Playfully Grownup

A home project over 10 years old, but still quite unique: a LEGO kitchen island By Sikon Pillard and Philippe Rosetti. Apparently they did this by customizing a basic Ikea kitchen island and then covering it with the Legos. Photo by Hrvoje Goluza for Côté Maison via Flickr; found via DesignFetish. I can't escape the feeling that one could do a lot better with patterns and colors, though, at least if one compares it to projects of other Lego enthusiasts – this one just looks messy and disorganized.

Of course a T-rex candle holder can belong to a grownup home – for example, on the kitchen counter. Rrroar! Room designed by Swedish interior stylist / decorator / product designer Myrica Bergqvist; found via Desire to Inspire.

An eyecatching comic-esque pop art brand label backsplash in a kitchen without upper cabinets by LouiseM; found via Desire to Inspire. One thing's for sure: this one should hide splashes really well!

Very impressive: a DIYed vent hood with a steampunk-ish aging effect done with paint. By Jill Rose at The Rozy Home.

A really, really cool & DIY-able kitchen floor with rainbow stripes by Brooklyn architecture / design firm SABO project. Found via Desire to Inspire.

When you REALLY love green and one shade of isn't enough: use them all! The rooms of this white & green house are painted in different greens, with more greens sprinkled in with accessories. From the home of Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive; photo by Kelly Merchant Photography, via design*sponge.

Love the green ceramic drink dispenser – just enough color without being too overbearing in the small kitchenette. From the home of Tess Robinson and Byron Smith in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Ashley Natasha Jones; found via design*sponge.

Tiiiny London kitchen made both functional and happy with coordinated colors, hanging storage, shaped counters, wrap-around shelves and wallpapered shelf ends. Nice. From the home of Nic Guymer and Dave Turner. Photo by Elsa Young; found via design*sponge.

Pastel washi tapes to the rescue of a blah kitchen! From the Los Angeles loft home of Amina and Salvatore Mucciolo. Photo by Lauren Comes; found via design*sponge.

The minimal, cheerful yellow painted accent matching the lampshade, pale turquoise chairs, sunlight and plants make this kitchen a place to spend time in. (Decorating doesn't have to be excessive or expensive!) From the home of (and photo by) LaTonya Staubs; found via A Beautiful Mess.

Such a sunny, bright, happy yellow kitchen! I wouldn't have thought to bring yellow and aqua (on the bathroom walls in the background) into adjoining spaces, but it really works. From the home of C'ne Rohlsen and James T. Green; photo by Erica Anthony, found via design*sponge.

This Turkish window valance is for tassel lovers! From the home of Carley & Jonathan Summers via design*sponge.

Wow – what a showstopper of a kitchen: modern, sleek, bright red kitchen cabinetry pared with ornate blue & white tile all the way to the ceiling and an antique-look chandelier. Photographer Anke Leunissen and stylist Kim de Groot; image via Desire to Inspire.

Really neat backsplash made with tiny tiles in yellows, oranges and reds. Without it, this white kitchen would be devoid of life. Design by Holly Hickey Moore; found via Desire to Inspire.

A nice, balanced combo of white & black and pops of red in a kitchen. Not sure how pragmatic the mirror backsplash would be, but it definitely makes the small space look bigger. Unknown real estate ad; found via Desire to Inspire.

Hello there, Nessie! How much fun would a monster ladle like this be!? Nessie ladle from Animi Causa.

What a great way to display a collection of face mugs and cups! From the home of ceramics artist Nina van de Goor; found via design*sponge.