Kitchens | Lori May Interiors

February 6, 2012

Do you do purple?

These two catalogs came in the mail last week.

What do you see? I see a lot of purple. Let me be honest, I have never been a fan. But lately, it’s been growing on me. Here are a few examples of how I would use purple in my projects. Here’s a hint, It involves a lot of neutrals.

This is definitely a bold color choice for this space, and the unexpected splash of purple makes it a standout.

Here’s another way to use a splash of color and neutrals. The first two photos also show a nice mix of modern and traditional. The color actually becomes the modern element in the space.

These last three photos are great examples of how a little bit of color goes a long way. Don’t you love that chair above? Don’t worry about filling every nook and cranny of your space. The chair above works so well because it is allowed to stand alone. It makes a statement.

In all of the other photos, what makes the spaces work is the addition of neutral furniture, window treatments and accessories. The color becomes the focus. Again, a little bit of color goes a long way and becomes the focus. Today we’re talking about purple, but this can easily apply to any color, but especially a vibrant hue.

What do you think of purple? Do you use it in your home? A little? A lot?

by Lori | Filed Under: Dining Rooms, Entryways, Kitchens, LIving Room, Tips/Tutorials | 5 Comments

January 18, 2012

How to spice up a white kitchen

A friend of mine sent me a note the other day and asked my advice about her kitchen. The cabinetry is white and will stay that way, but she wants to replace her countertops and backsplash. I suggested a white subway tile for the backsplash. It’s timeless and can be very economical. The only problem with an all white kitchen is that it can sometimes feel very sterile and blah (yes, that is an official decorating term). Here are a few ways that you can add some interest to your all white kitchen. Definitely no blah here!

This chandelier is unexpected, but the perfect addition to this traditional kitchen. The metal finish also picks up the warmth in the countertop. A silver finish wouldn’t have felt the same.

These drum shades give this kitchen the pop it needs to feel updated and modern. Add in dark wood floors and black barstools and the look is anything but boring.

This is one of my favorites and it has everything to do with those amazing globe fixtures. It feels like this kitchen was made just for them.

In this kitchen the backsplash itself is the story. The size, the sheen and the dark grout make this tile backsplash stand out. Remember that you don’t always have to match the grout color to the tile. This kitchen would not have the same impact without the dark grout. It’s a simple thing that can make a huge difference in your space.

Finally, even though this kitchen has bead board backsplash instead of tile, you get the idea. But, what’s the wow factor here? It’s the lighting, that beautiful accent color in the bookcases and the dark wood countertop. They all work together to make this small kitchen stand out without feeling cluttered or busy.

I hope this has helped you with your all white kitchens. These are just a few ideas and there are many more. I’d love to hear your thoughts. What have you seen or done in your own spaces? How do you keep them from feeling blah?

by Lori | Filed Under: Inspiration, Kitchens | 6 Comments

January 16, 2012

Get it together with Cottage and Vine

When I first saw Rene’s monthly party idea for January was about getting organized, I thought, “This is definitely for me!” I went around the house looking in closets, junk drawers (yes, drawers, plural), the girls’ rooms, my bathroom and even considered the garage. But, something just didn’t feel right. Now, don’t get me wrong. All of these areas and many more could use some major organizing in this crazy house. But, I kept coming back to “Is this what I really need to be working on right now?”

We moved into this house 7 years ago and it needed a lot of work. There were pink tea cups hanging from the curtains in the kitchen (yes, full sized actual teacups), wallpaper on what seemed like every flat surface and a kitchen and baths that needed updating. Can you see the teacups? (Yes, that is me, ugh!)

Here are two pictures of our kitchen before. We had replaced the appliances at this point, because the exiting ones were almost 20 years old, but the major remodel was to come later.

Here are a couple of afters.

Our backyard before.

Our backyard after.

These are just a couple of the major remodeling projects that we have taken on since we moved in 7 years ago. There’s also the front exterior remodel, our new deck, our bonus room addition and the family room. So, after all of the projects, I realized that something’s missing. Many of the big projects are done, but none of the rooms feel finished, if there is such a thing.

I realized that I didn’t need to clean our a drawer or closet, I needed to organize my projects themselves. I needed to address what my home needs to function better, to feel complete. So, what did I do? I made a list. A to do list of sorts that covers every room in our home. I organized it by room and space. This list is very long and impossible to complete in just one year, but somehow I feel better about it. I feel like I have a better handle on what I need to do to make it work better for us.

My tip today for all of you is don’t try to do it all. It can be so overwhelming and costly to think about everything you need or want to do in your home. Make a list by room and start by tackling one room at a time. Try to finish each room. This will make you feel better about your space and make it feel more like home.

As I explained here, this is my goal for 2012. Over the next few months, I’ll share my design work with you, as always, but also my to do list for my own home. There will be times where things go smoothly and some times will be a bit more difficult. That’s life. But, just know we’re all in this together and I’ll help you in any way I can.

Good luck!

I’m joining Inspire me Mondays.

by Lori | Filed Under: Entryways, Kitchens, LIving Room, My Home, My Projects | 12 Comments

January 13, 2012

A new shopping series/What I found this week

I thought I’d try out something new here on the blog this week. I’ve been toying with the idea of doing some sort of series for a while now, but I just couldn’t figure out what I wanted to write about every week. Or, what you guys would be interested in reading about every week. Then, while I was out at some of my favorite antique shops and home decor stores this week, it hit me. What about my favorite finds of the week? They could make the list because they are great deals or just things I love. They can be things I saw in person or online. What do you think? Let’s try it and see how it goes.

Love both of these lamps from West Elm, but the matte one on top is my favorite.

Aren’t these antique doors from Pakistan beautiful? I have a real weakness for carved wood panels. You can use them in so many ways, but I love to use them over a mantle, on either side of a door or turned on their side as a headboard. How would you use them? They were a bit pricey, but what a unique addition to your home.