Home Tree Atlas: Home Decor Ideas and Mood Boards

Beautiful Spaces: Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas

The kitchen island is not just a great place for preparing food, but it can also be used to do paperwork, kid’s homework, or eat and drink from. Because of all of the things you can do here you’ll want to have localized lighting – lights that are focused onto the kitchen island.

The best lighting ideas are the ones that bring the light closer down to the countertop surface. Ideas include a single or multi bulb pendant light as seen in pictures (1) (2) (3), adjustable pendant lighting, or a chandelier that also acts as a pot rack (4). If you already have recessed lights above the kitchen island, then a great way of adding pendant lights without doing any wiring is to use pendant light adapters. These simply screw into any normal ceiling light socket.

Other kitchen island lighting ideas and options include using track lights (the kind where each light can be angled differently (5)) or if you have a plug socket on the island how about using a desk lamp (6). 1/2/3/4/5/6

For lighting ideas for the rest of the kitchen have a look at our post here: Kitchen Lighting Ideas Mood Board and Inspiration.

February 17, 2013 in Kitchen, Lighting

French Kitchen Decor and Designs Mood Board

The mood board above includes pictures of French country kitchen designs along with more modern French kitchen decor styles. Here are just some quick pointers and ideas when designing a kitchen around this style:

These kitchens are quite bright places – you won’t see black or dark brown cabinets or colored ones. White walls are the way to go with splashes of pasel shades around the space. When it comes to the sink, it is white rounded porcelain, along with traditional styled faucets with porcelain handles

The French country style is quite fashionably rustic. You’ll see lots of raw materials like wooden farm style tables and copper pots and accessories, but then there hangs a chandelier. What’s a country styled kitchen without some greenery brightening up the space. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11

February 17, 2013 in Kitchen

Decorating The Windows With These Kitchen Curtain Ideas

Here are some different curtains styles you can use in the kitchen.

Divide: Break up the window space. Have a half curtain on the bottom of the window for privacy, and keep the top open or have decorative valances. A valance adds some shade but is more of a decorative feature.

Layering: Use a combination of white blinds and curtains to have more control of the sun light coming through and privacy.

Styles: If you want a more modern style then look for straight curtains with no added decorative parts (like the yellow and white ones above – think IKEA curtains). Traditional curtains are more decorative, drape like, with tie backs and valances (French Kitchen Décor and Designs Mood Board).

An important thing to keep in mind when looking at these kitchen curtain ideas is that the color and style you choose will impact the overall color palette of the room. So you’ll want to make sure they don’t clash with the color and design of the cabinets, walls, floors, etc. Have a look here for different kitchen color ideas and schemes: A Palette Guide for Kitchen Color Schemes: Decor and Paint Ideas. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

February 17, 2013 in Kitchen

Ideas for Setting up a Family Command Center in the Kitchen

A command center is a space that keeps track of all of the family’s daily tasks. The kitchen is definitely the best spot in the home to set one of these up. A few ways to create one include having a dedicated desk in the kitchen (or side table), or having a specific spot on a countertop and wall where everything is organized.

It is best to keep the countertop and desk space clear and have as much of the command center as possible fitted to the wall to keep things well organized and clutter free (just like in the pictures above).

Chalkboards! Not only are they great for keeping track of things but they add to the decor of the kitchen. Hang one up or have a wall painted in chalkboard paint. Kids can draw on it and you can create to do lists. An alternative would be to use a whiteboard.

Other things to include in the kitchen command center: a place for a telephone, a gorgeous wall clock, a calendar, hanging paper organizers and pen holder, key hooks, and a bulletin board. And don’t forget to include some decor accessories like framed photos of family and friends, a map, vintage kitchen items, or a decorative wall letter. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7