Last night I was in the kitchen with David while he was making his famous mac & cheese. We chatted as I sat, perched on a bar stool flipping through an issue of Bon Appétit, and after 5 minutes my ass was completely numb.
“We should get a comfortable chair in here,” I suggested.
Our kitchen is not large, but it’s certainly not tiny. We have a corner between the office and laundry room doors that is currently occupied by a tall IKEA bar table and two stools. This is where our espresso machine and grinder live. It will be a challenge to find another home for the oft-used machines, but I am intrigued with the idea of transforming this small corner into a lived-in nook similar to what you might find in a coffee shop. Maybe a few miss-matched chairs (big enough to curl into), a small table and maybe even a cool lamp. We already have a chalkboard hanging on the wall, and we can add a few more framed items (photographs, art). Because we spend so much time in the kitchen, I like the idea of having a space where one of us can curl up and read while the other is cooking, or some comfortable seats for friends when we have dinner parties. And, most importantly, it’s removed from the action of the “main” kitchen, so there’s no danger of anyone getting in the way of a steaming hot pot or knife.
I pulled together some items that I think could look great together in our space. I found the furniture on my local Craigslist. I love the rich red velvet chair paired with the nautical blue/white stripped piece, both are vintage. The small table is a used Design Within Reach Eames-inspired piece. I layered in some pops of color with a lemony yellow throw from IKEA and a deep turquoise pillow from CB2. The bookcase pillow, oversized clock and candle holders are also from CB2. The pendant lamp is IKEA. The art is by Dallas Shaw; I am seriously lusting after some of her pieces.
Canvas, Dallas Shaw
Pendant Lamp, IKEA
Throw, IKEA
Pillar Holders, CB2
Lit 101 Pillow, CB2
Wave Pillow, CB2
Check out some additional inspiration here and here.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Claudia, oh this is soooo embarrassing, but we just have this silly little TV stand with one shelf and a cupboard. Then David randomly decided (this is so not him) last year to buy a GINORMOUS flat screen TV that now hangs off the sides of the stand. I wish we could just mount it. Or sell it, it’s rarely used.
Anyhow, I might suggest hunting for a sideboard/credenza that has a shallow depth (enough you hold your record player) and your other items. Just make sure it doesn’t have an open bottom as you’ll have a lot of cords.
Also, Claudia, check out this link…
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/redecorating-on-a-budgetpart-i-rearranging-the-space-079946
i LOVE the idea of a “hang out” space in the kitchen! as someone who loves to cook while entertaining i gasp joyfully at the idea of a place where guests could cozy up with a cocktail and conversation while still enjoying the action of prepping, cooking, setting, placing, etc. my initial thought is that the pendant lamp is done…find something less played, more YOU. otherwise, i love the colors and overall look. a lighter blue or limey green (throw?) might be a nice addition. i only wish my kitchen could accomodate!
I love that bookshelf pillow! Penny, on a related note, what do you use for an entertainment center? BF and I are shopping for one and it is torturous for some reason. We can’t find any we like and/or will fit in a smaller space. aaaand accommodate a record player.
Wow this is fantastic Penny! You have some great design skills. The color choices are really nice. It’s a great idea to have a little nook right by the kitchen, especially with those chairs!
Oh thanks for that link! that is really helpful. I have actually started to look for tv stands with a shelving unit but a credenza is a great idea and I bet I could find something really cool on craigslist. I will say this about the flatscreen, I think they’re better in smaller spaces because you can just wall mount them.
Love the nautical chair and the ikea lamp that’s in my kitchen too :) –but get someone to put that shit together for you, it has like 100 identical pieces)! Don’t so much love the red velvety chair–I can see what you like about it but in real life red velvety furniture always seems a little creepy to me. Also love the SF map poster but not the fashion lady poster for a relaxed kitchen nook. Are you going to put in a little table for drinks & food? Is that what that wooden thing is? …There is a really cute little red leather loveseat at IKEA that would keep your red color going and I have always loved the idea of a sofa in the kitchen!