New This Week: 3 Elegant Dream Kitchens
See the materials and other design elements that put these kitchens into a league of their own
Mitchell Parker
November 2, 2018
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
1. Light and Luxurious
Designer: Michele Merz of MMI Design
Location: Kingwood, Texas
Size: 273 square feet (25 square meters); 13 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Like so many others [in the Houston area], this client’s home was flooded by Hurricane Harvey,” says designer Michele Merz, whose client found her through the Houzz pro directory. “The damage done by the flood set into motion a complete overhaul, not only of the kitchen but also the entire first floor. The client requested a much larger kitchen to provide better flow, symmetry and storage to the ceiling, as well as plenty of seating options for family and friends to gather. Along with the practical elements, this client also wanted a beautiful and elegant kitchen which matched her love of all things shiny and elegant.”
Elegant features. Mullioned cabinets with mirror panels. Large-scale island pendants in polished nickel. Large range hood of stainless steel and chrome. Light blue island (Cobblestone Path by Benjamin Moore) topped with a Fantasy Macaubas quartzite countertop. Polished-nickel cabinet hardware and faucet. Carrara marble subway tile backsplash that extends behind the range to the ceiling. Dark wood floors. “The color scheme of blue, white and gray also created a beautiful foundation for the chinoiserie accents so loved by the client,” Merz says.
Find a kitchen designer near you
Designer: Michele Merz of MMI Design
Location: Kingwood, Texas
Size: 273 square feet (25 square meters); 13 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Like so many others [in the Houston area], this client’s home was flooded by Hurricane Harvey,” says designer Michele Merz, whose client found her through the Houzz pro directory. “The damage done by the flood set into motion a complete overhaul, not only of the kitchen but also the entire first floor. The client requested a much larger kitchen to provide better flow, symmetry and storage to the ceiling, as well as plenty of seating options for family and friends to gather. Along with the practical elements, this client also wanted a beautiful and elegant kitchen which matched her love of all things shiny and elegant.”
Elegant features. Mullioned cabinets with mirror panels. Large-scale island pendants in polished nickel. Large range hood of stainless steel and chrome. Light blue island (Cobblestone Path by Benjamin Moore) topped with a Fantasy Macaubas quartzite countertop. Polished-nickel cabinet hardware and faucet. Carrara marble subway tile backsplash that extends behind the range to the ceiling. Dark wood floors. “The color scheme of blue, white and gray also created a beautiful foundation for the chinoiserie accents so loved by the client,” Merz says.
Find a kitchen designer near you
Designer secret. “Long before we discussed paint colors or pretty hardware, we studied the layout and storage options,” Merz says. “I encourage any homeowner contemplating a kitchen renovation to consider the layout. Is it optimal for cooking, entertaining or day-to-day living? By reorientating the kitchen footprint away from the corner, relocating the range to take center stage and the fridge to the other side of the room, we created better flow and much-needed symmetry.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When the homeowner requested a 6-by-10-foot island with no seams in the countertop, I knew we were in for a challenge,” Merz says. “Not many natural stone or quartz slabs come that large. After searching for several months, we found a beautiful quartzite. The next challenge was getting it in the house and installed without fail. The slab weighed several hundred pounds. With an army of installers at the ready, the slab was successfully put into place. Though it felt like the crowning achievement of the kitchen, the entire team sighed in relief once it was in place.”
Morgan four-light foyer pendant in polished nickel: Capital Lighting Fixture Co.; Chantilly Lace cabinet paint and Graytint wall paint: Benjamin Moore; builder: Davanti Homes; project photographer: Jonathan Calvert
Browse and save more photos of this home
“Uh-oh” moment. “When the homeowner requested a 6-by-10-foot island with no seams in the countertop, I knew we were in for a challenge,” Merz says. “Not many natural stone or quartz slabs come that large. After searching for several months, we found a beautiful quartzite. The next challenge was getting it in the house and installed without fail. The slab weighed several hundred pounds. With an army of installers at the ready, the slab was successfully put into place. Though it felt like the crowning achievement of the kitchen, the entire team sighed in relief once it was in place.”
Morgan four-light foyer pendant in polished nickel: Capital Lighting Fixture Co.; Chantilly Lace cabinet paint and Graytint wall paint: Benjamin Moore; builder: Davanti Homes; project photographer: Jonathan Calvert
Browse and save more photos of this home
2. Black, White and Bold
Designer: Christine Vroom of Christine Kimberlee Designs
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 260 square feet (24 square meters); 20 by 13 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The vision the homeowners wanted at first was classic and timeless white,” says designer Christine Vroom, who collaborated with her clients through Houzz ideabooks. “Well, as you can see, we started venturing into a much more glamorous and elegant version of that classic white. They wanted bespoke, unique, custom — something you don’t see on every corner in the Los Angeles area. The theme then became high-end, chic and edgy, yet still having classic roots with the high contrast of the black and white.”
