kitchen Archives — Places In The Home

Impressive Kitchen Furnishings, Decor Pieces and Accents

Impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents brings us to this feature spotlighting pieces sure to elevate the design and decor of your kitchen.

Cookies and Santa

After the holiday whirlwind kitchen events of the last few weeks one would think a post about impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents would be a bit redundant.

Turns out, the well-appointed kitchen remains the heart and hub of the home; a central gathering place serving a multitude of purposes.

Southern Living – Photography by Alison Gootee – Styling by Elizabeth Demos

Back in our flipping days, maison de Places In The Home was a holiday happening place holiday eat, drink, and be merry.

Realtors, designers, and home builders folk love to get together for holiday cocktails with a twist of spirited networking.

At Home In Arkansas – Photography by Rett Peek

At evening’s end the majority of the house basically remained pre-party perfect, however, based on the state of the kitchen it was indeed the happening holiday party place to mix, mingle and holiday jingle.

Marmont Hill After Party Clean-Up

Established fact proves the days gone by design philosophy of the kitchen being for strictly utilitarian purposes, small in size, and decoratively unremarkable is best left in the past.

Impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents decidedly factor into today’s kitchen design as much as cabinetry, appliance, lighting, flooring and placement choices do.

House Beautiful – Photography by Erin Kunkel

Decorating for the holidays reaches far beyond tinsel and trimmings.

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

What better time than at the gift giving time of year to add impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents on your gifts for the holiday decorista Christmas list.

19th Century French Bleached Oak Buffet

1820s French Oak Vitrine

Topping the impressive kitchen furnishings, decor pieces and accents Dear Santa list is this vintage stripped bleached French cabinet in all its gorgeous glory.

Antique Bleached Oak Display Cabinet Bookcase from France

Magnifique!

China Cabinet with Fretwork Doors

Display cases, as they are categorized, may be utilized for the intended or as chic options for all things that make a kitchen.

Stately Reclaimed Pine Display

First rule of impressive is to be unique in placement and presentation.

Although a piece may not be so unique, how it is put to use can be.

Antique Vaisselier, French Louis XV Style Fruitwood, 1800’s

Merritt Cabinet

19th Century French Chateau Rectangular Dining Table, Cherry Wood

French Butchers Block

French Kitchen Island

In keeping with the there’s no place like home for the holidays philosophy, I’m featuring striking pieces influenced in Louisiana French-Spanish-European provenance that catch my eye and my heart.

Isamar Bachelors Chest

Three drawer chest of drawers elegantly make the traditionally thought transition from bedroom furniture to kitchen/kitchen dining storage piece.

Gorgeous Bow Front Storage Chest

92-Piece 20th-Century Baroque Silver-Plated Flatware

Sideboard Walnut French Dove Tail 2-Door

Luca Buffet

Early 20th Century French Painted Carved Walnut Eight-Light Chandelier

Maxax 5 – Light Unique / Statement Empire Chandelier with Crystal Accents

6 Light Chandelier by Minka Metropolitan

Such is the case when juxtaposition, distinctive craftsmanship, provenance, and regional influences beautifully meet and master the characteristic of a space.

Salento 9-Light Vintage Copper Chandelier

Gorgeous just hanging around-

Odyssey 4-Light Pendant Fixture Vintage Brass Finish with Clear Glass
Gold Stainless Steel Single Pendant Lighting With Clear Hanging Crystals
Antique Silver 6-Light Rectangular Kitchen Island Lighting
Peyton 2 Light Pendant in Matte Black + Chrome
Kichler Lighting Opal 12 inch 2-Light Pendant Character Bronze with Opal Glass
Hudson Valley Burdett 4-light Pendant
Hinkley Lighting Nautique 18″ Wide Mixed Metal Single Pendant
Antique White 4-Light Birdcage Lantern Pendant

Tiffany Farha Design

Kitchen countertop counterparts:

Visual Comfort Totie Table Lamp by Thomas O’Brien
H.E. Rainaud Antique Tiffany Style 6 Slag Glass Lamp
Zain Table Lamp, Set of 2
Wyman 16″ Crystal Ball/Metal LED Table Lamp, Clear by JONATHAN Y
Baroque Accent Table Lamp

Bernhardt Villa Toscana Arm Chair

Detail comes home in this Italian Baroque Revival carved dining table.

Italian Baroque Revival Carved Wood Dining Table

Grand French Country Oval Dining Table

For the flow and the French of it all, may I present these decorative kitchen accents and accessories to accent the look.

19th Century Pair of Painted and Upholstered Louis XVI Style Open Arm Fauteuils

Handcarved French Rush Dining Chairs S/4

Hooker Furniture Castella Wood Back Arm Chair

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Painted and Giltwood Mirror

Some may opine my needle appears stuck on antiques and vintage accents.

Long my preferred go-to choice, I find the charm and character quotient appeals to my desire to incorporate unique pieces in with new traditional promotes conversation and balances the visual points of interest of a space.

