03 July 2012

Four Favorite Products I Can't Specify Down South - Nick Lovelady of Cupboards

I first met Nick Lovelady, kitchen designer and blogger extraordinaire on Twitter through his hilarious, tongue-in-cheek @cupboards tweets.  We actually met in person for the first time at last year's Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and saw each other again a few weeks ago at a Bosch-Blanco blogger event.  Nick is another Blogger 19 buddy, one of the 2.0 folks, as I call them, who went to Brizo's Fashion Week program after we OGs (original gangsters!) attended in February 2010.  


I couldn't resist asking this adorable 'Bama boy to write about Four Favorite Products he can't specify in the South and was absolutely tickled when he said yes.  Nick gets it when I share that my Central Florida clientele considered Shaker modern.  I'm thrilled to have his wit and wisdom as my second Four Favorites guest poster this week.   Here you go, y'all!
 
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Big thanks to Jamie for asking me to chime in on some design aspects that we just don’t see that much in the rather rural Southern United States. Historically, kitchen design in the South has been largely traditional. Designers who have a flare for the ultra-modern, (which we’ll talk about), and lots of color and funky elements may not find an eager group of potential clients down in our neck of the woods. BUT that doesn’t mean that we don’t like that stuff! Here are four kitchen elements I’d love to specify sometime soon in the South. 


Super Modern Cabinetry


In all of my years of kitchen design, I’ve completed ONE slab door kitchen and have one in the hopper right now. Both were still very traditional and matte. I want some gloss! 



Photo from Home Dsgn: Interior Design and Inspirational Homes 
Glass Counters


Glass counters completely mesmorize me. Maybe I’m distracted by shiny things. Glass counters have come a long way in recent years and have now become a viable option for both counter and backsplash material. My customers typically think it’s too modern and are apprehensive to take the plunge. 



Photo from ThinkGlass




Black Cabinets


This one is a bit perplexing. Black cabinets can fit in easily to the typical traditional styling of many Southern homes. Black has become a neutral and allows homeowners TONS of options when it comes to accessories and other kitchen elements. 



Photo from Apartment Therapy



Wild Ventilation  


Why not have the vent hood be the conversation piece in the kitchen… Better yet, it’s like art! I love the wild curves and colors available in ventilation right now, (especially those from Best, like shown).  In addition to being pretty awesome looking, they function exceptionally well. 


Photo from Best 


So there you have it, a quick round of products I’d love to see gain some momentum here in the heart of Dixie. 

Thanks again, Jamie, for letting me sit in! 

4 comments:

  1. Nick and Jamie, I could love matte black traditional cabinetry! I would definitely use it in a larger kitchen than mine with more natural light than mine. (Have a feeling I might fit right in down south! My grandma was from Virginia, so I already cook southern!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jean, I think you could get away with it if you pair the black with light tops that will reflect whatever light does come into the kitchen. I painted my master bathroom vanity matte black and it looks gorgeous. (Especially with new polished chrome hardware!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was looking through some of your blog posts on this site and I believe this web site is really informative! Keep on putting up.This site is really helpful for us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks so much stilbonmaria! I appreciate your feedback.

    ReplyDelete

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