If you are anything like me, then you probably enjoy surfing real estate sites and clicking through luxury home tours. Whenever I come across an article shared on facebook about a recent celebrity’s mansion for sale, I can’t help but click through to see the pictures! Cindy Ambuehl, a mother of 7 boys (yes…7) is a former actress, turned high-end luxury real estate agent in Beverly Hills. She has an amazing lifestyle blog that I’m excited to share with you today. Don’t you love finding a new source for inspiration? Cindy’s site is filled with decorating ideas, home trends, lifestyle tips, and beautiful photography. I had fun browsing through all of the luxury kitchens on her site and will be sharing a few of my favorite kitchen inspiration photos later in the post—but first let me dish on a little celebrity news!

Yesterday, Cindy and Duck Brand participated in the Express Yourself fundraiser hosted by PS Arts. PS Arts is a non-profit Los Angeles based organization that brings dance, visual arts, music and theater arts to under-served public schools. This event is chaired by Lisa Kudrow and is a family-friendly, celebrity-studded event that raises money and awareness for the importance of arts education in school. What a fantastic cause! As a former elementary school counselor, current creative, and momma of two little boys, I am passionate about keeping the arts alive in our schools. Art education should never be optional and it’s sad when schools have to consider cutting program funding due to budgetary constraints. Duck Brand understands the importance of fueling kids’ creativity and partnered with Cindy yesterday at her Express Yourself booth which offered Duck Tape crafts for the kids. It’s always inspiring when companies and individuals come together to encourage creativity for a good cause. And seeing cute pictures of celebrities with their children is a fun bonus!

White Kitchen Inspiration

Okay, and now for some drool-worthy kitchen inspiration and my tips and takeaways from each of the looks. All of these photos are from Cindy’s site and real estate listings. Tip: If you like a photo, be sure to click the link below the picture to be taken to the original post for the full house tour.

1. Never Underestimate Good Staging

The kitchen below is from Sarah Michelle Gellar’s former estate. It’s a lovely kitchen, but what strikes me most about this photo is the staging. It’s amazing how good staging can really bring a neutral kitchen to life. I really like how they opened the windows, added pops of orange, and some lifestyle elements to spice things up. Never underestimate the power of good staging to make every room in your home look better.

Source: Sarah Michelle Gellar & Freddie Prinze Jr.

2. Paint Your Island a Color

I originally thought about painting our kitchen peninsula a Sea Salt blue but chickened out at the last minute. This picture is making me reconsider! With all white cabinets and white subway tiles, it’s a great idea to create a focal point out of your island by painting it a fun color or using a different wood finish or countertop.

Source: Charming Traditional Home Tour

Here is the same kitchen from another angle. You can see how the blue on the island really draws your eye in.

Source: Charming Traditional Home Tour

3. Use a Fail Safe Combination

This next kitchen is proof that you just can’t go wrong with white cabinets, gray counters, white subway tile, and schoolhouse lights. This is a classic and timeless look .

To get a similar gray countertop, check out my post on DIY concrete countertops on Updating Your Countertops on a Budget. 

Source: Craftsman Charmer

4. Design Around the Island

Yes, I’ll take one please. This is stunning. The double chandys, beam-work on the ceiling, black window grates, marble backsplash, apron sink, and that ISLAND… It is all just gorgeous! If you have the luxury of a ton of space and an open concept floor plan, consider eliminating upper cabinets and instead add an expansive island.

When entertaining, people always tend to congregate in the kitchen and stand around the island or peninsula. Why not eliminate the large bar area and make a kitchen island capable of storage, work space, and plenty of standing room during a party!

Source: Hamptons Meets LA Glam

5. Make the Island the Flip of the Rest

Here is another beautiful white kitchen with a striking island feature. Notice that the island cabinetry is in espresso, instead of white, and the island countertops are in marble instead of black. Flipping the look of the island is a fabulous design trend that works.

Source: Santa Monica Paradise

Source: Santa Monica Paradise

6. Upgrade Your Appliances

There are so many amazing kitchens in the blogosphere, but one thing that can quickly separate a budget kitchen from a luxury one is the appliances. Panel ready dishwashers that blend in with your cabinetry and a Thermador range are investment pieces that add wow factor.

Source: Modern California Home Tour

Weren’t those gorgeous? Want more? Find much more decorating inspiration over on Cindy’s site on www.cindyambuehl.com. You can also follow Cindy on her social media channels to keep up with her latest:

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest

Thanks Cindy Ambuehl for sponsoring this post and allowing me to share your lovely site with my readers! As always, all words and opinions are my own.

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