The design vision for this historic renovation kitchen and butler’s pantry has come to life and the clients love it. It has a vintage feel so it fits right in to the old Victorian home, yet it has updated elements which make  it functional and fresh.

The kitchen island is set for 3 but it will seat 4 comfortably. The range with its warming shelves is ready to work hard.

The  custom made valances with their light and airy arabesque pattern  are elegantly casual, and the vibrant peacock prints add just the right amount of color to the gray and white color scheme.

Another view of the completed kitchen with door into the storage pantry.

What could be more enticing than the glass front, custom vintage cabinets and arabesque tile “picture”. The original wood floor cleaned up beautifully and looks fabulous in a dark furniture stain.

Photos by Page Photography.

for more info go to www.mspmag.com/hometour.

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is an award wining interior designer in Minneapolis ,MN. more info www.letitialittle.com.

We are nearing completion of the interior design for the  Kitchen and Butler’s Pantry of this historic Victorian home in St. Paul. Sheree and I are excited to see our design come to life.The wainscoting has been installed and walls and trim have been painted. Now the cabinets are being installed in the kitchen.

Its time to discuss the design of the faux finish detail on the ceiling with the custom painter/artist, Crista.

It looks great! The arabesque pattern will be repeated in valances and tile motif.

Bob is installing the custom valances for us. And the polished nickel pendants are in over the island.

Quartz counter tops by Cambria have been installed and so have the appliances. Gas range is by Capital, fridge is by Sub Zero. Cabinetry is outfitted with bin pulls and bracket feet for charm. Center island has been stained in gray for a soft finish. Original  wood flooring has been cleaned up and polished. Wow!

The arabesque tile “picture” over the sink enhances the vintage cabinetry so perfectly.  We love it all!

Now we are going to add a touch of color to the gray and white color scheme of the kitchen and butler’s pantry (see more of it in the next post). The peacock is a perfect compliment not only because of its vibrant greens, blues, and teals, but because it was an important symbol of wealth and prestige during the Victorian era. So we have a bit of history to add to our vintage kitchen.

This dinnerware by Edie Rose from Macy’s was too perfect to pass up, so it will have a prominent place in the new kitchen. Watch for the finished design of both spaces in my  next post.

For more info and to purchase tickets go to www.mspmag.com/hometour.

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is an award winning interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. www.letitialittle.com.

The design process continues for the interior design of the kitchen and butler’s pantry  in this historic home in St. Paul.

See below for more design selections for both spaces.

Elevation rendering of the kitchen wall showing the arabesque tile medallion above the sink.

This elegant cut glass pendant with glass crystals is the perfect statement for the small butler’s pantry.  It fits the period with out being gawdy.  We love it! Celia by Crystorama.

The  Cambria counter tops in the butler’s pantry and kitchen are Devon, a deep gray solid which will look beautiful with the Cloud White cabinets.

The gray wash finish of this delightful counter stool will be the perfect compliment to the gray and white color scheme.Vivian Counter Stool by Gabby.

I love glass knobs in a tradtional kitchen and this one by Emtek will look fabulous with the glass pendant in the butler’s pantry.

Watch for the next post as we progress thru the installation stage of our project.

Letitia Little, Allied ASID, CID is an award wining interior designer  In Minneapolis, MN. www.letitialittle.com.

In designing the kitchen and butler’s pantry for this year’s ASID Showcase House on historic Cathedral Hill in St. Paul, Sheree and I want to honor the architectural style of the Victorian mansion yet create a design that functions for a busy young family.  We start the interior design process with some inspiration from a gray color palette and a linen print fabric.

The soft grays and whites of this color palette are soothing yet sophisticated and because they are neutrals they are timeless and versatile. We chose Coventry Gray, Chelsea Gray and Cloud White for our color scheme. Paints are from Benjamin Moore, a Showcase House sponsor.

I love the arabesque design of this  new linen print by Kravet. Its open trellis pattern lends itself to traditional or modern interiors. It will look fabulous as tailored valances for the kitchen and butler’s pantry windows.

This traditional style faucet by Rohl makes the perfect historic staetment for the kitchen.

We were so excited to find these tiles in the arabesque design which repeats the valance fabric. They have a wonderful “old world” crackle finish and will be used as a medallion feature on the backsplash. By Pratt and Larson Ceramics

The traditional detail on this polished nickel Emory pendant by Quoizel makes it a perfect  choice over the center island.

The design for kitchen and butler’s pantry is coming together.Top subway tile is Arabescato Carrara marble for the butler’s pantry and the plain white one is by ADEX for the kitchen backsplash.

For more info on the ASID Showcase Home Tour  www.mspmag.com/hometour

Watch for my next post

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is an award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. www.letitialittle.com.

I am once again doing the interior design for a room in the ASID Showcase Home Tour which will run from May 18 to June 9, 2013. This home is located in the Historic Hill Heritage Preservation District of St. Paul, MN and is being extensively renovated into a B & B and private residence. My good friend and fellow ASID designer Sheree Vincent and  I are working on the Kitchen and Butler’s Pantry. I will be sharing our design process on this interesting and exciting project in ensuing posts. So stay tuned for lots of details.

The house was built on Historic Cathedral Hill in the 1880′s  by Frank and Anna Shepard in the popular Victorian style. Frank and his father David Shepard built the Great Northern Railway for James J. Hill.

Before shot of kitchen stripped down to the bare bones of what used to be a kitchen and bathroom. The ceiling will be lowered to cover up sprinkler pipes and the back room will be a breakfast room.

