Skip to content

Posts from the ‘Things we Love’ Category

Jun 18

1 Comment

Steal this Idea! Summer Design Contest | Bracket C | Downtown

Up next in the ring, the classy and charming Mother’s Bistro is ready to take on the romantic and sophisticated Hubers Cafe. Whose design details would you steal in our Steal this Idea! Summer Design Contest? Read on.

Want to play along at home and win dinner for 2? Here’s how to do it:

  1. Complete and submit a bracket by June 30th.
  2. Vote in the comments for which restaurant’s vibe you’d most like to steal for your own home

Click here for more information and contest rules.

Mother’s Bistro

This homey cafe and bar with country-chic decor specializes in hearty comfort-food classics.

Stealable Idea #1: Wainscoting

Whether a dining space or bathroom, wainscoting adds a new dimensionality and texture to a space.

Wainscoting adds charm to any room. Design by Anne De Wolf.

Find the wainscoting that fits your style at Pioneer Millworks or McCoy Millwork.

Stealable Idea #2: Wallpaper

Wallpaper can be an alternative to paint, or an addition. We love this bold design complemented by dark wainscoting and gold accessories.

This Arciform client made a statement with a bold yet sophisticated wallpaper at her entryway. Design by Kristyn Bester.

Whether you’re looking for a subtle design or something funky, Farrow & Ball and Miller Paint have you covered.

Stealable Idea #3: Shelving

We love these high shelves throughout the bistro, great for storing treasures that shouldn’t be touched!

The high shelving in this historic kitchen provides a perfect place to display special items and mimics the millwork. Design by Anne De Wolf.

House of Antique Hardware has great shelving bracket options and McCoy Millwork can supply you with the perfect molding option.

Hubers

Known for their turkey dinners, this 1879 establishment is Portland’s oldest restaurant!

Stealable Idea #1: Stained Glass

The arched stained glass is not only breathtaking, but unique and we love it!

Stealable Idea #2: Gothic Arches

These dark framed Gothic arch mirrors are romantic and classy.

This eclectic kitchen incorporated a Gothic arch and stained glass window. Design by Anne De Wolf.

The above Gothic arch window was custom made by Versatile Wood Products. There are a few good options in Portland for salvaged stained glass: The ReBuilding Center, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, Old Portland Hardware & Architectural and Chuck Franklin Glass Studio.

Stealable Idea #3: Dark Wood Paneled Walls

These dark wood paneled walls are dramatic and a perfect way to balance the tall ceilings.

The wood paneled walls in this roomy bathroom tie in with the window framing. Design by Anne De Wolf.

For all of your paneling needs, McCoy Millwork or Pioneer Millworks are great sources.

Time to vote: tell us which style you’d choose. Pick one and tell us in the comments!

Explore the Arciform Project Galleries | About Arciform | Schedule a Design Consultation

Jun 15

4 Comments

Steal this Idea! Summer Design Contest | Bracket B | NoPo

sweedeedee exterior

Up next in our Steal this Idea! Summer Design Contest,  Sweedeedee’s simple charms sidle up against the sophisticated swagger of Expatriate. Whose design details would you steal? Read on.

Want to play along at home and win dinner for 2? Here’s how to do it:

  1. Complete and submit a bracket by June 30th.
  2. Vote in the comments for which restaurant’s vibe you’d most like to steal for your own home

Click here for more information and contest rules.

Sweedeedee

This cozy cafe serves up home-style breakfast and lunch in the Humboldt neighborhood.

Stealable Idea #1: Butcher Block Counter

A butcher block counter, whether throughout your kitchen or just a part, adds warmth and natural tones to the space.

Restaurants_Sweedeedee_VintageEnamelBarnLights_ButcherBlockTable_2

The butcher block counter at this prep area pops against the white cabinetry. Ideal space for canning as it’s a softer surface for glass jars. Design by Chelly Wentworth.

Versatile Wood Products is a great place to have a custom butcher block counter made.

Stealable Idea #2: Open Shelving

Open shelving can be a great way to add color and personality to your kitchen that can be changed up by simply adding or removing items. Salvaged or unique shelving brackets also add a point of interest.

