Wednesday 16 November 2011

The Holiday Houses: Kitchens


It's Day 2 of The Holiday Movie Houses Merry-Making.
Today, let's take a good look at The Holiday kitchens.

Now for me, there's no doubt in my mind which kitchen I prefer.


Cameron Diaz'/Amanda's kitchen is large and spacious and airy.


Kate Winslet/ Iris' is small and rather poky but absolutely jam-packed to the rafters with heavenly character.

See that lovely fireplace? Over at the Relics blog this week, we're talking about how to add character to your home by creating the perfect fireside look. 


I love the way, just as in the Something's Gotta Give Beach House, the palette flows from one end of the {considerably smaller} house to the other.


I think it's the colours of Rosehill Cottage that grab me.
I am a total sucker for those greeny-bluey-greys.
A. Total. Sucker.

Let's take a closer, more considered look at the American Modern kitchen. I really do adore those over-sized lanterns.
{I'd nab those in a flash.}


And the range too.
Love it.
But I don't think they got it quite right.

It almost looks as though it's a 2-d kitchen. Do you know what I mean?
There is no personality, and it feels as though it's been completely abandoned. Cold and lifeless.


Is the jury is still out.
Which of the Holiday kitchens do you prefer?
Let the fight begin.....


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51 comments :

Anita Diaz said...

Oh how I love the first one!!! It is gorgeous and so homey and warm.

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

I had the exact thoughts as you! Love the cottage kitchen. The only things I'd steal from the city kitchen are the lanterns and range.

I just did a post on music rooms and using instruments in design. I never noticed that the cottage had a drum side table. I may have to add that photo to my post :)

Bluebells and Lavender said...

Hhmmm... Rosehill or LA ...Rosehill cottage! A note on the side, the LA house suits the character down to a T - she's busy busy busy and she doesn't have time to make her house a home - she's a slave to her job and is reflected in the minimal look of her kitchen.

Daydream Living said...

Hi Sarah!
Well, no biggie for me, the first one! I have seen this movie a couple of months ago, loved it, great for a rainy sunday afternoon, which it was. Love a fireplace in a kitchen and I agree with you, the colors are amazing! (btw, I think the modern kitchen was supposed to be 'empty' since her character was not a kitchen princess right?,so you spotted that good!)
ok, almost time for kiddo's out of school, that means my end signal for blogging, see you soon!
(oh, and I will be in the UK this weekend, shopping in Manchester! Next time in the UK, hope to have a drink in real life? you are always welcome here too xx)
Maureen

Tricia said...

I like elements of both actually. The Rosehill Cottage feels nice and cozy and really, who doesn't like to feel cozy? But then the other kitchen in very sparce, and since I like things clean without clutter that appeals to me too :)

Ricki Treleaven said...

LOVE Rosehill Cottage. I love small cozy cottages above large spaces. But I also love many of the large, open American mid century modern homes, but not Cameron Diaz's kitchen in the movie because it was a renovated kitchen in a Mediterranean style home, so it does not go with the home, in my opinion.

Ann said...

I've seen that movie,

and up to this day I am in awe and so

much in love on that cottage. Every

room and nook on that house is divine

if you ask me... I won't mind the

snow if I can get to vacation in

there. And of course a Jude Law to

keep me company would be perfect:)

Anonymous said...

I'm with you Sarah! I would take the smaller kitchen with all of the charm and character any day over the larger more modern one. Every single detail of it is just calling my name. Love it!

Jen said...

Iris's kitchen--so warm and cosy and Laura Ashley.

At The Picket Fence said...

Well definitely Rosehill Cottage! So fun to see the pics this way vs. just in the movie. You can see so much more detail and I agree that it is way more homey and cozy and "real" than the LA one. There is something about those big black cabinet doors that seem so cold and imposing you know? Great series Sarah! :-)
Vanessa

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Definitely love the first kitchen. The modern one leaves me cold, but the cottage one makes me want to sit down and chat with a friend over a cup of tea.

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Mmmmm, interesting. Deffo the first kitchen for me. You've summed up the 2nd to a tee - souless.

Blondie's Journal said...

LOVE the Rosehill kitchen! I fell in love with it when I saw the movie! It's so comfy and cozy. I am not for the modern look although I do love the extra space. And I adore the colors in the Rosehill kitchen, too!

XO,
Jane

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Cottage kitchen all the way, easy on the eye.Though I do love the space of the 2nd it would have to look like the first for me~Cheers Kim

Courtenay@Creek Line House said...

...So to tell you the truth, I looked at this post earlier this morning and then I just had to come back and sneak another peak at that amazing little kitchen again. Obviously you picked a great subject to post today!

Lorrie said...

Cottage kitchen all the way. So full of personality and cozy style.

loveandlilac said...

Rosehill all the way! Drooling over the cosy country kitchen (I'd like to move it to LA though for some some all year round sunshine).

Susan T said...

No contest, cosy cottage all the way. The LA kitchen looks like nobody would ever cook in it, and certainly not eat hot buttered crumpets and cocoa. Give me comfort.

Magali @ The Little White House said...

Surprise! I prefer Iris's kitchen. What? It's not a surprise? You know me so well... My favourite detail for some reason are the kitchen knobs...

It's me said...

The first one !!! yes !!...love from me...........♥.. ♥... ♥....

Cassie Bustamante said...

hands down the first one! a kitchen should be warm and inviting!

A room with a view said...

Cottage kitchen is the warm one; the better one, in my opinion. The mod kitchen looks very clinical and "uncooked in". Like you said, no personality, no lived-in feel.

