchen has maximised access to daylight and to the outdoors.
      Find out more about Monroe Street House ›
      Photo is by Rohan VennSydney bungalow extension, Australia, by Emily Sandstrom
      Australian architect Emily Sandstorm restored this out-of-use 1930s bungalow in Sydney with reclaimed materials from the demolition of its small rear kitchen.
      She sees the new kitchen, which features a kitchen island with a worktop of recycled Australian hardwood, as the centre of the home. A window wall creates views of an outdoor dining area and fills the room with light.
      Find out more about the bungalow ›
      Photo is by Nick DeardenGlazed house extension, UK, by DHaus
      As part of the rear extension to a house in Hertfordshire, UK, London studio DHaus opened up the original dark and cramped kitchen with a material palette of concrete, glass and Douglas fir timber.
      The studio lowered the kitchen floor by one metre and connected the interior to the garden, with glazing lining the entire end of the extension to create a bright, welcoming space.
      Find out more about the glass extension ›
      Photo is by Jason RickQuarry House, USA, by AB Design Studio and House of Honey
      West Coast-based architecture practice AB Design Studio renovated the Quarry House in California, a 1954 house that had fallen into disrepair, in collaboration with House of Honey, which was responsible for the interior design.
      The kitchen was renewed with textured marble surfaces and a kitchen island, as well as Crittall-style windows and doors.
      Find out more about Quarry House ›
      Photo is by Ana SkobeHouse MM, Slovenia, by A202 Arhitekti
      A202 Arhitekti transformed the traditional gabled house in Slovenia by removing all non-structural interior elements and adding a timber extension inside while preserving the shell of the property.
      The studio built the kitchen with light-coloured materials in a minimalist style, adding a large window with a comfortable window seat for reading or contemplation.
      Find out more about House MM ›
      Photo is by Lorenzo ZandriHouse extension, UK, by ConForm
      Designed by ConForm, the light-filled kitchen in this Hampstead home is covered with white marble panels.
      The patterns of light grey veins on adjoining surfaces were unmatched to “encourage a natural and textural language”, the studio said. Sliding doors open the room up to the garden.
      Find out more about the Hampstead extension ›
      Photo is by Peter Bennetts10 Fold House, Australia, by Timmins + Whyte
      Australian studio Timmins + Whyte added an extension with a folded roof that brings in extra natural light to this Melbourne home.
      The kitchen included in the extended space was combined with the living room through a shared material palette of ribbed wood, marble and grey terrazzo.
      Find out more about 10 Fold House ›
      Photo is by Jeroen VerrechtHouse C-DF, Belgium, by Graux & Baeyens Architecten
      Belgian studio Graux & Baeyens Architecten was tasked to maximise the space in a narrow townhouse in Ghent that already had a rear kitchen extension.
      The studio changed the gap between the old extension and the original house into a skylight and replaced the wall between the garden and the kitchen with a glass sliding door, which introduced additional light to the ground-floor kitchen.
      Find out more about House C-DF ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with furry walls, sculptural wooden staircases and rustic Italian interiors.

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      Eight kitchens islands that have sleek waterfall edges

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      For our latest lookbook, we spotlight eight contemporary kitchens that centre on islands with waterfall countertops made from concrete, stone and chunky terrazzo.

      As its name suggests, a waterfall edge is a style of kitchen island or cabinet where the countertop appears to flow seamlessly from the surface to the ground.
      The feature, also known as a mitred end, is popular in contemporary kitchens as it is an easy way to create a focal point while retaining a sleek, pared-back aesthetic.
      As revealed by this lookbook, they are particularly impactful when made from materials such as marble and concrete, which give rise to sculptural, monolithic centrepieces.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring living rooms with striking art pieces, colourful bedrooms and living rooms with cowhide rugs.

