Traditional Blue Kitchen Design: What Makes it Timeless?

Is it my favorite kitchen of all time? I do love a European country kitchen or any space touched by Pamela Pierce, yet this stand out from an Atlanta 2017 showhouse (kitchen with blue kitchen cabinets designed by Matthew Quinn & Lauren DeLoach). continues to reign since it never fails to soothe! We recently explored its starring design element: the color of the cabinets HERE, and today we’ll muse about this traditional blue kitchen and What Makes it Timeless?

Sources: Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Design Indulgence Design: Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria & Lauren Deloach Interiors

Traditional Blue Kitchen Design: What Makes it Timeless?

Light Blue Kitchen Cabinets With Brass Hardware

This traditional kitchen’s renovation was packed with rich character and also classic details to meld seamlessly within this historic home. The kitchen needed to blend proportionally and function for modern living with ample storage and a place for everything.

Wolf Range With Custom Vent Hood

Isn’t that custom range hood spectacular?

The main hood material is burnished, and the strapping is hammered as well as polished.

Something magical happens when cool blue meets warm gold!

Instead of a kitchen stuck in time, the more modern color story and professional appliances create a timeless feel.

Notice traditional details such as the cabinet style, the handpainted finish on them, the ceiling millwork, and even the arch of the window.

I find the domed pendants to be another strike of genius.

While Old World lanterns could have easily been at home above the island, a more modern silhouette feels more interesting and balances all of the tradition.

Design Elements to Work With Blue Cabinetry

The tranquil blue in this kitchen lend an airy serene mood and was inspired by the homeowner’s favorite color.

PAINT COLORS…Sherwin William ALABASTER on walls and also F&B LIGHT BLUE on cabinetry.

Read about how Alabaster is still a strong contender for interiors in THIS.

Curious about this shade of blue-green? Me too. Did you know you can order a sample? (Click on the paint can below). Yep. I just did and painted a small canvas to get a feel for the hue before using, and guess what? It read very green in my light…not at all as blue-grey as photos online suggested.

So before investing in a whole gallon or getting carried away in your imagination with a particular paint color, invest in a small sample and see what you think!

Butler Pantry With Round Window & Sink

The butler pantry has lots of storage and even a full size freezer and dishwasher.

The custom handmade tile is from Renaissance Tile.

Again, we get a sense of the harmony of gold tones and cool blue.

Notice the color of the grout which keeps things so subtle and connected.

The detail of under-cabinet lighting becomes more important in a more dim area such as this pantry.

And isn’t this embroidered detail lovely with the texture of the linen on the roman shade? It will still look fresh and relevant years from now!

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Marble Waterfall Style Kitchen Island

Looking for trends in this designer project? The waterfall design element on the island surprised me.

Yet I love it because of the layer of rich luxury it adds. There’s nothing flimsy about that gorgeous hunk of exquisite stone with light grey veining hugging lower cabinets.

Interior designer Lauren Deloach shared shopping resources and many behind the scenes secrets behind this light blue kitchen!

Magnificent Arched Window Over Farm Sink

The arched window is an architectural element that ushers in natural light as well as becoming a feature which is glorious to behold.

It certainly isn’t a detail we can easily emulate!

However, the lamps!

See if there is a pocket in your kitchen a little lamplight might brighten. And don’t overlook a floor lamp to cozy a dim corner.

Scalloped China Plates Displayed on Wall

Of the old Ridgeway plates which are hung on the wall next to the farm sink, the designer told Hello Lovely:

“I found them at Interiors Market in Atlanta and have never seen any others. They were the exact shade of the cabinet color so I think they were meant to be there.”

Keep hunting down the perfect pretty plates to display on your kitchen walls, friends. You just may strike gold like Lauren did.

Kitchen Island Pendants

I love the reflective gloss of these Goodman hanging lights!

And what a difference the gold toned interior makes.

My eye is beginning to favor warm gold in traditional kitchens, and this burnished effect has me sold.

Light Blue Hand Applied Painted Cabinets

In this completely custom kitchen, Farrow & Ball Light Blue paint was hand-brushed on the cabinets. How many coats of paint? Since I recently painted my own cupboards, I’m guessing more than a few

The designers felt this application increased the character of the space and better integrated it with the original house.

Brush marks left by the coats of paint give the cabinetry a look as if it has been painted many times over the years!

Isn’t it amusing that homeowners angst over getting a perfect factory sprayed on finish for cabinets, and a high end luxury one like this sees the beauty of brushstrokes? I am 100% a brushstroke girl.

Breakfast Nook With Built-Ins

Oh, the subtle blue gray checks and all of the upholstered goodness in here.

It is such a beautiful example of timelessness. Giving yourself display area for collected treasures and serving pieces in the very place you’ll sit and dine each day…genius.

Antique Creamware on Shelves

The reticulated basketweave creamware pieces were borrowed from Interiors Market as a graphic pop against the blue wood.

More gold tones in here that just sing with white on the table.

Wouldn’t it be fun to create a round mirror that reads “window” like this somewhere in your own home?

Farrow & Ball Light Blue Paint

Find more details about the F&B Light Blue in THIS.

Hammered Brass Hardware & Nailhead Details

What say ye about this gorgeous hardware?

Do you love it when it is un-laquered so it can live and change and develop patina?

It’s such a timeless design move to choose finishes which will last a lifetime or two.

If you’re not sure about living with brass or gold-tones, maybe try a wall sconce and see what you think about living with it.

Even changing out drawer hardware on a desk or single piece will help you decide if it’s for you.

The hardware in here feels traditional and so lovely.

Cowtan & Tout Buffalo Check Upholstery

In the breakfast room, the banquette’s seat is covered in recycled leather, and the back upholstered in a blue check fabric from Cowtan & Tout.

The millwork is a masterpiece in this dining area, and what a testament to using color instead of white shiplap we seem to see everywhere (along with subway tile!).

I’m not sure what the sentiments will be in a few years about subway tile everywhere from apartment living to condos and cottages.

More Designs in the Atlanta Showhouse

Couldn’t resist peeking at the homeowner’s amazing blue bedroom.

That chandelier!

4 Designer Tips for Achieving a Timeless Look

1. Incorporate antiques, and don’t be shy about actually using them…they should function for you!

2. Cross-reference a few of the design elements. In this kitchen, a light blue color and also the metal finish were repeated.

3. Repeat a particular pattern.

4. In terms of fabric for a space, MORE is MORE; curtains and pillows can certainly make or break the space.

Shopping Resources for This Kitchen

Kitchen PAINT COLOR F&B Light Blue CABINETRY AND KITCHEN BACKSPLASH Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio HARDWARE Matthew Quinn Collection COUNTERTOPS Levantina, fabricated by Construction Resources SINKS & FAUCETS Rohl TILE Renaissance Tile & Bath RANGE, WARMING DRAWER, STEAM OVEN & HOOD Wolf REFRIGERATOR Sub-Zero DISHWASHER Asko LIGHTING Circa RUG Moattar INSERTS Rev-a-Shelf Dining Area RUG Moattar CREAMWARE Interiors Market MONOGRAMMED LINENS Custom through Gramercy Home GOBLETS AND BUD VASES Erika Reade Ltd. CUSTOM BANQUETTE AND WINDOW WALL Bjork Studio ALL FABRICS Cowtan & Tout LIGHTING Circa Lighting

Say Hello Lovely To a Blue Bistro Kitchen!

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Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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