A look into our kitchen refresh!

Our kitchen is truly my happy place for so many reasons. It’s a place we gather and has become a hub for so many activities. Nourishment, creativity, hospitality, community, work, play, relaxation, and many others. So many cherished memories have taken place in the kitchen throughout the many different stages of my life. Spending time as a child learning how to cook from my mother, discovering my comfort in the kitchen both personally and professionally, then teaching my daughter to cook… the circle of life! 

The kitchen is such a special gathering place… a room in my home that I’ve found guests tend to naturally gravitate. When remodeling our home in 2017 I wanted to make the kitchen even more of a place for people to comfortably gather, taking a different spin on the traditional kitchen layout. To do this, we implemented a sort of “lounging area” in the kitchen… a mini living room! When initially decorating our kitchen in 2017, I went with neutrals and minimal colors that would allow me to build my desired look and feel over time. Over the past 5 years I’ve curated a kitchen that is my version of perfect… providing a warm atmosphere, comfort, durability, function, and sophistication. The kitchen is where I plan, prep, and cook meals, conduct family meetings, binge watch Netflix, and run My So-Called Fabulous, my personal brand and business. This space is truly so much more than just a kitchen. Now that you understand the workload of my kitchen, let me share my vision and layout of our new design and refresh. Though some of these items are no longer available, or were sourced through local designers, I’ve found and linked similar items to those in my kitchen. 

Color

I wanted bright, vivid, happy colors. I ventured out of my comfort zone and selected bright yellow as a strong color statement, a choice I could not possibly be happier! These fabulous oversized swivel chairs have been in our family for years now, but they took on a new life when I had them re-covered in a bold yellow fabric. The sofa was also re-covered with a stunning fabric that reminds me of a classic Chanel suit. I selected a variety of fabrics for the pillows to best compliment the main pieces of furniture. 

Kitchen and Lighting 

I’ve always gravitated towards the clean look of white in a kitchen. Our island is made of a beautiful white marble, and the same marble serves as a backsplash behind my double Hestan ranges. We kept the white cabinets for a seamless look that is bright and airy. 

Appliances

Selecting appliances can be an overwhelming task, as they’re such an important part of the kitchen and so many selections. The ranges in my kitchen get so much use, so I knew that was an appliance I needed to spend extensive time researching. After many hours of research, I purchased two side by side Hestan ranges. Though it wasn’t my personal preference to have two ranges (it was the choice of the previous homeowner), it has truly been such a useful addition to our kitchen. I absolutely LOVE my Hestan ranges and highly recommend! As far as refrigerators go, we just kept the selection of the previous homeowner. We have two Sub-Zero Wolf refrigerators with clear glass doors. They are so aesthetically pleasing, but definitely require you to keep the contents clean, neat, and tidy (pssst, check out my refrigerator organization blog for my tips and tricks!).

Lighting

During our 2017 home remodel we replaced and added lighting throughout the entire house. I LOVE every single selection, especially the two suspended lights that float over our island, which you can shop HERE (similar style linked HERE). Black matte metal with LED hidden lights, and delicate crystals adorn these incredible art forms. I love decorating the house with “conversation pieces”, and the mystery of how these chandeliers function is certainly one of those pieces. 

Statement Rugs

As mentioned earlier, I love a “conversation piece” that piques the interest of guests… a great place to implement this is through your rug selection! I have worked with The Rug Company for years designing rugs for our home. I always gravitate towards rugs that are beautiful pieces of art. I fell absolutely in love with this Glasswings Alexander McQueen rug. The butterfly and its colors truly spoke to me, and became the focal point of my kitchen… working the entire refresh around this stunning piece. To compliment this rug, I paired the Hunter Tundra runner (similar linked HERE) that is hidden behind the island. The movement and colors in the runner perfectly balances the main rug.

Coffee Table, Side Table, and Drink Table

With the rug being such a piece of art and focal point of the kitchen, I needed to find a coffee table that wouldn’t entirely cover the rug. Hence, the selection of glass tables that almost disappear rather than distracting: St. Barts Coffee Table, Nesting Tables, Drink Table, Clear Gold Side Table. 

Mixed Metals

I absolutely love mixing metals… So when refreshing the kitchen I added touches of gold to the existing primary metals of polished chrome and matte black. The addition of gold helps complement the yellow chairs and bring the entire look together. 

Bar Stools

When selecting new bar stools there were four key elements that were extremely important to me… durability, functionality, comfort and of course aesthetics. I selected white leather, with gold trim. They are heavy (almost too heavy) and look absolutely fabulous! We had them custom-made, however I’ve found some fabulous and very similar options: Round Contemporary Stools, Rakoski Bar Stool Set, and Ceazar Bar Stool Set.   

Art

I’ve always loved collecting art, and continue to find new locations for my art… oftentimes switching pieces from space to space. For the kitchen I wanted art that included multiple colors, and specifically pieces that would complement rather than fight each other. 

Accessories

I love a relatively clutter-free countertop, so I try to keep accessories to a minimum. On the countertops, I prefer accessories that are functional… such as a gorgeous salad bowl, cookbook stand, candy jars, vases, etc.

A special thanks to these local Fort Worth businesses that have helped me curate the kitchen of my dreams, and many other rooms in our home. 

Pam Flowers Interiors 

Park & Eighth 

Ginger Ray Art 

Neiman Marcus Clearfork 

Ferguson’s Lighting 

Wright At Home 

Lawrence’s Gift 

PS The Letter