      Photo is by Pion StudioBotaniczna Apartment, Poland, by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio
      Agnieszka Owsiany Studio draped travertine over a series of oak cupboards to form this kitchen island. The wood helps accentuate the warm tones of the stone, which the studio chose because of its soothing and timeless qualities.
      “I really wanted to create something timeless, hence the idea to use materials such as wood and travertine which age beautifully and hopefully won’t be replaced within many years,” said the studio’s founder Agnieszka Owsiany.
      Find out more about Botaniczna Apartment ›
      Photo by Megan TaylorSunderland Road, UK, by 2LG Studio
      Sky-blue cabinetry offers a calm backdrop to the bold waterfall countertop in this kitchen, designed by 2LG Studio.
      Made of white marble with grey veins, it extends over both ends of a wood-clad kitchen island and incorporates a hob for cooking. The countertop was paired with pink bar stools and is illuminated by a Cherry Pendant light by designer duo Daniel-Emma.
      Find out more about Sunderland Road ›
      Photo by Mike SchwartzLake Geneva Residence, USA, by Collective Office
      Concrete was used to form the mitred end of this kitchen island, creating a centrepiece that juxtaposes the light and natural look of its wood-lined surroundings.
      It is complemented by matching concrete countertops on the adjacent wooden cabinets and incorporates a sink within its surface.
      Find out more about Lake Geneva Residence ›
      Photo by Danny BrightMontauk House, USA, by Desciencelab
      A black countertop overrides the wood-lined base of this central unit, found in the kitchen of a gabled house in Montauk, recently overhauled by Desciencelab.
      Standing out against the surrounding wooden cupboards, it helps to demarcate the food preparation area within the open-plan room, which also contains the dining and living areas.
      Find out more about Montauk House ›
      Photo by José HeviaPaseo Mallorca 15 Apartments, Spain, by OHLAB
      This clean-cut stone island is located in the light and airy interior of an apartment in a housing block in Mallorca.
      Its minimalist aesthetic was paired with a more tactile material palette of rough plaster, dark wood and rustic fittings in the rest of the home, which OHLAB chose as a reflection of its Mediterranean setting.
      Find out more about Paseo Mallorca 15 Apartments ›
      Photo by Daniëlle SiobhánFamily Home Zwaag, Netherlands, by DAB Studio
      The sculptural waterfall countertops in this kitchen are formed from striking Arebescato Orobico marble.
      Its earthy brown and grey tones are enhanced by the warm colours of the surrounding Afromosia wood joinery and oak ceilings and floors, which form part of DAB Studio’s wider “calm yet soulful” material palette.
      Find out more about Family Home Zwaag ›
      Photo courtesy of Yellow Cloud StudioGlyn House, UK, by Yellow Cloud Studio
      Oversized chunks of colourful aggregate were used to create the terrazzo finish of this statement kitchen unit, which is located in Glyn House by Yellow Cloud Studio in London.
      Its waterfall edge conceals a series of black-painted drawers with silver handles and helps to “intensify the experience of raw, handmade surfaces” throughout the interior, the studio said.
      Find out more about Glyn House ›
      Photo by Fabián MartinezLoma Residence, Mexico, by Esrawe Studio
      Curved sides and mitred ends soften the look of this monolithic kitchen island, which Esrawe Studio created as part of its remodelling of an apartment in Mexico City.
      The unit sits in the centre of the home’s kitchen and was formed from a striking green-toned granite that pops out against its neutral surroundings.
      Find out more about Loma Residence ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring living rooms with striking art pieces, colourful bedrooms and living rooms with cowhide rugs.

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      in Organization

      Kitchen Remodel, Butler’s Pantry & Murphy Door?

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      Remember back in May when I posted that we were seriously thinking about gutting our kitchen and making the space over? Well, after having 3 different kitchen designers look at it over the summer and design layouts to consider, we decided it doesn’t make sense at this time.

      The main reason being is that it wouldn’t look that different since the footprint and cabinet placement and color would be the same.

      We would also have to totally gut the kitchen floor to ceiling which would mean we would have to replace the flooring not only in the kitchen, but most of the first floor since it is open concept.

      To get a cabinet layout that I wanted, we would have to go with custom cabinetry where they could be made with less depth so an island would fit. With stock size base cabinets – the design programs the kitchen designer’s used won’t even allow an island to be placed in the floor plans.

      So no kitchen remodel for the time being, if we win the lottery, then we would like to add an addition to the house to double the size of the kitchen. But I am content with what I have and will keep enjoying making the space the best it can be.

