Kitchen of the Week: 1990s Remodel Gets Bold Blue Cabinets
A copper sink, walnut island and matte black finishes bring warmth and style to a once-dated space
This suburban Boston family wanted to refresh its dated 1990s kitchen and improve function within the historic 1891 home. The original space included wood cabinetry with dark green trim tucked beneath a plaster soffit, plus a table and chairs but no island.
After the wife fell in love with a showroom display that paired wood with rich color, she and kitchen designer Rob Shaw of Kitchen Associates reimagined the room with a similar mix. Blue-painted maple cabinetry now provides a bold backdrop, while a new island with a walnut countertop anchors the space in warmth. Refinished wood floors and copper accents — including a striking apron-front sink — add more warm touches, while a matte black refrigerator, vent hood and hardware bring dramatic contrast. A softly patterned backsplash tile completes the look with a layer of charm.
After the wife fell in love with a showroom display that paired wood with rich color, she and kitchen designer Rob Shaw of Kitchen Associates reimagined the room with a similar mix. Blue-painted maple cabinetry now provides a bold backdrop, while a new island with a walnut countertop anchors the space in warmth. Refinished wood floors and copper accents — including a striking apron-front sink — add more warm touches, while a matte black refrigerator, vent hood and hardware bring dramatic contrast. A softly patterned backsplash tile completes the look with a layer of charm.
Before Photo
After: Shaw removed the dated backsplash, cabinetry, counters, soffit and table-and-chair setup and updated the plumbing and electrical. With the soffit gone, new blue-painted maple cabinetry topped with pronounced molding brings fresh energy and more storage. The doors are recessed, with a mix of recessed and flat drawer fronts that offer a subtle twist on classic Shaker style. The new island has numerous drawers to maximize function. “We use drawers everywhere we can,” Shaw says. “She doesn’t have a lot of wall cabinets, so she uses one of the drawers with a peg system for storing dishes.”
Sleek transitional-style flat black pulls, a matte black refrigerator and a matte black range hood add dramatic contrast. “It’s a big enough space to take on a darker color and there’s a huge window there that can handle the color saturation,” Shaw says. The homeowners purchased the ceramic tiles with a subtle pattern for the backsplash, which keeps the kitchen looking bright and clean and adds a touch of charm.
Cabinetry: Edgemont Recessed in Blue Toile, Wood-Mode
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Sleek transitional-style flat black pulls, a matte black refrigerator and a matte black range hood add dramatic contrast. “It’s a big enough space to take on a darker color and there’s a huge window there that can handle the color saturation,” Shaw says. The homeowners purchased the ceramic tiles with a subtle pattern for the backsplash, which keeps the kitchen looking bright and clean and adds a touch of charm.
Cabinetry: Edgemont Recessed in Blue Toile, Wood-Mode
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The rich walnut plank countertop on the island is protected by a waterproof finish. “Walnut is just so rich-looking and complements the blue nicely,” Shaw says. Black leather-and-walnut counter stools line two sides of the island. “You can sit there and more easily converse,” Shaw says.
Two sets of mason jar pendant lights with black accents bring in farmhouse-inspired charm, while new LED recessed ceiling lights and undercabinet lighting brighten task areas. Structural updates were also part of the remodel. A ceiling beam was installed to support a bedroom suite above the kitchen. “A prior owner did an addition,” Shaw says. “We saw there was a sag in the ceiling and when we opened up the exterior wall, we saw it wasn’t supported right and had to reframe the wall and add the beam.” The existing maple floor was patched and refinished for a seamless look.
Stools: Bonato in black and walnut, Poly & Bark
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Two sets of mason jar pendant lights with black accents bring in farmhouse-inspired charm, while new LED recessed ceiling lights and undercabinet lighting brighten task areas. Structural updates were also part of the remodel. A ceiling beam was installed to support a bedroom suite above the kitchen. “A prior owner did an addition,” Shaw says. “We saw there was a sag in the ceiling and when we opened up the exterior wall, we saw it wasn’t supported right and had to reframe the wall and add the beam.” The existing maple floor was patched and refinished for a seamless look.
Stools: Bonato in black and walnut, Poly & Bark
9 Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Remodel
Before Photo
Before: The sink area beneath double-hung windows overlooking a side yard had a white double-bowl sink that made cleaning large pots and pans a challenge. The countertops were crowded with a white microwave and other small appliances. “She had open shelves on that wall there too that ended up cluttered,” Shaw says. A black dishwasher to the right of the sink clashed with the surrounding cabinetry.
After: Decorative trim added around the windows creates a more elevated and finished look. “We had custom casing done to match the original casings in the rest of the house,” Shaw says.
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The single-basin copper farmhouse sink is paired with a matte black pro-style pull-down faucet. “We wanted to keep the colors consistent throughout,” Shaw says. “The black cabinetry hardware works with this faucet.”
A 24-inch paneled dishwasher sits to the right of the sink, while three drawers to the left hold kitchen essentials like linens. A blank corner cabinet next to the trash and recycling center features a kidney-shaped pullout for small appliances. Perimeter counters are crafted from premium quartz in soft pastel tones, lending a calm presence to the space. “It doesn’t have a really bold pattern,” Shaw says. “She wanted the island to be the star.”
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A 24-inch paneled dishwasher sits to the right of the sink, while three drawers to the left hold kitchen essentials like linens. A blank corner cabinet next to the trash and recycling center features a kidney-shaped pullout for small appliances. Perimeter counters are crafted from premium quartz in soft pastel tones, lending a calm presence to the space. “It doesn’t have a really bold pattern,” Shaw says. “She wanted the island to be the star.”
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A tower cabinet on the sink wall helps keep the kitchen organized and visually clean. “Since we have that window there, I didn’t want it so deep that it would block the light,” Shaw says. A microwave is tucked beneath the counter, out of the way but still easily accessible.
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The white paneled double doors at the back of the photo conceal a washer and dryer. “We went to a stackable unit there and added a tall pantry cabinet,” Shaw says. The white door on the right opens to a coat closet. A window niche contains hooks for copper pots and pans.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family
Location: Auburndale village, Newton, Massachusetts
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Designer: Rob Shaw of Kitchen Associates
Before: In the former kitchen, short 1990s cabinets with dark green trim and white porcelain knobs sat beneath a plaster soffit, offering limited storage. A mix of white and black appliances, including a small 30-inch range, gave the room a chopped-up look. Beige backsplash tile and beige walls, along with dark countertops, did little to perk up the look. A breakfast table and chairs filled the space, but with the dining room just 10 feet away through a cased opening (out of view on the left), the homeowners preferred an island. The doorway at the back left of this photo leads to the front hall.