Before and After: 4 Beautiful Kitchens in Blue, White and Wood
Pros use warm wood, crisp white and layered blues to craft kitchens that feel fresh, inviting and full of character
Blue, white and wood is a classic kitchen trio, but these four makeovers show just how versatile the palette can be. Warm wood grounds and softens the coolness of blue, while crisp white keeps everything fresh. Some blues lean bold and dramatic, others moody or breezy. In the hands of skilled designers, the mix delivers kitchens full of character and charm.
Before Photo
After: The kitchen retains its original footprint, but custom inset cabinets in a smoky blue-gray (De Nimes by Farrow & Ball), paired with boldly veined marble countertops and backsplash, create a striking design statement. The floor, stained gray, grounds the space with subtle sophistication.
McQuaide wrapped the ceiling beam in reclaimed oak and flanked the matte plaster hood with matching wood shelves, adding warmth and texture. Playful nods to the island’s maritime past infuse character throughout the home, including a charming “porthole” on the galley door — actually a convex antique mirror wrapped in leather.
McQuaide wrapped the ceiling beam in reclaimed oak and flanked the matte plaster hood with matching wood shelves, adding warmth and texture. Playful nods to the island’s maritime past infuse character throughout the home, including a charming “porthole” on the galley door — actually a convex antique mirror wrapped in leather.
Because the homeowner uses the house only seasonally, McQuaide had the freedom to incorporate luxurious, timeless materials that might be impractical for full-time living. The integral sink, crafted from the same dramatic marble as the countertop and backsplash, makes a seamless, sculptural statement.
Anticipating the corrosive effects of salt air, the designer and homeowner selected top-quality unlacquered brass hardware throughout, which develops a natural patina almost immediately, adding warmth and character over time.
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Before and After: 4 Gorgeous White, Black and Wood Kitchens
Anticipating the corrosive effects of salt air, the designer and homeowner selected top-quality unlacquered brass hardware throughout, which develops a natural patina almost immediately, adding warmth and character over time.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Before and After: 4 Gorgeous White, Black and Wood Kitchens
“After” photos by Brian Wetzel Photo
2. Modern Colonial Touch
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with a tween and a teenager
Location: Centreville, Virginia
Size: 240 square feet (22 square meters); 17¾ by 13½ feet
Designer: Shayla LaFreniere of Halcyon Interiors
Contractor: Xtreme Painting & Remodeling
Before: The owners of this 30-year-old red brick Colonial in the Washington, D.C., suburbs had put off a kitchen remodel for years. But when the fridge started failing, it was time to act. Other issues included cabinet doors coming off their hinges, a cramped pantry with wire shelving and inefficient storage that left countertops perpetually cluttered. Wanting a more functional layout, customized storage and a warm transitional look, the couple brought in designer Shayla LaFreniere of Halcyon Interiors.
2. Modern Colonial Touch
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with a tween and a teenager
Location: Centreville, Virginia
Size: 240 square feet (22 square meters); 17¾ by 13½ feet
Designer: Shayla LaFreniere of Halcyon Interiors
Contractor: Xtreme Painting & Remodeling
Before: The owners of this 30-year-old red brick Colonial in the Washington, D.C., suburbs had put off a kitchen remodel for years. But when the fridge started failing, it was time to act. Other issues included cabinet doors coming off their hinges, a cramped pantry with wire shelving and inefficient storage that left countertops perpetually cluttered. Wanting a more functional layout, customized storage and a warm transitional look, the couple brought in designer Shayla LaFreniere of Halcyon Interiors.
After: The team stripped out the dated cabinets and appliances, donating the still-working dishwasher and other pieces to local groups. LaFreniere reimagined the kitchen with a serene palette and custom details. Stained walnut and maple cabinetry in a soft, dusty blue-gray features refined door and drawer profiles and sleek geometric hardware.
Warm off-white walls and a custom range hood painted Greek Villa by Sherwin-Williams set off the marbled quartz counters and backsplash. The creamy tones balance the new island with a walnut butcher block extension and the existing red oak floors, which were sanded and stained for a fresh finish.
Warm off-white walls and a custom range hood painted Greek Villa by Sherwin-Williams set off the marbled quartz counters and backsplash. The creamy tones balance the new island with a walnut butcher block extension and the existing red oak floors, which were sanded and stained for a fresh finish.
Removing the old cabinets, soffits and closet-style pantry opened up room for a generous wall of two-tone cabinetry. At each end, walnut-paneled pantry cabinets offer rollout shelving, while the center consists of a striking column of dusty blue-gray fronts.
A walnut-clad Monogram freezer sits to the left, with a matching refrigerator to the right. Behind the blue doors, an appliance garage hides a convection microwave, maple shelving, a tiled backsplash and a quartz work surface. Warm brass hardware and accents add richness and an earthy elegance, giving the space a transitional modern Colonial vibe rather than a starkly contemporary one.
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A walnut-clad Monogram freezer sits to the left, with a matching refrigerator to the right. Behind the blue doors, an appliance garage hides a convection microwave, maple shelving, a tiled backsplash and a quartz work surface. Warm brass hardware and accents add richness and an earthy elegance, giving the space a transitional modern Colonial vibe rather than a starkly contemporary one.
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“After” photos by John Cole Photography
3. Breezy Coastal Blue
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple who entertain
Location: Holland Point, Maryland
Size: 331 square feet (31 square meters)
Designer: Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath
Before: This aging kitchen had one undeniable asset: breathtaking views of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. But the space itself was dated, lacked style and wasn’t designed for entertaining. A long peninsula made the kitchen feel smaller than it was and blocked the flow to the nearby dining area, forcing guests to weave through the workspace for drinks or snacks.