      Even though the remodel is a no go, I am happy that I went through the kitchen designing process to see what could be. One designer I met with told me how to look at my current kitchen with new eyes. She said what we could do is add space, not size. I had to repeat this a few times in my head until I understood what she was saying.

      Basically, find a way to use the existing space you have better. OK – I am pretty good at doing this, for instance when I found a small rolling cart to use as a kitchen island. It is used constantly. I needed to look harder at ways to create more space. So over the last few weeks that is exactly what I did and then some.

      I have been going through every cabinet, closet and drawer, not only in the kitchen, but the entire house. I have been donating what we no longer use or need, which in turn opened up space for new energy and opportunities.

      I have taken car loads of stuff to the local thrift shop. After a few trips, the volunteers there asked me if we were moving! 🙂

      Nope, I just want less, less stuff, less items sitting around getting in the way simply because I can’t make a decision about any of it.

      I have even donated the coffee table that was in my living room. It got picked up last week along with other furniture pieces I know I will no longer use. The decluttering process was therapeutic – I feel liberated!

      I have decluttered the contents of my house and kitchen cabinets many times before this, but this time, I was ruthless. If we hadn’t used something in the past few years, out to the thrift store it went. My husband, Ed was all on board which made the process pretty painless.

      For More Space: Embracing the Murphy Door Concept

      A while back I read an article about Murphy doors and was intrigued. It gave me the idea to create a room for kitchen storage or if I want to be fancy, a butler’s pantry of sorts that would be in a room of its own, but easily accessed from the kitchen.

      My studioffice is behind this pocket door.

      Much like Murphy beds, Murphy doors conceal a surprise—but the surprise isn’t simply an unexpected sleeping space or nook. With Murphy doors, the secret is often an entire hidden room. In addition to their hidden pathway—making them great space-saving solutions for smaller homes like mine.

      My food pantry is next to this pocket door.

      The Murphy door idea is becoming popular with homeowners now as it is a fix for one of the most common homeowner woes—a shortage of storage.

      I could implement the concept in my studioffice using one half of the room as a butler’s pantry. I however, don’t need to add an actual Murphy door as the room already has the next best thing – an existing pocket door that can act like a Murphy Door.

      The door does not have a doorknob and when closed it can resemble a paneled wall especially if I paint it or do some sort of trompe l’oeil art on the door.

      Creating More Storage Spaces for the Kitchen

      Using one half of my studioffice made so much sense to turn into a sort of butler’s pantry since it is right next to the kitchen and pantry closet, plus I no longer did computer work at the worktable I created in the room. I prefer working at my kitchen table where there is a better view of the lake.

      Without needing a sit down work area in the room anymore, creating a new function on one side of the room for larger and less used kitchen items, as well as bulk foods we get at Costco was a no brainer.

      We initially thought building a wall of cabinets with a counter using stock cabinets would be the way to go, but then I decided before we spend time and money, lets use something we already own first to see if having less-used kitchen items adjacent to the kitchen functions as we think it will day to day.

      What we used instead of custom building a butler’s pantry was a forgotten and now vintage IKEA wall unit that we used in the basement of our previous house.

      When we first moved to the lake house, the wall units didn’t fit anywhere, so we took them apart and stored it all in the attic thinking we may give it to one of our daughters one day. I am glad we saved it.

      Luckily when we took it apart, we organized all the screws, nails and shelf brackets into baggies, as well as labeled every piece and documented it all with photos.

      After bringing all the pieces down from the attic, it went together pretty fast.

      Where the two file cabinet are placed, was a space with a turntable for a TV. We threw the turntable out and found the two file cabinets fit well in the space.

      Now we have more storage space for kitchen items that we want to keep handy, like my heavy Dutch ovens. In the kitchen cabinet I had them in they had to be stacked on top of each other to fit in the cabinet.

      I use these a lot, and it was a lot of work getting to the one I needed to use. Now there is enough space for me to simply grab the one I need, no more stacking and unstacking needed.

      I am still organizing the shelves and making labels for everything to help me keep it organized.

      So far, both Ed and I are loving how our new storage area/Butler’s pantry has given us more space in the kitchen cabinets.

