We’re loving grey

What used to be a neither here-nor-there colour, grey has taken off and become very much the new black for 2012. It works particularly well, I think, in the kitchen, where it can be teamed with paler shades for a more neutral scheme, black for an air of sophistication, or something more vibrant, such as lime or red, to liven it up.

This new Argento kitchen from Underwood has been hand-painted in shades ranging from gunmetal to soft grey, with Cosmic Black granite worktops and a solid walnut table and bench seating. Beautiful.

Laurie

 

Cooking up a cosy kitchen

I’m always harping on about the need to make rooms look homely – and I’m not just talking living rooms. If the kitchen is what most of us regard as the heart of the home, why not cosy it up? Lots of books – and not just cookery – are a great thing. Even adding those darned (or not darned) cushions like those in the pic makes it a more welcoming place. And don’t you just love those chairs!

Seán O

The perfect ingredients for a homely kitchen…

 

Pretty in pink

It’s my birthday today. And although it comes as no surprise to me, there has been a definite theme amongst my loved ones for cards and presents…  PINK! As a girlie girl, I just can’t get enough, and so today’s blog is dedicated to my favourite shade. From fuchsia to baby pink, magenta to bubblegum, why not add a splash of colour to your home in time for summer? Mix sugary pastels with soft dove grey, stronger magenta with red and purple, or vivid pink against a neutral palette of white. If you’ve got a hint of pink in  your home, I’d love to hear how you’ve used it.

Loving these flamingo-pink bar stools.

 

 

Laurie

Breakfast bar blues

I love my kitchen. It’s big (always good), green (one of my favourite colours), and has a range cooker (win!). But, if there’s one more thing that would make my kitchen complete, it’s a breakfast bar. The room is almost split into two sections, with cabinets running round most of the walls (a quick drawing below gives you an idea of the layout of my kitchen), and no place lends itself as the right area for a breakfast bar.

Oh well, I’ll just swoon over what I’d like in an ideal world instead…

So pretty, so simple – I’m loving the tongue-and-groove and the rustic stools

The mix of classic touches (crook-style tap, pendant lights and stove-top kettle) with retro-style accents (metal stools and Fifties wall clock) is a winner in my book!

The metro tiles and, cool old weighting scales and mad bar stools make this room for me. Emily

Très chic kitchen

Oh, I want it! So pretty, so quaint – a little slice of Paris in your own home. When I look at this room, I’m transported to a 1930s street cafe with Poirot sitting in the corner twiddling his moustache and solving mysteries (ok, maybe not…)

Normally, I find monochrome too dull, too boring, but this simple kitchen-diner proves me wrong. For me, the cute check curtains and leaded windows lift this room from ordinary to extraordinary, without being over the top. And, just in case I can’t quite shake free of my fixation with colour, a quick lick of paint on the window frames, picture rail, maybe the chairs, and some new cushions (I’m thinking a deep wine red…) and hey presto – you’ve got yourself a whole new room. Emily

Go crazy for colour

Much as most of us love a colourful room, it’s usually only the brave that will truly go all out, while the rest of us inject a splash here and there with an accessory or two and feel quite courageous with our efforts. That said, if you can experiment, colour can really help bring your home to life. The Jolly family’s home, featured in the August issue of 25 Beautiful Homes, is a vibrant example of how colour can transform a room.

Perfect pastels

Check out the pretty pastel stripes above the Aga and the hand-painted chairs – easy to do and oh-so-pretty.

Pretty in pink

Not for the faint-hearted, this bright fuchsia bedroom looks spectacular teamed with fresh white.

Fabulous flamingos

Those that know me will appreciate how much I love this room – I’m such a fan of flamingos and this bathroom, with its small hits of bright colour, makes me want to experiment with wall stickers as Alice Jolly has done here.

Bathed in blue

It just goes to show that a bathroom need never be boring again – and it’s not just tiles that can be used to create a colourful effect. Painting the bath and in-frame cupboard doors in the same shade of powdery blue really works well, and it’s easy to get matching accessories (think tiles, rugs and again, a wall sticker).

A jolly house for the Jolly family – we love it!

Laurie

Cool for kids

Parents can never be cool, as far as kids are concerned, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a home that’s hip and, er, happening (which I’m clearly not). The Williams’ home in 25BH August issue is light, modern and spacious – plus every space seems to have its own identity.

Best of all though, as far as I’m concerned, is their groovy (oh, per-lease!) Togo sofa from Ligne Roset. With one of these in the family room, our teenagers could invite friends round, stock up on snacks and a DVD and not be seen for the rest of the day – how cool is that?

Seán O

My kitchen scrapbook

I’ve just discovered a fun new tool on the Magnet kitchens web site. It’s called My Kitchen Scrapbook. It’s an easy way to gather together your favourite kitchen images and create a mood board for your dream kitchen.

My kitchen wish-list

That’s my dream kitchen mood board above! Lots of open shelving, pop colours and vintage accessories, please and thank-you. I uploaded lots of my own images (found on Design*Sponge and the Hindsvik blog, mainly) but you can also pick and choose from other people’s moodboards. Check it out, roomies!

Kitchen’s I don’t envy

Lately I have been doing a great deal of rating, but very little slating. I’m afraid the time has come for me to cast my judging eye over some of the not-so-fabulous kitchen designs I’ve come across on Apartment Therapy and Design*Sponge.

Springy bar stools don't past the test

I know a lot of people love their island benches but there are some shockers out there! I say the chunkier the worse, especially when fussy brackets are needed to prop up the edges. And no to the bar stools too, my tip is to steer clear of anything too gimmicky or novelty, it’s guaranteed to date faster than that fondue set you got for Christmas. Or maybe at exactly the same rate…

More bar stools...tres blah

Another chunky island bench, I think I detect a theme. Don’t get me wrong, I love a black kitchen, but black and beige? Or is this one chocolate brown? I can’t even be sure. And to add to the list of rules for island benches – not too high!

Too much wood, not enough good

Maybe it’s the photography, but we’ve got a serious overload of sickly rich caramel wood here. And another chunky island. Chunky islands mean chunky extractor hoods, and that can’t be good for your feng shui, surely. Also, where are the windows?

Simplicity FTW

Aahhh, that’s better. A window and natural light cannot be beaten. I love the simple white cabinets and rustic styling. It just goes to show that money does not buy style!

Eclectic and homely

Exhibit B. Yes, maybe I am playing favourites with white here, but it’s not just that. Open shelving to display kitchen knick knacks and pared back design really help to create a kitchen that is timeless, unpretentious, cosy and yet stylish.

Alright, let me have it! Defend your island benches and tell me white is boring, or join me in the slating!

Spotted! Kitchen design inspiration

Our intern Lucy is an interior design die-hard, and has joined the hoardes on the social-media-meets-micro-blogging-platform, tumblr. We just love the images she posts, gathered from across some of the best design blogs across the web (there are even some from the Housetohome site!). Take a look at this lovely modern kitchen design she spotted for some inspiration…

Beautiful bespoke kitchen

The kitchen was designed by Australian architects Owen and Vokes. It strikes the perfect balance between sleek modernity and quirky character, don’t you think?