Islands

This island is located adjacent to where meals are prepared and can be utilized for dining, for homework, as a buffet or for additional workspace. Design by Don Raney and Jaymes Richardson.



Think outside of the box when deciding on the shape of an island. This custom six-sided island is ideal for a contemporary rectangular kitchen. Design by Troy Adams. Although, I don't agree with the island choice, I like
the shape and style. I would have chosen a top with blues, tans and the wood color to tie the room together more softly.



Pull a chair up to this weighty island or take a seat at the table with a view. Both are painted black and provide a striking contrast to the rest of the cabinetry. Design by Beth Haley.



This island houses both a cooktop and a prep sink as well as ample storage in the form of drawers and open shelves. When space allows, always try to add a ledge and seating around an island. It appears this kitchen may have not had the extra room to do this.



LOVE THIS!!!
Don't feel penned in by having to choose one material for your island's surface; this design incorporates both tile and butcher block. Design by Didier Michot.



The colors blend well in this design.
This proportionately sized island is painted in the kitchen's soft green accent color for a lovely, finished look with plenty of function. Design by Jean Alan. Photo by Patty Carroll.

Backsplash Ideas

Incorporating one material throughout a room is a great way to unify the design and establish a distinct focal point. For this contemporary kitchen, Herzlinger used large slabs of marble to create a monolithic look, thus allowing the dark cabinetry and floors to pop.



A backsplash can also be used to separate one area of a room from another. In this modern home, Herzlinger brought in stainless tile to designate a butler's bar within the oversized kitchen.
A smaller budget doesn't have to mean a sacrifice in style. Graphic designer Jen Ramos selected honed Carrara marble for her backsplash, which she found at Home Depot and installed via independent contractor.



For designer Jamie Herzlinger, a backsplash is the finishing touch that can make or break the room. "So often I come across backsplashes that aren't in sync with the rest of the kitchen," laments Herzlinger, "and that's a missed opportunity to make a big statement." For this space, Herzlinger chose a mustard yellow and oxblood red pattern to accent the Mediterranean decor.



Design blogger and fine artist Nicole Cohen had her work cut out for her when she took on a gut renovation of her apartment. She selected miniature stainless steel tiles for the backsplash, which gave an industrial edge to the Calcutta countertops and white lacquer cabinetry in her kitchen. A twist on traditional subway tile, the metal is modern and easy to keep clean.

Kitchen Islands

There's something so calm and peaceful about this kitchen yet, at the same time, it's seriously calling your name to whip up a special meal and enjoy. The beautiful lines, neutral color palette and textures that extend through to the kitchen island pull this whole space together. The dark no-back bar stools work in the space by adding a touch of balance that matches the dining table. Design tip: consider using a similar design element for your backsplash to add harmony to a smaller space. In this case, marble.



In this pretty space, the kitchen island acts as the true hub, providing balance and harmony. With design styles mixing from industrial and modern to classic touches, the kitchen and the island represent a functional, well-designed space. The large island with an open frame works in this space, matching the design style of the counters and farmhouse sink. With a metal rack shelf below and the cement countertops above, the island houses the range as well. Very much a space any cook would love.



Designing a functional and stylish kitchen island can make a big impact in kitchen, often a room that can feel small. In this case, using the same monochromatic color palette and sustainable wood materials for the island that spans the kitchen spaces will make the space feel bigger. The sustainable wood is used on the base of the islands and the cabinets, allowing the eye to keep moving throughout.


What a dream space? This entire kitchen is inviting, cool and feels like such a modern classic. Using a black and white contrast with metal hardware throughout the entire space, including the large island, really adds dimension and absolute style to this space. Since there are tons of clean lines on the island, one way to soften the feel is to add a rounded support under the lip of the countertop. This adds a bit of design style and connects the rounded light fixtures.


For those loft lovers out there, this kitchen space provides some serious inspiration. The designer chooses a simple and open kitchen island to accommodate the large space. Often a solid consideration if you are looking for an anchored space for people to dine or to use for prep.

Color Psychology

Get on board and renew your style and space with a decorative paint finish.

