kitchen | Holly Mathis Interiors - Holly Mathis Interiors

kitchen

Jan5
58 Comments
The dining room
Posted in: home, kitchen, lighting, paint color
I won’t go through the story again in detail but basically our dining room was red and unused and then it became Drew’s room for a little over a year and recently we have moved the boys together and the dining room is back to its original use. Except now it actually gets used because we opened it into the kitchen more. . . so this is now what i see when standing at my stove or sink..instead of a wall with tiny breakfast table..its so open and more user friendly.
Our Christmas tree is still up but my white tulips (and new lens I am renting for a project) prompted me to take down Christmas in the dining room and do some more photos of the space. It is not 100% finished…we want to do something about the floors..add wood to match other areas of the house, not sure but it will be a while. And i have the original blueprints of our house to frame and hang but all in all, here it is! Again from the kitchen, we built this little desk/butler pantry area to connect the two rooms..more on that project later.
The light is from Pottery Barn, it had a copper top and i painted it…love this light.
The hutch is pine, I painted it Martha’s flagstone from Home Depot. The walls are Behr’s all in one “Graceful Gray.” The wall color in the kitchen and desk area is Sharkey Gray by Martha.
You like my fancy centerpiece?? crayons!
You may notice I can’t decide where to put the red chair, I am contemplating slipping it in white for options. The paint on the little sideboard chest (ok it was once upon a time a desk and then the boys’ changing table) is SLATE by Martha and i love this color!
I waffled over which fabric to use on the windows and settled on the colorful Waggaman from Braemore…purchased at www.housefabric.com.. i did the drapes on the french door end full length, and on the other end (with the short window) i did the shorter..i can see this window from the kitchen sink and it seems more kitcheny and sassy for them to be shorter on that end.. the room really feels casual and an extension of the kitchen so i don’t want it to be too formal and i am loving that it works..the rooms are flowing!
Thanks for looking.
It feels so good to have this sorted out and nearly finished… too have my old table back in its space…it has been a long time coming and i am thankful.
Nov28
15 Comments
It’s been FABuLOUS
Posted in: home, kitchen
An era is over in my home..the FAB and i do mean FAB stove is finally going. It’s sad, I love this stove but i havent had any luck finding parts or someone to work on it and our warranty company was ready to deal so we are getting a new stove. Here is my beauty in all of her glory!

Yep that is my FABULOUS 400 by Tappan…so safe and convenient in a tiny kitchen with little people walking around…you simply pull out and push back in the workspace…but the thing is mine has not worked properly for years. Its been a wonderful excuse to not cook certain items. The excuses are over…the Kenmore elite is coming in and i am losing cabinet space below..oh well…at least i will have FIVE burners that work.
If you live near Houston and are interested in this piece of history, let me know!
Nov17
19 Comments
Housework: A preview
Posted in: kitchen, lighting, paint color
If you have ever been in my home or seen the photos in BHG or on this blog you know it is tiny and there has always been a small table for two against the wall. On the other side of the wall was the dining room, the red dining room that for the last two years has been my son’s Drew’s room.
{Don’t laugh at my chicken prints ca. 2001, they were leopard print and one was zebra! That’s class i know! But hey i was like 25 and they were cute!}
Back to the point..that wall is gone as of this week…well at least a part of it..okay 5 ft..i am a bit dramatic and get excited but at least its OPEN and i can now SEE from my kitchen to dining room!
i love how tearing into a wall can be an archeology project of sorts…
{OK that is interesting, now please cover it up! ha}
Obviously the ikea light has done its job and is going..as is the yellow paint..the floor must all stay for now.which will be an exercise in patience..but it will be character building!;; I am going to focus on the fact that i will now be able to enjoy my french doors and all of the wonderful light this simple little opening in the wall has brought into my kitchen and life! I know dramatic but I think this is going to be HUGE for us!
You can see the gray paint (Behr’s Graceful Gray) in this photo! well sort of. It’s moody and hard to photograph, especially with the weird light situation and my camera skillz. You can also see a peek below at my new lantern light (my husband said ”hey the university called, they want their light back!” ha ha) and the OTHER gray below (Martha’s flagstone) that is going on the hutch. The grays have gotten confusing, more on that later. But i do like the green shutters with it all. Martha’s Sharkey GRAY paint below in the kitchen looks khaki, its not..its a light putty/greige..i love it!
So its just been paint paint paint… the top of the lantern got a little paint too..more on that later. But it may be a while before I have much more progress to show y’all, good thing we are only having one guest for Thanksgiving;; I have to take off from HOUSEWORK the next day or two to work on pilgrim boats..more on that later in the week. {notice I say “later” a lot, must be from having children!}
Thanks for looking!
Nov14
15 Comments
The TOLIX chair
Posted in: kitchen
First manufactured in France in the 1930s, the real deal chairs (available through Sundance Catalog and vintage ones elsewhere) are still made with the same process in the same location. Amazing. And the look is timeless.
I. Adore.
And they stack, and are weather resistant.
