Reveal! Two Tone White and Walnut Kitchen

9 years ago

This project has been an incredibly long journey and we are thrilled that it is complete! We love the new space and want to thank everyone on this forum for the amazing support and knowledge that was offered throughout our remodel. There are so many things we would have never thought about without the generosity of this forum. Thank you!!!

The finished product! Photo is from our cabinet maker that he posted on his Houzz page. You can see more photos through the link below.

Transitional Spaces by Clarkston Kitchen & Bath Designers BR Wood Design

Here's a view looking from the dining room through the kitchen to the family room.

Transitional Spaces by Clarkston Kitchen & Bath Designers BR Wood Design

Here is the before of our original 1980's kitchen. This is the same view as the first picture, looking from the family room into the kitchen with the dining room in the distance.

We chose to open the wall between the formal dining room and the kitchen. In this design, we eliminated the eat in kitchen space in favor of a bar / entertaining peninsula that also ties into the family room. We now have a usable dining space for every day and formal occasions coupled with two different peninsula seating areas for casual meals, homework, etc.

I will post more details soon of all our finishes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Kitchen photos

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Comments (33)

crl_
9 years ago
That's beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
autumn.4
9 years ago
spartans - I love it! It turned out so nice. The walnut is so pretty - such character in that grain and the white up top really keeps things from being heavy. Of course I love the herringbone as well. :D It's awesome! Enjoy.
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parts-I did not use a light rail. With the tape they go up pretty flush so you don't need to. Plus, my KD had contractor mount them on the front rail so that they are even less likely to be noticed and they tend to light the mid-back of the counter better - which seems to work nicely bc overhead lights get the front part of the counter. I've attached a picture so I think you can see what I mean. However, I will say this...when I'm in the DR, I can see the undersides of the cabs a little. It drives me a little batty. So I'm thinking about getting the paint matched and slapping a couple coats on the underside so the cream view doesn't get broken up. (I don't know if that will help and I plan to ask KD before I do it, maybe it's a terrible idea?!) So I don't know if a light rail would have helped to cover that issue? Yes, they are full overlay. However, this is probably one of the places where a cab line a step or two up would have been better. There is def a small gap between cabs. Completely within reason for the specs given, but bigger than I have seen in other more expensive lines. Doesn't bother me enough to have spent more for less gap, though! :)
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I haven't been here in a while, I have missed seeing and hearing about all the new kitchens! I thought I would post an update, now that we have lived with our kitchen for over a year. I really love my two tone cabinets, the cherry base cabinets are warm and inviting and the mushroom wall cabinets keep the kitchen from being too dark. After all the angst of the decision, I am so glad I went with the solid wall of cabinets. And I am still in awe of my granite, do not for one single second regret the money spent on it! We ended up doing a stacked beige subway tile for the backsplash, with a herringbone pattern behind the range and I am very happy with my choice. As for appliances, I still love my microwave drawer, I use it every day and the only complaint I have is that the panel doesn't light up well. And I absolutely adore my fridge, love it so much we got the same one for my son! The produce drawer is still my favorite feature, and the ice maker my least favorite. We have never run out of ice, but we are a small family and when we have company, we always use bagged ice. But I can see this being an issue for a larger family without a second fridge with ice maker. I am very happy with my Bosch dishwasher, it does a great job and I've never had the goop issue some were having when I bought mine. The big miss in my kitchen is the range, I should have gone with induction. And I really dislike the surface of my range, it is a pain to keep clean, I miss the ease of my Thermador cooktop. And if I had it to do over again, I would have done drawers in the two base cabinets that don't have them. I still cannot believe how much more organized my kitchen is because of the drawer bases! I had a hard time wrapping my brain around how they would function for me, but after living with my kitchen for a year, I would do an all drawer kitchen in a heartbeat. Overall, I am so grateful to have a kitchen that is both functional and beautiful, and I so appreciate all the advice and encouragement I got from this forum!
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I think 2 toned kitchens are great. I have one myself (main L is a sage green with a coffee glaze and the cook top area is an off white with Coffee Glaze). If you are planning on doing the two colors on the walls/bases on the same run, the only thing I can caution you against is if you have any TALL cabinets (a refrigerator surround cabinet, a tall oven, pantry cabinet, etc), you now have an issue where the tall cabinet could go either way. If you choose to do it the color of the bases, what color do you do the crown as the tall cabinet is now up against different colored wall cabinets? If you choose to do the tall cabinet the color of the wall cabinets, now you will have the lower part of the tall cabinet next to the different colored base cabinets and will also need to make the toe kick areas different colors. In short, whenever there is a tall cabinet in the layout that is going to be up against base/wall cabinets, I try to encourage our customers to choose one or the other for the whole kitchen as I feel the tall cabinet ruins the 'color division' a little bit. Again, this is all personal preference, but thought I would just chime in with some feedback. As someone mentioned, there are tons of photos to look at here on Houzz and on the web, so I bet you will make the decision that is right for you! Good luck on your project! Cheers!
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caseykees
9 years ago
What a beautiful kitchen!
my_four_sons
9 years ago
Love the walnut, that's on my plan, too. Just gorgeous!
mgmum
9 years ago
It's really pretty! I think it looks great with the fireplace and beams in the family room. Well done!
Lisa
9 years ago
Oh wowza! So many things to mention...love the herringbone backsplash and the walnut is one of the most beautiful that I've seen. My favorite part of your kitchen though is the beverage/bar area with the separate sink, beverage fridge, and glass cabinets! Soooo beautiful! Oh...the windows are pretty great and the family room looks nice too:)
romy718
9 years ago
Gorgeous walnut & I love it combined with white uppers. Great view from the kitchen all around - your lovely dining room & cozy family room. Love the wine frig.
Fabulous kitchen! Congrats!
kcorn
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone for your positive feedback! We love the layout, storage and overall look. We have entertained multiple times since it was finished and the flow between the rooms on the first floor, including the outdoor space on the deck, is a massive improvement over the old space.

