Winter Reno - Trends in Lighting for Kitchens and Bathrooms

Lantern Style

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Lantern style light fixtures are a big trend in lighting right now especially in kitchens. Most of the lantern style lights are open without any glass closing them in which creates a nice open feel. These are two examples of this style in different finishes which shows how they can work with so many different decor styles!

3adesignstudio.com

Exposed Bulbs

countryliving.com

Another big trend in lighting in general is to have exposed bulbs, especially Edison bulbs. This trend translates well into kitchens and bathrooms since they have a very sleek and clean style. Some popular styles that have exposed bulbs include lantern, cage, globe, and bell jar. 

greigedesign.blogspot.com

Brass 

houseofhargrove.com

The brass and antique brass trend is still holding on into 2017, but now in smaller doses. 2015 and 2016 was all about brass and now the trend is going to more subtle touches instead of all over. This is a finish that is now readily available in light fixtures that work beautifully in kitchens and bathrooms.

bloglovin.com

Our Holiday Gifts to You - Quick Tricks and Tips to Keep from Stressing when Hosting People for the Holidays.

Nice Scents

homelox.blogspot.nl

Hosting guests can be fun but also stressful at times. Having pleasant scents in your house can really set the tone for a fun and relaxing evening. Scented candles are always a great option to fill your home with your favorite smell! Try not to have too many different scents going at once as that may create an odd mix of smells that you weren't going for. If candles aren't your thing, simply having things cooking when people arrive will create a nice aroma and get everyones tastebuds going!

topinspired.com

Good Lighting

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Another trick to de-stressing a get together is to keep the lighting plentiful but low. You don't want every overhead light in your home on when guests are there because it can feel a little cold or stiff. You want the vibe to be relaxing to you and your guests and low lighting helps create this. If your wondering how to achieve this feel, lamp lighting is always a great way to accomplish this and keep things soft and peaceful. 

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Allow Yourself Extra Time

ourfoodstories.com

One thing that can make hosting stressful is having a lot of last minute things to do right before guests should be arriving. Try to have all of your cleaning, getting ready, and cooking out of the way at least 30 minutes prior to guests arriving. This will allow you a bit of time to sit and relax before having to put your hosting shoes on!

farmhousetable.wordpress.com

Kitchen Redo 101: How Fixtures can make a Difference

Interesting Oven Hoods 

domainehome.com

Oven hoods can be easily forgotten about and looked over in kitchens. However, they can be a fantastic place to create interest in your space. These are some examples of how your oven hood can make a beautiful statement. Anything from covering it in reclaimed wood, to painting it all black, to adding copper accents to it can all create a beautiful outcome.

hgtv.com

homebunch.com

Pendant Lighting  

hgtv.com

Lighting is one of the most important fixtures you can have in your kitchen. The more lighting you can add to your kitchen the better. Pendant lighting is a great option because you can use multiple pendants or just one, depending on your needs. Some popular styles of pendant lighting include bell jars, Edison bulbs, and nautical style cage pendants.

Polka Dots and Rosebuds Interiors

beaconlighting.com.au

Beautiful + Functional Sink and Faucet 

designmanifest.com

Another easily overlooked fixture is the kitchen sink. While your sink and faucet simply seem like necessary parts of your kitchen it can, in fact, be a beautiful part of your decor as well. Farm sinks are quite popular because they are very functional, as they provide much more space, while also being aesthetically pleasing. If you are happy with your current sink but would like to update the faucet, antique brass is a fun option as shown in one of the examples below. Incorporating touches of this antique brass can bring in a classic and historical touch.

cupofjoe.com

homebunch.com

Click the link below to see some examples of our favorite fixtures that went into Liz's kitchen renovation!

http://bit.ly/1SPNGjl

Kitchen Redo 101: Trends in Kitchen Decor

Open Shelving  

decoholic.org

One big trend happening in kitchen decor is the addition of open shelving. This is a great way to create a display area for your dishes and other items you would like to show off. Mixing in some greenery and trinkets can create a beautiful display in an area that would normally be closed off behind cabinet doors.

thisoldhouse.com

lizmarieblog.com

Industrial Touches  

bloglovin.com

Adding industrial touches here and there is another trend in kitchen decor right now. If you add too much of the industrial decor into your space it can quickly begin to make it feel cold. But with just a few touches throughout, it can create a unique and updated vibe in your kitchen. This can be accomplished by using different metals, like brass or wrought iron, for your fixtures and furniture.

domainehome.com

elledecor.com

Unique Lighting  

hgtv.com

Finally, unique lighting is another fun trend going on in kitchen decor. These photos show some great examples of how different lighting can make for gorgeous statement  pieces. This is a great place to show off your personality, whether it be an antiqued brass lantern style, or fun geometric chandelier, whatever you choose can set the tone for the style of your space!

unskinnyboppy.com

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Click the link below to see one of our favorite kitchen trends!

http://bit.ly/1U39oQ4

Saint Louey

Earlier this month I traveled to St Louis for a conference and had the pleasure of having the hubs by my side.  I absolutely fell in love with this city!  In part, it reminded me of where I grew up (Louisville, KY) so I felt very comfortable there, but beyond that the architecture and the attractions sucked me in.  Here's St Louey from my point of view.

