island time.

A new home means new struggles in design.  Add in the fact that we are renting and can't actually renovate the kitchen and this girl is gearing up for a battle. Our new place is a perfectly precious 1920's apartment in New Orleans.  The kitchen is actually a great size but in no way functional. The stove, next to the pantry, has no counter adjacent- where to put your ingredients?- and there is only one 3-foot long counter for prep.

So I was thinking we could add a free standing island. Perhaps with wheels to roll out of the way. Could be a prep area or a breakfast bar, plus it would add in storage.  Should it be IKEA to the rescue? Lowes? Target? or something custom?

Here are some ideas that I have been obsessing on:

inspirational green

I love the stools at the end.  Traditional design would have them on the side, right in the flow of traffic. But these smart people saved the sides for function, and food prep, and put eating at the end. (In other news, lets talk about the windows- awesome).

Hansen Kitchen

I am diggin' this little guy. Why? Well, THIS IS A WHOLE KITCHEN! Just plug in water, electricity and gas. So functional, while being sexy, and so European. Of course after thinking this through I would need about 10 of them in order to store ALL MY THINGS. Or we could downsize. (just jokes, I mean really. ) But the concept is solid and the design is beautiful. So there's that.

industrial kitchen

Do we even need to discuss the amount of cleaning that comes with this guy? You CAN NOT have children, or dogs, or children. But, my is it pretty. The mirror looks antiqued and the simple faucet is stunning. Of course, I love the parquet floor- if you are going to have mirrors it must reflect something worth looking at twice.  So to sum up:  IRL- no;  IMD (in my dreams)- y.e.s.

greigedesign.blogspot.com

I was thinking something like this would be good. Simple table with metal top would allow prep and a casual stool for a pal to sit and drink a glass of wine. (minus the sink, of course)

I like this guy's industrial feel.

http://www.wisteria.com

 I might want to add one additional shelf for storage but the rest is perfect.


speaking of industrial...

zin home

Love the wheels. Love the storage. So chic and functional. I'll take one, please.

One more cute little guy:

urban outfitters

 I would like two of these. They are small but would add character and function.


But here is where my heart really lies. Reclaimed barn wood, the deepest of caramel, finished to highlight the all the dings and knots. I am obsessed with the carts they put under the counter- the addition of a modern, chrome bakers rack is perfect against the ruggedness of the wood. Personally, I would have gone with a square or rectangle for the sink- kinda hate the round- and canceled the glass top range. But overall I can't love it more.

reuse kitchen

A quick stop at the local architectural recycling and this could be mine.

I Confess

I own 9 winter coats. If I lived in the north, or any sort of frozen tundra, that would maybe make sense (maybe? I don't know normal). But the thing is, I don't live in a cold climate. I live in New Orleans. On the coldest day of the year the temperature gauge in my car says 30 degrees (and a little snowflake appears, which is one of my favorite things in the whole world). We can agree 30 degrees is below freezing. But it hits that particular low about 4 days a year. And note my use of the word "low". Because it never really stays that cold. By 2:00pm it's usually at least 40. And so it may be that I don't need 9 winter coats. And more to the point, I probably don't need 6 of those coats to be in the ivory/beige/taupe family. And just to hit the final nail in the coffin, I just bought a 10th coat (7th in the ivory/beige/taupe family).

I know I must not be alone in thinking that there is no more chic garment on earth than a winter coat. No other single item in your wardrobe can make you look so perfect as your winter coat. If all I had to wear every day was a coat/tight/heel combo I would never be schlumpy again. Some people buy the same thing over and over because they're looking for that perfect one, hoping that a single purchase will bring them all that is good in the world. Others buy things at random as needed, not realizing they have a similar item at home. Well not me. I love all my coats. I believe each one has special place in my wardrobe: Lady coat. Mardi Gras. Chic shopper. Heading to yoga. Extra cold day. I love them all and relish each opportunity to wear them. 

So, with all of that in mind, some favorites...

From the archives:

Perfect simplicity and effortlessness. Audrey Hepburn 1968

“Paris is always a good idea.” Audrey Hepburn

Not simple or effortless, but still perfection. Dior 1950

Dior

Why did (stylish) women ever stop wearing head scarves like this? Henrietta Tiarks, Duchess of Bedford

Henrietta Tiarks

I could look at archive photos endlessly, but it's time to move onto shoppable options:

An amazing cold weather trench from Burberry (they really do have the best coats on Earth)

neiman marcus

My newest purchase. Gwyneth made me do it. 

JCrew

In truth I can't see myself wearing this Isabel Marant. But in another life (ugh Katie Perry why did you ruin that?) I think I'd wear the hell out of it.

Isabel Marant

I want! It's a coat AND a robe. What could be cozier?

WHIT

Is this the best evening coat ever? Couldn't be more classic or modern with a great dull gold sheen. 

Diane Von Furstenberg

And now for the best evening jacket. The overall toughness is a great contrast to cocktail attire, while the cropped length ends at your natural waist- just what you want with a dress. And that olive color looks amazing with 98% of all outfits. 

Helston

Last February I visited Chicago and was desperately sad not to have a puffy jacket. (You would have been amazed to see my borrowed ensemble. I looked like the housekeeper in Goonies). When I got back I found this one and I could not love it more.

Helly Hansen

Regarding the Table.

Today I am obsessing on tables. We are moving [to be closer to Imogen] and that means a new home. And of course a new home means redesign. Now don't get me wrong, our table is a perfectly functional, holds all plates and glassware, but I dream of something more. A table worthy of it's own room. A statement table. And so the internet stalking begins.

from here: http://www.graphic-exchange.com/archives/home_2011_02_02.html

I love a chunky wood. worn smooth with years of dinners and homeworks. This one calls for family gatherings (x3) but the color makes me smile. This is a winningly simplistic perfect example of my desire.

http://brabournefarm.blogspot.com

I am feeling like a vibrant color might add the focus to our new dining room. Truly, I think this is a sofa table or credenza but they had me at tiffany blue.  i love love the color.

http://pinterest.com/nookandcrannyco/ 

Growing up Imogen had a table like this that served as a desk. I loved it then, and now, because it can fold up and go from a pretty table for 6 to a side board by folding up the legs. Also, we need to talk to the fine folks that posted the pic originally and see if they can lay off the edge blurring feature in instagram. I also HATE the overly staged feeling. Pretty table why are you slapping me in the face with your COUNTRY-ness.

So, in summation, I like the cleverness of the fold down sides and hate everything else about this picture. You're welcome.

MOVING ON

http://www.diyinspired.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Pintrest.jpg

Don't you feel like you were transported to sweden? or a Ikea showroom? [i'm sure given enough time I will revisit the shipping pallet] I do love the color and the rustic modern feel of it. Color + rough honed boards= moderustic. Would be a desent filler while we finished other rooms.

restoration hardware.

Is it me or does this one feel like a piano? I also think it will have a swayback soon (those jars look heavy)



The next two show my love of all things chunky, chubby, curvy, big boned things. 

restoration hardware

Exaggerated classic shape is bold, antique and yet clean, simple. Oh, RH sometimes you get it and sometimes you make a panio. Also, the side chairs make me stabby. Why does the back have to be so high? Digin' the arm chairs.


All of those are well and good but then I found this:

http://micasaessucasa.tumblr.com/post/16763046376/via-love-is-the-new-black-the-style-files

LOOK AT THOSE LEGS!  Who knew fat knees could be sexy? It is everything I dream of: a rustic, beat up top, roomy enough for a whole family gathering, romantic turned legs, fat little feet. I want to do bad things on that table. But mostly I want to own it.

Now.

P.