client kitchen design

A while back, I posted some classic black and white kitchens as inspiration for a client who hired me to help with the kitchen renovation in her 1970 ranch home. Currently, everything has been ripped out - cabinets, countertops, appliances - and we are working with a blank slate.  Handscraped walnut floors went in last weekend, walls are being painted the most beautiful shade of gray/blue and white Shaker-style cabinetry and gorgeous quartz countertops are on their way in, in the next week and a half.  We're throwing some bamboo Roman blinds in there for warmth and texture, a glossy 1x2 inch white subway tile backsplash, glass light fixtures and a mix of silver metals for a modern, elegant twist on the classic black and white kitchen.  Stay tuned for progress pics!

new construction kitchen complete!

The best part about working on new construction homes is that you get to start with a blank slate.  This house was actually finished last year (you can see my updates here, here and here), but, as is always the case with a new home, it takes time to get in and settled before it's ready to have its picture taken.  This house is very special to me, as I helped design the entire thing from the ground up and I'm so proud of how well it's turned out!  We'll be snapping pics from room to room, so today it's the kitchen!

The homeowner and I tweaked every cabinet detail until it was perfect - including details like turned legs and cut outs at the corners of the fabulous eight-foot island, getting the glaze just right on the ivory uppers and finding a soft gray/blue wall color to complement it all.  Oil rubbed bronze pendant lighting and bridge faucet, an apron front sink and a subway tile backsplash add tons of charm and really make this the heart of the house:

black and white kitchens

There's something about black and white kitchens that make me weak in the knees.  Whether it's white cabinets with black countertops, or black cabinets with white Carrera marble, the look is clean and classic.  Dark walnut hardwood or Brazilian Black slate floors add a beautiful contrast and beadboard, tile and fabulous drawer pulls complete the look without needing too much else.  I love it so much, in fact, I put absolute black granite, white, glassfront shaker style cabinets and gleaming white subway tile in my own kitchen when we built a year ago and I LOVE it! Here are some of my favorite inspirational images that helped guide me when I was building my house:

Darryl Carter

Brad Ford

Suzanne Kasler

Canadian House & Home

Ina Garten's kitchen, via House Beautiful

Tommy Smythe

Kitchen Lab

For the Love of a House

Coastal Living

Elizabeth Georgantas via Coastal Living

Something's Gotta Give Kitchen