Here are some of the details:

Cabinets - Custom / Local - Uppers are maple with BM White Dove, Lowers are natural walnut with a natural finish

Counters - Polished Steel Gray Granite

Appliances - GE Profile Double Oven range (30"), KitchenAid Counterdepth Fridge (36"), 36" Best range hood, KitchenAid paneled dishwasher, Uline 24" wine cooler, microwave is a Panasonic counter model

Lighting - Recessed lighting - 6" cans in main kitchen, (2) 4" cans over each peninsula area and sink, WAC LED Undercabinet @ 3000k (not too white or yellow - just right!)

Backsplash - Honed Bianco Carrara Marble, herringbone pattern (1x3 size) (source: BuilderDepot.com - awesome customer service!)

Hardware - Top Knobs Nouveau III, Brushed Satin Nickel (M1170, M1173)

Sinks - main sink - Kraus 32" single bowl stainless; prep/bar sink - Elkay Hammered Mirror 16.5" sink (mystic collection)

Faucets - main sink - Grohe LadyLux3 cafe touch; prep/bar sink - Grohe LadyLux3 Pro Prep faucet (both pull down/spray option, both polished chrome)

Flooring - Red Oak (newly installed to match rest of 1st floor)

Disposals - Insinkerator Evolution Excel 1.0 hp (Amazon deal day - found through this forum!)
CEFreeman
9 years ago
How lovely!

I love how the eye just moves across details without something slapping you in the face. Very serene.
The grain on that walnut is, what? To die for? Yup.

Great job!
LeeMiller
9 years ago
Such a beautiful mix of the dark wood and light cabinets with the dark countertop! Do you have any more close-ups? I'd love to see more.

