Dinner In The Kitchen

One of the things I loved about living in San Francisco (besides the great design) was getting to know all of the amazing restaurants.  There were a few that I frequented often enough to get to know the chef, who would make sure to come out and say hello, ask how the food was and usually bring a special appetizer or cocktail on the house.  I loved the casual, approachable nature of many of the best San Francisco restaurants and the kitchen below would fit right in to that experience.


I would love to sit down in this kitchen with a special group of friends, along with the chef, talking about the meal, travel-inspired foods, wines, etc...  For a foodie/designer/wine enthusiast, that would make a heavenly evening, no?

via

How about you?  Want to come along?

Absolutely Orange!

Like everyone else in the design blogging world right now, I have been pouring over Rue Magazine's latest edition.  This picture in particular got my attention and got me thinking about how much I love orange in so many settings...I can't get enough of it.

{Rue Magazine}

I love how the unexpected orange chairs play off of all the

natural elements in this bright, airy kitchen.

Turquoise and Orange always look so fresh.  

What a pretty combo for a casual table in Spring. 

{Kate Spade}

 Love, love, love this artwork set against the dark dining room furniture! 

Notice the sketches to the side too - they harmonize really well.

Very cool use for chevron.  I don't know if I would want to commit to that since I like to change out dishes and linens, but I think it looks great. 

Here it looks so crisp against all of that black and white. 

It feels very elite to me (in a good way), without trying too hard, but could be

reproduced rather inexpensively...

{overstock.com}

This pillow reminds me of a beautiful couture dress. 

I don't know if it looks as good in person, but I still have my eye on it!

{ebay}

Vintage Botanicals look more modern in orange, at least to me... 

Such a nice place to have a glass of iced tea!

{ebay}

The exotic feel of this immediately makes me think of Bali and putting together a room with a bit of a tropical feel:  dark substantial wood furniture, crisp white linens, a couple of carved wooden sculptures and (definitely!) a ceiling fan.

{Pottery Barn}

 I love this combo of oranges, natural woods and the lanterns. 

It has a hint of Belgian design, doesn't it?  Maybe that's why I like it so much!

I love this look too!  Rustic yet elegant. 

All of the citrus mixed in gives it a fresh, warm, natural look. 

I think I might try something like this for my Thanksgiving table this year...



{ACME}

Look how cute this is combined with linen - for an adult birthday perhaps?

{Martha Stewart}

And finally, just some beautiful flowers. 

These grow pretty much everywhere in San Francisco, so
they always remind me of my time living there.