COTE DE TEXAS

Dear Miss Cote de Texas: Kitchen Issues

39 comments

 

 

WRITING-LETTER (2)

 And today, we have a new Dear Miss Cote de Texas decorating problem!!

 

I am wondering if you have a suggestion for my kitchen?  It has a huge Bordeaux island countertop.  I don’t particularly like the dark interior.  Do you suggest I paint the ebony cabinets in both the living room and kitchen to white or change the countertops/backsplash?  Which one offers the most impact to lighten the room yet provide the best value in terms of the cost?  All furnishings in the picture come from the stager.  I will have a dove colored sofa and white barstools.  Thank you!

 

image

And here is the issue.   The house looks rather contemporary, with high ceilings and modern cabinetry.  The granite counters and tile backsplash look dated to me.   The main questions are -

1.  Should she keep the dark cabinets in both rooms or go with white?

2.  Should she keep the granite countertop and backsplash?

I may need some help with this one!!   OK, here goes.

 

image

First, you must take into account the architecture of the house.  No matter how much you might want a white kitchen like this one above – you have to be sure it will look good in the space.  To go with an all white kitchen – you would have to do a white family room next to it and I’m not sure that is the route I would go.

 

 

image

While an all white kitchen is so beautiful – I like the dark cabinetry that is there now.  If your budget is not large, consider keeping the cabinets dark and using funds to replace the countertops/backsplash which is more important and a better use of your money.

 

image

The more all-white kitchens I see, I really don’t think you should go this route.  Keep the cabinets dark.

 

Now, with the dark cabinets - what you don’t want – is a dark kitchen.  Today, with your dark cabinets and dark granite – there isn’t much contrast.    White countertops, when used against dark cabinets, will provide that needed contrast and add an attractive pop to your kitchen.

 

image

All dark counters and cabinets – too dark.

 

image

If you do choose to leave the cabinets black – what then of the granite and backsplash?  I think you might consider this:

1. Do you have to keep the irregular shape of the island?  Could you square it off?  I would make it a plain rectangle, if possible.

2.  When replacing the countertops – how about this look seen below?  A combination of the white and black look?

 

image

A beautiful white marble countertop – and backsplash – would look more in tune with today, rather than a busy, dark granite more popular in the last decade.  Consider a white/gray quartz if marble scares you. 

 

image

Here – white quartz – with dark cabinets.  Notice too, the oversized hardware which would be nice in your kitchen.

 

image

I love the look of the dark cabinets with the white island and backsplash.   And a fabulous statement light fixture over the island.

 

image

Consider using the same material on the backsplash as on the countertops for a more streamlined look.  Don’t forget to think about a new light fixture.

 

 

image

To further customize and update your kitchen, consider replacing the microwave with an interesting stove hood.

In summary:

1.  Keep the dark cabinets.

2.  Replace the countertops with white marble or quartz.

3.  Use the same material for the backsplash.

4.  Replace the lights over the island with something more today.

5.  Consider removing the microwave and replacing with a hood.

What do you think?   I would love to hear your ideas about updating this kitchen.

 

Do you have a decorating issue?  Email me with pictures of the area and I’ll try to come up with a solution:

email me at cotedetexas@aol.com

 

 

Image result for fleur de lis

And finally:

 

image

 

If you love the gardens at Highgrove, Prince Charles’ private country house – there is a new book just published about his fabulous creation.    The book was written by famous English landscape architect Bunny Guinness, a member of the brewing family – and the niece of the rose breeder David C.H. Austin!!  Wow.  That is impressive.  I love David Austin roses.

 

The book is interesting in that it is separated into months.   From January to December – it gives you a look at the beautiful garden whether it is winter or summer.   I love that!!!

 

image

The Wildflower Meadow Garden – shown in spring.

 

image

The most well known part of Highgrove – The Thyme Walk.    These bushes were here when Prince Charles purchased Highgrove – and he spent years cutting the boring bushes into incredibly weird but fabulous shapes. 

 

image

One of the newest gardens at Highgrove – The Carpet Garden.

To order this book on Highgrove, please click on the picture below!!

 

A Look At Designers: Lucas-Eilers

34 comments

 

image

It’s that time of year again, when Houston’s front yards are filled with the bright colors of the azaleas that just love our soil (ha!)  The River Oaks Garden Club hosts the annual Azalea Trail and each year they sweat it out that the sensitive blooms will be in full show during the weekend which was picked a year ahead of time.  But, the Azalea Trail is all worth it, regardless if the flowers are in bloom or not.  The highlight of the Azalea Trail is wandering the 14 acres of Ima Hogg’s estate, Bayou Bend, named appropriately for its location at the bayou’s bend, when its thousands of azalea bushes are hopefully ablaze.

 

image

The charming drawbridge that takes you over the bayou to Bayou Bend – the highlight of the Azalea Trail. 

 

 

image

Bayou Bend, the 1927 John Staub designed house that Ima Hogg and her two brothers lived in.  The Hogg brothers actually helped to develop River Oaks, still today Houston’s toniest neighborhood.  Their house was one of the first built there. 

 

The Butterfly Garden is the crowd favorite.

 

image

Some of the acreage is formal gardens, while others were deliberately kept natural.

 

 

image

If you have never visited the Azalea Trail or Bayou Bend, you should!!