We are actually planning to also open the wall between the existing kitchen and dining room - I think what you did looks great!
deedles
9 years ago
Wow, what beautiful walnut cabs for starters. Really beautiful kitchen! Love the backsplash tile.
Gooster
9 years ago
Beautiful walnut cabinets. Congratulations!
juddgirl2
9 years ago
Beautiful transformation! I love the contrast of the White Doe and walnut cabinets. Congratulations!
User
9 years ago
Wow, this is just amazing. During my seemingly endless planning phase I went through a long period of pining for walnut cabinets with a dark granite counter. I wasn't sure it would work in my very small galley kitchen. The materials look stunning in your space and frame the view to the fireplace perfectly. I really like your dual peninsulas too.
hsw_sc
9 years ago
WOW!!! Those walnut cabinets are gorgeous!!!
crcollins1_gw
9 years ago
I agree, those cabinets are soooo pretty. And I love that you did the cabinets by the refrigerator off to one side. Great layout for entertaining.
Jeannine Fay
9 years ago
great job. So cool and classically modern.
annettacm
9 years ago
I love two tone. I almost did that with mine, but I couldn't convince my husband. It's a beautiful look. GREAT kitchen with wonderful nuances. I love it!!
amykath
9 years ago
WOW! I love it! You must be ecstatic!
Kiwigem
9 years ago
great transformation!
taggie
9 years ago
Absolutely, jaw-droppingly gorgeous!! Love the walnut with the white, and your choice of countertops. Beautiful. Congratulations!
oldbat2be
9 years ago
Spartans99 - I am swooning over your walnut cabinetry and love what you've done! More pictures, please :)
maxmillion_gw
9 years ago
The walnut is beautiful! And the use of two tone is really well done.
gr8daygw
9 years ago
Love this combo. Gorgeous! Great job.
cat_mom
9 years ago
Love the walnut! Nice, nice kitchen!
agk2003
9 years ago
you did a beautiful job! what color are the white cabinets?
gabytx12
9 years ago
Love this!! I am also doing a 2 tone kitchen, same kind of color scheme. Love your flooring, I know it is red oak, but who makes it? Is it hardwood? Beautiful!
pricklypearcactus
9 years ago
Gorgeous! I really love the walnut cabinets. And the way the fridge is enclosed by cabinetry is just masterful.

Could you share any pictures of how the transition works between kitchen and family room? From the before picture it looks like there are some steps down. I have a similar situation and I'm wondering how to address it.
kcorn
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all again for the wonderful feedback! Here are some answers to the questions:

@AGK2003 - the white cabinets are BM White Dove

@gabytx12 - I am not sure who makes the floor, it was unfinished red oak flooring and then we had it sanded and refinished along with the entire first floor to be the same color - which is a Nutmeg stain color.

@pricklypearcactus - Here is one picture I took quickly with my iPhone today of the transition from kitchen to family room. I am sorry for the lighting and mess, but yes, we do have a step down between the rooms and this was a huge issue to overcome but we love how this bar area ties the spaces together. There was a lot of thought and debate that went into dealing with the cabinetry sizes/layout for both uppers and lowers, how much overhang, etc. Luckily we had an amazing cabinet maker that helped us work it out! FWIW I originally wanted the bar cabinets to the edge of the kitchen floor for the transition into the family room; but now that small area of flooring has been great as an extra place to put your feet. We also have the back side of the cabinets paneled with one cabinet opening into the family room. So we tried to make it as pleasing as possible visually and functional as well!

I will try to get some additional up close / detailed pictures together to post soon.
Catharine442
9 years ago
those two tones are nice. I like how the white cabinets make the space look more roomy.
redjmartin
9 years ago
spartans99,

Your kitchen is gorgeous! Everything just ties together perfectly. It's always a long process but worth it in the end. I'm glad you were happy with the cabinetmaker - you may remember that we used the same person and I provided a reference for him.

Ed
kcorn
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Ed! Yes, I do remember your kitchen was gorgeous as well and thank you again for the reference. We were very happy and have already referred him to multiple jobs! Hiring him was one of the best decisions we made through the entire project.
User
8 years ago
Spartans99, I am in Michigan too (Troy) and would like to contact you if possible. I would love to get your recommendations on a few things. How do you still like the cabinets? Would you still recommend the shop? I really wish Houzz had a PM feature for non-pros!

Reveal! Two Tone White and Walnut Kitchen

Comments (33)

crl_

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