I wanted to share the kitchen makeover process from the COCOCOZY Design House series. I realized that I never shared the before and after process of the kitchen renovation with you all. As some of you already know, this was my first time remodeling a home, which was thrilling and overwhelming. Now, it’s so satisfying to look back and see where the project started and how it turned out after ten months of work. Personally, I think that the kitchen is the most important room in every home. It’s the designated room for dinner parties, family gatherings, and entertaining guests. The kitchen is the soul of the home and needs to make a big impact when it comes to interior design.

The Kitchen Makeover

My vision for this kitchen was to make it feel bright and open, but still complemented the Spanish Colonial feel of the home. It was important that the kitchen was not only beautiful, but usable too. I wanted to create a new layout that I call a livable kitchen. It’s a concept that utilizes a space to cook and a space for dining and entertaining. It creates a more fluid environment within a home. This livable kitchen concept was used throughout this kitchen renovation. 

The original layout limited the home’s true potential. It was divided into three separate rooms, making it feel dark and small in size. I knew that this house deserved a stunning updated kitchen that can enhance the character of the house. By adding an archway, it brightened up the entire room and gave the home some fluidity it so desperately needed. Tearing down the walls and adding my own personal touch to the design, helped increase the value and appeal of this home. Having an amazing kitchen is an important investment when it comes to renovating a home. 

Now that we are all staying safer at home, our focus has been on the home and home design. I spend a lot of time going back and forth to the kithcne these days getting snacks, planning meals, organizing the fridge etc. I now wish I could design my dream kitchen and use it right now. Ever find yourself dreaming about celebrity kitchens?  I sure have! Over the years I have run across so many incredible celebrity kitchens. Luxury interiors galore celebrities ofter work with incredible interior designers to craft the perfect space. Get ready for some of the best kitchen inspiration!

Have you ever seen the stunning assortment of dining room banquette seating out there? I’ve recently become fascinated with the design idea! I saw one image and then I kept seeing banquette seating everywhere. The great thing about this design idea is that it can be translated to match any design aesthetic or color palette. Get ready because these designs are ready to inspire and I can’t wait to share them!

This post was going to be about light muted blue walls but through my research, I found muted green interiors may just be the next big thing. They are everywhere and for good reason. They are simply stunning! Throughout scouring the web I found so many incredible examples of harmonious muted green interiors. Without further a due – get ready to be inspired to paint your whole place a similar shade of green.

The secret is out: Butcher Block Countertops are the latest kitchen trend. You heard it here first this might just be the biggest trend in 2020. Personally I’m not typically for or against wood countertops – but in these spaces, it works! When you think butcher block wood countertops you probably think about a worn-down home from decades previous. But, these kitchens will completely alter your opinion!

A Manhattan kitchen built for entertaining in the city that never sleeps. It’s so hard to imagine that in a city like Manhattan, kitchens like this exists. This large kitchen is the centerpiece of the home. This is the perfect space for elaborate dinner parties with good friends designed by Elizabeth Roberts. I can only dream about throwing a gathering here. 

One thing I love posting about is celebrity home tours. When I ran across a tour of Liv Tyler’s West Village Townhouse I knew I had to cover it! A look inside Liv Tyler’s whimsical and beautifully designed townhouse! This stunning townhouse was entirely redone and was a historical renovation. They did an amazing job at adding custom molding, woods floors, pocket doors and more! This house tour is so good that it inspired two other post ideas that are now on my list! 

This gorgeous colorful Spanish colonial home is located in Franklin Hills. It was designed by Reath Design! When I ran across this home tour I was immediately intrigued by how well this home does color. This home is full of bold color choices and prints. I didn’t think it was possible to create a home with so much going on but this house makes it look easy. It’s not my go-to style but it’s incredibly beautiful and brilliantly designed. The darker feel to the home is perfect for the fall season! 