      Ideas to Make The Most of Kitchen Space

      For the kitchen itself, I will keep tweaking and embracing the positive aspects of the space. Where it lacks features, I will continually try to come up with creative solutions to make the kitchen work better for the way we live and move around in the room.

      For instance, we can retrofit the cabinets under the cooktop with sliding shelves, pull-outs or baskets. Doing this will give us two levels of space in each cabinet which will double what we can store in them.

      I can also style areas of the kitchen differently to give new life to the space seasonally or on a whim.

      I would like to find more rectangular and square baskets to organize the contents in all the drawers – not only a few.

      And adding a surprise pop of color in the way of a DIY Drawer Liner where you don’t expect it always turns what looks unattractive, look so much better.

      Now that we have opened up storage space in the kitchen, I have restyled the open shelves as well as added something new on the wall in the kitchen. Both turned out even better than I thought they would. I can’t wait to show you in my next post. Stay tuned.

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      in Rooms

      Eight textural kitchens that combine stone and wood surfaces

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      For this lookbook, we’ve collected eight kitchen interiors that marry the natural textures of wood and stone to create visual interest while remaining practical.

      Stone is a hardwearing and durable material, making it a popular choice for kitchen worktops, while wood adds a sense of warmth to interior spaces when applied to walls, floors or kitchen cabinets.
      In these kitchens, the natural grain of wood is complemented by striking stone surfaces, including cool-toned limestone, travertine, and a range of dramatically veined marble.
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring mid-century home renovations, interiors centred around dining tables and spaces finished in reclaimed materials.
      Photo by Lorenzo Zandri and Christian BraileyMuswell Hill house, UK, by Architecture for London

      English studio Architecture for London renovated and extended this Edwardian home in London using natural materials in a bid to keep embodied emissions to a minimum.
      In the kitchen, cabinets were lined with oak wood while pale grey limestone was used for the floors, worktops, prep counter and a chunky window seat.
      The studio also exposed the original timber roof beams and complemented the minimal material palette with lime plaster on the walls, forming an airtight layer to mitigate heat loss.
      Find out more about the Muswell Hill house ›
      Photo by Daniëlle SiobhánZwaag family home, Netherlands, by DAB Studio
      For the kitchen renovation of this home in Zwaag, the Netherlands, Dutch interiors practice DAB Studio covered the walls and cabinets in Afromosia wood, and the floors and ceilings in smoked black-oiled oak.
      The Afromosia wood was quarter-sawn to reveal a decorative grain pattern and add a sense of playfulness to the space, while an Arebescato Orobico marble kitchen island acts as the room’s centrepiece.
      Find out more about Zwaag family home ›
      Photo by David Dworkind1980s Quebec home, Canada, by Ménard Dworkind
      A sculptural travertine island sits at the centre of the kitchen in this 1980s home in Quebec, which was renovated by Canadian architecture studio Ménard Dworkind.
      The studio also used a travertine slab to create a sliding backsplash, inserted into the warm oak cabinetry to conceal additional storage space.
      Find out more about the 1980s Quebec home ›
      Photo by Joe FletcherTwentieth, USA, by Woods + Dangaran
      For this kitchen in a Santa Monica home, Los Angeles studio Woods +Dangaran used a dark grey marble with bold white veining to form the island worktop and the surrounds of a recessed space in the wall units.
      White oak lines the floors, while a darker shade of walnut was used for wall panelling, cupboards and the sides of the island.
      Find out more about Twentieth ›