Sheraton Giltwood Mirror, c.1830

Burnished Gold Cast Iron Art Rococo Footed Tray

Consider using architectural salvage pieces in your kitchen decor.

Faithful followers of Places In The Home know all too well my fascination with using fireplace covers/firebacks as decorative kitchen wall accents.

Antique Architectural Salvage Cast Iron Fireplace Cover

Porcelain lemon topiary is a current accent obsession.

Mama Places In The Home had one ions ago, and goodness only knows where it finally landed in the great remodel and purge of years back.

MIA: Missing Impressive Accent

Victorian Era Boston Bond Bread Oak Store Display Case

Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Wall Rack

English 19th Century Carved Wooden Fragment with Fruits and Flower Garland
18th Century Oak Boiserie Panel

Door knockers easily make the transition from exterior door ornament to singular focal point cabinet pull or even an excellent choice of wall decor.

Dark Brown Metal Hand Pull

Turns out the decision to kill a little time before an appointment by dropping by one of my favorite vintage goods haunts was a splendid one indeed.

Garden statue then, cookbook bookend now.

Kensington Hill Taryn Vintage Style Table Clock

Antique Male Oil Painting

AELS Vintage Wall Clock

Implementing art into your kitchen decor elevates the overall aesthetic.

Housatonic Valley #98 Vintage Framed Print
Vintage French La Mode Illustree Framed Art
Young Oak Trees #222 Vintage Framed Wall Art Painting
Florentine Framed Print
Antique Cast Iron Classical Lady Head Architectural
Edith #215 Vintage Framed Wall Art

Lagniappe is defined as something given as a bonus or extra gift, and is present in impressive kitchen furnishings, décor pieces and accents replete with distinctive detail, prominence, and beauty.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the product links I have an affiliate relationship with and make a purchase from the retailer, I receive a commission from the sale.

Affordable All-Around Kitchen Hacks

Affordable all-around kitchen hacks offer budget-friendly design, decorating, and storage options to take your kitchen from bland to brilliant.

Just when I think my design and decorating mojo is in post holiday/new year limbo, along comes an awe-inspiring photo and I’m back ready to show and tell.

This Nicole Franzen photo with styling by Kate Berry is featured in the Domino article, 13 Reno Budget Hacks, Straight From Leanne Ford.

Domino – Photography by Nicole Franzen – Styling by Kate Berry

One recent Places In The Home analytics report showed an increase in traffic towards a 2013 blog post, Color Combination Pink and Brown.

Trends and tastes come and go and ebb and flow, but a visually engaging color combination becomes a lasting favorite.

So you can see why the above kitchen space instantly caught my eye.

Color plays a pivotal role in the world of design and decorating.

If you don’t like it, change it to the best of your design, decorating, and budget hacks ability.

Speaking of liking…

I like the part of the post that features in the style of decor accents.

Geometric Area Rug

22″ Wall Mirror with Decorative Handle Gold – Patton Wall Decor

Art in the kitchen is always an on-trend option.

Vintage Peach Painting

Chris Paschke ‘Rio Pink and Brown’ Canvas Art

Pour Me Extra-Large Mixing Bowl

Mastering The Art Of French Cooking

Antique Shoppes at 1100 Barksdale

Measuring and mixing in vintage style never looked so good when keeping house with current wares.

Washington Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall

Mason Cash Powder Pink Color Mix Mixing Bowl

Full Moon Clay Vase

Pink and green is another wonderful color combination, and with spring soon to be, this take on a classic color and pattern makes a lovely addition to kitchen shelf and table alike.

The Pioneer Woman Jade Dinner Plate

The Pioneer Woman Amelia 15.22-Ounce Rose Glass Tumblers, Set of 4

Realizing I spend waaay too much time washing dishes, I figure I might as well ring some type of enjoyment out of this seemingly endless routine.

Everspring Dish Soaps

Now that we’ve addressed colorful, workable, and affordable kitchen accessories that perform and complement, let’s talk the customize optimize combination.

Working off the assumption you’re working with a basic white range, consider customizing it to suit your space and style.

Customize = Optimize

The in color combination white/brass is one good looking range that guides this next in the style of budget hack.

Single Oven Dual Fuel Italian Range with True Convection, 5 Burners, Brass Trim in White

If the four figure price tag is out of your range (get it?), consider a refresh via spray paint.

I call this the priming stage.

Remove the knobs from stove. Wash the knobs in a warm water mixture of several drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid and a generous pour of white vinegar. Rinse well with warm water and allow knobs to dry completely.

Holding the spray paint can approximately eight (8) inches from knob, apply spray paint in a back-and-forth motion in even layers. I like to suggest applying two to three (2-3) coats of spray paint. For a smooth polished finish, it is crucial you allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.

What about range knobs with markings?

The first step is to take out your phone, device, or point and shoot camera and take a photo of the knob(s). If a photo is not an option, draw out a template of the knob and settings placement.

After painting, use a black Sharpie to remark.

Now comes the oven door handle.

