When I first met with these clients, they had been waiting to remodel their kitchen for many years. They had a lot of time to think about inspiration, and really desired a total transformation. They wanted to open up the wall separating their kitchen/dining area from their living room while lightening and brightening the space. Their wish also included two islands - how could I bring it all together?
Creating High-Contrast Pop in the Kitchen
The clients were excited to explore a black and white palette influenced by modern farmhouse style. They were looking for a shaker or flat panel door; we ended up going with the Wallace door from Medallion Cabinetry’s Gold line. It has a little bevel detail for a subtle twist on the typical shaker door. Medallion has a wonderful painted oak and a wide selection of whites that allowed us to pick just the right combination in Carriage Black and Sea Salt white.
We balanced the black of the cabinetry on the islands, hood, and appliances with white cabinetry on the perimeter and light countertops throughout. As a designer, it’s exciting to start with a focal point that makes a statement – like a black island – and balance it with another element, then move back and forth until you achieve the right balance in the space. Beyond color, there’s a nice textural contrast as well with Medallion’s painted oak cabinetry in black showing the woodgrain versus the smooth feel of the white cabinetry in the space.
When you’re doing a black and white high-contrast kitchen, you don’t want it to just be "half and half." We incorporated soft gray tones in the tile and paint to provide a softer background that really allows the black and white to pop. The hand-glazed tile in particular was really fun – Marazzi Rice in Grey, from Virginia Tile. Hand-glazed tile is an emerging trend we’re seeing heading into 2025. Combining that with the texture of black painted oak cabinetry – another hot design element today – makes this kitchen very on-trend for 2025… all while maintaining a timeless, classic look!
Incorporating Dual Islands for Cooking & Entertaining
Taking a look at the function of the space, one of the biggest changes was adding two islands. The island central to the kitchen would be used for prep space and cooking, needing to provide ample and convenient countertop space between the fridge, range, and sink.
Losing the wall between the kitchen and living room and removing the dining table and chairs allowed us to add the second island for dining and entertaining – and for the grandkids to hang out at in the kitchen while the client is cooking!
For the chef of the family, we incorporated some smaller but highly functional details in the kitchen as well. A large farm sink was a must for washing dishes. A pot filler – perfect for pasta prep – was added over the range. Next to the range, a utensil canister pull-out makes spatulas and spoons easily accessible. Finally, I loved including a cutting board drawer over the trash pull-out for easy cleanup after slicing and dicing – chef’s kiss!
Finding the Right Flooring
While the client’s focus was on redoing their kitchen, the scope of the project quickly grew as we discussed flooring. By removing the wall between the kitchen and living area, it made sense to unite the spaces with a common flooring selection.
From hardwood to luxury vinyl plank, there are scores of flooring solutions available to fit every need. Finding the right balance of functionality and durability is critical, especially in a flooring product that will span multiple spaces and uses. We turned to the experts at Riemer Floors to help us find the right solution.
Our clients really wanted a durable flooring solution that would be suitable for both their big dogs as well as their grandchildren. Our Riemer Floors representative was able to help us make a selection with just the right blend of performance and beauty – Coretec Pro vinyl plank in Quincy Oak. A commercial grade LVP product with a thicker wear layer, Coretec Pro would provide the heavy-duty protection they were looking for while also providing the aesthetic we wanted to achieve – a lighter color plank with gray tones.
From there, we ended up spilling the flooring into the butlers pantry, powder room, and laundry too – and at that point, why not do the dining room and foyer as well? To connect the kitchen to the other rooms with the cabinetry, we used the same door style and finishes throughout the space. Where the kitchen is more balanced, the laundry radiates a fresh, clean look leaning more towards the white, while the powder exudes a dark and moody feel leaning more towards the black.
In the end, we refreshed the entire first floor with cabinetry and flooring for a timeless and cohesive look. With a lighter, brighter new kitchen opened up to the living room, we created a lively and engaging space that our clients will enjoy for years to come!
