MEXICAN MAGIC

Frida and Diego, nicknamed "The Elephant and the Dove". She was 98lbs to his 300lbs!

Happy Cinco de Mayo. Today, the 5th of May, is the day to celebrate  Mexican culture and heritage.  It marks the date of a Mexican victory in a regional battle with the French in 1862.  However when I think of Mexico I think of Frida, bright splashes of color and real Mexican food, not the goop of melted cheese you find so often in "Mexican" restaurants.  Frida, of course, is surrealist Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, one of the most well known artists of the twentieth century.  She was  married to the famous muralist Diego Rivera.

An ethereal painting by Frida Kahlo

This Diego Rivera mural was created in 1931. I had the pleasure of seeing it at the San Fransisco Art Institute on my honeymoon in 2009. The colors are still amazingly vibrant!

The movie Frida, starring Salma Hayek and Alfred Molina relates their tumultuous relationship as well as the revolutionary political climate and personal experiences that colored both their careers as artists. I love this movie because it is art. I doubt there is a single solitary frame in this film that cannot stand on its own as a work of art. The colors are amazing as are the scenes that morph from reality into artwork.

One of my favorite scenes is Frida's tango portraying a seductive dance between Frida Kahlo and Tina Midotti (Italian photographer and fellow revolutionary) played in the movie by Salma and Ashley Judd. Watch the steamy scene here.

The sultry tango scene starring Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd as Frida and Tina Midotti

Frida's kitchen was no less colorful than her life. Her house, La Casa Azul in Coyoacan Mexico, is open to the public. A visit is something I definitely need to add to the old bucket list.

Imagine making guacamole here!

If you find yourself craving some Mexican culinary magic check out this cookbook filled with authentic Mexican recipes.

A source for "the real deal" in Mexican cooking

I'm hoping you have Netflix so you can blend up some frozen margaritas, whip up some fresh guacamole,  sit back and enjoy Frida on this Cinco de Mayo. You're in for a treat!

CREATING AN INSPIRING WHITE KITCHEN

Art by Heidi Crockett Photo from Cloth Paper Scissors March/April 2011

Today's Let's Blog Off topic queries the source of our ideas.  Where does creativity reside?  Is it within or is it outside and all around awaiting discovery?  For me the answer is both.  Yes, it's all around us, for sure, but it also requires the eye of the beholder to breathe life into it.  Here is a recent example in my life of something I saw which inspired a blog post.

You may have the panache to pull off a monochrome white room that invites and stimulates the senses but for most of us going all the way with white runs the risk of BORING.  Since white is so "white hot"  at the moment, especially in the kitchen, I’m going to share with you the secret of how to make white pop.
One thing to remember is white is a team player, it’s all about the colors around it. As you know, I love art (a big source of inspiration). I recently came across this image in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine which is a perfect example of how white can glow when surrounded by the right color.  I see it work time and again. White cabinets plus color equals stunning.  If your taste runs more to the conservative think camels, taupes or warm beige walls to create the contrast.

This example, by Holiday Kitchens, uses the same palette as the artwork!

If you’re more daring go for Apple Martini Green or Sky Blue.  The nice thing is if you want to go for the gusto paint is a safe bet.  It’s one thing you can change fairly easily and reasonably.

We used a tropical blue to pop the white in this kitchen. Cabinets by Holiday Kitchens, Inc.

Another thing to remember about white is that it’s just not white. There are probably hundreds of whites and they all read differently depending on your lighting and location.  The lesson here is to test your whites on site.  Consider the color for a full 24 hours so you can see how it looks as lighting changes throughout the day.

Rick Schultz Photo from Design Sponge

Many times wherever you find white you will also find black.  You can tastefully mix black and white cabinets or if you have guts and great lighting the walls could be black, as in this example.  This photo also serves as a great inspiration for many of the newer homes we have in my area with cathedral ceilings but short stumpy cabinets (thank you Mr. Builder).  If you can't afford to change the cabinets take advantage of the great space above for art.  Here, it carries the eye upwards taking attention away from shorty cabinets.

White wainscote panels are extra crisp against contrasting walls. Photo from tadacreations.blogspot.com

The same concept makes a contemporary statement from bitehome.com

This stunning Apple Green back splash looks like glass but it's actually a colored plastic by Opticolor!  So there you have it, inspiration of the day all inspired by a whimsical little piece of art!

G.E. HELPS YOU FIND YOUR DREAM KITCHEN

This modern kitchen features G.E. Profile appliances.

As a kitchen designer and writer,  my inbox is always filled with news of all the latest products, websites and all manner of things to do with our favorite room, the kitchen.  G.E. has always been known as the bread- and- butter of the appliance world.  Not only have they been around forever but they have evolved with the times.  Today they still offer the basic affordable options as well as higher end appliance packages under the names G.E. Profile,  Monogram and the new Cafe' Series. These offer a wider variety of functions and integrated modern styling.

Early days (Note dangerous placement of stove! Sliding in between cabinets would have been better!)

