Kitchen for Linda
6. Molding Another way to achieve a furniture-like appearance is to embellish the island’s faces and corners with molding. This provides a sense of elegance that’s essential to transitional kitchens (one of the most sought-after styles). It’s a good long-term investment since the stately look will likely stay in demand.
2. Open and Fresh Crisp white Shaker cabinets, glossy subway tile, floating shelves and European oak flooring give this kitchen uploaded to Houzz by Cornerstone Construction and Property Services in Newport Beach, California, a fresh, classic feel. (The panoramic waterfront view doesn’t hurt, either.) The dark island (Charcoal Smudge by Dunn-Edwards Paints) features a light Cardellino marble countertop, and the white perimeter cabinets are topped with a dark gray quartz. The same quartz runs along the edge of the range hood.
9. Quartzite. As granite continues to decline in popularity, according to recent Houzz research, quartzite seems to be rising. The natural stone is harder than granite and displays infinite variation, meaning no two slabs ever look the same. It’s also super heat-resistant and more scratch-resistant than engineered quartz. This kitchen, which was the most popular one uploaded in 2019, features a dramatic Florida quartzite island countertop.
6. Slabs. If the thought of grout lines gives you pause, or you’ve hit analysis paralysis when trying to choose a backsplash tile, consider taking your countertop material one step further. A slab backsplash, especially in a material with lots of movement, makes for an eye-catching design statement.
5. Soft-colored kitchens. One word that defines a lot of the palettes of popular kitchens in 2019 is “soft.” In this Boston kitchen by Windhill Builders, soft gray cabinets (Light Pewter by Benjamin Moore) join soft satin-brass fixtures, a light marble backsplash and quartzite countertops for a refreshing look.
1. Three-tone kitchens. Two-tone kitchen cabinets — meaning the upper cabinets are one color and the lower cabinets another color, or the perimeter cabinets are one color and the island is a different color — dominated kitchens in the past couple of years. So it’s only natural that designers are building on the trend rather than doing away with it. In a three-tone kitchen, one more color or material is introduced to create an asymmetry in the palette that helps define zones or functions and keeps the eye moving.
Countertops 8. Porcelain. While engineered quartz will continue its rise in popularity as a countertop material (51% of renovating homeowners choose the material, according to the latest Houzz research), some designers are looking for alternatives that deliver a more polished look with the same durability. Designer Tom Johnson of Hyde Park Renovations is excited about porcelain slabs, which he used for the island in the kitchen shown here. “With porcelain you get very vivid patterns while still sharing stain- and heat-resistant qualities that make quartz so popular,” he says.
5. Soft-colored kitchens. One word that defines a lot of the palettes of popular kitchens in 2019 is “soft.” In this Boston kitchen by Windhill Builders, soft gray cabinets (Light Pewter by Benjamin Moore) join soft satin-brass fixtures, a light marble backsplash and quartzite countertops for a refreshing look.
Three-tone kitchens. Two-tone kitchen cabinets — meaning the upper cabinets are one color and the lower cabinets another color, or the perimeter cabinets are one color and the island is a different color — dominated kitchens in the past couple of years. So it’s only natural that designers are building on the trend rather than doing away with it. In a three-tone kitchen, one more color or material is introduced to create an asymmetry in the palette that helps define zones or functions and keeps the eye moving. Here, designer Janina Cabrera of J Style at Home designed a gorgeous kitchen with white perimeter cabinets, a light wood island base and a knockout powder-blue hutch.
Once you start to add a little contrast between your tile and your grout, the shape of the tile is revealed much more clearly, and the grout itself forms a pattern out of the negative space. Hart Builders Pty Ltd Going darker or lighter with the grout, to add more or less contrast, will make the tile pop more and more. A soft gray just a few shades darker than the tile is a popular choice because it highlights a tile pattern without shouting for attention. This is especially true for tiles in which the shape, rather than a color or print, is the main feature, such as the charming fish scale shown here.
