Christine Nelson Design

Christine Nelson, AKBD, is an award-winning kitchen and bath designer. She owns Christine Nelson Design (http://www.christinenelsondesign.com/) where she works with clients in all aspects of kitchen and bath remodeling. Her designs have won awards from the Minnesota Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and have been featured in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Midwest Home and Spaces magazines.

Inspired by color in everyday life, Nelson writes a monthly blog, About Color, (http://blog.christinenelsondesign.com/) documenting her personal inspirations, providing insight into new color trends, and sharing tips on incorporating color in interior spaces.

Inspiration

Nothing is more glorious in fall than blazing orange foliage set against a backdrop of vivid greenery. Fall inspiration colors were just what my client wanted for the renewal of her 1900’s South Minneapolis kitchen.

Design Challenges

This kitchen needed a color update and an entirely new floor plan to open up the space, absorb the eating area, and better utilize the storage capacity of the pantry. A tiny landing to the right of the existing range and an unvented microwave posed safety hazards.

Solutions

Color: Orange makes its own statement on the walls and in Roger Mayland’s stunning handmade tile details. (North Prairie Tileworks: http://www.handmadetile.com/) The sea green tile backsplash perfectly picks up the green flecks in the Aquarius granite counters from Amsum and Ash. Natural maple for the upper cabinets blends with the light woods of the floor and butcher-block counter and contrasts with the sandalwood alder bases.

My clients’ eyes are the same sea green as the backsplash, and her hair is a great strawberry/red hair color. She matches her kitchen perfectly!

Floor Plan: All major appliances had to be relocated to improve flow in the main traffic zones. When the refrigerator came out of its former home in the pantry, much needed storage space was gained. However, the appliance shuffle in the main kitchen blocked a doorway to the dining room. Solution? Refashion the doorway, keep the trimwork and create a pass-thru, making it a lovely interior window into the Fall Kitchen. The sink was moved to the corner to allow for prep space around the other appliances.

The client loves it, "I can't tell you how wonderfully the layout for the kitchen is working out. It is a dream to cook and clean in there!"

See Christine’s October blog, About Color (http://blog.christinenelsondesign.com/) for more Orange Inspiration.