Another view of the kitchen looking towards what will be the butler’s pantry.

The Victorian style window trim is original to the home and will be given a fresh coat of white. Traditional wainscoting  will be added to the walls to help bring back much needed historic detail.

Every inch of this 320 sq. ft. kitchen is designed for maximum space and function. It has to accomodate a large range and refridgerator,warming shelves, wall oven, garbage/recycle center, center island and pantry as requested by the clients.

The design goal is always to honor the history of a home.  To do that here we added details like bracket feet and crown moulding to the cabinets as well as some glass fronts. Subway tile backsplash lends itself to historic style and  modern sensibilities. Cabinets will be painted white with nickel bin pulls.

Watch for the next post on Design Process.

For more info on the Showcase Home Tour www.mspmag.com/hometour

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is an award wining interior designer in the Minneapolis, MN. More info www.letitialittle.com.

These beautifully updated products are perfect for today’s master bath.

This free standing, cast iron tub with solid base is a beautiful example of the newest trend in traditional style bathrooms. “Vintage” by Kohler.

These  handmade tiles by Adex have a special glaze that gives them a unique, yet timeless look.

I love the slender lines of this graceful faucet  set. The polished nickel gives a crisp updated look to the tradtional  feel. by Moen

Any one of these beautiful patterned fabrics by Mary McDonald for Schumacher would make elegant window coverings in a master bath; or anywhere else in the home for that matter.

This graceful rendition of the beaded chandelier would bring any master bath up to date. By Hudson Valley.  Would look fabulous in almost any room.

Letitia Little, Allied ASID, CID is an award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. for more info www.letitialittle.com.

MODERN DESIGN ELEMENTS

Here are some exciting new features in modern styling that take bathroom design to a whole new level.

What could be more modern than this fabulous,  solid surface tub by Kohler? Love the soft angular lines.

This crisp Black and White design is shown in wallpaper and matching fabric for a well defined modern look. Mojito by Thibaut.

“90 Degree” faucet by Moen is sleek, functional and fun to use. Makes a great style statement!

Embossed tiles called Geo are so very “mod”. by Adex

Stunning and sleek, this wall sconce in polished nickel with parchment shades is  perfect for any modern interior. by Hudson Valley.

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is an award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN.

Horse blankets,  flat weave carpets, well worn leather, native artifacts, reclaimed wood and  natural fibers provide inspiration for the ethnic influence in interior design. This genre has been around for a long time but  is enjoying a resurgence right now because of our desire for  unique, handmade  items that add texture  and interest to our homes.  Let’s take a look at some new “old” elements for traditional and contemporary interiors.

The new Nomad Chic Collection by Kravet showcases upholstery fabrics in ethnic patterns and colors inspired by nomadic cultures of the Far East.  These luxurious textures offer warmth and richness to any interior style.

These handsome wood blinds set off the worn leather chairs and washed old wood table with its unique artifacts. By Hartmann  and Forbes.

The marvelous texture of this “snakeskin” wallpaper combined with the horsehair bench is perfect for the new lodge look. Luxe Lodge wallpapers from Schumacher.

Love this reclaimed wood mosaic from Ansum and Ash made of 79% recycled material from timbers, wine barrels, old beams and sunken ships. What  could be more textural than this.

These tactile fibers beg to be touched. Sustainable fibers are woven into woven shades by Hartmann and Forbes.

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is an award wining interior designer in the Minneapolis, MN. for more info www.letitialittle.com.

In my 2 previous posts I talked about grays, violets, reds and golds as some new color directions for 2013. Not to be forgotten in the latest color forecast are bold blues and elemental greens.

Bold blues and aquas from Kravet in the  Modern Dining Collection.

Fluid Blues color palette from Benjamin Moore with deep water colors.

 Poolside  cool blues. Teak furniture by Kingsley Bate.

This casual chair shows off New Green in a  nubby linen.  by Century.

Elemental greens color pallette by Benjamin Moore.

Benjamin Moore Colors are: Jungle Canopy,Summer’s Day, In the Garden, Green Thumb, Lilianna.

For more on 2013 Color Trends visit my 2 previous posts.

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is an award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. for more info www.letitialittle.com

The new colors for 2013 are simply inspirational. They are complex yet definative with a rich velvety quality. Hues range from deep rich blues and plums to soft creamy golds and yellows to fiery reds and oranges. Sprinkle in some earth tones, many shades of gray and some varied neutrals and you’ve got the whole gambit of the newest colors for interior design. See them in paint, fabrics, and furniture for the  most exciting looks from traditional to modern interiors. Here are two  color groups in reds, oranges and golds.  To see more take a look at my previous post.

Bright fuschia and orange put these luscious fabrics by Brunschwig & Fils front and center for 2013.

The sun filled colors of “Fiery Sunset” are infused with energy and strength. From dynamic fuschia to subtle clay they remind us of warm climates and sunny days. Colors from Benjamin Moore

The paint names alone will stimulate creativity: Peruvian Chili, Egyptian Clay, Hot Tamale, Tomato Tango, and Tropical Fruit by Ben Moore.

These bright, fiery colors really pack a punch in this modern interior by Jonathan Adler.

 The  nature infused colors of “Golden Fields” from Benjamin Moore are soothing, relaxing and homey.

This lattice print  fabric in refreshing greens and golds would liven up any living room or bedroom. by Zimmer + Rohde

Don’t miss my next post on blues and greens.

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is an award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. for more info visit www.letitialittle.com.