Bright, Warm Kitchen Opens Up to a Screened Porch
A smarter layout, custom storage and an expansive glass door create a more functional family kitchen
A single window flanked by upper cabinets limited natural light in this North Carolina kitchen while blocking views to a screened porch and wooded landscape. A palette of blue and gray finishes — from the cabinetry and backsplash to the countertops, flooring and island — made the space feel dark and cold.
Ready for a brighter, more functional kitchen with a stronger connection to the outdoors, the homeowners, a couple with two young children, turned to designer Alona Perov and general contractor Rafael Lopez, who uses Houzz Pro software.
Perov replaced the cool palette with custom maple cabinetry painted a soft warm beige and anchored the room with a stained white oak island that adds warmth, seating and storage. She also reworked the layout by relocating the sink and refrigerator and installed an expansive glass door to the screened porch, creating a light-filled kitchen that feels open, sophisticated and inviting.
Ready for a brighter, more functional kitchen with a stronger connection to the outdoors, the homeowners, a couple with two young children, turned to designer Alona Perov and general contractor Rafael Lopez, who uses Houzz Pro software.
Perov replaced the cool palette with custom maple cabinetry painted a soft warm beige and anchored the room with a stained white oak island that adds warmth, seating and storage. She also reworked the layout by relocating the sink and refrigerator and installed an expansive glass door to the screened porch, creating a light-filled kitchen that feels open, sophisticated and inviting.
Before Photo
After: The remodeling team removed the existing cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, flooring and island, then reworked the layout to improve function and strengthen the connection to the outdoors. Eliminating the microwave and wall oven combination, shifting the refrigerator about 2 feet and relocating the sink to the opposite wall created space for an expansive glass door that floods the kitchen with natural light. The new layout also lets the cook work comfortably behind the island while family and guests gather on the other side and move easily between the kitchen and screened porch.
Custom maple Shaker-style perimeter cabinetry painted in Lace Handkerchief by Benjamin Moore stretches to the ceiling to maximize storage. Heritage brass knobs and pulls lend a subtle vintage touch. “We have pullouts to the left and right of the range, one for spices and another for cutting boards and trays,” Perov says. “We also did drawers in a variety of depths. This way they can store everything from dishes to large pots. We did mostly drawers here so they don’t have to reach into the back of cabinets. We wanted to make everything really accessible.”
A stained oak island adds warmth and contrast while providing seating and additional storage. “I wanted to treat the island like a piece of furniture versus just another piece of painted cabinetry,” Perov says. “This is where everyone gathers.” A white oak floor with a custom stain reinforces the kitchen’s warm, welcoming character.
Wall paint: White Duck, Sherwin-Williams; ceiling and trim paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
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Custom maple Shaker-style perimeter cabinetry painted in Lace Handkerchief by Benjamin Moore stretches to the ceiling to maximize storage. Heritage brass knobs and pulls lend a subtle vintage touch. “We have pullouts to the left and right of the range, one for spices and another for cutting boards and trays,” Perov says. “We also did drawers in a variety of depths. This way they can store everything from dishes to large pots. We did mostly drawers here so they don’t have to reach into the back of cabinets. We wanted to make everything really accessible.”
A stained oak island adds warmth and contrast while providing seating and additional storage. “I wanted to treat the island like a piece of furniture versus just another piece of painted cabinetry,” Perov says. “This is where everyone gathers.” A white oak floor with a custom stain reinforces the kitchen’s warm, welcoming character.
Wall paint: White Duck, Sherwin-Williams; ceiling and trim paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
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The island is topped with a honed quartz that features a deep earthy background and subtle mineral-like flecks. Polished marble-look engineered quartz on the perimeter countertops and backsplash brightens the room while adding interest with its bold veining. “Because their previous granite countertop was very busy they wanted something cleaner,” Perov says. “But I also didn’t want it to fall completely flat and wanted some movement. The perimeter has more of a polished look that enhances the veining. The honed finish on the island mutes the veining down.”
