This is one of my very favorite projects.

I was faced with a small square kitchen with a ceiling height of 7’6”.  There was an adjacent eat-in area that was now awkward due to a previously removed wall between the kitchen and dining.  The kitchen had little counter space and only allowed for one cook at a time.  My clients requested a brighter space with better circulation for their family of four.  They also had differing tastes.  One tended toward contemporary and minimalist design, and the other favored more rustic design with lots of wood.  Both homeowners desired a WOW factor and they were willing to take a risk to get it.

I contacted a structural engineer to confirm we could raise the ceiling in the main part of the kitchen.   The new space plan included the old eat-in area to create twice as much space and open the circulation.  Materials were selected that combined both home owners’ tastes.  Contemporary Ikea cabinetry was topped with white quartz countertops except at the peninsula, where a beautiful remnant of granite was chosen for its color. A linear glass backsplash added more contemporary style and was highlighted by LED strip lighting above and below the cabinetry throughout.

The ceiling in the main part of the kitchen was pitched and covered in reclaimed barn siding and then lit by cable lighting tracks. Acrylic globe pendants over the peninsula add shadows to the walls and ceiling. The floor tile gives the intent of wood with a dynamic color contrast.

The overall color story is soothing, yet energetic. The varied patterns and textures provides the WOW factor, and the consistent colors keeps it from being overwhelming.

You can see more images of this project here.