Rich ivory and delicate celadon create a kitchen whose beauty is timeless.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prime the surfaces with Fresh Start® Primer. Allow to dry.
2. Roll on the ceiling color first. Allow to dry.
3. Next, paint the cabinets. Allow to dry.
4. Roll on the wall color. Allow to dry.
5. Paint trim and allow to dry.
Supply List
Supplies:
• Drop cloth
• Benjamin Moore rollers
• Roller tray
• Painter's tape
• Benjamin Moore paint brushes
• Rags for cleanup
Paint:
• Fresh Start Primer
• Ceiling: Regal® Flat Finish N215 in Raintree Green 1496
• Cabinets: Regal Eggshell Finish N319 in Paris Rain 1501
• Walls: Regal Matte Finish N221 in Natural White OC-1
• Trim: Regal Semi-Gloss Finish N333 in Cloud Cover OC

Shades of red stimulate both the appetite and conversation, so it’s a perfect color family to explore for the dining room.

Keep the feeling cozy by selecting a deep shade of red, not a bright one. This Dining Room was painted at the top portion of the wall with a luscious rich, raisin tone, atop a wainscoting of golden tan which helps keep the deeper color from overwhelming the space. The ceiling and crown molding is soft white which visually extends the height of the room as well as highlights the detailed craftsmanship of the molding.

 
Golden brown walls and a soft yellow ceiling form the perfect backdrop for the subdued golds and bronzes of the artisanal carvings, metallic silks, and textured embroideries in this alluring bedroom. Soft lighting and an intricate rug complete the look of luxurious tranquility. Just add incense, and you’re ready to leave the stresses of everyday life behind!

Paint:

• Fresh Start Primer 023
• Walls: AURA® Matte Waterborne Interior Paint 522 in Valley Forge Brown (HC 74)
• Ceiling: AURA Matte Waterborne Interior Paint 522 in Bronzed Beige (2151-50)
• Accent colors: Golden Chalice (2151-20), Adobe Dust (2175-40)

Discover the adventure of color. Learn why and how colors work the way they do. Keep pace with the latest trends and styles in color at Benjamin Moore Paints.
When you explore color, you can create new color palettes for your own home that are exciting and unique.

The "buzz" about color is usually called "color psychology." But the effects of color are subtle and significant; physical and psychological. Color use is not something that results in a definitive equation between "color and our moods," as is a currently popular expression. Wherever we go we respond to color, but the importance of color is often underestimated. Color use is important to us personally in our homes and in the places where we work.

1. Start Small
   If you're not sure where to begin with color, experiment in a powder room or bathroom, a small hall or area between rooms, or an accent wall. If you're doing your own painting, pick an area that's quick to do so you can see your results sooner, and be happy with it or change it. Look at the process as an adventure. To get started, select a favorite color drawn from artwork, a rug, dishes and an accessory or furniture piece as a main color or accent.
   
2. Think About Your Mood
   When selecting a color, consider the mood of a room. In a bedroom do you want the feeling to be restful and soothing or dramatic and intimate? Soft, cool colors and neutrals usually create a quieter feeling while stronger colors are for drama. Do you want a dining area to feel sociable and stimulating or appear formal and quiet? Warmer, contrasting and somewhat brighter colors add to a sociable atmosphere; deeper blue-greens and neutrals will give a more formal ambiance.
   Do you want kid's rooms to create an active and exciting energy or an orderly and restful feeling? Be careful not to overstimulate your children with intensely bright hues. You may not know it, but some brighter colors can lead to unrest and irritability.
   
3. Pay Attention to Lighting
   The reason why paint stores have light boxes for you to test paint chips:
   
   
   • Natural daylight shows the truest color;
   • Incandescent lighting brings out warm tones and yellows;
   • Fluorescent lighting casts a sharp blue tone.
   So, a strong color might be too bright and overpowering when used on all walls or next to a large window, but it might be effective when used as an accent wall with indirect light.
   
4. Learn the Color Terms
   It helps to understand the terminology used to describe color.
   
   
   • Hue is what we call a color. Red is the hue; blue is the hue.
   • The value of the hue is how light or dark it is.
   • Saturation refers to how dominant the hue is. As we go from red to pink, the red hue becomes less dominant.
   • Intensity is the brilliance of the color. The pure colors such as red are more intense than the combined colors such as yellow-green. A stronger intense color usually has a more dominant hue.
   If you want a more active space, consider introducing stronger, more intense color. Even if you want a light-colored room, choose colors that are slightly more saturated than off-white or light pastel. Very light color can feel bright and stark when it appears on all surfaces in a room. However, two or more medium-light, closely related pastel colors can create a luminous effect when used in the same room.
   
