Maine Coastal Gem!

My friend, the talented interior photographer, Jamie Salomon of James R. Salomon Photography, shared this fabulous home in Bar Harbor, Maine with me recently. He was kind enough to let me provide you a private tour .

The owners of this gorgeous historical home on the water wanted to do a renovation.

You can see how much character the home has and they wanted to keep that feeling so they called upon Anthony Barnes of Barnes Vanze Architects to help design their renovation. Let's have a look: The Entry Hall is a lovely of mix of old and new. Notice the stone arches which lead into the Dining Room. I like the choice of the wood and white paint on the staircase.

The Dining Room is just beautiful. Notice how the granite stone of the archway is echoed in the stone fireplace. Also notice the detailing in this room. I love the wood arched doorway and the built in; they both also echo the stone archway. Peeking further you can see the stunning wood and marble Butler's Pantry.

Also notice the coffered ceilings which add an additional layer of detail - the ceilings are very high, so it also brings them down a bit - I also love the turned wood chandelier.

Here is a close up of the Butler's Pantry area. It is interesting to me that french doors open up right beside it. I think this is a great idea, and a very thoughtful part of the design, to have access to the Pantry for entertaining indoors and out. Great architects always think ahead!

Moving to the Kitchen we see more period style details incorporated like this charming oval window over the sink.

Pulling back and getting a larger view of the kitchen you can see how every inch of space was utilized including under the stairs. Also notice the stone work and the transition of stone to plaster up the staircase. I love this effect and how it cleverly solves the design problem - so you don't harshly have stone butted up against plaster.

Another kitchen view where you can see an antique fireback incorporated into the white subway tile behind the stove. Wonderful combinations of old and new!

The family room captures the views of the water at every turn. You can only see a bit of the fireplace, but it is also the same granite stone we have been seeing in other parts of the house. Perfect coastal decor with antiques, sisal rugs and slipcovers. Notice the ceiling detail - love it!

Finally a perfect tub for a perfect retreat - Isn't this a beautiful home in Maine??

To learn more about Barnes Vanze Archietects click HERE

For more inspiring interiors photographed by James R. Salomon Photography click HERE.

(All photos Jame R. Salomon Photography and not to be copied with permission)

Antique China

Today is the 79th Tablescape Thursdays over at Between Naps on the Porch, so I thought I would share with a you a recent gathering I had where I used my antique Johnson Brothers green china.

You might remember that one of my goals of my Butler's Pantry renovation was to build some beautiful glass front cabinets to house these precious antiques. You can read all about the Butler's Pantry here.

But what good is China if you are only going to look at it behind glass? I decided to set it out for everyone to enjoy. You can see the antique soup tureen above.

I used Lemon Cypress trees as the centerpiece and pulled out my Apilco chocolate cups for individual arrangements at each place setting. I just put in a spring of greens and some berries.

You can see the bone dishes on the right - we used these as interesting bread plates.

And the covered dish held butter pats I made in pretty butter molds. I should have taken a photo of those!

I'll reveal the rest of the Dining Room on Monday but until then remember to enjoy your china and don't just keep it hidden behind glass.

Head on over to Tablescape Thursday to see more wonderful tables!!

Here's what you're saying!

It's always so interesting to me which topics resonate so strongly with readers - No upper cabinets in the kitchen is one I have received an incredible amount of email and comments about over the past few days. Readers, bloggers, designers and kitchen enthusiasts all have sent me their opinions and many have sent on photos. This kitchen from Southern Living turned up both in my inbox and on the Gardenweb! Everyone agreed the windows were wonderful. This kitchen won high marks because of its size, it is so large the storage aspect would not be compromised. Another kitchen from Southern Living with a similar feel, though this kitchen had a mix of windowed walls and storage walls. Having both seems to be a popular trade off. Linda Banks of Banks Design (one of my favorite designers) contacted me. She mentioned she wrote an article over 15 years ago in the now defunct, Decorating and Remodeling Magazine, shunning upper cabinets. She continues to limit their use in her kitchen designs. Here is a beautiful kitchen she did in CT.

Linda built free standing cupboards for extra storage. I love the mirrored fronts. To see posts of more of Linda's work click here.

This kitchen by Smallbone found its way to me via a reader in New Orleans. She thought I also might like the industrial stools. (which I do!) Notice the height of the ceilings in this kitchen - I think it adds to the drama. Many of these kitchens highlighted different types of storage - Here we see a copper pot rack on the wall. This could easily free up a lower cabinet for dishes. This kitchen is from Plain English. Many readers also mentioned that omitting the upper cabinets is easier when other types of storage are available. This kitchen from HGTV shows a Hoosier cupboard.
Photos of European kitchens came my way - here is another one from Plain English. This is a favorite of mine, I love simplicity and warmth in this kitchen. Another blogger directed me to architect Ruard Veltman who often sans upper cabinets. Isn't this kitchen fabulous?! Here is another angle of this great room! Notice the wonderful inset shelves on the left.

