Kitchen of the Week: A Bright and Happy Family Space
A redesign and thoughtful repurposing transform a dark contemporary kitchen into a lively and family-friendly room
Becky Harris
May 12, 2017
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
“These homeowners wanted their kitchen to feel light, bright and colorful,” says interior designer Roisin Giese. “They are all about using color and pattern, which isn’t all that typical here in New England.” But there was no need for a total gut job, as the layout worked well for the young family, and the appliances, countertops, flooring, sinks and cabinets were in great shape. Painting the cabinets; refinishing the floor; replacing the lighting, hardware and backsplash; and adding a comfortable banquette and useful pantry cabinets resulted in a refreshed, cheerful kitchen that’s now everyone’s favorite spot in the house.
Before Photo
“After” photos by Joyelle West
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their 4-year-old son
Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
Size: 265 square feet (24.6 square meters)
Designers: Roisin Giese and Miggy Mason of Twelve Chairs
Before. The dark contemporary kitchen simply wasn’t the homeowners’ style. However, because many of the elements were in good shape, they were able to make them work. These elements included the yellowish oak flooring (which was refinished with a darker stain), the dark cherry cabinets (which were painted a pleasing blue), the appliances, the sinks and the polished black Absolute Granite countertops. “Reusing these items was about looking at what was working well for them and realizing there was no good reason to gut the kitchen,” Giese says.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their 4-year-old son
Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
Size: 265 square feet (24.6 square meters)
Designers: Roisin Giese and Miggy Mason of Twelve Chairs
Before. The dark contemporary kitchen simply wasn’t the homeowners’ style. However, because many of the elements were in good shape, they were able to make them work. These elements included the yellowish oak flooring (which was refinished with a darker stain), the dark cherry cabinets (which were painted a pleasing blue), the appliances, the sinks and the polished black Absolute Granite countertops. “Reusing these items was about looking at what was working well for them and realizing there was no good reason to gut the kitchen,” Giese says.
After. Over the island a significant new light fixture adds shine. “We had to look hard for just the right light because these ceilings are not high and the island is long,” Giese says. “This one really does it all, with its beautiful brass that works so well with the blue and lots of bulbs to brighten things up, and it doesn’t block the view across the kitchen.”
The layout of the kitchen suited the family well, except for an unused corner. Redesigned as a cozy breakfast nook, the corner is now the most popular spot in the house. The designers also replaced a trash compactor with a pullout for trash and recycling bins that has a matching cabinet front.
Paint: Dove Wing (walls), White Dove (trim) and Wedgewood Gray (cabinets): Benjamin Moore; light fixture: Nemo
The layout of the kitchen suited the family well, except for an unused corner. Redesigned as a cozy breakfast nook, the corner is now the most popular spot in the house. The designers also replaced a trash compactor with a pullout for trash and recycling bins that has a matching cabinet front.
Paint: Dove Wing (walls), White Dove (trim) and Wedgewood Gray (cabinets): Benjamin Moore; light fixture: Nemo
The new breakfast nook is enjoyed by the family and their guests. “Our clients grew up in India, so that influence came in through the colors and patterns, like the one on the banquette, which fits in [with] New England but also nods to India,” Giese says. The seat fabric is a durable vinyl, and the fabric on the banquette back has been treated to stand up to spills.
The chairs are from Serena & Lily, but the team had the seats re-covered in an aqua stripe by Schumacher. Another new light fixture freshens things up, though its lantern style is traditional New England. The team designed the banquette to float over an existing baseboard radiator.
Back cushion fabric: Jaipur, Peter Fasano; seat cushion fabric: Kravet; lantern: Visual Comfort & Co.; table: Redford House
Photo Flip: 91 Kitchen Banquettes to Start Your Morning Right
The chairs are from Serena & Lily, but the team had the seats re-covered in an aqua stripe by Schumacher. Another new light fixture freshens things up, though its lantern style is traditional New England. The team designed the banquette to float over an existing baseboard radiator.
Back cushion fabric: Jaipur, Peter Fasano; seat cushion fabric: Kravet; lantern: Visual Comfort & Co.; table: Redford House
Photo Flip: 91 Kitchen Banquettes to Start Your Morning Right
A beautiful blue transformed the cherry cabinets.
