kitchen inspiration {microwaves & hoods}

Last week I unexpectedly returned to kitchen planning and looking for inspiration when our over-the-range microwave broke.  Just completely dead.  We don't really use the microwave much, but I use the exhaust function daily when I cook.  So I immediately began looking for replacements, only to find that most standard OTR microwaves are about 17" tall, while our broken one is about 14".  Wouldn't be a big deal to swap one out quickly, except ours already hangs down below the cabinets, quite close to the cook top.  So of course I tried to research what we'd ultimately like to have there.. and am still undecided.  But here's a mix of what I'm thinking and a collection of inspiration photos. 

The original thought was to have a range hood on a blank wall or between floating shelves, and then a separate microwave.  A bunch of inspiration photos are shown here, but here's another few:

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mini house

 

Mini House, designed by Swedish architect Jonas Wagell
(image 1: Andy Liffner, image 2: Lars Petter Pettersen)

This is mini-sized prefabricated house so cool!  I'm especially loving the horizontal slats and the generously-sized porch.  While I don't think it's a realistic primary residence for the majority of people due to size (hey, we just have too. much. stuff.) and durability, it's a really cool concept for a vacation getaway or a guest house. 

Even though we can't get it in the U.S., I think this is a great inspiration piece for how small spaces can be utilized.  Too bad I don't have a back yard.  Or an amazing lake.  I wonder how much it costs.  And I wish they had photos of the interior..

full article and more photos here

project a.d.d.

I've had a lot of trouble focusing on completing projects recently.  The hallway bath is hovering at about 90% complete, but those last unfinished items are really lingering (we did get a trash can though!).  Meanwhile I started repainting all the doors and trim in the apartment, but only finished 2 of the 4 doors (including install of new non-gross hinges!) so the paint can is just sitting in the hall.  

Then about 3 weeks ago I had some oral surgery done, which really had me pooped.  So most home time was dedicated to sleeping and and lounging with bags of ice on my face.  Perhaps that's why I haven't gotten much done, at least in a physical sense.  However, I've done lots of thinking and researching, and there are a few projects bouncing around in my head lately.  

1// the kitchen

This isn't a new topic, but we've made some progress!  

I finally got blueprints from the building, which show that there isn't any major plumbing, HVAC, or electrical reason why I can't cut into that wall.  Yay!

kitchen inspiration {exhaust hood + open shelving}

I can barely call the hallway bathroom facelift "done" and I'm already back into planning mode for the kitchen - I can't help it!  Being realistic, I think a full kitchen renovation is at least a year away but I figure it's helpful to document things I like along the way.  Since I've yet to cave in to Pinterest, I will continue to save my thoughts here.  

I started playing around with potential looks & layouts via Ikea's kitchen planner.  The general location of the major appliances and the sink will probably remain the same, but the storage space could be reconfigured and maximized, and I'd really like to install a proper exhaust hood over the range rather than a venting microwave.  Here's the mockup so far:

Note: There are cabinets to the right, just hidden from this view.  And it wouldn't let me put shelving to the right of the hood because the space is too small, but I'd want something more custom-sized anyway!
 

tiny homes

Although I don't aspire to live in a smaller space than what I currently have, it's always a great reminder (and inspiration) to see what people can do in tiny spaces.  Check out this prototype of small living:

Small rooms and dwellings set the mind on the right path, large ones cause it to go astray.  - Leonardo da Vinci

(if you like this, check out the other example I posted a bit back)

kitchen inspiration

I feel like it has been a while since I have made any home improvements or decorating changes, and that makes me antsy. Although I'm not nearly ready to undertake a kitchen renovation, I have started looking for inspiration. I will have to check whether it's even feasible, but I would like to knock down a wall of the kitchen (at least partially) to open up the space. It's currently a galley kitchen with no natural light. By opening up a wall to the living / dining space, more light would be introduced and the spaces would feel more connected (I could watch tv while washing dishes!)

The downsides: there may be plumbing running through that wall (expensive to change and possibly a deal breaker) and losing that wall means losing the overhead storage. A new solution to the latter recently occurred to me - open shelving! Something like this could realistically work:

(apartment therapy house tour)

And it would actually look similar in here. More research is in order. Feeling inspired!

Ps. Super excited to publish my first post via iPad!

dreaming of chevrons

I have been itching to repaint the bathrooms, since the color I picked last year just looks tired with the existing tile. I've spent weeks poking around for inspiration, and have somewhat settled on the idea of painting chevrons (and likely in a similar color!)

