Kitchen Designs Ideas 2011 by Candice Olson

Function meets style when designer Candice Olson creates a gathering place for the whole family in the kitchen.

Open Yet Divided

To create visual separation between the kitchen and family room, Candice designs a light and airy look for the kitchen. The main cabinets are painted cream with a strie finish and topped with cream quartz countertops. A backsplash in handcrafted, multicolored glass tile is the perfect complement and adds a bit of excitement to the space.

Industrial Chic

Candice creates a large open-concept kitchen with a system of wooden posts and beams with steel joinery, which are not only crucial for support, but also give the room an open, loft-like feeling. Shaker-style cabinets, a grey-green glass tiled backsplash and polished quartz countertops that has the appearance of concrete keep with the industrial look.

Practical Style

Rich cabinetry, state-of-the art appliances and a host of contemporary fixtures and finishes create a kitchen that's a mix of style and function. A large, square island is the focal point of the kitchen and can be used for preparation and eating.

Streamlined Elegance

The focal point of this kitchen is the stunning backsplash comprised of chocolate, coffee and cream mosaic glass tiles. Espresso cabinets and white quartz countertops contrast well with the stainless steel appliances and hardware. A 14-foot-long kitchen island serves two functions, a lower section features a built-in sink and storage for a bar area and the higher section functions as the dining area.

Classic Meets Modern

The L-shaped kitchen is a blend of traditional and contemporary, particularly in the island, which is an antique wooden cabinet topped with classic Carrara marble. White shaker-style cabinets and sleek quartz countertops are combined with stainless steel appliances and fixtures, while green glass tiles are used for the backsplash and to add a bit of color above the cabinets.

Mid-Century Charm

To pay homage to the home's mid-century modern design, the kitchen layout maximizes the outdoor view and features streamlined zebra-wood cabinetry with white quartz countertops. Vintage-style pendants and funky barstools add a retro touch.

Blend of Function and Fashion

Cream cabinetry with mushroom countertops is combined with travertine floor tiles for a functional yet stylish kitchen, and bold wallpaper is a stunning focal point behind the workstation. Lit by two crystal chandeliers, a dark wood island with creamy quartz countertop houses a recycling center, a dishwasher and sink, as well as doubles as an eating space.

Serenely Blue

The backsplash is the perfect area to inject personality into your kitchen. Glass tiles that complement the grey-blue walls create a clean, contemporary backdrop between the contrasting black and white cabinets.

Warm and Welcoming

Custom cabinetry in a creamy shade and mushroom-colored quartz countertop set the tone for this functional kitchen, while the island takes center stage with espresso cabinetry and cream countertops. Eco-friendly cork flooring grounds the space and is perfect for a space where you're standing all the time. Brushed bronze finishes add a traditional touch to the kitchen.

Retreat Accommodation :: Gaia Retreat, Byron, NSW

My birthday is soon approaching. Another year older and another year wiser and all that. 

I now see Birthday's as a chance to relax, unwind and chill out with a glass of wine and a soak in an outdoor spa! 

Last year was a bit of a milestone and a lovely skiing holiday in Falls Creek. I am now on the hunt for my birthday weekend break and I suppose that this post is a little hint to my husband...

Now this place I have had my eye on for a few years... 

Gaia is a retreat style accommodation, created by Olivia Newton-John and friend Gregg Cave from a run down farm in the Byron Bay Hinterland in 2004. 

The retreat is meant to reflects Olivia's connection with the environment, her healthy attitude to life and a statement of her personal style. 

This clearly comes through with the types of wellness programs that they run, their use of organic and locally grown produce and Byron's peaceful setting. 

I would say in style terms this is a place where "bare-foot meets contemporary Asian eclectic", with the decor mixing influences form Asian, Rococo style and natural contemporary furniture and materials.

The Kukura House - A Somoan style contemporary longhouse

The Decor - Where Asian meets contemporary, natural and eclectic

What a view!

No wonder I am drawn to this place!

Have fun.

Pretty Henrietta Paint

This is Henrietta, Annie Sloane's pinky purple colored chalk paint.

 It hasn't been seen much around blogland

but it is a color that I really like. 

Henrietta is even on the cover of Veranda this month!

I will admit I thought it was going to be more pink.

 When I opened the can I was kind of surprised at how purpley it looked. 

One of my upcoming projects is a non-paying job~

decorating my son Colin's college apartment.