It’s also useful for calling attention to an interesting layout of tiles in a plain shape, such as classic subway tile laid in a herringbone. The carefully selected pattern is emphasized by the grout, so the extra effort on installation doesn’t go to waste.
But designers like Rokahr are seeing homeowners more willing to go the extra mile during the planning phase to ensure everything has its custom-designed spot. Some designers take inventory of every dish and serving utensil to create the right-size cubby inside, say, a kitchen drawer.
4. Dark Balance This San Diego kitchen blends two popular cabinet finishes — wood and white — with patterned tile and dark countertops. Pops of black throughout the kitchen (the bar stools, pendant lights and cabinet hardware) pull the look togeth
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In door charging station
Kitchen island end. One end is a full-height, 12-inch-deep base cabinet that stores serving trays that can be easily pulled out for entertaining. On the other end, opposite the range, there’s a 12-inch-deep cabinet with dividers for cookie trays and muffin tins. There’s also a 12-inch-deep drawer that stores spices. The homeowner taking the lead on the project “wanted to use all ends of her island,” designer Kimmie Rokahr says.
Craftsman-Style Kitchens at a Glance: NOTE Lights Craftsman-style kitchens spotlight the beauty of natural wood and quality workmanship. Here are some common elements to look for: An abundance of natural wood Simple cabinets with visible joinery Lighting with clean lines and geometric shapes An earthy, nature-inspired color palette Built-in features such as glass-front cabinets and banquette seating Handmade tiles with richly colorful glazes
If you really want a countertop that mimics the look of marble, designer Barbara Milner of South Hill Interiors says quartzite is the way to go. “With its marble looks and granite toughness, it’s hard to imagine that quartzite will fade away anytime soon,” she says. Milner used a marble-look quartzite for the counters in this Toronto kitchen. “Natural stone with prominent veining is trending in kitchen remodels as a statement piece in the room,” she says.
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Homeowners’ request. “Our clients wanted a bright and classic white kitchen with touches of warm gray and accents of marble, brass and natural wood elements,” designer Katelyn Gilmour says. “They wanted to keep the color palette neutral so that colorful accessories could be swapped out during various holidays throughout the year.” Soft palette. White cabinets (Cool December by Dunn-Edwards Paints). Island base in a custom stain to match the light engineered wood flooring. Honed Carrara marble backsplash tile. Quartz island top that mimics Calacatta marble, with ribbons of warm gray and gold tones. Polished-brass plumbing fixtures and shelving.
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backsplash of stove top
9. Rugs It may seem like an unexpected move, but a rug can be another effective way to bring some colorful textile to a kitchen (especially if you don’t have a window nearby). A traditional rug like the one shown here manages to carry a lot of colors and yet also feel neutral, widening your color palette without leaving any one hue fighting for all the attention.
8. Window Treatments Elegant window treatments are an almost expected part of a traditional space, but they can suit a transitional or modern space as well. In-window shades can be a smart option for the kitchen, taking up less space and minimizing the risk of getting caught up in a mess or drifting too close to a heat source. Transitional Kitchen by R Titus Designs R Titus Designs Email Save A window treatment is another great way to add some pattern as well, such as this floral print that brings in a wide range of hues to an otherwise mostly neutral space.
1. Kitchen Counter Capers The counters in this kitchen designed by Rittenhouse Builders are well-lit by pendant lights and undercabinet lights, but many kitchens suffer from having more light shining down on the floor than on countertops where it’s needed most. Adding well-positioned recessed lights, pendant lights above islands and undercabinet lighting are among the ways to ensure your kitchen work areas have enough light.
The homeowners didn’t want an all-white kitchen, but painting all the cabinets gray would have felt too heavy for the space, Yamaguchi says, so she went with a two-tone color scheme. The lower cabinets are a light gray from Benjamin Moore called Galveston and the upper cabinets are painted in Swiss Coffee from Kelly-Moore. The wood floors were restained in a charcoal gray finish.
