My favorite part of building our home is all of the mood boards and ideas that have inspired the design I wanted in our house. The kitchen, if only I could have four different kitchens. This was hard for me because I have always been in love with dark moody colors. Dark green, navy and mushroom colors have always sparked my inspiration for kitchens. Knowing this is not our forever home has also played factors for some of my decision making, but overall I am still having fun with it all. We went with a classic and timeless white for our cupboards and we are doing a dark Navy island.
The inspiration for a some of my home choices have been European cottages. I love the uniqueness and warmth and coziness that cottages encapsulate. Navy and gold, I am so excited for this color combination. Adds some depth and dimension to our otherwise white walled and white kitchen space. I will pair my kitchen island with cognac brown leather stools to add some warmth to the space.
Lighting, this was what I found to be the most difficult decision for me. I wanted to go with timeless pieces, and still capture a European stone cottage feel. I went with a gold wagon wheel chandelier for over our dining room table. Over our island I went with two large pendants in a satin brass finish with a clear glass shade. Below are some of my other favorite lighting options! Changing lighting is a simple fix that can really transform your room if you are looking to do small updates instead of a big remodel project!
Decorating our kitchen will be such a fun project in itself. I already purchased an oil painting that reminded me of Eric and I’s time in Ireland and Scotland, a trip we will never forget. It is fun to incorporate a piece like that into our future home, a piece that will keep us reminiscing. I’ve added some other beautiful canvas pieces that would be so pretty on a floating shelf, a countertop or hanging on your kitchen wall.
I haven’t found the backsplash that I have fallen in love with yet, but I do know that I want an organic look, a more natural and earthy feel to warm up our white kitchen and to stick with that European cottage vibe we love. You guessed it when it comes to the hardware. I went with a gold finish. I have always loved gold and feel that it is such a warm, rich and classic look. I want our home to be a welcoming place that can be filled with countless memories with family and friends. Here are some of my favorite gold hardware pieces for our kitchen cupboards. I love these latch options, hoping it is something my 1 year old daughter won’t figure out so quickly. Something that is childproof and aesthetically pleasing is always my mission when it comes to design.
Here are some other fun elements and inspiration ideas to add to your kitchens that could add a unique flare to your kitchen and dining spaces.
Sharing these details gets me so excited for contractors to be in our house making these mood boards come to life. I can’t wait to share the next room details with you shortly!
xx, Mara
