Kitchen of the Week: Contemporary Style With Room to Entertain
A designer transforms an empty-nest couple’s kitchen with two islands, two sinks, improved flow and sleek finishes
This empty-nest couple love to host large gatherings for family and friends. But their aging 1990s kitchen wasn’t serving them well. Dated honey-toned wood cabinets, obtrusive light fixtures — seven pendants hung over an L-shaped island — and a complicated layout all made for an unwelcoming atmosphere.
Wanting a more open kitchen with better flow and a sleeker contemporary style fit for entertaining, the couple turned to designer Trevor Fulmer. He streamlined the floor plan by replacing the large island with two separate islands that improve circulation and feature statement-making Blue Explosion quartzite countertops with waterfall edges. Rich maple island bases in a dark brown-gray finish complement a copper range hood and gray glass backsplash tile in a herringbone pattern. Off-white perimeter cabinets add contrast, and a simplified lighting layout leaves some breathing room.
Wanting a more open kitchen with better flow and a sleeker contemporary style fit for entertaining, the couple turned to designer Trevor Fulmer. He streamlined the floor plan by replacing the large island with two separate islands that improve circulation and feature statement-making Blue Explosion quartzite countertops with waterfall edges. Rich maple island bases in a dark brown-gray finish complement a copper range hood and gray glass backsplash tile in a herringbone pattern. Off-white perimeter cabinets add contrast, and a simplified lighting layout leaves some breathing room.
After: Fulmer stripped the former kitchen to the studs and designed a new layout with two islands that loosen up traffic flow while making a statement with Blue Explosion quartzite countertops with waterfall ends. “That waterfall feature gives a certain level of class to the kitchen that it didn’t have before,” he says. “The dual islands also promote better movement in the room when cooking and entertaining.”
The islands feature maple cabinets in a dark brown finish with gray undertones and create stylish symmetry with the relocated range and new custom copper-and-chrome hood.
Wire-brushed European white oak flooring adds lightness and warmth. A jute-and-sisal rug between the islands adds texture and cushioning.
Lights over corner sink: Baird in polished chrome, Hudson Valley Lighting; sinks: Nantucket Sinks
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The islands feature maple cabinets in a dark brown finish with gray undertones and create stylish symmetry with the relocated range and new custom copper-and-chrome hood.
Wire-brushed European white oak flooring adds lightness and warmth. A jute-and-sisal rug between the islands adds texture and cushioning.
Lights over corner sink: Baird in polished chrome, Hudson Valley Lighting; sinks: Nantucket Sinks
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The new freestanding 36-inch dual-fuel range features a custom copper-and-chrome hood with a powerful vent fan inside. “The husband really likes copper and wanted to see it introduced in this space,” Fulmer says. “We trimmed it with the chrome because we knew we would be using stainless accents in this kitchen. And the kitchen is such a large space, we wanted to go large with the hood.”
The backsplash consists of 2-by-8-inch gray glass tiles set in a herringbone pattern with light gray grout.
Backsplash: Aqua Verre field tile in Smoke, Ann Sacks; custom hood: Copper Hoods
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The backsplash consists of 2-by-8-inch gray glass tiles set in a herringbone pattern with light gray grout.
Backsplash: Aqua Verre field tile in Smoke, Ann Sacks; custom hood: Copper Hoods
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Before: This angle of the former kitchen shows how the refrigerator stuck into traffic flow, creating a pinch point. “It was also located in a noticeable space, and we wanted to do something more visually interesting there,” Fulmer says.
After: Fulmer placed the new stainless steel fridge to the right of the range and used the former refrigerator space to create a bank of countertop cabinets with two appliance garages and glass-front doors that display the couple’s glassware.
This view shows the island’s stainless steel dishwasher, a paneled trash and recycling center and a built-in microwave. “The islands were not long enough to include a sink and dishwasher in the same island,” Fulmer says.
A pair of large pendant lights feature white-painted shades of stainless steel mesh in a bell shape. “The conversation-starting light fixtures provide the ample lighting needed for cooking, but when dimmed create a romantic mood-setting ambiance,” Fulmer says.