5. Test Your Color Choice
   Boost your confidence by testing colors on poster board or large areas of a wall. Don't be afraid to go beyond your comfort zone: Consider strong, vivid colors or soft, deep neutrals like chocolate brown or olive green as main or accent colors. Or add drama with a stronger color on the ceiling. Tinted ceilings can dramatically change the whole look of a room.


6. Add Depth With Decorative Finishes
   Transform flat, dull walls into interesting and personal spaces with subtle or dramatic visual texture and broken color. Burnished mineral/metal finishes and layered colored glazes add depth. Some examples of softly reflective metals are mica, copper, pewter, bronze and, of course, antiqued silver and gold.


7. Walk Into Another Room
   Consider walls as planes of color, and see how they interact when viewing one next to the other in adjacent rooms. Approach it like a composition: You're in one room, but you're going to see a piece of another room through it. So as you're choosing colors, consider how they will flow from room to room to create your picture.


8. Follow the Color Wheel
   A small color wheel is a great reference tool for modifying and intensifying two or more colors. For example, red and green, which are complementary (opposite) colors, are most intense when used together. You may be surprised at how many combination's function beautifully together, and you may even become attracted to entirely new color palettes. The color wheel also illustrates the visual temperature of a color. Draw a line from the yellow-green mark on the color wheel all the way down to the red-violet; you'll see that all the colors on the left are warm and the colors on the right are cool.


9. Play Up Monochromatic Schemes
   Think one color is boring? Create bold or subtle variations within one color group with contrasting paint finishes. For example, use closely related colors, or try a single color in different finishes, for walls and trim in one space. For an accent color, select a warmer (more toward reds) or cooler (more toward blues) color to complement your main color group. For a quieter ambiance, make sure your colors are not extremely bright. White or an off-white tint can be a striking accent when used as trim with a monochromatic color group.
   
10. Choose Different Paint Finishes
    A single color used on walls and trim takes on new significance when applied in different finishes. For example, wall and trim colors can remain the same hue, but use an eggshell (matte and less reflective) finish on walls and a satin or semigloss on trim. The color will appear slightly different on each surface. It's a good way to create a cohesive look in rooms with many windows and doors, and relatively little wall area.

These pointers were written by Barbara Jacobs at hgtv...I agree!
Now that homeowners no longer obsess about how much their homes have increased in value in the past week, they're reacquainting themselves with the joys of home ownership from a new, healthier perspective.
Recognizing that larger is not necessarily better and that less can actually be more, many homeowners are looking for ways to make the homes they're in more useful, comfortable and enjoyable.

Show your true colors. "Paint is the cheapest and most powerful thing you can do to put your personal stamp on a home. Paint your home the colors you enjoy living with, the colors you feel happiest within.
Frank Harrelson is the owner of the local Matthews Paint Store, a Benjamin Moore franchise. He is recognized as one of Charlotte's leading experts in color selections. Frank," Knows What Women Want", he can be contacted at 704-844-6818.
The pale green cabinets set against the warm cream walls, gives the space an expansive feeling. The darker green of the ceiling balances out the visual weight of the base cabinets, while the soft white trim quietly outlines the bank of windows.
Classic white counter tops and stoneware complement the kitchen’s clean, simple lines. Pleated Roman shades and accessories such as the dinnerware, vase, and platters in deep olive work as monochromatic accents while the bowl of oranges adds a citrus burst of refreshing color.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are a creative and inexpensive way to accent a room with color, and work particularly well in kitchens. Here, we’ve paired a single fruit, oranges, in a solid color container for strong visual impact, but experiment with keepsakes and containers to create an appealing color accent that expresses your own special style.
The just released Paint Style from Benjamin Moore is a glorious book to guide you in transforming your home with paint, whether using a brush, roller, sponge, or cloth. With more than 180 exquisite images illustrating how to create various tonal effects, faux appearances, patterning and textural designs, Paint Style instills imagination and confidence to interpret your style in a whole new fashion.
Benjamin Moore’s experts cover every possible detail to ensure picture-perfect results. From mottling and color washing to strie and stenciling, they provide clear instructions for each technique, plus build upon the basic “lesson” showcasing compelling effect created by layering techniques or changing the palette. The ideal guide for creating custom designs, choosing colors along with the right brushes, and tools of the trade.