Lately, I have been seeing double island kitchens everywhere. It seems like every time I go on Instagram, Pinterest, or pick up an interior design magazine I see one. The other day I went to visit a friend who has one and it was incredible. Double Islands allow for the perfect combination of entertaining space and being able to cook with ease. It’s no secret that counter space is hard to come by. With a double island, there is a plethora of counter space! 

Lately, kitchens are on my mind. I’ve been kitchen stalking. Drooling over incredible kitchen designs is my new hobby. Since wrapping up the COCOCOZY Design House Kitchen I’ve been dying to do another one. Until I find another house to remodel, ogling over other people’s kitchens is my thing.  This feature image is rocker Lenny Kravitz’s home in Brazil featured in Architectural Digest.  This is one I am loving now!  Everything about it.  Here is a collection of 9 other kitchens I’m pulling inspiration from for my next kitchen design

Still pinching myself over the House Beautiful article about the COCOCOZY Design House! Now time for more detail about kitchen and bathroom counters. Last year, I showed you my countertop selection.

As you might recall, Caesarstone, one of the COCOCOZY Design House partners, generously supplied all of the counter material for the kitchen and the bathrooms and I am so happy with my picks:  Statuario Maximus for kitchen and Pure White for the master and 2 other bathrooms!

More updates on COCOCOZY Design House kitchen. Today it is all about the kitchen sink.  The kitchen remodel has come together. It looks amazing.  Better than I had expected actually.  All the details down to the fantastic sink area worked out. Kohler generously supplied the farmhouse style kitchen sink and and kitchen faucet.  I wanted the kitchen sink area to combine function and good looks at the same time…I think it worked out!  Here’s how it came together…

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Monogram is one of our most amazing COCOCOZY Design House partners.  They gave us all of the fabulous kitchen and laundry room appliances for the Design House. We’ve come a long way since I first wrote about Monogram, GE’s high-end line of appliances that are all pro chef quality.

If I had to describe my style, it’s a mix of traditional and modern, so I love a rustic modern home. This home from Kate Marker Interiors is the perfect combination of bright and neutral. Tall ceilings and larger than life chandeliers define this rustic home.

From the exteriors to the foyer, the continued color scheme throughout sets the tone for this beautiful house tour.

Take a look below!

I need to brag about my dear friend Linda Grasso for a second.

Linda is the editor of Los Angeles magazine Ventura Blvd and the host of the SheSez with Linda Grasso podcast. She is a veteran journalist who interviews fascinating women about their bold, innovative, and sometimes badass moves. She and her husband Charlie recently remodeled the kitchen in their fantastic Encino home. They’ve lived in the house for years and have raised their sons there.

A little background, Linda and I go way back. We both worked at E! Entertainment Television, where we became friends after working on a project together. She has since been a fabulous confidant and consistent sounding board over the years! You may remember when she interviewed me on her podcast — which you can catch up on by clicking here.

Anyway, I went over to Linda’s house right before the remodel to have lunch with her and to brainstorm with her about fixtures, counters, the works. I loved her old kitchen… it had a Tuscan or French country feel to it. Linda and Charlie were ready for a change, though. This whole project started as an interior paint refresh, but it turned into a whole new kitchen. Like me, she is an avid cook and entertainer — so I understand her desire to create an inviting place that she’s proud of.

I am extremely excited to introduce you to another fabulous partner for the COCOCOZY Design House, Monogram! This is GE’s elite line of professional kitchen appliances.

As a major anchor partner for our renovation of the 1860 square foot Spanish style home in View Park LA, Monogram has offered to provide EVERYTHING… EVERYTHING appliance related for the kitchen. This mean Refrigeration, Stove, Dishwasher, Microwave and even the Washer/Dryer. Woo!

I was at my day job one day and I was telling a colleague, who is a major home chef, about the COCOCOZY Design House concept and he suggested I reach out to Monogram, the best in the business. I immediately hopped on Google and learned about this amazing line of professional quality kitchen appliances. The minute I saw this great collection, I was in love! That weekend, I popped over to the local showroom where I spent a good amount of time oogling over all of the appliances on display!