Modern counter stools upholstered in green distressed performance velvet introduce another layer of color and texture. “They also swivel, which is fun for the kids,” Perov says. “They wanted to connect the outdoor space with the indoor space, and pulling in green ties into nature.”
A 72-inch brass linear chandelier with milk glass tube shades complements the island without competing with the nearby dining area lighting. “The eat-in dining area is right next to the island and I didn’t want the two pendants over the dining table to compete with multiple pendants over the island,” Perov says. “Because the island is over 10 feet long, we needed something with length.”
Recessed LED ceiling lights provide general illumination throughout the kitchen. (The photographer removed them digitally in these images to better highlight other design details.)
Chandelier: Remming, Arhaus; island countertop: Darcrest, Caesarstone; stools: Flynn in Tarragon distressed velvet, West Elm
Before and After: 4 Inviting Kitchens in 165 to 225 Square Feet
Modern counter stools upholstered in green distressed performance velvet introduce another layer of color and texture. “They also swivel, which is fun for the kids,” Perov says. “They wanted to connect the outdoor space with the indoor space, and pulling in green ties into nature.”
A 72-inch brass linear chandelier with milk glass tube shades complements the island without competing with the nearby dining area lighting. “The eat-in dining area is right next to the island and I didn’t want the two pendants over the dining table to compete with multiple pendants over the island,” Perov says. “Because the island is over 10 feet long, we needed something with length.”
Recessed LED ceiling lights provide general illumination throughout the kitchen. (The photographer removed them digitally in these images to better highlight other design details.)
Chandelier: Remming, Arhaus; island countertop: Darcrest, Caesarstone; stools: Flynn in Tarragon distressed velvet, West Elm
Before and After: 4 Inviting Kitchens in 165 to 225 Square Feet
Shifting the new 36-inch counter-depth French door refrigerator slightly to the left freed up space to relocate the sink to the same wall, creating a more efficient prep zone. “It was all about the prep flow,” Perov says. “It creates linear flow.”
A workstation sink is paired with a one-handle pull-down faucet in a rich brushed gold finish. Above it, an antiqued black mirror adds an unexpected focal point. “It was to create the illusion of a view or window but simultaneously reflect more natural light,” Perov says. “It also allows the parents to keep an eye on the kids in the adjoining screened-in porch.”
A stained wood shelf below the mirror echoes the island base and wood detail on the new range hood. A dark bronze adjustable ceiling light provides task lighting above the sink, while a paneled dishwasher to the right and a pullout trash and recycling cabinet to the left keep cleanup streamlined.
Mirror: Sureau antiqued black rectangular wall mirror, 24 by 48 inches, CB2, sink: Roma Pro, Ruvati; faucet: Cia in brushed gold, Moen
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A workstation sink is paired with a one-handle pull-down faucet in a rich brushed gold finish. Above it, an antiqued black mirror adds an unexpected focal point. “It was to create the illusion of a view or window but simultaneously reflect more natural light,” Perov says. “It also allows the parents to keep an eye on the kids in the adjoining screened-in porch.”
A stained wood shelf below the mirror echoes the island base and wood detail on the new range hood. A dark bronze adjustable ceiling light provides task lighting above the sink, while a paneled dishwasher to the right and a pullout trash and recycling cabinet to the left keep cleanup streamlined.
Mirror: Sureau antiqued black rectangular wall mirror, 24 by 48 inches, CB2, sink: Roma Pro, Ruvati; faucet: Cia in brushed gold, Moen
11 Stylish Kitchen Sink Setups
A new 36-inch professional induction range with five cooking elements suits the homeowners’ love of cooking while helping open up the layout. “In order to have some spacing, I thought we should eliminate the microwave and wall oven combo,” Perov says. “In this particular case, they went with a higher-end brand — the husband is a chef at heart — and wanted an easy-clean surface. The induction also regulates heat and allows him to prepare meals faster.”
