High jewellery with dazzling effects

This article highlights the transformation of a high-rise galley kitchen in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, owned by Ivee and Sam Fromkin. Perched on the 18th floor, the apartment offers panoramic views of the Shrewsbury River, the Atlantic Ocean, and the New York skyline. After 25 years, the existing kitchen, which had become worn from daily use and frequent entertaining, underwent a significant renovation to maximize space and modernize its aesthetic and functionality. Ivee Fromkin, an interior designer herself, spearheaded the renovation. The initial galley kitchen was constrained, prompting her to raise the ceiling to create a more open feel. A wall separating the kitchen from the dining room was removed, allowing for a more fluid connection between the spaces. To further enhance the kitchen's footprint and functionality, 4 feet were incorporated from the adjacent dining room. This reclaimed space allowed for the installation of a counter with seating for four, strategically angled to provide diners with optimal views. Despite retaining a galley layout, the redesigned kitchen feels considerably more spacious. Ivee emphasized the importance of accessibility and efficiency in her design, noting that during cooking, everything is within easy reach. The renovation also included significant appliance upgrades, such as replacing a single wall oven with a double oven. A notable addition is a refrigerator featuring French-style glass doors, which Ivee describes as a "gem" for its aesthetic appeal. Material selection was a crucial aspect of the renovation, balancing beauty with practicality. The countertops were chosen in hammered black granite with a dull finish, contrasting with the shiny black granite floors that were original to the apartment. This choice was deliberate, as the dull finish helps conceal fingerprints and dust, making maintenance easier. The rough edges of the countertops also add a textural element and visual interest to the space. Glass-front cabinets were installed, offering both a decorative element and practical visibility, allowing the Fromkins to easily locate items. The backsplash features white Carerra marble, cut in two different sizes to add visual depth and interest. The walls were painted white, with a subtle touch of pale lilac used inside the tray ceilings, providing a "tiny pop of color." The reconfigured layout also created space for a dedicated bar area on the dining room side, where the Fromkins proudly display their collection of cocktail shakers. The article mentions that bar stools, purchased in 1990, were revitalized with crisp white slipcovers, chosen for their easy washability. This choice inspired Ivee to use the same pure-white cotton fabric for slipcovers on all the living room furniture, ensuring durability and ease of cleaning, especially with grandchildren actively using the space. Completed in 2008, the kitchen continues to maintain a chic and contemporary appearance. For the Fromkins, it has become the central hub of their home, where they enjoy dinner at the counter each night, savoring the sunset views. The breathtaking views from their apartment are cited by Sam Fromkin as a primary reason for their continued enjoyment of the residence. #HomeRenovation #KitchenDesign #InteriorDesign #HighRiseLiving #SpaceMaximization #LuxuryKitchen #MonmouthBeach #HomeDecor #ApplianceUpgrades

The selection of backsplashes and countertops represents a pivotal aspect of kitchen design, blending aesthetic appeal with functional necessity. While backsplashes offer extensive creative freedom to establish a kitchen's mood or reflect a client's persona, countertops, despite their practical role, contribute significantly to the overall beauty of the space. When these two elements are harmonized, they elevate the kitchen's design to an exceptional level. This article compiles insights from various designers who share their projects, demonstrating how backsplashes and countertops collaboratively create visually pleasing and highly functional kitchens. Genevieve Trousdale, principal designer at Circa Genevieve, emphasizes integrating nature into kitchen designs. She often uses natural stone, such as Elegant Brown Leather quartzite countertops, and stained oak cabinetry. The quartzite, with its brown, taupe, and deep-sea green hues, provides a grounding yet seductive horizontal surface. Custom oak cabinetry, featuring mullions designed to resemble a mountain range, complements the natural theme. Frosted glass in the upper cabinets mimics the sky, enhancing the outdoor ambiance. The backsplash, hand-painted with an olive tree on glossy white ceramic tiles, further extends the nature theme, symbolizing the client's desire for a unique kitchen that brings the outdoors in. An adjacent wall showcases a single olive branch with a bird, along with a metal pot rack for copper pots, adding both storage and display. The versatility of the white tile also allows for varied design treatments, as seen in another project where metal accents are used with the same tile. Lauren DeBello of Lauren DeBello Interiors notes the rising popularity of zellige tile for backsplashes due to its handmade, unique texture and timeless appeal. While white and ivory are common requests, DeBello successfully incorporated blush-colored zellige tile for a client seeking a 'wow' kitchen with a touch of pink. The tile