We stayed downtown right next to the arch and every morning we could look out our window to see the massive structure towering above the river. 

A common trend among the buildings in the city was the use of the arch in the architecture.  Arched windows add a graceful element to an otherwise angular house. 

Arched doorways served as grand entrances in the hotel.  

 

One afternoon, we walked through a park in the middle of downtown where a number of unique sculptures and water features were on display.  I couldn't resist posing with the big white bunny!

Check out this smart use of old windows!  I spotted these in a restaurant that had an open, two story ceiling and an industrial vibe.  The windows served as art and as barrier between the kitchen and the dining portion of the restaurant.  So clever!  (Side note- I was so inspired by this that I've now lined up some 100 year old windows from a friend who was putting in new ones.  What a great way to re-purpose something that no longer functions as it was originally intended. Now to just figure out how I will put them to use...)

Even cooler was the light fixtures!  That's right, they are made of old milk cans, painted in vibrant colors.  This is my next project.

When we travel, we try to only eat and shop in local places unique to that city.  We stayed true to that goal while in St Louis and one night after dinner in LaFayette Square we stumbled upon what I now refer to as "our future home".  I love the idea of brownstones in the park, the ease of living within walking distance to hip hangouts and this home on Park Ave had it all!

Hubs and I walked for awhile just taking in the features of each house and making a list of pros and cons to moving there.  I spouted off all the ways I would decorate them and how each room would be used.  While we will remain in Lexington for the foreseeable future, maybe one day I'll get my Park Ave house.

A Shot of Whimsy

There’s a cute local coffee shop near my house where I will often meet colleagues and friends for morning meetings.  Adjacent to said shop is a store I adore!  Street Scene offers vintage furniture, accessories, jewelry, clothes and more specifically from the 1950s, 60s and 70s.  I walk in their door and feel like I am on the set of MadMen.  I am in love with the silhouettes of all the dresses.  The scale of the furniture is divine.  I really can’t say enough positive things about this place!  

The last time I popped in, I ran across this beauty.  This chandelier might as well had “Liz” written on the price tag.  I was instantly enamored.  I mean, everything about this fixture was perfect for me- it’s pink!, simple clean lines, and its functional.  No, I didn’t buy it (and believe me it took a lot of will power to get out the door empty-handed).  I realized at the moment I had no specific use for it and no proper way to store it until I did.  But drift with me through a brain storm.  Wouldn’t this chandelier make a dainty edition to a whimsical home office?  A little girl would feel so princess-esque with this light suspended from her bedroom ceiling.  Or we could go with more conventional thinking and hang it above a dining table to serve as a shot of color in a gray, black and white damask themed dining room.  There are so many creative and fun ways to incorporate this fixture into a space.

Being the frugalista that I am, after I came up with all the places I could place this light I then started to think how I could create this light without spending very much.  Just last night I was in a home that had outdated brass light fixtures.  The couple moving into the home wanted something more youthful and fun but needed to prioritize which lights to replace first due to budgetary constraints.  What if instead of replacing the fixture, they bought some spray paint and gave the lights a face lift?  This is going to be my next personal project- find a light and give it new life with a different finish.  I’ll take lots of photos and share the process with you once it’s complete.

It's All About the Drum

If you pay attention to your surroundings, you will notice that our preferred style of light fixtures is changing.  No longer do we have the pleated shade on our table lamps, or the shiny brass curly cues on our chandeliers.  Clean and streamlined is taking over.  It’s all about the drum.  

The drum shade is a round or oval shaped fabric lampshade.  You’ll find it in textured fabrics, solid colors or patterned designs.  These shades are being used on bedside lamps, foyer chandeliers, restaurant overhead lighting, pendant lights above your wetbar…..the list trails on and on.  The drum shade offers a sleek and stylish look and blends well with all styles.  Walk into your nearest home store- Lowe’s, HomeGoods, etc- and take a stroll through the lamp aisle.  I bet you’ll find a drumshade that you love.  

Happy drumming!