Elegant features. Custom brass-and-zinc range hood. Black cabinet details (Black Knight by Benjamin Moore). Calacatta Michelangelo marble slab island countertop. Thassos marble backsplash in chevron pattern. “The features that give this kitchen grand luxury are definitely the tile selections, the high-contrast features and the scale of the appliances,” Vroom says. “Although the backsplash was a more modern pattern, the subtle glimmer and sparkles of the Thassos make it feel really ritzy and tone down the trendiness of the chevron.”
Get kitchen design ideas
Designer: Christine Vroom of Christine Kimberlee Designs
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 260 square feet (24 square meters); 20 by 13 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The vision the homeowners wanted at first was classic and timeless white,” says designer Christine Vroom, who collaborated with her clients through Houzz ideabooks. “Well, as you can see, we started venturing into a much more glamorous and elegant version of that classic white. They wanted bespoke, unique, custom — something you don’t see on every corner in the Los Angeles area. The theme then became high-end, chic and edgy, yet still having classic roots with the high contrast of the black and white.”
Elegant features. Custom brass-and-zinc range hood. Black cabinet details (Black Knight by Benjamin Moore). Calacatta Michelangelo marble slab island countertop. Thassos marble backsplash in chevron pattern. “The features that give this kitchen grand luxury are definitely the tile selections, the high-contrast features and the scale of the appliances,” Vroom says. “Although the backsplash was a more modern pattern, the subtle glimmer and sparkles of the Thassos make it feel really ritzy and tone down the trendiness of the chevron.”
Get kitchen design ideas
Other special features. Dark schist perimeter countertops. Brass-and-black stools and light fixtures. Accent tile behind range is Calacatta, Thassos and bluestone marble, surrounded by a brass strip. Wide-plank French oak floors. “They were slightly wire-brushed for a little distressing and a lot of variation,” Vroom says.
Designer secret. “What wasn’t working was how the coffered ceiling was off center from the range and the room,” Vroom says. “But we maintained balance by weighing down the space with the wide span of the range and the custom brass-and-zinc hood, and then continued by drawing your eye toward the eye-popping elements of the room — the lighting, the black-framed cabinets and island, the brass hardware, the grandeur luxury of the appliance sizes and bling of the plumbing fixtures. One of the features I love about connecting on Houzz is that, as their designer, I’m able to get daily updates when [my clients] post to their ideabook. So I am constantly staying current on their thoughts, hopes and dreams.”
Designer secret. “What wasn’t working was how the coffered ceiling was off center from the range and the room,” Vroom says. “But we maintained balance by weighing down the space with the wide span of the range and the custom brass-and-zinc hood, and then continued by drawing your eye toward the eye-popping elements of the room — the lighting, the black-framed cabinets and island, the brass hardware, the grandeur luxury of the appliance sizes and bling of the plumbing fixtures. One of the features I love about connecting on Houzz is that, as their designer, I’m able to get daily updates when [my clients] post to their ideabook. So I am constantly staying current on their thoughts, hopes and dreams.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “A major ‘uh-oh’ moment was that there was a giant post that was going to project into the space on the end of the wall to the left side of the sink,” Vroom says. “It wasn’t a huge issue until we realized the post had to actually be 2 by 2 feet, and it completely closed in the room, making it feel more compartmentalized. With some magic between the architect, engineer and myself, we managed to replace the post with a beam and we were able to have that open, airy feel that the clients wanted.”
Glendale 9-light foyer pendant: Hudson Valley; Super White cabinet paint: Benjamin Moore
Browse and save more photos of this home
Glendale 9-light foyer pendant: Hudson Valley; Super White cabinet paint: Benjamin Moore
Browse and save more photos of this home
3. Tall, Dark and Handsome
Designers: Cindy King (interiors), Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsey of Etch Design Group (furnishings and lighting) and Patterson Custom Homes (builder)
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 330 square feet (31 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The clients purchased this home newly constructed and ready for move-in,” designer Jessica Nelson says. “The owners are a family of five, with three young girls between the ages of one and five. The furnishings they selected for the home are all family-friendly, with stain-grade fabrics that are easily cleanable.”
Designers: Cindy King (interiors), Jessica Nelson and Stephanie Lindsey of Etch Design Group (furnishings and lighting) and Patterson Custom Homes (builder)
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 330 square feet (31 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The clients purchased this home newly constructed and ready for move-in,” designer Jessica Nelson says. “The owners are a family of five, with three young girls between the ages of one and five. The furnishings they selected for the home are all family-friendly, with stain-grade fabrics that are easily cleanable.”
Elegant features. Tall ceilings covered in tongue-and-groove pine wood stained dark (Pecan by Sherwin-Williams). Douglas fir beams also stained dark (Brazilnut by Sherwin-Williams). Stain-grade knotty alder wood cabinets and island, also in Pecan stain. Porcelain backsplash tile with marble look. Quartz countertop with marble look. Cast-stone vent hood. Oversize island pendants.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Some of the original selections for the home didn’t quite fit the clients’ style, so we upgraded many items in the kitchen, such as the pendants and dining chandelier as well as all cabinet hardware,” Nelson says. “The client wanted to add some brass accents throughout the home, so we upgraded all hardware to an antiqued brass finish. The lantern-style lighting we chose has a mixture of brass and black accents, which gives a subtle but elegant appeal.”