is extended from countertop to ceiling on the focal wall, with floating shelves accentuating the height. White cabinetry and Vadara's Carrara quartz countertops, featuring subtle gray veining, ensure the backsplash remains the central design element. DeBello highlights quartz's durability and ease of maintenance as key reasons for its popularity among her clients. She also advocates for extending countertop material to the backsplash for a sophisticated, easy-to-clean look, and finds pleasure in assisting clients with these crucial selections. Rebekah Zaveloff, design director and co-founder of KitchenLab Interiors, employs a holistic approach to material selection, considering the overall vibe of the kitchen. She evaluates light and dark tones, colors, and the 'language' of each material, ensuring a balanced design where statement pieces are complemented by quieter elements. Zaveloff observes current trends such as zellige and hand-painted terracotta tiles, as well as marble with brass inlays and multi-stone mosaics. Antiqued mirror is also used in butler's pantries for light reflection. Full-height quartzite or marble backsplashes remain popular for modern projects. She prioritizes honest conversations with clients about material characteristics and maintenance to guide them toward informed decisions, especially concerning materials like marble. In older homes, Zaveloff often creates layered looks by mixing materials like natural stone, ceramic tile, and beadboard. An example includes a renovated 1890s home with Carrara marble countertops, a butcher block island, and a painted brick wall with subway tile, aiming for vintage authenticity. Mel McDaniel, founder of Mel McDaniel Design, encourages clients to prioritize personal happiness over trends in finish selections. In one project, she designed an eclectic French kitchen with vibrant colors and patterns, including black painted cabinets, a black and white checkered floor, and a rich blue True refrigerator. A New Ravenna Kelp Forest Alexandrite mosaic tile backsplash in blues and greens served as a unique focal point. McDaniel emphasizes that backsplashes can be a canvas for special design elements. For bold backsplashes, she recommends quieter countertop materials like quartz or natural stone, ensuring durability and easy maintenance. In this instance, Cambria Portrush quartz, with its soft white foundation and navy veins, was chosen to complement the striking backsplash. McDaniel sometimes starts with the backsplash to fully explore its design potential, recognizing its significant role in defining the kitchen's vibe. Erin Judge, studio director and senior designer at Kelle Contine Interior Design, focused on authenticity and raw materials for a new-construction home. In the kitchen, visible steel beams, wood accents, and concrete floors set the tone. A blackened steel ventilation hood, flanked by hidden cabinets, is contrasted by a small stack mosaic tile backsplash from Ann Sack’s Savoy Collection. The metallic glaze and Graphite colorway of the tile provide shimmer and texture, while its smaller scale balances the hood's heft. Caesarstone’s Organic White quartz countertops, with a waterfall edge on an 11-foot island, offer a soft white, consistent surface without excessive veining, meeting the client's preference for understated finishes. Judge notes the popularity of durable, low-maintenance quartz and quartzite. She often extends countertop material to the backsplash for a clean, contemporary look, especially with bold veining or texture. Porcelain slabs are also gaining traction for their varied textural patterns beyond natural stone, offering design flexibility and durability. #Backsplashes #Countertops #KitchenDesign #InteriorDesign #NaturalStone #Quartzite #ZelligeTile #HomeRenovation #DesignTrends

Hapny Home has introduced its new Knurled collection, a line of solid brass cabinet hardware designed to blend architectural form with functional elegance. This collection comprises a diverse range of hardware pieces, including a cabinet knob, three distinct cabinet pulls, and two appliance pulls. Each item within the Knurled collection is available in five distinct finishes: Graphite, Polished Nickel, Satin Brass, Satin Nickel, and Aged Brass, offering versatility to complement various interior design aesthetics. A defining characteristic of the Knurled collection is its meticulous attention to detail. Every piece is crafted with a smooth cylindrical bar, providing a comfortable and ergonomic grip. This smooth surface is contrasted with elegantly rounded stems that ensure a seamless integration with cabinetry. A key design element that sets this collection apart is the diamond knurled accent positioned near the base of each piece. This textured detail adds a subtle yet sophisticated tactile element, inviting interaction and enhancing the overall sensory experience of the hardware. The knurling not only contributes to the aesthetic appeal but also offers an improved grip, combining beauty with practical functionality. The choice of solid brass as the primary material underscores the collection's commitment to quality and durability. Brass is known for its strength, resistance to corrosion, and its ability to develop a unique patina over time, which can add character and a sense of history to a space. The variety of finishes further expands the design possibilities, allowing designers and homeowners to select