Bernard Ackley — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:50:02 +0000

I want to compliment Liz on her excellent selection for our home of the Vermont Dutch West gas stove. It looks and feels like something from a cabin up north. With a real log looking flame and a metal chimney going into the wall it looks so natural in the corner. I know the pros and cons of real wood, but to sit for a half hour and read a chapter of a book by a fire that I never would have built for such a short period, is wonderful.

Bernard Ackley — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:35:16 +0000

A bit off topic but yet it is furniture related. I have to say the cabinet designs by Liz in both our bath and kitchen make them feel like furniture. By putting feet in key points along the cabinets, they feel like a built-in chest or buffet. Thank you.

Bernard Ackley — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:19:57 +0000

I want to say that our remodeled kithen from Destiny Homes is a perfect example of what Liz describes as the “command central” work triangle not conflicting with the traffic pattern. Our house layout demands that our Kitchen serve as a walk-through to reach the lower level, the sunroom, the dining room and the back entry. As you can imagine, it is a high traffic area at times. The design from Butch and Liz allows all the traffic with out any disruption of the work triangle. On the other hand anyone passing through the kitchen can stop, pull up a stool to the island, and chat with the chef. That would be my wife.

mary d — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:22:43 +0000

I appreciated Liz’s suggestion that we distress the floor. It has made it much easier as inevitable signs of traffic show up on the new floor; they add to the charm instead of detracting from the “newness”.
Thanks Liz!

Liz — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:27:12 +0000

Thanks for your great question.
I find homeowners are most frustated by kitchens that have a comflict between traffic patterns and the work triangle. I work very hard to seperate the two when I am doing a remodel. In the kitchen above I kept the work triangle, which includes the sink, frig, and cooktop seperate from the traffic flow. The cook can work efficiently while overseeing the rest of the family. I call that triangle “command central.”

Liz — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:11:18 +0000

In the English influence of this space we used half-timbering on the walls and ceiling. We distressed the white oak floor and added the rich texture of leather in the club chair beside the fireplace. The sofa has turned feet and an English arm.
Together, the homeowner and I distressed the floor. It was a fun way to help the owners feel apart of the project.
If you’d like the old world influences and you’d like to plan a space for yourself let’s talk more.

jguffy — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:45:30 +0000

Cooking is 1 area that requires balance…how about the WORK space?? Should work space be big/seperate? How does the traffic flow in a kitchen work space change it’s efficiency?

jguffy — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:29:43 +0000

I love the feel that English authentisity adds to the look and warmth of a room. Other than using wood or antiques what other touches can reflect this effect?