Kitchen of the Week: Elegant Style for an Empty-Nest Couple
A designer helps homeowners gain a larger island and create a fresh look in a sophisticated color palette
After raising their kids, this Broomfield, Colorado, empty-nest couple were ready to update their 1990s transitional-style home. That included the dated kitchen with its basic cabinets, floral wallpaper, unused desk area and yellow-orange flooring that the homeowners particularly disliked. A small island with an arched overhang and limited storage was also a major pain point, and the couple felt it didn’t take advantage of the available square footage in the space.
They turned to designer Jenny Murphy to create something less generic and more functional. Murphy added a large island with more seating and more storage. She transformed the desk area into a welcoming bar. A combination of wood and gray cabinets and a white tile backsplash creates a tailored transitional style.
They turned to designer Jenny Murphy to create something less generic and more functional. Murphy added a large island with more seating and more storage. She transformed the desk area into a welcoming bar. A combination of wood and gray cabinets and a white tile backsplash creates a tailored transitional style.
After: Murphy got rid of the old cabinets, backsplash, countertops, electric cooktop, flooring, pantry door, wallpaper and existing island.
She created a more substantial island with wraparound seating for four at contemporary gray stools with silver nailhead detailing. “It was a key move because that’s where the wasted space was,” Murphy says. “It’s about three or four times bigger, and we oriented it in the opposite direction to make better use of the space.”
Maple cabinets and drawers feature a brushed gray glaze that pairs with the alder island base to create a dapper combination. Satin nickel cabinet pulls and pendant lights add a sophisticated finish that works well with the stainless steel appliances.
White elongated hexagonal backsplash tile, light marble-look quartz countertops and white walls and ceiling provide a fresh look.
Cabinets: UltraCraft Cabinetry; cabinet hardware: South Hampton in satin nickel, Liberty Hardware; pendants: Kenwood 12-inch lantern in satin nickel, Bellacor; wall paint: Paper White, Benjamin Moore; ceiling paint: Ceiling Bright White, Sherwin-Williams
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She created a more substantial island with wraparound seating for four at contemporary gray stools with silver nailhead detailing. “It was a key move because that’s where the wasted space was,” Murphy says. “It’s about three or four times bigger, and we oriented it in the opposite direction to make better use of the space.”
Maple cabinets and drawers feature a brushed gray glaze that pairs with the alder island base to create a dapper combination. Satin nickel cabinet pulls and pendant lights add a sophisticated finish that works well with the stainless steel appliances.
White elongated hexagonal backsplash tile, light marble-look quartz countertops and white walls and ceiling provide a fresh look.
Cabinets: UltraCraft Cabinetry; cabinet hardware: South Hampton in satin nickel, Liberty Hardware; pendants: Kenwood 12-inch lantern in satin nickel, Bellacor; wall paint: Paper White, Benjamin Moore; ceiling paint: Ceiling Bright White, Sherwin-Williams
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The glossy porcelain backsplash tiles have a light gray grout that complements the cabinet color. “They also have a raised section that adds a little bit of character and texture and goes with the transitional style the client was going for,” Murphy says.
The 36-inch gas cooktop has cast-iron grates and sealed brass burners. Above it hangs a wall-mounted stainless steel vent hood with an LED light. Below, two large soft-close drawers store pots and pans.
Five-inch white oak plank flooring in a natural finish offers a fresher look than the former flooring. “The red oak floors they had before were pretty yellow,” Murphy says. “These add warmth but are lighter and have more gray undertones.”
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The 36-inch gas cooktop has cast-iron grates and sealed brass burners. Above it hangs a wall-mounted stainless steel vent hood with an LED light. Below, two large soft-close drawers store pots and pans.
Five-inch white oak plank flooring in a natural finish offers a fresher look than the former flooring. “The red oak floors they had before were pretty yellow,” Murphy says. “These add warmth but are lighter and have more gray undertones.”
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The interior side of the island across from the range holds a microwave. A 36-inch-wide farmhouse-style sink sits below a window that overlooks the backyard.
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Before: In addition to disliking the colors and finishes in the former kitchen, the homeowners disliked the double-bowl stainless steel sink.
After: Murphy introduced the couple to a workstation-style sink setup that has an integrated ledge for a wood cutting board.
The couple kept their existing faucet and stainless dishwasher.
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The couple kept their existing faucet and stainless dishwasher.
6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Kitchen Sink
Murphy chose the two 12-inch, four-light pendants for their open lantern-style design. “The homeowners have a low ceiling height, and we knew we had to pick a fixture that didn’t have solid sides, so it wouldn’t block the views,” Murphy says. Additional lighting is provided by relocated LED recessed ceiling lights.
The white marble-look quartz counters have soft movement and delicate veining. “They wanted something light and brighter than what they had before but not stark-white,” Murphy says. “This was a good fit for them, giving them a look with a bit of movement but not the maintenance of marble.”
The couple also kept their existing wall ovens and refrigerator. Murphy updated the pantry door with a clear glass model, replacing a dated frosted pane with the word “pantry” etched onto it.
The white marble-look quartz counters have soft movement and delicate veining. “They wanted something light and brighter than what they had before but not stark-white,” Murphy says. “This was a good fit for them, giving them a look with a bit of movement but not the maintenance of marble.”
The couple also kept their existing wall ovens and refrigerator. Murphy updated the pantry door with a clear glass model, replacing a dated frosted pane with the word “pantry” etched onto it.
Before: A small desk area sat mostly unused to the left of the refrigerator. “They felt like the desk was wasted space and would rather have it for serving drinks,” Murphy says.
The doorway to the left leads to the front entry hallway.
The doorway to the left leads to the front entry hallway.
After: Murphy replaced the desk area with a hardworking beverage and wine station. The countertop cabinet is an appliance garage that hides the coffee machine and toaster. Cabinets above hold dry goods, mugs and glassware.
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New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Before: The former breakfast area off the kitchen had lots of natural light from bay windows that overlook the backyard, but the rectangular table felt out of place in the configuration.
After: Fresh white paint helped brighten the breakfast nook. The homeowners added a more contemporary round wood table and Windsor-style dining chairs. A large satin nickel five-light lantern coordinates with the pendants above the island.
Breakfast nook light: Kenwood five-light lantern in satin nickel, Bellacor
Breakfast nook light: Kenwood five-light lantern in satin nickel, Bellacor
Before: In the former kitchen layout, the homeowners felt the location of the main components was workable but thought the shape, size and orientation of the island didn’t take advantage of all the available space.
After: In the updated space, the larger island with seating on two sides allows for better flow with wider traffic lanes and gives the couple the improved function they wanted. “I love that the new kitchen seems like a no-brainer,” Murphy says. “It almost feels more true to the space.”
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Broomfield, Colorado
Size: 350 square feet (33 square meters)
Design: Jenny Murphy of J Reiko + Co.
Before: The couple felt their former kitchen was too rooted in the ’90s. Floral wallpaper, basic granite countertops and backsplash and standard honey-toned cabinets were worlds away from the fresh, classic style they wanted. “They also had a tiny island in there and a bunch of wasted space,” Murphy says.
A black microwave sat over an electric cooktop, with two wall ovens to the left. The open doorway to the left of the ovens leads to a formal dining room. The couple wanted to keep the corner walk-in pantry.