Scrapbook: Kitchens Round-Up (Part 1)

Balthazar's Keuken

Continuing on my scrabook project where I'm gathering clippings of rooms for inspiration and reference on the blog; here are some kitchens I've started to collect. Since we are closing in on getting some actual cupboards for our kitchen (which has finally been fitted with real live walls and a ceiling this past weekend); I've been starting to really focus in on cupboards and layouts. Since our reno has started I'm quite surprised how my tastes have changed. Currently I'm really liking just the "lowers" look (like the image above - not even shelves) - is this a European thing? And hey, how affordable. I'm also really liking black and found the above image over at Bodie and Fou (by the owners of Balthazar's Keuken) for inspiration. What are your thoughts? Do you like this look (without uppers)?

Speaking of cupboards. Does anyone know of some good local sources (besides IKEA)? I just thought I'd consider local makers/suppliers as well. In the meantime, some inspiration for the scrapbook.

November 2010 - H&H

apartment therapy

emmasblogg.se via apartment therapy

Marie Claire Maison, photo by Nicolas Matheus
living etc.
Photo by Ailine Liefeld - kitchen belongs to Andre Wyst and Ines Colmorgen whose flat you find here.

Jan Halvarson

17 comments:

Beth said...

We, too, will be remodeling our kitchen soon, and I am totally loving the lowers look. We currently have a lot of high cupboards and I can never reach anything on the top two shelves--so things just get stashed there or I grumble while I look for the stepstool. I think it also makes kitchens look so open and light, even with dark bottoms. Love all the ideas you've gathered here.

Jan Halvarson said...

Beth, yes I'm liking the openess too myself. Feels light and airy - maybe makes the kitchen seem bigger? Thanks for your opinions.

abby said...

I certainly like the look if there are windows instead of cupboards, but I think you would have to get really creative about where to store dishes and food if you didn't have a pantry.

Ceci said...

yes, love the look. As long as there are enough lower spaces to store all the kitchen items. It's very fresh!

Jan Halvarson said...

abby + ceci - good point!

Anonymous said...

I think the idea is lovely...having only lower cabinets is a great idea, it really opens up the space and you can make a really creative focal wall within the kitchen. Just be sure to put in a pantry and have a cabinet for your pots and pans (if you don't want them to be displayed).

lindsey said...

love this look! but if you use your kitchen, it could be hard to keep it neat all the time :)

Miss A said...

I think some of these kitchens look fantastic without the upper cabinets, but I'd think a long shelf mounted onto the wall above might be a good idea. You'd get the functionality of upper cabinets without the heaviness and visual clutter.

Jennifer Seales said...

I love the look but don't know how practical it is to give up all the storage, personally I would have no upper cabinets but lots of shelves :)

Jan Halvarson said...

Thanks everyone, good points to ponder.

gertie @ The Old Block House said...

Gorgeous kitchen!

I can't imagine me in there making my big huge messy batch of pasta sauce.

gertie @ www.theoldblockhouse.blogspot.com

jdawg said...

Thanks for the post! We are renovating our kitchen too this summer so it's nice to get ideas. You asked for cabinet alternatives to Ikea, and I thought of my friends Phil and Rebecca - http://philandrebecca.com/. I just had dinner at their place which is all their handiwork and they do beautiful cabinetry. They are very reasonable, and based in Vancouver BC - which I know is local for some poppytalk posters, but don't know if that's local for you?

Jan Halvarson said...

jdawg - tnx it is! i'll def ck them out!

Penny said...

would love to re-do my kitchen...

Coco Cake Land said...

large, bright, gorgeous, rustic, modern, clean...

without uppers (the top pic) there is some space that looks a big bare... maybe art needs to be on the walls... or a bouquet of fuschia peonies or something! (there is, however, a cat).

i'm definitely a fan of cabinetry/storage... hide the muss and fuss! ^__^

Ailine Liefeld said...

I'm pretty sure I took the last picture and this kitchen belongs to Andre Wyst and Ines Colmorgen whose flat you find here: http://freundevonfreunden.com/ines-colmorgen-plus-andre-wyst/

Jan Halvarson said...

Thank you Ailine - i followed that image as far as the links could take me - and that was where i ended. i have now credited properly.