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Periwinkle Porte

~ Design, inspiration and the environment insights from Associates III Interior Design.

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Monthly Archives: February 2015

Outerwork

26 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by periwinkleporte in environment, inspiration

≈ 1 Comment

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Argentina, harmony, San Carlos de Bariloche, scenery, surroundings

“There is a myth, sometimes widespread, that a person need only do inner work…that one is entirely responsible for one’s own problems; and that to cure oneself, one need only to change oneself…the fact is, a person is so formed by their surroundings, that their state of harmony depends entirely on their harmony with their surroundings.” 
— Christopher Alexander

The circular logic of this quote is what appealed to me most upon reading it. The two components: one’s state of harmony and harmony with one’s surroundings are not mutually exclusive, rather they are tightly intertwined and in constant flux. What we choose to surround ourselves with undoubtedly plays into our state of harmony. By making simple adjustments to our state of harmony, we consequently affect our surroundings.

San Carlos de Bariloche

In 2013, I quit my job of 8+ years and decided to travel through Argentina for 12 months. After living in the insanely bustling locura* of Buenos Aires for four long months, I became acutely aware of the dissonance between my personal state of harmony and the rhythm of the enormous city.  I was surrounded by things that made me feel claustrophobic, hurried, restless, and disconnected from nature.  Large parks with beautiful, ancient, gnarled trees only helped so much. My Colorado native soul yearned for cool, fresh, thin air, the smell of pine trees and forest, and an increase in elevation; it was time to move on. San Carlos de Bariloche is a mountain town nestled in the foothills of the Andes, and it would be my home for the remainder of my travels. Everywhere I looked I was surrounded by magnificent views of the jagged snow covered peaks that run nearly the entire length of the border between Chile and Argentina. Almost immediately there was an alignment, a congruence between my state of harmony and harmony with my environment. The change I made was a drastic one, however necessary for my well-being and enjoyment of the whole experience.

San Carlos de Bariloche

Whether we’re in need of a simple ‘change of scenery’ or a total re-haul is up to each of us to decide. But I would encourage you to take a look at your state of harmony and that of your surroundings. How do the two interact for you? What kinds of changes are necessary to improve one or both in your life? How can you create more accordance with your environment?

— Anna Thexton

*Locura is the Spanish word for madness

2015 Kitchen Trends

11 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by periwinkleporte in design, inspiration

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Kitchen Design, Kitchen Trends, Kitchen Update, Ktichen Remodel, Slate Appliances, Warm Metal Finishes

My husband and I are in the process of updating/remodeling our Kitchen, so I have been taking advantage of this opportunity to educate myself on current and upcoming Kitchen design trends. As residential interior designers, we select and specify many of the fixed finishes, appliances, and plumbing selections that go into a home, but we usually aren’t as involved in the design of the Kitchen. It is such an involved and specialized area of expertise that most of our clients choose to work with separate Kitchen designers to determine the cabinetry layout and overall design. I was recently involved on a project where we were able to meet with the Kitchen designers and review the shop drawings; it was a fun and educational experience! It also made me aware of how many design possibilities and creative ideas are involved in Kitchen design. From TVs that lift up from underneath the countertop and spice racks hidden behind a stone slab backsplash, to pot filler and sink faucet options, there are an overwhelming number of possibilities to consider.

EKD Hidden Spice Rack
Hidden Spice Rack and Kitchen design by Denver’s Exquisite Kitchen Design (EKD): http://www.houzz.com/photos/5162870/Elegance-traditional-kitchen-denver
EKD Hidden Spice Rack
Hidden Spice Rack and Kitchen design by Denver’s Exquisite Kitchen Design (EKD): http://www.houzz.com/photos/5162870/Elegance-traditional-kitchen-denver

One area that has stood out to me has been the metal finishes used in a Kitchen. Stainless steel is a great option, but I’ve become so tired of hearing the same old thing – “stainless steel appliances and granite countertops”! There has to be more out there! So, I’ve been interested in learning what the next new, trendy finish is going to be.

One word that has been popping up over and over in my research has been WARM. Moving into 2015, the trend for metal is moving away from stainless steel and chrome, and towards warmer finishes such as oil rubbed bronze, copper and gold. I am all for this trend! I have always been a fan of warmer color palettes. One of the great things about this trend is that people can update their Kitchens with warm metal finishes relatively easily – by replacing chrome, stainless steel, or nickel faucets, cabinet hardware, and other accessories.

Warm Metal Finishes
Kitchen design by Seattle interior designer: http://www.houzz.com/photos/389280/Woodinville-Retreat-transitional-kitchen-seattle
Warm Metal Finishes
Kitchen design by LA designer Michelle Workman Interiors: http://www.houzz.com/photos/8811799/ATHERTON-ESTATE-transitional-kitchen-los-angeles

There are also some new finish options for appliances that I am excited about. GE has introduced a new “Slate” finish that is beautiful, functional, and easy to incorporate into existing color pallets. It is similar to stainless steel but slightly warmer and darker, and it is more of a matte finish which means … NO FINGERPRINTS!

GE Slate Appliances

Kitchen design using GE’s Slate appliances by Young’s Appliances

Whirlpool also has a new finish option – White Ice. The collection features white, mirrored-glass with silver accents (a similar look to Apple products) and looks sophisticated and clean, especially when used alongside white cabinets. They also have a Black Ice option (black mirrored-glass with silver accents).

White Ice Finish
Kitchen design by Dallas design-build: http://www.houzz.com/photos/1906177/BOB-O-LINK-Dallas-traditional-kitchen-dallas
Black Ice Finish
Kitchen design with Whirlpool appliances: http://www.houzz.com/photos/1722880/September-modern-kitchen

I’m personally leaning towards the Slate finish, but I am very excited to see what debuts next and to hopefully have a break from hearing “stainless steel appliances and granite countertops” every time I turn on HGTV.

— Rachel Hoback

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