12 Kitchens That Wow With Wood Cabinets
Consider one of these dynamic kitchen cabinet designs to add warmth, texture and nuance
Sure, many homeowners choose white cabinets for their kitchens — 43 percent of renovating homeowners, according to the 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. A close second, though, are wood cabinets (25 percent). But if you’ve grown tired of the honey-colored oak popular for cabinets in the 1980s, consider today’s various wood species, tones, grains and panel styles that can create endless nuance when it comes to kitchen cabinets. Plus, wood is the best way to warm a kitchen that might also feature lots of white elements, such as countertops, backsplash tile and even some white cabinetry. The following 12 kitchens showcase a wide range of styles and pairings for wood cabinets that might have you turning away from the paint can.
2. Wonderful White Oak
Designers: Emily Renze-Crouch of B St. Design and architect Reggie Reyes
Location: Rancho Bernardo, California
Size: 333 square feet (31 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. For this new build, the design team stuck to an overall concept of desert modern. “I used a very neutral color scheme with the use of different textures,” says designer Emily Renze-Crouch, who used Houzz photos as inspiration. “Because of the home’s setting and natural landscape, we wanted to stay with a more natural color scheme that blended with the color of the exterior landscape versus contrasting it. We accomplished this by using light-toned woods, gray concrete floors, then added pops of black to create interest and depth to the design.”
Wood cabinets. Rift-cut white oak for the base cabinets. For contrast, Renze-Crouch did a wall of full-height cabinets in an ebony finish.
Other special features. A marble island top in a brushed finish adds color and texture.
Designer tip. “I’m very particular about lighting,” Renze-Crouch says. “The addition of making the sliding doors so they fully slide into the wall, creating a 12-foot opening, really gives the space that wow factor. It opens up into the outdoor kitchen and dining area, which is perfect for barbecuing and entertaining.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “In the pantry, we had a conflict with the refrigerator door handle hitting a door handle going into a mechanical room,” Renze-Crouch says. “A huge ‘Oh no, what are we going to do?’ moment. The project manager came up with a smart solution of just using a deadbolt, which sat more flush. Since it’s a mechanical room that is rarely accessed, it was acceptable to the client. A very valuable lesson learned by me to double check all of those clearances, including the handle, when designing the cabinets.”
Designers: Emily Renze-Crouch of B St. Design and architect Reggie Reyes
Location: Rancho Bernardo, California
Size: 333 square feet (31 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. For this new build, the design team stuck to an overall concept of desert modern. “I used a very neutral color scheme with the use of different textures,” says designer Emily Renze-Crouch, who used Houzz photos as inspiration. “Because of the home’s setting and natural landscape, we wanted to stay with a more natural color scheme that blended with the color of the exterior landscape versus contrasting it. We accomplished this by using light-toned woods, gray concrete floors, then added pops of black to create interest and depth to the design.”
Wood cabinets. Rift-cut white oak for the base cabinets. For contrast, Renze-Crouch did a wall of full-height cabinets in an ebony finish.
Other special features. A marble island top in a brushed finish adds color and texture.
Designer tip. “I’m very particular about lighting,” Renze-Crouch says. “The addition of making the sliding doors so they fully slide into the wall, creating a 12-foot opening, really gives the space that wow factor. It opens up into the outdoor kitchen and dining area, which is perfect for barbecuing and entertaining.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “In the pantry, we had a conflict with the refrigerator door handle hitting a door handle going into a mechanical room,” Renze-Crouch says. “A huge ‘Oh no, what are we going to do?’ moment. The project manager came up with a smart solution of just using a deadbolt, which sat more flush. Since it’s a mechanical room that is rarely accessed, it was acceptable to the client. A very valuable lesson learned by me to double check all of those clearances, including the handle, when designing the cabinets.”
3. Marvelous Maple
Designer: Julie Deuble of Sierra Unlimited Construction and Arbor Craft Cabinetry
Location: Buffalo, New York
Size: 299 square feet (28 square meters); 23 by 13 feet
Homeowners’ request. Replace dark cherry cabinets, an island with a bar and other elements to create a brighter, more open-feeling kitchen.
Wood cabinets. Natural maple. “They were never interested in painted cabinetry, preferring the beauty of wood grain,” designer Julie Deuble says of her clients. “It keeps the kitchen bright and airy without having to choose white cabinetry.”
Other special features. Fantasy Brown quartzite countertops, Italian porcelain floor tile with a gray-washed wood look set in a herringbone pattern, steel-gray beveled mini-subway backsplash tile. A covered radiator box on the left with a soapstone top acts as a window bench.