I’ve got a paint in place option and a remove the handle and paint tutorial.

For those of you who don’t want to fool with removing the oven handle, here’s your how-to.

Wear a mask (you should have plenty of practice with this 😄) and adequately ventilate the area by opening a window or door.

Tape off the areas above and below the handle using painter’s tape and proceed to spray paint the handle while in place.

For those of you who prefer to remove the handle, here’s the how-to.

Open the oven door and locate the screws on the top edge. Using a screwdriver, remove each screw and set aside. There’s a front and a back side to the panel. You’ll want to lift the back panel of the door up to remove.

Using a nut driver, remove the two nuts on the inside of the door holding the handle in place; usually located on each side of oven door. Remove the door handle.

Holding the spray paint can approximately eight (8) inches from the handle, apply spray paint in a back-and-forth motion in even layers. Apply two to three (2-3) coats of spray paint, allowing handle to dry completely before applying the next coat.

Once the handle is completely dry, put back into place by lining up handle into the holes, placing nuts on each end, and tightening the nuts with the nut driver.

Bring door panels back together, line up with openings, insert nuts/screws and tighten.

Ta-da!

This show and tell about affordable all-around kitchen hacks is inspiring me to bring about a bit of change to the Places In The Home kitchen.

New year, new pulls.

Braydon Studio Center to Center Appliance Pull

Instant doesn’t always guarantee a fruitful result, but in the case of installing new cabinet hardware I can almost guarantee instant visual upgrade success.

Domino – Photography by Studio McGee

Mike Stevens Homes, Inc. – Photo by Bruce McCamish

There’s more than one way to impress the eye when creating storage solutions in the kitchen.

Southern Living Magazine – Photo by Laurey W. Glenn

Absolutely loving the light oak gateleg table.

Finding one exactly like it proved unsuccessful, but here’s two suitable options for your kitchen decor consideration.

This English oak Barley Twist drop leaf table found at Gallery Auctions is in the dark finish so many gate leg tables traditionally come in.

The fantastic going once, going twice, sold! price on this table makes it all the more easy to fall in love with the darker finish.

Does your kitchen design lack sufficient cabinet and storage space?

There’s a hack for that.

5 Shelf Bookcase – Room Essentials™

Stake out an area of a wall and introduce an inexpensive bookcase or bookcase unit.

Begin by anchoring the unit(s) to the wall with an anti-tip kit.

Once everything is good and secure, the next step is to give an otherwise plain and rather utilitarian bookcase the custom treatment by dressing it out in a smart paint color and on-trend accessories.

Sherwin-Williams
Shoji White SW 7042 || Rushing River SW 7746 || Anonymous SW 7046

Glidden High Endurance Plus Interior Paint and Primer

Add molding and/or appliques.

How about plug-in swing arm lights?

Brass Sconce Vintage Industrial Swing Arm Wall Lamp

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with traditional options for kitchen storage, just as there’s something very right about choosing a unique piece to bring visual lagniappe to the mix.

Gorgeous is as gorgeous stores.

In your antiques, vintage, and estate sale shopping, keep an eye out for bookcase or hutch with a bottom half that’s seen better days and a top half that’s completely salvageable.

A good eye sees past functional obsolescence, immediately zooming in on the tremendous project opportunity found in otherwise overlooked redo-refine-repurpose pieces.

Remodelista – Anthony Esteves –Photography by Greta Rybus

If wall space is limited or any extra space for that matter is not to be, let there be hooks.

Options rich in variety, visual interest, form, and function enters into the kitchen storage grand scheme of things.

Decorative Vases-Planter-Urn

Affordable just happens to be a budget friendly bonus.

Now it’s time to stack and store in style.

Bee & Willow Home

Farmhouse Pottery Trunk Vases

Stoneware Pitcher Gray – Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia

H&M

Designer Jeremiah Brent’s eye for attention to function, design, and detail proves 20/20 perfection in regards to this super chic choice of open shelving.

Architectural Digest

Start with a set or two of floating wall shelves.

Modern Floating 2 Piece Wall Shelf Set (Set of 2)

Modern Floating 2 Piece Wall Shelf Set (Set of 2) in Black

Cover the front and sides with vinyl self adhesive peel and stick metallic shelf liner to create a polished modern look.

On the subject of peel and stick stylish and affordable kitchen hacks, wall decals and/or wallpaper easily become a choice material for a kitchen backsplash.

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by John Bessler

The wall area behind a stove or sink is prime focal point real estate for this application.

Seabrook Designs Vespucci Map Tan & Gold Wallpaper

Blue Azulejos Kitchen Panel Wall Decal

What got this backsplash show and tell started was this farmhouse butler’s pantry redo by Cathy and Garrett Poshusta of The Grit and Polish and their rather impressive side-mounted sink placement choice.

Gorgeous, n’est-ce pas?

In real estate and renovation, it’s all about location, location, location.

The renovator used a scrap piece of marble for the backsplash, cutting the curved design himself.