The custom maple range hood, painted in China White by Benjamin Moore, is another focal point. “It was important to introduce curvature into the space,” Perov says. “It softens it.” Handmade alabaster sconces flanking the hood provide task lighting while reinforcing the kitchen’s warm, sophisticated style. “Because there are no upper cabinets, we introduced them as task lighting for either side of the hood,” Perov says.
Appliance garages on either side of the range conceal countertop appliances behind pocket-style doors that slide open and tuck away for full access. “We took the dimensions of a coffee maker they love and added that on a pullout tray in a cubby space by one of the appliance garages,” Perov says. “This way we helped solve the problem of having to pull the coffee maker out to add water. Also, if you have a guest coming over, they never have to ask where the coffee maker is.”
Induction range: Monogram
The custom maple range hood, painted in China White by Benjamin Moore, is another focal point. “It was important to introduce curvature into the space,” Perov says. “It softens it.” Handmade alabaster sconces flanking the hood provide task lighting while reinforcing the kitchen’s warm, sophisticated style. “Because there are no upper cabinets, we introduced them as task lighting for either side of the hood,” Perov says.
Appliance garages on either side of the range conceal countertop appliances behind pocket-style doors that slide open and tuck away for full access. “We took the dimensions of a coffee maker they love and added that on a pullout tray in a cubby space by one of the appliance garages,” Perov says. “This way we helped solve the problem of having to pull the coffee maker out to add water. Also, if you have a guest coming over, they never have to ask where the coffee maker is.”
Induction range: Monogram
Before Photo
Before: Upper cabinets flanking the sink window blocked natural light and made the kitchen feel dark and enclosed. The windows on the right remained in place during the renovation. “We didn’t update them but we built a bench underneath,” Perov says.
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After: Replacing the single glass door with a double-hung window and relocating the sink to the opposite side of the kitchen made room for an expansive four-panel sliding glass door. Clad in aluminum on the exterior and maple on the interior, the energy-efficient door features two fixed panels and two operable panels that create connection to the screened porch while flooding the kitchen with light. “It gives them a better sense of flow between the inside and outdoor area,” Perov says. “It also almost doubles the size of the kitchen.”
A microwave is tucked into the island, while surrounding drawers organize plastic containers, kitchen towels, cutlery, foil and plastic wrap. “They mentioned it was a problem getting the kids’ lunch ready in the morning because everything was scattered,” Perov says. “Now everything is right there. And the drawers are at a height the kids can also get what they need. It was meant to help make the kitchen efficient and quicker. This kitchen now fits the practicality of their lifestyle.”
Microwave: Monogram
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A microwave is tucked into the island, while surrounding drawers organize plastic containers, kitchen towels, cutlery, foil and plastic wrap. “They mentioned it was a problem getting the kids’ lunch ready in the morning because everything was scattered,” Perov says. “Now everything is right there. And the drawers are at a height the kids can also get what they need. It was meant to help make the kitchen efficient and quicker. This kitchen now fits the practicality of their lifestyle.”
Microwave: Monogram
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Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young kids
Location: Apex, North Carolina
Size: 218 square feet (20 square meters)
Designer: Alona Perov of Co Interiors
General contractor: Rafael Lopez of HomeBuild
Before: Off-gray stock cabinetry that stopped short of the ceiling, gray granite countertops and gray-toned wood flooring gave the kitchen a dark and dated feel. With just one window over the sink (out of view on the right), natural light was limited. “That was their biggest concern,” Perov says.
A backsplash of small blue-gray glass and stone tiles created visual clutter. The navy blue island offered storage but no seating. The stainless steel refrigerator was squeezed in next to the microwave and wall oven. The sink, meanwhile, sat on the opposite side of the island. “It created a disconnect,” Perov says.
The door partially visible at right leads to a screened porch overlooking the wooded landscape — views the homeowners wanted to better connect to the kitchen.
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