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Everywhere I look, I see small rectangular tile used on backsplashes and upper walls in the kitchen. It’s getting a little bit worrisome to me. It’s worrisome because, having been a kitchen designer since the very late 80s, I have perspective. Perspective helps my clients, and I hope it helps you too.
It started (my professional association with tile) with 4×4 ceramic glazed tiles and pretty fruit and vegetable or flower designs, often seen with corner motifs, sort of that Country Floors look. Definitely gorgeous. Funny, I’m seeing it more and more frequently again and it’s still every bit as beautiful. Like Terracotta flooring, it was very popular, then went away. Now it is returning, at least on the periphery, to fashion again.
Then came 4×4 tumbled marble tile or matte, earthy, or light shades with fancy border tile. Tile was laid on the diagonal as a lower border against the countertop with a thin border tile above with square 4x4s above that (not on the diagonal), all over the backsplash on the diagonal with a square border at the countertop level, or maybe just in the cooktop area.
Later, probably near [...]
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These beautiful black glass E series Wolf ovens will be available in both single and double configurations in the first quarter of 2012. The key idea behind the new design is to provide another decorative option for the modern kitchens, while maintaining every function of Wolf existing E series ovens.
Equipped with balanced door hinges for smooth door opening and closing, Wolf E series built-in ovens offer dual convection fans and 10 cooking modes including bake, roast, broil, convection bake, convection roast, convection broil, convection, bake stone, dehydrate and proof. Other main features of these self-clean ovens include dual convection logic control system, touch control panel with LCD display, 3 adjustable oven racks, a full-extension easy glide and full-extension door glide, double-pane window, dual interior halogen lighting, hidden bake element and recessed broil, temperature probe and receptacle, delayed start and Sabbath mode. Wolf.
 BUY THE BOOK BUY THE BOOK!Decorate, a new book by Holly Becker of the iconic blog, Decor8, is an ambitious book (that’s the word that comes to mind). There is an enormous number of images for maximum visual delight, clearly and well written text as well as the ability to quickly drill down to the essence of each chapter and core message via quotes, lists, tips, shaded content boxes and other visual aids.
I love this kind of reference material. Give me the option to read or to look quickly for information. To me, this is a useful format, or mix of formats.
I am privileged to have been quoted in the kitchen section of this book in numerous places. It is an honor to me that Holly Becker sought out my insight on the topic of kitchen design. That said, while Holly Becker is a respected and treasured blogging buddy/colleague/friend since early 2007, I have declined to review books by other design industry peers, some of whom had been colleagues of mine (past tense-unfortunately, declining to review a book costs relationships) for many years. It’s lovely [...]
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The Chef’n VeggiChop Hand-Powered Food Chopper is a no electricity required product, and great for small kitchens, RVs, travel and camping. It’s also perfect for nuts, veggies, pesto, hummus, salsa, guacamole and more and includes a convenient storage lid that you can use to keep the guacamole fresh for later. The blades, bowl and storage lid are top-rack dishwasher safe, and store away together in one neat bundle.
 
I’m engrossed in le Tour de France, the fabulous cycling event which takes place across France each July for 3 weeks, ending in Paris on the last day. I watch it every day it’s on (truthfully, morning and night) and am emotionally transported to the beautiful small villages, the stunning landscape, fields of sunflowers, majestic mountains, and amazing 11th century chateaux…and, the fierce cycling competition too! There are few sights as beautiful as the peleton racing across the French landscape.
 Image by Graham Watson
So, what if one were to visit le Tour and rent a Chateau as many do? It’s on my list to do one year. Take a look at some of these wonderful, authentic, French country kitchens found in homes and chateaux scattered across the Loire Valley, in today’s Stage 8. These are beautiful homes to rent (but I’d also like to rent a chef to cook French cuisine, right?) Images from Luxury Retreats.
Below, a classic French style – the hood blends into the architecture in a seamless way, the cabinetry is traditional with mustard color on the island as well and is sort of built into a sort of [...]
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 Hello! For my first official post, I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself to you lovely readers. I’m Kelly Donovan and excited to be joining my mother, Susan, around the proverbial kitchen table to dish about all things related to our favorite room in the home. A bit about me personally… Having a mother who is a long time accomplished kitchen designer, and a father in the construction trade, I’ve grown up surrounded by all types of home renovation, specifically of the kitchen kind. I’ve worked with (ok, for) my mom on and off since I was a teenager – looking to supplement my babysitting income with a little extra to buy that awesome jean jacket that all my friends had – and now as an adult, feeling privileged to join the family business in a bigger way and follow a true innate passion. Living in Manhattan for the past 8 years, it’s been admittedly difficult to fulfill my passion for beautiful and functional kitchens while having my own space to cook in that was barely bigger than a shoe box. I’ve made do, however, and never let the lack of a four-burner [...]
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I am writing this on the plane on my way back from IMM Cologne, the Living Kitchen trade fair in Cologne, Germany. I was a guest of Blanco, as were four other bloggers (Paul_Anater, Jamie Goldberg, Cheryl Clenendon and Leslie Clagett) who are also part of the Blanco Design Council. It was an AMAZING trip. Germany is rich, culturally, and visually beautiful, not to mention on top of its game, showcasing innovative kitchen design and that includes Blanco’s line of products which were exactly on the mark for today’s (interestingly, US) consumer.