My skills do not include this talent, but I can source the faucet with the best of them.

English Country 2-Handle Wall-Mount Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Brass
English Country 2-Handle Wall Mount Kitchen Faucets in Brushed Brass

These two fixtures are from my personal inventory.

The iron and crystal chandelier an eBay find, the bamboo chandelier an estate sale treasure.

For approximately $150 all in including the fixtures, two rewires, aesthetic adjustments, a couple of coats of paint, and clear coat applications, two new to me custom chandeliers replaced two drab and outdated fixtures long past their prime style days.

Think outside the box when it comes to a particular area in the kitchen.

I don’t know what’s more of a showstopper- the collection of ironstone or the pantry doors made from louvered arched wood shutters.

Atchison Home

Antique auctions are known treasure troves of goodies.

Gallery Auctions

Gallery Auctions in Houston, Texas is a personal favorite auction offering in person and online bidding.

This pair of French Louis XV style armoire doors in Cherry (50″ X 71″) sold at Gallery Auctions (our favorite) for $90.00.

Talk about a unique choice of pantry door.

Pair French Louis XV Style Armoire Doors in Cherry

March arrived today, and with its arrival comes spring project ideas.

Several of these kitchen hacks will see the light of day, and the treasure hunt for the unique, the stylish, the classic, and the affordable to pull it all together is highly anticipated.

Holiday Kitchen Accessories

Let’s talk getting an idea of the holiday kitchen accessories perfect for the holiday decorating season.

With the present state of health affairs we all find ourselves in I say if we’re spending more time at home let’s start sooner than later decking the halls, dining rooms, and kitchens.

One good thing about staying close to home and being Covid 19 safe is the scads of internet time it affords decoristas to check out the latest and greatest home for the holidays goodies.

It’s never too early in my humble and holiday opinion (think Black Friday).

Besides, who wants to play the waiting game and run the risk of the dreaded sold out and not available notice?

With that thought in mind, coupled with the knowledge Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, I’m sourcing and sharing kitchen accessories and accents in holiday and not so holiday finery.

Images of Christmas from 1900 yesterday depict the hustling and bustling times of the spirited and decorated holiday kitchen.

Check out the back in the day Philco Port-O-Sound Cart.

Music is a key part of my kitchen plan and prep routine, a natural stress reliever, brings back and makes memories old and new, and delivers as a grand communicator.

Vintage wares and groovy sound system style caught my eye, but the apron is sending true kitchen keepsake love my way.

Feast your eyes on Mama Places In The Home modeling her mother’s apron which is almost identical to the one in the image.

Necessary holiday kitchen accessories for the holiday kitchen include a sassy apron in seasonally appropriate colors and patterns.

Little Red Truck Half Apron – Christmas Apron for Women

Do you include home decor items on your Dear Santa gotta have it list?

Lost on me is the notion of home decor accents and accessories being off limits for Christmas gift giving and/or receiving.

Who came up with that?

A decoristas love of all things house that make a home does not take a break at the holidays, and the gift of holiday kitchen accessories and accents is the gift that keeps on giving.

Working with an in the style of premise, let’s look at a few items dripping in vintage chic that classically make the leap from yesteryear to current decor styles.

Christmas morning comes early when you find a forgotten set of copper molds bought sometime last year on a Goodwill run.

Chic is served in the holiday kitchen in many ways, but I especially like the blending of old with new, classic with current.

The Woodward Style Iron Patio Bar Cart becomes a classic statement piece stylishly prepped for kitchen duty.

Global Caravan Marari Rattan Bar Cart in Black

Option number two is this super chic Marari Rattan Bar Cart.

Number three gives a nod to the gold accents and accessories throughout my kitchen.

CosmoLiving by Cosmopolitan Trevia Folding Cart

The addition of a lovely table lamp(s) to your kitchen countertop creates an inviting and cozy aesthetic as well as promotes a curated ambiance.

Darren 25.5″ Glass LED Table Lamps (Set of 2) by JONATHAN Y

Fast forward to today’s music scene and heard options equipped with smart features and full-range sound quality.

An audible squeal of delight followed when I saw this image from Leanne Ford’s home as featured in Domino.

On, Elvis! on, Haggard! on Harris and Campbell!

Talk about two albums (and 8 tracks) that shaped the soundtrack of my childhood into teenage years.

Parker Light Beige Record Player

The Parker Record Player from Victrola captures a vintage style while offering the warm sound of analog recordings through built-in stereo speakers.

Modern technology allows you to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device.

Mosser Glass Hen Covered Dish 6 inch Vintage Style, Jadeite Green Opaque Glass

Behold this in the style of vintage covered hen dish in jadeite reimagined as a sugar bowl.

Beautiful L.E. Smith Clear Glass Standing Turkey Dish w Lid

Get kitchen creative when it comes to sugar, sweetener, salt, and spice bowls.

Godinger Hershey’s Kiss Crystal Candy Dish

Using a Hershey’s Crystal Kiss Candy Dish as a counter decoration holder for sweetener packets, sugar in the raw, or coarse sea salt is a crystal clear reminder of holiday traditions.

