“I really thought of myself living here,” Jeff says. Jeff’s lifestyle is one of often serving drinks and hors d’oeuvres before going out to dinner with friends, or taking in sushi, and when catering an event at home, having someone there to clean up immediately as the kitchen gets messy. The kitchen in his own home is wide open to the living area, and Jeff must have his kitchen “always stellar” as when he entertains, “everyone ends up in the kitchen.”

FLICKR SLIDE SHOW - 9 million pictures!

Jeff talked about it being a challenge to design a contemporary space that is warm. I don’t agree with that as a professional kitchen designer, but it brings up a great issue. Do you see this kitchen as [...]

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It’s always interesting to dissect the foundation and other elements that make up the framework of the design. There are several ways to “see” this kitchen. Images by the ridiculously beautiful magazine, Rum.

Below: Let’s look at the largest view of the space. It’s very strong, isn’t it? Both the wood and the white, to me, are equally strong. This modern kitchen is striking in its simplicity with its super clean lines. Yet the texture of the wood makes a very striking…yet quiet…statement. It’s strong, but sort of offers a feeling of security. An exciting mix of contrast on traditionally opposite planes (white used horizontally, wood used vertically) the white, larger in proportion and supplemented by furnishings, indeed serves as a paradoxical foundation. 

Below: THIS shot of this kitchen is a wow, no question about it. Can we achieve any more of a minimalist design? The shot itself is stunning. The wood texture and color radiates warmth and elegance. Clearly, the design is art…a functional and living sculpture.

Below: Well, the modern kitchen [...]

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Viking Ship Made by My Father on Display at a Museum in Seattle-he often worked with driftwoodMy father (born in Copenhagen, Denmark) was a flaming narcissist and I say that not with bitterness, no, but with affection, truly. The man was a charmer. And, most of my life, I ate it up and pined for more. I idolized him. He was a little funny looking, but made up for it with a passion for life. He was a free spirit…yet a straight laced entrepreneur who built a business that designed and manufactured a few parts (among other things) for Apollo 11 which went to the moon. He was a government defense contractor. He drove a cadillac, drank scotch, smoked a pipe (had a collection) and wore fancy suits. We lived in a Danish modern home. Some years later, I guess in his 40s, he lost the business. I [...]

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I often see a philosophy of Nate’s work which expresses “tradition with an edge.” Nate’s “edges” are awesome…cool color stories, tradition meets modern, texture meets soft, pattern dominates to unify, among so many more design concepts that delight, and always, for some reason, just feels right! Nate’s infectious enthusiasm for design translates into an ease, a gracious informality that’s easy to live with. I mean, I see him on Oprah, and before I know it, I’m smiling. He’s seems to be such a happy guy! Creating interiors with a happy disposition definitely shines through one’s work.

I’d love to see Nate do more kitchens, and I’d love to collaborate with him! Here’s Nate’s kitchen in his Chicago apartment. 

It flows. I love the black window trim. The turquoise is a great color and just flows into a collection of clean, solid, elements, sort of a framework for the room. And, those chairs and table…LOVE.

And Nate’s Manhattan apartment….this kitchen I love! I’m [...]

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incredible, amazing, beautiful, sexy, charming, colorful, historic, elegant, modern, rustic, delicious…and I’ll add another “incredible!”

The view from our apartment below over the Seine:

My husband and I stayed for 7 nights. We rented a luxury apartment overlooking the Seine, decorated in blacks, reds, and browns. It was TRES chic! Ok…the luxury part? My husband received a trip from his employer for many years of service and truth be told, we could have made several nice trips out of the gift and stayed at decent places. Instead, we made one small trip and then, um, decided to BLOW the rest of the travel $$ after airfare, on a fabulous apartment. Yeah….we’re glad we did. Sometimes you just have to blow the money, you know?

Which brings up an interesting subject. I never feel a need to stay within bounds of whatever I perceive my “class” to be (don’t we all have a perception?)…which changes depending on my mood. Could I afford to stay in that apartment for an extended period of time? [...]

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Right now, and for some time, I have been juggling some very exciting balls, all in the air (ok, the blog ball dropped!) I am currently working on:

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Angela and I both offer design consulting services, from one hour phone consultations (see the right sidebar) to full turnkey design services. It’s just amazing what can be accomplished during this hour as we get our clients focused and work through one creative idea after another, whatever the client’s budget. Good design does not have to be expensive! And, we work as a design team on projects too! Thank you, Oprah.com visitors, for visiting, and please leave a comment! Topic suggestions? Let us know.

It’s a good time at this point to also make mention of my daughter, Kelly Donovan. Kelly, my buddy, friend, daughter and all around super smart and savvy gal, will also be joining us on The Kitchen Designer blog to share her unique insights on living in no less than five small urban kitchens (in New York City). Kelly is [...]

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Leslie Hoffman, Executive Director of Earth Pledge is taking innovative green building and reuse philosophies to a new level with her current project, and personal residence, a modern beach house on bucolic Shelter Island, nestled between the twin forks of eastern Long Island. The project, named GimmeShelter, brings together a team of passionate green building professionals, led by Leslie’s decades long commitment to sustainable living. The products used in this home represent the latest green technology, information on which Leslie is particularly eager to share in an effort to inform and educate. The GimmeShelter project introduces a new dimension of community to a single residential home, supporting new thinking in indoor/outdoor living. I will talk much more about this project in the coming weeks and months. I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of this project. It’s pretty awesome.

 I went out to the site to meet Leslie (in a huge nor’easter-60mph [...]

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Following is a further collection of my tips to hold disaster at bay as you plan your kitchen design!

1. Identify a trend: I think many of us are aware that trends are something that we see repeatedly in the marketplace. If that is the case, it is most likely that the trend could have a year attached to it down the road as the hot item of that year. When planning a kitchen, made to last for a couple of decades, take care in identifying trends. Planning several trends into your kitchen design will date the kitchen sooner than later!

2. When selecting paint colors for your kitchen, always buy small sample bottles of about 3 to 5 different shades. In my experience it is impossible to select a shade from a little paint chip. You’ll need to paint [...]

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I proceeded to write paragraphs (and paragraphs) on elements that I observed that one could replicate fairly easily. I’m thrilled to have been quoted in AOL for this feature, but, unfortunately, many of my paragraphs did not make the cut. There were some good points!

BUILT IN BANQUETTE

One could buy short stock refrigerator cabinets that are 24″ in depth, mount the pieces on a platform of studs, put a sturdy top on top of them, and wa-laa you have storage and seating.  Those cabinets should be somewhere between 12-15″ tall depending on the structure below and above the cabinets and the height desired for the bench. Take a look at this earlier post I did on banquette seating.

COUNTERTOPS

There are GORGEOUS laminate countertops now that truly look identical to granite or other stone except for the touch. They are worth a serious look. Alternatively, in one of my own kitchens, years ago, I used granite tile and wood trim which is an excellent [...]

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