 

Another thing that really makes them a 21st century contender is their state of the art website.  There is a wealth of information here whether you aim to use their products or not.  Of course they hope you'll be seduced once you have entered their "web", so to speak.

Play with this design on the G.E. site. They left room for art. I love it!

One of my favorite features on the site is the kitchen design function.  Simply choose a kitchen which is similar to your own space.  Then simply click on the various color choices.  It's a lot of fun and a great way to start to narrow your choices and make the big decisions like dark vs. white cabinets, black vs. stainless appliances.  You get the picture (literally).  You'll also find lighting ideas, safety tips and even recipes.  Oh, and the "must have' G.E. product in my book is the Advantium Microwave Oven. My clients love it.  You can use it as a regular oven or as a microwave, so it's like two ovens in one!

This bachelor client opted for TWO Advantiums, one built-in to the pantry and one over the range!

FLORIDA KITCHEN CHARM

Thank you  for the out pouring of love and concern for our family.  No matter what happens the sun always rises again and we begin another day.

[caption id="attachment_282" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="White cabinets and a shiny blue glass tile backsplash lend a coastal feel. Photo by Southern Accents"][/caption]

As you guys up in the northern regions are beginning to crank up the heat,  I thought I'd share a little warmth from down here in sunny Florida.  If you love warm tropical beaches, even when there's snow (instead of sand) on the ground, here's how you can bring this ambiance to your "anywhere" kitchen.

Blue & White will give you an instant feel of sun and surf.  White cabinets are hot!  Blue calls  to mind the ocean and may be added to your backsplash, walls or even used as  accent color for an island or hutch cabinet.

[caption id="attachment_285" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="A modern version with Balthaup cabinets. Photo by Elle Decor"][/caption]

A sea view is a must and you can have one even if you don't live by the sea.  Think art!  That way you can choose the sea view of your choice.  It can be a painting, a photograph or even something more abstract like a mixed media work of art.

[caption id="attachment_286" align="aligncenter" width="570" caption="I wish I was at the beach by ABSTRACTINC from Etsy.com"][/caption]

Gifts from the Sea are fun ways to add a beachy feel.  Shells, starfish or even bits of beach glass are great accents.  Try using a shiny glass tile backsplash for a watery feel or tiles with more of a honed finish look like glass that has been eroded by the sand over time.

[caption id="attachment_292" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="seashells, starfish and beach glass tell the story of the sea"][/caption]

Burled Beach Corian countertop by Dupont

Throw some sand into the mix with solid surface counter tops in colors like Dijon from the Elements collection by Denova or Burled Beach by Dupont's Corian.

[caption id="attachment_288" align="aligncenter" width="261" caption="Dijon from the Elements collection Denova Solid Surface Counters"][/caption]

The nice thing is you can add a little or you can pull out all the stops.  If you have "Floridified" your kitchen sent me pix.  I would love to show and tell.  Oh, and by the way, it's nice to be back!

5 WAYS TO CREATE A SEXY KITCHEN

The new sexy isn’t always sexual. In fact the Brits have coined the term “sex it up!” meaning to make something more interesting, attention grabbing or appealing. So, guess what? Now you can “sex up” your kitchen by updating and refreshing the look and function. Here are some tricks:

1) Roll outs Want easier access? Install shelves that roll out. These are great in the lower cabinets as well as in your pantry.

2) Open shelves can be extremely functional allowing you to view and easily grab and go.  I also love them for cookbooks and they break up the monontony of too many cabinet doors.

3) Color and texture  What's more seductive than color and texture?  Think sleek stainless steel paired with a rustic tumbled marble backsplash or a RED quartz counter top in the midst of a clean white kitchen.  

4) Dimmable light fixtures above your cabinets can create a subtle glow.  Add them under your upper cabinets and they double as task lighting when turned up. 

5) Art is One of my favorite additions to any kitchen.  It's a great way to personalize your kitchen and create visual interest.  (See my  3/18 post).

What are you passionate about in your kitchen? Dying to know and hoping you'll share.

5 WAYS TO CREATE A SEXY KITCHEN

The new sexy isn’t always sexual. In fact the Brits have coined the term “sex it up!” meaning to make something more interesting, attention grabbing or appealing. So, guess what? Now you can “sex up” your kitchen by updating and refreshing the look and function. Here are some tricks:

1) Roll outs Want easier access? Install shelves that roll out. These are great in the lower cabinets as well as in your pantry.

2) Open shelves can be extremely functional allowing you to view and easily grab and go.  I also love them for cookbooks and they break up the monontony of too many cabinet doors.

3) Color and texture  What's more seductive than color and texture?  Think sleek stainless steel paired with a rustic tumbled marble backsplash or a RED quartz counter top in the midst of a clean white kitchen.  

4) Dimmable light fixtures above your cabinets can create a subtle glow.  Add them under your upper cabinets and they double as task lighting when turned up. 

5) Art is One of my favorite additions to any kitchen.  It's a great way to personalize your kitchen and create visual interest.  (See my  3/18 post).

What are you passionate about in your kitchen? Dying to know and hoping you'll share.