Spending an afternoon checking out the many talented artists and wares the internet has to offer is part of the source and ye shall find show and tell.

You never know what unique pieces you’ll find as was the case with these Thanksgiving turkey decoupage oyster shells.

I believe they’ll be focal point worthy as salt and black pepper cellars.

Decoupage Handpainted Thanksgiving Turkey Oyster Shells

In keeping with the rustic and natural theme associated with Thanksgiving, farmhouse, and a woodland Christmas, artisan wood bark natural decorative bowls become an eye catching addition to your holiday kitchen accessories portfolio.

Copper in the kitchen is my kind of holiday decoration.

Cook and bake for the holidays in good taste as well as in great style.

Copper Measuring Cups, Set of 4

We’ve covered copper, now let’s toast this beauty that can pull double duty as a champagne bucket/wine cooler when celebrating and as an anything but everyday utensil holder when not.

Traditional Aluminum Bucket Wine Cooler

Super stylish decorative pieces is always reason enough to celebrate.

Fresh Bay Leaf Wreath

Fall into Thanksgiving straight through to Christmas counts as the holidays at our house.

House & Home – Designer Timothy Johnson – Photo by Virginia Macdonald

Decorating a kitchen backsplash , window(s), or wall with a wreath is a year round decorative delight, and at the holidays it gives such a festive look.

Further the presentation with additions and accents in not just for the holidays colors, textures, and patterns.

Farmhouse style is a design style darling for today’s kitchen decor, and these mixing bowls in hobnail white are sure to become a favorite kitchen element all year long.

Victoria Magazine- Photography and Styling by Stephanie Welbourne Steele -Styling by Melissa Sturdivant Smith

Tabletops Gallery® 4-pc. Mixing Bowl Set

Mason Cash In The Forest 1 Quart Measuring Jug

Country Living Magazine -Photo by David Tsay

Mosser Jadeite Mixing Bowls, Set of 3

Between traditional convenience and today’s technology and performance lies my hand mixer preference.

The Oster 270-Watt Hand Mixer with HEATSOFT Technology softens cold ingredients with gentle heat while mixing- cutting out the need to bring non-room temperature ingredients to room temperature.

Oster 270-Watt Hand Mixer with HEATSOFT Technology

Copper is a delightful color complement to the shades of the fall and Thanksgiving color palette, however, I’m thinking the KitchenAid Artisan Empire stand mixer in holiday happening red is the way to mix things up.

Cooking, baking, and delicious treat making goes with the seasonal territory, and remember, Santa does love his cookies.

KitchenAid ® Artisan Empire Red Stand Mixer

Nordic Ware Sunflower Harvest Loaf Pan

Nordic Ware Woodland Cakelet

Nordic Ware Premier Gold Classic Fluted Loaf Pan

Nordic Ware ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Loaf Pan

Christmas Theme Engraved Laser Rolling Pin

Old St Nick Cookie Jar

Sweets, treats, and holiday eats.

Better Homes & Gardens

No time like the present for getting into the holiday spirit.

Fall into winter is the season of cozy, and hot chocolate is the official unofficial warm beverage most of us love to settle in with.

Setting up a hot cocoa bar is easy and never fails to impress and please the home for the holidays crowd.

Grab an inexpensive silver tray from the dollar store, fill with equally inexpensive theme of the season mugs, and you’re off to the races.

Pick your garnishes and place in glass containers, jars, small bowls, porcelain creamers, vintage gravy boats- you get the idea.

Snacks, appetizers, charcuterie boards, and yes, a hot cocoa bar/station will still be a part of our holiday sip and snack times with a few tweaks to keep with safe and smart gathering.

Oohs and aahs over presentation is a gift to host, hostess, and guests alike.

Construct a central presentation board, and from there go with individual items, single portions, and serve yourself beverage or cocktail bars.

Fall into winter themed charcuterie boards dressed with seasonal cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, jellies, and preserves tempt and delight.

Serving ideas include:

Assemble individual charcuterie boards.

Layer glass jars with cheese bites, seasonal dried fruits, sweet breads and nuts, a couple of breadsticks, garnish with fresh herbs, and voilà.

Prepare individual trays for beverages including all items to mix, mingle, spike, and jingle.

Simply and elegantly single serve to guests.

We can’t spread the germs, but we can spread the holiday joy!

Pear Shaped Mango Wood Cutting Board

Stoneware Cheese Board

Epicurean Slate Snowman Cutting Board

Simple Glass Cloche, 12 Inch

Rustic with a stunning twist is on-trend, and I love these options for year round serving pieces.

Seasonal fruits, flowers, eats, and treats will entice the eye even more when housed in and on these presentation pieces.

Wall art is an excellent way to introduce color into a space, and reproduction advertising prints and posters do just that.

Pomegranate Pot Roast-Photo by Blaine Moats

Striking cookware and serving pieces top the must have holiday kitchen accessories list.

