Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Not for the Faint of Heart

Michelle Nussbaumer - House Beautiful

 After three days of tile guys at my house, the lanai and front entrance are done and drying. There was lots of drama with heavy thunderstorms and two inches of rain in the middle of it all, but the project is done. 

I am now motivated to replace my kitchen backsplash with something very high end, and was looking online for inspiration. I came across this kitchen and had to share it. I am far from a minimalist, but this kitchen is insane. Blue lacquer cabinets. Pink lacquer cabinets. A breakfast height waterfall at the end of the island. Elaborate black and brass hood. Full slab backsplash. Marble countertops. A rustic wood treatment above the cabinets. A patterned tile floor. A King Arthur and the Round Table chandelier. Lots of different metals. And don't miss the massive red mirror. 

I'm not sure what to make of all this. Your thoughts?

UPDATE : A follower kindly sent me another photo of this kitchen - it doesn't get any less weird.


Michelle Nussbaumer - House Beautiful

And I just found this.


Michelle Nussbaumer - House Beautiful

This is indeed the kitchen in Michelle Nussbaumer's Dallas home and was House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year in 2019. Gobsmacked.


Michelle Nussbaumer - House Beautiful


30 comments:

  1. There is way too much going on here for me, but I also don’t think the lighting is very good in the picture. What I thought was a door on the left I now think is mirror upon further study.
    I keep thinking maybe it isn’t as bad as I think and wish there were more pictures to give me a better perspective

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beth, you forgot to mention those urns atop the pink cabinets...

    ReplyDelete
  3. It’s just plain ugly. I tried to weed through all the “stuff” and it’s just too much!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a design gone wrong... Famous decorator or not, this falls into the category of the emperor has no clothes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It all makes my hair hurt.
    Wouldn't even know where to begin, but do know that if I were faced with that in a prospective home I'd have to gut it and start from scratch. I like the floor but not enough to keep it and try to factor it into the next design.

    But hey, whatever floats your boat.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This could also be someone's idea of a joke. Like, ha, ha, I fooled you into thinking someone actually did this for real.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would never design a kitchen like the one you posted, but it shows a lot of personality. And, it is attractive.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looks like a war going on in my visual field. Gives me a headache.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, did they find all of that stuff on Craigslist?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No design cohesion. Two many disparate elements. Plain old ugly. I agree with the posters upthread..I would have to gut it, did they buy it on Craigslist? and/or is this a joke?

      Delete
    2. Perfect example of money not being able to replace good taste

      Delete
    3. I’m shocked that House Beautiful would even publish something so hideous in their magazine. There’s not one thing good in the kitchen and should be in the “what not to do” when remodeling your kitchen. Sorry, but that is my thought!

      Delete
  10. Have to agree with all previous posts; this is just downright ugly. Full on gut job. I looked at the rest of the kitchen and it's even more hideous!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It gets even worse when you look in the direction of the sink
    https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0249/7380/3566/files/HBX100119KOTY_010_copy.jpg?v=1602158270

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. An embarrassment of riches in a literal sense. I can only imagine it was requested by the client and "the client is always right". Ultimately, they have to be happy and if they are, well, that's all that matters.

      Delete
  12. This looks like the work of a designer who had some super expensive odds and ends left over from various kitchen jobs --- oops, measured wrong and ordered too many pink cabinets ---- oops, the client changed their mind and now doesn't want the tile --- oops, oops, oops --- and so they decided to clean out their storage area and toss everything into one kitchen. :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. Plain and simple - this is awful. Whoever thought this was a good idea, is patently insane.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mayan? Aztec? It would be hard to cook and eat comfortably in there with those creatures staring at you. Some of the colors are lovely, though.

    ReplyDelete
  15. And what is happening on the wall on the right in the last picture???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so right - that might be the absolute worst part.

      Delete
  16. This is horrible, in every way.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Definitely a high drama space. House Beautiful seems to be stuck on dark, moody interiors. I used to save every issue but lately it goes to the recycling bin after a cursory glance

    ReplyDelete
  18. I cannot believe the designer gets any business if this is how she designs for herself! Insane.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Rooms like this are why I no longer subscribe to House Beautiful. Kitchen of the year? Not one thing I like about it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Upon further reflection...
    Had I only seen the last shot I would have liked the overall vibe and appreciated the sophistication and originality. The only bold color is the lacquered blue, everything else is subdued.

    When it gets to be entirely too much is the introduction of lacquered pink, the overwhelming Aztec mural/wallpaper (?), the hood, the faux wood surface (?) above pink cabinetry and the multitude of unrelated patterns and finishes. A veritable "turducken" of decorating.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh, I am SO going to remember (and use) the phrase "turducken of decorating." That is too funny! And spot-on accurate!

    ReplyDelete