Details Make the Difference in These 9 Kitchens
Thoughtful and creative touches personalize these My Houzz spaces. Which do you like best?
Janet Paik
June 3, 2019
Houzz Associate Editor. Passionate about creative homes and the people behind them. Loves thoughtful design, improving her family's 1950s fixer-upper and VW buses. Former designer at the San Jose Mercury News.
Houzz Associate Editor. Passionate about creative homes and the people behind them.... More
Whether it’s a graphic backsplash pattern or chalkboard-painted cabinets, each design decision can help make a kitchen look and feel special. See how homeowners featured in our My Houzz series personalized these nine kitchens with help from home pros. Then tell us in the Comments: Which one is your favorite?
1. Jewel-Tone Palette in a Missouri Lakeside Home
Who lives here: Traci and Joe Leuritsen and their two children
Location: Lake Lotawana, Missouri
Design detail: Custom slipcovered bar stool cushions
Traci Leuritsen ordered custom bar stool slipcovers in a vibrant pattern by Michelle Van Der Water of Rockin Cushions in California. This budget-friendly update adds color to a primarily neutral kitchen. The slipcovers contribute to a vibrant jewel-tone look in the family’s 1990s vacation retreat.
Design team: The couple worked with architect Lisa Sanford Duncan, general contractors Ray Vaughn and Henderson Cummings, and stylist Melissa Rodgers.
Read more about this home
Elsa mini Capiz shell pendant lights: Vaxcel
Who lives here: Traci and Joe Leuritsen and their two children
Location: Lake Lotawana, Missouri
Design detail: Custom slipcovered bar stool cushions
Traci Leuritsen ordered custom bar stool slipcovers in a vibrant pattern by Michelle Van Der Water of Rockin Cushions in California. This budget-friendly update adds color to a primarily neutral kitchen. The slipcovers contribute to a vibrant jewel-tone look in the family’s 1990s vacation retreat.
Design team: The couple worked with architect Lisa Sanford Duncan, general contractors Ray Vaughn and Henderson Cummings, and stylist Melissa Rodgers.
Read more about this home
Elsa mini Capiz shell pendant lights: Vaxcel
2. Eclectic Vintage Charm in a Country-Themed Texas Farmhouse
Who lives here: Sarah Thompson, Todd Sanders and their son
Location: Burton, Texas
Design detail: Restored original beadboard and shiplap
Sarah Thompson and Todd Sanders worked hard to duplicate what they believed the original kitchen layout must have been like in their 1896 weekend home. “Much of the original beadboard and shiplap from the house was treated and put back up,” Thompson says. The farmhouse sink is original, and the homeowners painted the original wall cabinets a light blue-green — Waterscape by Sherwin-Williams. The countertops are butcher block.
The appliances and fixtures are new, but the couple made sure to select ones with a vintage vibe. Sanders is a neon artist and made the decorative Off the Rails wall sign.
Design team: The couple worked closely with general contractor Rayman Blanchard to update the home’s interior and exterior.
Read more about this home
Find a kitchen remodeling pro near you on Houzz
Who lives here: Sarah Thompson, Todd Sanders and their son
Location: Burton, Texas
Design detail: Restored original beadboard and shiplap
Sarah Thompson and Todd Sanders worked hard to duplicate what they believed the original kitchen layout must have been like in their 1896 weekend home. “Much of the original beadboard and shiplap from the house was treated and put back up,” Thompson says. The farmhouse sink is original, and the homeowners painted the original wall cabinets a light blue-green — Waterscape by Sherwin-Williams. The countertops are butcher block.
The appliances and fixtures are new, but the couple made sure to select ones with a vintage vibe. Sanders is a neon artist and made the decorative Off the Rails wall sign.
Design team: The couple worked closely with general contractor Rayman Blanchard to update the home’s interior and exterior.