And they make stools too. I would love an entire set of chairs for my dining room but I think they are too short for my table..I might order one for a desk chair in the kitchen and see how I like it..or stools for a bar I may or may not use under the kitchen window. Because my kitchen/dining project is IN PROGRESS also known as not finished, but it is on its way. Here are some photos of interiors that used Tolix chairs and these spaces are finished..totally, gloriously finished. Ha!
Oh how I love the patina, they are not shiny cold silver/stainless…and with kids, wonderful wipe up!
. . . and they come in various colors though the natural steel is my fave!
{All interiors photos from Decorpad, product photos from Sundance}
I hope to have some construction photos to show you soon. It really was just a double door size hole, not a huge deal but lots of painting to do….Until then enjoy and tell me if you have any experience with the Tolix chairs or the various knockoffs out there….
Nov1
10 Comments
Kitchen perfection
Posted in: blogs, Inspiration, kitchen, The South
The fabric.
The booth seating.
The lighting.
The use of space and restraint….perfection!
The designer.
Tobi Fairly, of course. See more here.
{photography by Nancy Nolan}
Oct14
16 Comments
Fresh.
Posted in: blogs, Inspiration, kitchen
The blog feels fresh and new. I love it! Thanks to Emily and Ryan at Jones Design…they are amazing! I still have work to do getting the “My flea” page setup, which will basically be an online garage sale, i mean “MARKET”;; And I can’t wait to organize all of my kid ideas, posts, and fave products on my upcoming TINY PLACES page!
So stay tuned for that and updated portfolio coming soon, finally right?!!
In the meantime I am also making some changes around my real life nest, nothing major, just switching some rooms around and adding some little details I have wanted to for a long time..it feels so fresh and fun! Just like this kitchen below. When I first saw it months ago I was instantly in love.
It’s so FRESH cottage..are those brushed gold knobs?? I love the ceilings of course, the little kitchen drapes and the dining room WALLPAPER ( I love how they complement but arent too matchy..perfect)! And the ghost chairs, and the dining light..elegant and traditional but young and modern..fresh!
And the lights, and baby Tripp’s highchair (you know I googled and wanted that highchair for Henry, you know i did)…and the natural rug in the kitchen…I mean who does that?? I love them and hear they are stain resistant but I just dont see it working for me….anyone with small children have one under their kitchen table?? Sorry to wander, back to the room…I love the open shelving too..again not super practical for me but i am sure Tripp would never bother those things!;; And notice the little stairs that come down into the kitchen, oh I just love that..sigh. Read more details on the article here. Good job keeping it FRESH Southern Living!
Jun11
10 Comments
Client’s Kitchen Window
Posted in: Inspiration, kitchen
Nancy is one of my favorite clients..she is just so darn nice and she really gets things done..the perfect online client (actually she lives in Houston so we have been able to work together in person AND online the perfect combo).. She executed this idea for her kitchen window so well..it is a wonderful room and this fabric just finishes it off.
I am not a huge fan of clips more and more (though I have them in my bedroom until I find what I want to change them out for..) but they look just fine here..and notice..and these are simple squares, not complex. GOOD JOB NANCY!
{the fabric is Waverly “lovely lattice” from fabric.com …I also like to call it “poor’s man’s KWID!” ha!}
Jun3
34 Comments
Painting cabinets?
Posted in: kitchen
There is so much good discussion out there on various blogs about this topic so I won’t try to link it all but trust me, you won’t have to look far to find an abundance of photos and information! So I am going to just scratch the surface and use my new client’s kitchen to illustrate how simple paint can change the look of basic builder cabinets. Oh and by the way, the only thing that might upset your husband more than smocking and peter pan collars on his little boy, mention painting the wood cabinets! Luckily, the husband in this house is on board. We just need to choose the right color!
{My client’s current kitchen with oak cabinets and green walls}
My client loves white, cottage kitchens BUT she also has WHITE corian counters that are not going to be switched out. I should mention she also has white chairs, white breakfast table, white barstools BUT the appliances are black (for now) and the island could be black or another color.
Add in the fact that the kitchen is an open floor plan and it can be a complicated puzzle. Thank goodness for technology! What do you think of painting the cabinets white?? Too sterile? It actually looks okay in this photo because the counters appear darker here than they are in real life..they are actually very white! So we can’t TOTALLY rely on technology, still have to paint the test boards y’all! But I am feeling the neutral walls. (Don’t you love how I was too lazy to remove the old color behind her accessories, that is the green cast in the photo)….I do love her quirky old chair on top of the cabinet!
So perhaps this too white, but how about black cabinets (SW Caviar to be exact)? By the way, they are installling white beadboard backsplash (there will be beadboard in the breakfast room, around island and around bar) and glass knobs to “cottage” it up. And floors, she is getting warm tone wood floors that lucky girl! The island is SW Aquasphere.
Or how about SW Classic French Gray on the cabinets, with SW Kilim Beige on the walls?? I think I liked Toasted Pine Nut better on the walls. Again, please ignore the green color “remants” above the cabinets.
The cabinet color is SW Classic French Gray. Notice how the island appears more gray and the cabinets more blue. The photo below is SW Library Pewter. Warning! Must. be. careful. not to cross the 1980s blue country kitchen line. I think we are okay here with all of our options. But I think I prefer the more gray??!