Designer tip. “Trim color does not have to be the same in every room,” says Deuble, who used Houzz extensively with her clients during the whole-house renovation project. “We selected a gray here because white, though used elsewhere in the home, would have been too stark. Wood trim would not have made sense unless it matched the cabinetry, which we didn’t prefer. We didn’t want to introduce another wood species or color into the space.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We wanted to reuse the beautiful old piece of soapstone that was on top of the radiator,” Deuble says. “A corner of it broke when it was being removed, so we altered the overall size of the new enclosure so we could still use the piece.”
Maximus Grande chandelier: Currey & Co.; trim paint: Whale Gray, Benjamin Moore; wall paint: Alabaster, Sherwin-Williams
Designer: Julie Deuble of Sierra Unlimited Construction and Arbor Craft Cabinetry
Location: Buffalo, New York
Size: 299 square feet (28 square meters); 23 by 13 feet
Homeowners’ request. Replace dark cherry cabinets, an island with a bar and other elements to create a brighter, more open-feeling kitchen.
Wood cabinets. Natural maple. “They were never interested in painted cabinetry, preferring the beauty of wood grain,” designer Julie Deuble says of her clients. “It keeps the kitchen bright and airy without having to choose white cabinetry.”
Other special features. Fantasy Brown quartzite countertops, Italian porcelain floor tile with a gray-washed wood look set in a herringbone pattern, steel-gray beveled mini-subway backsplash tile. A covered radiator box on the left with a soapstone top acts as a window bench.
Designer tip. “Trim color does not have to be the same in every room,” says Deuble, who used Houzz extensively with her clients during the whole-house renovation project. “We selected a gray here because white, though used elsewhere in the home, would have been too stark. Wood trim would not have made sense unless it matched the cabinetry, which we didn’t prefer. We didn’t want to introduce another wood species or color into the space.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We wanted to reuse the beautiful old piece of soapstone that was on top of the radiator,” Deuble says. “A corner of it broke when it was being removed, so we altered the overall size of the new enclosure so we could still use the piece.”
Maximus Grande chandelier: Currey & Co.; trim paint: Whale Gray, Benjamin Moore; wall paint: Alabaster, Sherwin-Williams
4. Elegant Elm
Designer: Leslie Hatfield and team at Schloegel Design Remodel
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Size: 363 square feet (34 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “When we first met with our client, we repeatedly heard their wish to ‘do more with less,’ ” designer Leslie Hatfield says. “Less clutter and fewer cabinets. More space and more style. Less busy. More simplicity. With two of their three children already off at college and the third not far behind, now was the time for the parents to create a functional, streamlined kitchen that reflected their evolving interior style. Their inspirational photos definitely captured a modern industrial design aesthetic.”
Wood cabinets. Frameless natural elm thermally infused veneer on the base, island and fridge storage cabinets. The upper cabinets are frameless painted white. “We were presented with several inspiration photos and ideas from the homeowner, and one repetitive element was the lighter wood cabinets with a mix of painted cabinets,” Hatfield says. “It definitely delivered on the look we were working towards.”
Other special features. Quartz with a marble look for the island and perimeter countertops and sink wall backsplash. A second-tier countertop on the island is gray quartz, and the range backsplash is lead-colored porcelain tile in a vertical chevron pattern.
Designer tip. “Because there is so much design in the kitchen, decorating can be kept minimal,” Hatfield says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “A challenge was the second tier on the island,” Hatfield says. “Our fabricators had installed waterfall ends many times, but this floating countertop was a head-scratcher. We ended up adding blocking in the lower island cabinets and having a custom steel plate made that was drilled into the island top and extended out to hold the floating honed gray piece of quartz. This took some engineering and creativity but created a look that was stunning.”
Designer: Leslie Hatfield and team at Schloegel Design Remodel
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Size: 363 square feet (34 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “When we first met with our client, we repeatedly heard their wish to ‘do more with less,’ ” designer Leslie Hatfield says. “Less clutter and fewer cabinets. More space and more style. Less busy. More simplicity. With two of their three children already off at college and the third not far behind, now was the time for the parents to create a functional, streamlined kitchen that reflected their evolving interior style. Their inspirational photos definitely captured a modern industrial design aesthetic.”
Wood cabinets. Frameless natural elm thermally infused veneer on the base, island and fridge storage cabinets. The upper cabinets are frameless painted white. “We were presented with several inspiration photos and ideas from the homeowner, and one repetitive element was the lighter wood cabinets with a mix of painted cabinets,” Hatfield says. “It definitely delivered on the look we were working towards.”
