Kitchen of the Week: Black, White and a Splash of Plum
In Atlanta, mixed metals, wood and a bold palette dress up a family kitchen optimized for entertaining
Before. The homeowners felt the original kitchen, though big, was cramped with its large, two-tier, U-shaped peninsula, which blocked the flow from the kitchen to the adjacent patio and pool. Laminate counters, particle board cabinets, muted colors and run-down appliances contributed to the uninspiring feel.
After. The first order of business was reconfiguring the layout.
“We wanted to increase the connection to the patio,” Jui says. She knocked down the peninsula and introduced a statement-making island. “We had never done a purple island before, and they were the perfect client for it,” she says. “They were open to any coloring.”
An opening that leads to the mudroom was pushed to the left and the cabinets along that wall were torn down to accommodate the range. The design team installed a pocket door to gain floor and wall space that would have been eaten up by a traditional swinging door. “Pocket doors are great when you plan to leave it open most of the time,” Jui says.
She leveled the original double soffit ceilings to create a clean, loftier feel. The homeowners requested elements of wood in the kitchen, so Jui encased an existing structural steel beam in cedar, then replicated the feature across the ceiling, making the beams an intentional part of the design.
Floors are black-walnut-look tile that resembles the hardwoods found in the rest of the house. The tile holds up better to wet feet coming in from the pool.
Floor tile: Walker Zanger
“We wanted to increase the connection to the patio,” Jui says. She knocked down the peninsula and introduced a statement-making island. “We had never done a purple island before, and they were the perfect client for it,” she says. “They were open to any coloring.”
An opening that leads to the mudroom was pushed to the left and the cabinets along that wall were torn down to accommodate the range. The design team installed a pocket door to gain floor and wall space that would have been eaten up by a traditional swinging door. “Pocket doors are great when you plan to leave it open most of the time,” Jui says.
She leveled the original double soffit ceilings to create a clean, loftier feel. The homeowners requested elements of wood in the kitchen, so Jui encased an existing structural steel beam in cedar, then replicated the feature across the ceiling, making the beams an intentional part of the design.
Floors are black-walnut-look tile that resembles the hardwoods found in the rest of the house. The tile holds up better to wet feet coming in from the pool.
Floor tile: Walker Zanger
From the get-go, the owners knew they wanted a 48-inch range. The architects used that as one of the focal points for the design, lining the wall behind the range with the same quartz used for the countertops. “It creates consistency,” Jui says. Pots and pans live in deep drawers on either side of the range.
The rest of that wall is covered in vinyl wallpaper that is wipeable and scrubbable. “We wanted to give them something a little unexpected,” Jui says. “Most people don’t think to use a wall covering as backsplash.”
Range: 48-inch Professional Series Pro Grand commercial-depth dual-fuel steam range, Thermador; wall covering: Combed Chevron in black slate, Schumacher
The rest of that wall is covered in vinyl wallpaper that is wipeable and scrubbable. “We wanted to give them something a little unexpected,” Jui says. “Most people don’t think to use a wall covering as backsplash.”
Range: 48-inch Professional Series Pro Grand commercial-depth dual-fuel steam range, Thermador; wall covering: Combed Chevron in black slate, Schumacher
Floating shelves hold everyday dinnerware, as well as ceramics the couple have collected over the years.
To the right of the range, above two small utensil drawers, a strip of outlets lets the homeowners plug in small appliances as needed for cooking.
To the right of the range, above two small utensil drawers, a strip of outlets lets the homeowners plug in small appliances as needed for cooking.
After. The new island opens up the circulation. Jui lightened the corner by moving the fridge and streamlining the cabinetry.
There’s a generous 46 inches of space between the 4-by-8-foot custom island and the range, so two cooks can comfortably work together. The island houses a paneled dishwasher to the right of the sink and a trash bin to the left.
Island paint: Caponata, Benjamin Moore; cabinet paint: Whisper, Benjamin Moore
There’s a generous 46 inches of space between the 4-by-8-foot custom island and the range, so two cooks can comfortably work together. The island houses a paneled dishwasher to the right of the sink and a trash bin to the left.
Island paint: Caponata, Benjamin Moore; cabinet paint: Whisper, Benjamin Moore
Cabinet doors open to reveal a coffee station.
The main cabinetry is minimal with flat-front doors. To mix things up, Jui and the homeowners wanted the island to have a standout feature. “We worked really hard to get that recessed brass in there,” Jui says. All of the hardware on the island is brushed brass, while the pulls on the cabinets along the walls are chrome. “We treat metals as neutrals,” Jui says. “You can mix and match them as long as you’re consistent with where each one is going, so it looks intentional.”
Per code, the island was required to have outlets. The team discreetly designed them into the corners.
Per code, the island was required to have outlets. The team discreetly designed them into the corners.
Stools with brass legs match the metal strip on the island.
Counters: Caesarstone Statuario Nuvo; pendants: Beat Light, Tom Dixon; bar stools: Roadhouse in black leather, CB2; see more leather bar stools
Counters: Caesarstone Statuario Nuvo; pendants: Beat Light, Tom Dixon; bar stools: Roadhouse in black leather, CB2; see more leather bar stools
Just off the kitchen, a live-edge wood slab provides a spot for working on a laptop.
After. The new space is a good example of the power of paint. Jui updated the room by painting the built-in bookshelves and fireplace and adding a statement light fixture and new art, and that’s about it.
Bookshelf paint: Iron Ore, Sherwin-Williams
More
How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
More Kitchens of the Week
Other Resources on Houzz
Find kitchen designers and see their past projects
Browse products for your kitchen and dining room
Bookshelf paint: Iron Ore, Sherwin-Williams
More
How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
More Kitchens of the Week
Other Resources on Houzz
Find kitchen designers and see their past projects
Browse products for your kitchen and dining room
Kitchen of the Week
Who lives here: A young professional couple with a son
Size: 500 square feet (46 square meters)
Location: Atlanta
Designer: Nicole Jui of Terracotta Design Build
The homeowners’ love of world travel inspired the design of this bold Atlanta kitchen, in which mixed metals, saturated hues and warm wood create a space that’s welcoming and stylish. “They like to cook and entertain,” architect Nicole Jui says.