Design Ideas

The Moroccan-inspired greeting room makes a powerful statement and sets the tone for the rest of the home. This home is done in good taste, colors and comfort.



This library is filled with deep chocolate fabrics, leather, dark wood and orange accents. It’s a place to relax, watch TV and read a book. Always remember to have varied light sources in a room that serve many purposes, including lamps for reading, accent lights for art and candles to set the mood.



The wall entering the kitchen is a hand painted cartoon waiter pointing to the dining room that guests can sign as they leave. The tabletop is a French door that pulls out to seat up to six people. The mix of black and white patterns make this room pop with personality!!!



The fireplace wall is designed to be the focal point of the living room. The built-in benches that flank the fireplace allow for additional seating. Two of SPI's signature U Chairs from the SPI Line are perched perfectly in front of the fire. The U Chair is available in rosewood, white, green and black lacquer.

 

Calgon, take me away!!!!!

SPI commissioned this sculptural solid stone, oversized tub in France. Weighing over three tons, the tub had to be lowered into the bathroom with a crane via the skylight since it would not fit through the bathroom door.

Geometrics 101

Show Your Soft Side

"To ensure your patterns don't become too harsh or rigid, remember to add patterns with curves, such as concentric circles or waves, to patterns that are more structured, such as chevrons." In this small living room  a curvy zebra rug and circle-like honeycomb pillow was added to offset the sharp diamond pattern on the wall.

Size Things Up

"Scale is the most important part to keep in mind when introducing a geometric, or really any pattern, into a room."  If you pair, say, a large pillow pattern with a small one, the larger pattern will certainly overshadow the small. An easy rule of thumb: pair geometric shapes with the next largest or smallest pattern, matching the large stripes in a vintage print with slightly smaller ones in a pair of chevron stools.

Stay Neutral

This tiny powder room, designed by San Francisco-based Niche Interiors, is a study in bold design.  A slightly metallic ogee trellis wallpaper gives the space an element of surprise. When working with this much pattern, however, you'll want the palette and other elements to remain neutral. "It works because we kept the rest of the bathroom neutral — white moldings, wood floor and a mirror tie it all together.

Ground Your Graphics

Bold prints may win your attention when you enter a room, but your eyes inevitably need a place to rest. Create a few spots in between using a solid color. They'll help ground the geometric patterns and keep it from feeling overly busy, like in this tiled kid's room.

Advanced Geometry

Ready to take your geometric game to another level? Layer it on with other patterns. "I'm a huge fan of layering patterns, but it does take practice."  Blending and layering adds depth, as in the case of this floral window treatment and graphic pillow combo.  Plus, it's much softer and easier on the eyes than two geometric patterns paired together. The trick for making sure two patterns are complementary, "Imagine the pattern in black and white. How much contrast would the pattern have? Is it entirely mid-range or lots of very deep saturated colors contrasted against bright white? When layering, look for some of each."

Keep Your Balance

A common trick of the trade is to juxtapose modern shapes with more classic ones. This adds to a counterbalance of the elegant sophistication to this bathroom's carrera marble countertops. The mirror works as a mix between the two styles — mod with sophisticated lines.

 

Oversized Sectionals/Sofas

Traditional Comfort

A traditional living room needs a big, comfortable sofa. The sofa covers half of the room, but doesn't overpower it.

Geometric Sofa

This large sofa is not only functional, it also adds modern architectural detail to this alcove.

Warm, Inviting Focal Point

The focal point of this room, designed by Eileen Gould, is the large sofa. It gives the space a warm, inviting look.

Modular Sofa

This modular sofa is deep and comfortable, and you can rearrange it to fit your needs. The size of the sofa makes it easy to socialize or relax.

Fringed and Oversized Sofa

The fringed edges of this big sofa add style and definition to this modern room designed by Erinn Valencich. The oversized sectional is a great place to take an afternoon nap.

Headboards

Trash to Treasure

A headboard made from salvaged materials can add tons of charm and unique style to a bedroom. In this space, an old door found in a burn pile was paired with a vintage gate — reclaimed from a dump and brightened up with a mist of white spray paint. The end result is a whimsical, one-of-a-kind headboard with enough substance to balance the king-size bed. Design by Funky Junk Interiors.

