Kitchen of the Week: Creamy White and Wood in a Sunny Addition
A designer and a builder give a couple a larger and more functional kitchen in their classic Tudor home
After 15 years of living with a tight 95-square-foot galley kitchen in their 1932 Tudor home, Minneapolis couple Nick and Robin Archer were ready for some breathing room.
Working with architectural designer Will Spencer and builder Curt Irmiger, the couple decided to expand their corner-lot house in two directions to create a more spacious 250-square-foot kitchen. That allowed for a roomy layout with a central island. Custom off-white cabinets, white countertops and white backsplash tile enhance light from several new windows, while a wood island base adds warmth.
Working with architectural designer Will Spencer and builder Curt Irmiger, the couple decided to expand their corner-lot house in two directions to create a more spacious 250-square-foot kitchen. That allowed for a roomy layout with a central island. Custom off-white cabinets, white countertops and white backsplash tile enhance light from several new windows, while a wood island base adds warmth.
The island features seating on two sides, V-groove detailing and an end leg. “It was built to look like a piece of furniture,” Spencer says. V-groove detailing on the range hood coordinates with the island. “Originally we were planning to do the same wood finish as the island, but I like how this hood blends in with the light cabinetry,” Robin says.
The horizontal lines on the range hood coordinate with the lines of the stacked white 2-by-6-inch backsplash tiles. Light gray grout highlights the lines even more.
A backsplash inset detail above the range features white hexagonal tiles that coordinate with the elongated hexagonal pendant shades over the island.
The brass on the pendants coordinates with brass frames on the island stools and satin brass cabinet hardware. On the rear wall, black sconces and matte black faucet add a punch of drama and a mixed-metals look.
LED recessed lights in the ceiling provide the main lighting. “We needed can lights in the ceiling here, they’re the hardworking ones,” Spencer says. “Because we have those lights, we could have the more decorative ones elsewhere.”
The casement windows on the sink wall overlook a back patio.
Backsplash tiles: White Wash, 2 by 6 inches, Fireclay Tile; inset tile above range: Geo-Hex Pattern-130 in white, Mercury Mosaics and Tile
Shop for island seating
The horizontal lines on the range hood coordinate with the lines of the stacked white 2-by-6-inch backsplash tiles. Light gray grout highlights the lines even more.
A backsplash inset detail above the range features white hexagonal tiles that coordinate with the elongated hexagonal pendant shades over the island.
The brass on the pendants coordinates with brass frames on the island stools and satin brass cabinet hardware. On the rear wall, black sconces and matte black faucet add a punch of drama and a mixed-metals look.
LED recessed lights in the ceiling provide the main lighting. “We needed can lights in the ceiling here, they’re the hardworking ones,” Spencer says. “Because we have those lights, we could have the more decorative ones elsewhere.”
The casement windows on the sink wall overlook a back patio.
Backsplash tiles: White Wash, 2 by 6 inches, Fireclay Tile; inset tile above range: Geo-Hex Pattern-130 in white, Mercury Mosaics and Tile
Shop for island seating
The countertops are white quartz with minimal veining. “There were enough fine details elsewhere, and we didn’t need the distraction with the countertop,” Spencer says.
A 48-inch Wolf dual-fuel range sits across from the island. To the right of the range is an undercounter 24-inch Wolf convection steam oven. “The steam oven is amazing for reheating leftovers,” Robin says. “It’s a workhorse for us. We use it multiple times a day.”
On the opposite wall, a stand-alone custom cabinet stores cookbooks, linens and entertaining supplies. “We also have our blender and food processor in there behind the doors,” Robin says. “There are outlets in there, so the tools I use often are ready for use but not on the countertop.”
A corner breakfast nook with built-in bench sits near three double-hung windows that overlook a small side yard.
5 Kitchen Cabinet Trends Popular With Homeowners Now
A 48-inch Wolf dual-fuel range sits across from the island. To the right of the range is an undercounter 24-inch Wolf convection steam oven. “The steam oven is amazing for reheating leftovers,” Robin says. “It’s a workhorse for us. We use it multiple times a day.”
On the opposite wall, a stand-alone custom cabinet stores cookbooks, linens and entertaining supplies. “We also have our blender and food processor in there behind the doors,” Robin says. “There are outlets in there, so the tools I use often are ready for use but not on the countertop.”
