For the Love of Kitchens

 

It's been a busy design year and kitchen designs demand extra TLC.  This year I've designed three kitchens. Here is the first of the three and I believe, well worth the wait.  Happy Fall everyone.  Yes, my fascination with grey continues.

Outdoor Spaces

The sky is your ceiling but the ground can be reclaimed barn wood.  Enjoy your Labor Day and get ready for Fall.  Dore Shaw Interiors.

 

Redefining the Workspace

 

 

I think it's a good idea in today's functional world to keep the desks (if you insist on having one) at work. And  to remember, work is best when it doesn't feel or look like work.  Creative space.  At home any space can be turned into a functioning office.  A home office shouldn't stand out, it should blend in with your personality and lifestyle (although I reccommend more than a corner on the couch).  Try a sofa table against a wall or wide shelf hung at counter height, even a side table with open space underneath makes a great portable work station.  Find a nook and make it function.  Dore Shaw

 

Instant Office

 

I purchased this Sauder Computer Armoire for a client who doesn't like to use a laptop AND  and didn't want to limit her room to a traditional office.  This Sauder Armoire is the perfect solution. It's a  compact mini office camoflaged as a beautiful cabinet and even has an open top shelf for decorative items.  We skipped the typical office chair and instead added an accent chair that duos as a reading nook when she's not in front of the computer.   Stay tuned photos of the final transformation.  Dore.

 

Garage space

 

Memorial Weekend is a perfect time to take on the garage. It's working outside and visiting with neighbors.  The garage is a room too but often ignored. Add metal storage with glossy color and paint the floor with a sealer. All items found at garage sales . . . no pun intended. Satisfaction guaranteed.  Don't forget the wine and to fire up the grill.  I love long weekends and diy projects. 

French Modern Kitchen

Grey looks amazing on walls but it also works wonders on cabinets.  These are painted with Brindel by Graham.  Here we added vintage hardware handles to update the cabinets.  Marble countertops and a farm sink polish the look.  Boom.  French Modern Kitchen.

Famous TV Apartments : Carrie Bradshaw, Fraiser, and Sheldon & Leonard's

 

Looking for inspiration?  Try watching The Big Bang Theory, Frasier, Sex in the City, or Happy Endings for hipster apartments. New ideas can come from any corner.

 

We've seen them on TV  and admired them.  I even go as far as to DVR these shows just to be able to pause in order to check out their pads.  My new favorite TV apartments are from the sitcom "Happy Endings".  It's fun to watch with the eye of a designer, it gives senseless TV time a little significance. It's like a free idea bank. 

Raw Lighting

 

 

Lighting does so much more than light up a room, it creates a mood.  The hanger light in the corner of this one bedroom condo is lit during the day to reflect the owner's funky side and in the evening, it generates just enough light for a relaxing movie night with a glass of wine.

 

The pendant lights below were designed using an antique jar collection.  The bulb is energy friendly and the black cord adjustable.  I call it "Raw Lighting" when the bulb and the mechanicals are visible.  It instantly brings an industrial flair to any room.  Any glass vessel can hold a bulb and any electrician can put it together.  

Exposed Brick

For the Love of Coffee Table Books

 

I love coffee table books, especially in this digital world.  Coffee Table books are fabulous additions to any home or workspace and show so much personality.  I've always wanted one filled with my own ideas, quotes, and work.  I visioned it as a portfolio having less to do with the acquisition of the next big job and more to do with the beauty of creative expression,

something you could browse through at a glance and gain inspiration through the collection of interior spaces.  But not only that, I wanted it to show my philosophy of minimalism which is the foundation of all my designs. . .  Owning your space vs. being owned by it.

 

The above is the front and back photo cover of that project:  DORE SHAW INTERIORS.

It's not a big book, but the excitement is huge.  It has 45 pages. I ordered 300 copies.  I'm content with it. It's one more thing crossed off my bucket list which brings me great peace and satifaction. It should arrive in several weeks.  Stay tuned.

 

Thanks to all my clients, friends, and co-workers for their unique and special contributions. You have all supported me as one girl living in a big beautiful, scary world.

 

 

 

Loft Kitchen

 

Clean and simple.  Design doesn't have to be complicated, just stylish.  Easy, right?  Style:  An expression of beauty with effortlesslness.  How do you define style?  Let me know.

Reclaimed Wood Bed

Make your own custom bed
I've made 4 of these custom beds for clients, all different heights and sizes and the orders keep coming.  Great for all design styles, from cottage to ultra modern.  Easy to make.   Try it and let me know.  Dore Shaw