4-light foyer fixture in bronze (over island) and 8-light linear chandelier in bronze (dining room): Hinkley Lighting; Chloe high-back bar stool: World Interiors; Greek Villa cabinet and wall paint in satin finish: Sherwin-Williams; project photos by Cate Black Photography
Browse and save more photos of this home
More
11 Must-Haves in a Designer’s Dream Kitchen
Kitchen of the Week: A Designer’s Dream Kitchen Becomes Reality
My Houzz: Olivia Munn Thanks Mom With the Kitchen of Her Dreams
Other Resources on Houzz
Find a kitchen designer near you
Get kitchen design ideas
Shop for kitchen products
4-light foyer fixture in bronze (over island) and 8-light linear chandelier in bronze (dining room): Hinkley Lighting; Chloe high-back bar stool: World Interiors; Greek Villa cabinet and wall paint in satin finish: Sherwin-Williams; project photos by Cate Black Photography
Browse and save more photos of this home
More
11 Must-Haves in a Designer’s Dream Kitchen
Kitchen of the Week: A Designer’s Dream Kitchen Becomes Reality
My Houzz: Olivia Munn Thanks Mom With the Kitchen of Her Dreams
Other Resources on Houzz
Find a kitchen designer near you
Get kitchen design ideas
Shop for kitchen products
Julia Miner Studio is an award-winning architecture firm that combines modern sensibilities with regional New... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Related Stories
Trending Now
The Top 10 Kitchen Photos of 2018
Dark painted islands, classic tiles and touches of brass are among the standouts in the year’s top kitchen design photos
Full Story
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: A Cottage Kitchen Opens Up
By Becky Harris
A Maryland remodel balances modern needs and architectural integrity in a kitchen designed for gatherings
Full Story
SH Sale
Up to 50% Off Presidents Day Bestsellers: Vanities
By Houzz
Shop and save on designs that match your style
See Products
SH Sale
Up to 75% Off Oversized Area Rugs
By Houzz
Bring comfort and expansive style to your bigger spaces
See Products
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: A New Layout and Coastal Charm in New York
Rethinking a family’s beach house kitchen creates a multifunctional space for entertaining and relaxing by the water
Full Story
SH Beds & Headboards
5-Star-Rated Bedroom Furniture
By Houzz
Design your dream space with these popular beds, dressers, nightstands and more
See Products
Colorful Kitchens
Cooking Up Color: 5 Ways to Bring Blue Into the Kitchen
By Jennifer Ott
A splash of blue is refreshing, whether an unexpected or tried-and-true hue
Full Story
Decorating Guides
9 Porch Decorating Ideas to Use From Thanksgiving to New Year’s
Long-lasting wreaths, potted plants and more can cheer up your entryway from fall through winter
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Modern Mountain Magic in Asheville
By Becky Harris
Inspired by their mountain views, a North Carolina couple build their forever home
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Architect Turns a Fishing Shack Into a Cozy Getaway
By Erin Carlyle
Scandinavian minimalism and a U.S. Forest Service cabin inspire this renovation near a Montana lake
Full Story
@trishacopp and @vmbluelemur
Thank you so much for responding :)
In the picture i have taken (where yoi can see my hand!), i am showing at the far right the grey will be for the kitchen bench and the island bench.
In the middle the silk grey was chosen for all the cupboards.
The wood part of the picture is a simulation of how the floor will be. It won't be exactly like that. It will be more of the natural oak colour.
All cupboards are made of wood
I haven't thought at all about the back wall. People say to me a white metro glossy tile will match.
But i am not sure these will match... from trisha's comment i understand that they don't really match..i have the same feeling and at the same time i honestly don't know how/what to choose regarding colours...
The 1st picture is only a design/drawing of the kitchen space nothing to do with colours etc
Any ideas on what would be a good colour matching?
As far as I can judge from the picture the two greys don't match because one is greenish and the other one blue-based. I wouldn't combine two greys on large surfaces either because it would make the whole kitchen look too much like a grey cave (well some people might like it, I'm only giving my personal opinion here). I would keep the nice dark grey chosen for the kitchen bench(the one at the far right) and rather combine it with a light/greyish blue (like the one used on the island in the first picture above for example) or with white. I would keep the walls around the cupboard white. As for the backsplash, white subway tiles are my personal worst choice scenario. OK they're cheap, but they're so standard, you see them in about 75% of the new kitchens/kitchen renovations, indicative of a total lack of imagination as far as I'm concerned. If you like them go for it, you can't really go wrong if your other colors are grey/wood/blue. I would choose a light colored backsplash in any case, but either more original white tiles (hexagons etc...), or even better a softly patterned tile that has two colors (white-grey or white-blue) and would tie the whole design together. These are just a few examples I found on Houzz, for the pattern and/or shape, I realize they may not be the right size or material but you'll get the idea :
They all incorporated having two different style of upper cabinets and a focal point island. Very interesting and different just when I thought I was tired of white kitchens these particular ones have me reconsidering.