Before and After: 4 Winning White, Wood and Blue Kitchens

After: Repainted a most appropriate color for the city of the White House (Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball), the cabinets look brand-new. White marble counters and a patch of tiled floor with an inlay feel bring in European notes. Hand-formed white terra-cotta tile, rattan stools, a linen-blend window treatment and wood flooring speak to earthy California textures. And pendant lights of milk glass and antique brass join antique brass hardware in evoking the Victorian era.

Also of note: a custom fluted island surround painted to match the cabinets; a modern-looking vent hood; and, although you can’t see it here, a slim antique Turkish rug in front of the stove that adds warmth and character.

Backsplash tile: Clé

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“After” photos by Moris Moreno

2. Open Source

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Size: 215 square feet (20 square meters)
Designer: Ellen Weiss Design

Before: A narrow hallway led to this 1960s U-shaped kitchen in Washington state, meaning it was cut off from the dining room. A peninsula (partially seen in the lower left corner) and a cabinet bank also separated it from a breakfast area. What homeowners who love to entertain would be happy with that? Plus, the wood cabinets had an unflattering orange cast, the white appliances looked their age and the fridge stuck out. The homeowners brought on designer Ellen Weiss to remedy this unsociable and unstylish situation.

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After: Weiss took down walls to create an open-concept space that encompasses an L-shaped kitchen, the dining room and the breakfast area. A blue-gray pantry where the fridge used to be matches the island base — and check out the cool wine storage to the pantry’s right. White quartz countertops and textured white wall tiles form a clean backdrop for the blue-gray and wood-look cabinets.

This pulled-back shot gives a better sense of the much-improved flow, as well as a connection to the patio through sliding doors that previously only the breakfast area provided. White-and-wood stools with clean lines fit the new contemporary look perfectly.

Happy surprise: Underneath the previous vinyl was oak flooring, which got restored to its former glory.

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After: Jacobs took the kitchen down to the studs, removed a bulkhead and some upper cabinets and added 97 square feet by taking space from a butler’s pantry and a breakfast area. That created a more open feel even with the addition of an island with two seats.

A blue glass pendant light that previously hung in the breakfast area inspired the new look and balances all the clean lines with its vintage silhouette. Artwork and backsplash tiles in shades of blue and green complement the pendant and play nicely with cherry cabinets. The cabinets are a flat-panel style with horizontal pulls, conveying a midcentury vibe.

This photo was taken from where the fridge is in the next photo.

Backsplash tile: Natural Hues collection in Rain, Ireland and Starlight, Daltile; cabinets: Seaside in natural cherry, Tedd Wood

Plenty of white via the walls, the ceiling and four sconces adds to the fresh feeling. The countertops are a light gray quartz with touches of warm charcoal and white. With all of the light finishes and the new open concept, you might never know that the new fridge covers a former window.

For better flow, Jacobs put that fridge, a beverage fridge and double ovens in the former butler’s pantry and breakfast area. She also moved the range to the opposite side of the room and added a vent hood.

Paint: Horizon (walls), Ceiling White (ceiling) and Pure White (trim), all Benjamin Moore; wall sconces: Allegheny, Schoolhouse

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“After” photos by Paul Burk

4. Switch Hit

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Two doctors and their two toddlers
Location: Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Architect: EL Studio

Before: Too wide for working comfortably and too narrow for an island, this kitchen in an 18-foot-wide Washington, D.C., row house also hindered a connection to the backyard (through the doors seen at the back here). Plus, the homeowners love minimalist modern style, which this kitchen didn’t have. They turned to architecture firm EL Studio for the remodel.

After: The architect switched the location of the kitchen with the formerly crowded street-side living room. Now the front door swings into this wide-open area, allowing a refreshingly clear view all the way through from the entryway to the back doors. Where this photo was taken from, a slender upholstered bench hugs the wall, offering a spot for putting on or taking off shoes, and a console table can hold keys and mail.

White oak via the kitchen island’s base and countertop complements the flooring and nearby stairs; all three warm up the space without weighing it down.

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Some of the couple’s favorite ceramic pieces inspired the deep blue color of the kitchen cabinets, which have crisp lines unmarred by finger pulls. Blue-gray concrete on the backsplash and countertops adds color variation without straying from the theme, while generous doses of white keep the overall look light.

A new breakfast area by the front window offers views and a connection to the neighborhood. Its bench continues around the wall’s corner toward the entryway. And check out that acorn-shaped pendant light; along with the bright orange console table seen in the previous photo, it adds personality without bulk.

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