When these clients came to us, immediately they set the expectations of their desire to have a home that uniquely represents them. They wanted the details to speak to their love of color and desired style. Not to waste any time, they scheduled their closing and design consultation in the same week. With the existing "bones" we instantly knew we could maximize their budget and design the kitchen of their dreams. Before we get into the fun details, take a look at where we started and what we had to work with.
An oversized island lacking storage space terribly interfered with traffic flow and functionality. The brown and orange builder grade perimeter lacked character and practicality, and the awkward lighting did not elevate the space to it's fullest potential.
The unproportionate, dated appliances and countertops were top priority; therefore, we had to be creative with the existing cabinetry. Luckily, we partner with highly talented trades fully equipped to problem solve and get the job done. For this project, we collaborated with our local custom carpenter to creatively reuse existing material to maximize the budget within the desired aesthetic.
The oversized butcher block countertop was used to build out the extended floating shelves and new pantry door. We matched the new maple cabinets on the right side of the kitchen to the existing door style, and we played with a custom stain combination to carefully match all of the newly stained surfaces. Because butcher block is a combination of woods, we were careful not to further enhance specific wood grains. We chose to stain the tower cabinet doors to continue this warmth across the kitchen.
We enhanced the existing island by installing a new microwave drawer and additional drawer inserts on both sides. Relocating the microwave allowed opportunity for a strong focal point above the cooktop, and the drawer inserts now occupy what was empty storage space, providing functional storage on 3 sides of the island.
It took some convincing to agree on a tiled hood surround; however, our power of persuasion eventually worked, and we're so thrilled with the results. We understand tiled hoods aren't for everyone, but we knew it was meant to be in this case. The tiled hood and wrapped shelving speak to the desired mid-century modern aesthetic without overwhelming the space. The balance between selections and location now provide a strong focal point on the main wall of the kitchen, and the elongated shelving now displays beautiful antiques inherited from older generations.
We wrapped the cabinets with delicious saturated shades of teal, the island slightly darker than the perimeter. Teal is the wife's favorite color; therefore, we wanted to integrate it into the design without scaring off potential future buyers. We paired it with a beautiful, durable quartz countertop mimicking Gold Calcutta Marble.
Lastly, the sheen in the tile backsplash compliments the wife's love for glitter. It adds a touch of glam without taking over the room. The subtle purple hew pairs beautifully with the teal cabinets and warm floating shelves. The new wall sconce, along with integrated shelf lighting offer moments of mood lighting throughout each day.
We greatly enjoyed working on this project! Across our collaboration, both trades and clients created dream dynamic which helped us deliver strong results to enjoy for many years to come.