Alison Agnew said...

i like both kitchens
for different reasons

but really i like
that they tell a story within the story

one kitchen is cram-jammed with living
a bit messy
but warm and welcoming

the other is organized
a little bland
cold
unyielding and unwarm

one character needs to learn a little restraint

and the other needs to loosen up
and relax

i'm guessing
their kitchens changed when their lives changed

or am i just reading too much into it all?? :)

alison

Unknown said...

I love the cosiness of the English kitchen but as someone who cookes a lot I know the one that I'd rather work in.

Ispirato Design said...

The first kitchen reminds me of our kitchen growing up so that of course is my fav. So warm an cozy looking- I can almost smell my moms bread baking.

camp and cottage living said...

I like Iris's kitchen hands down.
I love the country coziness of it!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

The US kitchen is way to modern and cold for me. But when Iris comes and entertains . . . it takes on a life of its own. A good thing to remember . . . if you are stuck with a kitchen that you don't like.

Great series, Sarah.

Fondly,
Glenda

Lewaina@cliffsideranch said...

100% Iris's cottage kitchen! 100%!
.....and the wolf range in the other kitchen? I had one, a 36" one, and oow, it was like no other to cook on, but the propane residue was not to my liking, messy on the walls and ceiling, big pilot lights..... Just saying is all...lol
I love the blue green gray colors too. Fun to see the pictures.
Enjoy
Mercy

Shelly Wildman said...

I totally agree with you. Fireplace in my kitchen? Yes, please! Two dimensional, impersonal? Absolutely. But then, that's kind of the character who owned it, isn't it?

Our Country Bungalow said...

I bought that dvd just to see Rosehill Cottage again. I absolutely love the little warm kitchen. It just looks like the kind of place where you'd make something yummy and sit around the table and visit. It even looks like it would smell good!
The 2nd kitchen doesn't look lived in. It reminds me of those furniture store advertisements with the fake looking groupings of living room furniture.
Thanks for posting these!
~cathy

Kathleen Grace said...

No doubt about it, the cottage had me at hello. Can you imagine a cold winter day and how cozy it would be? And equally as beautiful in the summer with the cool blues and whites. Love it! The other kitchen, meh, you said it, cold and lifeless.

Diana said...

Definitely the cozy cottage kitchen! Love it! I had the same thoughts as you did about the other one. Cold and lifeless.

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Yes, that's a good was to describe it. 2D. It's sort of hollow, lacking in warmth.
I love that large ottoman in the living room. What a gorgeous color!

michele said...

i guess i fall in that cold and lifeless category. the american one without the visual clutter is for me.

Travel With Lulu said...

The cottage, of course :)I love the fireplace in the kitchen! XOL

Anonymous said...

I definitely prefer Kate Winslet's but I do like how big the other kitchen is and the fact you could fit everyone in it for a Christmas dinner.

Plus the little plants dotted everywhere is something which I do like (especially if they're herbs, which I suspect...)

Oooo, so much fun admiring other people's houses!

Lizzy x

SImple and Serene Living said...

No doubt about it. I love the cozy cottage kitchen. I could definitely move right in.
Laura

Miranda @ Pressing On said...

Yeah, there's no choice, ROSEHILL cottage all the way. That's place is just so darling.

Anonymous said...

The colors are what make Rosehill the cutest...soft tones makes this feel so comfy...thanks for sharing...love your blog...Mine is Mel's Designs from the Cabin...drop over and say "Hi" sometime....Mel

lisaroy said...

The cottage kitchen all the way! Who wouldn't love a fireplace in their kitchen? The modern kitchen I agree looks very cold and unused. xo

Sara said...

Country Cottage - adorable , Having said that I do love the floor tiles and surface space in the modern one. Can I have the country kitchen in a bigger room please :D

LindyLouMac said...

The first one, thanks for your recent comments Sarah. I am trying to catch up with everyone after finishing the olive harvest.

Privet and Holly said...

I think the kitchens
were meant to be a
reflection of each
character. While I
would feel most at
home in the Kate W
kitchen, there are
times when I am
craving space and
simplicity and the
Cameron D kitchen
might feel right....
Guess I have a split
personality? Love,
love Rosehill Cottage!

xx Suzanne

Cindy said...

The Rosehill Cottage all the way. There is no contest here, from the way I see it.
Hugs, Cindy

Le said...

I'd have to say the kitchen in something has gotta give trumps both :) le xox

bj said...

THE. FIRST. ONE.
I have shown this photo on my blog several times, as well as the rest of the cottage. I just love it.
Not one bit interested in the modern one.:)

No name said...

Hands down the first one while snagging those lanterns from the modern one to spruce up the cozy cottage style kitchen. I have to include modern with the country styles or it drives me into feeling very....well... like a grandma. I do love little grandmas homes but ...well... I hope you know that I mean that kindly. :)

Blessings,
Shanna

www.revampedfrenchmaison.com

No name said...

Hands down the first one while snagging those lanterns from the modern one to spruce up the cozy cottage style kitchen. I have to include modern with the country styles or it drives me into feeling very....well... like a grandma. I do love little grandmas homes but ...well... I hope you know that I mean that kindly. :)

Blessings,
Shanna

www.revampedfrenchmaison.com

Anonymous said...

Hi there, Sarah!
I've always been in love with this movie. So sweet! I personally favor the cozy cottage kitchen. It feels more inviting with the fireplace and color palette. I do, however, love the lanterns in the mod kitchen. You just can't beat the warmth and character of the cottage style. Love it!
Sending xo's,
Shell

Unknown said...

gosh i just realized that i never got a full spectrum view of Amanda's california kitchen. I do love how nice and big it is.

diya said...

Hey guys.. It is gorgeous and warm :)

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