Sunday, May 4, 2008

Matchy Matchy

I'll admit it. I am NOT in denial. I am not a matchy matchy person. If you are a matchy person, I think you know who you are. You know, your bed has to be in the center of the wall and you have identical end tables on each side of the bed and one medium sized picture directly above your headboard. You, are far better organized then I, and when your items are in perfect proportion you are calm and happy. But alas, I don't match. I am me. My brain needs to jump from here to there, notice this and that. It will glaze over and shut down if everything is an exact match. Lets face it, we've all been there...walked into a room where every piece of wood is stained the same color, every fabric is from the same line (even the wallpaper), and every accessory looks like it was purchased from the same store. Beautiful? Sure. Do my eyes glaze over? Yes. Even you matchy people know when it's just tooooo much. In my opinion, coordinating, not exact matching is what feels good to me. This brings me to the house project that has been floating around in my head...my kitchen. I'd like to replace my island (work station, seats 4 people) with something that doesn't MATCH my other cupboards....remember it will coordinate.
Here are a few pictures I got from http://www.kitchens.com
Notice the variety of colors, countertops, and textures in the same kitchen. The islands are all different, and it just feels good to my brain.











My cabinets are honey oak and the layout is similar to this kitchen (below). I don't have a sink in my island. I think I would like to go with an island in almond or black. I'm liking these light fixtures too. We'll see....


60 comments:

CountryMouse said...

The kitchens are lovely in these pictures - they are very inspiring. Hope you find something suitable for yours.
I like the idea of kitchen bulletin boards - they look very good.

Sharon said...

Ele what great inspiration photos, I especially love the white kitchens which always have been a favorite of mine. I know your a very talented lady and will use all this inspiration to come up with just the right kitchen design for you and your family.

I'm with you, don't like to go into houses that look like they came out of a Sunday add, very boring. My favorite look in a home is made up from interesting items collected over time. It just gives a home a lived in quality, some place that's well loved.

Unknown said...

Oh Ele, these are all beautiful! I like the last kitchen the best! Probably because the colors are light. I think your new projects are wonderful! Love the bulletin boards, great idea!

Hugs,
Amy

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I am not a matchy person either. I love all of the kitchens you pictured. Can't wait to see what you end up with..
Penny

vickie said...

Ele, the bulletin boards look great. I feel exactly like you, Ele, mix and match! Great kitchen pics. They are all beautiful, especially to me because my kitchen is so small. Too have a kitchen island is a dream to me!

kari and kijsa said...

Such fabulous kitchens!! Great inspiration!!Have a wonderful evening!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Connie said...

I confess, I confess!!! I'm a matchy person as you describe but I prefer to call it "symmetrical"!! Nuuuuu, I like different fabrics all around, different styles and different woods - painted or not! BUT if I could have a big island in my kitchen it would be white or some color instead of wood looking! I truly love the unfitted look in furniture. Just go for it, sweetpea. You'll love it when you are done! And stop calling me matchy, just call me "different"!! LOL
Smoochies my little chickadee,
Connie

Glenda said...

I totally agree with you on the matchy, matchy thing. It's not my style either.
I would go with the different colored island as well. There is nothing in my house that matches. I would never be able to live with that. I like the unordinary.
I do not have a big kitchen. I have a townhouse and it is really only big enough for one person to be in there at a time to cook etc...
So, consider yourself very lucky to have that choice.
Good luck in your decision.
Glenda

Lori said...

Ele, with those kitchens serving as inspiration, you are sure to end up with something amazing...your banner is beautiful...oh, and i love your entry rails!!!

Sugar Bear said...

Very inspiring photos you picked. Your bulletin board idea is wonderful. Your banner will be the perfect addition for that relay team.
Karla

Unknown said...

You've been really busy!! I love the third kitchen you showed. And I'm not matchy or organized either (sometimes much to my dismay where organization is concerned).

Little Penpen said...

Love your banner! Love the bling! Those kitchens were gorgeous and very inspiring.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

I love the kitchen pictures. Thank you for sharing them. I used to be more matchy matchy until we moved to France and it turned all my ideas upside down.

The banner is perfect!
Your blog is wonderful!
Becky

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

I admit....I use to be matchy, matchy. Now I am all over the place and my bedroom needs to be complete before my hubby goes crazy....I need help so please visit my blog!

Cottage Way of Life said...

That banner is great! I'm not a matchy match person either. At Thanksgiving, I have two harvest tables with a bunch of different chairs and benches all around it. I love creative things, and matchy stuff doesn't work with my brain. Everything flows well though. :)

-Sarah

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Ele, you are reading my mind, girlfriend! I soooo need to re-do our kitchen & didn't know where to even start for ideas! Thanks for posting that website. Wow, pics 1, 3, & 8 are doing it for me!!!! How 'bout you?

Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Wonderfully Sew Knit said...

I like the banner! :o)

HippieDog said...

No wonder we get along so well :) If I had to match my family would think my head was missing lol

Kitchen remodeling is the best...I've done it three times! Next time I would go for the gourmet kitchen, oh and my friend has this hidden pantry, it's genius. Love the islands too :)

Cami said...

I am in the midst of a kitchen redo/remodel. So far: new floor, new countertops, some beadboard, my farmhouse house sink (named Alice)... Adding the final touches ASAP. The grout just dried last night! Putting the appliances back tonight! So excited. Love all your pictures. So inspiring.

Tara said...

All the kitchens were great, I had to scroll back up cuz I thought yours was from a mag, too!

:0)
Tara

blessings said...

That 3rd kitchen is my dream kitchen! But this old farmhouse has a small - er, cozy - kitchen with old pine floors and cabinets that I'm dying to paint! I'm not matchy either. In fact, I have this phrase that drives my family nuts: "Could I have the flu in this room?" If there's too much of the same pattern, it'll just increase the nausea =) Blessings... polly

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Ele, Your post is great and I could not agree more. I really love when a kitchen island is it's own unique piece. I also redesigned this way in my own kitchen. The center island became a separate piece of furniture not matching the rest of the cabinets. This changes the whole look of the room. I can't wait to see yours. I know it will be fabulous!! Loved your pictures and the details.

hugs,
celestina
la rea rose

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you Ele! I love a style that's more mixed and matched...like you said, it just feels good to my brain, lol!
I love your bulletin board idea!! I can't stand a fridge with stuff all over it...that does NOT feel good to my brain!

*hugs* Dara

Katrina Chambers said...

Sorry I haven't been over to say hello for so long!

I am usually a matchy person but occasionally I throw caution to the wind! I am loving those kitchens though!!

Anonymous said...

Oh that last message was from Katrina at Little La La's, sorry i forgot to change names!

Tara said...

I am doing a giveaway for my 100th post, stop in!

Unknown said...

Ele...well, some days I am matchy and others I am NOT! Does that make any sense?

WOW I do love those kitens...and actually have thought of painting my island black or cream. Its the rage right now...so you can't go wrong!

Love that banner...you are just so creative!

Have a blessed day...Lorena

Lori said...

Ele, SUch a wonderful banner for a great cause, you sweetheart you! Later,Lori

Donna Layton said...

Love your banner Eleanor and I'll take any one of those kitchens you've pictured. Of course, I'm anything but matchy, matchy. All my kitchen cabinets are red now (surprise I know), but they used to be painted a sort of taupe color with one bank of drawers in red and the pantry door (which is a screen door) in red. The red bank of drawers also had distinctive crystal knobs. LOVED that look, but the taupe was too bland for me. After five years I still love my red cabinets just as much as I did on the first day:)

Lizzie said...

BLESS YOU for posting these kitchen renovations. We are in the process of choosing new counter tops and new cabinet hardware (plus painting the current cabinets) and I could really use the inspiration and ideas. :-)

Farmchick said...

okay, now take a picture of the floor below the hooks--is that where all the jackets and bags are like at my house!

My eye wants things symetrical but I purposely chose not to do it!

I honestly never thought of having my island different than the rest of the kitchen

Tania

Linda said...

Hi Elle,
I love all of the photos of the kitchens that you have picked out. Not matching it to your other cupboards sounds like a wonderful idea.
Cheers Linda

Birds of a Feather said...

hi eleanor ~ i get it ~ no matchy matchy around here, i live for things just a bit off. we made an island out of old bead board cabinets, had an oak top made that overhangs on one side and it's old, worn, and just works! best of luck with your kitchen! xo heidi

Bristol said...

