Kitchen Stools: VHH Renovation

I've taken you on the planning steps of the kitchen renovation so you should understand my thought process that lead to my design selections.

To recap:
Let's Redo!   |   Renovation Goals  |  Renovation Selections  | 

The demolition started this week and I hope to have progress photos to show you soon (for sneak peeks, continue to follow my instagram stories for up to the minute photos).

I've tried to design a kitchen that will be classy and yet also push some boundaries.  I decided long ago that I am not going "tame down" my style so that my house will resell In the future.  I've got wallpaper on ceilings and In the mudroom and bright colors on the sunroom walls.

With that said, the elements that will be permanent fixtures In the kitchen are pretty toned-down.  For example, urban gray cabinets, white counters, navy island and white back splash.  I think there is room for me to introduce a nice dose of color In a way that won't make a permanent impression.  And that, my friends, is through the bar stools that will reside at my navy island.  Let's use this photo as inspiration as my island base will be navy, hardware will be brushed gold and the counter tops will be walnut.

Photo Courtesy of @michelemorganinteriors

Here are some of the bar stool styles and colors that I've been considering for my island.  I have decided that I am going to wait until more of the kitchen has been constructed before making my final selection.  There are elements to each of these that I can appreciate but there are also cons.

I absolutely love this World's Away orange crushed velvet chair with gold accents.  Imagine this orange against the dark navy island.  The hardware In the kitchen will be brushed gold and these chairs would offer a strong pop of color.  I like the high backs so that guests will have support when sitting In the chairs for a visit.  However, they're not actually very practical at all.  I envision my daughter, Smidge, having a bowl of oatmeal In this chair and crushing wet oats into the upholstery.  Also, the sides of the chair may feel constricting.  And will the gold retain fingerprints?  

The below is an alternate version of the chair with a round back, less upholstery and dark gray tones that would accent well with the cabinets.  

This Pangea Dexter Bar Stool is dark gray and I would still have the concern for the upholstery.  But the design is more simple.  Still, a high backed chair but with no constricting sides and the stools would push into the island nicely.  Hmmm...I still keep going back to the pop of orange though.  

My logical side says avoid velvet of any sort on a kitchen breakfast island when I still have smallish children (ages 11 and 12) that will belly up to the counter and get In all sorts of trouble.  I like this grass cloth linen colored stool for it's classic design, terrific color, caned backing and subtle gold accents.  The cushion seems forgiving and there are no sides to clunk down the design.  This may be a real contender (Now if I can only recall the vendor).  

And lastly, there is this fabulous rattan gray chair from Serena In Lily.  Great bistro design.  Durable with kids.  It's by far the most practical bar stool.  And that's where my hesitation resides.  This may be too "safe" for me.  It doesn't push the design limit enough, and that's what I do.  Particularly In my own home when I am my own client and I can be as risque design-wise as I'd like  

I'm still on the hunt and I won't make my final decision until further along In the kitchen construction so that I can better envision how each chair will line up along the island.  

Do you have a favorite out of these selection?  Do you have another stool that I should absolutely consider?  Please share with me!  I am open for suggestions.  

Up next, the week In review.  

xo

Heather 

  

House Tour: Vivid Hue's Kitchen

It's true.  Have a party and prep the living room for all of the guests...and where does everyone still end up?  Yup, in the kitchen! 

When we built our house, an open floor plan between the kitchen and living rooms was a must.  I wanted each room to be an extension of the other.  (Plus, truth be told, I'm not much of a chef so on the rare occasion you find me in the kitchen, I don't want to further the torture by isolating myself from the entire family!)


Welcome to my kitchen. 

 

 

We're a family of four but I wanted a much larger table so that when friends or family were visiting, we'd all have a spot.  This industrial style bleached wood table was the perfect fit (Crate and Barrel).  It almost has a custom feel to it.  The edges are imperfect.  There are visible knots in the wood.  The kids can sit here while I'm prepping meals (yes, I'm good for a sloppy Joe or grilled cheese) and color or play.  The chairs are a wonderful french bistro style (Restoration Hardware).  Eventually, I may update the linen colored seat covers for something more exciting, but we still have little kiddos so for now, it's perfect to just throw these guys into the wash. 

Lighting selection became my "thing" when we were building the house.  The above Filament Chandelier from Restoration Hardware caught my eye because it seemed to adhere to the rustic aspects of the table.  Plus, it didn't interfere with the view from the kitchen into the living room. 

 

I wanted Cabrera marble counter tops in the entire kitchen.  My husband was worried about the upkeep of marble.  I got to get it on the island and, what do you know, the first week in our house, I stained it with a nice Cabernet Sauvignon circle.  (Don't you hate it when the hubby is right?)  But I still love the marble in the middle.  I wanted white counter tops against the walnut floors. 

Fabric: Thom Filicia Prospect | Shadow

 

Fabric Thom Filicia Prospect Shadow

Love these silhouettes of the kids that my sister, Kurby, got me for my birthday from etsy!

The french doors lead out to the patio.  I love the openness and light these doors provide.  I was hesitant to put any window treatment on the windows but it's literally a fish bowl at night.  I decided to do something different and hang the drapes across the entire length of the wall. 

Loved these pendant lights because they reminded me of navy captains lights. 

Being built..."before"



The island is my canvas for decorating for all holidays.  Here's an Easter tree in April...

Our mudroom is directly off of the kitchen.  (Can you believe this photo is from OCTOBER?  It's my son's fifth birthday and he is waiting for his party guests to arrive.  There was 3 feet of snow dumped onto the ground.  Thirty minutes after our 25 guests left the party, the electricity went out and stayed off for 8 days.  Gosh, there are a lot of numbers in this paragraph, but let's just say, it was a day to remember!)

From the kitchen/mudroom, there's a back staircase to upstairs.  I love this horse print because it reminds me of the Roberto Dutesco I would love to own!  The chandelier is rustic and reminds me of a tavern lantern. 

 

This window is in the staircase looking out onto the front yard.  Eventually I'll add a window seat with a cute patterned fabric. 

I want to paint this hallway with a contrasting striped and hang family photos down it.  I selected these drum shade lights because I wanted something different.  I thought they may be more unexpected.  (Yes, I know...this hallway is very boring right now!  Accessories to follow!!!!) 



These photos from Adobe Love are how I'd like to paint the hallway eventually.  Then I would create a photo gallery of my favorite family photos.  I haven't done this yet, but these are my inspiration photos! 

Courtesy of Abode Love

Courtesy of Abode Love

Thanks for touring!  Please let me know your thoughts!  And please check out the rest of the house here. 

You can also check me out on Pinterest here.