(inspiration from an Apartment Therapy house tour)

Not sure yet if it's worth the effort...

in awe

This is phenomenal...


I'm so behind but I actually have photos to post! LA! Prague! Venice! Coming soon, I promise (hope).

In other news, happy birthday Jason! Love you.

procrastination

(Janie Taylor, ballerina - clothing by Chloé - photography by Bon Duke - all found here)

I haven't posted in ages. I will default and blame work. In reality it's more the adjustment to changes in work-life balance. Been traveling 4 days a week for the past 6 weeks, resulting in combined feelings of homesickness and homelessness. Sitting in the hotel at night I don't exactly want to be in front of my laptop all the time, and I find myself more often on the phone. When back in Boston I am excited and energized, but also bleary-eyed and overwhelmed with trying to be super-productive.

Trying not to whine, just adjust.

At the moment I am hanging out with PowerPoint and what's left of 4-hour old room service. As much as I just need to get this done and get in bed, I find myself reverting to my college self and procrastinating.

I keep watching this video of Janie Taylor, fueling dance inspiration and visions of wedding attire.

diva

While my posts tend to be all about me, I feel compelled to start bragging about the wonderful people in my life.

Partly because of the amazing things she is doing, like bringing electricity to Tanzania (on top of the Ph.D. and dancing everything), but also because she's one of those people who without fail brightens my day, up first is Rhonda!

"I see that we are truly improving people’s lives, and I strongly believe that service is one of the most rewarding things in life you can engage in."

You are an inspiration - one of the most amazing people I know. I am blessed to have you in my life!! Love.

saint nick

Merry Christmas, world.

It's been a while. I guess I could say "things have been crazy busy", which would be true but that's not the reason I haven't written. It's really because I feel like I don't have any good photos! Maybe it's time I invest in a new camera, and channel that asian in me (i.e., start snapping some photos already!)
I still owe a post from Thanksgiving, but now that the next holiday is upon us I figure I'll delay more and just think about Christmas.

It's a little unusual this year - just me and the parents. We drove down from Boston today and will be spending tomorrow / Christmas just the three of us. I suppose this is what happens as us kids get older and start having our own lives.
Part of me feels sad to not celebrate Christmas as usual this year. But it's also never been a huge holiday for us; really it's just been a time to come home and be with family. And that's just what I'm doing. There will be lots of cooking and feasting. And while there may not be a huge thing with piles of gifts and Santa Claus, I think it will be pretty great.

Plus, my parents already gave the invaluable gift of visiting and helping decorate! The apartment is still not photo-ready, but here are some new (or planned) additions:

(some assortment of west elm, ikea, pottery barn, cb2, etc...)

poetry

Funny how it took a chic flick to remind me how much I love (and miss) reading. Maybe it's time I pick up a novel for the holidays.

A poem I've always loved:


i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
                              i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

-e.e. cummings

goodbye, october

The weeks just keep flying by. Nothing incredibly interesting has happened recently, but here goes regardless...
The periodontist cut up my mouth a week or so ago, resulting in my being drugged up and unable to eat until about two days ago. The pain didn't really hit until about six days after surgery, and actually brought me to tears which really surprised me and kinda freaked me out since I tend to have a higher pain threshold. The surgeon even told me I'd make the perfect wife because I handle pain well. (This was before the tears, and also made me wonder what marital horrors he's been through...)

I acquired another painting, which I have yet to mount. It was done by a lovely Brazilian artist, Camila, whose warmth and ease I quickly recognized and admired.

(The Orange Place by Camila Silva)

I discovered my first grey hair. Had me wonder how long that's actually been there, just hiding amidst the fakeblonde. I guess the good news is, my real hair is coming back. Oh, by the way, I'm growing it out.

Work brought me to Chicago last week, but between the pain and drugs I couldn't really eat anything, wine was out of the question, and it was depressing watching everyone play while I struggled to just stay awake. Through the haze, the highlights were the Museum of Science + Industry (particularly the Smart Home, which I found very inspiring for my own renovations) and Otom (their gnocchi was my first solid meal post-surgery, huge yum!).

(photos by J.B. Spector.. they didn't allow photography)

(otom, chicago)

It's Halloween and I haven't even had any candy today. Maybe it's time I ran to the store.

design mode

Spare time lately has been consumed with thoughts of my upcoming design project. Trying to find that perfect balance of modern but livable, inspired but calming, colorful but adaptable. And most of all, glamorous and luxurious but affordable.

