Not Neutral on Neutrals

No matter how many colorful garments hang in my closet, I always find myself reaching for the black sweater, brown skirt, brass-studded belt, white loafers. I know what works for me.

The same is true of interiors.

Images: Apartment Therapy, Remodelista, Delight by Design, Head Over Heels, Covet Garden Issue 6

Products: English Campaign Chair from Kim Fiscus for One Kings Lane, Quail Feather Pillow from Burke Decor, Dark Nostalgia by Eva Hagberg

A Thread of Color

Something about my apartment is off-kilter. It's all flourish and no structure, as if somewhere in the decorating process I got off on a whimsical tangent and let things get too precious. Have I lost my edge? What a terrifying thought!

Instead of overreacting and doing something rash with black spray paint, I decided it was time to reassess my aesthetic. It's easy to see the common thread in my inspiration images: a neutral background, a mix of fanciful and modern, and a single note of color.

Molly Sims' Kitchen, Source Unknown

Image Source Unknown

What a relief to know that the cure for my design angst may just be a trip to Ikea and some selective editing. This weekend I'm going to pare down to the basics and rethink my palette. What color should I weave in with my neutrals?

PS: Don't the backs of those wooden chairs make you think of scrolling banners? Love them.

Stranded Without an Island

Our new apartment's kitchen is the largest and most functional that we have ever had. We have a double sink with a disposal (neat), a dishwasher (convenient), and a range hood (a godsend for anyone who doesn't want their entire apartment and all fabrics within to smell of crispy bacon). We even have enough outlets to make four slices of toast, blend a smoothie, mix a batch of batter, grind some beans, pull an espresso shot, and fire up the George Foreman all at the same time. It's a modern miracle.

The only real problem is that the above-mentioned appliances take up a lot of prime countertop real estate, and the space that remains is ill-suited for an active kitchen: a lumpy surface of uneven tiles with cracked grout. It makes for a wobbly cutting board and an anxiety attack every time something spills.

So, Adam and I set off in search of an island. We explored Ikea, but didn't find the blonde wood or stainless tables particularly appealing. I ventured into Craig's List and found even less appealing Ikea cast-offs. And then, I landed on the Crate & Barrel website.

The C&B French Kitchen Island

Oooh la la. The Carrara marble top is practical and gorgeous, the structural base is ideal for storage but still elegant, and it's a comfortable height for my tall chef. Naturally it's a ways out of my budget. Quite a ways.

My attempt to find a less expensive option was a bust: I found beautiful alternatives, but they're in Illinois and at least five times the price. Oops.

Custom-made reproductions by Old Plank Road Antiques

I turn to you, Dear Readers! Any ideas for an island alternative? If not, I'll be forced to haunt Crate & Barrel Outlet for a damaged floor model...

*le sigh*

A Marvel in Marble

A little worse for wear.

This $30 table has got a lot of character and charm, but here's the thing- it's only as good as its top.  A cracked or warped surface is useless for writing, frustrating for eating, and terribly impractical for food preparation (the germs!).

So, I'd replace the top with something as good as it gets... polished granite slab.  

Oooh, that gives me chills.

Stone countertop slabs show up all the time on Craig's List, and the prices are amazing.  The piece pictured above is being sold for only $100.  Though this particular slab is too big for the table, you could easily have it cut to size.  I just think the honed white stone would be brilliant with the antiqued wood...

See what I mean?

The stone top would make this table a wonderful addition to an apartment chef's kitchen.  When counter space is minimal, a small island prep station is just the thing.  Here's how I'd outfit it for a miniature version of my dream kitchen:

A patinated pull would make a nice ornament on the drawer, and a long bar pull on one side would be a handy place to stash dishtowels.

Can you believe I found these baskets at Fred Meyer for under $15 a piece?  Quite the catch, and quite the catch-all.  

I'd line up a few on the lower shelf to store potatoes and what-not (preferably sans feline).

Of course, I can't let any surface go undecorated, so I might add one of my favorite things...

 

Adam's antique milk truck, or an old aluminum pitcher from my collection.

And I definitely wouldn't toss that gorgeous old tabletop- it's got such an excellent raw texture.  I'd mount it on the wall and use decorative nails to display an assortment of cookie cutters.  

Very sweet!

Hallelujah.

When I saw this kitchen (the House Beautiful Kitchen of the Month) on Apartment Therapy last night... I had a moment of truth.  My kitchen grail quest is finally over.

Can you hear the angels singing?

Those gleaming pots, the rustic wood, the frickin' glorious range... Wow.  Of course, that's not to say that I'd take it as-is.  Replace all of that white with mossy green and a soft velvety black?  Throw in some glossy red to match my prized mixer?  You've got a deal.

It's a Porsche for my kitchen... Shiny, sexy, and just listen to this baby purrrrr

Of course, Adam will be designing the kitchen in our future abode, so I suppose I ought to run this by him first.  I'm pretty domestic and I bake a mean apple pie, but he's the boss in the kitchen.  That's what you get when you hook up with an ex-chef... and I am perfectly okay with that (as long as he keeps cranking out his signature dishes according to my whims).  So, what do you think, boyfriend?  Could you whip up a pomegranate-glazed leg o' lamb here?