@thumper1, that’s a good idea I probably never would have thought of.
@ChoatieMom, I love your lighted mirror. I might copy you in my new master bath. It’s completely gutted as I type, so we are still in the planning stages. We will have separate vanities across from each other, so no need for a huge mirror. In the Tuscan article, I like the one “Tuscan Details,” though maybe that’s considered dated.
The kitchen in our new house is a “modern” Bulthaup kitchen. Not in the budget to replace, other than the 25 year old fridge and the counter tops.
Me, too. I could never give up my books. When we moved to this house, there was no storage for all our books, so we put in a floor-to-ceiling library in the “den” room sandwiching a humidor and built-in wine bar between the bookcases along the back wall, using the top pic in this link (but with two wine fridges below):
There is also a built-in desk along another wall as hubby worked from home before he retired, and is still doing some consulting. The resulting library-wine cellar-office room has a very “clubby” feel. Sometimes we dim the lights, light the warm tobacco-scented candles, and enjoy our evening cocktails in this room. It’s the only “dark” room in our house, but that’s kinda the point of it. DH lives in there.
@Nrdsb4 well…every time we have hosted a party, that desk area has been totally cleared for and used for beverages. Very convenient.
@doschicos our desk isn’t in the middle of the kitchen. It’s actually closer to the family room. Still I think the concept is obsolete.
Re: keeping books. I think this is a personal decision. When I am done reading a book, I donate it someplace. I’m not into keeping books…except I do have my hardbound children’s books on the shelves in my kids’ old bedrooms.
My husband’s family has moved his mother about 8 times since 2011 (I’m not making this up) including a huge collection of paperback books that she insists on keeping and moving…and unpacking. We are talking a thousand books at least. After helping once with that, I swore I wouldn’t do the same. I love our library.
When we bought our house 22 years ago I was excited to have a kitchen desk. I ended up not using it that way. It’s only 2’x3’ so it small. I do use it for my desk calendar (yes I like a paper one),and as a “staging area” to hold things i need to get out the door. I have never actually sat there though.
My faux Tuscan kitchen resembles #5, just not as stunning. No island, counter is similar to the granite on that island. Backsplash has the diamond pattern, but in the middle every other tile has specialty tiles with a little black one in the middle. Floor is same tile only 12” x 12”. No plans on changing it. We did it in 2001.
We do have the kitchen desk, never used it. I put something that holds lots of wine bottles underneath. The desk is granite and it’s a catch all place that I organize daily. When we entertain, we use ours like @thumper1 …drinks, glasses, etc. desserts people bring go there.
I think the list of dated trends mentioned leather sofas?
I don’t think so. I see sofas like the one below in decorating magazines. It’s the shape and scale that makes it look modern. I personally like it in the caramel color.
I think the reference to leather was “overstuffed leather furniture”.
I’ve seen lots of people turn the kitchen desk into a coffee/tea station.
We have a desk of sorts in our kitchen - but it doesn’t have the chair opening underneath. Since it’s across from the main counter/prep area we use it for keeping the electric kettle and as a charging station for phones, iPads.
I like plantation shutters in the right homes. My New England colonial would look funny with them in every room. But then again…most of our windows have no window treatments at all.
We had plantation shutters in our current home when we moved in. 1989. They were gone in the first month. Replaced with a gathered valance and curtains. That’s gone now since we added an addition in 2002 and totally remodeled the kitchen with ivory cabinets and reddish oak Pergo floor. My whole first floor is painted Navajo white with linen white trim.
My mother had a built in desk in her kitchen. House built in 1967. She used it to write letters, pay bills, sit and talk on the corded phone, and as another countertop for serving food.
Grasscloth wallpaper is still “in.” It can be very pricey as well.
Plantation shutters are great in traditional style homes and more contemporary homes as well if the slats are wide and don’t have the stick thingy in the middle.