Efficient? Yes. Gorgeous design? Heck yes. Do I want my next kitchen to be a perfect balance of white and charcoal like this kitchen? Yes yes yes! This is the newly renovated and impressively well appointed kitchen in Sparrow Manor. It is as tailored and classic as the manor's exterior:

Sparrow Manor was originally built in 1909, and is an example of Empire and Federal Architecture. Let's take another peak at the kitchen, shall we?

There are so many amenities to love like the wall mounted pot filler faucet, a stunning mosaic, chrome listello tiles, and fully loaded appliances.

This is why I am a fan of extra wide countertops instead of raised sections on an island, this is like the vast expanse that greeted our nations founders! Think of all the buffets and prep space you would have on this countertop.

What makes a winter chalet retreat feel cozy and rustic? A neutral palette of greys, black and weathered whites are the perfect backdrop for the natural warmth of wood, and lots of it. This Osler Chalet designed by Connie Braemer won an award of excellence from ARIDO in 2008.

A field rock backsplash and antler chandelier finish the rustic look in the black painted kitchen. Using very few upper cabinets also gives this kitchen a lovely European flair.

Get this look!

Pillar Candle Rectangular Chandelier: Restoration Hardware $935.00

Antler Chandelier: Capital Lighting $482.00

Distressed Black Buffet & Hutch: The Furniture $1'549.00

Black Walnut Reclaimed Slab Table: Brander Design

Poketo.com is a handy little website with seriously cute little gadgets for around the office and home. The Desk-It is a weekly sticky notepad that helps in Sunday through Saturday organization. I have a huge desk calendar that sits unused under my keyboard since I have to lift up my keyboard every time I want to write something new, so annoying! And high up on my want now list is the super cute Music Balloon portable and rechargeable USB speaker.  Another handy little item for the home are these 5 Minute Candles that are packaged to look like a book of matches! I love anything that is miniature and useful!

Painting: “Girl In Burnt Sienna”

Medium: Oil Paint

Size: 16” x 18” on Canvas Board

By: Eva Robertson

This is one of my most favorite paintings. In classic portrait painting, after the image is sketched on canvas, it is painted with sienna and umber tones to capture shadows and highlights, and then finally painted in full color. I got to the second stage with this one and didn't want to go on, I just liked the sienna look so much it stayed right there. The tone and luminosity of this girl's skin was just so beautiful I had to paint her.