Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Beautiful Kitchens from Sweden

I have the featured the beautiful Swedish kitchen design firm, Kvänum Kok in the past. They are a high end kitchen cabinet and design firm that is very well respected all over Scandinavia. They have some new designs, which are so beautiful, that I wanted to give you another peek. Take a look at this first gorgeous kitchen, with my favorite, white cabinetry. Though I think white cabinetry is the ultimate classic, some may say it is getting boring, as it seems to be featured more and more. This kitchen, though is anything but boring! Several elements take it from ordinary to extraordinary. First, lets look at the cabinets themselves. I have long favored the X cross upper cabinets, and actually used Kvänum Kok as my inspiration for my own kitchen. Read about my kitchen here. Second, I was actually stopped in my tracks by the beautiful backsplash tile. It reminds me of Delft antique tiles. On a wall that has no windows or interesting architectural features, it is amazing how tiles and cabinets can transform a boring, blank wall into the most gorgeous focal point.
Another key to this beautiful space is the wonderful light from the spectacular arched doors. Not all of us are able to incorporate such a stunning feature in our designs, but it is always important to note, how much beauty natural light can bring to a space. Finally the stove is striking. I am in love with stoves that also are works of art and this one is lovely.
Moving on to another kitchen, the one above is part of their newest line. Notice the upper cabinets have been replaced by open shelving. No upper cabinets seem to be a trend worldwide. To read more about this trend click here.
Though the kitchen is not huge by American standards, it is thoughtfully designed, including a freestanding butler's pantry, for extra dishes and glassware. Again light plays an important role with sun streaming in from two sides.
Here is the family room adjacent to the kitchen. Though not part of the kitchen space, I wanted to include it because it is such a pretty room. I love the beamed ceiling and horizontal beadboard walls. Notice the high shelf which acts a bookcase. Also the bleached wood floors which are distinctly Swedish. For more inspiration, read my previous posts on Kvänum Kok here or visit their website here.
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Finally congratulations Victoria at VictoriaArt -please email your mailing address so I can send you off the copy of Slow Love by Dominique Browning. Special thanks to Dominique for both the book and the wonderful interview which you can read here.
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(all photos property of Kvänum Kok )

35 comments:

  1. Oh that backsplash! What a gorgeous kitchen. Loads of light and tons of space - what more could you ask for! Marija

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  2. I'm a little surprised that these are stock cabinets. They look so custom, and that's a great thing. The tile work is amazing....so inspiring!
    Sally

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  3. Gorgeous, I think it is a big kitchen. That backsplash is just amazing, thanks for sharing!

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  4. Wow, that first kitchen is amazing.. I love the size, so much space is a dream to me! Those feature tiles are absolutely stunning, and the light just flows beautifully through the whole kitchen.
    :) Flick

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  5. I agree - they make beautiful kitchens. Their show rooms in Stockholm and in Kvänum are really nice and lots of inspiration in case ever over here in Sweden. Love your blog!
    Petra (from Sweden)

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  6. That tile backsplash is to die for!! xo

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  7. I agree! Kvänums kitchens are beautiful! Love the first one and the tile... WOW!
    Your blog is lovely!
    Susanne from Sweden...

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  8. The tile work is really pretty. Looks like you could dance in their too.

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  9. Exqusite surfaces carries a gorgeous dark grey granite called Petite Granite that I just love. The floor in your first image looks like similar material. I'm going to save that one for my eventual kitchen redo! Beautiful images, Gina!

    xo
    Brooke

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  10. Truly beautiful...thank you....smiles.

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  11. Hi Gina~
    Beautiful kitchens.
    Loved the x design, old classic, but looks new and fresh, again. What a great way to play with the look of Delft with that backsplash.

    All those drawers, just makes me giddy with lust for them. :)
    Donna

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  12. Gina, I am a fan of white cabinets too. So fresh, clean & light. Gorgeous post! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment. I am following you now!

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  13. Wish I had that image of the beautiful sink on the wall for my post last week!

    I don't have Internet until tomorrow (storms and flooding last night wiped it out ) so I am commenting on my iPhone - not the easiest task!

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  14. Gina, what a beautiful kitchen, just today I posted on nature inspired rooms and I found a kitchen very close in style to this one!
    Love the back splash! So stunning!

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  15. The peacock blue and white tile panel is really lovely... thank you for sharing this. A combination of Dutch and French influences in timeless blue and white. I Like the way the panel soars to the ceiling...opening up the space.

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  16. Simply amazing spaces, thank you for providing me with inspiration for our own impending kitchen re-do.


    This is my first time visiting your gorgeous blog, so nice to meet you!

    All the best,
    Anne

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  17. Thanks for visiting my blog earlier... I am drooling over your photos!!!!! I will have to come back and read more another day... thanks for the inspiration
    I'm your newest follower :)

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  18. Oh, I am smitten!!! What gorgeous kitchens.
    I have tagged you with a design tag. Dont feel you have to do it though. You just have to show the 10th photo in your design file.
    Ness xx

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  19. This kitchen is so beautiful. The light is fantastic and I am in love with those floors.

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  20. The tile is fabulous, all beautiful!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  21. Thank you for the wonderful post. What eye candy!!!

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  22. I LOVE a white kitchen! Great pics, I love your kitchen and pantry too!

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  23. Hi Gina, The big black range hood is really striking and I'm really liking the dark floor tile too!

    kelley

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  24. I agree, these kitchen are beautiful. I'm all with you on the x upper cabinets, I think it is one of those (relatively) small details that makes all the difference!

    And about the wallpaper, I am actually not a fan of purple either (I HATE most lilacs actually), but I'm willing to defy my own taste for that wallpaper haha!

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  25. Hi Gina!
    More gorgeous images! I'm crazy about that backsplash.

    I am so thrilled to have found you, how is it that I only discovered you yesterday? Have I been living under a rock? ;-)

    Thank you so much for your comments on my photography post, I really appreciate your input! I'm leaning toward the D500, I think.

    Have a wonderful week!
    Anne

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  26. That back splash is awesome! I love the white kitchen!
    Lila Ferraro
    Queen Bedroom Sets

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  27. Gina, don't have to convince me! Love their style and craftsmanship. And no, in my book you can never go wrong with a white (or gray) kitchen. Classic colors. I agree, the back splash is stunning! No the same old for sure!

    And I sure would like to get a hold of a crown like that (on the counter)!

    Always great posts my friend!

    ox, Mon

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  28. KK are one of my all-time favourites Gina - I spend far too much time lurking on their Website! I find their designs timeless & relaxing, yet extremely practical & so very attuned to the home cook. Wish they had an Australian store - big sigh.
    Millie ^_^

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  29. Hello All,

    Thanks for a nice blog about Kvänum. In case you didn't know it there is a Kvänum store in San Francisco:

    526 Washington St
    San Francisco, CA 94122
    415.399.9445
    sanfran@kvanum.com

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  30. I have pine floors that I want to bleach so I can have the white effect that I see in so many Swedish rooms.

    Do you know what they use to bleach and finish the floors in Sweden? I'm in the USA and I haven't been able to find that information on the internet.

    Many thanks.
    Beverly Carter bevcarter@starpower.net

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  31. Looks amazing!!!! /I look forward to your feedback /thanks for this man it was very helpful.

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  32. Whoa! Seeing those beautiful kitchen photos makes me so inspired! I'm a fan of quality light-colored tile. Tampa, Florida is the place I can call home, so it's just right to be inspired of these kitchen photos for our recent house renovation. Thanks for sharing!

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  33. I never tire of seeing this beautiful kitchen! It was the inspiration for my own kitchen! thanks for sharing

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