I’m a secret magpie
By Never teh BrideBring on the metal, I say! I love the occasional splash of color with my white, but I’ll happily incorporate any number of metallics into my kitchen. You’ll find loads of silver and chrome in my abode, which is why I sometimes smell of polish. Of course, by “sometimes” I actually mean “frequently,” being that all the nice southern light pouring through my windows turns my beautiful silver tea and coffee services a yucky shade of yellow. Perhaps an argument for keeping nice things hidden away?
So what sorts of things can one slip easily into the decor scheme one has already established? How about lovely items such as these:
Here’s an example of how white and metallics can be used together (with a splash of color) for good effect in a tiny kitchen:
I think that the simplicity of the space keeps the smallness of it from becoming stifling. The plainness of the white and silver helps in this respect by showcasing the bursts of color afforded by the planter, the cups, the bowl, and the apples ensuring that one feels the length of the room more so than the width.
January 29th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Wow. That is a REALLY tiny kitchen. I agree that the colour scheme is beneficial, but I’d still want to stab myself with a santoku if I had to work in a kitchen that tiny.
Besides, as decorative as they are, I have a sneaking suspicion that the planter and the apples wouldn’t stay long — they’re taking up valuable (and sorely needed) counter space.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Wow. I used to sell silverware, and I still have a fondness for it. Did you know you can tell sterling from silverplate by the color (sterling has a gray tone, while plate is more mirrorlike)?
But I have to agree with La Petite on that kitchen, pretty though it is: The first thing I’d do is eat the apples and move that planter out of the way.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:49 am
I did not know that, Bridey — great tip!
January 31st, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I adore a small kitchen, and have never seen one look as nice as this one! Were it mine, I would have a butcherblock made to fit over the cooktop, allowing me to (it appears) double the counterspace for food prep.
I had a kitchen not unlike that one - I mean, not as tastefully designed, but similar in its ‘workflow’ and counterspace - in my first apartment. I miss it (not that my current one is large) because it forced me to be disciplined and it could not possibly take more than 10 minutes to clean - 30 for a major scrub.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Also, when you’re too pressed for time to polish, you know that you can de-tarnish your flatware with foil, baking soda and water, right? It’s not perfect, but it’s fast and pretty good.
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Oh, that’s brutal on your silver, though.
I’m all about the metallic accents, but I like metals against dark walls. For night owls, it’s actually more practical than white, because white under artificial light always looks drab. Midnight blue walls under artificial light and sparked with gold or copper, however, look like your room is open to the stars.