Guest Picks: The Artfully Styled Kitchen
Use Beautiful Accents to Upgrade the Look of Your Kitchen
Kelly Donovan
August 5, 2011
The kitchen has long been an afterthought when it comes to accessorizing and decorating — a dumping ground for miscellaneous clutter, disposable trinkets and little color. Having grown up in a kitchen that's quite the opposite, it is truly eye opening how adding a few simple treasured items, this once utilitarian room transforms into the most vibrant room of the home.
Scour your bookshelves and closets for decorative items to move into the kitchen and freshen up your look. Bring in colorful artwork and sentimental antiques to add warmth and character. Utilize real furniture to bridge the gap between function and both physical and aesthetic comfort. Then watch your family hover as you're preparing dinner and linger at the dinner table long after the last bite has gone. — Kelly Serra from The Kitchen Designer
Scour your bookshelves and closets for decorative items to move into the kitchen and freshen up your look. Bring in colorful artwork and sentimental antiques to add warmth and character. Utilize real furniture to bridge the gap between function and both physical and aesthetic comfort. Then watch your family hover as you're preparing dinner and linger at the dinner table long after the last bite has gone. — Kelly Serra from The Kitchen Designer
Etsy
If you're a fan of Mid-Century Modern or Scandinavian influences, just try to resist this adorably simple poster inspired by Stig Lindberg's BERSA teapot. I'm a huge fan of the color palette as well and love the dramatic visuals of the print. This is one I wouldn't see myself tiring of in a few months.
This gorgeous stoneware bowl from Leili Design is a piece you'll have for a lifetime, and will take you from fruit on your counter to salad on your dinner table and everything in between. Instead of keeping special pieces out of harm's way, up on a shelf and collecting dust, weave them into your everyday routine for you and your family to enjoy often. Food prep and food consumption are visceral activities shared with loved ones and should be fully experienced with serving vehicles worthy of the grandest occasions.
Find similar, more affordable pieces at thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets, or raid your mother's closets. Every family has at least a few of these treasures knocking around (and usually collecting dust!).
Find similar, more affordable pieces at thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets, or raid your mother's closets. Every family has at least a few of these treasures knocking around (and usually collecting dust!).
These vintage blue bottles look fabulous grouped together in the corner of a counter or on open shelving in a kitchen. The translucency and vibrant hue are beautiful, making a dramatic presentation for a few wisps of beach grass or a solitary bloom. Conversely, serve drinking water in them, spread out along your dining table.
Elevate the homely onion by storing them in a beautiful bowl on your countertop and showcase your prized produce in vessels worthy of round-the-clock display. Having grown up in a kitchen littered with antique Danish pottery holding everything from matchbooks to garlic, I'm a huge proponent of using special items for seemingly mundane tasks and pleasing the eye at every turn. While this one's a splurge, find something similar at any thrift store, garage sale or vintage shop.
Stunning in its simplicity, this 50 year-old Danish-designed candle holder oozes drama without competing with your other accessories or place settings. Also available in black, I like the white for its ethereal quality.
In case you've been hiding under a rock, chalkboards and decals are all the rage as of late. Artist Shanna Murray had the genius idea of combining these two trends into one useful and unique product. Although great in any room of the home to leave poems for your sweetie or a honey-do list, I'm a huge fan of this in the kitchen to house your favorite recipe or shopping list.
Bring in antique baskets for added textural interest. This is a great option if country style isn't your thing, but you still want to utilize authentic wood elements in some way. Something this large can be hung up high, or propped on the floor against the wall for that casual layered look.
Marjorie Skouras Design
I've long been in love with this chandelier for use in a kitchen, either above an island or a dining table. It brings a warmer, more elegant look than some of the traditional kitchen pendant lights, and a healthy splash of color. Don't be afraid of adding a few brighter hues to elevate your kitchen from the ho-hum land of white and chrome.
Growing up, my family spent hours around the kitchen table enjoying convivial meals and lively conversation, long after the food prep and meal had ended. The secret? A couch alongside one side of the dining table in the eat-in kitchen. Not only does it provide supreme comfort and convenience, but more significantly, it allows one to feel as though they're in a true "living" space and not a utilitarian kitchen. Note that if you opt for a standard height sofa or settee, the legs may need to be placed on risers or a platform in order to bring it up to dining height.
