The client was frustrated with her small, dark, outdated and inefficient kitchen. She wanted to create an atmosphere of airy lightness and improve the lighting. She also wanted to increase the functionality of the space and indulge her love of red in a way that allowed her to change it later if she tired of it.

As a designer, I am thrilled when my client wants to add color and light to a space so this was an interesting challenge for me: to add the desired functionality into an 8'x11.5' space(with two doorways) without making it seemed cramped.

We started by removing a non-functioning chimney, where we gained refrigerator space and added a new pantry area without interfering with the back doorway aisle. Replacing a wall oven with a range allowed us to increase counter space.

We combined painted upper cabinets with wood floors to create a vintage vibe. Opening the archway between the dining room and the kitchen added spaciousness, as well as using lighter colors for tile, upper cabinets, counters and walls.

SoMi Tileworks, a local handmade tile studio, created the focal point mural over the range, combining our neutral color palette with dynamic red poppies. Mounted over field tile, the mural can be removed for cleaning or if the client moves.