Homeowners’ request. For this new-construction project, the homeowners wanted lots of natural light. “So you will notice lots of windows, skylights and no window coverings,” designer Denise Morrison says. “They have a very private setting, and they wanted to keep the view as open as possible. We were concerned about the number of windows’ taking away from upper-storage opportunities, but the homeowner was confident that she doesn’t need a lot of storage and is content with a minimalist approach to kitchen servingware.” White-and-wood combo. White oak island in a soft finish with a marble baseboard. Perimeter cabinets painted in White Flour by Sherwin-Williams. “Because the kitchen is so large, we felt the addition of a second finish would offer warmth and break up all the white,” Morrison says. “We also like how stain finishes wear on an island.” Other special features. Coffered ceiling. Handmade, hand-glazed backsplash tiles. Designer tip. “I would recommend creating two islands when your single island exceeds 10 feet in length, so it is not such a monstrosity to get around within the workspace,” Morrison says. “Another tip would be to offset the sink on the island. Often we f...
Homeowners’ request. For this model home, designer Janelle Rasmussen wanted to appeal to a broad audience with modern farmhouse style. White-and-wood combo. Walnut island in desert sand stain. Perimeter cabinets painted in Dover White by Sherwin-Williams. “I chose the soft white paint for a bright, clean, classic look,” Rasmussen says. “Since the island is the workhorse in this kitchen, stain is a practical yet beautiful choice. With the trash pullout and counter stools, and with kicking feet and pots and pans being pulled out of the big drawers, the stain will take the abuse and can be easily touched up.” Other special features. Calacatta marble subway tile backsplash. Gray wall paint (Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams). Quartz countertops. Designer tip. “Keep it simple,” Rasmussen says. “I considered other pendant styles for the kitchen sink light but ultimately decided to repeat the island pendants.”
Homeowners’ request. For this spec home, designer Shelby Fautt wasn’t sure who would be the buyer and needed to appeal to a large number of potential homeowners. “We wanted to stay conservative in some areas but add some wow elements as well,” she says. White-and-wood combo. Slate-gray stained beechwood island. Perimeter cabinets painted in Super White by Benjamin Moore. “I am a fan of white cabinets, as they stand the test of time,” Fautt says. “Then I chose a stain instead of a painted island because I wanted to have a gray tone but without being a solid finish, and still have hints of warm tones.” Other special features. Marble subway tile backsplash. Bronze vent hood. Ceiling beams stained to match the island. Designer tip. “Bronze looks amazing in lights, hardware and plumbing fixtures but can be trendy,” Fautt says. “We selected bronze in the lighting because when you get tired of it, you can just replace the lights and try the next latest trend. This can add a lot of pop to the room with little commitment.”
tile and center island color
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glass cabinet door and side
V-groove pine paneling on the walls gives it a “cozy, homey farmhouse” feel, Cooney says. “It makes it seem like walls that could be in a barn.” To make the paneling look like it had been left outside and bleached in the sun, she covered it with a watered-down white paint and a flat polyurethane finish.
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Floor and back-splash tile
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Charcoal Blue from Behr is a similar almost-navy paint color. Tip: If you have kids or entertain at the island often, a medium-to-dark neutral color like this one is perfect for camouflaging the inevitable scuff marks that will appear at the seating side of the island, especially if your countertop overhang is not very deep.
Dark steel blue. For those looking for a more neutral option, check out this dark grayish-blue color. This color really grounds the island, making it a solid, substantial statement piece in the kitchen. It’s also a nice foil to the warm wood elements in the room.
backsplash diagonal subway tile
Lindye Galloway Interiors Email Save Putting electricity in the cabinet box can be a nice touch as well — if you want to keep hair dryers, toothbrushes and other necessities ready to go. Having a custom vanity design can help you consider all of the small details that often get overlooked, like features that work whether you’re left-handed or right-handed.
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