(The kitchen also includes an existing skylight and new LED ceiling lights that were removed from these photos by the photographer to create a cleaner appearance that draws attention to other design elements.)
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This view shows the island’s stainless steel dishwasher, a paneled trash and recycling center and a built-in microwave. “The islands were not long enough to include a sink and dishwasher in the same island,” Fulmer says.
A pair of large pendant lights feature white-painted shades of stainless steel mesh in a bell shape. “The conversation-starting light fixtures provide the ample lighting needed for cooking, but when dimmed create a romantic mood-setting ambiance,” Fulmer says.
(The kitchen also includes an existing skylight and new LED ceiling lights that were removed from these photos by the photographer to create a cleaner appearance that draws attention to other design elements.)
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Fulmer created this art collage wall opposite the range wall to showcase family heirlooms and disguise a 42-inch Samsung Frame TV. “Before there was just a mirror there, and it was a place to put additional chairs,” he says. “It was almost an unused space. Giving it intention and function was important. My clients do like watching news in the morning, and using that collage wall to hide the TV was nice.”
Before: Off the former kitchen, a round glass-topped table in the breakfast area didn’t take full advantage of the space. And an imposing three-sided storage unit looked heavy and cluttered.
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After: Fulmer replaced the table with a custom live-edge wood tabletop on a chrome base. A custom upholstered blue banquette backs up to one of the islands. “I wanted to utilize the view from that banquette, because there’s a beautiful mountain view from there,” Fulmer says.
A polished chrome-and-glass light fixture hangs above. “The multi-point pendant was selected for its resemblance to water droplets, and it became a focal point of the space,” Fulmer says.
Built-in cabinets replaced the overbearing storage unit and include rollout shelves for dry goods.
The window wall features a washable vinyl silk wallcovering in a silver color. “This wallcovering just adds such a nice texture on the wall, and it makes it easy to clean any splatters,” Fulmer says.
A white-and-gray woven cotton-backed linen window treatment provides privacy and darkness when needed. “We used so many hard surfaces in this kitchen, we wanted to introduce something softer that also helps with sound absorption,” Fulmer says.
Chairs: Atticus side chair, Bernhardt Furniture; wallpaper: Vinyl Marquee Silk in Rave Review Silver, Phillip Jeffries; window treatment: The Shade Store; light fixture: Lauretta, Huxe
A polished chrome-and-glass light fixture hangs above. “The multi-point pendant was selected for its resemblance to water droplets, and it became a focal point of the space,” Fulmer says.
Built-in cabinets replaced the overbearing storage unit and include rollout shelves for dry goods.
The window wall features a washable vinyl silk wallcovering in a silver color. “This wallcovering just adds such a nice texture on the wall, and it makes it easy to clean any splatters,” Fulmer says.
A white-and-gray woven cotton-backed linen window treatment provides privacy and darkness when needed. “We used so many hard surfaces in this kitchen, we wanted to introduce something softer that also helps with sound absorption,” Fulmer says.
Chairs: Atticus side chair, Bernhardt Furniture; wallpaper: Vinyl Marquee Silk in Rave Review Silver, Phillip Jeffries; window treatment: The Shade Store; light fixture: Lauretta, Huxe
Before: This floor plan of the former kitchen shows how the L-shaped island (center) constricted traffic flow.
After: Two islands create better flow and entertaining space. “It’s so much lighter and feels so much more open,” Fulmer says. “Developing a floor plan with two islands gives this room a modern feeling.”
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Size: 435 square feet (40 square meters)
Designer: Trevor Fulmer Design
Before: The former kitchen was generous in size and had been remodeled in the 1990s. But the large L-shaped island impeded traffic flow, and the honey-toned cabinets, aging appliances and other details dated the design. Plus, a dropped ceiling element with seven pendant lights added visual weight and harbored dust.
“My clients wanted a stylish, modern, welcoming and open-concept design that offered a more efficient layout and better flow,” Fulmer says.