Wednesday, January 26, 2011

MY TWO PERSONALITIES

It was just four short years ago that my hubby and I built our downsized home, and I had the joy of planning a new kitchen.  Of course, there's never enough time, and decisions are always made too quickly and sometimes later regretted.  All in all, our regrets are few and we are happy with the final results.  But invariably in situations like this I come face to face with my schizophrenia.  Part of me is traditional and part is modern.  Which part to listen to?

When it came time to pick seating for our center island, I was thinking modern.  I love the sleek design and efficiency of modern bar stools.  Just check out the sexiness of this beauty:

And what about this great design:

I love retro stools, too, like this one:

Actually, I love all modern furniture.  Modern furniture is minimalistic, while traditional furniture can be very high maintenance.  So the practical side of me wants to go modern.  I would not have as much to clean and care for. This makes so much sense.  But the emotional side of me loves the history of traditional furniture -- the stories behind each antique and cherished older piece.  First I lean one way, and then the other, and I feel so torn.

This time, again, traditional won out.  But there's always a next time.....

14 comments:

Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean said...

love your kitchen :) i think any stools would look nice in there ;)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Your kitchen is lovely Judy. We're re-doing a condo right now and have just ordered the cabinets and counter tops. Exciting stuff.
Sam

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Oh Judy,

I can so relate to your design sensibilities-struggles! Which way should we go? Mimimalistic and clean, or traditional and beautiful in design? How about a little bit of both for added interest . . . Ecclecticism?

What I've done is 'mimimalized' my interior environments, but with the use of traditional designs and not an 'overuse of them'. Overkill is just that, overkill, no matter what design theme.

I'm sure that your inner-designer instincts will lead you to that which best reflects your style and personality! Your kitchen photos are beautiful, no matter what. In fact, isn't that what being in the kitchen is most importantly about.....love and sharing with those that we cherish the most?

Let us know what you ultimately do! I have confidence in you!

Roz

The Food Hound said...

*Drool* Let me know when you want to sell!!

Anonymous said...

I am constantly thinkign of what I "should have gotten" or should get... right there with you!

A SPICY PERSPECTIVE said...

Hey, i have that same light fixture/pot holder! :)

Diane said...

Your kitchen looks sort of similar to ours in France. My biggest regret is that we did not put an electric point on our centre island. Too late now as I am not going to take up the tiles on the floor :( Diane

Judy said...

Diane, My hubby is an electrician, so we have outlets everywhere. Our center island has outlets on both ends and we even have the vacuum outlets at the end of each island. This was the 6th time we have built, so we got a little better each time. But there's always something that escapes you.

briarrose said...

Fabulous kitchen!

Biz said...

Um, completely jealous of your kitchen! My husband and I can barely be in our kitchen at the same time - its only 8x8.

Thanks for your kind words on my hubby - he just got diagnosed with colon cancer last week, we meet with a surgeon today.

Barbara Bakes said...

What a gorgeous place to create your wonderful meals! I'm hoping to downsize in a few years. Any tips?

Judy said...

Barbara, First, start getting your house ready to sell. Fix what needs to be fixed; replace what needs to be replaced; upgrade what needs upgrading. Start painting, room by room, to give the house a fresh look. Get rid of everything you can to make the home and closets look roomier. Next, sit with your hubby and each make a list of what you want in a downsized home. Also list your preferences for neighborhoods or other locations. Compare notes and do what compromising/negotiating needs to be done. For instance, my hubby wanted coast and country. I could live with coast but not country. I insisted on city with neighbors. We compromised as coast was most important to him.

Janice said...

Yep, I'm right in there with you too, but have managed to combine a bit of brushed steel with oak worktops and beaten pewter handles!

Anonymous said...

I love your lovely BIg kitchen!! woohoo!

It looks fabulous, Judy!! Thanks for sharing with us!