Brass Hardware | Visual Comfort Lighting | Design by Tia Zoldan

Brass, copper and silver kitchens are trending. Silver (and its stainless colour equivalent)  has long been the go-to choice for kitchen fixtures, fittings and accessories but copper & brass accents can also pack a punch when it comes to the home’s heart.

Whether used in a traditional design or with a more minimalist approach, the subtle gradation of colours and the light reflecting factor that brings the use of these metals is an investment that will stand the test of time, trends, as well as guests “awwwwwhh” moments!

If a cooler hue is really more your cup of tea, then how about revisiting the silvery subject with a hammered feel? The cabinetry in Jean-Louis Deniot‘s kitchen  is clad in hammered silver with marble countertops & backsplash… a true masterpiece in my book. Ahhhh the things to look forward to n’est-ce pas?

The cabinetry in the kitchen is clad in hammered silver with marble countertops. Stilnovo brass and opaline light fixture is by Franke.

This hand-beaten copper sink by Electica is something of a show-stopper, especially when paired with ‘Original Artisan’ units by John Lewis of Hungerford.

source: 1. Tia Zoldan , 2. Elle Decor 3. Dwell, 4. Tom Dixon, 5. Homes & Antiques, 6. A Note on Design

I looked at this home and quickly realized that it probably would never do the cover of a decor magazine nor be the feature of a TV show. Slick and lacquered, curated and minimalist are all attributes that apply only in very small proportions to this lovely residence… and yet I am taken by this Swedish home.

There is something very casual and inviting about the messy order that prevails throughout the house. Bold colours colliding in a Jelly Bean bag kind of way, inexpensive finds and iconic classics living side by side in an otherwise white and bright living canvas.

I think this would probably describe as well my humble abode on the westside of Montreal’s downtown. And as much as I would love to have my house “picture perfect”… well it is anything but. I kind of had to come to terms with the this week after I learned that 7 Jours (a Québec weekly magazine for all things artistic) was coming to my house this Thursday to do a full feature with my family and I to promote Sauvez les Meubles (and I assume to snoop as to whether I live my my own set of rules).

My initial reaction was to scan my living room and adjoining rooms and make a mental list of all the things I had never gotten around to do. My bedroom – although more organized than a few months ago – remains the landing ground for everything and anything that passes the front door. My living room finally has a rug that I like (after trying 4 over a one year period!) so I am happy about that but the one in my son’s room is not ideal (family budget restrictions). My dining room has been invaded by all the accessories I buy for the show and that are too fragile to remain in my workshop, but that part I can clean before they arrive camera in hand. And so on and so forth…

After the list was completed, another reflection came to mind, and it is that my house will never be picture perfect, because I am not. I am full of irks and quirks, I am a little bohemian at heart and although I am VERY clean (read here a little freak about cleanliness actually), I do feel comfortable living in a controlled chaos.

So bring on the magazine people and their crew… at the end of the day I know my 3 kids, husband and I will charm them to the point that they “might” not even notice the messy order that is the law in our home.

source: Bolaget

Hi all, Gabrielle from Savvy Home here for another top 5. I had a conversation yesterday which got me thinking about what to do with ugly and outdated kitchen cupboards. Of course we would all want gorgeous kitchens filled with marble countertops, gold hardware, herringbone floors, ladders and incredible vistas but that’s just not always how life goes is it?

The good news is that there are a few ways to significantly improve the look of your entire kitchen with just a few tweaks to your cupboards and they won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Without further ado, here are my top ways to improve your kitchen cupboards.

1. The easiest, fastest and cheapest trick: get new hardware. Your kitchen will instantly look a million times better. Hardware is the jewellery of a room, so don’t be afraid to splurge. If you’re renting, it will only take a screwdriver to get those babies off and into your new place. If you’re in a temporary situation, get hardware that is classic and won’t get discontinued so that you can order missing parts once you change kitchens.

2. It may seem like I’m pointing out the obvious but: paint your cupboards! Go bold or dramatic and go glossy while you’re at it. It’ll add a whole other dimension to your kitchen, guaranteed!

3. If your cupboards are flat and boring, add some molding for visual interest. Even a simple wooden border will suffice to make your room look more sophisticated. And you won’t have to splurge on an entire new kitchen. That being said, you might have to ask someone with experience for their help.

 
4. If you have glass doors and you’re not crazy about them, one way to add visual interest is to display only your best items in the glass cabinets and add lighting. Your cabinets will instantly look like a million bucks.

5. If your cupboards are simply unsalvageable and a real eyesore, I highly recommend knocking those babies down and investing in some inexpensive open shelving. Sure you have you be somewhat organized and dust may settle a little quicker than normal but I’ve had open shelving before and it can really look fantastic!

What are your tricks to improve your kitchen cupboards?

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

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Sources: 1. Kelly Wearstler 2. Katie Ridder 3. Hamptons Designer Showcase 2012 4. Mark Badgley and James Mischka’s Kitchen 5. Sara Bengur 6. Ethan Feirstein and Ari Heckman 7. Better Homes and Gardens 8. Deulonder

There is something to be said about classic shaped and muted shades. That’s it, I’ve said it. :0)

Actually, my personal style is anything but classic and yet I was extremely drawn to the decor of this home (which is, I have to add, available to rent for summer vacations!).

Although the entire living room is a play on greys and whites, the few accents of colours and the architectural features of the pieces of furniture bring the space to life.

If committing to wall colour is to much for your own taste, how about committing to a bright piece of upholstered furniture instead? I find that not only is it current (and a little daring) but it also adds a touch of humour and whimsy to an otherwise very grown up environment.

The sage green kitchen with a rustic and country charm made the home for me (as well as its garden… but in my case it would not last a year as I make a cactus go dry!)

Source: One Fine Stay