#kitchendesign #countertops #waterfallcounter #bluedunes #lesliecohendesign #kitchenremodel
Countertops being installed
Details!
Every detail was meticulously planned: from the countertop overhangs, to cabinet reveals and setbacks, to hidden wiring channels, to moulding intersections. The result is pure artistry.
The Great Opening Up
I love when people feature my designs on their websites! This wonderful open, bright space was originally a series of smaller dark rooms. The clients wanted a light, classic, functional great room in which to live and entertain. This was accomplished by:
- Eliminating a small butler’s pantry and opening the kitchen up to the formal dining room so that it would feel like a part of the living space
- Removing the wall with the cased opening that separated the breakfast nook from small bar area
- Moving the kitchen to the center of the new open space and putting in a large island with plenty of seating
- Integrating a bar area into the kitchen
- Moving inconvenient pantry storage from another room into accessible cabinets in the kitchen
- Introducing the clients to porcelain slab counters since they love marble but didn’t want the maintenance
- Laying out the rooms based on function as well as aesthetics and adding convenient storage organization in the cabinets
What you don’t see here is the creation of a laundry room in the old pantry location and an beautiful enlarged owner’s closet that is fully decked out with amazing cabinets. The closet took over the previous laundry location which was noisily located right off the family room.
Mindfulness as a Source of Inspiration
Mindfulness is the practice of “being” in the moment. Practicing mindfulness has reduced my stress, improved my relationships, increased my focus, and enhanced my creativity. Mindfulness goes hand in hand with my thoughts on wellness, biophilic design, and designing spaces to improve and enhance our lives.
When I am able to remain in the moment for periods at a time, I am able to savor and appreciate those moments. What’s also nice about keeping my mind in the present is that stressful events are experienced but they end because another moment comes along to replace the stressful one. Now I certainly won’t say that I am the perfect mindfulness practicioner or that I don’t hold on to stress, but mindfulness helps.
HOW is MINDFULNESS a SOURCE of INSPIRATION for me? When my mind stays in the present moment, I hear what you are saying and feel the emotions behind it. I see how you live. I smell and taste the aromas and odors in your home. All of this input is taken into consideration when creating your spaces. Understanding your spoken and unspoken needs and desires is what inspires me to create unique design solutions for every client.
When my mind is in the present, I find much inspiration in nature. The amazing way that a plant sheds water (shouldn’t your shower glass do the same thing?). The color of light streaming in through a window (the color of light affects your mood and your biorhythm so how do we incorporate that?). The beautiful blending of colors in a sunrise (wouldn’t that make a beautiful color palette?). The sounds of water trickling over pebbles in a stream or washing across rocks at the ocean (will soft close doors eliminate the jarring slams of cabinet doors echoing through the house?) . These observations inspire thoughts of sound control in the home, where and how to bring in natural light and views of nature, color palettes that may invigorate versus palettes that create restful spaces. Those are just a few examples.
Two sources of mindfulness training that I highly recommend are the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA (MARC)and Bliss Body Yoga in Raleigh. No, this is not a paid ad – I am just sharing resources that have been a help to me.
My favorite “teacher” at MARC is Diana Winston, the director. I am able to connect with what she is saying and her voice is soothing and keeps me on track. Some of my favorite guided meditations are the ones when she brings in Michael Perricone who plays Tibetan singing bowls. Of course we each have to find what speaks to us. My cousin finds the Tibetan singing bowls to be a source of irritation.
I love Colby, the owner, at Bliss Body Yoga. Her Monday morning gentle yoga class is an exercise not only for the body, but for the mind. I really need to rework my schedule so I can start attending more often. She has, however, put her studio’s classes on Vimeo so if you can’t make it in person, hop on Vimeo.
If you are interested learning how I can incorporate mindfulness, biophilic concepts, and wellness into your designs, please contact me at Leslie@LeslieCohenDesign.com
Just Found – Video of Project Still Relevant Today
I can’t believe that I just came across this video of a bath I created 15 years ago. Everything about it is still relevant today.
The Hounds
I thought you might like to see my dogs since you hear so much about them. These are recent pictures. Can you believe that they are 5 years old? The photos are deceiving – he is 80 pounds and she is 60 pounds.
Tank is the one you usually hear in the background. He’s very vocal!
By the way, I have found leather to be the most resistant material to sharp dog toenails. It is also the only material where none of my dogs have ever chewed the corners off the furniture. In addition, leather is super easy to clean.
I’m Back!
I am happy to announce the re-opening Leslie Cohen Design. After 20+ years of running my own firm, I took a little “sabbatical” and tried something a bit different.
I’ve spent the last 4 1/2 years building a design team for a design-build remodeler. What a wonderful experience that was. Mentoring the design team and teaching them not only the mechanics of design but how to build great relationships with clients… Assisting with marketing, building new vendor relationships, creating business processes… It was rewarding to be able to use my skills to help another firm to grow.
Now it is time for me to be back in charge of my own business although I do miss the team tremendously. I’ll just have to build a team of my own:-)
Your outpouring of support for this decision has been tremendous. Thank you so much!!! This is an exciting time for me and I look forward to working with all of you. Look for another blog post soon.
Leslie