This model from Jonathan Adler strikes the right balance of minimal plushness and bulk without sacrificing comfortable eating and style.
This model from Jonathan Adler strikes the right balance of minimal plushness and bulk without sacrificing comfortable eating and style.
Who says a kitchen has to be comprised floor to ceiling of typical cabinets? Instead, add some warmth and character by bringing in a furniture piece to store your dishware or pantry items. You'll be surprised at how inviting this simple change can be, making the kitchen a room in which you'll want to spend some real quality time. The pieces from the Bornholm line are Scandinavian inspired but made right here in the US, and are eco-friendly.
Sure, this would be adorably charming used for its intention of serving milk or cream, but cater to the unexpected and fill each carafe with fresh flowers or, better yet, herbs from your garden (don't forget the water!). Keep it on your counter or table and admire your fresh foliage for a fun take on the old standby vase. Alternatively, scour garage sales and flea markets for vintage bottles to use as bud vases along a windowsill.
Nicole and Evan Robertson began chronicling the more intimate details of Paris upon their Transatlantic move in 2009. They've culled together perfectly curated selections of artful photographs by color scheme, which are available to purchase in series of four or nine. This selection is the Market series, as I never tire of salivating over a French baguette and creamy cheese. Provided you have the wall space in your kitchen to accommodate gallery spacing, any one of these series would look fabulous and complementary to nearly any style decor.
These linens produced by the classic French company, Jacquard Francais, come in the most luscious colors and patterns. This particular pattern pays homage to an Indian design, though other models source their inspiration from Asian arts and other cultures, including French. Their dynamic, interwoven design keeps the eye guessing and ensures they complement a variety of styles and color schemes in your home. I find every time I glance at ours I pick up a new design nuance, and never fail to be delighted by the richly pigmented shades. They also wash up beautifully and a decade later still look like new, justifying the higher price point.
I've long been an admirer of Michelle Armas' work, and strongly believe in hanging art in your kitchen. For an original piece, these are priced quite well and this is just one choice of her many different color palettes. Don't see one that suits your decor? She'll work by commission and design a custom painting to your liking and color scheme. Hang it in a clean, dry area of the kitchen to avoid grease and water splashes.
This authentic Danish coffee carafe is an iconic style and looks dramatic just sitting on the counter waiting to be filled — beautiful and functional, what the Danes do best. Once you've reconciled yourself with the (admitted) splurge, your biggest problem will be choosing a color from their myriad choices. To safely complement your decor or add a bit of unexpected whimsy?
Does your kitchen window's view belie the otherwise perfectly-styled atmosphere that you've worked so hard to create? Control the uncontrollable and put an end to looking at your neighbor's trash cans or that pesky brick wall with these elegant window films from Brit Emma Jeffs. I love the soft glow that these emit when the sun shines through, and the cohesive look they create for the rest of the room.
These beautiful relief tiles can be mounted for a traditional artistic backsplash or, more easily, hung individually for an interesting series of textural artwork. Grab a few in a variety of colors and designs, mount a hook on the back, and create your own masterpiece on a blank swath of wall in your kitchen. They're a great choice for around a stove as they can easily be wiped clean from grease and grime.
We're huge fans of Scandinavian rag rugs over at The Kitchen Designer. Each of our homes feature at least two or three of them casually draped along the kitchen floor, through hallways and adorning an entryway. They strike the perfect balance of casual vintage elegance without being stuffy. Add one to your kitchen for instant warmth and a pulled-together ambiance.
How great is this print? Not to mention useful. I, for one, am tired of referring to my many miscellaneous kitchen tools as "that whatchamacallit." Guaranteed to stop guests in their tracks and spur some lighthearted debate over must-have gadgets. The simple brown, black and white coloring and sharp lines would complement many different kitchen styles.
Mecox Gardens
This antique Chinese porcelain jug would look beautiful perched atop a counter or table. Fill with fresh flowers or water for serving, or simply let it stand alone and admire it as a decorative item.
Next: 20 Ways to Add Farmhouse Style to the Kitchen
Next: 20 Ways to Add Farmhouse Style to the Kitchen
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