Read more about this home
Find a kitchen remodeling pro near you on Houzz
3. An 1880s House Made of Mud in Arizona
Who lives here: Kathe Lison and Christopher Cokinos
Location: Barrio Viejo neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona
Design detail: Refurbished vintage Norge stove
Kathe Lison and Christopher Cokinos tried to honor as much of their original desert mud house as possible while renovating their home. In the kitchen, half the alcoves existed, and half were added by the homeowners. “The vintage Norge stove was in the house, but it didn’t work, so we had it refurbished,” Lison says. “We felt it was important to hang on to as many things that were already here as possible. We could have left all of the distressed walls in their raw state, but we ended up plastering some of the ones that were in really rough shape.”
Design team: The renovation took more than a year, and the couple worked with architect Kegan Tom from The Architectural Co. and contractors from Oden Construction. Carpenter John Kalnins helped build custom items, including the reclaimed-wood kitchen island. The homeowners have since sold the house.
Read more about this home
Who lives here: Kathe Lison and Christopher Cokinos
Location: Barrio Viejo neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona
Design detail: Refurbished vintage Norge stove
Kathe Lison and Christopher Cokinos tried to honor as much of their original desert mud house as possible while renovating their home. In the kitchen, half the alcoves existed, and half were added by the homeowners. “The vintage Norge stove was in the house, but it didn’t work, so we had it refurbished,” Lison says. “We felt it was important to hang on to as many things that were already here as possible. We could have left all of the distressed walls in their raw state, but we ended up plastering some of the ones that were in really rough shape.”
Design team: The renovation took more than a year, and the couple worked with architect Kegan Tom from The Architectural Co. and contractors from Oden Construction. Carpenter John Kalnins helped build custom items, including the reclaimed-wood kitchen island. The homeowners have since sold the house.
Read more about this home
4. Laid-Back Style in L.A.’s Laurel Canyon
Who lives here: Tori Horowitz, Jonas von Studnitz and their two sons
Location: Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles
Design detail: Chalkboard-painted cabinets
The updated 1920s treehouse-like home of Tori Horowitz and Jonas von Studnitz embodies a laid-back and sophisticated vibe. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets are covered with chalkboard paint so that the family of four can leave messages or artwork. Skylights make the space feel airy and bright, and the back doors lead to a sprawling deck. The textured floors are made of wood that was recycled from a barn in Pennsylvania. “We stained them gray to offset the woodsy vibe of everything else in the house. They ground the space,” Horowitz says.
Who lives here: Tori Horowitz, Jonas von Studnitz and their two sons
Location: Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles
Design detail: Chalkboard-painted cabinets
The updated 1920s treehouse-like home of Tori Horowitz and Jonas von Studnitz embodies a laid-back and sophisticated vibe. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets are covered with chalkboard paint so that the family of four can leave messages or artwork. Skylights make the space feel airy and bright, and the back doors lead to a sprawling deck. The textured floors are made of wood that was recycled from a barn in Pennsylvania. “We stained them gray to offset the woodsy vibe of everything else in the house. They ground the space,” Horowitz says.
Hanging over the kitchen island are handmade ceramic pendant lights from Heather Levine Studio. The couple made a trip to Heath Ceramics in Sausalito, California, to buy secondhand tile for the green backsplash.
Read more about this home
Read more about this home
5. Contrasting Color in an Expanded London Row House
Who lives here: Lizzie and Joe Fraher of Fraher Architects and their two daughters
Location: Southeast London
Design detail: Yellow accent color on custom cabinets
Each of the floors in the Fraher family home has a dedicated accent color. On the ground floor, it’s yellow. “We have two young daughters, and we gave them the opportunity to choose the colors so they could be involved in the design,” says Lizzie Fraher.
Their custom kitchen cabinetry is by Shape London. The cabinets are made from Valchromat, a through-colored medium-density fiberboard. “It has a slight grain, so it’s a really tactile finish,” she says. They’re in gray, with the ground floor’s signature yellow used for feature recesses, shelves and other details. The work surface is gray Corian. “It has a slim profile, so it’s a clean aesthetic.”
