Heart Of Our Home | Kitchen Update

Like so many people, when we were looking at houses, the kitchen was one of the most important aspects to me. I wanted a casual, eat-in kitchen environment that would double as a great space to entertain. I wanted our kitchen to be inviting, cozy, and still modern and chic.

When we walked into our new home, the kitchen was not that. It had good bones, the previous owners had removed the wall separating the dining room and small galley kitchen, but it left the space feeling disconnected.

I wasn’t crazy about the cabinets (felt too traditional for me…) or the backsplash color (green glass..) but we made the decision to keep the style instead of starting over. We removed the makeshift breakfast bar, all shelving, and lighting and prepared the space for additional cabinetry around the refrigerator. The goal was to create more counter space and storage, all while connecting the two former rooms. The new woodwork around the refrigerator would add a full sized pantry, upper and lower cabinets, drawers, and a custom Boos butcher block counter top — the perfect space for all my cheese board creations.

We selected a large, modern dining kitchen table, that would span the space and have enough room to host larger dinner parties for up to 10 people. While the cabinets were going to keep traditional, that meant I needed to update the other pieces to my modern, simple liking, but I needed to be careful to avoid a clash of design.

We decided to keep the palette neutral (no surprise there..) with Modern Grey by Sherwin Williams on the walls, light walnut wood, white marble accessories and black hardware + fixtures. I felt this would update the traditional feel, without looking out of place in the classic home.

Above the table, we selected a mid-century modern chandelier from West Elm, which turned out to be one of my favorite things about the kitchen.

I couldn’t be happier with the finished product — we have already hosted 3 dinner parties, in the 3 weeks it’s been complete…

IMG_7255.JPG
8220D6DE-1AA5-45A2-A3F9-91AFCA29A540.JPG

Thirst for Inspiration | September Moodboard

 
Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 8.31.28 AM.png
 

SEPTEMBER

September has always been one of my favorite months of the year. As with most New England-ers, it's when we feel that fall symbolically begins (even though temps can still be in the 80s/90s). It is also the month we got married, so it has now taken on a new special meaning not related to foliage and cooler temperatures.

While I'm definitely not a pumpkin spice latte girl, I do love the muted earth tones that fall brings, and incorporating them into our home and a few new pieces to update my wardrobe for the season. I love the cool, crisp mornings and the new light that comes with the shorter days. I love the dried out stems and organic tonal palette that this time of year brings.

Thirst for Inspiration | August Moodboard

 

August

This month, I am drawn to the natural colors of summer fading into fall -- both in the home and in my closet. I love this time of year as the days start to get shorter, and it starts to smell like fall, but still with the hot sun of summer. 

I am using this palette in the seasonal details around my house -- dried stems on my fireplace mantle and muted textures throughout.