I think I'm pretty set on dark wood floors. The current debate is light and neutral walls versus something much more bold and daring. Leaning towards more subtle on the walls with bolder colored accents.

I mentioned in a previous post my obsession with CB2 and west elm. I've graduated to stalking designers for inspiration. Drake Design Associates have been on my radar since my dad tipped me off on Drake during that interior design & decoration class I took last summer. Drake has made me reconsider the use of vibrant colors.

(drake design associates, www.drakedesignassociates.com)

New find courtesy of web-stalking Kelly Framel is the very talented Ryan Korban. His use of color is very different - more organic and soothing. I think I'd like to find a balance of the two.

(ryan korban, www.ryankorban.com)

Would kinda love to just have shoes all over my living room as decoration. Not too far removed from my previous display of sneakers next to the fireplace, maybe just a bit classier.

Just heard from mom. She was perusing craigslist and ebay for me today. She's so cute! I much appreciate the help here. Her design eye is amazing and I feel a little overwhelmed to say the least. Time to start playing with room dimensions.

there's always a beginning

I have toyed with the idea of starting a blog for quite some time, but never knew quite what the purpose or focus would be.

Last weekend as I drove away from the Farm and back towards the U.S., I wanted to capture my thoughts of the weekend. To reflect. And to remember. Clicking away on my Blackberry (I was a passenger, not driving), without really planning, I suppose I started...


I feel compelled once again to create something. I now realize that it is not relevant what my motivation is. It is of no consequence if nobody reads or if I decide later to take a different direction.

This most extraordinary weekend has made me realize there is nothing more true, more real than love. I don't mean mushy country song love or even romantic love. I mean love that puts a smile on your face, creates a feeling of fulfillment and purpose, or that just feels darn good.

Although I said I didn't mean romantic love, the two main events of the weekend revolve around exactly that. I traveled this weekend to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario for my cousin's wedding. I will get back to the wedding in a moment - the second event was my sister getting engaged. I can't quite express the joy I felt first when she told me, and even more so when I saw the two of them the next morning. It was not a surprise, but somehow that kind of declaration of love was still inexplicably thrilling for me to witness and experience.

(the RING)

The wedding later that day was the source of many tears - happy ones. It was a beautiful ceremony in the cherry orchard at the Farm, a long time family property once owned by my late grandparents and now by my aunt and uncle. My dad's extended family was present, as well as about 20 Italian friends and family from the groom's side. As we sat under the cherry trees, Sarah made a grand entrance on the back of a tractor in a gorgeous and simple light blue dress to join Dario and their charming one year old daughter. The ceremony, spoken in both English and Italian, addressed the journey that is love. Between laughs and tears, they were wed.

(the grand entrance; the lovely couple; mom & baby Sophia Luce
photos 2,3,4 by uncle Wei)

The rain held off as we had a lavish meal prepared by uncle (for 110 ppl!) and heard speeches from many, including my father remembering his wedding in the same orchard where Sarah was his flower girl.

(Mom & Dad at their wedding with Grannie & Papa, the Farm, 1981)

As the rain poured down on our tent over dinner, my uncles had their customary jam session with a surprise appearance of my mom on the cello (declared the first lady of Seoul). I finally had a chat with Sarah as the evening came to a close, and I found myself in awe of her for the millionth time in my life as she spoke of her upcoming relocation from Rome to Uganda to be the country coordinator for the UN's World Food Programme. She has never been to Uganda, but seems delighted at the idea of moving to a completely foreign country - not unusual for a woman who has lived in many exotic and developing countries such as Sierra Leone and Nepal, and has not remained in a single location for more than a few years since she was 14.

Looking around the tent I was struck once again (although not surprised, because I'm often aware) how international my extended family has become. We now have Italians to add to the existing additions from Korea, Singapore, China, England, and in the near future, Japan.

Looking around, I thought this is love.

As my trip came to an end a few hours ago, we convened at the Farm once again to eat leftovers (we love to eat, and we do it well), to have a last visit, and to say a final unplanned goodbye to my grandfather, who passed in 2002. The last of his ashes were saved for a time his 6 children could be together. As we scattered his ashes in the orchard, tears spilled once again as I remembered, and longed to remember more vividly, Grannie and Papa.

(Papa and his half-asian grandchildren)