Kitchen of the Week: Bright, White and Open With Elegant Touches
A kitchen remodeling team creates a timeless look with a breezy layout, light finishes, a wood island and mixed metals
This couple’s former kitchen suffered from a case of “too much.” Too much ornate detailing on the cabinetry, too much brown and beige. All in all, with a two-level island that had lots of angles, the result was a visually busy and dark kitchen that felt a bit … too much.
Looking to lighten things up, improve storage, add new appliances and create an elegant style, the couple leaned on a remodeling team that included kitchen designer Mary Donaruma, interior designer Michelle Toomey and builder Kris Unger. White cabinets, backsplash tile and countertops brighten the room and freshen up the look, while a new streamlined island with a slate gray base in a brown glaze adds contrast and elegance. New hardwood flooring brings a touch of warmth. And hardworking storage helps reduce countertop clutter to keep the updated kitchen looking visually not-too-much.
Looking to lighten things up, improve storage, add new appliances and create an elegant style, the couple leaned on a remodeling team that included kitchen designer Mary Donaruma, interior designer Michelle Toomey and builder Kris Unger. White cabinets, backsplash tile and countertops brighten the room and freshen up the look, while a new streamlined island with a slate gray base in a brown glaze adds contrast and elegance. New hardwood flooring brings a touch of warmth. And hardworking storage helps reduce countertop clutter to keep the updated kitchen looking visually not-too-much.
After: Donaruma stripped the kitchen back but kept the new components in generally the same locations. “The flow was nice, so I just tweaked the layout to bring it more up-to-date and create a timeless style,” she says.
White full overlay maple cabinets, warm greige walls (Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams), a white subway tile backsplash and white marble-look quartz countertops instantly brightened the room.
The upgraded island has a streamlined rectangle shape and seating on two sides. “With the newer one-level island, it gives her lots of area to prepare items or use it as a buffet when she has guests over,” Donaruma says. “The size and shape of it just fits the layout well.”
The island’s wood base has a semitransparent slate gray finish accented with a dark brown glaze that provides rich contrast to the white cabinets. “She wanted the island to have a little bit of a different feel,” Donaruma says. “She just didn’t want all one color.”
Hardwood flooring replaced the beige ceramic tile and matches flooring in the surrounding spaces. “Going with the hardwood gave a great flow and made a big difference,” Donaruma says.
Cabinetry: Prescott in white (perimeter) and Cobblestone (island), Decorá by MasterBrand Cabinets
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White full overlay maple cabinets, warm greige walls (Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams), a white subway tile backsplash and white marble-look quartz countertops instantly brightened the room.
The upgraded island has a streamlined rectangle shape and seating on two sides. “With the newer one-level island, it gives her lots of area to prepare items or use it as a buffet when she has guests over,” Donaruma says. “The size and shape of it just fits the layout well.”
The island’s wood base has a semitransparent slate gray finish accented with a dark brown glaze that provides rich contrast to the white cabinets. “She wanted the island to have a little bit of a different feel,” Donaruma says. “She just didn’t want all one color.”
Hardwood flooring replaced the beige ceramic tile and matches flooring in the surrounding spaces. “Going with the hardwood gave a great flow and made a big difference,” Donaruma says.
Cabinetry: Prescott in white (perimeter) and Cobblestone (island), Decorá by MasterBrand Cabinets
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An upgraded 36-inch rangetop has four burners and infrared griddle. A base cabinet pullout to the lower left of the rangetop includes canisters for storing utensils.
The hood, from the same line as the cabinets, features corbels that add an elegant touch. “She wanted a hood that looked like cabinetry,” Donaruma says.
Amid the white ceramic subway tile over the rangetop is an accent of marble basketweave-pattern tile. Transom wall cabinets with glass mullion doors flank the hood and match the cabinets on the adjacent wall.
The window to the right of the hood was existing and looks out to the yard.
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The hood, from the same line as the cabinets, features corbels that add an elegant touch. “She wanted a hood that looked like cabinetry,” Donaruma says.
Amid the white ceramic subway tile over the rangetop is an accent of marble basketweave-pattern tile. Transom wall cabinets with glass mullion doors flank the hood and match the cabinets on the adjacent wall.
The window to the right of the hood was existing and looks out to the yard.
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A new 16-gauge stainless steel sink with a polished satin finish sits in the interior corner of the kitchen. “For the layout and being able to look out the window, it was well-placed in the design,” Donaruma says. The updated sink pairs with a pro-style pull-down faucet.
A paper towel pullout to the left of the sink includes shelves for cleaning products. An upgraded stainless steel dishwasher is to the right.
Floating wood shelves offer display space for collectibles and other decorative items. A pair of brass sconces on the wall above illuminate the shelves and provide lighting for the sink area.
Sink: Crosstown, Elkay
7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen
A paper towel pullout to the left of the sink includes shelves for cleaning products. An upgraded stainless steel dishwasher is to the right.
Floating wood shelves offer display space for collectibles and other decorative items. A pair of brass sconces on the wall above illuminate the shelves and provide lighting for the sink area.
Sink: Crosstown, Elkay
7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen
Before: The uneven heights of the former upper cabinetry and a plate rack above the sink on the left contributed to the kitchen’s heavy look. “All the levels of cabinets were confusing to the eye,” Donaruma says. “It needed to have a calmer feel while still providing storage.”