 So, I think the best approach might be to present my discoveries, impressions, and information in an organized way. I have just spent the last five hours of this flight sorting into categories, one by one, just around 2,360 images, taken over several partial days. THAT is a record for me!
My singular goal at any show is to size up products and displays quickly (for the most part) and be ready to shoot fast, really fast, even as I see people walking into the image I want to shoot. In a nano second, I know that [...]
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I picked up a new pair of eyeglasses yesterday. They are bold (for me), funky, and remove “good looks” as a (normally) important factor when I wear glasses, instead, replacing that concept with “a” look. Going down this road definitely messes with my head because I’ve always thought of glasses to be something to enhance my looks (if they had to be worn). So, this is a little getting used to for me. It’s out of my comfort zone, too, as I’ve never purchased glasses with a dark frame as I’ve always had light colored hair.
Which then made me think about the design of these glasses as compared to design in our homes. Does beauty in our homes (as one’s quest is for facial beauty) need to be the singular goal we aspire to? Do you let beauty guide your decisions because it’s easy and safe? More importantly, do you define beauty in only one way?
Another piece to this quest for beauty is this – with interesting glasses, as with design, there is sometimes a fine line between cool and, well, odd or ridiculous, don’t you think? I observed my thoughts as I tried on the glasses…over and [...]
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Here’s your lighting guy…it’s Matthew T. Gregg, president of Synergy Lighting. Matt is a Certified Lighting specialist by the American Lighting Association, Member of the Illumination Engineering Society, Member of the National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors and Energy Star Partner. I’m happy to have made Matt’s acquaintance and I had a few basic questions for him. Yes, every now and then we have to review certain basics of lighting, so here we go! Do you have questions for Matt? Ask in the comments section!
What’s the latest in general overhead lighting for kitchens? What 3 products do you like and why?
As trends in style, décor and technology evolve, so do the myriad of products available in today’s marketplace. This can often lead to confusion for homeowners and designers in choosing the appropriate type of lighting. When choosing overhead lighting, it’s easy enough to be persuaded emotionally to a particular fixture or design, however the foremost thoughts should be on task, design, function and longevity.
Recessed cans are often regarded today as being old and bulky, and ready for something new. This might hold true if you currently have 6” or 8” recessed cans with standard white or black [...]
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So, I took a look at my google analytics and I saw that I had visitors last month from 175 countries. How incredible and amazing is that??
I want to see your kitchens please and the more different or humble or personal or charming or over the top or WHATEVER, the better! I’m looking for one particular type….YOURS! 
It would be best if you send me an email with a link to your photos that are on a photo site, say, something like flickr.com, which is free and easy to access. Images from any photo website will do. Just send me a link. Tell me why you love your kitchen and please give me permission to use an image if I choose to include it in a future post (or posts.)
I love my country, the USA, but this time around, I’d like to see kitchens from the other 174 countries, other than the US! Let’s make the world of kitchens a little bit smaller!
Come on world, show me your kitchens and tell me your kitchen love story! I can’t wait!!
OK, it’s a little long, but please send the link to: [...]
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I like Nate Berkus’ style – I’m definitely a fan! Style is the word that comes to mind when I see interiors that have been touched by his creative hand.
 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 [...]
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This built-in gas rotisserie for indoor residential kitchens is now available from La Cornue. With the Flamberge you can conveniently and easily prepare juicy meats, poultry and fish in your own kitchens. And with the availability of custom colors, the stylish hand-made Flamberge can become the warm and inviting centerpiece of a festive meal, enticing guests with irresistible aromas. Distributed exclusively in North America by Purcell Murray, the La Cornue Flamberge Rotisserie is UL-approved and requires no special ventilation.
Measuring only 32″ square and 15″ deep, this rotisserie doesn’t take up a lot of space. Thanks to its superior insulation and air circulation, the La Cornue Flamberge can be built into a kitchen wall or cabinet with no problem, saving counter space. The temperature of the surfaces around it never exceeds 151°F. Constructed with a concave rear wall of solid cast iron, it is heated by a 27,000 BTU gas burner. Synthetic wicks pull the heat up through the vaulted back of the unit, allowing the radiant heat to gently cook foods as they rotate slowly on a spit over the flame. As meats, fish or poultry roast, they are basted with their [...]
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Italian made monoblock and modular kitchens from Inoxpiù offer great flexibility and performance, giving the chance to choose the best solution for your exact needs. Besides modern modular kitchens, Inoxpiù also manufactures monoblock cooking tops. While the company main customers are some of the top restaurants world wide, these innovative coking appliances are finding their way in many affluent homes as well.
 Qubica monoblock kitchen
With its pure forms, essential lines, carbon fiber panels and induction plates, Qubica is the new flexible monoblock kitchen by Inoxpiù. Perfect in every situation, from the private kitchen of every real gourmand to the most demanding and glamorous catering service, this is absolute must-have for gourmet lovers. Equipped with the hidden wheels, Qubica is light and agile, and can be easily moved around. The covering of Zero model is crafted in carbon fiber, a strong and resistant material often used in the aerospace industry. You can order the cover from a wide variety of colors and textures. Can also be acquired with two or more covers, to make sure you can match your own Qubica to any environment.
 Unica monoblock kitchen
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Cromo
Jada
Black and White
Black
Titanium
White