A corner breakfast nook with built-in bench sits near three double-hung windows that overlook a small side yard.
5 Kitchen Cabinet Trends Popular With Homeowners Now
Need a pro for your general contracting project?
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
The nook’s built-in bench has a flip-up top that conceals storage below. The custom round wood table and modern upholstered dining chairs have clean lines and a low profile. “This gives them a space to sit and relax and probably have the best views of the house,” Spencer says. “The nook allows you to be part of the kitchen but not in the way.”
The warm white oak floor has a matte finish. “We played a bit with different stain levels,” Spencer says. “We tried to go a bit lighter here to brighten things up.”
The warm white oak floor has a matte finish. “We played a bit with different stain levels,” Spencer says. “We tried to go a bit lighter here to brighten things up.”
Tudor-style arches now connect the kitchen, butler’s pantry, dining room and living room. The home’s blue front door can be seen at the back right of this photo.
In the foreground on the right, a paneled refrigerator and paneled freezer drawers blend in with the cabinetry.
In the foreground on the right, a paneled refrigerator and paneled freezer drawers blend in with the cabinetry.
After: With the location of the kitchen moving to the addition, the former galley kitchen became this butler’s pantry. Light wood custom cabinets feature a glass-front hutch that stores glassware and dishes.
The opposite side features soft off-white cabinets that match those in the kitchen.
The opposite side features soft off-white cabinets that match those in the kitchen.
This view shows the kitchen from the dining room. “We like that the kitchen is back in its own space, but the wider passage between the kitchen and dining room gives us better flow overall,” Robin says.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
A narrower Tudor arch connects the kitchen to the back mudroom entrance of the home, which opens to stairs down to the patio.
The walls of the back entryway feature a muted peach color (Rundlet Peach by Hirshfield’s) and painted wood paneling that coordinates with the kitchen cabinetry. “We did this to provide a bit of contrast,” Robin says. “I think it helps the archway stand out as well. That’s the entry we usually use when we come into the house. It’s a nice warm feeling when you walk in.”
Robin, an artist, did the framed paintings that decorate the kitchen walls.
Cabinet hardware: Mod Hex in satin brass, Emtek
The walls of the back entryway feature a muted peach color (Rundlet Peach by Hirshfield’s) and painted wood paneling that coordinates with the kitchen cabinetry. “We did this to provide a bit of contrast,” Robin says. “I think it helps the archway stand out as well. That’s the entry we usually use when we come into the house. It’s a nice warm feeling when you walk in.”
Robin, an artist, did the framed paintings that decorate the kitchen walls.
Cabinet hardware: Mod Hex in satin brass, Emtek
Here’s a look at the kitchen addition from the backyard. The stairs lead up to the mudroom entrance. The three side-by-side windows sit over the sink.
After: The former location of the kitchen was converted into a butler’s pantry (center left), with the Tudor arches on either side that improve the connection and flow between the dining room (center right) and the new kitchen addition (top left).
Pushing the home’s footprint out gave the couple the more spacious kitchen they wanted, with design details that make it feel cohesive with the rest of the classic home. “It’s my favorite space in the house now, without a doubt,” Robin says. “Every day I’m grateful for it.”
More on Houzz
10 Big Takeaways From the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Pushing the home’s footprint out gave the couple the more spacious kitchen they wanted, with design details that make it feel cohesive with the rest of the classic home. “It’s my favorite space in the house now, without a doubt,” Robin says. “Every day I’m grateful for it.”
More on Houzz
10 Big Takeaways From the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Nick and Robin Archer
Location: Minneapolis
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Architectural designer: Will Spencer Studio
Builder: Curt Irmiger of Full Circle Construction
Most of the former galley kitchen was converted into a butler’s pantry (see before-and-after floor plans below). The pantry connects the dining room to the new kitchen addition shown here, which increased the kitchen by 155 square feet and features light from three sides.
“The biggest reason [for the addition] was to give them the space they needed and to capture all those views,” Spencer says. “We were expanding in two directions, so we could bring in daylight on three sides. They wanted something light and fresh— but have the details of the Tudor.”
Creamy white cabinets (White Dove by Benjamin Moore) join greige walls (Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore) for an inviting color scheme. The white oak flooring and island base add warmth.
Custom cabinets: John Blundred
Find a kitchen designer