Kitchen Design by Susan Tully

Color Expert, Maria Killam, is a huge proponent of the white kitchen.  White cabinetry is timeless and works for all kinds of styles – country, european, contemporary, modern. 

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You may be concerned that an all-white kitchen means no personality, no style, no design.  Well, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Here are the top 5 ways The Decorologist personalizes the white kitchen (without making an expensive mistake you’ll regret in 3 years):

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1) Bring in a signature color through wall paint.  Wall color is easily changed when you or a new owner wants a different look.  Not so easy to change out the cabinetry or trendy backsplash.

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2) Make a statement with your island.  This is a great place to bring in texture, contrasting material, or an interesting color.  Again, not as difficult to change when and if you tire of it.

3)  Let your lighting take center stage.  Make a bold choice in overhead lighting in the kitchen.  This is a great way to showcase your personality without making a “permanent” statement.

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4)  Add personality with a free-standing piece of furniture, like a hutch or a breakfast table.  The most timeless and interesting kitchens are those with more than just built-in cabinetry.

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5)  Add color inside your cabinets or in the back of a hutch.  Or add your color through accessories and wall art.

Vinyl tile is favored over other kinds of flooring materials in high-traffic areas because of its low cost, durability, and ease of maintenance. Vinyl tiles have high resilience to abrasion and impact damage and can be repeatedly refinished.   Not only is VCT easy to install (I’ve done it myself!), individual tiles can be easily removed and replaced when damaged.

It’s available in a variety of colors from several major flooring manufacturers including Armstrong, Mannington, and Farbo.  Tiles can easily be cut and assembled into colorful and decorative patterns.  It’s really all about the colors chosen and the design assembled.

In simple designs of 2 colors, I think that tiles laid on the diagonal are your best bet.  The diagonal placement increases the visual perception of space, making your room appear larger.

Vinyl composition tiles took the place of asbestos tiles, which were widely used in schools, hospitals, offices, and public buildings up until the 1980s.  Use of tiles and adhesives containing asbestos were discontinued when it was determined to be hazardous. Tiles free of asbestos are easily distinguished by their size – asbestos tiles were commonly manufactured in 9-inch squares.

It works great in modern and contemporary settings when laid in a confident, modern design.

Or in a traditional setting, like this one.  Again, on the diagonal takes it up a notch.

And it works perfectly in vintage/period settings.  My husband and I installed ours in one night 8 years ago.  I chose 3 colors and experimented with lots of designs until I finally decided on this one.

This flooring is CHEAP.  Less than $1 a square foot (!)  It’s warmer and easier on the legs than ceramic tile, looks a ton better than vinyl sheeting (ugh), and is more water resistant than hardwood.  And you can insert YOUR creativity and personality into this versatile flooring.  Hey, it even works in bathrooms, playrooms, and rec rooms.  Are you convinced yet?

Photo Credits:  KeepDominoAlive, ApartmentTherapy,  DJC, SeattlePi,  Elle Decor, TinyPics,  DeesDesignBlog,  StoneBrookStaging.