options that either harmonize with existing decor or create a striking contrast. Graphite, for instance, offers a contemporary and industrial feel, while Polished Nickel provides a classic, reflective shine that brightens a space. Satin Brass introduces a warm, inviting glow without the high reflectivity of polished finishes, making it suitable for both modern and traditional settings. Satin Nickel presents a subtle, matte metallic look, often preferred for its understated elegance and ability to blend with stainless steel appliances. Aged Brass, with its darkened and antique appearance, evokes a sense of vintage charm and sophistication. The Knurled collection caters to a wide array of cabinetry needs, from standard kitchen and bathroom cabinets to larger appliance doors, ensuring a cohesive design language throughout a living space. The various pull lengths allow for customization based on the size and weight of the drawers and doors, providing both aesthetic balance and functional support. The combination of classic material, thoughtful design details, and a broad selection of finishes makes the Knurled collection a versatile option for enhancing the aesthetic and tactile quality of any interior. #KnurledHardware #CabinetHardware #SolidBrass #HapnyHome #DecorativeHardware #InteriorDesign #KitchenDesign #BathDesign #HomeDecor

The Salon Art + Design fair this year showcased a prevailing aesthetic in interior design, moving away from deeply saturated and moody color palettes towards a resurgence of iridescent and reflective surfaces. While earlier trends favored dark burgundies, chocolate browns, elaborate millwork, densely floral wall coverings, and intricate tile floors, alongside dark-toned woods with textured details and marquetry, the fair demonstrated a shift. This new direction introduced shimmering elements like gold leaf, patinated bronze, textured steel, tinted glass, and resin, applied across a range of items from chandeliers to chairs. This integration of reflective materials serves as a luminous counterpoint to the previously dominant somber tones, suggesting a desire for optimism and lightness in design. Key pieces at the fair exemplified this trend. Nathalie Ziegler’s *Milano Chandelier*, presented by Twenty First Gallery, captivated with its iridescent and sandblasted glass elements. Its pixel-like form, loosely inspired by neoclassical designs, showcased intricate handblown and cut glass pieces collaged together to diffuse light uniquely. JG Neukomm’s *Abditio Cabinet*, displayed by Charles Burnand Gallery, featured four mirrored glass doors that mimicked artichoke petals. These doors, crafted from uneven and bubbly glass layered over mirrored sheets, shifted between transparency and opacity, contrasting with the cabinet's somber blackened steel body. Sam Orlando Miller’s *Cielo Nuovo Iris* wall-piece, exhibited by Gallery FUMI, utilized faceted dichroic glass to create a colorful, mirrored gemstone effect. This was achieved by applying thin layers of metal oxide to refract light, a technique enhanced by an additional layer of paint for further light diffusion. Also from Gallery FUMI, Voukenas Petrides’s *Split Tube Chair*, forged from bronze, defied the metal's typical appearance by being polished to a fully reflective state. Its design, suggestive of a peeled, divided cylinder, maintained visible folds and curves, allowing light to reflect in multiple directions, highlighting its delicate yet hardy nature. Maarten Vrolijk’s *Sakura* pendants, showcased at Todd Merrill Studio, were glass vessels adorned with jewel-toned fragments embedded in their thick bases. These shattered elements, incorporated while the glass was semi-liquid, engaged light from various angles, amplified by a gold-foil-covered wall. Pierre Bonnefille’s *Bronze Painting 229*, presented by Les Atelier Courbet, explored the effects of liquid metal on a flat surface. Using craft techniques on copper, pigment, and wood, Bonnefille demonstrated how molten material could drip, ripple, and solidify into glossy finishes on a mesh base. Mathieu Lehanneur, known for his material experimentation, debuted new pieces at his own booth, including the *Balcony Sideboard*. This cast metal piece featured a ripple-like outer shell, translating the movement of water waves into a solid form, creating dramatic shadows and a pearlescent effect. Nicolas and Sébastien Reese’s *Acamas* mirror, displayed by Galerie Carole Decombe, blended painting with reflection. Its main mirror, encased in a notched aluminum frame, presented a warped, blurry, and cloudy surface with increasing oxidation around the rim, causing objects to appear as ghostly figures within the frame. Finally, Henry Baumann’s *Excessive Boo* bench, presented by Wexler Gallery, featured colorful, bubbling elements made from semi-translucent, shiny resin. These components, when combined, created an iridescent and fluid appearance, resembling a collection of balloons compressed into a rectilinear shape. Overall, the fair underscored a significant design movement towards incorporating diverse reflective materials and techniques to introduce luminosity, depth, and a sense of visual intrigue into interiors, balancing out the earlier preference for darker, more intense aesthetics. #DesignEdit #SalonArtAndDesign #GalleryFUMI #FurnitureDesign #DesignHunting #DesignFair #InteriorDesignTrends #ReflectiveSurfaces #ModernFurniture #ArtDecoRevival