Tag: alabaster

Construction, Home Tour, Kitchen

(kitchen tour)

We had an awesome photographer come by last weekend to shoot some photos of our home – and these photos are just the push I needed to finally get myself in gear and give the photo tour I promised (yes, I know you were all losing sleep).

Alas, low and behold, our magical black and white kitchen!

The Artesian Project | Black and white Kitchen

We are so thrilled with how the kitchen came out (the whole house, really), but the kitchen really is the heart of the home.  When designing the floor plan, we knew we wanted a large island space for entertaining and – let me tell you – our friends flock to the island like a moth does to a flame (or however that saying goes).  We also love the openness of the kitchen; the path flows from the entrance right through the kitchen to the family room without anything cutting up your way.  And then there is the storage – OH the storage!  Not even kidding, just the cabinets to the left of the sink is more than we had in our condo!  It is scary, though, how quickly all these cabinets are getting filled…  Anyways, we love pretty much everything about our kitchen.  It is such a happy and bright space that I even enjoy cooking now.  Please check out the finish guide below.

TheArtesianProject | Black and white kitchen

ISLAND

  • Counters: Danby Marble (made in Vermont; more durable than most marble)
  • Cabinet Paint: Sherwin Williams Black Magic – SW 6991
  • Hardware:  Gilded Bronze – LOVE the pop of gold against the black
  • Pendant Lights: Restoration Hardware Vintage Barn Lights in Weathered Zinc (RH frequently has 30% off lighting)
  • Counter Stools: Restoration Hardware Outlet* (Milwaukee) French Cafe Stools in Weathered Oak

*If you are lucky to have an RH Outlet store within a decent drive, it is well worth it!  Once you are there, join their e-mail list.  They have on-going sales all the time (30% off dining, 40% off entire store).  I would call and ask about the inventory before making the drive.  We got our stools for $60!)

PERIMETER

  • Counters: Jet Mist Granite, Honed (incredibly durable with an awesome matte finish; similar look to soapstone)
  • Cabinet Paint:  Sherwin Williams Extra White – SW 7006
  • Hardware:  Venetian Bronze
  • Back splash: IO Subway Tile in Ice with bright white grout

ETC

  • Wall paint: Sherwin Williams Alabaster – SW 7008 (the perfect warm, but clean white)
  • Floors: Red oak with 50% Pickled Oak/50% Classic Grey Minwax (note the photo exposures makes them seem a bit lighter than in real life).
  • Appliances: KitchenAid

The Artesian Project | Black and White Kitchen Guide

Are you working on your kitchen?  Have any burning questions?  I am happy to help!!  But in the mean time, bon appétit!

Houzz, It's all in the Details, Progress

(finding the perfect white paint)

Whoops!  Looks like someone (and I’m not going to name names) forgot she had a blog.  I have been super busy at work/ working on the house that I am a bit behind…

Anyways, I have been stresssssing out while on the search for the perfect white paint color for the walls.  Who knew there are so many shades of white?  Luckily, it seems I am not the only one who has faced this dilemma and found some great advice on the interwebs from the Hunted Interior, Thistlewood Farms, and of course Houzz.

Since there is already going to be a lot going on in the kitchen with the black & white cabinets/counter tops, I wanted to use white as a nice grounding color for those louder elements and let them breathe a bit.  I, like everyone else lately, am a big fan of grey as a neutral, but did not want to add one more color of weight into the mix.  Confusing?

Here is the space as it currently is – the progress has been amazing btw.

Artesian1Plus the space is already inviting and bright with just the drywall that I would not want to take away the lightness of the space with a darker color.  Alas, the white.

After months of deliberation (seriously wish I was kidding),  Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008 is the winner.  It has a clean, yet warm feel to it that will not contend with the black island and built-ins while keeping the room feeling airy.  UPDATE: See how the Alabaster looks in our kitchen!

Here is a great example of what I am going for: Alabaster walls contrasted with a bright white trim.  The black accent looks so clean and fresh against the color.

Ridge Oak Residence contemporary-entry

Alabaster will be the color for the entire first floor to create a cohesive feel in the open plan, as well as the upstairs hallway.

Next stop, trim town.