 

Besides the tour of Bayou Bend, each year the Azalea Trail visits a handful of carefully chosen houses and gardens.  This year – one of the houses on the Trail is designed by Lucas/Eilers Design Associates

 

image

Lucas/Eilers Design Associates

The firm, made up of Sandra Lucas and Sarah Eilers, is the well known talented team who have designed a plethora of interiors here in Houston and throughout the United States.  The duo have won numerous ASID awards for their work and they have been published in many magazines and books throughout the years.    Their house on this years Azalea Trail is particularly attractive because of its interiors, as well as its architecture and landscaping. 

 

All photographs by Carl Mayfield

 

image

This house, on this year’s Azalea Trail, was designed by Sandy Lucas of Lucas Eilers.   It was once a classic Georgian that was taken down to its studs in a total renovation.  Because the lot sits on a picturesque golf course – the garage must be front loading.  Notice how you can barely tell that the garage is on the left, with its carriage-like doors.  And notice the brick detailing on the driveway which again takes the focus away from the garage.  The door is off center – the hanging lantern alerts guests to its location.

 

image

The back terraces down to the golf course – through a series of landings and porches.  The brick stairs mix beautifully with the slate paving.

 

image

The covered porch off the family and breakfast rooms.

 

image

The entry hall – which I just love.   Arched steel double doors open to a stone floor hall.  Just beautiful.

 

 

image

The main hall with the beautiful view of the golf course.  Expansive views like this are almost nonexistent in central Houston.   Notice how this hallway has painted white brick and gray beamed ceiling – which adds texture and interest.   Lanterns, sconces and chairs create a symmetrical seating area.

 

image

Another view of the main hallway with the stairway hall beyond.

 

image

The dining room is elegant in gray – with a gray rug, while the contemporary art work provides a shot of color.  Notice the curtains – the dark band of gray at the hem –is a nice detail.  

 

 

image

In the living room, the same curtains provide a design continuity.     Love the antique settees and the painting.  Notice the contemporary firescreen. 

 

                                                                                            image

Off the family room is the kitchen in a taupe/gray.  Ceiling beams are repeated in beams that line the opening.  Love the double lanterns. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

image

Off the kitchen is the family room with its focal point antique shutter above the fireplace.  Behind the shutter – is the flatscreen.




image

Looking back towards the breakfast room and kitchen.

 

image

And the master bedroom with wood beamed ceiling.

 

image

Darling window seat in the master bedroom which sits behind the damask curtains.  Notice the header beam in the alcove.

 

 

 

image

Lucas Eilers was also featured in the new Tuscan Style.

 

image

The large stone house with a turret is also located in Houston.

 

 

image

The music room has light blue gray walls and taupe upholstered furniture.  Notice the coffered ceiling.

 

 

image

My favorite room is the family room – I just LOVE the wood screen which, yes, hides the flatscreen.  I am beginning to think my flatscreen must be the worst eyesore!!!   Notice the wood doors that flank the console – with the charming transoms above.   Beautiful furniture arrangement with tall chairs providing needed height, along with matching club chairs.

NOTE:  In a family room with lots of chairs and sofas – you need high and low heights.  Imagine if all the chairs and sofas in this room were exactly the same height.  It would be so boring.  Instead, the designer chose the two antique styled chairs to give the room that needed height – which brings the room alive.   And in another designer trick – notice the wood element above the screen.  The screen is not quite tall enough – so what to do?  Add this piece above it to fool the eye.  A row of plates would have solved the problem too.

 

image

The other side of the room has two settees that flank the fireplace.  The kitchen is beyond.

 

image

While the room is casual, it is still elegant.  It’s obvious it was professionally decorated – the curtains alone give it the finished touch.  Can’t afford a decorator?   Save and then splurge on custom made curtains.  Nothing will say – luxe and good design more than a custom made window treatment.  

 

image

The kitchen has pops of red – in the cabinet, the curtains and the trim on the barstools. 

 

image

A love seat – with red velvet pillows – helps fill out the expansive breakfast room.

NOTE:   large rooms need lots of furniture to fill them up.   If you don’t want a lot of furniture – don’t buy a house with large rooms.  Nothing says – unfinished and cold more than a room that doesn’t have the proper amount of furniture in it.

 

image

A second breakfast room – is charming with its round table and mix of fabrics on the chairs. 

 

image

So cute!  A computer room.

NOTE:  OK.  What to do with ugly computer chairs.  If you client insists on using them – take note here.  Cute slips help to hide the industrial nature of the chairs.  They almost look like antiques!  Almost!!!!

 

image

The tall ceiling of the master bedroom needed two lighting fixtures.  Don’t be afraid to use two when needed.   I love the tapestry over the fireplace instead of a framed painting.

 

image

Groined ceiling in the bathroom. 

Lucas/Eilers have won many, many ASID awards.   This one below is a personal favorite:

 

image

An ASID award went to this bathroom – with a tub and marble-enclosed double shower behind it.  Absolutely amazing.  ASID awarded it the winning Bathroom Design for 2011.  And I can see why.  That shower is incredible!  

Below is another award:

image

This house won an ASID award for Residential, Large – Sustainable Design.  It is on a ranch in Cat Springs, Texas.  I love the unusual headboard. 

 

image

And another ASID winner – I love the clock in the range hood.

 

A special thanks to Sandy Lucas and Sarah Eilers for sharing this look at their portfolio.

To contact them:

1502 AUGUSTA DRIVE, SUITE 220, HOUSTON, TX 77057 · (713) 784-9423

To visit their web site – go HERE.

image

And, for more information about this year’s Azalea Trail – go HERE.