With turkey on our minds (Canadians, who is still full?!) we take it to the kitchen this Makeover Monday and get inspiration from designer Cristin Priest of Simplified Bee and her “kitchen nook” overhaul.  The nook, aka the 6 x 6 ft space lands in a hallway half way between the kitchen and family room.  It was cute but somewhat out of place so whatever she would do had to coordinate with the spaces on either end.

PastedGraphic-8

The plain walls didn’t cut it for her so a print it was.   She found a vibrant green and white trellis print wallpaper by Manuel Canovas, and that was the starting point.

PastedGraphic-1

It seriously transformed the space but pretty wasn’t the main priority – function was.  She’s a mom and what better place for kids to do homework, projects or have a snack.  We don’t have a pre-installation shot but the custom made table and seating did the trick.

PastedGraphic-4

The heavy duty butcher block top with white painted leg tie into the white bench seating.  Custom made glossy Kelly green patent leather cushions top if off and make life for mom wipeable.  A fab choice that will  resist anything child could throw at it indeed!  Better yet, the benches have storage within …

PastedGraphic-7

A brilliant use of otherwise dead space and an easy way to make supplies accessible!  Opposite the seating area the long wall is broken up with this fun display board she found at Pottery Barn way back, which colorfully houses the kid’s drawings, party invitations and school papers.

PastedGraphic-2

On the other walls of the nook, a treasured oil painting of sunflowers from her Grandmother.  Home is where the heart is; a fabulous way to think of family indeed!

PastedGraphic-5

Opposite that 4 matching white frames with favorite art pieces by the kids. We also can’t help notice the cute Bali Pillow by Thomas Paul for added comfort – layering prints in the same tone adds another dimension.

Loving the earthy Industrial Design!!!

We can’t help notice the tabletop ready to inspire anyone with its colorful assortment of creative goodies near the window!  Repurposing an old tray, Cristin painted it white and lined it with the wallpaper, then used the green, white and silver jars to tie it all together.  One of her kids made the clay bowl used to house the chalk too.

PastedGraphic-9

Finishing the space with a pendant light adds ample task lighting for projects of all kinds.  Cristin ordered the light from Arteriors but had no clue it was painted yellow inside until she unboxed it.  It worked perfectly in the space and adds that hint of glam to this contemporary and insanely functional nook

PastedGraphic-6

We noticed Cristin is 1/20 designers participating in the fall 2015 #oneroomchallenge.  We’re looking forward to hearing all about her foyer transformation.  Follow along here as she does it over the next 6 weeks!