Most readers agreed that having a Butler's Pantry or large wall of cabinetry allowed the rest of the kitchen to be freed up to allow for windows. Veltman outdid himself with this striking wall of cabinetry.
This wonderful paneled wall turns into a trove of hidden cabinets. Spectacular! To see more of Veltman's work here. To see more on Butler's Pantries click here.

.

Thank you all for commenting and sending on the photos. It seems the overall verdict was that people preferred the natural light. And if space allowed, they wanted to at least incorporate one wall of windows. Let's wait and see then, if this does in fact become a trend!

A Home by the Sea by Hutker Architects

Mention fabulous residential architecture in Massachusetts and inevitably you will hear the name Hutker Architects. Their work has been published in leading design magazines including Coastal Living and Architectural Digest. Also the winner of numerous design awards and most recently inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame, Mark Hutker, and his team, have created an impressive body of work.

Let's have a look at a wonderful, newly constructed ocean front home. This is the view of the impressive home from the water.

From the entry the home feels inviting; not huge or imposing.

This was achieved by designing a courtyard setting. Notice the the garage barn doors and wonderful coastal landscaping. It looks as if this house was just dropped on to the beach dunes.

A wonderful feature is the front entry porch which opens and looks directly through the back doors to the ocean. I love the columns, notice the heft of them and how the base is larger on the bottom.

The living room truly captures the coastal feel. I love the inlaid wood compass rose on the floor. I suspect it is positioned to point just as the house sits on the property.

Another angle of the living room which gives us a peek at some lovely window seats.

The view from the Butler's Pantry into the Dining Room and then on to the Living Room.

Pretty white kitchen with mosaic backsplash. Emeco industrial stools at the center island.

Of course if you are guests here you would be staying in the Guest House on the property. I love how well this home compliments the main house.

Here is the Guest House kitchen, artfully designed to include every appliance. I suspect this is stocked with all kinds of wonderful goodies

Notice the beautiful ceiling details.

Finally, no home by the ocean is complete with out a boat house. What a sweet, charming structure and so well landscaped.

Thanks to Hutker Architects for designing another wonderful home by sea...

(all photos by Brian Vanden Brink and property of Hutker Architects)

(Never miss a post Subscribe to Willow Decor in the above right box!)

Finding a Niche for a Home Office

Apartment Therapy
I am always so impressed the way designers and architects find small niches for home offices. In my own home , we have a dedicated office space, but my husband often works from home and so it is "his"office. That left me trying to carve out a niche for myself in some other area of the house.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for fitting in an office when space is tight.

Brian Vanden Brink

A quaint space, but look closer and you will see this office is in the bathroom. Not sure how the moisture will effect the computer, but in homes with large baths this is a creative alternative.

Hutker Architects
Have a small area in your hallway? Here is wonderful little space that has been efficiently utilized.

Domenic Mercadante
Here is an office created in the far part of a butler's pantry. Spaces doing double duty!

Willow Decor

Here is where I ended up! I carved out a niche office for myself when I created my Butler's Pantry. It does double duty as a functional pantry, housing appliances, serving pieces and dishes, as well as cabinets to hold internet wiring, printer and family files. Read all about it here.

Apartment Therapy

Is this a closet with a window, an entry or landing? This is one of my all time favorites. I love the the shelf desk and the wonderful natural light.

Centerbrook Architects
An attic alcove has just enough space for a small desk and chair.

Anthony DiGregario Architects
Here is an unusual space at the top of a landing. The owner added built ins for a very efficient space -notice how they wrap around to the right.
. Tittman Architects
This area is not quite as small as some of the others but I included it because it is a space used by two people or one that does double duty. Notice the desk behind the table. Perhaps a shared space or the table is used for crafting.


Better Homes and Gardens
Another small area at the top of a landing or part of a small bonus/loft room.


Country Living
Although this office area is not in a small room; it is in a small space. Interestingly the desk is tucked into the bookcase design, taking very little space up in the room. Very creative!


Restyled Home
Here is a desk area tucked into a pass thru hallway. I like the vertical use of space in this area. The two chairs are also very functional for a parent to sit and help with homework.



This Old House
Of course a well designed closet space can be turned into a wonderful office. Take off the doors and viola - home office!


Steve & Chris
Or leave the doors on and close them if things get too messy. I really like the bulletin and peg boards on the doors for storage and notes.

Apartment Therapy
This is a wonderful modern example of how any space can be turned into an office.


Let me know how you have used an unusual area in your home as an office!