Better Homes & Gardens Oval Baker With Lid
Ruffled Edge Baker
Better Homes & Gardens Porcelain Bakeware Serve Dish, Oven to Table

Home for the holidays can present a whole host of dishes both delicious and dirty.

If you are even remotely considering replacing your current kitchen faucet, there’s no time like the present.

Under consideration for a new kitchen sink faucet is the Bolden-Single Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet.

Edison Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet

Multi-purpose warrants consideration when selecting home furnishings and decor pieces.

Romilly 7-Drawer Black and Oak Brown Dresser

This Baxton Studio Romilly 7-Drawer Black and Oak Brown Dresser checks all the boxes in regards to function, form, affordability, and the signature feature required by decoristas, style.

But wait, Darleen.

Did I understand you to reference it as a dresser?

Good eye, decoristas!

True, it is marketed as a dresser, but the dual tones, serpentine shaped frame design, and ample amount of drawers qualifies it as an excellent furnishing option for use as a sideboard-buffet-server.

House & Home – Designer Angela Wheeler- Photo by Virginia Macdonald

Striking holiday kitchen accessories bring seasonal appeal as well as year long chic to the heart of the home.

Kitchen Remodeling Renovation Features to Splurge or Save On

Kitchen remodeling renovation features to splurge or save on is the focus of today’s conversation.

Okay.

You’ve made the decision to remodel or renovate your kitchen.

Let’s work with this area first.

Remodeling includes demo, construction and changing the existing design of a space or structure.

Renovating details an update or restore consisting of mainly cosmetic changes.

Let’s throw another R into the mix.

Resale value is a choice point to consider when remodeling or renovating.

I find the cost vs. value comparison from Remodeling Magazine both interesting and informative. It compares the average cost for 29 popular remodeling projects with the value the project retains at resale in 99 U.S. markets.

Undertaking a kitchen remodel or renovation comes with a myriad of decisions.

The answer to the kitchen remodeling renovation features to splurge or save on question is subjective to personal taste and lifestyle, while strongly influenced by and tailored to the existing structure, layout and budget.

Now that that’s established, let’s delve into the topic of kitchen remodeling renovation features to splurge or save on.

Kitchen Island

Tiffany Farha Design

The well appointed standalone kitchen island is a multi-functional focal point center of kitchen activity that packs a powerful one-two punch.

The aesthetic lands the visual appeal while the design delivers navigational proficiency.

Kitchen spaces and sizes vary from house to home, style to space. A large space with an open floor plan is a reality for some, a dream for others.

This is where thoughtful kitchen design becomes crucial to the prep, cook, store and clean environment.

Efficiency, distance and flow is key in regard to the design concept known as the kitchen work triangle. The work triangle connects the main task areas of the sink, range or cooktop and refrigerator.

As a general rule, the sum of all three sides of the kitchen work triangle should be between 13 feet and 26 feet.

Factor in the proximity to the sink, range and refrigerator kitchen work triangle and design with convenience in mind.

Specialty Stations and Appliances

Shenandoah Cabinetry

We are a thirsty nation with a design need to accommodate said thirst.

The increase in demand for kitchen specialty stations and specialty appliances is responsible for moving the gourmet coffee machine, commercial ice maker and wine chiller out of the luxury extra column and into the kitchen features splurge column.

Optimum kitchen design successfully integrates lifestyle and necessity.

Better Homes & Gardens

High-End Range, Rangetop or Cooktop

Megan Winters

Gourmet cooks, home chefs, and entertainers extraordinaire know a high-end range, rangetop or cooktop is a must-have splurge of innovation, efficiency, functionality and performance.

In the words of interior design Miles Redd, “buy the best, and you only cry once.”

Many brands of mid-range appliances offer a quality smart performance with a modern aesthetic for an affordable price.

Quality is not necessarily accompanied by a budget busting price tag.

Douglas VanderHorn Architects

High-end appliances are price justified if the homeowner has no intention of selling the home.

In terms of resale situation and return on your investment, high-end appliances may only appeal to niche buyers.

Pot filler

Convenience makes a fabulous sous chef.

My preference for cooking on a gas cooktop or range is of no secret to Dave the Builder.

A pot filler makes the kitchen features wishlist however, moving electrical, gas and plumbing is expensive.

Try, try as I may to justify the splurge on expense, a save on compromise is on the table.

Hello, new electric cooktop and kitchen sink faucet.

Cabinets

When Dave the Builder & Company renovated our kitchen, we kept the existing cabinet and drawer boxes and went with custom fronts.

This best of both worlds decision rendered significant savings.

Buckingham Raised Panel Cabinet Door

Storage

House Beautiful 2017 Kitchen of the Year

Customized countertop storage compartments, cabinets and drawers qualify as smart storage options to splurge on.

Wood-Mode Custom Cabinetry

Countertops

Personal preference, purpose and performance drive the kitchen countertop choice.

The durability in design and function makes granite an ever popular choice of kitchen countertop.

