A Bit of Old and Tons of Bold for a New Kitchen
See how designers bring character, warmth and style to this kitchen in a Southern California new build
A sink for food prep is located in the island, while a second sink serves the breakfast bar along the perimeter wall. Two bookmatched slabs of the same material used for the island cover the wall above the breakfast bar. The designers added six floating shelves on the wall to keep the space open. “Floating shelves are one of the most popular requests we get today when designing kitchens,” Rachel says.
The island base, cabinets and refrigerator panels are cerused white oak. Cerusing is a staining technique that helps to highlight the grain of the wood.
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The island base, cabinets and refrigerator panels are cerused white oak. Cerusing is a staining technique that helps to highlight the grain of the wood.
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
Four stools covered in distressed black leather allow guests to either face the kitchen or swivel around and watch the large flat-screen TV on the wall in the adjacent family room.
A pair of vintage rug runners on either side of the island adds some character to the contemporary space. “I think it’s important to add some vintage charm to a new space — it keeps it from looking too sterile,” Rachel says.
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A pair of vintage rug runners on either side of the island adds some character to the contemporary space. “I think it’s important to add some vintage charm to a new space — it keeps it from looking too sterile,” Rachel says.
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A breakfast area beyond the island features a table with six chairs and two upholstered benches that have been pushed together. A large window brings in plenty of natural light and offers a beautiful view of the San Joaquin Hills. The benches are covered in an indoor-outdoor fabric ideal for a family with a young boy.
A pair of industrial wood-and-steel freestanding shelves provide storage for the boy’s art and school supplies. “This is the area of the house that he spends a lot of time drawing and working on his school work,” Rachel says. The window features motorized shades that can be lowered at the touch of a button.
A pair of industrial wood-and-steel freestanding shelves provide storage for the boy’s art and school supplies. “This is the area of the house that he spends a lot of time drawing and working on his school work,” Rachel says. The window features motorized shades that can be lowered at the touch of a button.
This floor plan shows the location of the island, breakfast bar and breakfast area.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple and their 5-year-old son
Location: Orange County, California
Size: About 500 square feet (46 square meters)
Designer: Denise and Rachel Morrison of House of Morrison
After researching the profiles of interior designers and their work on Houzz, this young couple with a 5-year-old son reached out to designer Denise Morrison and her daughter-in-law and design partner, Rachel Morrison, before their new house in Orange, County, California, even had its drywall up. “When we came in, the house had just been framed out,” Denise says. “They wanted us to help them select kitchen materials that would be trendy, timeless and durable for a household with a young boy.”
At the heart of the kitchen is a 12-foot-long island that features a waterfall countertop of Neolith, an engineered material made from recycled products such as crushed stone. “It looks just like natural stone, but it’s much easier to maintain,” Denise says. The designers hung three oversize brass pendant lights above the island for scale and warmth.
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