Kitchen element 2...

The second element I will share with you for our new kitchen is the butcher block counter I am doing on the island. Trying to get the Mr. to go for it was next to impossible...but I can be very persuasive and very consistent when wanting something, he usually puts up a good fight but he lost this one.

Image via Kitchen&BathIdeas

I wanted to add warmth to the kitchen since I will be going for a cleaner white than what we have now on our cabinets. This will be the perfect way to add depth, character, and the wow factor. I am leaning towards an edge rain walnut for the material but I need to confirm the flooring first, I want to ensure the tones play well off of each other.

Image via Grouthouse

Here are just a few more images that made this decision too easy...

 Image via 1805AnitaDr

 Image via MyHomeIdeas

Image via Kitchen&BathIdeas

Image via Trend Ideas

And on another note, here is the pic I took out on the lot on Friday. Yes, that was this past Friday and that is snow...everywhere. The lot is getting the final prep before excavation starts.

Things are trucking along here, I will have a good long update post in the next day or two...lots going on in our world of construction! Mel xo

Thank you Ava Living...

Thank you Ava Living for highlighting one of my kitchens in the weekly feature! If you are not familiar with this site yet check it out. I know it will take off and be a great resource for designers and clients alike.

With the option to search images by room and even color you will fall in love with the concept. Have a great day!! Mel :)

Burst of color...

So I have been known to be a Tanoholic in the past, not in the tanning bed sense, but with my color plate. I wanted to prove that I can work with color...and for these clients it was A LOT of color. The images below are from an inner city home we built a while back in a great area called Scarboro. I find our inner city clients tend to think outside of the box more so than the suburban clients. It is always a challenge to design a great unique home with the restrictions that come along with an inner city infill home. It is a challenge I love taking on and hopefully we will get the opportunity again and again.

Here is the view when you are coming down the stairwell from the second level.

The kitchen was built-on site and finished with a cream color lacquer for the the perimeter, topped with a honed brown antique granite, and a great orange glass mosaic tile back splash. The island is a burst of color that most do not expect. In place of granite we used a maple butcher block, the client is a huge baker so we wanted to keep that in mind when selecting materials.

 A close up of the island. Simple design with shaker style panel doors, venetian bronze knobs and half moon pulls, and a simple plinth detail at the base. The island is painted with Pratt & Lambert Bittersweet, such a fun color!!

We incorporated the burst of color from the island into the backsplash with pumpkin color glass mosaic tile.

All image my own

The one thing I need to do is get back to the home and shoot it with proper lighting and with the great furniture that they have added. I love image of a lived in warm home and trust me, this home has it!

Enjoy your Thursday, hard to believe the week is almost over! Mel xoxo