Guest Post: Becky from Houzz!

When I received an email in my inbox the other week from Houzz talking about Guest Posting here at The Blooming Hydrangea I couldn’t hit reply fast enough.  Houzz is a great website full of inspiration where you can create your own ideabook and save images in the ideabook.  They also have great articles and even discussions about pretty much anything and everything home related.   If you haven’t checked Houzz out yet, stop by (after you read what Becky has to share today because it’s awesome) and I’m sure you’ll be hooked just like me!    Take it away Becky!

Hello everyone! My name is Becky and I’m a contributor at Houzz, a home design site focused on helping design professionals and homeowners manage the remodeling and decorating process. Thanks so much to Ange for having me! Oh dear, Ange is having a heck of a time between slaving over cabinets only to have them peel and chip, then topping it off with a head lice epidemic crawling its way into her home (we’ve all been there – I feel for ya sister!) So, I’m going to try and help with this “Calgon, take me away!” version of kitchen inspiration. I’ve chosen some kitchens that are mostly white and fall somewhere between traditional and contemporary. In fact, all of these fall under the umbrella of “new traditionalist” style. I hope you enjoy ogling these, and then let this post change the way things are going like a vision board straight out of “The Secret” (which I joke about, but secretly believe in).

Kitchen designer Rebekah Zaveloff has the magic touch; she brings in elements that have vintage, glamorous and traditional appeal, mixes them all together, and the result is a kitchenthat’s stunning yet accessible. In addition to the charming schoolhouse lights, classic bin drawer pulls and gorgeous stone countertops, she’s snuck in some useful designer tricks. Extending the cabinets to the ceiling draws the eye up and makes use of a space that would otherwise be wasted and covered in dust bunnies. Using a light tile backsplash reflects light all over the room, making it look brighter and larger. Both of these tricks help make the kitchen look larger than it actually is.

OK, one thing most of us will never have is the ability to have so many glassfront cabinetswith such beautiful arrangements of china and glassware. I mean, where do the sippy cups and tacky novelty mugs that make us laugh every morning go? However, one thing we can do is bring in beautiful pops of color on the countertops via fruit and tulips. I’ll give this a try, while hiding a multitude of cluttered sins behind closed solid cabinet doors!

What makes this kitchen by Patrick Sutton Associates so fantastic is the expert editing. It’s mostly ivory, but careful selection of statement pieces and textures give it new traditionalist style. The vintage cage chandelier and mirror add just the right dose of patina style, the dark counter stools and wood floors add contrast, and the folk art gives it a unique hint of quirky personality. You don’t even notice that it’s roughly the size of a galley kitchen. Thanks so much for letting me stop by today! It was a blast. And Ange, I hope the next painting attempt will be the magic one that works. Find more kitchen inspiration from Detroit interior designers and more design professionals at Houzz.

Thank you Becky, I”m off to add some of these beautiful kitchens to my ideabook!  I hope my next attempt works too!  Ok everyone, now run over to Houzz and check it out!