So what do you think?? Do you prefer wood cabinets, black, white, or a color?? Have you painted your basic builder cabinets? I would love to hear any tips or suggestions for this client and others. I personally think this is the biggest thing you can do to change the look of a suburban home and make it more unique and custom!
May10
16 Comments
The LOVE of BEADBOARD
Posted in: bathrooms, Inspiration, kitchen, paint color
Lets talk about beadboard. Oh how I love beadboard, usually slathered up with white paint BUT I must admit I love the look above painted a with color!
One of my bedrooms growing up (we lived in several different homes) had it on the ceiling..the old kind with the gaps and cracks (which I actually love..don’t like it too perfect..more about that in a bit)…However, I must say, beadboard is not a good floor treatment..yes I am serious, we lived in a historic home when we were newlyweds and it had beadboard on the bathroom floor..not a nice feeling on the feet!and just a weird use of beadboard. Not to mention the cleaning! ha!
{Image from Meredith Corporation}
So with the exception of floors, I think beadboard is perfection in many different areas..obviously ceilings, mudrooms, kitchen backsplash, nursery, entry, mudroom, ceilings and of course bathrooms. I think some of the tile companies even market a ceramic tile beadboard look if humidity is a concern.
Here it is below in classic white. I love it in hallways and entryways where there is not a lot of room for artwork or even a bench.
And everyone is talking about beadboard..read what The Remodeling Guy says here and even the NYTimes did this article..because beadboard is not just for cottage anymore..its popping up in newer homes and even the city!
No matter how popular and widely loved it has become, there is still nothing to me like seeing it on an old porch ceiling…in that great Southern tradition of haint blue..great combo!
… or inside a piece of authentic utilitarian furniture. LOVE.
Yes, old beadboard surely makes me swoon whether on a porch, inside an old cabinet or on a ceiling!
So we know beadboard is great in many places but my question is..which type of product do you prefer for current projects:
1. vintage style strips or planks, installed the old school way… I like this method, the history major part of me feels this is “authentic” and most accurate..ha! It is also probably the most expensive and most trouble..so unless you live in an historic home and really care about details…this may not be the way to go..it also can shift and show gaps over the years..I like this but it might drive some people crazy!
2. beadboard “panels” or sheets they come in various grades and price points but I know for a fact you can buy the sheets really inexpensively at big box home improvement stores…This is a great solution if you are trying to cover an ugly or scarred wall in a bath or on a ceiling..you do have to consider seams, perhaps add a strip of molding/trim over the seams but not the gaps and cracks like the old stuff.
3. beadboard wallpaper. Correct me if I am wrong but I think this has been in the home improvement stores for a while..along with other “paintable” heavy wallpapers. Recently, however it has stormed the Internet. Rhoda at Southern Hospitality did a great post on it complete with fab pictures and links to others who have used the product. Very easy and like Rhoda says, if you don’t want to mess with removing molding and cutting trim, nails etc.., this is a great way to go.and it is inexpensive! I have even seen this product in Ballard’s catalog!
SO WHICH HAVE YOU USED for your projects?? Where in your home? Which look do you prefer?? Is there really even a difference visually unless you really take note and are a beadboard snob ..ha!??? I can’t wait to hear what y’all think, share links and leave comments!
May7
11 Comments
Camille’s no-sew roman shade
Posted in: fabric, kitchen
Remember my friend Camille’s cute kitchen, she painted the bottom cabinets black and her fridge with stainless paint, etc.. And then she added the cute basket light. Well now she has finished the window treatment and… I. LOVE.
Listen to how she did it….and she wants me to stress there is “not a stitch in the thing!”..Even though she is an accomplished seamstress and could totally make a real roman shade with all of the hardware and everything, she is also a busy mom and teacher so we can appreciate this route can’t we..
Directions:
- Buy a pre-made roman shade (white or khaki maybe) from Lowe’s, JCP, wherever you can find one cheap that somewhat fits your window.
- Cut the fabric two inches wider and 8 inches longer than the pre-made roman shade (this one is from Lowe’s-$20).
- Hem the sides of the fabric (1 inch on each side) using Heat ‘ Bond iron on hem tape.
- Next, starting at the bottom of the shade, fold the bottom edge under the shade and hot glue in place (later you can hide the raw edge by hot gluing on some grosgrain ribbon).
- Then, working UP the shade, hot glue the sides of the fabric to the shade. You’ll need to also glue under and over each of the “ribs” in the shade so that you can see them clearly once you’ve finished (you know, the wooden dowels that the string pulls on to raise and lower it).
- Once you get to the top, fold the upper edge of the fabric around to the back side and glue down (again, you can finishe it off with grosgrain ribbon IF anyone will see the back. If not, don’t sweat it). And voila! A no sew custom window shade!
Thanks for sharing Camille..this is a great idea to simply cover a pre-made shade..instant lining and the structure/base for whatever wonderful fabric you want to add to a room!
If you have any questions for her, be sure and ask in the comments.