Sleek and Stylish Remodel

3. Welcoming horizontal walnutDesigner: Jessica Curry of Interiors by J.CurryLocation: Rochester, Minnesota Homeowners’ request. Replace a peninsula with an island to create better flow and extend the sliding glass door to gain more natural lightWood cabinets. Walnut slab veneer doors with a horizontal grain. “The homeowner wanted to go with wood in here to create more of a ‘warm modern’ look versus a very stark all-painted look against the existing oak wood floor,” says designer Jessica Curry, who gathered inspiration for this design from Houzz photos. Other special features. Grey glass backsplash tile. Quartz countertops with subtle grain veining. “For the floors, we went with a dark mocha brown stain to calm the grain of the existing oak wood,” Curry says. Designer tip. “When the peninsula was removed, we opted to extend the refrigerator and pantries down that wall behind the dining space for additional, very functional storage,” Curry says.“Uh-oh” moment. “One thing that presented a bit of a challenge was getting the right stain colour and tone for the existing oak floor to allow enough of a contrast without being too black or too close to the cabinet wood grain and compete with it,” Curry says. “Luckily, after a few tries of narrowing down different temporary samples on the floor on-site, we came up with the right formula.”

The multiple spots for under counter lighting and the horizontal grain of the veneer

cabinets, backsplash, countertops