All right, I think this pink fridge is rather atrocious, but the owner apparently found it at a garage sale for $30 and it was this horrid brown color.  She took it to an automotive painter and had it repainted.  Now it looks like one of those super old beautiful ones (albeit pink).

Here's some more black and white stripes.  I think with design we tend to make a lot of work for ourselves when we don't actually need to.   Case in point- instead of redoing these chairs so they would be cushioned instead of caned, it's much easier to simply put a cushion on top of it.  And easier to clean.  And easier to change.  And they're pretty.

 

I tend to not like back splashes in general, but I really like the brick back splash and the archway above going on in this kitchen.  It has kind of a pizzeria thing going.   It's stylish and practical and homey.  And I love a good indoor brick...

Cheaper alternative to a giant butcher's block:  this cedar island with a slate top.  Technically it's cedar 2x4s reclaimed from a pickles and peppers factory, topped with an antique school chalkboard (which is pretty much nostalgic/green porn).  The little shelf on the bottom, though absolutely wonderful, may pose a problem with children.  I like the idea of a slate top.  It seems only second to white marble for me.  Third actually, because a butcher's block would come first.

We've been watching a lot of International House Hunters lately and I keep seeing painted tiles in the kitchens, either on the floor or as a backsplash or in a little nook.  I think they are incredibly charming.  The real trick is balancing out a unique touch like that without getting one of those spaces that makes other people think "Wow... that's unique..."

Amazing kitchen remodel.  I love the colors and the globes and the hand-me-down charm of it.

 

 

 

 

Instructions on installing a yardstick backsplash click here.

I love this metal island/cupboard thing.  I doubt I'll ever find anything like it, but wanted to publicly say, "Yes, I like it!"

I think I like my kitchens bright and cheery- to counter how I often feel stressed getting dinner together.  I'd substitute the reds (though they are gorgeous here) with a more calming color like a yellow or blue. 

Loving stripes lately.  And maybe the windows are the place for them- that under sink curtain is definitely not childproof.

My love for the classic black and white checked kitchen floor never seems to abate.  I especially love it with the thick vertical stripes of the cushions and the bright green accent pillows.  Oh, and the giant roman shade in the window.  This is a kitchen I could hang out in.

Dear Dave,
How about the compromise of painted table and stained chairs?  Thoughts?

I have long been a fan of the apron sink, but I have never seen a metal one. The patina on this thing is gorgeous. So, I'm guessing the plus sides to a metal sink are: easier to clean (you won't get those black marks that happen on the white porcelain type ones)... That's all I can think of, but that's a big plus. I'm wondering if this is just always cold and uncomfortable when you lean on it to wash dishes...

Okay this would work in so many areas, but it's fairly crazy and probably totally expensive- the windowed garage door wall! It would be awesome in a room like this where you could get an outdoor feel, it would work in a photo studio as a north wall, it would be great on a covered porch...

I adore the gingerbread cutouts on these shelves. I would love to have a short little shelf for spices, where you can get to them all easily and don't have to route around.

This oven is breathtaking. I love all the little hinged doors and the platform covers over the burners. So adorable. Can you find these that are retrofitted to work normally?


Ed. note:  apparently you can, they just cost around $3,000.  

I love these chairs. They have such a gorgeous sheen and wear. And the flowers aren't so bad either.

More mismatched chairs!

Industrial but stylish.

I love the colors of this kitchen- mostly white, dark ebony floors, vivid yellows and little green. So pretty. I wonder if I will like it next year...

I like the cabinet hardware in this kitchen. It reminds me of the cabin. Especially if you put the little twisty knob latches instead of those bun pulls. It's homey and fairly clean at the same time.

I've been big on having a butcher's block for a while now, but I am liking this idea too- get a table, make a butcher's block-like wood panel on the top and you're set. It would just have to be a pretty strong table...
The painted hood looks pretty great, too.