Thursday, July 15, 2010

Banquette cushions!

Back in January I did a post on my kitchen. At that time I mentioned my banquette would soon have cushions. It's July and they are finally being made! I choose a very durable vinyl by Kravet with a crocodile imprint, because I'm a sucker for anything animal print! Vinyl is an excellent option in a kitchen....it's wipeable and well, that says it all. I always suggest wipeable over washable when it comes to the kitchen. Don't we all have enough wash to do without adding kitchen textiles?
Here's what the seating area of our kitchen looked like when we moved into our home.
I love cooking, so meal time in our household is family time. With that in mind I wanted to maximize the seating area in the kitchen to accomodate lots of people. I had a banquette built around the perimeter of the wall, switched out the lighting fixture and moved the electrical up the wall to center it in the room (not the windows) and painted the entire kitchen Benjamin Moore's Bunny Gray. I hung the photo ledges to display family photos and my kids artwork. 
I will have the cushions shortly and I'll share the finished look!


15 comments:

  1. I am upholstering my kitchen chairs, and when I went to the fabric store the sales lady showed me that exact vinyl fabric...I looked at her like she was crazy! I am curious to see how yours comes out :)

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  2. LOVEN' ur light fixture hot stuff!!!

    *kiss kiss*
    Erika
    ~Tiptoe Butterfly~

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  3. Love what you are doing. Banquettes are so fun in a kitchen area. Your choices are kid friendly but sophisitcated and chic, just like MOMMY!! Happy Thursday,Kathysue

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  4. I can attest to the fact that the vinyl holds up in the kitchen. My hubbie had 6 upholstered-on-all-sides cushy settees made for renting out for parties, weddings, etc. (he calls them soft seating) and the fabric is white vinyl ostrich.
    I thought he was nuts to choose white, but that vinyl wipes off clean and they still look brand new after 5 rentals!

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  5. This isn't about the banquette--although I love what you chose. But, I must tell you I love the lighting! That is such a perfect choice against all the clean, square lines you have elsewhere. Plus, it's a bit whimsical--and I'm a total sucker for anything whimsy-ish :)

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  6. The space already looks so much better from the "before" I am anxious to see it with the cushions. Have you ever covered fabric with vinyl? I read of another blogger doing this and I've been intrigued ever since!

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  7. Lisa, I keep on saying this, but you are so talented. I love that you chose something easy to clean and yet stylish for your cushions. Fab taste, darling.

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  8. I am a huge fan of banquettes - love them. The pleather option is a great choice too. I just convinced my sister to go in that same direction as I use this frequently for clients who have kids. Glam with easy clean-up. Nothing better. Congrats.

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  9. I can't wait to see the pleather cushions! I love your look, it is so current, simple, practical AND BEAUTIFUL!!!
    XO

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  10. Cara,
    You would not believe the amazing vinyls out there...gorgeous stuff! If you go the vinyl route it must be a thick vinyl (think diner style), but only more chic. It can take a beating with food and drink spills, paint drops, etc. It's the only way to go in a kitchen with high traffic (and little ones.)

    Ann,
    Great to hear your excellent experiences with vinyl. The vinyl I'm using has a very high rub count (durability factor), so we'll still be using the cushions when the kids go to college!

    Susie @ Maddie's Nest,
    Yes, you can take any gorgeous textile you love and cover with a clear vinyl...it's fabulous. You read a lot of trade magazines, so I'm certain you've seen it and not realized. It's done quite often.

    To all you lovely ladies,
    Thanks for your comments!

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  11. Very cool, Lisa... it's going to look great!

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  12. We love the new cushions! You really know how to turn a house into a home!!

    Eddie & Jaithan

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  13. Love the white croc vinyl! I am currently selecting from a bunch of animal-print vinyl's to replace my kitchen cushions. Love this look!
    xo Elizabeth

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  14. Love that seating area, and the lighting fixture is gorgeous! The vinyl is a great pick, perfect with kiddos but still stylish!

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