KITCHEN ISLAND ON WHEELS

It can be really practical in some kitchens to have an island that is on wheels, it has so much flexibility in the room. It can be moved around to suit your needs and be a really attractive, functional piece of furniture. In some cases you can re-purpose an old piece of furniture and add wheels, or have something made. You'll want to get the height perfect, to achieve a 36" counter height depends – you need to take into account the height of the wheels. I love the ones with white marble tops! Here are some examples of kitchen islands with wheels that are done really well.

Image source: 1. Elle Decor 2. Margot Austin, House & Home 3. Martha Stewart 4. Unknown

LARGE WINDOWS IN THE KITCHEN

I always like a bright kitchen with big windows. In these kitchens the window is right above the counter. It's a great look if you have the space for it. You sacrifice upper cabinets, but I think the window and natural light is well worth it! Washing the dishes in these sinks would't be so bad!

Images: 1: Brooklyn Home Company 2: Decor Pad 3. Unknown (Pinterest) 4. Brooklyn Home Company 5. Unknown (Pinterest)

SUPER STYLISH BATHROOMS

I love the design of all these bathrooms. They range from decadent with slabs of marble and huge windows, to simple white mosaic tiles. I love the clean lines, gorgeous baskets and the black hex floor.  

I've also got a thing for these bathrooms, the details are pretty incredible!

Images: 1. Thedesignfiles.net 2. House & Home magazine 3. Remodelista 4. Feedly.com 5. Domaine Home

KITCHEN APPLIANCES: BLACK RANGE

I've noticed a few kitchens with really beautiful, oversized black ranges and range hoods. They create a definitely focal point in a kitchen especially when they're in a kitchen with white cabinets or counters. I find they look striking and create a distinct style and the black range hood is a statement. Here are a few of my favourite looks. Often they are made by Viking, Bertazzoni and a few other brands. Love the shot of this actress in her gown cooking. I like the black and brass combination.

A more traditional kitchen.

It can also suit a much more modern kitchen.

Image source: 1: Domino magazine 2. Domaine Home 3 & 4. unknown

BEFORE & AFTER: AN ENTRY GETS A NEW LOOK

In a past renovation I gave this entry a full makeover. Here is the before picture from another angle (coming in the front door).

This was one I did myself, so I spent a couple weeks one summer lifting the old floor, removing the wallpaper (the walls and border are paper), taking down the blinds and getting a new light fixture. The floors in here were a pain to remove, there was carpet over old vinyl that had been cemented down. For such a small space most of my time was spent removing the old vinyl floor. Finally I removed the vinyl and discovered the original wood floors underneath. They were in rough shape but nothing a coat of paint couldn't fix.

Here is another look at the corner of the room from the living room, which shows a similar angle to the after picture.

I gave the floors a coat of black paint and the walls, trim and ceiling in white. Some simple decor (and big hooks on the wall you can't see from here). A sisal rug, big mirror framed in black and small table (that I painted flat black) made all the difference. And here are the results: