If you weren’t a homeowner in the 70′s, you may not know what rooms in homes from that era actually looked like.  Recently, I was sent these pictures of a 70′s kitchen that frankly is just as good as the day it was installed!  It’s still working perfectly, and honestly, looks like something you or I could have in our home today. 

Take a look and tell me what you think!!!

This first photo is the kitchen in it’s entirety – how fortunate these owners are to have so many windows to let the natural light in, and to open the room to the view beyond. 

Here in the South, such as this would be highly sought-after, since we all seem to be at our best during the day at least if surrounded by natural sunlight.  And, then .. ..

I love this style….

with the thin aluminum edgings on all the doors and drawers.. ..

with the crisp, boxy handles.. .. ..

 and quite likely, a Corian countertop – very clean, simple and hard-working.

My pet-peeve: a dish drainer visible in one side of the sink.. .. .. yes, we need ‘em, but???

Wood floor such as we often include in Southern kitchens (easy maintenance and wonderful looks) – not that this one contrasts nicely with the cabinet stain.

Then, like now, cabinetry may well extend full height to the ceiling for maximum storage.. .. ..

 Here, it appears that the room has an 8′-0″ high ceiling, something that’s changing to higher ones.  A few details..

 Notes:

To the left, the “toekick” drawer, something we still use at times

(Think TINY kitchen or bathroom!)

                             To the right, the Lazy Susan details.. .. this is the kind of

                             lazy susan that works WELL & you love to use.. .. ..

 Your thoughts or ideas??????????????????

  Last weekend, I had the pleasure of grading NCIDQ exams with around 40 other interior design professionals from all over the US.    We met in St. Louis beginning on Thursday, April 19th and continued through the  morning of Sunday,  April 22nd.   I only knew one person there, a grading coordinator named Barbara Pallat, a truly dedicated, lovely professional.

As the graders mingled and became friends, I found the range of participants to be from young, up-and-coming designers working alone or with small local firms, to seasoned designers working with large firms, some architectural, some interior design only.  I met an online friend, who’s a distinguished professor of Interior Design at a state university, and was so glad to put face and name together!  One woman I met was so interesting and talented, an architect in Massachusetts, a partner in a regional architectural firm that is extremely accomplished, and award winning.  She and I really enjoyed our “away time” after “work” in the evenings.  Yes, these were leading interior designers – all taking a weekend of their time without pay – to “give back” to the profession by grading the NCIDQ exams recently taken.  There was a remarkable spectrum of personality, experience, education and talent in those rooms.  A very uplifting experience, certainly.. .. .. ..

Impressive, more than I thought possible, the NCIDQ process is exhaustive in it’s pursuit of the perfect exam, exact & true fairness to all candidates, and it’s unending reviewing-and-improving pattern.  It’s no wonder to me that the exam remains on the very sharpest cutting edge of the interior design profession, and is revered universally as the pinnacle of excellence – the qualifier of interior designers’ ability to protect the consumer’s health, safety and welfare. 

I found it an honor to have this opportunity to serve ~ to learn more about the NCIDQ, go to www.ncidq.org.

We partnered with Mercury Mosaics for the 2012 ASID/Symphony Designer Showhouse in Charleston, SC – and it was a great hit with everyone!  Take a look at some of the cool examples of creativity of the talented group at Mercury Mosaics:

Love the warm, tantalizing colors selected for this accent backsplash in a kitchen….the warm butterscotch color of the field tile.  Here is another favorite of mine —-

Love this!   This is how Dionne & I were inspired to create the custom backsplash for the Showhouse – these are “bubble” tiles….they are carefully planned and arranged, and then the field tile surrounding the bubbles is specially cut to fit each bubble.  Is this special enough for you?

There is no limit to the artwork that can be created with these remarkable tiles.  (Did you note that some of them are textured???)

This is tiny, but so very dynamic!  I LOVE the bubbles mixed with other subway sizes…..the Owner of Mercury Mosaics, Mercedes Austin, is delightful, really smart andso willing to help work out the fine details of your planning.  We could not have created the amazing bubble backsplash in the Showhouse without her!  Located in Minneapolis, they all inspire us with new fresh ideas, gorgeous finishes and very unique palettes.

See what you think at www.mercurymosaics.com! and let me know what you love, ok?

Recently, I spent five days in Atlanta, Georgia with Interior Designers from all over the US, teaching and learning more about legislation, what it is, why we need it, and how we go about achieving it.  See some photos from this valuable 2-day session!  In this first one, that’s me on the left, tag-teaming with Emily Walser, ASID, on the topic of ASID Chapters and State Coalitions working in concert with one another, and how to do it.

 Here, in the picture below, are all the folks from South Carolina, together with Tom Kaczmarek and Caitlin Lewis, Managers of Government Affairs, ASID – with our brand new Chief Executive Officer of ASID, Randy Fiser  (in the back)! 

From left to right are:  Tom Kaczmarek, Candie Morgan, ASID,  Donna Horack, ASID, Susa Cree, ASID (currently, President of ASID Carolinas Chapter), me, Mary Jane Grigsby, FASID (also incoming President of NCIDQ) and Caitlin Lewis.  Kudos to Tom & Caitlin for the 2012 amazing Symposium!

Finally, the House opens tomorrow at 10:00AM.  Please, look at these and enjoy them!  I’d love it if you’d write me with your thoughts and ideas.  Many thanks!!!

This is the view from the Living Room…..

This view shows the door to the side porch, and the lovely sunlight coming in through the wonderful windows…

And, I love this one….Such a sunny little dining area!  Conversation, friends, wine, cheeses, fruit…… yum….

                                                                                                       This would be the cook’s domain…not bad, huh?

Paint’s complete!  Oh, goodness, it took soooo many coats and so much work to smooth out the walls and get the finish as even and beautiful as we wanted it to be.  Then, Gale Ray came in and gently applied a creamy glaze by hand in a variegated manner, which gives depth and interest to the otherwise solid color on the walls.  I’m really pleased with the outcome, though you can’t really see the subtle glazing in these photos. 

The fresh, clean white paint on the trim that was already painted really looks wonderful and new~  We left the stained trim and doors, and the little corner cabinet in the Dining Area of the kitchen, since they looked so well together anyway.  We’re not trying to conceal the fact that this kitchen is an addition to the original home,  and these touches illustrate that.  Here in Charleston, people aren’t ashamed to add or modify their homes when necessary, and don’t always attempt to cover those modifications.  It’s just part of the quirkiness and charm that is uniquely Charleston, South Carolina.

Progress is being made!  Now, we can begin to put things into the space!  First, see the blank plywood in the backsplash in the main photo, and alongside the oven tall cabinet too….that is made ready to receive the handmade tile, already shipped, to be received tomorrow and installed late this week.  So, I wanted you to see it first in this “during” or “process” picture first.. .. .. .. ..

LOOK FAMILIAR????????????????

If you’ve EVER worked on your home, moved a wall, redone the walls, moved a doorway or added one, then you will feel right at home in this picture!  The is the work underway ————————–  We have spent about 14 work days so far, and about 10 of them have been dedicated to preparation of the walls for the final finishing. 

Two walls were exterior stucco, beigey/ivory, and very bumpy.  12″ thick walls had a high-gloss painted finish, but simply needed to be smoothed out and dulled down when finish painted.  The two other walls, deep brown 3/8″ thick sheet panelling, of course had random grooves all over it, all 130″ high of it.  So, our prep work consisted of spackling each and every groove to smooth it all out together.  This required 4-5 coats of spackle and eventually caulk, and now most of it looks pretty smooth and congruent.  The idea is to bring all four walls together and unify them with one finish and one undercoat color.  Then, our marvellous artist, Gale Ray (www.galeray.com) will come in starting tomorrow and add the glazed patina overall, by hand.  This glaze coat will be lighter than the wall color – but will highlight and make the walls interesting to see; the patina will add depth and interest in the otherwise solid colored wall.   

The wall color is Sherwin-Williams #6660 “Honey Blush”.  www.sherwin-williams.com – a rich, golden tone with orangey undercolor.  Bright, encouraging and high energy – that’s what we are looking for in this kitchen’s face lift for the Showhouse.  See more…

 and finally.. .. .. ..

Comin’ right along, the owner is fast vacating the premises so the Interior Designers can begin their work.  These were taken last week, and work actually begins today, January 31st, 2012.   We have until March 1, 2012 to fully transform the space.   A challenge!!  Take a peek .. .. .. .. .. ..

…. and this….

.. and this..  .. .. ..

Stay tuned – I’ll keep posting new photos as we make progress.  It is a joy and a pleasure to work in a home with the dignity, handsomeness and original detail throughout.  This incredible residence has been loved by only a few families since it was built, and it shows.

Good news – there will be a 2012 ASID/Charleston Symphony Designer Showhouse after all — just a bit later getting started than usual, that’s all.  Take a look at this remarkable Victorian with Italianate influnce masonry home, built in 1893.  I cannot wait to get going…..Dionne H. Gadsden, Allied Member ASID, (my partner) and I are very excited to havean opportunity to give new life to the 1960′s  kitchen, installed in a small part of the first floor piazza.  “Before” photos of that to come when the room is ready!

This will not be a new kitchen – there isn’t time for that! – but will be a complete “face lift”, with an entirely new look.  We will keep you up to date as we progress, though this blog.  Our deadline for the Presentation Board is next Wednesday, January 25th – so we’ll post that here with details on the products we’ll be using. 

Stay tuned!  Symphony House 2012 ASID Carolinas flyer with 3 photos

ASID Professional Interior Designers Cook!

Brand new – hot off the press!  A handsome, 93 page cookbook by ASID member Interior Designers from the deep South.  You will treasure this beautifully photographed edition, with lovingly designed interior photography as well as a fresh, new recipe created by the featured Interior Designers. 

These are ASID-member Interior Designers from all over the South.  Variety, beautiful presentations and more.

Savor the interiors – get to know the designers a bit, and try each and every one of these delectable receipts. 

My friends and I are always looking for original, interesting recipes (or, as we say in Charleston, “receipts”), and this collection is fresh and different.   $29.95 each  Add $3.00 to ship to your door.

Presented in a luxe red gift box, the books are wrapped in white tissue inside ~ so all you need is a bow and a card and they are ready to give as special gifts!  See my pages here.. .. .. .. Cooking in the South, Acker.

Enjoy~