After: The combination of open shelves and upper cabinets with glass fronts set at the same height creates a more uniform look.
A square prep sink in the updated island includes a high-neck faucet. Flat black drawer pulls and knobs on the perimeter cabinets join polished nickel pulls and knobs on the island cabinetry for a mixed-metals style.
A pair of washable rugs add softness to the new flooring.
Cabinet hardware: Ellis handles and knobs in flat black and polished nickel, Top Knobs; prep sink: Elkay
Before and After: 5 Kitchens With Contrasting Wood Islands
A square prep sink in the updated island includes a high-neck faucet. Flat black drawer pulls and knobs on the perimeter cabinets join polished nickel pulls and knobs on the island cabinetry for a mixed-metals style.
A pair of washable rugs add softness to the new flooring.
Cabinet hardware: Ellis handles and knobs in flat black and polished nickel, Top Knobs; prep sink: Elkay
Before and After: 5 Kitchens With Contrasting Wood Islands
This view shows the stylish veining in the marble-look quartz countertop. “Having a maintenance-free countertop was one of their goals for this kitchen,” Donaruma says.
The hallway seen at the back right connects the kitchen to the front entry of the home and to a mudroom. The white paneled doors open to a reach-in pantry.
Countertops: Minuet, Viatera USA
The hallway seen at the back right connects the kitchen to the front entry of the home and to a mudroom. The white paneled doors open to a reach-in pantry.
Countertops: Minuet, Viatera USA
The homeowners selected the new light fixture over the island. “The open-look chandelier doesn’t obstruct your view or keep the natural light from pouring into the room,” Donaruma says. Recessed LED ceiling lights provide general illumination.
A 30-inch single electric smart wall oven on the right includes convection and a touch-screen control panel. A 30-inch professional speed oven above has 10 microwave power levels along with convection and broil modes. “They were looking to upgrade the appliances for a more professional look and performance,” Donaruma says.
A message center stands at the end of the cabinetry on the right. “I usually try to locate it close to where they enter,” Donaruma says. “You can come in, drop your keys and mail and plug in your phone to charge.”
Ovens: 30-inch single smart wall oven and 30-inch M Series Professional speed oven, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove
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A 30-inch single electric smart wall oven on the right includes convection and a touch-screen control panel. A 30-inch professional speed oven above has 10 microwave power levels along with convection and broil modes. “They were looking to upgrade the appliances for a more professional look and performance,” Donaruma says.
A message center stands at the end of the cabinetry on the right. “I usually try to locate it close to where they enter,” Donaruma says. “You can come in, drop your keys and mail and plug in your phone to charge.”
Ovens: 30-inch single smart wall oven and 30-inch M Series Professional speed oven, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove
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Three drawers on this end of the island give the family easy access to plastic wrap, storage bags and storage containers.
The updated family room (partially seen at left) is just off the kitchen. “The floor being all one continuous look now really makes it feel like a connected space,” Donaruma says.
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The updated family room (partially seen at left) is just off the kitchen. “The floor being all one continuous look now really makes it feel like a connected space,” Donaruma says.
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Before: In the former kitchen, a large stainless steel refrigerator stuck out from cabinetry that included a crowded desk area that sometimes acted as a bar. “I’ve been doing kitchens for 37 years,” Donaruma says. “Even back in the early days, I was trying to tell clients that I didn’t feel the desk would be used and would often be a waste of space in the kitchen.”
The French doors at the back right open to a reception room that the homeowners also updated.
The French doors at the back right open to a reception room that the homeowners also updated.
After: A new 48-inch classic side-by-side refrigerator now stands next to a new coffee bar.
The upper cabinet and three large drawers to the left of the refrigerator hold items for the coffee bar. “I’m a big fan of drawers and put them everywhere,” Donaruma says. “You can just pull it open and get what you need instead of opening doors.”
The upper cabinet above the refrigerator offers storage for seasonal items and small appliances.
Now the family has an elegant open-concept kitchen that offers improved function and style. “The brighter colors and clean lines make it feel more spacious, but we didn’t actually make it larger,” Donaruma says.
Refrigerator: 48-Inch Classic side-by-side with internal dispenser, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove
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The upper cabinet and three large drawers to the left of the refrigerator hold items for the coffee bar. “I’m a big fan of drawers and put them everywhere,” Donaruma says. “You can just pull it open and get what you need instead of opening doors.”
The upper cabinet above the refrigerator offers storage for seasonal items and small appliances.
Now the family has an elegant open-concept kitchen that offers improved function and style. “The brighter colors and clean lines make it feel more spacious, but we didn’t actually make it larger,” Donaruma says.
Refrigerator: 48-Inch Classic side-by-side with internal dispenser, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two teenagers and two dogs
Location: Mansfield, Massachusetts
Size: 262 square feet (24 square meters)
Designers: Mary Donaruma of Cutting Edge Design and Michelle Toomey Interiors
Builder: Kris Unger of Unger Construction
Before: In the former kitchen, an abundance of ornate wood cabinetry and a multilevel angular island gave the space an overwhelming feel. “The doors were highly detailed and decorative, which gave them a dated look,” Donaruma says. “The tops of the short upper cabinets were also dust collectors.”
Yellow walls, brown granite countertops, beige ceramic floor tile with dingy grout lines and a wrought iron light fixture added to the downtrodden look.