WHAT IS A SCULLERY, ANYWAY?

Image: The Funky Kitchen

Once upon a time, aristocrats (think Bridgerton or Downton Abbey) had a) big houses and b) lots of staff. Their kitchens were used for actual cooking, while prep work and cleanup happened in another room called the ‘scullery.’ Nowadays, a scullery is an extra space, often right off the kitchen, that serves much the same purpose. It’s what your granny might have called a “back kitchen.” They can be anywhere from enormous to pint-sized, but a proper scullery always includes these three things…

ESSENTIAL ELEMENT #1: STORAGE

Image: Verve Magazine

You might think of a scullery as a pantry but not for food. Instead, it’s a place to store things like small kitchen appliances, extra plates/serving dishes, specialty pans/utensils (like that paella pan you just had to have but only used once), and the like. Bonus: The extra storage allows any open shelves in the “public” kitchen to concentrate on looking pretty while the actual work goes on backstage.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENT #2: COUNTERTOPS

Image: Pinterest

“That’s too much counter space” said no one ever. You can use it to hide that showstopper dessert until you’re ready to wow your guests or as a place to keep/use kitchen workhorses like stand mixers. Bottom line, you need a place to set things down. Otherwise, you’ll just have to turn around and take them back to the kitchen, which defeats the purpose of having a scullery in the first place.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENT #3: SINK

Image: Unique Design

That sexy farmhouse sink in the main kitchen doesn’t look nearly as Insta-worthy when it’s piled with dirty pots and pans. The scullery sink—or the optional-but-useful scullery dishwasher—is the perfect place to hide the mess, so it doesn’t distract from your dinner party. Or your evening of binge-watching. Or whatever it is that you’d rather do than the dishes.

REMEMBER: PRACTICAL CAN BE PRETTY

Image: Apartment Therapy

A scullery is useful, yes, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful—luxurious, even. Since modern-day sculleries don’t, alas, come with a scullery maid, you should make it a space you enjoy being in. This could be the perfect place for that bold color you love but didn’t want in a bigger space. Since it’s smaller than the main kitchen, it’s more cost-effective to add a higher-end backsplash or countertop here. Even a little bit of bling can make cleanup feel less like drudgery and more like TLC for your things.

So, what do you think? Is a scullery in your future?

The post KITCHEN TREND: THE RETURN OF THE SCULLERY appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

To quote our friends at Southern Living, “One thing we love about a gallery wall is that there are virtually no rules. If you’re displaying more than a couple bits of wall decor in a cluster together, then you’ve already met the minimum quota.” (For more SL wisdom, see 60 Gallery Wall Ideas To Make The Most Of Your Space.) Is it really as simple as sticking a bunch of stuff on a wall? Almost…but there are a few choices to make along the way.

CHOOSE YOUR WALL(S)

Image: Image: Sheltnerness.com

Where will your gallery go? Over a bed, above a couch, up the stairs, down a hall? It’s your call. Food for thought: your gallery “wall” doesn’t have to be just one wall. Consider a gallery corner for extra impact.

CHOOSE YOUR THEME

Image:   Lavenderandlaurelhome.com

What’s going in your gallery? Family photos, prized album covers, plates, vacation pics, actual paintings, mirrors, all of the above or something else altogether? What ties them all together? The subject matter? The color scheme? The fact that every piece is something you love? There’s no one right answer: this is your gallery, so whatever you choose is right for you.

CHOOSE YOUR ART

Image:  Etsy

Gather all your potential exhibits together in the same room as your gallery-to-be. Once you see everything together, a little curating may be in order. You may need to edit out a piece (or two), you may decide to add something else (shopping!), or you may have exactly what you need. You won’t really know until you get them all together. And you won’t really really know until you…

CHOOSE YOUR LAYOUT

Image: JJ Martin, House Beautiful

You can go maximalist and fill the space from corner to corner, ceiling to floor or opt for a pleasing shape that takes up less wall space. Groupings that are roughly oval are graceful, symmetrical arrangements with perfectly spaced lines are classic, but there are multiple options. It’s recommended that you give pieces a bit of ‘breathing room’ between them. The plates in the image above break that “rule” but did you notice how their arrangement mimics the arch of the chair below? Nice.

CHOOSE TO ENJOY

Image: copparstadinterior, curatedinterior.com

Once you’ve made all your choices and installed your gallery, stand back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. It’s your very own ‘art’ gallery!

5 BONUS TIPS

1. IF YOU DON’T HAVE B&W PHOTOS, YOU CAN MAKE THEM

Image: @devon_grace_interiors

If you have your heart set on a stylish wall of black & white photos but your pics are all in color, you can easily turn them into B&W versions. Common programs like PowerPoint and Photoshop will do it with the click of a mouse. If you don’t have a program on your computer, try an online one like Canva.

2. YOU DON’T NEED A LOT TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL ARRANGEMENT

Image: Shutterfly

See the image above for one example. Five pictures. Three shelves. Just enough. Also, notice how this arrangement leads the eye to the fireplace.

3. HANGING PLATES IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK

Image: The Inspired Room

You can, of course, use those wire hangers with springs in them like granny used to use, but for a more modern, invisible option, see How to Hang Plates on the Wall – The Inspired Room.

4. BEFORE YOU HANG ANYTHING…

Image: Bluebird on Unsplash

…take a good look at your wall. Is the paint chipped or peeling? Will your art look its best on that color? If the answer is no, contact us to turn the actual wall of your gallery wall into the backdrop your collection deserves.

5. FOR MORE INSPIRATION, JUST GOOGLE

Image: Pixabay

A search for “gallery wall” will lead to many, many articles, images, and hours of happy scrolling. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. 😊

The post CREATE A GORGEOUS GALLERY WALL appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

1. Incorporate Texture

We’ve mentioned before, but we love a good pairing of color and texture. For example, this deep green hue and vertical panels are match made in heaven!

2. Be Matchy-Matchy

If you’re not sure where to start with an accent wall, gather some inspiration by looking around the room! Try coordinating with a piece of art, your favorite piece of furniture, or even a throw blanket or a pillow on your couch.

3. Bring Back Wallpaper

If you’re a little apprehensive when it comes to wallpaper, you’re not alone! Tacky wallpaper was a staple of the 80s and 90s, but we’re here to let you know that it’s safe to get back in the water!

Wallpaper can be an incredible way to create an accent wall—just avoid overly busy patterns and find one that feels like a classic that you’ll love for years to come!

4. Embrace Nature

Sure, the reclaimed wood has been a little overdone thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines. But incorporating wood textures or panels can be a wonderful way to bring some dimension to a room with lots of white space.

So there you have it! We hope you’ve gained a fresh appreciation for accent walls and the character they can add to your home.

Are you in Middle Tennessee and need a free quote for your next home improvement project? Contact our ProTek Painting Services team!

The post How to Perfect the Art of the Accent Wall appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.