Our Favorite Kitchens – and How We Accessorize Them
Kitchens have evolved over the past one hundred years from a closed-off space in the back of the house to the center of the home, both physically and emotionally. Even clients who don’t cook want a beautiful gourmet kitchen where the family can relax, chat, and eat their takeout dinners!
We work with a few great cabinetry vendors here on Long Island that help us create the beautiful cabinetry in the kitchens we’ve designed. Many people want white kitchen cabinets now, so we try to jazz these up and keep them interesting with unique backsplashes, window treatments, and accessories.
Keep it Family-Centered:
Kitchen islands are a great way to keep the kids and family close on weeknights. Kids can sit at the island with their homework while mom and dad cook. The family can gather around the table for family dinners.
Keep it Easy for Entertaining:
Islands are also great for entertaining. It gives guests a spot to “perch” during casual get-togethers, and you can spread out your hors d’oeuvres on the top of the island.
If you have space in your kitchen, we recommend doing a second sink and dishwasher on the island. For big dinner parties, you’ll need that extra dishwasher!
Double ovens are also great for big parties and get-togethers. No more trying to cook the souffle with the chicken cordon bleu!
Don’t Forget the Windows:
Kitchens, unlike most rooms in the house, are full of “hard” decorating elements. Cabinets, floors, tile, a table, wooden chairs – there’s not much space for the “soft” decorating elements that warm up a room. A simple roman or valance on your kitchen window is a nice way to add a little bit of pattern or color in your space, and to warm it up.
Lighting:
At Marilyn Rose Interiors, one of our main decorating principles is using tiered lighting. In kitchens, you need lots of task lighting.
We don’t always love using a lot of recessed lighting (or high-hats) because it doesn’t always make you look your best – but in kitchens it’s great for task lighting. We recommend having a little bit of recessed lighting, layered with other task lighting.
You can layer the lighting with pendants over the sink and/or island, and a chandelier over the breakfast table. You can also add under-cabinet lighting, to help provide more light when doing your kitchen tasks like cutting or chopping.
Accessories:
We don’t suggest overloading your countertops with too many knick-knacks, but we do like adding a curated selection of pretty accessories. A contemporary fruit bowl; a unique vintage cookie jar; great transitional candlesticks; there are many gorgeous options you can use to help complement your space. You can check out our online shop to find some great kitchen accessories.
If you’re ready to design your dream kitchen with us, give us a call today!
