By Donna Cornelius
The kitchen in this year’s Decorators’ ShowHouse should give those who see it a real wake-up call. It’s a spicy mix of cheerful color, chic accessories – and some touches of fun, too.
Jean Clayton, owner of Christine’s in Mountain Brook Village, said she wanted the kitchen to be warm and bright.
“For whatever reason, the kitchen is always a gathering place,” Clayton said. “Maybe it’s the aromas, and it’s always the warmest room in the house.”
Christine’s has been part of the ShowHouse for 17 years, and this isn’t the first time Clayton has designed an eating and cooking space for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser. She’s created kitchens – including a super-contemporary one for the 2000 ShowHouse – as well as a butler’s pantry and breakfast room. She’s done other ShowHouse rooms, too.
“Bedrooms are my favorites, but they’re a lot of work because you have to bring in all the furniture,” Clayton said. “With kitchens, you already have the cabinets, countertops – none of that is changed.”
The ShowHouse kitchen has plenty of room for cooking and for gathering. A special challenge for Clayton was the broad expanse of brown granite countertops, including those on the kitchen island and desk.
“The island is over 12 feet long and at least 40 inches wide,” Clayton said.
To break up so much brown, she topped the island with a tablecloth in a shade of orange called “pepper.” It’s practical as well as pretty because it can be wiped off. More color comes from napkins that Clayton had monogrammed in New York. They’re laid across the bamboo barstool seats.
“The napkins have gold, turquoise and pink with a wonderful shade of orange,” she said. “The monogram in the center of each napkin is in an outline stitch to give dimension.”
For the wall behind the desk, Clayton chose a peel-off wallpaper that she said leaves no residue.
The wallpaper is from Laura Clark Designs in North Carolina.
A Favorite Furry Dog
Those who have attended the ShowHouse in the past will see an old friend in the kitchen: a furry stuffed dog. This year, the playful pup is placed near MacKenzie-Childs feeding bowls on a black and white check mat shaped like a dog bone.
“I wish I could remember how many ShowHouses the dog has been in,” Clayton said.
The dog isn’t the only kitchen resident with animal magnetism. Two other MacKenzie-Childs creations in the room are Sally the Pig, who’s sporting reading glasses so she can scrutinize a cookbook, and a rabbit holding a chalkboard.
“People love MacKenzie-Childs,” Clayton said.
In addition to the company’s signature black and white check designs, it also has blue and white items that Clayton said are very popular.
“The plates on the island that sit on the wicker chargers are blue and white,” she said. “The pitcher, glasses and bowls you’ll see are acrylic and dishwasher safe.”
Don’t miss the unusual brass desk accessory that Clayton discovered while visiting her daughter in Vermont. The antique French piece holds containers that look like shot glasses – perfect for keeping tiny home-office necessities such as paper clips and push-pins neatly organized.
Look for some tempting doughnuts stacked on a paper towel holder and for small acrylic frames.
“You can display photos on either side of the frames,” Clayton said. “The photos float in the middle of the frame.”
Don’t be surprised to see what looks like a hamburger on the counter near the stove. It’s actually a cake made by Edgar’s Bakery.
A dish towel hanging near the sink is a real day-brightener.
“It’s made from flour sack material and is washable and bleachable,” Clayton said. “It says ‘Mr. Rogers did not adequately prepare me for the people in my neighborhood.’
“I think every room should have something fun.”
Christine’s is at 2404 Canterbury Road in Mountain Brook. For more information, follow the store on Facebook.