Industrial Chic

Who knew metal roofing could be so stylish? Designer Kara Paslay created a rustic yet glamorous headboard by cutting an ornate shape out of corrugated tin, bringing out its subtle sheen and wavy texture. The silhouette may be traditional, but this headboard is anything but ordinary. Best of all, this DIY project only cost about $30!

Rustic Romance

In this airy bedroom, a headboard made from a pair of reclaimed doors adds visual weight and a hint of ruggedness to an otherwise dreamy space. The weathered doors retain just enough white paint to complement the room's crisp bedding and sparkling chandelier. Design by Dreamy Whites.

A Good Sign

After a thorough scrub and a bit of paint to touch up the faded lettering, this reclaimed convenience store sign looks as good as new and makes an eye-catching backdrop for a daybed. Not only does the vintage sign provide a theme and color palette for the room, but its historic significance also makes it an exciting conversation piece. Design by Funky Junk Interiors.

Organic Element

Sometimes, an unexpected headboard can be just what a bedroom needs. In this modern loft bedroom, a slab of roughhewn wood adds a natural touch and warms up the industrial-looking space. Design by Daniel Bodenmiller.

Soaring to the Ceiling

To make the bed the focal point in a small studio apartment, Rate My Space user 4oclock created a striking headboard by securing 1-1/2-inch MDF pieces to two strips of iron. A headboard that extends all the way to the ceiling creates visual interest and defines the space.

Coastal Chic

Shutter headboards are a perfect fit for a beach house or cottage-style bedroom. To give new, unfinished shutters a weathered look, paint them with a "dry brushing" technique, then sand the outside edges and the front edge of the louvers.

Pallet Perfection

Echoing the navy-and-white stripes painted in the closet, a headboard made from wooden shipping pallets is a standout feature in this nautical-themed boy's bedroom. To create a coordinated look, designer Lakeitha Duncan paired the pallets with two wooden nightstands in a natural finish.

Country Goes Contemporary

Who would guess that this modish headboard was once a barn door window? The window was first fashioned into a mirror, which designer Jessica McKay of Birdhouse Interiors frosted to reduce distracting reflections. With a modular look and monochromatic color scheme, this formerly rustic window now makes a distinctive, modern headboard.

Bonus Shelving

This salvaged door not only serves as an attractive headboard, but also provides a small shelf above the bed for displaying vases and other accessories. Even against a bold, custom-painted harlequin wall, this headboard makes a statement. Design by Suzanne Lasky, S Interior Design.

Home Accents

Eclectic

Eclectic design encompasses a variety of periods and styles. Stick to a few neutrals, like the black, white and navy palette of this dresser vignette, to pull an eclectic look together. Another key component to this style is to mix in different finishes and textures.

Modern

Clean and streamlined, modern style keeps accessorizing to a minimum. Look for accessories in smooth, polished finishes and neutral hues. A modern must-have: strong, graphic artwork that makes a statement in the space.

Romantic

Romantic accessories should evoke femininity and softness. Luxurious fabrics and a pastel color palette take center stage in romantic design. Add in a little sparkle and pretty flowers to complete the look.

Traditional

Classic accessories, like oil paintings, gilt frames and pillows or throws in damask, floral or solid fabrics, set the scene for a traditional room. Warm woods and colors also help to create the sophisticated atmosphere associated with traditional design.

Accessories

Asian

Natural elements and colors found in nature are an integral part of Asian design. Accessories often feature hand-painted ornamental designs or fabrics with a similar look. Complete an Asian vignette with accessories in clean, contemporary lines to convey a serene atmosphere.

Coastal

Inspired by the ocean, coastal design evokes a light and airy environment. Nautical or beach-themed accessories, like seashells and starfish, are mixed with woven, textural elements. Look for accessories in beachy hues like blue, white and sand.

Contemporary

Neutral elements are mixed with a few pieces in a bold color to create a contemporary vignette. Lighting, which features straight lines and sleek metallic finishes, is often used as an artistic statement.

Cottage

Comfort is key in cottage style. Look for soft colors, fresh flowers and accessories with a weathered or distressed finish.

Country

Muted hues are paired with pops of red, black or white accents in country style. Look for accessories with a handmade rustic quality, including pottery and baskets. Wood also plays a prevalent role in country design.