Ah, a New Year ahead! Typical, as self confessed design junkies- we are looking ahead and seeking out what is new and fresh- aka what worked years ago that we got sick of and are now ready to see again.

So, what are we thinking for floors in 2018? High impact floors- black or white! And thin!

Our design style ranges so much with our projects- eclectic to traditional, Scandinavian to California casual- and some have all of these elements combined! The good news is a black or white hardwood floor compliments or even highlights these designs. See below:

BLACK HARDWOOD // The original chic "must have" flooring has been around forever. While we abandoned this style in recent times for lighter, wider planks, its always been a classic. This look goes best in a home that is architecturally significant- with character building windows and detailed millwork. Usually older homes in larger cities can take on such a dark floor. New builds and track developments still look best with wider natural plank floors.

WHITE HARDWOOD // The impossibly cool counterpart to dark floors, white floors have been a personal design dream of mine for many years- Ive only never had the gull to do it- but Im still claiming it as one of the floor styles I'd like to see in 2018 (Future clients, you've been warned!). This style goes best with a natural and minimal furniture scheme- to keep everything calm, cool and livable. Using those earthy elements are key to creating the right environment, without having it go institutional- yikes. Bonus! If your floors are too beat up to refinish, painting them can give a new, cooler life!

Design by  Jeanette Lunde — Design by Jeanette Lunde

So thats it for now. Until we meet again,

Shannon

WELCOME TO THE BLOG! Ive been meaning to create a blog as a placemark for my random design thoughts that strike me in the middle of the night. Hopefully you find these musings entertaining, inspirational (a stretch!) or just plain fun. I bring you my first post- a stance on kitchens I feel stronger and stronger about every day:

This is probably weird for me to write since Ive designed many kitchens which include both of these things. Many times. But as I ponder what makes a kitchen stand out to me... when I see one with that "cool factor".... I think not of what is missing, but what should be removed. Those items are: Upper shelving and Counter seating. I know... I know... " but where will I store my wedding china?" or "Where will my children eat?"... I get all these concerns. My answer? If youre willing to sacrifice a little, your kitchen will look way less cookie-cutter, mass builder and actually look like a professional cooking kitchen. Let me break it down:

Loss of Upper Storage

If youre working with a custom cabinet maker- try one thing- all drawers. Deep drawers. This will help add so much usable storage to your kitchen and you'll never miss those bulky uppers.

Open shelves. They are as functional as they are pretty. Decorate with white china, glasses of all sizes, vintage paintings and collected bread boards. Anything goes here really. Keep the ugly stuff (read: plastic kids items) in a drawer below.

Loss of Seating

Bar seating is such an American thing. When reviewing homes built in Europe, almost none of the kitchens have bar seating. They have proper eating nooks, which are made lovely and inviting- just the place to pop for a morning read and some coffee. One would only need to spend some time looking at the feeds of deVOL Kitchens or Plain English UK to become a no-counter-seating convert. Besides, wouldnt it be amazing to utilize both sides of your island?

Have I convinced you yet? If you're going to be remodeling/ building a kitchen, consider making the space extra unique by creating a kitchen that is actually functional and historically closer to how kitchens were once created? What do y'all think? Who's ready to go topless ;)

Shannon

Floors we'd like to see in 2018

2 Things I think kitchens look better without

Loss of Upper Storage

Loss of Seating