Granite is a heat resistant natural stone that stands up and stands out in the kitchen.

When we were choosing materials for our kitchen, I knew I wanted granite countertops. Finding the cost of solid slabs prohibitive to budget control, granite tiles offered the look I wanted resulting in a save on feature.

Remodeling and renovation budgets adore quality products that deliver on all points of impressive design, style and affordability.

Laminate, an affordable save on alternative, comes in striking pattern and color choices with the stylish look of a full granite.

Change is a constant in kitchen styles and personal taste.

The affordability of laminate countertops makes changing out the countertops in let’s say five years, when the next big trend in kitchen design floods the pins of Pinterest, or when the budget permits a valid option.

Backsplash

James Michael Howard

Dollars saved by going with a less expensive backsplash option such as subway tile equals dollars well spent on details such as a custom range hood.

Subway tile is classic, on-trend, and budget friendly.

You gotta pick and choose your kitchen remodeling renovation features to splurge or save on battles.

Flooring

I’ve got enough to say grace over in the kitchen.

I don’t want nor need the extra headache of fretting over the flooring choice.

As beautiful as the hardwood floor is, it does present a water stain, spot and scratch issue.

I prefer ceramic tile flooring in the kitchen over hardwood flooring.

Tile is durable, stylish, design friendly, and affordable.

I vote save on for this one.

Sroka Design, Inc.

Porcelain tile in the style of hardwood flooring is gaining in flooring popularity.

Mediterranea Boardwalk in Myrtle Beach Whitewash

If you ask me kitchen remodeling renovation features to splurge or save on suggestions:

A kitchen can never have enough electrical outlets.

The utility of a kitchen is found in the utilities.

An overhaul of an existing electrical panel by a licensed professional electrician updates the outdated and safely allows for additional lighting and outlets.

Save on the lighting fixtures, splurge on the electrical.

If your heart is set on granite, but your budget does not allow for tricking out the entire kitchen countertop in granite, consider going with granite strictly for the kitchen island countertop.

Venegas and Company

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.

The answer to the kitchen remodeling renovation features to splurge or save on question is subjective to personal taste and lifestyle.

Areas of splurge should give maximum return on investment, performance and expectation.

Areas of save should give a maximum return on quality and functionality while being both stylish and cost-effective.

A Most Fetching Friday: Pantry Envy

This week’s A Most Fetching Friday features kitchen or kitchen adjacent pantries of brilliant design, functionality and visual appeal worthy of pantry envy.

Architectural Digest

Hayburn & Co.

Steven Gambrel

Country Living

John Lewis of Hungerford

Pantry Envy Accessories –

DecorPad

Rafterhouse

The Very Right Of The White Kitchen

It seems the love affair between kitchen design and decorating and the very right of the white kitchen (or nearly all-white kitchen) is going stronger than ever.

Knock It Out of the Tuxedo Park Perfect! Elle Decor

Pristine.

Classic.

Fresh.

Timeless.

Color trend with traction.

Benjamin Moore Simply White is simply an excellent choice for your anchor, primary or accent kitchen color consideration.

Choosing to go with a white or nearly all-white kitchen is by no means a color sellout.

Modern accents such as the Tom Dixon mirror ball pendants in white hot off the presses metal finishes give good glam.

A white kitchen is anything but boring, uninspiring or underwhelming.

Elle Decor

The color white in company of designer, winter, off and ivory shades and tones invariably makes a lasting color impression.

House Beautiful

Let it capture the life and the heartbeat of the space.

evans2 Birmingham Home & Garden

Immersed in natural light from floor to ceiling, the kitchen in this historic Livingston, New York, home features antique architectural elements.

The kitchen cabinets are fashioned from antique windows, and the well placed pendant lights, center island lantern and black and white tile flooring only serves to further enhance the predominately white color palette.

Unpretentious in design, this white hot kitchen is farmhouse fabulous on steroids.

Architectural Digest

Highlighting the effectiveness of natural light coupled with distinctive Louisiana architectural elements, this kitchen-dining space combination becomes the design feature of this custom home from award winning St. Tammany, Louisiana Highland Homes.

The rich natural accent colors present in the decorative wood beams and flooring play well to the white countertops, striking center island chandelier, kitchen cabinetry and custom range hood.

Highland Homes, Inc.

No natural light to be found?

Fret not.

Gorgeous kitchen lighting options in white will infuse the white kitchen with light and style in white hot color palette perfection.

Style at Home

When selecting kitchen materials, the color white continues to dominate the field.

Feast your eyes upon the examples below.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, and did I mention gorgeous?

A hand-glazed white ceramic subway tile backsplash brilliantly paired with Carrara marble makes a striking decor follow-through.

White ironstone china stands out from the gallery wall in decorative sync with the herringbone pattern reclaimed elm hardwood floors.

Style at Home

Complementing colors and accents come together to produce a stellar focal point while supplying all the contrast needed to make a bright and bold, white hot white kitchen statement.

I’ve looked at well over sixty pictures for this post, and this one from Apartment Therapy never fails to impress.

