Black & Blue & Read All Over

I am looking every where for kitchen inspiration...

before my cabinet makers get ready for my job.

Time has me

 re-visiting black cabinetry

via libraries.

Trust ME to leave no kitchen un-turned

no inspiration ignored

before my kitchen ever gets done.

I like how light and dark

is combined in this room above.

Amazing how a pop of color

lightens black cabinetry.

There's something about the comfiness of libraries

I want to implement in my kitchen.

Love this...

a lot!

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Is It Only Me

I really love the new paint in my dining room;

Classic Gray/Benjamin Moore.

I love it so much

I had intended on painting my great room the SAME color.

UNTIL...

my hubby kindly sampled it on my walls.

Is it only me...

or does it look NOTHING like the color in my dining room?

Cannot get over how BLUE it is...

and

LOOK at the difference in color

Left & Right of the mirror.

Yes, it is the exact SAME paint!

Holy Cow!!

Is it only me?

Hot In Cleveland

Mad Girls
MadMen

Growing up in Cleveland,

my friend Peggy & I were raised on some of the same ethnic foods.

We decided to have a few friends join us

around our childhood dinner table.

It was an 1960's "ethnic" MadMen meal

served up in our grandmother's "dusters".

The Girls table:

Curlers held paper towel napkins &

shower caps encased hyacinths.

The Boy's table(s):

TV trays (of course) circling the TV

Dessert table:

Authentic Cleveland streudels & kolaches.

Signature Drink:

A "Joe Collins"

The Guests:

D & Kim

Margaret & Kim

Scott & Scott

The Main Meal:

Stuffed Cabbage & Chicken Paprikash

served on paper plates.

Fabulous Nite!

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Psychology 101

I am on the search for the perfect marble.

More like...

I am soul searching for what feels right.

The marble in this kitchen is pretty

but not 100% what I envision for my own.

WHY?

who knows?

maybe because the marble tooks more new

than vintage Paris patisserie?

Now this marble isn't 100% my idea either.

Pretty sure it's Calacatta Ducale.

The gold veining is prominant.

However,

I don't think I want gold-ish marble

ALTHOUGH...

I DO want gold hardware and lighting.

So...maybe I should seriously consider it?

It's definitely beautiful!

And the homeowner looks so happy :)

Another

Calacatta Ducale I saw yesterday?

with lots of movement

or powerful veining.

Some people LOVE the movement...

in fact from what I am learning

most peeps do.

Normally,

I don't prefer it

but I DO love this kitchen.

Which makes me wonder if I should love movement?

Now...here is Statuary marble.

It's the whitest marble with strong gray veins.

I learned that the whiter the marble...

the higher the cost.

Also strong veins don't cost more than weak veins in the same type of marble.

The Statuary marble I saw yesterday was my favorite.

However,

revisiting it today in "REAL" kitchens...

it may be boring?

Statuary marble.

Do I like it?

yes and no.

Here is a slab of Statuary

that I saw yesterday.

Gorgeous.

Another piece of Statuary that was hidden between slabs

was my front runner.

I was able to see enough of it to know it was my style

but not enough was exposed to take it's picture.

This slab would make someone very happy...
just not sure if that someone is
ME?

I also liked this slab of Calacatta
It looks most like the marble in the 1st kitchen picture I posted.
Less distinct veining which I happen to like
BUT...
it does have some gold.
However...
not as much as this next one...

Calacatta Ducale was amazing.
It has VERY distinct gray and GOLD veining.
Can you believe God made ALL this marble?
Makes me speechless...
and a part of me wants to display some of His most glorious artwork
in my kitchen.
Maybe...I need the distinct colors and movement?
This Calcatta Ducale is almost identical to the marble shown
in the 2nd gorgeous kitchen I posted.
BUT...
is it what I should do?
I don't have the answers yet.
But today's blogging has been very therapeutic for me.
thank you...
Lovin' It,
Lisa

Twist My Arm

My son-in-law asked me to design their master bathroom.

Jeremy promised that if I design it...he will build it.

PINCH ME!

Here I go...

Since their home is a 1940's colonial...

I think some black white tiles would be nice?

And this floor above is a calm version...

Love this gray-blue finish.

And the baskets....

and marble (sigh)

but we're not doing that here.

This is pretty much the perfect sink,

color walls(matches their new Matlasse coverlet)

& I especially LOVE the beadboard!!

And Jeremy,

I like the next ceiling too...

(and the light)

Would love a clawfoot tub for them but too pricey...

and I like the small tiled floor

BUT Jeremy says laying mini tiles is a nightmare.

He's been there and done that.

They have a 6foot window on one wall that brings in TONS of sunshine

Blessed, huh?

I like how the previous curtain is hung to let the light in

& maintain privacy.

HOWEVER,

my favorite window treatment is this next one...

Shutters!

Just so happens...

where their master bath will be located,

they can get away with ones just on the bottom.

Like this!

Again, love the floor

but mini tiles are out.

I had to throw in this laundry hamper

from Pottery Barn.

too cute!

(Hint:I will take one for Mother's Day)

I have ALOT of designing to do these days

And I am...

Lovin' It,

Lisa

75 & Sunny

This amazingly warm day has me dreaming of Summer.

I am smitten with this outdoor dining set

by Restoration Hardware.

(The pea gravel has me hyper venilating)

And this scenario isn't bad either.

I LOVE the look.

And this table with zinc top...

is a dream.

But priced at Restoration Hardware pricing...

$4000

I cannot indulge in such foolishness.

WHO can??

Since Restoration Hardware chair pricing is just as discouraging...

I have found some better priced alternatives.

That I think hold their own.

This one is actually gray wicker.

I think it looks awesome.

But now for the table??

I may know someone who can replicate

it? at a more reasonable price.

WOW

This glorious day has me outside

& dreaming.

I don't even care that the wind is blowing

my tape measure

all over the patio.

Lovin' It,

Lisa

California Girls

One of my favorite bloggers, Brooke, from Velvet and Linen

is moving from SantaMonica to Ojai CA.

She just listed her small home for

$3.9 million.

On her blog,

she has posted even more beautiful pictures of her home.

Doesn't this kitchen have that signature Californian vibe?

Her husband is an architect

and they are building

what they lovingly refer to as the

Patina Farm in Ojai.

It is worth your time to check it out.

Follow her blog

and you can join her design & building journey.

It will be a very simple European farm house.

This is their breakfast room:

doesn't it look like CA out those windows?

Love that giant old tree.

A full view of that lovely tree

and lovelier backyard.

But not very big for the buck.

Their realtor held an Open House today

from 11-2.

Guess potential buyers

in that price range

don't have to work??

(courtesy:Prudential/Dave Offer)

Lovin' It,

Lisa

Landry