Other special features. Quartz with a marble look for the island and perimeter countertops and sink wall backsplash. A second-tier countertop on the island is gray quartz, and the range backsplash is lead-colored porcelain tile in a vertical chevron pattern.
Designer tip. “Because there is so much design in the kitchen, decorating can be kept minimal,” Hatfield says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “A challenge was the second tier on the island,” Hatfield says. “Our fabricators had installed waterfall ends many times, but this floating countertop was a head-scratcher. We ended up adding blocking in the lower island cabinets and having a custom steel plate made that was drilled into the island top and extended out to hold the floating honed gray piece of quartz. This took some engineering and creativity but created a look that was stunning.”
5. Lovely Oak and Warm Walnut
Designer: Emily Castle of Castle Design
Location: Minneapolis
Size: 234 square feet (22 square meters); 13 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. Blend transitional style with the sleek modern style of this two-story penthouse condo in an 18-story building overlooking the Mississippi River.
Wood cabinets. Custom-made oak flat-panel main cabinets plus a wall of walnut flat-panel cabinets. “With the large, open space and light-colored tile floors, the kitchen needed some warmth and richness, and the custom-made walnut cabinets did just that,” designer Emily Castle says. “The warmth of the wood cabinetry adds depth and is echoed in the sandy tones and warm grays of the living room upholstery and rug.”
Other special features. Stone slab backsplash of Arabescato Orobico, a dark Italian marble. “The stone has veining that picks up the warmth of the wood cabinets, while the Black Opalescence granite countertops add just the right amount of contrast,” Castle says. The large custom range hood features a patina steel finish.
Designer tip. Castle looked for opportunities to incorporate elements into the design that softened the sharp lines of the interior architecture. In the kitchen, she used a cluster of nine small pendants with 4-inch blown glass globes strung over the length of the island. “Since they are individually mounted, I arranged them in a playful nonlinear pattern and hung them at varying heights,” Castle says. “The effect is almost a sculpture-like element that is playful yet striking.”
“Uh-oh” moment. The biggest challenge was that the clients wanted a TV in the kitchen but didn’t want to see it. Castle worked with the cabinetry team to design a hidden TV built into the cabinetry above the double oven.
14.1 single pendant lights: Bocci; paint colors: Mindful Gray (walls) and Eider White (ceiling), both by Sherwin-Williams
Designer: Emily Castle of Castle Design
Location: Minneapolis
Size: 234 square feet (22 square meters); 13 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. Blend transitional style with the sleek modern style of this two-story penthouse condo in an 18-story building overlooking the Mississippi River.
Wood cabinets. Custom-made oak flat-panel main cabinets plus a wall of walnut flat-panel cabinets. “With the large, open space and light-colored tile floors, the kitchen needed some warmth and richness, and the custom-made walnut cabinets did just that,” designer Emily Castle says. “The warmth of the wood cabinetry adds depth and is echoed in the sandy tones and warm grays of the living room upholstery and rug.”
Other special features. Stone slab backsplash of Arabescato Orobico, a dark Italian marble. “The stone has veining that picks up the warmth of the wood cabinets, while the Black Opalescence granite countertops add just the right amount of contrast,” Castle says. The large custom range hood features a patina steel finish.
Designer tip. Castle looked for opportunities to incorporate elements into the design that softened the sharp lines of the interior architecture. In the kitchen, she used a cluster of nine small pendants with 4-inch blown glass globes strung over the length of the island. “Since they are individually mounted, I arranged them in a playful nonlinear pattern and hung them at varying heights,” Castle says. “The effect is almost a sculpture-like element that is playful yet striking.”
“Uh-oh” moment. The biggest challenge was that the clients wanted a TV in the kitchen but didn’t want to see it. Castle worked with the cabinetry team to design a hidden TV built into the cabinetry above the double oven.
14.1 single pendant lights: Bocci; paint colors: Mindful Gray (walls) and Eider White (ceiling), both by Sherwin-Williams
6. Luscious Light Wood Veneer
Designer: Tina McCabe of McCabe Design & Interiors
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Size: 288 square feet (27 square meters); 16 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A light and bright modern kitchen with transitional or classic style.
Wood cabinets. Light wood veneer on flat-panel base cabinets. The upper cabinets are painted matte white. “Wood, even if it’s a wood veneer, is a warmer material and more ‘furniture like,’ so it lends a more custom and richer-appearing finish to a kitchen than all painted cabinets,” designer Tina McCabe says.