I love the clean lines and distinctive design.

The theory of less is more applies here.

023 Apartment Therapy

Size does matter, but it is not always the design feature afforded the space.

The kitchen in this New York studio apartment demonstrates how proper design can result in optimization of space and function.

Big or small, that is the desired design result of today’s working kitchen.

The custom cabinetry is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Dove Wing.

Elle Decor

It may only be the base on which you build your color palette, but the color white commands and keeps the attention of a space.

It is the neutral of choice.

Molly Frey Design ~ DecorPad

“White has stood the test of time because it’s clean and fresh. And those two words — clean and fresh — are classic words for describing a great kitchen. There isn’t a better way to approach design.”

—Mick de Giulio

Houzz

The white kitchen (or nearly all-white kitchen) is still going strong.

Does the clean, fresh, crisp and pristine look of the very right of the white kitchen (or nearly all-white kitchen) continue to appeal to your design and decor taste?

The Main Ingredient: Kitchen Essentials

Layouts, lighting, placement, finishes and function top the list of kitchen essentials kitchen design considerations.

Recently I was asked my opinion on key kitchen essentials.

The first order of business is to place the stamp of you on the space- it’s the main ingredient in the recipe of optimum kitchen design.

Personal decor and culinary style throughout, favorite work with me kitchen wares and products, a prep playlist, and plenty of storage and work space prove to be my key kitchen essentials.

Nordic Ware Platinum 60th Anniversary Bundt Pan

Microplane Grater ~ Crate & Barrel

Convenience, chalk and conversions create culinary 3 part kitchen harmony!

This printable kitchen conversion chart from Shanty 2 Chic is ready to print, frame and consult.

Kitchen cabinet or cupboard availability is not always a bountiful blessing.

Heritage Hill Glass Jars with Lids

Enter a kitchen essentials classic storage solution.

The Heritage Hill glass jar with lid is a clear, versatile, and affordable kitchen storage choice.

Prep station solution with the ooh la la factor!

French Kitchen Table

Kitchen Safety 101:

Washing your hands with soap and water is the first defense in eliminating the spread of bacteria.

Handling onions?

Now there’s a delicious aroma when cooking, sauteing, or caramelizing, but not so much as an unpleasant leftover on the hands.

Problem solved with the clean, fresh scent of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lemon Verbena liquid hand soap.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lemon Verbena Liquid Hand Soap

Bose Home Speaker 500

Here’s my Now We’re Cooking playlist.

It’s the perfect sous chef in the Places In The Home test kitchen.

Kara Rosenlund

I bought this framed masterpiece of an anonymous woman at an antiques fair years ago.

Dave the Builder thought I’d lost my mind and still thinks so today, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

There could be a bit of so ugly it’s pretty at work here, but I absolutely love this portrait.

The distressed frame, subject matter, and countertop art placement receives far more compliments than panned comments.

Expect the unexpected to garner rave reviews.

What’s on your list of key kitchen essentials?

Pfister Faucets: To Protect And Conserve In Sustainable WaterSense Style

Happy Earth Day! April 22, 1970 was the first Earth Day, and the celebration of the environmental awareness has continued each year since. My darling mother’s father preached water conservation to her from an early age, and that conservation conversation is had on a frequent basis here at Places In The Home. Also from reading this blog you may know that my favorite travel destination and desert oasis is Las Vegas. Water conservation is indeed a big concern for Las Vegas, which sits in the middle of the Mojave Desert. I distinctly remember a conversation I had with an engineer from Las Vegas on a flight out to the desert. His firm worked on the concept, building, and installation of The Fountains of Bellagio. He explained to me how the water recycled from a well beneath the property for conservation and earth friendly responsibility. Kudos, Bellagio!

Bellagio – Las Vegas

As I am considering replacing the not in use at the moment dressing area sink faucet set in the master bathroom, I am taking a few things into consideration. High on my list is water conservation, savings, reducing energy consumption, and as always- sustainable style.

The Virtue Widespread Bath Faucet from Pfister is the stylish and logical choice, all things better for the environment considered. With its brushed nickel finish, unique texture and elegant attention to detail, the Virtue Widespread Bath Faucet satisfies my desired function meets form meets style requirement.

The Virtue is WaterSense Certified, meaning it meets or exceeds EPA WaterSense Standards, which reduces water consumption by 30% and helps average households save up to $200 in their annual water bill, will satisfy my darling mother’s water conserving requirement. It’s a win-win situation for Earth Day and everyday, baby!

Indira™ Kitchen Faucet

The principle of Earth Day and environmental protection is something we strive to practice our daily lives and kitchen and bath decor and fixtures choices.

Kitchen design is only as beautiful as kitchen function. Meet the Indira kitchen faucet from Pfister- a Pfister faucets focal point. Say that three times.

Indira™ Kitchen Faucet

If the need or decorating desire for a new bath or kitchen faucet is in your home improvement future, take a look at the quality faucets and accessories available from Pfister.

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