He asked me if I could decorate it using an oriental rug

 and artwork he hopes to get from my mom's house,

where he is living this summer. 

He found a closet full of rugs and asian art from our world traveling days.

Colin was excited to find all of these unused treasures, 

and I thought it would make for a cool looking apartment. 

First on the list was transforming this tv console

 into something with a Moroccan vibe. 

I created a template and got out Henrietta and started painting.

 First I painted the drawers and the area on the end with the template. 

Wimbledon is on the tv~I love watching that

 championship series the week of the 4th of July.

 Then I used a gold acrylic paint and 

my trusty stencil to make a pattern on top of the purple area.

The middle eastern bohemian decor incorporates lots of deep jewel tones. 

We will be using reds, oranges, and golds.

 This little bit of purple will give it just the right touch of Middle eastern flair.

 After that I added turquoise dots to give it a henna tattoo look.

I think it will be getting some distressing and 

some dark wax to make it more mysterious.

While I was creating (winging) this bohemian style console, 

I realized that Henrietta seems to be similar to my pillars outside.

There were a couple of unpainted sections and

 I grabbed the can and went outside hoping for a close match.

 Indeed, the color was very close.

So I patched up a bit on the pillars and got carried away.

The iron bed got Henrietta-ed....

 The rusty finial stakes got Henrietta-ed...

 The broken water fountain window got Henrietta-ed...

 This bed was meant to be in Henrietta.

 The bird house got Henrietta-ed too. 

The little white conservatory is going to get some Henrietta as well.

This little can of paint is pulling together my garden in a very nice way!

Look what I found on Craiglist...

a three thousand dollar Pella window for $200.

 This window is 6 feet long~what a statement 

that would make over a sliding door. 

 I told Mr. Maison Decor that I walked all around the house 

and cannot find a place to install this window~our ceilings are too low. 

He then brilliantly suggested we start building 

our garden house with this pretty window! 

Woo Hoo! I called and offered the seller half price, and he said sold!

 So that will be in our possession by night fall! 

My dream garden and the little house is coming along...

I did a sketch of how it could look with the new window, 
an old stained glass window I have in storage,
and Henrietta pink plank doors and shutters.
***~~~~~~~~***

I'll keep you posted on the latest with my garden house

 and Colin's Moroccan apartment.


linking to
My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday
and
Feathered Nest Friday
and
Funky Junk Donna's SNS

Interior Design

Interior Design

Interior Design: Best of 2009. Fore more, visit: www.home-designing.com This is a video that features the best interior designs we came across ...

Romantic Master Bedroom.

romantic master bedroom.

Candice Olson's Kitchen Design Ideas 2011

Create your own divine kitchen with Candice Olson's top 10 kitchen design and decorating tips

Open Up Your Space

Knock out a wall to add space to your kitchen. This kitchen seamlessly integrates with the dining area, using a buffet island to separate the two.

The Necessary Island

If your kitchen is all about family, invest in an island. This long island features a stunning white quartz countertop, white and chrome bar chairs, and a dark wood base to match the mahogany floor.

Durable Solutions

Design your dream kitchen for durability. Three kinds of porcelain tile and carefully planned cabinet storage make this kitchen a stylish workhorse.

Update Cabinets

On a budget? Refinish existing cabinetry. These former maple cabinets look custom with their new finish and same-color painted bulkhead.

Love Your Kitchen

Design your kitchen to cater to what you love. This baker's dream kitchen includes a peninsula for entertaining, a lounge area and comfortable flooring.

Use a Similar Color

Integrate family rooms into the kitchen through color. Dark, espresso-toned cabinets coordinate well with this space's black sofa and warm khaki walls.

Find Inspiration in Your Favorites

Bring the charm of your favorite place to the kitchen. Displaced after Hurricane Katrina, this couple now live in a Big Easy kitchen with French-style accessories.

Unique Flooring

Make a statement with your kitchen flooring. Stripes of light and dark concrete-like material add an unexpected touch to this contemporary kitchen.

Creative Backsplashes

Backsplashes add character to the kitchen. This tin-tile backsplash was painted cream for an antique effect.

Mix It Up

Two-toned kitchens are more interesting than one-toned. A marble island, different cabinet finishes and Art Deco tile make this Candice's favorite Divine Design kitchen makeover

Luxury Villa Luxury Mansion in Johanesburg Designed by Design Partnership

Visit the Design Partnership website – here.

Photography by Chris Stamatiou

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