Read more about this home
Who lives here: Lizzie and Joe Fraher of Fraher Architects and their two daughters
Location: Southeast London
Design detail: Yellow accent color on custom cabinets
Each of the floors in the Fraher family home has a dedicated accent color. On the ground floor, it’s yellow. “We have two young daughters, and we gave them the opportunity to choose the colors so they could be involved in the design,” says Lizzie Fraher.
Their custom kitchen cabinetry is by Shape London. The cabinets are made from Valchromat, a through-colored medium-density fiberboard. “It has a slight grain, so it’s a really tactile finish,” she says. They’re in gray, with the ground floor’s signature yellow used for feature recesses, shelves and other details. The work surface is gray Corian. “It has a slim profile, so it’s a clean aesthetic.”
Read more about this home
6. White Paint Makeover in Austin
Who lives here: Katie Taylor and Phillip Anderson
Location: Austin, Texas
Design detail: White painted cabinets
The existing cabinets in Katie Taylor and Phillip Anderson’s kitchen were in good shape with a good layout, but they wanted to update the color and style of the space. They had the cabinets painted a bright white — Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams — and added new brass hardware from Emtek. The homeowners had the upper cabinets on both sides of the sink replaced with floating shelves. They also had a new backsplash and floor installed.
The white countertops are Silestone quartz, and the island includes a 2-foot overhang so that it can accommodate bar stools.
Read more about this home
Venatino polished marble backsplash tile: Anatolia; reversible fireclay farmhouse sink: LaToscana; Trinsic single faucet in champagne bronze: Delta
Shop for brass cabinet hardware on Houzz
Who lives here: Katie Taylor and Phillip Anderson
Location: Austin, Texas
Design detail: White painted cabinets
The existing cabinets in Katie Taylor and Phillip Anderson’s kitchen were in good shape with a good layout, but they wanted to update the color and style of the space. They had the cabinets painted a bright white — Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams — and added new brass hardware from Emtek. The homeowners had the upper cabinets on both sides of the sink replaced with floating shelves. They also had a new backsplash and floor installed.
The white countertops are Silestone quartz, and the island includes a 2-foot overhang so that it can accommodate bar stools.
Read more about this home
Venatino polished marble backsplash tile: Anatolia; reversible fireclay farmhouse sink: LaToscana; Trinsic single faucet in champagne bronze: Delta
Shop for brass cabinet hardware on Houzz
7. Graphic Tile and Boho Style in a 1970s Ranch House
Who lives here: Jaclyn and Joe Dowdle
Location: Austin
Design detail: Geometric cement backsplash tile
Jaclyn and Joe Dowdle gutted their kitchen for a new look. “The way the kitchen was originally oriented just didn’t lend well to storage space. We want to be in this house for a while, so we added more cabinetry,” Jaclyn says. The couple also had eye-catching geometric black-and-white cement backsplash tile installed. It’s New West Pattern 10 by Clé.
Design team: The couple worked with a local carpenter to make their new white cabinets and drawers.
Read more about this home
Who lives here: Jaclyn and Joe Dowdle
Location: Austin
Design detail: Geometric cement backsplash tile
Jaclyn and Joe Dowdle gutted their kitchen for a new look. “The way the kitchen was originally oriented just didn’t lend well to storage space. We want to be in this house for a while, so we added more cabinetry,” Jaclyn says. The couple also had eye-catching geometric black-and-white cement backsplash tile installed. It’s New West Pattern 10 by Clé.
Design team: The couple worked with a local carpenter to make their new white cabinets and drawers.
Read more about this home
8. Neutral Chic Style in a 1901 Charleston Home
Who lives here: Dannon Collard and Josh Heller
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Design detail: Kegerator
Dannon Collard and Josh Heller rearranged their kitchen layout and appliances. The sink was originally where the oven is now, and they added an L-shaped peninsula with a kegerator for Heller’s home-brews and seasonal flavors from Brewpublik.
The couple also removed the upper cabinets for a clean look and put a backsplash of 3-by-6-inch white subway tiles in their place. Collard painted the bottom cabinets in Magnetic Gray by Sherwin-Williams and added brass hardware.