Tip: When refacing cabinets, it’s worth it to go with an experienced pro. “Make sure to hire a super meticulous person who has done it before, and spring for the best finish,” Giese says. The designers also replaced the cabinet hardware with brass knobs and pulls. Giese advises having the holes from the previous hardware filled in during the repainting so that you aren’t limited in your replacement choices. “It’s the perfect time to do it,” she says.
The homeowners are avid cooks and love their spices. A new set of shelves provides open storage for spices. The refrigerator is just out of view to the right of the range.
Tip: When refacing cabinets, it’s worth it to go with an experienced pro. “Make sure to hire a super meticulous person who has done it before, and spring for the best finish,” Giese says. The designers also replaced the cabinet hardware with brass knobs and pulls. Giese advises having the holes from the previous hardware filled in during the repainting so that you aren’t limited in your replacement choices. “It’s the perfect time to do it,” she says.
The homeowners are avid cooks and love their spices. A new set of shelves provides open storage for spices. The refrigerator is just out of view to the right of the range.
A new backsplash adds another pattern. “These tiles were a great find — they are hand-painted terra-cotta tile,” Giese says. “They tie everything together. The blue picks up on the cabinet color, the black picks up on the countertops, and the color on the edges picks up on the cinnabar of the bench seat.”
The designer notes that installing terra-cotta tile can be a bit tricky because of its thickness, and that adding a bullnose is a must because of the tiles’ raw edges.
Backsplash tile: Tabarka Studio; hardware: Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.
The designer notes that installing terra-cotta tile can be a bit tricky because of its thickness, and that adding a bullnose is a must because of the tiles’ raw edges.
Backsplash tile: Tabarka Studio; hardware: Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.
A new cabinet or two can make a big difference in the kitchen. The designers added two pantry cabinets next to the banquette on the unused wall. “They have a pantry closet off the kitchen, but it’s not that close. This spot is more accessible,” Giese says. “They love to entertain and loved the idea of a coffee-tea station so that they can set it up and their guests can serve themselves.”
These cabinets include a coffee and tea station with integrated outlets for the coffee maker and microwave, and the bottom shelf pulls out. They also include filing cabinets for schoolwork and other household papers. Retractable pocket cabinet doors tuck out of the way.
These cabinets include a coffee and tea station with integrated outlets for the coffee maker and microwave, and the bottom shelf pulls out. They also include filing cabinets for schoolwork and other household papers. Retractable pocket cabinet doors tuck out of the way.
The living room is open to the kitchen and was part of the project. In the back corner you can see an entry, so they placed a console table for keys and mail. The son decorates the bulletin with his art; a nearby stool allows him to reach it.
The furnishings are a mix of custom and off-the-shelf items from retail stores and catalogs. An octagonal coffee table was customized to the large size, brings in a wood element, and has bamboo detailing and a handy shelf underneath. “We wanted something really sturdy for them,” Giese says.
Coffee table: Red Egg; navy sofa: Restoration Hardware; turquoise sofa: Verellen; rug and wood lamp: West Elm; throw pillows: John Robshaw and Coyuchi; bulletin board: PB Kids; window treatment fabric: Peter Dunham
The furnishings are a mix of custom and off-the-shelf items from retail stores and catalogs. An octagonal coffee table was customized to the large size, brings in a wood element, and has bamboo detailing and a handy shelf underneath. “We wanted something really sturdy for them,” Giese says.
Coffee table: Red Egg; navy sofa: Restoration Hardware; turquoise sofa: Verellen; rug and wood lamp: West Elm; throw pillows: John Robshaw and Coyuchi; bulletin board: PB Kids; window treatment fabric: Peter Dunham
Although it was a money saver, repurposing was not a decision made based upon budget constraints; it was common sense. “Why would we throw out all sorts of things that were working so well?” Giese asks.
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More: See other Kitchens of the Week
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Great use of color in this kitchen!
this makes me happy! Love the colors (esp the cabinets). I am such a sucker for blue. It such a beautiful space!
Amazing reno!!! And a big congratulations to the designers for giving the homeowners what they wanted with being wasteful and changing things that were still good!!
Looks beautiful and homey!!