Other special features. Wood-look tile flooring laid in a herringbone pattern. “The combination of the light wood flat-panel lower cabinets and the traditionally laid herringbone tile achieved the light, airy, modern yet classic outcome,” McCabe says. A ceiling feature painted gray gives weight and placement to the island. The backsplash is 3-by-15-inch matte white tile with a band of colored glass mosaic.
Designer tip. “If white is used for kitchen cabinets at all and there are white vinyl windows, I recommend using a white for the cabinets that matches the windows,” McCabe says. “This creates a uniform white.”
Paint colors: Simply White (cabinet and trim) and Swiss Coffee (walls), both by Benjamin Moore
Designer: Tina McCabe of McCabe Design & Interiors
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Size: 288 square feet (27 square meters); 16 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A light and bright modern kitchen with transitional or classic style.
Wood cabinets. Light wood veneer on flat-panel base cabinets. The upper cabinets are painted matte white. “Wood, even if it’s a wood veneer, is a warmer material and more ‘furniture like,’ so it lends a more custom and richer-appearing finish to a kitchen than all painted cabinets,” designer Tina McCabe says.
Other special features. Wood-look tile flooring laid in a herringbone pattern. “The combination of the light wood flat-panel lower cabinets and the traditionally laid herringbone tile achieved the light, airy, modern yet classic outcome,” McCabe says. A ceiling feature painted gray gives weight and placement to the island. The backsplash is 3-by-15-inch matte white tile with a band of colored glass mosaic.
Designer tip. “If white is used for kitchen cabinets at all and there are white vinyl windows, I recommend using a white for the cabinets that matches the windows,” McCabe says. “This creates a uniform white.”
Paint colors: Simply White (cabinet and trim) and Swiss Coffee (walls), both by Benjamin Moore
7. Winning Walnut
Designer: Wanda Ely of Wanda Ely Architect
Location: Toronto
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 15 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. An elegant, refined space for entertaining friends and family for dinners, where guests can feel connected and involved in preparing the food.
Wood cabinets. Flat-panel walnut with integrated brass-lined pulls. “It creates a very sleek, refined and elegant look without the need for hardware attached to the cabinet fronts,” architect Wanda Ely says. “The brass accents reflect light and elevate the detail to something luxurious and yet somewhat unusual.” A matte finish keeps the natural grain and appearance of the wood visible. The floating shelf above the backsplash is also walnut.
Other special features. A custom walnut harvest table that can seat 10 to 12 people and double as an island for additional prep space. The backsplash is glass that’s back-painted white. Light green handmade ceramic tiles above the floating shelf complement the warm wood tones and brass. “Then the random placement of sculptural tiles within the field creates some visual interest and backdrop for the client’s collection of ceramics and tableware,” Ely says.
Designer tip. “The success of the project stems from understanding and embracing the client’s particular needs — their desire to entertain, their need for a large kitchen and their style of entertaining guests,” Ely says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The frosted window on the right side of the image looks onto a neighbor’s home and was previously a more traditional bay window,” Ely says. “We based the kitchen design around altering the bay window, but for a moment it seemed like the permit examiner wasn’t going to allow this modification since the home is too close to a property line. However, since it was overall a decrease in the amount of window, we were able to argue that it was improving the existing conditions, and were allowed to replace the bay window with a more contemporary rectangular window, frosted to allow light in but obscure the view of the side of the neighbor’s house.”
Designer: Wanda Ely of Wanda Ely Architect
Location: Toronto
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 15 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. An elegant, refined space for entertaining friends and family for dinners, where guests can feel connected and involved in preparing the food.
Wood cabinets. Flat-panel walnut with integrated brass-lined pulls. “It creates a very sleek, refined and elegant look without the need for hardware attached to the cabinet fronts,” architect Wanda Ely says. “The brass accents reflect light and elevate the detail to something luxurious and yet somewhat unusual.” A matte finish keeps the natural grain and appearance of the wood visible. The floating shelf above the backsplash is also walnut.
Other special features. A custom walnut harvest table that can seat 10 to 12 people and double as an island for additional prep space. The backsplash is glass that’s back-painted white. Light green handmade ceramic tiles above the floating shelf complement the warm wood tones and brass. “Then the random placement of sculptural tiles within the field creates some visual interest and backdrop for the client’s collection of ceramics and tableware,” Ely says.
Designer tip. “The success of the project stems from understanding and embracing the client’s particular needs — their desire to entertain, their need for a large kitchen and their style of entertaining guests,” Ely says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The frosted window on the right side of the image looks onto a neighbor’s home and was previously a more traditional bay window,” Ely says. “We based the kitchen design around altering the bay window, but for a moment it seemed like the permit examiner wasn’t going to allow this modification since the home is too close to a property line. However, since it was overall a decrease in the amount of window, we were able to argue that it was improving the existing conditions, and were allowed to replace the bay window with a more contemporary rectangular window, frosted to allow light in but obscure the view of the side of the neighbor’s house.”
8. Outstanding Laminate Oak
Designer: Jan Hiltz Interiors
Location: Scarsdale, New York
Size: 400 square feet (37 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This home was a new build and the woman of the house is a black-and-white photographer who requested that the house have minimal color with no frills,” designer Jan Hiltz says. “The man of the house was concerned that the house may feel too ‘cold’ with this request, so we insisted that we could marry her need for a minimalistic home with his want for an inviting, warm space through the use of texture and creative materials.”
Wood cabinets. High-end laminate made to look like vintage oak. The upper cabinets and island base are high-gloss white.
Other special features. Antique reclaimed-brick backsplash, hand-distressed white oak floors with a custom stain, a 3-inch-thick oak countertop on metal pipe legs on a corner of the island. The perimeter countertops are Pacific Grey quartzite. The island countertop is Dekton, which is a blend of quartz, porcelain and glass.
Designer tip. “You don’t have to go for one style or look,” Hiltz says. “Incorporating mixed materials from various genres that may be perceived as being dramatically different could be just the right thing to achieve a real designer look.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “An ‘uh-oh’ moment for us was when our delivery of reclaimed bricks arrived — it didn’t have the right ratio or mixture of brick colors we had anticipated,” Hiltz says. “So we went to the stone yard ourselves and hand-selected over half of the bricks used. It didn’t stop there. We also dry-laid the entire backsplash with the mason to ensure it was perfect.”
Wall paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore
Designer: Jan Hiltz Interiors
Location: Scarsdale, New York
Size: 400 square feet (37 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This home was a new build and the woman of the house is a black-and-white photographer who requested that the house have minimal color with no frills,” designer Jan Hiltz says. “The man of the house was concerned that the house may feel too ‘cold’ with this request, so we insisted that we could marry her need for a minimalistic home with his want for an inviting, warm space through the use of texture and creative materials.”
Wood cabinets. High-end laminate made to look like vintage oak. The upper cabinets and island base are high-gloss white.
Other special features. Antique reclaimed-brick backsplash, hand-distressed white oak floors with a custom stain, a 3-inch-thick oak countertop on metal pipe legs on a corner of the island. The perimeter countertops are Pacific Grey quartzite. The island countertop is Dekton, which is a blend of quartz, porcelain and glass.
Designer tip. “You don’t have to go for one style or look,” Hiltz says. “Incorporating mixed materials from various genres that may be perceived as being dramatically different could be just the right thing to achieve a real designer look.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “An ‘uh-oh’ moment for us was when our delivery of reclaimed bricks arrived — it didn’t have the right ratio or mixture of brick colors we had anticipated,” Hiltz says. “So we went to the stone yard ourselves and hand-selected over half of the bricks used. It didn’t stop there. We also dry-laid the entire backsplash with the mason to ensure it was perfect.”
Wall paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore
9. Welcoming Whitewashed Oak
Designer: Meng Yang of Charlotte Ventures
Location: Atherton, California
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters); 10 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A kitchen with a tiled window wall that doesn’t have any upper cabinets or shelves.
Wood cabinets. Whitewashed oak that blends in with the whitewashed oak flooring. “The wood cabinets go well with the farmhouse theme of this house,” designer Meng Yang says.
Other special features. Carrara white marble perimeter countertop and backsplash tile. The island countertop is quartz.
Designer tip. “We used brushed black fixtures, such as on the prep sink faucet, prep sink, cabinet pulls and pendant lights, to make these elements pop,” Yang says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “There are lots of unexpected soffits that drop from the ceiling to make room for HVAC pipes that were not specified on the original plan,” Yang says. “We overcame this by wrapping these soffits in panels of the same materials as the cabinets on the horizontal soffits and hardwood flooring planks on the vertical soffits.”
Designer: Meng Yang of Charlotte Ventures
Location: Atherton, California
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters); 10 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A kitchen with a tiled window wall that doesn’t have any upper cabinets or shelves.
Wood cabinets. Whitewashed oak that blends in with the whitewashed oak flooring. “The wood cabinets go well with the farmhouse theme of this house,” designer Meng Yang says.
Other special features. Carrara white marble perimeter countertop and backsplash tile. The island countertop is quartz.
Designer tip. “We used brushed black fixtures, such as on the prep sink faucet, prep sink, cabinet pulls and pendant lights, to make these elements pop,” Yang says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “There are lots of unexpected soffits that drop from the ceiling to make room for HVAC pipes that were not specified on the original plan,” Yang says. “We overcame this by wrapping these soffits in panels of the same materials as the cabinets on the horizontal soffits and hardwood flooring planks on the vertical soffits.”
10. Wavy-Grain Walnut
Designer: Julie Campbell of CTA Design Builders
Location: Seattle
Size: 168 square feet (16 square meters); 12 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The existing house was very old and cramped but had a definite farmhouse charm to it, complete with chicken coop in the tiny backyard,” architect Julie Campbell says. “The vision for the whole-house remodel was to enlarge the spaces and connect them to encourage better family functioning, but also to play up the farmhouse feel, albeit with a fresh and clean urban vibe. We started with the kitchen design and let it provide clues to the design of other spaces throughout the house.”
Wood cabinets. Walnut. “The choice and placement of wood cabinets was a design dialogue that didn’t fall into place easily,” says Campbell, who used this Houzz ideabook of inspiration photos to collaborate with the homeowner. “The owners love wood but didn’t want the kitchen to feel ‘wood-y.’ They were still recovering from years in their 1980s all-oak kitchen. They saw a Houzz photo featuring gorgeous walnut cabinets that were left in a very natural state and knew this was the right direction. As we played with where and how much walnut this kitchen could handle, we realized that walnut for the lower cabinets, and lining the window bench, would provide visual continuity as a ‘base zone’ in the larger room. The upper cabinets are painted white so as to keep the house light and airy, letting light from all the windows bounce around, keeping the spaces fresh-feeling.”
Other special features. Perla marble island countertop, wide-plank maple floors in a satin stain, ceramic rhombus backsplash tile with light gray grout.
Designer tip. “We like to have glass-front doors in key upper cabinet locations specifically for the way this breaks up a long, potentially monotonous run of cabinetry,” Campbell says. “If you don’t want people seeing your messy cabinet interiors, obscure glass solves that problem nicely. The overall result is that light from nearby windows bounces off the glass fronts and gives the effect of more windows and more light.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The owners were enticed by so many wonderful options in tile and countertop selections, we worried that these materials would compete for visual attention,” Campbell says. “The first island slab choice had much more pattern in it. Paired with the hex backsplash tile and wild walnut graining, we feared the kitchen would be a clash of pattern and texture. Thankfully, a much more subtly grained marble slab was found, and we dialed back the contrasting grout in the tile pattern. Also, keeping everything in shades of white and light gray really allows the cabinet wood grain to take center stage.”
Designer: Julie Campbell of CTA Design Builders
Location: Seattle
Size: 168 square feet (16 square meters); 12 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The existing house was very old and cramped but had a definite farmhouse charm to it, complete with chicken coop in the tiny backyard,” architect Julie Campbell says. “The vision for the whole-house remodel was to enlarge the spaces and connect them to encourage better family functioning, but also to play up the farmhouse feel, albeit with a fresh and clean urban vibe. We started with the kitchen design and let it provide clues to the design of other spaces throughout the house.”
Wood cabinets. Walnut. “The choice and placement of wood cabinets was a design dialogue that didn’t fall into place easily,” says Campbell, who used this Houzz ideabook of inspiration photos to collaborate with the homeowner. “The owners love wood but didn’t want the kitchen to feel ‘wood-y.’ They were still recovering from years in their 1980s all-oak kitchen. They saw a Houzz photo featuring gorgeous walnut cabinets that were left in a very natural state and knew this was the right direction. As we played with where and how much walnut this kitchen could handle, we realized that walnut for the lower cabinets, and lining the window bench, would provide visual continuity as a ‘base zone’ in the larger room. The upper cabinets are painted white so as to keep the house light and airy, letting light from all the windows bounce around, keeping the spaces fresh-feeling.”
Other special features. Perla marble island countertop, wide-plank maple floors in a satin stain, ceramic rhombus backsplash tile with light gray grout.
Designer tip. “We like to have glass-front doors in key upper cabinet locations specifically for the way this breaks up a long, potentially monotonous run of cabinetry,” Campbell says. “If you don’t want people seeing your messy cabinet interiors, obscure glass solves that problem nicely. The overall result is that light from nearby windows bounces off the glass fronts and gives the effect of more windows and more light.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The owners were enticed by so many wonderful options in tile and countertop selections, we worried that these materials would compete for visual attention,” Campbell says. “The first island slab choice had much more pattern in it. Paired with the hex backsplash tile and wild walnut graining, we feared the kitchen would be a clash of pattern and texture. Thankfully, a much more subtly grained marble slab was found, and we dialed back the contrasting grout in the tile pattern. Also, keeping everything in shades of white and light gray really allows the cabinet wood grain to take center stage.”
11. Beautiful Birch
Designer: Marty Rhein of BAC Design Group
Location: Leelanau, Michigan
Size: 273 square feet (25 square meters); 13 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. An open floor plan with water views and a style that blends the preferences of the homeowners — beach-cottage plus relaxed rustic lodge.
Wood cabinets. Birch with an aged teak stain. “The stain color was inspired by the home’s waterside beach sand,” designer Marty Rhein says. “It’s an active waterside home, so I chose wood finishes on base cabinets to minimize showing any kind of wear (versus white base cabinets).” The louvered walk-in-pantry door and range hood are also birch.
Other special features. Fantasy Brown quartzite countertops, tongue-and-groove tray ceiling, rustic wood plank ceramic tile floors, wicker storage baskets above the refrigerator.
Designer tip. “Keeping the details cohesive is always my goal,” Rhein says. “For example, creating the common ‘thread’ visually and texturally that flows from the colors and textures outside and runs through the home’s interior and back outside again.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowners desired a ‘care-free’ waterside home,” Rhein says. “They were concerned living on the water with pets and guests going in and out of their home from the beach would prohibit them from having beautiful wood floors. We solved their concern with a heated ‘bulletproof’ realistic-looking and -feeling hi-def wood plank tile flooring. It is both warm, beautiful and durable.”
Hatteras Bay pendants in Olde Bronze: Kichler
Designer: Marty Rhein of BAC Design Group
Location: Leelanau, Michigan
Size: 273 square feet (25 square meters); 13 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. An open floor plan with water views and a style that blends the preferences of the homeowners — beach-cottage plus relaxed rustic lodge.
Wood cabinets. Birch with an aged teak stain. “The stain color was inspired by the home’s waterside beach sand,” designer Marty Rhein says. “It’s an active waterside home, so I chose wood finishes on base cabinets to minimize showing any kind of wear (versus white base cabinets).” The louvered walk-in-pantry door and range hood are also birch.
Other special features. Fantasy Brown quartzite countertops, tongue-and-groove tray ceiling, rustic wood plank ceramic tile floors, wicker storage baskets above the refrigerator.
Designer tip. “Keeping the details cohesive is always my goal,” Rhein says. “For example, creating the common ‘thread’ visually and texturally that flows from the colors and textures outside and runs through the home’s interior and back outside again.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowners desired a ‘care-free’ waterside home,” Rhein says. “They were concerned living on the water with pets and guests going in and out of their home from the beach would prohibit them from having beautiful wood floors. We solved their concern with a heated ‘bulletproof’ realistic-looking and -feeling hi-def wood plank tile flooring. It is both warm, beautiful and durable.”
Hatteras Bay pendants in Olde Bronze: Kichler
12. Walnut That Wows
Designer: Bobbi Alderfer of Lifestyle Design
Location: Sugar Grove, Illinois
Size: 380 square feet (35 square meters); 19 by 20 feet
Homeowner’s request. “The home was originally designed by the previous owner to be an homage to the Arts and Crafts style, with stained glass window transoms, lots of dentil wood crown and an abundance of pale birch cabinets that overwhelmed the space,” designer Bobbi Alderfer says. “Our client’s vision was to create a clean, natural look, something that felt fresh and organic and would play nicely with her lovely wooded lot. She wanted a modern look that would also feel warm and inviting. As designers, our goal was to also make the kitchen more functional and to repurpose areas that were awkward and clumsy.”
Wood cabinets. Walnut. “Its finish color, construction and simplicity made it the natural choice for this kitchen overhaul,” Alderfer says.