Restaurants_Sweedeedee_OpenShelving_ColorfulCannedGoods_

Designed to look like a storefront, this pantry utilizes opening shelving to store colorful and interesting items.

Designed to look like a storefront, this pantry utilizes opening shelving to store colorful and interesting items. Design by Anne De Wolf.

Open shelving is another project that Versatile Wood Products can tackle. For unique brackets, we typically turn to House of Antique Hardware.

Stealable Idea #3: Wood Paneled Ceiling

To get that rustic vibe, add some wood paneling to your ceiling and paint it white.

Restaurants_Sweedeedee_WhitePaneledCeiling_ArtDecoPendants_ (1)2

By painting a wood paneled ceiling white, another dimension is added to the room. Design by Anne De Wolf.

By painting a wood paneled ceiling white, another dimension is added to the room. Design by Anne De Wolf.

Wood paneling can be a DIY project, purchasing lumber and fixing it to the ceiling, or you can purchase sheet paneling from places like McCoy Millwork or The Home Depot.

Expatriate

This hip bar in the Concordia neighborhood is known for their cocktails and “drinking snacks”.

Stealable Idea #1: Wood Features

A walnut top bar sets the tone for this swanky space.

Restaurants_Expatriate_RawConcreteFloor_

The natural wood cabinetry in this mid-century kitchen creates a warm space while the custom brass hardware adds a sophisticated touch. Design by Anne De Wolf.

Veneer is a good option for creating a mid-century appropriate wood feature in your home. There are a few local options: Goby, Crosscut Hardwood, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware.

Stealable Idea #2: Exotic Pieces

Add personality to your space by incorporating a favorite piece, whether it’s from a trip or just because it looks cool.

Restaurants_Expatriate_AsianMotifs_DarkWalls_ColorfulMoonGate_

Versatile Wood Products created a custom Tansu chest for a client.

Whether you picked up a special piece on a recent vacation or have a family heirloom to incorporate, personal touches go a long way in a space. Replicas are always an option too, the Versatile Wood Products Custom Design Team can make your dreams come true.

Stealable Idea #3: Dark & Dramatic Paint

Sometimes the bathroom facilities offer inspiration. Have a bold personality? Match it with a paint color!

Restaurants_Expatriate_BoldRedWalls_Bathroom_

ClaypoolCraven_1962_WC_A_2_P_Pro

The vivid orange red in this mid-century guest bath makes a small space really pop. Design by Anne De Wolf.

Paint options are endless! Farrow & Ball is a great place to find some paint inspiration.

Time to choose: which style gets your vote? Pick one and tell us in the comments!

May 6

3 Comments

Knife Storage Solutions

knife-storage-brooklyn-home-company-remodelista_0

We asked our Junior Designers for some of their favorite knife storage solutions. Read on to find out what Bianca and Kat have been seeing lately…

Bianca says…

This is the knife block that I have at home. I absolutely love it because it’s a beautiful way to display my knives and very easy to access.

west elm knife block

Kat and Bianca agree…

The best knife storage solutions are easily accessible in a prep area but are still out of the way of little hands. The drawer insert is probably one of the best options and would also age appropriately with the home. They keep countertop clutter to a minimum and protect the knives, too. You can have drawer inserts custom-created to fit into a very shallow top drawer for flat things like spatulas, etc.

DuraSupreme.com Knife drawer

Because Bianca is a sucker for unique design, she loves these options…

wrench knife

saddle knife

Kat says…

Another popular option for very busy chefs who prefer to have everything in-sight and readily accessible is a magnetic knife board. Easy to grab what you need, easy to put it back after washing.

Magnet Knife Rack

Other unique options we’ve been seeing…

6 kitchen storage trends - pullout knife drawer

organize-your-kitchen-with-these-20-awesome-kitchen-storage-solutions-3

Looking for more design inspiration for your kitchen? Join us for our Kitchens that Work Design Workshop on May 18th. Get the details and RSVP here by May 15th to attend FREE.

Explore the Arciform Project Galleries | About Arciform | Schedule a Design Consultation

Mar 20

Designer Picks: New Appliances We Love

One of the most important decisions you make when planning a kitchen that will really work for your family is which appliances to select. But how to choose?