Read more about this home
Xena farmhouse vessel sink: American Imaginations; Calacatta quartz countertops: East Coast Granite and Design
Who lives here: Dannon Collard and Josh Heller
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Design detail: Kegerator
Dannon Collard and Josh Heller rearranged their kitchen layout and appliances. The sink was originally where the oven is now, and they added an L-shaped peninsula with a kegerator for Heller’s home-brews and seasonal flavors from Brewpublik.
The couple also removed the upper cabinets for a clean look and put a backsplash of 3-by-6-inch white subway tiles in their place. Collard painted the bottom cabinets in Magnetic Gray by Sherwin-Williams and added brass hardware.
Read more about this home
Xena farmhouse vessel sink: American Imaginations; Calacatta quartz countertops: East Coast Granite and Design
9. Modern-Meets-Farmhouse Touches in an Updated 1957 Ranch House
Who lives here: Denise Roberts and Brad Scherer
Location: Westgate neighborhood of Austin
Design detail: Custom walnut range hood cover and open shelves
Interior designer and home stager Denise Roberts of Love Ding had floating walnut shelves installed in her new modern and minimalist kitchen. She uses them to display favorite glasses and frequently used plates. She also worked with UB Kitchens to have a custom range hood cover made of walnut.
The mostly white-and-wood kitchen has a farmhouse-inspired feel, thanks to shiplap-style walls, warm rustic finishes and black accents. Roberts also had a wall between the kitchen and living room removed and added a large island. “The island bar-top area has gotten the most use in my home, as that’s where all the dinners are prepped, friends hang out and where most of our dinners are eaten,” the homeowner says.
Design team: Roberts worked with architect John Allen and contractors Todd and Wayne Vice of Vice Brothers Construction.
Read more about this home
Cremona pendant lights in black: Cocoweb; Dolphin Gray island paint: Behr
More on Houzz
Read stories about kitchen design
See other inspiring kitchen photos
Find a local kitchen designer
Shop for popular kitchen storage and organization products
Who lives here: Denise Roberts and Brad Scherer
Location: Westgate neighborhood of Austin
Design detail: Custom walnut range hood cover and open shelves
Interior designer and home stager Denise Roberts of Love Ding had floating walnut shelves installed in her new modern and minimalist kitchen. She uses them to display favorite glasses and frequently used plates. She also worked with UB Kitchens to have a custom range hood cover made of walnut.
The mostly white-and-wood kitchen has a farmhouse-inspired feel, thanks to shiplap-style walls, warm rustic finishes and black accents. Roberts also had a wall between the kitchen and living room removed and added a large island. “The island bar-top area has gotten the most use in my home, as that’s where all the dinners are prepped, friends hang out and where most of our dinners are eaten,” the homeowner says.
Design team: Roberts worked with architect John Allen and contractors Todd and Wayne Vice of Vice Brothers Construction.
Read more about this home
Cremona pendant lights in black: Cocoweb; Dolphin Gray island paint: Behr
More on Houzz
Read stories about kitchen design
See other inspiring kitchen photos
Find a local kitchen designer
Shop for popular kitchen storage and organization products
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@attendant100: If those are your planks you are planning to update, I think they are fine the way they are. Unless they are so worn or scratched that sanding and refinishing won't help, why rip up a perfectly good wood floor for the sake of trends?
I had my 30 year old oak strip flooring resurfaced for the first time two years ago. I had an Intermediate (not too dark) brownish tone (not reddish/orangish, as before) beautiful, more contemporary stain put on with a matte polyurethane on top. One thing I have noticed is the polyurethane that was just used doesn't seem to have the toughness of the poly that was used thirty years ago even though there were the same number of coats put on. I believe they changed the formulation on the poly in the '90s because of environmental concerns.
8 and 9 are my favorites. I can't remember which one has the chandelier type light fixture, but I have always thought that kind of light fixture is likely to become dirty and dull faster in a kitchen than in other rooms. Just as much dust, but add steam and other things from a kitchen and it's likely to be more of a problem.