I've made the bittersweet decision to step down from weekly blogging for Apartment Therapy for the time being. Before I go, in honor of Apartment Therapy's Kitchen and Bath Month, I'm providing a close-up look at my kitchen, which has evolved a fair amount since my last house tour, Kyle's Jamaica Plain Gem, 1 Year Later.
During my Apartment Therapy tenure, I seemed to have a knack for eliciting wild reader responses to my sometimes odd design choices. (The one that will never cease to make me smile is this: "Dear Lord, Kyle, have you lost your mind?") And today's goodbye-for-now post may be no exception. I'm guessing that it's going to drive you crazy that my kitchen pendant light isn't hanging directly over the kitchen table. Well, the truth is that I just haven't made time to change it, but I didn't want a healthy dose of perfectionism to stop me from sharing my kitchen updates. So, be kind dear readers. You don't want our goodbye to be riddled with unconstructive criticism, do you?
Before I list the changes I've made to my kitchen, there are a couple things you should know. First, I'd rather go to the dentist than cook a time-intensive meal. Sad, but true. So I try to make my kitchen feel as little like a place to cook as possible, and more like a lounge. The other thing you may know by now is that I lean a little towards an overkill aesthetic when it comes to color, objects, things on the wall. My kitchen is no exception.
So here's what I've done since I last showed you my kitchen:
-Added Flor tiles. These are Metadoodle, Blingy Bronze. You'd be surprised how resilient they are to splatters and other soiling. Well, might also have to do with the fact that I don't really cook a whole lot.
-Removed the tall stools and counter height table. I wanted a more grounded and welcoming place to sit, so I brought the table from my dining room into the kitchen. I love it in here!
-Reduced the color scheme. Yes, this is reduced. Before, nearly ever color of the rainbow, with the exception of purple had equal representation in my wild kitchen. Now I've tried to reduce the palette to primarily orange, green, yellow, white, and brown. The throw pillows on the bench might look different but I just flipped them over. That's why I make throw pillows with two distinctly different sides.
-I added a kitschy little electric fireplace! I wanted a fireplace so badly but for various reasons I wasn't able to go with a wood-burning, pellet, or gas fireplace. Some might consider an electric fireplace about as tacky as it gets. Not this girl; I'm willing to sink that low. And I love it!
Well that just about does it. I'll miss you, you passionate and lovable design aficionados.
Best wishes,
-Kyle Freeman, Interior ReDesigner and Professional Organizer
Images: Kyle Freeman
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I love it. By not cooking you gained another room in your house.
Are you afraid of using so much carpet/rug in the kitchen? I'd certainly be wary of spills and of course, the carpet/rug getting dirty from so much use. I'm not a huge fan of the green and red together, but I really like the cabinets.
Adorable.
Where is that cute red mirror from? I want it.
love it. I could practically live in this room alone.
what a colorful and welcoming kitchen - and as someone who has loved your sense of style from the first post - you will be missed.
"Are you afraid of using so much carpet/rug in the kitchen? I'd certainly be wary of spills and of course, the carpet/rug getting dirty from so much use."
Flor carpet tiles and Kyle does not cook.
I love it! It looks just great.
Looks great- love the table there (but now you have to post your dinning room!) and the use of the cabinets now. Looks like a place that inspires relaxed eating- and maybe a little cooking. Thanks for all your cool ideas. Good luck!
I think it looks like a fun place to eat and hang out.
Good luck to you Kyle! I don't comment much but I did enjoy your posts. :-)
No need for excuses, Kyle, IT'S FANTASTIC! And it's not color overkill at all. I think the pale wood/light green/orange combination is actually very soothing. I like also how you decorated for you, a person who doesn't like to cook. You've created a lovely environment for yourself: a perfect un-kitcheny kitchen.
I wish you well in your future endeavors.
But now I want to see what you did with the dining room! I love your kitchen, it's warm and welcoming.
Simply gorgeous! One of my favorite kitchens ever!
i love it!
...and i love your fireplace too!
Love it. Love how you've incorporated all these non-kitchen elements, and blended different styles. Very cool.
I think the fireplace was a great choice. Farewell, Kyle!
Your kitchen looks great! I would love to hang out there even if there was no cooking involved :)
Good luck with everything in the future, your posts will be missed!
-Emily
Oh my, I just adore this, and orange is not one of my favored colors. So warm and inviting, I could just live in this room. I can imagine wonderful breakfasts and delightful evenings chatting over wine and tapas. We'll really miss you, Kyle!
Kyle, I love the last photo the best. Great sideboard, lamp and round orange mirror.
Very cute. A lot of fun!
And yes, best of luck. You'll do great all of your endeavors, for sure.
I can just imagine chilling out on that bench with a coffee and having a chat. Looks very cozy indeed.
Good luck in the future I've really enjoyed reading your posts. Hope you'll be back soon.
Always have loved everything about your house, and this remodel is no exception. Your posts are my favorites, so I'll miss them. Come back soon. This site needs you and your design sense. So refreshing to have someone doing something different (and inspiring).
Best wishes to you, Kyle. Hope to see you blogging at your own site. Oh, I like the kitchen too - I'm a big orange fan!
Oh, Kyle. I'll miss you. I hope you check in with AT from time to time. Love your cozy kitchen. Best of luck in your new endeavors.
LOVE. Absolutely love. So much more grown-up, and I like the toned-down color scheme. Love love love.
i am so sad that you will no longer be blogging, as i've enjoyed all your posts. wish you the best and hope you return to AT soon.
Your apartment makes me hate everything in mine. I swear it makes me want to change every single thing in my place. I loooovvvvveeeeee your apartment.
where can i find the electric fireplace?
hey kyle - i don't think you are reading this post any more; however, i wanted to let you know that you inspired me to change my living room around in a way i would have never done before, and the arrangement looks awesome. i wanted to thank you for your apartment-post encouragement.
A little delayed here, but I'll miss having you as one of the Boston AT bloggers, Kyle!