We polled our design team to find out which appliances they’ve been recommending recently.

Senior Designer Anne’s Picks

Liebherr Refrigerators

Why? They integrate beautifully and have models that fit fabulously in small spaces.

Viking Ranges

 

Why? They are great performers and have color options that allow them to integrate well.

Miele Integrated Appliances

 

Miele integrated range

Why? They are also great performers and are beautifully designed.

Vent-A-Hood

Why? This hood is one of my favorites because it comes in different colors and has such a classic shape.

Senior Designer Kristyn’s Picks

BEST Flush Inset Hoods

BEST flush inset hood2BEST flush inset hood

Why? These are ideal for 7’ – 9’ ceilings and can be up to 72” above a range. Great to use in spaces where you want clear sight lines. For example, they are a perfect choice for an island or peninsula that contains the cooking appliance and is open to an adjacent dining room or living room, or where the island extends into a seating area.

Wolf Convection Steam Oven

 

Wolf convection steam oven

Why? Because moisture, heat and air are the best combination! Moisture, heat and airflow work together to create tasty results while preserving foods’ natural nutrition. You can select a cooking mode that’s ideal for your dish and the oven’s unique digital technology senses the amount and size of the food and automatically adjusts all the details of cooking.

U-Line & Perlick Drawer Refrigeration

 

perlick drawer

Why? Adding additional refrigeration under the counter is a great space saver and often a must-have for families.

Senior Designer Chelly’s Picks

Jenn-Air’s Obsidian Interior Refrigerator

 

jenn-air-obsidian-refrigerator

Why? This fridge is exciting because there are now more options on the market that have dual compressors and LED lighting. And that black interior is pretty cool!

Miele’s Induction Cooktop

 

miele-cooktop-induction-km5753

Why? I love induction! It’s clean, responsive and energy efficient. Miele cooktops offer a distinctive non-contact method of heating using magnetic fields to transfer energy directly to cookware. They offer the benefits of a gas flame without introducing excess heat into the working environment. Their new induction range is also exciting and great for small kitchens.

Blue Star’s Frenchtop Series Range

Why?  Not only does it let you cook like a pro, it’s available in 750 colors!

Miele Dishwashers

 

miele dishwasher

Why? Hands down the best dishwashers out there! They are quiet, reliable, innovative and pretty. Rumor has it that they are working on their line up and soon their higher model features will be integrated in the lower classic and crystal models.

Big Chill Appliances

Why? Big Chill appliances (fridges, stoves, ovens, hoods, microwaves) combine modern day amenities with a vintage aesthetic that can play up the retro feel of a space.

Senior Designer Anne also loves Big Chill:

They are fun as they do not need additional work to look good in a kitchen!

Design Assistant Marty’s Picks

Electrolux Dryer

Electrolux-EWMED70JIW-controls-1

Why?  It has settings for a speedy dry (14 minutes), gentlest dry and steam dry to get rid of wrinkles so you don’t have to iron!

AGA Undercounter Refrigerated Drawers

 

Marvel_Refrigerated_Drawers_Marvel_Tile

Why? These are great for those who do not want a full-sized fridge.

Junior Designer Trisha’s Picks

 

SMEG Retro Refrigerators

smeg retro fridge

Why? A smaller, but still awesome, option.

Junior Designer Kat’s Pick

Blomberg Refrigerator

blomberg fridge

Why? I love their tall, skinny refrigerators. They take up less floor space but give you lots of storage with height. These last for years and are a bargain compared to other brands. The freezer on the bottom puts most foods at eye level.

And of course, who wouldn’t want one of these?

La Cornue W. Freestanding Induction Stove
La Cornue
In the words of designer Kristyn Bester:

“The most beautiful appliance I’ve ever seen!”

We agree.

Looking for more design inspiration for your kitchen? Join us for our Kitchens that Work Design Workshop on May 18th. Get the details and RSVP here by May 15th to attend FREE.

Explore the Arciform Project Galleries | About Arciform | Schedule a Design Consultation

Newer Entries »