Eager for a major overhaul that would honor the scenery and accommodate impromptu entertaining, the homeowners turned to designer Jennifer Gilmer for a redesign.
3. Breezy Coastal Blue
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple who entertain
Location: Holland Point, Maryland
Size: 331 square feet (31 square meters)
Designer: Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath
Before: This aging kitchen had one undeniable asset: breathtaking views of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. But the space itself was dated, lacked style and wasn’t designed for entertaining. A long peninsula made the kitchen feel smaller than it was and blocked the flow to the nearby dining area, forcing guests to weave through the workspace for drinks or snacks.
Eager for a major overhaul that would honor the scenery and accommodate impromptu entertaining, the homeowners turned to designer Jennifer Gilmer for a redesign.
After: Gilmer removed the peninsula and extended the kitchen into a former laundry room, adding 48 square feet of space. A lively mix of blue-painted cabinets, watery blue backsplash tile and light maple veneer cabinets creates a fresh, upbeat feel that echoes the waterfront setting. Wood-look luxury vinyl flooring ties in seamlessly with the other wood elements.
A multifunctional blue-and-wood island opens the kitchen to the dining area, improving circulation and usability. On the exterior side, a wine station topped with a walnut butcher block adds warmth and visual interest — and allows guests to make a drink without entering the main area of the kitchen.
A multifunctional blue-and-wood island opens the kitchen to the dining area, improving circulation and usability. On the exterior side, a wine station topped with a walnut butcher block adds warmth and visual interest — and allows guests to make a drink without entering the main area of the kitchen.
The wall opposite the island beverage area, once lined with dark-stained knotty pine cabinets, was transformed into an entertaining hub. Gilmer used the same maple veneer flat-front cabinetry and watery blue backsplash tile found elsewhere in the kitchen for a cohesive look. The island houses the main sink, a paneled dishwasher and a pullout trash bin. It’s topped with concrete-look quartz, as are the perimeter cabinets.
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Photos by Miranda Estes
4. Storage With Style
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A blended family with three kids still living at home and a dog named Moose
Location: Seattle
Designer: Harmony Weihs of Design Harmony
Before: This 1995 Seattle home, owned by interior designer Harmony Weihs and her blended family, hadn’t seen a renovation in decades. Half of the original kitchen, with blue-gray walls and white cabinetry, served as an eat-in area, leaving the working side cramped and awkward.
The kitchen, powder room and family room were all clustered on one side of the house. Acting as both designer and general contractor, Weihs aimed to transform the spaces into comfortable, functional rooms that worked for the whole family.
4. Storage With Style
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A blended family with three kids still living at home and a dog named Moose
Location: Seattle
Designer: Harmony Weihs of Design Harmony
Before: This 1995 Seattle home, owned by interior designer Harmony Weihs and her blended family, hadn’t seen a renovation in decades. Half of the original kitchen, with blue-gray walls and white cabinetry, served as an eat-in area, leaving the working side cramped and awkward.
The kitchen, powder room and family room were all clustered on one side of the house. Acting as both designer and general contractor, Weihs aimed to transform the spaces into comfortable, functional rooms that worked for the whole family.
After: Weihs reimagined the layout by converting the family room into a dining area, opening it up to the kitchen for a more connected flow. She reclaimed the former eat-in space for cabinetry, counters and the main sink (just out of frame to the left) and anchored the room with a new blue island that complements the perimeter cabinets.
Perimeter countertops and backsplash are crafted from quartzite, a natural stone that adds light, elegant contrast to the kitchen’s blue-and-wood palette. Weihs chose a honed finish to keep the surfaces casual and family-friendly.
Perimeter countertops and backsplash are crafted from quartzite, a natural stone that adds light, elegant contrast to the kitchen’s blue-and-wood palette. Weihs chose a honed finish to keep the surfaces casual and family-friendly.
The island has a sapele wood countertop with a beveled edge, adding warmth and echoing the living room mantel. Equipped with dedicated storage for china and glassware, the island solves storage needs while keeping the walls free of upper cabinets.
Weihs introduced an arched nook with open shelves on a previously windowless wall, both for visual interest and to display her cherished white china. A matching arched opening on the right leads to a new walk-in pantry with LED-lit shelving. A 48-inch red range, relocated to the adjoining wall, fits perfectly between existing windows and injects a playful pop of color.
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Weihs introduced an arched nook with open shelves on a previously windowless wall, both for visual interest and to display her cherished white china. A matching arched opening on the right leads to a new walk-in pantry with LED-lit shelving. A 48-inch red range, relocated to the adjoining wall, fits perfectly between existing windows and injects a playful pop of color.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Find a kitchen remodeler
1. Seaside Sophistication
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A man for whom this is a second home
Location: Nantucket, Massachusetts
Designer: Kaitlin McQuaide of McQuaide
Contractor: Clarke Brothers Construction
Before: Tucked in a 124-year-old house in Nantucket island’s historic downtown, this kitchen was compact and leaned toward a traditional coastal style. Not quite the look the homeowner envisioned.
Designer Kaitlin McQuaide came on board to reimagine the kitchen and the home’s interiors, choosing a “dark and stormy” palette of deep and midtone blues, grays and greens, paired with cozy, contemporary furnishings for a refreshed, layered look.