Other special features. Painted blue island (Van Deusen Blue by Benjamin Moore), refinished oak hardwood floors with a natural stain that has a touch of gray in it, marble-look quartz countertops.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid of eliminating room features that are not working well with the design direction,” Alderfer says. “By eliminating a built-in china cabinet, we gained a gorgeous buffet area. By eliminating the awkward built-in banquette unit, we gained a highly functional bar space. And by eliminating wire shelving in the pantry, we were able to install a custom built-in unit that greatly increased the storage capability in the kitchen.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The last appliance to be installed in the kitchen was the exhaust hood,” Alderfer says. “This hood was ordered specifically to our specifications, but when the contractor went to install it, the outside venting did not match up to the hood. Our only alternative was to use the recirculating feature on the hood, which was not making any of us happy, particularly the client. However, our contractor was able to climb into the garage rafters over the adjacent laundry room and was able to move the vent pipe so that the hood could be properly vented. It created a bit of a drywall mess in the laundry, but the client was thrilled with the solution, as were we.”
More on Houzz
6 Kitchen Makeovers That Benefited From Refaced Cabinets
See How 1 Kitchen Style Works With 5 Types of Wood
Get more kitchen design ideas
Find a kitchen designer and other professionals
Shop for kitchen products
Designer: Bobbi Alderfer of Lifestyle Design
Location: Sugar Grove, Illinois
Size: 380 square feet (35 square meters); 19 by 20 feet
Homeowner’s request. “The home was originally designed by the previous owner to be an homage to the Arts and Crafts style, with stained glass window transoms, lots of dentil wood crown and an abundance of pale birch cabinets that overwhelmed the space,” designer Bobbi Alderfer says. “Our client’s vision was to create a clean, natural look, something that felt fresh and organic and would play nicely with her lovely wooded lot. She wanted a modern look that would also feel warm and inviting. As designers, our goal was to also make the kitchen more functional and to repurpose areas that were awkward and clumsy.”
Wood cabinets. Walnut. “Its finish color, construction and simplicity made it the natural choice for this kitchen overhaul,” Alderfer says.
Other special features. Painted blue island (Van Deusen Blue by Benjamin Moore), refinished oak hardwood floors with a natural stain that has a touch of gray in it, marble-look quartz countertops.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid of eliminating room features that are not working well with the design direction,” Alderfer says. “By eliminating a built-in china cabinet, we gained a gorgeous buffet area. By eliminating the awkward built-in banquette unit, we gained a highly functional bar space. And by eliminating wire shelving in the pantry, we were able to install a custom built-in unit that greatly increased the storage capability in the kitchen.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The last appliance to be installed in the kitchen was the exhaust hood,” Alderfer says. “This hood was ordered specifically to our specifications, but when the contractor went to install it, the outside venting did not match up to the hood. Our only alternative was to use the recirculating feature on the hood, which was not making any of us happy, particularly the client. However, our contractor was able to climb into the garage rafters over the adjacent laundry room and was able to move the vent pipe so that the hood could be properly vented. It created a bit of a drywall mess in the laundry, but the client was thrilled with the solution, as were we.”
More on Houzz
6 Kitchen Makeovers That Benefited From Refaced Cabinets
See How 1 Kitchen Style Works With 5 Types of Wood
Get more kitchen design ideas
Find a kitchen designer and other professionals
Shop for kitchen products
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Designer: Vered Mizrahi of Very Red Design and Lux Design Builds
Location: Sammamish, Washington
Size: 155 square feet (14.4 square meters); 11 feet, 7 inches by 13 feet, 5 inches
Homeowners’ request. A kitchen where everything is accessible and has easy flow to the nook without a peninsula in the way. “The new kitchen materials had to fit with the existing 1980s features in the house but yet with a fresh, timeless and inviting feeling,” designer Vered Mizrahi says. “Lots of storage for Grandmother’s china was important too for the client.”
Wood cabinets. Cherry stained to walnut. “It has a warm and timeless look,” Mizrahi says. “The wood is also durable and complements the existing trim and doors in the rest of the house. To ensure a modern look, we chose flat-front drawers, Shaker beveled door panels, clean-line brushed nickel pulls and large, white backsplash tiles. Green accessories and geometric patterns add to the modern and sleek look.”
Other special features. “Clear glass cabinet doors keep the kitchen open and airy, as well as showcasing china that was special for the client,” Mizrahi says. “There is always room for glass doors or open shelving or just finished drywall where you can display personal items or artwork.”
Designer tip. “Planning is the key to a successful project,” Mizrahi says. “Remember that in the new kitchen you are going to have better-organized cabinets where everything has its place, so you might not need as many cabinets as you think. Inventory your current kitchen so you can incorporate the right types of storage in the most convenient places. Create drawings to get to the best layout and kitchen floor plan. Search for materials that will make you happy every time you look at them, use them or just pass by them. Remember that your kitchen is not a showroom you visit but it’s to stay and use 24/7. Therefore, you want it to give you joy for many years to come.”
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