The Sunday Spy 5.22.22

We Spy With Our Designer Eye

Each Sunday we’ll share a design that caught our eye and we took some time to savor. Designs that are a little different than the norm, like this one shared by onlyndoor.com. At first glance, this unique snack bar at the window draws us in. With a closer look, let’s look at all the well-planned details that really make this such a welcoming home! Read more…

Now you can share LBD via text!

The Sunday Spy 5.22.22

We Spy With Our Designer Eye

Now you can share LBD via text!

Wasting Money on Stainless Appliances

Architectural Digest is a wonderful source for some truly great Before and After projects. Here’s an example of when it’s better to plan a complete renovation, including a realistic budget, instead of small updates where good money is thrown after bad. Even the more reasonable big box store stainless refrigerator’s are expensive. In this case, spending a few thousand dollars did not make much difference in this kitchen. Do you agree? Now the vintage range is pretty cool tho!

There are so many things to like about this renovated space! First, it appears to be within the a very similar footprint. Using existing space is always less expensive and allows the project to take less time. Next, the way the finishings are combined is uniquely interesting. Yeah for this red door! Much thought, care and attention to detail was part of this plan. There is a personality, almost a soul to this kitchen. Finally, this space is not the oversized, open concept, white-white decor that seems to be touted everywhere right now. This decor is timeless. We can tell there is a family that just can’t wait to get here everyday!

Update- This is a repost from February 2017..we still love the soul in this kitchen!

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January 7, 2022

Undoing The “Must-Haves” In A Kitchen

“I Must Have Granite and Stainless Steel Appliances!”

Ok, all you real estate agents, and at home HGTV watchers…how many times do we hear these very words? TOO OFTEN! Today we share our own minimal kitchen journey to totally debunk these must-haves in our kitchen.

The Holdover Kitchen

The old saying in real estate of, location-location-location, finally resonated with both Mr. LBD and moi at the same time. For years we’ve known that walkable, city neighborhoods are our playgrounds. We’ve paid big bucks to “live like locals” for a month at a time in cities all across this wonderful world. Nearly a year ago, we successfully acquired a full-time residence in our favorite city. Within this home, we also were the proud owners of a 12-year-old “must-have” kitchen.

The photo above shows the small kitchen with updated paint, and those stainless and granite amenities all shined up. Due to the city’s strict building permit restrictions…this space was what we functioned in every day. Looked good but was not the best use of space for how we live. We cooked often before the pandemic and, well, I don’t need to tell anyone that kitchens have become even more important to all of us now!

The Kitchen The Day We Looked At The Unit