Guest Picks: Industrial-Meets-Electic Kitchen
Metro hex tiles in white with black dots are a great flooring solution. They give off an air of a French café while also bringing in the simplicity of a commercial kitchen.
What better way is there to pull off an industrial vibe than with classic subway tiles? They're simple, easy to clean and go with anything.
Serge Mouille lamps are so elegant. They're a little industrial, a little modern, a lot sexy.
Industrial kitchens need commercial ranges. If you can spring for a new one, be my guest. But you can often find commercial ranges in great shape on Craigslist — just make sure you have it inspected first! This is what will take your kitchen from "kinda cool" to "whoa!"
A chicken mortar and pestle? Sure, why not?
Carrara marble will always be my dream counter surface. Some argue that it is too easily damaged, but I love the texture and patina that comes along with time. It's classic, it's a gorgeous neutral, and it looks good with pretty much anything.
An eclectic kitchen isn't complete without a huge butcher block. You can make it the center of the room by using it as an island, or it can endcap the counter and serve as a special space for making bread or other family favorites.
Mismatched, battered silver-plated flatware is one of my go-to favorites. It adds a little patina to an otherwise perfectly done table, and unlike sterling silver, you can throw it in the dishwasher. Collect a little bit at a time, or you can find whole sets at flea markets and estate sales.
I prefer simple white dinnerware because it keeps everything from looking like too much. Bring pattern and color to your table with linens, flowers, Moroccan tea glasses, candlesticks, etc. You can also layer vintage dinnerware with the plain white pieces.
Moroccan tea glasses are perfect for all occasions. Use them as wine tumblers (I love filling them with sparkling rosé), water glasses or mint tea vessels. They come in a variety of colors, so you can customize them to your decor or event. My favorites are the gold and silver metallics.
Every space needs some living greenery, especially a kitchen. Ferns are easy to care for and are both wild and soft looking at the same time. Maidenhair, asparagus and staghorn ferns are my favorites.
A rug in a kitchen? Sure, why not? Flat-weave rugs can be the perfect solution to covering up an ugly floor in a rental, and they are surprisingly easy to clean. Kilims, dhurries and other natural-fiber rugs can be cleaned outdoors using a garden hose and dish soap, then left in the sun to dry. They get better with age and wear, so if you've been thinking of trying a rug in a high-traffic area, now's your chance.
This is a solid cast brass bulkhead light that once lived on a ship. Bringing vintage pieces into your space will create visual interest, as well as create conversation. Don't be afraid to mix metals, as these brass pieces will still work in a kitchen with stainless steel.
Every kitchen needs some stools for guests to relax on while sipping a glass of wine and waiting for you to put the cheese board together. I love these for their universality and schoolhouse vibe.
Keep this huge demijohn on the floor to catch loose change. Once it's full, you're bound to be a few hundred bucks richer! It'd also look gorgeous styled on a kitchen table with blooming branches.
These agate napkin rings will warm up any dinner table and would be a perfect hostess gift. They give off a worldly, traveled vibe and are exotic, while also being organic and natural.
You can never ever have too many clamp jars. They're perfect for leftovers, juices, dry goods and spices.
Don't stash fruits and veggies in the fridge — you'll forget about them! Hang 'em up for easy access. This would also be great for planting herbs; just line the baskets with burlap first.
This sideboard is the perfect place to stack dishes and line up your cookbooks. I love the caged doors that provide closed storage without being too visually heavy.
You have to have art, so either make or purchase some abstract oil paintings and pair them with black and white photographs.Next: Short Storage? Make an Industrial-Style Shelving Unit
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