The Designer Show House rules mandated that there were to be no major changes to the kitchen: all cabinetry, counter tops, backsplashes and hardware were to remain untouched. So my challenge was to make a very plain and large kitchen warm, inviting, and comfortable while retaining the pre-existing fixtures. Inspired by the beautiful foliage visible from the kitchen windows, I integrated elements of the natural with the existing neutral palette. My team from Dieter Plunkte Decorating Inc. interpreted my wish for a livable grass cloth wall cover by creating a custom washable, hand-painted wall finish. The finish simulates the continuous texture of a grass cloth while hiding all pesky surfaces like switch plates and outlets. Blue and white Farrow and Ball wall covering on the ceiling accentuated the sense of a moving sky, and a cloud-like custom light fixture from Niermann Weeks floated over the bar.