I am the with you about coordinating, I like the idea of the island being different. The entry rail is neat. Your banner is beautiful. Have a great weekend.
Bristol

. said...

Hi love all the photos! Denise

FrenchGardenHouse said...

I love all the kitchens, Elle. I'm not a matchy matchy girl, either.

Love your beautiful banner. Hope you are having a happy week, sweetie.
xo Lidy

Natasha Burns said...

The kitchen pics are so inspiring, I'd love a beautiful kitchen. One day...
Totally agree with you on the matchy! Your home is looking lovely Ele and I love the banner you made, the wording is so clever xo

Secondhandrose said...

Ele, those kitchens are gorgeous and guess what...my island is different than my cupboards. Did that a few years ago. Actually could only afford to change the island! Go for it. You'll be happy with it.
Karen

Anonymous said...

Hi Ele , I am new to your blog. I found you from Stephanie's links. Love your blog. I am going to put you in my favorite places to visit,and you said in another of your posts that you wanted to know if it was ok to add our blog to your links. I would really be honored if you added me to your links.
Oh and I liked the island that was angled in one of your kitchen pics. I am going to try that in my kitchen.
Please come visit me sometime , bye bye.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Ele, stopping back in to view your great pics and wish you a very Happy Mother's Day.
big hugs, Celestina,
la rea rose

Betzie said...

My house is such a mish mush! I could never live in a house of one style. Of course, I do appreciate them and do envy anyone that can keep a NEAT house. I wish I could...but just not me.
Love your banner!

FourSistersInACottage said...

Just stopping by to Wish You a WONDERFUL HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY MOTHER'S DAY!!!
Hugs and Love,
Amy (Mom to the Four Sisters)

Betty said...

I wish I had a kitchen big enough for an island. I saw a table that would be perfect for a kitchen island while I shopping this week. Big square store counter with drawers underneath. The top was a dark, thick wood and the bottom was painted white. You would have loved it!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Happy Mother's Day, Ele!

Love you,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

A home far away said...

So many lovely kitchens! Either one is fine by me:-)
I love white things so the white kitchens are just lovely.

Hugs from Singapore

A home far away said...

So many lovely kitchens! Either one is fine by me:-)
I love white things so the white kitchens are just lovely.

Hugs from Singapore

Unknown said...

Happy Mother's Day Ele! I hope you had a beautiful day!

Love ya,
Amy

Unknown said...

Just lovely photos! Just wanted to say HELLO! I am back!
Hugs,
Robyn

Niesz Vintage Home said...

Oh Yes! I would much rather see a coordinated eclectic mix, than matchy matchy.
I don't own 2 matching tables. Years of yard sale-ing will do that to you. LOL

Love all of those kitchens! I'd take any one of them.
And I like your bulletin board idea in the kitchen.

Kimberly :)

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I don'tthink you could go wrong with any of those island ideas! Wow. I am feeling major kitchen envy right now.

Artifax said...

What great kitchen inspiration pictures!!

And I just love your entry rails!

Tina Leavy said...

lovely kitchen pics. gosh I'm not matchy either..just simple and comfy tastes.
love the photos of your home though, very nice.wanted to wish you a lovely week.

Diane Mars said...

I love the lighter colors best, great work on your family room drapes. And the kitchen bulletin boards I'm sure will fill up fast.
Hugs, Diane

bs honey said...

Beautiful kitchens. I'm sure yours will be just as beautiful because you have such inspirational pictures to mix and/or match.
Have fun with this venture, and I can hardly wait to see it's completion.
Blessings & Hugs,

Amy said...

Precious bulletin boards! I found your site via KJ at Eye-dyllic. Glad to find you! You have lots of things to look at! THANKS!

Amy & Rachel

Cheryl Ensom said...

OH gosh I love those kitchens! And I love the new things you're doing. I need kitchen bulletin boards, too!

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

I love all of those kitchen pictures. Fabulous! I also like your idea of kitchen bulletin boards.

Thanks for sharing!

Jillian

Red Geranium Cottage said...

I'd love to have any of those kitchens. OMG they are all beautiful and my dream!!!
Love your banner!!! Adorable!!!

Stitcher S said...

Wow, those are great kitchens. Thanks for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

Your home has a rich, textured feel to it. Who needs matchy-matchy? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...