      Sydney Palm Beach house, Australia, by YSG
      Informed by the rustic beach clubs of Ibiza and Cancun, Australian interiors studio YSG overhauled a holiday home in Palm Beach, Sydney, with a mix of sunny colours and textures.
      In the kitchen, the studio sanded down the wooden floorboards to achieve a warmer tone and added an island made from two types of stone – Giallo Siena marble and travertine – to recall “the ombre shades of a freshly poured tequila sunrise”.
      Find out more about the Sydney Palm Beach house ›
      Photo by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm ArchitectsForest cabin, Sweden, by Norm Architects
      Danish studio Norm Architects kept the material palette minimal and rustic for this holiday cabin in a Swedish forest.
      Handleless kitchen cupboards are finished in oak to match the floors, complemented by a stone worktop that extends up into a short backsplash.
      Find out more about the forest cabin ›
      Photo by Daniel SalemiBrooklyn Loft, USA, by Dean Works
      White marble with grey-and-blue veining provides an eye-catching worktop, backsplash and shelving in the kitchen of Brooklyn Loft, an apartment designed by local studio Dean Works.
      Surrounding the marble is a large Baltic birch plywood storage unit that doubles as a room divider to separate the kitchen from the bedroom. A dark stone kitchen island was added to contrast the otherwise light-toned interior.
      Find out more about Brooklyn Loft ›
      Photo by Megan TaylorForest Hill house, UK, by 2LG Studio
      Playful pastel colours characterise the interior of this Edwardian home in London, which was renovated by 2LG Studio.
      The local firm aimed to balance Italian influences – in the form of the marble backsplash and kitchen island – with Scandinavian design elements such as the arched cabinets and grooved wood siding.
      Find out more about the Forest Hill house ›
      This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring mid-century home renovations, interiors centred around dining tables and spaces featuring reclaimed materials.

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      DAB Studio lines kitchen of Dutch home with oak and Afromosia wood

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      Dutch interior design practice DAB Studio has transformed the kitchen of a family home in Zwaag, the Netherlands, by covering the floors and ceiling in one type of wood and the walls and cabinets in another.

      DAB Studio aimed to create a “calm yet soulful” interior with an earthy colour palette made up of tan and neutral shades.
      Quarter-sawn Afromosia wood lines the walls and kitchen unitsThe floors and ceiling were covered in hand-scraped oak with a smoked and black-oiled finish, laid in a pattern of side-by-side plank pairs.
      Afromosia wood, a tropical hardwood native to west Africa, was applied to the walls and cabinets. The wood was quarter sawn to create a decorative grain pattern and add a sense of playfulness to the interior.
      Oak planks were laid in side-by-side pairs on the floors and ceilingDAB Studio co-founders, Lotte and Dennis Bruns, designed the interior to be a space that would balance “feminine and masculine elements” and reflect both of the owners’ design tastes.

      According to the duo, the repeating wood choices for the different surfaces give the space a sense of completeness.
      Marble worktops extend down the sides of the kitchen units”Per the client’s request, we wanted to merge the feminine and masculine vision of their new home, balancing each other out in one curated space,” the co-founders told Dezeen.
      “This allowed us to create unique areas in line with our client’s habits and interests while imbuing the space with a sense of spaciousness and lightness.”
      “In order to merge all elements of the design, it felt important to prioritise the theme of consistency,” the duo added.
      “For that particular reason, the wood of the floor is repeated on the ceiling, and the wood used for cabinetry is continued into the walls of the room.”

      Julia van Beuningen adds spiral stair in Dutch barn conversion

      The centrepiece of the kitchen is the island, which features Afromosia wood cabinet doors and a waterfall countertop made from Arebescato Orobico marble.
      Wood cabinets along one kitchen wall were also topped with a marble worktop, which extends down one side to frame the unit.
      The studio balanced “masculine and feminine” elements in the interiorDAB Studio added a dining nook below a window, designed to be a space flooded with natural light where the family can gather.
      Seating with rounded corners wraps the three walls of the nook. The seating base was covered in the same wood as the interior walls, while the seat and backrest are covered in plush upholstery.
      The quarter-sawn Afromosia wood creates a decorative grainAt the centre of the nook, a rectangular table with two blocky legs made from Arebescato Orobico marble contrasts the rounded seating.
      “The dining nook is where the family can spend time together, welcome new conversations, and create core memories,” said Lotte and Dennis Bruns.
      “The asymmetrical built-in banquette seating feels inviting with its round edges, and adds a dynamic feel to the space.”
      The dining nook sits below a windowDecorative items and free-standing furniture were introduced to the interior to add more rounded elements, including a Wiggle Chair by Frank Gehry.
      Elsewhere in the Netherlands, Francois Verhoeven Architects has created a bungalow clad in vertical timber slats and Julia van Beuningen added a plywood staircase to a barn conversion.
      The photography is by Daniëlle Siobhán.

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